Detroit ’s top-rate galleries, creative restaurants and urban parks are worth visiting year-round, but you’ll have a very different experience of the city at different times of year.

The Motor City is a real four-season destination – which means sun-baked summers, breezy, shower-dappled springtimes, bright fall colors and winters beneath a blanket of snow.

Whenever you visit, you'll find that Detroit’s diary is packed with musical jamborees (celebrating everything from jazz to techno), plus high-profile sporting events and family-friendly festivals. Here’s a month-by-month guide to the best times to visit the Motor City.

The low season (January–February) is the best time for budget travelers

You’ll need a warm coat (and probably some snow boots) if you’re going to brave Detroit in the winter. But, if you can handle the frosty weather, this is the most affordable time to take a trip to the Motor City, and there's a certain magic to seeing Detroit buried under a cloak of snow. Hotel prices are at their lowest and you can find off-peak deals at attractions across the city. Events such as February’s Winter Blast (now relocated to the suburb of Royal Oak) celebrate the chilly season too.

Shoulder season (April–May & November–December) is a great time for museum hopping and festive cheer

By April, spring has definitely sprung and it brings moderate temperatures, low humidity and smaller crowds than peak summer. You can expect the odd, damp day in April and May, but it's easy to escape the rain in one of the city’s world-class museums, from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Michigan Science Center.

Come November, the mercury plummets and there’s a very good chance of snow, but the city sparkles with a packed roster of holiday events marking Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

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

The high season (June–October) is the best time for festivals and outdoor activities

The Motor City really shines in summer. Days are warm, sunny and moderately humid, with temperatures typically peaking at around 82°F. Detroiters spend their time lazing in parks, listening to live music by the river and biking the city’s excellent greenways.

The cultural calendar glitters too. There are art fairs, fashion shows, music festivals and more. With the sheer volume of things to do, Detroit is at its busiest (and priciest) at this time, but with the city's myriad museums, galleries and green pockets, there’s plenty of space to spread out and escape the crowds.

January

Detroit typically rings in the New Year under a blanket of snow. ‘Tis the season to bundle up and explore the city’s cultural and historical institutions – big hitter venues such as the Henry Ford Museum (in the suburb of Dearborn) see smaller crowds at this time of year.

February

February is chilly and snow-cloaked, but a series of cultural and family-friendly events bring warmth to the season. Fat Tuesday is marked by Pączki Day, when Detroiters gorge on traditional Polish pączki doughnuts (the city has the second-largest Polish population in the US, after Chicago). Then there’s the Winter Blast festival, which sees snow slides, an ice rink and live music come to the suburb of Royal Oak (or Downtown – check the current location before you come).
Key events: Pączki Day/Fat Tuesday, Winter Blast

March

Temperatures inch upwards in March and the city slowly begins to defrost. An eclectic roster of events brings Detroiters out of hibernation. A highlight is the Marche du Nain Rouge, tipped as Detroit’s answer to Mardi Gras, centered on a parade of brashly colorful floats and elaborate costumes, all designed to see off the Nain Rouge, a Detroit demon that’s said to bring bad luck to the city. The Motor City Blues Festival brings big names to the historic Fox Theatre on Woodward.
Key events: Marche du Nain Rouge, Motor City Blues Festival, St Patrick’s Day Parade, Greek Independence Day Parade

April

If you’re a sports fan, April is a great month to base yourself in Detroit. The Detroit Tigers ' Opening Day sees the city’s beloved baseball team take to Comerica Park for the start of the season. Temperatures are mild, but the weather remains changeable – don’t stow away your raincoat just yet.
Key events: Metro Times Blowout, Detroit Tigers Opening Day

May

Blooms and beats define the Motor City in May. Locals embrace rising temperatures with the Movement Electronic Music Festival (did you know Detroit is the birthplace of techno?) and the Eastern Market Flower Day sees the city's fabled marketplace overflowing with floral color.
Key events: Movement Electronic Music Festival, Eastern Market Flower Day

June

As June rolls in, and temperatures climb upwards, the best place to be is beside the Detroit River. The Detroit River Days festival brings everyone down to the waterfront for music from local artists, street food and kids’ amusements. The city goes all out for Pride too, with rainbow-colored celebrations at Hart Plaza downtown.
Key events: Detroit River Days, Ford Fireworks, Motor City Pride Festival

July

Temperatures typically peak in July and in the center of town, Campus Martius Park is buzzing with life. Folks soak up the sun, sinking their toes into the sand at the temporary man-made beach (usually installed in May). American Independence Day is celebrated across the city with everything from fireworks to cookouts.
Key events: Fourth of July fireworks

August

The warm temperatures linger into August, when the city hosts the Belle Isle Art Fair, a free show that sees fine art, photography and sculpture take over Detroit’s island park.
Key events: Belle Isle Art Fair

September

Football kicks off again in September, with sports fans gearing up to cheer on the Detroit Lions for the season. It’s still warm enough for the Tour de Troit Ride, which sees hundreds of cyclists roll through the city on a 25.6-mile circuit.
Key events: Detroit Jazz Festival, Tour de Troit Ride

October

The sunny days hang around well into October in Detroit, as fall takes hold of the city. Fat pumpkins nose up to shop windows in preparation for Halloween, and the hockey season kicks off, with the Red Wings returning to Little Caesars Arena. Fall is a great time for day trips from Detroit, too; quaint cities such as Plymouth and Rochester Hills are awash with cider mills and orchards offering apple picking.
Key events: Detroit Free Press Marathon, Fash Bash, Dally in the Alley, Halloween celebrations

November

Temperatures take a nosedive in November and the city shows the first signs of the approaching holiday season. Towards the end of the month, an ice rink springs up in Campus Martius Park and the America’s Thanksgiving Parade sees mammoth floats, marching bands and costumed Detroiters troop through Downtown.
Key events: America’s Thanksgiving Parade

December

Jack Frost has Detroit in an iron grip in December, but festive cheer brings a definite coziness to the city streets. Attractions like the Detroit Zoo are flooded with lights, there’s a glittering, Rockefeller-style tree in Campus Martius Park and the stores along Woodward Avenue bustle with shoppers. There are lively, firework-filled New Year’s Eve celebrations right across town too.
Key events: Noel Night, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village, New Year’s Eve

You may also like:
Best day trips from Detroit: 5 quick getaways for beer, birdlife and Bavarian architecture
The best free things to do in Detroit from art deco architecture to edgy street art
Experience the Great Lakes on one epic road trip

The best times of year to enjoy Detroit 

Colorado is the sweetheart of the Rockies, a place that showcases the natural beauty of the west, from mountain peaks and aspen forests to river valleys and high desert mesas.

Granted, some of the state's top draws are anything but cheap – a ski vacation can cost you a pretty penny – but there are plenty of affordable activities, and some that don’t even cost a dime. Bargains can be had on lodging too, and there are deals on high-ticket items, if you know where (and when) to look. Here are our best tips for getting by on a budget in Colorado.

Flying into Denver is often the cheapest way into the state

Denver International Airport (DIA) is the region’s hub and one of the busiest airports in the country, with direct flights to hundreds of destinations. Fortunately, the large number of flights means lots of opportunities for deals, including on low-cost airlines like Southwest, Frontier and Spirit.

If you’re headed further afield, there are also several smaller commercial airports throughout the state. Flights are typically more expensive (and often involve connecting through DIA), but they let you avoid the cost and hassle of renting a car or taking a shuttle from Denver. It’s worth crunching the numbers for the total door-to-door cost before booking any flights.

Avoid renting a car at the airport

Traveling by car is the most enjoyable way to see Colorado, with mountain vistas and historic towns seemingly around every bend. But car rentals don’t come cheap, often starting around $60 to $70 per day from many Coloradan airports. However, prices drop significantly if you book off-site, which cuts out hefty airport taxes and fees. A quick cab ride to the nearest town’s rental agency can save you hundreds on a week-long trip.

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

Take a shuttle to ski towns from Denver International Airport

If you’re traveling solo or in a small group, it can often be cheaper to take a shuttle to the mountains instead of renting a car. Epic Mountain Express and Summit Express provide door-to-door shuttle service from DIA to Aspen, plus the major resort towns along I-70, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper, Breckenridge and Keystone. Resorts provide free bus service around town and to nearby ski resorts. If you need a car for a day or two, you can always rent one there.

Travel during the low season

From April to May (aka mud season), prices fall as Colorado's ski season winds down. October and November bring another lull, as the weather begins to cool and the fall colors disappear. In mountain towns especially, low season means a slash in rates – sometimes up to half off – for everything from hotels and guided excursions to spa treatments and even pints of beer.

Still, the sun shines as bright as ever, making it easy to enjoy the outdoors without the crowds or the costs. And don’t forget about the state’s cities – discounts aren’t as pronounced, but hotel rates do fall in the low season, and there are loads of cultural offerings year-round.

When to visit Colorado

Stay in a hostel

A growing number of Colorado’s cities and mountain towns have modern hostels, still catering to travelers on a budget yet featuring swanky style and boutique amenities. Most offer private rooms with shared bathrooms, though dorms are where it’s at if you’re looking for the ultimate bargain. Rates often include breakfast, and there are usually kitchens for making your own meals, which helps save on food costs. For hostel leads in Colorado, check out Hostelworld.

Go car camping

Car camping is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to experience Colorado. What better way to take in the state’s magnificence than to be surrounded by it? With hundreds of private and public campgrounds offering overnight stays for cheap, it’s easy to drive up and set up camp. Most have shared bathrooms and fire pits; some even have showers and camp stores. Campgrounds can fill up fast, especially on summer weekends, so make reservations in advance to guarantee a spot, both for federal lands and state park campgrounds.

Take your tent to the backcountry

If being out in the wild is more your pace – no one around and no amenities – dispersed camping is the way to go. Absolutely free, this back-to-basics camping style is permitted on federal lands, away from established campgrounds. And with almost 23 million acres of public ground in Colorado, there are countless options in the state’s national forests or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.

Stop at ranger stations or a BLM office for maps; most dispersed camping areas are accessible by dirt roads and marked with tent symbols. Be sure to pack out everything you pack in, and remember to bring a shovel to bury your poop!

Million-dollar views for nothing: the best free things to do in Colorado

Stay in a hut

If you love the wilderness but also love a roof over your head (and maybe even electricity), consider a stay in hut. Colorado has an extensive system of backcountry huts that are accessible year-round by trails and fire roads. Some are basic dry cabins, while others are nicer affairs with solar-powered lights, wood-burning stoves and even eco-compost toilets. Check out the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association and San Juan Hut System for the options; reserve early for winter stays!

Base your meals around groceries and farmers markets

Colorado’s restaurant scene ranges from simple homegrown eats to world-class dining, but eating out can add up fast. Instead, plan on prepping your own meals some or most of the time. Don’t sweat it if you don’t have a kitchen in your hotel; you can stock up on self-catered meals, snacks and fruit at local grocery stores and farmers markets – it’s remarkable how filling sliced salami, bagged salad and a baguette can be…plus, you’ll save a bundle.

Ask about discounts

Don’t be shy about asking about discounts! Children often pay less for tours, admission fees, theater tickets and public transportation, sometimes as much as half off the regular rate; ditto for students, seniors and military personnel. If you’re traveling to Denver, consider purchasing a CityPASS, a prepaid ticket package that offers significant discounts for some of the city’s top attractions. Museums around the state often offer a monthly free day too.

Buy an American the Beautiful Pass

Colorado is home to four national parks – Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison – together offering spectacular vistas and wildlife spotting, geological marvels and echoes of ancient civilizations. Each park is vastly different from the other, but all are unmissable for their hiking trails, scenic drives and out-and-out adventuring.

Admission runs $25 to $35 per vehicle (including all occupants). If you know you’ll be visiting more than two national parks, it’s worth buying an American the Beautiful Pass ($80), which includes entry to them all. The pass also includes admission to all federal recreation lands for an entire year, including Colorado’s eight national monuments – an excuse to explore further (or to come back!).

The best places to go to find your own piece of Colorado

If you plan to ski or ride, sniff out the deals

Colorado is one of the most expensive ski destinations in the country, with single-day tickets pushing $225 at some resorts. If you’ll only be hitting the slopes for a day or two, you can save a few bucks by buying your tickets online. Going midweek or late in the season also often means lower lift-ticket prices. And if push comes to shove, many resorts offer half-day tickets.

If you’ll be skiing or riding for three days or more, it may well be cheaper to buy a multiday “pack” (usually good for three to five days) or even a full season pass. It may sound excessive, but buying day passes adds up fast. Check out the various Epic and Ikon options, most of which can be used at multiple resorts; just be sure to read the fine print for restrictions and blackout days. For the best rates, buy before Labor Day.

Top ski resorts in Colorado for beginners to powder hounds

Daily costs

Ski-town shuttles: Free
Lift tickets: $85–225
State park campsite: $18–28
Hostel (dorm bed): $35–85
Basic room for two: from $90
Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from $100
Cup of coffee: $3–5
Sandwich: $8–14
Dinner for two (without drinks): $30–100
Pint of craft beer: $6–12

You might also like:
How to get around in Colorado
Top things to do in Colorado that are simply unmissable
Wildflowers to fourteeners - these are the best hikes in Colorado

Colorado on a budget

France has changed the rules of its health pass ( pass sanitaire) by removing the testing option for those over 16 and making it a vaccine pass ( pass vaccinal). Many people, including tourists, now need a COVID-19 booster shot to access places in France where the pass is required too under the latest rule changes.

Trying to get your head around the rules of the COVID passes in France can be confusing as the rules are constantly in flux. Under the latest change, people between the age of 12 and 16 can use the health pass which indicates the holder is vaccinated against COVID-19, has recently recovered from it, or has tested negative in the past 24 hours. However, since January 24, the health pass is a vaccine pass for the over-16s

The passes are compulsory across many places in France (there's little you can do without one). They can be presented on smartphones or in paper format with a QR code that is scanned upon entry.

The vaccine pass also has a booster condition and people over the age of 18 who have received their second dose of a primary vaccine course more than seven months ago must get a booster shot to keep the pass active. From February 15 that timeframe will be reduced to four months. Teenagers aged 12-17 can continue to use their pass without a booster.

This rule also applies to tourists visiting France. While they don't need a booster to enter the country, they will need one to access venues where the health pass is required.

If you're traveling to France, here's a guide to understanding what the health pass is, where you need to present it, and how you can apply for it—wherever you're traveling from.

Do I need a health or vaccine pass to enter France?

No, the pass is only used to access domestic services and venues in France. "[The pass] does not apply in the contect of heath control at the borders," a spokesperson for the Health Ministry told Lonely Planet. The documentation you need to enter France during the pandemic varies depending on where you are coming from. You can learn more about what's required in our Health Hub guide to France .

Once you're in France, you'll need to have the pass.

Read more: France travel during COVID-19: What it felt like to visit this winter

What is the vaccine pass?

The pass vaccinal (vaccine pass) indicates that the holder has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In France, people over the age of 18 must now have a booster shot to keep their pass active. That means they must get their booster no more than seven months after receiving the second dose of an AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or no more than two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

From February 15, the rules will change again and the seven-month window will be reduced to four months.

Previously people could access the pass with a negative COVID-19 test but that option has been removed for people over the age of 16.

Tourists will need to show proof of a booster shot if they are over the age of 18 to enter venues where the pass is required. Children and teenagers who are not fully vaccinated with booster shots can access the pass by testing negative in the past 24 hours with either a PCR or antigen test.

Those vaccinated with Sinopharm or Sinovac can also apply for a French health pass if they have had a single booster dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

How can tourists apply for the health and vaccine pass?

If you're traveling from the EU or any country signed up to the EU digital COVID cert program, you can present your digital COVID-19 certificate or any approved European health certificate that documents your vaccination and booster status. The French embassy in Germany confirms that if the certificate issued to you appears with a European flag, your certificate is compatible and "will be recognised during [checks] in France in the same way as French certificates."

If you're traveling from the UK, the French government confirmed that people vaccinated in the UK can now import their NHS QR code into the TousAntiCovid app. They can also present a digital or paper NHS certificate showing their full vaccine status as it's recognized by the EU's digital COVID certificate system.

If you're traveling from the US you must apply in person through a dedicated pharmacy in France when you arrive in the country. You'll be required to pay a fee of up to €36 (about US$44) for the service. However, it's important to note that not all pharmacies offer this service. You might find one easily in cities such as Paris, but as you can see from this map there aren't that many participating pharmacies spread out evenly across France.

When applying, you'll be asked to show your passport and official vaccination certificate (CDC card) with your booster shot information. The pharmacist will convert the details from that certificate into the French system and provide you with a QR code that can be scanned at venues where the health pass is required.

In the meantime, a number of tourist sites are accepting the CDC vaccination card from American visitors. The Palace of Versailles confirmed to Lonely Planet that Americans are permitted to show their CDC vaccination certificate for entry, and it has been reported that the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are allowing it too but it is not generally accepted otherwise as a health pass.

If you're traveling from elsewhere, follow the same process that applies to American tourists.

French citizens can upload their vaccination or testing status to the ToutsAntiCovid app, or apply for a paper version with a QR code.

Where do I need to present it?

The pass into effect in July, granting the holder access to any leisure or cultural venue across France with a capacity of more than 50 people, including museums, galleries, theaters, cinemas, concert halls, exhibition spaces, nightclubs, discos, zoos, open-air festivals, sporting venues, theme parks, libraries, swimming pools, and tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower.

In August, it was extended to restaurants, cafes and bars (both indoors and outdoors), long-distance trains and coaches, domestic flights, hospitals, nursing homes, and large shopping malls.

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

Can I get a vaccine pass if I have recently recovered from COVID-19?

The vaccine pass also indicates the holder has recently recovered from COVID-19 (or has a medical exemption from vaccines). If you tested positive for COVID in the EU, UK or Schengen Area country then you can upload your positive test to the EU digital COVID cert app. The test must be more than 11 days old but less than six months old.

If you tested positive for COVID outside the EU, in countries such as the US, Canada or Australia, for example, you could run into difficulties. You can see what options may be available to you through the Health Ministry website.

Where can I get tested in France?

Testing is widely available in France in most pharmacies and medical facilities but you'll generally need to make an appointment in advance. Most pharmacies can do antigen tests for about €25, and PCR tests can cost about €45. When using the health pass as an unvaccinated person or without a booster, your testing status is only valid for 24 hours, which means you'll need to be regularly tested to enter venues. You can find testing locations near you through the COVID testing map.

You might also like:
England drops COVID-19 tests for vaccinated arrivals - here are the latest travel rules
Ireland lifts (almost) all COVID-19 restrictions

Explained: What do France's health and vaccine pass rules mean for tourists?

A modern European oil city built on the back of a rich maritime heritage, Aberdeen is the energetic kingpin of northeast Scotland. While the boom times may come and go, the dynamic coastal metropolis never ceases to thrill with its free museums, outdoor adventures and natural attractions right on the city’s doorstep.

Even when bracing against biting winds from the North Sea, visitors can dive indoors to take in globally renowned art, old-fashioned seaside amusements or steamy tropical plants. Here are the 15 best things to do in Aberdeen.

Browse 700 years of creativity at Aberdeen Art Gallery

Transformed after a massive renovation between 2015 and 2019, the revitalized Aberdeen Art Gallery displays a remarkable collection of fine and decorative art, including paintings by acclaimed French Impressionists and Pre-Raphaelites such as Aberdonian William Dyce.

Begin your tour of the elegant neoclassical building in the central Sculpture Court, where eye-catching works dot a checkerboard floor amid sleek marble columns. Boldly designed art deco ceramics and glassware are one floor up, while the top-story South Terrace lets you sneak a peek of the city’s rooftops.

Slurp on a cone at Mackie’s 19.2

Who says you need a balmy climate to enjoy a scoop of the soft stuff? Aberdeenshire dairy farm Mackie’s has been concocting an inventive lineup of ice cream flavors since 1986 with the help of nearly 300 black-and-white Holstein milking cows.

Named for the distance in miles from the farm to its location in the city center, Mackie’s 19.2 ice cream parlor serves a calorie-crammed assortment of cones, sundaes and build-your-own milkshakes, with choices ranging from raspberry ripple and honeycomb to decadently sweet Scottish tablet.

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

Spot dolphins at Torry Battery

The city’s 19th-century former artillery is one of the best places in the UK to catch sight of bottlenose dolphins from the shore. You can glimpse them year-round feeding and playing at the mouth of Aberdeen Harbour, especially between the orange breakwater and the lighthouse.

To warm up, there’s a small coffee hut at Greyhope Bay, where plans are underway to convert shipping containers into a viewing center with a cafe, story trail and tours. Remember to bring binoculars, and keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife like otters, seals and gulls.

Hit the rides at Codona’s

When it comes to classic seaside thrills, Codona’s checks all the boxes. The retro beachfront amusement park is packed with summer rides like bone-jangling disco waltzers, spinning bumper cars and a stomach-flipping pirate ship. For panoramic city views, take a turn on the Grampian Eye big wheel or get hoisted up the Dead Man’s Drop Tower before plummeting back to earth.

Throughout the year, Lewis Hamilton wannabes can test their skills on the outdoor go-kart track, while indoors you can shoot your on-screen enemies in a 4D simulator or try your luck on old-school claw machines. Book ahead for bowling. For everything else, just turn up.

Encounter pioneers at Provost Skene’s House

Dating to the mid-16th century and reopened in 2021 following a major revamp, Provost Skene’s House showcases the people who have made Aberdeen. The turreted stone building contains a raft of interactive exhibits celebrating the achievements of more than 100 trailblazing residents, from scientists to sporting legends to writers.

Visitors to the free museum can learn about the likes of profoundly deaf pro percussionist Evelyn Glennie or Leslie Benzies, the brains behind Grand Theft Auto. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the next person to be added to the Hall of Heroes.

Surf the North Sea in Footdee

Called ‘Fittee’ by Aberdonians, former fishing village Footdee is a cute huddle of tiny mid-1800s cottages and narrow lanes perched at the entrance to the harbor. It was laid out by city architect John Smith and added to by his son William, who went on to design the Queen’s Scottish hideaway, Balmoral Castle.

Footdee also marks the start of Aberdeen Beach, an expansive sweep of sand stretching north, and a popular spot to catch a few waves. Pitch up at the Scot Surf trailer for boards and lessons.

Stroll the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen

A lively ecclesiastical and academic hub since the Middle Ages, this historic quarter clusters around King’s College, founded in 1495 and part of the University of Aberdeen. On Wednesdays in term time, you can hear the university’s choir sing during services in King’s College Chapel, whose tower is topped with a striking imperial crown.

Nearby St Machar’s Cathedral is famed for its 16th-century heraldic ceiling, whose 48 shields represent kings, bishops and the Pope. Peaceful paths in Cruickshank Botanic Garden wind among roses, an arboretum and a herbaceous border.

Gaze at street art on a walking tour

Vivid murals and imaginative graffiti splash spaces across the city during the annual Nuart festival. Past works have ranged from Bortusk Leer’s multicolored monsters in the rooftop garden of the St Nicholas Centre to Fanakapan’s smiling yellow balloons that seem to pop out of the wall of a medical building.

Throughout the summer and early fall, free guided walks take in the highlights, including gigantic paintings covering entire facades as well as more bijou, hidden pieces of art. Tours begin at the Bon Accord mall.

Paddle a canoe around Rubislaw Quarry

Opened in the 18th century and filled with water since its closure in 1971, this craggy hole is a legacy of Aberdeen’s granite heyday. The 459ft quarry supplied much of the glittering silver stone used to build the city and also provided material for the construction of the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Bridge.

Weekend canoeing sessions run by Adventure Aberdeen allow you to explore the crater-like cavity, whose jagged walls are now encased in thick vegetation. Instruction, boat rentals and flotation devices are included.

Explore the David Welch Winter Gardens

Skirting the edge of the River Dee, Aberdeen’s beloved Duthie Park has been drawing visitors to its bandstand and boating ponds since 1883. Within the park, the Winter Gardens are a cozy – and free – retreat from vigorous blasts of North Sea weather.

Tropical, arid and temperate glasshouses show off an aromatic array of rare and exotic plants, including lush ferns and a vast collection of cacti and succulents. Don’t miss the small Japanese peace garden outdoors, designed by Takashi Sawano to commemorate those who died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII.

Discover Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen’s fortunes have been driven by the sea, whether through fishing, shipbuilding or the North Sea oil and gas industry. The four stories of hands-on exhibits at the free, glass-fronted Aberdeen Maritime Museum include artifacts celebrating the city’s nine-century history as a global trading hub.

The highlight? A detailed 30ft-high model of an oil platform, which gives you an up-close look at the workings of an offshore rig. Before you leave, check out the panoramic harbor views from the museum’s top floor.

Taste gin at the City of Aberdeen Distillery

Aberdeen’s first distillery for 80 years opened beneath a stone railway arch in late 2019. Specializing in small-batch gin, the business infuses its booze with fruity flavors like tangy lemon and Scottish bramble.

Discovery tours teach ginophiles about the city’s distilling heritage and continue behind the scenes to explain the production process. For tutored tastings, sign up to a 90-minute masterclass led by the head distiller, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sip – or glug – a few samples.

Cycle the Deeside Way

Connecting Aberdeen with Ballater in the mountainous Cairngorms National Park, the 41-mile Deeside Way is a multiuse trail combining stretches of old railway line with quiet rural roads. Beginning in Duthie Park, the path heads west, taking in sights such as the ruins of an 11th-century church in Dalmaik.

Other pit stops include Crathes Castle, a 16th-century turreted delight with painted ceilings and a walled garden. Community-run beCyCle lends out bikes free of charge, and B&Bs are dotted along the route if you want to break up the journey.

Wander beneath tall trees in Foggieton

Less visited than neighboring Countesswells forest, this peaceful pocket of woodland west of the city contains a couple of gently winding paths. Hikers can listen out for singing birds on the Warblers’ Trail, a half-mile loop through a regenerated area of forest featuring young native trees like willowy silver birches.

The slightly longer Ladyhill Trail weaves among towering 150-year-old beech trees and patches of blackberry and raspberry bushes where you can grab your fill in summer and fall. Paid parking and cafes are available in the nearby village of Cults – the latter stocked with fluffy scones and cakes.

Plunge into Stonehaven’s outdoor pool

Just 15 miles south of Aberdeen, the coastal town of Stonehaven is home to an Olympic-size open-air pool, right by the beach. Open late May through early September, the 1934 seawater swimming spot was saved from imminent closure in the 1990s thanks to the efforts of a determined community group.

Today you can take a dip in the heated water or stretch out on a lounger on sheltered sun terraces. Wednesday midnight swims in the height of summer let you perfect your crawl to the beat of disco tunes. Stonehaven is a handy 20-minute train ride from Aberdeen.

You might also like:

The 5 most beautiful road trips in Scotland
Exploring Scotland's magical Hebrides islands
Top 18 beaches in Scotland

The 15 best things to do in Aberdeen: art, natural beauty and bespoke gin

Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. As well as being a refuge for wildlife, they provide food – including rice, a culinary staple worldwide – and fuel, as well as filtering water and acting as storm buffers.

In the last century, the world lost about half its wetlands due to drainage for agriculture or construction. Over-fishing, poaching and pollution from increasing human populations also pose a threat.

But local communities are finding ways to protect these fragile environments through sustainable management – and, by making responsible choices, travelers who want to enjoy them can play a part in safeguarding them.

The Pantanal, Brazil

The world’s largest wetland covers more than 70,000 square miles, most of it in Brazil ’s Mato Grosso do Sul state and spilling over into neighboring Bolivia and Paraguay. This patchwork of lakes, lagoons, rivers and marshes brims with tropical flora and fauna, including rare and elusive jaguars, giant river otters, marsh deer and hyacinth macaws. It’s one of the world’s best-preserved wetlands, even though less than two percent of it is officially protected and the rest is privately owned. Caiman Lodge was the first ecotourism operation in the southern Pantanal and it’s now the base of the groundbreaking Onçafari Jaguar Project.

When to go: The dry season, May to October, is best for mammal spotting. During the wet season, roads can become impassable.

The world's eco-luxury resorts that are worth the hype

Everglades, USA

North America's most extensive flooded grassland, the Everglades National Park covers 2400 square miles of south Florida. Most of the park is only accessible by boat and you can take tours through the mangroves from Flamingo and the Gulf Coast. Experienced canoeists can spend a week on the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway, and rangers lead shorter canoe, kayaking and biking tours. Want to get your feet wet? Go off-trail hiking, known as slough slogging, to get up close to wading birds, turtles, even alligators. There are drive-in campsites at Long Pine Key and Flamingo, and more basic ones inside the park.

When to go: The dry season runs from December to May but June to November is quieter.

Three sustainable ways to experience the Everglades

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

The Camargue, France

On the wild southeast coast of France, between Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence where the Rhône River meets the sea, the 360 square miles of the Camargue is made up of saltwater lakes and marshland, and rich in wildlife and folklore. It’s a nesting ground for pink flamingos, and famous for two unique animal breeds: Camargue bulls and semi-wild white horses that have roamed the wetlands for thousands of years. The ornithological park north of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is a good place to find flamingos, egrets and herons. There are also stables where you can ride, and accommodation to suit all budgets.

When to go: Spring and autumn, when the wetlands are visited by hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

One of the world's largest inland deltas, the Okavango Delta starts in Angola ’s western highlands and ends in Botswana, where it fans out into a maze of channels, lagoons and islands, covering 22,000 square miles in wetter years. A third of it lies within the Moremi Game Reserve, while the rest is divided into private concessions. The delta attracts a vast array of animals including elephants and lions. One of the best ways to experience it is from a low-slung mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and a mobile camping safari is usually a more wallet-friendly option than a lodge.

When to go: June to October during the height of the flooding.

Into the green: eight destinations for an eco-friendly escape

Walthamstow Wetlands, UK

Europe’s largest urban wetland lies just 15 minutes from central London. After a £10.6 million regeneration project, Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the general public for the first time in 150 years in October 2017. Owned by Thames Water, the 10 reservoirs here supply 3.5 million households, but they’re also a haven for water birds like gadwall and shoveler, a stopover for migrating birds such as lapwings and sandpipers and a breeding ground for kingfishers. The site boasts 13 miles of footpath and cycle track, a visitor center and cafe with a unique tower that houses nesting swifts and roosting bats, and a viewing platform atop the Grade II-listed Coppermill Tower with views over London.

When to go: Year-round, seven days a week. And it’s free.

Kakadu, Australia

One of the best-known landmarks of the vast Kakadu National Park in Australia ’s Northern Territory is the Yellow Water Billabong. Part of the South Alligator River floodplain, this wetland is one of the best places to see the country’s wildlife in its natural habitat. Take a short Yellow Water Cruise departing daily from Jabiru to spot saltwater crocodiles, sea eagles, whistling ducks and buffalo. You can also visit Kakadu as part of the 456-mile Nature's Way drive, which starts in Darwin and loops through wetlands, gorges and waterfalls across land rich in Aboriginal culture.

When to go: The dry season between June and August is the best time to visit.

Danube Delta, Romania

Europe’s second-largest delta is created by the mighty River Danube, which flows almost 1800 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to Romania, where it empties into the Black Sea. The delta’s 2200 square miles play host to around 300 species of endemic and migratory birds, including white pelicans, pygmy cormorants and red-breasted geese. More than 3400 animal species can also be found here, as well as 1700 plant species. The best way to experience the delta is by boat, whether on a passenger ferry, an organized excursion or by hiring your own canoe. Stay in the Romanian town Tulcea, camp or stay on a houseboat.

When to go: Spring and autumn are the best time to visit, as summers can be hot and humid.

Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia

Dominated by grassy floodplains, Bangweulu – meaning ‘where the water meets the sky’ – is a community-owned protected wetland in northeastern Zambia, home to species such as the endangered black lechwe, a water-loving antelope. But its main attraction is the prolific birdlife: more than 430 species including geese, pelicans, spoonbills, storks, herons, ibises and cranes. Star billing goes to the iconic shoebill – a huge, prehistoric-looking bird with a striking similarity to a dodo – and Bangweulu is one of its last remaining breeding sites. Since the NGO African Parks took over the wetlands in 2008, poaching has decreased and wildlife numbers are recovering.

When to go: Birdlife is at its peak from February to April and sightings can be made by boat; from May to July it’s possible to drive.

Explore 8 of the world’s most sustainable cities

Kerala backwaters, India

Alongside southern India ’s Malabar Coast, the Kerala backwaters are a web of lakes and lagoons, linked by channels and fed by almost 40 rivers, stretching for more than 900 kilometers. When the freshwater meets the Arabian Sea, it creates an ecosystem that provides a natural habitat for many unique species of aquatic life, including crabs, frogs and birds. Locals have used the picturesque, palm-fringed waterways for centuries, for fishing, agriculture and transporting rice and spices. They also attract visitors, who cruise on kettuvallams – traditional rice boats turned floating hotels – for a taste of rural Keralan life.

When to go: The cooler dry season runs from December to February.

You might also like:
Why winter is the perfect time to spot Yellowstone’s wildlife
Where to find the USA's 12 newest national parks
Best gifts for sustainable travel

9 incredible wetlands for watching wildlife

With its intoxicating street life, fascinating neighborhoods, abundant green spaces and exhilarating sea views, urban Naples cooks up plenty of things to see and do. But the pace of life in the city is full-throttle – taking your foot off the pedal on a day trip out of Naples promises a breath of fresh air.

Within a few hours, you could be out on the Amalfi Coast or relaxing on a Gulf of Naples island – ticking some of Italy’s most iconic sights off your bucket list in the process. The top day trips from Naples cover a huge range of interests, from hiking, boating and swimming to archeology, architecture and Italian beach glamour.

Day tripping also provides a precious opportunity to dig deep into the rich history of the Campania region and its Roman heritage and authentic island culture. Here is our pick of the best day trips from Naples.

Climb Mt Vesuvius to gaze on Europe’s most explosive volcano

An early-morning hike up Mt Vesuvius – the only active volcano on mainland Europe – is one of Italy’s great adventures. Since exploding into history in AD 79 (when it buried the nearby towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in pumice), Vesuvius has blown its top more than 30 times, most recently in 1944.

Anyone with a reasonable fitness level, including kids, can manage the steep 30-minute ascent from the car park to the ash-dusted crater rim. The bird’s eye views from the summit of the city and bay of Naples are unforgettable.

Make a day of it by uncovering local flora and fauna on one of the nine marked walking paths that wind through the surrounding Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. The best summit hike for seasoned walkers is the moderately difficult 3.8km (2.3mi) ‘Gran Cono’ trail.

How to get to Mt Vesuvius: From Naples take the Circumvesuviana or seasonal Campania Express train (30 to 35 minutes) to the Pompeii–Villa dei Misteri stop, then jump on a public EAV bus to the Vesuvius summit car park (around 50 minutes).

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

Head to Pompeii and Herculaneum to explore Europe’s most compelling archaeological site s

Few archaeological sites offer such an intimate connection to the past, or such a chilling trip back in time, as the mammoth Unesco World Heritage-listed ruins of Pompeii. The destructive menace that is Mt Vesuvius buried the Roman town in volcanic ash and debris in 79 CE and parts of the city are still being excavated to this day.

Hopping along the elevated stepping stones that once allowed prosperous Pompeiians to stroll along the elegant main street in Pompeii without getting their shoes covered in muck is a surreal experience (and something kids will love).

To understand the complete story, pair your Pompeii visit with a dig around its frozen-in-time twin Herculaneum, also hit by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. Home today to a fishing village of 4000 inhabitants, the site is smaller and less overwhelming than Pompeii, allowing you to visit without the nagging feeling that you may have missed a crucial terror-struck skeleton or carbonized fresco.

How to get to Pompeii and Herculaneum: From Naples take the Circumvesuviana or seasonal Campania Express train to the Pompeii–Villa dei Misteri stop (30 to 35 minutes). The same train stops at Ercolano-Scavi train station (15 minutes from Naples and 30 minutes from Pompeii); from here, it's a 500m (0.3mi) walk downhill along Via 4 Novembre to Herculaneum’s scavi (ruins).

Make for Capri to live the high life with A-lister islanders

If you can tolerate the high-season crowds, a summertime visit to Naples’ most beautiful island will knock your socks off. If you don't love crowds, we recommend visiting in spring or early fall for a calmer experience. Whenever you come, there are enough temptations to fill several days here if you have the time to spare.

Float on the luminous azure waters of the uber-touristed Grotta Azzurra and glide to the island’s summit on the Monte Solaro chairlift to swoon over sublime views over the surrounding waters. Visit Axel Munthe’s eclectic Villa San Michele for more enchanting vistas and relive erstwhile poetic glories in art-nouveau Villa Lysis, or escape to Augustus’ Gardens for views over the dramatic Faraglioni rocks. At lunchtime, dining with Italian A-listers at La Palette or sophisticated Il Geranio is a Capri rite of passage.

How to get to Capri: Board a high-speed hydrofoil (40 minutes) from Naples' Molo Beverello port to Capri’s Marina Grande port or take the slower, more scenic island ferry (75 minutes) from Naples’ Porta di Massa.

Set sail for Ischia to chill on the beach or soak in bubbling thermal springs

A short boat ride from Naples is the rocky outcrop of Ischia, the bay's largest island, guarded by the looming mass of 789m (2589ft) Monte Epomeo. Chestnut forests, vineyards and volcanic rock formations fill in the interior, while luxury thermal spas, manicured gardens and private beach clubs lace the busy coastline. The town of Ischia Porto has the best choice of bars and restaurants (reserve a table for a seafood risotto lunch with Amadeo at La Pantera Rosa).

On the less-frenzied south coast, grab a water taxi from car-free Sant’Angelo to secluded Baie di Sorgeto, where hot – and free – thermal waters spill into rock pools. Pick a spot with the optimum temperature (the water can be scalding in places), then lie back on a rock and chill. Back in Ischia Porto, visit Castello Aragonese and stroll along boutique-lined Corso Vittoria Colonna before hopping on the last ferry back to Naples.

How to get to Ischia: High-speed hydrofoils (45 minutes) run to Ischia’s main ferry terminal in Ischia Porto from Naples' Molo Beverello port

Ride the rails to Sorrento for quirky shopping and Grand Tour nostalgia

An essential stop on every Grand Tour in the 19th century – and a favorite hobnobbing spot for the likes of Byron, Dickens and Tolstoy – this romantic town on the Amalfi Coast has lost none of its old-world charm. Head here early and devote the morning to meandering the cobbled shopping alleys of the old town, awash with independent boutiques and artisan studios selling handcrafted leather goods, ceramics, tangy limoncello and crafts made from Sorrento’s world-famous inlaid wood.

After lunch, mooch around cloistered Chiesa di San Francesco and take in huge sea views from Villa Comunale park atop the town’s famous cliffs. From here, it’s a swift elevator ride down to Marina Piccola with its pebbly beach clubs. Alternatively, stroll to a deckchair-speckled jetty to flop in the sun in quieter Marina Grande. A spritz aperitivo before departure at popular people-watching haunt Fauno Bar is absolutely non-negotiable.

How to get to Sorrento: Sorrento is the last stop on the Circumvesuviana rail line from Naples. Trains run every 30 minutes from Naples (70 minutes), also stopping in Pompeii and Ercolano (for Herculaneum). Sailing time on the hydrofoils that run year-round from Naples is around 20 minutes.

Head west to Campi Flegrei to explore volcanic hillsides and unsung Roman ruins

Just west of Naples, the city’s best-kept secret is the unsung collection of bubbling mud pits and steaming fumaroles known as Campi Flegrei or the 'Phlegrean Fields.’ Scattered across this cinematic geothermal landscape are several Graeco-Roman ruins that make for a highly rewarding day of exploring.

Wander through remarkably preserved underground passageways at the Flavian Amphitheater in Pozzuoli, seek out the chamber inhabited by Aeneid’s oracle amid Greek ruins in Cuma, and imagine Roman emperors soaking in the lavishly decorated thermal baths in the Roman seaside resort of Baia. Arrive early to squeeze in some snorkeling, diving or a glass-bottom boat trip to see Baia's underwater archeological area.

How to get to Campi Flegrei: The Flavian Amphitheater sites in Pozzuoli can be reached on Naples Metro Line 2 or the Cumana train. The rest of the Campi Flegrei area is spread out and not well served by public transport; fixed-rate taxi fares are available for Baia and Cuma, or come by hire car.

Scoot to Reggia di Caserta to gawp in awe at Italy’s answer to Versailles

No royal palace in Italy dazzles quite like the baroque beauty that is Unesco-listed Reggia di Caserta. The palace was founded in 1752 by Bourbon king Charles VII, who demanded a palace to upstage Versailles in France. The result was a mirage-like, 250m-long cruise ship of a palace with 1,200 rooms, 1,790 windows and 34 staircases – according to local lore, it was the largest building in 18th-century Europe.

The admission fee covers lavishly appointed royal apartments, the Palatine chapel, the royal court theatre and a wonderful collection of traditional Neapolitan Christmas cribs. When you are done with the interiors, come up for air in the palace’s equally sumptuous grounds, which can be explored on foot or by bus, bike or horse-drawn carriage. Don’t miss the English Garden with its seductive Bath of Venus.

How to get to Caserta: Regular trains link Naples with Caserta train station (50 minutes) from where it's a five-minute walk to the palace.

You might also like:
Getting around Naples is easy with these top tips
The best things to do in Naples: livin' la dolce vita
Everything you need to know before your trip to Naples

7 top day trips from Naples for history and the high life

Never underestimate humanity’s ability to turn the mad or the mundane into a competitive sport. In our pursuit of amusement, we have brought some wonderfully weird sports to the fore, which not only offer an insight into the psyche of nations but also provide travelers (and those quarantining at home, online) with a unique opportunity to meet eccentric – and passionate – locals.

So switch up that afternoon at the football or evening hockey game for something a little more...unique, and grab tickets to one of these unusual spectator sports from around the world.

1. Sheep shearing, New Zealand

Competitive sheep shearing? Ewe better believe it. In fact, it’s kind of a big deal in New Zealand, which proudly hosts the annual Golden Shears International Championships; a lanolin-infused jamboree touted as 'the Wimbledon of sheep shearing'. Due to the pandemic, this year's 2022 competition was canceled.

Held in the town of Masterton in March, the four-day event seeks to identify the world’s fastest sheep shearer, with spectators merrily fleecing themselves out of a few dollars as they bet on the outcome. The event provides an illuminating insight into local life, but it’s not all about shearing; live bands bring a party vibe to proceedings and there’s much food and drink to be enjoyed. Can’t make the Masterton event? Fear not, shearing competitions are also held in Europe, Australia and the US.

2. Lawnmower racing, UK

Like all the best ideas, lawnmower racing entered the world via a pub. It was 1973 and Jackie Stewart was winning his third Formula One title while a group of wannabe racers from West Sussex dreamed of making motorsport – historically the preserve of the wealthy – more accessible to the masses.

Over a few pints they came up with lawnmower racing, which now has its own governing body – the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLRA) – and a 30-race championship that runs from May to October. Most races are part of larger rural events, such as the Cranleigh Show in Surrey, where spectators can experience other eccentric pursuits such as ferret racing. The BLRA remains defiantly uncommercial and donates all profits to charity. It also advises spectators to bring packed lunches with them to races.

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

3. Lucha libre, Mexico

Part sport, part amateur dramatics, lucha libre is a form of freestyle wrestling with a devoted fan base in its native Mexico. Competitors are renowned for their elaborate masks, which keep their identities a secret. That’s until they are defeated in a high-stakes fight, which often requires losers to reveal their faces (other ignominious forfeits include having their heads shaved).

It certainly makes for compelling viewing, and the tequila-charged atmosphere adds to the sense of occasion. Don’t forget to bring some loose change: when spectators are impressed by a victorious wrestler, they throw money at them. The coins are then collected by the wrestler and stored in a commemorative vase to remind them of the victory.

4. Wife carrying, Finland

Legend has it this curious sport is a nod to the ancient custom of wife stealing, whereby gangs of Finnish robbers supposedly raided villages and made off with other men’s wives.

Mercifully, this nefarious activity has been confined to the pages of folk tales. But in an amusing subversion of this fabled criminal act, wife carrying continues, albeit with consenting females, who acrobatically cling to male counterparts as they navigate an assault course – climbing over large wooden obstacles and plunging headlong into cold-water pools in the process. The quickest pair win the wife’s weight in beer. As you might expect, much lager is consumed on the sidelines too, particularly in Sonkajärvi, Finland, which hosts the original Wife Carrying Championships in July. Competitions also take place in Australia, Estonia, Hong Kong, the US and UK. And before you ask, no, the participating couples don’t actually have to be married.

20 unmissable extreme sports (and where to try them)

5. Kabaddi, India

A variation of a game most of us played in the schoolyard, kabaddi is a lot like tag, only with a rulebook and scoring system that could reduce a child to tears. In essence: two teams of seven players face off on a rectangular arena. One player from the offensive team, the ‘raider’, crosses the midline in the center of the play area and attempts to tag as many opposition players as possible. If the raider makes it back to their team’s side, that team scores a point for every opposition player tagged. However, the other team are able to physically restrain the player from making it back, in which case the team scores nothing. An additional point is awarded if the raider steps over the 'bonus line'. Also, this must all be done on a single breath. Simple enough, right?

Though considered a national sport in Bangladesh, it is India that has perhaps the most competitive league. Dubbed the Pro Kabaddi, it unfolds dramatically in stadiums across the country, where players twist, kick, duck and dive around the arena, cheered on by huge, vociferous crowds spilling from the grandstands.

6. Chess boxing, worldwide

Brains and brawn combine in this thinking person’s combat sport, which brings together the unlikely bedfellows of boxing and chess. Matches unfold over 11 rounds – six chess, five boxing – and competitors (or 'nerdletes', as the nerdy athletes are known) must either KO their opponents in the ring or outwit them on the chessboard.

The sport is popular in India (the believed birthplace of chess), where it is reported to have lifted some professional competitors out of poverty. However, perhaps the best place to watch a match is in London, where spectators can enjoy the all-out action of a big fight mixed with the quiet suspense of a chess match (plus a series of weird and wonderful ringside performances between bouts) that culminates in one of the Big Smoke’s most memorable nights out. Fights are organized by London Chess Boxing and take place throughout the year. There’s also the hotly-anticipated World Amateur Championships, which take place in December, and in 2019 will be held in Turkey.

7. Call of Duty Championship, US

It was once something you begrudgingly did while waiting for your turn on Mario Kart, but now watching other people play computer games is a bona fide spectator sport, with e-sport events now taking place all over the world (and also streaming to huge audiences online).

It’s particularly popular in the US, where fans pay upwards of $50 to watch pro pad-bashing players battle it out in the biggest shoot-‘em-up of all: Call of Duty. The first-person shooter series, which has been a firm favorite with gamers for over a decade, has its own World League Championship. Held in August, the tournament’s winning team nets a cool $2.5 million. In terms of the spectator experience, expect a largely male and millennial crowd, who typically sit in neat rows, clutching beers and watching the drama unfold on huge screens. And just think, your parents told you playing video games would get you nowhere in life...

You might also like:
Adrenaline-fueled trips for teens
F rom cheese-rolling to shin-kicking the most unbelievable sports events on earth
Amazing adventure sports in California

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.

7 most unusual sports you won't find at the 2022 Olympics and where to find them

Choosing to hike and walk for a good part of your global travels allows you to experience the world through a unique lens – you’ll get to know local communities, learn about a culture from the ground level and stay fit while doing it.

But before you lace up your boots and hit the trail you’ll need to know where to go. These routes will take you across the planet from Europe ’s quaint alpine villages to New Zealand ’s glacial landscapes, through desert vistas in the Middle East, the USA ’s staggering canyons and on to some of the world’s highest peaks in Africa and Asia. Whether you fancy a day trip, a week-long wander or a longer-haul hike, there’s an epic adventure to suit all abilities.

Europe

With its well-established routes, challenging treks and excellent network of huts and cabins, Europe is a great place to start your hiking adventure.

At the edge of the European continent, you can hike amid the spectacular volcanoes, glaciers and hot springs of Iceland. The 34-mile (55km) Laugavegur Trail takes in a plethora of these landscapes and there are six huts along the route for easy camping.

Slovenia plays host to some of the best hikes in Europe, including the sprawling 310-mile (499 km) Slovenian Mountain Trail, featuring about 50 huts en route to house weary walkers. Don’t forget to get your special passport book stamped at the 80 checkpoints along the way.

Skirting the eponymous 4810m-high mountain, the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc takes you 105 miles into the heart of the continent. The trail passes through Switzerland, France and Italy, and hikers can easily customize their route to take in dense forest scenery or mountain passes, historical sights or all of the above!

More hikes around Europe:
12 spectacular walks in Ireland for every ability
7 superb hikes in Portugal: plan the perfect spring walking vacation
Trail magic happens all the time on Spain's best hikes
11 Swedish hiking trails you won’t want to miss
Moving mountains: Norway’s top 9 hikes
10 incredible Greek hiking trails you can tackle right now

Africa

The bucket-list trek on the African continent is Mt Kilimanjaro. Located in Tanzania, near the border with Kenya, this dormant volcano is Africa’s highest peak standing at a soaring 5895m high. The eight-day route begins on hot plains, continues through jungle, alpine forest, moorland and eventually reaches the glacially-carved summit, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the savannah below.

Other iconic treks include the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Blyde River Canyon in South Africa and summiting the continent’s second-highest peak, Mt Kenya. A classic African challenge is Namibia’s 52-mile (83.6 km), four-day trail through Fish River Canyon, the world’s second-largest canyon.

For wildlife encounters head for Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. The reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, primates, reptiles and mammals (including the ‘Big Five’), so walking the trails here offer abundant opportunities to spot Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, lions and elephants.

More hikes around Africa:
The top 8 hikes in South Africa for stunning views
The best hikes in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains

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

The Middle East

Jordan offers a multitude of day-long hikes that’ll get you out amongst its otherworldly desertscapes and ancient archaeological sites. For a longer stint on the road, trek the 47-mile (75.6 km) trail from Petra to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, taking in the mesmerizing architecture of the Rose Red City, plunging desert canyons and towering sandstone cliffs.

Alternatively try the newly-established Jordan Trail, an epic 404-mile (650km) route that runs the entire length of the country from the farming villages of Umm Qais to the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba. If you don’t fancy the 36-consecutive-day hike, the route can be broken into eight distinct legs, each taking around four to five days to hike.

Other unmissable journeys include hiking Oman’s Grand Canyon Wadi Ghul (circumvent the rim before climbing Jebel Shams ’ 3009m peak for spectacular views over this fissured landscape); and the Israel National Trail, crossing the entire country from Dan near the Lebanese border to Eilat at its southernmost tip.

More hikes around the Middle East:
Hiking the Jordan Trail, the Middle East's new cross-country trek
Hiking the scenic border-to-border Lebanon Mountain Trail

Asia

The Himalayas are a haven for trekking opportunities, from Everest Base Camp to the mountain’s peak itself and Bhutan’s famed Snowman Trek, a high-altitude hike across nine passes. The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is a classic high-alpine trek that follows ancient trade routes and passes through quaint mountain villages, with fluttering Buddhist prayer flags, stupa, prayer wheels and sturdy stone homes dotting the path. The circuit takes around 15 days and can be extended with side treks off the main route. Many guesthouses can be found along the trail, so you don’t need to carry a tent, sleeping bag or food for more than a day.

In China, don’t miss the trek through the beautiful Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan province. Then head northeast to the Great Wall, where you can hike on top of or along trails at the base of the wall. If you’re headed through Southeast Asia, the best hike is the two-day trek up Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia.

More hikes around Asia:
Tea trails, rugged ruins and sacred summits: the best hikes in Sri Lanka
The 7 best hikes in Singapore: a totally unique way to see the tiny country
You won't believe the views on these 9 iconic Thailand hikes
These top hikes in China are sure to take your breath away

Australia and the Pacific

New Zealand is a country that prides itself on its trekking (or tramping) opportunities. There are ten ‘Great Walks’ in the country, across various landscapes from beaches to mountains and forests, shimmering glaciers and spectacular waterfalls. The longest and most challenging of which is the 49-mile (79 km) Heaphy Track through the South Island’s Kahurangi National Park. The world-class Abel Tasman Coast Track is another spectacular hike taking in the region’s turquoise bays and golden coves.

Australia offers a bounty of walks from short city trails like Sydney ’s Seven Bridges, Melbourne ’s Capital City Trail and the Darwin City Trail, to wild wanderings in the Red Centre and along Victoria ’s lush Great South West Walk. A particular bucket-list favourite is the iconic Three Capes Track in Tasmania. This four-day hike unravels the diversity of Tasmania’s landscapes taking you through 28.5 miles (46km) of dense forest, along dramatic cliff edges and out to the beautiful blue.

For an off-the-grid adventure, with an enlightening dose of history and culture, tackle the Kokoda Track – a 60-mile (96km) hike that’ll get you up-close to the people, places and turbulent past of Papua New Guinea.

More hikes around Australia and the Pacific:
The best bushwalking and trail running routes in Australia
Australia and New Zealand's best free walks
New Zealand's most scenic day hikes

South America

Begin your South America trekking adventure in Patagonia, where you can set your sights on the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park. The 62-mile (100km) W Trek takes in craggy mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes and the famed three torres – three soaring spires behind a turquoise lake. The five-day Mt Fitzroy Trek, located in Argentina’s Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, is another classic trek in southern Patagonia.

Your global trekking tour has one clear direction from here – north along the spine of the Andes mountains to Peru. Here you can embark on the four- to five-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This famed 23-mile (37km) route winds it way along trails used by the Incas, and culminates at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. If you’re unable to get permits for the Classic Inca Trail (it’s a very popular hike and must be booked in advance), there are additional routes, such as the five-day Salkantay Trail that offer an alternative – but no less captivating – perspective on this region.

From Peru, head north to Ecuador, where you can hike around Cotopaxi Volcano or along the Quilotoa Loop, a multi-day trek through rural villages.

More hikes around South America:
12 unmissable hikes in Patagonia: wonder at the pristine wilderness
Chile's best hikes and treks through extraordinary landscapes
Brazil's best hikes cover everything from beaches to rainforest
Experience the best of Peru with these 8 iconic hikes

North America

North America has thousands of miles of awesome hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada and the Appalachians to name but a few iconic areas. Yosemite National Park includes a number of one-day and overnight hikes, including the 5.4-mile (8.7 km) Mist Trail, past Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. For canyon enthusiasts, it doesn’t get any better than the epic South Kaibab Trail in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park. Stay in Arizona for the amazing Templeton Trail in Sedona, where you can hike in the shadow of the region’s towering red buttes.

For long-distance treks, hike parts of the Continental Divide Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Both extend thousands of miles between the borders of the US and Canada, and you’ll need to be fully equipped with camping gear and food to tackle these trails. Colorado is a great place to test out your knees and lungs with 58 peaks over 4267m to climb in the state alone.

More hikes around North America:
Best hikes of central Mexico
Explore Canada's great outdoors on these 11 hiking trails
Top 10 US long-distance hikes
North America's best national park day hikes

You might also like:
The apps making hiking easier, even in remote locations
Test your endurance on the world's 10 best treks
The 10 most incredible travel experiences in the world, according to Lonely Planet

How to choose an epic hike on any continent in the world 

As the Omicron variant continues to drive COVID-19 infections worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added 15 countries — including Costa Rica, Fiji, and several islands in the Caribbean — to its list of places it advises Americans not to travel due to a high number of COVID-19 infections.

The total list of countries newly added by the CDC for the week of January 24 includes Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Jamaica, Guadeloupe Kuwait, Mongolia, Niger, Peru Romania, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

This comes after the CDC moved 22 countries to that Level-4 status the previous week including Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Egypt, Grenada, Guyana, Israel, Panama, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Turks and Caicos, and Uruguay.

The number of places the CDC has asked Americans to avoid continues to grow with the spread of the Omicron variant.

The advisories aim to inform US residents about risks associated with traveling overseas, so people can make better-informed decisions about travel and enjoy relatively safe trips. If you plan to travel soon, here's what you need to know about the latest travel guidelines.

Read more: I planned a trip to a country the CDC labeled 'Do Not Travel.' Should I cancel?

What is a travel advisory?

The ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, particularly as new variants emerge, present challenges and uncertainties for travel. To make the experience a little less confusing, the Department of State has aligned its security travel advisories with the CDC's science-based Travel Health Notices to warn travelers about dangers and COVID-19 threats overseas.

Level 4 travel advisory

Level 4 is the highest alert. Countries that register more than 500 new cases of COVID-19 over the past 28 days per 100,000 population are designated to the CDC's Level-4 list. Under CDC guidelines, people are asked to "avoid travel" to Level 4 destinations—but if they must travel, they should be fully vaccinated.

The Department of State takes this information into account, also looking at factors such as political instability, natural disasters and the threat of terrorism or violent crime. "[Level 4] is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks," the Department explains. In the context of COVID-19, Americans are urged to avoid travel to these places due to increased infection rates and COVID-19 variants such as the Omicron.

Read more: What you need to know about finding and paying for healthcare abroad

What countries are at Level 4?

Many popular European destinations have been designated Level 4 and the list now contains several Caribbean winter escapes like the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, and Turks and Caicos.

Other destinations at Level 4 status include Australia, Bonaire, Botswana, Croatia, Chad,  the Czech Republic, Denmark, eSwatini, France, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, the Netherlands, Panama, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the UK and more.

Level 3 advisory

The CDC advises unvaccinated Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Level 3 destinations, where risks associated with COVID-19 remain high. Some popular destinations designated Level 3 include Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Djibouti, India, Japan, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.

Level 2 advisory

Level 2 places are considered "COVID-19 moderate" destinations by the CDC. When traveling to these places people are asked to "practice enhanced precautions". The CDC also urges unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 to avoid nonessential travel to Level 2 destinations. Some countries currently at Level 2 include countries like El Salvador, Honduras and New Zealand.

Level 1 advisory

Level 1 destinations are considered "low-risk" countries. People traveling to these places are asked to "exercise normal precautions" by the Department of State. Given the scale of the pandemic, not many countries are considered low-risk. Some countries at Level 1 include China, Indonesia, and Senegal.

Should I cancel my trip to a Level 4 country?

The answer is up to you. Travel advisories are guidelines, not rules. You are still permitted to travel to these places, but if you choose to go to a country the government is advising you to avoid, you do so at your own risk. In some extreme cases—that is, countries where there is civil unrest, widespread violence and political instability—the Department warns that some consular services may not be available to you and advises travelers to "always have a contingency plan for emergency situations".

Read more: What do I do if my flight gets cancelled⁠—and can I get a refund?

If I do travel, do I need to quarantine?

It depends on your destination. These travel advisories and travel health notices are set out by the US government and the CDC, not the governments of the individual countries. For example, Ireland is at Level 4 but the Irish government is permitting Americans to travel there.

Will my travel insurance cover me in a Level 4 country?

It depends on your plan and provider. We asked several travel insurance experts for information on the impact travel advisories have on your insurance; find out how your health insurance covers getting COVID-19 while traveling abroad, and how to choose travel insurance that covers COVID-19.

How often do these advisories change?

The Department of State confirms it reviews and updates travel advisories "as needed, based on security and safety information."

Anyone considering heading abroad should read the entire travel advisory for their destination at Travel.State.gov; in addition to the destination's border restrictions and entry requirements—and stay up-to-date on local public health guidelines.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub.

You might also like:
Need to self-isolate on arrival? Here’s what you need to know
PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know
How to manage vaccine certifications and COVID-19 passports for international travel

All Stories

The best times of year to enjoy Detroit

Colorado on a budget

Explained: What do France's health and vaccine pass rules mean for tourists?

The 15 best things to do in Aberdeen: art, natural beauty and bespoke gin

9 incredible wetlands for watching wildlife

7 top day trips from Naples for history and the high life

7 most unusual sports you won't find at the 2022 Olympics and where to find them

How to choose an epic hike on any continent in the world

Fiji, Costa Rica and several Caribbean islands among those added to CDC's "Do Not Travel" list

Featured in Best in Travel 2022

Belize

Central America

Country

Kent

England

Region

Queensland

Australia

Region

Egypt

Africa

Country