For a tourist-free experience in Petra, button-up and visit in January. Petra is in the midst of its cold, somewhat wet—and occasionally snowy—winter. But you can explore Petra without the crowds, rainy days are relatively few, and the infrequent and short-lived snows add a dramatic element.
Spend four days exploring the historic Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail in Ehime Prefecture on this self-guided tour. You'll meet white-clad pilgrims dedicated to walking the entire trail as you visit several of Ehime's iconic Buddhist temples and discover Shikoku's pilgrimage traditions. Relax in a hot spring bath after a visit to Matsuyama Castle and enjoy local hospitality in shukubo (pilgrim lodgings) and ryokan (traditional inns).
This self-guided 8-day cycling tour starts in Croatia's Konavle, the rural countryside beyond Dubrovnik, before leading you through the rugged terrain of the Pelješac peninsula to your first Adriatic island, Korčula. You'll pedal amid olive groves, vineyard-covered hills, and along stunning coastal paths until it's time to venture to Mljet National Park to cover equally, if not more beautiful ground. You'll end your active holiday with two nights in the "Adriatic Pearl," enough time to explore the city as well as visit the nearby island of Šipan for one last day of riding.
Discover the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik on this week-long self-guided cycling adventure. You'll warm the legs with a ride up Marjan Hill to look over the historic city of Split, ride alongside fields of lavender and ancient Greek ruins in Hvar's interior, and cross the length of Korčula to drink native wines and swim in the sea. Then it's back to the mainland with a ride over the ruggedly beautiful Pelješac peninsula to the historic saltpans of Ston before ending the trip with two nights in the "Adriatic Pearl," and a day to venture into the rural countryside beyond the city's gleaming streets.
Italy is a place you can spend a lifetime getting to know, while still feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface. This country rewards long periods of time and repeat visits, but even if you only have a few days, you can still get a sense of its many rich and varied regions. In as little as five days (or as much as three weeks), you can cover Northern Italy’s elegant cities, sweeping mountains, and seaside towns, seeing some legendary works of art and architecture and enjoying more than a few good meals.
Around five days should be more than enough time to soak in the wonders of the Amalfi Coast, one of Italy's most beautiful destinations, but even if you have a day or three to spare, you'll be able to see just why this region has been captivating visitors since Ancient Roman times. The Amalfi Coast isn't a place you rush through, and with a little planning, you'll be able to relax on its beaches, explore its secluded coves and grottos, wander its dreamy towns, and enjoy some incredible meals.
Once the center of the Italian Renaissance, Florence has evolved into a sophisticated city that holds firmly to its cultural past. Filled with world-class museums and galleries, beautiful churches, and former palaces, this is a city where you'll want to spend at least two or three days—enough time to hit most of the essential landmarks, shop for quality leather goods, and stuff your face with delicious Tuscan food.
Zagreb, Croatia's capital, is known for its culture, art, and foodie appeal. Its compact historic center, dotted with small museums and churches, can be seen in just a few days. However, those who stay for longer will have the opportunity to get beneath the surface, relax, and enjoy the flavors of the city. Read on for advice on how long to stay in Zagreb.
Both north and south Vietnam offer optimum dry and sunny conditions, although much of the north is now becoming quite cool. In Central Vietnam, the monsoon rains are coming to an end, with plenty of sun in the mix—perfect for beach lovers. And, yes, even Christmas is celebrated! There’s nothing much not to like about Vietnam in December, except that both the numbers of visitors and prices soar.
Central Vietnam is still at its rainiest. But this is one of the best times to visit north or south Vietnam, which now bask in sunshine—perfect for beach vacations and active adventures. The high season is now in full gear with good reason: the north and south are enjoying some of the best conditions of the year.
The skies finally clear in North Vietnam in October, and the summer monsoon rains gradually fade away in the south, making this a great month for getting off the beaten track in either region while rains sodden Central Vietnam. And there’s no cheaper month to get there.
Overall the wettest month of the year, as Central Vietnam’s autumnal monsoon season begins while north and south Vietnam are approaching the tail-end of their summer monsoon season. As rains lighten in the north, mountain trekking is once again possible. And there are still plenty of sunny days in the mix nationwide, while this is one of the cheapest months for travel.
Things remain unchanged nationwide as north and south Vietnam endures the sultry monsoon wet season sauna, while Central Vietnam enjoys the last month of dry sunny weather before its monsoon begins. Shoulder season prices are attractive, so don’t let the rains put you off. There’s still plenty of fun in the sun to be had in August.
July mirrors June and is a mixed bag weather-wise. Both north and south Vietnam are in the midst of the monsoon wet seasons, while the coastal lowland and offshore islands of Central Vietnam still bask in rain-shadow sunshine, and its beaches are the country’s main draw in July. International visitors are relatively few, but Vietnamese families are traveling en-masse.
Vietnam is well into its summer monsoon season by now, and most everywhere except the coastal lowlands of Central Vietnam—which remains dry and sunny—you’ll need to account for high rainfall. With rain now spreading across the northern mountains and Central Highlands, this is a time to focus on a beach vacation while visitor numbers are the lowest of the year.
May is a transition month between spring and summer, with a good deal of rainfall and high temperatures in most of the country. Central and southern Vietnam enter into the steamy wet season, while Hanoi and the north remain relatively temperate and perfect for active adventures. With relatively few visitors this month, May offers plenty of reasons to visit, including plenty of days of sunshine.
By April, Vietnam’s spring peak season is drawing to a close. Prices remain low. And the weather is still sublime throughout the length of the nation, with little rainfall and plenty of bright sunny days. Plus, there are several important festivals to enjoy. Visit in April and you’ll experience Vietnam at its very best.
March offers sublime weather, with mostly bright sunny days the entire length of the country. There’s no better month for active adventures, especially trekking, with Goldilocks temperatures and little rain. For that reason this is still the spring peak travel season, but with the advantage of fewer visitors than February, and lower airfare costs.
February is a great month to travel in Vietnam, with mostly gorgeous sunny weather throughout the country. Visitor numbers are higher than January or March: in fact, this is the second busiest month of the year. And Vietnam’s premier celebration, Tet (Vietnamese New Year), culminates a month full of festivals that add cacophonous color and fun.
Vietnam in January is perfect, as the country has stepped out of the hot rainy season and you can bask in sunshine and mild temperatures—a great time, in particular, to enjoy the beaches of central Vietnam. Plus, the entire country explodes in joyous celebration of Tet, the six-day-long Vietnamese New Year.
Go beyond Spain's mainland by discovering the beauty of the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Explore charming island villages, white-sand beaches, locally-sourced cuisine, and scenic outlooks on all three islands, plus enjoy a guided tour of the four famous coasts of Gran Canaria. Be active with an array of water sports, hiking the islands' tallest peak, traversing the lunar-like terrain of Timanfaya Park, and riding a camel along sand dunes, all before polishing off your trip with a night in buzzy Madrid.
Explore some of Spain's most treasured destinations, starting in the buzzy capital of Madrid where you'll discover its multicultural neighborhoods and nosh on tapas in the city's literary quarter. Then fly to the Canary Islands, enjoying idyllic coastal towns, white-sand beaches, lively port cities, and locally-caught cuisine, plus trips to smaller islands and leisurely days spent at renowned beaches. Get active with surf lessons, scuba-diving excursions, a guided tour of the unique terrain in Timanfaya Park, camel rides along sand dunes, and a hike to the highest peak on the islands.
From the buzzy, tapas-filled streets of energetic Madrid, to the quiet nature of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, this tour hits some of Spain's best highlights. After exploring the capital city, fly to the Canary Islands to enjoy charming villages, scenic vistas, idyllic white-sand beaches, and local cuisine sourced straight from the Atlantic Ocean. Get your adrenaline pumping with a camel ride across sand dunes, a hike to the islands' tallest peak, a guided tour of the lunar-like terrain of Timanfaya Park, and a surfing excursion in the famously warm waters.
Discover lively cities and breathtaking scenery on this short 5-day journey through southern Norway. Start on the coast, where you’ll spend two nights exploring the cobbled streets and colorful waterfront districts of historic Bergen. Day three takes you deep into the fjords, where you’ll sail through the spectacular Sognefjord before hopping on the famous Flåm Railway for a steep, scenic ride through mountains and waterfalls. End your adventure in Oslo to celebrate the vibrant culture and cuisine of Europe’s fastest-growing city.
On this outdoorsy tour of Provence, you'll mix gourmet experiences with active pursuits. Start the trip in medieval Avignon, then take a tour of the Luberon on an electric bike before learning how to cook (and eat) like a local at a Provençal cooking class. You'll finish with a full-day tour of local wineries. Cheers!
This seven-day adventure combines Scotland's most memorable tourist destinations with a tour of the countryside in the magnificent Scottish highlands. You will start your trip by exploring Edinburgh's galleries, castles, and pubs before heading to the spectacular castles in Inverness. You'll spend two nights in Portree, where you'll visit castles and famous geological sites and tour the hiking routes before traveling to Glencoe, which is home to spectacular scenery.
Starting in Spain's buzzy capital, this trip takes you from the energetic streets of Madrid to the incredibly unique nature of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. You'll discover your adventurous side with hikes in lunar-like terrain, camel rides through beachfront sand dunes, and surfing in the area's warm waters. Visit charming island villages and idyllic white-sand beaches, plus taste local cuisine straight from the Atlantic Ocean.
This two-week itinerary includes the highlights of Vietnam from south to north. Beginning in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll tour the historic metropolis once known as Saigon, plus take a river trip up the Mekong Delta—and that's just the beginning. The rest of the trip combines sightseeing in Hanoi and the river town of Hội An, plus cruising the jade waters and towering green islands of Hạ Long Bay.
Take the family on an in-depth discovery of a singularly beautiful country that's the well-spring of a deep culture: Vietnam. Over two weeks, you'll see it all, from the colonial Old Quarter of Hanoi to the terraced rice fields of Sapa and the historic fishing ports of the central coast. The trip culminates around the former Saigon, where you'll tour Ho Chi Minh City and explore the Mekong Delta by boat.
This two-week odyssey includes visits to some of the most historic cultural sites not only in Vietnam but in Cambodia, too. Beginning in Vietnam, you'll tour the capital of Hanoi, cruise along gorgeous Hạ Long Bay, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage river town of Hội An. After a stop in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), you'll jet off to Cambodia and tour the largest religious temple site in the world: Angkor Wat.
This two-week adventure packs two of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia into one itinerary. You'll arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam, and enjoy city tours on the back of a scooter plus kayak excursions on the jade waters of Hạ Long Bay. Then you're off to Thailand, where you'll discover the secrets to its cuisine in a cooking class, walk amid the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, and travel north to Chiang Mai where you'll see more historic temples.
Over 10 action-packed days in Vietnam, you'll enjoy various activities that include city tours, trips on the Mekong, and an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. You'll also experience the cultural heritage of Vietnam as you travel by bicycle to organic farms and floating market villages, where you'll learn to fish from traditional basket boats. An added bonus is a visit to the ancient river town of Hoi An.
On this 10-day adventure, you'll visit the major cities of Vietnam, plus national parks and UNESCO landmarks. It begins in Hanoi, where you'll tour the historic Old Quarter and take day trips to country villages. Then, after cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll fly to the coast to visit the ancient port city of Hoi An and see the historic sights in Ho Chi Minh City.
You can't see all of Vietnam in 10 days—but this itinerary gives it a good go! Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll thread your way down the country, getting the most out of the trip on a diverse set of guided tours. Collect the memories of a lifetime, from an overnight cruise on the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to discovering the ancient sites of Hoi An and Hue and floating down a river in giant baskets.
Explore the highlights of Vietnam from its southern cities to its northern coast. You'll start the journey in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and discover its French-colonial heritage on a city tour. After embarking on an adventure to the Mekong Delta, you'll fly north to Hanoi and walk the streets of its ancient Old Quarter before ending the trip cruising the jade waters of gorgeous Hạ Long Bay.
This quick seven-day getaway combines a bit of city life with a lot of beach time. You'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, a southern Vietnamese metropolis that balances a modern edge with historic French-colonial landmarks. Then you're off to the coast, where you'll laze on the white-sand beaches and enjoy optional leisure activities ranging from water sports to paragliding.
In just a week, you'll travel through highlights of one of the most beautiful countries in the world. This itinerary through Vietnam starts with city tours of Hanoi's historic Old Quarter, then heads to the coast for an overnight cruise on the emerald green waters of Hạ Long Bay. Later, you'll jet to the central coast, where you'll cap the adventure with a tour of Hội An, the most ancient and well-preserved port city in the nation.
This quick five-day tour of Vietnam's north lasts less than a week but covers the major highlights. It begins in Hanoi, where you'll see historic temples dating back thousands of years, plus discover the delicious flavors of Vietnam on a street-food tour. Then, you'll head to the Gulf of Tonkin and Hạ Long Bay and hop on a cruise boat for an overnight journey on stunning emerald waters and amid towering limestone islands.
This five-day tour gives you the best of northern Vietnam, from Hanoi to the fertile river lands of Ninh Bình and finally to Hạ Long Bay. In Hanoi, you'll immerse yourself in the culture, enjoy delicious street food, and visit famous landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. You'll then travel to Ninh Bình for a boat journey on the river, followed by a trip to Hạ Long Bay, known for its emerald waters and over 1,000 uninhabited islands.
Travel deep into the cultural heart of Vietnam on this five-day excursion. It's an adventure beyond popular cities to the lesser-visited metropolises of Huế and Hội An. Besides road trips along the stunning coast and tours of ancient sights, you'll also see how locals live on a visit to a traditional fishing village, plus spend the day at a community project that raises money for disabled artisans.
This five-day excursion is the perfect chance to visit a side of Vietnam that many tourists never get to see. This is southern Vietnam, known for the gorgeous Mekong River Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, the historic metropolis once known as Saigon. You'll visit both, traveling by land and water on an adventure that includes visits to fascinating wartime tunnels and a tour of the famous floating river markets on the delta.
Enjoy a different side to Cambodia and learn about the fascinating culture and cuisine of the country on this slow-paced 5-day tour around the colonial city of Siem Reap and through ancient Angkorian ruins. From local breakfasts and street food to home-cooking, market stalls, and fine dining, with guided tours of lesser-visited temples and plenty of time to explore the historic hotspots, this is the ideal tour for food fans who want to experience a more authentic taste of Cambodia.
Spend four days exploring the majestic landscapes of the Torres del Paine National Park. Located in Chilean Patagonia, the park boasts numerous unique ecosystems and endemic species. You'll get to enjoy the mix the comfort of modern luxuries with the adventure of being close to nature. Spend the days on guided hikes around the park, and nights looking up at the stars from the comfort of your private glass-domed yurt.
This 14-day journey takes you deep into Malaysian Borneo. You will learn about some of the indigenous cultures that have inhabited the island for centuries, immersing in their traditions with local homestays. Simultaneously, you'll have a chance to get close to nature with jungle camping, excursions into national parks, and wildlife safaris. In the end, you'll leave with an understanding of what makes Borneo—the third largest island in the world—so incredibly unique.
Celebrate your honeymoon with a romantic tour through the wine regions of Argentina and Chile. You'll start in Buenos Aires, considered one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Here, you'll enjoy private walking and sailing tours, as well as an evening tango show. Then, head to Mendoza for days filled with wine tours and tastings. Finally, you'll fly to Chile, where you can spend some time in the Colchagua Valley, touring vineyards, mountain biking, or pampering yourself at the spa.
Indulge your sense of adventure while soaking up the history and taking in the scenery of Hiroshima, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku. You'll walk, hike, cycle, and paddle to temples, islands, shrines, and memorials and get a true sense of life in Seto Inland Sea communities. This trip is designed to accommodate travelers used to easy walks, hikes, and bicycle trips and is suitable for children ages 12 and up.
The French region of Provence is made for explorers—and there's a lot of room to explore. For a solid itinerary, we recommend at least four days to experience a few villages and sun-drenched landscapes. Of course, you can get a taste of the elegant Provençal lifestyle in a day or two; better yet, rent a car and take a long, leisurely road trip through lavender fields, ancient olive groves, clifftop roads, and Mediterranean views. Below, find a range of itineraries ranging from 24 hours to a week (or more).
For a solid itinerary in France's wine capital, we recommend at least three days—ample time to explore the city's elegant streets and modern attractions with a day trip to nearby chateaux. Of course, a fun-filled day or two lets you experience a slice of the urban action while having closer to a week allows more freedom to discover UNESCO-listed treasures and beaches along the Atlantic coast. Let this local guide steer you in the right direction.
Historic, multicultural, and even a bit scruffy—a trip to Marseille in the South of France is a memorable feast for the senses. For a solid itinerary, we recommend at least two to three days so you can explore the city's famous port, its diverse neighborhoods, and the delicious food scene. Tack on more time for Marseille's ancient sites and modern museums, with possible day trips to the Provençal countryside or Mediterranean coast. Check out some possible itineraries, ranging from 24 hours to a week or more.
Uncover the secrets of Bali on this trip around the "island of the gods." Visit temples that were built over a thousand years ago, wander through lush green rice terraces around Ubud, drive through lava fields in a vintage Volkswagon convertible, and bask in the turquoise waters of the Gili Islands. End with the trendy beaches and bars of Seminyak, all with plenty of time to relax and learn about the Balinese culture.
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