Switzerland has two high seasons. Winter (December to March) offers some of Europe's finest Alpine snow sports. Summer (June to August) offers the best hiking opportunities and the country's liveliest festivals, such as Europe's biggest celebration of jazz, the Montreux Jazz Festival. Meanwhile, the low seasons of spring and fall let you see popular sights like the iconic Matterhorn without the huge crowds.
Learn to make ceviche, hike through rainbow-colored hills, taste pisco at a historic Peruvian winery, and ride a zipline through the Sacred Valley on this exciting 10-day journey through Peru. Offering a mix of gourmet experiences and thrilling outdoor activities, the trip starts in Lima, where you'll go on a foodie tour. Then you'll travel down the coast to Huacachina to try "surfing" on massive sand dunes and tour family-run wineries. Continue to Cusco, day-tripping to the Sacred Valley before visiting Machu Picchu and ending with a hike around Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
From the ancient city of Cusco to the lush waterways of the Amazonian rainforest, this diverse 10-day trip showcases Peru's fascinating culture and magnificent landscapes. Begin with a brief stay in Lima, where you'll have time for sightseeing before continuing to the wine-growing region around Ica and the massive sand dunes of Huacachina. Then you'll catch a flight to Cusco and explore the ruins of the Sacred Valley. Explore Macchu Pichu on an early-morning excursion and hike around the vibrant Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. You'll wrap up the trip with a few days in the Amazon, spotting wildlife, learning about indigenous cultures, and boating along jungle rivers.
Because it's a popular spot on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, you have plenty of foodie options to keep you going throughout your stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. As a coastal beach town, the restaurant scene includes the expected staples, such as incredible seafood dishes and traditional Costa Rican grub. But you'll also find lively and colorful beach bars, plus trendy cafes serving international breakfast dishes.
Coastal San Sebastián sits in Spain's scenic north, in Basque Country. Known as a foodie hub, you can enjoy the city's culture with walking or e-bike tours and dive into the renowned gastronomy with a cooking class. Get out of the city to visit farms, vineyards, and some of Northern Spain's most popular walking trails within this coveted region of Europe.
Experience Ecuador's natural wonders beyond the lively capital city Quito on this eight-day discovery tour. Before heading into the wilderness, you'll base yourself mostly in Quito, exploring its museums, architecture, and cuisine. Take a day trip to the sapphire waters of Cuicocha Lagoon, shop for handicrafts in Otavalo Market, and hike amid the cloud forests of Mindo. Transfer to Cotopaxi National Park, sleep in a traditional hacienda, and have fun in Baños—Ecuador's adventure capital.
Explore Portugal's liveliest cities, Porto and Lisbon, on this six-day tour. You'll start in Porto with a private sidecar tour, enjoying views of the surrounding scenery. Then you'll head into the Douro Valley to taste a variety of wines—including port!—at family-run estates. Road trip through the countryside, stopping to visit the medieval village of Óbidos and Aveiro, the so-called "Venice of Portugal," on the way. You'll spend the last few days discovering Lisbon and learning how to make traditional Portuguese dishes during a chef-led cooking class.
Perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, this jam-packed 12-day itinerary highlights Sri Lanka's most dramatic and diverse landscapes. Hike to five of the country's most scenic waterfalls, raft down the raging Kelani River, see rare wildlife in Horton Plains and Udawalawe National Parks, and end your adventure with some well-earned downtime on the white sand beaches of Weligama.
This 10-day adventure combines city tours with hikes along England’s southwest coast. It begins in London with a pub tour, after which you’ll transfer to Cornwall to begin the great trek. Starting in the seaside resort of Bude, you’ll hike south along the water as you enjoy views of rugged clifftops, sandy bays, ancient ruins, and charming villages. It ends back in London with a deep dive into the city’s rich legacy while touring historic neighborhoods.
Take the family on a magical 10-day adventure around England's capital. It includes all the highlights, from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. And the thread that ties the whole journey together is an imaginative tale of a boy wizard. This trip includes many "Harry Potter"-themed activities, such as musical productions, soundstage tours, and visiting actual filming locations.
Experience the best of England's natural wonders and historic highlights on an epic self-drive tour around the country. Over 10 event-filled days, you'll visit the most beautiful regions in northern and southern England, including the Lake District and Dorset County. Even better, you'll have the freedom to explore on your terms as you pick and choose which villages, sights, and landmarks to stop at along the way.
From ancient temples to mountain villages and national parks, this 10-day itinerary introduces you to the many wonders of southern and central Sri Lanka. Setting out from the laid-back beach town of Negombo, you'll visit some of the country's most remarkable cultural sites like Yapahuwa, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya, and explore the surrounding landscapes with memorable cycling and safari excursions. After a week of discovery and adventure, end your trip with a few days of relaxation on the Indian Ocean beaches of Ahangama.
Get to know Sri Lanka on this week-long exploration of ancient temples, unspoiled countryside, and idyllic beaches. Focusing on the southern half of the "Jewel of the Indian Ocean," you'll check off iconic sites like Pidirungala Rock, Sigiriya, and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Immerse yourself in the surrounding landscapes as you cycle through rice paddies and country roads, take a wildlife safari through Minneriya National Park, and tour a working tea farm. After a visit to the fascinating fortified city of Galle, your adventure ends on the sweeping southern beaches of Ahangama.
Get ready for a 14-day adventure you and your family are sure to remember. This packed itinerary offers the full Scotland experience, from city tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh to epic hikes, driving trips, and boat rides around the unspoiled Highlands. Rounding out this great escape are food tours, art walks, island excursions, wildlife safaris, and bike rides through national parks.
Fourteen days is ample time to experience the best of Scotland and Ireland, be it touring Edinburgh, hiking the Highlands, or reveling in the historic streets of Dublin. The adventures are almost too many to list: wildlife safaris in national parks, boating across Loch Ness, cycling around Glasgow, and exploring the untamed beauty of the Isle of Skye. If that's not enough, you'll hit the road on a drive to some of the most beautiful locales in southern Ireland, like the Wicklow Mountains and County Cork.
Canoe through the jungle, spot pink dolphins in the wild, visit an indigenous community, and sleep under the stars — this action-packed itinerary takes you deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon for five days of outdoor adventure! After a day of sightseeing in Quito, you'll travel to the rainforest, entering the jungle aboard a motorized canoe. You'll set up camp on the edge of Zancudococha Lake, your home base for the rest of the trip. Jungle hikes, wildlife spotting excursions, swimming, piranha fishing, and boating are all on the agenda, not to mention guided rainforest hikes after sunset. Keep your eyes open for frogs, spiders, caimans, and other nocturnal wildlife: the jungle comes alive after dark!
A significant portion of the Netherlands is below sea level, so the Dutch have been coming up with ingenious ways to manage water for over a thousand years. You'll learn all about it on this interesting 5-day itinerary. Visit the world’s largest storm surge barrier, the Delta Works, in the province of Zeeland. You'll cycle around the island of Schouwen-Duivenland and learn more about the natural environment on a boat cruise around Oosterschelde National Park — keep your eyes open for whales! Discover beautiful beaches and pedal along dune landscapes, stopping for fresh seafood, along the way, as you explore Walcheren Island. Finish with a day in historic Middelburg, an important trading center for the Dutch East India Company, before the trip ends in Amsterdam.
Immerse yourself in the seafaring history of the Dutch Golden Age on this enlightening 5-day trip. The Dutch East India Company was extremely important in trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. Discover reminders of this rich past as you gaze upon naval scenes in Frans Hals’ paintings in Haarlem, stroll along city canals bordered by ancient warehouses in Middelburg, tour Hoorn's historic harbor, and ride an antique boat across IJsselmeer lake. You'll also travel on an old steam train, cycle to a coastal fort in Zeeland, and wander around a replica of an 18th-century cargo ship in Amsterdam.
Monteverde is well known for its misty cloud forests, hills with exceptional views, and a nearly endless list of activities to enjoy. You can easily plan your visit with a comfortable mid-range or luxury hotel, and kimkim has quite a few to recommend.
Known for its cloud forests and wildlife—and as the birthplace of ziplining—Monteverde is one of the more popular regions in Costa Rica. Hilly, misty, and dense with rainforest, this area has no shortages of exciting and relaxing experiences to enjoy. And why not pair hiking across hanging bridges, touring coffee plantations, or searching for wildlife with a boutique accommodation?
Many travelers head to Monteverde for its cloud forest excursions, including ziplining, wildlife viewing, and hiking across hanging bridges. Many hotels offer accommodation right next door to these forests or within private reserves, so you can feel like you’re part of the serene environment, even as you sleep. If you’re on a budget or prefer something a bit more rustic, consider one of our recommended standard hotels in Monteverde.
This refreshing 5-day cycling trip takes you to the beautiful Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Peat and reed cutters created this unique landscape filled with lakes, canals, reed lands, swamp forests, and floating mats — today, it's one of the largest wetland areas in Europe. Begin the journey in Zwolle, pedaling away on forested paths on your way to Sint Jansklooster. Continue on to the quiet village of Kalenberg, where you'll take a break from cycling to paddle around the wetlands in a canoe. Discover some of the park's most scenic areas as you cycle to Giethoorn, a picturesque village nicknamed "the Venice of the North." Explore its waterways by boat on the last day of the trip before transferring back to Amsterdam, where the trip ends.
Cycle, hike, and relax in open-air cafés on this outdoorsy 5-day tour of Holland's southernmost region. Limburg is home to historic cities like Maastricht and Valkenburg aan de Geul, where you'll tour grand churches and romantic castles. It's also known for its hilly countryside, particularly the gorgeous scenery of the National Landscape of Zuid-Limburg, which you'll explore on e-bike and on foot. Since this area of the Netherlands is known for its vineyards and gastronomic traditions, you'll dine well, too, a perfect way to end a day's worth of fresh air and active pursuits.
This short trip takes you to the far north of the Netherlands for five days of cultural sightseeing and outdoor adventure. Begin in Leeuwarden, the capital of the green province of Friesland. This hidden gem is a lively city with a distinct language and culture. You'll tour its picturesque network of canals on a private gondola tour before continuing north. Ride a ferry to the peaceful island of Terschelling, known as the "Pearl of the Wadden Sea" for its windswept dunes, lovely beaches, and cozy villages. You'll explore the island on an e-bike, cycling past vast marshes and endless beaches home to a wide variety of birdlife. Dine on fresh seafood and enjoy this relaxing getaway before returning to Amsterdam, where the itinerary ends.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beautiful stretch of shoreline on the southern side of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Accommodations are spread out between the towns of Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva, meaning the location caters to the jungle and beach. If Puerto Viejo is known for anything, it's the unique environment created by the mix of jungle, sea, and reef, plus its African-Caribbean influence, so it's the perfect place to relax in a boutique hotel.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beautiful stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Costa Rica and near the border with Panama. You'll find gentle beaches protected by vibrant coral reefs—perfect for snorkeling and swimming—next to some of the best waves in the region, attracting surfers from around the world. Whether you want an adventure or a relaxing getaway, read on for the best beaches in Puerto Viejo.
If you’re heading to Tortuguero, you’re probably looking for remote solitude surrounded by jungle and wildlife. Getting to this unique region of Costa Rica is half the fun, and you can make it even more enjoyable by staying the night in one of the area’s boutique hotels. These are a great option, as they tend to have little perks, like lush gardens, individual wooden huts, and/or upscale cuisine.
Discover lively Dutch cities and idyllic landscapes on this well-balanced 10-day tour of Holland. The trip starts in Amsterdam, where you'll visit the famous Anne Frank House and two major art museums. Then head into the nearby countryside to see historic windmills and charming fishing villages. Explore the university city of Leiden, spend one afternoon on a bike excursion to the beach, then go on a cycling tour of Rotterdam's architectural highlights. Learn more about the legacies of great artists Vincent van Gogh and Hieronymus Bosch in the quaint town of Den Bosch, followed by a stay in the off-the-beaten-path city of Maastricht, known for its historical buildings and churches. Finish the trip with several days of hiking and cycling in the peaceful National Landscape of Zuid-Limburg — a few days in the great outdoors is a wonderfully relaxing way to end this action-packed itinerary.
Experience the best Holland has to offer on this 10-day luxury tour! You'll sleep in one-of-a-kind boutique hotels and dine in fine restaurants while exploring the capital city of Amsterdam, pristine Hoge Veluwe National Park, the lively university town of Leeuwarden, and the windswept islands of Vlieland and Texel. Highlights along the journey include a private gondola tour, a day trip to historic windmills in the Dutch countryside, a self-guided bike ride along picturesque sand dunes, plenty of time to enjoy viewing Vincent van Gogh's original masterpieces, and an overnight stay in a gorgeously restored complex of Golden Age canal houses.
Holland is a cyclist's paradise! On this lively 5-day trip, you'll pedal past green meadows, small canals, peaceful lakes, picturesque villages, old fortified towns, and medieval castles. Start the adventure with some sightseeing in Amsterdam before you cycle through the Gooi, stopping to tour Muiderslot, a 13th-century castle. Explore historic Naarden, then sleep in a riverside hotel. Continue the journey through the "Green Heart" of Holland, taking a break from your e-bike to canoe or boat on a lake. You'll ride back to Amsterdam along the Amstel River, then spend one last night in the city before the trip ends.
Explore the best of central Holland on this weeklong itinerary featuring a mix of classic sights and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Visit the vibrant capital of Amsterdam and its top museums before day-tripping to the countryside to see iconic Dutch highlights, including windmills and a cheese market. Adventure waits in Utrecht, where you will have the chance to canoe around the city's canals. Then continue on to the forested heart of the country and Hoge Veluwe National Park, which you'll explore on an e-bike. View Van Gogh originals at the excellent Kröller-Müller Museum before finishing up the trip in the charming city of Deventer, known for its countless bookshops, picturesque squares, and laid-back atmosphere.
Discover the coastline of the North Sea on this active 5-day adventure. Start the trip in historic Haarlem, where you'll see original works by the great painter Frans Hals before setting off on a self-guided e-bike trip to a beach resort. Ride over to National Park Zuid-Kennemerduine, home to the largest dune area in Holland. Then continue to Bergen, a scenic village that's long been popular with artists. You'll base yourself here for the last few days of the itinerary, riding to a pair of resort towns, visiting the famous cheese market of Alkmaar, and seeing the windmills of Zaanse Schans before the trip ends in Amsterdam.
Packing for your trip to Costa Rica is an exciting part of the adventure but can be challenging. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with various weather patterns and activities, so creating a packing list is essential in the planning process. Whether you're going north or south, to the Pacific or the Caribbean, we've compiled the ultimate packing list for Costa Rica so that you'll know what to bring and what to leave behind.
Dutch cheeses, charming fishing villages, fields of flowers: these are just a few of the pleasures that await you on this quick but colorful 5-day adventure. After a day exploring the canals and museums of Amsterdam, you'll head to Zaanse Schans to see some of Holland's famous windmills. Then continue to the northern countryside, basing yourself in the small cities of Hoorn and Alkmaar. Sample delicious cheeses in centuries-old cheese markets, cruise around a historic harbor on a private boat tour, and ride to the North Sea on an e-bike for a relaxing walk on the beach. Since distances between destinations are short, you'll spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the highlights of this beautiful region.
Cycle through some of Jordan's most spectacular desert landscapes on this active 8-day itinerary. Setting out from historic Madaba, you'll make your way south along the Dead Sea coast, visiting ancient landmarks like Shobak Castle and the lost city of Petra. Cross shifting sands and rugged mountains to end your adventure among the red dunes of Wadi Rum, where you'll sleep under the stars in a Bedouin camp.
The weather is fickle in Wales in February. Conditions change suddenly: from fog to frost, gale-force winds to heavy rain and snow, but days are slowly getting longer and lighter and night skies shine brightly with stars. Read on to learn more about traveling to Wales in February.
Offering the perfect balance of outdoor activities and gourmet pursuits that provide insight into Greece's history and culture, the pleasures of Athens, Crete, and Santorini await. Begin in Athens and discover the city, kayak around Cape Sounio at sunset, and hike in Parnassos National Park. Then it's off to Crete to sample local cuisine and relax on the famous pink sand beach of Elafonissi before ending the adventure with several days on Santorini.
December is dark, chilly, and wet in Wales, but Christmas brings festive sparkle, fairy lights, and markets to towns, cities, villages, and manor houses across the country. Up in the mountains, you might find snow dusting the highest peaks, and if you venture to the coast when the weather cheers up you’ll find it blissfully quiet.
November is when winter properly rolls in. This is one of the darkest, wettest months in Wales and much of the country goes into hibernation. Thankfully, there are plenty of winter warmers: cozy afternoons spent browsing galleries and curling up in cafés in cities and towns, fireworks and Christmas fairs full of seasonal sparkle, and a riot of cultural festivals.
Fall is here: October is the month when the rains properly arrive and the days get shorter, colder, and darker. But there’s brightness, with the woods turning gold and crimson, and Halloween jack-o'-lanterns glowing at the end of the month. Hit good weather and October can be a fine month for walking and tuning into local music and food festivals.
Culture, nightlife, haute cuisine—travelers are discovering the virtues of San José. And with plenty of lodging options, you can take your pick of style, neighborhood, and amenities on offer. Make your decision easy with this list of the best hotels in Costa Rica's capital.
September is one of the loveliest months to visit Wales. The big summer rush is over, the weather is still reasonably warm for hikes on the coast and in the hills, and the woods are beginning to turn golden and russet. This is the month of harvest, with orchards and vineyards now yielding fruit and many a food festival on the agenda.
August is peak season in Wales: the schools are out and there’s a real buzz in the air, with everyone dashing to the coast, hiking in the hills, or clicking into the groove of a summer festival. Crowds swell, the roads are busy and accommodation is often booked solid, but if you like things lively and the weather warm, now is the time to come.
July is Wales’ hottest month in more ways than one. Temperatures peak, cities and towns heave with people on vacation, roads are busy, coastal digs are fully booked and popular beaches are packed when the sun emerges. If you like things lively, come now for music and food events, beer gardens, and café terraces humming with good vibes.
There's more to Egypt than the great pyramids—this comprehensive 15-day adventure combines the country's most iconic ancient sites with a relaxing Nile River cruise and some downtime on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh. Along the way, you'll check off landmarks like the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel, visit spectacular riverside temples as you cruise toward Luxor, wander the historic bazaars of Cairo, and snorkel amid the colorful reefs and crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.
April is one of the most enticing months to visit Wales: the hills, valleys, and mountains are bursting into new bud and there's plenty of sunshine to break up the showers. This is a fine month for diving into the great outdoors, whether you’re hitting a coast path, hiking around castle ruins, or heading into ancient oak woods misted with bluebells.
Cruise deep into the heart of Egypt on this laid-back, nine-day itinerary. After exploring the many charms of Cairo—from the Great Pyramids to bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar—you'll catch a quick flight south to Luxor to board a memorable Nile River cruise toward Aswan. By day, you'll discover ancient sites and antiquities, like Luxor Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, while nights are spent falling asleep to the gentle rhythms of the river.
Wales has a real spring in its step in March, with daffodils in the hedgerows and warmer, lighter days on the horizon. While you can still expect the odd downpour, this is a fine, quiet month to combine a city stay with a tour of the coast and countryside. Read on to learn more about traveling to Wales in March.
Experience two countries and countless ancient wonders on this 11-day odyssey through Israel and Jordan. Starting and ending in Tel Aviv, you'll explore Jerusalem landmarks like Temple Mount and the Garden of Gethsemane, then cross into Jordan to discover Petra, the Wadi Rum desert, and the Dead Sea. Back in Israel, the trip winds down with visits to the incredible cultural and spiritual sites of the country's north—including Nazareth, Tiberias, Haifa, and Caesarea.
From modernist Tel Aviv to ancient Tiberias, this immersive 9-day itinerary introduces you to the many faces of Israel. Visit the storied Mount of Olives and see the Dead Sea Scrolls up close in Jerusalem, then head off the beaten path to explore iconic historic and religious sites like Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the Roman city of Caesarea. End your adventure back in Tel Aviv, where you'll have free time to explore its characterful neighborhoods and Mediterranean beaches.
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