Balmy evenings in sea-salted air and colorful cocktails at sunset are cornerstones of a romantic getaway or honeymoon, but who’s to say a holiday must be all about relaxing?
When lounging loses its luster and your paperback starts to wilt, try hiking, diving or climbing to create your own romantic adventures in these classic couples’ destinations.
Try a little competition to get your hearts racing in Maldives. amriphoto / Getty Images
Cocktails and kayaks in the Maldives
When your personal butler ships in a mango after you casually remark that you crave one, you can be certain you’re living in luxury. The high-end resorts of Maldives are not merely indulgent, they’re downright Epicurean. With private lap pools, in-room massages and even pillow menus, they cater for desires you never knew you had.
It’s little wonder then that this archipelago in the Indian Ocean is so popular with couples. A week of laze and languor is perfectly acceptable, but there’s plenty here for those seeking more. Explore the atolls by kayak on a mini-adventure. Setting out alone in a small watercraft has a romance of its own and offers the perfect antidote to a sun-baked stupor. Pack snorkels and fins to explore the islands’ world-class coral.
How to do it
Most Maldives hotels offer kayaking and water sports. Baros is particularly excellent for couples.
How to choose the best Maldives island for your travel style
Drive from sand to snow in tropical Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi’s Mauna Kea has its lower reaches beneath sea level, so while it’s not higher than Everest, it is taller. At 4207m (13,802ft) above sea level, this long-dormant volcano on Big Island is often capped with snow – yes, snow in Hawaiʻi. Visitors will also find a number of observatories dotting the slopes of this sacred mountain. The summit of Mauna Kea is so high, dry, dark and clean that it allows scientists to investigate the furthest reaches of the observable universe – a sure inspiration to venture from the beach.
How to do it
Drive to the visitor center to check conditions at the summit and pause for a while to adjust to the altitude. If you wish to drive further, a 4WD is recommended. Alternatively, book a tour with one of the officially permitted companies.
How to choose the best Hawaiian island for your trip
See which animals come out at dusk on a sunset safari. Tetra Images / Getty Image
One step beyond on a South African safari
A safari in South Africa is a great choice for those in search of adventure. The thrilling promise of the big five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo – draws more than a million annual visitors to Kruger National Park. With vast swathes of open savannah, a rich array of luxury accommodation and a supporting cast of giraffe, hippo, zebra and cheetah, Kruger is popular with honeymooning couples.
Those seeking an extra dash of adventure can opt for a rhino walking safari in Kruger. Combining game drives and bush walks, this allows guests to experience the natural rhythm of the national park, guided by an experienced ranger.
How to do it
Learn more about South Africa’s walking safaris and book a Rhino Walking Safari.
South Africa safaris for first-timers: 8 things to know before you book
A camp in the Dubai desert. Traveller Tails / Shutterstock
From skyscrapers to stargazing in the deserts of Dubai
It’s clear that Dubai is a place to see and be seen. Its promise of sun, sea and shopping is rarely unfulfilled, but there is more to this gleaming metropolis. Couples searching for romantic adventures can choose to camp in the desert after a day of dune bashing.
Bedouin camps with Arabian tents offer comfortable overnight lodgings while entertainment comes in a range of guises: a feast of Emirati cuisine, lively local music, cookery demonstrations and even a spot of falconry. Above it all lies a glorious expanse of stars gleaming in their desert splendor.
How to do it
Choose from a selection of tours in Dubai.
Top 10 things to know before visiting Dubai
Le Morne on Mauritius is a romantic place to explore. Myroslava Bozhko / Shutterstock
Mauritian beach to mountain peaks
A beach paradise, Mauritius is popular with couples seeking luxury along with romantic adventures. Formed by volcanic activity eight million years ago, Mauritius is encircled by a broken ring of mountains. Ranging from 300 to 800m (1000-2600ft) above sea level, they’re not quite Alpine, but the views are nonetheless dramatic.
Hike Le Pouce for superb views of the Moka Range. At 812m (2664ft), Le Pouce is the third-highest mountain on the island and can be hiked in a three-hour round trip: gentle at first with some scrambling at the top. Le Morne on the southwest tip of the island is also worth a hike.
How to do it
Drive to Petit Verger near the village of Saint Pierre in the Moka region. Follow the small paved road that leads off the corner of the B47 road to the small car park by the trailhead. From there, follow the Le Pouce hiking route.
Escape into nature and isolate yourself in a luxurious pod
Escape the Venice crowds and head north to the Dolomites for a truly romantic experience. Westend61 / Getty Images
Venetian feast to mountain retreat
Few cities compete with Venice in terms of romance and splendor. Its motifs are unmistakable – the elegant curve of a gondola, the stone reliefs of Rialto Bridge, ornate basilicas – while canalside bistros serve cicheti (Venetian tapas) and prosecco.
Pair Venice with a trip to the Dolomites a few hours north. This region is home to some of the world’s most dramatic mountains: rugged crags, soaring pillars, breathtaking pinnacles and colossal rock walls. Visit from December to March for world-class skiing and May to September for sublime hiking.
How to do it
Join a trekking in the Dolomites tour or book a Dolomites hotel and go it alone.
A diver explores the reef in Fiji. Darryl Leniuk / Getty Images
Lagoon life and shark dives in Fiji
From the overwater bures (bungalows) of Malolo Island to the lush greenery of Taveuni, Fiji may well be the most beautiful place you have ever seen. Its landscapes are literally out of a movie scene: Brooke Shields’ infamous Blue Lagoon was filmed in part on Turtle Island while Tom Hanks’ Castaway was shot on Monuriki. Throw in rich, flavorsome food from its Indo-Fijian community and you have all the ingredients for an amazing trip.
Those in search of romantic adventures should pause at Pacific Harbour on Viti Levu. Here audacious divers can observe reef sharks, lemon sharks, bull sharks and even the occasional tiger shark.
How to do it
Book a dive with a reputable outfitter such as Aqua-Trek Beqa.
Don’t leave Fiji without visiting these national parks and marine sanctuaries
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With four seasons, a long multi-cultural history, and a sprawling metroplex, there’s a lot to see and do in Dallas year round. But when you go can depend on how much you want to spend, what festivals you’re hoping to experience, and the degree of tolerance you have for the high heat and humidity that settle on the city during the summer months.
Each season brings something new to the city, and is worthy of a visit. If your travel plans are flexible, you might even consider planning multiple visits throughout the year to experience it all. Four days in Dallas, Texas can help you hit the city’s highlights, though you could easily fill a week or more.
So, when is the best time to visit Dallas? Here’s the skinny on the high (temperatures), the low (seasons), and the month-by-months.
The summer “high” or busy season in Dallas runs from June through September–or, at least, that’s when the heat finally begins to wane. Dallas may be hot in the summertime, but that’s still when people have PTO to burn and the kids are out of school. Expect higher hotel prices during the summer, and extra competition for the beer garden seats in front of the fans and sprayers. In fact, the average hotel rates in Dallas during the peak tourist season are double that of the rates in the low season, reaching $250 a night on average.
Summer is not only peak tourist season, but also the peak of the heat. One thing to know about Texas is that it can experience some extreme weather. Despite the temperatures, outdoor activities are still popular. Just make sure to pack plenty of water and take long breaks. When you need to cool off, take advantage of Dallas’ love affair with air conditioning by ducking into shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and live music venues.
Shoulder seasons: March to May and September to November
If you’re wondering when the best time of year to visit Dallas is for mild weather, the shoulder season is the answer. There are actually two shoulder seasons in the city: March to May and September to November.
With cooler temperatures, spring and fall are prime time in Dallas for enjoying the city’s parks, food trucks, pedestrian trails, and patios. Visit in these seasons and you’ll have a chance to jog your way to the Katy Trail Icehouse without soaking in sweat or take in the skyline from Trinity Groves without the heat shimmering on the horizon.
However, keep in mind that while the shoulder seasons bring cooler temperatures, they can also bring more rain. March through May and September through November are considered the rainy season in Dallas. Luckily, rain showers tend to be short and rainy periods often last less than two days at a time. Storm season in Dallas falls in the spring each year and can bring strong storms, though these tend to pass quickly as well.
These shoulder seasons fall between the busy summer season and the holidays, which means that popular tourist attractions, malls, and other popular destinations tend to be less crowded.
Low season: November to March
Best time to visit for fewer crowds
If you’re really looking to enjoy the city with less crowds, the winter “low” season is the perfect time to visit. Running from November to March, with the exception of the holidays, these months often feature smaller crowds at Dallas’ most popular attractions.
With hotel prices at their lowest and the crowds thinned out in popular spots like Dealey Plaza, you’ll really have some elbow room no matter where you go.
You can still enjoy outdoor activities in Dallas during the winter months if you pack correctly. You won’t have to fight the heat and humidity, but you’ll want to pack some cozy layers – it can still get chilly in Dallas. While snow isn’t that common, the city has been known to experience an ice storm from time to time. Many of the city’s parks and other outdoor attractions stay open year-round and have special activities to enjoy around the holidays. For example, The Dallas Arboretum is open all year and has a holiday festival.
Sports season: September to December and October to March
Best time to visit for sports and festivals
If you want to catch a game or take part in Dallas’ famous festivals, you have a few options. The main sports seasons in the city run from September to December and October to March each year. But you’ll find festivals throughout the year.
Dallas has two professional sports teams: the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks. The Cowboys season usually runs from September to December, while the Mavericks season runs from October to March.
If you’re visiting during one of these seasons, you can hit up a festival at the same time. The State Fair of Texas occurs in Dallas from late September to mid-October each year. The best time to go to the State Fair is later in the season when the initial crowds have started to fade and temperatures are getting cooler.
The Riverfront Jazz Festival falls in September as well, while the popular Autumn at the Arboretum, which features more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squashes, runs through September and October each year.
Visiting Dallas: a month-by-month guide
It’s not just every season that brings something new to Dallas, Texas. Each month is packed with unique activities and must-dos for your next visit.
January
Dallas eases into the New Year with dry weather and a parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr. that culminates in festivities at the African American Museum on the grounds of Fair Park. Also on deck is the KidFilm Festival, the oldest and (and the biggest, this is Texas after all) all-ages film festival in the country.
Key Events: MLK Parade on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, KidFilm Festival during mid-January
Weather: Daily average highs in the high 50s°F and lows in the high 30s°F, with just five days of rain on average
February
Dallas is balanced geographically between the Gulf states and the southwest, so it’s maybe not surprising that the city takes a cue from its eastern neighbors and has its own Mardi Gras celebration every February featuring live country music at the Historic State Fairgrounds.
Key Events: Dallas Blooms from late February to early April, West End Mardi Gras on the Sunday after Fat Tuesday
Weather: Daily average highs in the low 60s°F and lows in the low 40s°F, with six days of rain on average
Since 1983, March has been all about honoring the Irish American community in North Texas, which itself dates back to the 1700s. The Irish Festival involves Celtic music, traditional dancing, and even some horse shows – this is Texas after all.
Key Events: North Texas Irish Festival during the first weekend in March, St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Weather: Daily average highs in the low 70s°F and lows in low 50s°F, with seven days of rain on average
April
The prime spring weather – still relatively cool and dry – is perfect for festivals and happenings. Cue Dallas Arts Month, a full slate of gallery showings, art talks, and even true crime theater experiences. If you love art, this should definitely be on your Dallas itinerary. Next up is Deep Ellum Arts Fest. What started as a small neighborhood block party has turned into a major event with 100 original bands and singer-songwriters rocking out from 5 stages, a juried arts show, street performances, and food trucks galore.
Key Events: Dallas Arts Month throughout the month, Deep Ellum Arts Fest during the first weekend in April
Weather: Daily average high in the high 70s°F and lows in the high 50s°F, with seven days of rain on average
As the weather starts to warm up, Texans turn to indoor events like the International Film Festival or savor the last of the spring weather in Richardson at Cottonwood Arts Festival. What started as a little hippie happening in 1969 has since evolved into a serious juried art show that features over 200 works of art as well as hands-on activities for kids and families.
Key Events: Dallas International Film Festival at the very end of the month, Cottonwood Arts Festival during the first weekend in May
Weather: Daily average high in the mid-80s°F and lows in the mid-60s°F, with eight days of rain on average.
June
Things start to heat up with Taste of Dallas, a beloved celebration of the city’s restaurant scene. Reunion Tower (that’s the big disco lollypop on the skyline) hosts parties in the park at the base of the building, complete with live music, lawn games, and plenty of cold beer. Best of all, Juneteenth on the 19th commemorates the day the last slaves in Texas learned they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier. The MLK Community Center, The University of Texas at Dallas Multicultural Center, and African American museum are just a few of the institutions who put on celebratory events.
Key Events: Taste of Dallas during the second weekend in June, Juneteenth, Reunion Lawn Party from June through August
Weather: Daily highs in the mid-90s°F and lows in the mid-70s°F, with six days of rain on average.
Since 1972, Dallas has had its own Shakespeare company. Every summer, they present live productions at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre in East Dallas. Also in July, Fair Park puts on a big celebration for the Fourth, with water shows, fireworks, food trucks, and more.
Key Events: Shakespeare Festival runs from mid-June to mid-July without another festival in the fall, Fair Park Fourth on the Fourth of July
Weather: Daily highs in the high 90s°F and lows in the high 70s°F, with three days of rain on average
August
August ushers in the hottest temperatures of the year to Dallas. While this is a great time to hit the pool at your hotel or home rental, there’s still plenty going on throughout the city. DFW Restaurant Week is a great excuse to dine out and sample some of the city’s best cuisine. There’s still time to catch a performance by some of the world’s best cowboys at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.
Key Events: DFW Restaurant Week starts the first full week of August
Weather: Daily average highs in the high 90s°F and lows in the high 70s°F, with four days of rain on average.
September
It should be no surprise that Dallas hosts one of the biggest, longest state fairs in the country. The fair is full of Lone Star culture, from ranching and livestock events. The museums of Fair Park throw their doors open to educate fairgoers on Hispanic and Black culture in Texas.
Key Events: Texas State Fair from late September to late October
Weather: Daily average highs in the low 90s°F and lows in the low 70s°F, with four days of rain on average
October
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t the only team in this football-loving town that get a standing ovation. Every October since 1900 the Cotton Bowl inside Fair Park fills up with fans of the Sooners of the University of Oklahoma in Norman and the Longhorns of the University of Texas at Austin. They go toe-to-toe for a gold ten-gallon hat, natch, and the rivalry runs deep. If sports isn’t your thing, the Stevie Ray Vaughn concert celebrates one of Dallas’ best-beloved sons, the legendary blues musician who grew up in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. He’s honored every year with a memorial concert and other festivities.
Key Events: The Red River Showdown the second Saturday of October,
Weather: Daily average high in the low 80s°F and lows in high 50s°F, with six days of rail on average
November
November is the start of the low season in Dallas, which means some of the smallest tourist numbers of the year. Take advantage of this month to score a great deal on hotels or to visit popular tourist attractions that can get crowded in the summer months. Some holiday festivities start this month, including the city-wide celebration, Big D Holiday, which begins in early November each year.
Key Events: Big D Holiday begins in early to mid-November
Weather: Daily average highs in the high 60s°F and lows in the high 40s°F, with five days of rain on average
December
December is a great month to take to the streets for epic runs and holiday fun, making the low season lively as the year winds down. Whether you want to take in some holiday festivities or put your fitness to the test with a winter marathon, you’ll find it all in Dallas this month.
Key Events: Dallas Holiday Parade on the first Saturday of December, BMW Dallas Marathon on the second Sunday of December
Weather: Daily average highs in the low 60s°F and lows in the low 40s°F, with five days of rain on average
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Full of surprises, epic Algeria is an adventurous traveler’s dream.
Africa’s largest country by area has a 1600km (994-mile) coastline fringed with long sandy beaches and dotted with history-rich cities which include some of the best Roman ruins in the world. Inland, a fantastic desert hinterland promises authentic oasis towns, vast sand seas and ancient volcanic mountains covered in rare prehistoric petroglyphs and paintings.
Until recently, Algeria was one of the hardest countries in the world to visit. But this is changing, with tourist visas getting easier to obtain (still, budget two months for the process), and an increasing number of flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Curiosity piqued? Read on for 10 places you’ll want to visit in this country, a travel destination that will soon get the attention it deserves.
The Arch of Trajan is a highlight of the magnificent Roman ruins at Timgad. Shutterstock
1. Timgad
Best for fans of epic Roman ruins
The UNESCO-listed Roman ruins at Timgad were built by the emperor Trajan in 100 CE. The site sits at a crucial pass through the Aurès Mountains, a strategic point that gave Rome control of access to the Sahara. Often called North Africa’s Pompeii, Timgad an exemplar of Roman urban planning, the city laid out like a chessboard over 50 hectares (123 acres). You’ll need a full day to explore all the forums, temples, markets, bath houses, theaters, law courts and villas here, as well as a rare public library. Look out for the inscription in the forum which reads “venari lavari ludere ridere occ est vivere” (“to hunt, to go to the bath, to play, to laugh: this is to live”). The on-site museum has 200 stunningly well-preserved floor mosaics.
Planning tip: Timgad is a very exposed site. You’ll need a hat and plenty of water in summer, and a jacket in winter or spring as it can be cold and windy.
The Sidi M’Cid Bridge leads to the remarkable pinnacle city of Constantine. Shutterstock
2. Constantine
Best for admiring one of the world’s most improbably sited cities
Since the 4th century BCE, Constantine has occupied a rocky pinnacle above the river Rhumel, encircled by 200m(656ft)-deep ravines. It’s a pleasure to admire the ingenuity behind this improbably located city – and to snap pictures from the Sidi M’Cid Bridge and the Monument aux Morts, a WWI memorial that offers a bird’s-eye view. Once you hit the streets, you can visit the finely decorated Ottoman Palace of Ahmed Bey, the National Museum and the beautifully contemporary Emir Abdelkader Mosque, one of the largest on the continent.
Planning tip: Non-Muslims are allowed to enter mosques in Algeria outside of prayer times, so plan your touring accordingly.
In Annaba, you can contemplate the legacy of the great early-Christian bishop, thinker and theologian St Augustine. Fares Makrouf/Getty Images
3. Annaba
Best for following in the footsteps of North African Christian pioneer
Charming Annaba is where Amazigh theologian St Augustine – a figure crucial to and “Father” of the Catholic Church – taught and wrote works that remain cornerstones of modern Christian theology. Augustine was bishop of Roman Hippo Regius, now a flower-filled ruin in the town suburbs. On a hill above is the Basilica de Saint Augustine, built by the French in the late 19th century and overlooking the Basilica of Peace, where Augustine taught and beneath which he was buried. It is still tended by Annaba’s Augustinian community and a site of Catholic pilgrimage.
Planning tip: Underrated Annaba has a beautiful seaside setting, an atmospheric old town and some lovely sandy beaches.
The images of hunters and animals in Tassili n’Ajjer National Park are tens of thousands of years old. Shutterstock
4. Tassili n’Ajjer National Park
Best for taking in the world’s oldest gallery of art
Tassili N’Ajjer National Park encompasses 72,000 sq km (27,800 sq miles) of extraordinary desertscape, characterized by a surreal sandstone rock forest covered with 15,000 prehistoric petroglyphs and carmine-colored rock paintings depicting herds of elephant, giraffe and buffalo. These images provide a reminder of the Saharan steppeland, where Neolithic pastoralists roamed alongside wild megafauna some 10–15,000 years ago. To see all of Tassili’s treasures, you’ll need a full 10 days, though tours of 5 or 6 days are also possible.
Planning tip: Remote Djanet (served by Air Algérie) is the gateway to the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park. Officially, travelers touring the desert require an agency escort/guide for security.
Getting lost in the alleys of the Casbah of Algiers is an atmospheric pleasure. Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images
5. Algiers
Best for discovering a capital with character
Overlooking a beautiful crescent bay, Algeria’s capital city brims with atmosphere, interesting Ottoman and art deco architecture and cafes playing haabi – the Muslim-Jewish fusion style forged in the city’s ancient alleys. Algiers’ historic heart, the Casbah is a snakes-and-ladders labyrinth of staircases, antique palaces and mosques. After occupying the city in 1830, French colonists encircled Algiers with Parisian-style boulevards; added a botanical garden, the Jardin d’Essai; inaugurated the Bardo National Museum; and built the basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique. The Martyrs Monument, Maqam Echahid, bookends the south end of the city, commemorating those who died during the long fight for independence, finally achieved in 1962.
Planning tip: Explore the Casbah with a guide from Fancyellow. If you have time, take a day trip to the extraordinary Roman ruins of Tipasa and Cherchell.
Tlemcen’s 11th-century Great Mosque is an architectural gem. Samere Fahim Photography/Getty Images
6. Tlemcen
Best for rich medieval architecture
Tlemcen is an architectural jewel of medieval mosques and palaces set in a green pine forest. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the city was a hub of learning and trade that rivaled Fez, Tunis and Granada, trading gold from Timbuktu and salt from Taghaza with Europe. This explains the hybrid Hispano-Moorish architecture of the Great Mosque (1082), an Almoravid masterpiece, and the El Mechouar citadel, which echoes Spain’s Alhambra. On the western edge of town you’ll find the ruins of the military camp El Mansourah (1299), with a 40m(131ft)-high minaret that is near-twin to the Giralda in Seville.
Detour: Tlemcen remains spiritually significant due to the tomb of Sidi Boumediene, located 1.6km (1 mile) southeast of the city. From here, it’s a 10-minute drive to the El Ourit waterfalls and a half-hour drive to the stalactite-encrusted Grottes des Beni Add.
The basalt formations of remote Ahaggar National Park feel of another world. iStock
7. Ahaggar National Park
Best for feeling like you’re at the edge of the world
Older than Tassili, the Hoggar Mountains of Ahaggar National Park are volcanic basalt buttes that rise vertiginously from the desert floor. Ancient river valleys sweeping through them on their way to Lake Chad are lined with more petroglyphs and paintings of wild animals and charioteers, thought to be the Garamantian ancestors of the Tuareg tribespeople. Week-long camel treks and 4×4 tours depart from Tamanrasset to the high plateau of Assekrem (2728m / 8950ft) – which translates to “the end of the world.” Stay at the hostel to see a truly spectacular dawn over the Atakor massif.
Planning tip: Expect to tip guides and drivers the equivalent of an extra day’s payment for each week worked.
Amazigh adherents of the Ibadite sect, Mozabites inhabit the fortified cities of the M’Zab Valley. Shutterstock
8. Ghardaïa and the M’Zab Valley
Best for seeing secretive desert citadels
A collection of five ksours (citadels) built between 1012 and 1350 ( collectively referred to today as Ghardaïa after the principal one), the Pentapolis in the M’Zab Valley is one of the most fascinating places in Algeria. The fortified cities are today inhabited by Mozabites, members of an Amazigh tribe who adhere to the conservative Ibadite sect, observing distinct social codes and clothing, and permitting entry to outsiders only with a chaperone. Engage a guide to explore these closed communities to see, for example, the Sidi Brahim mosque in El-Atteuf, which inspired Le Corbusier. Don’t forget to check out the carpets in Ghardaïa’s market: weaving is a traditional craft here.
Planning tip: To visit Ghardaïa, the government requires tourists be on a group tour with required permits; try Algeria Tours. Within the ksours, you’ll also need to respect community rules, which include modest dress, no smoking and no pictures of people.
The ancient mosaics of Djemila are simply astonishing. hamdi bendali/Shutterstock
9. Sétif & Djemila
Best for gorgeous ancient mosaics
Sétif’s archaeological museum houses some of the best Roman mosaics in the world, including the unrivaled Triumph of Dionysus. Most artifacts come from Djemila (previously Cuicul), a UNESCO-heritage Roman city which sits on an scenic hillside in the Petit Kabyle mountains – and which is an essential excursion. You can tour the lovely ruins in half a day, but you’ll probably want to linger longer to enjoy the picturesque views. An excellent on-site museum exhibits incredible mosaics that cover almost the entire wall space.
Planning tip: Djemila is most easily visited from Sétif (1 hour) or Constantine (1 hours). Stay at Hotel Tadj el Mouada in Setif or Novotel Constantine.
The dunes around Timimoun extend seemingly forever. Ghulam Hussain/Getty Images
10. Timimoun
Best for oasis life and dune-bashing
Timimoun in Central Algeria is a spectacular desert oasis set at the edge of an escarpment overlooking a sebkha (salt pan) and the undulating dunefields of the Grand Erg Occidental. Since this stunning landscape is miles from anywhere, you’ll feel like you’ve landed on the moon, with the red town rising from the earth like a wind sculpture. From here, you can (and should!) head into the desert. Most hotels can arrange quad biking and sandboarding close to town. Or you can tour the Sebkha Circuit, which takes you to abandoned villages crumbling in the heat on a roller-coaster ride over towering dunes.
Planning tip: Timimoun’s S’Boue Festival lasts seven days and draws thousands who come to celebrate at the mausoleum of Sidi El Hadj Belkacem and enjoy sacred music, poetry and traditional dances.
Home to tropical beaches, pre-Columbian ruins and some of the world’s most celebrated cooking, Mexico has long captivated visitors. Its hiking trails, however, remain little known, which is great news for those eager to experience the nation’s diverse scenery without the crowds.
Mexico’s trails can take you through astonishing landscapes, from newly formed lava fields to jaw-dropping canyons, as well as cloud forests teeming with wildlife.
Experienced mountaineers can plan a trip around the country’s famous mountains, like the challenging ascent up 18,491ft (5636m) Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest peak.
Hiking here isn’t just about the panoramic backdrops, though. You can also head off on a trek through local communities, with indigenous guides shedding insight on the rich cultures that date back centuries.
Here are our picks for the top hikes in Mexico.
The climb to the top of Pico del Águila is challenging, but it rewards with views of rolling valleys and Mexico City in the distance. Getty Images
1. Pico del Águila
Best hike for views
2.8 miles (4.5km) roundtrip, 3 hours, difficult
Less than 25 miles (40km) south of Mexico City, the Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco immerses you in a world of forested slopes and rocky peaks that seem a world removed from the bustling capital.
The challenging but rewarding climb to the top of Pico del Águila will take you through forests of oaks, firs and pines up to alpine terrain where the views over the rolling valleys and the distant metropolis grow more dramatic with every step.
Although the hike is relatively short, the going is steep as you ascend more than 2200ft (671m) en route to the lofty summit, which sits at 12,795ft (3900m) above sea level.
Along the way, keep an eye out for the teporingo, aka the volcano rabbit, a rare lagomorph and one of the smallest rabbit species on earth (only the pygmy rabbit is smaller).
Planning tip: The trail begins near El Abrevadero restaurant, a great place to treat yourself to a meal after completing the hike.
Volcán Paricutín is mostly dormant, which you can see firsthand on a walk from the village of Angahuan. Shutterstock
2. Volcán Paricutín
Best hike for volcano encounters
12 miles (19km) roundtrip, 5 to 7 hours, moderate
Most of earth’s geologic wonders can be measured in eons, but Volcán Paricutín has been around for barely 80 years. Back in 1943, a farmer was plowing his fields in the southwestern state of Michoacán when rumbling started, and steam, ash and lava spurted from the ground.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Paricutín volcano rose out of the bowels of the earth, growing over the next decade to around 1350ft (411m) above the surrounding valley.
Today, the large black cone is mostly dormant, which you can see firsthand on a walk from the village of Angahuan.
From there you can hire a guide from the Purépecha community and set out across lava fields, trekking past the ruins of the Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro with its battered belfry towering above blackened volcanic rock.
Later, you’ll scramble up loose rock and gravel to the summit of the youthful volcano, spying a few steam vents that are the only signs of its activity.
Experience jaw-dropping panoramas and learn about Rarámuri culture on a hike along the Copper Canyon’s Bacajipare Trail. Marisol Rios Campuzano/Shutterstock
3. Bacajipare Trail
Best hike for indigenous culture
2.5 miles (4km) roundtrip, 3 hours, moderate
The Copper Canyon in the north of Mexico isn’t one great expanse, but rather a system of six separate canyons that are larger and deeper in places than the Grand Canyon.
The rugged mountainous terrain is also home to the Rarámuri (Taramuri), an indigenous group known for their long-distance running traditions.
You can experience jaw-dropping panoramas of the Sierra Madre while also learning about Rarámuri culture on a guided hike along the Bacajipare Trail. Led by Rarámuri members, this memorable walk takes you along an ancient path past remote homesteads and down to the small Bacajipare community.
This is just one of several hikes you can undertake that is led by Experiencias Rarámuri, a sustainable community tourism project that’s been around since 2015.
Planning tip: Contact the guides in advance or find them at the lower cable car station inside the Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre. Before or after a hike, be sure to ride the high-flying zip lines over the canyon – another spectacular way to experience this region.
4. Pueblos Mancomunados
Best hike for adventure
6-62 miles (10km to 100km) roundtrip, 4 hours to 4 days, moderate
Near the center of Oaxaca state, eight remote villages are linked by some 62 miles (100km) of high-country trails in one of Mexico’s best ecotourism projects.
You can plan a wide range of hikes here, from half-day excursions to multi-day treks, overnighting in Zapotec villages along the way.
Highlights include walking through misty cloud forests, crossing suspension bridges over ravines and scampering up rocky cliffs to views of snow-capped Pico Orizaba.
Planning tip: The community-run Expediciones Sierra Norte based in Oaxaca City can help with planning and logistics. Among other things, they can set you up with English-speaking guides, additional activities like horse and bike rentals and reserve your lodging in advance.
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5. Pueblo Fantasma
Best desert hike
3 miles (5km) round trip, 2 hours, moderate
The mines of San Luís Potosí showered riches on boom towns like Real de Catorce. When the price of silver went bust in the early 20th century, cobblestone centers turned into pueblos fantasmas (ghost towns) and the population pulled up stakes and moved elsewhere.
In recent years, boutique hotels and restaurants have breathed new life into Real de Catorce, though it still retains ghostly elements of its once-grand past.
With its population hovering around 1000, the small city makes a great base for hikes to abandoned sites, including a hilltop ghost town hidden in the desert landscape.
Along the way, you’ll ascend more than 850ft (259m) and enjoy sweeping views back toward Real de Catorce and the surrounding mountains stretching off toward the horizon.
Once inside the pueblo fantasma, you can explore eerie 200-year-old houses and peek inside open mine shafts (watch your step!).
Hike in the heartland of temascal (sweat lodges) ritual and pine-covered mountains near San Cristóbal. Light and Vision/Shutterstock
6. Cerro Don Lauro
Best spiritual hike
2.7 miles (4.3km) round trip, 2 hours, easy
Surrounded by dozens of traditional Tsotzil and Tzeltal villages, San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas is at the heart of one of the most deeply rooted indigenous areas in Mexico.
No matter where you walk, you’ll encounter residents with obvious pride in their Mayan ancestry. The forests and mountains here are considered sacred – none perhaps more so than the Cerro Don Lauro, a craggy, pine-covered mountain looming above San Cristóbal.
An uphill hike takes you through pine and oak forest, past trickling streams and small community farms. As you near the top, you’ll pass an oversized drum, an altar and an area for temascal (sweat lodge) ceremonies.
This is where Chiapaneco shaman Don Lauro, for whom the peak is named, leads workshops and ceremonies in honor of the mountain. You can learn more about him in the film El Hombre de la Montaña (2018).
At the summit, you’ll enjoy a mesmerizing expanse of San Cristóbal, fringed by lush peaks rising above the valley floor.
A country packed with misty peaks, hidden ancient temples, otherworldly karst outcrops and dense jungle teeming with wildlife, Thailand offers a veritable feast for hikers.
After you’ve laced up your boots (or fastened your sandals), you can conquer mountains, circumnavigate stunning sandy islands and make your way to Thailand’s biggest waterfall. What’s more, thanks to Thailand’s superb transport system, it’s easy to reach most hiking trails independently – though there are plenty of excellent trekking guides available, too.
So grab a heavy-duty insect repellent, pack some sunscreen and buy some leech socks: we’re about to set off. These are the best hikes in Thailand.
1. Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Best hike in entire country
2.7km (1.6 miles), 2–3 hours, easy
The short Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail offers hikers a chance to see one of the most beautiful panoramic views in all of Thailand. Within the Doi Inthanon National Park near Chiang Mai, the 2200m-high (7218ft-high) Kew Mae Pan mountain stands only a few hundred meters south of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak at 2565m (8415ft).
The trek itself is a short circular trail with boardwalks, which begins inside a forest of mossy trees and ferns that bursts with red rhododendrons between January and March. After passing the Mae Pan waterfall, the thicket opens to a bright-green grassland and leads hikers to the Kew Mae Pan Viewpoint (also called Station 9), which dominates the whole reserve and is known for its breathtaking sunrise views.
Planning tip: Guides are compulsory here, so be prepared to pay 200B (US$5.87) per group.
You won’t have to share the trail with many other hikers in Um Phang and Tak. Shutterstock
2. Um Phang
Best multiday hike
Distances and times vary, moderate to hard
Um Phang and Tak offer spectacular hiking but with a fraction of the visitors of popular Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces. All treks start in and around the Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary and use the Mae Klong River as an artery for deeper jungle exploration.
The region is well suited to multiday hikes. Travelers could spend a week trawling its hills, bunking down at Karen villages and hiking south along the border with Myanmar to the Three Pagodas Pass at Sangkhlaburi, an area that served as the main supply line for the construction of the Japanese Thailand–Burma railway in WWII.
Yet most come here to see Thailand’s largest waterfall, Nam Tok Thilawsu. From the wildlife sanctuary, it’s a two-hour hike to the striking cascade through dense palms, giant bamboo and strangler figs – an exertion that’s rewarded by a dip in the waterfall’s pools.
Planning tip: Advanced hikers and peak-busters can attempt the grueling 20km (12.5-mile) slog to Mt Kagerla, the fourth-highest peak in Thailand. However, at 1428m (4685ft), it’s not for the faint of heart (or muscle).
3. Phanom Rung
Best hike within an archeological site
1km (0.6 miles), half a day, easy
While not quite a traditional hike, few places are more inspiring than the Phanom Rung complex near Buriram. Standing on the rim of a dormant volcano, some 200m (656ft) above the rice fields of Isan in the northeast, this 10th-century Khmer temple is built from pink sandstone.
Complementing the striking archaeological site itself, the climb to Phanom Rung follows an ancient walkway flanked with the heads of Naga (serpent guardians). From the parking area, the trail morphs into a stairway to the plateau, where the main temple and its 15 doorways await.
It’s worth the steep climb to Tiger Cave Temple. Balate Dorin/Shutterstock
4. Tiger Cave Temple
Best hike to a temple
1km (0.6 miles), half a day, moderate
It’s a short, steep climb up to the 278m-high (912ft-high) limestone outcrop that overlooks Krabi Town – and hikers who successfully tackle the 1260 stairs to the summit are rewarded with access to Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), plus stellar views. The temple is named for the tigers who locals once believed dwelled in the surrounding caves; while you won’t find any prowling cats today, you will encounter golden stupas and a large seated Buddha silently keeping watch over the emerald forest and sprawling blue sea below.
Carry plenty of water for the rigorous ascent and humid air. A hiking pole can be useful, too – both to haul yourself up and to keep the resident monkeys at a distance.
Planning tip: Since this is an active temple, remember to wear culturally appropriate clothing such as trousers or long skirts and tops that cover your shoulders.
5. Koh Jum
Best island hike
Distances vary, 4–6 hours, easy to moderate
Motorcycles are the only vehicles allowed on the low-key island of Koh Jum, just off of Krabi. Fortunately, the most rewarding way to explore this paradisiacal atoll is on foot. The western coast has a flat trail that flits between coves and quiet beaches for 6km (3¾ miles), but for views as far as Ko Phi-Phi (on clear days), tackle the steep climb up Khao Koh Pu hill.
There are two trailheads that lead to the 400m-high (1312ft-high) summit. The most direct route starts at the 2.9km sign on the circular road surrounding the hill. Navigating the empty rubber estates can be tricky, but locals will take guests up for about 1000B (US$29.25).
A hike through spectacular Khao Sok National Park will take you through dense jungles and past towering limestone karsts. Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock
6. Khao Sok National Park
Best jungle trek
Distances vary, 2–3 hours, moderate
Skirting the southern side of Cheow Lan lake, the dense forest and towering limestone karsts of Khao Sok make this jungle trek one of the best in southern Thailand. And with 48 mammal species roaming the forests, there are plenty of excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, too. Expect gibbons, macaques and barking deer for the most part; more-elusive species such as sun bears, clouded leopards and tigers have been known to make appearances as well.
Several trails, each around 12km (7½ miles) long, start from Khao Sok village on the southern edge of the park, before cutting through dense forest and winding past tumbling waterfalls until reaching the southern shore of the lake. Post-hike, Cheow Lan’s floating homestays, surrounded by fang-like karsts that rise from the water, are a popular spot for taking in the lake and the northern side of the reserve.
Planning tip: In October and December, the world’s largest (and smelliest) parasitic flower, the Rafflesia kerrii, blooms in the jungle, which can be quite a sight (and scent).
Summit the peaks and cliffs at Phu Kradueng National Park for stirring views. Shutterstock
7. Phu Kradueng National Park
Best hike to a peak
9.5km (5.9 miles), 4–6 hours, moderate to hard
Phu Kradueng (Bell Mountain) is the main peak in the namesake national park in Loei Province in northeast Isan. The climb isn’t that taxing to begin with – but things get tougher as hikers approach the plateau-like summit. A campsite at the top offers hikers the chance to spend the night and rent bicycles for those wanting to explore the area at their own pace.
Locals typically complete the climb in a day. Yet staying over at the top affords hikers the chance to see a stunning sunset over the Mak Dook cliffs; sunrise over the Nok Aen cliffs is equally compelling.
Planning tip: The descent is hard on the knees; borrow one of the walking sticks on offer.
The Haew Suwat waterfall is a highlight of Khao Yai National Park. Shutterstock
8. Khao Yai National Park
Best hike in a national park
Distances vary, 2–3 hours, easy
Established as Thailand’s first national park in 1962, Khao Yai is the best place for a jungle trek near Bangkok. It boasts more than 50km (31 miles) of hiking trails that teem with macaques, gibbons, civets, barking deer and endemic bird species such as the great hornbill.
A couple of short loop trails begin near the park’s headquarters. Yet since wild elephants are often spotted in the reserve, guides are required for venturing any deeper into the rainforest. Avoid visiting on weekends and public holidays as cars often fill the roads to the main sights, including the 150m-high (492ft-high) Haew Narok waterfall and Haew Suwat cascade, whose 25m-high (82ft-high) drop dazzled millions in Danny Boyle’s cult film The Beach (2000).
The “Green Lung” of Bangkok, the Phra Pradaeng Loop provides essential space for walking and cycling in the busy city. Shutterstock
9. Bangkok Phra Pradaeng Loop
Best hike near Bangkok
12km (7.5 miles), 3 hours, easy
An essential green space in Bangkok, this walking trail and bicycle path starts at the Bang Krachao Pier (also known as Bang Kachao) and has been protected by long-standing laws prohibiting the construction of tall buildings in the area. Hiking out here is a rare opportunity to see how the ever-growing Thai capital looked decades ago.
Most of the route follows suspended pathways built above a mangrove swamp, past a number of homes built on stilts. Try to hike on a Sunday, when the Bang Nam Phueng market sells delicious street food and all sorts of goods, from pearl earrings to coconut pancakes.
Congratulations! You’ve found ‘the one’. Now you’re keen to seal the deal with a romantic proposal abroad. But where should you pop the question to your soon-to-be travel buddy for life?
Here are some of the world’s best places to get engaged – all you need to do now is get them to say ‘yes’.
Engaged couples often describe feeling like they’re on Cloud Nine – and you can get even closer to it by proposing on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey. Afraid of heights? Take your pick of fairytale locations: the views from Göreme’s rooftops are dreamy at dawn, with hundreds of balloons silhouetted against pink skies; while the jagged rocks at Red Valley viewpoint come alive at sunset. Check into one of the region’s luxury cave hotels for an unforgettable end to your first day as fiancés.
Ushuaia, Argentina
You’d go to the ends of the earth for your partner – so why don’t you? Whisk them away on a trip to Argentina’s southernmost town Ushuaia, where you can hike through Tierra del Fuego National Park, visit the Martillo Island penguin colony or kayak in the Beagle Channel before getting down on one knee. There are a surprising number of restaurants here and Patagonia has a thriving craft beer scene – ideal for toasting a new engagement. Of course, if you have the budget you could save the proposal for an Antarctic Peninsula cruise, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From Love Story to West Side Story, New York City is home to some of the world’s most famous romantic locations – so where better to make your engagement dream a reality? For something quintessentially NYC, pop the question in Central Park after a morning stroll (weather permitting), offer a rock on a ring at the Top of the Rock, or conspire with the staff at Tiffany & Co to surprise your other half as you ‘browse’ the diamond rings. Alternatively, a romantic walk along Brooklyn Heights Promenade as the sun sets behind Manhattan’s skyscrapers could provide the perfect moment.
Classic romantic trips with an adventurous twist
Anglesey, Wales
When it comes to proposals, timing is everything. On pretty Llanddwyn Island, a tiny tidal island off the coast of Anglesey in Wales’ wild north, this is especially true – as you’re also depending on the tides to allow for safe passing. This remote spot was the home of St Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers and the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. If February 14 seems too cliche, you could surprise your partner with a proposal on St Dwynwen’s day (January 25) – but a late summer proposal is likely to bring better weather.
Why wait until the honeymoon for an idyllic island getaway? The Maldives is the quintessential romantic destination, making proposal planning a breeze. You could ask your other half for their hand in marriage from the deck of your water bungalow; by candlelight over a private dinner on the beach; or on a luxury catamaran cruise at sunset as you watch spinner dolphins leap from the Indian Ocean around you.
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Garden Route, South Africa
Ready for a road trip to remember? Drive along South Africa’s Garden Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay to Storms River, taking in some of the world’s most beautiful coastline. Propose during a barefoot walk along Noetzie Beach, or pluck up the courage after a wine or two at the vineyards outside Plettenberg Bay. Alternatively, you could ask your loved one to take the leap – literally and figuratively – in the town of Wilderness, where you can paraglide over sweeping beaches or cliff jump on a canyon tour; marriage is an adventure, so why not start as you mean to go on?
Sure, it’s India’s equivalent of an Eiffel Tower proposal, but sometimes a tried and tested favourite is all you need. And unlike Paris’ icon, the Taj Mahal has a truly romantic backstory. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a memorial for his late wife, he was laid to rest there with her 35 years later. The beautiful white marble monument is one of the new seven wonders of the world and – unsurprisingly – welcomes millions of visitors each year. Come at sunrise for the best light and cooler temperatures, but prepare for the inevitable onlookers.
The build-up to a proposal can be stressful, but laid-back Byron Bay will help you forget your jitters and ease into that unforgettable moment. Nature does the heavy lifting when it comes to charming your other half – all you need to do is pack a picnic, perhaps some champagne and lead them to the beach. Between May and November you might even spot whales breaching from the shore – amble to Cape Byron Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view.
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Jökulsárlón, Southeast Iceland
With glistening waterfalls, bubbling geysers, dramatic coastlines and ice caves, Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes spoil proposal planners with beauty spot after beauty spot. Safe in the knowledge that there’s no shortage of epic scenery, you could choose your moment whenever the timing feels right – but if you need a clearer vision, consider Jökulsárlón. This glacial lagoon’s icebergs look particularly magical beneath the northern lights if you’re lucky enough to spot them. Nearby Diamond Beach, so-called due to the iridescent chunks of ice that wash up on its black sands, could be another worthy spot to offer a sparkling ring.
Vancouver, Canada
If you both feel as comfortable in a fancy restaurant as you do in hiking boots, Vancouver could be your dream trip. The cosmopolitan city’s food scene is second to none, and you’ll deserve a celebratory meal after a day spent exploring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park or cycling the Stanley Park Seawall Bike Trail. Book a table at Hawksworth for high-end Canadian cuisine or Forage for farm-to-table dining. Want something wilder? Head to Vancouver Island, where you can pop the question post-kayak trip, or at the summit of Mount Douglas.
You might also like: Baby it’s cold outside: where to honeymoon in winter An expert’s guide to planning a destination wedding 8 iconic celebrity destination weddings
Sliding into a bathtub after a long day is one of life’s little luxuries – but there’s nothing quite like the restorative high from a dip in a natural thermal pool.
From Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon to ancient sulfur streams in the Pyrenees, here’s a rundown of Europe’s best hot springs and thermal pools if you’re looking for a proper soak this winter (or year-round if you like).
1. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The vibe: See it to believe it
No list would be complete without it perhaps Europe’s most famous geothermal pool. Emerging from rugged lava fields 30 minutes from Reykjavík, this vivid turquoise pool could easily be mistaken an otherworldly Icelandic natural landscape – but it’s actually a man-made complex fed by mineral-rich water recycled by the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. Tubs of white, silica-rich geothermal mud are available for guests to apply their own face masks.
2. Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, England
The vibe: Romantic bathing in historic Bath
The healing waters of Britain’s only thermal spring have been enjoyed by everyone from the Celts to the Saxons since their discovery by legendary British Prince Bladud around 863 BCE. Tapping the spring that feeds the city’s historic Roman Baths museum, Thermae Bath Spa boasts herbal steam rooms and four thermal baths including an open-air rooftop pool with romantic views of Bath Abbey.
3. Hévíz Lake, Hévíz, Hungary
The vibe: Get back to nature
Dotted with water lilies and surrounded by manicured parks, pretty Hévíz boasts the world’s largest biologically active, naturally medicinal lake. Its on-site spa complex is convenient for wintertime visits, and since the lake’s natural water temperature never dips below 24°C (75°F) – getting up to 38°C (100°F) during summer – you can bathe outdoors year-round.
4. Bains de Dorres, Pyrenees, France
The vibe: Views for days
Offering a relaxing alternative to France’s more-serious medicinal bathhouses, this small sulfurous thermal spring, sitting pretty at 1450m (4757ft) in altitude, allows guests to soak at 37–40°C (99–104°F) with gorgeous views of the rolling valleys below. Just a stone’s throw from the Spanish border, Bains de Dorres dates back to Roman times.
Szechenyi Baths in Budapest are an iconic bathing spot. Izabela23 / Shutterstock
5. Széchenyi Baths, Budapest, Hungary
The vibe: Room for everyone
Budapest is known as the City of Spas, with many of its 16th- and 17th-century Turkish baths still in use today. With a whopping 18 different pools and a further 10 saunas and steam chambers, the grand, neo-baroque Széchenyi Baths complex in Budapest’s City Park is one of the capital’s top attractions.
6. 7132 Therme Vals, Switzerland
The vibe: Alpine architectural chic
This minimalist spa complex at 7132 Therme Vals is so trendy that devotees think nothing of the 200km (124-mile) journey from Zürich to bathe in its hydrotherapy pools. Night bathing is offered to guests who bed down at Therme Val’s adjoining hotel, which has been remodeled by the spa’s award-winning Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor.
7. Palia Kameni, Santorini, Greece
The vibe: Nature’s mud wrap
The copper-hued springs on this volcanic island in the Santorini caldera are known for their therapeutic sulphuric mud. “Old Burnt” in Greek, Palia Kameni is accessed by boat from Santorini, with visitors required to swim from a moored vessel to reach the main seaside spring. Avoid peak tourist season for the most authentic bathing session.
Head to Hammam Al Ándalus in Granada for an opulent experience. javi_indy / Shutterstock
8. Hammam Al Ándalus, Granada, Spain
The vibe: Ancient Arabic opulence
Thought to be the first traditional hammam reopened in Europe after Spain’s Christian rulers closed Andalucía’s Moorish bathhouses in the 16th century, the richly decorated Hammam Al Ándalus offers a truly opulent thermal bathing experience.
9. Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme, Wiesbaden, Germany
The vibe: Lavish country escape
Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013, the art nouveau Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme complex in Wiesbaden brims with old-world charm. Its aquatic healing heritage stretches back further still, with the spa built on the site of an old Roman sauna. Alongside its restorative thermal pools, the spa features a Russian steam bath and classic Finnish sauna, to boot.
10. Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), Czech Republic
The vibe: Soothing, from the inside out
Discovered by Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded this west Bohemia spa town in the 14th century, Karlovy Vary’s mineral waters are thought to have external and internal healing properties. Many hotels, such as the Grandhotel Pupp (reportedly the inspiration for Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel), operate traditional bathing spas, but it’s possible to drink from the springs at several of the town’s historic colonnade complexes.
11. Laugarvatn Fontana, Iceland
The vibe: Blissful countryside seclusion
Located 77km (48 miles) from Reykjavík, the bathing pools at Laugarvatn Fontana open onto the picturesque geothermal Lake Laugarvatn, the sands of which are thought to soothe arthritic joints. Built directly over a bubbling spring, the complex’s outdoor mineral pools are particularly alluring, especially when the aurora borealis streaks across the night sky overhead.
12. Pantelleria, Italy
The vibe: One for the fashion set
This tiny volcanic island in the Strait of Sicily (and not far from Tunisia) houses a series of natural, non-commercial pools. Among the most popular is the harbor at Gadir, where locals (notably Giorgio Armani, who owns a holiday home here) head to bathe in the restorative waters, said to soothe rheumatism and arthritis.
13. Pamukkale, Denizli Province, Turkey
The vibe: The ultimate natural phenomenon
Translating to “cotton castle” in Turkish, Pamukkale is a stunning natural pool complex that has been used for centuries to ease a range of physical maladies. Created by the build-up of carbonate minerals, the terraced hot springs fringe the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis.
People bathing at a natural spa with waterfalls in Saturnia. pointbreak / Shutterstock
14. Terme di Saturnia, Tuscany, Italy
The vibe: The stuff of Tuscan dreams
A truly idyllic Tuscan escape, Terme di Saturnia is one of Italy’s premier thermal spa resorts. Replenished every four hours by a volcanic spring, Terme’s main pool hovers at a balmy 37.5°C (99.5°F). Also available to non-guests, the resort offers special thermal mud treatments alongside a full med-spa menu.
15. Château des Thermes, Chaudfontaine, Belgium
The vibe: One-stop indulgence
Using Belgium’s hottest thermal spring, Château des Thermes near Liège in the Vesdre Valley houses an outdoor thermal pool, two Turkish baths, a caldarium and a salt cabin, the last used to soothe a range of skin conditions. Part of a hotel, this swish day spa also boasts an excellent French restaurant.
A pool with a view at Andorra’s Caldea spa. Luis Davilla / Getty Images
16. Caldea, Andorra
The vibe: For the après-ski crowd
With over 6000 sq m (64,500 sq ft) of pools, the Andorran capital’s cavernous Caldea spa, fed from a sulfur-rich spring, is the largest thermal spa complex in southern Europe. It’s a good choice for those who enjoy socializing while stewing, with the spa hosting popular cocktail nights. Those seeking a more intimate experience should try one of the city’s boutique thermal spa hotels, such as the Roc Blanc – perfect for easing post-ski aches (or sweating out hangovers).
17. Rogner Bad Blumau, Styria, Austria
The vibe: As if Middle Earth had a day spa
An artistic, aquatic Babylon, this ultra-quirky southeast Austrian spa bears the mark of eccentric Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Fed by two curative springs, Rogner Bad Blumau boasts a Dead Sea salt grotto alongside its pools, saunas and treatment rooms. Replete with rooftop meadows, its attached hotel resembles a futuristic Hobbiton.
18. Klevevška Toplica, Klevevž, Slovenia
The vibe: A dip in the Slovenian wilds
With the water temperature bubbling just below the 20°C (68°F) mark, the tiny outdoor spring in the Slovenian village of Klevevž attracts hardier types than the country’s glitzy spas. But bathers who make the pilgrimage here will be rewarded with a soak in a wonderfully serene forest setting, with medieval Klevevž Castle visible in the distance. For something a little more refined, Dolenjske Toplice, one of Slovenia’s oldest and prettiest spa towns, is a short drive away.
19. Aqua Dome, Tyrol, Austria
The vibe: Futuristic-style relaxation
Discovered in the 16th century, Längenfeld’s geothermal spring all but dried up in the 1960s. Redrilled in 1997, it now feeds this Tyrol town’s veritable alpine playground, which features three “levitating” outdoor pools. For romantics, there’s moonlight bathing at the Aqua Dome on Fridays.
20. Piestany, Slovakia
The vibe: Grand spa hotels a go-go
It’s all about the mud at Piestany, Slovakia’s largest spa town. Attached to various spa hotels, most of the thermal pools in this western Slovakian village, 86km (52 miles) from Bratislava, are contained in the lush surroundings of a wooded park known as “spa island.”
This isn’t an easy time for anyone. But for couples with different passports, things are a little bit trickier. The newly coined term “isolationship” should give you a hint about what couples from different countries are up against.
My partner and I have been together for almost six years, the first chapter of which was long-distance, New York to Melbourne. Now, we’re full-time digital nomads and have been traveling around Asia for about two years. We’ve spent the past three months exploring and are now quarantining in Vietnam.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started closing the borders of every country in our vicinity, we knew that separating was not the best option for us. We contemplated going back to my parents in the United States, but with no health insurance and rapidly rising infection numbers, we figured that wouldn’t be the right choice.
Then, we looked up flights from Vietnam to Australia, but no sooner than that, the borders for every non-citizen shut. So, we made the decision to stay together and hole up in Vietnam. But for other couples in similar situations, the decision wasn’t so simple.
Peter Maynard lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and his partner of one year lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand. “I was just in Thailand to visit her for a month but had to return to the US because of the travel restrictions. She also has a small child (four years old), so it’s difficult for her to travel to the US,” says Maynard. “It’s tough because you can’t really help, other than emotionally and financially, but strangely, it’s not the same as when you’re not there.”
Sarah Perera moved from Cardiff, Wales to Auckland, New Zealand, at the beginning of March. Her boyfriend Fraser was meant to be moving with her a few weeks later. But the company he works for stopped approving overseas visas due to the virus, and now the borders are shut to non-citizens for an extended and unknown period of time. “We worry about each other and can’t physically help the other out in this difficult time. There was a lot of stress for me at the beginning of my move to Auckland, things about starting a new job, choosing an apartment, furnishing it, etc. all while worrying about COVID-19,” says Perera.
One of the many struggles of long-distance relationships is the time difference. As you’re waking up, they’re going to sleep and vice versa. “All the standard things that help in long-distance (regular contact, virtual dates, etc.) are difficult because we’re at such different times of the day,” says Perera.
Couples who were already in long-distance relationships before the virus spread are forced to cancel much-needed reunions that make long-distance bearable. Mellie, a student from Adelaide, Australia, and her boyfriend from Durban, South Africa, made plans to see each other again in July after six months of separation.
“When South Africa announced travel restrictions – no-one in, no-one out – I was devastated,” says Mellie. “I cried. I ruminated. I wondered what it would mean for our relationship. I asked a lot of questions. What defines a relationship? Are we kidding ourselves? How can you say you’re ‘seeing someone’ without physically seeing them? One of my main love languages is physical touch, and I wondered how long I could go without it from my partner.”
Soon after South Africa announced their restrictions, so did Australia. “If there’s nothing we can do about it, we just have to accept it. That’s it. Other people are going through the same thing. We have to laugh. We have to use humor to get through it. It’ll be a good story one day for the kids,” says Mellie.
So how are couples coping and working to stay together? “We use fantasy as a coping strategy; we get excited about the future. We’ve started planning our next adventure, we talk about all the things we’ll do when we are together,” says Mellie.
But when things get particularly hard, Mellie finds herself shutting down. “Another coping strategy I’ve noticed myself using, and I have found similarities with friends also doing LDR (long-distance relationship), is emotional distancing. It’s so heartbreaking loving someone so much all the time and having nowhere to really put that love – cycling through being wildly excited, and sorely disappointed over and over again. There’s only so much of that the human spirit will handle,” she divulges.
Some couples find the world’s unpredictability easier to handle. “It hasn’t affected our relationship in any way; it just makes me miss him. Like the old days. We met in Vietnam and were seeing each other long-distance off and on for a year and a half until we moved to New Zealand to be together and travel,” says Stephanie Kloppenburg.
She is spending isolation in British Columbia, Canada, with her parents, while her boyfriend Dave is with family in England. “Thankfully, with technology, we can talk and even see each other online, so no worries,” she says.
For Suhail in Singapore, he says this of his long-distance partner living in Lebanon, “Her wishes, her strength and her magic help me stay positive and optimistic. I keep myself busy at work and pray that all of this ends soon, and we meet again as soon as possible.”
With countries closed until further notice, these couples can only guess when they’ll be able to hug each other again. In fact, there’s only one thing they know to be true; distance really does make the heart grow fonder.
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From dramatic cliffs to pristine forests, our national parks celebrate and preserve the beautiful landscapes that constitute the United States, and fortunately, many venues in and around the parks put together special Thanksgiving celebrations.
Whether you’re already on the road or looking for somewhere special to chow down on turkey, here are a few national parks where you can celebrate Thanksgiving.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tennessee and North Carolina
The country’s most visited national park is the perfect place to celebrate one of the most beloved holidays – Thanksgiving.
In the heart of Southern Appalachia is the Fontana Village Resort, and their Mountainview Restaurant (which offers a vantage of the ancient Great Smoky Mountains) is serving up a veritable feast. For $59.99 ($29.99 for 5-12-year-olds), Thanksgiving guests will feast on roasted turkey, sweet potato gratin, blistered brussel sprouts, cornbread dressing and more. Other notable menu items include an assortment of classic Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin and pecan pies. Reservations should be made as soon as possible directly with the resort.
Sit down for Thanksgiving dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel after a day exploring Yosemite. Zeyu Wang/Getty Images
2. Yosemite National Park
California
Once known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, the Ahwahnee Hotel is upholding that same standard with a grand lobby sporting multiple massive fireplaces and a dining room decorated with lofty 34-ft beamed ceilings.
Celebrating Thanksgiving inside Yosemite National Park is an incredible experience made only more inviting by The Ahwahnee’s decadent buffet and festivities.
This year’s prix fixe menu ($150 per adult, $75 per child) includes roasted butternut squash soup, roasted turkey, prime rib, brown rice salad with fresh veggies, ratatouille, traditional stuffing with Italian sausage, and whipped mashed potatoes. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel by calling 1-888-413-8869.
Found yourself in Arches National Park this Thanksgiving? Head a short 20 miles east for your feast. Getty Images
3. Arches National Park
Utah
Less than 20 miles east of Arches National Park sits Sorrel River Ranch, an upscale resort surrounded by the dramatic red rocks for which the region is known.
Situated on 240 acres along the Colorado River, the serene hotel and spa will offer a Thanksgiving buffet with carved turkey and prime rib, classic sides like sage and mushroom stuffing and candied sweet potatoes, and an array of dessert options like caramel pecan pie and blackberry cheesecake. Tickets are $95 per adult and $35 per child.
Autumn colors on Aspen trees frame of view of Colorado is Longs Peak with Alpenglow in Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake
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4. Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
Estes Park is the gateway city to Rocky Mountain National Park, and just 10 minutes from the park’s entrance is The Stanley Hotel, an iconic resort (it served as the inspiration for the hotel in The Shining) that hosts an annual Thanksgiving meal.
This year, patrons will order from an à la carte three-course menu filled with Thanksgiving fare like a candied walnut and goat cheese salad, a smokehouse turkey dinner with all the traditional fixings and an elevated pumpkin crème brûlée. Reservations can be made over the phone. Adult seats are $99 each, children 6-12 are $30, and children 5 and under eat for free.
Stop for your Thanksgiving dinner along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Shutterstock
5. Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Thanksgiving and fall colors go hand in hand, and some of the best autumn foliage is found in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.
At miles 41.7 & 42.5 on Skyline Drive inside the park itself is the Skyland restaurant, a full-service dining room with a Thanksgiving dinner that can’t be missed. In place of the standard buffet, there will be a special menu filled with roast turkey and classic sides, many with a Southern flair.
