La Possession

Hiking the Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Reunion feels oddly like gatecrashing an extravagant geological party that started several million years ago-volcanoes collapsed dramatically, erosion sculpted cliffs defiantly artistic, and lush tropical greenery crashed the scene fashionably late. This pocket-sized French island, marooned in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mauritius, delivers landscapes so audaciously stunning you'll suspect CGI trickery. Start before dawn-partly to catch sunrise painting surreal colors onto cliff faces but mostly to escape midday heat that can fry an egg (or your patience). Organize your trek at least a few weeks ahead, especially if you're eyeing the rustic mountain huts scattered along the trails. Budget around $30-50 per day for basic meals and lodging, but pack a stash of hearty local snacks or dried fruits to bargain your way into conversations with seasoned Creole hikers who'll regard your shiny boots with amused skepticism. Make sure to bring sturdy footwear, layers for the brisk mornings, and spare socks-wet jungle trails have an affinity for soggy feet. And a flask of rhum arrange wouldn't hurt either. The hike isn't easy: you'll sweat, curse, and briefly question your sanity. But trust me, when you stand atop a lunar-like volcanic plateau, overlooking dramatic cirques that look suspiciously like they belong on another planet, you'll agree it's worth every aching muscle. Even if the payoff is simply bragging, at cocktail parties forevermore, that-you've survived Reunion.

Dragging yourself out of a cozy bed at an hour reserved strictly for bakers, jet-lagged travelers, and insomniacs might initially seem like madness, but trust me-Le Maido makes it gloriously worthwhile. Perched at a lofty 2,200 meters above sea level, this viewpoint isn't just another sunrise; it's a front-row seat to nature's Oscar-worthy performance as sunlight floods across the remote, impossibly rugged cliffs of Mafate, illuminating a landscape that feels pulled straight from Jurassic Park's cutting-room floor. Historically, Mafate was the hiding place of choice for runaway slaves and rebellious souls-fitting, given that tackling this early-morning escapade requires a rebellious streak of your own. Start your ascent pre-dawn (think 4 am departures), pack hot coffee, layers worthy of an Arctic explorer, and your patience-parking can fill up fast, particularly on weekends or during holidays, so planning at least a day ahead is a no-brainer. Budget-wise, there's no entry fee, but you'll shell out for petrol and bakery-fare afterward, so bring 10-20 euros and a willingness to splurge on buttery croissants when your descent sparks hunger pangs. Yes, it's early, painfully so, and yes, it'll leave you sleep-deprived and wind-whipped, but standing atop Maido at dawn, watching as golden rays spill into an ancient volcanic amphitheater, is exactly the kind of surreal, brag-worthy adventure you'll recount smugly forever-at dinner parties, dive bars, or anywhere your friends dare complain about waking up early.

Heading to the Plaine des Sables is the closest you'll get to interplanetary travel without involving NASA or Elon Musk's latest billionaire joyride. Tucked into the otherworldly neighborhood surrounding Piton de la Fournaise-Reunion Island's famously temperamental volcano-this sprawling, alien landscape of rust-colored ash and pulverized volcanic rock convincingly doubles as a stand-in for Mars (minus Matt Damon and the potato farming). Arrive early, preferably at dawn, when the rising sun casts eerie shadows, adding drama fit for Stanley Kubrick's unused footage. Pack sturdy boots, water, sunscreen, and a camera to convince friends and skeptics that your weekend involved something slightly more daring than brunch. Budget isn't much of a concern here, as the volcanic moonscape-thankfully resisting the urge to monetize its rugged charm-is free, though fuel and snacks will run you around €20-€30. Just don't wing it-plan at least a day ahead, because the road leading there is one winding, bumpy odyssey, testing both your rental car's suspension and your relationship status. Indeed, stumbling across a barren volcanic desert in the Indian Ocean is worth every hassle; if nothing else, you'll leave with the unbeatable bragging rights of having walked boldly where lava once flowed, and perhaps pondering existentially how minuscule avocado toast suddenly appears in the grand scheme of geological history.