As an artsy city mixing old and new, Bilbao is an excellent choice for learning about Spanish history and architecture—and staying in a historical hotel only enhances the experience. Kimkim visited Bilbao to find the best historic hotels in the city and settled on this list of six options, ranging from luxury to budget. Sleep among the city's history in rural cottages, 18th-century mansions, and properties built by famous architects.
If you're on a budget and staying in Bilbao, you're in luck—Bilbao has some of the best budget-friendly hotels in Spain. After visiting properties across the city (and country), kimkim created a list of the top standard hotels. And thanks to Bilbao's mix of modernity, history, and eclectic architecture, even these budget picks offer stylish lodgings and central locations. You won't find as many amenities, but some offer perks like on-site bars, breakfast buffets, lounges, and authentic countryside locales.
Discover Morocco's coastal allure with this exclusive 10-day luxury itinerary. Begin in Tangier, the gateway between Africa and Europe, and sweep your way south via the seafront gems of Rabat, Oualidia, and Essaouira. Find sanctuary at 5-star hotels and riads, savor the best Moroccan cuisine with fine dining experiences, and get to know each destination with exclusive tours before your trip ends in Marrakesh.
Discover some of Argentina's top highlights on this 15-day journey to Buenos Aires and Patagonia! Unlike many itineraries, which only offer a single day in the capital, this trip features three full days in the city. See a tango show, go on a cycling tour, and immerse yourself in Argentine culture before flying south to Tierra del Fuego. Explore Ushuaia and its breathtaking surroundings before continuing to El Calafate and El Chaltén to see glaciers, visit a historic ranch, and hike through dramatic scenery.
You'll see rare wildlife and spectacular landscapes on any trip to Patagonia. But this 15-day itinerary takes you beyond the standard highlights to spot whales up close, ride horses at a traditional ranch, and boat to the icy walls of a glacier while enjoying gourmet food and drinks. Highlights along the journey, which starts in Chilean Patagonia and ends in Tierra del Fuego, include hikes in various national parks, visits to penguin colonies, ice trekking on a glacier, off-roading in a 4WD vehicle, and more!
Cross a bucket-list trekking destination off your list with this adventure in Chilean Patagonia. Over 15 days, you'll explore the most beautiful parts of this southern region, starting with camping and hiking in Cerro Castillo National Park. Then fly to Punta Arenas, where you'll embark on the famous W Trek around the legendary Torres del Paine National Park.
With its mix of historic and eclectic contemporary architecture, Bilbao is an ideal place to upgrade your stay. The best luxury hotels in Bilbao channel the city's past and present with cushy linens and room furnishings, cozy and hip dining spaces, and rooftop terraces overlooking iconic sites like the Guggenheim Museum and La Salve Bridge. And no luxury stay is complete without amenities like wellness centers, spas, cocktail bars, memorable eateries, and the like.
Mid-range hotels in Bilbao offer the perfect middle ground between luxury properties and budget options, so you get a few excellent amenities and comfortable rooms while saving a bit of money. After visiting numerous hotels in Bilbao, kimkim's top picks for this budget tier offer perks like central locations, cozy room décor, rooftop pools, trendy bars, on-site eateries, gyms, Guggenheim views, and more.
Challenge yourself with 15 days of outdoor excursions amid some of the most dramatic and breathtaking landscapes in Argentine Patagonia. After a couple of days of enjoying the city sights in Buenos Aires, the adventure kicks into high gear with hiking, cycling, and rafting in Los Glaciares National Park. The trip culminates with the famous Huemul Circuit trek, plus kayaking to the legendary Perito Moreno Glacier.
Prepare for outdoor adventures as you embark on circuit treks and hikes around some of Patagonia's most scenic and rugged areas. After touring Chile's capital Santiago, you'll test yourself on the famous five-day W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. Then head north into Argentina to tour the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier before embarking on some of the most challenging self-guided hikes around El Chaltén.
Eleven days to two weeks are the most popular trip lengths for Mexico travelers interested in visiting Mexico City, Valladolid, and Mérida, especially when also including Tulum. If you're not interested in Tulum, 8 to 11 days is enough for your Mexico City, Valladolid, and Mérida trip. Check out the favored Mexico City, Valladolid, and Mérida trips below.
Travelers to Mexico typically plan a trip for 11 to 14 days when combining Mérida with Mexico City, Valladolid, and Tulum. If you're not interested in Mexico City, Valladolid, and Tulum, five to seven days is enough for your Mérida trip. Check out our favorite Mérida trips below.
Most people visiting Puerto Morelos, Tulum, and Holbox spend about 10 to 13 days in Mexico, which usually includes some time in Valladolid as well. If you're not interested in Valladolid, 8 to 12 days is enough for your Puerto Morelos, Tulum, and Holbox trip. Read on for the best itineraries, including Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Holbox, and beyond.
Most people visiting both Mexico City and Mérida spend about 11 to 14 days in Mexico, which usually includes some time in Valladolid and Tulum as well. If you're not interested in Valladolid and Tulum, a week to eight days is enough for your Mexico City and Mérida trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as five or six days. Read on for the best itineraries, including Mexico City and Mérida, and beyond.
Six to nine days is a great length for a Mexico trip, with stops in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Alternatively, extend your trip and explore more of the country—some of the best-loved trip extensions include Mexico City. Get inspired with kimkim's Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta trip ideas below.
Escape to Brazil for six glorious days as you discover the history, culture, nightlife, and food of Rio de Janeiro. Start with a visit to Christ the Redeemer to marvel at the stunning view overlooking the city. Stroll through the charming streets of Santa Teresa and then visit the Rio Botanical Garden. Enjoy the pristine beaches of Búzios, drink your way through the most popular botecos in the city, and finish your trip with a visit to Samba City, where you'll learn about Carnival, samba music, and dancing.
In six days, you'll see the highlights of Salvador from every angle as you experience the food, music, history, and culture of Brazil's Bahia state. Go bar hopping in the bohemian district of Rio Vermelho, wander the colonial neighborhood of Pelourinho to learn about Bahian art, and taste Bahia's distinct flavors with a market tour and cooking class. Take a sailing trip to local islands and laze on pristine beaches, then sway to the rhythms of local percussion artists as you bid your farewells.
Spend six days exploring Brazil's Amazon rainforest as you navigate its complex waterway systems by canoe. Start in Manaus, the gateway of the Amazon, then set off via the river to reach your jungle lodge. Here you'll spend four nights immersed in the wonders of the rainforest—spotting wildlife on guided walks, paddling through flooded forests by dugout canoe, meeting local Indigenous residents, and, if you're feeling adventurous, learning survival tips as you spend the night at a remote jungle camp.
Venture through Brazil's highlights on this compact six-day adventure. Start in Rio to wander its Old Town and see iconic landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Explore the Río Botanical Garden and then jet off to Foz do Iguaçu. Discover some of the 275 waterfalls at Iguaçu Falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the park, then mingle with exotic birds at Parque das Aves (Bird Park) as you learn about their significance to Brazil's delicate ecosystem.
This five-day self-drive tour is ideal for travelers who want a leisurely and refreshing getaway. Arrive at Zürich Airport and make the short drive across the German border to picturesque Konstanz. Discover its charms at your own pace, then go standup paddleboarding on Lake Constance. After an easy hike to the spectacular Rhine Falls, continue to Germany's luxury spa town, Baden-Baden. Round off your holiday with leisurely strolls and spoil yourself with a full-day spa experience.
Within two weeks, you can check off Argentina and Chile's capital cities as well as some of South America's greatest natural wonders. Enjoy a tango show and a food tour in Buenos Aires, head to Iguazú Falls to see the world's largest waterfall complex, then turn south to Bariloche for trekking and sailing in the Patagonian Lake District. After a scenic journey to Puerto Varas in Chile, you'll ascend the Osorno volcano before flying to Santiago for sightseeing and a day trip to nearby Valparaíso.
Go beyond Cancún and explore the lesser-visited highlights of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula on this quick five-day escape. It begins in Puerto Morelos, whose unspoiled reef is part of a marine reserve you'll explore during a snorkeling trip. Then visit the ruins of El Castillo—situated above a beach in beautiful Tulum—before finishing with a tour of the even grander Ek' Balam archaeological site.
Pack a wealth of Maya culture and history into just five days on this whirlwind tour of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Create lasting memories as you tour the cobbled streets of Valladolid and Mérida, hike the ruins at Ek' Balam, and marvel at the Chichén Itzá pyramid, which dates back over 1,500 years. Other highlights include swimming in cenotes and taking an immersive chocolate tour in Uxmal.
In just five days, you'll reach the heart of Maya Indigenous culture in Mexico's famous Yucatán Peninsula. Your base will be Mérida, the region's capital, where you'll walk amid colonial history and sample delicious street food with ancient roots. Then you're off to tour maíz fields, swim in cenotes (limestone sinkholes), and explore the awe-inspiring pyramid of Chichén Itzá. Finish the adventure with a day trip to a biosphere reserve known for flamingoes.
Most people visiting both Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula spend about 10 to 14 days in Mexico, which usually includes some time in Mexico City as well. For travelers wanting to visit Chiapas and the Yucatán exclusively, plan 13 to 15 days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as 9 to 12 days. For the best itineraries, including Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula, keep reading below.
Get ready for two exciting weeks of hiking, horseback riding, boating to glaciers, and sightseeing in two of South America's liveliest cities! This itinerary begins with a tango show in Buenos Aires, then continues in Tierra del Fuego, where you'll ride the End of the World Train and hike in the national park. Fly to El Calafate to see glaciers and cave art, then cross over to Chilean Patagonia to explore Torres del Paine National Park. Finish with sightseeing in Santiago and a day trip to the port city of Valparaíso.
See the best of Northern Argentina and Chile on this two-week adventure. Start in Chile, where you'll tour Santiago, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar, then explore the rock formations and lagoons of the Atacama Desert. Move on to Salta in Argentina to visit a winery, see local villages and churches, and go whitewater rafting. Finish with a tango show, food tour, and walking tour of Buenos Aires, then explore the Paraná Delta by boat.
German culture spans everything from medieval castles to contemporary street art, traditional Bavarian fare, to cuisine influenced by Germany's immigrants. On this week-long tour of Berlin, Dresden, and Munich, you'll enjoy a fascinating overview of three very different cities that highlight different parts of German culture. Explore the hip inner-city neighborhoods of Berlin, visit a Gothic fortress in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, enjoy a concert in a Baroque palace in Munich, and much more.
Discover Chile and Argentina's striking landscapes on this 14-day tour. Touch down in Argentina, where you'll set sail for a five-day cruise among the region's sparkling fjords, penguin-spotted islands, and towering glaciers. Back on land, you'll explore Chile's famous Torres del Paine National Park and kayak on the shimmering Eberhard Fjord. The adventure ends with a trip to the ancient Atacama Desert, where you'll traverse salt flats surrounded by volcanoes and spurting geysers.
This five-day getaway to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula combines Spanish-colonial landmarks, Maya culture, and outdoor activities. Start by visiting colonial churches in Valladolid before cycling around the ancient ruins at Cobá and touring local Maya villages and cenotes. As a bonus, you'll explore not one but two unspoiled nature reserves— Sian Ka'an and Punta Laguna—for swimming and hiking.
Explore a different side of Mexico's famous Yucatán Peninsula on this five-day escape to Mérida, the region's capital. Take part in a number of culture and nature experiences that include visiting Maya communities, boating to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, touring the ancient milpa fields of Yaxunah, and visiting Chichén Itzá, the "famous wonder of the Maya world," which dates back over 1,500 years.
Eight to 11 days is the most popular trip length for Mexico travelers interested in visiting both Mexico City and Oaxaca, especially when also including Puebla. If you're not interested in Puebla, a week to nine days is enough for your Mexico City and Oaxaca trip. Read on for the best itineraries, including Mexico City and Oaxaca, and beyond.
Eight to nine days is a great length for a Mexico trip, with stops in Mexico City, Cholula, and Oaxaca. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in four to seven days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Yucatán Peninsula, Mazunte, or Mérida. Get inspired with the below Mexico City, Cholula, and Oaxaca trip ideas.
Five to eight days is a great length for a Mexico trip with stops in Puerto Vallarta. You can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Guadalajara, Mexico City, or Sayulita with more time. See more ideas for Puerto Vallarta itineraries below.
For most travelers, eight to nine days is the perfect amount of time for a Mexico trip, with stops in both Mexico City and Tulum. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in a week, which makes for a fast-paced journey. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favored itinerary extensions include Valladolid, Playa del Carmen, or Mérida. See more ideas for Mexico City and Tulum itineraries below.
Most travelers will find that 10 to 13 days is perfect for a well-paced Mexico trip with stops in Puerto Morelos, Valladolid, Tulum, and Holbox. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in eight or nine days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Mexico City. See more ideas for Puerto Morelos, Valladolid, Tulum, and Holbox itineraries below.
With 10 days in Spain and Morocco, you can discover the must-see sites of Marrakesh, Málaga, Granada, and Seville on a highlights tour or get your adrenaline pumping on an active nature adventure featuring hikes and an e-bike tour. Foodies will love indulging in Spain's tapas scene and Morocco's street food on a culinary trip, while those who prefer sticking by the coast will love splitting their time between the Andalusia and Atlantic coastlines.
This wide-ranging two-week itinerary introduces you to some of Argentina and Chile's best natural highlights. Start with a couple of days in Buenos Aires, featuring a side trip to a traditional ranch, then fly to Iguazú Falls to see the famous cascades up close. Continue to Patagonia and Perito Moreno Glacier, located on the Argentine side. Then cross the border to Chile, venturing into Torres del Paine National Park for hikes and wildlife and finishing up with a winery tour and sightseeing in Santiago.
Most travelers to Portugal will find that 10 to 13 days is perfect for a well-paced trip with stops in Lisbon, Porto, and São Miguel. It's also possible to hit the highlights in nine days if you like a fast-paced journey. With more time, however, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Coimbra, Douro Valley, or Évora. Keep reading for more inspiring Lisbon, Porto, and São Miguel itineraries.
Six to seven days is a great length for a Mexico trip, with stops in both Valladolid and Tulum. Travelers with less time can hit the route's highlights in five days, which makes for a fast-paced journey. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Holbox, Puerto Morelos, or Mexico City. See more ideas for Valladolid and Tulum itineraries below.
This weeklong, active journey will take you through the highlights of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Begin in Valladolid, then prepare to visit Ek' Balam Archaeological Site and Chichén Itzá, and go swimming in ancient cenotes. Next, transfer to Tulum for a cooking class with a local chef, explore the canals of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve by boat and self-propulsion, and thrill to a jungle adventure park before heading home.
Visiting 10 regions is possible with three weeks in Spain and Morocco. Active travelers can trek the Caminito del Rey and sandboard in Erg Chebbi, while those seeking a slower pace should hit the beaches of Menorca and tour Morocco's coastal cities. Foodies can take a chocolate walk in Barcelona and sample cheese and wine in Basque. For a culture-focused itinerary that's also ideal for photographers, you'll find a tile decorating workshop in Granada and impressive architecture in Toledo.
Kick off this eight-day, family-focused tour in historic Madrid, where you'll learn to make traditional paella in a family cooking class and take lessons in the art of flamenco, Spain's most famous dance! Spend some time in Toledo to discover the art of sword-making with a master craftsperson, then head to Seville for a luxurious river cruise and a creative pottery class. See the Seville Cathedral and Royal Alcázar with a private guide, and spend your last evening eating your way through the city's best tapas restaurants.
Travelers interested in World War II history will benefit from guided excursions through some of Germany's most interesting and infamous cities and sites. This weeklong itinerary starts in Berlin, where you'll learn how the Third Reich made their mark. From here, take a train to Dresden, a city rebuilt from destruction, and Nuremberg, full of medieval charm and 20th-century horror. Finish with a trip to the Eagle's Nest and the Dachau Concentration Camp to complete this fascinating tour.
Most people visiting both Mexico City and Puebla spend about 8 to 11 days in Mexico, which usually includes some time in Oaxaca as well. For travelers wanting to visit Mexico City and Puebla exclusively, plan six to eight days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five days. For the best itineraries, including Mexico City and Puebla, keep reading below.
Most travelers will find that four to seven days is perfect for a well-paced Mexico trip with stops in Chiapas. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Mexico City, Yucatán Peninsula, or Frontera Corozal. Keep reading for more inspiring Chiapas itineraries.
For most travelers, 8 to 11 days is the perfect amount of time for a Mexico trip, with stops in Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as five to seven days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Yucatán Peninsula, Latuvi, or Acaxochitlán. See more ideas for Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca itineraries below.
Travelers to Mexico typically plan a trip for 9 to 12 days when combining Mexico City with the Yucatán Peninsula. If you're not interested in the Yucatán Peninsula, five to seven days are enough for your Mexico City trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as four days. Check the below favored Mexico City trips.
Within three weeks, you can visit at least six regions of Australia and New Zealand. Hit the highlights of Australia's eastern and southern coasts and experience New Zealand culture and adventure in Auckland, Rotorua, and Queenstown. Road trippers will enjoy various activities, including a tasting tour in Wellington, while those keen on culture will appreciate the Indigenous-led experiences—such as a bush walk and Dreamtime stories in Perth—on a cultural journey.
With this action-packed 18-day itinerary, there's no need to choose between New Zealand's North and South Islands—you can do them both. Start in Auckland, the "City of Sails," before moving through the North Island's rural and geothermal heart to Wellington. Take the ferry to the South Island, where you'll travel by train down the east coast to Christchurch, cut through the Southern Alps, and take a guided road trip down the West Coast to Queenstown.
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