Travel test matches: which top rugby destination should you visit?

Who will love it?
Those who prefer a slower pace in which to explore vine-laden countryside, mediaeval villages and towns, mountains, historic architecture, gentle cycling routes and classic French fare – all framed by three coastlines. 

What to see and do
Visit D-Day beaches in Normandy. Explore historic cities like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nimes and Arles. Peer into glorious gorges of the rivers Verdon and Tarn. Tour the greatest wine (and brandy)-producing regions in the world. 

Bucket-list experience
Paris has all the classics: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Place Vendôme and the Palace of Versailles. People-watch from Les Deux Magots and book-browse in Shakespeare and Company. With luck, you might even bump into a street protest for an authentic Parisian experience.

Unmissable eats
Soupe à l'oignon, coq au vin, boeuf Bourguignon, salade Niçoise, steak tartare, plateau de fruits de mer, bouillabaisse, crème brûlée – et al. Find them at bistro Chez André on rue Marbeuf in Paris' 8th Arrondissement.

Where to stay
Castille Paris for a beautiful family-run hotel in the most central, chic part of town.

Who will love it
Anyone seeking the best of both worlds: centuries-old traditions, ornate temples, shrines, picturesque towns and koi carp, alongside the dazzling lights, energy and technical innovation of ultra-modern cities, all set on four main islands, Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu.

What to see and do
Lose yourself in cherry blossom in Kyoto. Lace up your boots and climb Mount Fuji. Visit ancient temples. Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. Bathe in an onsen. Have a go at karaoke. Go full Lost In Translation.

Bucket-list experience
Ski at Niseko Annupuri on Hokkaido Island. Ninety days of fresh powder each season make Niseko the second snowiest resort in the world. Afterwards, unwind in an outdoor onsen then eat delicious food from the most fertile island in Japan.

Unmissable eats
Sushi, ramen, tempura. A trip to Japan offers a chance to taste the most authentic versions of these globally adored dishes. Try a kasutera (honey sponge cake) from Tokyo's Fan Pai Pai.

Where to stay
Green Leaf Niseko in Hokkaido – the perfect place to experience the Japanese way of life amongst its snow-capped mountains.

Who will love it?
Connoisseurs who admire the Italian eye for exquisite taste, style and beauty in all walks of life, from famous architecture and art to designer clothing, food and wine.

What to see and do
Visit the Cinque Terre coastal area in Liguria. Drive the Amalfi Coast. Dip into Lake Como. Fashion-shop in Milan. Visit Rome and the Vatican. Wander through Pompeii and Herculaneum. Climb the Dolomites. Tour Tuscany taking in Florence, Siena and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Bucket-list experience
Visit Venice, whose beauty and fascination continues to hypnotise – especially in the winter months, where the crowds are fewer.

Unmissable eats
Bigoli in salsa, risotto al nero di seppia, baccalà mantecato, fegato alla Veneziana, cicchetti. Book a table at Osteria Da Fiore on S. Polo – Calle del Scaleter for unmissable Venetian cuisine and canal-side views. 

Where to stay
Hotel Danieli, for a classic Venetian experience overlooking St Mark’s Basin.

Who will love it? 
Anyone who yearns for wild, rugged scenery, elegant cities, massive national parks, the Andes, Patagonia, a warm Latin welcome, a knockout steak and full-bodied Malbec.

What to see and do
Visit Iguazu Falls. Explore the winelands. Roam Patagonia down to Ushuaia. Visit Salta in the high mountain desert. Hike to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Cruise the Beagle Channel. Watch polo. Dance the tango. Hop on a hydrofoil across the River Plate to Montevideo in Uruguay.

Bucket-list experience
Visit Buenos Aires, taking in Puerto Madero's waterfront, the Teatro Colon opera house, the elegant Recoleta neighbourhood and cemetery, the Caminito neighbourhood and a boat tour on the Tigre delta.

Unmissable eats
Argentine barbecue, empanadas, chimichurri, yerba mate, choripán. Head to Don Julio steakhouse for the best beef.

Where to stay
Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires, is a centrally located contemporary hotel backed by the famous Alvear Hotel.

Who will love it? 
Celtic fans who can’t resist romantic mountain scenery and don't squeal at haggis. Plus, all the good stuff: golf, Scotch, shortbread, bagpipes, castles, dramatic lochs, cosy knitwear, and fresh shellfish, salmon and game.

What to see and do
Edinburgh Castle for the history buffs and King Arthur’s Seat for a decent hike. Visit the Western Islands, especially Skye. Climb Ben Nevis. Travel on the Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William.

Bucket-list experience
Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Book weekday shows for the best chance at seeing your favourite up-and-comers.

Unmissable eats
Haggis, porridge, Cullen Skink (traditional soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes, onions), smoked salmon, grouse, venison.

Where to stay
The Balmoral Edinburgh, right in the heart of Auld Reekie.

Who will love it? 
Wildlife lovers seeking the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, lion), otherworldly mountains, sand beaches, winelands and a diverse mix of cultures all set against some of the world's most dramatic scenery.

What to see and do
Take a Big Five safari and stay in a luxurious game lodge. Visit Cape Town. Spot the penguins at Boulders Beach. Climb Table Mountain. Drive the Garden Route. Rock climb in the Cedarberg Mountains. Watch whales at Hermanus. Visit the winelands. 

Bucket-list experience
Watching, silently, as herds of African Buffalo wander and graze Kruger National Park.

Unmissable eats
Bobotie (the national dish), boerewors sausages, Cape Malay curry.

Where to stay
Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town: a classic old-school Cape Town hotel set in beautiful gardens.

Who will love it?
Culture and history lovers are spoilt for choice in the ever-evolving capital, London, with its famous sites, world-leading art scene and legendary entertainment. But England is a truly versatile destination that’s not just for city breakers – there’s also peaceful countryside for rural pursuits, historic spa towns and classic seaside breaks.

What to see and do
Watch one of Shakespeare’s plays in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, take a magical mystery tour around the city of Liverpool to learn about the The Beatles or explore Brontë country in West Yorkshire. Go punting on the River Cam or wallow in Bath’s famous thermal waters. Take in Cornwall’s picturesque harbour villages.

Bucket-list experience
The South Bank delivers the Tate Modern, Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre and wonderful views across the river to St Paul’s. Eat at Borough Market, see a show in the West End, watch Tower Hill Bridge open, snoop around Buckingham Palace, hop on an e-bike to explore the city’s parks and watch the sun set on Primrose Hill.

Unmissable eats
British chefs know how to elevate comfort food – think expertly-crafted pies at The Holborn Dining Room, roasted bone marrow at St John and giant cheese toasties at The Wigmore. Heading to the coast? Whether its Whitby or Whitstable, there are incredible fish and chips to be found (curry sauce, optional). Treat yourself to fine dining at three-Michelin starred L’Enclume in Cumbria. Get involved in a Sunday roast at a great pub and don’t miss an afternoon cream tea.

Where to stay
Shangri-La at The Shard for a luxurious stay and rooms that tower over the London skyline.

Who will love it? 
This land of wide-open spaces and unique wildlife is a dream for easy breezy travellers who appreciate the great outdoors: beaches, sports, barbecues, hot springs, desert... The list goes on. Plus, fine weather and the Australian sense of humour.

What to see and do
Visit Sydney Harbour. See Alice Springs. Dive on the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the Outback and experience the magic of Uluru. Visit the winelands of Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley. Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island (don’t forget to take a selfie). Explore Mossman Gorge from an indigenous perspective on a rainforest walk organised by a local Aboriginal community. Hire a car and take a road trip along some of the country’s most epic stretches of road, such as The Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Bucket-list experience
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge to see Sydney Harbour in all its majesty. Our tip? Visit at dawn or dusk for especially wow-worthy views. Back on the ground, explore the inner workings of the Sydney Opera House, an architectural wonder and one of Australia’s most iconic buildings.

Unmissable eats
Shellfish and seafood, often served with an Asian twist, and dishes that champion top-quality local produce, including indigenous ingredients such as Kakadu plums and finger limes. As mentioned above, wine is big business; be sure to explore the highly esteemed Margaret River region and Clare Valley. Immerse yourself in the coffee culture, too. It’s served and roasted all over Australia but is also grown in the country.

Where to stay
Sydney Park Hyatt for the best views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.