Travel Insights

Insights, ideas and itineraries from kimkim's trusted network of Local Travel Specialists and Experts
Kite surfers in Table Bay
Map of South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 12 Days
South Africa Adventure: Cape Town, Winelands, & Eastern Cape Safari - 12 Days

Take 12 days to travel through Cape Town and some of its nearby standouts with this itinerary. Whether you're atop Table Mountain, underwater next to great white sharks, or paragliding through the sky, you'll get a good look at the city. Leave Cape Town for its neighboring scenic Winelands, followed by a safari in the Eastern Cape to wrap up your adventure.

Knysna's turaco
Map of South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days
South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 14 Days

Travel for two weeks through a tapestry of the Cape Town region's attractions with this trip plan. You'll start with Cape Town itself as your base for day trips into the Winelands and out to the Cape of Good Hope, then drive off through smaller cities and towns. Visit animal sanctuaries, ancient caves, national parks, and more before ending your trip with a classic safari.

Tsitsikamma National Park
Map of South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 15 Days
South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, & Eastern Cape Safari - 15 Days

Take yourself through some of the Cape Town's top spots with this 15-day road trip. Your trip begins with five days in Cape Town itself and its neighboring attractions, including the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and historic Robben Island. Then you'll get in your car and head to the relaxed town of Greyton, caves and animal reserves of Oudtshoorn, and Tsitsikamma National Park and the famed lagoon of Knysna, before you conclude with a safari in the Eastern Cape.

Look for graceful giraffes in a private Eastern Cape game reserve
Map of South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 16 Days
South Africa Road Trip: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari - 16 Days

Explore the diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage of South Africa on this 16-day tour across the country. Start in Cape Town, where you can go on a sunrise kayak ride, delve into African art, and visit Robben Island. Then, set off on a road trip to the charming towns of Greyton, Oudtshoorn, and Knysna. Highlights include exploring underground caves, bungee jumping, and interacting with ostriches. Look for the Big Five game animals at a private Eastern Cape reserve to end your trip.

Red protea in Kirstenbosch Garden
Map of Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands & Cape Point - 7 Days
Classic South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands & Cape Point - 7 Days

Focusing on South Africa's famed Cape Town, you'll enjoy a week exploring the multicultural city and nearby highlights, including the Winelands, Robben Island, and Cape Point. Dynamic Cape Town boasts world-class food and wine to go along with its multifaceted history, botanical gardens, and rocky ocean coasts, and you can experience them all on this tour.

See lion prides in South Africa's Kruger National Park
Map of South Africa Safari: Kruger National Park - 5 Days
South Africa Safari: Kruger National Park - 5 Days

Lions can spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping, but you'll want to be awake for as much of this safari as possible. You've got five days to find your way to the animals of Kruger National Park with the help of guided game drives and walks, a visit to a rehabilitation center, and more.

One of the famous perched villages in Dordogne
Map of Western France Road Trip - 14 Days
Western France Road Trip - 14 Days

This spectacular road-trip adventure through Western France provides a subtle mix of history, culture, cuisine, wine, and outdoor activity—and plenty of picturesque landscapes between stops. Over the course of two weeks, you'll spend quality time in Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, and the Dordogne region with a combination of tours led by English-speaking local guides and free time to explore on your own.

In the Cederberg Mountains
Map of Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 8 Days
Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 8 Days

Enjoy eight days exploring from the coast to the cliffs on this itinerary. Follow the coastal drives out of Cape Town and down into an aquatic cage experience with great white sharks, then go inland to the famous vineyards of Stellenbosch and the Winelands. Finish up in the mountain caves and trails of Cederberg before you head home.

Stadsaal Caves
Map of Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 9 Days
Wine & Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 9 Days

From prehistoric cave art to the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town, this nine-day itinerary gives you a window into some of South Africa's calling cards. Start off with a walking tour through Cape Town's history and scenic drive down to the Cape of Good Hope. Continue to the Winelands to relax and sample amid the vines, then finish up searching for cave paintings and mountain trails in the Cederberg Mountains.

Cederberg Mountains
Map of Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 5 Days
Nature in South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands, & Cederberg - 5 Days

Frolic through the fynbos on this five-day itinerary. You'll spend two days in Cape Town exploring the city and attractions along the Cape of Good Hope, then travel to the Cederberg Mountains, a natural reserve filled with hiking trails, ancient cave art, dramatic rock formations, and more.

Spend three nights in the beautiful coastal city of Rovinj
Map of Magical Istria: Road Trip Through the Croatian Peninsula - 7 Days
Magical Istria: Road Trip Through the Croatian Peninsula - 7 Days

This perfect weeklong road trip through Croatia's Istrian Peninsula starts and ends in Zagreb and includes a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll have three nights in the charming coastal town of Rovinj, a great jumping-off point to explore its romantic countryside. Venture amid a sea of hills and valleys decorated with vineyards, olive groves, and medieval hilltop towns before discovering more of the coast, like the port village of Fazana, the island of Veliki Brijun, and Istria's largest city, Pula.

The beautiful coastal city of Rovinj
Magical Istria: Rovinj, Grožnjan, Motovun, & Pula - 5 Days

Get a glimpse of Istria on this quick 5-day tour. Starting from Croatia's capital, Zagreb, you'll make the scenic drive to Rovinj, one of Croatia's most charming coastal cities. Besides discovering Venetian-influenced architecture, you'll take a day to explore the heart of the peninsula with a visit to the nearby medieval hilltop towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, and Motovun, capping off your stay with a day in Pula to check out its notable Roman remains.

Pacific Coast Waves
Map of Costa Rica: Nicoya Peninsula Tour - 10 Days
Costa Rica: Nicoya Peninsula Tour - 10 Days

This 10-day vacation includes a self-drive road trip through some of Costa Rica’s most notable beaches. Take in the sites along the Nicoya Peninsula, including plenty of opportunities to snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, and swim your way through each stop. Surfers can catch breaks at several destinations on the list–Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa. Take some time to relax, stroll each beach town, and enjoy local Costa Rican fare along the way.

Arenal Volcano National Park
Map of Costa Rica: Caribbean Coast & Arenal Volcano - 10 Days
Costa Rica: Caribbean Coast & Arenal Volcano - 10 Days

Perfect for travelers looking to hike and observe wildlife, this 10-day itinerary starts and ends in San José, and includes many of the Caribbean Coast's best destinations—Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, and the famous Arenal volcano. From nature treks to surfing pristine beaches, this trip plan offers a versatile, outdoor adventure with a laid-back feel.

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How Many Days to Spend in Athens

No matter how long you plan to spend in Greece, it's likely your trip will begin and end in Athens. A destination in its own right, Athens attracts travelers for its architectural treasures, buzzing arts scene, and exciting dining options. If you have less than 24 hours here, the Acropolis should be your priority. But you can easily spend up to five days getting to know the city, with options for day trips including important sites like Delphi and the nearby wine region in Attica.

Famous medieval castle Sully sur Loire at sunset
Map of Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 10 Days
Paris, Normandy & the Loire Valley - 10 Days

This epic 10-day French sojourn kicks off in Paris with three days of culture and cuisine in the "City of Lights." Then, hit the road to the Normandy coast to visit the Mont-Saint-Michel tidal island, medieval Bayeux, and Omaha Beach. Next is the Loire Valley, where you'll explore the charming towns and gorgeous castles of this famous wine region before returning to Paris for one more Belle Époque adventure.

"Biltong," a South African meat jerky snack, complete with spices and herbs
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Winelands & Johannesburg - 7 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Winelands & Johannesburg - 7 Days

Whether you're sipping world-class vintages in the Winelands or barbecuing around the braai, you'll sample many of the typical flavors of South Africa with this weeklong itinerary. Split your time between Cape Town and Johannesburg for wine tours, food walks, interactive storytelling experiences, and more.

Bean curry with dried fruits
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 9 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 9 Days

Nibble on nine days of nom with this South Africa culinary outing. You'll start strolling the colorful streets of Cape Town, enjoying the farms of Elgin, and exploring the flavors of the Garden Route before you head to Johannesburg to learn about the history of the Soweto Township and Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site alongside interactive dining experiences.

Gather 'round the braai
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 10 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 10 Days

Take ten days to tease your taste buds on this trip through South Africa's treats. You'll start with three days in Cape Town to walk the city streets on a guided food tour and visit the Winelands, then stop in the smaller towns of Elgin and Knsyna to explore their farm-to-table scenes. End your trip around the bonfire in Johannesburg with storytelling and barbecue-style dining.

Indulge in an oyster feast in Knysna
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 11 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 11 Days

Experience 11 days of edible education with this South Africa itinerary. You'll learn about the history of Cape Town via a food tour, followed by lessons in wine appreciation, salt curing, and oyster tasting along the Garden Route. Continue the curriculum in Johannesburg with dinner and storytelling around a fire, a cast-iron cooking class, and more—all complete with samples.

Cape Asparagus
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 12 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route & Johannesburg - 12 Days

Taste 12 days of South African traditions on this tour that combines education and eateries. Whether you're making your way through the streets of Cape Town to relevant restaurants in the city's history, sipping wine and shucking oysters along the Garden Route, or trading tales around the barbecue in Johannesburg's Soweto township, you'll stimulate both your taste buds and your brain.

The basis of bobotie
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 13 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 13 Days

Follow your nose for 13 days of South African gastronomy with this itinerary. Start with three days amid the city streets and spices of Cape Town, then go along the Garden Route to encounter Elgin's farms and markets followed by the shores of the Knysna Lagoon and Tsitsikamma National Park.  End your trip around the campfire and dining on a platform above the skyline of Johannesburg.

Completed bobotie
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 14 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 14 Days

For two weeks, you can try out a thorough selection of South Africa's most typical tastes with. this trip plan. Whether you're winding your way through the Winelands, circling the stalls in the Elgin Railway Market, or relaxing on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon, you'll be educating both your mind and palate. Follow that with five days in Johannesburg that will take you from down in the Sterkfontein Caves to a dinner on a floating platform above the city.

Bobotie with rice
Map of South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 15 Days
South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Garden Route, & Johannesburg - 15 Days

Sample 15 days worth of South Africa's savoriest spots with this itinerary. You'll start in Cape Town, with four days to explore from the treetops of Kirstenbosch to the colorful streets of Bo Kaap and vines of the Winelands, then head out on the Garden Route to explore Elgin's farms and Knysna's waterfront cooking. Conclude with five nights in Johannesburg, where you'll follow the full timeline of South African history from the Cradle of Humankind, to a barbecue in Soweto, through a modern dinner in a former power station.

View over Zagreb's Kaptol
Classic Croatia: Zagreb, Hvar, Korčula, & Dubrovnik - 11 Days

Croatia is a country of stunning landscapes and rich, ancient culture—you'll experience the best of both worlds on this adventurous route as you cover the country's highlights. You'll begin in Zagreb and work your way to the Dalmatian coast, spending a little extra time in Hvar before ending your tour in Dubrovnik. You'll explore ancient cities, kayak pristine waters, and hike small islands.

Dubrovnik at sunset
Classic Croatia: Zagreb, Plitvice, Hvar & Dubrovnik - 9 Days

Begin your tour of Croatia in the capital, Zagreb, and drive south along the Dalmatian coast to end in the medieval town of Dubrovnik. Along the way, you will stop at popular national parks—Plitvice Lakes and Krka—as well as the ancient port cities of Zadar and Split before tasting wine on the island of Hvar and capping off your trip in the "Pearl of the Adriatic."

Stunning waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park and winding boardwalk
Map of Classic Croatia: Zagreb, Plitvice, Hvar & Dubrovnik - 8 Days
Classic Croatia: Zagreb, Plitvice, Hvar & Dubrovnik - 8 Days

This route covers the highlights of Croatia's southern Dalmatian coast, where you will explore beautiful landscapes and ancient culture. Begin in Zagreb and drive south to Croatia's most popular city, Dubrovnik. En route, you will stop at national parks, Plitvice Lakes and Krka, the historic port cities of Zadar and Split, and sample wine on the island of Hvar before ending your adventure in Dubrovnik.

Orebić on the Pelješac Peninsula
Best of Dalmatia: Split, Hvar, Korčula & Dubrovnik - 9 Days

Experience Croatia's coastal cities, Roman ruins, and the rocky and wooded Pakleni Islands with this nine-day route. Start in Split and discover the fourth-century Diocletian's Palace and the historic Hvar Town before paddling out to the Pakleni Islands and touring wineries in the Lumbarda region on Korčula. Drive through the rugged landscape of the Peljesac Peninsula, navigate narrow streets, explore fortified walls in Ston, and take a private walking tour of Dubrovnik's medieval core.

Dubrovnik's Fort Lovrijenac
Best of Dalmatia: Split, Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik - 8 Days

A combination of cultural exploration and active adventure, this itinerary highlights the southern Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik, with excursions to Krka National Park, Šibenik, and the Pelješac Peninsula. You will explore ancient town centers and Roman ruins, cycle through fields, villages, and vineyards on a wine tour of eastern Korčula, and climb centuries-old ramparts and parapets.

A rocky shore on Korčula
Best of Dalmatia: Split, Hvar, Korčula, Dubrovnik - 6 Days

This itinerary is perfect if you want to discover the best of Croatia's Dalmatian coast in a short amount of time. Start in Split by exploring Diocletian's Palace before jumping-off to Hvar and Korčula, then passing through the rugged Pelješac Peninsula to Dubrovnik for fortressed walls and baroque architecture.

Komiža harbor
Classic Croatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Split, & Zagreb - 16 Days

Experience all the highlights of Croatia, beginning in the ancient fortress city of Dubrovnic and ending in the historic capital of Zagreb. You'll cover the length of the country as well as spend some time exploring charming Adriatic islands. Discover Roman ruins, medieval fortressed towns dotted with ornate baroque and renaissance buildings, and secluded beaches. Explore UNESCO-certified national parks, meander and climb the narrow laneways and parapets in Ston,  and dine on fresh seafood in Zadar.

Cavtat Peninsula shore looking north
Classic Croatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Hvar, Split, & Zagreb - 15 Days

Discover Croatia's highlights on this 15-day itinerary. Starting from Dubrovnik, you'll tour the Konavle wine region, head to Ston on the Pelješac Peninsula and on to Korčula, Hvar, and Vis to sail and kayak the Adriatic and to relax on idyllic pebble beaches. Visit the ancient port city of Split before checking out the stunning national parks of Krka and Plitvice and ending the trip with a self-discovery tour of Zagreb's museums, galleries, and parks.

Summertime on the Island of Vis
Classic Croatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Hvar, Split, & Zagreb - 13 Days

Blending culture and history with adventure, this 13-day tour begins in Dubrovnik and takes you up the Dalmatian coast through the Pelješac Peninsula to Korčula. You'll ferry to Hvar, kayak to the Pakleni Islands as well as sail to Vis before returning to the mainland to visit Diocletian's Palace in Split. From there, head north to the emerald lakes of Plitvice National Park before ending your trip in Zagreb, Croatia's charming capital.

Observation area overlooking the Adriatic near Viganj on the Pelješac Peninsula
Classic Croatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Hvar, Split & Zagreb - 12 Days

In 12 days, you'll get a great overall feel for Croatia, from cultural stops in Baroque and Renaissance-infused cities to exploring one of the world's best-preserved Roman buildings. Explore walled medieval towns, lively markets, ancient ruins, and old fortresses. You'll sip Dingac red wine on Peljesac, hike along wooden paths and bridges in Plitvice Lakes National Park, and relax on Vis Island's inviting beaches.

Playa Santa Teresa
Map of Explore Costa Rica: Monteverde Cloud Forest & Pacific Coast - 8 Days
Explore Costa Rica: Monteverde Cloud Forest & Pacific Coast - 8 Days

On this eight-day journey through the Costa Rican outdoors, you’ll discover the biodiverse native flora and fauna of Monteverde, along with the stunning beaches of Santa Teresa. From ziplining through the forest canopies to surfing at world-renowned beaches, your outdoor adventure awaits.

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