City skyline beside a wide river at dusk

Places to go

Places to go

Guides grouped by the kind of place it is, not by the border it sits inside.

City harbour at sunset Cities Turquoise water and white sand Beaches and islands Red desert ridges Deserts and open country

Where to go, grouped by the kind of place it is

Country borders are a poor way to choose a destination. A coastal region in one country often has more in common with a coastal region three countries away than with the capital an hour inland. These collections group places by what they are actually like to travel in: how you get around, what a day costs, and what the weather does.

Each guide covers the best months to visit, roughly what to budget per day, how long to allow, and which nearby region pairs well if you want to combine two.

Cities worth a long weekend

Harbour city at sunset

Harbour cities to walk end to end

City park with skyline behind

Cities with the best public transport

Skyline reflected in a river

Riverfront capitals

Colourful bar interior

Cities that come alive after dark

Modern skyline at dusk

Stopover cities that deserve two days

Coast, beaches and islands

Clear sea over pale sand

Islands you can reach without flying

Turtle over a reef

Reefs for first-time snorkellers

Calm blue bay

Quiet bays in high season

Palms beside a pool

Where to stay for a week and not move

Mountains, desert and open country

Alpine lake at dusk

Alpine lakes and hut walks

Desert dunes

Desert routes and when to drive them

Golden mountain ridge

High passes for experienced walkers

Rainforest canopy

Rainforest reserves with easy access

Traveller on a bright mountain path

Every guide is written after a visit

Our destination guides are updated from the ground, not from press releases, so opening hours, transport routes and rough costs reflect what was true on the last visit.

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