Australia will waive visa application fees for working holidaymakers (A$495) and international students (A$630) in a bid to boost a labor shortage caused by the pandemic, if they can travel to the country within the coming weeks.

Australia's working holiday and work and holiday visa schemes are open to applicants from many countries (including the US, UK, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and many European nations) aged between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 for Canadian, French and Irish citizens).

The visas allow the holder to take up temporary jobs while in Australia to fund their trip. It's a popular route into the country for many young people, and while the visas are valid for one year, there is an option to extend them in many cases to two or even three years.

Read more: Working backpackers among those who can return to Australia

The government put a halt to the visa schemes when the pandemic broke out and borders were sealed shut. But earlier this month, amid COVID-fuelled labor shortages, the government reopened the program and is now making it easier for people to visit by offering financial incentives through a visa rebate scheme.

Speaking today, Australia's prime minister Scott Morrison said that people do not have to pay the A$495 (£262 /€313/US$357) visa application fees provided they arrive in the country within the next 12 weeks (that is 12 weeks from January 19). That means they will be able to apply for a full refund when they arrive in the country. "If they turn up within the next 12 weeks, they will get their visa application fee rebated by the Department of Home Affairs. Anyone who applies for one and turns up within the next 12 weeks, they will also have their visa application fee rebated," Morrison said.

Students will get their A$630 (£332/€398/US$455) refunded by the government if they arrive within the next eight weeks to coincide with the start of the new school year for universities. Details on how applicants can apply for the refunds have yet to be announced.

Read more: Melbourne or Sydney: which city is the best to start your Australian adventure?

According to Morrison, there are some 23,500 backpackers who have visas to come to Australia right now and 150,000 students. "And my message to them is—come on down. Come on down now, because you’re wanted to come to Australia, you’ve got your visa. "Move all the way around the country, and the same time join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector, and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour."

Morrison said the refund scheme is part of a Tourism Australia marketing program "to target backpackers and students to get them out".

Australia is currently only open to certain visa holders including working holidaymakers, skilled migrants, international students, and family visa holders. It's also open to tourists from New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, as well as Australians living overseas. The rest of the world remains banned for now but it's likely that border restrictions will be eased in the coming months.

And while some states are open to fully vaccinated arrivals who test negative for COVID-19, others have additional restrictions in place such as quarantine. Check the latest entry rules ahead of your trip.

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San Francisco ’s magnificent museums honor its close links to Asia as well as the tech hub’s quirky love of science and progress. You'll find museums here tracing the city’s history from its earliest days, when the bay was filled with sailing ships bringing gold-seekers to America, as well as its idiosyncratic history over the intervening centuries.

The city has dozens of museums, large and small, promising days of rewarding browsing. Here are 10 of our favorite museums that capture the local vibe and culture.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: best for modern art

Known by the slightly complicated acronym, SFMOMA, this museum has a mind-boggling collection of modern masterworks displayed over seven floors. The collection is vast, and the museum was a visionary early investor in then-emerging art forms such as photography, installations, video, digital art and industrial design.

Don’t miss the standout photography and special exhibitions. Meditate amid stimulating abstract paintings in the Agnes Martin room, then get an eyeful of Warhol’s iconic pop art, and hit the 7th floor for a showcase of cutting-edge contemporary work and intriguing multimedia installations. Sunny days are ideal for a restorative coffee in the rooftop cafe and sculpture garden.

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Maritime National Historical Park: best for boat buffs

With four historic ships turned into floating museums, this maritime park is Fisherman’s Wharf’s most authentic attraction. Moored along Hyde Street Pier are the 1891 schooner Alma, which hosts guided sailing trips in summer, the 1890 steamboat Eureka, paddlewheel tugboat Eppleton Hall, and iron-hulled Balclutha, which once transported coal to San Francisco.

It’s all run by the National Park Service and the exhibitions extend to the adjacent Maritime Museum, which was built as a casino and public bathhouse in 1939 by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA). Beautifully restored murals depict the mythical lands of Atlantis and Mu and exhibits include maritime ephemera and dioramas. Note the entryway slate carvings by celebrated African American artist Sargent Johnson.

Exploratorium: best for kids

Is there a science to skateboarding? Do toilets really flush counterclockwise in Australia? Combining science with art, San Francisco’s dazzling hands-on Exploratorium challenges you to question how you know what you know. As thrilling as the exhibits is the setting: a 9-acre, glass-walled pier jutting out over San Francisco Bay, with vast outdoor areas you can explore for free.

The 600-plus exhibits have buttons to push, handles to crank and dials to adjust, all made by artists and scientists at the museums' in-house workshops. With such fun activities as trying out a punk hairdo, courtesy of the static-electricity station, it’s one museum children won’t want to leave.

Chinese Historical Society of America: best for personal stories of immigration

Visitors can picture what it was like to be Chinese in San Francisco during the gold rush, transcontinental railroad construction and Beat heyday in this excellent museum, originally built as Chinatown’s YWCA in 1932. Historians have unearthed some fascinating artifacts relating to the Chinese history of San Francisco, including 1920s silk qipao dresses, WWII Chinatown nightclub posters, and Frank Wong’s Chinatown miniatures.

Exhibits feature personal insights and Chinese American perspectives on national milestones in history – including the Civil Rights movement, the Cold War, and the Chinese Exclusion Act, which officially excluded Chinese immigrants from US citizenship and civil rights from 1882 to 1943.

Cable Car Museum: best for gearheads

Hear that whirring noise coming from beneath San Francisco's cable car tracks? That’s the sound of the cables pulling the cars, and they all connect inside the city’s historic Washington and Mason Cable Car Barn. Grips, engines, braking mechanisms...if these mechanical wonders warm your heart, you’ll be besotted with the free Cable Car Museum.

This intriguing museum isn’t just a warehouse for antiques – it’s the functioning powerhouse that keeps the popular Powell-Mason line running. You can track the cables running down the street, through an open channel and into the powerhouse, where they wind around massive bull wheels without losing momentum or tension. Head to the upstairs deck to see the mechanisms in action and watch cables whir over the wheels – as awesome a feat of engineering now as when Andrew Hallidie invented the technology in 1873.

Legion of Honor: best for museum-goers with short attention spans

A museum as eccentric and illuminating as San Francisco itself, the Legion of Honour showcases a wildly eclectic collection spanning Monet's water lilies and John Cage soundscapes, ancient Iraqi ivories and the counterculture comics of Robert Crumb. Upstairs are blockbuster shows of work from old masters and Impressionists, but don’t miss the Legion’s Achenbach Foundation of Graphic Arts collection, which covers 90,000 works on paper, from drawings by Rembrandt to the graphic designs of Ed Ruscha.

The Legion’s setting rivals its art. There are dazzling views of the Pacific and trails lead to the Lands End Lookout with its arresting views of the Golden Gate. On a warm day, stroll on to the ruined Sutro Baths below the lookout, once San Francisco's most stylish bathing area.

California Academy of Sciences: best for nature and science lovers

Architect Renzo Piano’s landmark environmentally-sensitive building houses 40,000 weird and wonderful animals in a four-story rainforest and a split-level aquarium, set beneath a ‘Living Roof’ of California wildflowers. Add in a cutting-edge planetarium and natural history displays, and you have all the ingredients for a thoroughly engrossing day out. The Academy has been pushing non-stuffy science since 1853, but the building is like something from the 25th century.

Today, butterflies alight on visitors in the glass Osher Rainforest Dome, penguins paddle around a see-through tank in the African Hall, and Claude the albino alligator stalks the mezzanine swamp. Glimpse infinity in the Morrison Planetarium and check out the Giants of Land and Sea exhibit, where you can brave an earthquake simulation, virtually climb a giant redwood tree and get lost in a fog room.

Children will enjoy the basement Steinhart Aquarium, where visitors can duck inside a glass bubble to enter an Eel Garden and pet starfish in the hands-on Discovery Tidepool.

de Young Museum: best for globe-trotting artworks

The de Young’s camouflaged, oxidized green exterior barely hints at the fantastic range of artistic wonders within. Exhibitions here boldly broaden artistic horizons, from ceremonial masks from Oceania and trippy hippie handmade fashions to James Turrell’s domed ‘Skyspace’ installation, built into a hill in the sculpture garden.

Featuring African masks and Turkish kilims alongside California crafts and avant-garde American art, this cross-cultural collection has been expanding minds for a century. Rotating main-floor installations are riveting and diverse, from early Inuit carvings to documentary photography from US prisons. Access to the Osher Sculpture Garden is free, as is the 144ft observation tower with its 360-degree viewing room.

Asian Art Museum: best for Asian culture

The most comprehensive collection of Asian art outside Asia covers 6000 years of history and thousands of miles of terrain. A trip through the galleries is a treasure-hunting expedition, from cutting-edge Japanese minimalism and seductive Hindu temple carvings to a jewel-box gallery of lustrous Chinese jade – just don’t bump into those priceless Ming vases!

The museums' displays follow the evolution and migration of Asian art from West to East, along with Buddhist pilgrimage trails and trade routes toward San Francisco. If you’re tight on time, follow the mapped trail of masterworks; parents can pick up Explorer Cards for kids to find favorite animals and characters in the galleries.

Beat Museum: best for hipsters

The rise of the Beat movement in the 1950s was one of San Francisco’s defining moments, and it's lovingly celebrated at this North Beach museum. The 1000-plus artifacts in this collection of literary ephemera range from the sublime (check out the banned edition of Ginsberg’s Howl, with the author’s own annotations) to the ridiculous; the Jack Kerouac bobblehead dolls are definite head-shakers.

Downstairs, watch Beat-era films. Upstairs, pay your respects at shrines to individual Beat writers, and take a nostalgic ride on the wave of reinvention that carried San Francisco in the modern age.

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Emptied your pockets on world-class habanos cigars and Cuban añejo rum? Don't fret, Havana can still be your oyster.

From stunning views to small, leafy gardens hidden in plain sight and underground bunkers dating back to the Cold War, these seven free things to do in Havana will make going gratis (free) a breeze.

Enjoy Havana's best views at Estatua de Cristo

The Estatua de Cristo park is arguably the best place to take in knockout views of Cuba’s capital city. Cuban artist Jilma Madera created the 20m-tall sculpture of Jesus Christ by using 67 pieces of white marble from Carrara, Italy, and the statue sits on top of a 3m (10ft) pedestal. The monument overlooks the Havana Bay and a large part of the city thanks in part to its great location in Casablanca town, which sits 51m (167ft) above sea level and is aligned with the Catedral de la Habana (Havana Cathedral) across the bay .

Go for baroque in five Old Havana colonial plazas

Take a DIY walking tour of the five most important colonial plazas around Old Havana. Each has a soul all its own. Plaza de Armas is a leafy oasis on a sunny day while Plaza Vieja is known for its excellent array of restaurants and coffee shops. Plaza de la Catedral is home to Havana’s most impressive church (also free to visit). Don’t miss the artsy Callejón del Chorro nearby. Breezy Plaza de San Francisco de Asís is closer to the bay and a  favorite spot for pigeons. Plaza del Cristo – overlooked for decades until Havana’s up-and-coming gastronomic scene took over – is now the trendiest and liveliest nightspot for locals.

Visit unusual museums in Calle Mercaderes

Calle Mercaderes (Merchants Street) feels like a time warp to Havana’s past with workshops, street vendors and trade shops interspersed with small museums housed in colonial mansions. For free, you can visit Casa de Asia , a small museum celebrating Cuba’s ties with Asian culture; Casa Museo de Simón Bolívar , which highlights the life of Latin America’s liberator; Museo Casa de Osvaldo Guaysamín, housed in the former studio of the famous Ecuadorian painter; Museo Armería 9 de Abril, a small expo of historic weapons; and Museo del Tabaco , which showcases an often overlooked collection of Havana-related relics.

Unwind at the seaside malecón

A quintessential Havana experience, strolling along the malecón as the sun sets is a unique opportunity to witness the liveliest part of the city. Stay here for a couple of hours and catch a glimpse of Cuba all in one place: young sweethearts hand in hand, street musicians playing Cuban traditional hits, youngsters blasting reggaeton on portable speakers – you get a little bit of everything by just walking (or sitting) and people watching.

Explore Jardín Madre Teresa de Calcuta

Next to Plaza de San Francisco de Asís , right behind the convent, lies the Jardín Madre Teresa de Calcuta , a small garden turned graveyard of Cuba’s intellectual elite. Take a detour on a sunny day and discover the sculptures among the trees. A tiny Greek orthodox cathedral sits in the middle of the garden.

Visit a memorial garden to Princess Diana

A small plot just off the cruise terminal is named after the beloved Diana, Princess of Wales. Rumor has it she was planning to sponsor a house for disabled children in Old Havana before her untimely death in 1997. It was one of the first memorial places to be opened in her name, just a few months after she passed away. Take a quick break on your walking tours and admire the central sculpture with its intricate smash of colors and geometrical shapes, designed by famous Cuban artist Alfredo Sosabravo.

Tour underground bunkers below Hotel Nacional

Cuba’s grande dame, Hotel Nacional , is an art deco gem and a living catalog of famous guests and historic events. It was a favorite among American celebrities such as Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra but also one of the headquarters during the Missile Crisis in 1962. A free tour offers views of the bunkers below the hotel’s gardens and connects some sights toward the bay and a weapons warehouse. Stop by the lobby and ask for the more comprehensive free tour that takes you to some of the hotel’s famous halls.

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There’s plenty to do in Vail once ski season ends.

Situated in the Gore Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains about 100 miles west of Denver, Vail is a popular winter destination for skiing and snowboarding. And though Vail Ski Resort and nearby Beaver Creek Resort attract visitors from all over the world during the Centennial State’s cold and snowy months, Vail’s deluxe hotels, luxurious spas, fine-dining restaurants, manicured golf courses and rugged hiking trails mean there’s plenty do in this mountain town in every season.

Winter in the Vail Valley means steep hotel rates, bustling restaurants and busy ski slopes. Though these days summer prices approach those of ski season, you can still find great deals and have more of the mountains to yourself during Vail’s shoulder seasons, in spring and fall. If you’re planning your next trip to the Rockies, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of what there is to do in each season in Vail.

High Season: December–April; June–September

Best time for skiing and snowboarding; best time for hiking and mountain biking

Winter has historically been the busiest season in Vail by a wide margin. These peak months are the most expensive time to visit Vail, with skiers and snowboarders driving up demand at ski-in/ski-out hotels like Grand Hyatt Vail and The Arrabelle at Vail Square. In the summer, Vail’s low humidity and mild 70-degree weather has drawn an increasing number of hikers, mountain bikers, whitewater rafters, fly fishers and other outdoor adventurers. Though its growing popularity is inching prices higher, summer is still more affordable than winter.

Shoulder Season: September–November

Best time for relaxed hiking and fall color

Fall in Vail is laid-back and relaxed, with near-perfect weather for outdoor pursuits and seasonal events like Oktoberfest. On weekends in late September and October, leaf peepers flock to Vail to catch the changing Colorado’s famous golden-yellow aspen leaves, while weekdays are mostly quiet. Since it’s shoulder season, some attractions and restaurants close to give their employees a break and tackle maintenance projects before ski season.

Low Season: April–June

Best time for deals

Spring weather in the Rockies can be wildly variable – a whiteout snowstorm one day, sunny blue skies the next – but this slower-paced season also offers the best value and the smallest crowds in Vail. When ski season ends, typically in late April, Vail settles into its low season, when hotels are at their most affordable. Hiking trails are muddy as the snow begins to melt, and some local businesses close for a few weeks. Yet with a little advanced planning (and realistic expectations!), you can still have a great trip. Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort typically reopen for summer operations (hiking, mountain biking and family activities like a mountain coaster and zip lining) in mid to late June.

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January is cold and snowy but the powder is great

Ski season is fully underway and the Vail Valley is buzzing with visitors from all over the world. Hotel room rates are sky-high, but so are the stoke levels, especially on powder days. The weather is snowy, cold and perfect for hitting the slopes, cozying up by a fireplace or getting a massage at one of Vail’s many spas.

February is one of the snowiest months in Vail

Expect lots of snow, crowds and expensive room rates in February as ski season continues at full speed. February is one of the snowiest months in Vail, and avid skiers and snowboarders like to take full advantage.

Key events : Vail Legacy Weekend

March warms up but the spring break skiing is still fantastic

The weather is slightly warmer in March, with temperatures creeping up into the 40s –  though there’s still plenty of snow falling. As ski season continues, many travelers visit Vail over spring break.

April can get beautiful days and huge dumps of snow, spring skiing at its finest

April ushers in spring skiing in Vail – bluebird skies, soft snow conditions and a fun, upbeat après-ski scene. Though the weather is mostly sunny and mild, spring storms still periodically dump snow on the Gore Range. Beaver Creek and Vail resorts typically close in the middle of the month.

Key events : Taste of Vail, Spring Back to Vail, Beaver Creek and Vail closing day

Mud season in May is quiet and affordable

After ski season ends, Vail enters its soggy spring-shoulder season. Temperatures start to climb into the upper 40s and 50s, and hiking trails are muddy and slushy as the snow begins to melt. The town is quiet and affordable, though, offering the best deals of the year – and if you don’t mind being a little limited in what you can do, you can afford to stay at some of Vail’s poshest hotels on a budget.

Key events : Vail Whitewater Race Series

June begins the summer festival season

As temperatures climb into the 70s, the long-awaited summer season gets underway in the Vail Valley. Beaver Creek and Vail resorts open for summer operations, which include scenic gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking, golf and adventure activities like bungee trampolines and mountain coasters. There are lots of events and festivals, and June marks the start of Vail’s beloved recurring summer offerings like the farmers market. Guided activities, tee times and restaurants can fill up quickly, so be sure to make reservations as early as possible.

Key events : GoPro Mountain Games, Vail Craft Beer Classic, Vail Arts Festival, Vail Farmers’ Market & Art Show, Bravo! Vail Music Festival

July has amazing wildflowers

Vail is gorgeous in July, as wildflowers begin to bloom and Gore Creek rushes with runoff. It’s a prime time to plan a trip focused on outdoor activities like fly fishing, golfing, hiking, cycling, whitewater rafting or strolling through the colorful flower beds of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Nightly rates are high, especially on weekends, and hotels book up fast.

Key events : Vail Jazz Festival, Vail America Days, Vail Bluegrass, Vail Dance Festival, Eagle County Fair & Rodeo

August is the best time to summit the area's highest peaks

For adventurous hikers, early August is a great time to summit one of the region’s “13ers” – mountains above 13,000ft in elevation – since the high-alpine snow and ice has finally melted. Temperatures are in the mid-70s, perfect for cycling over Vail Pass on the bike path or going backpacking with llamas. Lodging remains expensive but starts to taper off once kids return to school.

Aspens start to change in September

September is a blissful extension of summer in Vail, with slightly cooler temperatures that are perfect for hiking and mountain biking. The aspen leaves typically start to turn yellow around mid-September (though exact timing varies from year to year). Though there are fewer travelers in town overall, September is still a popular time to visit and room rates can be pricey, especially on weekends. The town and the ski resort also host many fall-themed events and activities.

Key events : Vail Oktoberfest, Gourmet on Gore, Vail Automotive Classic

Weekends in October tend to be busy

Though October is part of Vail’s shoulder season, weekends can be fairly busy as people take day trips or plan long weekends to see the changing fall foliage. Hotel rates are more affordable during October, but if you’re on a tight budget, best to plan your trip for the middle of the week.

Key events : Vail Beaver Creek Restaurant Week

November heralds the start of ski season

Vail Ski Resort typically opens in mid-November, with Beaver Creek Resort not far behind. While the still-early season for skiing and snowboarding means limited terrain, plenty of eager travelers spend Thanksgiving on the slopes regardless. Plus, since Vail recently expanded its snowmaking system (adding an extra 200 acres of new snowmaking terrain to its existing 430 acres), the resort is less reliant on Mother Nature for snow and can open more runs in November.

Key events : Opening day at Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas, Revely Vail

December is busy but so pretty

Ski season continues to be relatively mellow for the first half of December, really starting to pick up around the holidays. Lots of people plan ski trips to Vail and Beaver Creek during their kids’ winter breaks from school, when the town is aglow with holiday lights and there are lots of festive gatherings and celebrations to attend.

Key events : Vail Snow Days, Vail Holidays, Vail Winterfest

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So you've gotten your kicks with plenty of soccer, you're tennis backhand is in fine form and your golf swing is on par. What's next?

The scope for exciting athletic pursuits goes far beyond the timeless sports that have become global phenomenons. In fact, there’s a whole world of colorful pastimes to try your hand at and amazing destinations to learn them in – trips that will not only leave you with a potential new hobby but a deeper understanding of a place and a stronger connection with its people.

Sufficiently warmed up? From kite surfing in Britain to freediving in Australia, here are 9 amazing destinations to learn a new sport this year.

1. Hurling, Ireland

Lightning-fast reactions are an advantage for those taking up hurling, which is the fastest field game on Earth. Learning to play offers not only a physical workout but an opportunity to delve into Irish culture; the sport is practically a religion in parts of the Emerald Isle, where it has been played for around 4000 years.

The rules are as follows: players use a wooden stick, called a hurl, to hit a ball or sliotar, between the goalposts of the other team. Keeping your eye on the sliotar, though, is easier said than done. Experience Gaelic Games, which are based in Dublin, Galway and Cork, teach curious travelers how to play hurling and other Irish sports like Gaelic football. It’s probably wise to pack a gumshield...

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2. Ice swimming, Finland

The health benefits of cold-water swimming have been well documented with studies linking an icy dip with better circulation, increased tolerance to stress and a stronger immune system. The Finns take cold-water swimming almost as seriously as they do saunas – a plunge in the country’s icy waters is also a journey into the Finnish psyche.

The Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki is a good introduction to cold-water swimming; it’s not uncommon to walk through the snow to get into the water. Three on-site saunas and a bar provide ample opportunity to warm up (and meet fellow swimmers) afterward, although Finnish purists would argue it’s best to end with a cold swim rather than a sauna.

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3. Cycling, Rwanda

You could learn to cycle anywhere in the world, but getting in the saddle in Rwanda has added poignancy. After the 1994 genocide, cycling became an important part of the country’s healing process and was popularised by a small group of survivors, who set up Team Rwanda, the national cycling squad that now competes in the Olympics.

The ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ is a steep learning curve for wannabe riders, although the gorgeous scenery, warm people and famous mountain gorillas make up for its grueling ascents. Locals have their own way of tackling the thigh-burning hill climbs – hitching a ride with lorries (though we don’t recommend trying this yourself!).

This Rwandan national park and biosphere reserve is opening to primate trekking

4. Kitesurfing, UK

Britain ’s blustery weather might spoil your day the seaside, but it offers ideal conditions for the sport of kitesurfing. Scattered like lonely flotsam along the country’s coastline are dozens of kitesurfing schools, where would-be wave riders can learn how to harness the power of the wind.

St. Ives Bay in Cornwall, Lancing Beach in Brighton and St. Anne’s Beach in Blackpool are English kitesurfing hotspots (the latter appropriately located near Europe’s largest offshore windfarm) with some good pubs to hunker down in afterward.

Famed for its flat water lagoons, Troon, on the west coast of Scotland, is also a great spot for beginners. Have a word with the guys at Kitesurf Scotland, who are based there; ideally packing a flask of stern local scotch to help warm up afterward.

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5. Rock climbing, USA

In 2017, Yosemite National Park was the scene of what was widely touted as the most dangerous rope-free ascent ever undertaken. The daredevil in question was Alex Honnold, who became the first climber to free solo the park’s 3000ft El Capitan peak. It was a life-or-death mission that made Honnold a legend and cemented Yosemite’s reputation as one of the world’s best climbing destinations.

Thousands of wannabe Honnold’s pass through the national park every year, improving their finger grip with help from Yosemite Mountaineering School & Guide Service, which has been in the business of cliff hanging since the ‘60s.

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6. Surfing, Brazil

Champion surfers traditionally hail from the US and Australia, but Brazil has been making waves in the sport lately having produced two world champs in four years.

It’s surprising that it took so long for Brazilian surfers to shine on the world stage, with the country boasting some of the best conditions on Earth for board riders. And then there’s the scenery, which, like a pro Brazilian surfer, is hard to beat; riding a wave towards Sugarloaf Mountain really is about as good as it gets.

Many beginners leave rambunctious Rio de Janeiro and hotfoot it to the seaside town of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, where the surf camp, Surf N Stay, provides wannabe wave riders with the skills they need to excel in the swell.

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7. Volcano boarding, Nicaragua

Most people take their mattresses to the dump when it’s past its best. But not Nicaraguans, who have been known to lug them to the top of the nearest volcano and ride them back down to the bottom – or so the tales about volcano boarding’s early beginnings say.

Like tobogganing, but with significantly more peril, the sport of volcano boarding has grown in popularity and sophistication since its humble origins, with modern participants sliding down black ash slopes on specialised sandboards, granting speeds of up to 90km/hr.

By far the most popular spot to try the adrenaline-inducing pursuit is on the slopes of Cerro Negro, a 728m-high active volcano near the city of Leon in western Nicaragua. Various tour companies offer lessons ( Bigfoot Leon Nicaragua and Viator among them) to lionhearted newbies, who forgo the potential hazards – from cuts and scrapes to inhalation of poisonous gasses – to experience this unique Nicaraguan pastime.

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8. Kabaddi, India

Remember the playground game of tag? Well, kabaddi is a bit like that, except more intense, with kicking and wrestling-style moves to restrain opponents from scoring points by returning to their side of the court after ‘tagging’ opponents’ – it’s high athleticism and high drama.

The game has been played in India for centuries, but has undergone a glitzy makeover in recent years, thanks to the creation of the televised Pro Kabaddi League. Provincial teams now have their own stadiums; players are considered celebrities and the sport boasts legions of passionate followers up and down the country.

There are also academies where wannabes go to hone their skills for the big leagues, such as the Sharda Jan Kalyan Kabaddi Gurukul in Utter Pradesh. But smaller, informal games take place in parks and beaches around the country. Swat up on the – slightly complicated – rules online and ask politely if either side needs an extra player.

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9. Freediving, Australia

Freediving is not simply about holding your breath underwater for as long as possible. There’s something almost meditative about the discipline, which teaches participants breathing and swimming techniques to help them journey deep beneath the waves on a single lungful of air – experiencing a sense of oneness with the ocean and its inhabitants.

Freediving is particularly popular in Australia, where those taking part can come face-to-face with spectacular marine life without having to lug Scuba gear around.

Apnea Australia, which was founded by the former freediving champ, Erez Beatus, has freediving schools across the country, where people can master the sport in a safe and fun environment. Freediving ocean activist Hanli Prinsloo also offers lessons in locations around the globe.

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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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Like any major European capital, Rome can be eye-wateringly expensive, but there’s no need for the Eternal City to leave you eternally broke.

The city offers myriad ways to visit in style while saving money. Outside of summer, you should be able to find cheap flights, or better yet, take advantage of Italy’s cheap and comprehensive railways. Picking neighborhoods away from the touristy core can yield savings, and also expose you to a more interesting mix of residents, shops and street life.

Rome’s public transportation is cheap and can take you any place you need to go. Getting around on foot is not only free but also the very best way to experience the city – you can't go wrong with strolling and people-watching. And when you need sustenance, eating and drinking like a local means your savings will be as big as your enjoyment.

Finally, there's no entrance fee required for some of Rome's best attractions – all across town, you'll find churches, gorgeous gardens, world-class monuments and ancient sites that are admission-free. Here are our top tips for stretching your budget in Italy's capital city.

Shop around for flights

Rome is served by every airline of any size in Europe as well as international carriers from further afield, and that competition can yield big savings and plenty of seats if you buy well in advance. Even last-minute travelers in Europe may find bargain airfares to Rome.

Almost all airlines use Leonardo da Vinci Airport, which is well-linked to the city by frequent trains and buses. Rome’s other airport is Ciampino, which is used by budget carrier Ryanair. It has less-frequent bus links to the city.

Flying to Rome from outside Europe offers no airfare surprises: winter fares are the lowest, summer the highest. And there’s little hope of a bargain if it’s already May and you’re considering a summer trip.

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Take the train

Italy’s railways are extensive, offering some of the cheapest fares in Europe, and the trains on the major lines are fast – you can get from Milan to Rome in just over three hours. Ticket prices are so low that there’s no need for train passes for Italian travel. Shop online and know that on longer routes served by fast trains, the same rules apply as those for airfares – shop early for the cheapest seats.

Travel in the off-season

Rome's residents may take some or all of August off and flee the city, but they are simply replaced by hordes of visitors coming in for a Roman holiday. In other words, August – like the rest of the summer months – is not cheap.

But given that Rome is a major metropolis, it’s already a year-round city, and there are few essential activities dependent on summer weather. In fact, only during particularly cold spells is it too chilly to sit outside at a cafe watching life amble past. And conversely, not trying to see the sights in the crowded, muggy heat of summer can be a delight.

That said, eating, drinking and admission prices are the same year-round. The biggest seasonal savings you’ll enjoy are on tourist-oriented accommodation and on travel tickets to the city. As elsewhere, many favor the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to October for good weather and reduced crowds compared to the summer's peak.

Reserve a place to stay early

The best budget hotels and Airbnb rentals book out early, so it pays to reserve as early as possible. Every extra effort you make to shop around will give you a better chance of securing a really great place to stay, which, depending on your tastes, can mean an elevator building, a rooftop patio with views or a prime location close to your interests.

Stay out of the Centro Storico

Rome’s lovely – and touristy – heart, the Centro Storico, with the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and more, is awash in accommodations, though much of it isn't especially inspiring due to the hordes constantly checking in. Adjoining neighborhoods can offer up savings and a more interesting place to stay; plus they have a higher percentage of full-time residents, so daily life has more character.

Trastevere, Giancolo, Tridente, Ludovisi, Aventino, Testaccio and Borgo are among the neighborhoods worth checking. Rome’s walkability and good public transit mean that none of these areas will put you too far from the core sights. Note, however, that despite a plethora of affordable options, no one ever said, “Gosh, I’m glad I stayed near Termini!” The streets around Rome’s main train station are chaotic and charmless.

Walk everywhere...

Using your feet to get around combines practicality with one of life’s great pleasures – exploring Rome on foot. Around every twist in the cobblestone streets is another ancient monument, ages-old church, beguiling cafe, flower-scented courtyard or other surprise. ...or ride public transport

Rome’s metro, trams and buses get a bad rap for cleanliness and petty crime, but in reality the system is popular, convenient and cheap. A single ride only costs €1.50 ($1.70), and unlimited ride passes come in several flavors, including one-day (€7/$8) and three-day (€18/$20).

Eat on the streets

Rome has some of the world’s best street food. Those delicious-looking slices of pizza being sold for cheap from a little literal hole in the wall are delicious. Delis and food shops have all manner of ready-to-eat snacks, and street markets are lined with vendors selling luscious fruits and vegetables as well as cheeses, sandwich meats, bakery items and alluring prepared foods.

At night, wander the neighborhoods away from the Centro Storico where moderately priced trattorias abound. If you see a line-up of residents waiting for tables at a restaurant, don’t think twice. Join the queue, and you’ll likely be rewarded with a memorable – and affordable – meal.

Know that the table is yours

If you buy a drink or a coffee at a Roman café, you may sit as long as you like, reading, people-watching, writing postcards (or posting your latest pics to Instagram) and just generally setting up shop to enjoy Roman life.

On the other hand, if all you want is a quick espresso, know that it'll cost less if you order and drink standing at the bar than when you take a seat. (Consider the surplus for sitting your rent!)

Have a meal with your drink

For the cost of a drink (about €10/$11.30) in a bar, you might also enjoy a fabulous meal for no additional charge. Many cafes and bars serve apertivo, a buffet of house-made snacks that can include some rather elaborate dishes. Since the idea is to get you drinking and then keep you drinking, portions are unlimited and the quality is often superb.

Go to church

Rome has hundreds of churches. Many are famous in their own right and attract travelers who revel in their history and devotion to a particular saint or religious order. Most have a priceless fresco or painting or five. All are free and almost all have some combination of architectural merit, noteworthy heritage, famous artworks and masterpieces and other features like serene cloisters.

With its trio of Caravaggio paintings, Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi is but one example among many. It’s always worth ducking into any church that catches your eye as you explore the city. And sometimes the greatest reward can come within a seemingly nondescript facade.

Buy a Roma Pass

If you're seeing several attractions, Rome’s tourist pass can be a good option. It offers a combination of free admission to one or two major sights and significant discounts on others, as well as unlimited public transit rides for the duration. A 48-hour pass costs €32 ($36); a 72-hour version costs €52 ($59).

Enjoy Rome’s favorite pastime

Hanging out and people-watching on the piazzas is a signature Roman experience. Top spots include Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza del Popolo and public squares across Trastevere.

Get monumental

The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona are among dozens of world-class monuments that can be savored for free. In fact given its 2000-year-old history and extraordinary significance, the Pantheon is one of the world’s most sensational free sights.

Archeological sites that would be municipal treasures elsewhere are almost lost among Rome’s highlights. As you walk the city, keep your eyes open for little digs here and there, marked by the odd column or two poking above street level.

Watch out for free days

Even popular and expensive museums like those at the Vatican have free days. You can gaze up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for free on the last Sunday of every month, and on the first Sunday of the month, you can see the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatino gratis. One caveat of the free days is that you’ll be joined by oodles of fellow budget-minded travelers.

In high season, look for popular museums offering night-time hours when crowds – and at times prices – are greatly reduced.

Daily Costs

Hostel room: €15–45 ($17–51)
Basic room for two: €60–130 ($68–147)
Self-catering apartment: €100–300 or more ($113–340)
Public transport ticket: €1.50 ($1.70)
Coffee in a cafe: €2-4 ($2.25–4.50)
Pizza slice: €2–5 ($2.25–5.70)
Dinner for two: €45–150 or more ($51–170)
Glass of wine at the bar: €5–10 ($5.70–11.30)

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Our trip to Belize was super last minute. The original plan had been to go to Amsterdam, but the Netherlands announced a strict lockdown just a little over a week before our flight. Our options were to scrap the trip we’d been planning since before the original COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, or find somewhere we could go at the last minute.

Belize was chosen not just for the beautiful weather, but also because of the reasonable flights and because their travel restrictions and requirements seemed simple. Belize also happens to be one of Lonely Planet's top countries to visit in 2022. Flights to the country from the US were still very reasonable, with a last minute flight (7 days out) coming in at only around $250.

What are Belize's COVID-19 testing requirements?

Our initial research via the airline stated that a negative PCR test result, taken no more than 96 hours before arrival was all that was required. In lieu of that, visitors were also allowed to take a rapid test at the airport in Belize for $50. Because I flew over the holidays, I ended up doing both, as I wasn’t able to get my results within the window.

We were told that in the event the test was positive we would receive a phone call with results within an hour or two, and be confined to the hotel after that. At the airport they didn’t mention the length of isolation, however according to the Belize Tourism Board, those who test positive will be confined to their hotels for 10 days at their own expense, though there are special rates applied to the stay in this instance.

Though we hadn’t checked the specifics ahead of time, we did expect some kind of quarantine should one of us test positive. I purchased travel insurance ahead of the flight just in case, which would have covered up to $50,000 in the event of a medical emergency, which included testing positive for COVID-19.  As of February 15, 2022 visitors will be required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance through the tourism board.

Read more: Worried about testing positive for COVID-19 while traveling? Here's what you need to know

It’s also worth noting that I was asked to show my result in New York when checking in for the flight with American Airlines. I’m not sure if this is standard, however it’s worth checking with your airline to see if they want to see a result ahead of time even though Belize is fine with you taking the test when you arrive.

Accommodation requirements in Belize

Be aware that according to the Belize tourism website they have an additional requirement that wasn’t mentioned on the American Airlines website or any additional Belize travel sites where we searched for information. Belize has what’s called a “Gold Standard accommodation” — accommodations that have passed a certain safety standard set up by the Belize Tourism Board in order to combat COVID-19. It is actually required that you stay at one of these resorts and airport officials will ask for proof of your stay when you arrive at the airport, so be sure that wherever you’re staying has this certification. It’s also worth it to print out a copy of your hotel reservation rather than trying to show it on your phone.

Pack paper copies of your documents

In general, we found that paper copies of things like test results, reservations and even boarding passes were required in Belize. For someone used to having that majority of their travel documents stored electronically this can be a bit jarring and cause some delays, so plan ahead.

What travel is like in Belize right now

Airline

We took an American Airlines flight out of Miami and it was pretty full, which was a bit surprising. The mask requirement was still in place, except when drinks were served. Refreshments were as usual, with the exception of alcohol, which is still not available in the main cabin.

Accommodation

According to the Belize Tourism Board, all Gold Star Accomodations in Belize are required to meet a 9 point safety standard. At both of the hotels we stayed in, housekeeping was back to normal. In San Ignacio there was hand sanitizer throughout the facility and masks were required inside unless guests were actively eating or drinking. However, in San Ignacio they did serve a breakfast buffet, a former hotel standard that has been eliminated in many places due to COVID-19 concerns. In Caye Caulker there were hand sanitizing stations everywhere, including on the beach.

Are masks required in Belize?

While the official rules of Belize are that masks should be worn in public spaces by both visitors and locals. However, on the ground this wasn’t always strictly followed, particularly in Caye Caulker. Most people in Belize seem to wear cloth masks, though I did see a few visitors, including myself, with N95 masks or even double masked. Service workers in both locations, especially restaurant staff, always seemed to be masked. I think that boxes of surgical masks were available for sale at some of the larger convenience stores in both San Ignacio and Caye Caulker, however we brought enough that we didn’t have to purchase any.

COVID-19 safety in Belize restaurants

There were no vaccine certification requirements at restaurants in Belize, although they did ask that you wear your mask indoors unless eating. As mentioned, restaurant workers were some of the most consistently masked people I saw during the trip. Tables seemed to be wiped down between each customer, though whether there were any extra sanitation measures taken I’m not sure. In Caye Caulker there was a curfew in effect, which meant restaurants and bars closed at 10pm, except on New Year’s Eve.

In San Ignacio, because the town is much smaller, things seemed to naturally wind down earlier. Most businesses were closed by 5pm and the restaurants and bars seemed to close whenever the patronage ran thin.

COVID-19 rules for visiting attractions in Belize

Attractions

In San Ignacio, many of the ruins, which are the main attractions of the area, were pretty deserted — which was actually wonderful. Our hotel set up tours of the Caracol and Xunantunich sites for us and we were the only ones on both tours. At Caracol, there were maybe one or two small groups in addition to ours, but the site was so large that we rarely saw them and when we did it was from a distance of much further than six feet.

My friend also ended up taking a more or less private horseback riding tour to the usually very busy Xunantunich ruin, as no one else had signed up for the tour through the hotel. Pre-COVID this particular ruin was a popular stop for cruise lines and therefore usually very crowded.

We also took a stroll through the Cahal Peche ruins, which were within walking distance of our hotel, on our own, where again we were one of maybe three small groups of people strolling through. It’s worth noting that a few of these sites have museums on-site where you can learn more about the history and culture of the Mayan, however these were all closed to visitors because of COVID-19.

Read more: The 23 best things to do in Belize: snorkeling, fishing and cave tubing

Beach and pool etiquette

In Caye Caulker things were a bit different. The island itself was a bit more lively with visitors. Here the beach, the bars and water sports are the main attractions. There was some social distancing on the beaches, but it was not always strictly followed. People tended not to wear masks outdoors and there was some ambiguity as to what counted as “outdoors” because so many of the buildings were built in an open-air pavilion style. This meant that patrons at bars were not always wearing masks, though for the most part the servers still did. Beach towels were available from the front desk of the hotel and were given out individually. There were hand sanitizing stations set up around the island in public spaces, which was nice.

On the street

Perhaps because there were a bit less tourists than usual it seemed that we ended up spending time with a lot of locals. In San Ignacio we talked pretty extensively with our tour guides, both about the area and how COVID-19 had impacted them. Many seemed to be of two minds: financially it was difficult without tourism, however they also seemed excited to have the time to really share what they loved most about Belize and their area. For example, one of our tour guides started making special stops to show my friend, an amateur arborist and herbalist, interesting local plants along the way to the ruins. We also got a really interesting lesson about the reef off the coast of Caye Caulker, the importance of preserving it and what was being done, from some locals who ran a snorkeling and scuba operation on the island.

Returning to the US from Belize

The US requires a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 no more than 24 hours before boarding a flight back. This was thankfully super easy to obtain on Caye Caulker. There’s a small cottage set up right on the main street that will do the test for you and turn the results around within a few hours. The cost of the test is $75, and printed and certified copies of your results are available for pick up. In San Ignacio there is a clinic in town where you can take the test and many of the resorts can help you make arrangements as well.

Read more: Traveling to the US? Here’s how to meet the new one-day testing rule

Once at the airport it might be worth it to skip the self-check-in kiosk and wait in the long line for an agent. This is because you have to get an agent to visually check your documentation and check you in either way.

You also need to be sure that you have a printed copy of your boarding pass, a filled-out immigration form and a printed copy of your COVID-19 results in hand, along with your passport, when you get in the line for immigration. The people who check you in at the kiosk or desk may or may not tell you this, but the immigration officials will send you back and make you wait in the line again if you don’t have everything in hand when you get to them so it’s best to be prepared. It’s also really important to give yourself extra time for the check-in process just in case.

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Winter comes in many guises in Europe. In the polar north there’s serious snow and sunless weeks. Around the mild Mediterranean you’ll find lingering sunshine well into the season. And in the center of Europe: cozy cafe culture and lashings of Christmas spirit.

It's an inspiring time to visit grand cities and charming villages: with fewer queues you can fit more into your itinerary, and off-season accommodation prices make European travel wallet-friendly in November, December, January and February. Using Europe’s train network you can explore countries at your leisure, meeting locals going about their daily business away from the often-frenetic summer tourist season.

Here are the 10 best winter destinations in Europe.

Drink glühwein at Christmas markets in Germany or Austria

December sees these romantic historic markets pop up all over Germany, Austria and other Central European nations. Expect cute stalls selling everything from gingerbread to sleigh bells and plenty of good cheer, toasted with a glass of warming glühwein.

Top tip: Famous markets in Cologne, Vienna and Munich draw the tourist crowds, but seeking out ones in smaller towns is rewarding.

Warm yourself up at one of Budapest's famous thermal bath houses

Couples skating hand-in-hand, breath cloudy in the frosty air – there’s nowhere better for it than the Hungarian capital’s picturesque central park Városligeti Műjégpálya, with its enormous outdoor rink. Feeling chilly afterward? Budapest is famous for its ornate thermal baths.

Top tip: At night seek out a “ ruin pub ”– an atmospheric drinking venue artfully created in a once-abandoned building.

Witness the Northern Lights at Abisko, Sweden

Almost as far north as you can get in Europe on a train, Abisko in Lapland is for lovers of serious winter. The sun doesn't rise for several weeks in December and January but that darkness makes it one of the world's best places to view the majestic aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Other attractions include cross-country skiing along national park trails and husky mushing.

Top tip: Stop off at nearby Kiruna to see the famous Swedish Icehotel.

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Steel-grey skies set the mood in Transylvania, Romania

You can’t visit Dracula’s lair on a sunny day with lambs bleating in the fields, right? Try steel-grey skies, bare trees and a smattering of snow. Braşov and Sighişoara, two hours apart by rail, are gorgeous medieval towns with various connections to Vlad Ţepeş, the historical Dracula, though it’s doubtful that he ever set foot in his so-called castle.

Top tip: Bram Stoker never visited Romania, so don’t expect many parallels with the book or films.

Bask in the sunshine in Andalucía, Spain

Parts of Andalucía are further south than the African coast so expect mild temperatures in winter. Accommodation is cheap, and crowds are smaller at standout attractions like Granada's Alhambra or Seville's cathedral. Plus, tapas and nightlife in the cities are as enticing as ever.

Top tip: Head to the Sierra Nevada near Granada if you want snowsport action.

Have the best sites in Athens (almost) to yourself

It's a real downer trying to Photoshop 500 people out of your would-be-prizewinning Parthenon photo, but during the winter in Athens it's not an issue. All summer stresses – crowding, tourist pricing, intense heat, queues, air pollution – more or less disappear. The average temperature in Athens during the winter is around 13C (55F). It's the best time to explore the country's ancient heritage and get to experience local culture.

Top tip: By all means do some island-hopping, but most accommodations close in winter.

Hit the slopes at Jasná, Slovakia's best ski resort

Slovakia offers high-quality skiing at affordable prices. Accommodation and food are reasonable too, and there's a friendliness that’s missing from some of the snootier Alpine slopes. Jasná is the best Slovakian resort, with long descents flanked by snow-laden spruce trees, set in the ruggedly lovely Tatras Mountains.

Top tip: Flights direct to Slovakia can be pricey, so don't make this your entry point to Europe.

Expect snow flurries and fairytales in Copenhagen, Denmark

For fairytale European winter, it's hard to beat the home of Hans Christian Andersen. Forget the over-hyped Little Mermaid and head to the city's cosy bars and cafes to watch snow flurrying outside. In the heart of town, the 19th-century Tivoli amusement park is a romantic, kitsch delight around Christmastime, with heartwarming illuminations and body-warming mugs of glögg.

Top tip: Go for broke on a meal at noma, considered by many to be the world's best restaurant (reservations can fill quickly, so try to book several months in advance).

Visit the unofficial home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, Finland

Fistfuls of Christmas clichés characterize Rovaniemi, the “official” terrestrial residence of Santa Claus. Everyone's favorite bearded man hangs out in an atmospheric Arctic Circle grotto, and it's free to visit him (but photos are another story). Snow and reindeer add festive spirit, while the Arktikum museum gives insights into life at these latitudes.

Top tip: Finnish thermometers have more numbers below 0°C than above, so pack serious winter clothing.

Be seduced by the incredible Carnevale in Venice

Hauntingly beautiful and rather weird, Venice's Carnevale in February is a European highlight. Elaborate costumes and spooky masks bring the canal city's colorful history to life. Costumed dances are pricey affairs, but you can have a ball enjoying the free events with a mask bought on the street, but be prepared for epic crowding.

Top tip: Book accommodation ahead. Day-tripping in and out on a train will lower costs considerably.

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Some of the most beautiful places on earth are best explored on two wheels. You can go at your own pace and stray far from the tourist trail. After a good pedal, local dishes taste so much better. Here are some of the best places to go on a cycling vacation in 2022.

1. Siena, Italy

In the cycling world, Siena is famous for the Strade Bianche, an early-season race that twists and turns over the surrounding region’s hilly, white gravel roads, before arriving at the finish on the Piazza del Campo. Riding those same roads at an easier clip is about as fun as cycling gets. It’s like being on a cypress-lined rollercoaster through vineyards and olive groves. You will want a bike with wider tires, so you can enjoy the views and worry less about keeping the rubber on the dirt. After exploring the countryside, enjoy a hearty Tuscan meal and a few glasses of Brunello.

2. Vancouver

Vancouver ’s North Shore is a legendary place to ride mountain bikes. Situated a short drive from the city center, steep tracks twist down through old-growth red cedars, aided by a range of man-made bridges and teeter-totters (see-saws). The riding there will leave you giddy with laughter if your skills are up to it. Mt Fromme and Mt Seymour are home to the most renowned and difficult trails. For those looking for gentler rides, don’t worry; there are lots of cross-country trails about as well.

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3. Yorkshire, England

The likes of Bradley Wiggins, Lizzie Deignan and Chris Froome have inspired hundreds of thousands of Brits to take up cycling over the past decade. The UK still isn’t well known as a cycling destination though. That should change soon. Quiet country lanes in places like Yorkshire are as enjoyable for riding as Europe’s more famous roads. Up in the Dales, the hills might not be as long as grand tour cols, but they are as steep as heck and come one after the other. After an hour or two, you will want to stop for tea and scones. The spa town of Harrogate, which hosted the 2019 world championships, is a great place to stay.

4. Stavanger, Norway

Riding amid Norway ’s rocky, windswept mountains, waterfalls, forests and cavernous fjords will leave you humbled by nature’s sheer scale and power. Perhaps that is why Norwegians are so friendly. Stavanger, a prosperous mid-sized city located on the southwest coast, is a great place to start a Norwegian cycling adventure. The surrounding countryside is magnificent. From its tidy harbor, lined with colorful wooden buildings, you can even take a ferry to the bottom of Lysebotn, a wonderful switchbacked climb that rises for 9km from the sea up onto a rugged plateau. From there, it is about a 120km loop around the fjord back to the city.

Moving mountains: Norway’s top 9 hikes

5. Girona, Spain

Good year-round weather, quiet roads, nearby mountains, not far from the Mediterranean coast – it’s no wonder so many professional cyclists call Girona home. The colorful Catalan city sometimes feels as if it's a cycling resort; there are so many top-notch bike shops, tour companies and cafes that cater specifically to cyclists in town, not to mention the grand tour riders who will race past you on climbs such as Els Angels and Rocacorba. There is a tonne of local heritage to discover as well though. After your rides, go for a walk around the old city walls, visit the cathedral or one of the museums or have a soak in the Roman baths, before heading out for a good meal and night on the town.

6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Visit Amsterdam, and you’ll be stunned by the number of bikes you see on the streets. Bankers in expensive suits, clattering over the Dam square on rusty rattletraps; students carrying crates of beer on their handlebars and girlfriends on their rear racks; grandmas doing their shopping on e-bikes; whole families traveling together on cargo bikes – every day, hundreds of thousands of Amsterdammers pedal wherever they want to go. Join them. A day touring the canals and Vondelpark, perhaps visiting a couple of the city’s excellent art museums and then cycling from restaurant to bar (or coffee shop) will give you a respectable number of kilometers. Stay sharp though. Navigating Amsterdam’s busy bike paths can be like riding in a peloton.

How to spend a perfect weekend in Amsterdam

7. Athens, USA

A southern college town with one of the best music scenes in the United States, Athens, Georgia is nestled at the center of an awesome array of roads, which get even better when you stray onto dirt. The local cycling community is as friendly and welcoming as can be. Keen riders head there in December, January and February to enjoy the pleasant weather and build fitness for spring. Join them for a segment or two of the Winter Bike League, a series of Saturday group rides that take in the best routes and gas-station stops in the region. Or just head out and enjoy the beautiful countryside at your own pace.

8. Cape Breton, Canada

Circling Cape Breton Island, off Canada’s Atlantic coast, the Cabot Trail passes through fishing villages where Gaelic is still spoken, Miꞌkmaq reserves and Acadian towns. It winds through old-growth forest to the edge of rust-colored bluffs, before dropping hundreds of meters to sandy beaches and picturesque ports, where the locals sell fresh lobster and chowder. Whether you do the 300km loop in a day or a week, the Cabot Trail is one of the best bike rides in North America. Go in the spring or fall. It can get very busy in summer, and winter is, well, winter in Canada.

On Québec’s Route Verte, not knowing what I was getting myself into was the best part

9. Boulder, USA

Locals call it the People’s Republic of Boulder. In many ways, it is a place unto itself. Located 50km northwest of Denver, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the home of the University of Colorado is a haven for tech types, academic hippies and Bobo athletes. On its bike paths, you’ll come across Olympians and Ironman champions, though you likely won’t be able to distinguish them from the other locals, as Boulderites are about the fittest people on the planet. Pros and faux pros alike have been coming to the city for decades for its altitude and college-town vibe. For a real challenge, take on the Fearsome Foursome, climbing Flagstaff, Sugarloaf, Magnolia and Sunshine for 2600m of climbing in 80km. There is plenty of pleasant riding around too.

A beginner's guide to hiking in Boulder

10. Chihuahua

If you want to experience the real Wild West, head to Chihuahua, Mexico. Cowboys on horseback outnumber bike riders by far in the rugged, mountainous state. Nevertheless, it is a spectacular place for a cycling adventure. Long climbs rise past scrubby pines and desert to well over 2000m, before plunging down switchbacks and back into forests. Make sure you visit Copper Canyon, which is larger and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon, and sample all of the street food when you do come across a town or village.

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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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