Just Back From
San Miguel de Allende is probably the most well known of the Colonial cities. The UNESCO site has topped the World’s Best lists for the past two years and it’s not hard to see why. With its colorful, flower-draped architecture and cobblestoned streets, San Miguel has the feel of a village, but its large population of artists lends it a cosmopolitan flair.
With outstanding restaurants and accommodations, numerous galleries stocked with quality Mexican artesanías (handicrafts), a fantastic spring-like climate and a surfeit of cultural activities including regular festivals, fireworks and parades, San Miguel is an unmissable highlight for anyone visiting the northern central highlands. The entire area was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2008, and despite receiving huge numbers of visitors—and a large number of American expats—San Miguel absorbs them well and locals mix warmly with their foreign guests and residents.
Trip duration: 4 nights
Great for: Quick getaway with friends; romantic couple's getaway
Trip style: Culture, foodie escape, spa weekend
Highlights:
- Take a tacos and tequila food tour and explore the varied cuisine of the region.
- Taste small batch tequila at La Casa Dragones, the historic 17th century stables of the Dragones cavalry of San Miguel
- Take a behind the scenes guided tour of local galleries and artists' studios.
- Explore the surrounding countryside and communities by bike, foot or on horseback.
- Indulge your taste buds with a cooking class.
- Spend an afternoon at the pool or in the spa at one of the amazing hotels in the colonial city.
- Sip mezcal cocktails on one of the many rooftop bars in the city as the sun sets on an amazing weekend.
This tiny country is big on adventure and natural beauty, making it a consistently hot travel destination. Explore the country's myriad national parks and witness two- and three- toed sloths meander across treetops, hear the deep=throated call of howler monkeys, watch mischievous capuchin monkeys charm the crowds, and spot venomous snakes and scorpions in their natural habitat. Zip along the tree-tops in the jungle, ride the waves at a surfer's paradise, and rappel down a waterfall. Experience the warmth of the people and soak in the Pura Vida of this beautiful country.
Trip duration: 8 nights
Great for: Families, couples
Trip style: Adventure, culture, beach
Highlights:
- Soar through the jungle on a zip-line.
- Hang-ten at a world-famous surfing destination on the Nicoya Peninsula.
- Learn how coffee is harvested and prepared and you will never take your morning cup of joe for granted again.
- Hike to the to top of an active volcano.
- Ride horses along the beach at sunset or through a valley of date palms and mango trees.
- Indulge your taste buds with a cooking class in your villa with a renowned local chef.
- Spend an afternoon in your very own hammock, listening to the waves lapping along the shore as you sip a cocktail made from the local rum, Cacique.
- White water raft, snorkel, and kayak through the mangrove forest with a naturalist.
This compact country is big on culture, history and natural beauty, making it one of the hottest travel destinations in the past few years. Immerse yourself in the Old World charm of Lisbon, the vibrant capital city. Meander through the cobbled alleyways of the city's surrounding hilltop neighborhoods, savor exquisite Portuguese cuisine or indulge in the city’s legendary party scene. If you are looking for a more active vacation, Portugal's varied terrain offers a multitude of activities ranging from a leisurely bike ride past medieval castles and olive groves to kayaking past vineyards and ancient forests to surfing along Portugal’s stunning coastline.
Trip duration: 8 nights
Great for: Couples, groups, solo travel
Trip style: Adventure, foodies, culture
Highlights:
- Get lost in the maze of cobblestoned streets of Alfama, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood.
- Sail along the coast of Lisbon at sunset, sipping an assortment of Portuguese wines.
- Explore the Alentejo region on bikes, pedaling past cork trees and vineyards.
- Take a walking food and wine tour of Porto, sampling Portuguese delicacies and learning the history of the country.
- Learn the secrets of Portuguese cooking from a chef in his home.
- Indulge your taste buds in one of dozens of Michelin starred restaurants throughout the country.
- Spend the day drinking in the beauty scenery - and delicious port wine - in the Douro Valley region.
South Africa is not all about big game sightings, it is really many worlds in one. Expect stunning coastlines, dramatic mountainscapes, and huge areas of untamed bushland plus world-class wine, friendly locals, and Cape Town, undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Trip duration: 10 nights
Great for: Couples, families, and groups
Trip style: Adventure, foodies, culture
Highlights:
- Explore Cape Town from the back of a Harley Davidson.
- Meet African penguins in a boulder-strewn coastal park.
- Journey by rotating cable car and enjoy magnificent 360-degree views of the city and bay from the top of Table Mountain.
- Spot the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino - during spectacular game drives in Mala Mala Main Camp, the oldest and most historical private game reserve in South Africa.
- Come face-to-face with a Great White Shark from the safety of your cage.
- Board a luxury boat on a Marine Safari and head out to the ocean to spot the Marine Big 5: Southern Right Whales, Great White Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins, as you soak up the exquisite natural scenery.
- Spend the day drinking in the beauty scenery - and delicious wines - in the Cape Winelands region.
- Enjoy a private sunset cruise around Table Bay and watch as a warm red glow spills onto the water and the sandstone folds of spectacular Table Mountain.
From ancient temples to skyscrapers, Japan seamlessly fuses the historic with the futuristic. Experience the vibrant street life and 24/7 buzz of Tokyo; Soak up the ancient culture of Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country; Delve into the history of the Samurai in the ancient city of Kamakura.
Trip duration: 9 nights, 10 days
Great for: Couples, families, and solo travel
Trip style: Culture, foodie
Highlights:
- Touch down in Tokyo and hit the bustling streets with a tour of the fascinating Tsukji Fish Market to sample the freshest sushi.
- Head to Asakusa to view the Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most significant temple.
- Tech lovers will enjoy a stop off at Akihabara, a major electronic, anime, games and otaku shopping district.
- Indulge in Tokyo's secret food destinations: the depachika (food halls) on a food tour through the basements of Tokyo's major department stores.
- Take a day trip to Kamakura, the seaside resort town just an hour south of Tokyo, which was once the political center of medieval Japan to stand in the shadow of the nearly 45 feet tall Great Buddha.
- Hop on a legendary bullet train and make your way to serene Kyoto, the cultural heart of the country, and home to over 1600 temples.
- Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
- Explore the beautiful Gion district, where you may spot some geiko (Kyoto Geisha) or an apprentice maiko scuttling off for their morning lesson.
- Don an authentic Ninja costume and handle a variety of distinctive Ninja weapons such as throwing stars and blowguns.
- Indulge your taste buds in one of dozens of Michelin starred restaurants throughout the country.
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