As the most cosmopolitan of Greece's Cycladic Islands, Mykonos has built a reputation for glitz, glamor, and renowned beachside nightlife. Its charming Little Venice neighborhood and iconic windmills tempt jet setters from around the world. Wander its buzzy streets and discover its quieter, more traditional side. Cruise around the island in search of picture-perfect beaches and explore the archeological sites on nearby Delos.
Greece's buzzy capital city is an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, acting as an outdoor museum to some of the world's most historic landmarks. Athens encircles its famed Acropolis Hill with the impressive Parthenon at its crown. Walk amongst over 3,000 years of history as you take in ancient monuments and architecture touched by Byzantine, Ottoman, and neoclassical influences. Whether you want to explore archeological sites, relax on the Athenian Riviera, or savor an iconic Greek sunset atop Cape Sounio, Athens has it all.
Take in some of Norway's most impressive natural landscapes on this two-week adventure through the country's western fjords and northern islands. You'll start with a city tour of Oslo before you venture out into nature, riding the steep and scenic Flåm Railway. Dip back into city life in Bergen, then head to the wild Vesterålen and Lofoten islands to kayak, hike, whale-watch, and more.
Art and architecture dominate most visits to the historical city of Florence, but there is also plenty to keep little adventurers entertained. From a rewarding climb up Giotto's Bell Tower, to hanging out with local kids in cute parks, to a fun gelato-making class, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Florence with kids.
If you're dreaming of the quintessential Greek island with whitewashed architecture, amazing beaches, incredible food and culture, and rich history, then Naxos is for you. Especially if you want to avoid the crowds seen on some of its neighboring islands. The largest Cycladic island is just a hop, skip, and a jump from hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos, but feels a world apart.
Santorini is the most iconic Greek island, full stop. Many, if not all, first-time travelers to Greece have this volcanic marvel on their must see list, which comes with the usual pros and cons. Yes, it's an amazing place with views you'll never forget. And yes, it'll likely be crowded. That's why we recommend to plan carefully so you'll experience the best of Santorini while avoiding the pitfalls that come with any major tourist attraction.
Experience Scandinavian culture and dramatic landscapes at a slower pace on this two-week adventure. You'll start in Norway's charming capital, known for its architecture, museums, trendy restaurants, and cafés. Next, head into the fjords to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the country from above in the mountains and and below on the sea, with hikes, boat tours, and more. You'll end on the colorful and historic wharves of Bergen.
Stop dreaming of the fjords and experience them for yourself with this 10-day road trip. Start by surveying them from above on the famous Pulpit Rock hike, then explore from the seafaring city of Bergen. Attempt some of the mountaintop hikes surrounding the town of Voss before you cruise or kayak through the narrow Nærøyfjord, cycle down the scenic path of the Flåm Railway, and visit one of the world's oldest stave churches before you end your trip in Oslo.
Take yourself on a 10-day journey through the Arctic landscapes of northern Norway with this itinerary. You'll explore the craggy coasts, isolated islands, and extensive networks of hiking trails via boat safaris, kayak tours, and your own two legs. Learn about Norwegian history, try to spot eagles, and pet some dogsled huskies along the way.
Explore northern Norway at your own speed with this self-drive itinerary. Seven days allows you sufficient time to explore the city of Tromsø and its historic streets, hike around isolated islands like Senja and Sommarøy, and sea safari alongside the fjord wildlife on your journey.
Travel through history, nature, and culinary adventures to arrive at an understanding of both ancient and modern Norwegian life with this trip on the Viking trail. In ancient times, Viking was a type of adventurer, with people leaving their traditional settings for remote areas to learn from new cultures and trade. Later, the Vikings developed an image more associated with plunder and pillaging. But is this the whole story? Find out for yourself as you explore the old streets of Bergen, as well as ancient political gathering spots, isolated islands, and even a recreation of a Viking village.
Take your young ones on the experience of a lifetime as you travel through Italy. You'll start in Venice, where you'll explore on a slew of scavenger hunts. Follow it with Florence, where you'll learn to craft your own gelato, before you make your way through the markets and museums of Rome while engaging in interactive activities. The activities throughout this trip are specially designed for families with kids aged 5-12, allowing you to experience many of Italy's highlights while keeping the little ones entertained.
This week-long Italian excursion is ideal for families, with plenty of interactive activities. Start by cruising the canals in Venice, where you'll learn how to craft your own Carnival mask and explore the halls of the Doge's Palace and islands within the lagoon. Then head to Rome, where you'll visit top sites by golf cart, taste your way through the markets, and learn the hidden secrets of the Vatican's museums. With activities specially designed for families with kids aged 5-12, you'll hit the highlights of Italy while keeping the little ones entertained.
Costa Rica is open to all international travelers without requiring a PCR test as of October 2020. This article describes current entry requirements for entering Costa Rica during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as some of the current protocols setup in the country to protect your health. We will keep this up to date as the situation evolves.
Ten days may seem like a short time to see both Italy and Greece, but you'll still get to experience all the main destinations, with enough time for a beach day or two. Focus your trip on a particular theme — like history, wine, or family — to fully immerse yourself in your favorite day-to-day adventures. Regardless of which itinerary you choose, it's easy to modify any of these trips to give you a bit more time in your favorite places.
Two weeks in Italy and Greece is enough time to get a feel for the Mediterranean culture and experience the best of what interests you, especially if you choose a focus to guide your trip: highlights, family-friendly, beaches, history, or food and wine. Although you can opt to spend more time focused on your favorite activities, each itinerary includes a well-rounded set of experiences: historic sites, bustling city markets, quiet neighborhood cafes, and sunny beaches, perfect for soaking in the sunshine.
Three weeks in the Mediterranean gives you enough time to see the main highlights — Rome, Athens, Tuscany, and Santorini — as well as to dive deeper into the regional culture. Plan your trip around food and wine as you eat and drink your way through the best cuisine Italy and Greece have to offer, or opt for a classic road trip to get off the beaten path and explore sleepy coastal towns at your own pace. Read on for unique itineraries spanning some of the top destinations in Europe.
Explore the rocky coastlines and welcoming atmosphere of the Mediterranean on this 10-day coastal getaway. Spend two nights each in the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, where colorful buildings and beaches dot the shores and regional treats like limoncello and spicy olive oil are staples of every meal. Then, catch a flight to the Greek islands, starting with Santorini, home of the quintessential blue-domed architecture, for a catamaran cruise in the caldera. End the trip in Chania on the western edge of Crete for lazy beach days and plenty of sunshine.
If your family loves to travel and explore together, look no further than this kid-friendly 10-day trip to the Mediterranean. With a five-day stay in Italy's capital, you'll have plenty of time to explore the city's highlights: the Pantheon, Vatican, Colosseum, and more, with experiences specially designed to keep the kids entertained. Spend the second half of the trip in Athens, where you'll explore the Acropolis, go back in history to experience the first Olympic Games, and luxuriate in a slower pace of life.
Bring the whole family to explore history, art, and nature on this kid-friendly 14-day trip to Italy and Greece. You'll kick things off in Rome, where activities like a city-wide scavenger hunt and an art class keep the little ones entertained. Next, catch a flight to Athens where you'll travel back in history to the time of the first Olympic Games. End the trip on the island of Naxos for family beach time, a catamaran cruise, and all-around relaxation.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with laid-back visits to some of the Mediterranean's best beaches and coastal towns. In Italy, explore the cliffside fishing villages of Positano and Amalfi and enjoy Sorrento's sunny coast, making time for a day trip to the nearby resort island of Capri. Then, catch a flight to the Greek archipelago where you'll go wine tasting in Santorini, explore 3,000-year-old Greek history near Heraklion, and relax on Crete's famed beaches.
Explore the back roads and small villages that characterize the countrysides of both Italy and Greece on this three-week road trip. You'll visit well-known highlights, like Florence, charming Tuscan hill towns, and the first Olympic site in Olympia, as well as some places a bit off the beaten path: Romeo and Juliet's Verona, the medieval villages of the Peloponnese, the wineries of Nemea, and more. With full control of the daily driving schedule, you'll have time to plan for spontaneous stops for coffee, for shopping at roadside markets, and for late-afternoon beach breaks.
From Crete's rocky hillsides to the rolling farmlands of Tuscany's heartland, this 10-day itinerary delivers top destinations in both Greece and Italy — and leaves you hungry for more. Start the trip in bustling Rome, where archaeological sites and quiet neighborhood gelaterias compete for your attention. Continue north to Florence and Bologna for Chianti and Parma ham, then catch a flight to the Greek islands where wineries and ocean-view sunsets abound.
Sample both Grecian and Italian fare on this two-week itinerary as you explore everything from Rome's busy piazzas to Santorini's beaches. You'll start your trip in Greece for equal parts culinary and archaeological education, with stops at the Acropolis and family-owned olive farms. From Crete, catch a flight to Bologna in Italy's Emilia Romagna region for local Parma ham and parmesan, before eating and drinking your way south through Florence to the capital city of Rome.
Indulge in the best of the Mediterranean region's food and wine on this comprehensive three-week getaway. Start the trip in Athens, home to both the famed Acropolis and the bustling Varvakios Market. Spend a few days island-hopping for winery tours and some of the world's best olive oil, before catching a flight to the south of Italy. Enjoy the best of Italy's cuisine, from pizza in Naples to parmesan in Bologna as you eat and drink your way through the country.
If you only have ten days to explore the best of Italy and Greece but don't want to miss anything, this highlights itinerary is for you, with plenty of big-city exploration and beachside relaxation. Spend a few days admiring architecture in Rome and art in Florence, then take a train to Venice to experience a traditional gondola excursion. From here, catch a flight to Athens for old-world history and a modern cultural scene. Spend your last few days kicking back in Mykonos and Santorini, where the views are plentiful and the wine flows all day.
From Rome's ancient center to the stunning caldera of Santorini, this 21-day highlights itinerary explores everything from Renaissance history to famed Greek beaches. See Michelangelo's "David" in Florence, visit Tuscany's quiet hilltop villages, and explore ancient Greek archaeological sites in Athens. You'll sample Aperol Spritzes in Venice, eat spelt pie in Santorini, and more on this three-week adventure around the Mediterranean.
If you have two weeks to travel and want to see the highlights of the Mediterranean, this Italy & Greece itinerary is for you. Start the trip in Rome, where you'll explore treasures like the Vatican and the Colosseum. Continue to Florence and Venice for art museums and medieval palaces, then catch a flight to Athens — home of the iconic Acropolis. Spend your second week island-hopping in Greece, with wine tastings, sunset cruises, and much more.
If you have ten days to get away and want to dive into Mediterranean history from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages, this itinerary combining Greece and Italy is for you. From the mighty Acropolis of Athens to the gilded palace halls of Venice, you'll explore thousands of years of archaeology and architecture. Spend four days in the heart of Ancient Greece with a stop in Crete to tour the 3,500-year-old Minoan Palace of Knossos, then travel to Venice, Rome, and Naples to see the grandeur of the Venetian Republic, explore the Colosseum, and even hike to the top of Mt. Vesuvius.
Explore over two thousand years of Greek and Italian history in this two-week tour. You'll kick things off in Athens to see the Acropolis and nearby historic villages, then explore maritime history in the Greek islands with two nights in Crete and Rhodes. Catch a flight to Venice in the north of Italy to continue your education of ocean-going empires, then travel south to end your trip in Rome and Naples to discover the world of the gladiators and ancient Pompeii.
Experience the best of Holland along with some of its hidden gems on this 10-day trip! From big cities to charming small villages, you’ll experience a perfect cross-section of what the Netherlands has to offer. You’ll have the opportunity to admire all of the traditional Dutch characteristics: cheese markets, famous painters, typical canals, rich history, churches with stained-glass windows, windmills, lovely squares, and ancient cobbled alleys. In addition to exploring picturesque smaller cities such as Gouda, Leiden, and Delft, you will also visit Amsterdam, home to the country’s most famous museums, the vibrant, modern harbor city of Rotterdam, and even get some beach time!
This itinerary combines the highlights of Holland with the best of Flanders (the Dutch-speaking half of Belgium), which makes for a grand tour of the Low Countries! Start by exploring Holland’s capital, Amsterdam, and experience its famous museums as well as small fishing villages, cheese markets, and windmills in the surrounding countryside. Next, travel south to the booming harbor city of Rotterdam to enjoy some modern Dutch architecture. Then, cross into Belgium, where you’ll start by visiting the city of Antwerp, known for its diamond trade and opulent Renaissance architecture. Your final stop is the lovely city of Ghent, characterized by its many canals, squares dominated by massive cathedrals, and even a medieval castle in the heart of the city center!
Each season in Brazil offers distinct adventures, whether you are looking for grand celebrations with parades and dancing, or relaxing time on some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Visit beautiful islands, go on an exploration tour through the Amazon, and watch the majestic jaguars in the world's largest wetland area -Pantanal. Even if you don't travel to Rio's world-famous Carnaval, you can still join the celebrations that happen almost every month, from the Christmas Light Show in Gramado to the International Art Festival in São Paulo.
The Galapágos Islands are great to visit at any time of the year, as you will always enjoy warm weather with exciting wildlife and activities. The Galapágos climate is characterized by a rainy season (December-May) and a dry season (June-November), but every season brings something unique, whether you are an adventurous traveler, a birdwatcher, a beach lover, or nature explorer. Walk in Charles Darwin's footsteps, observe countless incredible species of reptiles, mammals, and birds, and snorkel or scuba dive among sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Experience the best Holland has to offer! The picturesque yet lesser-known cities of Leiden, Delft, and Gouda include all the quintessential Dutch characteristics: cheese markets, famous painters, canals, rich history, churches with beautiful stained glass, windmills, lovely squares, and ancient cobbled alleys. In addition, these smaller cities have a laid-back but lively atmosphere. End the trip in Amsterdam which is, of course, a much larger city but very much worth a visit.
Costa Rica looks deceptively small on a map, a fact many travelers discover when trying to choose which of its locales to visit on vacation. We've eliminated this paradox of choice by creating optimum itineraries based on the average length of time people spend in this amazing country and what they most want to see. We interviewed tourism experts, locals, and real-life travelers, taking their advice to heart in order to craft the perfect Costa Rica vacations spanning five days to two weeks. Read on to discover which is best for you.
This itinerary is all about flowers! In just five days, you will learn how Dutch tulips are grown and sold from the fields and greenhouses to the auction and local floating flower markets. Experience how tulips are lovingly displayed at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower park in the world, and learn about the rich history of tulips and their value in Dutch culture at the Tulip Museum. As no Dutch itinerary would be complete without a bicycle ride, we have also incorporated cycling with an e-bike into a portion of this itinerary. Please note that the suitable travel period for this trip is the months of March, April, and May. In these months flower bulb fields burst into rows of vivid colors: a delight for the eye. Chances to see the most tulips are best in mid-April.
A trip to Italy should be well researched and painstakingly planned out: that's why we've done that part for you! Our local specialists and travelers told us what they love most about Italy, and we listened, putting together some of Italy's best itineraries for common trip lengths. If you have between five days and two weeks to travel to Italy, look no further than these recommendations, and start anticipating your perfect trip!
This multi-day adventure takes you from San Francisco through stunning lakes, snow-capped mountains, and amazing waterfalls that showcase Northern California and Oregon's diverse landscape and geological history. From the boating paradise of Lake Shasta to the awe-inspiring Crater Lake, to Waldo Lake, the world's clearest alpine lake, the sheer beauty of what you will encounter will inspire reverence for this region. Finish your trip in the foodie paradise of Portland, explore the many unique restaurants there, and enjoy a day exploring Willamette Valley for some wine tasting.
This multi-day adventure takes you through three national parks, Redwood, Lassen Volcanic, and Crater Lake, showcase Northern California and Oregon's diverse landscape and geological history. Numerous state parks, awe-inspiring mountain peaks, and wondrous waterfalls all wait to greet you along the way. Whether it's a volcano, lake, or towering tree, the sheer and immense beauty of what you encounter along this journey will inspire reverence for the region.
Departing from Smithers in northern British Columbia, hop on a floatplane flight to access a number of wilderness adventures in the nearby mountains and backcountry. You'll find cabins, lake camping, and beautiful alpine basins to explore on foot with friends or family. Most of these places can be reached by a 20-60-minute flight.
Serving as the eastern gateway to Banff National Park, the town of Banff serves as a great basecamp for exploring the park as well as the numerous highlights surrounding the town, itself. In the summer months, the most popular activities range from hiking, mountain biking, and paddling the lakes and rivers to more scenic helicopter flights that take you high up into the Rockies. Whatever you choose to do, head out early to beat the crowds and make the most of your time in the mountains!
One of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls will leave you with an everlasting impression. If you want to experience the falls at their peak, then April or May is the time to visit. In April, you will find the water levels at their highest level of the year, while during the dry season (especially October and November), you will witness the geological formations of the falls in their purest form. The wildlife here is also fantastic with many safari options in the area, particularly from May to October.
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Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, attracts more than one million visitors each year. To make the most of your time here, you will want to visit for at least two days. Even if your time is limited, you can make your trip to the falls an exciting memory that will last a lifetime. To enjoy Victoria Falls to the fullest, plan a 3-4-day trip. If you want to explore the surrounding areas as well and embark on a Southern African safari, then we recommend that you visit for at least one week.
The approximately 250 mile (400 km) stretch of coastline from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Jeffreys Bay boasts a remarkable kaleidoscope of topography, vegetation, and outdoor activities. This area provides as complete an experience as the country can offer, including Cape Town, wine tasting in Cape Winelands, Oudtshoorn (with its abundance of ostriches), nearby game parks, and even cage diving with great white sharks. The information below will help you plan an appropriate itinerary for your schedule and interests.
South Africa, with its expansive size, varied topography, and coastlines bordering both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, conjures diverse weather patterns. While summer sun shines on the cloudless Cape Provinces, rain deluges the safari parks of KwaZulu Natal and Greater Kruger. As a consequence, with game reserves scattered throughout the country, the choice of where and when to visit can leave you scratching your head. The following information will help you weigh your priorities and determine which season and destination is right for you in this country of many climates.
Kruger National Park is a year-round destination, but understanding how the dry and wet seasons affect game-viewing is key. Depending on how you weigh your priorities, the following information will help you decide which season is right for you.
Head off into the remote wilderness of the west coast of British Columbia with a multi-day stay at Nimmo Bay Resort. You'll immediately feel at home at this family-run resort which is located on the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest. Surrounded by pristine wilderness, you can choose from a variety of adventures each day, from sea kayaking to grizzly bear viewing to helicopter tours.
An hour's flight north of Vancouver takes you to two of British Columbia's most remote landscapes—Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and the Great Bear Rainforest. Setting up basecamp at two luxury wilderness resorts, disconnect yourself from the outside world and become fully immersed yourself in the mountains and coastal rainforest. Spend your days choosing from a variety of outdoor and wellness activities and your evenings dining on fresh gourmet meals.
![A Viking Village in Gudvangen with the village Chief standing beside his house. [Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash.]](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/fea5accb7080bf51445bea913d99580e716483eb/medium-b19452e169f8bab9b4be945a2c25b812.jpg)
