Dynamic Duos

Combining two complementary destinations in one vacation can make each come alive in a way it wouldn’t have if visited alone. In our years of travel planning, the Indagare team has discovered a number of off-the-beaten path destinations that mesh nicely with very different, more traditional ones. Here are some of our favorite combos.

For Honeymooners and Families: India and the Maldives

Opposites in nearly all aspects—India is known for culture and crowds, the Maldives for complete isolation—this pairing is ideal for honeymooners and others who want an intellectually stimulating vacation that incorporates downtime. A tropical paradise that is 99 percent sea and 1 percent land, with beaches and marine-life-filled waters certain to satisfy the fantasies of surfers, scuba divers and sunbathers, the Maldives lies a few hundred miles south of the tip of India. Combine these far-flung destinations in a culture-packed trip that culminates in a few days of rest and relaxation by the water or one that begins on the beach, letting you ease into the time change before plunging into sightseeing adventures.

For Culture Hounds: Berlin and Istanbul

is one of Europe’s most exciting and vibrant cities, with thriving art and fashion scenes characterized by experimentation and risk taking, as well as a complex history and a current urgency to prove itself as a capital of contemporaneity. Istanbul has an even longer and more complex history, as the capital of the eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Today it is the economic center and most populous city of the modern state of Turkey, considered a bridge between Europe and Asia by virtue of its situation straddling the Bosporus strait. Like Berlin, it is a cultural hub, with innovative art museums, funky cafés and sophisticated boutique hotels that offer an intriguing contrast to its ancient sights.

For Adventure Lovers: New Zealand and Fiji

A fourteen-hour flight from California, New Zealand is one of the hardest-to-reach countries in the world, a bucket-list destination that most travelers visit once, if they’re lucky. The lengthy journey, though more than compensated for by the astounding landscapes and superluxurious lodges, means that few travelers will be able to combine island nation with another destination. Those who can, however, especially active families and couples, may want to extend their trip with a stay in Fiji. There’s no better place to rest one's aching muscles after days of bungee jumping, hiking, fly-fishing, surfing and touring New Zealand’s skies via helicopter than on the South Pacific’s finest island paradise.

For Foodies and Fashionistas: Marrakech and Barcelona

Just two hours apart by plane, Marrakech and Barcelona have wildly different cultures. Both, however, share a reputation for flavorful local cuisine, a creative art scene, sophisticated fashion and luxurious hotels. For those passionate about food and culture, they make a magical combination. Days in both destinations can be filled with cooking classes, food and architecture tours and stylish evenings out on the town. Families who want a vacation that mixes indulgent down time with a fast-paced city experience, as well as couples or groups of friends looking to celebrate an occasion in style, will find a Marrakech-Barcelona trip the perfect fit.