The taverna is one of the cornerstones of Greek life, with artifacts suggesting the existence of these spots even at the Acropolis itself. Find out why as you eat your way through this eight-day itinerary, sharing your tables with olive harvesters, Cycladic chefs, Mykonian farmers, and more.
Athena won her sovereignty over the city of Athens by providing them with an olive tree, which the Athenians deemed more useful than Poseidon's gift of a saltwater spring. See all the ways in which the mighty olive dominates its competition with this 10-day itinerary. Along with other culinary and cultural highlights, you'll tour a working olive grove to get an insider view of the olive processing world, then learn how to put those ingredients into practice in a Tinian cooking class and sample how other people choose to employ them at a farmhouse dinner.
Legend has it the grapes of Nemea were brought to the people by Dionysus, and it's bad manners to disrespect the Greek gods, so make sure you make the most of this 10-day itinerary. Try the fruits of Dionysus's generosity and maybe host a revel of your own in Nafplio before you sail out to the Cyclades to learn how to create some culinary gifts of your own.
You've probably heard of feta, but what about graviera? Mizithra? How about their cousin kefalotyri? Meet every member of the Greek cheese family and more on this 11-day itinerary. You'll see them straight from the source along with other culinary and cultural highlights as you play shepherd for a day, learn how to put them to use in a Cycladic cooking class on Tinos, and visit the many other cheese habitats with a Naxos food tour before you return to Athens.
Greece produces more feta cheese than any other country, but do your best to make a dent in their supply on this 12-day itinerary. Eat your way through both the mainland and the islands in olive groves and amid vineyards before learning to cook under the Acropolis to cap it all off.
The best way to show love is via food, so let Greece show you how much it loves you with this 13-day culinary itinerary. Whether it's with fresh goat cheese, Agiorgitiko wine, or olives, you'll be wooed by hands-on sampling tours, cooking classes, at-home meals, and more.
Spend two weeks treating yourself to some of Greece's finest food and wine traditions. You'll start with four days among the fields of Nafplio in the Peloponnese, followed by a full week in the Cyclades where you'll learn to cook on Tinos, visit a Mykonian farm, and tour the tavernas of Naxos. Cap it off with a cooking class under the Acropolis upon your return to Athens.
Get up close with Greek cuisine on this 15-day itinerary. You'll start on the mainland, exploring olive groves, vineyards, and farms to get the full picture of the food chain. Then sail south to the Cyclades, where you'll see those ingredients in action in cooking classes, food tours, and fresh farm dinners.
Spending a week in Greece is already great—but with an added bonus day, you have another chance to dig into the food, culture, and outdoor activities that make this destination special. Get to know the mainland, explore Crete, or chill out on Mykonos and Santorini with these 8-day itineraries.
Cover more than 3,000 years in just seven days with this educational itinerary. You'll learn about the myths of the Acropolis along with the agriculture of Naxos and artisans of Tinos as you sweep past the centuries in the city of Athens and Cyclades island chain.
High heels are banned at the Acropolis, so make sure you pack comfortable shoes for this eight-day itinerary that will walk you through Greek history. Go from Athena's Parthenon to Artemis and Apollo's Delos, along with a marble quarry hike, and exploration of island agriculture along the way.
The Greek alphabet is the oldest written language still in use today, so study up for your 10-day trip through Greece's history and modern influence. Go from up on the Acropolis to down to the Aegean Sea, circling through the Cycladic islands of Tinos, Mykonos, and Naxos with temples, food tours, historic terraces, and more.
About seven percent of the world's marble comes from Greece, and you'll get to spot it in its natural habitat alongside plenty of other famous exports on this 11-day itinerary. In addition to a hike along the marble route on Tinos island, you'll experience homemade cheese and liqueur on Naxos, mythology on Delos, the museums of Athens, and more.
Experience the full spread of Greece's millennia on this 13-day trip. You'll start in bustling Athens and detour to Mycenae, most recognizable from its role in the Iliad. Then sail to the Cyclades, sampling modern agriculture on Naxos, ancient ruins on the sacred island of Delos, and more before your return to Athens.
Some say that Greek civilization has been around so long, they've had the opportunity to try every form of government. See the results of those political experiments on this 14-day itinerary, starting in Athens, the birthplace of democracy. You'll head out to the Cyclades after an Acropolis tour to experience the food and history of the islands before you return to the city.
Get ready to hike, bike, and swim your way around Athens and some of Greece's most beautiful islands. Begin and end your journey in Athens, where you'll see the sights from the seat of your bicycle. Then soak up the beauty and culture as you go horseback riding on the beaches of Naxos, learn to surf on the hidden gem of Tinos, and trek through Crete's spectacular Samaria Gorge. Reward yourself with one last Aegean sunset at the Temple of Poseidon.
At nearly a week, this self-drive itinerary includes a mix of off-the-beaten-path gems (Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Reykjanes Peninsula) and popular Icelandic highlights (Golden Circle) for the ultimate family adventure. After a day in Reykjavik, you'll head west for hiking, lava fields, and small fishing towns along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (called "Iceland in miniature"). You'll then choose between a number of blockbuster sights in the Golden Circle before heading back to Reykjavik for one more night on the town.
With just under a week, this fun road trip takes you along Iceland's south coast for a memorable family adventure. After a day getting to know Iceland's colorful capital city, you'll check off blockbuster natural sites in the Golden Circle like Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Finish the self-guided tour with two nights along the south coast discovering more waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches in Vik and the Skaftafell area.
This spectacular self-drive itinerary allows you to explore all four cardinal points of Iceland as you loop clockwise around the country's famous 828-mile (1,332 km) Ring Road. The 11-day journey includes stops in its two biggest cities as well as natural sites like volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, glaciers, and popular attractions in the Golden Circle. Finish the adventure with a rewarding soak in the Blue Lagoon before you depart.
This self-drive tour covers some of Iceland's best sites and winter-themed activities with plenty of chances to search for the Northern Lights. Start off by exploring the capital, Reykjavik, before you head west to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in miniature" with a bit of everything (and few crowds). You'll then continue to the more popular Golden Circle, for snowmobiling—and even snorkeling!—and then finish with two nights along the south coast for glacier walks and black sand beaches.
This self-driving trip takes you to the highlights of Iceland's west coast and the remote Westfjords area. Starting in Reykjavik, you'll drive to the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula before taking a car ferry to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland. Here you'll hike along the jagged cliffs at Londrangar, visit black, gold, and red sand beaches, and see the powerful Dynjandi Waterfall. End the trip in Isafjordur—a great base for activities in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, accessible only by boat and trail.
With 10 days on the road, you can discover a variety of regions and landscapes as you loop around Iceland's famous Route 1 (Ring Road). This moderately paced self-drive itinerary will take you to the best spots along the 828-mile (1,332 km) route with stops in its two biggest cities, as well as volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers, as well as major attractions in the Golden Circle. This is going to be one gorgeous ride!
This off-the-beaten-path road trip is especially great during summer months when peak crowds head for Iceland's south coast and Golden Circle (and accommodations can be hard to find). Instead, you'll escape to more remote areas of the country, traveling from Reykjavik all the way to its sunnier north coast with stops in Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords (by way of car ferry), Husavik, and Lake Myvatn. There's plenty of time to experience unique geological features along the way with lava fields, volcano hikes, massive waterfalls, and geothermal pools, not to mention cool Scandinavian culture and cuisine.
Two weeks is a great length for a Greek vacation. You'll have plenty of time to see multiple islands and historic mainland sites, taking part in cultural or outdoor activities along the way. These itineraries explore the possibilities: get active on some of the Cyclades lesser-known islands, dive into ancient mythology, enjoy a laidback beach holiday, and more.
January kicks off a new year in Costa Rica with wild parties and an epic celebration. It's also a couple months into the high season, when the skies are clear and the glory of nature is on full display. This monthly guide illustrates how best to ring in the new year in Costa Rica.
Dry, warm weather makes February is the perfect time to visit Costa Rica. You'll experience the country's famous beaches and virgin rainforests, not to mention one of the largest carnival celebrations in the region. Great conditions mean big crowds—travelers heading to Costa Rica this month will want to book in advance. Read on for more about visiting in February.
Spend nine days getting your full nine hours of sleep and still taking in some of the best the Cyclades have to offer on this itinerary. Your mornings have plenty of time for lounging on the shore or strolling through the streets of Santorini, Naxos, and Mykonos. In the afternoons, you'll set off for sunset cruises, cooking classes, and freshly cut produce-filled dinners.
Take the coast of the Cyclades from guidebook covers straight to your own social media feed with this 10-day itinerary. These famous islands have captured travelers' imaginations for centuries, and now it's your turn to explore via boat, bike, and more, whether you're riding smoothly past sunny beaches or settling in for dinner and stories on an island farm.
Greece has an average of 250 sunny days a year, so enjoy 11 of them with this island itinerary. Go from the street food stalls of Athens to the white clifftop buildings of Santorini. Venture over to Naxos for some cooking and cycling, then find some food of your own at a farm on Mykonos before you return to watch the sunset over Athens.
Greece has roughly 2,000 islands within its borders, but with 12 days to travel, you'll focus on these three favorites after a tour through the capital's food scene. See the star Santorini caldera, then sail to Naxos to take a spin around the beaches. Then it's off to Mykonos for a farm tour and more beach time before you head back to Athens.
As the world's leading producer of sea sponges, Greece knows something about lounging by the shore. Channel your inner sponge and soak up the Cycladic sun on this 13-day itinerary. Get a taste of the city vibes in Athens before you head to the islands, where a catamaran cruise, cooking classes, and the calming waves will help you absorb every last moment.
March in Costa Rica means the sun is out, the resorts are full, and the beaches are calling your name. This is the high season, and the entire country is open for business. Let this monthly guide help you cut through the crowds and find the best places to visit and things to do.
This week-long itinerary through the Cyclades will take you to some of the most beautiful sites on Naxos and Ios. In between wandering the lanes of the charming main towns and lounging on the beaches, you'll trek through the hills to ancient sites and paddle over Aegean waves on a canoe safari. Back in Athens, take to the streets on a bike tour of sights both old and new to wrap up your Greek adventure.
April is the last hurrah of Costa Rica's high season—a time of grand religious holidays, epic fiestas, and reliably sunny beach weather. Throw in all those spring-breaking vacationers, and you have the makings of one great party.
Adventure awaits on this thrilling itinerary through the Cyclades. Spend just over a week exploring Naxos and Ios by hiking through the hills, diving in the sea, and paddling over the Aegean waves to secluded beaches. Top it all off with an exciting bike ride in and around Athens, where you'll see all the sights.
Explore some of the lesser-known islands of the Cyclades on this jam-packed adventure. Over a week and a half, you'll hike through the hills of Tinos, go scuba diving off Naxos, and paddle to secluded beaches on Ios. End your journey with a thrilling bike ride around historical and modern Athens.
Hike, bike, and paddle your way around the Cyclades with this exciting twelve day itinerary. You'll trek up a rocky mountain on Tinos, dive into the Aegean on a scuba excursion in Naxos, and canoe around the bay on Ios. Top off your adventure in Athens with a farewell bike tour of all the sights.
Get your adrenaline pumping on this two-week adventure through the Cyclades. You'll hike, climb, paddle, and bike around some of the chain's lesser-known islands. Tackle Tinos' rugged Exomvourgo mountain, swim with the fish on a scuba diving excursion in Naxos, and enjoy a canoeing safari around Ios' pristine Mylopotas bay, and more!
Dive headfirst into history with this tour of some of ancient Greece's most important sites. Go from Athens and the Acropolis to the oracle at Delphi to the islands of Delos, Santorini, and Crete. Along the way, you'll see fascinating archaeological ruins and visit some of Greece's most beautiful locales. Wrap up your trip back on the mainland with a stop at Helen of Troy's home at Mycenae before returning to the modern era.
This Icelandic self-drive itinerary covers territory on both horizontal coastlines, from Snaefellsnes to Seydisfjordur, with fun detours along the southern portion of the Ring Road. With a bit more than a week, you'll experience volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, black sand beaches, small fishing towns, and massive glaciers in protected national parks. Start and end the trip in Reykjavík for culture and nightlife in Europe's most northerly capital.
Traveling by train, boat, and coastal steamer, this exciting 11-day summertime tour covers magnificent areas of Western Norway that are often overlooked by tourists. The adventure starts in Oslo where you'll explore the buzzing streets with a local guide. Next, ride a train along the emerald-green River Rauma and connect to Norway's prettiest city, Ålesund, known for its Art Nouveau architecture. From here, head south to small coastal islands amongst narrow fjords and steep mountains for biking, hiking, and/or kayaking. Continue the journey towards Norway's 2nd largest city, Bergen, before ferrying through the Sognefjord to catch a train back to Oslo for one last night of Scandinavian fun.
This exciting and less-traveled itinerary takes you into Norway's boreal territory for spectacular snowcapped scenery in the Arctic region. Base yourself in the quietly sophisticated city of Tromsø (Northern Norway's largest), where you can sled with huskies and reindeer during the day and chase the Northern Lights after dark. At the end of the adventure, you'll spend a memorable night in a traditional 'lavvu' tent and learn about the Sami indigenous culture before returning to 'Paris of the North' for one more night on the town.
For dog- and nature-lovers, this unique, hands-on experience in Northern Norway can't be beaten. Start off in the city of Tromsø before you head out for five days towards the border of Norway, Finland, and Sweden. With the help of your private guide, get to know the Huskies by name, drive your own sleigh, and enjoy traditional meals (some served over a campfire). In the evenings, participate in taking care of the dogs before you fall to sleep in cozy teepees while searching for the Northern Lights.
Not for the faint of heart, this epic 12-day trip through Norway's wintry north includes a dizzying array of destinations, travel modes, and activities that are highly unique to the Arctic. You'll start in the city of Oslo and take a train to the UNESCO-listed village of Røros. From here, dogsled in the mountains, walk through Trondheim, fly to Tromsø, and stay overnight in an indigenous Sami tent (with reindeer). Then, take a coastal steamer—perhaps the most low-key day of the trip—to the Lofoten Islands where you'll snorkel with whales (yes, even in winter) and see the Northern Lights by horseback before ferrying to Bodø. Tepid travelers may want to look elsewhere.
History buffs and nature lovers can check off two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, peaceful villages, and dramatic vistas on this self-drive tour through Western Norway. You'll start the adventure with a local tour of Bergen, a former Hanseatic League trading post with colorful wooden houses on the old wharf. From here, drive north and visit charming villages on Norway's two biggest fjords: Nordfjord and Sognefjord. Finish the adventure with a ferry ride across the Lusterfjord to a UNESCO-listed stave church built in the 12th century. History aside, this trip offers plenty of amazing scenery, a world-class glacier museum, and even guided hikes—all while staying in some of Norway's best family-run hotels.
Not for the faint of heart, this 11-day trip through Norway's wintry north includes a dizzying array of destinations, travel modes, and activities that are highly unique to the Arctic. You'll start in the city of Oslo and take a train to the UNESCO-listed village of Røros. From here, dogsled in the mountains, walk through Trondheim, fly to Tromsø, and stay overnight in an indigenous Sami tent (with reindeer). Then, take a coastal steamer—perhaps the most low-key day of the trip—to the Lofoten Islands where you'll snorkel with whales (yes, even in winter) and see the Northern Lights by horseback before ferrying to Bodø. Tepid travelers may want to look elsewhere.
This fast-paced adventure covers several Nordic highlights in just six days. Start off in Europe's fastest growing capital and hit the ground running as you explore hip neighborhoods and cafés. Next, take a train to the mountain village of Geilo—near two national parks—and choose between a range of hiking trails. Continue on train to Myrdal where you'll connect to the scenic Flåm Railway before exploring the jaw-dropping Aurlandsfjord. Finish with a ferry ride through Norway's longest fjord (Sognefjord) to get to Bergen—a lively city surrounded by seven mountains with a waterfront UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Steer a relaxing weeklong course through the highs and lows of Norway's spectacular landscapes: from the dizzying zig-zag heights of the Trollstigen (Troll's Ladder) to the depths of Sognefjord, the country's deepest fjord. You'll enjoy the freedom of setting your own pace when visiting museums and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, not to mention plenty of opportunities to get out in nature and explore the wonders around you. Buckle up and pack your camera—this is going to be one gorgeous drive!
Perfect for families or groups with a range of ages or fitness levels, this fully accessible summer adventure combines exploration of Norway's two largest cities with a natural getaway, including a visit to the waterfall Vøringsfossen and its dramatic 600-foot drop. You'll begin your trip in modern Oslo before driving westward to Eidfjord, home to the stunning Hardangerfjord and the Hardangervidda National Park. End your trip in charming Bergen, the colorful and historic Hanseatic city known as the gateway to the fjords.
This active 11-day itinerary visits the best of Norway's fjords with plenty of chances to work up a sweat. Start off in Norway's second largest metropolis of Bergen before getting a rental car and heading for Stavanger, the Lysefjord, and the Hardangerfjord for scenery, hiking, and waterfall opportunities. You'll then head northeast making stops at key villages along the Sognefjord—Norway's longest and deepest—before landing at Jotunheimen National Park to see some glaciers. Return to Bergen for one last night of Scandinavian fun to end this epic adventure.