Finland has a deserved reputation for doing things at a human scale, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the country’s public transport system. From trains with onboard playrooms and efficient public buses to well-maintained highways and traffic-free cycle lanes, traveling around Finland is rarely stressful, though, like many things in Finland, it can
Destinations
Overlooked by the Alps in the northwestern Piedmont region, Turin (Torino) is Italy’s fourth-largest city. Venture beyond the popular city center and you’ll discover there’s more to Turin than its royal palaces and showpiece piazzas. Turin’s outlying neighborhoods are as diverse as they are fascinating, featuring everything from avant-garde art galleries to off-beat museums, sprawling
Set in the shadow of the Alps in the northwestern region of Piedmont, Turin (Torino) is ideal for an alternative city break. It has a fascinating historic center and a long list of monuments, galleries, and world-class museums. Its historic cafes serve Italy’s most lavish aperitifs and its nightlife is varied and energetic. Learn where
Flanked by the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville is an enthusiastic cheerleader for some of the country’s most popular national parks. But the city doesn’t ignore green spaces within its own boundaries, it just adjusts the focus: celebrating art, architecture, music, culture and community as well as
The 885-square-mile Lake District is a hauntingly beautiful part of northwest England that was voted the nation’s favorite national park in 2018. The region seduced Wordsworth and other literary giants, and continues to attract sightseers, walkers and adventurers in search of its fascinating heritage and abundant outdoor activities. From Windermere to Scafell Pike, and the best things to do
With a durable peace deal in place and an ever-growing number of international visitors, Colombia has seen a total transformation in recent years. Hemmed in by the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines in the north and west and the Amazon rainforest in the south, Colombia contains some of South America’s most spellbinding scenery and thrilling adventures. Wildlife-rich
Guatemala is brimming with diverse wildlife, tropical rainforests and some of the oldest and most awe-inspiring ruins in the world. Whether you want to trek through the jungle trying to spot an elusive jaguar (good luck) or climb an active volcano to roast marshmallows over cooled lava, Guatemala has no shortage of outdoor activities for
If there was ever a country built for the road-trip, it’s Belgium. The small nation is roughly the same size as the state of Maryland, and crossing it takes approximately three hours. Despite its small size, the trilingual country contains multitudes. There are UNESCO World Heritage sites, a stunning 65km (40-mile) coastline, medieval towns that
On her 30th birthday, one writer decides to turn the tables on Mom – with a trekking trip in the Andes. Rain fell in gentle sheets as I carefully ascended a path of slick cobblestone steps toward Dead Woman’s Pass. At 13,779ft, it’s the highest point along Peru’s Inca Trail, and after two days of
New York City evokes both high-rise luxury and savvy deals. And the best offer in town? The number of free attractions the Big Apple has to enjoy. Read on for our roundup of some of our favorite concerts, museums, tours and much more to take in, all of which are always (rather than only occasionally) free.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, and traffic is heavy in its gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, especially in the summer and on autumn weekends, when the leaves in the Smoky Mountains change color. Travelers driving to and from the park funnel through downtown Gatlinburg on Parkway/US 441,
The French Riviera might be known for its glitz and glam, its old-world opulence and its elegant villas, but Nice needn’t be an expensive destination to visit. Getting around is easy and inexpensive, entry to the main sights and attractions doesn’t cost much (if anything at all), with plenty of free things to see and
Few cities provoke as many confusing stereotypes and preconceptions as Marseille, a city that spent decades slumbering in the shadows as a “dirty, dangerous port city” and the “black sheep” of France. Yet contemporary Marseille sparkles. The ancient Greek harbor still retains that edgy, hedonistic mix of grit and grandeur, but with a dynamic cultural
Once mainly visited by volunteers, aid workers and backpackers on a budget, Guatemala has now made it onto the radar of trendsetters and Hollywood stars. With direct flights from multiple destinations in the United States (and from Spain), Guatemala is easy to reach, and citizens of many countries don’t need to pre-apply for a visa
Asian and Pacific Islander people have played a profoundly significant role in shaping American history, contributing to the rich heritage of the United States in countless ways. But although the past year has been difficult for everyone, the Asian-American community is experiencing an additional, anguish-filled sense of anxiety and panic. Many are fearful for their safety and
No matter where you go in the Caribbean, the beaches are bound to be beautiful. But those in St Lucia, a tropical island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean, are known to be especially gorgeous. While the island is covered with soft white sand and surrounded by crystal-clear water, it’s the incredibly lush landscape – most
Coastal cacti collide with white sand beaches and turquoise tides in Aruba. This tiny Caribbean nation sits just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, but despite its proximity to South America, Aruba primarily hosts US tourists who’ve turned the island into an Westernized playground of booze cruises, ATV excursions and resorts. That combination makes Aruba
Kentucky’s most vibrant city, Louisville has a lot going for it. On top of a great dining and drinking scene, fun arts events and picturesque neighborhoods, the city lies within easy reach of a diverse range of attractions. Snaking caverns, world-renowned thoroughbred horse farms and some of the best distilleries in America are all less than
Base yourself in Tokyo and you’ll have all the city’s charms on your doorstep. But be sure to make time for some day trips from Tokyo. Within easy reach of the capital, you can tour the historic temples and Buddhist monuments of Nikkō and Kamakura, take hikes up Takao-san mountain, hang out in the port
The chances are you’re already familiar with the volcanic splendor, lush cloud forests, sprawling Mayan ruins, stunning black sand beaches and rich indigenous cultures of Central America. To tread lighter but delve deeper into the region, just book into one of the region’s excellent sustainable places to stay. There are eco-lodges powered by solar energy,