Tucked neatly in a valley at the base of towering Andean mountains, Medellín is a city where the scent of freshly-cooked empanadas wafts down palm tree-lined streets, where graffiti art transforms neighborhoods into open-air museums and where the peaks that overlook the city offer a lush, flowery landscape and impeccable views from above.
Revitalizing hot spring baths, multi-course dinners made from fresh, local ingredients and the comfiest pillows you’ve ever tried, Ryokan hotels are an unforgettable way to experience traditional, Japanese luxury. Read on to learn the history and offerings of this unique lodging experience and the best places to stay.
Tied the knot and want a customized trip to celebrate your love? Try honeymooning in Bali. This tour combines culture, relaxation, beautiful landscapes, snorkeling, and a touch of adventure: the perfect combination for an unforgettable honeymoon.
The Paraty wilderness trek is one of Brazil's favorite beach hikes, and it's easy to see why: endless beaches, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping ocean views, all located within the Juatinga Ecological Reserve. Hike 20 miles (32 km) over three days, camping overnight in local fishermen houses and enjoying dinner and sunset on the beach each night. Connections to and from Rio make this an easy and fantastic addition to your Brazil getaway.
Spend four days trekking around the Saco do Mamanguá peninsula, a natural paradise with beautiful beaches and accessible trails. Explore Brazil's only fjord from kayak and take in the sweeping views of mountains, beaches, and waterfalls, then hike the Sugar Loaf Peak of Mamanguá, a postcard-perfect highlight of the region. Enjoy easy access from Rio de Janeiro and don't worry about meals, lodging, or carrying the equipment—everything is taken care of.
In eight days, enjoy breathtaking views over active volcanoes, learn about traditional customs in rural villages, and discover a range of biodiversity from mountain peaks to marshy plateaus. You'll experience contemporary life in Yogyakarta, explore calderas, and wander centuries-old Buddhist and Hindu temples along the way. Experience the best of East and Central Java.
This 16-day itinerary introduces you to one of Europe’s least visited, but arguably most interesting regions. You’ll explore three countries that have developed diverse customs and a rugged sense of self, where hospitality to visitors is the norm in lands known for invasions and shifting allegiances. Prepare to fall in love with Eastern Europe.
If you thirst for adventure yet also enjoy luxurious creature comforts, then the north of Costa Rica is the destination for you. Beginning in the Arenal Volcano region, you'll travel to Tenorio National Park and hike along the neon-blue Celeste River. Then it's off to the Nicoya Peninsula, where you'll enjoy every tropical beach activity under the sun, from snorkeling and kayaking to paddleboarding and even riding horses at sunset.
On this active luxury tour of Costa Rica, you'll explore the nation's most distinct locations. First, it's a trip to Arenal National Park, followed by a visit Tenorio, home to the Celeste River, whose ethereal blue waters are the stuff of dreams. Finally, you'll laze on the unspoiled beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula and enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and even horseback riding on the beach.
This epic Portugal tour highlights two cosmopolitan cities and a stunning mid-Atlantic island—part of an autonomous region—known for its tropical foliage and eternal spring-like weather. You'll kick off in Porto, home of centuries-old wine production and colorful architecture along the Douro River. Then fly to Madeira Island for secluded beaches and untouristed villages waiting to be discovered. Last but not least is Lisbon's friendly, up-and-coming capital—a striking city built on seven hills.
Recharge your batteries with a quick six-day jaunt to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. This luxury holiday in the north of the country covers the major highlights, like Arenal Volcano and the unspoiled beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. Not only will you get to view exotic wildlife on various nature tours, but you'll also get some exercise in with rainforest hikes and kayak excursions along the coast.
Escape to northern Costa Rica for a luxury vacation you'll never forget. You'll pack a lot of adventure into just seven days, and these active excursions include waterfall hikes, nocturnal nature walks, and river safaris. Throughout the trip, you'll travel between the inland rainforests to the sun-kissed beaches of Guanacaste Province—and each night you'll relax in the finest luxury accommodations in the country.
In just over a week you can enjoy the best activities in Costa Rica and visit its most exotic locales. First, you'll travel to Arenal and Tenorio National Park, where you'll embark on nocturnal nature walks, soak in natural hot springs, and hike along sky-blue rivers to tropical waterfalls. Then it's off to the coast, where you'll enjoy more wildlife-spotting excursions as well and active adventures like kayaking along the coast.
This tropical getaway will appeal to anyone who's ever wanted to experience Costa Rica's most famous sites as well as its exotic wildlife. Over nine days you'll travel through the north of the country and stay in luxury accommodations between embarking on active excursions. This includes such diverse activities as hiking and nocturnal nature walks to kayaking and horseback riding on the beach.
10 days is enough to enjoy Costa Rica's immense natural beauty and exotic wildlife. This combined luxury/adventure itinerary allows you to experience it all, first in Arenal Volcano National Park, and then by visiting the rivers and waterfalls of the Tenorio region. You'll finish on the unspoiled coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula, riding horses at sunset, kayaking through mangrove forests, and snorkeling at coral reefs.
The secret to a perfect tropical vacation involves the right balance of luxury and adventure. On this 11-day tour of Costa Rica's north, you'll visit rainforests, rivers, and waterfalls by day, and relax in the hot springs of luxury hotels by night. Then you'll head west to the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula and enjoy adventures like snorkeling around coral reefs and horseback riding on beaches at sunset.
On this 12-day adventure, you'll enjoy the most famous activities in Costa Rica. You'll do it all, from river rafting and jungle hikes to wildlife tours, snorkeling, horseback riding, and even stand-up paddleboarding. The journey combines luxury accommodations with outdoor excursions as you travel from Arenal Volcano to the waterfalls of Tenorio National Park and finally to the beaches of Guanacaste Province.
On this 13-day itinerary you'll get to enjoy many of the adventure sports and outdoor activities Costa Rica is famous for. This includes hiking and river rafting in the Arenal region and Tenorio National Park, plus snorkeling, paddleboarding, and horseback riding on the beach. And at the end of each day, you'll retire to the luxury hotels and eco-lodges that will serve as your accommodations during this adventure.
This exciting two-week itinerary combines cosmopolitan cities, medieval architecture, and spectacular beaches for a Portuguese trip of a lifetime. After exploring Lisbon with a local guide, you'll stay in the fairy tale village of Sintra and the surf town of Nazaré. Then work your way north to UNESCO-listed Porto and its nearby wine region before heading to the university town of Évora. End the trip in pure bliss with some beach time in the western Algarve.
You can experience the highlights of Costa Rica without racing around the entire country. On this 15-day luxury adventure, you'll travel around the north, first visiting the famous Arenal Volcano before heading into Guanacaste Province for waterfall hikes, rafting safaris, and nocturnal nature walks. You'll finish the journey on the coast, where you'll enjoy activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
This weeklong itinerary covers Portugal's biggest metropolis and its southern coast for a city-beach combo that's hard to beat. Kick off in Europe's hottest capital—Lisbon—for a guided introduction to the 'City of Seven Hills', including nearby highlights like Sintra and Cascais. Then, take the train south for several days of glorious beach-hopping while based in a charming old city surrounded by stone walls: Lagos.
This 10-day trip splits time between Portugal's exciting capital and its southern coast while moving at a relaxed pace. Kick off the adventure in up-and-coming Lisbon for a guided introduction to the "City of Seven Hills," including nearby highlights like Sintra and Cascais. Then, choose your own day trip before taking the train to Lagos for several days of golden beaches and picturesque villages in the Algarve.
Experience three of Portugal's most iconic destinations on this 10-day trip, starting in Lisbon, where you'll tour ancient ruins, cobbled streets, and a UNESCO-listed village in the forested hills. Next, head north to Porto—famous for wine production and colorful architecture along the Douro River. The hardest decisions fall at the end, where you can choose between spectacular beaches and whitewashed villages in the Algarve.
This road trip is ideal for those who want to experience Portugal's two biggest cities and rural countryside at a relaxed pace. After strolling around Lisbon with a guide, you'll make your way north to UNESCO-listed Porto and its nearby mountains and vineyards. Finish off in the medieval town of Évora with plenty of free time to explore the Alentejo—a vast region known for olive groves, cork production, and rustic cuisine.
Often overshadowed by Tuscany, its culturally mega-rich neighbor, Umbria is brimming with treasures of its own. Think gorgeous medieval hill-towns, plenty of art, and olive-growing and wine industries that have been thriving for thousands of years.
Made famous in a number of Shakespeare's masterpieces, Verona is as charming as you would expect. Come here to see Juliet's (fictional) house, and stay for an old Italian city marked by wide, photogenic piazzas and landmark bridges spanning the River Adige; pretty churches and the biggest wine exhibition in the world. Learn more about what to do, see, and eat in "fair Verona" below.
Japan’s museums aren't all serious affairs. Sure, some of them deal with classic museum topics like art and history—but many go for the charming, quirky, or downright bizarre, focusing on collections that are so obscure, you won't find them anywhere else in the world. Visit the seven spots in this list to catch a unique exhibition or to check out the extraordinary architecture,
The Istrian peninsula doesn’t quite feel like the rest of Croatia, and there's a good reason for that—it's been part of the Venetian Republic, Italy, and the Austrian Empire, depending on the century. History has given it many faces, and that’s good news for visitors. You can cycle through its cities, towns, and natural areas to take in Roman architecture, pristine beaches, and singular cuisine—sometimes all in one day.
Italy is a country made for slow touring: whether you’re cruising through vineyards and silver-green olive groves that dip to the sea in sun-baked Puglia, negotiating hairpin bends on a cliff-hugging road skirting the dramatic island of Sardinia, or making an epic drive along the coast of Sicily. Wind down the window, breathe in the scent of wild herbs on the breeze, crank up the radio and get ready for five of our all-time favorite coastal road trips.
For pure Mediterranean beauty, nothing beats Italy's Amalfi coast. The scenic drives and pebbly beaches are well known by this point, as are the romantic grottoes that dot the rocky coastline. There are still some secrets to be discovered, though, and below we reveal the most romantic hidden grottoes, coves, and secluded beaches of Amalfi, from one end of the region to the other.
By summer, beaches in Italy's popular coastal areas engorge with both tourists and sun-seeking locales. Where does one go, then, to find those stretches of sand that are not only beautiful but relatively undiscovered? The answer is the southern region of Puglia—Italy's "heel of the boot"—which abounds with secluded coves and golden beaches fronting crystalline waters reminiscent of the Caribbean.
The only place to find all of Rome's globally celebrated gastronomic creations under one roof is at the city's public food markets. They offer everything from pizza and pasta to cured meats, cheeses, pastries, and much more. Let this guide direct you to the very best of Rome's myriad markets.
From the cinematic coastline of Amalfi to the canals of Venice, Rome’s lavishly frescoed Sistine Chapel to Florence’s treasure-trove Uffizi Gallery, Italy's classic stops are worth visiting again and again. Read on for the inside scoop on seven Italian must-sees.
This itinerary includes Portugal's two biggest cities, a slew of historic villages, and some spectacular beaches for an epic adventure to remember. Start in up-and-coming Lisbon to explore ancient ruins and trendy districts before going north to UNESCO-listed Porto (and its nearby wine region). You'll also get time in the university towns of Évora and Coimbra—each with its medieval attractions and dining scenes—before kicking back for a few days in the Algarve.
This is the ultimate weeklong introduction to Portugal's southern half. The trip starts in the vibrant capital of Lisbon, where you'll tour the city—and nearby villages—with a local. From here, drive into the Alentejo region for a night in ancient Évora's inner-walled town. Finish the adventure with a train ride to coastal Lagos for fabulous beaches and stunning views in and around the Algarve.
From the city to the jungle, this 7-day exploration of Peru is perfect for adventurous travelers. Start in metropolitan Lima, then continue to the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. Explore the ancient Incan streets of Cusco then continue to the jungle for a stay at a jungle lodge. Explore the rainforest, visit a coffee plantation, and hike the Inca Trail to see the Llactapata ruins. Spend a day visiting Machu Picchu, the famed 15th-century citadel. Finally head back towards Cusco to see the colorful Rainbow Mountain.
Experience the diversity of Vietnam by traveling on two wheels. Starting in the cool highlands of Da Lat, you'll descend to the coast and pedal north, between the turquoise sea and verdant hills. Comfortable hotels and breaks from cycling mean you'll never get too worn out on this 11-day part-guided itinerary. You'll also spend a couple of days exploring the ancient sites of Hoi An city, then top off your trip with a cruise on tranquil Lan Ha Bay.
This seven-day adventure is the perfect introduction to Portugal for first-timers. Over a week, you'll explore Lisbon's exciting food and culture scene, take scenic day trips to historic villages, and walk through Porto's UNESCO-listed city center. Finish in the oldest wine region in the world before returning to Lisbon by way of the country's medieval capital: Coimbra.
This two-week cultural adventure is perfect for travelers who don’t mind skipping the Amazon, Pacific, or the Caribbean and want to get to the heart of Colombia's interior. Start the trip with plenty of time to explore the vibrant capital of Bogotá, and then travel north to the famous salt mines and one of the most well-preserved cobblestoned towns in the country, Villa de Leyva. You’ll then swing over to the striking metropolis of Medellín, throwing in day-trips to lakeside Guatapé and a working coffee farm before heading to Cali, the salsa capital of the world, and ending your journey in the “white city’ of Popayán.
This 5-day adventure includes Portugal's two largest cities and a fairytale village that needs to be seen to be believed—all with a nice mix of guided tours and free time. You'll start in beautiful Porto, famous for wine production and colorful architecture along the Douro River. Then train to Lisbon to explore the capital's ancient ruins and historic neighborhoods culminating with a trip to UNESCO-listed Sintra in the forested hills.
This 5-day trip is the ultimate cultural immersion into Portugal's up-and-coming capital, nicknamed 'The City of Seven Hills'. Let a local guide show you ancient ruins, cobbled alleyways, and hip neighborhoods—as well as the romantic UNESCO-listed village of Sintra surrounded by parks and gardens. Along with guided excursions, you'll have free time to explore on your own rounding out this fun adventure.
This fun 4-day jaunt provides the perfect introduction to Portugal's up-and-coming capital, nicknamed 'The City of Seven Hills'. Let a local guide show you ancient ruins, cobbled alleyways, historic monuments, and hip neighborhoods—as well as the UNESCO-listed village of Sintra. In addition to excursions, you will also have free time to explore on your own to round out this Lisbon adventure.
After you've marveled at the Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square, what's next? A short boat ride from central Venice, the island of Murano has long been famous for its glass. Lace is the claim to fame of tiny Burano, and bucolic Torcello contains the huge Basilica di Santa Maria dell’Assunta. Learn more in our guide to island-hopping in Venice.
Discover Colombia's southern region on this two-week adventure, covering major highlights of the country from the capital city of Bogotá to the Pre-Columbian idols of San Agustín and to the well-preserved colonial town of Popayán. It's an itinerary fit for active travelers, history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife aficionados, and anyone with a thirst for adventure. You'll even have an opportunity to shake your hips to the sultry rhythms of Colombia's lifeblood: salsa music.
If you have eight days to spend in Italy, you don't have to limit yourself to one region. Take a classic tour of Venice, Florence, and Rome, cycle the clifftop roads of Sardinia, boat around Lake Como, discover Sicily's antiquities, and sip wine in Chianti. Here are five unique itinerary suggestions.
With a week in Slovenia, you can take in various highlights or spend your time exploring one region, like Mount Triglav or the Julian Alps, in greater depth. In these five one-of-a-kind itineraries, you'll hike between mountain huts in Triglav National Park, sample local wines in Goriška Brda, cycle through native forests on the Istrian peninsula, swim and kayak on Lake Bled, and hike through the picturesque gorges and villages of the Soča Valley.
This classic route through Peru introduces you to the country's top attractions for an immersive experience in seven days. See the contrast between old and new Lima, visit ancient archaeological wonders and textile communities in the Sacred Valley, and marvel at the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu. You’ll also spend a day and a night in the beautiful colonial city of Cusco for your fill of treasures from its Inca and Spanish legacy.
This two-week itinerary around Sri Lanka offers an ideal mix of activity and relaxation. You'll begin in Negombo and work your way around the island, stopping to visit ancient temple complexes, Buddhist shrines, and palaces carved into mountainsides. Along the journey, you'll spend two nights observing wildlife in Wilpattu National Park, enjoy the calm coastline in Pasikudah, explore charming colonial villages, and relax on breathtaking beaches with snorkeling and diving opportunities easily accessible offshore.
This eight-day itinerary features Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital city of Sarajevo and offers the perfect mixture of history, culture, and adventure, with enough time to explore at your own pace. Deep dive into Sarajevo's long and varied past on a guided tour of the city's landmarks and monuments, immerse yourself in the coffee culture and drink your fill of the Bosnian elixir, and take advantage of the spring weather and hike to Skakavac, the country's highest waterfall. You'll visit Tito's nuclear bunker in Konjic, eat spit-roast lamb in Jablinca, and sample local brews in Dobrinja.
Even a mere six days is enough time to experience the highlights of Costa Rica. On this brisk itinerary, you'll do just that, visiting both Arenal and Corcovado National Park as well as enjoying waterfall hikes and exotic wildlife safaris. In between all this adventure you'll find time to relax in natural hot springs and enjoy the first-class amenities of your luxury accommodations.
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