The luminous neon glow of Tokyo, the ancient temples and pagodas of Kyoto, the mouthwatering street food of Osaka – Japan is a destination that has something for everyone.
The ‘land of the rising sun’ is an enchanting country for curious travelers thanks to its iconic sights, friendly people, world-leading transport, and unique cuisine.
However, as the world’s third-biggest economy by GDP, it can also be an expensive place to visit. Though, that is a problem that looks like it could be getting slightly easier for American travelers…
The reason? Japan’s currency, the Yen, has fallen in value quite dramatically this year.
The BBC reports that the Yen is down by more than 10% versus the U.S. Dollar, meaning your hard-earned travel money could go that little bit further this fall.
What’s more, fall is a fantastic time to visit Japan thanks to the cooler temperatures compared to the stifling heat of summer and the reduced crowds at tourist attractions.
The country is a fascinating place, with many award-winning experiences for travelers available, so here’s what you need to know about visiting Japan for less.
Staying Savvy With Your Spending
There are many ways to further make the most of the U.S. Dollar’s strength versus the Yen while traveling around Japan.
First off, take some time to conduct some deep research when it comes to accommodation.
Major hotels in the big cities can be pricey, so seek out alternatives such as business hotels, or consider the unique experience of staying in a capsule hotel.
Despite its recent downturn in popularity, Airbnb remains a good accommodation option in Japan and is generally a little cheaper than hotels if you shop around.
Lonely Planet suggests that a basic room for two in Japan costs around ¥8,000, which at the time of writing converted to about $55, about 8% less than it cost in the spring of 2023.
Traversing around the country is another area where you can tighten up spending.
Japan’s public transport is legendary in terms of its reliability and availability, but it’s not always cheap.
By planning exactly what you want to do on your trip, you can take full advantage of better-value purchases such as the Japan Rail Pass.
Look out for other types of local passes and multi-use tickets when in specific areas as there is normally a cheaper option than simply buying a single ticket for a single journey. The transport companies often run special promotions.
If in doubt, try to speak to transport staff – they are incredibly helpful and courteous, especially when it comes to tourists.
The flight will probably be one of the most expensive parts about visiting Japan, however there are a few affordable options available from the United States if you know where to look.
Why Is Fall A Good Time To Visit?
September in Japan can remain quite warm, with average temperatures in the mid-70s not uncommon.
This makes it a great time to visit as you can still enjoy good weather but with reduced crowds as most people return to work and school.
As we move into October, some of the fall foliage in places such as Hokkaido and Tohoku in the north can rival anywhere on Earth.
It’s the perfect time to try out an onsen (hot spring bath) in one of the mountainous locations in these areas.
October is also a fantastic time to experience the freshest ingredients in Japan’s cuisine as it is the harvest season for many crops, including fruit and rice.
Major cities such as Kyoto will have their main fall color explosion in November, which can be a cooler month, but is the perfect time to explore the many temples and pagodas dotted throughout Japan’s urban areas.
November is also a very dry month in Japan and is recommended as one of the best times to visit.
A little warmth can still be found in Japan at this time of year in the southern islands of Okinawa.
The stunning and diverse Mediterranean country of Turkey is a crowd favorite when it comes to travel, and each year its popularity seems to grow.
With highlights such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ankara, The Turquoise Coast, and much more, there is so much to see and do on a visit to Turkey.
Summer is a favorite time of year for most to visit, although the sweltering temperatures and ever-growing crowds can make for a less enjoyable experience. That’s why we think that fall is actually the best time to enjoy all this country has to offer.
When the crowds go home after the summer, Turkey is perfect for a fall trip. There are fewer people, most days offer great temperatures and perfect swimmable seas until October; you can expect lower prices across the board, and not to mention the beautiful foliage and fall colors across the country.
Fall also brings the country’s Republic Day (at the end of October), which is a great time to be in Turkey, with festivals, parades, and an atmosphere that really should be experienced!
Istanbul is a city that must be visited at least once, and while summer is a great time, fall is even better for a calmer and cooler chance to explore this vibrant city.
Of course, in addition to the more popular travel destinations, there are also many more off-the-beaten-path places to explore as well, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Here Are 5 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time To Visit Turkey:
Perfect Weather
Turkey is a large and geographically diverse country with many different climates, so a broad generalization of the weather in the fall is not always accurate, but you can rest assured that overall the country should have nice pleasant temperatures in the months of September, October, and even into November.
The fall can bring rain though, and remember that the days get shorter, leaving you with less time to explore, so plan for indoor activities as well if you visit at this time.
According to some estimates, the average daily temperature in September is 77˚F and evening is around 47˚, with each following month dropping about 5˚ in both the daytime and evening. So while the days might be sunny and warm, pack layers for after the sun sets.
Turkey is a popular travel hotspot, and it’s only becoming more popular each year with a wider array of travelers, so encountering some crowds on your visit is almost guaranteed.
While the majority of the seasonal towns along the southern coastline get quite crowded in the summer, a visit in the fall when most have gone home is the best way to ensure you have some more beach to yourself.
According to some, September and October are still technically considered to be the tail end of the tourism season, but you can always expect there to be far fewer visitors at this time.
Cheaper Prices
The shoulder season of September and October brings lower prices for accommodation, tours, airfare, and nearly everything else for travelers.
While searching for hotels and Airbnbs in September and October will bring a slightly lower price tag, for even more savings check out the same properties for dates in early November, when prices really start to fall (pun intended).
In the resort areas along the coast, many restaurants and other seasonal places close up shop at this time (if not before), so make sure to scope out the area before visiting to avoid ending up in a ghost town.
Fall Foliage
When the weather starts to turn a bit cooler, look to the leaves and mountains around you in Turkey for a change of colors. One of the country’s most beautiful national parks, Yedigöller, is a great place to witness the foliage change to fiery orange and red seemingly right before your eyes, and therefore one of the top places in the country to visit in the fall.
The fairy tale region of Cappadocia is especially beautiful in the fall light; the warm golden tones cascading across the otherworldly landscape is something that must be seen to be believed.
A hot air balloon ride in these months is also much more enjoyable than in the winter (although views of the snow-capped rock formations might be worth it), and Cappadocia is a bit less crowded in fall before the winter tourists come into town.
Late Season Beach Days
If you are seeking to stretch out every last bit of summer, you can head to any of the towns along Turkey’s picture-perfect turquoise coast for some late-year sun and sand.
September and even October are great months to enjoy the postcard-perfect beaches of the Turkish Riviera, with a fraction of the crowds that you would encounter in the summer.
The water is considered quite pleasant to swim in throughout October and even into November. Some brave souls might take the occasional dip in November, but by this time it will be too cold for most people. Divers, however, can don a wetsuit and enjoy the fantastic underwater world late into the year.
Summer is by far the most popular time to visit Europe, especially for American travelers.
But while summer in Europe can be a lot of fun, it can also bring a lot of challenges. High crowds, high prices, and extreme temperatures are some of the biggest drawbacks of visiting Europe in summer.
This summer in particular has been one of the worst on record.
Here’s why this fall is actually the best time to plan your European vacation:
1. Milder Weather
Summer 2023 has seen an unprecedented heat wave across much of Southern Europe. Destinations like Greece, Italy, and Spain have been particularly hard-hit, with temperatures in Southern Italy hitting a record-breaking 117° F (47° C) in July.
Popular tourist destinations such as the Acropolis in Athens, Greece have even been temporarily closed due to extreme heat.
Traveling in the fall can be much more pleasant. Beach lovers can still enjoy warm temperatures in September and even early October in many popular destinations like Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Spain.
The water in the Mediterranean and Adriatic remains warm and swimmable in September after being heated by the hot sun all summer. This makes early fall a great time to visit sunny destinations in Europe for milder weather.
Fall is considered to be part of the “shoulder season” in Europe. This is the time of year preceding and following the peak summer season.
September and October are great months for visiting Europe because all of the summer crowds have left, leaving popular tourist destinations comfortably uncrowded.
Overcrowding in popular tourist destinations such as Greece and Italy dissolve come September, making the fall a much more pleasant time to visit. You can actually enjoy the destinations you’re visiting, rather than having to battle the crowds constantly.
3. Better Deals On Airfare
One of the biggest areas where American travelers can save by taking a fall trip to Europe is on airfare. The cost of a flight from the U.S. to Europe dramatically plummets in the fall compared to the peak summer season.
According to Investopedia, mid- to late-October is the best time during the fall to get cheap flights to Europe. Even in September, airfare is considerably lower than it is from June through August.
Summer 2023 is the most expensive season on record to fly to Europe. According to statistics from Hopper, traveling this fall can save you 37% to 43% on airfare.
4. Better Deals On Hotels
Hotels, like flights, are also considerably cheaper in the fall. In popular tourist destinations such as Santorini, Greece or the Amalfi Coast, Italy, the cost of a night at a hotel can be inflated by as much as 300% during the summer season.
It’s not uncommon to see a hotel room that might go for $800 a night in July in Positano, Italy going for only $300 a night in October.
Even in major cities where there may be less variation in summer season/shoulder season hotel rates, you will still typically find cheaper prices in the fall.
5. Enjoy Beautiful Fall Colors
Although many parts of Southern Europe will still have summer-like temperatures in September and even into October, you can also experience typical fall foliage and cooler weather in other parts of Europe.
Some of the best places to enjoy fall foliage in Europe include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Beautiful destinations like Hallstatt, Austria or Lake Bled, Slovenia become even more picturesque in the fall as the leaves change colors.
In popular cities like Paris and London, fall is also a great time to visit. You can enjoy changing fall colors and crisp, cool weather.
While Bareclona’s beautiful beaches are a top reason for attracting so many visitors, it also means that summer is an overpopulated season.
And it doesn’t get much better in the south of Spain. Places like Malaga and Granada have their beaches packed with tourists and locals. Thus your best option for exploring Spain in the summer with fewer crowds and more sun is to head to places not everyone goes.
One of Spain’s best summer spots is Asturias. Here’s why it makes for a perfect summer destination.
Where is Asturias?
Asturias is an autonomous region of Spain located in the country’s northwestern part. There are three main areas that locals and tourists tend to visit, Oviedo, Gijon, and Aviles.
Most of the landscape has lush green mountain ranges and coastal hills. The region also borders the Atlantic coast, which offers many beach options.
What Asturias has to offer for summertime travel
Asturias receives heavy rain throughout the year, which is why it’s known to be a part of Green Spain. However, during the summer, the skies are sunny, with a comfortable average temperature of about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. And ocean waters are typically around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Asturias is the place to be with its warm yet not exhaustingly hot weather.
Although Cadiz and Costa del Sol are known for their stunning beaches, Asturias has a variety of beautiful and lesser-known beaches to visit. Natural vegetation surrounds many beaches, so you won’t find many amenities. Yet, you will enjoy sunbathing on warm sand surrounded by beautiful green plants.
Campiecho Beach can be reached by foot or by car. Located in Valdes, Asturias, this beach is a pebble beach with strong waves.
Moro Beach is a small sandy beach in Navia popular with nudists.
Arnao Beach is a semi-urban beach with calm and dark blue waters.
Besides the beaches, Asturias has more to offer for a summer adventure. It is a region that has preserved ancient history through ancient cave art and the dinosaur coast.
There are five main caves with paleolithic rock art dating from 35,000 and 11,000 BCE. These caves include El Pindal, La Peña de Candamo, Llonín, La Covaciella, and Tito Bustillo.
Yet Asturias’s time travel adventures don’t stop there. Along the coastline of Gijón and Ribadesell, fossils and dinosaur footprints were found, which is how this area became the dinosaur coast. If you want to see the bones collected up close and personal, you can check out Asturia’s Jurassic Museum.
Great summertime cuisine
Asturias will not disappoint with their various food options that satisfy your hunger after a day of exploring.
A must-try is the cheese. Asturias is known for being the dairy region of Spain. Their most famous cheese is called cabrales, made from a mixture of cow, goat, and sheep milk. And if you love cheese, you can even visit dairy farms and ancient cheese caves.
Aren’t caves a useful and cool shelter from the summer heat?
Besides the delectable cheese, many more food options are available to please your taste buds. Asturias is also known for their stews. However, you’ll want to take advantage of the flavorful seafood during the summer months.
Some popular dishes include chipirones (fried squid), mariscada (a platter of local shellfish), and mejillones picantes (spicey mussels). After you enjoy these meals, wash them down with the famous Asturias dry ciders.
How to get to Asturias
Although Asturias is not on most tourists’ radars, it is simple to get to. There is only one international airport, Asturias Airport(OVD). Yet you can fly directly from major European cities such as London and Paris. There are also several domestic flights you can take from Madrid or Barcelona.
Once you land, you can easily explore the city by walking or using taxis and public transport.
Asturias can be your hidden gem if you’re looking for a summer getaway.
There is nothing more exciting than traveling the world alone.
You can indulge your every whim, travel to destinations that best suit you, and you don’t have to worry about anyone else. No travel buddy means no drama!
Traveling as a solo female will give you a whole new perspective on the world. It is a great way to grow your independence and your confidence.
But if you’re new to the world of solo travel, then it can also feel daunting. Many first-time solo travelers will question if solo travel is safe. And the world is such a big place that choosing just one first-time destination can be tricky.
To help you choose your first stop, these are the top 7 countries for first-time solo female travelers:
Japan
Japan frequently tops the charts as the safest country in the world, making it a great place to explore as a solo female traveler.
Spending time in Japan can feel otherworldly. Japanese culture is unlikely to be like anything that you have experienced before. But Japan is a country that is clean, safe, well-run, and respectful. Solo females can walk around both big cities and small villages here without fear of harassment.
If you’re not used to traveling alone, then you may feel self-conscious at first. But eating and traveling alone is very normal in Japan, meaning you won’t stand out from the crowd. This makes it a great location to try solo female travel for the first time.
Ireland
Visiting a country with a shared language will make dipping your toe into the world of solo female travel much less daunting.
Ireland is a welcoming and friendly country with a rich ancient and recent history. Many solo travelers head straight to Dublin and its bars, but Ireland has so much more to offer.
This is the perfect country for nature travelers looking to enjoy peaceful walks and breathtaking scenery. And even if you’re traveling alone, you’ll never feel lonely in Ireland. The warm and welcoming nature of the local people means you’ll be made to feel at home.
Spain
Spain is historically one of the most affordable travel destinations in Western Europe, and it has a lot to offer to solo female travelers.
It is a country with an incredible infrastructure, and it boasts the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, and the locals are friendly and welcoming to overseas visitors. This means that getting around in Spain is easy.
Spain has something for everyone: beautiful beaches, heritage sites, historical cities, and delicious food. Because Spain is one of the most frequently visited countries in the world for tourism, it’s a very easy place to be a tourist.
Spain is also one of the most open-minded countries when it comes to attitudes towards women and a great place to meet other like-minded travelers if you’re looking for company.
New Zealand
The second country on this list where English is the most common spoken language, New Zealand is a beautiful and exciting country to visit as a solo female traveler.
According to a survey by the Institute for Economics and Peace, New Zealand is the fourth safest country in the world. It is also the safest country in the world for backpackers, both male and female.
This makes New Zealand a safe and easy country to visit. There’s so much to explore and plenty of like-minded people to meet on the way.
The standard of living in Iceland is high, and the safety and crime records in the country are impeccable.
The locals here are incredibly friendly and welcoming to solo travelers, but perhaps the main attraction of Iceland is its diverse and changing landscapes. Iceland is a small but perfectly formed country and a great starting point for any solo female adventure.
Croatia
Croatia is another country that makes this list because it is an incredibly easy country to navigate as a solo female traveler.
You can join the crowds and wander the well-preserved Old Town and city walls of Dubrovnik or go island hopping to head off the beaten track.
What makes solo travel to Croatia so appealing is that it’s affordable, and it’s easy to meet other travelers in hostels and bars throughout the country. There is also a wide range of group tours available in Croatia, so you only have to be alone when you want to.
Singapore
Singapore consistently ranks as one of the most expensive countries in the world, so it isn’t the best destination if you’re on a tight budget. But if you’re looking for the safest country in the world for solo female travelers, then there’s nowhere better.
Singapore has incredibly low crime rates, solo female tourists are treated with respect, and even street crime levels are low here.
With an easy-to-use infrastructure and a great public transport system, there’s also so much to see and do if you choose to visit Singapore.
With European summer officially kicking off, American travelers are flocking overseas to enjoy a summer vacation in Europe.
According to Allianz Worldwide Partners, a travel insurance company, the number of Americans traveling to Europe this summer will be up 55% compared to last year. The most popular destinations on many travelers’ itineraries include London, Paris, and Rome.
But far from being a dreamy vacation, traveling in Europe this summer may offer a harsh reality check: massive crowds, heat waves, and high prices can put a damper on your plans.
Instead of visiting Europe this summer, here’s why this fall is actually the best time to go:
1. Cheaper Flights
Flights to Europe are exorbitant this summer, but those prices immediately drop going into fall.
You can pay as much as 50% less to book a flight from the U.S. to Europe in September, October, or November compared to July or August.
Now that summer is in full swing, it’s getting harder and harder to find good deals on airfare to Europe. But if you push your travel dates out a few months, you’ll find excellent prices on airfare to many European cities from the United States.
According to travel booking company Hopper, the cheapest time to fly to Europe from the U.S. is between October and March.
2. Lower Prices
It’s not just flights that are cheaper in the fall. Everything in Europe will be cheaper come September, including hotels, rental cars, and even tours and restaurants.
For example, Positano, Italy’s famous luxury hotel Le Sirenuse runs $3,000+ a night for a room in July or August. But in October, that drops down to $1,000 a night.
You might be thinking that’s still hardly a good deal, but the principle applies to cheaper hotels too. A hotel room that’s $300 a night in the peak summer months might be $100 a night in the fall.
You can save big on a European vacation just by pushing your dates back by a couple of months and traveling in the fall instead of the peak summer months.
3. Fewer Crowds
This summer is expected to be one of the most crowded on record in Europe, with a 55% increase in tourism compared to last summer.
Visiting Europe in the summer means battling excessive crowds, especially in popular tourist destinations. If your idea of a fun vacation includes shuffling through the Louvre or jostling your way to the front of the Trevi Fountain for a photo amid thousands of other tourists, then summer is a great time to visit Europe.
But if you’d prefer to enjoy empty streets, uncrowded museums, and no lines at tourist attractions, wait until the fall.
The tourist crowds in Europe largely disperse starting in September. In the fall, you can enjoy a sunset in Santorini or a beach day on the Amalfi Coast without having to share the experience with massive crowds.
4. Better Weather
Finally, fall can offer better weather in many parts of Europe. If you’re after a beach vacation, September can still feel like summer in many parts of Europe, including Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.
There are still plenty of sunny days, and the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas are still warm enough for swimming in September.
For the past several summers, many places in Europe have been experiencing record-high temperatures and extreme heat waves that make summer travel unpleasant.
So visiting during the fall can offer a nice respite from the heat. Cities like London and Paris are much more pleasant in the cool fall months than they are in the middle of July.
Mayan ruins are a big part of the reason why Mexico is so popular as a tourist destination, particularly among History enthusiasts.
Belonging to the wider Mayan World, it is home to over 200 archaeological zones, where some of the most impressive structures of the ancient civilization, including the world-famous step pyramids and the ball courts, can still be seen.
While open-air museums like Chichen Itza and the Tulum ruins are well-known to the wider public, one of Mexico’s priceless Mayan treasures had remained sealed off for decades as excavations and conservation efforts were underway, though that is changing soon.
A Mayan ruin with restricted access is opening for visitors for the first time, and if you’re planning a trip to Cancun for 2024, you could be among the first to explore it:
The Legendary Ichkabal Is Opening To The Public For The First Time In History
After a decade since it was first announced as Mexico’s next protected archaeological site, the unexplored Mayan city of Ichkabal will host its first foreign visitors.
As revealed by Diego Prieto, Director General of the country’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), renovation works in the ruins will be finished soon, allowing it to welcome tourists as early as summer 2024.
In his own words, ‘the Federation’s instruction is that the opening of the archaeological zone of Ichkabal be in August 2024, so they with the ejidatarios to reach an agreement‘.
The ruins are only a two-and-a-half hour drive South of Cancun, towards the trendy resort town of Bacalar, and its opening coincides with the launch of the Mayan Train later this year.
From December 2023, travelers based in Cancun will be able to hop on an affordable scenic train to Bacalar, the major town nearest to the ruins in question, and the gateway to the seven-colored Lake Bacalar, a popular alternative to the Tulum coast this summer.
From the planned Maya Train station in Bacalar, the drive to Ichkabal will take less than 25 minutes.
Why Is Ichkabal Important?
Ichkabal was once one of the most important urban centers in pre-Columbian America.
Settled by the Mayans as early as 400 B.C., it stood among an elite group of cities on the Mayan trade route, due to its privileged location, in close proximity to the Central American isthmus, offering easy links to all of the major Mayan hubs beyond the Yucatan Peninsula.
Although it was a secondary power and not as relevant a cultural center as the likes of Chichen Itza – currently one of Mexico’s best preserved ancient cities – or Tikal, in Northern Guatemala, Ichkabal was able to flourish as a key trading hub in the pre-classic era.
Much like Chichen Itza, its more famous sister city-state, it consisted of several temples and sacrificial sites built as a means to bring the Mayans closer to their deities, wide avenues flanked by stone houses and public buildings, and ball courts and other entertainment areas.
It was inhabited until the early 16th century, when the natives were pushed out or exterminated following the Spanish Conquest, and the city fell into abandonment.
As the ‘Hispanicization’ of Mexico took place, and the native Mexicans eventually assimilated into Hispanic culture, Ichkabal’s existence was all but forgotten as the construction of post-colonial settlements advanced, and nature slowly reclaimed it.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that a renewed interest in Ichkabal was noted, particularly following the rise of tourism in the Mexican Caribbean, leading historians and archaeologists to intensify their efforts in restoring the lost city to its former glory.
What Are The Rules For Visiting Ichkabal?
At this point, we do not yet know how much it will cost to visit the ruins or whether there are additional rules visitors must familiarize themselves with not to be on the wrong side of the law.
Recently, a number of tourists have been penalized, or issued fines, for climbing Mayan structures in Chichen Itza and other protected ancient reserves in Mexico.
Some of the pyramids in the Aztec city of Teotihuacan, close to Mexico City, are now also off-limits to climbers.
Regarding Ichkabal’s state of preservation and whether its temples are accessible and safe to enter, we will only know more once the site is formally open and the visitation rules are available for consultation.
While Ichkabal is not open, you can still explore countless other Mayan ruins accessible to visitors within driving distance of Cancun. Learn more about them here.
I am just over halfway through a Central American trip, after starting in Panama and working my way up to Mexico, a trip which I am completing in 5 months while working full-time online as a digital nomad.
While every country has been amazing (I am writing this from the absolutely stunning Antiqua, Guatemala) one country has stood out as an unexpected highlight.
I am talking about The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes itself, Nicaragua.
Being American, most of everything I had heard about Nicaragua before planning this trip was not positive, to say the least.
Let me wholeheartedly say that I am so glad I didn’t listen to the misguided warnings and that I was able to spend a month traversing my way across this stunning Central American gem.
Nicaragua is certainly not the only country in Central America that remains a bit undiscovered, and there are many in this region that you should add to your travel plans this year.
Every day and every new place in Nicaragua was a pleasant surprise, but here are 8 things that really shocked me:
The Safety
Let’s start with the one thing that comes to mind when you first hear about traveling in Nicaragua. Is it safe?
While some media coverage on the country and its leadership doesn’t paint the country in the best light, as a traveler there for a month, I never experienced anything that made me feel unsafe.
That being said, I wouldn’t walk around many places after dark, but I wouldn’t do this in most countries today. Some studies have shown that Nicaragua has a lower crime rate than its much more popular neighbor of Costa Rica (another country I never felt unsafe in).
Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and traveling from one location to the next, you will see this firsthand.
There is a lot of poverty here, although from what I saw, it was mostly in the countryside, and the cities did not seem to have too bad of a homeless problem.
Currently, Nicaragua has a level 3 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, mostly due to limited healthcare availability and poor law enforcement issues.
As a traveler, if you stay in the main tourist areas such as San Juan Del Sur, Granada, Ometepe Island, Leon, and the Corn Islands, you should be fine, although I would absolutely carry health insurance with you.
The Nature and Wildlife
For a country that is known as the land of lakes and volcanoes, it sure has… well, a lot of them. One activity many do here is volcano boarding down the impressive Cerro Negro, easily reachable from Leon.
I opted for a more laid-back experience and headed to Laguna de Apoyo just outside Granada, where you can chill and swim all day in the volcanic lagoon and then take an easy hike up to the top of Masaya Volcano to see the sunset and the bubbling lava (one of the only places in the world you can see this!)
Nicaragua has about 7% of the world’s biodiversity, and you will see beautiful nature everywhere you turn. The birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and everything in between will surprise you.
I experienced most of this on the amazing Ometepe Island, where I was awoken by howler monkeys, saw spiders bigger than my hand (in my shower, no less) and massive iguanas just chillin’ around the lawn.
Aside from these creatures, the sheer amount of colorful and fascinating birds I saw in Nicaragua really gave Costa Rica a run for its money.
The Colors
On a walk in the little town of Moyogalpa one evening, I commented on all the paint stores that this small town had. To which my husband replied, “Have you seen the houses?!”
I had to laugh because, yes, of course there is a paint store on every corner, because every house in this country is painted some neon bright color, one after the next.
The whole city of Granada, for example, looks like it might have been painted to be an Instagram backdrop, but nope. They are just colorful here.
The colors of places like this in Central America are one thing I will definitely miss when this trip is done.
The Beaches
Let me get this out of the way right now; I am in no way a surfer. I am much more of a let’s grab a drink and watch the sunset kind of traveler.
That being said, I do appreciate a good beach town with a surfing vibe. The southern town of San Juan Del Sur is exactly that and makes an easy start for any trip through Nicaragua, as it’s just over the border from Costa Rica.
With a Jesus statue that will remind you of a mini Rio De Janeiro and more places to eat and drink than you could possibly get through, this beach town is one to stay a while and chill.
On the coast along the Pacific you will find other smaller towns, such as Playa Mardras and Playa El Coco, both nice options for a very quiet vibe. In the northern part of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, you can find another popular beach town of Las Penitas.
Across the country, located about 50 miles into the Caribbean, you will find the idyllic Corn Islands, and while I couldn’t include them in this trip due to time, they are definitely on my radar for another visit.
The Ease Of Travel
Before this trip, I had a lot of reservations about traveling around Central America. I was unsure if it would be easy to navigate the transportation and how to reach all the (ever-growing) number of places I wanted to include.
However, the best thing about Central America is that getting from point A to point B can be as easy or as cheap as you make it.
Chicken busses connect the entire sub-continent more or less and oftentimes cost less than a cup of coffee.
Next up is shared shuttles, which I used 99% of the time, mostly due to time restraints and being old and cranky and not wanting to carry my (also ever-growing) backpack around.
Where any visitor will likely want to go in Nicaragua is well connected by transportation, and shuttle busses often cost less than $30 a person, with door-to-door drop-off.
It’s worth noting that private drivers can also be quite cheap here as well, and I used them a few times when I couldn’t make shuttle times due to work. The best tip is to get a card from one you like and keep using them.
Undiscovered Gem
One thing that really surprised me in Nicaragua (and in El Salvador as well) is the number of tourists it seems to receive. Now, there were tourists everywhere we went; yes, this country is not a secret anymore, and people do come here.
However, what did surprise me was where these tourists were coming from. In my month of meeting people, I must have only come across four other American travelers. Many I met came from Australia, some from Germany and France, and a few Canadians.
It seems to me that Americans might still consider Nicaragua not interesting enough or too dangerous to visit.
Both of which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Also, with more and more flight options from the States, it couldn’t be easier to reach this fascinating destination.
Additionally, Nicaraguans could desperately use some more tourist dollars in their economy, and they deserve it.
The History
One claim to fame of Nicaragua is that it gave the world one of the greatest names in Spanish literature, Ruben Dario. After spending his life as a diplomat, poet, and journalist, Daio is now a national hero.
If you want to see some beautiful preserved historic cities, Leon, Granada, and Ciudad Antigua were the first established by Spaniards after they reached the shores of Nicaragua.
Wander their historic centers and take in the architecture and culture; just remember to look both ways for the numerous horse and buggies that zip around these streets all hours of the day.
The Price-tag
Going into this trip, I knew some counties in Central America would be cheaper than others. For example, I was prepared for Costa Rica and Panama to be more pricey than Nicaragua and El Salvador.
And yet, just how cheaply you could get by in Nicaragua still surprised me.
Now, some locations definitely cost more than others. For example, San Juan Del Sur didn’t seem all that cheap to me, especially when it came to accommodation.
However, it’s possible to find lodging on the otherworldly island of Ometepe for next to nothing, and Granada also has many cheap options available.
Aside from lodging, daily expenses such as transportation, sim cards, food and drinks all also cost less than I anticipated.
Busy planning your summer vacation? There’s one place in Europe that a lot of people have written off due to recent events, but it’s the perfect time to return — Turkey.
Turkey was devastated by earthquakes in early February, which left more than 50,000 people dead and thousands of buildings destroyed.
But the Turkish people are resilient, and they are ready to welcome tourists again, as tourism is an essential part of the economy.
Despite this, according to a recent report, tourism in Turkey is experiencing a significant slump. Stays of two nights or more in Istanbul are down by 31% compared to the same period in 2019.
Before the earthquakes, Turkish officials had hoped for a strong year, and Turkey was leading the post-Covid travel recovery in Europe. Foreign visitors arriving in Turkey increased by a whopping 80% year-on-year to 44.56 million in 2022.
Since the earthquakes, tourism to the country has taken a nosedive. But in reality, now is the perfect time to visit Turkey. Here’s why:
All The Attractions, Without the Crowds
A sharp decline in visitor numbers may be bad news for the Turkish economy, but it’s great news for tourists planning to visit the country.
This means you can enjoy all the country’s most popular attractions but without the crowds.
There are 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites of cultural significance in Turkey, 4 of which are in Istanbul.
The country is home to an astonishing wealth of things to see and do, and during the summer months, these are often overwhelmed by tourists.
From the famous Blue Mosque to the other-worldly beauty of the Topkapi Palace Museum, it would be near-impossible to enjoy all of Turkey’s best attractions in just one visit.
A decline in visitor numbers to these attractions would provide an opportunity to explore them at your own pace and without the density of crowds that you may never get again.
A Warm And Welcoming People
Much of the Turkish economy is reliant on tourism. Tourism contributes approximately 10% to the nation’s GDP.
And the Turkish people, particularly those working within the tourism sector, are keen to see their visitors return.
That means that those visiting Turkey right now will find a warm and friendly welcome, above and beyond the usual warmth regular visitors have come to expect from the Turkish people.
Those working in the Turkish tourism sector are famously hospitable. And most are welcoming the support of the tourists who continue to travel to their country and support their livelihoods.
Turkey has so much to offer. But as well as the fabulous food and the huge wealth of cultural sites, it is the charming people that tempt repeat visitors back to the country.
Coastal Resorts Were Unaffected
The vast majority of tourists who choose to visit Turkey head to either Istanbul or to the country’s popular coastal resorts. These include Marmaris, Antalya and Bodrum.
These areas were completely untouched by the quake. In fact, the vast majority of tourists in these locations when the quakes took place remained in Turkey and continued to enjoy their vacations.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the southeastern inland city of Kahramanmaras. This is an area rarely visited by huge numbers of tourists.
Turkey is unlikely to experience the same high-magnitude earthquakes again so soon after the tragic events of February. But it should be reassuring that, even if they do, you are unlikely to be impacted in the main tourist resorts of the country.
Great Value Vacations
Finally, a vacation to Turkey is particularly good value right now.
With occupancy in hotel rooms low, many hotels are choosing to lower their prices to attract guests. Last-minute travelers in particular are finding that Turkey is currently more affordable than ever.
The current depreciation of the Turkish lira also makes Turkey a particularly popular destination for travelers on a budget. This is particularly true for European and American travelers, where inflation is high in their home countries.
Turkey remains an all-around great vacation destination, and right now, it is an affordable one too.
TIME’s Annual World’s Greatest Places list of 2023 was just released, and the destinations are unique. Each place has a different vibe that showcases each location’s culture and identity in an authentic way.
The spots ranged from Spain to India and even some in the Caribbean, and highlighted below are 8 that are considered the best of the best.
Locations like Honduras have been hidden from travelers for different reasons, but now the gatekeeping is over. If you’re traveling this year, check out this list of the most amazing places on earth.
The list is diverse enough for any traveler. If you’re a solo traveler or with your family, there’s something to do in these places.
Here are the eight best places to visit according to TIME magazine:
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia and an excellent destination for food, beaches, and art. The city has places like Casa Batlló, built by Antoni Gaudí, that showcase Catalan art and architecture.
The city is one of Spain’s most popular places, and you should check out soon.
Saint Moritz is a beautiful resort town with some of the best skiing in the world. It has had Winter Olympics twice before, and for any traveler looking for a winter vacation, this is the best place.
It’s also a great place to learn how to ski or do other winter sports. The resorts are excellent.
Credit: Cavan Images/Alamy
Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia
If you’re looking for a holiday with the best places to scuba dive, you must go to the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia.
The archipelago has 75 atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs). This is the place to find different fish you have never seen.
The French Republic owns the islands, but it’s easy for travelers from North America to visit. The flight is long (depending on which coast you’re coming from), but it’s worth it.
Credit: Courtesy Tahiti Tourisme
Roatán, Honduras
Roatán, Honduras, is the best place to have a tropical getaway without traveling too far. It’ll surprise you in more ways than one.
This destination has fantastic beaches, excellent scuba diving spots, and eco-lodges worth the expense.
Don’t overlook this destination next time you’re craving a tropical vacation.
Credit: Antonio Busiello/Getty Images
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is known as “la Isla de Encanto,” and for a good reason.
The island boasts some of the best beaches and local spots in the Caribbean. Río Grande is a town on the north side that showcases some of the best qualities of Puerto Rico.
It’s next to unique cultural spaces like Loíza and has El Yunque inside the town limits. El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and it should be on your list to visit soon.
Ladakh, India
Ladakh is a region in India known for its unique landscapes and Buddhist monasteries. Unsurprisingly, this was chosen as a destination visit on the TIME magazines list.
The area is beautiful and worth a visit soon. Put this destination on your bucket list as quickly as possible.
Credit: Getty Images
Giza, Egypt
Giza is a destination that has been introduced previously. It has become more prevalent in places like TikTok due to the scenery and everything else.
Still, the recent developments in this part of Egypt have put it on the traveler-to-go list because of the Giza Plateau.
Credit: Jonathan Rashad for TIME
Mayurbhanj, India
Another destination with fantastic panoramic views of amazing natural landscapes is Mayurbhanj, India.
The district is the largest area in the Odisha area and is famous for the Chhau dance, a classical Indian dance that exudes beautiful headpieces and outfits.
It’s worth a visit, even if you’re away from the area. India is a destination every traveler should visit this year or whenever they’re traveling.
Credit: Talib Chitalwala–The Belgadia Palace
TIME magazine has released its list of the best places to go in 2023, and they’re worth the trip.
Traveling this year should be fun, and if you want, use this list as a guide on where to go. No matter where you go, it’ll be worth it.
