From the dynamic Cape Town to the cosmopolitan vibes of Johannesburg to expanses such as Namakwa, the Kalahari and Karoo, South Africa remains an alluring destination for all types of travelers.

The country's diverse terrain and impressive landscapes provide the perfect opportunity to visit all year round. Here's our guide to the best time to visit South Africa.

High Season: November to March

Best time for festivals

November to March is summertime in South Africa, and if you’re looking to visit during peak times, you’ve got to plan ahead. Coastal and national park accommodations book up months in advance, and popular vacation spots see accommodation prices rise by 50% or more.

But if you’re willing to spend the money, you'll enjoy a host of festivals and events like the Cape Town Street Parade (Cape Minstrel Carnival), a colorful new year celebration that includes floats, routines and troupes. AFROPUNK, a massive international music concert that brings in artists from all over the world, kicks off in December. The Cape Town Cycle Tour in March brings in cycling enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Shoulder Season: April to May and September to October

Best time for wildlife and whale watching

Shoulder season offers fewer crowds and more wildlife. Fall (April and May) provides the optimum wildlife-watching conditions, while spring (September and October) is the best time for whale watching. Wildflower season runs from late August to early September.

Low Season: June to August

Best time for budget travelers

Winter brings lower prices and fewer crowds, but it is the rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The northern areas like Karoo are a bit drier and sunnier during this time. Among the top winter festivals is Knysna’s incredible 10-day oyster festival in July.

January

South Africans descend on tourist areas, including the coast and major parks, during summer school holidays (early December to mid-January). Book accommodations and transport far in advance. High season for accommodations is November to March.
Key events: Cape Town Street Parade (Cape Town Minstrel Carnival)

February

Summer continues through February, with smiles on the beaches, half-price cable cars up Table Mountain for sunset, and dramatic lightning storms in Jo'burg. Elephants munch marula trees, and baby antelope, zebras and giraffes cavort in the parks. For something a little different, there’s the Up the Creek Festival. Billed as the second-longest outdoor music festival in South Africa, Up the Creek takes place on the banks of the Breede River. Don’t forget your floaties.
Key events: Hands-on-Harvest, Up the Creek Festival, Ultra South Africa

March

Summer rolls towards fall, although days remain sunny, the Lowveld steamy and the landscapes green. This time of year is good for walking and beach bumming in the Western Cape. Cultural and music festivals happen in Cape Town and Jo'burg.
Key events: Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Town International Jazz Festival

April

There's a two-week school vacation around Easter, generally regarded as the beginning of fall. Temperatures drop, and wildlife watching in the bushveld starts to look more attractive than lying on the beach. Wildlife rutting season runs until May.
Key events: AfrikaBurn, Klein Karoo National Arts Festival

May

As the temperatures start to drop, the tourist crowds have disappeared, but the days in some regions remain mild. Snow may fall on the highlands where it is much wetter.
Key events: Cape Times Waterfront Wine Festival, South African Music Awards, Franschhoek Literary Festival

June

June in South Africa falls during rainy season, and it's the rainiest month in Johannesburg and the Western Cape. But don't let that put you off: safari conditions are great in the north, which is much drier.
Key events: Standard Bank National Arts Festival

July

Winter brings rain to the Cape and clouds to Table Mountain. Northern areas experience fresh, sunny days and clear night skies. Low season is June to September, apart from the mid-June to mid-July school holidays.
Key events: Oyster Festival, National Arts Festival, J-Bay Open

August

Signs of spring are in the air in South Africa in August. Head the west coast to see wildflowers emerge from winter hibernation. Kruger National Park and the northern reserves remain pleasant and dry.
Key events: Namakwa wildflowers

September

By September, winter is giving way to spring. Cherry trees bloom in the Free State Eastern Highlands in September and October, which are also the last dry months for wildlife viewing. Head to the coast for superb opportunities for whale watching. School holidays run from late September to early October.
Key events: Jo’burg Festivals

October

October is a great month to visit South Africa, and it offers mostly sunny weather without the worst of the summer crowds and prices. There is a 10-day South African school holiday at the beginning of the month.
Key events: South African National Gold Panning Championships, Soweto Festivals, Mangaung African Cultural Festival

November

Spring drifts into summer: look out for wildflowers in the Drakensberg, and hit the beach before the worst humidity comes to KwaZulu-Natal, and all of the above in Cape Town and the Western Cape. November is rainy in the Lowveld, and high season begins.
Key events: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Cherry Festival

December

The hot, dry days pick up as summer officially gets cooking in December. Music festival AFROPUNK in Johannesburg is the perfect big-time kickoff to the city’s music festival season.
Key events: AFROPUNK

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It's no wonder that Oregon has become a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts – this corner of the Pacific Northwest is blessed with a stunningly-diverse landscape. From towering shield volcanoes that have (mostly) simmered down to coasts strewn with driftwood the size of fresh-cut timber, with  wind-scoured high desert and wild and rivers, there's no shortage of varied terrain to explore.

If you're eager to take your hiking boots out for a spin, we have narrowed your Oregon hiking bucket list down to the top 25 trails for every kind of hiker. Ranging from short easy hikes for families that reward you with waterfalls and wildflowers to challenging summits and backpacking trips that take you deep into Oregon's vast alpine wilderness areas.

Dog Mountain

7.2 miles round-trip

The most popular hike in the Columbia River Gorge is also a very steep and challenging 7.2 miles round trip. The uphill is unrelenting but it ends at open fields full of some of the best blooms anywhere and gives you sweeping views over the Columbia River. Expect high winds anytime of year and dress in layers. To manage crowds and reduce impact on the ecosystem, this hike now requires an inexpensive permit April 18 through June 14 (Saturday and Sunday only). Individuals can purchase up to four permits (per day) starting March 1.

Timberline Trail

40 miles; plus smaller segments of varying lengths

The mother of all trails is the (approximately) 40-mile Timberline Trail, which circumnavigates Mt Hood along a scenic wilderness of waterfalls, quiet reflecting lakes, wildflower meadows and mountain vistas. Parts of the trail may be closed due to washouts or fallen trees, so check with ranger stations as you plan your hike, especially in spring.

The trail can be accessed from several points – noteworthy sections include the hike to McNeil Point and the short climb to Bald Mountain, both offering breathtaking scenery. From Timberline Lodge, Zigzag Canyon Overlook is a 4.5-mile round-trip through meadows of wildflowers to a canyon vista. Some trails can be snowbound until late July, and fording rivers can be a challenge, so stop in at a ranger station for details before you decide which part of the trail to take on.

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The Rogue River Trail

40 miles

The 40-mile Rogue River Trail, best hiked in spring or fall, follows the river from Grave Creek to Illahe in southern Oregon near Grants Pass. Once used to transport mail and supplies from Gold Beach, the route follows a relatively easy grade through scrub oak and laurel past historic homesteads and cabins. The full hike takes four to five days, but rustic lodges along the way can make your itinerary flexible.

Multnomah Falls

2.2 miles; further 7 miles to Larch Mountain

The top attraction in the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls is so beloved there's even a version built out of Legos on display in the Portland Airport's baggage claim area. A 2.2-mile hike with 700 feet of elevation gain leads to the top of the falls, but you can continue up forested Multnomah Creek and the top of Larch Mountain (another seven miles). Don't expect to have Multnomah Falls to yourself, but do fuel up for your hike at the Multnomah Falls Lodge, which has a restaurant and snack bar in addition to a visitor's center.

The Oregon Coast Trail

400 miles

This adventurous 400-mile route runs through sandy beaches, verdant forests and rocky headlands, as well as coastal towns and cities from just this side of Washington to California. The OCT isn't necessarily a hard route, but it'll take about a month to hike the whole thing. Keep in mind that there are a few gaps in the hikeable sections of trail;  you'll want to make connections by road at a few points, such as the Sixes and Elk rivers. You'll also want to consult a tide table, as some beach passages aren't feasible at all times of day depending on what the Pacific Ocean is up to. The hike is best done north to south due to prevailing winds and available literature. Hike it all or just a few sections of it, and enjoy the spectacular views – there's one around every corner or two.

Neahkahnie Mountain

2.5 miles

It's no secret that Oswald West State Park is full of fantastic hikes, but one of the real gems is the 2.5 mile climb (one way) to the top of 1660ft Neahkahnie Mountain, which towers above Nehalem Bay and offers amazing views – on a clear day, you can see 50 miles out to sea. Start at the North Neahkahnie Mountain Trailhead and enjoy the views of Cape Falcon and the Devil's Cauldron far below the summit.

Blue Basin and Island in Time

4 miles; plus 1 mile

This ethereal landscape in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a testament to the explosive forces that shaped Oregon millions of years ago. Those geologic events painted Blue Basin an unusual pastel hue that you can see up close and personal on these relatively short, easy hikes. The Blue Basin Overlook trail is four miles-long, while the Island in Time trail is just over a mile. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a hat, though – there's very little shade, and temperatures can soar in the summer.

Mt Scott

4.2 miles

This strenuous hike takes you to an incredible lake vista atop 8929ft Mt Scott, the highest point in the Crater Lake National Park. It starts easily, through a meadow then climbs more steeply the higher (and more out of breath) you get. Because of the high elevation you can expect snow around the top of the trail year-round. It's said that this is the only place in the park where you can get the entire lake in a camera frame. This is also a great place to spot Grouse, Clark's Nut Crackers, Steller's Jays and other birds.

Eagle Cap

various trails

Many of the most popular hikes in Oregon are in close driving distance of Portland or along the coast – but eastern Oregon shouldn't be overlooked. Eagle Cap in the stunning Wallowa Mountains is the largest wilderness area in Oregon, full of dramatic granite peaks and jewel box alpine lakes. While many of the trails in this sprawling region are best suited for backpackers with a few days to spend on a trek, you can summit Eagle Cap itself from Two Pan trailhead – if you're up for a 20-mile-day and ascending 4000 feet. You'll be rewarded with 360° views from the top, and a better understanding of why the Wallowas are often compared to the Swiss Alps.

Mt Howard in the Wallowas

various trails

Another can't-miss peak in the Wallows is Mt Howard, and this one involves a little assist on your way to the top. The Wallowa Lake tramway climbs 3700 feet up the side of 8241-foot Mount Howard, taking you from the green summer camp vibes at the mountain's foot to a rocky, wintery world at the top. From the tram's top stop, it's up to you to explore several trails by foot, including an easy two-mile loop to the summit where you'll be greeted by an ocean of peaks spread out to the horizon all around you. Because of the elevations, it's a hike best done from July to September – and even then you might see snow at the top. Dress in layers, and be sure to charge your phone. Although there's a small restaurant and warming station by the tramway, they don't have electrical outlets available for visitors.

Carroll Rim Trail

1.6 miles

This short, easy trail in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument offers a site you don't see very many places on earth – painted hills banded with rich hues of red, yellow, and pink layered by eons of geologic events. A series of eruptions drifted into beds hundreds of feet deep, layering the brick-red, yellow, black, beige and ochre-hued ash that you now see. It's a fabulous, uncommon sight, best viewed just before sunset. The Painted Hills Unit is nine miles north of Mitchell, off Hwy 26.

Tumalo Falls

6.5 miles

Bend, Oregon may be in the high desert, but there's still plenty of water spilling over Tumalo Falls in the Deschutes National Forest. You can see it for yourself on this 6.5 mile out-and-back hike that's only moderately challenging and promises big rewards. In the summer you can expect plenty of company on the trail, but in winter you might dodge some of the crowds if you're willing to slip on your snowshoes.

Pittock Mansion

5 miles

You don't have to leave the city to find a good hike in Portland. Case in point, the Forest Park trail to the Pittock Mansion is a moderate hike perfect for filling up an hour or so of your afternoon. Accessible by public transit and boasting incredible views of Portland and, on clear days, Mount Hood, it's easy to see why newspaper magnate Henry Pittock – himself an avid mountaineer and one of the founding members of the Mazamas club – chose this spot to build his glamorous abode. Start at the Lower Macleay Park Trailhead and follow the Wildwood Trail and its switchbacks to the top.

Rowena Crest

2.5 miles

This is an absolutely lovely 2.5 mile loop stroll over a plateau with views over rolling hills and up and down the Colombia River Gorge. Rowena Crest sits on the backroads between Hood River and the Dalles and is a great choice for families, although there are some rocky and rough spots on the trail. Bright yellow balsamroot carpets the hills here as well as anywhere in spring and summer. There's also a longer and more strenuous option from the same trailhead to hike the 3.25 mile round trip McCall Point Trail which offers views of Mt Adams.

Ramona Falls

7 miles

A popular trail on the upper Sandy River on the west side of Mount Hood loops for seven miles and shows off lovely Ramona Falls, which tumbles 120ft down a face of mossy columnar basalt. To reach the trailhead from Zigzag, turn north onto Lolo Pass Rd, continue for four miles, then turn right onto USFS Rd 1825 and drive three miles further.

John Dellenbeck Trail

6 miles round-trip

For some of the biggest dunes in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (including the tallest at 500ft), take the John Dellenbeck Trail, 10.5 miles south of Reedsport, which leads out across a wilderness of massive sand peaks before reaching the beach. The round-trip hike is six miles and involves some tough dune climbing, though there's a one-mile interpretive loop on packed gravel if you just want to take a look.

Catherine Creek

6.9 miles round-trip

There are actually three hikes from this trailhead, but the best (arguably) crosses Catherine Creek on a plank bridge just below an old corral. You'll end up in forest and get to a small pond but there will be flowers the whole way up and down. As ever, the views over the Columbia River and looking out to the Oregon side of the gorge (this hike is on the Washington side) are spectacular. It's 6.9 miles round trip, and on the difficult side of moderate.

Watchman Trail

1.5 miles round-trip

For a steep but shorter hike in Crater Lake National Park, trek up to the Watchman, an old lookout tower on the opposite side of the lake that boasts one of the park's best views – and definitely the best views of Wizard Island. Wear good shoes to traverse a scree area. The lookout tower was built in 1932. Expect a colorful palette of wildflowers from late August into October and snow year-round. You'll only be hiking for about a mile-and-a-half round trip, but it can get windy up here so dress in layers.

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Loop

2 mile loop

The rolling hills of eastern Oregon are still scarred with wheel ruts dug by the thousands upon thousands of settlers who came through what is now Baker City by covered wagon in the 19th century. You can see them clearly from the promontory of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, where you can learn more about the role the Oregon Trail played in US history. But you can also see them up close on this two-mile loop hike, and literally follow in the footsteps of pioneers who poured into the territory that the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Nez Perce nations called home.

Three Fingered Jack

4.5 mile round-trip

For a serious but fabulous day hike, head up to Canyon Creek Meadows, where summer produces a vibrant wildflower display and great views onto the rugged 7841ft Three Fingered Jack. This shield volcano was shaped by dramatic lava flows and glaciers millions of years ago, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts today, from hikers to backcountry skiers to rock climbers. To reach the trailhead from Sisters, drive 13 miles northwest on US 20. Just south of Suttle Lake, turn north on Jack Lake Rd, USFS Rd 12. It's about eight miles to the trailhead, at Jack Lake Campground. The hike is 4.5 miles round-trip; $5 day-use pass required in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Oregon Caves National Monument

3.3 miles; plus 0.75 miles

It's a real treat to visit Oregon Caves National Monument and its swirling, undersea-like formations – not to mention the lovely, historic Oregon Caves Chateau lodge (currently closed for restoration). Guided tours let you explore the caves, but don't neglect the surrounding area. There's a handful of short nature trails, such as the 0.75-mile Cliff Nature Trail (offering good views) and the 3.3-mile Big Tree Trail (which loops through old-growth forest to a huge Douglas fir).

Spencer Butte Trail

2 miles

The most popular hike in all of Eugene is this nearly two-mile-trek to the top of a ridge line from which you can see the city below and, on clear days, even the Three Sisters that sit near Bend, Oregon. Don't expect much solitude, and consider starting early to get a spot in the trailhead parking lot. It's not a particularly challenging trail, with a gradual climb to an expansive viewpoint.

Sweet Creek Falls

2.2 miles

What's the best-kept secret tucked away in the Coast Range near Florence, Oregon? One local recommends hiking to Sweet Creek Falls, an easy 2.2-mile round-trip journey that begins 15 miles east of Florence on Hwy 126, toward Eugene. Start at the eponymous trailhead and enjoy chasing those eleven waterfalls along the way to the multi-tiered Sweet Creek cascade.

Yoran Lake

5.3 miles; plus 3.8 miles

From the west end of Odell Lake, energetic hikers should consider the 5.3-mile one-way hike to Yoran Lake for a great view of 8744ft Diamond Peak. Another popular hike from Odell Lake Resort leads 3.8 miles to Fawn Lake, below two rugged peaks.

Prospect and Union Creek

various trails

A mile south of Prospect on Mill Creek Dr is the 0.3-mile trail to the awesome Mill Creek Falls (173ft). A side shoot leads to the Avenue of Giant Boulders, well worth the extra few steps, where the Rogue River crashes through rocky boulders (scrambling required).

A good 4.6-mile hike (one way) starts from either the Woodruff Bridge picnic area or the River Bridge campground; you'll get views of the pretty Takelma Gorge. You can also hike 3.5 miles (one way) between Natural Bridge, where the Rogue River borrows a lava tube and goes underground for 200ft, and the magical Rogue River Gorge, where a narrow, turbulent section of river cuts a sheer-walled cleft into a lava flow.

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When Archbishop Desmond Tutu called South Africa the "Rainbow Nation," his words described the very essence of what makes this country extraordinary. Certainly, the blend of peoples and cultures that his oft-used moniker referred to is instantly evident, but the country’s diversity stretches far beyond its people.

Within South Africa ’s borders you can sleep under the stars in a desert or hike to snowcapped peaks. The hills of the Wild Coast provide a bucolic antidote to the bustle of large cities like Johannesburg. Wildlife watching ranges from remote safari walks to up-close encounters with waddling penguins.

Here are the must-visit places in South Africa.

1. Cape Town

Overlooked by flat-topped Table Mountain, with its cable car, walking trails and abseiling, Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities. Fill your days here visiting beaches and Constantia wine estates, wandering the V&A Waterfront, catching the ferry to Robben Island and, above all, meeting the easy-going Cape locals. In complement to its considerable natural charms, the city is benefiting from ongoing urban renewal, with world-class restaurants, hip food markets and design-savvy arcades opening in once-industrial neighborhoods such as Woodstock and the Waterfront's Silo District.

How to live like a Local in Cape Town

2. Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of Africa's great wilderness experiences and the mightiest of the country's national parks – a trip here will sear itself in your mind. Its accessibility, quantity and variety of wildlife, and staggering size and range of activities make Kruger unique and compelling. From wilderness trails and bush walks to mountain biking and remote 4WD trails, there are myriad opportunities to enjoy the wild environment and its four-legged inhabitants. Kruger is simply one of the best places to see animals – big and small – in the world.

The 11 most incredible national parks in South Africa for spotting wildlife, hiking and more

3. Drakensberg Region

Majestic, stunning and mysterious, the mountains and foothills of the World Heritage–listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park are among the country's most awe-inspiring landscapes. Drakensberg means "Dragon Mountains" in Afrikaans, while the Zulu named the range Quathlamba ("Battlement of Spears"); both convey beautifully the area's sublime backdrop of incredible peaks. People have lived here for thousands of years, evidenced by the many San rock-art sites. With its Zulu villages, wilderness areas and wildflowers, and good accommodations and restaurants, the Drakensberg region is the perfect place for photographers, hikers and adventurous travelers.

4. South Africa's Winelands

Whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture dots this endlessly photogenic landscape of rolling hills and vines in neat rows. The Winelands is the quintessential Cape, where world-class wines are the icing on the viticultural cake. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, the area's holy trinity of wine-tasting towns, host some of the southern hemisphere's oldest, largest and prettiest wine estates. But this is not the only wine region: head to Tulbagh for sparkling wines; the heights of the Cederberg for crisp sauvignon blancs; and Hermanus' Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven on Earth) valley for boutique wineries.

Cape Winelands: a sipping safari

5. Wild Coast

With its rugged cliffs plunging into the sea, remote sandy beaches, rural Xhosa villages and history of shipwrecks and stranded sailors, the aptly named Wild Coast is ideally explored on foot. From the Great Kei River to Port St. Johns, pathways hug the shoreline, cutting through dense vegetation or snaking across denuded hillsides and gorges, and often overlook southern right whales and dolphins in the turquoise seas. Power down in rustic accommodations or overnight with families in traditionally designed rondavels (round huts with a conical roof).

6. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park covers almost 15,445 sq miles of raw Kalahari in the Northern Cape and Botswana, an area roamed by some 2000 predators. But such statistics, albeit impressive, barely scrape the surface of this immense land of sizzling sunsets, velvety night skies and rolling red dunes. The park is one of the world's best places to spot big cats, and you might spy black-maned lions napping under thorn trees, or cheetahs and leopards purring along the roadside. Best of all, you don't need a 4WD to access the park.

7. iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso, which means "miracle" or "wonder" in Zulu, has a fitting name. This Unesco World Heritage site stretches for a glorious 136 miles, from the Mozambique border to Maphelane, at the southern end of Lake St. Lucia. iSimangaliso Wetland Park protects five distinct ecosystems, offering everything from beaches, offshore reefs and coastal forests to lakes, wetlands and woodlands. It's nature's playground, which travelers can enjoy on wildlife drives, kayak safaris, cycling and cruises. The extraordinary animals here include loggerhead and leatherback turtles, whales, dolphins, antelope, zebras and hippos galore.

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

8. Clarens

The odd international star popping in for a lungful of fresh mountain air gives well-heeled Clarens celebrity credentials. But with galleries, antiques, classy restaurants, a microbrewery and adventure activities in the surrounding countryside, there's something to appeal to most visitors. The laid-back town is perfect for an evening stroll after a day exploring the nearby Golden Gate Highlands National Park. And with plenty of pubs to drop into and a bookshop to browse, Clarens is the best place in the Free State's Eastern Highlands to simply wind down.

9. Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world and possibly the greenest, is one of South Africa's great sights. Even the bus loads of domestic and foreign visitors to the canyon, where the Blyde River snakes down from the Drakensberg Escarpment to the lowveld, cannot spoil the majesty of sights such as Bourke's Luck Potholes. On a clear day, viewpoints including the Three Rondavels and God's Window will leave you breathless. This vast natural landmark scarring northern Mpumalanga can be appreciated on foot or by car.

10. Mapungubwe National Park

A real standout among South Africa's national parks, the transfrontier Mapungubwe National Park conservation area in the making has been declared a World Heritage site for its important cultural heritage, which is explained at its interpretative center. The landscape is riveting, too: arid, ancient terrain that's twisted and knotted, with rocky bluffs offering majestic views, and mighty rivers that intersect. The climate is harsh, but lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and rhinos can be found here, as well as smaller species such as caracals. Getting around can be tough but the rewards are sublime.

11. Addo Elephant National Park

At Addo Elephant National Park, more than 600 African elephants roam through low bushes, tall grass and distant hills. The land (reclaimed after being decimated by farmers) and the park represent a conservation success story. Also roaming free are hyenas and lions, introduced in 2003 to bring the kudu, ostrich and warthog populations down. Buffaloes, rare Cape mountain zebras and endemic dung beetles can also be seen, but elephants are the showstoppers – particularly when they burst from the undergrowth, flap their ears and dwarf all that is before them.

12. Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Beneath the open skies of the Free State's Eastern Highlands, Golden Gate Highlands National Park enjoys extraordinary sunsets, and hides plenty of antelope, zebras, jackals and birds among its grasslands and sandstone outcrops. It's great walking territory, but you can also drive short, scenic loops. Either way, views of the Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains loom large and there's something almost fairy tale about the wind sweeping patterns through the nodding grass.

13. Garden Route

The enduring popularity of this verdant coastal strip, where woodcutters once dodged elephants in the old-growth forests, lies not only in its undeniable scenic beauty. The Garden Route is also a magnet for those in search of a little outdoor adventure. Whether you're hiking the Knysna Forests, surfing in Victoria Bay, canoeing on Wilderness Lagoon or getting up close with great whites in a cage in Mossel Bay's waters, the Garden Route guarantees an adventure for every taste and budget.

The Garden Route: South Africa's ultimate road trip

14. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Sometimes overshadowed by Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is nonetheless one of the country's best-known and most evocative parks. Stunningly beautiful, it features a variety of landscapes, from open savanna to mountains with wildflowers. It teems with wildlife, including the Big Five and other amazing creatures. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi can be visited at any time because there's always something happening and plenty to see, from elephants munching marula trees to impala, zebras, wildebeest and giraffe babies. Great wildlife drives, accommodations and hiking trails ensure a memorable experience.

15. Madikwe Game Reserve

One of the country's most exclusive reserves on such a large scale, Madikwe Game Reserve occupies 293 sq miles of bushveld, savanna grassland and riverine forest. There's a good chance of spotting iconic African wildlife, and the lodges are experiences in themselves, from an ecolodge to five-star options offering creature comforts in the wilderness. Visits to Madikwe are on an all-inclusive basis, allowing you to relax once you're through the gates.

16. Venda Region

A lush place steeped in mystique and traditional customs, the Venda Region is the Africa of mist-clad hills, dusty red tracks and mud huts. Sprinkled with lakes and forests containing enormous spiritual significance, and marking the primeval ties between indigenous culture and the land, the Limpopo province's former homeland is well worth exploring with a local guide. Stay in Elim or Louis Trichardt (Makhado) and begin with the Venda arts and crafts trail; the area is noted for its fine original artwork, with studios hidden throughout the landscape.

17. Johannesburg

With a grisly reputation, Johannesburg is a surprisingly vibey and inspiring place thanks to the regeneration uplifting its inner city. The cultural enclaves of Braamfontein, Newtown, 44 Stanley and the Maboneng precinct are dynamic and exciting spots by any city's standards, with galleries, restaurants, bars and boutiques. Take a walking tour to understand the background of this urban transformation and spot Maboneng's public art by international muralists. Try to time your visit to coincide with Braamfontein and Maboneng's weekly markets.

Johannesburg's best neighborhoods to explore

18. Pilanesberg National Park

Sprawling away from the Sun City casino complex is the underrated Pilanesberg National Park, where the Big Five and day-tripping Jo'burgers roam an extinct volcanic crater. With its tarred roads, Pilanesberg is sometimes dismissed as tame, yet the rhinos lapping at waterholes seem to disagree. To escape the other cars and score an up-close sighting, hit the gravel roads through the bush and stake out a dam. Guided drives and walks are available, as is a range of accommodations, making this a winner for families and those short on time.

19. Cradle of Humankind

As you'll discover at this palaeontological zone, it began in Africa – Western Gauteng to be precise. The Cradle of Humankind nurses hundreds of square miles of beautiful green and brown veld, and an increasing migration of tourists, descended from hominids, who sit with the fossils of their ancestors deep underground, before returning to civilization at fine restaurants and day spas. There's a serene sculpture park at the Nirox Foundation and wilderness to be enjoyed. Only 30 miles northwest of Jo'burg are free-roaming elands, zebras, giraffes and gazelles.

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19 best places to visit in South Africa

A windswept and beautiful coast is the face that South Africa turns to the rest of the world – tempestuous and tamed, stormy and sublime. It spans two oceans as it winds its way down the Atlantic seaboard in the west and up into the warmer Indian Ocean waters to the east.

In all, the country has more than 1550 miles of coastline. So where should the beach lovers go? Cape Town is known to have many great beaches (we've picked just a few), but there are other delights to be found along the vast coastline, from remote strands tucked away in national parks to top surfing spots on the Sunshine Coast.

Here are the best beaches in South Africa.

Bloubergstrand, Cape Town's northern suburbs

The beaches beside this pleasant coastal suburb are where the British won their 1806 battle for the Cape. The panoramic view they provide of Table Mountain across Table Bay is fabulous, but these beaches are also popular with kite-surfers and windsurfers; watching them ride the waves on the weekends is an impressive sight. You can also see Robben Island clearly from here. Bloubergstrand is a good example of a poetic Cape name – it means "blue mountain beach."

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Dolphin Beach, Jeffrey's Bay, Sunshine Coast

Jeffrey's Bay on the Sunshine Coast is one of the world's top surfing destinations. Boardies from all over the planet flock here to ride waves such as the famous Supertubes, generally rated as one of the world's most perfect waves. June to September are the best months for experienced surfers, but novices can learn at any time of year. The town's main beach, Dolphin Beach, is a beautiful, wide and largely-untouched expanse of sand. It's safe for swimming and there are lifeguards on duty, which makes it very popular with families.

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Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, Cape Town

You don't come to Boulders Beach for sand and surf; you come here for bird-watching. This picturesque area, with enormous boulders dividing small, sandy coves, is home to a colony of some 3000 delightful African penguins. A boardwalk runs from the Boulders Visitor Centre at the Foxy Beach end of the protected area – part of Table Mountain National Park – to Boulders Beach, where you can get down on the sand and mingle with the waddling penguins. Don’t, however, be tempted to pet them: they are wild animals with sharp beaks that can cause serious injuries.

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Golden Mile, Durban

Durban 's beaches and promenade extend from the Blue Lagoon (at the mouth of the Umgeni River) to uShaka Marine World on the Point, an area known as the "Golden Mile," although it’s more like four miles. At the southern end is uShaka Beach, a sheltered spot that's popular with families and local sand sculptors. Surfers find reliable surf at Dairy Beach.

At the heart of Durban's Golden Mile is Bay of Plenty Beach, often packed with sunbathers and beach-sports enthusiasts. Towards the north is Suncoast Beach, where you can rent loungers and umbrellas. Further north still is Blue Lagoon Beach, with playgrounds and food stalls, making it a great place for families. Excellent signage at the beaches provides maps and names of the different beaches, as well as what activities are permitted there. The surf and currents at Durban’s beaches can be dangerous. Always swim in patrolled areas that are indicated by flags.

Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town

The trademark multicolored Victorian bathing cabins of Muizenberg Beach have become photogenic icons of Cape Town. Surfboards can be rented and lessons booked at several shops along Beach Road at this surfing hot spot. The beach shelves gently, and the sea is generally safer here than elsewhere along the peninsula. There's also a water park at the eastern end of the beach, always popular for those traveling with young family members.

The beaches on the False Bay (eastern) side of the Cape Peninsula are not quite as spectacular as those on the Atlantic side, but the water is often 41ºF or more warmer, and can reach 68ºF in summer, making swimming more pleasant here.

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Cape Vidal, Eastern Shores, the Elephant Coast

If you ask anyone in the know what to see in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, they'll most likely suggest Cape Vidal. Some of the forested sand dunes here rise 500 feet high, and the beaches are excellent for swimming. There's also decent wildlife viewing en route to the beach, and you'll likely have the sightings of hippos, antelopes, buffaloes and crocs to yourself.

Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Port Elizabeth (PE for short) fringes Algoa Bay at the western end of the Sunshine Coast and offers many good bathing beaches, great surf spots and excellent water sports. Marine life in the bay is also sensational, with plenty of dolphins and whales that can be spotted throughout the year. Kings Beach is a central beach stretching from the harbor to Humewood, popular for sunbathing and swimming in the shallows. Take extreme care when swimming; the current is very strong. More sheltered beaches can be found at Summerstrand.

Kakapo dominates the surfing beach at Noordhoek © DWaschnig / Shutterstock" data-embed-button="images" data-entity-embed-display="media_image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"","image_link":""}" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="9fb4f089-e711-4b48-bdea-c1caeb76b15d" data-langcode="en" title="Wreck of the Kakapo, Noordhoek Beach, South Africa">

Noordhoek, Cape Town

This magnificent three-mile stretch of beach is favored by surfers and horse riders. It tends to be windy and dangerous for swimmers. The Hoek, as it is known to surfers, has an excellent right beach break at the northern end that can hold large waves (only attempt it at low tide); it’s best with a southeasterly wind. In the middle of the beach, the rusted shell of the steamship Kakapo sticks out of the sand like a weird sculpture. It ran aground here in 1900 on its maiden voyage from Swansea, Wales, to Sydney, Australia.

Langebaan Beach, West Coast National Park, West Coast

Langebaan's beautiful location overlooking the Langebaan Lagoon in West Coast National Park has made this seaside resort a favorite vacation destination with South Africans. The town is known for its water sports, particularly kite-surfing and windsurfing on the lagoon. For those seeking something less strenuous, there are phenomenal sunset views and a few good beaches, the best of which is Langebaan Beach, which is very popular with swimmers.

Nahoon Beach, East London, Eastern Cape

Pristine Nahoon Beach in East London will appeal to sunbathers and surfers alike. At the southern end of the beach is Nahoon Reef, which has excellent surfing opportunities. The Nahoon River mouth provides safe swimming for those a little less confident in the pounding surf.

Clifton 4th Beach and Camps Bay, Cape Town

Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th beaches all offer top sunbathing spots and exhilarating (read: freezing) swimming conditions. But it's 4th Beach that really stands out. This is the only Blue Flag beach among the four sheltered stretches of sand along Victoria Road and is popular with families. On calm summer evenings, especially the night of Valentine's Day, couples and groups of young people have candlelit picnics on 4th from sunset onwards. Nearby Camps Bay, another Blue Flag beach, with soft white sand and a backdrop of the spectacular Twelve Apostles range (part of Table Mountain), is one of the city’s most popular beaches. However, it's also one of the windiest, and it gets very crowded.

Second Beach, Port St Johns, Wild Coast

Second Beach is Port St Johns 's heart and soul. Locals come to this idyllic stretch of sand to while away the hot days and party as the sun goes down. Wandering down to the shallows for a paddle and spotting Nguni cows lounging on the sand are classic Port St Johns experiences. That said, be aware of rip currents and sharks.

Cape Peninsula beaches

The Cape Peninsula has some excellent beaches, which you may even have to yourself (but take care if you go swimming – the sea is perilous, and there are no lifeguards). The best ones are Platboom Beach, Bordjiesrif on the peninsula's more sheltered eastern side, and neighboring Buffels Bay, which has a large tidal pool for safe swimming. Maclear Beach, near the main car park, is good for walks or diving but is too rocky for enjoyable swimming. Farther towards Cape Point is the beautiful Diaz Beach, where swimming is not allowed because of the strong currents.

Coffee Bay, Wild Coast

Because of its beautiful long beach and easy access to dramatic surrounding scenery, including the Hole in the Wall, the once-remote village of Coffee Bay has become something of an essential Wild Coast stop for backpackers and South African hippies. The village itself doesn't have much charm, but it's a great base for those who want to hike the coast and surf.

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Top 14 beaches in South Africa

Austria ’s cultured and charismatic capital Vienna is anything but one dimensional; the city changes with the seasons.

Winter brings jubilant Christmas markets and summer offers up delightful warm weather that entices locals to spend afternoons lounging in the city’s green spaces. An impressive array of annual events adds even more variety. Fortunately, however, some city must-dos, like whiling away an afternoon in one of town’s famed coffee houses, where everyone from Freud to Marx got their caffeine fill, can be enjoyed whatever the season.

Whether you want to see live music, sip a pint in a summer biergarten or just avoid the crowds, here’s our guide to the best time to visit Vienna.

High season: June-August; December

Best time for being outdoors

You’ll likely love summer in Vienna, seemingly everyone does – at times it can feel like the world has descended en masse on those warm days in high season. If you can put up with the crowds though, this really is a lovely time to be in the city, with the parks, vineyards, lakes and outdoor pools all perfect for a sunny afternoon. In the evening, a packed calendar of events, from film festivals to outdoor concerts, stir into life, and it feels like the whole city is out and about.

A second, shorter high season comes in December, when Christmas markets take over the city and festive holidaymakers spill in, on the hunt for (semi) unique gifts and the best gluhwein stands.

Shoulder season: September-November

Best time for taking in culture

Fall is a great time to be in the city, with less crowds, cheaper hotel prices and lingering good weather (especially in September and early October).

It’s also the time of year when the city puts on a show: the Wiesn, Vienna’s answer to Oktoberfest gets the party started in late September, Vienna Design Week brings the class in October and the city’s Comic Con, the top event for pop culture and gaming in Austria, arrives in November – expect to see a lot of impressive costumes on show.

Low season: January-May

Best time to avoid the crowds

If you want a Vienna experience that’s less chaotic, try the first part of the year. Many travelers retreat in the face of chilly temperatures, but the weather isn’t a problem in the city’s cosy coffee shops and fascinating museums, palaces and galleries. Tour the Schloss Belvedere without getting elbowed and get into any of the MuseumsQuartier ’s museums without the lines. Getting a table at a restaurant of your choice is easier too (outside of Valentine's Day week, that is!).

A top tip is to remember that the always-popular Christmas markets and skating rinks continue through January, though with far fewer crowds than in December.

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January

A new year and a new start, with few tourists. This is a time to enjoy the brisk breezes and fresh mornings of Vienna. Try ice skating on the temporary double-level(!) rink which remains standing following the festive season outside the City Hall on Rathausplatz – you can even try your hand at curling here. The city’s Christmas markets continue too, rebranded as “New Year’s Markets”, offering the same intriguing trinket stands and enticing food stalls, but without the over-the-top Christmas decorations.
Key events: New Year’s Markets, Vienna Ice Dream

February

Love is in the air in February, and Vienna is perfect for a romantic break. You’ll need to book restaurants well ahead of time if you want to dine with a special someone on February 14 (Valentine’s Day) because a lot of locals and visitors have the same idea.

If that meal goes well why not take your other half to the Opera Ball – one of the grandest dates of the year in Vienna. This annual ball at the Vienna State Opera opera house, which usually falls in mid-February and has been taking place for over 200 years, is a part of the city’s Carnival season, with various other parades and events taking place in the city.
Key events: Carnival, Opera Ball, Valentine’s Day, International Orchid Show

March

Visual arts take centre stage as winter transforms to spring in the Austrian capital and people begin to leave their heavy coats at home. Two key events are the Photo Wien show which displays the best in contemporary photography, and the noted Spark Art Fair at the Marx Halle, where you can catch the latest in modern art to purchase.
Key events: Spark Art Fair, Photo Wien

April

April sees a flurry of activity on the streets of Vienna as two key sporting events take over the city. In the Rathausplatz, and surrounding areas, cyclists show off their bikes as part of the Argus Bike Festival, with stalls and demos, as well as displays from BMXers and dirt bikers.

Later in the month, it’s the turn of the runners to take centre stage, as the city’s annual marathon takes place – taking part is like a sightseeing tour of the city, as runners pass all the key historic Habsburg sights on their extended circuit.
Key events: Argus Bike Festival, Vienna Marathon

May

Austrians love a beer and Vienna’s Bier Festival is a mainstay of the city’s events calendar. Biergardens are set up all over the city in May, and with the sun shining and temperatures rising, you’ll find much merriment taking place. For something more cultured, try the Vienna short film festival, Vienna Shorts, which has been going for two decades and provides a great platform for up-and-coming filmmakers.
Key events: Vienna Bier Festival, Vienna Shorts, Vienna Wine Festival

June

The first month of high season sees all kinds of cultural displays taking place, including the Vienna Festwochen, with shows covering theatre, art, dance, and everything in between, happening across the city. Also in June, the Vienna Jazz Festival provides a smooth soundtrack to the long summer nights, while street fashion lovers should check out the Fesch’Market, which gives space to new young designers in a large industrial space.
Key events: Vienna Festwochen, Vienna Jazz Festival, Danube Canal Festival, Fesch’Market

July

Cinema is huge in Vienna, and July’s warm evenings mean serious al fresco film festival action, with the Dotdotdot Short Film Festival, the Frame Out art film festival in MuseumsQuartier and the Town Hall Square Film Festival in Rathausplatz kicking off in July and running into September.

Cinephiles should also make time for a visit to the Austrian Film Museum, which is home to a collection of approximately 31,000 films, and hosts a handful of showings every day. Away from film, Popfest, a cool music festival, comes to town.
Key events: Frameout Film Festival, Dotdotdot Film Festival, Town Hall Square Film Festival, Popfest

August

In August, the hottest month in Vienna, the city can become excessively toasty and citizens cool off at the seasonal stranbads and lidos (beaches and pools) that open up from May until September. It’s a big Viennese tradition to hit the pool or river beach on hot weekends and the biggest and best is the remarkable Gansehaufel Island with mid-century architecture, space for thousands of bathers and a playpark for kids.
Key events: Seasonal Strandbads, Vienna Classic Days

September

By September, the students have started back at university and locals go back to work following summer vacation. Not everyone’s hard at work though: the Wiesn, Vienna’s answer to Oktoberfest, sees big-time beer drinking and oompah music round off the summer season.

Also in September is Waves, a brilliant little music festival which takes place at the WUK venue and showcases emerging talent and the best new bands from around Europe – it’s a place to discover the stars of the future.
Key events: Waves, Wiesen

October

History and design fans get their chance to experience the best Vienna has to offer in October with the annual Long Night of The Museums at the start of the month, with museums and galleries across the city open after dark and beckoning people in with music and other special treats. Alongside this, Vienna’s note-worthy Design Week is Europe’s largest and has been taking place since 2007. Expect talks, launches, displays and other surprises from across the worlds of graphic design, fashion, architecture and product design.
Key events: Vienna Design Week, Long Night of The Museums

November

November offers something for those who like their culture on the slightly nerdier end of the spectrum, with sci-fi nuts and comic fans gathering, usually in impressive costumes, at the city’s large-scale Comic Con event, where all kinds of leftfield films, TV, comics and books are celebrated. Music fans, meanwhile, will want to check out the Wien Modern Festival, where avant garde musicians and new composers are given the space to play their newest and boldest arrangements.
Key events: Comic Con, Wien Modern

December

Christmas time in Vienna means that Mitteleuropean staple that gets the tourists coming back every year. Yes, it’s the Christmas Market season; and Vienna has lots and lots of them, from the mainstream, like the village of stalls (lined with festive staples like wooden toys, bratwursts, gluhwein and marzipan) that takes over Rathausplatz in front of the Town Hall, to the Spittelberg iteration, where stalls tend to focus on more artisan items, like jewellery. The city’s event calendar finishes with a bang as firework displays mark the coming of a new year.
Key events: Christmas Markets, New Year Fireworks

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Immortalized in inky brushstrokes for millennia, China ’s mist-swathed landscapes offer some of the most evocative and spectacular hiking scenery anywhere in the world.

Whether you’re following in the footsteps of Confucius on the slopes of Mount Tai, marching between watchtowers on the Great Wall, or battling vertigo among the gravity-defying spires of Zhangjiajie, you’ll find jaw-dropping vistas at every turn.

What you won’t find so readily is meditative serenity. Hiking is booming in the world’s most populous nation, and some of the most famous trails have actually been pilgrimage sites for centuries. On many routes, you'll find heavy crowds and paved paths, steps and handrails running most of the way. But fear not; it only takes a bit of tactical planning to sidestep the crowds and carve out a slice of majestic scenery all for yourself.

Here are the best places to start walking.

Tai Shan, Shandong Province

Best hike through history

5.5 miles (8.9km), 5–7 hours, strenuous (unless you take the cable car)

A treasure trove of Chinese culture, Tai Shan is China’s most sacred peak for devotees of Taoism. The magnificent Dai Temple at the base of the mountain is the traditional starting point for pilgrims – don’t miss the enormous Song dynasty mural depicting the god of Tai Shan mountain making the sacred ascent. Now steel yourself: from the temple’s north gate, it’s a steady march up 6600 steps to the top.

The trek – also known as the Central Route – passes Buddhist and Taoist temples, cliff-face calligraphy and ancient legends at every turn. There’s so much to discover along the way that you might even forget how much your legs ache. The final, most spectacular stretch takes you through the painted South Gate to Heaven and on to the summit area. There are guest houses here if you want to stay and catch the sunrise, but cable cars and a shuttle bus back to the valley floor mean you can comfortably make it up and down in a day.

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Hua Shan, Shaanxi Province

Best hike for extreme thrills

3.7 miles (6km), 4–8 hours, strenuous

The sacred mountain of Hua Shan in Shaanxi, a famous destination for Taoist pilgrims, has thousands of steps, five granite peaks, transcendent views, and, if you’re in the mood for it, several gravity-defying diversions. The so-called Soldier’s Path climbs almost vertically up the mountain on shallow rock-cut steps, with only a metal chain to hold on to.

Even more thrilling is the Plank Walk, a path of rickety wooden boards, just inches wide, hugging a cliff face above a chasm dropping 2000m (6562ft). It’s said the route was first built in the Yuan dynasty by a Taoist hermit seeking self-cultivation. Thankfully, modern-day pilgrims get a safety harness and carabiners for the via ferrata-style ascent.

Gubeikou Great Wall, Beijing

Best hike for Game of Thrones-style ruins

9 miles (15km), 5–6 hours, moderate

Only a few stretches of the Great Wall around Beijing have been restored for tourists; the rest is wild, crumbling and remote, presenting thrilling hiking opportunities for the adventurous wanderer. For an easy dip into the Great Wall, consider the uncrowded and unrestored section of the wall at Jiankou rather than the busy restored sections at Badaling and Mutianyu.

For the full "wild wall" experience, the town of Gubeikou, once a heavily guarded pass into Beijing, sees the wall soaring off in opposite directions. The section climbing Crouching Tiger Mountain takes off like a rollercoaster with incredible views of other sections of wall racing away on distant crags. On the other side, Coiled Dragon Mountain offers a gentler climb between dozens of partially collapsed watchtowers, passing through rugged scenery all the way to Jinshanling, a recently restored section of the fortification.

Note that public access to the wild sections of the Great Wall isn’t guaranteed, so it’s advisable to go with a reputable company such as Beijing Hikers – they can share the latest intel on which sections are open to trekkers.

Huangshan, Anhui Province

Best hike to find your artistic muse

6–15 miles, 10–25km, moderate

Knotted by shapely pine trees, the mist-swathed peaks of Yellow Mountain (Huangshan), have long been a muse for China’s most esteemed painters and poets. For your own dose of inspiration, trek the scenic Eastern Steps up to the summit area – a 7.5km (4.6 miles) trip one-way – where you can stay overnight, recuperate and catch the sunrise at the evocatively-named Beginning to Believe Peak.

Afterward, strike out on trails that lead to fancifully named views like "Flower Blooming on a Brush Tip," named for a paintbrush-shaped granite formation towering 1630m (5348ft), with a lone pine tree sprouting out of the top. If the tour group scrums get too much, exit stage left by hiking the less-visited West Sea Canyon, a 4-hour loop covering 8.5km (5.3 miles) of hair-raising dips and ascents.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan Province

Best hike for otherworldly vibes

7 miles (11km), 4–6 hours, easy to moderate

This mind-blowing landscape of soaring rock pinnacles choked in subtropical vegetation is so otherworldly it provided the inspiration for Pandora, the alien world depicted in James Cameron’s hit movie Avatar.

The most famous trail at Zhangjiajie is the 90-minute path through the heights of Yuanjiajie, accessed via the world’s highest outdoor elevator (built into a sheer cliff face). Tour groups jostle for space to photograph the Southern Sky Column, a vertical pinnacle over a kilometer tall, before crossing a vertigo-inducing, natural rock bridge between twin spires 357m (1171ft) above the canyon floor.

Once you’ve battled through the crowds, you can descend to the relative serenity of the Golden Whip Stream, following a 6km (3.7-mile) trail cutting along the lush canyon floor, as rock towers, giant trees and wild macaques cavort overhead.

Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi Province

Best hike to experience rural China

7.4 miles (12km), 4 hours, easy

This village-to-village trek cuts a dreamy swathe through the miraculous rice terraces between Ping’an and Dazhai, known as the "Dragon’s Backbone" because of their resemblance to overlapping scales. As you traverse narrow paved paths and raised causeways, you’ll have countless chances to photograph the swirling cascades of paddy fields draped over the surrounding mountains – weather permitting, of course.

Best of all, you’ll be far more likely to bump into local Zhuang or Yao rice farmers rather than other tourists. Engineered by hand over generations by farming families from the two villages, the spectacular rice terraces are at their best in May and June when the first vivid green rice shoots appear above the irrigated paddies.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan Province

Best hike in southwest China

15.7 miles (25km), 2 days (10–15 hours), moderate

A perennial favorite for backpackers, this famous route follows switchback donkey trails that skirt one of the world’s deepest gorges, rising almost 4000m (13,123ft) from the frothing waters of the Jinsha River up to the snow-capped peaks of the Haba massif and Jade Dragon Snow Mountains.

It’s a spectacular trek and best tackled over at least two days; lively guesthouses with gorgeous views and fridges amply stocked with beer line the trail. A dramatically steep detour down to the Middle Rapids is where you’ll find the Tiger Leaping Stone, the spot where, as legend tells it, a tiger jumped across the river – all 25m (82ft) of it – giving the gorge its name.

Ganden to Samye, Tibet Autonomous Prefecture

Best hike for serious trekkers

50 miles (80km), 4–5 days, strenuous

You’ll need all the appropriate permits, guides and pack animals to take on this trek between Ganden Monastery, founded in 1409, and the busy Buddhist town of Samye, with its own historic monastery dripping with murals and statues. Entry rules for Tibet are complicated and you'll need to make all arrangements with a licensed tour operator.

The route, within easy reach of the capital, Lhasa, crosses two passes above 5000m (16,400ft), taking in serene alpine landscapes, glacial lakes, yak herding camps and sacred sights. The undisputed highlight is exploring the two monasteries, which have been impressively restored since the ravages of the Cultural Revolution.

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Renowned for transparent waters that gently lap the soft white sands, Barbados is the vision of Caribbean daydreams. But there’s plenty more to do on this culturally rich island than just lounging in the sun.

With first-class adventure sports, historical hikes, and dramatic caves to explore – along with a cracking nightlife and legendary rum distilleries that fuel boisterous festivals – there’s never a dull moment on Barbados. We’ve picked some of the best things to do to fill the days in one of the most fascinating destinations in the Eastern Caribbean.

Go horseback riding along the Atlantic coast

Without a doubt, one of the best vantage points from which to admire the rugged wilderness on the Atlantic coast of Barbados is on the back of a horse.

A top pick for riders is Bath Beach, where you’ll find golden sands, farmland strewn with boulders, clear running streams, and tracts of forest inhabited by cheeky monkeys. While the scenery is memorable, the highlight of a ride here is heading into the calm waters to cool off with your mount, the waves crashing into the reef just offshore and the sweet smell of the sea hanging in the air.

The romantically minded should try an evening ride to watch the Atlantic waters shimmering under the moonlight. For strong, healthy horses and wonderfully enthusiastic guides try Ocean Echo Stables in St John parish.

Sail the Platinum Coast

Barbados’ western shores aren’t called the Platinum Coast for nothing. The area extending north from Payne’s Bay past Holetown is home to some of the most enchanting stretches of sand on the island, not to mention extravagant villas of the rich and famous.

Visitors can get to know this flashy part of the country on sailing trips from the capital of Bridgetown, which make stops for snorkeling with turtles or exploring a reef or shipwreck. Many sailing excursions also include cocktails and gourmet snacks for those that want an A-list-style party. The Calabaza offers small group tours and serves a powerful rum punch.

Let loose at Crop Over Festival

To see Barbados really cut loose, plan a trip during early August to experience the climax of the island’s most important cultural event, the Crop Over Festival.

Tracing its origins to enslaved Africans’ celebrations to mark the end of the sugarcane harvest, the over 200-year-old festival has grown into a three-month marathon of concerts, performances, and parties, backed by a booming calypso and soca soundtrack.

The main event is the Grand Kadooment, a massive parade with 15,000 brightly costumed bands and dancers following trucks laden with speakers through the streets of Bridgetown. Mobile bars keep festivalgoers well-lubricated until the early hours.

Visitors are most welcome to join in the celebrations, but will need to register with one of the dozen-plus participating bands to purchase a matching costume and book a spot in the parade. And keep an eye out for Barbados’ biggest star – Rihanna – a frequent attendee of the annual bacchanal.

Indulge at Oistins Fish Fry

Barbados’ biggest bash takes place in Oistins every Friday night, when it seems like half the island descends on this little village in the southwest for the legendary fish fry. The winning formula is a simple one: fresh fish, cold beer and top tunes.

Dozens of little kiosks serve up everything from grilled fish (flying fish, tuna and swordfish) to shellfish to chicken to pork chops. (Whatever you order, and don’t forget the macaroni pie.) Wash it all down with a cold beverage or cocktail as you watch local musicians get the crowd moving. Competing sound systems ensure the party carries on long after the plates are cleared away.

Snorkel in the Carlisle Bay Marine Reserve

With five shipwrecks and a plethora of reef and predatory fish as well as a multitude of turtles, all in shallow waters, the Carlisle Bay Marine Reserve, just offshore from Bridgetown, is a fantastic site for snorkeling. Check out the Berwyn: this 70ft French tugboat sunk in 1919 and is now covered in vibrant coral that attracts a phenomenal array of colorful fish.

Most of the sites aren’t too far from the shore and can be reached via a relaxing swim. If you’re having trouble dislodging yourself from the lounger, many of the beach clubs lining the bay offer free transport out to the reefs.

Surf the Soup Bowl

Offering some of the Caribbean’s best waves, this heavy right-handed barrel breaks in seven feet of water just offshore from Bathsheba, the “biggest” town on Barbados’ sparsely populated Atlantic Coast. Even non-surfers will get a kick out of watching riders take on this powerful wave from the safety of the ruggedly beautiful beach.

For anyone wanting to hone their skills before taking on the Soup Bowl, the island also has great waves for beginners, such as those at Freight’s Bay. You can also sign up for a lesson at any of the island’s excellent surf schools.

Sample Bridgetown’s rum shops and street food

To get to know some of Bridgetown’s larger-than-life characters and take in some juicy town gossip, pay a visit to the rum shops of Baxter’s Road. Depending on how you define them, there are between 1,000 and 12,000 rum shops in Barbados, and these Bajan takes on the dive bar have been part of the country’s history for generations.

Inside, you won’t find much in the way of music, generally – but jovial conversations are guaranteed. Many rum shops sell homemade snacks, and even more treats can be sourced from vendors and little stalls that line the road.

Try the legendary Pink Star Bar, which stays open all night to serve traditional Barbadian favorites such as liver cutters (chicken liver pâté sandwiches) and steppers (fried chicken feet) to tipsy patrons.

Explore Animal Flower Cave

While the popular Harrison’s Cave in central Barbados draws the crowds, this seaside grotto in the craggy cliffs of St Lucy in the remote north offers a more island-style nature experience. The only way down the cliffs is via a set of stairs carved into a blowhole. Guided tours are available.

The first chamber has many shallow pools that contain the urchins that give the cave its name. Then it opens out to the sea through a diamond-shaped hole in the rocks that just begs to be the backdrop for a spectacular silhouetted selfie.

In the second cavern, you’ll find a 6.5ft-deep (2m) natural rock pool with calm waters cut off from the world but for the crashing of the waves below the narrow opening. Look forward to one of the Caribbean’s most magical swims.

Discover the food scene in Speightstown

Way up the west coast, past all the glitz and glamour of the Platinum Coast, unassuming Speightstown is a traditional seaside village that’s fast becoming one of Barbados’ culinary stars.

With little traffic and an inviting promenade, Speightstown has a dynamic dining scene that includes gourmet cafés like Juma’s and the Orange Street Grocers, alongside unpretentious pubs that serve hearty traditional fare like wharf-fresh flying fish and cou-cou, Barbados’ national dish.

It’s a great place for a stroll followed by a bite – but make sure to leave some room for sweet delights from the PRC Bakery, which churns out the island’s most perfect pastries. The coconut slice is the big seller; the off-menu currant rolls are out of this world.

Arrive early to catch the stunning Speightstown sunset.

Taste history at Mount Gay Rum Distillery

Since the world’s first fun was distilled on Barbadian sugarcane plantations in the 17th century, it’s fitting that the island is home to the world’s oldest operating distillery, Mount Gay Rum. Founded in 1703, the Mount Gay distillery in the northern district of St Lucy is famed for its blended rums. Visitors can observe the process up close during a tour of the facility, which covers both the history of the site and modern distilling processes.

Each tour ends with the tastings (nine rums on the Premium Flight Experience) – so eat a filling breakfast (think a bake and saltfish, or fried bread with salted cod). And don’t confuse the distillery with the modern tasting center in Brandons Beach, which is nowhere near as atmospheric.

Hike through Welchman Hall Gully

Barbados was once covered with jungle – until the British established an economy based on the cultivation of sugarcane, a crop that devastated the native ecosystem. Today, unfortunately, only small pockets of bush remain.

A good place to imagine how the island once looked is Welchman Hall Gully, a nearly mile-long cliffside path (1.2km). In addition to a resident troop of green monkeys, the lush site is said to be the source of Barbados’ best-selling export after Rihanna: the grapefruit.

The gully offers a family-friendly excursion, with a smooth paved path for strollers as well as rabbits and tortoises that keep young travelers entertained. Don’t miss the lookout on the way out, which affords one of the island’s most magnificent views. Through towering palms, you’ll see all the way to the Atlantic.

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Set within some of New Mexico ’s most beautiful landscapes, Santa Fe is a natural stunner.

It’s also a city dedicated to preserving the arts, culture and the natural environment of New Mexico, which can be experienced first hand in any of its 68 developed parks, 26 undeveloped parks and 170 miles of trails. These are some of the best parks in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe Plaza

At least a million people visit the historic Santa Fe Plaza every year, to enjoy the grassy square's trees, benches, gazebo and bandstand. In the summer, live music brings visitors and locals alike to the plaza for dancing, socializing and people-watching. Food and art vendors are also a common sight, and the plaza is surrounded by fabulous restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, as well as the historic Palace of the Governors, built in 1610. Now one of the world’s greatest centers of art and culture, many of the most important moments in New Mexico history happened on this plaza.

The word plaza in Spanish is used to describe the heart of a city, and this particular area has been the central place for gathering since the city was colonized by Spain in 1610. In 1917, five years after statehood, Spanish was banned in New Mexico schools bringing an end to its official bilingual status. However, the Spanish language remains prominent in the names of places, like the Plaza, and a unique Old World dialect of Spanish is still spoken in New Mexico, along with eight distinct Indigenous languages.

In August and September, all of these languages can be heard spoken on the plaza during the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest Indigenous art weekend in the world, which is followed by the Fiestas de Santa Fe. The Fiestas were established in 1712 to commemorate the reconquest of Santa Fe. In 1680 the Pueblo people banded together in revolt against the Spanish in the only successful uprising against a colonizing power in North America. The revolt, which drove the invaders out of Northern New Mexico for 12 years, came after the Spanish Governor of New Mexico ordered several Pueblo holy men to be publicly whipped and executed on the plaza. The reenactment of Spain's reconquest has long been a point of contention between the Hispano community and Indigenous communities that view it as a glorification of genocide.

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The Soldiers Monument, the iconic obelisk at the center of the plaza, was a landmark for 152 years, but had long been a subject of controversy for the phrase on the north-facing panel that read: “To the heroes who have fallen in the various battles with savage Indians in the territory of New Mexico.” In 1972 the word “savage” was chiseled away, but the bad feelings toward what the monument represented remained. On Indigenous Peoples Day, October 12, 2020, the Soldiers Monument was toppled by Native American activists and non-Native allies using ropes.

Cathedral Park

Looking east from the plaza you will come face to face with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi, built by Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy between 1869 and 1886 in the Romanesque Revival style. Chiseled into the stone design above the entrance is a triangle with the Hebrew letters that identify Yahweh. According to most historians, Lamy had the letter placed there in thanks to the Jewish merchants who helped fund the cathedral’s construction. However, in 2016, the Albuquerque Journal reported that according to a history written by Floyd Fierman, a rabbi and historian in El Paso, TX, there was no evidence to support this theory, claiming instead that such inscriptions were not unusual in cathedrals in Europe.

Whatever the true history may be, the inclusion of Yahweh points to a larger history of New Mexico’s “crypto-Jews.” Upon a 1492 decree that all the Jews in Spain must either convert to Catholicism or leave the country, many accepted the baptism but continued to secretly practice their faith. By the mid-1600s, many of these converts, or conversos, migrated into New Mexico in an attempt to flee the Inquisition in Spain, ultimately dodging the attention of the authorities. After 500 years of secrecy, this history has surfaced in the media, resulting in a renewed interest amongst the Hispano community in reconnecting with their Sephardic ancestry.

In front of the cathedral, between statues of Lamy and St. Francis stands a statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, by Jemez Pueblo sculptor Estella Loretto. Kateri was the first Native American to be canonized in 2012.

Circle the beautiful cathedral grounds to the north and you’ll find a quiet, shady park with benches for a rest and trees that are ideal for reading a book under, particularly on a lazy summer afternoon. Here, too, once stood a statue that has become a thing of the past along, with the plaza's obelisk. The bronze statue of Don Diego de Vargas was removed by Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber for “safekeeping” during a season of state-wide protests in 2020 against de Vargas, the man who led the re-conquest of Santa Fe, and who many feel committed acts of genocide against New Mexico’s Indigenous people.

Despite the removal of certain statues and monuments around town, the story of New Mexico’s colonization can still be seen in Cathedral Park. In the center of the park, the bronze Settlers Monument depicts a Franciscan monk, a settler family, and a Spanish soldier with Mary La Conquistadora rising above them.

Railyard Park

This walkable, award-winning outdoor space is one of the only areas in Santa Fe where the past takes a back seat to modern art and contemporary music. A quick, 7-minute drive from the Plaza on Guadalupe Street, past Santa Fe’s legendary Cowgirl BBQ, Double Take vintage shop, and Tomasita’s, purveyors of legendary New Mexican cuisine, is this new kid on the block.

Since breaking ground in 2006, this 10-acre park has hosted many free events throughout the years, including regular art markets, farmers markets and concerts. It has play areas for kids, complete with slides and water features. Railyard Park is beautifully landscaped with over 300 trees and is in close proximity to options for food, drinks and sweet treats.

While history isn’t front and center here, the railroad has played a very interesting role in New Mexico's history. The train brought folks from the East Coast into New Mexico, past many of the Pueblos. This contact with outsiders, who were eager to take home trinkets from the West, created a market for Native American artwork, and art forms like Pueblo pottery or Navajo jewelry were suddenly in high demand and Indigenous families were, sometimes for the first time ever, able to bring home an income.

Shidoni Gallery

While Shidoni isn’t technically a park and not technically in Santa Fe, it absolutely belongs on this list of the city's beautiful natural spaces. Located in the village of Tesuque, 12 minutes north of Santa Fe, this 5-acre sculpture garden has been capturing the imagination since it opened in 1971. There are many benches on-site and visitors are encouraged to wander the property and make themselves at home. Built on an old apple orchard, there are now over 100 artists represented and at least as many sculptures in a wide variety of styles.

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Argentina offers lively cities and tranquil wildernesses, majestic waterfalls and soaring mountains – not to mention wildlife-filled wetlands, glorious architecture and renowned steakhouses.

If you’re not sure where to go in Argentina, here’s our list of 12 places that shouldn’t be missed, from national parks blanketed with glaciers to vineyards in the shadow of the Andes.

Buenos Aires

Best for eating out

Sultry tango clubs and cacophonous football matches, beautiful barrios (neighbourhoods) and historic cemeteries, world-class museums and raucous nightlife – Buenos Aires has everything you need. Above all, the Argentinan capital is a fantastic place to eat out. Its parrillas (steakhouses) – such as Don Julio, named the best restaurant in Latin America in 2020 – serve the finest beef on the planet. But there is also a multitude of international joints, serving everything from Armenian to Peruvian cuisine, plus an ice cream parlour on virtually every block.

The Pampas

Best for experiencing cowboy life

The flat, fertile grasslands that cover much of central Argentina are known as the Pampas, dominated by the cattle industry and synonymous with gaucho (cowboy) culture. For an introduction to rural life head to the town of San Antonio de Areco, whose museum and annual Dia de la Tradición festival showcase all things gaucho. Follow this up with a few nights at one of the many estancias (ranches) scattered across the region, which offer horseriding, polo lessons, and traditional asados (barbecues).

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Buenos Aires province

Best for beaches

Argentina isn’t well known for its beaches, but the Atlantic coast south of Buenos Aires is dotted with seaside resorts. Although big, brash Mar del Plata draws the biggest crowds, there are several smaller, quieter and more appealing stretches of sand. They include the forest-fringed beaches of Cariló, Mar de las Pampas and Mar Azul, great spots for sunbathers and novice surfers alike. Although you can explore Buenos Aires province’s beaches by bus, hiring a car makes things a lot easier.

Iguazú Falls

Best for epic waterfalls

Shared between Argentina and Brazil, stretching for 3km (1.85 miles) and flanked by subtropical rainforest, this magnificent string of waterfalls is one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth. A network of trails, walkways and bridges run through the surrounding national park, allowing visitors a close-up look at the 250-plus cascades and cataracts. The centrepiece is the Garganta del Diablo (“Devil’s Throat”), a seething mass of white water that produces a deafening roar and sends up great clouds of spray.

Parque Nacional Iberá

Best for birdwatching

The hot, humid wetlands of this recently created national park in northeastern Argentina are home to more than 360 species of birds, including kingfishers, jabiru storks and roseate spoonbills. Dubbed the “Argentine Pantanal”, the reserve is undergoing a major rewilding process that is introducing rare or endangered creatures, such as red-shouldered macaws. Its reed-lined channels and lagoons are best explored by boat, from which visitors can also expect to spot an abundance of mammals and reptiles, from caimans to capybaras, the world’s biggest rodent.

Salta

Best for historic architecture

In the far northwest of Argentina, near the Chilean and Bolivian borders, this charming city is known as “Salta la Linda” (“Salta the Beautiful”). On the edge of the Lerma valley, overlooked by mountains, Salta is filled with historic mansions, churches, municipal buildings and plazas, some of which date back to the city’s foundation in 1582. It also has a varied cultural scene encompassing excellent museums and galleries – such as the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, which explores Inca culture and the practice of human sacrifice – and atmospheric folk-music clubs called peñas.

Mendoza province

Best for wine tasting

Argentina is the world’s fifth biggest wine producer and the industry’s heartland is Mendoza province. In the midwest of the country, close to the Andes, the region is carpeted with vineyards and wineries, many of which offered guided tours, tastings, accommodation, and even the chance to help out with the harvest. And while Mendoza is rightly famous for its malbec, plenty of other delicious wines – red, white and rosé – are also produced in the province.

Lake District

Best for stunning landscapes

Glimmering bodies of water, emerald-green forests, and towering mountains and volcanoes dusted with snow – it’s not hard to understand why the Lake District is a traveller hotspot. The gateway to this verdant region, the northwestern part of Patagonia, is the attractive lakeside city of Bariloche. Here you can pick from a wealth of outdoor activities – from hiking and mountain biking to kayaking and skiing – inside the surrounding Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi.

Península Valdés

Best for whale watching

The frigid waters off Península Valdés, a chunk of northeastern Patagonia jutting out into the Atlantic, teem with life. A breeding ground for endangered southern right whales, who arrive in their hundreds between mid-June and stay until mid-December, they are also home to elephant seals, sea lions and orcas, as well as more than 180 species of birds.

Accessed from the town of Puerto Madryn, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a variety of boat, kayaking and diving trips, though marine life can often be spotted from the shore. Further down the coast, 155 miles (250km) south of Puerto Madryn, Punta Tombo has South America’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins.

Cueva de los Manos Pintados

Best for ancient art

In a remote canyon surrounded by Patagonian steppe, the “Cave of the Painted Hands” has an enigmatic collection of rock art created between 13,000 and 9,500 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site takes its name from the 800-plus stencilled outlines of human hands covering the walls. Red, white, black or ochre in colour, their purpose remains a tantalising mystery. There are also images of pumas, guanacos – a wild relative of the llama – and rheas, as well as hunting scenes. Guided tours are offered from the towns of Perito Moreno and Posadas.

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

Best for giant glaciers

Spanning more than 5,956 square km (2,300 sq miles) of iceberg-filled lakes, jagged Andean peaks and – most notably – an ice field of huge glaciers, this park in southern Patagonia is one of Argentina’s signature tourist attractions. The southern section – famous for the Perito Moreno Glacier – is accessed from the touristy town of El Calafate, while the northern part, a haven for hikers and climbers, is best visited from the rustic village of El Chaltén.

Ushuaia

Best for a sense of isolation

A famous sign in Ushuaia informs you that this is the “Fin del Mundo” (“End of the World”). The far-flung capital of Argentine Tierra del Fuego sits on the shore of the Beagle Channel, more than 3,000km (1,865 miles) south of Buenos Aires. It is the gateway to rugged Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, the world’s most southerly railway line, and several winter sports centres, as well as the embarkation point for cruises to Antarctica, just 1,000km (620 miles) to the south.

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