The surprising reason these iconic places are best reached by sea, not air

For most of history, countries were reached by European tall ships, Spanish galleons, Polynesian canoes and Viking longships. I think that's why cruising feels like a more appropriate way to visit some places. Instead of screeching into an airport by plane, a cruise approaches land at the same pace as explorers and traders did centuries ago.

Easter Island is one of those mythical places that rewards a sea arrival. For days, there is nothing but the vast Pacific Ocean, then a tiny speck appears in the distance, followed by the unmistakable silhouettes of the moai (pictured).

Pitcairn Island has a similar aura, famous as the isolated refuge of the Bounty mutineers, who settled there in 1790. Cruise ships rarely call at either of these destinations, making them even more mysterious.

The Galapagos is another archipelago that should be discovered by ship, so you can appreciate why Darwin found it extraordinary. The wildlife and volcanic shores look as they did when the Beagle anchored there almost 200 years ago. An expedition cruise moves slowly between the islands, encouraging you to wonder what lies around the next corner. The giant tortoises and iguanas roaming black-lava fields are like relics from another age.

Indonesia's Komodo Island has its own wild creatures that seem mythological. The idea of these prehistoric lizards surviving into modern times is crazy, yet they still creep around freely. To face your first dragon, it wouldn't feel right to turn up on Jetstar.

Nor should you fly to the end of the world. Whether it's the top end at the Arctic, the bottom end at Antarctica, or rounding Cape Horn, only a sturdy ship makes sense. The voyage is part of the achievement, giving you time to grasp how far you've come.