Hiking in Madeira is one of the best ways to enjoy the island’s natural beauty, from its high peaks to its coastal cliffs. The island offers plenty of options for any type of hiker, from steep mountain climbs to flat waterfall trails. Here are 5 of the best hikes in Madeira, our favorites on the […]
Stroll through the Alfama and Bairro Alto neighborhoods, tour the amazing Jerónimos Monastery, photograph historic tram 28, dine on Portuguese cuisine, and enjoy the view from a long list of breathtaking viewpoints. With 2 days in Lisbon, you even have enough time to day trip to Sintra. In this guide, we lay out two different […]
Planning an Algarve itinerary means deciding what to prioritize among some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, dramatic sea caves, and charming coastal towns. We spent nine days exploring the Algarve, the finale of a five-week trip through Portugal that also took us through Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Nazaré, Porto, and the Douro Valley. We hiked the […]
From hiking cliffside trails and boat-touring sea caves to feasting on fresh-caught seafood and wandering castle towns, the Algarve delivers some of the best travel experiences in Portugal. Tim and I spent 9 days in the Algarve in October and explored far more of the region than what’s covered in this guide. Twenty experiences might […]
Sintra is the most popular day trip from Lisbon and for good reason. Just 40 minutes by train, it packs more extraordinary things into a single day than almost anywhere else in Portugal: fairytale palaces, ancient castle walls, a mysterious spiral well, and a dramatic Atlantic coastline. With one day in Sintra, the question isn’t […]
Stroll along the Douro River, go port tasting at the wine cellars in Gaia, visit the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and watch the sunset from the Dom Luís I Bridge. These all top the list of the best things to do in Porto, but there are also beautiful churches to visit, new foods […]
From world-famous cities like Florence and Siena to quiet hill towns and scenic drives through vineyard-covered hills, Tuscany offers a wide range of experiences, but deciding what to do (and what to skip) can be overwhelming. We’ve explored Tuscany on two very different trips: a one-week highlights tour with our kids and a longer 10-day […]
One day in Florence is enough to see the best of this city, if you plan it right. With a well-planned day, you can visit Florence’s top sights, including the Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio. Watch the sunset over the rooftops, stroll through Florence’s scenic streets, and end the day with […]
Visit the Colosseum, stroll through the historic heart of Rome, tour the Vatican Museums, climb to the top of the dome on St. Peters’ Basilica, cycle the Appian Way, have an aperitif with a spectacular view of Rome, dine on gelato and pizza by the slice…these are all things you can with 3 days in […]
The Dolomites. This is where jagged pinnacles of rock soar into the sky, mountain huts and cabins dot the green, rolling hills, cable cars whisk hikers and skiers to the highest mountain peaks, and hiking trails connect small hamlets and towns. It’s easy to fall in love with the photos. Planning a smooth trip here, […]
Jagged limestone peaks rise above green valleys, cable cars make it easy to reach the high mountains, and many trails lead to rifugios where you can stop for lunch with an incredible view. The Dolomites are one of the best hiking destinations in Europe, and this guide ranks the 15 best hikes in the Dolomites, […]
If you are looking for an epic hiking destination, it’s tough to beat Sedona, Arizona. With its red rock scenery, arches, hidden caves, and network of hiking trails, this is a great place to explore on foot. Add in the abundance of top-notch hotels and restaurants in Sedona and you have an awesome getaway destination, […]
This is one of the best road trips in the USA. On this American Southwest road trip, you will visit Utah’s Mighty 5, the Grand Canyon, and a handful of wonderful state parks and national monuments. This is the itinerary I wish we had when we planned our first road trip to the American Southwest. […]
The south coast is home to some of Iceland’s most beautiful places to visit. Gorgeous waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glacier lagoons all make the list, as well as one of the most epic hiking trails in the world. Here are the best things to on the south coast of Iceland. Everything on this list […]
Iceland…the land of fire and ice. This small country is one of Europe’s best outdoor destinations. Go on an epic road trip, see the northern lights, walk on a glacier, visit more waterfalls than you can count, journey into the unique landscape of the Highlands, stand on volcano, relax in a hot spring, or hike […]
Landmannalaugar is an area in Iceland that is famous for its colorful rhyolite mountains and epic day hikes. Geothermal hot springs, lava fields, and unique hiking trails attract adventurous travelers all summer long. Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s best areas for day hikes. Take your pick from short, easy trails or tougher climbs up ancient […]
Tim and I visited Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day. We took the same tours, walked through the same red sandstone walls, and came away with completely different favorites. Tim’s was Lower. Mine was Upper. That split tells you something important: these aren’t two versions of the same experience. They’re genuinely different […]
After six trips to Italy, these are the 25 places to visit in Italy we keep recommending — the ones that reward first-timers and repeat visitors alike, from the iconic cities of Rome and Florence to lesser-known gems like Matera and Puglia. We’ve been to Italy six times over the past ten years, and we’re […]