spring travel 2023

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14 Spring Must-haves That Will Make Your Next Trip Easier, According to a Travel Writer

Kickstart spring travel season with these multitasking, expert-approved accessories.

Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

Even though spring isn’t for a few more weeks, I’ve already got all of my exciting spring trips booked, which means that I need to refresh my travel bag with new seasonal essentials, clothes, and gadgets. But as frequent jet-setters know, spring travel is never a one-fits-all experience. For example, I live in New York City , but I’ll be spending half of March in Sweden and the other half in Florida, and then I have a few weddings sprinkled in throughout the spring season, too. During each of these trips, I'll be experiencing varying climates, so that’s why I’m prioritizing versatile travel essentials that will make each visit a breeze.

If you’re also rethinking your travel bag contents before the new season begins, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing everything that I’m eyeing for spring travel this year, complete with stain-fighting sticks and a buy-it-for-life rain coat to make my (and hopefully your) future trips stress-free. And even better, items start at just $8, so there’s really not a better time to build the perfect spring travel bag than now.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack

All of this upcoming travel leaves plenty of opportunities for my personal belongings and luggage to get lost, stolen, or misplaced, so I’m stocking up on Apple AirTags while they’re on sale for under $20 apiece, and I highly encourage that you to do the same. Attach one to your suitcase to keep a closer eye on your checked luggage, to your wallet to safeguard your cards, and your purse to protect your personal belongings (or all three).

Everlane Utility Barrel Pants

Barrel-style pants may just be the best trend of the season for travelers thanks to their easy-to-style look and incredibly comfortable fit. I am personally obsessed with this sustainably made and durable pair from Everlane and am excited to dress them up and down when I'm abroad. It also doesn’t hurt that they have incredibly deep pockets to hold onto my keys, phone, and Chapstick. I’m considering snagging a few more pairs in other colors, and suggest that you do the same.

Rerishom Store Portable Door Lock Set

You can really never be too careful, especially when you're staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental. So as an extra line of defense, I’m planning on always traveling with these portable door locks , which come recommended by flight attendant Alexis Castroman ( @casflightattendant ) as a “great level of protection when staying in a hotel.” Each door lock is easy to set up, incredibly lightweight, and an effective way to keep you safe when you're catching some Zs.

iWalk Portable Charger

I’m trying to travel as lightly as possible this year, so I’m eyeing this sleek and compact portable charger that shoppers say “ doesn’t require a charging cable, charges so fast, is light as a feather, and is so easy to bring anywhere .” Really though, it’s no larger than a tube of Chapstick or lipstick yet is incredibly powerful and charges your devices with ease. Get it on sale for 20 percent off today by clipping the on-site coupon.

JBL Endurance Peak 3 Headphones

I love my JBL over-ear headphones , especially in the winter as makeshift earmuffs. But as the temperatures start to rise, I'll need something that's lightweight and easier to run around in. As a big JBL fan already, I’m shopping these wireless earbuds, which the brand notes offer up to 50 hours of playtime, for my springtime audio entertainment when I'm on the plane, at the gym, and beyond.

Tide To Go Stain Remover Stick Set

I’m an incredibly clumsy eater, which is why I always make sure to have a Tide To Go Stick handy in my travel purse. I go through them pretty quickly, so I'm planning on refreshing my stash with this set of three that's just $8. I’m also going to a few weddings and am prepared to be the savior of any mid-ceremony mishaps. They’re lightweight, incredibly effective, and absolute travel-musts in my opinion.

Fjallaven Kanken Mini Pack Backpack

And because, of course, I have to rep Sweden-based Fjallraven during my trip to Sweden, I’m eyeing this absolutely stunning bright green backpack ahead of my upcoming trip. I’m a longtime fan of the brand, and swear by its products to provide both function and fashion, so I’m definitely looking forward to sporting this mini bag with tons of useful pockets around town. 

Touchland Hydrating Hand Sanitizer

I don’t know about you, but lately, all of my friends and family have been getting sick, so I’m taking extra precautions ahead of my trips to stay protected from germs. And as I've quickly learned, all hand sanitizers are not made equal – and some can actually be quite pungent and impractically packaged. Now, my hands-down favorite ones are these power mist sanitizing sprays from Touchland that not only fight germs, but are also made with good-for-you ingredients that moisturize your skin. Plus, its spray design ensures that there are no sticky messes or spills. Snag this set of three for just $30 — you won’t regret it.

Haus Labs PhD Lip Glaze

I’ll set a disclaimer by saying that, while yes, I’m a huge Lady Gaga fan, my love for Haus Labs' high-quality, better-for-you beauty products is just a coincidence. You may think that this wouldn’t be considered a travel essential, but for me it absolutely is. I’m always trying to look and feel my best wherever I am, and out of all of the lip products on the market right now, this product outperforms them with its hydrating and luxurious feel. Where other lip glosses can feel sticky, this one feels more like a nourishing balm that also happens to keep me looking fabulous — even if I’m sleep deprived.

Veken Packing Cubes Set

Packing cubes are year-round travel staples, and as part of my spring cleaning and refresh, I’m replacing my worn-out ones by stocking up with this on-sale Amazon set. They not only help you compress your belongings to make more room in your suitcase, but they also help you organize your clothes, toiletries, and shoes so you can stay on top of your travel bag. With as much traveling as I’m doing this season, I know for a fact that I’ll need this set of packing cubes on my side.

Anrabess Women’s Two-Piece Sweater Set

After reading a review from a shopper gushing that this adorable sweater set is “comfortable to wear for long trips and it doesn’t wrinkle,” I immediately added it to my cart. Sometimes, it’s hard to find comfortable clothes that work between seasons to keep you warm without overheating, and this breathable-yet-cozy sweater set seems to perfectly fit the bill and make the perfect travel outfit. Better yet, it’s on sale for $40 today.

Buff Merino Wool Beanie

I have a plethora of cold-weather hikes and camping trips planned in the next few weeks, so I’m stocking up on warm essentials to keep me extra toasty during them all. I recently tried this beanie from Buff, and was beyond impressed by its comfort, warmth, and fit. Even better, it's made with merino wool, which is moisture-wicking and odor-resistant for functional, longtime outdoor wearing.

Patagonia Women's Boulder Fork Rain Jacket

I recently became hooked on Reddit’s Buy It For Life subreddit , and read about how Patagonia is a widely trusted activewear brand for its durable outerwear and garments. And as I’m on my own personal journey in condensing my travel wardrobe into practical staples, this latest launch is going to be an essential as we enter the rainiest season of the year. It’s waterproof, breathable, and durable enough for anything on your itinerary. Buy this jacket, and it may just be the only one you’ll ever need to purchase.

Gola Classics Women's Tennis Mark Cox Sneakers

I’ve got a feeling that green is going to become the next "It" color of the season, so I’m shopping these top-rated and incredibly cute Gola sneakers to sport on the pickleball court, at the airport, and during any of my other spring plans. While white sneakers continue to be a closet staple of mine, the slight green hue adds an eye-catching touch to the wardrobe staple that makes it stand out just enough while still being incredibly versatile.

Comrad Cotton Crew Compression Socks

If you didn’t know, compression socks are incredibly useful for relieving pressure and ankle swelling on long-haul flights and during hikes. And while there are plenty of knee-high length pairs available, I found this on-sale set of crew-length compression socks from celebrity-loved brand Comrad that are easier to style and wear on a daily basis, and are especially beneficial for any and every outdoor adventure that you have planned this season.

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52 Places to Go in 2023

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London  Copied to clipboard!

A buzzing city ready for a coronation, a brand-new airport link and a prehistoric colossus read more.

Tom Jamieson for The New York Times

Between an altered post-lockdown landscape, sensational changeovers at 10 Downing Street and the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there is no doubt that London is in transition. But the city continues to juxtapose old traditions and new possibilities, offering something for everyone who loves culture, history, art and nightlife.

For fans of the royal family, and maybe a few naysayers, the crowning of King Charles III , Britain’s first coronation in seven decades, will be the main event in May. There’s also the revamping of Battersea Power Station , an iconic former coal-fired power plant, into a shopping and leisure hub, and a new line on the Underground will directly connect Heathrow Airport to the central boroughs. A cast of a titanosaur, the largest creature ever to walk the planet, will make its European debut at the Natural History Museum , and late-night obsessives can head to newly opened dance clubs like the Beams . Big changes, yes, but a wealth of new choices, too.

— Isabella Kwai

Morioka  Copied to clipboard!

A walkable gem without the crowds, just a short bullet train ride from tokyo read more.

Andrew Faulk for The New York Times

Morioka, Japan

Until this past October, Japan maintained some of the most stringent travel restrictions of any major country. Now, travelers are beginning to stream back to popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

The city of Morioka, in Iwate Prefecture, however, is often passed over or outright ignored. Circumscribed by mountains, it lies a few hours north of Tokyo by Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed rail lines. Morioka’s downtown is eminently walkable. The city is filled with Taisho-era buildings that mix Western and Eastern architectural aesthetics as well as modern hotels, a few old ryokan (traditional inns) and winding rivers. One draw is an ancient castle site turned into a park.

There’s also fantastic coffee, including one of Japan’s third-wave originators: Nagasawa Coffee, whose owner, Kazuhiro Nagasawa, is so committed to his beans that he uses a vintage German-made Probat roaster, which he personally imported and restored. Azumaya serves up all-you-can-eat wanko soba , which comes served in dozens of tiny bowls; Booknerd offers classic Japanese art books; and Johnny’s, a jazz cafe, has been open for over 40 years. An hour west by car: Lake Tazawa and dozens of world-class hot springs.

— Craig Mod

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park  Copied to clipboard!

The majesty and awe of towering buttes in a setting fit for hollywood read more.

Rachael Wright

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park,

Americans have been flocking to national parks, many of which were overrun with visitors during the peak of pandemic-related international border closures. Amid the bustle, peacefully taking in the majesty of nature can be a challenge.

Monument Valley offers a less crowded alternative. The site, known as Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii in Navajo, has been a popular insignia for the American West ever since John Wayne rode in to film “Stagecoach” in 1939, and the grandeur of its cinematic sandstone buttes, towering above a copper-red desert vastness, elicits a feeling of reverence and awe.

The tribal park, which features a 17-mile driving loop, is open to visitors under the stewardship of the Navajo Nation. Its relatively basic infrastructure — in contrast to sites governed by the National Park Service — and its out-of-the-way location on the Arizona-Utah state line help create a more serene experience compared with other awe-inspiring U.S. destinations.

— Rachael Wright

Kilmartin Glen  Copied to clipboard!

A misty scottish stonehenge, with all of the mystery and far fewer visitors read more.

Andy Haslam for The New York Times

Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

The sun rises over Kilmartin Glen as it has for thousands of years, illuminating an ancient landscape of more than 800 archaeological monuments sprouting in the mist. This verdant valley on Scotland’s wild west coast is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Britain, yet it’s largely off the visitor circuit; imagine Stonehenge without the crowds.

Wander among majestic stone circles, standing slabs that jut from the earth, burial cairns and rock carvings of concentric rings, expanding like ripples from a drop of water. And now the past is getting a refresh: The Kilmartin Museum is reopening with expanded exhibits and new experiences that delve into the region’s relics and flourishing natural life, including Moine Mhor (Great Moss), one of the few remaining raised bogs in Europe, above which looms the Iron Age hill fort of Dunadd.

For full immersion into the Scotland of yore, stay at the moody 16th-century Kilmartin Castle , which was recently transformed into a boutique hotel, with vaulted ceilings, copper tubs and a wild swimming pond.

— AnneLise Sorensen

Auckland  Copied to clipboard!

New Zealand

Pastries that rival France’s best, with a side of adventure tourism on the North Island Read more

Susan Wright for The New York Times

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is usually considered the entry point for the rest of New Zealand’s natural attractions, but travelers just passing through can miss that it’s also the culinary capital (sorry, Wellington).

Restaurants that have been germinating while the country’s borders were closed are now ready to be sampled by all. Just 10 minutes on foot from the newly renovated downtown, for instance, takes you to Hugo’s Bistro , where a regular clientele, including many lawyers, dines on unfussy French-inspired food that takes advantage of New Zealand’s fertility: Saffron, wasabi and truffles, among other delicacies, are grown in the country. Cazador , a longtime staple of the residential neighborhood Mt. Eden, serves local game in its restaurant and house-cured meats in its delicatessen.

The city’s famous multiculturalism also plays a part: Omni , which opened in 2020 and whose head chef worked at Hong Kong’s Yardbird, makes high-end yakitori, and Little French Pastry ’s founders, originally from France, serve up mille-feuille rivaling Paris’s best.

Palm Springs  Copied to clipboard!

Spotting stars in the streets and counting galaxies in the sky read more.

Beth Coller for The New York Times

Palm Springs, California

Yes, this is the land of midcentury nostalgia, with its low-slung Modernist architecture and the recent return of the 26-foot-tall “ Forever Marilyn ” statue. But these days, there’s another headliner: the surrounding desert, and the dark skies above.

Astrotourism is on the rise, with a constellation of ways to explore the cosmos, including at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory , which offers tours and monthly “Swoon at the Moon” events. Unfurl a blanket on the desert floor and gaze up at the starry sky at Joshua Tree National Park . This designated International Dark Sky Park has one of the darkest skies in California, with stargazing treks and the annual Night Sky Festival .

The desert nature and history that flourish around Palm Springs are also shaping the city’s landscape, including the new Palm Springs Downtown Park , designed to reflect Indian Canyons , ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza and Museum , which, when it opens later this year, will be one of the largest Native American cultural centers on the West Coast; and new desert-inspired hotels like Azure Sky .

Kangaroo Island  Copied to clipboard!

A haven for koalas and other wild creatures, healing after devastating wildfires read more, kangaroo island, australia.

A short trip from Adelaide, South Australia’s capital, the nearly 1,700-square-mile Kangaroo Island is known for incredible wildlife, breathtaking ocean views and its status as an ecological haven — like a zoo without fences.

Three years ago, devastating fires consumed the island, wiping out wildlife and destroying a famous luxury hotel, the Southern Ocean Lodge . Efforts to rebuild are continuing, and the island is more compelling than ever to visit. New organizations that sprang up to help with the wildlife recovery offer visitors a chance to play a part in funding that regeneration.

At the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre , you can book a private tour to see the animal hospital facilities, or bottle-feed a joey (a baby kangaroo). At the long-established Seal Bay Conservation Park , you can watch one of Australia’s largest colonies of sea lions frolic on the beach. And in 2023 the Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen, grander and better than before.

— Besha Rodell

Vjosa River  Copied to clipboard!

Cycling through the canyons and valleys of one of europe’s last untamed waterways read more.

Shutterstock

Vjosa River, Albania

Protecting the Vjosa , one of Europe’s last undammed rivers, hasn’t been easy. After a decade of proposed projects that threatened to alter the waterway’s wild flow, its innumerable ecosystems and its valleys strewn with ancient communities, the Albanian government signed a commitment last June to create the Vjosa Wild River National Park .

Making good on that pledge, scheduled to become reality in 2023, will establish a global conservation model while preserving the country’s canyon-lined, 120-mile stretch of the 169-mile waterway, which runs from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea, as well as including around 60 miles of tributaries.

For travelers — on trails like Albania’s new UNESCO Cycling Route (opening January 2023), which runs along the river and visits World Heritage sites like the city of Gjirokastra — safeguarding the Vjosa and its river system, with over 1,100 animal species, encourages responsible discovery of alpine settlements, where locals welcome adventurers for coffee, raki (local fruit brandy) and a chance to imbibe oft-overlooked Balkan culture.

— Alex Crevar

Accra  Copied to clipboard!

Feast first, dance later, in a hub of innovative west african cuisine read more.

Jessica Sarkodie for The New York Times

Accra, Ghana

Accra’s food scene typically consists of two schools: “chop bars” that serve traditional, cheap meals like fufu (made from pounded cassava, green plantains or yams) with tomato-based spicy soup, and pricier restaurants serving foreign fare.

Travelers to Accra, Ghana’s capital, can now see a new wave of chefs and entrepreneurs bridging this gap by emphasizing and innovating with local produce. At the Mix, a new restaurant and design hub, the West African staple gari (granulated cassava root) is dyed pink with beetroot and accompanies squid in a passion fruit sauce.

The sustainable food space in Accra is also one to watch; Ghana Food Movement , an educational group, hosts events throughout the year, including a signature Dine & Dance series in which underutilized indigenous ingredients like millet, eaten by Ghanaians almost exclusively as porridge, are made into stars over three courses. The meal is followed by a dance party, of course, in true Ghanaian fashion.

— Jessica Sarkodie

Tromso  Copied to clipboard!

A clear-skied hot spot where aurora seekers are likely to spy their dazzling prize read more.

Nerd Nomads Travel Blog

Tromso, Norway

After years of low solar activity, projections are looking up for travelers hoping to experience the aurora borealis, or northern lights. As the sun’s volatility increases, with more coronal mass ejections and solar flares, so, too, will the frequency and intensity of the aurora. Experts predict solar activity to peak in 2025, explained Trond S. Trondsen, an aurora expert at Keo Scientific , a designer of specialized optical instruments for space research in Calgary, Alberta. Already, he said, “the number of sunspots are climbing faster than predicted .”

One of the best places to see the northern lights, Tromso, Norway, is more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and is relatively accessible, as far as reliable viewing locations go. Travelers can get there either by plane or by a combination of train and bus. Cruise ships and ferries are also a possibility.

Most important, the town’s surrounding landscape, near the sea but with mountains nearby, offers enough distinct weather zones to make it likely that there will be clear skies most nights — a must for seeing the lights when they do appear.

— Ingrid Williams

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park  Copied to clipboard!

Blinding white dunes and aquamarine pools in an otherworldly natural water park read more.

Scott Baker

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Want to feel like you’ve traveled so far that you’re only vaguely tethered to Earth? Welcome to Lençóis Maranhenses , a horizon of rolling, blindingly white sand dunes rising into the sun and descending into otherworldly green and blue lagoons filled with rainwater.

Forget your cell signal or trappings of comfort: There are few if any structures, people or even trees around, and the park’s location near the Equator means it’s blazingly hot during the day. Yet almost all Brazilians will tell you they want to visit this remote area to experience the sensation of playing in a lunar water park.

Logroll down the dunes, splashing into the natural pools. Traverse the area on horseback, stopping at “oases” along the way. Or be mesmerized by its immensity via helicopter tour. It’s the antidote to that claustrophobic Covid-era feeling — a vast, borderless moonscape where you can roam wild and free.

— Shannon Sims

Bhutan  Copied to clipboard!

Cliff-top fortresses and rhododendron forests on a revived trekking trail read more.

Marcus Westberg

After two and a half years of pandemic isolation, Bhutan reopened in September with changes to its longstanding “high value, low volume” tourism policy. Visitors are no longer required to travel on package tours, but Bhutan’s mandatory “sustainable development fee” increased to $200 from $65 per day.

At the same time, the 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail, a path used for centuries as a pilgrimage and communications route, reopened after a three-year restoration that mended suspension bridges, stone stairs and long-overgrown temples. The trail stretches east to west across nearly the entire country, passing through cities, villages, farmlands and wilderness. Depending on the route and time of year, trekkers might spy the snowcapped Himalayas, visit cliff-top fortresses, scale sacred mountain passes or pass through blooming rhododendron forests.

Official guides are required, and itineraries range from half a day to more than a month. Accommodations include guesthouses, home stays, luxury hotels and well-appointed campsites on each of the trail’s 28 sections. Proceeds from trips booked with Trans Bhutan Trail , the nonprofit that led the restoration, go toward trail maintenance, educational programs, guide training and other community causes.

— Sara Clemence

Kerala  Copied to clipboard!

Learn to climb a palm tree, visit a temple during an annual festival and get a sustainable taste of village life read more.

Poras Chaudhary for The New York Times

Kerala, India

We travel to immerse ourselves in other cultures, but some forms of community tourism put residents on display without offering benefits. Not so in Kerala — a southern Indian state celebrated for its beaches, backwater lagoons, cuisine and rich cultural traditions like the Vaikathashtami festival — where the government has adopted an award-winning approach that allows visitors to experience village life while supporting the communities that host them.

In Kumarakom, one of several “ responsible tourism destinations ” in the state, visitors can paddle through jungly canals, weave rope from coconut fiber and even learn to climb a palm tree. In Maravanthuruthu, visitors can follow a storytelling trail and enjoy village street art before taking in an evening performance of a traditional temple dance.

— Paige McClanahan

Greenville  Copied to clipboard!

South Carolina

Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and on dinner plates downtown Read more

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Greenville, South Carolina

Set in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has established itself on the culinary scene. The quaint city of about 70,000 has more than 200 restaurants — 85 percent of which are local, without a tie to a national chain — in its strollable downtown area alone. Visitors may come for the access to outdoor adventures, but they’ll most likely leave having been introduced to flavors from around the world.

Even as the renowned Soby’s celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 and two food festivals — euphoria and Fall for Greenville — attract tens of thousands of people annually, restaurants continue to crop up around the city. The second location of Charleston’s acclaimed Lewis Barbecue opened to long lines in September. Mr. Crisp , with Greg McPhee as executive chef, highlights seafood, especially its crisp-yet-tender hand-battered fish and chips. Keipi celebrates Georgian khachapuri and the country’s ancient wines; Aryana delivers a taste of Afghanistan; and Califas has brought Mexican birria tacos to Greenville.

“The real heartbeat of Greenville is a creative and diverse food community that keeps reinventing itself,” said Sid Evans, the editor in chief of Southern Living. “The food here is adventurous, and the chefs have embraced the global influences shaping the modern South.”

— Ari Bendersky

Tucson  Copied to clipboard!

A rebounding center of art and adobe with centuries-old ties to mexico read more.

John Burcham for The New York Times

Tucson, Arizona

Barrio Viejo, an area of more than 150 acres in Tucson, is the largest barrio in the United States and exemplifies Tucson’s connection to Mexico, with centuries-old Sonoran adobe architecture.

This year, the neighborhood, which has one of the most diverse racial, cultural, religious and ethnic populations in the country, will receive National Historic Landmark designation . Revival projects include the restoration of the 300-seat Teatro Carmen , built in 1915 and later converted into the Black Elks Club , and female-owned boutique hotels, like the Citizen in the former home of the Tucson Citizen newspaper and the Downtown Clifton in a once-faded motel.

Take the Tucson Origins Tour by Borderlandia , which specializes in tours of the U.S.-Mexico border area, for a deep dive into history. Then explore the famed Etherton Gallery and Andrew Smith Gallery , both in new spaces. Don’t forget Barrio restaurants like the local coffee drinkers’ favorite EXO Roast , housed in an 1885 adobe home, and the Coronet , which moved to the neighborhood in 2019.

— Daniel Scheffler

Martinique  Copied to clipboard!

Creole culture, giant ferns and hummingbirds that don’t back down from a staring contest read more.

Martinique,

While travel was frozen in 2020, Martinique celebrated the induction of its traditional yole sailboat — a lightweight craft kept upright by crew members, who use their body weight as ballast by sitting on poles that extend over the sides of the hulls — on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In the fall of 2021, the entire island was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , recognizing the destination’s commitment to sustainable economic and social development.

Islanders are awaiting yet another decision from UNESCO, which they hope will name the nearly 4,600-foot volcano Mount Pelée and the Pitons du Carbet range to the World Heritage List. The region represents “the diversity of Martinique,” said Alex Dobat, who owns Natiyabel , a scuba diving and hiking outfitter (whose name means “nature is beautiful” in Creole), who described ferns the size of trees, wild begonias and hummingbirds “staring at you quietly.”

Tourism officials are counting on the UNESCO certifications to attract ecotourists to its peaks, rainforests, reefs and Creole culture.

— Elaine Glusac

The Namib Desert  Copied to clipboard!

Southern Africa

1,000-foot dunes and crashing waves along a nearly uninhabited coastline Read more

The Namib Desert, Southern Africa

Along the desolate coast of Namibia, 1,000-foot-tall sand dunes descend into the sea. During low tide, intrepid adventurers can drive along the beach, past towering yellow dunes on one side and the South Atlantic’s churning waters on the other. This is the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, and the perfect place for a long road trip . After almost three years of Covid-19 restrictions, it’s hard to imagine a place where you can feel more free.

“Namib” means “vast place” in Khoekhoegowab, a language spoken in many parts of Namibia. It’s astonishingly easy to get lost in this almost entirely uninhabited expanse of sand, where you might travel for days without seeing another human being.

In the Namib-Naukluft National Park, travelers can go back in time at the Deadvlei, where 600-year-old trees stand eerily lifeless, preserved by the dry air; challenge themselves to climb the 100-story Big Daddy Dune; observe desert-adapted wildlife like oryx and springbok; and even see mysterious fairy circles .

— Jen Guyton

The Alaska Railroad  Copied to clipboard!

470 miles of mountains, glaciers and grizzlies from the comfort of a glass dome read more.

Christopher Miller for The New York Times

The Alaska Railroad,

Since 1923, the Alaska Railroad — the last railroad in the United States to carry both people and freight — has connected millions of passengers and trade goods over 470 miles of track, from Seward to Fairbanks. This year is the centennial of its operation and a celebration is planned in Nenana, where President Warren G. Harding drove in the golden spike on July 15, 1923, completing the railroad.

Operational well before Alaska became a state, in 1959, the railroad is an environmentally friendly way for passengers to see wilderness, and even the aurora borealis, without sacrificing comfort: Glass-domed rail cars make viewing easy. It is also the only remaining flag-stop major railroad in the country. Passengers can wave a flag to embark or disembark, gaining access to more remote locations, including harder-to-reach areas of the Chugach National Forest, through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

Sights along the way include Denali, North America’s tallest peak, and Kenai Fjords National Park. History buffs can view a special exhibit at the Anchorage Museum that runs from May to February 2024, chronicling the railroad’s history.

— Charu Suri

Fukuoka  Copied to clipboard!

Savoring an endangered street-food tradition on the often overlooked island of kyushu read more.

Fukuoka, Japan

Fukuoka, a subtropical city perched on the northern shore of Kyushu, is one of the few remaining places in Japan where you will see rows of yatai — open-air street-food stalls resembling boxes of neon light. Many sell traditional foods like ramen, yakitori and oden, but if you stroll along the riverfront on Nakasu, a small island that is Fukuoka’s red-light district, you’ll find some diversity with wine, coffee, and even French sausages and garlic toast.

Yatai were a common sight across Japan in the 1950s, but during the 1964 Summer Olympics, the authorities had them removed to project an image of economic recovery. In the present, Fukuoka is the only city left that’s fighting this bureaucracy. The government has acknowledged the cultural significance of yatai by increasing the safety and quality of the food and by offering more licenses in 2022. Even so, the number of yatai has fallen drastically to around 100 stalls today from more than 400 in the ’60s. Pull up a seat while you can and enjoy rubbing shoulders with strangers over supper again.

— Harvard Wang

Flores  Copied to clipboard!

An island paradise where crater lakes change color and nine-foot dragons roam read more.

Lauryn Ishak for The New York Times

Flores, Indonesia

The term “fairy-tale getaway” is overused, but what else do you call a far-off, unspoiled, Southeast Asian island with nine-foot Komodo dragons, active volcanoes, white-sand beaches, coral gardens, rushing waterfalls and color-shifting crater lakes reputed to house departed spirits?

Such are the allures of Flores, one of the roughly 17,500 islands of the Republic of Indonesia. An hour’s flight from Bali and far less visited, Flores may be seeing more visitors with the scheduled opening late this year of Kodi Bajo , a luxury resort in the fishing town of Labuan Bajo. Operated by the group behind the NIHI hotel on Sumba, a nearby Indonesian island, Kodi Bajo will offer sumptuous hillside accommodations and views of the nearby Komodo National Park archipelago — the only place in the world inhabited by the famous giant lizards.

— Seth Sherwood

Guadalajara  Copied to clipboard!

Celebrating queer culture’s diversity and l.g.b.t.q. athletes from around the globe read more.

Adrian Wilson for The New York Times

Guadalajara, Mexico

Travel has always been a way to experience diversity, and in 2023 you’ll find a variety of sexual expression and shifts in traditional gender roles in Jalisco’s capital. This fall, the city will co-host (with Hong Kong) the 11th annual Gay Games . Athletes from around the world — of varying ages, sexual orientations and levels of athletic experience — will participate in 20 sports.

The city is also home to the annual Prohibido festival , during which an abandoned theater is transformed into a celebration of sexual diversity through art installations, interactive experiences, live music and talks about polyamorous and nonbinary culture. In Guadalajara, too, women take on nontraditional performance roles. On most nights, you can hear one of almost a dozen female mariachi bands from the area at Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara or El Patio, a restaurant. There are also local performances by female cowboys, known as escaramuzas, who present their choreography on horseback.

The city is considered by some to be Mexico’s drag capital, with numerous performers and shows. Guadalajara has also developed “antiturista” maps, including one for L.G.B.T.Q. travelers, that provide a local’s perspective on places to see and stay.

— Maggie Jones

Tassili n’Ajjer  Copied to clipboard!

Rock art, sandstone pillars and a glimpse at a lost saharan history read more.

Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria

Often overshadowed by its neighbor, the tourism giant Morocco, Algeria — a stone’s throw from Mediterranean Europe and a mere three-hour flight from London — has recently relaxed its visa policies, allowing for much easier exploration of the country. While most visitors tend to stick to the coastal north, which contains some of the region’s best preserved Roman ruins, Africa’s largest country also contains its largest national park.

Virtually unknown to the outside world, Tassili n’Ajjer is eight times the size of Yellowstone. At the heart of the vast landscape of Saharan sand and stone lie the deep red dunes and pillars of Tadrart Rouge. Accessible only by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this astonishingly striking national park is home to thousands of ancient works of rock art, stretching back to when the desert was a thriving savanna, as well as to a very much living nomadic Tuareg culture.

— Marcus Westberg

Kakheti  Copied to clipboard!

New flavors and ancient winemaking traditions in tiny hilltop towns and green valleys read more.

Irma Laghadze

Kakheti, Georgia

The mountainous nation of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition is at the center of several new trends in the wine world, including skin-contact (a.k.a. orange ) wines, amphora fermentation and charismatic grape varieties like saperavi. As a result, Georgian wine exports to the United States recently topped one million bottles and are growing at almost 29 percent annually, as Wine Enthusiast recently reported .

For wine lovers, a tasting trip to estates like Vazisubani and Kardanakhi in Kakheti offers a chance to discover new wines in a landscape of tiny hilltop towns and verdant valleys framed by the Caucasus. Many wines are made in traditional pointed qvevri clay vessels that are buried in the earth.

To complement the experience, local chefs have started offering cooking classes where gastronomes can learn how to make the meaty dumplings known as khinkali and other dishes from what Saveur magazine called “Europe’s great unsung cuisine.”

— Evan Rail

Nîmes  Copied to clipboard!

A sunny mediterranean morsel whose charming streets are studded with roman monuments read more.

Joann Pai for The New York Times

Nîmes, France

Nîmes is that rarest of Gallic delicacies — a sunny southern French city with great charm and fascinating architecture and museums that hasn’t yet become thronged with tourists like Arles or Avignon.

The city has a growing word-of-mouth reputation for the excellence of its dining options, which include everything from Michelin two-star restaurants like the chef Pierre Gagnaire’s Duende at the recently renovated Hotel Imperator to exceptionally good lunchtime dining in Les Halles de Nîmes, a covered food market, where the Halles Auberge and La Pie Qui Couette offer first-come first-serve counter service at noon. The latest local buzz is about the chef Georgiana Viou, originally from Benin, who serves up her personal and very delicate Afro-Provençal cooking at Rouge , the restaurant of the elegant new 10-room Margaret-Hôtel Chouleur in a landmarked mansion in the heart of the Écusson, or Old City. Le Coin and Menna, two excellent cosmopolitan modern French bistros — a type of restaurant that’s new to Nîmes — are not far away.

Shed some calories after a meal by taking in the sights of the Rome of France, a sobriquet explained by the most spectacular collection of Roman monuments in Europe outside of Italy.

— Alexander Lobrano

Ha Giang  Copied to clipboard!

A two-wheeled thrill ride leads to mountainside settlements where hmong and tay culture lives read more.

Ha Giang, Vietnam

The several-day loop by motorbike through the Ha Giang highlands in northern Vietnam is not for the timid. Getting to the city of Ha Giang takes six hours by road from Hanoi, and the loop’s steep roads, serpentine passes and recurring switchbacks can make the journey both treacherous and exhilarating.

This remote tableau of soaring peaks and cavernous valleys inspires a deep connection to the landscape and its inhabitants. Veer off the main road onto the narrow ribbons of concrete streaking the mountainsides and into the Hmong and Tay settlements dotting the hillsides and hollows. To learn more about their cultures, you can hire a guide from QT Motorbikes and Tours .

Road improvement projects and new high-end accommodations have made the loop more accessible and inviting. Don’t miss a boat ride through the canyon on the emerald river at Ma Pi Leng Pass.

— Patrick Scott

Salalah  Copied to clipboard!

A historic frankincense-trading center where the desert erupts in waterfalls read more.

Salalah, Oman

With last year’s World Cup drawing attention to the built environment elsewhere in the Persian Gulf states, seaside Salalah, Oman, offers visitors a chance to see the region’s natural beauty. Depending on when you go, the area is either lush and green and blanketed in thick fog, or basking in sunlight and a warm breeze.

During the khareef (monsoon), the valleys and riverbeds are flooded with fresh water, and the mountains flow with waterfalls. The city is also home to Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land , which provides a visual history of the ancient incense trade and the associated export routes to the rest of the world. (A nearby collection of sites, known as the Land of Frankincense , is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.) Another draw is the collection of historical ports spread along the coast.

The population of Salalah, one of Oman’s largest cities, is around 330,000, so it’s easy to find oneself alone in the crystal clear waters of the area’s many tranquil beaches, including Mugsail, Fazayah and Haffa.

— Noa Avishag Schnall

Cuba  Copied to clipboard!

An island of music and white-sand beaches ripe for rediscovery as the united states eases travel restrictions read more.

Robert Rausch for The New York Times

With its sea-sprayed, pastel facades, white-sand beaches and tobacco-rich valleys, Cuba sits tantalizingly close to the United States, though it often feels out of reach — especially in recent years, when the Trump administration reinstated strict rules for American citizens hoping to visit.

But a confluence of factors just made travel to the island nation a bit easier. Last spring, President Biden relaxed many of the restrictions imposed by his predecessor. And in November, American Airlines resumed flights beyond Havana, adding departures to the beach town Varadero and the interior city Santa Clara, a regional capital steeped in revolutionary history. More flights from other carriers are set to begin in the coming months.

Cuba’s people are as generous with their stories — of history, family, even politics and protest — as they are with their music, an omnipresent, joyful soundtrack thrumming through the island’s cities and towns. Less than two years after historic protests were met with harsh repression, and as the country rebuilds from Hurricane Ian, travel to Cuba and support of its people may never be more valuable.

— Lauren Prestileo

Odense  Copied to clipboard!

A mystical new museum and garden with all you need to write your own fairy tale read more.

Andreas Meichsner for The New York Times

Odense, Denmark

Designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma & Associates, the new Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, on the island of Funen, is more than a museum. It’s a mystical land, featuring labyrinthine gardens that double as a public park.

The museum explores Andersen’s literary interplay between real and imaginary: You can gaze up at the sky through a glass dome and feel like the Little Mermaid; roam sunken courtyards, illuminated by sunlight splintering through trees; and engage with exhibits by contemporary artists in cylindrical spaces wrapped in latticed timber that suggest the city’s traditional thatched-roof houses. The museum is as much about telling stories as it is about imagining your own: Creativity is encouraged at the magical Ville Vau children’s center, where children can paint, draw, write and play dress-up amid colorful scenes from Andersen’s fairy tales.

Time your visit with Odense’s summertime H.C. Andersen Festivals , and then find artistic inspiration, as Andersen did, by venturing across his home island of Funen, the “garden of Denmark,” with its storybook castles (the moated Egeskov is the stuff of dreams), heather-coated hillsides and misty coastline.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park  Copied to clipboard!

The shape-shifting sandstone heart of a continent and its indigenous heritage read more.

Matthew Abbott for The New York Times

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

At Uluru, time stretches, dissolves. Over 500 million years old, the 1,142-foot sandstone monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a shape-shifter: aflame in pink, orange and violet through the day; its crevices gush with the rain, its surroundings erupt with wildflowers.

Now, Uluru is a symbol of urgency. In 2017, it was the site of the Uluru Statement From the Heart , which calls for an Indigenous “voice to Parliament” to be enshrined in Australia’s Constitution. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced there would be a national referendum on the issue in 2023.

Uluru is sacred to the Anangu people, who protect and manage the land, and for decades tourists climbed the rock against their wishes. Climbing was banned in 2019, and now visitors can take a 5.8-mile walk around Uluru’s base to experience its splendor. The ban was a rare victory for Indigenous rights and cultural respect, and evidence that even deep-rooted attitudes can change.

— Tacey Rychter

Boquete  Copied to clipboard!

A slope-side nirvana for coffee geeks, waterfall hikers and white-water rafters read more.

Paul Castillero

Boquete, Panama

Geisha, among the world’s most expensive coffee varietals, thrives on the slopes of the Barú Volcano, near Panama’s western border. In recent years, specialty coffee geeks the world over have gravitated here, encouraging coffee farms around the highland town of Boquete to act more like Bordeaux vineyards. New cupping rooms and bodega tours have been added at farms like Lamastus Family Estates , Chevas Coffee Estate and Finca Altieri , while coffee-themed hotels — including Finca Lérida and Panamonte — have updated their facilities.

In Boquete’s town center, which acts as a base for adventure activities like waterfall hikes and white-water rafting, the noted Panama City chef Mario Castrellón has opened a branch of the coffee roaster Café Unido , as well as a restaurant and bar with seasonal menus and Geisha-infused cocktails, in the new Selina hostel . The bold, 60-room property straddles a small river, with rooms ranging from beds in concrete cylinders to luxe suites.

— Nicholas Gill

Tarragona  Copied to clipboard!

An unsung artsy seaport rich in well-preserved roman ruins, and delicious tapas read more.

Tarragona, Spain

Long upstaged by the flash of Barcelona, this unsung waterfront city on the Costa Daurada is a culturally rich alternative, with thriving Catalan traditions, from the famous castells (human towers, formed by people standing on one another’s shoulders) to earthy Romesco sauce, often served with grilled fish and vegetables, and best enjoyed in El Serrallo, a maritime neighborhood.

But what elevates the Tarragona experience is the past: This is one of the oldest Roman settlements in the Iberian Peninsula. The impressively preserved Tarraco ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, transform the city into an open-air museum, from the mighty Roman walls to the amphitheater framed by the Mediterranean.

Against this ancient backdrop, the city is in the midst of change: a revitalized port, new low-cost fast trains to the region and a growing contemporary arts scene. Perhaps the best way to savor it is to partake in a paseo: Stroll the Rambla Nova, grazing on tapas along the way, to the aptly named Balcó del Mediterrani observation point, where touching the iron railing is said to bring good luck.

Charleston  Copied to clipboard!

A powerful space will examine a city’s past and honor the african american legacy read more, charleston, south carolina.

Charleston’s brutal history of slavery can be overshadowed by a romanticized portrait of a city with charm, award-winning restaurants and plantation gardens. The planned opening of the $100 million International African American Museum this year will help comprehensively display the city’s complicated past.

The I.A.A.M. occupies the former Gadsden’s Wharf, where an estimated 30,000 African captives landed during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, more than at any other site. The sleek, single-story building floats atop 18 pillars clad in tabby, a kind of concrete made from oyster shells, and houses a genealogy center, a social justice action lab and 10 exhibit galleries that include stories of slavery and the Great Migration. A public outdoor space offers an African Ancestors Memorial Garden featuring indigenous plants like Lowcountry sweet grass and Canary Island palm trees.

This spring, the Charleston tourism board will debut a comprehensive guide to Black-owned businesses to elevate the overlooked successes of creative locals.

— Lauren Matison

Cayos Cochinos  Copied to clipboard!

Planting coral and counting sea turtles where there are no cars or roads read more.

Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

Off the northern coast of Honduras, the Cayos Cochinos archipelago, part of a marine preserve where commercial fishing is banned, encompasses about 300,000 acres, two main islands and 13 small cays, with a collective population of about 200 Indigenous Garifuna residents.

Before the pandemic, the nonprofit Cayos Cochinos Foundation, which manages the reserve, derived much of its funding to study and protect its biodiversity from the fees paid by day-trippers to snorkel there. Now, the nongovernmental organization is gently opening itself to tourism, allowing visitors to stay in basic cabins (from $45 a night) that previously hosted exclusively scientists.

Between scuba dives and hikes to see pink boa constrictors and black-chested spiny-tailed iguanas, travelers can volunteer to propagate new coral or count sea turtles. Travel to the islands, which are roadless and free of cars, also supports the Garifuna community, which offers guide services, restaurants and tastings of the local root-infused spirit, guifiti.

Burgundy Beer Trail  Copied to clipboard!

Paying homage to hops and yeast in a region where wine has long reigned read more.

Burgundy Beer Trail, France

Wine lovers have long revered the great vintages of Burgundy. Now, beer lovers have their eyes on the Burgundy region, following the arrival of head-turning new breweries like Ammonite , Vif , Independent House and 90 BPM , all within 90 minutes of one another, and all rated among the best in France by fans on sites like Untappd and RateBeer .

Winemaking influences these new brewers, some of which employ solera barrel systems (like those used to age and blend sherry and Madeira wines), natural yeast, small oak barrels and other tools and techniques most often used by vintners.

For years, France has been a laggard in the global craft beer revolution, running far behind neighboring countries like Spain and Italy. The emerging beer trail in Burgundy’s wine region shows how France might soon develop an enviable beer culture of its own.

Istanbul  Copied to clipboard!

Reviving a city’s historic architecture just in time for modern turkey’s centennial read more.

Maria Mavropoulou for The New York Times

This October, the Turkish Republic celebrates its 100th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, Istanbul’s local government has invested millions in giving historic structures new life.

Among them: Feshane, a factory that manufactured the iconic Turkish hats and one of Istanbul’s first steel buildings, will become one of its largest art centers; west of the old city, a comprehensive restoration of the stone-and-brick Mevlanakapi city walls with their 22 towers dating back to the fifth century, will transform them into a four-and-a-half-mile walking path; and the Botter Apartment, one of Istanbul’s earliest Art Nouveau buildings, whose bottom floor was originally a studio for the sultan’s private tailor, will be turned into a fashion design center.

There’s more. Art museums are planned for the former Yedikule gasworks and the Halic Shipyard, one of the world’s oldest still in operation. And most notably, the newly built Istanbul Modern museum, designed by the architect Renzo Piano, will open its doors along the Bosporus in Karakoy, showcasing the works of notable Turkish artists such as Fahrelnissa Zeid and Erol Akyavas.

— Nora Walsh

Taipei  Copied to clipboard!

Floating sky lanterns and soaring skyscrapers in a sprawling, thrumming capital read more.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is a glorious assault on the senses, a capital with stunning natural beauty, low crime, and clear air despite its immense urban sprawl. From its neon-lit night markets to its Qing Dynasty temples, visitors can feel the quiet drum of independent pride, however fragile its future.

Beijing, which sees self-ruled Taiwan as an unruly child, continues to assert its desire to reunify with Taiwan and put the island firmly back under its control. But for now, a visit to this city offers a riot of culinary and cultural pleasures. In 2023, the island’s third-tallest skyscraper will open, and the Taiwan Lantern Festival , a beloved tradition in which thousands of glowing lanterns float skyward in tandem, will return to Taipei after more than two decades.

Taipei’s future is uncertain. But in 2023, it remains an ideal place to gape at the sheer power of human innovation.

— Debra Kamin

El Poblado  Copied to clipboard!

Medellín, Colombia

A chic shopping district, pulsing nightlife and rainbow-colored macaws Read more

Federico Rios for The New York Times

El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia

In the 1600s, Spanish settlers established El Poblado, “the village,” along the Medellín River. Eventually, the larger city of Medellín grew to the north, and El Poblado became a rural getaway for wealthy Colombians.

Today, it is once again a center of activity. The grid of two- or three-story homes has blossomed with shops and restaurants, interspersed with boutique hotels rising above the treetops. Nearby, gushing waterfalls and rainbow-colored macaws add to the lush tropical vibe.

An afternoon roaming the neighborhood, popping into Mon y Velarde for menswear or Makeno for artisanal home goods, followed by coffee at Pergamino or modern Colombian cuisine at Oci.Mde , is a worthy entry on any South American traveler’s bucket list. Stay out late enough to see the area transform into the pulsing heart of the city’s nightlife, with D.J.s on the rooftops and dance parties in the streets.

Lausanne  Copied to clipboard!

Switzerland

Spectacular views of Lake Geneva and an exploding architectural and artistic scene Read more

Clara Tuma for The New York Times

Lausanne, Switzerland

Already blessed with a sublime Lake Geneva location and dramatic mountain views, Lausanne, Switzerland’s fourth-largest city, has been adding architectural and artistic beauty to its repertoire as well.

Known as Plateform 10 , the city’s three-year-old arts district recently inaugurated a bold new building that resembles an artfully cracked block of white stone for a pair of museums. Photo Elysée is dedicated to exhibiting photography in all its forms, while MUDAC is a haven of five creative outlets: design, glasswork, ceramics, jewelry and graphic art. The two institutions join the new home of the city’s international art museum, the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts , which moved into its ridged, rectangular building in 2019.

Methana  Copied to clipboard!

A hike, a stroll or a run into the bronze age followed by a soak in an ancient tub read more.

Methana, Greece

Athens’s nearest active volcano, Methana, sits on a peninsula of the same name some 30 miles southwest of the Greek capital. Though largely unknown to tourists, the area is slowly evolving, in part because of its increasing popularity as a hiking destination.

In recent years, groups of locals have managed to reopen and map old walking paths, some of which date back to the Mycenaean Era, creating hiking trails that attract visitors from around the world. (So far, more than 18 miles have been cleared and marked.) The Methana Volcano Challenge , first organized in 2021, offers a trail run across the peninsula’s sloping landscape.

Visitors to this volcanic peninsula can also enjoy several hot springs, the most interesting of which is an ancient (and recently renovated) tub known as the Pausanias Baths near the village of Agios Nikolaos.

— Demetrios Ioannou

Louisville  Copied to clipboard!

A rising l.g.b.t.q. scene with quilts, drag shows, the derby and, of course, bourbon read more, louisville, kentucky.

One of the oldest cities west of the Appalachian Mountains, and arguably among the most beautiful, Louisville somehow flies under the radar. This despite its graceful 19th-century park system , designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and its bourbon-fueled convivial spirit.

Today, its L.G.B.T.Q. scene is also thriving, with hot spots like Chill Bar and Play Dance Bar , which hosts regular drag nights featuring touring artists. (The city has also earned top marks from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for seven years running and is home to two new L.G.B.T.Q. community centers.) This spring brings Hotel Genevieve , from the Texas-based Bunkhouse Group, which offers Louisville-inspired touches like décor that pays homage to the city’s rich quilting heritage, an on-site market selling work from local artists and bourbon selections from neighboring Rabbit Hole Distillery .

Make plans for 2023, because the city might not stay below the radar much longer: 2024 will draw the masses for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

— Paul L. Underwood

Manaus  Copied to clipboard!

River-to-table cuisine and ancestral recipes in the heart of the amazon read more.

Manaus, Brazil

Michelin-starred restaurants in São Paulo use Amazonian ingredients to appear exotic, but in Manaus, where you can sip steamy gourds of tacacá from a stand in front of the Teatro Amazonas or wander past plastic bottles of tucupi, the juice squeezed from grated cassava, in Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, Amazonian ingredients are a fact of life.

At the Indigenous-owned Biatüwi , a restaurant that pays homage to ancestral recipes and cooking techniques, drinks are made from fermented purple yams, and chiles are used to purify river fish in piquant stews like quinhampira.

Then there’s the chef Felipe Schaedler, who has helped threatened Yanomami communities commercialize their native mushrooms and runs two restaurants of his own: Banzeiro and Moquém do Banzeiro . Steering away from traditional preparations, Mr. Schaedler reimagines ingredients like lemon-grass-flavored ants and tambaqui ribs in a modern format, as do the bistros Caxiri , set in a colonial building overlooking Largo de São Sebastião, a grand plaza, and Fitz Carraldo, in the boutique hotel Villa Amazonia .

Vilnius  Copied to clipboard!

A 700-year-old survivor ready to party like there’s no tomorrow read more.

Gordon Welters for The New York Times

Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania’s cobblestoned capital has a long history of bootstrap survival. Occupied once by the Nazis and twice by the Soviets, Vilnius has a story that is complex and fascinating to explore. Its architectural riches span from Gothic to Renaissance to Baroque; grand churches rub shoulders with quaint timber homes on leafy streets.

In 2023, the resilient city celebrates its 700th birthday with a full year of revelry. A light festival , free music performances and the first Vilnius International Biennial are all on the calendar. Artificial intelligence will resurrect one of the city’s first operas from the 17th century, and an exhibition space will allow visitors to virtually explore Vilnius’s streets as they looked more than 200 years ago.

Ringing in its eighth century, Vilnius reminds travelers that, when viewed through the long lens of history, our own uncertain times are fleeting.

Macon  Copied to clipboard!

1,100-year-old native american mounds and deep rock ’n’ roll roots read more.

Macon, Georgia

The area around Macon has been home to multiple Native American tribes for 12,000 years. That history will be acknowledged this year, when Georgia is expected to get its first national park: The Ocmulgee Mounds, some of the most significant prehistoric Indigenous mounds in North America, date to the year 900, and are now a national historical park .

The national park will include the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge , for a total of 50,000 acres, and offer a network of exquisite hiking trails and artifacts from American Indian culture. Management will be shared by the Muscogee Nation and the National Park Service.

Additionally, the city, whose musical roots run deep — Little Richard, the Allman Brothers and Otis Redding all got their start here — is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a new 10,000-seat amphitheater . Visitors can check out the Hotel Forty Five , a boutique hotel that opened downtown last year and that was named both for the angle of the street on which it sits and as a nod to musical history.

— Ondine Cohane

Madrid  Copied to clipboard!

Kicking off a worldwide tribute to picasso in a place that’s a masterpiece unto itself read more.

Emilio Parra Doiztua for The New York Times

If art is a universal language, as travel often reveals, Pablo Picasso’s antiwar “ Guernica ” may be one of its most potent symbols.

The Spanish and French governments recently announced the Picasso Celebration 1973-2023 in front of the famous painting at the Reina Sofia museum, kicking off a transnational commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death. The worldwide tribute, from Madrid to Paris to New York City, includes some 50 exhibitions, many of which explore the artist through the lens of the present day. Madrid leads the way, with tributes throughout the year, including “Picasso. The Sacred and the Profane” at the Thyssen-Bornemisza ; “Picasso 1906. The Turning Point” at the Reina Sofia ; and an exhibition exploring Picasso and El Greco at the Prado .

During Picasso’s anniversary year, it’s worth noting that the city’s artistry isn’t just within its museums, but outside as well: Madrid’s cultural core is an urban masterpiece of art, nature and light, and in 2021, the entire area of the Paseo del Prado and verdant Parque del Buen Retiro, called “Landscape of Light,” was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Grand Junction  Copied to clipboard!

A bonanza of canyons, arches and cliffs, without the hordes of tourists read more.

Grand Junction, Colorado

On Colorado’s Western Slope, arid Grand Junction offers attractions similar to those of Moab, Utah, the gateway to Arches National Park, without the throngs.

The area around the Colorado alternative has the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the country in Rattlesnake Canyon, where some 35 sandstone spans are part of the roughly 123,700-acre McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area , reachable via off-road vehicle or a strenuous 14-mile round-trip trek. More convenient hiking trails in the Colorado National Monument — where geologic uplift and erosion formed monoliths of the same Entrada sandstone found at Arches — lie within about 10 minutes of town.

The 2021 opening of the Palisade Plunge adds a 32-mile descent — from the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, 10,000-foot Grand Mesa, down to the Colorado River — to the area’s biking challenges. All trails lead back to downtown Grand Junction, filled with shops, craft breweries, locavore restaurants and wine-tasting rooms from area vineyards.

La Guajira  Copied to clipboard!

An unspoiled land of orange-sand beaches and flamingo-lined lagoons read more.

La Guajira, Colombia

The remote and arid La Guajira peninsula, straddling Colombia’s border with Venezuela, remains largely unknown to international tourists — in spite of its dramatic salt flats, flamingo-lined lagoons and orange-sand beaches.

Terrorist activity made this area mostly off limits until 2016, but eco-minded hotels, including La Casa del Pavo Real and Hotel Waya Guajira , have spread along the peninsula, relying on increased flights to Riohacha, the regional capital, and nearby Santa Marta.

This region is the home of the Indigenous Wayúu people, who have expressed concerns that giant development projects may irreparably alter their ancestral lands. Tour operators visit Wayúu weavers known for their chinchorros, the colorful hammocks that take months to make, and their rustic kitchens, where cooks like Zaida Cotes showcase traditional cuisine based on salted fish, goat meat and purple corn.

Bergamo and Brescia  Copied to clipboard!

Open-air theater, art, music and a plateful of local delicacies in a cultural crossroads read more.

Andrea Wyner for The New York Times

Bergamo and Brescia, Italy

Milan may outshine Bergamo and Brescia , but in 2023 a spotlight will fall on these two Lombardy cities after they were jointly named the Italian Capital of Culture . More than 100 art projects, music and theater events (some open-air), nature walks and new bike routes are ​meant to map a way forward after the tragic headlines this northern region generated in 2020, when it was more ravaged by the coronavirus than anyplace else in Italy.

Bergamo is distinctive for its ancient, walled Città Alta (Upper Town) and modern Città Bassa (Lower Town), the two connected by ​narrow roads, a funicular and a footpath. Brescia, around 30 miles southeast , is a handsome crossroads of Roman, medieval and Renaissance sites .

Outstanding food is another draw — it’s Italy, after all — with menus in both areas featuring creamy, nutty polenta taragna and variously stuffed crescents of casoncelli swirled with butter and sage — little pasta miracles that prove how good life can still be.

— Julie Besonen

American Prairie  Copied to clipboard!

A vast, and growing, swath of nature where you can still feel tiny read more.

Janie Osborne

American Prairie, Montana

With its wide-open skies and boundless horizons, American Prairie is ideal for visitors seeking a respite from the fast pace of modern life. A vast nature preserve founded by a Montana nonprofit, A.P. has been accumulating grasslands since 2004. It currently consists of 455,840 acres — and the preserve continues to expand by acquiring private properties that connect to surrounding public lands. The goal: to create a contiguous, three-million-acre reserve and restore a disappearing ecosystem.

A.P. offers a broad range of activities, including leisurely walks, cross-country skiing and expert-level hiking, biking and paddling. Paved roads lead to Antelope Creek Campground, which features an interpretive trail and distant views of the Little Rockies. Buffalo Camp, accessible by gravel roads and situated among the reserve’s largest bison herd, is a little farther off the beaten path and provides a chance to see a buffalo jump, a cliff traditionally used by Indigenous peoples to harvest bison.

— Janie Osborne

Eastern Townships  Copied to clipboard!

A leisurely journey through the countryside with stops for wine, cheese and poutine read more.

Eastern Townships, Quebec

This is slow travel at its best: Pedal across the quiet Quebec countryside, refueling on local cheese, wine and, yes, poutine. Montreal and Quebec City are the stars of the region, but the bucolic, lake-laced terrain between them is often relegated to fleeting glimpses from the windows of a rental car.

The Eastern Townships — Canada’s New England, with French flair — deserves a visit all its own, and especially now, with the recent debut of the Véloroute Gourmande . The 150-mile cycle route traces the Route Verte and Trans Canada Trail across this charming region dotted with flower-festooned villages, and features more than 100 epicurean stops along the way, from farmers’ markets to maple groves to fromageries to vineyards.

Try the lush, sweet vin de glace (ice wine), made from ripe grapes that have frozen naturally on the vine, at Le Cep d’Argent , and the buttery Brise des Vignerons at the family-run Fromagerie des Cantons , one of the first in the area to develop cheese exclusively from Jersey cows, a nod to the region’s British influences.

New Haven  Copied to clipboard!

Connecticut

A home to tinkerers and rebels, and a treasure trove of contemporary art and architecture Read more

New haven, connecticut.

Connecticut’s third-largest city is a historic, mostly walkable and bikeable seaside town with distinctive neighborhoods, an encyclopedic collection of great American architecture, a thriving cultural life and one of the best food scenes in the country for a city of its size (134,000).

Founded in 1638, it’s a place where people have always tinkered with, mused about and challenged the status quo, which is why the New Haven Preservation Trust is now looking at saving the modernist buildings of the 1970s, which many see as disastrous examples of urban renewal. Discover one of the best of these brutalist concrete buildings by checking into the new Hotel Marcel , named for its architect, Marcel Breuer. Recently renovated, it’s become the first completely solar-powered, energy-neutral hotel in the United States.

Check out NXTHVN , a cutting-edge, community-focused arts center founded in 2019 in two abandoned factory buildings in the Dixwell neighborhood that has become the heart of a vibrant African American artists’ community. And then treat yourself to a great meal — maybe crispy artichokes with Parmesan aioli and pork belly with Tuscan cabbage and apple mostarda — at the recently opened Villa Lulu .

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South Dakota

Pine forests, powwows and a climb up to Crazy Horse’s giant granite face Read more

Benjamin Rasmussen

The Black Hills, South Dakota

The Lakota people trace their creation to the He Sapa, or Black Hills, a mountain range of dramatic peaks and pine forests in an area that is South Dakota’s chief tourism attraction.

Now, representatives of all nine tribes in the state — working as the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance — are having a say in how to experience Native American sites with the publication of a new tribal nations’ visitors guide , including destination suggestions and tips on visitor etiquette. The assembly helped identify the Great 8 , eight sites and experiences — among them powwows, or dance celebrations — that are significant to Indigenous culture, with a concentration in the Black Hills. These include Bear Butte State Park where hiking trails may lead past prayer cloths tied to trees, 7,244-foot Black Elk Peak, the state’s highest, and the Crazy Horse Memorial .

The massive sculpture of the Lakota warrior turns 75 next summer, when the biannual Volksmarch will allow hikers to ascend the carving, still under construction, and stand beneath Crazy Horse’s more than 87-foot-tall granite face.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

A living museum of resilience where empires and cultures have long intersected Read more

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo’s history lives in the present. There is the Latin Bridge, where a certain archduke was assassinated, catalyzing World War I. There are buildings still pockmarked by shells from the siege three decades ago. And there is the intricate interplay of empires, from the Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian, that allows visitors to tour a mosque, a cathedral, an Orthodox church and a synagogue all within a few blocks.

These layers of history, of course, can detonate as easily as they can coexist. Bosnia’s multiethnic capital remains on edge. Look up to the hills, and there are the artillery positions built on the grounds of the 1984 Winter Olympics. But Sarajevo’s splendor comes from this intrusion of the past. It remains a living museum that hints at how a Ukraine or a Syria cannot only survive but perhaps one day flourish anew.

— Hannah Beech

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Corrections

A photograph with an earlier version of this article misidentified the city shown in the image. The photograph depicted the province of Tarragona, Spain, not the city itself. The image has been replaced.

The article also misstated the size of the Barrio Viejo neighborhood of Tucson, Ariz. It is more than 150 acres, not 150 blocks.

A photograph with an earlier version of this article misidentified the location in the image. It is Keelung, Taiwan, not Taipei.

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• 2023 spring travel trends

Plus, 5 destinations for every traveler to explore

Published March 2023

Spring has officially sprung. And with it, we can expect to see travelers exploring destinations near and far across the United States — particularly for weekend getaways, according to our latest joint survey with Allison + Partners. 1 Of Americans with spring travel plans, 76% are planning a quick weekend trip and 67% are planning a long weekend excursion.

Of course, while travelers are setting their sights on a diverse set of weekend getaway destinations this spring, they’re also tightening their belts. Nearly 90% of U.S. consumers who plan to travel this season have shifted their planning to be more budget conscious.

For a closer look into traveler trends this spring, here are more insights from our spring travel survey.

Exploration is back on the map

• For the majority of travelers, the destination is the motivation: 31% say where they’re traveling motivates them to travel most, more so than who they’re going with and the experiences they’ll have while they’re there (28% each).
• Destinations run the gamut, with 48% of travelers planning to visit a waterfront destination, 42% planning to visit an urban or city destination, and 36% planning to visit an attraction-based destination like Las Vegas or Disney World. Also making the cut: outdoor recreation (36%), wellness retreats (20%), and movie/TV show set destinations (20%). 2
• This spring, road trips rule: 74% of Americans say they plan to drive to a spring vacation destination, whether by car or RV, and 44% say they plan to fly. 2

Spending less is top of mind

• Of consumers who plan to travel this spring, 88% say they’ve shifted their plans or planning behavior to be more budget conscious—with 34% opting to drive to their destination instead of flying, 32% monitoring prices to book when they find a deal, and 31% scheduling their trip around the least expensive days and weeks to travel. 2
• A quarter of travelers say they’ve booked their travel well in advance to save money, while a similar percentage plan to spend less once they get to their destination.

Vacation rentals have a winning edge

• Among the 36% of travelers booking vacation homes for spring trips, 65% say they chose a vacation rental because they offer the best value for their money. (Other big reasons travelers are choosing vacation homes include access to private amenities like kitchens and laundry (55%), access to recreation and entertainment amenities (46%), and more unique and design-centric experiences (32%).) 2
• More than half of Americans (51%) say they’d travel somewhere to stay in a unique vacation rental like a treehouse or off-grid dome house. (This is especially true for hybrid workers (69%) and parents (59%).)

Ready to explore your next destination?

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Curated tips & inspiration for your next vacation.

• Allison+Partners surveyed 1,000 consumers age 18 or older in the US. The survey was fielded using the Qualtrics Insight Platform and panel was sourced from Lucid Marketplace. Fielding was executed in January 2023.
• Question was “select all that apply,” accounting for multiple trips and, where applicable, totals of more than 100%.

Ready for spring break? So is everyone else. Here's what to expect.

Ready for spring break? So is everyone else. 

And that's the problem.

"My phone is ringing off the hook," said Shane Mahoney, CEO of Lugo's Travel. "There's such a pent-up demand for travel and people can finally travel wherever they want without restrictions."

Experts predict this spring break – typically from late February to the end of March – will be busier than last year's and maybe busier than 2019. But this won't be your typical travel season. Not even close.

Passport wait times are down: Here's what to know about getting a US passport

Learn more: Best travel insurance

New theme park: Universal just announced a whole new theme park for families with young kids, in Texas

The holiday air travel meltdowns and this week's FAA computer outages have cast a long shadow across the spring break travel season. And there are other uncertainties: inflation, a soft economy and wars. Travelers are not sure what to do.

So what does that mean? Well, there are places everyone wants to go, which you might consider avoiding this spring break. And there are mistakes travelers will make, but you can avoid these, too.

Check out  Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Where's everyone going this spring break?

When it comes to popular destinations, think warm. Many travelers want to head south to catch a few rays – and maybe waves. Here are Priceline's most popular domestic destinations for Spring Break 2022 : 

• Orlando, Florida 
• New York City
• New Orleans
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida  

But this year, for the first time since 2019, Americans are also considering traveling internationally for spring break. 

"The strength of the dollar, coupled with lifted or lessened COVID restrictions, is leading to an uptick in searches for international travel destinations throughout Europe and even Asia," said Priceline spokeswoman Christina Bennett. "So while inflation is driving up costs overall, your dollars are going further with current conversion rates."

Travel insurance company World Nomads reports that for 2023, 52% of Americans' top destinations are European regions and 19% for South America and Asia respectively. The rest are domestic trips.

"Travelers are seeing 2023 as the year to take the big trips they had postponed due to COVID-19 and border restrictions," said Christina Tunnah, general manager of marketing and brands for World Nomads.

Story continues below.

What are some spring break travel trends?

The new travel trends driving travel spring break 2023 focus on outdoor activities, fuel efficiency and predictability, according to experts. 

► Spring camping 

The Dyrt's 2022 Camping Report , which surveyed thousands of campers and members of the general public, found that spring is one of the fastest-growing camping seasons. "Spring camping is up 27% from pre-pandemic levels," said Sarah Smith, founder of the camping information app. "Spring break can be an excellent time to snag more competitive campsites before the summer season gets into full swing." But she said don't wait too long to book, or you might not find a site for your RV or tent. 

► Closecations 

Booking patterns for spring break suggest Americans prefer a "closecation" – traveling to a region within three to four hours of driving distance from home. A softer economy is driving this trend, according to Noël Russell, chief experience officer for Whimstay, a vacation rental platform. "These closecations will be an increasing trend for travelers who want to experience the joy of a vacation while staying within their budget and maintaining more control over their experiences," she said. 

► Return to "normal"

Christopher Falvey, co-founder of Unique NOLA Tours, a ghost tour company in New Orleans, has been analyzing the bookings for spring break. His conclusion: It's looking a lot like 2019.

"Our seasonal ebb and flow has come back to normal," he said. "Finally, predictability!" But that means all the travel tricks you learned during the pandemic, like waiting until the last minute to find a deal, will no longer work.

Expert advice for your spring break trip

What's different about this spring break? Experts say this year, everyone is pushing the boundaries a little. They're waiting until the last minute, trying to squeeze more time into their vacation and taking more risks. Here's my free guide to holiday travel:

• Don't wait until the last minute: "Book early," advised Melanie Fish, a travel expert at Expedia. "Last-minute deals are becoming exceedingly rare." When is the best time to book? At least a month before domestic flights and six months before international flights will save you about 10%, according to Expedia's latest research. To find out if it's a good time to buy, Fish recommends setting up a fare alert online. Expedia uses machine learning to identify patterns in historical data and forecast price changes.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get there and back:  "Spring break is a pretty tight window, usually one week with a weekend on each end to get to your destination and back," said Michael Rust, a professor at Western New England University. Rust helps plan educational trips during spring, and knows there isn't a lot of margin for error. "It doesn't leave much time for changing travel plans if something unexpected happens," he said.
• Understand the risks: Spring break can be dangerous. After all, you're headed to the beach with thousands of other people. If you have travel insurance – and you probably should – take a few minutes to read the exclusions related to high-risk behaviors. "It's especially important to understand the alcohol-related exclusions of your insurance policy," said Narendra Khatri, principal of Insubuy, a travel insurance company. Put differently, if you overindulge during spring break and get into a moped accident on the way back to your hotel, you might not be covered.

I've never understood the spring break travel phenomenon. School districts give their students a week during spring; everybody drives to Florida or flies to Cancun. High prices and chaos follow. That's no way to spend your vacation. And this year, with all the air travel problems we've had, you might not even get to your destination.

So what will happen this spring break? It's too early to know for sure. And it may be impossible to predict, say experts.

 "The unpredictability of travel, including flight cancellations, labor shortages, the impact of inflation, and potential illness, is unlikely to let up by springtime," said Angela Borden, a product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

So for spring break 2022, the only thing we know with absolute certainty is that we know nothing.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

Spring Vacation Ideas for 2024: Best Places, Itineraries, and More

Updated:  January 16, 2024

Customers rate Zicasso's travel referral service  4.9  on a scale of 1 to 5 based on  1578  reviews on Trustpilot

We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want,  whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour.

Rovinj, Croatia

With colorful scenery, fewer crowds, and great weather at destinations around the globe, this list of spring vacation ideas is just the beginning of what is possible as winter gives way to the season’s blooms.

From the sunshine that spills across Spain’s southern coastline to the pleasant weather and clear seas in which to explore Australia’s Outback and Great Barrier Reef, the following destinations are spectacular at this time of year. They also offer a mix of iconic and unique experiences that you can embrace using our vacation ideas as inspiration.

From the wonders of wildlife to the charms of historic cities, cobbled medieval lanes to the splendor of the rainforest, enjoy the beauty of the season with our best spring vacations.

2. Portugal

7. the maldives, 8. australia, 9. south africa, 10. argentina, 11. colombia, 13. ireland, 14. united kingdom, 15. vietnam, discover the best spring vacation ideas for your 2024 trip.

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Warm weather returns in Spain, with endless sunshine across the southern coastline, and vibrant energy fills the cities and towns as the past and present converge.

Spain in spring is about the re-emergence of life’s simple pleasures. Epic landscapes entice every visitor, the cafés brim with sophisticated ambiance, and the passion for cuisine and tradition spills into the streets. Fewer tourists also make each day feel more authentic, as you experience the top things to do in Spain .

From the medieval streets of Toledo to the cathedral of Santiago, the kitchens of San Sebastian to the vineyards of Jerez de la Frontera, Spain in spring is picture-perfect.

Spain Vacation Idea

The eight-day Luxury First-Timers Tour of Spain's Highlight Cities is the perfect inspiration for your customizable trip, as you explore surrealist beauty, Moorish architecture, captivating artwork, and medieval streets that bring the essential wonders of Spain into view.

Highlights: Witness Gaudi’s surrealist architecture in Barcelona • Wander charming Seville • Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba • Explore Madrid’s Prado Museum

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Portimao, Portugal

Spring in Portugal is a delight as the cities warm, the coastline brightens, and the vineyards across the country return with a welcoming lushness. From the Algarve to the inland plains, a vibrant energy colors the whole of Portugal and highlights the diversity of fairytale castles, ancient neighborhoods, and dramatic landscapes.

Portugal offers the wonders of spring blossoms, golden sands that expand along the Atlantic coastline, and the simple pleasures of cafes that look out onto the cobbled streets in major cities.

Enjoy the architecture that crowns the hills on Lisbon vacations , find ancient Roman ruins that fill the plazas of Evora, and appreciate the zellige tiles that pave the avenues to give you a new perspective of the gorgeous combination of culture, land, and sea.

Portugal Vacation Idea

Spectacular Portugal Adventure: Kayaks and Cooking is an eight-day exploration of Portugal that combines marvelous cuisine and unparalleled natural beauty to demonstrate an idyllic passion, charisma, and historical cultural significance.

Highlights: Uncover hidden gems in Lisbon • Enjoy a private experience with a professional chef • Explore cultural history in the Sintra Mountains • Kayak along the Waters of Lagos

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Portugal Tours & Vacations • Portugal Travel Guide

Ostuni, Italy

Italy in the spring is a wonderland of rebirth and warmth without the crowds. Flowers bloom, snow melts along the mountain passes, and the famous places in Italy beautifully blend historic architecture with contemporary life.

Italy is a popular destination year-round, but the splendor of the landscape and cityscapes are best without the larger crowds often found in the summer. From the canals of Venice to the landscape that sweeps across the southern plains of Puglia, the blossoming flowers that line vineyards to the delights of local food and wine, Italy is energetic and lively.

Rich with heritage and brimming with endless options, whether in the alpine towns or along the Mediterranean coast, Italy is one of the best places to travel to in spring.

Italy Vacation Idea

The 12-day Unique Exploration of Italy: Rome, Matera, Monopoli Tour shines a light on the  heritage that informs the roots of Italian culture in warm weather that blankets the often overlooked, yet enriching south.

Highlights: Experience the Vatican museums • Explore the unique cave dwellings of Matera • Cook a delicious meal in a traditional farmhouse • Visit the fairytale homes of Alberobello

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide

Palace of the Normans in Palermo, Italy

Sicily is a marvelous destination to visit as the weather warms, allowing travelers to uncover the golden Mediterranean light for which the island is famous.

As the crossroads of the region, Sicily shares customs, heritage, and traditions with cultures from across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, accentuated by architecture layered with history, cuisine erupting with spices, and a coastline glinting with crystal-clear azure waters.

Embrace the charm of the island as you comfortably explore its streets, beaches, and ancient monuments. With ancient Greek temples, indulgent chocolates and pastries, mouthwatering wines, and the mighty caldera of Mount Etna, the island in spring abounds with opportunities to experience the top things to do in Sicily .

Sicily Vacation Idea

Coastal communities, gorgeous beaches, Norman palaces, and Greek temples can offer you insight into the diverse history of Sicily on this sample 19-day Paradise Tour of Italy: Sicily and Puglia Vacation .

Highlights: Embrace the multicultural Mediterranean ambiance of Palermo • Wine taste in Marsala • Uncover Ancient Greek temples at Agrigento • Visit the summit of Mount Etna

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Sicily Tours & Vacations • Sicily Travel Guide

Paris, France

France blossoms with color, while fewer tourists make every detail of the familiar culture approachable. From weaving around cafe terraces to lounging in a market that overtakes a village square, wandering through the grand galleries of the Louvre to exploring the detailed flavors of a coveted vineyard, it's the perfect time to discover it all.

France celebrates life as the weather warms, with France food and wine tours highlighting the changing season and art capturing the rhythm of daily life, as each city and town exudes the quintessential French lifestyle.

From coffee and croissants to lily-clad gardens and ancient mythology, France in spring revels in legendary style, effortless grace, and the splendor of the outdoors, from the Riviera to the Alps.

France Vacation Idea

This sample 14-day Highlights of France Tour: Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nice can inspire you with an immersion into the timeless charisma of France, with activities that allow you to experience artistic mastery, seductive ambiance, enticing flavors, and the natural beauty of the country, from rolling vines to turquoise waters.

Highlights: Enjoy a cooking class in Paris • Wander famous museum galleries • Visit a famous spa in Bordeaux • Explore the food culture of Lyon • Bask in seaside splendor in Nice

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: France Tours & Vacations • France Travel Guide

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Spring turns Croatia into a fantastic Mediterranean destination, as the sea shimmers with shades of blue and ancient walled towns bring added drama to the epic contours of the natural landscape.

As the days lengthen, the chance to snorkel, kayak, and sail returns, while the architecture is also yours to explore. Croatia is a cultural feast that celebrates a connection to layered heritage, from the flavors of the cuisine to its architectural styles.

With craggy peaks and stunning Croatian beaches , pearl farms, and unique vineyards, the fewer crowds and colorful contrasts of Plitvice Lakes National Park bring the shades of the past into reality.

Croatia Vacation Idea

Revel in the inspiring sample itinerary of this 11-day Tailor-Made Croatia Highlights Exploration that demonstrates the illustrious history, contemporary culture, and endless beauty of Croatia that you can experience during an active adventure or relaxing exploration.

Highlights: Admire the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park • Enjoy an adventure on a Cetina River excursion • Cycle between small towns on Hvar Island • Embrace a Dubrovnik Kayak tour

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Croatia Tours & Vacations • Croatia Travel Guide

Photo courtesy of Lily Beach Resort & Spa at Huvahendhoo

Crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, lush palm trees, and the serene ambiance of a tropical getaway make the Maldives the perfect destination. The spring months provide cooler, drier weather across the wide-spread archipelago to capture the edge of the dry season, one of the best times to visit the Maldives .

The Maldives is a paradise that can immerse you in the splendor of luxurious accommodations and powdery coastline, whether traveling for a seductive couple’s escape or a thrilling family vacation.

The wonders of the underwater world can become a treasure trove of colorful fish and coral, while the nights can fill with starlight to embody the excitement that comes with a combination of active exploration and relaxation.

Maldives Vacation Idea

This sample itinerary for the 11-day Perfect Maldives Vacation: Island Escapes and Pristine Beaches represents the highlights of the remote archipelago that can take you from jungle trees to unfettered coastal sands, diving into a calm lagoon or indulging in a glamorous spa treatment, all customized to your travel preferences.

Highlights: Enjoy a relaxing five-star overwater bungalow • Visit the vibrant coral reef • Relax with a soothing spa treatment • Embrace a glass-bottom canoe excursion

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Maldives Vacations & Tours • Maldives Travel Guide

Sydney, Australia

March to May in Australia capture the fall in the Southern Hemisphere for the perfect time to explore Australia , while avoiding the crowds of the most popular seasons.

The weather varies greatly, from the tropical climate of the north to the Mediterranean ambiance of the south. The next few months offer a fantastic overlap for you to experience pleasant weather all around. Venture deep into the Outback to find the marvels of Uluru, embrace the colorful coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef, and travel through the dense tropical jungle.

From vineyards to vintage arcades, scenic drives to fascinating wildlife, Australia is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Australia Vacation Idea

This 15-day Amazing Australia Tour: Cities, Outback, Barrier Reef offers you a sample of Australia’s captivating possibilities for your personalized tour, and speaking with a local Zicasso travel specialist can ensure your best trip with an itinerary tailored to your preferences.

Highlights: Explore Melbourne • Visit exciting Uluru • Discover Sydney and the Opera House • Enjoy snorkeling and cruising the Great Barrier Reef

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Australia Tours & Vacations • Australia Travel Guide

Sabi Sands, South Africa

Astounding wildlife, adventurous wilderness excursions, and the drama of the landscape, tamed by delicious cuisine, provide the perfect backdrop for visiting South Africa in spring.

This is a wonderful time to experience a South Africa safari , explore the famous cities, and visit the eastern beaches. History shapes the identity of contemporary South Africa, as the landscape brims with urban charm and natural splendor.

The renowned Big Five and other wildlife provide timeless allure, passing whales create an added layer of wonder, and museums reflect a variety of perspectives that help portray a point of view on the past. When visiting in spring, South Africa’s diversity becomes a constant inspiration.

South Africa Vacation Idea

This sample 12-day Exquisite South Africa Exploration: Culture to Safari embodies the best way to explore the Rainbow Nation and can act as a guideline for your trip. By planning with a local Zicasso travel specialist, your vacation will be personalized to your preferences.

Highlights: Indulge in the luxurious wildlife of Sabi Sands Private Reserve • Embrace the famous Cape Winelands • Explore celebrated Cape Town

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: South Africa Safaris • South Africa Travel Guide

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

March to May unveil the pleasures of Argentina and the fall months of the Southern Hemisphere, from the tip at Ushuaia to the northern tropical corner of Iguazu.

The tourist crowds are gone, the weather is pleasant, and your experience can feel authentic as you uncover the treasures of the country’s diverse culture and landscapes. The scenery can feel seductive and intense, while the culture gives way to captivating gauchos and the tango.

From the legendary barbecues to the exceptional glaciers, grazing wildlife to alluring vineyards, vibrant city life to expansive pampas, Argentina’s best places to visit capture the sensational allure of intertwining culture and beauty.

Argentina Vacation Idea

Find inspiration in this 12-Day Argentina Introduction: Culture, Wine, and the Southern Patagonian Scenery , and with the help of an Argentina travel specialist, you can have your itinerary personalized to your travel preferences for an unforgettable trip.

Highlights: Enjoy an authentic Argentine dinner with locals • Discover Buenos Aires’s vibrant ambiance • Witness the power of Iguazu Falls • Sample the wines of Mendoza • Embrace the splendor of Los Glaciares National Park

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Argentina Tours & Vacations • Argentina Travel Guide

Hacienda Bambusa in Quindío Colombia. Photo courtesy of Hacienda Bambusa

Colombia is vibrant with color year-round, but is particularly beautiful in the spring. Outside of Easter, when many Colombians travel around the country, the months offer the chance to embrace a mixture of tropical warmth and Andean charm.

On the heels of Disney’s hit Encanto , explore the stories behind the film and experience the joy found around every magical corner when experiencing the top things to do in Colombia .

Visit local communities, enjoy the emerald hilltops, bask in the beauty of Spanish colonial architecture, or discover the marvels of hidden pre-Colombian ruins, from epic statues to staggering mosaics.

Colombia Vacation Idea

The eight-day Experience the Real Encanto In Colombia tour brings to life the magic of the Madrigal family from the popular Disney film, while demonstrating the endless marvels of Colombia’s landscape, heritage, and vibrant wildlife.

Highlights: Embrace magic at the hotel that inspired the Casita • Explore the colors of traditional Silletero flower farmers • Horseback ride to reunite the Familia Madrigal • Dance like Tio Felix at a private salsa lesson

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Colombia Tours & Vacations • Colombia Travel Guide

Nashik, India

Spring in India ushers in a riot of color across the diverse topography and exceptional cities, ancient temples, and religious monuments for which the country is famous.

The cooler months of spring make it the perfect time of year in India to explore the depth of the country, from the Himalayas of northern Himachal Pradesh to the southern canals of Kerala, without the crowds of peak travel season.

The urban landscape and countryside can reveal the surreal and the splendid when traveling India in spring, as you make your way through mighty mountains and lush greenery, golden deserts, and dense tropical forests. Cities shimmer with pink, blue, gold, red, and white, while historic architecture crowns streets adorned with preserved gems that demonstrate a captivating blend of traditions, spiritual beliefs, and memorable festivals.

India Vacation Idea

Discover the dream of India with this sample 15 Days Golden Triangle with Vineyard Tour that can immerse you in the known marvels and lesser-known wonders of the culture and landscape when tailored to your preferences by a Zicasso travel specialist.

Highlights: Explore New Delhi’s highlights • View the Taj Mahal’s majesty • Witness the Pink City of Jaipur • Explore the grand scale of Mumbai • Wander the sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: India Tours & Vacations • India Travel Guide

Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland

Lush, majestic, and inviting, Ireland in spring is a quiet time to visit the Emerald Isle. The weather is slightly cooler than in summer and wildflowers dot the woodlands, prairies, and gardens with color, while the untamed coastline is dramatic.

With fewer crowds, small towns, lively cities, and a tradition of storytelling, Ireland in the spring can be a perfect getaway. Wander along cobblestone streets, visit rolling hills and ancient monoliths, find views of majestic mountains, and listen to stories of cultural heritage that will immerse you in the history of the landscape and Ireland’s best places to explore .

Ireland is welcoming and reveals colorful villages, ancient texts, fascinating cliffs along the Atlantic, and adventure that connects strongholds to estates.

Ireland Vacation Idea

Your 11-day Excellence of Ireland Luxury Tour: Cultural Charm to Natural Beauty can give you the perfect combination of scenic grandeur and cultural charisma during a custom-tailored trip that leads from Dublin to the Dingle Peninsula, the remote Aran Islands to the mystical landscape of Connemara.

Highlights: Visit the Guinness museum • Witness a falconry demonstration • Explore the charming Dingle Peninsula • Sample whiskey at antique distilleries

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tip: Ireland Tours & Vacations • Ireland Travel Guide

Village of Castle Combe, England

The United Kingdom promises alluring landscapes and classic history of western civilization as you explore the lush hills, stunning mountains, and charming towns for a majestic perspective. Enjoy the unique combination of centuries of history and modern culture when exploring the best places in the UK in spring.

Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, here you can enjoy the cultural subtleties and vibrant landscapes, famous urban neighborhoods, and quiet villages with thatched-roof cottages.

From dramatic castles to opulent estates, world-class art galleries to delectable cuisine, the United Kingdom is always a pleasure and endlessly fascinating.

United Kingdom Vacation Idea

From the wonders of western England to the hidden charms of Wales, this 13-day Wonderful Wales: Unique UK Tour can be personalized to your preferences, enabling you to explore the United Kingdom from a timeless point of view that’s steeped in greenery, drama, and charisma.

Highlights: Explore charming Cotswold communities • Sample traditional English ales • Visit Snowdonia National Park • Wander epic castles • Search for puffins

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: UK Tours & Vacations • UK Travel Guide

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Perfect temperatures, colorful landscapes, and clear skies with golden sunshine are what you can expect on a Vietnam trip in the spring.

The cold mountain air warms and the heat along the southern edge of the country has not yet settled, offering prime trekking and vibrant scenic exploration in Vietnam’s best places to visit .

With natural beauty and complex cultural history, you can immerse yourself in the megacities or visit hill-tribe villages to uncover the compelling ambiance and exotic landscapes.

Vietnam Vacation Idea

Spectacular scenery, local culinary majesty, and endless cultural wonders create the best experiences on this customizable sample itinerary for an eight-day Amazing Vietnam Vacation: Karst Islands to Imperial Citadels .

Highlights: Cruise natural beauty in Ha Long Bay • Enjoy the secrets of local cuisine • Travel to the scenic Hai Van Pass • Uncover the wonders of the Mekong Delta

More Sample Itineraries & Travel Tips: Vietnam Tours & Vacations • Vietnam Travel Guide

Cordoba, Spain

The best spring vacations reveal the shifting beauty that sweeps cities, forests, coastlines, and grasslands in the northern and southern hemispheres. From the charming coastal towns of Croatia that shimmer in the spring sunshine to the sensational South African bushveld with its incredible wildlife, our spring vacation ideas offer inspiration for your custom trip.

As you consider your spring plans, you can find more tips and ideas in our travel guide for 2024 . You can also discover the best places to visit in March , top travel destinations for April , and popular travel destinations for May when designing your vacation.

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10 Best Spring Break Destinations for Families

Travel experts share the best spots to book during your kid's spring break.

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"Is there even still time to book anything?" asked my friend who has been trying to plan a trip during her family's spring break next month. "I think so," assuring her that we just booked our spring break trip two weeks ago. As parents of older kids, we both know the deal: Spring break really is the only time to squeeze in a family vacation between January and May or June unless you want to take the kids out of school, and, well, that's a story for another time.

Take your pick from this expert guide to the 10 best destinations for a last-minute spring break travel. Whenever possible, the Good Housekeeping Institute added suggestions for hotels based on our research for our annual Family Travel Awards . No matter which locale sounds most appealing to you, lock it in ASAP. As Fish notes, "We're past the time when you're going to see a better deal."

San Diego, California

Best for: Families with a variety of interests

The closest you'll come to a one-size-fits-all getaway, San Diego supplies something fun to do for every member of your family. Fortunately, this SoCal gem is one of the few warmer-weather locales with average airfare under $350 roundtrip in March and April, says Fish. Baseball fans in the family will be in their element at a San Diego Padres game at the city's downtown stadium; opening day is March 30. For the animal lovers in your group, the San Diego Zoo is packed with rare (and super cute) creatures plus hands-on activities. Superhero buffs will lose their minds at the new Comic-Con Museum . Theme-park goers can hit up Sesame Place right in town, or drive 40 minutes or so to Legoland California Resort . Of course, that's if your crew ever wants to leave the beach.

Where to Stay: The Hotel del Coronado , Loews Coronado Bay Resort , and Bahia Resort Hotel all performed well in first-hand evaluations by the Good Housekeeping Institute. If you're bringing three generations on the trip — something that 40 percent of families are doing this year, according to AAA Travel — look into Shore House at the Del . The Hotel del Coronado's new seaside residences sleep up to 11 and have outdoor fireplaces.

RELATED: 40 Best Things to Do in San Diego with the Whole Family

Washington, DC

Best for: Families who live within driving distance and like to explore museums and historical attractions

So much is free in Washington, DC. "There's no admission fee to the monuments, memorials, National Zoo or any of the Smithsonian museums," says Diaz. In fact, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum re-opened last fall with eight new galleries. Spring break coincides with peak cherry blossom season. DC's official festival runs from March 20 to April 16, and peak bloom in 2023 is predicted to be from March 22 to March 25.

Where to Stay: Walkable to many top spots to visit, Yours Truly DC offers traditional rooms plus two- and three-bedroom suites, according to our tester.

Greenville, South Carolina

Best for: Families on the east coast or in the midwest who want a low-key getaway with a variety of things to do for all ages

While the crowds are in Charleston and Hilton Head, your family can explore Greenville's charming downtown, extensive park system and world-class attractions, like the seventh-largest children's museum and a truly one-of-a-kind science center . Winner of a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award , Greenville takes the stress out of family travel with stroller-friendly walking paths plus a modern, easy-to-navigate airport with more than 100 nonstop flights daily. Free family-friendly concerts start in March while the town's minor-league baseball team begins its season in April.

Where to Stay: Our tester was "seriously impressed" by the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Greenville Downtown , which is just a few blocks from fun shops and restaurants. "While you're checking in, the kids can swing on the egg chairs in the lobby," our tester said. "There's also a heated outdoor pool!"

Phoenix, Arizona

Best for: Families who want to swim and hike in the southwest or see lots of baseball games

Spring is prime time to visit the southwest, so we were pleasantly surprised to find flights from the east coast to Phoenix in March for less than $400 roundtrip. A Good Housekeeping staffer recently took her 1-year-old to Phoenix and raved about the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park and Children's Museum of Phoenix . Another team member highly recommends the Desert Botanical Garden (pictured), the Musical Instrument Museum and nearby hiking trails. If your family is baseball-obsessed, they'll love that the Greater Phoenix area is home to 10 spring-training stadiums.

Where to Stay: The Wigwam , winner of a Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Award, is a stand-out pick for families, especially those traveling with three or more generations. Waterslides, golf courses and sporty activities like volleyball and tennis give everyone something to do. "The food is especially fantastic!" said our staffer.

New York City

Best for: Families with tweens or teens who want to go to Broadway shows or see their favorite TikTok-famous spots IRL

If your family is eying New York City for summer vacation, Fish suggests you move up the trip to spring break. "Manhattan will be considerably less crowded in springtime, and average flight prices in March and April are under $350 roundtrip," she says. Fewer tourists means you're more likely to snag a discounted ticket to a Broadway show (everyone will love Wicked ), reservations at the restaurants of your choice and a bench in Central Park (pictured). Buy a Go City discounted attraction pass to hit all the iconic sites and sprinkle in a few stops tailored to the interests of your tweens and teens. For instance, if you have a Swiftie, walking down Cornelia Street will be a must — and it's totally free.

Where to Stay: For more space than the typical NYC hotel room, try the Mint House at 70 Pine . Its apartment-style accommodations plus a downstairs bowling alley more than make it worth the subway ride from downtown to Midtown.

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Best for: Families who want a spring break trip in Florida away from the college crowd

"The college kids are going to be in Miami, so head north," suggests Gabe Saglie, communications manager at Travelzoo , a deal site. In particular, he recommends Pensacola Beach — on the Western stretch of the Florida panhandle — for its spectacular, uncrowded beaches and more affordable lodging. "There are 40 miles of coastline and it has the longest stretch of federally protected seashore in the U.S.," he says. Getting there is pretty straightforward too: Pensacola boasts non-stop flights from over 20 U.S. cities, including Denver, Chicago and Dallas.

Where to Stay: With March rates under $200 per night, the beachfront Surf & Sand Hotel is a deal.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Best for: Families who like live music, shopping and trying new foods

My family spent last year's spring break in New Orleans thanks to an airfare deal that got us there from the New York City area for around $250. We noticed some flights this spring for about the same price. Jazz, vintage shops and vinyl record stores are my teen daughter's jam, and NOLA is packed with all of them. We listened to music on the street and at Preservation Hall , which welcomes the under-21 crowd. We stuffed ourselves with beignets and our suitcases with the thrifting finds. It was bliss, and I realized that we shouldn't have waited so long to visit. City Park, home to the Louisiana Children's Museum , beignet-purveyor Cafe du Monde and the outdoor sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art, has the makings of a dream day for families with younger kids.

Where to Stay: We stayed at ONE11, a newish hotel in the French Quarter that passed my teen's "vibe check." Once a sugar mill, the hotel has maintained some of the original features plus it has a pool.

Houston, Texas

Best for: Families with younger kids who live within driving distance

Fish's solid advice: Let the other families go to the Texas Hill Country while you go to Houston. Your crew could spend multiple days at the Children's Museum of Houston, a winner of the 2023 Family Travel Awards. The city also has an amazing recreation system with 366 parks, 200 green spaces and 125 miles of trails. And for any wanna-be astronaut, the Space Center Houston will wow.

Where to Stay: If you'd rather have a kitchen than a pool, try Sonder's The Hogg Palace , near the city's aquarium and just a 10-minute drive to the children's museum. Otherwise, book the Marriott Marquis Houston , which has — Ready for this? — a Texas-shaped lazy river (pictured).

Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic

Best for: Families who enjoy the features and food at an all-inclusive resort

On a large stretch of white sand beach, the newest Club Med in the Caribbean makes sure everyone in your party gets a true vacation. While kids and teens are off at fun-filled clubs broken up into a wide variety of age groups, you can score some much-needed R&R at the adult-only Zen Oasis. Restaurants surprise and delight — one even has a secret chocolate room. What's more, flight availability to Punta Cana is still relatively good, says Fish. Roundtrip airfare on certain dates in March and April cost less than $400. RELATED: 25 Best All-Inclusives to Visit in 2023

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California

Best for: Families who love Disney

If you're hoping to book a last-minute Disney trip over spring break, Diaz suggests you price a Disneyland vacation, even if you live closer to Orlando. Depending on the week you want to go, she notes that Disneyland might be less crowded and less expensive than Walt Disney World. The reason? Local families in Florida and California make up a good chunk of the visitors, and they have spring break on different weeks. While extra time on the airplane isn't ideal, especially with kids, you can take comfort in the fact that it's easier to get around Disneyland than Walt Disney World. Another plus: Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park, which features Minnie's house, a Donald Duck-themed splash pad and much more, opens on March 19.

Where to Stay: The Hampton Inn & Suites , which was recognized as a budget-friendly hotel chain in Good Housekeeping's 2023 Family Travel Awards, has Anaheim locations with rooms for less than $150 per night on some dates in March.

The former senior editor at Parents who started the brand’s awards programs, Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in travel, book, lifestyle and food coverage.Cicero has visited almost every state with her family (look out Wyoming, she’s coming for you next!) She recently presented at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA and the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance. A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, Cicero lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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【Hot Springs】2024Explore the Unique Hot Springs Across for China

Discover Hot Springs of Tengchong

Discover liangshan's hot springs, discover of hot springs in guangzhou, discover hot springs of huizhou, discover zhuhai's hot springs, discover the hot springs of nanjing, discover changzhou's hot springs, discover ningbo’s hot springs, discover the hot springs of jinhua, discover yichun's hot springs, discover the hot springs in beijing's suburbs, jilin:experience changbai mountain hot springs.

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China boasts abundant geothermal resources, with over 2,000 known hot springs across the country. A quick search will leave you amazed by the variety! Curious about the top hot spring destinations? We’ve put together a “National Hot Spring Map” just for you.

Tengchong, a charming border town in Yunnan, is blessed with abundant hot springs. Nestled among verdant mountains and lush forests, Tengchong's unique geographical advantages have made it a celebrated hot spring destination in Yunnan. The town is renowned for its rare combination of volcanic and geothermal hot springs, widely dispersed throughout the area.

Tengchong Thermal Sea Scenic Area: Experience Therapeutic Sulfur Hot Springs and Enjoy Hot Spring Eggs

Highlights: A celebrated hot spring and scenic destination, particularly noted for "The Great Boiling Cauldron of the Hot Sea.". The geothermal springs here often reach temperatures between eighty to ninety degrees Celsius, creating a spectacle of spurting waters and mystical mist. The springs boast soft water and high temperatures, perfect for savouring hot spring eggs, a unique local delicacy.

Location: Tengchong, Baoshan, Yunnan, China

Luoji Ninety-Nine Miles Hot Spring Waterfall Scenic Area: Hot Springs Nestled in a Cliffside Waterfall

Highlights: The Luoji Ninety-Nine Miles Hot Spring Waterfall Scenic Area is globally renowned for its unique cliffside waterfall hot springs. Here, the waterfall and the hot spring are one and the same. As thermal waters surge from cliffside caves, they create a spectacular display of mist and shimmering droplets, resembling pearls and jade. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the stunning sight of a rainbow arching over the waterfall.

Location: Qiaowozhen, Puge, Liangshan, Sichuan, China

Conghua Hot Spring Scenic Area: Lingnan's Finest Hot Spring

Highlights: Conghua Hot Spring stands out as one of China's four ancient hot springs, celebrated as "the premier hot spring in Lingnan." Situated 75 kilometers from Guangzhou in the Conghua District, the Conghua Hot Spring Scenic Area is renowned for attractions such as Xianmu Garden Hot Spring Paradise and Conghua Bishuiwan Hot Spring Resort. Historical evidence indicates that these hot springs were utilized as early as the Ming and Qing dynasties. The springs are noted for their clear, tasteless water that is rich in minerals, establishing it as a famous destination for both scenic beauty and therapeutic retreats, recognized both locally and internationally.

Location: No. 112, Wenquan East Road, Wenquan Town, Conghua District, Guangzhou

Cloud Nine Hot Spring at Nankun Mountain: Nestled in a Primeval Forest

Highlights: Cloud Nine Hot Spring is nestled in the pristine forests of Nankunshan, surrounded by lush greenery and refreshing air. The hotel’s strong Southeast Asian style gives a lively Bali vibe. Guests can indulge in the exclusive forest soaking pools, where they can soak up the rolling landscapes of distant mountains while relishing a serene hot spring experience.

Location: Yunding Hot Spring, Zenglong Road, Maxing Village, Yonghan Town, Longmen County, Huizhou City

Yu Hot Spring, Zhuhai: A Time-Honored Haven of Japanese-Style Outdoor Baths

Highlights: Nestled on the western slopes of Huangyang Mountain in Doumen, Zhuhai, Yu Hot Spring Resort offers a Japanese-style open-air hot spring experience. The outdoor area features nearly a hundred unique hot spring variations. Surrounded by charming log cabins, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque bridges over babbling brooks, visitors can escape the city's hustle and immerse themselves in a serene, rustic setting.

Location: Doumen Town Yuquan Resort, Doumen District, Zhuhai City

Tangshan Hot Spring: Ranked Among China's Top Four Therapeutic Hot Springs

Highlights: Tangshan, historically known as 'Hot Spring,' boasts over 1500 years of history and is one of China’s four major hot spring regions, famed for its sulfate-rich waters. Over a thousand years ago, during the Southern Xiao-Liang dynasty, Tangshan’s springs were honored as imperial hot springs. In October 2012, the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy recognized Tangshan as a "World-famous Hot Spring Town" and designated it as the permanent site for the World Hot Spring Forum.

Location: No.5 Hot Spring Street, Tangshan Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing

Tianmu Lake Yushui Hot Spring

Highlights: Tianmu Lake Yushui Hot Spring, located in the bamboo sea of Tianmu Lake's Nanshan, is a true forest hot spring. This natural mineral spring offers a unique experience with its mineral-rich waters set amidst the picturesque bamboo forest. Enjoy the serene beauty of the bamboo groves and the soothing sounds of mountain springs while soaking in the hot springs. At night, under the starry sky, or during snowfall, the experience becomes even more enchanting.

Location: Tianmu Lake Tourism Resort, Fuyang City, Changzhou City

Ninghai Forest Hot Spring: East China's Renowned Forest Hot Spring.

Highlights: Ninghai Forest Hot Spring, affectionately known as Tianming Mountain Nanxi Hot Spring, is tucked away in the tranquil valley of Tianming Mountain in Shenqian Town, to the northwest of Ninghai County. This scenic area is enveloped by a multitude of peaks and a lengthy, secluded canyon, and features an array of natural attractions including three pools, nine waterfalls, eighteen streams, and seventy-two peaks. It is celebrated for having the highest radon content nationwide. The hot springs are ingeniously constructed on the mid-slope of the mountain, featuring distinctive archways and cozy log cabins. The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, with lush green mountains and pristine waters creating an expansive natural "oxygen bar."

Location: National forest park within 20 kilometers northwest of Ninghai County, Ningbo City

The Tangfeng Open-air Hot Spring in Wuyi : Hailed as "The Clear Pool in the Middle of Zhejiang,"

Highlights: Jinhua Wuyi, known as the "City of Hot Springs" and the "Town of Fluorite," boasts the esteemed Wuyi Hot Springs, often referred to as the "Huaqing Pool of Central Zhejiang" for their abundant, high-quality waters and ideal temperatures. The Tangfeng Open-air Hot Spring Resort, drawing its cultural essence from the "Poetic and Picturesque Jiangnan," is designed in the classic Chinese garden style and offers nearly twenty distinct open-air hot spring experiences.

Location: Tashan Scenic Area, No. 77, Huancheng North Road, Wuyi County, Jinhua City

Mingyue Mountain Tianmu Hot Spring Resort: Recognized as China's Top Selenium Spring

Highlights: Nestled in the scenic Wentangzhen, known as the "hometown of hot springs" in Yichun city, Mingyue Mountain Tianmu Hot Spring Resort is home to a geothermal hot spring with a rich history spanning over 800 years. The spring, emerging from deep granite at 470 meters, is colorless and tasteless. It boasts unique properties such as low mineralization, low sodium, high selenium, and high silicic acid content, making it a globally rare selenium-rich hot spring. It is renowned as the "Number One Selenium Spring in China."

Location: Wentangzhen, Yuanzhou, Yichun, Jiangxi, China

Gubei Water Town Hot Spring ,: Situated at the base of the majestic Great Wall.

Highlights: Nestled 3,800 meters below the Great Wall, the Gubei Water Town Hot Spring boasts a natural emergence temperature of around 60 degrees Celsius. Enriched with iron, sulfur, magnesium, and other trace elements, the water offers therapeutic benefits and is classified as an iron spring. Its exceptional quality underscores its status as a genuine natural hot spring. Visitors can immerse themselves in the open-air springs, closing their eyes to meditate and quietly connect with the natural world around them.

Location: In Gubeishui Town, Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun County, Beijing

Highlights: Changbai Mountain serves as a gathering point for a variety of hot springs. Scattered across the Changbai Mountain area, these springs offer more than just thermal waters; visitors can also find cold springs, medicinal springs, icy springs, and uniquely, red-colored springs.

Changbai Mountain Dragon Gathering Volcano Hot Spring: Experience the Natural Wonder of Overflowing Volcanic Hot Springs

Highlights: The naturally occurring Changbai Mountain Volcano Hot Spring, enriched with essential minerals such as sodium, hydrogen, calcium, and magnesium, is located at the historic entrance of the North Scenic Area of Changbai Mountain, a prestigious national 5A-level scenic spot. The Volcano Hot Spring Clubhouse directly taps into this volcanic treasure, channeling the pristine waters of Julong Spring through specialized pipelines. Spanning over 11,000 square meters, the facility offers a vast array of both indoor and outdoor hot spring pools, complemented by an extensive network of over 20 kilometers of pipelines. This exceptional setup has rightfully earned it a spot among China's "Top Ten Hot Springs."

Location: Paektu Mountain

>>>China public holidays in the Year of the Dragon 2024

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Spring Lake high-speed chase suspect out on bond for 2023 murder, faces new charges

SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As 25-year-old Darren Powell faces new charges for a deadly high-speed crash in Spring Lake during the weekend, neighbors are speaking out about how they don't believe he should've been let out on bond while he awaits trial in a murder case.

Powell is facing one first-degree murder charge and two attempted murder charges for a shooting last July that left one woman dead.

Court documents show that investigators believe both Powell and a man named Hakeem Wilson shot at a home on Mammoth Drive in Fayetteville while two men were inside. A neighbor named Barbara Adair driving a vehicle in the area was shot and killed .

Powell and Wilson were both charged. Powell faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West told ABC11 that his office argued against the release of Powell as he awaits his murder trial. However, back in October, Judge Luis "Lou" Olivera signed a pre-trial release order granting Powell bond if he posted $350,000.

"We had argued that this defendant should remain in custody because he was a danger to the community," West said.

Powell posted bond and agreed to several pre-trial release conditions. He was placed on house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor. He was not supposed to leave Cumberland County. He was not allowed to consume or possess any alcohol.

On Saturday, North Carolina State Highway Patrol claims he violated several of those conditions when they caught him speeding down Highway 87 in Harnett County going 110 mph, double the speed limit in that portion of the highway.

I think it's messed up that how he was able to get free and then commit another crime as serious as this. - Ash Thomas, neighbor of shooting victim

Troopers tried to pull him over, but they said he sped off toward Cumberland County where Highway 87 turns into North Bragg Boulevard. When he came to the intersection of N. Bragg and McKenzie, the light was red. Troopers said he tried to go around stopped traffic and ended up hitting another car, killing the car's passenger, Delfina Sanchez, and seriously injuring the driver of that car.

Powell then hit a light pole and his car caught fire. Troopers said they pulled him out of the car, and he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Troopers said they believed alcohol was a factor in the crash.

"This is the type of thing we're trying to prevent from happening. So, just frustrating and just a very sad for the victim and the victim's family in this case," West told ABC11.

Powell is now facing three additional charges for speeding, reckless driving, and eluding arrest in a motor vehicle causing death.

He did appear in court Monday to have his bond revoked but has yet to appear in court on his new charges as he had to be taken back to the hospital Tuesday.

West said his office is still deciding whether to seek the death penalty against Powell for Adair's murder.

ABC11 went to the neighborhood where Adair was shot. Neighbors told us she lived in that neighborhood, and recalled her being a friendly woman.

One neighbor, Ash Thomas, said his wife and 4-month-old daughter were home across the street when the shooting began last July. He said his wife called him once the shots started.

"I was terrified. I was worried for their safety. I didn't know what the outcome of it was going to be, and my first thought was, I need to get home," Thomas told ABC11. His wife and child were not hurt in the shooting, but Thomas said they were shaken up.

Another woman who did not want to be named said she witnessed the shooting, saying she had to run to get away once the shots started.

"It was scary because I didn't know I could have got shot. I had to get out the way I could have got shot, and then I ran," she said.

Both neighbors were disappointed to hear that their neighbor's alleged killer was accused of killing someone else in that high-speed chase while out on bond.

"I think it's messed up that how he was able to get free and then commit another crime as serious as this," Thomas said.

ABC11 will be at Powell's next court appearance and continue to track this story.

Related Topics

• FAYETTEVILLE
• CUMBERLAND COUNTY
• HARNETT COUNTY
• SPRING LAKE
• HIGH SPEED CHASE
• FATAL CRASH

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Logos Knights to run the gauntlet

Aug. 20—The Logos Knights of Moscow are set to pick up this fall football season right where they left off last year.

Logos fell to eventual champion Butte County of Arco, Idaho, in the Class 1A Division I state semifinals to conclude its 2023-24 season.

Now, the Knights travel to face that same team this Saturday in a '24-25 debut that sets the tone for their entire schedule.

"I told my AD that I wanted to have a tougher schedule than we had last year," Logos coach Nick Holloway said. "You don't get better unless you play the best. At this point, we really probably have, I think, the toughest schedule in the state."

Following the Butte County game, the Knights plunge into competition in the newly christened 2A Whitepine League for a five-game stretch before using their other nonleague opening to host last year's state finalists, the Oakley Hornets, on Oct 4. They face yet another juggernaut after that in the form of three-time 1A DII state champion Kendrick, which has now jumped divisions to become a league foe.

"I've been here in Moscow for 16 years — officiated 10 years, coaching for five," Holloway said. "I can't remember a team having as tough a schedule as we have this year."

A team that was founded only four years ago, Logos has made a rapid ascent into the upper echelons of 8-man football. The Knights went 9-1 last year, sweeping to a Whitepine League regular-season title and topping Murtaugh 60-26 in the opening round of the state playoffs before their lone defeat.

The loss of now-graduated offensive powerhouse Jack Driskill, who had been starting quarterback throughout the varsity-level team's existence, stands out as the greatest setback the program must cope with this fall.

"He's definitely got a lot of talent, and that leaves a big hole," Holloway said of Driskill, who has signed to play for Dakota Wesleyan at the NAIA level. "The good news is we have 12 seniors this year, and they all have either lots of football experience or they're really hard workers and good guys. We do have guys stepping in; I think that will make us competitive in all of our games."

Linebacker Ben Carlson, receivers Ryan Daniels and Lucius Comis, and center Gunnar Holloway are among the key experienced seniors returning this year.

"They all have lots of playing experience," Nick Holloway said. "They've all been leaders on the team in the past, so they're going to be a big part of what we do."

Nick Holloway also noted that turnout is in the 40s — a level of participation that "bodes well for the future." He has felt through fall camp that "we really have guys together" for the good of the team, and that "there don't seem to be any cliques" or "egos that need to be fed," making his job as a coach "a lot more fun."

Can the Knights, then, continue their march toward the pinnacle of small-school football?

"I think we definitely have that capability," Holloway said. "It won't be in the same exact way. Obviously, spreading the ball around; maybe running the ball more; changing somewhat how you approach offense. I think we can have the same success — but again, the obstacles are a little bit bigger."

3 things to watch

Can the Knights successfully adjust to competing without the staggering offensive output of Jack Driskill, the quarterback who regularly logged hundreds of yards per game since Logos first fielded a varsity team?

Logos has set perhaps the toughest schedule it plausibly could have, playing its two nonleague games against state finalists from last year in addition to facing a state champion as part of its league schedule. Will this strategy pay off in the form of high-end experience and confidence?

Logos has improved its results with each successive season since the program was founded four years ago. Can the Knights keep that streak going after making a run to the state semifinals last year?

COACH — Nick Holloway (fourth season)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD — 9-1 overall, 7-0 in Whitepine League Division I

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS — Noah Atwood, sr., G/DT; Ben Carlson, sr., G/MLB; Lucius Comis, sr., WR/DE; Baxter Covington, soph., QB/WR/DB; Ryan Daniels, sr., WR/DB; George Evans, sr., G/DE; Asaph Grieser, jr., WR/DB; Max Hawthorne, sr., WR/DB; Gunnar Holloway, sr., C/MLB; Dominic Porras, sr., WR/DB; Peter Story, jr., G/DT; Ole Sundlie, jr., RB/DB.

8/24 — Butte County at Homedale, 3 p.m.

8/30 — Clearwater Valley, 7 p.m.

9/6 — at Lapwai, 7 p.m.

9/13 — Kamiah, 7 p.m.

9/20 — at Troy, 7 p.m.

9/27 — Prairie, 7 p.m.

10/4 — Oakley, 7 p.m.

10/18 — at Kendrick, 7 p.m.

10/25 — Potlatch, 7 p.m.

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Modi to visit Ukraine, weeks after Kyiv condemned Indian PM for hugging Putin in Moscow

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Ukraine , officials said Monday, weeks after he made his first trip to Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

His forthcoming visit to Ukraine - also his first since the start of the war – comes at a crucial moment, as Kyiv’s troops push further into Russian territory in a shock military offensive that stunned even Kyiv’s closest allies.

Modi has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, without condemning Russia’s aerial campaign or denouncing the ground invasion. India has also abstained from all resolutions on Ukraine at the United Nations.

India remains heavily reliant on the Kremlin for its military equipment and has ramped up purchases of discounted Russian crude oil, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nation a major financial lifeline as it faces isolation from the West.

Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23 at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced Monday.

“The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi to Ukraine will provide an opportunity to hold discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations,” the ministry’s secretary for the West, Tanmaya Lal, said in a briefing.

The secretary reiterated that India has “maintained a very clear and consistent position that diplomacy and dialogue can resolve this conflict.” She said that “lasting peace” can only be achieved through a negotiated settlement.

Modi’s trip will also include a visit to Poland on August 21-22 – the first by an Indian prime minister in 45 years, the ministry said.

The trip comes a month after Modi visited Putin in July – a sign that the two nations remain close. Images and video showed the two leaders hugging, chatting over tea, riding in an electric vehicle and watching a horse show.

Zelensky condemned the meeting that coincided with a brazen assault on several Ukrainian cities and a deadly strike on a children’s hospital.

The Ukrainian leader described the meeting as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day.”

Modi did not address the strikes directly during his trip, but did say solutions to conflict are unlikely to come through war, but rather peace and dialogue. The remarks appeared to be his most critical comments to date against Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Whether it’s conflict, war or terror, any person who believes in humanity is troubled when there are deaths, especially when innocent children die,” Modi said while seated alongside the Russian president.

“As a friend, I have always said that peace is necessary for the prosperity of future generations, but I also know that on the battlefield, solutions aren’t easy to come by between guns, bombs and bullets. We have to adopt a path to peace through dialogue,” he added.

CNN’s Lizzy Yee contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

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