Rains increase in Malaysia in September, ending the long (relatively) dry season. It's the shoulder season for travel but still a great time to enjoy the country's cultural riches, particularly in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the northern island city, Penang. Cultural and religious festivals in September, including the Hindu Navarathri and the Chinese Moon Cake Festival, add extra interest. Find out more about visiting Malaysia in September.
Malaysia is hot and humid in August, and the rains gradually return to western areas. But this is a great month to chill out on a beach in eastern Malaysia, spot orangutans in Borneo, or go bird-watching at bird sanctuaries and wildlife reserves throughout the country. Find out more about where and what to do in Malaysia in August below.
Malaysia is hot, hot, hot in July. But it's also generally dry, making this a great month for outdoor and wildlife-focused adventures. Whether you want to go diving among shipwrecks, spot birds in wildlife sanctuaries, enjoy cultural festivals in Malaysia's diverse towns and cities, or see orangutans in their natural habitat, you can do it in July. Read on to find out more about where to go and what to do in Malaysia in July.
June is peak season for travel to Malaysia, with dry weather in most parts of the country and ideal conditions for diving, orangutan-spotting, other outdoor activities, and city-based sightseeing. Whether you want to visit Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo, or islands off the coast of these two regions, there's plenty to see and do in Malaysia in June. Read on to find out more.
In nine days, you can visit multiple regions and experience many cultural highlights of Sri Lanka. This includes trips to the famous Cultural Triangle of ancient Buddhist cities as well as highland tea plantations and the golden coast of the country's south. You can also include some wildlife spotting in national parks, hikes up rock temples, and cultural exchanges with local artisans.
Wildlife and nature lovers are in luck in Malaysia in April: the weather in Borneo is generally dry, making this an ideal time of year to go out in search of orangutans in the jungles of Sarawak and Sabah. Active travelers who want a challenge can try climbing the tallest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu. Read on for more information about where to go and what to do in Malaysia in April.
March is an ideal time to visit Malaysia if you want to focus on wildlife and nature. The start of the dry season in the east and Borneo means travelers will be spoiled for choice. Spot orangutans in Sarawak and Sabah, climb Mt. Kinabalu, hike in the jungles, and encounter a range of other wildlife throughout the country. Read on to find out more about travel to Malaysia in March.
February is peak season for travel to Malaysia's west, particularly Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, and Langkawi. The weather is clear, and there's little rain, making it a great time to enjoy time on the beach, city sightseeing, and some lively cultural festivals. Find out more about where to go and what to do in Malaysia in February below.
With generally good weather in some of the most popular beach destinations and a host of exciting festivals, January is a good month to visit Malaysia. It's peak season in Langkawi, and Lunar New Year (if it falls in January) brings festive crowds to the cities and areas with Chinese influence, but these all add to the fun of visiting Malaysia in January. Read on to find out more.
Travelers with 12 days to spend in Iceland have plenty of options. You can circle the entire island on a grand tour or focus your time on an in-depth exploration of two or three regions, such as the Westfjords, Snæfellness Peninsula, and Golden Circle. Perhaps you want a winter adventure, or an active adventure combining kayaking, hiking, and riding e-mountain bikes in West and South Iceland. These five itineraries show you how to make the most of your visit.
Follow an arc from eastern to western Iceland via the north coast on this 12-day active self-drive adventure. You'll pack in many of the country's most iconic sites, from Godafoss waterfall and the volcanic wonders of Lake Mývatn to the dizzying Látrabjarg cliffs and world-famous Kirkjufell mountain. Plus, you'll thrill to mountain hikes, "Super Jeep" adventures, and even snorkeling in the Silfra fissure of the Mid-Atlantic Rift.
Packed with exciting activities from the off-beat to iconic experiences, this 12-day self-drive adventure also explores a long wishlist of Iceland's top sites, from Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the geological wonders of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Gullfoss, Dettifoss, and Godafoss waterfalls. You'll thrill to ziplining, rides by ATV and horseback on black-sand beaches, hiking in Þórsmörk and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyons, and soaks in geothermal lagoons and even a beer-filled hot tub.
Portugal was once considered the "end of the world" and still feels like the earth's edge with its wild landscapes and expansive ocean views. It also reflects life beyond its borders with its mix of histories, cultures, and cuisines. Explore the mainland and island of Madeira, beginning with a tour of historic Lisbon. Sip port wine by the Douro River in Porto, then fly to Madeira to experience its pristine scenery, and finally return to the mainland and the seaside resort of Cascais for some relaxing beach time.
Experience two vacations in one on this diverse 13-day journey through Portugal. Start on the mainland to tour the highlights of Lisbon and Porto (with a slew of fascinating day trips to the Douro Valley, Coimbra, and Sintra in between). Then it's time to jet off toward the remote Azores archipelago, where you'll spend four days exploring the volcanic landscapes, verdant scenery, and wild beaches of São Miguel Island.
In under a week, this adventurous itinerary takes you from the bustling streets of Lisbon to the remote Atlantic island of São Miguel. After visiting the highlights and hidden corners of Portugal's colorful capital, catch a flight to the Azores for three nights in a secluded paradise of lush greenery, volcanic lakes, and unspoiled beaches.
Explore the wonders of western and southern Iceland on this action-packed 11-day self-drive itinerary. Thrill to orca whale watching off the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, hiking atop the Sólheimajökull Glacier, and exploring Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon by amphibian boat. You'll also savor a wealth of other iconic sites and experiences, from Kirkjufell mountain and Strokkur geyser to Skógafoss waterfall and the geothermal wonders of the Golden Circle, plus meet belugas at a sanctuary in the Westman Islands.
When looking for a top safari lodge, the first step is to choose an excellent game reserve deep in the heart of the bush. Professional guides from the lodge will ensure excellent game-viewing with drives and bushwalks, birding, and tracking. Indulge in luxurious facilities with heated pools, spas, outdoor showers, king-sized beds, exquisite décor, excellent cuisine, and dining under the stars.
See Portugal from north to south and east to west on this incredible 13-day tour. Start in hilly Lisbon, made bright and airy by its colorful houses. Visit castles in Sintra, and indulge in wine-centric activities in the Douro Valley and Porto. Head down to Alentejo for Roman ruins and picturesque medieval towns. The last stop is the wild and beautiful Algarve, known for beaches marked by impressive cliffs and sea rocks.
South Africa is home to some of the world's biggest and oldest game reserves, with national parks such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Kruger and renowned private reserves like Shamwari and the Tswalu-Kalahari. Safaris usually mean game drives, but there are more unique options: a hot air balloon over the Pilanesberg National Park, a light aircraft above Kruger National Park, or a cruise with hippos in Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Whether you are a budget backpacker, a romantic couple, a family of exuberant kids, a crazy adventurer, or a stressed-out executive, there is a safari for you.
See the highlights of Sydney and Cairns on this short but action-packed six-day holiday. Tour the Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo before heading to Cairns to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. Spend your last full day taking in breathtaking views of Cairns and its rainforests by train and cable car.
Get to know three of Portugal's most iconic locales on this far-reaching but relaxed eight-day itinerary. Start in historic Porto, where you'll explore atmospheric riverside neighborhoods and go wine tasting in the nearby Douro Valley. Head to Lisbon to see the hilly capital by tram and stroll along the seafront in Cascais, then continue south to reach the Algarve—where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic along a coastline of golden beaches and towering cliffs.
Safari lodges in Kruger National Park offer everything from extravagant luxury to wilderness adventures, family holidays, and romantic seclusion. You may want to get back to nature, but there is no need to "rough it." Enjoy world-class game viewing along with beautiful and relaxing accommodation, delicious cuisine, and much more.
This 13-day itinerary showcases Portugal's many faces with a combination of guided experiences and a choose-your-own-adventure road trip. See the Lisbon skyline by sailboat and hike to the hilltop palaces of Sintra, then strike out toward the Algarve coast for golden beaches, hidden coves, and spectacular sunsets. Turn north to end your journey in Porto, where you'll trade the car for a driver as you sit back and enjoy day trips into the Douro Valley and Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Drive your 4WD in a clockwise loop of the entire island on this 11-day active itinerary packed with exciting adventures for a complete and quintessential Icelandic experience. You'll thrill to whale watching off the North Coast, steering a snowmobile across the Langjökull Glacier, snorkeling (or even scuba diving) in the Silfra fissure, and sleeping under the Northern Lights in a bubble. Along the way, you'll explore the top sites of the Snæfellsnes and Vatnsnes peninsulas, plus the Diamond Circle and Golden Circle.
In under a week, this Irish road trip loops through a land of epic landscapes and even more epic history. Start in Dublin with a walking tour of the city's medieval and Georgian past, then set out toward the cultural and culinary capital of Galway. Gallop along the windswept beaches of Spiddal, take in dizzying views from the Cliffs of Moher, drive the scenic Ring of Kerry, and go kayaking by starlight on the saltwater lake of Lough Hyne.
Enjoy Portugal's cultural highlights with the generous help of gastronomy on this delicious 12-day adventure. Start in Porto for wine tasting and river cruising, then head to Lisbon to see the city by tuk-tuk and sample its best street food and snacks. After a week of guided tours and transfers, switch to a rental car for a road trip through the Alentejo to the spectacular Algarve coast—visiting hilltop villages, historic vineyards, and world-class beaches.
With 12 days to spare, you can see Portugal from north to south at a pleasantly relaxed pace. Explore Porto's riverside neighborhoods by vintage car, sip robust reds in the Douro Valley, and discover the north's lesser-visited gems like Guimarães and Aveiro. Take your time in colorful Lisbon to experience the capital through a local's eyes, then catch a train south to Lagos for sunbathing and sailing on the Algarve coast.
Experience the highlights of New Zealand's North Island on this eight-day self-drive adventure from Auckland to Wellington. Explore national parks and hot springs, see real Hobbit homes, and immerse yourself in the rich Indigenous culture and history. This journey includes many options for an adrenaline rush, as well as relaxing spa treatments to unwind and rejuvenate. This is the best way to see the North Island at your own pace!
Brimming with culture, history, gastronomy, and a dash of outdoor adventure, this 13-day itinerary has something for everyone. Start in Porto for food tours, wine tasting, and day trips into Portugal's unspoiled north, then continue through Coimbra and Évora to look at stately cities and the sweeping plains of the Alentejo. End in Lisbon to explore the capital and surrounding countryside—home to seaside villages, fairy tale castles, and nature parks.
Discover southern Morocco's deserts, mountains, and coastline on this two-week tour that starts and ends in buzzing Marrakesh. You'll journey into the Atlas mountains to meet Berber locals and hike the Imlil Valley before descending into the Sahara Desert. Ride a camel into the vast Erg Chigaga dunes, where you'll camp under the stars and spend a day with the region's nomads, then head to the coastal city of Essaouira for seaside relaxation and a Moroccan cooking class.
Immerse yourself in Portuguese history and food on this comprehensive 12-day tour. Start in the hilly capital of Lisbon to explore local markets, see numerous medieval castles, and catch more than one breathtaking sunset. Then, head north to Porto and the Douro Valley, where rolling hills and glistening rivers will greet you as you drink your way through wineries and visit some of Portugal's oldest historic towns.
Experience all that Ireland has to offer on this six-day road trip. Travel back to the medieval streets of Dublin, where you can see one of the world's oldest manuscripts, then head to Kilkenny to touch the cool stone walls of its famous castle. Drive the Ring of Kerry to marvel at breathtaking views, and sit down to a feast in Galway, the first place in Ireland to be designated a European Region of Gastronomy. Whether looking for history, nature, or the adventure of a lifetime, this road trip has it all.
Two of Iceland's more remote and scenically stunning yet lesser-visited regions—Westfjords and North Iceland—are the focus of this scenic 12-day active self-drive adventure, which also includes the mesmerizing Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The non-stop experiences range from clifftop hikes and wildlife viewing to helicopter flightseeing, as well as visits to many of Iceland's iconic and less familiar but equally spectacular sites.
Whether your goal is a quick escape from the grind to recharge your batteries, or you'd like to pack in as many adventures as possible in just a few days, Mexico is the ideal country. In even as few as six days, you can experience the major highlights of Mexico's capital as well as historic Puebla and neighboring Cholula. Or travel further south and hit the best beaches on the Yucatán Peninsula while also visiting nature reserves and diving into turquoise cenote lagoons.
In less than a week, you can experience the historical highlights and natural beauty of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. This includes visiting Spanish-colonial cities like Mérida as well as the Maya pyramids at Chichén Itzá and Tulum. You'll also hop in the water for a day of diving in the crystalline waters of Cozumel Island—no certification necessary.
Six days is more than enough time to experience the culture, history, food, and art of Mexico City. See where Frida Kahlo once lived in colorful Coyoacán, then do as the locals do and enjoy an unforgettable evening of Lucha Libre wrestling. Of course, you'll see the city's historic sights on walking tours, but you'll also cover more ground when you hop on an e-bike and hit the trendiest neighborhoods.
In less than a week, you can experience some of the best of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, which is home to hotspot destinations like Cancún and Tulum. You'll visit both these resort areas on a ride down the famous Riviera Maya stretch of the Caribbean coast. Other unforgettable activities include touring ancient Maya ruins, descending into underground rivers, and swimming in protected nature reserves.
Cycle from coast to coast on this epic adventure tour that will take you from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. See authentic Costa Rica as you bike past villages, farms, banana plantations, and sugar cane fields on your way toward the west coast. Stop to explore jungle rivers, mountains, an active volcano, and a famous coffee-growing region, then celebrate the end of the trip on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.
If you're in need of a quick escape to a tropical paradise, you can't do much better than Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Over six packed days, you'll visit the highlights of the region's famous Riviera Maya, from the resorts and nightlife of Cancún to the ancient Maya fortress ruins at Tulum. You'll even venture below the earth for a dip in the largest underground river in the world.
Germany has a broad offering of experiences, from modern cities to medieval towns, fairy-tale castles and forests, and even beaches. Two weeks will allow you enough time to get to know the country well, though you can still get a lot from a shorter trip. One week allows for a German "sampler," and even in as little as five days, you can fit in a variety of sights.
Get off the beaten path on this weeklong luxury adventure around Costa Rica's beautiful landscapes. After a day exploring the capital city, you'll travel to the Osa Peninsula for a sunset bird-watching tour around Drake Bay. Explore Corcovado National Park on a guided hike, then look for whales and dolphins in the wild on a boat tour. You'll sleep in luxury hotels throughout the week and finish the trip in the Arenal region with a visit to a sloth habitat and a wildlife rehabilitation center.
October is the end of the rainy season in the Philippines, and although travelers should expect some showers, there's less rain than in the previous few months. This is the shoulder season for travel and is an excellent time to visit if you want to take advantage of lower prices, thinner crowds, and fair weather. There are also many great festivals you can take part in during October. Read on to learn more about travel to the Philippines in October.
You can explore diverse regions in 11 days, providing enough time to check off many of Iceland's most iconic as well as popular sites and plenty of lesser-visited destinations. Maybe you want an experiential tour focused on hiking, such as around the Golden Circle and South Coast. Or, pack in active adventures in these two popular regions, plus more off-beat destinations such as Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. And if you love to drive, follow the Ring Road from beginning to end.
Eleven days of adventure await on this action-packed itinerary taking in a wealth of iconic Icelandic experiences and sites of the "Golden Circle," South Coast, and Highlands. Explore the Þórsmörk Valley by "Super Jeep," the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon by Zodiak, and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier by snowmobile. Plus, enjoy hikes through the geothermal wonders of the Reykjadalur Valley, the remote and rugged Kerlingarfjoll Mountains, plus the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Þakgil Valley.
See Costa Rica's outdoor highlights on this weeklong adventure around the country's volcanoes, hot springs, cloud forests, wildlife habitats, and beaches. After exploring Arenal Volcano and its surroundings for a few days, you'll move on to Monteverde to sip locally-produced coffee and trek through the cloud forest. Then finish the week in Manuel Antonio National Park for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.
This 11-day itinerary checks off an entire bucket list of iconic sites, from Iceland's northernmost to its southernmost points. You'll snorkel the crystal-clear waters of the Mid-Atlantic Rift, hike to see puffins and Arctic fox in the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, and gallop along Löngufjörur Beach on a tame Icelandic pony. These are among many activities you'll enjoy as you explore the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland, "Golden Circle," and South Coast, plus Reykjavik.
This 11-day self-drive tour by 4WD delivers an array of geological and cultural treats as you explore Iceland more or less in its entirety. From iconic sites such as Seljalandsfoss, Dettifoss, and Godafoss waterfalls, plus the Fjaðrárgljúfur and Stuðlagil canyons, to Kirkjufell mountain and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, you'll check off a long wish-list as you circle the island. Horseback riding, snowmobiling, and whale watching are a few of the exciting ways you'll discover the island of fire and ice.
Make a complete circle of Iceland, plus explore the Westman Islands, on this 12-day self-drive itinerary that takes in a vast wealth of geological wonders, exciting activities, and cultural highlights. From whale watching, snorkeling the Silfra fissure, and a boat journey on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon to soaks in the Mývatn Nature Baths and Blue Lagoon, you'll experience Iceland in all its facets, north, south, east, and west.
Costa Rica's capital city has much to offer, from culture to nightlife. But if you have an early flight to catch, you may prefer to stay near San José's airport. Also located near the Pan American Highway, car rental agencies, and a train station where you can catch a ride into the city's downtown, these hotels are excellent options for an overnight stay at the start or end of your trip.
Explore the beauty of New Zealand's South Island at your own pace with this self-drive tour. You'll start in Christchurch and drive through incredible villages to Queenstown. Next, you'll explore national parks before taking one of the world's greatest train journeys back to Christchurch. Get your adrenaline rush in along the way by bungee jumping, heli-skiing, and mountain biking!
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