As December dawns and you get ready to cross the final 31 days of the year off on your calendar, you may be tempted to put away the passport and swap those itchy-footed escapades for quiet nights in.

But don't stop now! December is jam-packed with high-octane adventures on mountain peaks and coursing rivers; indulgent escapes with mulled wine, rum cocktails and spicy street food galore; walks on the wild side with kaleidoscopic creatures and soaring giants; and countless seasonal celebrations whisking you from the sunny Caribbean to Santa’s hometown.

This year, December travel will be complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated surges and travel restrictions. The ability to travel will depend on where you’re from and where you want to go. But if you’re looking for December destinations to stoke your wanderlust, here is where to find them.

Where are the best places to visit in December for adventure?

Patagonia, South America

Lace up your boots for an end-of-year adventure at the wild ends of the earth. December is the ideal time to explore Patagonia ’s mind-blowingly beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. Embark on an epic trek along the eight-day circuit, or take the four-day "W" trek for views of Los Cuernos (the ‘horns’), the region’s iconic jagged granite peaks.

Similan Islands, Thailand

Similarly breathtaking experiences can be had diving the coral reefs around Thailand ’s Similan Islands. Beneath the sparkling surface of the ocean you’ll find sharks, barracuda, rays and green and hawksbill turtles – it’s Finding Nemo brought to life.

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

Tasmania, Australia

Adrenaline lovers should make for Tasmania ’s Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park for roaring waterways and world-class river rafting. Punctuate your trip by exploring the surrounding scenery, from rocky gorges and mountains to tangled emerald rainforests.

Alta, Utah, USA

In Alta the snow has arrived but the crowds haven't, so get there quick to make your mark on some of the USA’s finest ski terrain.

Where are the best places to visit in December for culture?

Tallinn, Estonia

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, head to Tallinn to see the medieval city decked out in a blanket of snow, complete with flickering candles lining the streets and markets flogging quintessential Christmas curiosities and festive treats.

Rovaniemi, Finland

And if that’s not enough seasonal charm for you, make for Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, the "official home" of Santa Claus. Once you’ve dropped your gift list off with the big man himself, treat yourself to a reindeer safari to explore the region in full effect.

Read more: Reindeer, bears and elusive seals: Finland’s finest wildlife experiences

Edinburgh, Scotland

As the year winds down the parties amp up, none more so than in Scotland’s capital, where Hogmanay celebrations see flaming torches, fireworks displays and night-long parties take over the usually quiet cobbled streets.

Trinidad

Slightly more sedate, the Caribbean’s southernmost island Trinidad simmers with stirring Spanish-style musical performances as the locals usher in the start of the dry season.

Where are the best places to visit in December for wildlife and nature?

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Mother Nature is the gift that keeps on giving this December. In the snowy Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi day-long darkness provides the backdrop for the most magical light show on earth, the swirling aurora borealis, and opportunities to hang out with Rudolf, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing abound.

Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Swap the blanket of white for a kaleidoscope of colour in Peru ’s Tambopata National Reserve. Now is the ideal time to spot dazzling birdlife, especially the rainbow-feathered macaws that come to munch on the mineral-rich clay.

Micronesia

To the life aquatic now and Micronesia ’s little-known islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean, which serve as the mating grounds for giant manta rays. With wingspans that can reach up to 5m, the chance to dive alongside these dancing behemoths shouldn’t be missed.

Sierra Leone

From colossal to downright cute, rare (and ridiculously adorable) pygmy hippos can be found in Sierra Leone, once you've had your fill of lounging on palm-fringed beaches.

Where are the best places to visit in December for food and drink?

Malaysia

Looking to shake up the traditional holiday season table? We’ve got just the foodie forays for you this festive month. Tuck into a spicy blend of fabulous flavours at Malaysia ’s hawker food stalls, where bright bowls of creamy laksa (noodle soup) and deliciously deep-fried lor bak (pork or prawn wrapped in tofu skin, deep fried and served with dips) will soon do away with any cravings for Christmas pudding.

Havana, Cuba

Check out Cuba’s capital, exploring the city's incredible architecture with a rum-based cocktail in hand.

Basque Country, Spain

With tourist numbers low, now is the ideal time to visit Spain’s Basque Country, seeing out the year with a plate piled high with pintxos (tapas).

Read more: Spain’s top 10 food experiences

Bath, England

We couldn’t leave you entirely bereft of any festive fare, especially when the UK’s pretty city of Bath is serving up such a magnificent selection of seasonal grub. With the aromas of sizzling sausage and spiced mulled wine wafting among the stalls, let your nose (and stomach) take the lead as you wander through the twinkling Christmas markets.

You may also like:
Top 10 winter destinations in Europe
The top 7 winter trip ideas around the world

Where to go in December for climate, cuisine and culture

Few European cities are as exhilarating as Rotterdam. Almost completely destroyed during WWII, its urban reconstruction has been a triumphant exercise in embracing innovation – the resulting architecture and urban planning have endowed its streets and neighbourhoods with a personality and energy that make it a great place to visit.

It’s also a must-see destination for those interested in cutting-edge design. Though compact, the city offers an extraordinary varied array of sights and experiences to keep the visitor busy, not to mention a wealth of trendy spots to grab a drink or something to eat.

Here are the best things to do in Rotterdam.

Grab a global snack at the Markthal

The visual heart of this city is as surprising as it is beloved. Opened in 2014, the Markthal in Centrum is a unique contemporary take on the traditional Dutch market hall. Designed by local architectural firm MVRDV, the building is in the form of a slightly bulbous arch framed on each end by floor-to-ceiling walls of glass.

Inside, a massive ceiling mural by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam arcs over the hall’s produce stalls, fast-food stands and eateries. Its subject matter – a colourful cornucopia of food, flowers and insects – references 17th-century Dutch still-life paintings. Head here at lunchtime, when the fast-food stands that cram the ground floor serve a huge array of global cuisine.

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

Admire the Overblaak Development

East of the Markthal, across the paved plaza, is the Overblaak Development, a vibrantly hued, crazily tilting residential creation featuring a pencil-shaped tower and a forest of 38-cube-shaped apartments on hexagonal pylons. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and built between 1978 and 1984, it’s perhaps the most distinctive building in a city where architectural distinction is the rule rather than the exception.

Go behind the scenes at Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

When Rotterdam’s pre-eminent art gallery, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, closed for major renovations in 2019, the question of what to do with its 151,000 artworks during the closure arose. Should they be put into a storage depot? Or perhaps loaned out to other institutions in travelling exhibitions?

Both are tried and true solutions, but here in Rotterdam, another possibility was raised – a new state-of-the-art storage depot next to the museum, publicly accessible so that its treasures could continue to delight visitors while the museum itself was closed.

In November 2021, the new Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opened to the public. Housed in an extraordinary building designed by acclaimed local firm MVRDV of Markthal fame, the depot takes the form of a bowl-shaped building clad in mirrored glass. It has seven levels, a central 115ft-high (35m) atrium, a roof garden planted with trees and an upper-floor restaurant.

Feast on Tante Nel’s famous friet

Ask any Rotterdammer what their favourite fast food is and the answer will almost inevitably be Tante Nel’s friet. Serving the local version of French fries from its hybrid snack shack and bar in Centrum, Aunt Nel serves friet that are hand-cut and expertly fried, best eaten with met (mayonnaise) or doused in stoofviees (a rich meat stew). The bitterballen (Dutch meatballs) are pretty good, too.

Order your snack and a drink inside and then enjoy your choice on one of the tables on the front terrace. It’s particularly busy late at night, as eating friet here is a popular pastime after drinking sessions at nearby Bokaal, one of the city’s most popular bars.

Marvel at the modernist Van Nelle Fabriek

One of only 11 World Heritage–listed cultural sights in the Netherlands, this concrete, steel and glass factory on the banks of a canal northwest of Centrum is a modernist masterpiece. Conceived by architects Johannes Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt as an ‘ideal factory,’ where interior working spaces evolved according to need and where daylight was maximised to provide healthy and enjoyable working conditions, it became a powerful symbol of European modernity when it opened in 1931.

Today it houses event spaces and creative industries. Local company Urban Guides conducts one-hour group or customised tours of the factory and other architectural wonders throughout the city on weekends – check its website for details.

Enjoy a tipple at a local microbrewery

When it comes to beer, Rotterdammers clearly believe that small producers are best. Microbreweries are scattered throughout the city, with concentrations in avant-garde Noord, the neighbourhood northeast of Centraal Station. Here, popular venues such as Brouwerij Noordt and Eurotrash United offer patrons both standard and seasonal brews.

Heading west, drinkers sit amidst burnished copper vats and are seduced by the heady aroma of hops and the delicious flavours of the signature Mayflower Tripel at Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim, an atmospheric brewhouse in historic Delfshaven. South of Centrum, in the former red-light district of Katendrecht, the popular Fenix Food Factory overlooking the Maas River is home to artisanal food and drink stalls including the taproom of Kaapse Brouwers, a hipster outfit producing more than 20 craft beers.

Learn about the wartime experience at Museum Rotterdam 1940-1945 NU

Few cities were as disastrously impacted by WWII as Rotterdam. In a bunker-like building tucked under a bridge on Coolhaven, this small but excellent museum documents life in the city during the war years. The centerpiece is an immersive multimedia experience outlining the terror and destruction that was caused on 14 May 1940, when 54 German aircraft dropped 1300 bombs on the city over a 13-minute period, killing more than 900 people, destroying buildings and setting off a firestorm that levelled the medieval city centre and many other neighborhoods.

Other exhibits highlight the Nazis' unconscionable treatment of Rotterdam’s Jewish community under the occupation, the valiant contribution of local resistance fighters and the joyous liberation of the city by Canadian troops on 8 May 1945.

Stroll the historic streets of Delfshaven

Be sure to wander along the pretty-as-a-picture streets and canals in historic Delfshaven, one of the few neighbourhoods in Rotterdam to be spared in the 1940 bombings. While here, pop in for a drink at one of the neighbourhood’s famous bruin cafés (traditional Dutch pubs).

Embrace third-wave coffee culture

This is a city that takes its coffee seriously. A craze kick-started with the opening of local coffee roaster Man Met Bril in 2012, cafes across town now serve coffee made with fair-trade, single-origin beans that are freshly roasted by local suppliers. Be it espresso, AeroPress, drip, French press or cold brew, you’ll have no trouble sourcing a cup to your liking and enjoying it in casual but stylish surrounds.

Our favourite cafes include the aforementioned Man Met Bril, located in a repurposed railway viaduct in the Noord neighbourhood; Hopper on Schiedamse Vest near Witte de Withstraat; and Urban Espresso Bar on the bustling Nieuwe Binnenwag strip. The latter two serve great food, too (don’t miss the house-baked pastries at Hopper).

Enjoy a gin in historic Schiedam

Back in Holland’s Golden Age, the town of Schiedam was known for its jenever, a spirit combining distilled malt wine and juniper berries that's considered the forerunner of gin. Popularised around the globe courtesy of the crews of Dutch East India Company ships, who were fervent admirers of its fortifying qualities, it was also popular with the Dutch soldiers who fought alongside English and Scottish troops in 17th-century wars and whose jenever-fuelled fortitude under fire came to be called ‘Dutch courage’ by their allies.

These days, the history of picturesque Schiedam and its jenever industry is explained at the Nationaal Jenevermuseum located in the center of the town’s historic distillery district. After visiting, you can sample the stuff itself at one of the bars on picturesque Grote Markt in the historic centre. It’s easy to get to Schiedam, just take the metro (Line A or B) from Rotterdam Centraal to Schiedam Centrum.

Admire the majestic De Rotterdam building

In a city replete with architectural masterworks, the interconnected stack of glass and steel boxes forming the De Rotterdam complex stands out for its size, audacity and sheer virtuosity. Designed by local firm OMA, which is headed by star architect Rem Koolhaas, this vertical city is the visual lynchpin of Kop van Zuid, the revitalised former port area south of the Nieuwe Maas shipping channel.

Though Kop van Zuid can be accessed via tram and metro (Wilhelminaplein station), the best way to get here is by walking or cycling across the Erasmusbrug, a stunning pylon bridge fondly dubbed ‘the Swan’ by locals. At sunset, when De Rotterdam’s lights are first turned on, the building’s colossal exterior seems almost transparent and is a truly wonderful sight. But many would argue that the view from the nhow Hotel’s seventh-floor cocktail bar, which offers a panoramic sweep of the Erasmusbrug and city skyline, is even better.

Join the party on Witt de Withstraat

If there’s one art the locals have perfected, it’s outdoor eating and drinking. In fine weather the cafes, bars and eateries along Witt de Withstraat unfurl the street umbrellas over their street furniture, crank up their sound systems and welcome boisterous groups of Rotterdammers young and old.

If you join them, you’ll probably find yourself cheek-by-jowl with backpackers from nearby hostels, staff from the cultural institutions in Museumpark, office and retail workers from Centrum and those from other neighborhoods who know that this is where the best party in town takes place – every night into the wee hours. Our favourite watering holes include De Witt Aap at number 78 and Wunderbar, which is located just around the corner at Boomgaardsstraat 71.

Take a day trip to Kinderdijk

There’s so much to see and do in Rotterdam that it seems almost reprehensible to recommend a day trip out of the city. But Kinderdijk, an almost impossibly picturesque World Heritage-listed landscape of marshes, canals and historic traditional windmills located approximately 9.5 miles (15km) southeast of the city center, is worth making an exception for.

This quintessentially Dutch landscape is best explored by bicycle – hire one in Rotterdam (your accommodation should be able to help you with this) and then take it and yourself onto the number 202 waterbus ferry from the Erasmusbrug ferry terminal.

After a 30-minute journey, you can hop onto your bike and follow the dual pedestrian and cycle path between the canals, stopping to visit the two 17th-century windmills operating as museums as well as the visitor centre in the 19th-century pumping station. In summer, tall reeds line the canals, lily pads float on the water and birdcalls break the silence – it’s a truly magical experience.

13 top things to do in Rotterdam: Architecture, culture and plenty of gin

We are in a golden age of children’s literature, and this love is felt most intensely in children’s bookstores—many of which are so special and imaginative that you could plan a whole family vacation around them.

If anyone can keep your kids busy for a few hours, it’s a passionate (and patient) children’s bookseller. If you want to explore some of these magical shops, here are some of the most interesting kids' bookstores in the USA.

A literary lighthouse in Michigan

Kids don’t just love stories at Storybook Village in Pentwater, Michigan, they become parts of them as characters and creators. Reading nooks abound, from the Fish House to the Reading Gazebo, and like a portal into another realm, a lighthouse doorway leads readers from the bookstore into the Starlight Theater Room and its wall-to-wall mural of sky and sea. Activities are seemingly endless, with puppet shows and theater productions, plus art and creative writing workshops. The book selection focuses on some specialty publishers, so don’t come with a specific book in mind. Rather, let the knowledgeable booksellers (the owner is a former teacher) pick something perfect for you.

Share literary love in Raleigh

Curl up with a great book in the window seat of Read With Me Books and Art , located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, at a walkable distance from the Marbles Kids Museum . This is a place to share your love of reading with young ones—and where art is a crucial part of that storytelling process. While originally just a children's bookstore, the shop added an adult book corner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let the wild rumpus start in Minneapolis

Do you remember what it’s like to read a book as a child? It feels a lot like walking into Wild Rumpus in south Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more than 25 years, this dreamy bookshop has blurred the lines between indoors and outdoors—and between reality and the storytelling world. A canoe cruises through the waters of the ceiling, and readers pass through a tree house-inspired passageway as they move to the back of the store. It’s also officially a pet shop that only sells books, as they have a pet store license for their animal menagerie, which includes cats, chinchillas, a cockatiel, and more.

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

Straight on till reading in Denver

Second Star to the Right in Denver, Colorado, will feel like home, where kids are free to explore to their heart’s delight. Handmade stars shine down from a glittery ceiling, and secret alcoves allow young readers to curl up and dig into a good story. The shop  hosts plenty of events, including storytimes at 10am from Monday to Saturday, though numbers are limited. However, there are also virtual storytimes, including Instagram read-alouds, so all can join.

Read more: Best things to do in Denver with kids

Get lost in Los Angeles

For more than 30 years, the award-winning Children’s Book World in West Los Angeles has boasted a selection of more than 80,000 titles. You could spend hours here and while you’re reading good books, you’re also doing good work: through their nonprofit Children’s Book Recycling Program, the bookstore collects and donates gently used books to low-income schools and programs.

Read more: Exploring Los Angeles with kids

Find the magic in Oregon

TreeHouse Books in quaint Ashland, Oregon, is the fairy ring of bookstores. With its window display of miniature worlds and an unique selection of gifts and books, this may seem like a quirky, lovable little shop, but there’s something especially enchanting about it—just maybe, magic is real here. Each genre or reading level is an entrance to a different ‘land,’ and readers will discover a Wizard Apothecary, a Secret World Vault and more.

You may also like:
The world's a book: 10 places that bring children’s literature to life
Best things to do with kids in the USA
Five most underrated family vacation destinations in the USA

Six children's bookstores in the US worth traveling for

Reading material, whether destination-related or just a way to while away the journey, is an essential packing list item. But cozy, well-curated independent bookstores are often trip-worthy in their own right. We asked 11 best-selling writers to tell us which shops are worth a detour for book-loving travelers.

Left Bank Books – St Louis, Missouri

Recommended by Curtis Sittenfeld , author of You Think It, I'll Say It

Would you like to acquire a Black Lives Matter sign? Would you like to buy a beautiful letterpress birthday card for your mom? Would you like to pet the in-house cat? Or would you like to purchase or discuss the latest (or some not-so-recent) novels, story collections and works of nonfiction? You can do all of this (and more!) at Left Bank Books in St. Louis.

Located in the elegant yet quirky Central West End neighborhood, Left Bank is both a fearless supporter of progressive causes and a terrific place to find books. Whenever someone asks how to obtain an autographed book from me, I tell the person to call Left Bank and order it, and I’ll drop by. Then I stop in to sign the book and also to impulse-purchase several volumes worth of fiction, because they all look so irresistible on the shelves and tables, displayed in the light from those big windows, with that cat purring nearby.

Follow Curtis Sittenfeld @csittenfeld

The Writer's Block – Las Vegas, Nevada

Recommended by Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage

All the romantic, nostalgic words that people use to describe bookstores apply to The Writers Block. Yes, it is cozy, quiet, tidy and redolent with that new book smell that is so much more heady than new car smell. It is a bookshop of the old school, selling books almost exclusively. The owners are almost always on the floor ready to hand-sell their new favorites as well as classics.

What makes this bookstore so special is its location. If you have ever been to the Red Rock Canyon, you know that the natural splendor is amplified by its proximity to the garish neon lights of the Las Vegas strip. Well, the same is true for The Writers Block. Situated in downtown Las Vegas, the bookstore is an oasis for the bookish and the analog. It offers clean lines, natural light, and a magnificently curated collection. As a bonus, the store features a sanctuary for artificial birds.

Follow Tayari Jones @tayari

Liberty Bay Books – Poulsbo, Washington

Recommended by Kristin Hannah , author of The Great Alone

Asking a writer to choose a favorite bookstore is like asking a mother to choose among her children. That being said, there is a unique shop in a small coastal town in Washington State that will always have a piece of my heart. Liberty Bay Books, in beautiful downtown Poulsbo, is very much the "shop around the corner" that we all imagine visiting.

Once inside, you’ll find shelves full of books for all ages. Of course, there's a place to get a cup of coffee (it is near Seattle), but it's really the love of books that matters here; it's what links everyone and makes us friends from the moment we step inside.

Books & Books – Miami, Florida

Recommended by Brad Meltzer , author of The Escape Artist

In 20 years, there’s only one bookstore that I’ve been to for every single book I’ve written: Books & Books in Coral Gables. Let me be clear: I’ve been to stores all across the world. But this is the store I love most. It’s my home. There’s books, a café, more books and even an outdoor courtyard that has live music on the weekends. Plus, it has Mitchell Kaplan, the grand poobah of bookselling.

Is Miami known as a reading town? Of course not. People usually think of us for plastic surgery and tanning beds. But Books & Books fights against all that, bringing all our intellectuals into one cozy space. There’s a reason everyone from Bill Clinton, to Junot Díaz, to Neil Gaiman, to…well…me...always makes it a stop. Come for the books; stay for the free music. You’ll thank me.

Follow Brad Meltzer @bradmeltzer

Mystery Loves Company – Oxford, Maryland

Recommended by Laura Lippman , author of Sunburn

I have to be a hometown loyalist of sorts here and recommend Mystery Loves Company in Oxford, Maryland. The store started in Baltimore, but owner Kathy Harig moved to this picturesque Eastern Shore town several years ago. And because Kathy has a very generous definition of "mystery," the store has titles that will make any reader of fiction happy.

It even has store cats, named (inevitably) Nick and Nora. From Baltimore, it's about a 90-minute drive on a good day, but don't even think of trying to get there on Friday afternoons in the summer, unless you really, really like traffic. If you're there in August, stop at one of the local produce stands and buy some tomatoes or corn. Again, not to be a hometown loyalist, but they really are the best.

Follow Laura Lippman @LauraMLippman

Second Flight Books – Lafayette, Indiana

Recommended by Terese Mailhot, author of Heart Berries

I love Second Flight Books. Laura and Justin Kendall have made a place for our community. Laura has endeared herself to me as a bookseller. She has hosted events for Roxane Gay, and employed emerging authors and, in February, in the very front of the store, there was a full and beautiful aisle of romance novels. I love that. They also mostly sell used books, because they’re concerned about affordability and access. It’s not the store itself that sells me, ever, but the people who believe in the power of books. There’s so much heart in that building, I die with excitement every time I walk in.

Follow Terese Mailhot at @TereseMarieM

Kepler's Books – Menlo Park, California

Recommended by Taran Matharu , author of the Summoner Series

More often than not, the most special bookstores are described as small, cozy and warm, with the scent of old books in the air. This is not Menlo Park's Kepler's Books. It's special for the exact opposite reasons. The floor to ceiling windows fill the store with California sunlight, and the broad corridors within are lined with new books, crisp from the printers. The double doors out front stay open all day, welcoming all comers – no dusty scents here, but fresh air. It's as close to an outdoor bookstore as you can find. I highly recommend giving it a visit.

Follow Taran Matharu @TaranMatharu1

WORD Books – Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Recommended by NK Jemisin , author of The Stone Sky

WORD Books in Greenpoint is probably my current favorite. It's tiny and cramped, yet they consistently manage to have at least one book that I absolutely HAVE to buy, every time I go there. And the downstairs event space makes up for the tight fit upstairs; I had the launch party for The Fifth Season there and it was lovely. There was even enough room for a homemade volcano! And readings, and talks and more. It's on a gorgeous street with historic architecture and a little park, easily bike-able or train-able. All they lack is a bookstore cat. Why don't bookstores do those anymore? Oh, allergies. Well, it's perfect except for that.

Follow NK Jemisin @nkjemisin

Powell's Books – Portland, Oregon

Recommended by Vera Brosgol , author of Be Prepared

Portland is packed with amazing independent bookstores (Green Bean Books is my favorite dedicated exclusively to children’s books), but the granddaddy of them all is Powell’s. It’s an entire city block packed with 1.6 acres of books, sweet books. There are nine color-coded rooms, each holding a different genre. My personal favorite is the Rose Room, which is where all the kids books are kept and where I beeline every time I visit.

The used books are shelved right alongside the new ones, so you can often find out-of-print treasures along with cheap copies of classics. I love checking out the weird illustrated covers of old sci-fi paperbacks in the Gold Room, and browsing 20-pound art books in the Pearl Room. There’s a café with great people-watching (and sketching) out the giant corner windows. Bonus: it keeps you out of the rain!

Follow Vera Brosgol @verabee

Brookline Booksmith – Boston, Massachusetts

Recommended by Tomi Adeyemi , author of Children of Blood and Bone

Brookline Booksmith is the most badass bookstore I know. There was a literal blizzard with a declared state of emergency, and they still put on my event. They are the Braveheart of bookstores to me. Also you walk into that store and literally want to buy everything. Even books you already own. So be careful!

Follow Tomi Adeyemi @tomi_adeyemi

Mysterious Galaxy – San Diego, California

Recommended by Christie Ridgway , author of Almost Paradise

Visitors to San Diego come for the sunshine and stay for the near-perfect weather, but if you’re inspired by Comic-Con or need to dive indoors to give your sunburn a break, there’s a great independent bookstore stocked with your next beach read. Mysterious Galaxy (11 miles from the Convention Center, 9 miles from the seaside enclave of La Jolla) can take you far, far away with a science fiction pick or closer to home if your jam is domestic thrillers. I like the many genres represented – including fantasy and horror – the numerous handwritten staff recommendations and the knowledgeable salespeople.

Follow Christie Ridgway @ChristieRidgway

You might also like:
Europe's most beautiful libraries
23 independent bookstores in the US to support online
6 children's bookstores worth traveling for

Famous authors share their favorite US bookstores

Burgundy is la belle France in a nutshell. Known as Bourgogne in French, this quintessentially rural region stitched from pea-green fields, canals and vineyards in eastern France really does have it all: sensational food and wine, a million and one chateaux, handsome hilltop villages at every turn and enough Unesco World Heritage sights to keep culture vultures busy for days.

While urbanites get their kicks in dashing Dijon, Beaune and other thriving small towns, cycling, canal boating, ballooning and sauntering on foot along enchanting riverside trails peppered with wildflowers in spring are exhilarating outdoor pursuits. Oh, and did we mention road-tripping on the back of an original, 1950s Mobylette? If it is authentic French joie de vivre you’re after, Burgundy is the address.

Play the French flâneur in Dijon

With magnificent medieval and Renaissance architecture at every turn, regional capital Dijon was cut out for slow and indulgent flânerie on foot. Its compact and pedestrian-friendly center, lively street scene and rich architectural tapestry make it one of France's most appealing cities to mooch: the gorgeous polychrome tile roofs in glazed ceramic hark back to Dijon’s 14th- and 15th-century heyday as capital of the Duchy of Burgundy when it was richer and more powerful than the kingdom of France itself. All municipal museums, including the superb Musée des Beaux Arts in the east wing of the monumental Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne, offer free admission and the self-guided Owl Trail walking tour is great fun for families; get details at the tourist office.

Live like a local in Beaune

From its architectural jewel of a Gothic charity hospital to the centuries-old labyrinth of wine cellars hidden beneath its streets, the small town of Beaune (pronounced similarly to 'bone') is as beau as its name suggests. As the unofficial capital of the world-class Côte d'Or region, wine is the town's raison d'être and natural source of its deliciously contagious joie de vivre. Tasting opportunities are rife above and below ground, guided vineyard tours by car or bicycle abound, and dining is notably grassroots and farm-fresh ( Caves Madeleine is a favorite). Don’t miss hobnobbing with locals at the sprawling, Saturday-morning farmers’ market on cobblestoned Place de la Halle.

Cut the mustard as a French gourmand

Burgundy’s feisty cuisine is a gastronomic romp through history and indulging, no holds barred, is key to cutting the mustard as a French gourmand. Pain d’épices (gingerbread) was brought to Burgundy from the Holy Land by the Crusaders and vines were planted here by the Romans. The inevitable wine-tasting aside, there’s tender Charolais rib-eye beef and tangy Dijon mustard to sample: experience black truffle, blackcurrant, honey, white wine and dozens of other gourmet flavors at Moutarderie Maille in Dijon, and traditionally stone-ground moutarde at Moutarderie Fallot in Beaune.

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

Mop after up garlicky snails

France’s finest snails hail from Burgundy. Escargots de Bourgogne are fed on juicy grape leaves and are traditionally served still in their distinctive black shells, stuffed with tangy garlic-and-parsley butter. Mopping up the sublime puddle of garlicky oil left on your plate with bread is as much a highlight as each chewy plump snail.

You can master the art of manipulating snail tongs and two-pronged snail fork – not easy – at any restaurant specializing in regional cuisine: family-run La Table d’Héloïse in Cluny never disappoints. Or join locals celebrating their favorite gastropod at a traditional Fête des Escargots (Snail Festival), held each year in Chevigny-St-Saveur and Digoin.

Follow pilgrims to a Unesco-treasured abbey

Visiting Burgundy’s trio of superstar abbeys is as much about the journey – a meditative ramble through peaceful green fields and wooded valleys, along cobblestoned lanes and tranquil streams – as the awe-inspiring history and architecture you encounter on arrival.

Tiny but spectacular Abbaye de Vézelay squats in splendid isolation on a hilltop at the trailhead of the centuries-old Voie de Vézelay pilgrimage route leading 1100km (685 miles) to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Its exquisite, 11th- to 12th-century basilica is enshrined on Unesco’s World Heritage list as one of the world’s great treasures, as is Abbaye de Fontenay, founded in 1118 and a powerful evocation today of medieval monastic life. In southern Burgundy, ruined Cluny was incredibly Christendom's largest church until the construction of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Shockingly stinky orange-skinned cheese Époisses adds a curious dimension to restored Abbaye de Cîteaux where it has been monk-made since the 11th century. Upon departure, buy a round from the abbey shop.

Savor viticulture flavor in Mâconnais

With its attractive old town and riverside location on the west bank of the Saône, the small winemaking town of Mâcon in southern Burgundy is a delight to explore. But its greatest appeal lies in the surrounding Mâcconais countryside, peppered with cute winemaking villages that read like a 'Who’s Who' of best French whites: Fuissé, Vinzelles, Pouilly…

For a bird’s eye perspective of the entire vineyard-spangled Mâconnais, motor 10km (6 miles) west of Mâcon where the rocky outcrop of Roche de Solutré commands awe-inspiring views and a tip-top prehistory museum. Lunch with a modern creative twist afterward at La Courtille de Solutré is always a good idea, as is gastronomic dining overlooking vines at L’O des Vignes, 10 minutes drive south in Fuissé.

Celebrate gastronomy and wine at La Cité

Excitement for summer 2022 is already mounting for not one, but two, ground-breaking cités (cities) aimed squarely at seducing French food and wine lovers. West of regional capital Dijon, slap-bang on the sweet spot where the iconic Route des Grands Crus hits the road, La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin (CIGV) is taking shape in an upcycled 13th-century orphanage-turned-hospital. When finished, the cooking school, wine school, restaurants, shops, exhibition space and labs in the €250 million complex guarantee full immersion in Burgundy’s grassroots gastronomy scene.

If it’s a pure, unadulterated vin experience you’re craving, don your tasting hat for a road trip around La Cité des Vins et de Climats de Bourgogne – a three-pronged attraction with sites in Beaune, Chablis and Mâcon, and a strong focus on sustainable viticulture. At the flagship in Beaune, gen up on Burgundy’s Unesco World Heritage-prized climat (Burgundy vineyard) and scale a 24m-tall corkscrew tower for a mind-blowing panorama of Côte d’Or vineyards laid out romantically at your feet. Gorge on a garden exhibition demonstrating the seasonal calendar of winemaking in real-time in Chablis, and experience the ‘sound’ of Burgundian wine culture in Mâcon.

On the hop: craft beer

Swap wine for craft beer. Artisan microbreweries have mushroomed in Burgundy in recent years, with experimental brewers cleverly drawing on their region’s rich viticulture heritage to age beer in oak wine barrels, create sought-after millésimées (vintage ales) and blend traditional local flavors such as blackcurrant, gingerbread and Marc de Bourgogne (a local grappa) to create unusual aromatic beers.

Highlights on the craft-beer trail include an organic lager or IPA at Brasserie de Vézelay, beer crafted from grape must or aged in a premier cru wine barrel at Maddam in Chablis, or a sweet Zouaffe brewed from fresh elderflower blossoms at Brasserie de Cluny in Cluny. Or make a meal of it with exceptional home cooking and beer pairings around a shared table at Tournus’ Two Dudes.

Relive high drama in Roman Gaul

Admiring Gallo-Roman artifacts and the unusually sensual Temptation of Eve, a masterpiece of stone carving by 12th-century sculptor Gislebertus, in the largely unsung art museum Musée Rolin easily justifies a trip to Autun. This low-key town, on the doorstep of the nature-rich Parc Naturel Régional du Morvan in southern Burgundy, was one of the most important cities in Roman Gaul almost two millennia ago. Sacked by barbarian tribes from 269 CE, evocative ruins are all that remain of its original ramparts, monumental gates, theatres, amphitheater and sophisticated aqueduct system. Its hilly old city and impressive Romanesque cathedral are rather nice too.

Hardcore Celt fiends must continue 25km (15 miles) to the Gallic oppidum of Bribracte, capital of the Aedui Celts in the 1st and 2nd century BCE, and nearby MuséoParc Alésia to relive the famous 52 BCE battle between Gaullish chef Vercingétorix and Julius Caesar’s merry band of 50,000 Roman legionaries.

Revel in boat life afloat

Exploring the region’s network of tranquil waterways is a golden ticket to encountering flora, birdlife and other fauna at close quarters along the peaceful Yonne, Saône and Seille rivers and a network of pretty canals, including the Canal de Bourgogne, Canal du Centre and Canal du Nivernais. March to October is the season for water explorers. Boats of all shapes and sizes, from single canoe to houseboat with bicycles attached on the side, can be rented in the ancient river port of Auxerre, on the western bank of the Yonne. To navigate by standup paddleboard, electric motorboat, pedalo with sunshade and kayak, make a beeline for Le Betardeau.

Cruise the countryside by vintage Mobylette

In a region essentially built from rural back lanes, bucolic countryside, farming hamlets and wine-making villages, memorable road trips are a given. Motoring around the countryside by car, campervan or motorcycle cooks up endless opportunities for memorable pit stops – to lunch in epicurean style, taste wine crafted by boutique vignerons (winegrowers) whose vintages are only available in the region, explore historic churches and abbeys, gorge on panoramic views atop hilltop villages best reached by foot. Cruising the countryside by e-scooter with One Up Tour or the back of an original, 1950s vintage Mobylette with Les Brêles Balades are unforgettable new-gen road trips.

Wine and dine in a Renaissance chateau

It feels like a world-renowned grand cru seeps out of every last flintstone in the Côte d’Or (literally ‘Golden Hillside’), Burgundy’s most prestigious wine region where meticulously groomed vineyards march with military precision south of Dijon for some 60km (37mi). Tasting opportunities naturally abound on this vinicultural neck of the woods, but to delve backstage – from the Middle Ages to the magnificent present day – reserve a date with Château du Clos de Vougeot. Touring the medieval vat house and presses, Cistercian cellar and original kitchens at this 16th-century chateau is an immersive eye-opener, as is the subsequent sensational table d’hôte tasting lunch, enjoyed with six different wines around a shared table in a private wing of the Renaissance chateau.

Try your hand at blackcurrant mixology

No French aperitif is quite so classic as kir which mixes three-parts white wine with one-part crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) to create a sweet yet crisp pre-meal drink. Not only is the French icon named after Dijon mayor, Félix Kir (1876-1968), credited with reviving the 19th-century drink after WWII; crème de cassis is a born-and-bred Burgundy babe. Gen up on its history, production and – most importantly – taste at the family-friendly factory-museum Cassissium in Nuits St-George, and discover the secret cocktail artist in you with an inspiring, hands-on mixology workshop.

Slow right down in a balloon

To feast on the region’s insatiably green and handsome landscapes from an alternative perspective, book yourself a ride over Burgundian vineyards, hills and rivers in a colorful hot-air balloon. Balloons generally only take off on blue-sky days between April and October. About a dozen companies operate in the region, including the ingeniously named Air Escargot (‘Snail Air’), some 20km (12 miles) southwest of Beaune. Beaune and Dijon tourist offices can also help with bookings.

Taste wine in a Dijon ‘speakeasy’

You can rely on a French cultural heavyweight like Burgundy to flip the conventional meaning of ‘speakeasy’ on its head. Clandestine, surprising and occasionally feeling a wee bit illicit, ‘Wine Thursday’ tastings organized by the Dijon tourist office lead visitors to a different secret destination each week, May to September. Guided wine tastings are led by a professional sommelier who goes by the ‘stage name’ of Monsieur Déguste (Mr. Taste), with visitors learning as much about the cultural location they end up – the opera house, an abbey or cloister, a museum, place of worship, all sorts – as the different regional vintages they swirl, smell, sniff and sip.

Other fun wine tasting opportunities in Dijon include sampling vintages from the year of your birth with owner Olivier at old-vintage specialist wine bar Caveau de Saulx (advance reservation necessary for anyone born before 1970); in situ amid vines during a ‘Château Vélo Vino’ bicycle tour with Bourgogne Évasion; or paired with a plat du jour crafted from local organic produce at L’Age de Raisin (not ‘Age of Reason’ but rather brilliantly ‘Age of the Grape’).

You might also like:
5 beautiful walks in Burgundy: vines, chateaux and Gallic drama
The best free things to do in Burgundy: beauté on a budget
Burgundy's most beautiful road trips

​​The best of Burgundy: 15 ways to find French joie de vivre

With steely skyscrapers, top restaurants and calendar of festivals, Chicago will blow you away with its low-key cultured awesomeness any day of the year.

It's hard to know what to gawk at first. High-flying architecture is everywhere, and whimsical public art studs the streets. You might be walking along and wham, there's an abstract Picasso statue that's not only cool to look at but you're allowed to go right up and climb on it. When you need a break from exploring the city, loosen your belt – you've got a lot of eating to do here.

Here are the top things to do on your trip to Chicago this winter.

Art Institute of Chicago

The second-largest art museum in the country, the Art Institute of Chicago houses a treasure trove from around the globe. The collection of impressionist and postimpressionist paintings is second only to those in France, and the number of surrealist works is tremendous. Wander the endless marble and glass corridors, and rooms stuffed with Japanese prints, Grecian urns, suits of armor, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and one very big, dotted Seurat. The Modern Wing dazzles with Picassos and Mirós.

Architecture cruises

Who cares if all the backward neck-bending causes a little ache? There's no better way to feel Chicago's steely power than from low on the water looking up while cloud-poking towers glide by and iron bridges arch open to lead the way. The skyline takes on a surreal majesty as you float through its shadows on a river tour, and landmark after eye-popping landmark flash by. Guides' architecture lessons carry on the breeze, so you'll know your beaux art from International style by day's end.

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

Blues and rock

In Chicago no genre is as iconic as the blues – the electric blues, to be exact. When Muddy Waters and friends plugged in their amps in the 1950s, guitar grooves reached new decibel levels. Hear it in clubs around town, such as Buddy Guy's Legends, where the icon himself still takes the stage, or Rosa's Lounge, where it's a bit more down and dirty. The blues paved the way for rock and roll, so no surprise cool little clubs hosting edgy indie bands slouch on many a street corner.

Comedy and theater

A group of jokesters began performing intentionally unstructured skits in a Chicago bar a half century ago, and voilà – improv comedy was born. Second City still nurtures the best in the biz, though several other improv theaters also work from booze-fueled suggestions that the audience hollers up. Among the city's 200 theaters are powerhouse drama troupes such as Hollywood-star-laden Steppenwolf, and heaps of fringey, provocative "off-Loop" companies, such as The Neo-Futurists (which base admission cost on a dice roll).

Sky-high views

For superlative seekers, Willis Tower is it: the city's tallest building (and one of the world's loftiest). Breathe deeply during the ear-popping, 70-second elevator ride to the 103rd-floor Skydeck and then stride to one of the glass-enclosed ledges that jut out in midair. Look down some 1400ft. Crikey. The lakeside 875 N Michigan Ave building (formerly known as the Hancock Center) also rises high in the sky. Ascend to the 96th-floor Signature Lounge, order a cocktail and watch the city sparkle around you. It's especially lovely at night.

Global eats

In recent years chefs such as Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard and many others put Chicago on the culinary map. They won a heap of James Beard awards, and suddenly international critics were dubbing Chicago one of the globe's top eating destinations. The beauty here is that even the buzziest restaurants are accessible: they're visionary yet traditional, pubby at the core and decently priced. You can also chow down on a terrific range of global eats in Chicago's neighborhoods, from Puerto Rican jibaritos (steak covered in garlicky mayo and served between thick, crispy-fried plantain slices, which form the "bread") to Indian samosas to Polish pierogi.

Millennium Park

The playful heart of Chicago, Millennium Park shines with whimsical public art. Go ahead, walk under Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate – aka "the Bean" – and touch its silvery smoothness. Let the human gargoyles of Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain gush water on you to cool down in summer. Unfurl a blanket by Frank Gehry's swooping silver band shell as the sun dips, wine corks pop and gorgeous music fills the twilight air. Or try to find the secret garden abloom with prairie flowers and a small gurgling river.

Wrigley Field

A tangible sense of history comes alive at Wrigley Field, a 100-plus-year-old baseball park, thanks to the hand-turned scoreboard, iconic neon entrance sign, legendary curses and time-honored traditions that infuse games played here. Shoveling down hot dogs and drinking beer in the raucous bleachers makes for an unforgettable afternoon. The area around the stadium is like a big street festival on game days: young people party in alfresco bars, kids lick ice-cream cones and die-hard fans occupy stools in age-old, sticky-floored taverns.

Public art

You can't walk two blocks downtown without bumping into an extraordinary sculpture. The granddaddy is Picasso's untitled sculpture (what the heck is it – an Afghan hound?), set smack in Daley Plaza. Jean Dubuffet's abstract creation is officially titled Monument with Standing Beast, but everyone calls it "Snoopy in a Blender." Marc Chagall's grand mosaic Four Seasons is more recognizable, depicting Chicago scenes. Alexander Calder's hulking, red-pink Flamingo could indeed pass for its namesake, but only after you've had a few beers.

Navy Pier

Stretching away from the skyline and into the blue of Lake Michigan, half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most visited attractions. Its charms revolve around the cool breezes and sweet views, especially from the stomach-turning, 196ft-tall Ferris wheel. High-tech rides, splash fountains, big boats and greasy snacks blow the minds of young ones. Live music, Shakespearean theater and whopping fireworks displays entertain everyone else. A smart renovation has added public plazas, performance spaces, art installations and free cultural programming.

You might also like:
Food fight: Who makes the best pizza - New York or Chicago?
The 10 best day trips in the US Midwest
Chicago artist turns potholes into unbelievable pandemic-themed mosaics

Let Chicago wow you this winter: here are the best things to do

Luckily, Vermont’s stunning views are always free. Visit in the fall to make the most of them and take advantage of all the Green Mountain state has to offer through hikes, outdoor sculpture parks or perhaps a little bird-watching.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do for free in Vermont.

Leaf peeping

In autumn, Vermont’s hardwoods turn from deep green to a rainbow of reds, oranges, yellows and browns, transforming the Green Mountains into a nature-painted rainbow. Drive windy Rt. 108 through Smuggler’s Notch, pedal along Rt. 100 or hike any hill or peak for stunning views and to witness nature’s artistry. Find peak color using one of the state’s foliage finders.

Music in the park

Vermont’s many parks, breweries, libraries and town halls offer free concerts from classical music to folk, jazz and pop. Summer is chock-full of free performances, and these continue into the fall. Catch the United States Air Force Winds at the Plymouth Congregational Church, Folk Duo Hungrytown at Middlebury’s Ilsley Public Library or Great Time at Foam Brewers in October.

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

Take a hike or a ride

There’s always something to admire on a hike in Vermont. Walk, run, bike or wander on rec paths in Stowe, Burlington, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail or the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. Some are paved, some are dirt, and all wind through Vermont’s stunning pastoral landscape.

If you’re feeling ambitious, tackle the Long Trail, Vermont’s end-to-end thru-hike, a 272-mile wilderness wonder that follows the ridgeline of the Green Mountains.

The oldest continuous footpath in the United States also has 166 miles of side trails that give day hikers and weekend campers access along the length of the trail, while 70 backcountry campsites and shelters, almost all of which are free, provide lodging.

Best hikes in Vermont

Immerse yourself in outdoor sculpture

There are nearly 30 spots to explore outdoor sculpture throughout Vermont. At Woodstock Sculpture Fest, visitors can walk, wander or glide on Nordic skis through outdoor art in all seasons and all for free.

Explore Vermont’s historic graveyards

Whether you’re looking for spooky Halloween hangouts or a window into Vermont’s storied past, visiting Vermont’s historic graveyards is a great way to spend an afternoon. Most Vermont villages have aged graveyards with headstones so weathered they can barely be read.

Bring paper and crayons to make a rubbing and try to decipher the sometimes haunting, sometimes playful inscriptions. Find inspiration and an overview at Vermont Old Cemetery Association’s website.

Top things to do in Vermont

Find a farmers’ market

Find fresh produce, handmade crafts, home-cooked food, free music and performances, and more at Vermont farmers’ markets. Find one near you through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. Browsers and buyers are welcomed.

Many markets have music and samples of delicious treats from maple popcorn and freshly baked bread to artisan jams, jellies, cheese and spirits.

The Church Street Marketplace in Burlington is always hopping, but the pedestrian mall is particularly lively in fall with end-of-season sales, street performers, outdoor art and food trucks galore.

Go birdwatching

Vermont is a great place to see wildlife. Get up early or head out at dusk to see clouds of snow geese and Canada geese fill the sky as they flock south from the Artic for winter. In Addison County, Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area is a regular stop on the birds’ 5000-mile journey.

Hit it right, and not only might you marvel at a sky throbbing with beating wings, but you might also witness cornfields and wetlands alive with birds on the hunt before another day of flight.

The snow geese are spectacular, but Dead Creek is always a birder’s paradise. Mallard ducks, wood ducks, ring-necked ducks and hooded mergansers are all regulars here.

In southern Vermont, walk the perimeter trail around Grout Pond to hear the plaintive call of loons. If hawks, owls and eagles are of interest, walk the paved road up Mt. Philo in Charlotte to the summit viewpoint, which looks out over the Champlain Valley and New York’s Adirondacks, turn your eyes and binoculars skyward to search for raptors surfing thermals.

Vermont’s best road trips

Sign on for a scavenger hunt

Get inspired to explore. The American Institute of Architects’ Vermont Chapter runs an architectural scavenger hunt and posts clue sheets for participating Vermont cities, including Middlebury, St. Albans, Burlington and Brattleboro.

Even if you can’t complete the search before the hunt’s close date, use the clue sheets as a guide to architectural awesomeness throughout the state.

Lovers of cheese won’t want to miss Vermont Cheese Council’s The Hunt. Designed to encourage exploration and make you hungry at the same time, participants on this cheese hunt select one or more regions to explore while completing tasks like biking in the Champlain Valley, preparing an outdoor picnic on the shores of Lake Champlain, climbing to the summit of Killington or visiting a cheesemaker based at Calvin Coolidge’s historic summer white house in Plymouth.

You might also like:
Best time to visit Vermont
Vermont’s best beaches
Best places to visit in Vermont

The top free things to do in Vermont are always outdoors 

More than 2000 years of history have shaped Valencia 's eclectic barrios, where atmospheric music bars and inventive restaurants are now springing up. Valencians are proud of their paella and passionate about politics, a fervor that ignites the city during Las Fallas festival in spring. But Valencia is far more than just a pitstop for partygoers – it packs a cultural punch too. Here are the top 15 things to do in Valencia.

1. Admire avant-garde architecture in the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias

Futuristic and otherworldly, this cultural complex designed by renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava underpins Valencia’s reputation for innovative design. Begin with a guided tour of the Palau de les Arts, the towering white opera house that cantilevers over an azure pool, then track down the answers to any burning questions about the world in the science museum. Its "Chromosome forest" does a great job of explaining how genes work.

2. Discover Valencia by bicycle

Flying along the extensive network of cycle lanes is the most practical – and enjoyable – way to get to grips with Spain’s third-largest city. Navigating is easy; much of Valencia is organized around a grid system and the wide boulevards are mercifully flat. The city also has its own bike sharing scheme, Valenbisi, which allows users to hire a bike and return it to different spots around the city. Once you’ve hired a bicycle, wheel toward the Jardines del Turia, a 5.6-mile (9km) stretch of greenery that curves around the eastern flank of the city.

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

3. Picnic in the Jardines del Turia

Best free thing to do in Valencia

When a flood devastated Valencia in 1957, urbanists decided to reroute the river away from the low-lying city center and transform the riverbed into a garden. The Jardines del Turia links the Bioparc – a zoo full of African wildlife – with the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias. In the afternoon, the park is an ideal spot to esmorzar (to lunch in Valencian) beneath the palm trees or return on rollerblades at sunset to cut shapes with the young crowd who skate to reggaeton.

4. Head to the beach

With nearly 12.5 miles (20km) of long, sandy beaches to choose from, it is no wonder that the city decamps to the coast at the weekend. Busy Playa de las Arenas, a delightful freeway of soft, muscovado-colored sand just north of the port, is the city’s most accessible stretch of shoreline.

This is where friends gather around a cool box of cervezas and where grandparents on deckchairs keep a watchful eye on children happily building sandcastles. So grab a cocktail from a chiringuito (beach bar) and lie back on your deckchair. Further north, Platja de la Patacona is more low-key. Only the seagulls will disturb you here – and the occasional cheer from the beach volleyball courts.

5. Taste a traditional paella

Valencia is the home of paella and feasting on the saffron rice dish at lunchtime is a Sunday ritual. Eat your fill at La Pepica – Ernest Hemingway’s favorite spot – or venture out of town to El Saler, a village by the L’Albufera natural park. It was these floodplains where the Moors grew rice in the 8th century, paving the way towards the creation of Spain’s most famous dish. Traditionally, ingredients in a paella are sourced from the land, so be prepared to swap the seafood for rabbit and snail.

6. Explore the old haunt of painter Joaquín Sorolla

Sun-soaked El Cabanyal is Valencia at its prettiest. Situated next to the ocean, this working-class barrio of low-rise, tiled houses was once a fishing village. The impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla was born here too. His former home – Calle de las Mantas, 8 – has a small plaque outside. Crane your neck outside Carrer del Mediterrani, 37 to see a mosaic of an oxen dragging a fishing vessel out of the ocean. It is reminiscent of the scene the Sorolla painted in Sol de la Tarde (Afternoon Sun).

Slightly dilapidated but utterly charming, the quarter is a favorite with locals, unlike more gentrified parts of the city. Let your hair down to live music at La Fábrica de Hielo, a former ice factory. A few blocks away, the gourmet food trucks at Mercabanyal attract the cool kids, so get ready to join the line – even on a Sunday.

7. Experience old Valencia in the historic center

The Ciutat Vella ("Old City") is Valencia’s soul. Wind through tranquil plazas towards the cathedral, a 13th-century masterpiece that was once a mosque and before that, a Roman temple. Inside, great stone archways draw the eye upwards to a glorious fresco that depicts frolicking cherubs in gold leaf. After the baking heat of the city, the cathedral’s sacrosanct depths are something of a balm, for mind and body. Climb up the El Miguelete bell tower for one of the best views in Valencia.

Not enough Gothic architecture for one afternoon? Imagine Valencia as it was during the Golden Age inside La Lonja – the old silk exchange that was at the heart of the city’s wealth in the 15th century. Indeed it was a Valencian banker who coughed up the funds for Christopher Colombus’ voyage to the Americas.

8. Celebrate creativity at Las Fallas and Festival de les Arts

The arrival of spring brings Valencia’s biggest, boldest fiesta. Las Fallas is an unbridled display of creativity, color, and endless fireworks, with a political twist. The fiery frenzy lasts for 19 days and finishes with the Cremà; when figurines of political figures called ninots (Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have featured in the past) are set ablaze.

Valencia lights up again in June during the Festival de les Arts, an epic weekend of bands and electronic music held in the Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias.

9. Try tapas by a Michelin-starred chef at the market

No trip to Valencia is complete without a trip to the Mercat Central, an arresting modernist building that dates back to 1928. Peruse the food stalls in the morning then stop for gourmet boccadillos (sandwiches) and tapas at Central Bar. The buzzy, zero-kilometer eatery is run by Ricard Camarena, a mega-chef on the Valencian culinary scene whose restaurants have won Michelin stars. Prices here are higher than elsewhere in the city but worth paying.

10. Wander around Ruzafa

With its picturesque townhouses and new-wave coffee shops, this barrio is popular with Valencia's growing expat community. The former working-class district now buzzes with young people who are drawn to its fusion restaurants, wine bars, and late-night spots.

Hints of Ruzafa’s roots remain in the market, housed in a squat building in the central square. The neighborhood is sleepy during the day, then livelier come nightfall. If you are looking to meet people, this is the place to visit. Try Gave Mx for cocktails then head to La Escuela de Ruzafa for live music and flamenco.

11. Eat at a traditional bodega

There is a reason why Casa Montaña has been around since 1836. Now one of the city’s best-known restaurants, food here is consistently excellent and the dark wood interior transports you to old-world Spain. Try the anguila ahumada (smoked eel), typically hauled out of the L’Albufera, a freshwater lake. Wash it all down with a glass of Bobal, a light, fruity regional red.

12. Listen to jazz in El Carmen

Best thing to do at night

If you are looking for things to do once the sun goes down, head to the El Carmen barrio. The meandering alleyways are frequented by a bohemian bunch and the neighborhood is home to several music bars. Jimmy Glass is one of the best, with a stellar line up of Spanish and international groups and a jazz festival in the fall. Clap along to jam sessions at L'Ermità or shimmy to rock, folk, blues, and more at Peter Rock Club.

13. Ponder the artworks of Spanish Masters

Culture vultures should not miss the Museo de Bellas Artes, the second largest art gallery in Spain and easily recognizable by its splendid cerulean dome. Mull over artworks by Joaquín Sorolla, Francisco Goya, and El Greco, plus one of only two self-portraits that Diego Velázquez ever painted.

14. Visit Benimaclet in the evening

Away from the main square, Benimaclet lacks the heritage architecture found in other parts of the city, but the district’s lively spirit makes up for it. In any one of the numerous bars that spill onto the pavement, try Agua de Valencia, a deceptively lethal cocktail composed of orange juice and various alcohols. For dinner, share small plates at La Pata Negra or nibble pinchos at El Carabasser. La chufa (tiger nuts) are grown near here too. The superfood is the key ingredient in horchata, the sweet, milky drink served in Valencia’s horchaterías .

15. Visit one of Europe’s largest aquariums

To the southeast of the city center, the Oceanogràfic rises from the former Turia River bed like a monster from the deep. This curved, hyperbolic shell-like museum was once Europe's largest aquarium until Nausicaá, on the Boulogne-sur-Mer seafront in France, was expanded.

Home to dolphins and sharks as well as the continent’s only pod of beluga whales, it's easy to lose an afternoon here. Your ticket money helps to fund conservation research and a rescue program for stranded marine life. However, it is worth noting that research suggests keeping cetaceans in captivity is detrimental to their welfare.

You might also like:

valencia -link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-free-things-to-do-in-valencia">The 12 top free things to do in Valencia

valencia -that-were-made-for-you-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-day-trips-from-valencia">Find the day trips from Valencia that were made for you

valencia -how-to-go-green-in-the-spanish-city-link" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-parks-valencia">Best parks in Valencia: how to go green in the Spanish city

15 best things to do in Valencia: art, culture, and nightlife

One of the greatest thrills of travel is to be on the move, observing and absorbing a country as you go. By train, bus or motorbike, Thailand’s scenic journeys are to be savored.

Each adventure is packed with opportunities to sample the wares of hawkers, taste the local flavors from roadside food trucks and trade tips with fellow passengers. And don’t forget to smile through any unexpected hold-ups and occasional discomforts because they are part of what makes the journey so much more than the destination. Here are three highly recommended, highly memorable trips.

Mahachai Shortline train

Separate from the main train network, the Mahachai line from Wong Wian Yai station in Thonburi in the western part of Bangkok was originally constructed to transport produce from the ports of Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon to the markets in the city. It’s a working train, still used for transporting produce and people in and out of Bangkok.

Sitting among locals on hardback seats, with the breeze from open windows and overhead fans, while passing through the canals of the Bangkok suburbs and salt marshes along the Gulf of Thailand is an atmospheric trip that affords a glimpse of both the bustle and humdrum of everyday life.

Thailand's top 6 train journeys

The first leg of the journey is the one-hour trip from Wong Wian Yai to the fishing port of Samut Sakhon. There the train terminates in the middle of a busy fresh produce market.

Just outside the market, catch a ten-minute ferry ride across Tha Chin river takes you to Ban Laem from where the train leaves for the second leg of the journey, the 90-minute ride to Samut Songkhram, another fishing port at the mouth of the Mae Khlong River. Again the train goes right into the market at Samut Songkhram, and here vendors make use of the space between the train tracks to lay out their wares, hastily moving it away as the train approaches. At weekends, the Amphawa Floating Market (open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings) is worth a visit.

You won't believe the views on these 9 iconic Thailand hikes

Make it happen

Trains run every hour from Wong Wian Yai to Samut Sakhon with a few daily connecting trains at Samut Songkhram. There is also a bus service between Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram and from Samut Songkhram to Bangkok’s south terminal.

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

Mae Sa–Samoeng loop

The 100km Mae Sa-Samoeng loop climbs, dips and twists its way like a roller coaster through rugged mountains and forested peaks and can be done as a day trip by car, motorbike or scooter from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. The expansive mountain landscape makes the journey itself the highlight of the trip, although there are plenty of worthy detours along the way.

From Chiang Mai, travel north along Rte 107 towards Mae Rim and then west on Rte 1096. Here the road becomes more rural, following the course of the Mae Sa River. Six kilometers past the turn-off for Mae Rim are the Nam Tok Mae Sa waterfalls in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, a picturesque spot that is popular with locals and a good place for a cooling dip.

After enjoying the falls, keep going until you reach the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, 12 km from the Mae Rim turn-off. Thailand’s first botanical gardens opened in 1993 – the glasshouse complex is not to be missed. From here, the road climbs up through the terraced fields of the Mae Sa valley; Mon Cham is a good place to stop for lunch and panoramic views.

The furthest point along the loop is the pretty village of Samoeng. From this point, follow Rte 1269, a winding road that descends from the hills, and then continue along Th Khlong Chonprathan (Canal Road) back to Chiang Mai.

A longer, more adventurous scenic motorbike trip is the Mae Hong Son loop, a 600km journey that takes a minimum of four days to complete.

Make it happen

To travel the Ma Sa-Samoeng loop you will need to hire a car, motorbike or motor scooter since the route is not entirely covered by public transport. There are multiple vehicle hire outlets in Chiang Mai. Be careful to check the small print on your rental contract, including insurance cover, as well as your own travel insurance.

The 5 best day trips from Chiang Mai

Bus ride from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi

Made famous as the setting for Pierre Boulle’s novel and David Lean’s 1957 film adaptation The Bridge over River Kwai, Kanchanaburi's WWII memorials and museums honor the conscripted laborers and POWs forced to build a railroad to Myanmar during Japanese wartime occupation.

Situated 130 km northwest of Bangkok, the town serves as a gateway to Thailand’s wild west and the 200km bus trip up to the sleepy town of Sangkhlaburi near the border with Myanmar rewards the adventurous with spectacular views. During the five-to-six-hour journey, the local tin-can bus slides its way between toothy green limestone mountains and passes through a teak reforestation project.

From Thong Pha Phum to Sangkhlaburi the road becomes quite rough, but it is also one of the most beautiful stretches of road in Thailand. Once you have bumped and wound your way there, this remote town overlooking the Khao Laem reservoir is an interesting destination with its mixed ethnic population of Burmese, Karen, Mon, Thai and Lao people, and a corresponding blend of cultures and languages. Extend the scenic journey a little further across the long rickety Mon bridge (now fully repaired after storm damage in 2013) to the village of Wang Kha.

Make it happen

The bus station in Kanchanaburi is at the southern end of the town on Th Saengchuto. From here, there are hourly ordinary and air-conditioned buses to Sangkhlaburi. The air-conditioned bus takes about four hours and the ordinary bus between five and six hours. There are also frequent buses from the Kanchanburi bus station to Bangkok (three hours).

You might also like:
The quickest, easiest and most affordable ways to get around in Thailand
You won't believe the views on these 9 iconic Thailand hikes
The 15 most amazing places to visit in Thailand

All Stories

Where to go in December for climate, cuisine and culture

13 top things to do in Rotterdam: Architecture, culture and plenty of gin

Six children's bookstores in the US worth traveling for

Famous authors share their favorite US bookstores

The best of Burgundy: 15 ways to find French joie de vivre

Let Chicago wow you this winter: here are the best things to do

The top free things to do in Vermont are always outdoors

15 best things to do in Valencia: art, culture, and nightlife

Thailand's 3 best scenic journeys we know you're going to love

Featured in Best in Travel 2022

Norway

Europe

Country

Belize

Central America

Country

Anguilla

Caribbean

Country

Kent

England

Region