Travel Insights

Insights, ideas and itineraries from kimkim's trusted network of Local Travel Specialists and Experts

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Cuba in January: Travel Tips, Weather, and More

This is a peak month in Cuba for travel. Havana, Trinidad, and Viñales in the heart of tobacco country can all seem overrun (although things have eased in Havana since 2019, with U.S. cruise ships no longer calling). This is also a peak festival season, and Havana is abuzz with celebration. Hotel rates are high, but there are plenty of bargain-priced casas particulares (private B&Bs). And though weather is variable, you’ll mostly experience gorgeous sunny days.

Enjoy a day trip to stunning Capri, and check out the beach and Faraglioni cliffs

Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily - 18 Days

Take in the sights and sounds of Italy's romantic capital, travel along the ruggedly beautiful southern coast, and dive deep into Sicily's ancient culture. You'll do all this and more over 18 unforgettable days, beginning in Rome with tours of the city's emblematic sights before heading to the rocky beaches of the Amalfi Coast and the sunny island of Capri. Then you'll visit the island of Sicily, where you'll experience the best of its culture and cuisine on an adventurous road trip.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Sicily - 17 Days

This 17-day grand tour of Italy is your ticket to all the beauty and living history for which that country is famous. You'll begin in Rome and visit the most famous sights, including the Colosseum, Vatican, and Roman Forum, before absconding south to the sunkissed shores of the Amalfi Coast. A jaunt to Sicily and a road-trip around that incomparable island completes the adventure as you discover its great food, wine, and natural beauty.

Visit the Noto Cathedral in Noto, Sicily

Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily - 16 Days

This 16-day adventure includes visits to some of the most incredible locales in Italy. This includes everywhere, from the capital of Rome to the Amalfi Coast to the island of Sicily. On top of the beautiful sights, you'll also enjoy unforgettable activities like museum visits, a street-food tour of Palermo, hiking up Mount Etna, and more.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Sicily - 15 Days

Get ready for the ultimate 15-day Mediterranean experience. You'll first tour the highlights of Rome before venturing south to Italy's Amalfi Coast and the nearby island of Capri, which rises out of the sapphire blue waters like a siren. The adventure then kicks into high gear with an epic road trip around Sicily, where you'll explore its famous ruins, luxuriate in its rich culture, and dine on its incomparable cuisine.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Sicily - 14 Days

Over 15 days you'll experience the highlights of Italy. In the capital Rome, you'll visit landmarks like the Colosseum and historic institutions like the Vatican. You'll then enjoy the pebble beaches and sun-kissed coast of Amalfi before venturing far south to Sicily, where a road trip will take you from Palermo to Mount Etna.

Visit Sicily's Palermo Cathedral on a guided tour

Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily - 13 Days

Give yourself over to the beauty of Italy for 13 days of culture, romance, and adventure. After touring the famous sights of Rome, like the Forum and Colosseum, you'll travel south to the ruggedly beautiful Amalfi Coast and the incomparable Mediterranean gem of Capri. The trip culminates with an exciting road trip around the island of Sicily, in which you'll tour Palermo and visit ancient Greek ruins.

Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Sicily - 12 Days

Get away from it all for 12 days of unforgettable experiences in Italy. This includes touring the most famous sights of Rome, lazing on the pebbly beaches of the Amalfi Coast, and marveling at the cotton-candy-pink sunsets of Capri. The Mediterranean dream doesn't end there—you'll also embark on a road trip adventure around Sicily, from the historic streets of Palermo to the Greek ruins of Syracuse.

Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily - 11 Days

The only thing better than visiting one incredible region of Sicily is visiting three. Over 11 days, you'll do just that, beginning in Rome with tours of its ancient ruins and historic sights. You'll then travel south to the incomparable Amalfi Coast and island of Capri before finishing up in Sicily with an epic road trip that includes a visit to historic beach towns like Cefalú and ancient Greek ruins.

Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily - 10 Days

In just 10 days, you can craft a memorable Italian vacation that includes many highlights. This, of course, includes the historic locales in Rome, but you'll also travel south to the ruggedly beautiful Amalfi Coast and Capri, a pure postcard region if ever there was one. You'll then immerse yourself in the rich culture of Sicily on an adventurous jaunt that will take you from Palermo to Cefalú to ancient Greek ruins.

Discover the historic town of Gravina in Puglia

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 18 Days

This 18-day itinerary covers two of southern Italy's most stunning regions: Puglia and Sicily. It begins in Puglia with visits to the cone-shaped trulli homes of Alberobello and the ancient cave dwellings in Matera. Then head to Lecce to see Baroque architecture and Roman ruins before experiencing the highlights of Sicily on a self-drive road trip.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 17 Days

On this 17-day tour of Italy's southern regions, you'll go beyond medieval and Roman history and also visit the ruins of ancient civilizations. 9,000-year-old cave dwellings exist in the historic city of Matera, in Italy's Puglia region, but you'll also visit coastal gems like Lecce and Bari. The adventure culminates in Sicily with tours of Greek and Roman ruins and a hike up Mt. Etna.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 16 Days

This packed 16-day adventure combines the culturally rich region of Sicily with one of Italy's less-heralded gems: Puglia. First, you're off to the heel of Italy's boot, home to ancient and unique cities like Matera and Alberobello. Then you'll jet to Sicily, where you'll hop in a rental car and drive across the island, stopping at ancient Greek and Roman ruins along the way.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 15 Days

In a little over two weeks you can enjoy comprehensive tours of southern Italy's most beautiful regions: Puglia and Sicily. The adventure begins in the former, where you'll visit historic cities on Italy's heel of the boot like Lecce, Bari, and Alberobello. Then it's off to Sicily, where on a self-drive road trip you'll discover Palermo, visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and hike up to Mt. Etna.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 14 Days

This two-week holiday combines anthropology and history with a road-trip adventure in two of Italy's most unique regions. First, you'll tour Puglia, Italy's "heel of the boot," which is home to beautiful beaches and ancient cities. Then you'll fly to Sicily for a road trip from the cultural melting pot of Palermo to ancient Greek and Roman ruins—plus enjoy a jaunt to Mount Etna.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 13 Days

Ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, historic cities—you'll get all this and more on a 13-day tour of southern Italy. First up you'll visit cave dwellings and go on food tours in Puglia, the southernmost region of mainland Italy. Then you'll fly to the island of Sicily, which you'll discover on a road trip that will take you from postcard coastal towns to ancient Greek ruins in Syracuse.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 12 Days

On this 12-day holiday in Italy, you'll visit ancient ruins and historic sights in two of Italy's most beautiful southern regions: Puglia and Sicily. Moreover, you'll enjoy various activities, from cooking classes to beach trips and even a hike up Mt. Etna. The best part is you'll finish the trip with a road trip around Sicily, visiting its most famous locales like the ancient Greek ruins at Syracuse.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 11 Days

Enjoy a different kind of vacation with this adventure in southern Italy. You'll arrive in the Puglia region and immediately visit historic cities like Alberobello, Matera, Lecce, and Bari. You'll then fly to Sicily, where you'll take a quick self-drive road trip around the island, stopping at ancient ruins and the historic beach town of Cefalú.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 10 Days

Over 10 days you'll explore Puglia and Sicily, two of the most historic and culturally unique regions of Italy. You'll begin this southern adventure with a tour of colorful villages like Alberobello and ancient cave dwellings in Matera. Then you'll arrive on the island of Sicily, where you'll embark on a street food tour of Palermo, visit Greek ruins at Segesta, and laze on the beaches of Cefalú.

Puglia & Sicily Highlights - 9 Days

Discover Puglia, one of the lesser-visited yet stunningly beautiful regions of Italy. Over nine days you'll experience the highlights of this southern coastal region, including the ancient caves at Matera and the historic streets of Lecce and Bari. To cap the trip, you'll fly to Palermo, Sicily, where you'll discover the culture on walking tours plus visit Cefalú, one of the most beautiful beach towns on the island.

Egyptian Highlights of Cairo & The Nile - 8 Days

Follow the ancient Nile down through Egypt to sail to some of the ancient world's most dramatic structures. Spots such as Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel evoke the complex structures of ancient Egyptian life and architecture, while a city tour of Cairo and a trip to the Aswan Dam will help bring you into Egypt's present.

Hike and camp with views of Lake Ringedalsvatnet

Hardangerfjord Road Trip - 6 Days

This adventure in western Norway encompasses a slew of outdoor activities for ambitious types who want to experience as much summer fun as they can fit in under a week. Starting in Bergen, you'll drive through some of the country's most spectacular scenery as you make your way towards Trolltunga, Ullensvang, and Voss for hiking, rafting, and even a night of camping in the great outdoors with a private guide.

Morning view of Mount Annapurna from Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 12 Days

This is a there-and-back trek to the awe-inspiring Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal’s second most popular trek after Everest Base Camp. From Annapurna Base Camp (12,795 feet / 3,900 m), you'll wake up to truly once-in-a-lifetime views. The trek begins at Phedi, after a short drive from Pokhara, and passes through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and stunning river valleys set against the backdrop of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks.

View of the Himalaya from Chitwan National Park

Mountains, River, and Jungle: Kathmandu, Pokhara, & Chitwan - 12 Days

This trip connects the three main regions of Nepal and moves at a relaxed yet steady pace to help you get the most out of your time. You'll go from the bazaars and temples of Kathmandu to traditional villages, and then onto Pokhara and Phewa Lake, after which you'll take a short trek in the Annapurna foothills with unforgettable views of the Himalaya. Round out your journey in Chitwan National Park, where you'll see elephants and other wildlife in their natural habitat, before heading back to Kathmandu.

How Many Days to Spend on Mykonos

Tiny Mykonos can be crisscrossed by car in about 25 minutes, but that doesn't mean you should skimp on your time here. Long known as Greece's party island, Mykonos actually has a lot to see and do during daylight hours if you're interested in its history and culture. You can have a satisfying visit in one day, taking in the Cycladic architecture of Mykonos town and the cocktails of "Little Venice." But it's easy to fill up to five days of sightseeing, beach-hopping, and enjoying the island's famous nightlife.

Best Time of Year to Visit Iguazú Falls: Seasons, Travel Tips, and More

There's no bad time to visit the natural spectacle of Iguazú Falls. But some times are better than others: temperatures are more comfortable for hiking in winter, crowds are moderate in spring, and fall brings sunny, dry weather. Meanwhile, summer is hot and sticky—and the falls draw huge crowds of vacationers. Find out more about when to go (and more importantly, what times of year to avoid) with this guide.

Best Time of Year to Visit Tuscany

Tuscany is a fantastic destination throughout the calendar year. But there are advantages to visiting in spring and fall: you'll encounter fewer crowds, avoid high peak-season pricing on hotel rooms, and enjoy comfortable, sunny weather that's ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and the beach. Read on for more details on the best times to visit Tuscany—and the top events you won't want to miss during all four seasons.

Look for the Northern Lights while driving through the Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands & Tromsø Winter Excursion - 6 Days

Dramatic, snow-covered mountains and the Northern Lights are highlights of this 6-day adventure above the Arctic Circle. Starting in Bodø, you'll ferry to the stunning Lofoten Islands and drive at your own pace through some of Norway's oldest and most colorful fishing towns. Then, exchange your rental car for an overnight coastal steamer where you'll travel to Tromsø for some urban culture and dog sledding.

Inca Trail & Amazon Excursion - 13 Days

This diverse itinerary starts with culture and cuisine in Lima, heading next to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Explore the area's markets and ruins before spending four days trekking the Inca Trail. Walk on the same stone steps that Inca engineers built in the 15th century, and relax in camp at night with sweeping vistas of the Andes Mountains. Finish your trek at the famed Machu Picchu ruins, and cap off your trip with three days in the Amazon Rainforest.

Peruvian woman walking through the Inca ruins of Chinchero

Discover Peru: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, & Amazon Rainforest - 13 Days

On this 13-day itinerary, take in the sights and flavors of Lima and head east to Puerto Maldonado, your launch point for your Amazon journey. Spend three days viewing wildlife while enjoying a comfortable stay at an eco-lodge. Next, travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, with a visit to Rainbow Mountain and a short trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

How Many Days to Spend on Crete

Crete is Greece’s largest island—just driving from one end to the other makes for a five-hour journey, and there's much to do and see in between. If you want to experience all Crete has to offer, plan to spend a full week exploring its monasteries, olive groves, towns, and coast. If you have less time, don't fret: with as little as 24 hours, you can visit a major archeological site, wander through a local village or two, and hike to perches with fantastic island views.

Exploring Cusco, Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake 6-Days

Experience the best-loved highlights of Peru in just six days with this efficient tour. Start with sightseeing in Lima, before getting whisked away to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. Here, you'll enjoy a tour of the city, along with the important towns and archeological sites of the Sacred Valley. Spend a full day exploring Machu Picchu with an expert guide, and finish your trip marveling at the floating islands of Lake Titicaca.

Where desert meets the ocean, Paracas Coastline, Peru

Lima, Paracas & Nazca Adventure - 6 Days

Get a taste of Peru's metropolitan capital of Lima, then head south to Paracas for a marine wildlife tour. Next, head to Nazca and get an aerial view of some of the world's most impressive geoglyphs. Top it all off by trying your hand at sandboarding in the desert oasis of Huacachina.

Treetop view of the Amazon Rainforest near Puerto Maldanado

Lima & Peruvian Amazon - 6 Days

With this short itinerary, you'll experience two distinct sides of Peru: metropolitan Lima and the remote rainforest. Start with a city and food tour in the capital, and make your way to Puerto Maldonado, your jumping-off point for the Amazon. Here, you'll stay in a charming jungle lodge, spot wildlife on a number of river cruises, and learn about the native Amazonian flora and fauna from experienced guides.

Short Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, & Machu Picchu Adventure - 6 Days

Explore the essential highlights of Peru's Sacred Valley with this short itinerary. Begin with two days in Cusco, touring the textile markets and ancient ruins that the ancient Inca capital is famous for. Take a guided excursion to the top sites of the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a one-day trek on the Inca Trail, ending in Aguas Calientes. Complete your trip with a full day of exploration in the Machu Picchu citadel complex, the perfect grand finale.

Muldai, Poon Hill, & Mohare Trek - 11 Days

This trek is all about the views! In a short amount of time, you'll visit two of the best viewpoints south of the Annapurna range. The trek combines the very popular Ghorepani and Poon Hill loop with an off-the-beaten-path experience going up to the amazing Muldai Peak. Going off-the-beaten-path also means staying for one night in rustic accommodations — and the teahouse at Dobato certainly has its own charm.

2 Weeks in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With two free weeks to spend in Spain, all options for fun and adventure are on the table. You can embark on food and wine tours throughout the country, laze on the white-sand beaches, tour the Moorish palaces of Andalusia, and even make a jaunt to Portugal. The six itineraries below represent a diverse array of options to craft the perfect European vacation.

Visit the Cíes Islands from Vigo in Galicia

5 Days in Spain - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

A memorable vacation in Spain doesn't require a minimum of two weeks—in just five days you can stick to one or two major cities, like Barcelona and Madrid, or see the highlights of a specific region. Head to Andalusia for Moorish history and architecture, get your fill of artistic and culinary masterpieces in Basque Country, or make it a laidback island vacay on idyllic Mallorca.

Book yourself to see Andalusia's iconic Alhambra palace and fortress complex in spring or fall

Best Time of Year to Visit Spain

Spain is best visited in the shoulder season months of late spring (May and June) and early fall (September and October). Countrywide, the weather is warm, there's little to no rain (except for along the Atlantic coast), and you'll be ahead of the peak crowds July and August bring, particularly to the Balearic and Canary islands and coast.

Choose an itinerary that features the Australian Outback and Uluru

1 Week in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

In seven days, you can see the highlights of three Australian cities, with day trips from each. Pair Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns, for example, and you can easily visit the Blue Mountains and Great Barrier Reef. Or head to Western Australia, basing yourself in Exmouth and Perth, where you'll swim with whale sharks and snorkel off Rottnest Island. Other options featured below include a Whitsundays island retreat, outback exploration in Uluru, and a family-friendly Gold Coast adventure.

Climb aboard your camel for a sunrise amble along Western Australia's Cable Beach

10 Days in Australia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Ten days in Australia is an excellent amount of time for an in-depth exploration of one region—Eastern, Northern, or Western Australia—or for a highlights trip that hops between top cities and points of interest, like Melbourne, Sydney, and Uluru. Ocean fanatics should include time in Cairns to visit the Great Barrier Reef, while Exmouth and Margaret River make great destinations for adventure seekers. Meanwhile, the towns of Broome and Darwin showcase Australia's remote northern coast.

Luxury Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, & More - 9 Days

Experience some of the most popular sites of the ancient world in style on this nine-day Egyptian luxury tour. You'll start off in Cairo, then cruise down the Nile to visit towering temples, elaborate tombs, and other monuments as you travel in style.

Iceland Winter Highlights: Snowmobiling, Glacier Hikes & Ice Caves - 6 Days

Experience an entirely different side of Iceland on a winter road trip to explore all the highlights. Grab your coat and head to downtown Reykjavík, which offers incredible views this time of year. Then, head to the Golden Circle to visit the white-washed version of Gullfoss, followed by an action-packed snowmobiling adventure to Langjökull Glacier. Next, discover Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls—complete with frozen fields—and embark on glacier hikes, ice cave tours, and ice climbing excursions at Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. On the way back to Reykjavík, enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Rekjadalur, followed by a stop at the Blue Lagoon to close out the trip.

Lower Mustang Trek - 11 Days

Experience the stark, barren landscapes of Lower Mustang, which are dotted with Tibetan Buddhist cultural attractions. Altitudes on this trek are not too high, and flying between Pokhara and Jomsom speeds up the journey, making this an ideal trip for trekkers who don’t have much time, or who are interested in an easier and shorter route. In addition to three days on the trail, you'll spend time in the lakeside city of Pokhara and will day trip to Muktinath to visit a sacred shrine.

Best of Cairo & Alexandria - 4 Days

Hit the highlights of Cairo and neighboring Alexandria on this tour. Over the course of four days, you'll see the Pyramids and Sphinx along with the extensive archives of the Egyptian Museum, views from Cairo Tower, and remnants of the ancient world in Alexandria.

A view of the Annapurnas from Muldai Peak

Khopra Danda Trek: Pokhara, Tadapani, Dobato & Khopra Danda - 11 Days

Enjoy a stunning trek away from the crowds with this moderate route, which includes time in city centers and a chance to discover traditional rural life and customs in the Annapurna region. This trail takes you off-the-beaten-path, with highlights like summitting the less-visited Muldai Peak, where you'll enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Himalaya at dawn (and dusk, too, if you like!). If you're feeling up for it, opt for the day hike to Kaire Lake: Hindus believe that dipping into the water here will help you achieve Nirvana. You'll also bookend your trek in Nepal's buzzing capital, Kathmandu, and the lakeside city of Pokhara, home to the stunning Phewa Lake.

East Coast Aussie Adventure: Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Adelaide & Sydney - 14 Days

Enjoy the best of the East Coast of Australia on this two-week trip. Begin with a tour of Brisbane before heading to the Whitsunday Islands. Indulge in a free day in Cairns, then cruise over to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and lush Daintree Rainforest. Next, tour Adelaide and spend a full day with native species at Kangaroo Island. The trip concludes in Sydney to discover the landmarks, as well as the stunning Blue Mountains region.

Nepal Multi-Sport Adventure - 6 Days

This short, action-packed itinerary gives you a taste of the best outdoor adventure activities in Nepal. From mountain biking in the hills and trekking in the mountains to rafting along white-water rivers and paragliding above Pokhara, this itinerary packs all this adventure into six fun days.

Lima, Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - 8 Days

Explore Peru's cities, Machu Picchu, and the largest lake in South America on this 8-day exploration of local Peruvian culture. Start in metropolitan Lima and explore the vibrant food scene and history. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and visit ancient ruins and colorful textile markets. Next, spend a day visiting the iconic Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, venture to Lake Titicaca to see its floating islands and intricate hand-made crafts.

Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu, & Amazon Adventure - 12 Days

On this Peruvian highlights itinerary, you'll explore Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons, then head out to Lake Titicaca - a place rich with history, culture, and natural beauty. Next, travel to Cusco and explore colorful textile markets and small towns of the Sacred Valley before hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. End your trip among the wildlife and jungle lodges of the Amazon.

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