Destinations

It’s easy to enjoy Lisbon without breaking the bank, and the Portuguese capital’s biggest draws are outdoors – from astounding views at hilltop miradouros (lookouts) to tranquil squares and magical strolls in Alfama. Many hostels also offer free walking tours that guide you through street art displays and historical sites. Here are the best things

Venice is one of the world’s wonders – a floating city where every building is a work of art, and every bridge is a masterpiece – but it can surely get crowded. During the peak summer season, as many as 100,000 tourists can wander its canals and piazzas daily, prompting new measures to cut the

Greece is meant for exploring, and not just by ferry. With your vehicle – rented or otherwise – there is a wealth of history, culture and, yes, beaches to savor.  Away from relying solely on buses and boats, opportunities to leave crowds behind are myriad. Here are five of our favorite road trips in Greece

Despite the cost and lack of eco credentials, car hire has traditionally been the preferred mode of transport for the independent traveler to Ireland. However, with soaring car rental rates, tolls, parking fees and a fuel supply crisis, visitors are opting for alternative ways to explore the country’s magnificent coastlines, lush countryside and ancient historical

Chocolates, petal-strewn suites, sandy beaches – yawn. Your love is unique, so dodge the cliches with a Valentine’s Day break that caters to the quirks of your coupledom. From obvious romantic destinations littered with proposals to those spots that you might not have considered for spending time with your beloved, be inspired by these top places

Long and sinuous, like the mythical naga serpent, Vietnam curves around the eastern shores of mainland Southeast Asia, stretching all the way from China in the north to Cambodia and the Mekong Delta in the south. Its twin megacities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – are divided by 1137km (707 miles) of mountains,

Japan darts into the future while keeping a quiet hold of its traditions. Dazzling towers of light and luxury goods sit alongside timeless temples and traditional inns with old-world manners, and Japanese dishes that continue to delight the tastebuds. Quirky cafes and Japanese uniqueness brim with youthful glee, while sleek bullet trains zip you to

Some countries are blessed. And then there’s Italy, which is endowed with not one but two huge island regions in the Mediterranean. Both filled with churches, vineyards, churches and sites testifying to millennia of history, Sicily and Sardinia are nonetheless truly distinct – and truly wonderful. Having trouble picking between the two? We’ve asked two partisans

South Africa offers some of the world’s most diverse landscapes, from sparkling oceans and stark deserts to snow-capped peaks and wildlife-dense savanna. But it’s not just the land that makes South Africa so enthralling – the wealth of the country’s diverse cultural groups, each contributing its own architecture, traditional cuisine and customs, adds to the

“Iceland is too expensive to visit on a budget” is right up there with “Don’t eat the street food – it will make you ill” as one of the great myths of travel – and it could lead you to miss out on some amazing experiences. True, Iceland can be eye-wateringly pricey, but with some

Some people might think of Arizona simply as “the desert,” but visiting this state’s best national parks and monuments is a surefire way to discover there’s so much more than that to explore. You can wander in dense woodlands in Grand Canyon National Park; see Petrified Forest National Park’s grasslands blanketed in wildflowers; spot condors hovering

Madrid is a fascinating city with a storied history that spans nearly a millennium and a thriving nightlife that will have you still dancing as the sun rises. With architectural wonders, world-class gastronomy, famed art museums and even an Egyptian temple within the city limits, the Spanish capital offers sights and attractions to satisfy all

Famously beautiful, San Francisco is one of the most filmed, photographed and Instagrammed places in the world. And it’s even better in real life. Pictures can never capture the taste of mouth-watering, farm-fresh dishes, the clang of the cable car and the truly joyous celebrations of individuality you’ll find on any visit here. But where do you start

Sydney is a city made for summers.  In the warmer months, you can make the most of outdoor dining, rooftop bars, dozens of beaches and Sydney’s beautiful bronzed inhabitants. But of course, the iconic sights – from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge to tracts of bushlands and parks – can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re mad

I first visited Rome in 1992, and my love for the city has only grown since. I wrote my first book about the city in college, and rarely does a year go by since then when I don’t visit my favorite piazza (Navona), enjoy my favorite gelato (cioccolato e limone con panna) or gaze upon

Sardinia is known for its cuisine and the longevity of its people. But it also has one of the highest rates of type one diabetes in the world.  To you, the table at Somu looks like this: the amuse-bouches arrive as perfect as a baby’s toes; the oyster is so precisely presented it could have

Much of what makes Buenos Aires so magical can be enjoyed for free, including many of the city’s most famous attractions. From art exhibitions to historical sights to free festivals and concerts, spending a culture-packed day in the city doesn’t have to cost a penny. Strolling the city’s best neighborhoods is an excellent (not to

Want to taste of city life outside Dublin on your Irish trip? Cork and Waterford have great appeal.  You’ve had your fill of castles and rolling green hills on your trip to Ireland. You’re probably craving some city time right about now.  Since Dublin is where most visitors start off their trip, we recommend seeking

With a glorious Adriatic coastline that reveals one beauty spot after another for more than 1770km (1100 miles), it’s little wonder that Croatia has become one of Europe’s most exhilarating destinations for a road trip. Away from the coast-hugging and serpentine Adriatic Highway, scintillating back routes lead to national parks, dramatic mountains, medieval hilltop towns,

Venice is a unique destination that pops up on an infinite number of travel bucket lists with good reason. Canals and gondolas, churches and palaces, festivals and Biennales – all of them contribute toward keeping Venice on the list of the most-visited cities in the world.  The downside of being one of the most desirable