Sarah Chen

Winter transforms Southeast Asia into peak season with cool weather, dry skies, and reliable adventures. Here's what you need to know to go—and when to book.

A ranked craft trail through Kumasi's royal Manhyia Palace and the weaving, stamping and carving villages of Bonwire, Adanwomase and Ntonso, built for buying and commissioning directly from Ashanti artisans.

Inside Sabi Sands' private lodges, where off-road tracking rights and capped vehicle numbers turn winter's dry season into the Big Five sighting of a lifetime — Singita, Londolozi and beyond.

A five-day winter route through Jordan and Oman, from Petra's cool-season trails to Wadi Rum's fires and Muscat's lantern-lit souq, with real prices and logistics.

The Swiss Alps in September and October stand nearly empty. Trails quiet, prices halve, and snow dusts the highest peaks while larch forests turn gold—creating an entirely different alpine experience.

Norway rewards planners: book fjord trains early, pack for four seasons in a day, and pick your season for midnight sun or northern lights. Here's the essential prep guide.

Winter turns the Middle East's harshest deserts pleasant. Here's how Petra, Wadi Rum, Dubai, Jerusalem's Old City, Muscat, AlUla and the Dead Sea stack up this season.

From a sunrise cable car ride out of Ortisei to a two-Michelin-star table in Alta Badia, here are the seven Dolomites experiences worth building an itinerary around.

Winter transforms the Greek islands into quiet, authentic destinations where fishermen repair nets, cheese-makers work openly, and villages revert to local life. Off-season travel costs half the summer rate.

From IC cards to onsen etiquette, here's what first-time visitors to Japan actually need to know before they land — plus the small missteps that trip up even seasoned travelers.

Seven days, 1,300 kilometers, and a rental car around Iceland's Ring Road, from Reynisfjara's black sand to the geothermal fields of Mývatn and back.

A warm, practical guide to Charleston, South Carolina, from Rainbow Row and Fort Sumter to Lowcountry plantations, Gullah culture, and a three-day itinerary that covers all of it.

Seven days chasing turquoise lakes, gondola rides, and bison ribeye through Banff National Park, from Moraine Lake's dawn shuttle to Tunnel Mountain's sunset summit.

Five days, 115 kilometers, and one Compostela certificate: a first-person week on the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to the cathedral steps in Santiago de Compostela.

A first-person week across the Faroe Islands, from Tinganes and Vestmanna's bird cliffs to puffins on Mykines and dinner at Michelin-starred KOKS.

A week hiking, boating, and eating cordero al palo across Torres del Paine — from the Base of the Towers to Grey Glacier's blue ice, day by day.

From São Jorge Castle's ramparts to a fado singer's first note in a candlelit Alfama tasca, here is Lisbon ranked — with real prices, tram routes, and timing tips.

From the cableway to Table Mountain's summit to the penguins at Boulders Beach, here is a ranked guide to Cape Town's best experiences, with real prices and drive times.

From the torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari to a nail-free wooden stage at Kiyomizu-dera, here's a ranked, practical guide to the best of Kyoto — with fees, hours, and how to beat the crowds.

From Positano's cliffside streets to a hidden lunch spot in Nerano, here's the ranked, no-filler guide to what's actually worth your time on the Amalfi Coast.

From the Old Man of Storr to the Bealach na Ba's hairpin bends, here's a ranked, honest guide to the Scottish Highlands' best drives, hikes, castles and pubs worth the single-track roads.

From the naga steps of Doi Suthep to Sunday market lanterns and a bowl of khao soi, here's how to plan a Chiang Mai trip that goes beyond the checklist.

Lantern-lit streets, tailor shops and cao lau noodles: this complete guide covers Hoi An's Ancient Town, best time to visit, top hotels, food and a 3-day itinerary.

Tallinn's medieval Old Town, Baltic seafood, and design-district energy make it one of Northern Europe's most rewarding short breaks. Here's how to plan three days done right.

Colonial walls, turquoise islands, and a soundtrack of champeta after dark — here's how to plan a Cartagena trip that goes well beyond the postcard shots.

A complete guide to Oaxaca's colonial center, Zapotec ruins, weaving villages, and mezcal country — with real prices, timing, and a three-day itinerary to plan from.

Bergen pairs a UNESCO wharf, mountain funiculars, and Norway's best fjord access into a city you can walk end to end. Here's when to go, where to stay, and how to plan it.

Slovenia's riverside capital pairs a walkable, car-free Old Town with easy day trips to Lake Bled and Postojna Cave — here's how to spend two or three unhurried days there.

From Moorish palace courtyards to riverside flamenco bars, Seville packs centuries of Andalusian history into a city you can cross on foot in 25 minutes.

Porto pairs granite hillsides and azulejo-tiled train stations with Port wine cellars carved into a riverbank. Here's how to see it right in three or four days.

Tokyo's driest, clearest season brings illumination displays, thinner crowds at Senso-ji, and Mount Fuji views from Shibuya Sky. Here's how to plan a winter trip that works.

A first-timer's guide to trekking through Bwindi's misty rainforest for a face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas, plus how to pick your sector and plan permits, packing, and pairing with Lake Bunyonyi.

Slovenia's Julian Alps deliver Matterhorn-grade drama — glacial lakes, via ferrata summits, and hut-to-hut trails — at a fraction of the Swiss Alps' price and crowds.

Prague enchants with fairy-tale architecture, world-class beer culture, and remarkable affordability. Discover Gothic spires, baroque palaces, and the iconic Charles Bridge.

Score 40% off luxury Santorini villas with infinity pools and caldera views. Seven exclusive properties in Oia and Imerovigli from €3,200/week through August.

From the iconic Milford Track through pristine Fiordland to the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro, discover New Zealand's most spectacular hiking trails ranked by scenic beauty and unforgettable experiences.

Seven perfect days exploring Italy's most beautiful coastline, from hiking the Path of the Gods to savoring fresh pasta in clifftop villages.

Discover Lisbon's perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary energy. From historic Tram 28 rides to authentic fado performances, this hillside capital offers unforgettable culture.

Bali introduces $10 tourist tax starting April 2026 for all international visitors. New fee funds sustainability and infrastructure improvements.

Bali doesn't have to be expensive. Here's how to experience the island's temples, rice terraces, and beaches without breaking the bank.

From fiery som tum to silky boat noodles, Bangkok's street food scene is the best in the world. Here are the essential dishes and where to find them.

Discover the hidden side of Tokyo — from serene temple gardens to underground jazz bars and neighborhood sushi counters that locals swear by.