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This Week on Indagare:

Just Back From…Venice

Active/Adventure: Australian Lodges

Giving Back: Myanmar

Style: Istanbul Chic

Plus: Last Day to shop the Indagare NYC Souk

Dream. Plan. Book. Our bookings team’s favorite trip of the week: A mobile safari on horseback in Botswana, starting from acclaimed Jack’s Camp and into the wild on the ultimate equestrian journey. For help with your next trip, contact our team.

Just Back From…Venice

From the unparalleled beauty of its seascapes to the charming simplicity of its daily rituals, Venice reigns supreme as a place of time-travel. But insiders know that behind the crumbling panoramas, there’s creative movement as top hoteliers fight to keep La Serenissima from turning into a museum. This conviction powered two inspired hotel projects from Francesca Possati, owner of the Bauer Hotels, as well as updates at the iconic Cipriani. Indagare’s Barkley Hickox reports on her recent trip and highlights her favorite finds, from hotels to the best spots for aperitifs. Read more: Just Back From Venice.

Active/Adventure: Australian Lodges

Understanding the essence of Australia entails time at the beach and in the Outback, an Aussie term for the wild countryside. Until recently, however, there were few luxurious resorts in these remote places. But, as Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley discovered during her recent trip with her family, these days visiting Down Under no longer means one has to downgrade expectations. “I stayed at several of the new super lodges,” she writes, “some of which have been modeled after the wonderful camps of South Africa and New Zealand.” The result: for travelers who love wilderness and wildlife, Australia is a must-visit. Read Melissa’s dispatch, including reviews of such lodges as Wolgan Valley and the Bells properties at Killcare.

Giving Back: Myanmar

Hardly a travel-news day goes by without some coverage of Myanmar (Burma), which after decades of isolation is all the rage. But even as the country is transforming, anyone considering a trip has to be aware of what goes on behind the scenes. Travelers can make a huge impact by choosing where they spend their tourist dollars. That means researching hotels and operators, reading up on the country’s history, and making informed decisions once on the ground. Buying mementos like rubies is out (the mining industry has a horrific human rights record); supporting social initiatives, like Helping Hands Loft, in Yangon, or Amara Foundation (a reading project) is the way to go. Read a list of tips on how to travel responsibly as Myanmar finds its stance on the world map: The Thoughtful Traveler.

Style: Istanbul Chic

Melding the traditional with the contemporary, Istanbul is bursting with the compounded creativity of multiple millennia. When mapping out a shopping strategy through this trove, visitors should defer to the experts. We reached out to some in-the-know Istanbulians for their insider tips. Read the recommendations from ABC Carpets & Home’s Madeline Weinrib, art consultant Isabella Icoz, fashion designer Denise Spencer and Caroline Koc, designer of Haremlique, the ultimate source for luxury textiles. Spencer’s and Haremlique’s incredible wares can also be found at the Indagare Souk, today at the Plaza Athenée (click here for details). Read more: Istanbul Insiders.

Last Day: Indagare NYC Souk Come shop the last day of our biggest Indagare Souk to date, featuring more than 25 designers and artisans from all over the world. Stop by the Hotel Plaza Athénée (37 East 64th St.) until 6p.m. tonight.