Easygoing Australia has an abundance of choice when it comes to beaches where nudism is legal and accepted. Most of the destinations on this list are nestled away, and home to communities of friendly, like-minded naturists who welcome newcomers. At some, you may be the only person there – just you, the sun, the sand, the surf... and not a stitch of clothing to separate you from your surroundings.

Why go nude?

Stripping down at a beach can deliver a boost to self-esteem, seeing firsthand that most people don’t have supermodel bodies. There is also a strong community of naturists to join, whose openness and friendliness come from the fact they have nothing to hide – not even tan lines. Many naturists say the reason for nude beach-going is simple – they just feel more like themselves without clothes getting in the way.

Nudist beach etiquette for first-timers

If you've never been to a nudist beach before, common sense and respect is all you need to try it out. Remember that you have full control of when you want to disrobe and when you want to leave.

Observe some basic rules and there's nothing to fear – don’t litter, take photos, get sexual, wander outside of designated nude areas, or come just to stare; do bring sunscreen and shade, take your time, and spread out your towel before sitting on a chair when you're not wearing clothes. Also check out our list of the best nude beaches for first-timers.

Are nude beaches legal?

The legality of individual beaches depends on the state and local council. Queensland is the only Australian state without a legal nude beach. But stick to the recognised clothing-optional beaches listed here and you’re unlikely to experience problems with the law. You’ll find that the general attitude of Australians is live and let live, even if you’re in your birthday suit.

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Queensland

Hike to the unspoilt Alexandria Bay near Noosa National Park

You can feel like the first human to see this beach. Perhaps the hike through the Noosa National Park keeps the pristine strip of yellow sand a secret from most tourists. Or perhaps the way the sparkling waves batter the shore makes it feel unusually savage and ancient. Whatever it is, getting naked at Alexandria Bay (A-bay to locals) feels like an experience shared only between you, nature and like-minded bare bathers (who tend to be middle-aged and older).

The waters are choppy and the beach is unpatrolled, so you might want to hitch your kit to a eucalypt and frolic in the shallows rather than the proper surf. Pack some sharp shorts or chichi dress to eat gelato back at trendy Hastings Street in Noosa after your swim.

How to get to Alexandria Bay

Keep clothed from Noosa Main Beach and meander 3km along the tracks through the National Park to the very end. The path winds high up as it follows the coastline, giving spectacular views of the ocean and, if it’s your lucky day, whales, dolphins and eagles.

There is no mobile phone reception at Alexandria Bay, but emergency phones are available on both ends of the beach. Though there are no legal nude beaches in Queensland, Alexandria Bay has generally been accepted as a nudist beach with very few problems for decades. There have however been isolated arrests in the past by overzealous police, so do stay alert.

The Daintree meets the South Pacific at Cow Bay north of Cairns

This bay two hours north of Cairns is a tangle of nature. The wide stretch of beach is scattered with an obstacle course of rocks at high tide. A showcase of Australia’s wild landscape surrounds you, complete with stinging jellyfish and lurking crocodiles, which keep away casual voyeurs, but seem to attract visitors from Europe. Mangrove trees tower out over the beach where the untamed Daintree Rainforest meets the soft pale sand and calm waters of the South Pacific. The tropical trees will also shade you, and the branches make natural swings to monkey around on.

How to get to Cow Bay

Nearby stores offer camping and caravan supplies. Cow Bay makes a great spot for a nude picnic or being at one with nature, but the crocodiles mean swimming is not recommended.

South Australia

No longer the "Nude Olympics" but you can still compete at Maslin Beach near Adelaide

Who has the best bum? Find out at Maslin Beach, home to what was once called the Nude Olympics. The competition’s naked three-legged races have been held here since 1983. Alas, the name had to be changed a few years ago because the Australian branch of the IOC (International Olympics Committee) wasn’t amused, nor did they smile upon the revised Maslin Beach Nudo Lympics (nice try). Its official title is now the Pilwarren Maslin Beach Nude Games. The best bum competition is still called the best bum competition, though.

Maslin Beach was the first beach to achieve legal status in 1975. although it isn't the oldest. The 1.5km southern end of the beach permits full nudity. The craggy white cliff towering above the squeaky sand occasionally attracts sightseers, but this is rare and the shielded cove feels far away from the clothed north end. Expect clean sand, blue water and golden sun on your bare skin.

How to get to Maslin Beach

The beauty of Maslin Beach is that it’s only 45km south of Adelaide and accessible by public transport. From the city take a train to Noarlunga Centre. Then take a Maslin Beach bus from the bus depot. Drivers can park at the cliff-top car park from Tuit Road and walk down the stairs. Being an urban beach, there is a kiosk for food and drink, and a 4WD that passes along the beach in summer selling refreshments.

Victoria

The contentious Sunnyside Beach on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula

First-timers, this may be the place for you. Sunnyside (North) Beach is known for its friendly social atmosphere with a mixed crowd of families, couples and people who come here alone to feel anonymous in their nudity amongst the crowd. The blue water rarely gets rough and the beach is secluded from the clothed side.

However, in late 2021 this nude beach was put on notice: the local council is reviewing its clothing-optional status, a review championed by local Mount Eliza residents. Melbourne's strict Covid-19 lockdowns prevented out-of-towners from travelling to the beach, giving locals the opportunity to swim here without the nudist community who traditionally accessed the stretch of coastline. This isn't the first time locals tried to get the nudist beach closed down. A review in 2006 resulted in the signs remaining despite resident objections. Watch this space...

How to get to Sunnyside Beach

This beach is just north of Frankston and has legal nudity status. Drivers should take the Nepean Highway to 2.5km north of Mount Eliza and park at (the clothed) Sunnyside Beach, then walk from the car park through the bush to Sunnyside North Beach. There are no shops nearby, so pack water and food or stock up in Mount Eliza. The yellow sand can be strewn with pebbles so bring good walking shoes.

New South Wales

Sydney's most famous nude beach is Lady Bay

This is Australia’s oldest nudist beach. When you take off your clothes at Lady Bay beach, you are taking part in history. Australians dared to bare all here for years before nudity was legalised in 1976. Despite the name, women are in the minority a lot of the time: gay men in particular have been splashing about at Lady Bay for decades, since long before laws and attitudes became more open beyond this sandy cove.

You can easily see how coming here in another era would have been a relief. You could shrug off the social mores of Sydney, sheltered by Lady Bay’s two rocky natural piers, and feel free to behave as you pleased with the city’s jagged skyline far in the distance. In easygoing, modern-day Sydney, gay and international visitors share the blue waters with straight couples and their children without a care in the world. Though there is a cheeky lookout far above the beach, so be aware privacy is not guaranteed.

How to get to Lady Bay beach

Getting to Lady Bay (or Lady Jane Beach as it’s also known) is a scenic adventure. From Circular Quay, catch a 15-minute ferry to Watson’s Bay, enjoying some classic harbour views along the way. You’ll cruise by the Sydney Opera House and wealthy harbour-side suburbs.

From Watson's Bay wharf, turn left and walk towards the Heads (the entrance to Sydney Harbour). The first beach is family-friendly Camp Cove. Continue north up some stairs and along the path to the top of Lady Bay Beach. If you’re driving, park in Cliff Street. If you are ferry-phobic, you can take a much longer public bus ride.

The beach is only about 100m long, with calm waters and no surf. High tide sees this relative small strip of golden sand shrink further, making things crowded on a summer's day. That's the perfect time to head off to taste the seafood at the world-famous Doyle’s on the Beach restaurant back at the wharf.

Escape the throngs of Byron Bay and discover Kings Beach

Surrounded by Broken Head Nature Reserve, the secluded Kings Beach near world-famous Byron Bay combines nude bathing with decent east coast waves (although we don’t recommend surfing naked!).

The journey here is as special as the location: either take a short walk along a forest track from the nearest carpark, or it’s a lush mile-long tramp around the headland from Broken Head. Bring your own supplies for the day, including plenty of drinking water, as it’s a steep walk with a lot of steps.

How to get to Kings Beach

Head south of Byron Bay towards Ballina. Turn off about 15 mins into the journey towards Broken Head Caravan Park. As you reach the entrance there is a dirt road to the right (Seven Mile Beach Road) with a “No Through Road” sign. Turn right here and head into the forest reserve. The next left from this road takes you to the Kings Beach car park. It’s a few hundred meters from here down to the beach. Alternatively, park at Broken Head and walk the mile-long coastal track around the forested headland.

Western Australia

Clothing is optional on North Swanbourne Beach in Perth

The dividing line between the clothed and clothing optional parts of Swanbourne Beach has become blurred. The mixed crowd has seen its fair share of controversy with unsuspecting clothed bathers stumbling upon nude ones on the bright white sands. Taking off all your clothes on this beach has grey legal status and nobody is sure if it's strictly legal.

But that hasn’t stopped naturists from bathing here since before the Second World War (before the invention of the bikini). The 3km stretch of sand is labelled as a 'Clothing Optional Beach', and you're unlikely to get into hassle for stripping off, despite the State Government of Western Australia technically tut-tutting it. Just make sure you don’t strip down until you've walked beyond the yellow garbage bins.

How to get to Swanbourne Beach

You’ll be hard pressed to find a tree for shade, so bring a hat, umbrella and lots of sunscreen to shield those sensitive parts. North Swanbourne Beach is a 20-min drive from Perth city centre. Drivers should take Stirling Highway towards Fremantle and park behind the surf lifesaving clubhouse. From Grant Street train station it's a 1.5km walk to the beach (2km from Swanbourne Station). Or catch bus 102 from Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and get off at Marine Parade.

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From Buda Hills’ hiking trails and picnic-friendly lawns on car-free Margaret Island to small hidden parks downtown, Budapest is justly known for its green spaces.

Here are our picks for the 13 best green spaces for picnicking, hiking, playing with kids or simply recharging your batteries as you enjoy beautiful views.

City Park (Városliget): best park to spot famous landmarks

Budapest’s most famous open space, City Park is home to the iconic Széchenyi Baths, Vajdahunyad Castle and the Budapest Zoo. The park is one of Budapest’s top landmarks in itself, with vistas resembling a fairy tale book – especially in the winter, when the lake transforms into one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Europe. Significant development is underway, with parts of City Park slated to be home to an ambitious museum complex – but the most beautiful parts of the park remain untouched and well worth spending an afternoon in.

Read more: The 15 best museums in Budapest

Margaret Island (Margitsziget): great for picnics

In summer, crowds flock to Margaret Island in the Danube with blankets, cold bottles of wine and snacks. Measuring 1.6 miles by 550 yards, the slender island is covered with parkland, medieval ruins, a rose garden, a Japanese garden and even a little zoo. The Musical Fountain close to Margaret Bridge is a popular spot for picnickers, with ample lawns becoming less crowded the father in you venture.

Buda Hills and Normafa: best park for hiking and cycling

Normafa Park draws crowds thanks to meadowy hillsides that offer incredible views over the city, together with spots for picnics and BBQs. It’s also the most accessible destination in the Buda Hills, with buses running from Széll Kálmán tér direct to plentiful forested trails for hiking and mountain biking. Around Normafa, you can wend your way to the Elizabeth Lookout Tower on János Hill, or to Fairy Rock. For even more adventure, go off the beaten track over to the rugged hiking routes running between Hűvösvölgy and Szépvölgy, which join up with the Blue Trail, the oldest long-distance path in Europe. Families will love a ride on the Children’s Railway, a nostalgic single-gauge railway run mostly by uniformed children.

Károly Garden: perfect for an urban escape

The elegantly gated Károly Garden in the heart of downtown provides a tranquil refuge to escape from the clamor of city streets. In summer, you can grab a drink at the picturesque Csendes Társ, which backs onto the park’s ornate gates. Year-round, you can take a stroll, grab a bench and read a book, or just take a breather before heading back into the bustle beyond the fence.

Kopaszi Dam: best park for a beach day

This former dam juts out between the Danube and Lágymányosi Bay. The area has been rehabilitated into parkland with many bars and cafes – but perhaps the best thing about the Kopaszi Dam area are the sandy stretches and beaches along the inlet. Bring a beach towel to lie out in the sun with a book. Budapest's other best beaches are all attached to lakes and rivers too.

Philosopher’s Garden: best for people watching

This park on Gellért Hill’s northern side is usually packed with a colorful cast of characters. Come here for a picnic or to sunbathe and you’ll probably run across a group doing yoga, a drum circle, kite flyers or even people clad in chain mail engaged in reenactment sword fights. The Philosopher’s Garden isn’t just a great hangout for those with varied interests: it’s also one of the most beautiful and underrated spots in the city, with views overlooking the Royal Palace of Buda Castle, the Danube and downtown Pest.

Budapest Botanical Garden: best park for plant lovers

A part of ELTE University, Budapest Botanical Garden is the largest and oldest such garden in the city. While it’s a little outside the city center, it’s a must for anyone who loves flowers, plants and horticulture. Highlights include the 19th-century palm house, a 250-year-old cherry tree and the rock garden. Time your visit for spring, when the fruit trees are in full, glorious bloom.

Feneketlen Tó (Bottomless Lake): best hidden gem of a park

Just off trendy Bartók Béla boulevard in District XI, you’ll find Feneketlen Tó, a body of water whose name translates ominously to “Bottomless Lake.” Local legend has it that workers once digging for clay to make bricks stumbled upon a natural spring that widened in catastrophic fashion, swallowing some of them as it flooded the pit. Today, things are less dramatic, and the lake is a scenic spot surrounded by parkland with the photogenic Szent Imre church at the head. In summer, head to Budai Parkszinpad, an open-air bar in a former theater located in the park, and take a stroll around the perimeter of the lake.

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Olimpia Park: best for families

The renovated recreational Olimpia Park next to the Hungarian Parliament is a multifunctional community space with something for the whole family, including a playground with an impressive climbing complex, a dog park and picnic spots. You’ll also get great views overlooking the Danube and a memorial celebrating the spirit of the Olympic Games.

Szent István Park: best for architecture enthusiasts

If you love Bauhaus architecture, you’ll love this stylish green space that evokes the glamor of the 1920s and ’30s. You can see Margaret Island from this Danube-side park, as well as the elegant Bauhaus-style apartment buildings that surround it. The park also has beautiful rose and flower gardens in bloom in summer. On warm days, grab an ice cream from the Dunapark Cafe – or take a seat inside this sleek landmark of a 1930s-era restaurant if you crave more vintage ambiance.

Mansfeld Péter Park: best park for views

A small green space in Buda, Mansfeld Péter Park is named after the youngest martyr of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. It’s well worth the hike up the hill, as you’ll get some of the best views in Budapest – without the crowds of the Hungarian Parliament, the Chain Bridge and the river. Before or after the park, stop in at to nearby Gül Baba’s Tomb, an interesting stop to learn about Budapest’s Ottoman history.

Benczúr Kert: discover a secret kids’ playground

Kids (and their parents) will love this hidden park, a few minutes’ walk from City Park. While a little difficult to find – turn into an alley called Benczúr köz, either from Benczúr utca or Városligeti fasor, then look for the colorful gate – it’s worth the effort. The children’s playground resembles something from a storybook, with a castle-shaped jungle gym and climbing fortress, a glider swing and an accessible seesaw for children using wheelchairs, among other fun attractions.

Nehru Part: best park for sunset

Head down to the Danube next to the Bálna and find a green bankside space perfect for chilling out with friends. It’s a great spot to watch the sun go down, as you’ll be treated to cotton-candy-colored sunsets over the Buda Hills and the river. If you want to get something to eat and drink, the Bálna has some great spots, like Eseleg Bisztró.

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While Havana, with its grandiose architecture and vibrant culture, continues to be the number one attraction for travelers to Cuba, taking a break from the city buzz will refresh your batteries and give you a broader scope of Cuba’s authentic experiences.

Let the sea breeze pamper your senses in Playas del Este or indulge your ecological side in Las Terrazas and Soroa. With options less than an hour away from the Capitolio, Havana is the perfect base for a day trip filled with adventure.

Unwind at Playas del Este

Located just 30 minutes from the hustle and grit of Havana’s city center is the palm-fringed coast known as Playas del Este (eastern beaches). Half a dozen beaches are out this way, but Santa María – with appreciable shade and the softest, cleanest sand – is the best. Head to the beach town of Guanabo to hang with locals. The stretch near Boca Ciega is a traditional LGBTQI+ hangout. Most Cubans will not go near the beach in the "cold" winter months between January and April, but during the peak summer season, these beaches get incredibly crowded.

Guanabo has more of an assortment of paladares (Cuban private diners) ranging from Italian-inspired pizzerias like Il Piccolo to the kid-friendly Chicken Little .

How to get to Playas del Este: Hop on the T3 Habana Bus Tour, which runs from Centro Habana to Playas del Este (via Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña). The main stop is in Parque Central opposite the Hotel Inglaterra . All-day tickets for T3 are CUC$10, and services run from 9am to 7pm. A regular private cab costs around CUC$25 one way.

Embrace the green at Las Terrazas and Soroa

A drive into the heart of the undulating and verdant Sierra del Rosario range, Cuba’s first Unesco Biosphere Reserve, is a sure tonic for fatigue and worry. Las Terrazas , 45 minutes west of Havana, is a former artist colony turned eco-tourism experiment with open studios, canopy, hiking, birdwatching and swimming in river cascades.

Nearby Soroa is famed for its Orquideario , an orchid garden and research station with more than 700 species that bloom between December and March. Off-the-radar Lago El Palmar hosts a ranchón (rustic, opened-sided restaurant) offering drinks and snacks, plus an option for renting boats. Less than 2km (1 mile) away is Cafetal Buenavista , a well-preserved remnant of Cuba’s oldest coffee plantation.

How to get to Las Terrazas and Soroa: Book a day tour to Las Terrazas and Soroa at a Cubatur desk in any hotel lobby or take a colectivo (shared bus mainly used by tourists) at the Viazul station and hop off at Rancho Curujey, near Las Terrazas. Make sure to confirm your stop with the driver. Standard private cabs or taxis cost around CUC$60 from Havana to Las Terrazas.

Roll a world-class cigar in Viñales

Viñales Valley , peppered with rare pin-cushion hills, is spectacular enough to warrant longer than a day trip if you have the time. The town is quaint in that ceramic-roof, cane-rocker-on-the-porch kind of way, and the hospitality of Cuban guajiros (countryfolk) is unsurpassed. Accept any invite to go horseback riding or hiking amid the oddly bulbous limestone mogotes (hills). Viñales becomes a rock climbing mecca from December through April. The A-frame structures covered in shaggy fronds you will see are drying houses for the world’s finest cigar tobacco, grown throughout this part of Pinar del Río province.

Los Jazmines is the perfect lookout point for some world-prize-worthy panoramic photos over Viñales Valley, but choose Balcón del Valle restaurant if you also fancy to have lunch while overlooking the mogotes. For a friendly ambience and freshly made cocktails don’t miss Tres Jotas on Salvador Cisneros St., Viñales' main road.

How to get to Viñales: Viñales is connected with Havana by daily Viazul buses. You can also book day trips at Havana’s hotels, most of which include lunch and added excursions for less than CUC$70 round trip. For more flexibility, rent a car or hire a taxi with driver for the day.

Swim in crystal-clear waters of Varadero

Cuba’s finest beach destination, a 20km-long peninsula with powdery sand, bathtub-temperature sea and all-inclusive resorts, Varadero has all the amenities required to enjoy a fun-filled day trip. Take an early ride 140km (87 miles) east of Havana center and you’ll be sitting under a palm leaf umbrella before 10am. Take a dip in one of the Caribbean’s most pristine beaches or sip cocktails in the shade before heading out for a late lunch at any of Varadero’s notable restaurants. With impeccable service and seafood, Varadero 60 is highly recommended. For an after-lunch spirit, opt for the mahogany-wood Bar Mirador atop Mansión Xanadú. The view over the sunbathed peninsula is simply unparalleled.

How to get to Varadero: Book an air-conditioned Viazul bus at Terminal de Ómnibus, leaving at 8 m and every couple of hours after noon until 6pm. When Viazul buses are in high demand, colectivos taxis are also an option. You can book one directly at any hotel desk, at your casa particular or just hanging around at the bus station. A regular taxi from Havana costs around CUC$100 to CUC$150 one way.

Explore Cojímar, Hemingway’s favorite fishing village

Less than 20 minutes east from Havana’s old quarter is the charming fishing village of Cojímar, famous for hosting Ernest Hemingway’s maritime adventures back in the 1940s and 1950s. Tourist buses usually stop at Restaurante La Terraza for a daiquiri on the terrace, but more hearty meals and fantastic mojitos are offered at Ajiaco Café . This little town is a slow-paced community, where it's possible to meet locals in a 100% Cuban environment. Walk around the malecón, a smaller version of Havana’s iconic promenade, for a glimpse of the natural allure that enchanted Papa 70 years ago.

For the best pictures of the seaside town, head to the Torreón de Cojímar , a wrecked Spanish fort from the 17th century that was the first to be taken by the British when Havana was attacked in 1762.

How to get to Cojímar: Yellow cabs from Parque Central or any other part of Old Havana cost around CUC$10 to Cojímar. Old American classics may be more expensive, but the scenic ride is definitely worth it. Agree with the driver on a one-way fare if you consider touring for more than a couple of hours in Cojímar, but ask for a round-trip offer if you only want a glimpse of the landmarks.

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One of the world’s most dazzling destinations, Brazil is packed with steamy rainforests, tropical savannas, wetlands and exciting cities.

The ecosystems found in this giant of South America are home to the largest collection of plant and animal species found anywhere in the world. But even if nature is not top of your travel list, plenty of life can be found in the country’s musical metropolises, too. For relaxing, Brazil has sand to spare: 2095 beaches, to be precise, dotting its 7242km (4500-mile) Atlantic coastline.

With such a huge country and a variety of things to do, planning an itinerary here can feel overwhelming. Here are the best places to visit in Brazil.

Ouro Preto and the colonial towns of Minas Gerais

An example of colonial opulence, Ouro Preto (meaning “black gold”) in Minas Gerais was at the heart of Brazil’s 18th-century gold rush. Nearly two dozen churches, lavishly ornamented with gold filigree, still ring out their bells across the hillsides of this rural town, which at its height was home to 110,000, a majority of whom were enslaved people.

One of Ouro Preto’s most famous residents was the sculptor Aleijadinho, who studied European baroque traditions and developed his own unique style. His sculptures and reliefs – some of which he carved after losing his fingers to a disease – adorn churches across the region, including in Tiradentes, Congonhas and São João del Rei. The historical Royal Road links up most of these towns and makes for an adventurous road trip. An essential detour for art lovers is nearby Inhotim, the world’s largest open-air contemporary art museum.

Paraty and the Saco de Mamanguá

The other terminus of the Royal Road, seaside Paraty was where the precious metals extracted from Minas Gerais were shipped out in the early days of Brazil’s gold rush. The town lost some of this export trade to Rio de Janeiro in the early 1700s, yet its colonial charm was impeccably preserved – and it’s all the more spectacular for being sandwiched between steep, jungle-covered mountains and the warm, clear waters of the ocean.

A backwater for centuries, Paraty has in recent decades attracted to writers and artists from all over the world. The city plays host to a number of prestigious events, including the literary festival FLIP, a jazz festival and a pinga festival (an excuse to drink lots of pinga, slang for cachaça, the Brazilian cane spirit that’s produced locally).

Getting out on the water to explore some of Paraty’s 65 islands and 300 beaches is a must. Motor boats and schooners can be rented, but for a close-up connection with nature join a kayak tour in the Saco de Mamanguá – a “tropical fjord” – and paddle to deserted beaches, mangroves, waterfalls and Caiçara fishing communities.

Amazon rainforest

The Amazon has a mysterious pull that has fascinated explorers for centuries. One of the wildest places on the planet, the region is almost too big to comprehend, spanning as it does about 42% of Brazil and swaths of eight neighboring countries. Each region offers something different in terms of ecology, tourism and local culture; doing your research before visiting is essential as it’s neither a cheap nor an easy-to-reach destination.

The unending expanse of green can be gazed at for hours as you fly overhead into Manaus, the region’s largest city and a good jumping-off point for many of the lodges and Amazon jungle experiences. You can try canoeing through flooded forests at Anavilhanas National Park, heading farther afield to the recently formed Xixuaú Reserve or spotting river dolphins in the Mamirauá Reserve. A few hundred miles east, Santarém is another access point for seeing the majestic trees deep in the Tapajós Forest or beach hopping along the banks of the Arapiuns River, a tributary of the Tapajós River near Alter do Chão.

Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.

Jalapão

In a country teeming with with rainforests, pristine beaches and other natural wonders, the tropical savanna hinterlands of the Cerrado certainly hold their own.

While the Cerrado has borne the brunt of Brazil’s agribusiness boom in recent decades, pockets of conservation do exist, including the relatively unexplored Jalapão State Park – 34,000 sq km (13,127 sq miles) of scrubland, grasslands, forest, caves and unusual rock formations. The best time to visit is the dry season (from May to September) when, despite the dry landscape, water is the main attraction. Splash in the glassy pools of waterfalls or kayak down rapids; you can also take a dip in the so-called fervedouros (boiling pots), natural springs where the bubbling water buoys swimmers. Sand dunes and chapadas (mountain formations) also make for some spectacular hiking.

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (400km south) and Emas National Park (to the west) are two much larger conservation areas that are home to dozens of species of flora and fauna at risk of extinction. Lucky hikers might cross paths with giant anteaters, giant armadillos, maned wolf and rheas, South America’s largest bird.

Read more: Where to find Brazil's best hikes

Brasília

The city of the future that’s forever stuck in the past, Brasília is a fabulous paradox. The federal capital officially opened for business in 1960, becoming the ultimate symbol of modernity for an urbanizing nation and a long-hoped-for kick start for the economic development of the country’s interior.

Built in the middle of the hot, dry landscape of Brazil’s Center-West, Brasília is an open-air monument to the people who shaped and built it, including urban planner Lúcio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer. Thousands of tons of concrete and steel were poured into a series of Modernist architectural gems that are worth spending a day or two to explore – though not on foot, as the sprawling city was designed for cars not pedestrians. Niemeyer’s much-loved curves can be spotted everywhere, most notably in the metropolitan cathedral, with its white columns rising up to the heavens in a hyperboloid structure studded with stained glass.

Pantanal

The largest wetland region in the world, the Pantanal offers the best wildlife spotting in Brazil. South America’s largest mammal (tapir) and largest bird (rhea) call the Pantanal home, as do more than 230 species of fish and 650 species of bird – plus such apex predators as jaguars, caimans and anacondas.

Spanning an area more than half the size of France, the Pantanal can be explored in a number of different ways. The most accessible is by road, on the Estrada Transpantaneira, though small airplanes and motorboats open the doors to more remote zones and secluded, upscale lodges. It’s easier to spot wildlife during the dry season, from May to September – but when the water levels rise from October onwards, the rivers flood their banks and inundate the surrounding plains, spurring on an abundance of flora and flocks of wading birds. The wet season also brings the arrival of river cruises: the sun deck of a 15-cabin boat cruise to the Serra do Amolar mountains near the border with Bolivia is an ideal vantage point from which to contemplate the grandeur of this region.

Rio de Janeiro

The most visited city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro didn’t earn its title of cidade maravilhosa (“marvelous city”) for nothing. In the eyes of Cariocas, it’s the most beautiful place on earth. Visitors would be hard-pressed to disagree.

Dense high-rises are stacked like sugar cubes between mountains cloaked in rainforest and studded with naked granite peaks jutting skywards. Visitors hit the famous beaches to lounge in the sun, but the locals go to get active – surfing, running, cycling or diving into the sand over a sweaty game of beach volleyball. People watching is a serious beach sport in its own right.

Come evening, Rio’s own special blend of tropical rhythms draw the crowds out onto the city’s streets to meet friends at botecos (bars) or join impromptu street parties. You’ll also discover a wealth of culture and history, as the city was in the 19th century the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal, and, until 1960, the capital of Brazil.

Fernando de Noronha

An archipelago of islands some 200 miles off the northeast coast, Fernando de Noronha is high on many honeymoon wishlists. Of Noronha’s 21 islands, only the largest one is accessible to tourists – and even then, its boundaries lie safely within Brazil’s largest marine park. Dreamy beaches – including Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos and Praia do Leão – all compete for the top slot on rankings of the best beaches in the country. Silky-soft sands and clear blue waters would have holidaymakers flocking here if this place were on the mainland; happily, its remote location and a cap on visitor numbers keep the crowds to a welcome minimum.

Just off the shoreline, Noronha is an underwater paradise that’s home to 230 fish species, 15 varieties of coral, five types of (harmless) shark and the greatest concentration of tropical marine birds in the Atlantic. You can dive to spot corals and shipwrecks in the marine park or watch hundreds of dolphins doing water acrobatics at sunrise before snorkeling in shallow tide pools. Noronha offers Brazil’s natural beauty at its absolute best, and this place warrants going the extra mile.

Read more: The best national parks in Brazil

Ribeira Valley and the Atlantic Forest

The Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is Brazil’s “other” tropical forest. Regrettably, it’s also one of the most endangered biomes in the world, with just 12.5% of it remaining in disparate fragments along Brazil’s southeast-facing coastline. Teeming with life, the forest has a wider variety of flora and fauna per hectare than the Amazon, with half of its species not found anywhere else in the world. In short, it’s a hidden gem within easy reach of Brazil’s largest cities.

The Ribeira Valley – a 28,489 sq km (11,000 sq mile) river valley straddling the São Paulo – Paraná state border, is home to the largest continuous stretch of remaining Atlantic Forest. Here, visitors can explore some of the biggest caves in Brazil (at PETAR), stay at traditional quilombos (communities that were formed by escaped enslaved Africans), hike through the forest and raft down rivers. Private nature reserves like the whopping 310 sq km (120 sq mile) Legado das Águas offer a range of ecotourism activities. An ambitious plan to connect Atlantic Forest conservation areas (including the Ribeira Valley) with one long trail – the Caminho da Mata Atlântica – has been gathering pace in the last few years, though no one has yet attempted to hike its full 2500-mile length.

São Paulo

Last but by no means least is South America’s most populous city. São Paulo may not have beaches, vast swathes of forest or even clean rivers; plenty would say it has no beauty, either. Instead, it has a kinetic charm all its own.

Poet Mário de Andrade called it “the hallucinated city,” which seems a fitting description for a megalopolis of 20 million residents. It’s a city whose soul is young and restless, a party-mad colossus with cutting-edge theaters, world-class chefs and a fascinating art scene, among countless other draws. With layer upon layer of immigrant influences, and centuries’ worth of boom-and-bust cycles, São Paulo attracts people from all over the world who thrive on its energy. Its delights are not served up on a plate; visitors have to seek them out. But once they get a taste, they’ll be hooked.

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York contains such a charming hodgepodge of history and culture that it’s easy to remain captive to its sights. But look beyond the medieval walls, and you’ll find this northern city is an ideal springboard for adventures through the wildly scenic Yorkshire countryside.

Nicknamed "God’s Own County," this is where golden-crested stately homes and crumbling castles rub along with eclectic mill and market towns. In Victorian times, York’s busy railway works sat at the heart of England’s network. Today, its infrastructure means car-free trips are straightforward and numerous. Where the train tracks don’t stretch, it's often possible to catch a bus or a private tour.

Whether you’re looking to extend a romantic mini break or want a family-friendly outing, here are some of the best days trips within easy distance of York.

Visit Castle Howard, one of England's great houses, for family fun

When Sir John Vanburgh set about designing the original wing at Castle Howard in the early 1700s, he wasn’t a trained architect but a playwright. What resulted is arguably the most theatrical stately home in England. Its ravishing looks have earned it starring roles in the classic 1980s TV series Brideshead Revisited and, more recently, as the home of the Duke of Hastings in Netflix’s lavish Bridgerton.

A centuries-old beacon for daytrippers, Castle Howard has multi-generational appeal. The extensive grounds – littered with lakes, woodlands and temples – provide the perfect stage for a family walk and picnic. Skelf Island is a labyrinthine adventure playground reached via a giddy charge over a swooping wooden bridge.

Even though the house is still occupied by the Howard family, it’s possible to snoop around much of the sumptuous Baroque and Palladian interiors at your own pace. Although this may delight grownups the most, tip-toeing down dimly lit corridors filled with Roman antiquities will fire up young imaginations, too.

How to get to Castle Howard from York: Castle Howard is a half an hour drive north from York, off the A64, through the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The CastleLine bus service departs York four times a day, Monday to Saturday, and takes one hour to reach Castle Howard’s gates. Alternatively, ask at York’s tourist information office for details of private bus tours.

Hang out in Hebden Bridge with its LGBTQI+ friendly community

In the 1960s and '70s, Hebden Bridge was in the post-industrial doldrums – that is until an influx of hippies and artists revived the fortunes of this picturesque mill town. Generations later, Hebden Bridge’s bohemian spirit remains palpable, with shops and restaurants championing local makers and producers. Pride flags decorate the traditional stone-built houses, declaring a town with engrained inclusive values.

Check Happy Valley Pride ’s calendar of queer arts events before you go, keeping an eye out for special screenings at the velvet-clad 1920s cinema. The town also works as a base for two literary pilgrimages: past the cheerful flock of narrowboats on the Rochdale Canal over to Mytholmroyd, the birthplace of writer Ted Hughes, or up the steep hill to see the grave of American poet and author Sylvia Plath in pretty Heptonstall. Return for a locally brewed beer and a burger in Vocation & Co or a pot of tea at a cafe with a waterwheel.

How to get to Hebden Bridge from York: Direct trains run every day of the week between York and Hebden Bridge. The average journey time is one hour and 20 minutes. Driving from York takes roughly the same time. Paid parking is available around town.

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Malton is full of treats for foodies

With delicious wafts exuding from nearly every doorway around the Georgian market square, it’s clear why Malton is renowned as Yorkshire’s food capital. Time your trip with the food market on the second Saturday of every month (except January and February) to taste regionally sourced produce under the watch of a 15th-century church tower. Stroll to Talbot Yard to gorge on award-winning macarons, fresh gelato, ethically sourced coffee and spicy pastries. You can also craft a bespoke bottle of booze at Rare Bird Distillery’s Gin School or refine your gastronomic skills at The Cook's Place.

Other distractions are on hand while you’re waiting for your appetite to return. The Shambles, similarly to its larger namesake in York, is jammed with shops selling curios and collectables. The three-screen art deco Palace Cinema makes a sumptuous rain shelter.

How to get to Malton from York: Transpennine Express and Northern run an hourly train service to Malton from York, with a journey time of 25 minutes. Driving takes about 30 minutes. Free and paid parking options can be found around town.

Head to Scarborough for a car-free day at England’s oldest seaside resort

Sure, the coastal haunts of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay are so beguiling you wouldn’t begrudge them your entire camera roll. But for an easy journey from York and bucketfuls of old-fashioned seaside charm, Scarborough is hard to beat. This Victorian resort town, where grand buildings cling to the cliffs below an imposing medieval castle, is also worth a photo or two.

If you’re only in Scarborough for a day, choose between exploring north or south of the castle headland. Families flock to South Bay Beach, with its sheltered waters, noisy arcades and handsome cliff railway. People in deckchairs nod along to orchestra performances at Scarborough Spa during the summer season. At blue-flag North Bay, on the other hand, you can rent a rainbow beach hut or brave a surf lesson. Time a trip to pretty Peasholm Park to witness miniature man-powered warships battling it out on the boating lake.

Before you leave, fish and chips at Lifeboat Fish Bar in the Old Town is a wise choice, followed by an ice cream at 1950s parlor The Harbour Bar.

How to get to Scarborough from York: The train journey from York takes 50 minutes, with services running around once an hour. The drive is just over an hour along the A64. Stop off in Malton for tasty snacks.

Wander Knaresborough, a warren-like town with picture-postcard views

Knaresborough’s medieval streets are well worth taking a few wrong turns in. Stumbling across the Wednesday market makes a fortunate accident, as does tottering into Blind Jack’s Pub for a hand-pulled cask beer. Eventually, though, by following the snaking steps down the wooded cliffs from Knaresborough Castle, you should emerge at the promenade running along the River Nidd.

From mid-March to October, rent a rowboat from Marigold Cafe. Floating along the gorge affords views of thatched-roofed and checkerboard buildings, framed by the soaring arches of the handsome Victorian viaduct. On the opposite bank sits Mother Shipton’s Cave and the Petrifying Well, one of England’s oldest and arguably quirkiest tourist attractions. Make sure you still have plenty of time before your train: Grade II-listed Knaresborough station is undergoing a revival, with a retro cafe, art and antique shop, and snug micropub all on Platform 2.

How to get to Knaresborough from York: The train is fastest: it takes 24 minutes between York and Knaresborough and runs once or twice an hour. Alternatively, driving the 17 miles should take 30 minutes along the A59. Knaresborough has plenty of pay and display parking lots.

Sutton Bank has cycling and walking trails among natural splendor

Yorkshire vet and author James Herriot proclaimed the view from the bluff of Sutton Bank as England’s finest. Although other viewpoints may quibble, this dramatic chunk of the North York Moors National Park certainly makes a beautiful, heather-strewn escape, especially for adventure seekers.

Families ramble or cycle the gentle circular routes while experienced mountain bikers career around challenging 27km (17-mile) tracks. If you don’t have your own, Sutton Bank Bikes offers bike rental, as well as cycling courses and guided tours. Heart-in-mouth thrills can be grasped by soaring off the ridge under the stewardship of The Yorkshire Gliding Club, allowing aerial views of the enormous turf-cut Kilburn White Horse.

For a real sense of perspective, wait until night falls. Sutton Bank National Park Centre has been designated a Dark Night Discovery Site and a venue for the park’s winter Dark Skies Festival. At the new star and nature hub, lie back and watch the sky twinkle.

How to get to Sutton Bank from York: It’s easiest to drive. York to Sutton Bank takes around 40 minutes by car, and there’s a paid parking lot by the visitor center. A further 10-minute drive will bring you to tranquil Rievaulx Abbey. The private tours offered by Mountain Goat and Bob Holidays let you explore North York Moors National Park and also take in the wonderful coastal town of Whitby.

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Phoenix offers exciting diversity, urban sophistication and natural serenity, too.

Visitors to Arizona ’s capital can discover landmark mansions and sip local wine (yes, there are wineries in the desert). They’ll take in the Cactus League’s spring training baseball, then join locals to hike amid Sonoran Desert cactuses or cycle the “ale trail.”

It’s these unexpected mashups that make the Greater Phoenix metropolis of 1.7 million so compelling, no matter the season. Here are 10 of our favorite things to do in the Valley of the Sun.

Cycle the coffee, wine and ale trails

With more than 50 resorts and day spas, Scottsdale (12 miles from downtown and part of Greater Phoenix) lends itself to leisure. Yet if you’re thirsting to explore without expending too much effort, hop on a bike in Old Town to taste a range of coffee drinks, wines and beers. Kick off a day of easy activity by fueling up at Schmooze Bar & Breakfast before pedaling around historic sites, public art installations and the Arizona Canal, which dates back to the 1800s.

As you explore, take time to stop at some of the dozen-plus wine-tasting rooms and breweries in town. Merkin Vineyards ’ grapes hail from the Verde Valley, while Craft64 serves only Arizona beers, including its own signature brew (created in collaboration with Phoenix-based SunUp Brewing).

Celebrate Pride in the desert

Phoenix embraces its LGBTIQ+ community every day – but the hug never feels stronger than during Phoenix Pride, which takes place each November. The two-day celebration draws crowds of up to 40,000, who come enjoy the festive parade in mild weather as well as more than 150 performers hitting six alfresco stages. The family-friendly event even offers a KidSpace with a photo booth and activities like face painting.

Explore a famous mansion

Close your eyes at historic Wrigley Mansion and you can imagine enjoying sunset drinks on the terrace with Elvis Presley and other famous visitors. This 16,000-sq-ft estate was once owned by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. Enshrined on the National Register, it’s a Phoenix landmark built an all-American blend of architectural styles ranging from Spanish Revival to modernist. Preserved elements include the original tiles, which were hauled up the hill by donkey after being shipped from the namesake family’s tile factory on Catalina Island.

This glamorous history has been played up by owner Georgie Hormel, who purchased the property in 1992 and installed upgrades like Christopher’s, the namesake restaurant of James Beard award–winning Chef Christopher Gross. The venue joins Geordie’s, a mansion mainstay for afternoon tea and multi-course wine dinners.

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Cheer for your favorite pro baseball team

For the most dedicated sports nuts, spring in the desert heralds just one thing: baseball season. And Greater Phoenix is longtime host to Major League Baseball’s Cactus League spring training. Fifteen teams – from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Seattle Mariners – practice at 10 ballparks and stadiums scattered around the city. It’s the greatest concentration of pro baseball facilities in the country – and a fan fantasy.

Interact with art at Wonderspaces

At Wonderspaces, art lovers can not only observe art but interact with it, while connecting with others to create a shared experience. Situated inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, Wonderspaces’s immersive installations include Rainbow Rooms, comfortable furniture arrangements enclosed by colored yarn. Less warm and fuzzy is Killing Time, a macabre kinetic hourglass sculpture by Mesplé. The mesmerizing skull detects a viewer’s presence, triggering the release of black liquid and producing breath-like motion from the mouth. Unsettling and unforgettable.

See thousands of butterflies in a botanical garden

Nature, art, education, conservation and wellness blend beautifully at Desert Botanical Garden, a 140-acre ecosystem with trails looping among the cactuses, trees and wildflowers. While you can expect familiar flora like Arizona’s iconic saguaro cactus, this living museum is home to 4400-plus species, including 400 rare and endangered ones.

The diverse landscape is ripe for roaming. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds. Spot cactuses in bloom. Explore the open-air Butterfly Pavilion, home to thousands of live butterflies – from monarch to malachite. Another way to take in the garden’s atmosphere is during meditation classes, sunrise tai chi or sunset yoga.

Desert Botanical Garden offers seasonal programming that enhances the natural beauty. Visit Las Noches de las Luminarias during the holidays to see 8000 lights glimmering throughout the plantings. You should also keep an eye out for visiting art exhibitions, such as Chihuly in the Garden : the American artist’s outsize spikes and swirls of blown glass add another layer of wonder to this desert oasis.

Read more: Chihuly in the US: where to see the glass master's art

Sip cocktails while playing classic video games

When you’re looking for old-school fun accompanied by an adult beverage, the Cobra Arcade Bar downtown cheerfully delivers both. (There’s also a locale in Tucson.) There’s something delightfully subversive about sipping a cocktail made with Stoli or Four Roses in this adult-only spot while filling up on the nostalgia of bashing the buttons on vintage pinball machines and classics like Mortal Combat. A rotating lineup of DJs provides the soundtrack.

Make an architectural pilgrimage to Taliesin West

“ Taliesin West is a look over the rim of the world,” said Frank Lloyd Wright in 1943, describing his desert studio and winter home. A National Historic Landmark located in Scottsdale and built in 1937, Taliesin West was also a campus where this titan of American architecture educated his protégés and pushed the boundaries of his singular architectural vision. In 2019, Taliesin West was one of eight Lloyd Wright works inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage site list for their cultural significance.

Today, visitors can tour the rooms and landscapes to see elements both unusual (a bathroom made from sheets of aluminum) and ancient (boulders with petroglyphs) scattered throughout the property. The site is often host for special events, from sunset wine tastings to guided tours of art exhibitions such as Chihuly in the Desert.

Hike the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail

When you want to hike an otherworldly landscape without leaving the comforts of the city, head to the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail in Papago Park, located just minutes from downtown Phoenix. Only a little effort on the trail results in a massive payoff: a wind-eroded hole in the sandstone butte that frames photo-worthy views of the expanse of Greater Phoenix beyond. The short pathway (0.2 miles) is composed of natural steps leading hikers from the visitor center 200ft up in elevation. Arrive early – the park opens at 5am – to squeeze in some solitude on the popular route and enjoy cooler morning temperatures.

While you’re gazing through the sandstone gap, consider how the Indigenous Hohokam peoples who lived in the area from 450 to 1450 CE used the hole as a sundial of sorts for planting and other agricultural activities.

Visit a “funporium”

Food trucks hawking delectable snacks from tacos to pizza, a mobile wine car, pop-up shops and live entertainment, all in and around a renovated 1920s house downtown: though you might never heard of a “funporium,” Pemberton House defines the term. Located in the Roosevelt Row arts district, this onetime carriage house has undergone an artful transformation into a space for local makers and community events.

Expect an ever-evolving array of activities that encourage repeat visits, whether yoga on the wellness lawn or beer dinners with guest chefs and breweries.

Experience fine art and infinity

O’Keeffe, Kahlo, Kusama: these are only a few of the big names you’ll discover in the Phoenix Art Museum ’s global collection of 20,000 works. The Southwest’s largest art museum has been a point of pride for the city since it first opened more than 60 years ago. Today, the Phoenix Art Museum is “bringing the world to our museum and our museum to the world.”

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Congratulations! You’ve found ‘the one’. Now you’re keen to seal the deal with a romantic proposal abroad. But where should you pop the question to your soon-to-be travel buddy for life?

Here are some of the world’s best places to get engaged – all you need to do now is get them to say ‘yes’.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Engaged couples often describe feeling like they’re on Cloud Nine – and you can get even closer to it by proposing on a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey. Afraid of heights? Take your pick of fairytale locations: the views from Göreme ’s rooftops are dreamy at dawn, with hundreds of balloons silhouetted against pink skies; while the jagged rocks at Red Valley viewpoint come alive at sunset. Check into one of the region’s luxury cave hotels for an unforgettable end to your first day as fiancés.

Ushuaia, Argentina

You’d go to the ends of the earth for your partner – so why don’t you? Whisk them away on a trip to Argentina ’s southernmost town Ushuaia, where you can hike through Tierra del Fuego National Park, visit the Martillo Island penguin colony or kayak in the Beagle Channel before getting down on one knee. There are a surprising number of restaurants here and Patagonia has a thriving craft beer scene – ideal for toasting a new engagement. Of course, if you have the budget you could save the proposal for an Antarctic Peninsula cruise, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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New York City, USA

From Love Story to West Side Story, New York City is home to some of the world’s most famous romantic locations – so where better to make your engagement dream a reality? For something quintessentially NYC, pop the question in Central Park after a morning stroll (weather permitting), offer a rock on a ring at the Top of the Rock, or conspire with the staff at Tiffany & Co to surprise your other half as you ‘browse’ the diamond rings. Alternatively, a romantic walk along Brooklyn Heights Promenade as the sun sets behind Manhattan’s skyscrapers could provide the perfect moment.

Classic romantic trips with an adventurous twist

Anglesey, Wales

When it comes to proposals, timing is everything. On pretty Llanddwyn Island, a tiny tidal island off the coast of Anglesey in Wales ’ wild north, this is especially true – as you’re also depending on the tides to allow for safe passing. This remote spot was the home of St Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers and the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. If February 14 seems too cliche, you could surprise your partner with a proposal on St Dwynwen’s day (January 25) – but a late summer proposal is likely to bring better weather.

The Maldives

Why wait until the honeymoon for an idyllic island getaway? The Maldives is the quintessential romantic destination, making proposal planning a breeze. You could ask your other half for their hand in marriage from the deck of your water bungalow; by candlelight over a private dinner on the beach; or on a luxury catamaran cruise at sunset as you watch spinner dolphins leap from the Indian Ocean around you.

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Garden Route, South Africa

Ready for a road trip to remember? Drive along South Africa’s Garden Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay to Storms River, taking in some of the world’s most beautiful coastline. Propose during a barefoot walk along Noetzie Beach, or pluck up the courage after a wine or two at the vineyards outside Plettenberg Bay. Alternatively, you could ask your loved one to take the leap – literally and figuratively – in the town of Wilderness, where you can paraglide over sweeping beaches or cliff jump on a canyon tour; marriage is an adventure, so why not start as you mean to go on?

Agra, India

Sure, it’s India ’s equivalent of an Eiffel Tower proposal, but sometimes a tried and tested favourite is all you need. And unlike Paris’ icon, the Taj Mahal has a truly romantic backstory. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a memorial for his late wife, he was laid to rest there with her 35 years later. The beautiful white marble monument is one of the new seven wonders of the world and – unsurprisingly – welcomes millions of visitors each year. Come at sunrise for the best light and cooler temperatures, but prepare for the inevitable onlookers.

Byron Bay, Australia

The build-up to a proposal can be stressful, but laid-back Byron Bay will help you forget your jitters and ease into that unforgettable moment. Nature does the heavy lifting when it comes to charming your other half – all you need to do is pack a picnic, perhaps some champagne and lead them to the beach. Between May and November you might even spot whales breaching from the shore – amble to Cape Byron Lighthouse for a bird’s eye view.

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Jökulsárlón, Southeast Iceland

With glistening waterfalls, bubbling geysers, dramatic coastlines and ice caves, Iceland ’s otherworldly landscapes spoil proposal planners with beauty spot after beauty spot. Safe in the knowledge that there’s no shortage of epic scenery, you could choose your moment whenever the timing feels right – but if you need a clearer vision, consider Jökulsárlón. This glacial lagoon’s icebergs look particularly magical beneath the northern lights if you’re lucky enough to spot them. Nearby Diamond Beach, so-called due to the iridescent chunks of ice that wash up on its black sands, could be another worthy spot to offer a sparkling ring.

Vancouver, Canada

If you both feel as comfortable in a fancy restaurant as you do in hiking boots, Vancouver could be your dream trip. The cosmopolitan city’s food scene is second to none, and you’ll deserve a celebratory meal after a day spent exploring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park or cycling the Stanley Park Seawall Bike Trail. Book a table at Hawksworth for high-end Canadian cuisine or Forage for farm-to-table dining. Want something wilder? Head to Vancouver Island, where you can pop the question post-kayak trip, or at the summit of Mount Douglas.

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When traveling in Utah, cars work best. But public buses, commuter trains, and light rail are available in the state’s three biggest cities.

At nearly 85,000 sq miles, Utah is bigger than Great Britain. As the thirteenth largest state in America, Utah also has a disproportionate amount of things to see and do. In fact, the state ranks third in the nation for most national parks, which are known as The Mighty Five. It’s world-famous for its red rock canyons, “greatest snow on Earth,” off-roading, and two-dozen scenic byways.

In other words, Utah is a car state. But there are other ways of getting around, especially along the vibrant and populous Wasatch Front, the state's three-city metropolitan corridor. Here’s what you need to know before booking your next trip to the Beehive State.

Driving is recommended for access to everywhere

Since most of Utah is accessible on paved and well-maintained roads, a car, camper or motorcycle is the easiest and most impressive way to navigate. Having your own wheels gives you the greatest flexibility to explore national parks, scenic byways and cultural centers — pretty much everything the state has to offer — on your own terms. Rental cars are available at the airport and in cities. GPS directions work virtually 100% of the time.

That said, many people rent 4WD vehicles to access the more remote parts of stunning Southern Utah, but even many of these are accessible by car or medium-clearance crossover vehicles. If driving to ski resorts during heavy snowstorms, be advised that highway patrol will require all-wheel drive or chains to get to the slopes.

Why cars are my favorite way to travel in Utah: Having lived in and ventured to virtually every corner of Utah over the last 20 years, I wouldn’t have seen and experienced everything the great state has to offer without a car. While tour buses can get you to some of the areas, neither they nor public transport will get you to the greatest of the state's outdoor spaces.

A local's tips for first-time visitors: Out-of-staters will quickly notice how Utah drivers seemingly have no concept of keeping to the right to allow for faster cars to pass on the left. This can be frustrating but I’ve yet to see it improve in the 20 years I've lived here.

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Public transportation is only feasible in the state’s three major cities

If you’re coming to Utah solely for Salt Lake, Ogden, or Provo (the three biggest cities that make up the corridor called the Wasatch Front), public transportation can be a viable option and is considerably better here than in many other states. Even skiers can get by on public transport if staying at major resorts.

Along the Wasatch Front, you can find UTA Buses, FrontRunner commuter trains and TRAX Light Rail rides every 15–20 minutes during the day (every hour or so at night). As with most other public transport, these options can double, if not triple, your commute time during off-peak hours, however, so plan accordingly if you take this route.

How to get around in Utah without a car

In addition to public transportation, ridesharing is a popular getaway to the Wasatch Front and the half-dozen ski resorts that dot the area. Lyft is the more popular and slightly more affordable rideshare option. On top of that, FlixBus, Greyhound, and Amtrak have routes to Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Cedar City, St George, and beyond to Las Vegas and Denver, to name a few. While biking is a good option in major cities and public buses have bike racks to help you travel between these cities, it’s possible (though difficult, due to elevation changes) to bike directly along the north–south corridor of the Wasatch Front along Interstate-15.

There are good accessible facilities throughout Utah

Utah does a good job helping people with disabilities navigate the state. There are numerous handicap parking stalls at both retail and protected park sites. All public transportation provides wheelchair access and assistance, too.

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Just because the temperature dips doesn’t mean the outdoor fun has to stop. While traditionalists stick to skiing and snowboarding, some folks get creative, either translating their own favorite warm-weather sports to the winter climate or making up a whole new one, like the guys who started sledding with a shovel. Below, eight non-traditional winter sports from around the world.

Yukigassen

There are snowball fights, and then there’s Yukigassen, a snowball competition originating in Japan that has since made its way to other snowy climates like Norway, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Alaska and Canada.

But this isn’t your elementary school snowball fight. The “snow battle” is comprised of two teams with up to seven players who face off for a three-minute match, armed with 90 snowballs and the goal of either tagging the entire opposition out, like dodgeball, or capturing the other team’s flag. You can see it in person when 100 teams battle it out every February at the Showa-Shinzan International Yukigassen.

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Snow Polo

The first snow polo tournament was held on a frozen lake in glitzy St. Moritz in 1985 and has since become an annual tradition for the fur-clad set. Basically a winter version of polo, there are a few tweaks. The sport is polo played with horses on the snow, yes, but unlike regular polo, there’s the added obstructions of wind, chill and powder.

Horses are outfitted with special shoes and braided tails and are watched carefully by the players. The sport has also made its way stateside held at the St. Regis in Aspen every December. If you go, dress to impress and don’t forget to stop by the Bloody Mary bar.

5 alternative winter sports and where to try them

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Snow Kayaking

Who says kayaks are only made for the water? When the powder comes, they also make excellent vehicles for speeding downhill. That’s the premise of snow kayaking, where kayaks are waxed like skis and shoved off a high slope. Players are given a paddle for some semblance of control.

Also called snow boating, the first race was held in 2002 by local Austrian kayakers and now has grown to have its own world championship on a fixed course. Taking it even further, some of the more adventurous will add a parachute to catch air. Sky kayaking, anyone?

Skijøring

A Norweigian word and pastime, skijøring is roughly translated to “ski driving.” In this speedy winter sport, a person on skis is pulled by an animal, most commonly up to three dogs, to assist with cross-country skiing. But the sport isn’t just limited to animals: it has also included motorcycles, other vehicles and various other animals, including horses.

Equestrian skijoring was introduced as an exhibition sport in the 1928 Olympics but never quite made it to competition status. Today fans can still find events to watch, including an annual World Skijoring Championship in Whitefish, Montana, where participants are pulled through a course by their steed (with a rider)  through jumps, turns and other obstacles.

Ski ballet

Ski ballet is just what it sounds like. Once upon a time athletes dressed up – sometimes with puffy sleeves – and performed choreographed freestyle skiing. There were jumps, twists, flips and even moonwalking.

There were no limits, and that was part of the appeal. Not unlike figure skating, ski ballet, also called “acroski,” even made it to exhibition sport status in the Olympics, but never quite generated the interest they hoped it would, despite being splashy and set mostly to popular music at the time. The sport faded into history after the year 2000 but you can still catch some tricks in the ski ballet scene in 1984’s Hot Dog.

Snowkiting

To understand snowkiting, start with kiteboarding, where a large controllable kite, plus wind, is utilized to propel your board along or out of the water to do tricks. Now swap the water for snow and a wetsuit for snow gear and you’ve got snowkiting.

The sport has been gaining popularity all over the world, with the largest competition the Red Bull Ragnarok, held annually in Hardangervidda, Norway with 350 kites dotting the course of the race.

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Shovel Racing

What do you do when you can’t find a sled? Grab your shovel. At least that’s what lift workers in New Mexico’s ski resorts did in the 1970s, enabling them to speedily get down the mountain after the workday was over.

It naturally turned into a race, and then a bonafide sport, even featured in the 1997 Winter X Games (then quickly shut down after a participant was injured). Today the tradition is kept up at the Angel Fire Resort in northern New Mexico with the World Championship Shovel Races, usually in January or February.

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Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before traveling during Covid-19 .

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