Destinations

San José and the Central Valley of Costa Rica have some of the most pleasant weather in the world, with average daily temperatures of 24–28ºC (75–82ºF). Days can be warm and nights cool, but the mercury stays consistent every month of the year. The climate is so accommodating that josefinos tend to get spoiled, complaining about the

To a first-time traveler, Cuba can seem like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, particularly if you’re breaking free of the resorts and traveling around on your own. The Spanish spoken here is fast and hard to decipher, every street has two different names, and the country’s fickle and highly complicated monetary situation could fill its own

For all its tropical charms, Havana isn’t the world’s most straightforward city for travelers. A unique economic situation, top-heavy state bureaucracy and decades of isolation from its frenemy in the north (the USA) can place obstacles in the way of even simple activities. But while travel in the Cuban capital can pitch you the occasional

With its famous pink-sand beaches, pastel-colored houses trimmed with bougainvillea, and a melange of British, African, Portuguese and Caribbean cultures, balmy Bermuda is a favorite destination for sunny getaways year-round. The island ticks all the boxes for a tropical escape. Bermuda’s eclectic, colorful heritage is reflected in its food, art and music, and there are

Pack a sunhat and a book of José Martí’s poems and get ready to uncover the buoyant, sophisticated, beautiful magic of Cuba. Fewer restrictions on private enterprise have led to an explosion of creativity, while the culture-dampening effects of globalization have yet to dilute the local charm. Isolated but eager to advance, the country is

While Havana, with its grandiose architecture and vibrant culture, continues to be the number one place to visit for travelers to Cuba, taking a break from the city buzz will recharge your batteries and give you a broader scope of Cuba’s authentic experiences. Let the sea breeze pamper your senses in Playas del Este or

Just after successfully unifying an NFL stadium full of Swifties in scream-singing the bridge to “Cruel Summer” – and slightly before launching into a strummed version of “Lover” on her teal guitar – Taylor Alison Swift paused to pose a question to the crowd in Arlington, Texas.  “How many of you had to travel to

Known as the no-winter island, Cuba cycles through mild to warm to hot-as-hell weather with the changing seasons. With its gorgeous beaches and tropical climate, sunbathing is possible in Cuba year-round. Summer sees the warmest weather, but check the weather forecasts before booking your trip, particularly during the June to November hurricane season. Schools in

There’s no better way to get a local perspective on life in Cuba than behind the wheel of a car. Even though Cuba’s roads – even the highways – can be in bad condition and signage for drivers is scarce, the open road will open your heart to an island filled with wonders. From a one-day

I was last-week-years old when I learned about the Irish diaspora in Argentina. I won’t go into it, but the point is: this is why we travel. Or at least why I do: to learn and expand my knowledge of the world. In this case, I didn’t even get on a plane!  I hopped on

With its roadside stalls selling everything from fresh fruit to roasted corn and numerous small towns that offer a glimpse into local life and culture, taking a road trip in Kenya is a rewarding way to get to know the country.  The joy also lies in being able to stop off where you like. When

National parks and Kenya go hand in hand. It’s home to a whopping 23 of them, as well as four marine national parks. From the unforgettable scene of thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River during their migration to the sight of steaming geysers at Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya certainly has no shortage of

To put it politely, getting around San José is always an adventure. The capital of Costa Rica started as several different towns, which gradually merged together over a landscape of rolling hills. The city has experienced rapid growth in recent decades, along with bold experiments in “urban renewal.” The resulting street patterns can be confusing,

From the stately monuments of Castle Hill to a revitalized industrial quarter on the banks of the Danube, each of Budapest’s neighborhoods has a distinct personality that gradually changes as you cross from one kerület (district) into another. Similar to the arrondissements in Paris, each district fans out in a clockwise direction, beginning at Buda

There are many ways to visit Cuba. Many price points, too. While the country’s unique circumstances may not make the island the best place in the world for shoestring backpackers, you can certainly save money if you understand a bit of the local mecánica (Cuban way of doing things). The bulk of tourists head to

A road trip around Spain is an excellent way to explore the country’s unique natural and cultural heritage as well as savor its delectable cuisine at every pit stop. On the road, you’ll be awestruck by medieval castles and ancient cities, charming seaside towns, towering mountain ranges and coastlines that stretch for miles. And Spain’s pueblos

New Orleans is a fairly small city, but it’s big enough that getting around town can require some planning. If you’re staying in the French Quarter, avoid the congestion, potholes and lack of parking by getting around on foot. But if you’re looking to explore more of the city, you’ll need more than your own

Studded with thousands of castles, old villages and vineyards, the Loire valley feels like a step back in time. In western France, this region blends history, nature and the French art de vivre (way of life) like no other. Crossed by the Loire, the last wild river in Europe, the area is a Unesco World Heritage

When the halfway point of the year hits, it’s the perfect time to be out on your next adventure. Sitting pretty just outside of soaring peak-season prices, June’s sunny summer days in the northern hemisphere are ideal for exploration. In the southern hemisphere, June brings the dry season and incredible opportunities to embrace nature.  Want

In Lonely Plan-It, we take you step by step through how we put together some of the most complicated travel adventures. Here, travel writer and outdoors enthusiast Anna Richards explains how she hiked the Armenian section of the under-the-radar Transcaucasian Trail.  I knew very little about Armenia before deciding to hike the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT),