Travel Insights

Insights, ideas and itineraries from kimkim's trusted network of Local Travel Specialists and Experts

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Island History & Culture in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Crete - 15 Days

Spend 15 full days exploring some of Greece's most popular destinations on this itinerary. After visiting the Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon, you'll journey to the islands, beginning on glamorous Mykonos. After beach lounging and a sunset visit to Delos, move on to Santorini for a bayside expedition and wine tasting. Then make your way to Crete to wander through the Palace of Knossos and relax in the thermal springs of Elounda before you return for one last Athenian evening.

Island History & Culture in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Crete - 14 Days

Gallivant through Greece with this two-week itinerary from Athens to Crete and back. After a tour of the Acropolis, you'll head to the Cycladic islands of Mykonos and Santorini, home to archaeological exploration, bright beaches, and indulgent food and wine. Keep going to the island of Crete to venture through the Palace of Knossos, storied island of Spinalonga, and spas of Elounda before you return for a final night in Athens.

Island History & Culture in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Crete - 13 Days

From the heights of the Acropolis to the thermal waters of Elounda, this 13-day itinerary offers a span of the Greek travel experience. You'll start off in Athens, then head south over the seas starting with Mykonos, home to both beach parties and island archaeology. Next is Santorini for wine and secluded bays, then conclude in Crete with historic Spinalonga and rejuvenating spa time.

Island History & Culture in Athens, Santorini & Crete - 12 Days

Span some key Greek island selections on this 12-day trip. Start off getting your historic background information on a tour of the Acropolis, then head out to discover the island architecture alongside the wine and seafood of Santorini and Cretan history.

Island History & Culture in Athens, Santorini & Crete - 11 Days

Spend 11 days traveling across the spectrum of Greece on this itinerary. After your arrival in Athens, you'll hop to Santorini, home of the famous caldera and ancient vineyards, then follow it up with the ancient Palace of Knossos and Spinalonga island off the coast of Crete.

South Africa Food & Wine Tour: Cape Town, Winelands, & Atlantic Seaboard - 5 Days

Sample a small slice of the Cape Town culinary scene with this five-day itinerary. You'll focus on the city and its surroundings as you both stroll the streets and venture out along the coast and into the Winelands, tasting as you go.

Top view of a Mallorca summer beach scene

Highlights of Mallorca: Beaches, Mountains & Culture - 5 Days

If you need a quick escape to recharge the batteries, this five-day Spanish island holiday is for you. You'll make a beeline straight for Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Isles, and tour its historic capital of Palma on foot. You'll spend the rest of the time enjoying Mallorca's scenery as you embark on sailing tours and hiking excursions around the coast.

Highlights of Barcelona and Mallorca: Cities, Beaches, and Mountains - 6 Days

Six days is just enough time to relax and recharge in two of Spain's best places for just such a mission: Barcelona and Mallorca. First, you'll enjoy a bit of culture as you tour Barcelona's historic neighborhoods and stop at famous buildings like La Sagrada Familia. Then you'll visit the island of Mallorca for three days of coastal sailing trips, city tours, and mountain hikes featuring incredible views of the Mediterranean.

Highlights of Barcelona & Mallorca: Cities, Beaches & Mountains - 7 Days

Spain's best beaches aren't just on its Mediterranean coast—the Balearic Islands are also famous for their stretches of sand and sapphire waters. Regardless, you'll visit both on this week-long tour that first stops in Barcelona for some Catalan culture, cuisine, and architecture tours. Then, you'll take a flight to the island of Mallorca, famous for its coastal inlets and towering limestone mountains.

Highlights of Barcelona & Mallorca: Cities, Beaches & Mountains - 8 Days

Barcelona and Mallorca combine to make a perfect city/island holiday. This nine-day adventure begins in Barcelona, where you'll see highlights like the Sagrada Família cathedral while also enjoying delicious Catalan flavors in a cooking class. Then, it's off to the European island hotspot of Mallorca, where you'll tour the historic streets of Palma, sail around the coast, and even hike beautiful limestone mountains.

Highlights of Barcelona & Mallorca: Cities, Beaches & Mountains - 9 Days

It's a great holiday when you get to visit two of the most beautiful locales in Spain, which is just what this nine-day itinerary offers. First, it's a cultural immersion in Barcelona where you'll get a heaping of Catalan culture through cooking classes, architecture tours, and bicycle rides around its famous neighborhoods. The trip culminates with a flight to Mallorca, an island hotspot famous for its secluded coves and sapphire waters.

Highlights of Barcelona & Mallorca: Cities, Beaches & Mountains - 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary combines the best of Catalan culture with one of its most beautiful assets: the island of Mallorca. To start, you'll uncover the sights, sounds, and flavors of Barcelona on cycling excursions around its historic Gothic Quarter, architecture tours of its most famous buildings, cooking classes, and visits to local markets. A fitting end to this memorable holiday will be jetting off to the island of Mallorca, where you'll sail its rocky coast and hike its breathtaking mountains.

Spain Beach Getaway: Barcelona & Menorca - 6 Days

This brisk six-day tour of Spain not only includes visiting the most famous landmarks in Barcelona but also the most beautiful beaches of the Balearic Islands. It starts in Barcelona with an architecture tour that includes Gaudí masterpieces like Park Güell and Sagrada Familia. Then you're off to the island of Menorca, where you can explore its famously beautiful coast on both horseback and in a kayak.

Spain Beach Getaway: Barcelona and Menorca - 7 Days

Whether you want fun in the sun or nights out on the town, this weeklong itinerary has you covered. It combines two great parts of Spain, the first being the historic streets of Catalonia's capital of Barcelona. After embarking on city tours of its most famous sights, you'll jet off to the island of Menorca, in the Balearics, where you'll wrap up your holiday with horseback rides along the beach and kayaking off the coast.

Spain Beach Getaway: Barcelona and Menorca - 8 Days

A vacation in the paradise of Menorca is one thing—combining it with a visit to Barcelona is quite another. This eight-day itinerary will see you live it up in Catalonia's capital on tours of the city as well as participating in a cooking class. Then you're off to Menorca, a tranquil island in the Balearics, where you'll horseback along the white-sand beaches and perhaps explore the coast on a kayak excursion.

Spain Beach Getaway: Barcelona and Menorca - 9 Days

This nine-day itinerary combines the best of Barcelona with a bit of an island hop. It begins in the capital of Catalonia with visits to famous buildings, like the cathedral La Sagrada Familia, as well as tours of the local markets, a private cooking class, and cycling tours of the Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta Beach. You'll cap the trip in the paradise of Menorca, where you'll ride horses and sunbathe on white-sand beaches.

Barcelona and the Balearic Islands: Mallorca and Menorca - 8 Days

The only thing better than enjoying a holiday in Spain's Balearic Islands is stopping first in Barcelona for some culture and city life. You'll discover Catalonia's capital on a self-guided tour as well as an organized excursion to some of the most famous landmarks designed by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí. You'll then fly to Menorca for some horseback riding around the island followed by a trip to Mallorca for sailing and mountain hikes.

Barcelona and the Balearic Islands: Mallorca and Menorca - 9 Days

If you want a vacation that combines a cultural immersion in a historic city with some exotic island fun, this nine-day itinerary is for you. The city in question is Barcelona, and you'll discover it on walking tours of its iconic buildings, like Sagrada Familia, as well as cycling tours of its most famous neighborhoods, like the Gothic Quarter. Then it's off to Menorca and Mallorca, where you'll both hike and sail around these gorgeous isles.

Barcelona and the Balearic Islands: Mallorca and Menorca - 10 Days

There are no more beautiful locales in Spain's Catalonia region than Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. You'll visit both on a 10-day excursion that begins in Barcelona with bicycle rides through its historic neighborhoods as well as tours of its most impressive Gothic buildings. The final leg of the journey will see you hiking the gorgeous Tramuntana Mountains and sailing around the rocky coves of Mallorca and Menorca.

Barcelona and the Balearic Islands: Mallorca and Menorca - 11 Days

You'll discover everything that perfectly encapsulates Spain's Catalonia region on a visit to its capital of Barcelona. This 11-day trip includes touring its historic Gothic Quarter, bicycling around the waterfront, and sampling Catalan cuisine in the form of cooking classes and market tours. The last few days you'll fly to the Balearics and enjoy fun in the sun on two of its most beautiful islands: Mallorca and Menorca.

Barcelona & the Balearic Islands: Mallorca & Menorca - 12 Days

The only way to make a Barcelona vacation better is to include a jaunt to the Balearic Islands. This 12-day adventure begins with tours of the city's Gothic Quarter and Gaudí-designed buildings, plus a cooking class celebrating Catalan cuisine. After wine tasting near the holy site of Montserrat, you'll jet off to Mallorca and Menorca, where you'll embark on horseback rides and hikes around the islands.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Seville, Granada & the Balearic Islands - 13 Days

You could spend a lifetime traveling through Spain and discovering its secrets, but luckily 13 days is all you need to experience the highlights. This trip begins in Madrid where you'll stroll El Retiro Park, visit the Royal Palace, and see the historic Plaza Mayor, once the heart of Old Spain. You'll then journey down to Andalusia for flamenco shows and a wine tour of the mountaintop city of Ronda before jetting to the Balearic Isles and sunbathing in Mallorca and Menorca.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Seville, Granada & the Balearic Islands - 14 Days

The standard two-week vacation is more than enough time to experience the highlights of Spain. This includes art walks in Madrid, flamenco shows in Seville, wine tours of Andalusia, and all the authentic tapas you can eat. The cherry on this delicious Spanish dessert is a jaunt to the Balearic Isles, where you'll spend a few days lazing on the beaches, hiking the mountains, and sailing the coasts of Menorca and Mallorca.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Seville, Granada & the Balearic Islands - 15 Days

With a little over two weeks to spare, you can experience the highlights of Spain's major cities while also making time for an island getaway. This 15-day itinerary begins in Madrid with visits to the El Prado Museum and Royal Palace before continuing south to Seville for wine tours, flamenco shows, and visits to Moorish fortresses. The adventure concludes on the rocky coves and white-sand beaches of Menorca and Mallorca, two of the most beautiful islands in the Balearics.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Seville, Granada & the Balearic Islands - 16 Days

Spain boasts some of the most impressive palaces, cathedrals, and fortresses in Europe. On a 16-day tour, you'll not only see these highlights in unforgettable cities like Madrid and Seville, but you'll also make day trips to historic locales like Toledo and Ronda. As if that's not enough adventure, you'll finish the trip on the coasts of the Balearic Isles, where you'll enjoy sunbathing, horseback riding, and sailing.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona, & the Balearic Islands - 17 Days

This 17-day itinerary has all the makings of an unforgettable Spanish adventure. You'll not only visit the most incredible sights in the most famous cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, but you'll also make day trips to medieval gems like Ronda and Toledo. On top of taking food tours of local markets and tapas bars, you'll also head to the isles of Mallorca and Menorca for some sailing trips and coastal horseback riding.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona, & the Balearic Islands - 18 Days

This 18-day Spanish vacation packs in historic sights, gorgeous locales, and some of the best beaches. It begins in Madrid with a tour of its famous plazas and palaces, followed by a jaunt around Andalusia and its most beautiful cities, such as Seville, Ronda, and Grenada. But that's not all—you'll then fly off to Barcelona for Catalan culture in its Gothic Quarter before ending the trip on the postcard Balearic Islands.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona, & the Balearic Islands - 19 Days

The only way to improve on a journey through mainland Spain is to add an island adventure into the mix. Over 19 days you'll immerse yourself in cities like Madrid, Seville, Grenada, and Barcelona, visiting their historic sights and enjoying the regional cuisine. Beyond wine tours, art walks, and flamenco shows, you'll also jet off to the Balearic Islands and sail the sapphire waters of hot spots like Mallorca and Menorca.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona & the Balearic Islands - 20 Days

With two-thirds of a month free, you can really immerse yourself in Spain. This 20-day itinerary allows you to visit three different regions, including Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia. Throughout the adventure, you'll enjoy great food, go on wine tours, take in a flamenco show, marvel at historic Gothic architecture, and even make time for a bit of island-hopping in Menorca and Mallorca.

Spain Highlights: Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona, & the Balearic Islands - 21 Days

This three-week itinerary delivers everything you could want in a Spanish holiday. It begins in Madrid before moving south to Andalusia, with its Moorish architecture and flamenco flavor. You'll then discover the food and culture of Barcelona, capping the trip in the Balearic Islands, where you'll explore postcard coves and the azure waters off Menorca and Mallorca.

Discover Northern Peru: Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo & Chachapoyas - 10 Days

Go off the beaten path in northern Peru to discover some of the country's most incredible archaeological sites. Besides touring pre-Columbian temples and pyramids, you'll also visit Indigenous and Spanish-colonial landmarks in cities like Cajamarca. As a bonus, you'll hike up to one of the country's most beautiful waterfalls, tour "Machu Picchu of the North," and visit an actual mummy museum.

Manú National Park is home to exotic animals

Cusco, Machu Picchu & Manú National Park - 10 Days

This 10-day tour of Peru strikes the perfect balance between culture and nature. Begin in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, which will be your base for trips to the Sacred Valley and legendary Machu Picchu. Spend the remaining five days in Manú National Park, where you'll enjoy boat rides, nature walks (including a nocturnal expedition), and wildlife excursions to spot monkeys, macaws, and maybe even a jaguar.

Treetop view of the Amazon Rainforest near Puerto Maldanado

Experience the Peruvian Amazon - 5 Days

Venture into the Peruvian Amazon, a jewel of biodiversity in South America. This tour focuses on the natural side of Peru, giving you a refreshing perspective away from the more popular Incan sites and ruins. Travel by boat to see a variety of colorful wildlife, along with a visit to the Tambopata Research Center. Away from the crowds, you’ll be able to spend days observing the flora and fauna with your own English-speaking guide.

Secrets of Northern Peru: Kuélap Ruins & Gocta Falls - 5 Days

This quick 5-day trip through Northern Peru uses the cloud forest-surrounded city of Chachapoyas as a base to explore regional highlights like the impressive pre-Inca ruins of Kuélap and a hike to one of the world's highest waterfalls, Gocta Falls.

Short Inca Trail & Rainbow Mountain Adventure - 7 Days

Explore the essential highlights of Peru, including visits to Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain, on this weeklong adventure. Begin with a night in Lima and head to the Sacred Valley, where you'll enjoy cultural experiences and a tour of the Maras Salt Flats. Hike part of the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you'll spend a day immersed in Inca history. End your trip with a special hike to the brilliantly-hued Rainbow Mountain.

Preserved mummy in a tomb of Chauchilla cemetery in Nazca, Peru

Lima, Paracas & Nazca Adventure - 7 Days

On this weeklong journey through Peru, you'll get a taste of metropolitan Lima before heading south to Paracas for a marine wildlife tour. Next, head to Nazca and get an aerial view of some of the world's most impressive geoglyphs. Top it all off by trying your hand at sandboarding in the desert oasis of Huacachina.

The Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca Excursion - 10 Days

From colonial cities to remote Inca ruins, this 10-day tour of Peru is ideal for travelers who like a bit of history with their adventure. Start by enjoying cosmopolitan Lima before jetting off to Cusco, a former Inca capital later conquered by the Spanish. From there, hit the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and finish the trip on the shores of mystical Lake Titicaca, where you'll visit floating islands.

Best of Peru - 14 Days

From the Nazca Lines to Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu, this 14-day itinerary takes you to Peru's major highlights. Spend some time exploring Lima before heading to the colonial city of Arequipa to explore one of the world's deepest canyons. Depart for Lake Titicaca, a place rich with history, culture, and natural beauty. Finally, head to the Inca capital of Cusco and explore colorful textile markets and small towns of the Sacred Valley, ending at Machu Picchu.

The Inca ruins of Winay Wayna along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail & Amazon Adventure - 14 Days

This tour of Peru's awe-inspiring landscapes is the perfect fit for adventurous travelers. Discover the capital city of Lima, then continue to Cusco for a tour of the Sacred Valley. Explore Inca ruins and colorful textile markets before embarking on the Inca Trail, finishing your trek at the famed Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, head east to Manu National Park to spot Amazonian wildlife in the jungle.

Magical Istria: Zagreb, Rovinj, Cape Kamenjak, & Plitvice Lakes - 8 Days

Explore Croatia's "Tierra Magica," a compelling region chock-full of vineyards, olive groves, stunning Venetian-style coastline, and medieval hilltop towns. You'll spend eight days discovering the romantic Istrian Peninsula as well as spend time in the vibrant capital of Zagreb and enjoy a full morning exploring the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. Try a meal with pilchards in Fažana, visit the once-infamous White Villa on Brijuni Island, and tour the dramatic coastline of Cape Kamenjak.

The town of Fazana on the coast of Istria

Magical Istria: Zagreb, Rovinj, Brijuni, & Pula - 6 Days

Spend six days touring Croatia's magical Istrian Peninsula, starting and ending in the dynamic capital of Zagreb. Soak in the stunning beauty of the romantic countryside as you work your way to the Venetian-influenced city of Rovinj on Istria's coast, your base for the next three nights. You'll discover nearby medieval hilltop towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, and Motovun, as well as visit the small fishing town of Fažana, explore Brijuni National Park, and tour Pula's famous Roman ruins.

The beautiful island of Mljet off the coast of Dubrovnik

Scenic Southern Dalmatia: Dubrovnik, Korčula, Pelješac, & Mljet - 8 Days

Soak up the sunshine on this 8-day itinerary focused on Southern Dalmatia—a perfect combination of nature and culture. Beginning and ending in Dubrovnik, you'll enjoy day trips to nearby lush islands where you'll spend time taking in the sights through kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, and swimming. As well as have time experiencing Korčula's island terrain, exploring the rugged Pelješac peninsula, and discovering Ston's historic defense wall and glittering saltpans.

The Elafiti Island of Koločep, the southern most inhabited Croatian Island

Scenic Southern Dalmatia: Dubrovnik, Pelješac, Korčula, & Elafiti Islands - 6 Days

This 6-day itinerary provides an in-depth look at popular Dubrovnik and its surrounding scenic attractions. Spend time wandering the Pearl of the Adriatic's medieval streets and massive fortress walls and kayak out to nearby Lokrum Island for a unique perspective of the city. You'll sail to three of the vegetation-covered Elafiti Islands, visit an oyster farm in Mali Ston, and pedal through the charming countryside of the Konavle.

Walk and hike along the lake trails around Plitvice National Park

Croatia Multisport: Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, & Šolta - 6 Days

This itinerary is great for those who are short on time and looking for a mixture of adventure and culture. You'll spend six days discovering Croatia from the lively capital, Zagreb, through the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park to the historic port city of Split. You'll then have a day of adrenaline on the Cetina River before a final day to relax, swim, and sail around Šolta Island just off the coast of Split.

Wellington grapes grow at the foot of the Groenberg Mountain, Cape Winelands, South Africa

13 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 13 days to spend in South Africa, you'll have time to see much of the country, from the southern Cape provinces to Kruger National Park in the north. Safari buffs can even combine a South Africa park or two with the highlights of neighboring countries, such as Victoria Falls, Botswana's Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta. Of course, you can also opt for a deep dive in a particular region, like Cape Town and the neighboring Winelands.

The village of Omis at the mouth of the Cetina River, Croatia's adventure capital

Croatia Multisport: Zagreb, Plitvice, Split & Dubrovnik - 9 Days

Experience Croatia's coastal cities and national parks on this 9-day adventure from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Discover the emerald-green and turquoise lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park, paddle the Zrmanja River rapids, and take in an unforgettable sunset in Zadar. You'll also go canyoning down the Cetina River, venture through the raw beauty of the Pelješac Peninsula, and pedal through wine country in the Konavle outside the captivating city of Dubrovnik.

9 Days in South Africa - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With nine days, you can see three of South Africa's regions or national parks, or focus on one area like the Western Cape, including the Winelands or a scenic drive along the Garden Route. Thanks to the frequency of domestic flights, you can start and end your trip in Cape Town, spend a few days in wine country, and also thrill to a classic safari in Kruger. Or, take a food-focused trip that includes detours to Johannesburg. Read on for five unique itineraries.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 5 Days

Take a five-day frolic through Italy and Switzerland with this itinerary. You'll split your time between lakes and mountains, often enjoying views of both simultaneously, as you take in waterfront historic sites, luxurious villas, and more.

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 6 Days

Spend six days savoring the luxury of northern Italy and Switzerland on this trip. Whether you're wandering lakeside streets, hiking up the mountain trails, or taking in the views from outside your train window, you're sure to find something to delight you.

Take in the gorgeous scenery surrounding Varenna from a private vintage speedboat

Luxury Italian & Swiss Lakes by Train - 7 Days

Wander through a week of luxury with this seven-day itinerary that hits the highlights of northern Italy's lakes with stays on Lake Garda and Lake Como. Add in two panoramic train routes, scenic cable car excursions, and a boat ride to the idyllic lakeside villages of Bellagio and Varenna, and you'll still have time to hop over the border for a jaunt to glamorous St. Moritz and a finale in Switzerland's charming Lucerne.

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