Athens looms large in history and legend, but its main sights are clustered in one area, and the central neighborhoods are tiny. It’s possible to walk from a museum in Kolonaki in the east to a nightclub in Gazi – a neighborhood long considered to be on the western “fringe” – in a brisk half-hour. In practice, though, each district you pass through is so interesting, you might easily spend a day making your way across town.

The big asset to Athens’s density is more leeway in your choice of hotels : pick where you want to end up at night without an hour-long slog in the morning to see the sights. And although central Athens teems with unhosted short-term rentals, they have skewed the economy against Athenians. For actual “living like a local” and the hospitality Greeks are famous for, rent a room in a shared apartment — or stay in a good old hotel.

Acropolis Area

Best for early starts and late-day vibes

If your primary mission is beating the tour groups to the Acropolis, book a hotel in Makrygianni, near the site’s east entrance and the Acropolis Museum. Contrary to expectations, this area isn’t all tourist tat, but a nice mix of old-school residential, extremely upmarket residential (big-money flex: walking your tiny dog on Dionysiou Areopagitou at sunset) and hotels at all price points.

The farther you walk from the Acropolis, the more you’ll find nice cafes and restaurants with no claim to fame other than being some neighborhood denizens’ regular joint.

Walk a bit farther south and you reach Koukaki, which often tops lists of quintessential Athens neighborhoods. And deservedly so, especially on the pedestrian strip of Olimpiou where bar-cafes like Bel Rey burst with casual kefi (atmosphere) on a summer night. The National Museum of Contemporary Art, in the old Fix brewery, lends the area style points.

Syntagma and the Commercial Triangle

Best for market browsing and bar crawls

In front of the parliament and the pompom-footed soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the broad square of Plateia Syntagmatos is the unofficial center of the city: a key landmark that draws a big mix of people in the evenings.

Syntagma is one point in the emporiko trigono (commercial triangle) as the central business district is known. The other two points of the triangle are Omonia (north) and Monastiraki (west). Even though many of the buildings are ’60s-era concrete, centuries-old churches pop up in odd spots, and old-style micro-business districts persist, so you can buy, say, all your gardening supplies in one block. And after the offices, shops and central market close, people flock to some fabulously designed drinking holes with renowned bartenders – look especially on and around Kolokotroni, which leads into the adjoining neighborhood of Psyrri.

Monastiraki and Psyrri

Best for old things and new bars

Named for a little monastery-turned-church on a broad square, Monastiraki is the district where you’ll find the vast Ancient Agora and the smaller Roman Agora – but also plenty of opportunities to take a break from sightseeing. Adrianou picks up again west of Hadrian’s Library with a long row of cafes and restaurants and views of the ruins. The so-called Flea Market is mostly tourist knickknacks, but Sunday mornings, junk dealers lay out their wares, and permanent antique shops – both pristine and dust-covered – are tucked away on side streets.

North of Ermou (the Sunday market bleeds over here too) is Psyrri, where vestiges of old trades (look for the cane-chair maker) and city essentials (the bakery specializing in sesame rings) sit side-by-side with art galleries and cool cafe-bars. It might be the best neighborhood to combine atmosphere, convenience and cool factor – but if you get a room at one of the cute boutique hotels here, commit to joining the party, or pack earplugs. Also note that the closer you get to Omonia in the north, the scruffier the streets.

Plaka

Best for photo ops and scenic strolls

South from Syntagma is one of Athens’ older districts, with suitably grand neoclassical mansions and historic churches to match. Many of the stone-paved streets are closed to cars, and stairs lead up the hillside toward the Acropolis. It’s all exceedingly picturesque – especially Anafiotika, a small patch of whitewashed island-style architecture. But the combination of eye candy and proximity to the Acropolis and the other big ancient sites naturally makes this tourist central, especially along the shopping strip of Adrianou. Still it’s possible to find good restaurants and cafes – Athenians love the scenery too.

Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio

Best for nightclubs and crumbling cool

Cross over Pireos from Psyrri, and you’re in the aforementioned “fringe” area of Gazi, named for an old gas plant. In the past two decades, it has developed into a major – if now somewhat slick – nightlife district, including the old gasworks, which hosts outdoor shows. The Benaki museum’s modern-art branch, 138 Pireos St, is one rare reason visitors come here during the day.

North and east of Gazi, past Iera Odos, is Keramikos district, followed by Metaxourgio. If you’ve read about a cool new bar, an indie designer or a restaurant with a rock-and-roll vibe – it’s probably on or near one of the long pedestrian strips in this area, where abandoned 19th-century homes alternate with convivial nightspots like Alphaville. By day, there’s resoundingly practical business in the form of moped dealerships and Chinese import companies. (Keep an eye out for unsigned Chinese restaurants and an informal street produce market.)

Metaxourgio has a somewhat sketchy reputation, largely due to the area between Plateia Avdi and Omonia, where two streets are lined with low-budget brothels. Hotels around Plateia Karaïskaki can be good value, but solo travelers may not feel comfortable walking back from the center at night.

Kolonaki

Best for shade and chic

Tree-lined Kolonaki, east and north of Syntagma, is the ritziest district in central Athens. But even if you’re not aiming to drop €400 on a pair of shoes, you’ll come here for excellent museums – the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture, among others – as well as Lykavittos Hill, with its green slopes and gorgeous view. Kolonaki hotels are on the pricier side, but they’re also the quietest you’ll find near the center. If you want to stay in easier walking distance of the Acropolis, focus on the lowlands closer to Vasilissis Sofias; the Lykavittos slopes can be rough at the end of a long day.

Exarhia

Best for street art and solidarity

North of Omonia and behind the university and the National Archaeological Museum, Exarhia has become (in)famous for its anarchist politics. Real estate speculation since the 2008 financial crash, as well as the clearance of many long-established squats, has turned this area over to the highest number of short-term rentals in the city – and, in turn, cringe Insta snaps of tourists posing with lefty graffiti. Still, this is a very lively area, and the friendly bars are geared to student budgets. Stop by self-organized Navarino Park, the laïki agora (weekly produce market) on Saturdays, and immigrant-run cafe Steki Metanaston to really catch the neighborhood’s committed spirit. If you stay here, you’re also committing to riding the bus a bit more.

Other residential neighborhoods

These areas don’t have much in the way of lodging, but they’re great places to get a sense of Athens life away from the ancient monuments.

Mets & Pangrati

The hillside behind the Panathenaic Stadium is a great slice of Athens, tree-shaded and relaxed. It’s a nice area to stroll, including in Athens’ First Cemetery, and has some reservation-worthy restaurants, such as Mavro Provato and Spondi.

Thisio & Petralona

Put the Acropolis to your back and walk into these quieter districts around Filopappou Hill.

Kypseli

A solid bus ride from the center, but another vibrant part of Athens, built in grand style after World War II and now a bustling immigrant area. Fokionos Negri is a pretty, tree-lined pedestrian avenue, with the revamped Kypseli Municipal Market alongside.

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Looking for a change of scenery? Malta has just opened applications for a year-long digital nomad visa program, inviting remote workers from around the world to move their home office to the Mediterranean archipelago.

The Nomad Residence Permit is open to people who work remotely and who can continue to do their current jobs while residing in Malta for a year. As a European Union (EU) member state, Malta already welcomes digital nomads from the EU but this program allows applicants from non-EU countries who are eligible for a Maltese visa to take part, including individuals from the United States, the United Kingdom and more.

Read more: Everything you need to consider before becoming a digital nomad

"The permit will be issued for one year and can be renewed upon application at the discretion of Residency Malta, as long as the applicant still meets the set eligibility criteria," organizers said. "Applicants who are interested in staying for less than a year will be issued with a national visa for the duration of their stay."

On the surface, Malta seems to embody all the stereotypes of a Mediterranean island nation, with sun-kissed cities, ochre-toned buildings, and a seemingly relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. But this is a country that rewards extensive exploration. As a long-term visitor you'll find a treasure trove of history, world-class architecture, outdoor adventures, entirely unique and rustic cuisine for all seasons, and blockbuster landscapes that serve as backdrops for TV and film.

Read more: Malta unpackaged: an independent traveller's guide

Malta, located between between Italy and the North African coast, is a multicultural nation with a diverse expat community. English is one of the official languages here and the language for doing business. It also has a robust telecommunications infrastructure and was the first EU country with nationwide 5G mobile internet service.

To apply for the digital nomad visa, you'll need to be fully vaccinated and present proof. You'll need to take out health insurance too to cover you for the duration of your stay and pay a €300 administrative fee. For more information, see the Nomad Residence Permit website.

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Working from home? Malta has opened applications for year-long digital nomad visas

The EU digital COVID certificate scheme has expanded and is now open to all member states and 16 non-EU countries including Israel, Morocco and Panama.

The certificate allows participating countries to digitally verify travelers' COVID-19 data to make crossing borders easier. In some countries, like France and Ireland, the certificates are also used to access restaurants, bars and cultural attractions that are only open to those who are vaccinated, recovered or have tested negative for COVID-19.

Here's what you need to know about using the EU digital COVID certificate to get around.

What is the EU digital COVID-19 certificate?

The certificate is an EU-wide approach to facilitate free movement (one of the fundamental rights of EU citizens) across the bloc during the pandemic. It works as a vaccine passport and tracks citizens' COVID-19 status; indicating that the holder has been vaccinated, has tested negative for the virus, or has recovered from infection. Vaccination, testing and recovery certificates are issued by individual countries and automatically stored in the app, or emailed to individuals to be printed out and used as a COVID cert.

How does it work?

The digital certificate is stored on a mobile device, and citizens can also request a paper version. Both have a QR code that contains essential information such as the holder's name, date of birth, and relevant information about vaccination or recovery, as well as a digital seal to ensure the certificate is authentic. Once they hold the certificate, individuals should be exempt from COVID-19 restrictions, including quarantine and additional testing "unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health".

Individuals can also use the EU digital COVID cert to present their COVID-19 status to enter restaurants, bars, museums and other venues where it's required.

Read more: This is how tourists can access France's health pass

Is it free?

Yes, the cert is free of charge.

Do I have to sign up to the EU digital COVID-19 cert to travel?

No, the certificate is not required for travel, but is designed to make it easier. If the country you are traveling to requires recovery, testing or vaccination documentation, you can present your approved health certificate without signing up to the program.

Where is it available?

The certificate is available to citizens and residents of all EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden

It's also available to 16 non-EU countries and territories including Albania, Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Israel, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Turkey, Ukraine and the Vatican. This means that COVID certificates issued in those places are accepted in the EU under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate. Likewise, the EU Digital COVID Certificate is accepted by those 16 countries.

My country is not signed up to the program - how do I present proof of vaccination to travel to Europe?

The EU digital COVID cert is only available to citizens and residents of the countries and territories listed above.

If you are visiting from elsewhere you can present your approved health certificate without signing up to the program. Once the certificate is valid, it's generally accepted to cross borders. Americans traveling to most EU countries need to present their vaccination status and for that, the white Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card is acceptable.

People traveling from the UK can usually present their status through the NHS app. However, the Telegraph reports that the UK is close to joining the program. "We have applied to link into the EU's Digital Covid Certificate scheme," a Foreign Office spokesperson told the newspaper. "Linking up to the EU's Digital Covid Certificate scheme will enable us to digitally verify each other's COVID certificates to make journeys easier."

What vaccinations are approved?

Countries signed up to the program accept certificates for vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), including the Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. However, some member states are accepting travelers who have received another vaccine, such as those listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use, including Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.

Read more: Australia plans to open its borders by Christmas and ease lockdown using vaccine passports

Can children get a certificate?

The EMA has approved the use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children between the ages of 12 and 17. Non-vaccinated children can present a negative test result or recovery certificate if that's required from their destination. These certificates can be received by their parents or guardians and stored in the parents/guardians' smartphone app.

This article was originally published on March 18, 2021 and updated on September 28, 2021.

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Chances are most travelers aren’t coming to Athens for its beaches. As capital of a country with world-famous islands, Athens is more known for its resplendent ancient ruins and busy cultural life rather than its sandy glories. But this is Greece after all! And the coast as well as several major ferry ports are just minutes away.

If you are looking for a quick swim or a bit of rest and relaxation, there are plenty of beaches to choose from on the Athens Riviera, aka the Apollo Coast – the coastline running south of Athens from Piraeus to Cape Sounion. Do you have a whole day to spare? Then consider hopping a boat to an island in the morning and returning in the twilight glow. Either way, despair not, the water awaits you.

Varkiza Beach

One of the southernmost beaches on the Athens Riviera, Varkiza is a favorite for its relative peace and quiet. Small sandy sweeps alternate with rock formations where you can hang out independently. Or pay for a chaise at the popular resort Varkiza Resort – Yabanaki Beach and join the fray of seaside umbrellas and restaurants.

Astir Beach

Silky sands and softly lapping seas are only the start of what Astir Beach is known for. It’s one of the most beloved of the see-and-be-seen organized beaches on the Athens Riviera. Astir is a land of high fashion, seafront chaises and cabanas, and luxury like Nobu Matsuhisa’s Athens outpost and the Four Seasons Astir Palace.

Shinias Beach

Repeatedly recognized for its crystal-clear waters with Blue Flag ratings, Shinias Beach, 45km (about 28 miles) northeast of Athens, offers a grand stretch of pristine white sand backed by pine trees. The shimmering waters near the town of Marathon are a favorite for swimming and windsurfing followed by lunch at one of the nearby seafood tavernas.

Legrena Beach

Care to get (wonderfully) lost on the coast near Athens? Explore the coves and inlets along the Legrena area, about 3km (2 miles) west of the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio. Devoid of the organized umbrellas and thumping sounds of the grand resorts of the rest of this coastline, this place is for the explorers. The currents keep these waters crisp and clean, and nearby tavernas dot the coast. It’s also the place to go if you care to sunbathe in the buff.

Sounio Beach

Undoubtedly the claim to fame of this small beach at the farthest reaches of the Athens Riviera is the Temple of Poseidon on the cape overlooking the beach. The gleaming marble columns 65m (about 213 feet) above the sea are one of the county’s most inspiring coastal sights, and sunset here is also eye-catching.

Aegina and Angistri Islands

One of the beauties of Athens is that it is surrounded by ports. If you have an entire day, it’s short work to go to Piraeus and catch a ferry to one of the Saronic Gulf islands. Aegina and Angistri are the closest, a mere 30 minutes, and both will give you an instant sense of island life, replete with beaches. Aegina is the larger, with ancient ruins and nightlife to boot, while Angistri is more remote and peaceful.

Grand Beach Lagonissi

The rocky Lagonissi promontory on the road to Cape Sounion is home to the Grand Beach Lagonissi, a smooth crescent of family-friendly sand on a calm, clear bay. Beautifully maintained and packed with amenities, it makes for an easy day out. Kids can scamper from the sea, and water sports like flyboards or towed rings, to the swimming pool and air-conditioned changing rooms with showers.

Vouliagmeni Lake and Beach

Vouliagmeni, 23km (about 14 miles) southwest of Athens, is an evergreen favorite of Athenians. People visit year round for the saltwater natural lake just inland, backed by cliffs. It stays warmer (at 21°C or about 71°F) than the open sea and is served by an understated restaurant complex. Or you can brave the weekend crowds at the busy seafront, which arcs around a deep bay and is lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

Vravrona Beach

A mere 11km (about 7 miles) east of Athens International Airport, this small, pebbled beach rewards you if you have a few hours to kill between flights. Better yet, pair a swim with a visit to the nearby 420 BC Temple of Artemis (goddess of the hunt) to combine relaxation and culture.

Marathon Beach

Stone and sand combine to form the thin scrim of Marathon Beach, near the town of Marathon, made famous by the 490 BC battle and its 42km (26 mile) runner. This beach is best for a quick dip after visiting the local sites, from the battlefield and tomb and the town’s archaeological museum to the famed 435 BC Doric sanctuary of Nemesis at Ramnous. You can also raft up for a long, lazy afternoon at the organized beach Galazia Akti.

Glyfada Beach

Packed during the summer, Glyfada Beach is perfect for those who want to avoid the high price tags of the private resort chaises. Bring a towel, stake out a square of sand on this beach alongside the busy Athenian beachfront suburb of Glyfada, and wade right in.

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For all the open space around its ancient ruins, Athens is distinctly not a city of parks. In fact, its green space per capita may be the lowest in Europe. But the sunbaked Greek capital does have a few spots for a shady stroll – and for kids to run around. As a boon for visitors, some of the best sites are right in the city center and attractions in their own right.

Pack good walking shoes, though, as the terrain is hilly. A few other destinations are farther afield but pay off with even more room to roam – and a refreshing slice of local life.

Filopappou Hill

The pine-shaded north slope of Filopappou Hill faces the Acropolis – good view alert! – and on its flank is the cell where Socrates was allegedly imprisoned. The hill’s peak has its own ancient marble structure, the second-century-CE Monument of Filopappos, and from here, you can see all the way to the Saronic Gulf.

Sightseeing aside, Filopappou is the most extensive green area in the center of Athens, at 173 acres. Bird watchers and dog walkers especially treasure the spot. At sunrise, the trees ring with song; at sunset, it’s a virtual canine parade.

The whole park area, developed in the mid-20 th century, is marked by the beautiful landscaping of Dimitris Pikionis, a noted modernist architect. The eclectically paved stone paths that wind over the hill are all his work, as is the rustic wood yard of the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, a design inspired by traditional Japanese forms that fits right in with the thick-walled church.

Lykavittos Hill

The other big hill in central Athens, Lykavittos, isn’t quite as parklike as Filopappou, but the winding pathway to its peak is a great place to stretch your legs. (Don’t worry – the wolves that gave this hill its name are long gone).

You’re rewarded with an excellent view, as well as an up-close peek at the pretty whitewashed church that has probably already caught your eye from other parts of the city, as it glows, fairy-tale-like, at night. And it wouldn’t be a Greek hilltop without a café. If you want the fresh air without the hike, take the short funicular that runs up the slope from Kolonaki.

National Garden and the Zappeion

The National Garden was laid out as walled royal gardens in the early 1800s and is now a rambling park for all Athenians. Although the greenery can be a bit wild and even somewhat dusty in the dry months, the tall palms and dark thickets are a rare shady treat in summer.

Plus, the location, just south of parliament, off Syntagma, could not be more convenient. The nearly 40 acres include a large children’s playground, a café and murky ponds for turtles and ducks. (The tiny zoo is most distinctly not an attraction, however).

Adjacent to the south, the Zappeion is a more formally groomed patch of paths and greenery centered on neoclassical Zappeio Hall, now a conference center where, incidentally, Greece officially signed into the EU. On the southeast end of the Zappeion is another summer outdoor treat: Aegli open-air cinema.

Athens’ First Cemetery

For the quietest possible escape, head for the city’s first public cemetery, laid out after Greek independence in the early 19 th century. Today, it’s marked by big old shade trees, beautiful marble statuary and grand tombs of famous Athenians. The surrounding neighborhood of Mets is also a pleasant residential district.

Stavros Niarchos Park

Opened in 2015, this green space close to the sea was a radical addition to Athens’ green acreage. It may be a bit of a journey from the center (take the tram or the park’s free shuttle from Syntagma), but it pays off in fresh breezes and lots of interesting programming.

Check the schedule for free yoga classes, for instance, and outdoor movie nights – as well as indoor opera and other events at the adjoining Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Flisvos Park

Right at the water’s edge, Flisvos Park in Faliro, a 35-minute tram ride from Syntagma, gets busy after dark as local families conclude their seaside stroll at the cafes and restaurants here. One excellent summer attraction is the shadow-puppet shows at Theatro Skion Tasou Konsta, and there’s also an outdoor cinema.

Other outdoor experiences

Farther afield to the north, Strefi Hill, behind Exarhia, is a real locals-only destination – true to form, there’s a café at the top. While you’re in the neighborhood, cruise by the small but locally managed Navarino Park, the essence of Exarhia’s self-organizing ethos.

Farther still, Mt Hymettos is the most substantial mountain near Athens, and easily reachable by bus; start exploration at Moni Kaisarianis, and head up from there.

Finally, in addition to those mentioned above, Athens is studded with other open-air movie theaters. Often draped with vines and walled off from city noise, each is like a mini park – but with cold beers and popcorn at the refreshment stand and gripping action on the screen.

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Everyone calls Gatlinburg the Gateway of the Smokies. It’s true that this mountain town in East Tennessee is one of the best places to get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side (there is Smokies access on the North Carolina side, too). But it is also true that the larger Tennessee Smokies gateway is really a collection of small towns, each with its own vibe and connectedness to mountain culture.

Whether you want family-friendly amusement parks, restaurants, and basic hikes or long for romantic, quiet getaways, there’s a Smoky Mountain town for you. Whether it's a quick break or a leisurely road trip, use this guide to help you find the right fit for your perfect Smoky Mountains vacation.

Gatlinburg

The best-known of the Smokies approach towns, Gatlinburg is a classic mountain resort town. From here you can take a chair lift high from Anakeesta and look down on the lush, green winding roads, dotted with cabins and hotels with their own worthy views. Gatlinburg has a long tradition of artists who practice mountain crafts. You can take classes, be it ceramics or watercolor painting, from them and buy their wares along the secluded 8-mile Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Loop. Learn to ski at Ober Gatlinburg, the only ski hill in the state of Tennessee. In the summer, opt for a guided hike on the ski hill instead. Cap off the mountain exertion by eating and drinking along the Parkway, Gatlinburg’s main drag. Ole Red features a Southern menu, adult beverages, and live country music.

Gatlinburg is a year-round destination, with a temperate climate for sunny hikes in the summer and the opportunity to ski in the winter. It is a local tradition to eat as many pancakes as possible, and there are many (many) pancake houses in which to do it, including Little House of Pancakes, with its classic diner vibe and reasonable prices. Whole Earth Grocery makes sandwiches to-go if you prefer to take a picnic up in the mountains.

Pigeon Forge

The streets of Pigeon Forge are lined with neon. Everywhere you look there’s something to see, and often it is something you might not expect, such as King Kong climbing a replica of the Empire State Building at the Hollywood Wax Museum or a replica of the Titanic. Pigeon Forge is home to Ferris wheels that light up the night sky and go-kart tracks that allow kids and their parents to race through the afternoons. There’s even an indoor snow-sledding hill.

But Pigeon Forge’s best-loved attraction is Dollywood, the resort developed by megastar Dolly Parton, who was raised in these mountains. Dollywood includes a water park, amusement park with live music, a resort hotel and spa, and lots of nods to what makes this part of Tennessee great: Smoky Mountain scenery, mountain crafts, and country music. Once you’ve ridden all the amusement park rides your heart can take, take your pick of the quirky dining options in Pigeon Forge. At Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café, animatronic chickens with names like HENifer Aniston and Elvis PresLAY sing to you while you eat. The Listening Room Café offers dinner while human singer-songwriters perform stripped-down versions of their songs.

Sevierville

Best known as being Dolly Parton’s hometown, this small hamlet is 20 miles north of Gatlinburg and the national park, just north of bustling Pigeon Forge. The quaint downtown square is dotted with shops and cafes, as well as a bronze sculpture of Dolly herself with a guitar on her lap and one of her favorite signature butterflies nearby. Seasons 101, inside the Central Hotel, is one of the area’s upscale restaurants and is a change of pace when you’ve had enough of pancake houses and fudge shops.

A stay at the Central Hotel – which in a previous iteration was where President Roosevelt stayed when he visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – is a more upscale experience than many of the family-friendly spots in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. It’s a good option for those who want to be away from the neon lights and noise of the Parkway but still want full-service accommodations. Sevierville is also home to several lower-priced hotels and cabins in the woods, the latter offering a greater degree of privacy.

Townsend

Townsend likes to bill itself as “the peaceful side of the Smokies.” Not that all of the Great Smoky Mountains and its surrounding mountain towns aren’t peaceful, but Townsend doesn’t have the neon signs and King Kong climbing a tower. In summer, come here for outdoor pursuits. Smoky Mountain River Rat Tubing and Whitewater Rafting will guide you down the Little River, where you’ll feel the cool splash of the water and immerse yourself in mountain views.

Stroll down the Townsend Riverwalk Trail, which is a paved route with five miles of walking and biking trails on each side of Highway 321. The bike- and dog-friendly route is dotted with wildflowers in spring. The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center tells the tales of the communities that live in these mountains, including the Native Americans who helped preserve this wilderness.

Cosby

Once known as the “moonshine capital of the world” and historically a Cherokee hunting ground, Cosby’s remote location surrounded by mountains and creeks makes it the ideal place to camp under the stars. Cosby Campground – one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s eight campgrounds – is located here. Make a reservation for one of these managed campsites, which include tent and RV sites, plus some ADA-accessible sites. Each site has parking, a fire ring, and a picnic table, and plenty of trees that help shield you from other nearby campsites.

In general Cosby is considered a quieter campground than Elkmont, which is closer to Gatlinburg. Outside the park, there are private glamping outfitters and a cozy Airstream village, where you get the feel of camping without having to sacrifice home comforts. The trailhead for the Maddron Bald and Albright Grove Loop hike, a strenuous 6.7-mile path, is just off of Highway 321 in Cosby. The old-growth forest provides lots of shade in summer, and it’s easy to do a small section of the trail if you don't feel up to the full loop.

Maryville

Home to Maryville College, Maryville is essentially a suburb of Knoxville, but its serene, bucolic setting makes it a natural waypoint en route to the Smokies. Book a night or two at the RT Lodge, and stroll among its lovely four-season gardens, sit in front of the fire, or borrow one of the lodge’s free bicycles and ride through town and the campus. Chef Trevor Stockton makes meals with local ingredients at RT Lodge. For more casual eats and drinks, stop at the family- and pet-friendly Tri-Hop Brewery or grab a spicy sandwich or empanada from Aroma Cafe Cuban Food before heading back to the lodge for the night. Maryville is also home to the Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse.

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Thailand has postponed the reopening date of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other popular destinations to tourists until November to allow more people to be vaccinated. However, Phuket and Ko Samui will continue to welcome visitors under special tourism programs, and the tourism board has plans to open more areas before the new year.

Thailand's Phuket Sandbox program, where fully vaccinated tourists are permitted to travel to Thailand without quarantining provided they stay in Phuket (and Phang-Nga, Surat Thani or Krabi) for at least seven days before traveling to other parts of the country is set to be expanded to more destinations including: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri (home to Pattaya), Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The program was due to begin this week but Reuters reports that it will now launch on November 1, to give the destinations more time to meet vaccination targets necessary for a safe reopening. "Cities we’ve targeted have not reached 70% vaccination rates and so we have to push out the date to November," Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn told the news agency.

Read more: You can travel to Thailand quarantine-free via Phuket - this is how to do it

Sandbox program

Destinations will open under the sandbox program model, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports, which means fully vaccinated tourists will be permitted to visit them without undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine. They're required to stay in designated areas within their destination for seven days after arrival, after that they will be able to travel elsewhere in Thailand.

Unvaccinated travelers will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days if they enter by plane and 14 days if they come over land.

As part of the program all travelers will need to download the MorChana contact tracing app and take regular COVID-19 tests to monitor their health. To facilitate the extension of the sandbox program, officials are seeking ways to make regular COVID-19 testing more affordable for tourists, with the possibility of introducing antigen tests by November. "We will try to halve the RT-PCR price and allow tourists to use antigen test kits for their second and third tests," Yuthasak Supasorn, the governor of TAT, told the Bangkok Post. "The package price should be universally applied to every province... including the Phuket Sandbox."

Read more: Do you need a visa to go to Thailand?

Tourists are also required to purchase medical insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least US$100,000, and all relevant health documentation must be completed in English before traveling to Thailand.

Destinations currently open under the sandbox scheme include Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao.

Travelers from 70 countries are permitted to take part in the program, including those from the US, UK, and most European countries. Children under 18 are not required to be vaccinated if traveling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but must have tested negative for COVID-19 no later than 72 hours before travel. For more information on the sandbox program, see here.

Thailand's tourism reopening dates

First Phase (November 1-30)

From November tourists will be permitted to travel to all areas of Bangkok, Krabi and Phang-Nga, and designated areas in Buri Ram (Mueang), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Doi Tao), Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Na Jomtien, and Sattahip), Loei (Chiang Khan), Phetchaburi (Cha-Am), Prachuap Khiri Khan ( Hua Hin), and Ranong (Ko Phayam).

Second Phase (December 1 -31)

The second phase will see the sandbox model extended to 20 more provinces including Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Pathum Thani, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phrae, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, and Yala.

Third Phase (1 January, onwards)

The new year will see the reopening of 13 border provinces, including Bueng Kan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Surin, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.

This article was first published on September 14 and updated on September 27, 2021.

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Thailand to reopen Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya and more destinations to tourists in November

Greece is the land of dreams. We dream about its azure seas, its charming island villages, its myriad beaches, both broad and minute. We dream about the Acropolis, shining on a hill over fascinating Athens. And this grand country, from mountaintop to city street, lives up to those dreams.

It will satisfy travelers looking for adventures and outdoor life, relaxing seaside holidays, and immersive cultural experiences. Greeks know how to live well – just come and give it a try.

Ancient Athens

There’s a reason the Acropolis remains the quintessential landmark of Western civilization – it is spectacular. In addition to this towering landmark, the streets of central Athens are home to many other remnants of civilizations who have marauded through over time. Indeed, any building project (like the metro!) unearths more finds.

From the Ottoman houses of the Plaka neighborhood edging the Acropolis, head further back in time to the Roman Agora with its intricately carved Tower of the Winds. Then stop off at the Ancient Agora, the commercial counterpoint to the Acropolis’ religious function. With more time, other monuments and sites abound, as do world-class museums like the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, The Byzantine and Christian Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art – just keep exploring.

Island hopping

Sure, you’ve heard of the biggies: Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete and Corfu. But the beauty of the Greek island experience is that each of the 227 major islands (of approximately 6000!) that make up the several island chains in Greece has its own distinct character. Pick a zone, say the Ionian Sea or the Dodecanese, and chug between ports on ubiquitous ferries. If you love a sailboat, charter and sail on your own. Or pick a theme and hop around. Party? Head to Mykonos and Ios. Wild terrain? Kefallonia, Andros and Crete. Hidden gems? You figure it out!

Greek food

From morning, with a Greek coffee and a Cretan bougatsa (flaky pastry, filled with sweet or savory cheese) to night, with ouzo and calamari, Greece offers an astounding range of delectables. Much of the cuisine is known for its Mediterranean-diet healthiness – think fresh-pressed olive oil and sweet in-season tomatoes with copious seafood. But there’s also plenty of decadence – slow-cooked roasts, crumbly village cheese and honeyed layered baklava. Every region has its specialties. Kali Orexi!

Delphi

The center of the Ancient Greek world, Delphi perches on a hillside with sweeping views to the Gulf of Corinth. It’s worth visiting on the fringes of the day, to catch the soft light of morning on the temples’ sides or the golden glow of sunset. Be sure to ask the Oracle at the Sanctuary of Apollo whatever you’ve always wanted to know.

Meteora

Unbelievable to the eye, Meteora seems like something from a movie. In fact, it has been featured in flicks like James Bond epic For Your Eyes Only and used as the backdrop for the Eyrie in Game of Thrones. Why? Because who can recreate such mind-blowing rock pinnacles topped by 14th-century monasteries. Climb the stairs carved into the edges of the stone spires and explore within.

Cafe culture

Slow down. Just slow down. One of the great treats of time in Greece is dropping whatever timescale you brought with you and merging with the one here. Simply sit quay- or street-side, sip a coffee (it’s a way of life, “going for coffee”) by day, or a cocktail or glass of local wine by night, and watch the world go by. Better yet, bring friends.

Cycladic sunsets

Santorini with its dramatic volcanic bowl topped by whitewashed villages is inevitably the belle of the Cyclades, with its famed sunsets. But strike out further to catch equally beautiful views in islands like Milos, a calmer volcanic isle, or Naxos, with its untamed coasts and Temple of Demeter. The holy island of Tinos is draped in carved marble and Andros offers a slew of wonderful walking trails.

Sparkling Thessaloniki

One of the great expressions in Thessaloniki is halara – roughly, “take it easy” or “it’s all good.” This laidback city on the sea unfurls its pleasures with student culture, art and nightlife. The upper town is a Byzantine maze, and lovers of ancient eras can tour the truly magnificent riches of the Tomb of Philip II of Macedon at Vergina, nearby.

Greek Easter

It’s hard to imagine how rich and alive the Greek Easter week is until you experience it. Across land and sea, villages, towns and cities come to life in one long crescendo, leading up to Easter Sunday. From moody candlelit processions to brilliant fireworks, lamb roasts and dancing in the streets, it’s best to arrive early in the week – you don’t want to miss a thing.

Hydra

Rare is the land without cars. Hydra, with its soft bowl of marble stairways and seafarers’ houses, is one such place. Sail in and stay awhile: for people-watching in the chic harborfront, walks on the rough mountain trails, and swims in its healing seas.

Knossos and Minoan culture

Oh, history loves a mystery. The advanced society of the Minoans is still shrouded in a veil of the unknown but explore what we do have: ruins and reconstructions at Knossos, the Bronze Age 4000-year-old capital. It’s best paired with the fascinating treasures showcased in the Archaeological Museum in nearby Heraklion.

Cretan beaches

The grand, grand island of Crete stands alone – almost a country to itself. As you explore its plethora of villages with unique cuisines, spare a moment for its gentle flanks. From the soft cream sands of Falasarna to the pink, coral-tinged arcs of Elafonisi, you can’t go wrong. Or try Preveli, brushed by the Libyan Sea and topped by an elegant monastery.

Zagorohoria

If elves lived in Greece, this is where you’d find them. This constellation of quaint stone villages (called Zagori villages) in the mountains lies on the southern edge of the sweeping Vikos Gorge in the Northern Pindos National Park. Connected by a network of walking paths ( monopatia), the villages make for superb hiking in the warmer months, or cozy snuggling by the fire in winter.

Corfu’s Old Town

Try to stay overnight in Corfu Town or come early in the morning to avoid the midday throngs: they come for good reason. A 14th-century Venetian fortress guards the sea, and the town center is a warren of honey-hued townhomes, hidden plateia (plazas) and exalting arcades. The Italian-influenced cuisine is another solid incentive to stay a while.

The Peloponnese

The giant Peloponnesian landmass is somehow missing on most tourists’ radar. Easygoing and interesting, you can explore it for weeks. Adventure from the lovely seaside Venetian city at Nafplio to extraordinary and important ruins like medieval Mystras (Byzantine), Mycenae (ruled most famously by Agamemnon) and Epidavros (ancient theatre with Sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing). Or head for even lesser-known spots, like the wild Mani peninsula and the islet-topping Kastro at Monemvasia. This is also prime territory for interesting local culture and delicious homemade food.

Ancient Olympia

While you’re in the Peloponnese, don’t miss the site of the first Olympics, held in Ancient Olympia from 776 BC to 394 AD. Set in a fertile valley, the ruins of the stadium and accompanying buildings where the athletes lived and practiced are particularly lovely in the springtime with the trees in flower. Be sure to swing into the excellent Archaeological Museum to see monumental sculptures like Hermes of Praxiteles.

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With a welcoming small town feel and a host of free museums, El Paso is a South Texas town worth exploring. And in recent years, this little border city has been having a major growth spurt. A Fistful of new high-rise hotels have cropped up while a restored streetcar line makes transportation easy.  The Chihuahuas baseball team brings the entertainment while a new crop of microbreweries are making a name for themselves.

You don't have to shell out, though, to experience El Paso's unique blend of ancient Indigenous cultures, Chicano heritage, and stunning natural scenery. These are our favorite free things to do in El Paso, from museums and murals to hikes and scenic drives.

Contemplate Los Murales

They're not always mentioned in guidebooks –  but Los Murales, the street murals of El Paso, are perhaps the city's preeminent cultural treasure. Of the more than 100 murals in the city, the greatest concentrations are south of downtown between Paisano Dr and the Border Hwy, and north of Paisano Drive near Douglass Elementary School. There are also more than 40 murals painted on the freeway columns around Durazno Avenue between Copia and Raynolds Streets. Stop by the downtown visitor center for a map.

Learn about the oldest town in Texas at the Tigua Cultural Center

The surrounding community of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is sovereign home to the Tigua tribe and is recognized by many as the oldest town in Texas. Despite Spanish influences, the Tigua have strived to retain their identity as the oldest identifiable ethnic group in Texas. At this cultural center, you can check out photographs of Tigua history and examples of pottery, as well as a video explaining more about the tribe's history.

Stop by on Wednesdays and Saturdays to watch bread being made and to buy fresh loaves (the baking starts in the morning). On Saturdays and Sundays, and Fridays in June and July, watch tribal youth perform social dances (at 11am, 1pm and 3pm).

Cruise the Rim Road and Scenic Drive

Check out the night-time of views of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez while cruising the lofty roadway that is Scenic Drive. It follows the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains and the winding Rio Grande, with plenty of benches and overlooks where you can stop and really savor the view.

Celebrate the borderland at Chamizal National Monument

This park celebrates the cultures of Mexico, the United States and the borderland between them, as well as the settlement of a property dispute between the two countries in 1963.

Remember the past at El Paso Holocaust Museum

El Paso might not seem an obvious location for a Holocaust museum. Created by local survivors, though, this excellent little memorial holds thoughtful and moving exhibits, imaginatively presented for maximum impact.

Peek at the ceiling at the San Elizario Presidio Chapel

A Spanish presidio named for St Elzéar, the French patron saint for soldiers, was established here in 1789 (San Elizario is a corruption of his name). A flood took out the first chapel, and the present building, finished in 1882, is the fourth chapel for the fort. Note the symmetrical bells, the four buttresses and, inside, the colorful pressed-tin ceiling. Still an active parish, this eye-catching white chapel anchors the San Elizario Historic District.

Enjoy the art at El Paso Museum of Art

This thoroughly enjoyable small-scale museum is housed in a former Greyhound station. Its pride and joy is a 13th-century Byzantine Madonna and Child, but the Southwestern art is terrific, too, and the engaging modern pieces round out the collection nicely. All this and it’s free? Well done, El Paso, well done.

Attend mass at Ysleta Mission

Home to Texas’ oldest continually active congregation, tracing back to 1680, Ysleta Mission was established for Spanish refugees and Tigua people fleeing New Mexico after the Pueblo Indian revolt. The original mission building, erected by the Tigua in 1682, was replaced in the mid-1800s by the adobe-brick structure you see today. The silver-domed bell tower was added a few decades later.

Learn about the past at El Paso Museum of History

This museum has a shiny new location in the heart of the downtown museum district. It does a deep dive into the history of this fascinating region, from the Native Americans that settled here thousands of years before the Spanish Conquistadores showed up to the city's current position as a multicultural city.

Gawk at the artillery at First Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum

As the largest air defense training center in the Western world, Fort Bliss consumes much of the desert northeast of El Paso, and trains troops from all the NATO-allied nations. The museum's collection depicts the history of the fort from 1849 to the present. The big draw inside and out of this 50,000-sq-ft space? The big artillery, from missiles to tanks.

Currently, you can only enter the fort with a Visitor's Pass, issued after you provide a valid, US-approved form of ID (driver's license, passport, state ID etc). Your best bet for an entry gate is the Buffalo Soldier Gate off Airway Blvd. The museum is next to the commissary. Call the museum if you run into any problems entering the fort.

Experience a bit of history at the Socorro Mission

The community of Socorro was established in the fall of 1680, after Spaniards and Native Americans fled New Mexico following the Pueblo Revolt earlier in the year. The mission here was completed in 1691, making Socorro the second-oldest mission in Texas. Floods destroyed earlier buildings and churches here; the current structure was built in 1843. The carved and decorated support beams were likely salvaged from the first mission. The statue inside is St Michael, the mission's patron saint.

See Indigenous art at El Paso Museum of Archaeology

The dioramas depicting the lives of the region's ancient peoples aren't particularly illuminating, but the baskets, pottery and hunting tools created by their Native American descendants are worth a look. The centuries-old effigy pots – complete with faces – are especially cool.

Outside you'll find a desert garden and 15 miles of nature trails. But be careful where you step – rattlesnakes and unexploded ordnance are posted hazards!

Explore the city on a free walking tours

The El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau provides copies of the free and self-guided El Paso Downtown Historic Walking Tour brochure at its downtown visitor center. The tour takes about 90 minutes to complete.

This article was originally published March 26, 2021

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