Category Adventure Travel

Lush with hardwood forests that turn a rainbow of colors in spring and fall, splashed wildflowers and striped with autumn leaves, Vermont is made for hikers.

Jump in lakes, ponds or waterfalls to cool off, and you’re never far from town at hike’s end. The locavore movement started in Vermont, and the state has more artisan cheesemakers per capita than anywhere else in the US, as well as a vibrant microbrewery and microdistillery scene. In other words, there’s always a tasty reward waiting when you’re out of the woods.

Following the many scenic hiking trails is one of the top things to do in the state. Plan your next outdoors adventure with our pick of the best routes.

1. The Long Trail

Best thru-hike

272 miles (438km), 5–28 days, easy to challenging

The original thru-hike, the Long Trail is the oldest continuous footpath in the United States and the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. Meandering along the spine of the Green Mountains, through northern hardwood forests and past alpine tundra, over and sometimes through mountain brooks and streams, the trail extends from Massachusetts to Canada.

Complete the end-to-end hike, and you’ll get bragging rights. But most people do day trips, “section hiking” it over years by hitting the trail for the weekend or even just for an afternoon. More than 166 miles of side trails provide access to the Long Trail and its 70 backcountry campsites.

In southern Vermont, the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail share the same corridor for 100 miles. The trail gets increasingly rugged as it climbs north toward Mt Mansfield and Jay Peak. Some steep inclines in the north have permanent ladders to help hikers scramble up precipitous rock faces.

Every season on the Long Trail has its wonders and its challenges. Carpets of spring flowers can be accompanied by rainy weather and soggy or snowy summits; warmer summer temps can be crowded, humid and buggy. In fall, the weather is once again unpredictable, but the kaleidoscope of autumn leaves is like nothing else you’ll ever witness. Winter on the trail is beautiful and otherworldly but requires the right clothing and navigation skills.

2. Mount Philo

Best hike for spotting hawks

1.4–1.9 miles (2.25–3km), 1–1.5 hours, moderate

Champlain Valley, home to Lake Champlain, is called Vermont’s breadbasket for its fertile lowland soils and abundant agriculture. The hike up Mt Philo delivers sweeping views of the Valley, as well as Lake Champlain and New York’s million-acre Adirondack Park. Located in Charlotte (pronounced Shar-lot), 968ft Mt Philo stands proud inside Vermont’s 232-acre Mt Philo State Park.

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees and built roads, trails, a campground, ranger quarters, a picnic area and a summit lodge on top of this natural viewpoint.

Some hikers prefer to follow the paved road to the summit. Others seek out stretches of trail along the way. The paved road and the park’s trails both give walkers and hikers access to the park’s hardwood forests, a glimpse of Mt Philo’s mid-mountain cliff band and, of course, a summit to take in the surroundings.

It’s one of the best locations to spot hawks in Vermont, particularly at the end of September. Mt Philo has the state record for the largest number of migrating raptors seen in a single day – 3688. Reserve one of the park’s 10 campsites and drive up the access road, or park at the bottom and pay a fee at the entry gate for day use.

3. Mount Hunger

Best hike for views of Mt Mansfield

4.2 miles (6.8km), 3 hours, challenging

For views of Mt Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, from a vantage point in a different mountain range, hike up 3538ft Mt Hunger. The trailhead is about 45 minutes from Burlington, Vermont’s biggest city, and about 15 minutes from Stowe.

The first mile is mellow, then this out-and-back hike climbs consistently for 2263ft to the top, and though it’s challenging you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Green Mountain State. Along the way, you’ll step up rocky stairs, traverse under mossy waterfalls, splash in a swimming hole and finally top out on Mt Hunger’s rocky summit, with 360-degree views of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range to the east and the spine of the Green Mountains to the north, south and west.

The last mile is the steepest, but hikers agree that the bird’s-eye view of northern New England is well worth the effort.

4. Grout Pond Trail

Best hike for recreational opportunities

2.7 miles (4.3 km), 1–1.5 hours, easy

Altitude gain doesn’t define a great hike. Circumnavigate 80-acre Grout Pond, and you only climb 249ft, but you will spot loons, kayakers, wildflowers, mushrooms and mosses while cradled in the heart of the Green Mountains.

Located in the 1600-acre Grout Pond Recreation Area, Grout Pond is an awesome place to take a dip, cast a line or put in for a paddle. The rec area has 10 miles of multiuse, nonmotorized trails that connect to the Somerset Reservoir trail system, which in winter is home to Vermont’s end-to-end ski trail, the Catamount. The low-lying trails can be wet, so there are boardwalks in sections. There’s also camping, canoeing, kayaking and fishing if you want to mix it up.

5. Mount Mansfield via Sunset Ridge

Best hike for altitude

5.9 miles (9.5km), 3.5 hours, challenging

If you come to Vermont to hike, don’t leave until you’ve conquered Mt Mansfield. At 4395ft, Vermont’s highest peak stands sentry over Stowe to the east and Underhill to the west. It’s one of three rocky mountaintops in Vermont where Ice Age alpine tundra still survives.

Legend holds that it was named for its profile, which looks like the forehead, nose, lips, chin and Adam’s apple of a man in repose; the chin is the peak’s summit. There’s also a legend of a mythological deer/wild boar monster that roams Mansfield’s flanks in one direction only. The Wampahoofus is said to have short legs on one side and long ones on the other from traveling through Mansfield’s steep terrain.

There are numerous routes to Mt Mansfield’s summit. Set out from Underhill and hike the open rock ramp called Sunset Ridge, or one of the more challenging trails that parallel it, for the inspiring views. Athletes looking for a challenge should tackle Hell Brook from the Smuggler’s Notch side. The most mellow approach is to drive up the 4.5-mile hairpin-turn Toll Road near the mountain’s “forehead” and traverse to its “chin” (or as far as legs, weather and ambition allow).

6. South Trail, Mount Pisgah

Best hike for mountain lakes and nesting falcons

4.1 miles (6.6 km), 2.75 hours, moderate

In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Lake Willoughby is one of Vermont’s coldest and deepest bodies of water. Glaciers carved the slash of a lake and pushed up peaks on either side. Mt Pisgah forms the east side of Willoughby Gap, and its sister peak, Mt Hor, towers over the lake’s west side.

Start on the South Trail, and you’ll hike for a mile to Pulpit Rock, a peregrine-falcon nesting area and one of the mountain’s best panoramas of Lake Willoughby. Hikers who just want a view sometimes turn around here, while others take the side trail to a rocky perch that feels like it overhangs the lake from 650ft above.

Continue on, and it’s a moderate-to-challenging dirt path to the summit ridge and more views of northern Vermont and southern Canada as the ridge veers eastward away from the lake.

7. Mount Abe from Lincoln Gap

Best hike for far-ranging panoramas

5.1 miles (8.2km), 4 hours, challenging

Mt Abraham, dubbed “Mt Abe” by locals, may have been named for former President Abraham Lincoln, but it also may have been named after Revolutionary War hero Benjamin Lincoln, like neighboring Lincoln Peak. Located in Lincoln, Vermont, the peak has also been dubbed Potato Hill and Lincoln Mountain, as well as Mt Abraham Lincoln Mountain.

Whatever you want to call it, the 4006ft peak is Vermont’s fifth-highest, and the approach to its alpine-tundra-dotted summit ridge is stunning, challenging and breathtakingly beautiful. The most popular trail to the summit follows Vermont’s Long Trail from the summit of Lincoln Gap.

The trail traverses along a rocky path until it hits a lean-to-style shelter with a picnic table and a privy. Then it’s a stout scramble to the summit and one of the best panoramas on the Long Trail. On a clear day, hikers can see New York’s highest peak, Mt Marcy to the west, the slopes of Killington Resort to the south, and 80 miles to the east Mt Washington dominates the skyline of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range.

Fringed by the mighty Tian Shan mountains, Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and onetime capital, is a terrific starting point for any adventure in this vast Central Asian country. While Kazakhstan is justly hailed for its plethora of outdoor adventures, don’t overlook the pleasures of its most bustling metropolis, which has an eclectic collection of architecture and vibrant arts scene.

Anyone who loves art, music, food and more will find more than enough here to fill a weekend – or more. 

1. Picnic, dress up and ride a Ferris wheel at the top of Kök-Töbe

Kök-Töbe (the Green Hill) looms above the city, a go-to spot for fun with views of the urban panorama below and the snow-capped mountains beyond. At its top, you’ll find an amusement park and lots of vendors selling Kazakh handicrafts and other souvenirs. You can have your photo taken in traditional dress, catch live music on summer nights and enjoy a picnic on fair days. The whole scene feels a little touristy, sure – but it’s also just plain fun. And you won’t solely be surrounded by tourists, for the hill is wildly popular with locals, too. A highlight of any excursion here is the cable-car ride up, which costs 5000 tenge ($10.40) round-trip.

2. Eat like a Kazakh by digging into a plate of horsemeat

While it might not rival southern Shymkent as a center of traditional cuisine, Almaty has the most international food scene in the country, as well as plenty of worthy places for trying national dishes. The most common type of restaurant in Almaty are spots serving shashlik, skewered meat on the grill. For a special meal where you might try beshbarmak, the famous Kazakh specialty of horsemeat and flat noodles, check out Abay on Kök-Töbe, or Sandyq, an upscale chain.

3. Check out Central Asia’s liveliest club scene

Want to party with the socialites of Central Asia? Almaty is where you’ll find them. Red Room is known for its wild DJ sets, while the younger crowd favors the straightforwardly named The Club. For those who want to party past the break of dawn, Gogol Night Club has after parties that last until 8am on Saturday.

4. Get lashed with oak leaves at Arasan Baths

After a day out on the town, a hiking or skiing excursion in nearby Shymbulak, or simply as a way to kick off your journey in Kazakhstan, visit the Arasan Baths. In the city center, this imposing ’70s-era bathhouse combines traditional Central Asian bath-house features with high–Soviet Modernist design. 

Plan to stay for 2 hours as you work your way through the Finnish sauna, Russian banya, and Moroccan and Turkish hammam (steam rooms). You can stay longer by booking a massage or traditional veniki (beating with oak leaves). Access starts at 1500–2000 tenge (US$3–4) per hour, with extra for add-ons like massages or sandal and towel rentals. 

5. Consider Russian and Soviet history at Panfilov Park

In the center of the city, Panfilov Park is Almaty’s most popular green space. Dating back to the 19th century, the elegant park is laid out around the yellow, fairy-tale-like Ascension (or Zenkov) Cathedral, which stands at its center. Today, many of the park’s monuments – such as the monument to Ivan Panfilov, to whom the park is dedicated; an eternal flame commemorating fallen heroes; and a smattering of Soviet-era tanks and artillery – present a visual representation of Soviet military culture.

6. Enjoy a dose of culture at top-notch museums

Immerse yourself in Kazakh history at the Central State Museum – from prehistoric artifacts to traditional carved balbal columns to stunning gold adornments. While not all exhibit texts are in English, many of these distinctive objects speak for themselves. The Kazakhstan Museum of Arts has by far the world’s largest collection of Kazakh art, in particular a fascinating collection of work by Soviet-realist painter Abylkhan Kasteev (1904–73). The Tselinny Contemporary Arts Center, which reopens in January 2025 after a renovation, is where to go to see work by new and exciting Kazakh artists.

7. Haggle for groceries at the Green Market

If you’re in Central Asia, a visit to the bazaar is a must – and Almaty’s most central and most beautiful is the bustling Green Market. Here, you can do your grocery shopping, discover herbs from the Kazakh mountains, stock up on teas from China and much more. Dried fruits and nuts from neighboring Uzbekistan are abundant as well. 

Don’t miss the dairy section, where you’ll find tables selling kurut, the salty cheese that keeps shepherds on horseback from feeling peckish as they ride across the vast steppe. (We’ve heard the delicacy also pairs well with local vodka.)

Planning tip: Don’t be afraid to haggle on prices at the bazaar. It’s a cultural expectation.

8. Take to the slopes of Shymbulak…

The spectacular Tian Shan mountains loom over Almaty – which makes the ski resort of Shymbulak just a 20-minute ride from the center of town. Winter visitors can ski around 20km (12.5 miles) of runs, with eight lifts to get you up the mountain. It’s possible to rent both skis and ski clothes on site. 

The resort is also a great summer destination, with lots of hiking trails, a few mountain restaurants and horseback-riding excursions. 

Planning tip: Every half hour, bus number 12 leaves the city center to the Medeu ice rink. From here, you can grab the lift up to the resort.  

9. …or take to the ice at Medeu

Lace up a pair of ice skates and trace a few figure eights on the world’s highest skating rink. Once an important training center for ice skaters thanks to the benefits of practice at high altitudes, the Medeu skating rink is also a quick ride from town. 

More than 200 speed records have been set on this ice, with the crisp and cold air said to contribute to its great conditions. The rink is open all year; skating in the summer runs 1500 tenge (US$3) per hour and 2400 tenge (US$5) per hour in winter. Skate rentals are typically about 1000 tenge (US$2).

Detour: Nearby is the famous, stamina-building, 842-step “Health Ladder,” atop which a magnificent view of the mountains awaits.

10. Attend a concert in a Soviet-era palace

Built in the ’70s, the imposing Palace of the Republic is Almaty’s main concert hall and a great place to catch a Kazakh folk or classical-music performance. Built to host party meetings and union rallies as well as concerts, today it also serves as a venue for conferences and other gatherings. In the summer, outdoor festivals such as the Spirit of Tengri spill out of the palace and into the square. 

Alternatively, try to get tickets for a concert at the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic, a venue with a cozier, more classic vibe.

Local tip: The Museum of Folk Musical Instruments off Panfilov Square occasionally organizes traditional music concerts as well.

11. Catch an Uyghur-language performance

If you prefer your performing arts with some lively staging, don’t miss a performance at the Uighur Theatre. Shows range from contemporary plays and musical comedies to classic dramas, all performed in the Uyghur language. While you may not follow everything, you’ll be in for a memorable experience indeed.

Planning tip: The Uyghur people represent an important minority in Almaty since the 1800s. On Yassawi St in the neighborhood of Druzhba, you can find many restaurants serving Uighur lagman, a hearty dish of noodles, meat and veggies. 

12. Admire all the street art 

Architecturally, Almaty offers many surprises: towering domes, Soviet apartment blocks and glittering skyscrapers. Adorning many of these buildings is a range of street art, which isn’t to be missed; the Golden Quarter is the center of the scene. While large-scale murals were a staple of Soviet city planning, a new breed of artist has taken up the tradition in the past 15 years or so. Designs incorporating nomadic motifs and Central Asian animals are common – with more –subversive themes popping up from time to time, like messages hidden in ancient glyphs.

Planning tip: Walking Almaty offers excellent street-art tours – expertise well worth the price. 

Some people like to relax on their summer vacations. Some like to stay active. And yet others seek out invigorating, adrenaline-pumping – even grueling – holidays that test their endurance and deliver the ultimate in thrills.

If you’re in the last group, read on.

Adapted from Lonely Planet’s The Bikepackers’ Guide to the World, the itineraries below will test your mettle as they take you up, down and across Europe. The payoff? Sublime views, superb training and the endless pleasure of taking the road less traveled. (In this case, way less traveled.)

So gear up and get ready for some continental-scale adventures.

1. Trans Dinarica Trail

Western Balkans
3106 miles (5000km); challenging

The multi-use Trans Dinarica Trail was designed by local enterprises to encourage visitors to explore all the Western Balkan countries by bicycle: the route connects Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo. It’s a sister trail to the Via Dinarica hiking route. The Trans Dinarica starts in Slovenia’s Soča Valley, famous for its water sports, then rolls through the foothills of the Julian Alps beside the Italian border before dipping into Croatia for a foray into the forests of Risnjak National Park. Next, it shadows the Adriatic before a transfer takes riders across the border and into Bosnia & Hercegovina, where it visits Mostar and Sarajevo. Then it’s on to Montenegro – with a pit stop at Durmitor National Park – and Albania, where you can either bike the Albanian Alps or take a more relenting route through Tirana. From there, pedal by Lake Ohrid and through Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia, and visit the cities of Pizren and Gjakova in Kosovo. Cross the finish line in Serbia after enjoying the views of Uvac Canyon and cycling along the Drina River.

2. Ronde van Nederland

The Netherlands
860 miles (1384km); easy

Holland’s long-distance cycling routes, known as LF routes, are an easy way of exploring this cycle-friendly nation. Most use traffic-free bike paths that are wide and well made. Some of the classic trips include the LF Kustroute along the North Sea and Wadden Sea coastlines; the popular LF Zuiderzeeroute around an inland sea and through national parks and historic towns; and the LF Vechtdalroute linking quiet Dutch villages. But put some of the LF routes together and you get this fantastic 860-mile (1384km) circuit of the Netherlands. Dunes, dikes, canals, sculptures, megaliths, polders, towns and villages feature. Completing the Ronde van Nederland earns riders a special certificate.

3. Iron Curtain Trail

Germany
Distance varies; moderate

EuroVelo’s EV13 route, the Iron Curtain Trail, follows that great geopolitical fissure from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea, through Norway, the Baltic nations, Poland, Germany, Czechia, the Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria and beyond to Türkiye. The route is in different stages of development, but will cover more than 6214 miles (10,000km) when finished. While you can build your own adventure on the trail, the German section is well signposted and ready to ride. The history of the Iron Curtain means that there are some fascinating sites to visit along these quiet roads and bike paths. But if you want to get further off the beaten track, consider the Iron Curtain Gravel Trail, a 426-mile-long (685km) trail crafted by Markus Stitz that runs from the Harz mountains to the Czech border (maps available via komoot.com).

4. Tour du Mont Blanc

France, Switzerland and Italy
105 miles (169km); challenging

File this trip under “do now, while you can.” Climate change is causing the glaciers of the High Alps to melt, which means that the stability of these mountains is changing and, increasingly, that trails such as this loop around western Europe’s highest peak are diverted or closed due to rockfalls and other dangers. But while it’s possible, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a fantastic challenge for mountain bikers, who need only carry enough kit for three or four nights spent in refuges. Most start at Chamonix and will enter three separate countries on their ride. They’ll also cross rivers, climb several passes above 6500ft (1981m) and eat their own weight in pastries.

5. Torino-Nice Rally

Italy and France
435 miles (700km); challenging

Beginning life as an annual bikepacking rally – a non-competitive group ride – designed by James Olsen, this gorgeous route explores some of the lesser-known Alpine regions between Turin in Italy and Nice in France, and it can be ridden at any time between late June and early September when the higher parts are free from snow. Riders take a mixture of rough gravel tracks and trails, with some road diversions available if needed. Bikes are usually hardtail mountain bikes, but gravel bikes with chunky tires will also be fine. And accommodation can be in some of the mountain refugios on the route or under canvas, depending on preference. There’s a lot of ascent, obviously, so most need eight or more days if stopping to savor the views and the local food.

6. Great North Trail

UK
825 miles (1328km); challenging

Snaking north from England’s Peak District National Park to the tip of Scotland, the Great North Trail touches on some of the UK’s greatest cities and its wildest open spaces. This is a mountain-bike route for experienced cyclists if attempted as a single trip, but it’s easy to break it up into sections. The first leg borrows the Pennine Bridleway, which hugs the ridge of hills between Manchester and Leeds before entering the patchwork of stone walls and green fields in Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route then crosses the open moors of Northumberland National Park, and heads into the Scottish Borders at the mountain-biking hub of Peebles before visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow and taking on the real mountains of Scotland on its way to John O’Groats.

If you are inclined to think the Sunshine State is the ideal place to kick back and be yourself, that’s an even truer sentiment in the Florida Keys. Disconnected from the mainland and floating like a string of sandy pearls descending southwest from Homestead, it has long been a come-as-you-are destination with a welcome as warm as the weather.

There’s plenty of outdoors stuff to do, al fresco dining options abound, and did we mention that the temperature averages around 78 degrees year-round? Winters here are not only warm relative to the rest of the country, they’re also the driest time of year in South Florida, so you don’t have to worry about sudden squalls or hurricanes.

In other words, it’s just a different vibe in the Florida Keys. So this winter, while everyone else is suffering gray skies or seeking snow-covered holidays, opt for something different yourself. Keep reading as we explore what to do through the Florida Keys throughout winter.

For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit fla-keys.com

Florida Keys winter weather

Can you swim in the Florida Keys in December? Yes! Water temperatures remain mild, even as daytime temperatures can sometimes dip. The average daily high ranges from 74 to 76 °F throughout the winter, though the daily average low dips into the mid-60s. If the air temperature is low, wearing a wetsuit will allow you to swim, dive, snorkel and paddleboard comfortably this season. Don’t worry about buying your own – many local snorkel and dive shops rent wet suits.

Key Largo

You get to the Keys by driving south, and south, and more south still, on US 1 out of Homestead. Once US 1 leaves the Florida mainland, it becomes the Overseas Highway, which stretches to Key West. The length of the road is marked by decreasing mile markers (MM), starting with MM 113 right out of Homestead, and ticking down to MM 0 in Key West.

With that said, it’s not immediately obvious you’ve entered an island chain. Mangrove forests extend from the mainland right onto the Upper Keys, the northernmost islands in the chain, so you don’t initially get the sense of driving over water (but trust us, you are). 

Key Largo is the center of activity in the Upper Keys, and the main draw is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. As parks go, this one is unique in that most of it is located underwater, although there are some nice mangrove boardwalk trails to enjoy. But the real attraction is one of the best-preserved coral reefs in the Lower 48 United States; this underwater wonderland can be accessed via snorkeling and SCUBA tours, or glass-bottom boat trips. One of the underwater park’s highlights is the Christ of the Abyss, a sunken statue of Jesus that attracts divers from all around the world.

Since winter is the driest time of year in the Keys, that (generally) means you’ll have better visibility underwater. This makes this season one of the best times to visit the Florida Keys if you plan to dive. December is a good time for snorkeling or diving in the Florida Keys because the water temperatures stay in the low 70s °F this time of year, making for comfortable diving and snorkeling as long as you have the right gear.

If you prefer to stay above the waves, another must-do is a cruise on the African Queen. This historic steamboat was featured in the film of the same name, which debuted in 1951 and starred Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Daily cruises take you up the Port Largo Canals and out to sea before turning back.

After wearing yourself out in the water, consider stopping into the Key Largo Conch House. This restaurant, housed in a restored mansion, serves innovative takes on fresh Florida cuisine, serving crab-stuffed mahi and a mean lobster bisque. There’s a wraparound porch for outdoor dining, which is available year-round – a luxury few places in the US can boast.

Islamorada

As you proceed southwest along the Overseas Highway it starts to really feel like an Overseas Highway; causeways rise and dip amidst green mangrove islands that dapple the teal and blue water. 

The Keys are made up of limestone islands fringed with mangroves, meaning a little less sand and a lot more chances for kayaking, fishing, diving, and wildlife viewing. But if you have your heart set on tucking to that beach read under a big umbrella, head to Anne’s Beach – one of the best on Islamorada. Tucked away amid mudflats and mangroves the shallow water, cooling breezes, and unending turquoise horizons make for a nice place to relax.

You can’t miss Robbie’s Marina as you drive the length of the Keys. It’s hard to find one descriptor for this place; it is a marina, an open-air arts and flea market, a restaurant and a launching point for kayakers who want to paddle around the mangrove islands like the abandoned Lignumvitae Key. But to find the marina’s most popular attraction, walk out the back of the restaurant onto the dock. Here, you can purchase fish to feed the giant tarpon that gather beneath the docks. Watch your fingers – these massive fish can reach up to eight feet long and weigh over 300 pounds. It’s also not unusual to see manatees here, especially during the winter months.

If you’re not into paddling yourself, you can also book onto a guided eco-tour, which depart from the marina. Going in winter means you won’t have to put up with rough water, or the intense heat of a Florida summer.

Speaking of fish, Islamorada is known as a sport fishing capital of the world. If you don’t have your own boat, book one of the many charters available on the key and elsewhere throughout the Florida Keys. Alongside diving, fishing is one of the Florida Keys’ top attractions. If you need to pick up some tackle, Islamorada is home to a Bass Pro Shops that sells everything from tackle to outdoor clothing and even has an overwater restaurant in the back.

Marathon

The second-largest town in the Keys, and the rough halfway point between Key Largo and Key West, is Marathon. While Marathon has its own tourist attractions, it is also very much a town for Keys locals, who are also known as “conchs” (pronounced “konk”). 

One of the biggest draws here is Sombrero Beach; while this isn’t a natural beach, it is a very pretty stretch of buttery sand that ticks all the boxes when it comes to seaside relaxation. Curry Hammock State Park is the largest parcel of uninhabited land between here and Key Largo (1000 acres). It’s a great spot for wandering boardwalk trails, kayaking (you can rent boats here), and just generally getting gently lost in old Florida wilderness. 

Also of note is the Turtle Hospital, a working animal care clinic that rehabilitates injured or sick sea turtles. Because this is an actual veterinary hospital, you must visit on a guided tour.

Don’t leave Marathon without grabbing a meal at Keys Fisheries. This restaurant, which overlooks a working waterfront, is a lovely spot for an outdoor fish taco or lobster reuben sandwich, all enjoyed as you watch fishermen clean out the next customer’s order on the docks.

Lower Keys

You’ll leave Marathon via the Seven Mile Bridge, which is, well, a very long bridge (6.79 miles long, if you’re nitpicking). The views on either side of this span are suitably breathtaking. In the Lower Keys – the most rural islands in the archipelago – keep an eye out for tiny Key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed deer. Key deer aren’t just cute – they’re protected and speed limits are reduced for their safety. If you want to get a closer look, head to the National Key Deer Refuge Headquarters on Big Pine and No Name keys.

The crown jewel of Keys beaches can be found at Bahia Honda State Park, postcard-perfect on a sunny day. The sand is fine and the water is clear and, as a bonus, you can go for a walk on a piece of abandoned railroad that was supposed to unite the islands with the mainland. The dry winter makes for plenty of sunny days and clear(er) water – all good conditions for a beach trip. 

Eco-minded travelers will be thrilled not only with the scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities, but also with sustainability measures taken in the Lower Keys. Nonprofits like Reef Relief work to protect the region’s coral reefs, sandbars, creeksand hardwood groves that are flush with marsh rabbits, herons, nighthawks and mangrove cuckoos. The Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary off Big Pine Key is a great place to take in 18th century shipwrecks and ocean life alike.

Key West

Key West is the end of the road, literally and figuratively. Closer to Havana than it is to Miami, this was once a port for pirates and today it continues to attract members of the Caribbean diaspora, eccentrics, artists, writers and a large, influential LGBTQIA+ population. 

Winter is one of the best times to visit Florida for great weather. Thanks to the constant sea breeze, the Florida Keys tend to be cooler than other parts of Florida during the summer – though sweltering heat on Duval Street is the norm. With narrow streets and stone buildings capturing the heat and blocking the breeze, not to mention crowds of people shopping and enjoying the many bars and restaurants, summer can get pretty sweaty in downtown Key West. December offers a welcome reprieve. 

However, the best time to visit Key West depends on how you’d like to spend your time. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the water, you may still want to consider a visit sometime between late spring and early fall. But if you’re planning to enjoy the shopping, dining and sightseeing that Key West offers, winter is far more comfortable.

The eastern half of Key West is mainly modern businesses and larger hotels, while the western half includes Old Town, which is iconic Key West and flush with small local businesses that are an irreplaceable part of the city’s vibrant charm. Old Town is simply gorgeous – a grid of candy-colored Caribbean colonial homes all shaded by banyans and palm trees. The courtyard of Blue Heaven is a wonderful spot to grab some yellowtail snapper or local spiny lobster while you watch resident roosters (literally) rule their roost. 

Soak up local history amidst the faded headstones of the impressively gothic Key West Cemetery. Then, come the evening, prepare yourself for a Duval crawl along Duval Street, Key West’s main drag. There are tons of bars here, and even pre-pandemic, they all had outdoor lounging spaces. At sunset, a gaggle of street performers and buskers still put on one of the greatest regular outdoor performances in Florida at Mallory Square. This popular nightly festival is one of the best free things to do in the Florida Keys. Clear winter weather accentuates the sun as it dips below the water, a fitting finale to a Keys road trip.

Plus, from the decorations to the many special events held throughout the season, Christmas in Key West is truly unique. Many businesses on Duval Street put up decorations, turning the historic shopping and dining district into a tropical wonderland. The city puts on many holiday events, including a Christmas parade. 

Key West is also home to some of the best accommodation options in December in the Florida Keys. On this key, you’ll find endless hotels and motels, home rentals and campgrounds where you can pitch a tent or park your RV. There are plenty of options for every travel group and budget.

Winter events in the Florida Keys

If you’re trying to decide when in December to plan your visit to the Florida Keys, there are a few free events and festivals held in the Keys this season that you should know about. 

• The Key West Christmas Parade is a tropical spectacle that winds down Duval Street and through Old Town. 

• The Schooner Wharf Bar & Galley Lighted Boat Parade takes place on the water, with dozens of sailboats and other ships decorating their sails and booms with lights and holiday decor.

• Further up the Keys, Light Up Key Largo brings a variety of Christmas festivities, from a holiday train to Santa Claus to a variety of vendors together for a day of fun. 

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Where Locals Go features under-the-radar holiday destinations that are often overlooked by visitors but cherished by locals. Here, we ask three experts on Argentina for their top picks.

From the wineries of Mendoza to the sophistication of Buenos Aires to the splendor of Igazú Falls, Argentina boasts a range of landscapes and experiences that make it one of the most beloved destinations in the world. Of course, though, there’s always value in veering off the well-worn loop of places most frequented by tourists. To get the best of the country’s often-overlooked escapes, we asked three Argentina-based experts to share where they take their vacations.

Historic bars and gaucho culture: San Antonio de Areco

Federico Perelmuter is a freelance writer and critic who lives in Buenos Aires.

Arriving in San Antonio de Areco from the bustling city of Buenos Aires always feels like stepping into a different world.

Located two hours from the capital by car, this small rural town has colonial architecture and cobblestone streets sparkling under the sun that make it feel timeless. Nicknamed the “cradle of tradition,” the Pampas town was a vibrant hub of gaucho life during the 19th century, beautifully depicted in the Ricardo Güiraldes’ novel Don Segundo Sombra. To delve deeper into gaucho culture, a visit to the Güiraldes Museum is a must. Housed in Güiraldes’ former family estate, the museum showcases well-preserved artifacts representing key elements of gaucho culture, from boleadoras (weapons used to ensnare cattle) to pulperías (grocery stores that also functioned as bars).

One of my favorite things to do is sit in a sunny square while indulging in alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies) from La Olla de Cobre, Areco’s renowned chocolate shop. For accommodation, I highly recommend Pampas de Areco: located just south of the town center, with 30 rooms, a spa, beautiful interiors and reasonable prices. When it comes to dining, a five-minute drive from town will take you to Restaurante Histórico Lacarra, where you can savor delicious, classically Argentine food while enjoying the ambiance of an old townhouse. And, of course, no visit to San Antonio de Areco is complete without a stop at the legendary Boliche de Bessonart Bar for a Fernet Cola (a type of bittersweet Italian liqueur mixed with cola, poured over ice). The historic bar (over 200 years old) wouldn’t look out of place in a Western movie, and is a great place to mix with local families, gauchos and other tourists.

A 3.5-hour flight – and a world away – from BA: Ushuaia

Buenos Aires–based Sorrel Moseley-Williams is a British travel, food and drink journalist and sommelier who has been living in Argentina since 2006.

Breathtaking Patagonian wilderness surrounds Ushuaia, a 3.5-hour flight south of Buenos Aires.

This water lover adores staying at Arakur, located atop Cerro Alarkén, for its fabulous in/out swimming pool and 360º panoramas. Conveniently, the Vinos al Sur wine fair takes place here, too. In addition to strolling through Alarkén’s native forest, you’ll find more adventurous terrain to discover in Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, where snow-capped mountains, frigid waters and blustery lenga forests always blow away my Buenos Aires cobwebs. After working up an appetite, my reward is the Tierra del Fuego–led tasting menu at Kalma Resto, where the star dish is merluza negra (Patagonian toothfish).

For an escape on top of an escape, I recently visited Estancia Harberton for the first time. Only a 90-minute drive from Ushuaia, this historic ranch – founded in 1886 and now led by Abby Goodall, the fifth generation of the Bridges family – is a national treasure. After enjoying merinda (maté tea with snacks), I took a dive into the Museo Acatashun, which boasts South American’s best collection of marine animals and birds from the southernmost region. The remoteness of Harberton adds an otherworldly charm. On my next visit, I plan to book a cottage along the Beagle Canal, on the extreme southern tip, for an even more extraordinary escape.

Amazing wildlife in pristine wetlands: Iberá National Park

Diego Jemio is an arts and culture writer from Buenos Aires.

I first traveled to Corrientes Province 10 years ago to attend the Fiesta Nacional del Chamamé, a vibrant January festival in the northeast that celebrates chamamé, the ancestral music of the indigenous Guaraní who live in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Through its songs, chamamé weaves tales of the region’s wetlands and its teeming wildlife. Inspired by the festival, I felt compelled to go further into the depths of the province, leading me to the renowned Iberá National Park, in an area once inhabited by the Guaraní people. Encompassing an astonishing 3.2 million acres (1.3 million hectares), these restored wetlands proudly stand as one of the largest freshwater reserves on our planet. It’s one of my favorite places in Argentina to visit.

While numerous towns and villages provide access to Iberá, I find myself drawn time and time again to the quaint town of Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, in the southeast of Corrientes. With a population of just 1,000, this peaceful town rests on the shores of the Iberá Lagoon. My favorite activity here is a simple canoe ride along the waterways, particularly in the morning or early afternoon. In this tranquil oasis, herons gracefully glide through the air, yacare caimans bask contentedly (fear not; they are well-fed) and furry capybaras roam the shore. In Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, you’ll find many tour companies offering guided boat and kayak tours of the lagoon.

When it comes to satisfying my taste buds in the village, my heart belongs to Jajetopa, a small restaurant owned by the talented cook Sara Medina. At this culinary gem, Medina presents simple yet delightful dishes, often announced on a blackboard. On occasion, the menu features mbaipu – a Guaraní delicacy crafted with chicken, manioc flour and lamb stew – which never fails to impress me. I usually stay at the Casa de Esteros hotel, where you can curl up beside a crackling bonfire in the hotel’s expansive gardens at night.

A word of advice: remember to arm yourself with mosquito repellent, for as the sun sets, these tiny creatures can become quite voracious in these parts.

Interested in a real Caribbean experience? An island that’s more about street food, surfing, diving, sipping rum and local chilling than huge resorts with tepid buffets?

Our answer might surprise you, because the island we have in mind is known for honeymoon hotels and some of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean. Yet St Lucia, in the eastern Caribbean’s Windward Islands, is a place with a warm heart and a proud local culture. It’s an island where you can listen to children rehearsing steel pan in a school yard, or watch a weaver turn a palm leaf into a hat.

Here, you can mountain bike through the rainforest with a local guide informing you of the medicinal properties of plants around you, or listen to country music in a dive bar. (Fun fact: St Lucians harbor a secret passion for Dolly Parton.) It’s a place where you can hear a fisherman notify the village of the day’s catch by blowing on a conch shell, or rub up against the locals (literally) at a Friday-night fish fry.

If you’re looking for a real Caribbean experience, you will find it in St Lucia.

A locally run hotel is the best place to stay in St Lucia

To avoid the resorts, be sure to choose a locally run small hotel or short-term rental. If you want to be in the popular Rodney Bay area and enjoy access to the beach, the Bay Gardens group of hotels is an appealing choice: all its properties have an authentic St Lucian feel and à la carte food service. The Bay Gardens Inn is the most affordable option and feels most like a homestay. Further along the bay, consider Island Mix, a charming place on the waterfront. (Even if you don’t stay here, it’s worth dropping in just to explore the local handicrafts on sale and enjoy a cocoa tea in the cafe.)

If you don’t need to be near a beach, and you fancy hiking the majestic Pitons – those twin volcanic plugs that you’ve seen in all the photographs – then try Têt Rouge, tucked away on a hillside above Choiseul. Though it’s run by Canadians, the team is passionate about the island and most of their local staff have been with them since the beginning.

Enjoy activities galore, then feast on street food

If you like surfing, you might want to have a go at kitesurfing: try the kitesurfing school on unspoiled Cas-en-Bas beach. You can also ride a horse into the sea here if you take one out from the nearby Trim Riding stables.

The diving is great in St Lucia, with more than 150 species of fish and 24 “no-take” marine reserves – especially the waters around Soufrière, where Scuba Saint Lucia is based. The Pitons loom over this area of the island, so you could conceivably hike in the morning and dive in the afternoon for a full day out.

For street food, head to the Gros Islet Friday-night fish fry (otherwise known as the ”jump up”), where you can try cheap local specialities such as fried mahi mahi, roti and goat curry. If you want something a little less hectic, try the event in Anse La Raye, which is a bit more low-key.

Where to get the best-value rum experience in St Lucia

As for sipping rum: perhaps the best-value rum tasting on the planet is at Saint Lucia Distillers, where US$12 buys you an interesting tour of the site and a “pour your own” tasting of several different rums. (If you only want the tasting, you’ll pay just US$6.) Since the rum tastes better with a local vibe, head to Irie Bar in Gros Islet, a bamboo shack adorned with flags where you can listen to some reggae beats and chat with the locals.

Without an all-inclusive resort in sight.

Springtime in Japan means one thing: cherry blossoms.

The whole country watches and waits for the first sakura (cherry) trees to burst into bloom. Once they do, people flock to parks and squares for hanami or flower viewing. The romance is passionate but fleeting, lasting only a week or two.

Cherry blossom viewing has been a tradition in Japan for over a millennium. The delicate blooms have acquired a poetic symbolism of the transience of beauty (and the beauty of transience). As both the new school year and the fiscal year begin on April 1 in Japan, sakura trees have also come to represent a season of fresh starts – certainly something worth celebrating.

When is the best time for see cherry blossom viewing?

The best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms is during the spring months. Starting from Kyūshū in the south in March, regular blossom forecasts keep the public updated as the sakura zensen (cherry-tree blossom line) advances northward, usually passing through the Kansai and Kantō regions of Honshū in late-March or early April.

English-language speakers can monitor the cherry-blossom situation with Kyuhoshi’s online forecast. Latecomers can catch the blossoms in late-April and sometimes early May in Tōhoku, the northernmost region of Honshū.

There are countless parks, gardens and picturesque waterways across the country where you can gaze upon the beautiful blooms. Choose the best place for your hanami party with this guide to Japan’s top cherry-blossom viewing spots.

1. Yoshino in Kansai is Japan’s most famous cherry-blossom destination

The blossoms of thousands of cherry trees form a floral carpet gradually ascending the mountainsides of Yoshino in Kansai. It’s definitely a sight worth seeing – and one that many Japanese long to see once in their lifetime – but this does mean that the narrow streets of the village become jammed with thousands of visitors. You’ll have to be content with a day trip (doable from Nara, or even Osaka) unless you’ve booked accommodations well in advance. Once the cherry-blossom petals fall, the crowds depart and Yoshino reverts back to a quiet village with a handful of shrines and temples.

Best time to go to Yoshino for cherry blossoms: Blooms tend to appear early to mid-April in Yoshino and last for a few weeks.

2. Hirosaki-kōen in Tōhoku is less crowded

Hirosaki-kōen (Hirosaki Park) is a huge green space (nearly 50 hectares!) covering the grounds of what used to be the castle Hirosaki-jō. All that remains of the actual castle is a 200-year-old keep, but the park is marbled with the old moats, which are now flanked by sakura and crisscrossed with photogenic arching bridges.

There are over 2500 cherry trees here and given that Hirosaki, way up north in Aomori Prefecture, is not the population center that Tokyo (or even Kyoto) is, you can expect a bit more room to move around. Rent a paddle boat to take out on the moats, which are invariably covered in pink petals.

Best time to go to Hirosaki-kōen for cherry blossoms: Head here in late-April to early May to see the sakura in bloom.

Want some help? Let Elsewhere plan your next trip.

3. Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi offers the best blossom photos

The view from the Churei-tō Pagoda in Fuji Five Lakes is the ultimate sakura photo: in one frame you get a classic five-story pagoda, with curving eaves and vermillion accents, a frothy sea of cherry blossoms beneath it, and on the horizon, triumphant Mt Fuji still draped in snow. (Odds are you’ve seen the image on a guidebook cover or two.) Who cares if the pagoda itself isn’t actually old (it’s a war memorial from the 1960s) and you have to climb 397 steps to get here?

Arakurayama Sengen-kōen (a park, home to a not-so-shabby 680 sakura trees) is in Fuji-Yoshida, a city at the base of Mt Fuji. It’s just about possible as a day trip from Tokyo, but you could also budget an extra day or two for hiking in the foothills of the Fuji Five Lakes region, for the chance of even more Mt Fuji views.

Best time to go to Fuji Five Lakes for cherry blossoms: The blooms tend to peak in mid-April.

4. Maruyama-kōen (Maruyama Park), Kyoto, is the top hanami spot

Kyoto has so many fantastic places to see the blossoms that it’s tough to narrow it down. If you’re looking for an iconic experience, though, it’s safe to say that the best hanami spot in the city is Maruyama-kōen (Maruyama Park). In the middle of the park is the Gion Shidare-zakura, the “Weeping Cherry of Gion,” named for its proximity to the famed entertainment district, Gion, where geiko (Kyoto’s geisha) still perform. The over-10m-tall tree, whose blossom-fringed branches arch gracefully almost to the ground, is illuminated in the evening, from dusk until midnight. Oh, and there are some 680 other cherry trees in the park so you can bet on lots of picnics taking place here. Come early to grab a good spot. And later on, take a stroll along the nearby canal, the Shirakawa, lined with cherry trees and also lit up at night.

Best time to go to Maruyama-kōen for cherry blossoms: Catch the blooms in early April.

5. Yoyogi-kōen (Yoyogi Park), Tokyo, has the best parties under the blossom

Like Kyoto, Tokyo has many popular cherry blossom spots. While it’s not the most historic (that would be Ueno-kōen) or the most picturesque (that would be Shinjuku-gyoen) we’re doubling down on Yoyogi-kōen (Yoyogi Park) because it is just the most fun. It’s a huge, sprawling park with tufty grass and plenty of cherry trees, with room for everyone and yet it still becomes a sea of party people growing more and more unsteady as the day gives way to night. We’ve seen barbecues here, turntables and portable karaoke machines, more selfie sticks than we care to count and the odd guy in nothing but his shorts. The only thing Yoyogi-kōen is short on is public toilets (prepare to wait in line).

Best time to go to Yoyogi-kōen for cherry blossoms: Join the parties under the blossoms in late March to early April.

For most, Arizona conjures up images of sweeping painted deserts, towering saguaro cacti, isolated winding highways and endless sunshine. Yet that’s just one piece of this tremendous and remarkably diverse state. 

Home to the fifth-largest city in the US, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, three national parks and nearly 21 million acres of National Forest land, Arizona is defined by stark contrasts. One moment you’re wearing a t-shirt walking in a hip city neighborhood, and a couple of hours later, you’re bundled up skiing at 10,000ft. This is a place where spiny cacti meet lush pine forests, where ancient cliff dwellings sit not far from retro neon signs along Route 66, and where Tucson – one of the USA’s two UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy – dishes out some of the best food the country.

With endless ways to get outdoors and new cultural experiences to discover, where do you start? The Arizona you want to experience – whether through dreamy deserts, through vibrant cities, in the high country or on scenic drives – is totally up to you.

When should I go to Arizona?

This depends on what kind of experience you envision and where you’re headed. In the southern part of the state, which includes Phoenix and Tucson, winter into early spring (December through April) is ideal weather-wise, with daytime temperatures ranging from the high 60°s to low 80°s F (19° to 28°C). The downside? Everyone wants to be in Arizona this time of year, from hiking and golf enthusiasts to sunshine-seeking visitors from colder climates and Spring Training baseball fans. Expect maximum traffic, crowds and rates for services like rental cars and lodging.

Up north, as Arizonans like to say, winter is very different. Towns in the White Mountains sit at elevations well over 8000ft (2438m) and soaring 10,000ft-to-12,000ft (3048m-to-3657m) mountains dot the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff – so snow is as abundant as sunshine. 

Arizona summers, on the other hand, aren’t for the faint of heart – at least not in the desert. Temperatures regularly surpass 110°F (43°C), and during monsoon season (June through September), the weather alternates between stiflingly dry and suffocatingly humid. Higher-elevation destinations such as Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon are pleasant and drastically cooler, making summer the perfect time to explore northern Arizona.

At an elevation 4350ft (1326m), Sedona falls in the middle, getting a dusting of snow a few times each winter and typically remaining mildly cooler than Phoenix in the summer. 

Budget-conscious travelers should consider September or October a bit of a shoulder season, with fewer visitors and warm yet tolerable weather. If you’re okay with spending all your waking hours poolside or indoors, look for incredible staycation deals at upscale resorts June through August. If you’re planning outdoor activities, remember that Arizona is a very dry place, so be sure to bring more water than you think you’ll need – especially in the sweltering summer.

How much time should I spend in Arizona?

You can hit the highlights in any one of Arizona’s cities on a weekend trip – the key word being “one.” To do any meaningful exploring – and more importantly, to get a real sense of how astoundingly diverse and big Arizona is – you’ll need at least four to five days, ideally seven to 10.

Basing yourself in Phoenix for a five-day trip, you could take a road trip to Sedona or one of the state’s three national parks, hit some of the Valley’s famous urban hiking trails and eat and drink your way through Scottsdale. With a full week or more, you can venture further afield to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend near Page, stay overnight in the Grand Canyon, or explore lesser-known but certainly worthwhile gems like Picacho Peak, quirky Bisbee or Kartchner Caverns. 

Is it easy to get in and around Arizona?

Phoenix and Tucson both have international airports, with PHX the substantially larger one. While most visitors fly into one of these and then drive to their final destination, there are also smaller regional airports throughout the state. Wherever you land, plan to pick up a rental car right away. While bigger cities and tourist hubs have buses and other public transport options, Arizona is overwhelmingly a driving destination. Service areas are surprisingly lacking even in the biggest metros, and wait times are commonly 30-45 minutes – which feels more like an eternity when it’s 100°F (37°C) out.

Insider tip: in Phoenix, book an off-airport rental, then take the light rail to pick it up. Airport fees inflate the cost of both rental vehicles and rideshares.  

Top things to do in Arizona

Adventures in the Grand Canyon State are as diverse as its terrain and climates. In just one weekend, you can hike through the desert, dine in a globally recognized food city, take in views from nearly 12,000ft (3657m) and much more.

Hike through the Superstition Mountains

There are so, so many amazing places to hike throughout Arizona – and the rugged Superstitions have a special allure. Situated in far east Mesa, these mountains are easily accessible from anywhere in Phoenix and under 2 hours from Tucson. Experts can embark on ultra-challenging treks and spend literal days on the trail, while first-timers can take advantage of fantastic short and (mostly) sweet hikes. Check out the Hieroglyphic Trail, Wave Cave Trail or Treasure Loop Trail, all under 3 miles.

Experience an energy vortex in Sedona

One of the things that draws visitors to Sedona in droves is its naturally occurring energy vortexes. Many people believe these bring intense spiritual, transformational and even healing powers – and whether you believe that or not, there’s absolutely no question that Sedona’s vibe has a heightened…something. Find out for yourself at one of the more accessible vortex sites around town: Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock or Airport Mesa.

If it’s hot out, cool off in a swimming hole afterward, or check out the natural water slides at Slide Rock State Park.

Explore one of the state’s oldest neighborhoods in Tucson

In Tucson’s Barrio Viejo, you’ll find art galleries and studios, elaborate murals and dozens of incredible restaurants all tucked into (and in between) colorful adobe buildings from the 1870s and ’80s. If you time it right, you can hit 5 Points Market & Restaurant for breakfast, then sit down to dinner at The Coronet, where the menu constantly changes and the cocktails are always top-notch.

Ride a high-elevation scenic gondola

A quick visit may not be enough time to summit Arizona’s highest mountain, 12,633ft-tall (3850m-tall) Humphreys Peak – but you can still soak in similar views. The scenic gondolas at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff whisk you up to 11,500ft (3505m), from where, on clear days, you can see the Grand Canyon and Sedona. The gondola runs almost year-round, with hiatuses between summer and ski season. In favorable-weather years, Snowbowl also opens a short gondola season for leaf-peeping in October.

On your way up (or back), stop by Mama B’s for a classic burger, fries and shake combo. The no-frills spot, formerly known as Mama Burger, is a local institution and has a fabulous mountain view to boot. 

My favorite thing to do in Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is by no means a hidden gem – on the contrary, it attracts millions of visitors each year. Yet there’s a way to experience this iconic natural wonder without any of the crowds: by kayaking through it. As people crowd the viewing platforms trying to snap the perfect selfie, you’re 1000ft (305m) below, blissfully paddling the Colorado River, surrounded by impossibly steep canyon walls with no one around except some wild horses. 

To check this epic adventure off your own bucket list, book a backhaul service with Kayak the Colorado or Kayak Horseshoe Bend. In both cases, a boat will take you and your kayak upriver, then you’ll paddle (on calm days, it’s really more of a float) back down to Lees Ferry. I’ve done this trip multiple times with both companies and in different seasons – while there’s truly no bad way to go about it, I do recommend staying in Marble Canyon since the area is super-remote, and you’ll need to be at the marina first thing in the morning. 

How much money do I need for Arizona? 

By and large, Arizona is largely affordable – though as everywhere, you can expect (much) higher prices on everything in bigger cities and big tourist destinations. While Sedona and Scottsdale have well-earned reputations for causing sticker shock, don’t be surprised by disarmingly high price tags in unassuming neighborhoods anywhere. Accommodation has the biggest variance, with options ranging from ultra-budget motel rooms to sprawling five-star resorts. 

• Basic room for two (major city or tourism hub): $130–300 per night

• Basic room for two (smaller town): $60–120 per night

• Upscale hotel room (city, low season): $170–400 per night

• Upscale hotel room (city, peak season): $350-1000 per night

• Daily resort fee (applicable mostly in Tucson, Phoenix and Sedona): $30–55

• Airbnb (entire house, city or tourist area): $100–1500 per night

• Airbnb (entire house, smaller town): $70–175 per night

• Coffee: $4–8

• Sandwich: $8–18

• Fast-casual dinner for one: $16–25

• Average sit-down dinner for two: $60–100

• Pint of beer at the bar: $4–10

• Cocktail: $12–18

• Paletas (traditional Mexican frozen ice pops, usually made with fresh fruit): $3–7

Do I need a passport to cross from Arizona into Mexico? 

While you should have a valid passport for any international travel, for US citizens, a passport card is sufficient for land crossing into Mexico from Arizona. With a look similar to a driver’s license, these provide proof of US citizenship (though they’re not valid for international air travel). Citizens with other nationalities should count on using their passports to cross into Mexico.

Watch your step in the Arizona desert

A lot of native venomous critters live in Arizona, particularly in the desert. These include rattlesnakes, scorpions and spiders – and while you should be mindful, there’s no reason to be afraid of them. Like most wildlife, these animals generally don’t want anything to do with humans and only strike or bite as a defense mechanism. When you’re out in nature, pay careful attention to your surroundings and watch your step, especially around bushes and large rocks.

You don’t have to be a certified diver to come face-to-face with some of the sea’s most fascinating creatures. In fact, in some destinations, you can simply wade from the sand into the shallows with your mask and snorkel and enjoy some incredible marine life encounters.

From gazing upon colorful cichlids in Malawi to wading out to spy rare aquatic mammals near protected reefs in Egypt, here is our guide to the very best places in the world to snorkel.

1. Lady Elliot Island, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Best for coral and manta rays

The Great Barrier Reef’s southernmost coral cay, Lady Elliot Island offers some of the best snorkeling in Australia and is known for its manta rays, nesting sea turtles, and eco-credentials.

Explore a seabed of coral gardens and abundant marine life, including giant manta rays, barracudas and leopard sharks. The shallow lagoon fringing the eastern side of the island is best for families and beginners, while the coral gardens on the western side have deeper waters ideal for the more seasoned snorkeler.

Sitting in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s “Green Zones,” a “no-take” area where destructive behavior is prohibited, Lady Elliot Island enjoys the highest level of environmental protection. That’s one of the reasons the humpback whales that migrate through these waters between June and October keep returning.

2. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil,

Best for warm waters with great visibility

A volcanic archipelago off Brazil’s northeast coast, Fernando de Noronha is a fiercely protected eco-wonderland, favored by naturalists and marine biologists, with a rugged coastline and diverse ecosystems.

It’s renowned for its undeveloped beaches and unparalleled snorkeling. With visibility reaching up to 40m (131ft) in its warm, emerald waters, you can spot sea turtles, rays, lemon and reef sharks. The beach also has the highest concentration of resident spinning dolphins in the world.

At Baía do Sancho, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Brazil, the sandy seafloor allows boats to stop without damaging the coral. Other good snorkeling points include Baía dos Porcos, Sueste, Morro de Fora, and Porto, with its accessible shipwrecks teeming with marine life.

3. Thumbi, Malawi

Best for colorful fish

The lazy and lovely village of Cape Maclear is one of Malawi’s most laid-back and scenic spots. You may find it hard to prise yourself off the golden sands at the edge of Lake Malawi to do anything, but a boat trip across to the pyramidal wooded island of Thumbi is well worth the effort.

Head over with a local boat captain and ease yourself into the balmy lake waters with your mask and snorkel. A swim around the rocks at Thumbi quickly reveals the cichlid fish for which the lake is famous.

More than 850 cichlid species are supported by this glorious and vast freshwater lake, and while the fish themselves may not offer the wow factor and visual diversity that you get on a coral reef adventure, their colors dazzle. Watching these amber yellow, fuchsia pink, orange, indigo and turquoise creatures dart around you as you dip is a rare delight.

4. Cebu, the Philippines

Best for snorkeling with sardines

Home to more than 7000 islands, the Philippines boasts bountiful snorkeling sites. The Cebu region in particular is synonymous with marine life and aquatic activities – from swimming with polka-dotted whale sharks to exploring enigmatic wrecks. Nestled in Cebu Island’s western shores, Moalboal is home to an almost year-round sardine run.

Snorkeling this paradisiacal haven is ideal for those seeking underwater adventure at a leisurely pace. There’s no need to get on a boat or strap on a tank to discover Moalboal’s underwater sanctuary. Panagsama Beach’s reef is easily accessible due to the sea’s calm waters and its proximity to the shoreline. Simply wade into the crystal waters from a blindingly white stretch of sand, dip your head under the surface and find yourself among seemingly infinite masses of sparkling sardines.

Forego expectations of scaly fish packed tightly into a tin. Instead, picture glimmering figures swirling in synchronized, undulating formations against a deep-blue backdrop, the sunlight glinting on their silvery scales. It’s a magically mindful experience.

5. Radhanagar, Andaman Islands

Best for crystal-clear waters

Clinging to the northwest coast of seductive jungle-wreathed Havelock Island (the most developed of India’s far-flung Andaman Islands), showstopping Radhanagar is undeniably one of Asia’s most exquisite beaches. Gaze out on this glorious white-gold stretch of silken sand washed by turquoise waves and bordered by tangles of near-impenetrable primeval tropical forest.

Havelock tempts travelers with its terrific diving and outstanding local dive schools, but you can also get a taste of the island’s underwater riches with just a leisurely spot of snorkeling off Radhanagar. The glass-clear waters are famous for their dazzling rainbows of fish, and you might even spot a shark, turtle or manta ray. Otherwise, there’s little to do here apart from stroll the beach’s vast expanses and kick back on the sand as the sun sinks into the Andaman Sea – and that, of course, is what it’s all about.

Crocodiles are a serious danger in the Andaman Islands and there have been several fatal attacks on people in recent years. Make sure you’re up to date on the latest safety information, follow any official local warnings and keep out of the water at dusk and dawn.

6. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Best for snorkeling on an ancient coral reef

Nestled in an ancient volcano crater, backed by palm trees and home to a 7000-year-old coral reef, Hanauma Bay is one of the most scenic and popular snorkeling spots in Hawaii.

Don your snorkeling gear and wade right into the calm, shallow waters: hundreds of neon-colored species of fish, corals, eels and sea turtles await not far from the dreamy white-sand beach. Beyond the reef, you can also explore crevices and caves teeming with yet more sea life.

The bay is part of a nature preserve and marine-life conservation area. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to minimize the impact on the ecosystem, and a maximum of 1400 visitors are allowed on any given day. Visitors must reserve their time slot in advance, pay a fee ($25 + $3 for parking) and watch a 9-minute-long orientation video before heading out into the water.

7. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia,

Best for diverse marine life and reefs

Southeast Asia abounds with spectacular diving and snorkeling spots and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat arguably tops the all-star list, with its fine white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons and impressive diversity of marine life and coral reef systems.

The quantity and variety of marine life here is so astounding, in fact, that scientists have described Raja Ampat as a biological hot spot. They believe its reef systems restock reefs throughout the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Armed with your mask, snorkel and fins, you’ll have free rein to explore Raja Ampat’s blue-water mangroves and a marine area that boasts over a thousand species of reef fish, hundreds of species of coral, several types of sea turtles and majestic manta rays.

8. Tofo Beach, Mozambique

Best for snorkeling with whale sharks

The southeast African country of Mozambique offers plenty of superb snorkeling spots along its pristine Indian Ocean coastline. Here, warm turquoise waters, which lap dune-fringed beaches, abound with shoals of colorful fish and well-preserved corals.

The waters off Tofo Beach, in the southern province of Inhambane, are particularly rich in marine biodiversity and most famous for their large whale shark population. It’s one of the few places on the planet where gentle whale sharks can be found year-round.

Manta rays also grace these waters, along with sea turtles and dolphins. Add in the fact humpback whales stop by between June and October, and you’ll be popping Mozambique right to the top of your snorkel bucket list.

9. Roatán Island, Honduras

Best snorkeling in the Caribbean

Roatán is the largest and most developed of the Honduran Bay Islands, and one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean. Fringed by an incredibly diverse coral reef rich in tropical fish, the island is a diving and snorkeling paradise.

Head to the pristine white-sand beach of West Bay to spot parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish just off the shore, or venture south to Mary’s Place, a diving site that revolves around a huge crevice where sea turtles, eagle rays and groupers often come up to the surface.

10. Abu Dabbab Bay, Marsa Alam, Egypt

Best for snorkeling with dugongs

Marsa Alam in southern Egypt is one of the few places in the world to spot the elusive dugong, a rare, lesser-known cousin of the manatee that’s long inspired mermaid myths and legends across cultures.

In Abu Dabbab, the shallow waters, protective reefs and abundant seagrass attract and sustain a small population of dugongs – affectionately dubbed “sea cows” because of their grass-eating habits.

Other residents of the bay that can be found around the well-preserved coral reefs include giant sea turtles, parrotfish, angelfish, barracudas and seahorses, while the sandy seafloor is also home to stingrays.

Some golden rules for responsible snorkeling

• Never touch corals or sea creatures. Check where you put your feet – do not stand on corals.

• Show respect to marine life and keep your distance at all times.

• Avoid crowds – no turtle wants to be surrounded by a group of leering humans; the snorkeler who swims away from the crowd is the snorkeler who sees things no one else in the group does.

• Choose reef-friendly sunscreen (which can sometimes be trickier than it sounds) or, more simply, wear rash vests or skinsuits to avoid sunburn.

• Pick responsible and ethical boat operators when embarking on snorkeling tours.

• Avoid using plastic when you travel, as much as possible.

• Consider volunteering for local beach cleans to help keep reefs healthy.

• Be safe, watch for currents and, if you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t venture out of your depth.

The memory of your first sea turtle sighting never fades. Whether it’s a turtle swimming gracefully or hatchlings scurrying toward the sea, these moments linger for a lifetime.

Wherever your travels take you, you’ll come across unique species in stunning environments, each moment showing you just how rich the ocean truly is. But the sense of awe? That’s felt everywhere. These ancient creatures have endured for millions of years, but our actions threaten their survival. Protecting their habitats is crucial if we want future generations to witness these magical moments. Here’s how you can be part of the solution.

Sea turtles are in peril

Of the seven sea turtle species, six are either endangered or threatened, with the Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley turtles critically endangered, according to the IUCN. WWF reports that leatherback turtle populations in the Eastern Pacific have declined by 90% in the last 30 years, nearing endangered status.

Bycatch – when turtles are accidentally trapped in fishing gear – is one of the leading dangers to their survival, causing over 250,000 turtle deaths each year, according to WWF. Illegal hunting and the consumption of turtle meat and eggs also continue to shrink populations, with CITES protections undermined by online platforms that facilitate illegal sales.

Climate change intensifies these issues: higher temperatures mean more female hatchlings, and rising seas, severe storms and pollution from plastics and fishing gear continue to damage vital turtle habitats.

These threats affect sea turtles at every stage of their life, from hatchling to adult, making it clear that stronger protections and global efforts are urgently needed to ensure their survival.

Responsible tourism can have a positive effect on sea turtle populations

Tourism can be a double-edged sword for sea turtles. On one hand, coastal development disrupts turtle nesting by pushing them to other beaches, altering habitats and polluting their environment. As more people flock to the coast, recreational activities add clutter, blocking turtles and trapping hatchlings. Waste like plastic and fishing gear ends up in the ocean, where turtles can get tangled or ingest it.

But when managed responsibly, tourism can make a real impact. Biologist Col Limpus remembers how early visitors at Mon Repos Beach in Queensland, Australia, disturbed hatchlings due to a lack of education. In 1994, the Nature Conservation Act protected turtles under the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), and Woongarra Marine Park was established to safeguard Mon Repos’ turtle population. The newly established Turtle Sands eco-resort collaborates with the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to educate guests on responsible turtle watching and provide hatchling viewings, all while raising awareness for the beloved loggerhead turtles.

Ecotourism ventures like Turtle Sands help finance programs that benefit sea turtles and their surrounding communities. Funds are allocated to local guides, conservationists and beach protection efforts, while tours educate visitors and encourage support for turtle conservation.

Here’s how tourists can help

• Keep a safe distance from nesting turtles and avoid shining bright lights near the beach at night.

• Avoid buying souvenirs made from turtle shells, leather or other parts to combat poaching. Here’s how to identify turtleshell.

• Choose eco-friendly tour operators that don’t disturb turtles during hatchling viewings or snorkel excursions.

• Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect sea turtles and their habitats.

• Avoid touching or chasing sea turtles while snorkeling or diving.

• Maintain a safe distance from sea turtles when on a boat or kayak.

• Stay at eco-friendly hotels that support turtle conservation and minimize nesting site impacts.

• Recycle plastic or reuse bags to collect trash on the beach.

• Travel in small groups, stay on trails and follow Leave No Trace principles.

• Donate to or volunteer for local turtle conservation programs.

6 of the best places to see turtles in the wild

1. Mon Repos, Australia

Looking to get up close with loggerhead turtles? Mon Repos Beach in Bundaberg, Queensland, is home to the largest nesting population of these endangered turtles in the South Pacific. Stay at Turtle Sands, tucked right behind the dunes, for easy access to the beach. From November to March, take part in a Turtle Encounter Tour with a Parks Ranger, starting at 6:30pm each evening. For even more turtle encounters, Bundaberg is your gateway to Lady Elliot Island, where you can spot green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles.

Planning tip: From January to March, adult turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, but you can also watch hatchlings make their way to sea from January to March.

2. Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Tetiaroa, a 7-sq-km (3-sq-mile) atoll in French Polynesia, is one of the world’s few undisturbed green sea turtle nesting sites. Guests of the Brando Resort have the rare chance to observe turtle hatchings, thanks to the resort’s partnership with Te Mana e Te Moana, a conservation group managing turtle efforts on the island. When the resort was being built, staff worked with Dr Cécile Gaspar to ensure the villas were placed away from vital nesting areas, allowing guests to witness hatchings with Tetiaroa Society guides. Join a nature and culture tour to learn about Tetiaroa’s flora, fauna, cultural history and sustainable living practices.

Local tip: Dr Gaspar recommends visiting between November and January for the best chance to see turtles hatch, usually around 4–6am.

3. Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA

Located on Georgia’s coast, Jekyll Island is a popular nesting spot for loggerhead turtles from May to October. Visitors can experience a turtle hatching on a guided Turtle Walk and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s hospital to learn about turtle care. Early risers should join the turtle patrol at dawn to assist researchers in monitoring and cataloging nests around the island. You don’t have to join a tour to spot turtles – with 16km (10 miles) of public shoreline, you’re likely to see one on the beach. Just be sure to respect their space and avoid disturbing them.

Planning tip: The turtle center advises purchasing admission online in advance, especially during turtle season from May to October.

4. Red Sea, Egypt

Egypt isn’t just about the pyramids – its Red Sea is a prime spot for olive ridley, green and hawksbill turtles. Turtles Beach in the shallow Abu Dabbab Bay is renowned for its giant sea turtles grazing on seagrass. Experienced divers swear by Marsa Alam as the best place to encounter green and hawksbill turtles, and other marine animals like dugongs. June to September is the ideal time to see them, as it’s when they nest and hatch, but turtles can be spotted just about every day.

Planning tip: Visit Turtlewatch Egypt to track turtle sightings from biologists and snorkelers, or even adopt a turtle yourself.

5. The Galápagos Islands

For many, the Galápagos Islands are a dream destination brimming with turtles, unique ecosystems and volcanic landscapes, yet challenging to navigate solo. Joining a guided tour like Intrepid Travel’s 8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping is the easiest, responsible way to witness the magnificent green turtles. For those interested in conservation, See Turtles runs volunteer trips where participants can snorkel, join a turtle photo ID project, work with tortoises and help clean the beaches.

Planning tip: Plan your trip during the dry season (June to November) for optimal visibility. November and December are the warmest months, while March and April see the least rainfall.

6. Bunaken Marine Park, Indonesia

Bunaken, in northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, is a biodiversity hot spot where divers can encounter up to 20 turtles in one dive, especially near the famous “Muka Kampung” (Turtle City). With strong currents and vibrant schools of fish, the dive is thrilling, and larger marine creatures occasionally join the scene. Guests of 3Will Bunaken Dive Resort have easy access to several dive sites, including Turtle City, through the onsite dive center.

Planning tip: The park’s sheltered location allows for year-round diving, but the best conditions are during North Sulawesi’s dry season (March to November).