Wandering Thoughts by VetSetters

The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:51:57 GMT

How to make the most of a long weekend in Catalunya

Welcome to Barcelona

This laid-back city is brimming with interesting things to do, from interesting museums through to achingly-cool cocktail bars and everything in between.

Fabled for its art and its architecture, Barcelona also boasts one of Europe’s best restaurant scenes, great shopping and multiple pretty places to relax across coastline and parkland.

One of Barcelona’s most famous sons, you’ll of course find the fingerprints of Antoni Gaudi scattered throughout the city; no more so than in the magnificent Sagrada Familia.

Perfect for a long weekend break, getting to Barcelona couldn’t be easier.

Getting around

Getting to Rome

Rome’s principal airport is Fiumicinio , which is less than a 2.5-hour flight from London (Stanstead) and less than 3-hours from Edinburgh.

Getting to the city centre from the airport

The Leonardo Express – Rome’s dedicated airport train – leaves every 15 minutes from the airport and takes 30 minutes to reach Termini Station in the city centre. Tickets cost €14 – you can save a fiver and catch a bus, but it’ll take you twice as long to arrive.

Getting around Rome

Rome’s a very well-connected city, so you’ve got plenty of options here. You can get around using:

Rome’s Metro : fast, reliable and runs from 05:30 until 23:30 every day.
Bus : Rome has over 350 different bus lines, so you can get anywhere and everywhere by bus.
Hop-on hop-off buses : As you might expect, there are hop-on hop-off buses here too! We love these – they’re a great way to get your bearings and have a bit of a taster of the city before diving deeper into specific areas, all while enjoying some patchy historical commentary!
Moped : When in Rome, as they say! You can hire electric mopeds from Bici Baci and zip around the Roman way.
Walk ! Rome’s such a walkable city. Plus walking gives plenty of opportunity to meander down pretty cobblestone streets, dipping into a café for a cappuccino and a pastry as you make your way to the next historic activity!

Where to stay

Yurbhan Passage Hotel & Spa : located in the heart of cool Eixample, this trendy boutique hotel is a remarkable oasis in the midst of it all. Surprisingly quiet for such a central and buzzy location, you have the best of both world’s – being walking distance to large parts of the city while having somewhere calm to return to after a day of exploring!
The Hoxton : situated close to the beach in Poblenou, this hotel manages to feel a whole lot smaller than it is. Design is naturally super cool; the vibe classically Barcelona. You’ll be amongst cool locals here just as much as other tourists, which tells you all you need to know.
El Palace Hotel : A stunning hotel located on the Grand Via and decked out in classic Baroque opulence with a ever-so-slightly North African air; it’s impossible not to feel extremely comfortable here.The restaurant is headed up by Rafa Zafra, the former head chef of El Bulli – the Barcelona institution that won the coveted World’s Best Restaurant an exceptional 5 times
Hotel Casa Sagnier : 130 years old, this homely hotel is a testament to the architectural works of Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia. Small and boutique, this hotel is a perfect little bolthole in Eixample – the perfect base from which to explore!
Catalonia Catedral : Set in a traditional Modernist building, this comfy hotel has everything you need for a city break rest stop, including a rooftop terrace with pool, stylish rooms and a Mediterranean restaurant. Its biggest strength is also its biggest (potential) drawback – it’s by far the most well located for sightseeing, in the Barrio Gotico (Barcelona’s oldest neighbourhood). This means lots of gorgeous medieval streets and easy walking, but also LOTS of other tourists, particularly in peak season.
Wittmore Hotel : For those seeking that hidden-gem vibe, this is the only place to stay. Smuggled away down an innocuous-looking, dead-end street in the Gothic Quarter, the Wittmore feels every inch the place for those ‘in the know’. The vibe is a remarkable combination of retro, refined and trendy (it’s Barcelona after all!). Its rooftop terrace also has exceptional 360 degree views across the city.

What to do in Barcelona

As in many cities around Europe, Barcelona offers its own tourist pass: the Barcelona Card. This card comes in two different types. The standard card will get you queue-jump access to museums and sights including the Picasso Museum, as well as unlimited free public transport (limited to TMB metros and FGC trains, butincludes airport trains!). The standard card costs €39.

The ‘All-In’ card gets you fully unlimited public transport for up to 3 days, as well as queue-jump access to a wider range of sites including Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, which aren’t included in the standard card. You’ll also get ancillary benefits like discounts on certain restaurants, bike rental and other attractions. This one costs €124.50.

Given the huge jump in price, we tend to recommend just getting the standard card. Unless you’re planning a tonne of museum and attraction visits, the increased cost for the ‘All-In’ card isn’t likely to be worth it.

The usual suspects

Sagrada Familia : probably top of almost everyone’s Barcelona to-do list. The unfinished masterpiece stands imperiously above the rest of the city, and has been under construction since 1882. For the best experience, we highly recommend booking onto a guided tour. These sell out far in advance, especially in the summer – so booking well ahead of time is strongly advised!
Casa Batllo : You absolutely cannot miss Casa Batllo – in all senses of the phrase. This extraordinary building sticks out like a sore thumb with its organic architectural style. It’s impossible to walk past, and you wouldn’t want to, anyway. This immersive museum showcases in the most vivid way the genius of a Barcelona icon, the architect Antoni Gaudi.
Park Guell : Yes it’s on everyone’s Barcelona list, and yes you definitely must go! This surreal landscape is the brainchild than none other than Antoni Gaudi. A favourite with locals and tourists alike, the combination of green space, vibrant, colourful architecture and stunning views over the whole of the city and out to sea make it an unmissable destination.
Picasso Museum : Holding the world’s largest collection of Picasso works (over 4,000!), this is an essential experience for all art-lovers. Charting Picasso’s entire career, as you progress through the museum you’ll see Picasso’s development as an artist unfold in front of you.
MNAC : You can’t fail to notice this beautiful, imposing building sitting impressively on the north side of Montjuic hill facing the Plaça d’Espanya, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (mercifully shortened to MNAC) is home to Catalonia’s most important art collection – containing Roman murals as well as a litany of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque works. Come along in the evening (21:30) to see the stunning light show at the Magic Fountain outside!
La Rambla: No trip to Barcelona would be official without an amble down La Rambla. Stretching from the beach up to the Plaça de Catalunya, this street is the heartbeat of Barcelona’s lively spirit. There are lots of side streets to dip down leading to cafes, restaurants and traditional dessert shops if the buzz gets too much. Here you’ll also find, about halfway down, the Mercat de la Boqueria – Barcelona’s iconic market. This bustling marketplace is a must-visit for food lovers, with vibrant stalls in a rainbow of colours boasting classic Catalan fare alongside global cuisines.

Chill out in Montjuic : This green hill to the south of the city offers brilliant views of Barcelona, as well as a beautiful spot to chill out in the sunshine. Spend half a day meandering from the Venetian Towers, past the MNAC and through the pretty Botanical Gardens and up Montjuic hill to the castle buildings at the top of the hill.
Stroll through the Gothic Quarter : As a must-do for all visitors to Barcelona, this probably should be in the section above! Rich with history, interesting architecture and filled with traditional chocolate shops and bakeries, it’s very easy (and enjoyable!) to lose yourself in a stroll around. Make sure to see the Cathedral, City Hall, the Generalitat palaces and the beautiful Bisbe Bridge.
Hang out with the cool crowd: One of the most avant-garde areas of Barcelona, grab dinner or some drinks in stylish El Born and bask in the atmosphere of the city’s coolest area.
Hit the beach: Perfect for unwinding after time spent ticking off sights, Playa de Barceloneta is the city’s most popular beach, perfect for families. With it’s lovely new marina development, there’s plenty to do in between sunbathing stints, with a number of modern bars and restaurants hugging the coastline.
Head to the city’s green oasis: if you’d prefer green grass and palm trees to the seaside, pack a picnic and head to Parc de la Ciutadella – Barcelona’s green lung.
It's a long way (2hours) north of the city, but, if you have a car, head to elBulli1846 - the museum that now sits on the site of the former 5x 'Best Restaurant in the World' is a huge exhibition dedicated to the art and science of incredible food

Other top picks

Where to eat in Barcelona

As one might expect from such a cosmopolitan and contemporary city, Barcelona's food scene is full of creative restaurants serving a huge range of cuisines. Of course, you'll find brilliant tapas here, along with lots of superb Mediterranean fare.

Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria): An unmissable experience, make sure you come here (at least) once! Some of the best tapas in the city. Need we say more?
Tickets : We’d be remiss not to mention Tickets – a Barcelona dining institution. Appropriately, trying to get a table booking at Tickets is about as difficult as getting Taylor Swift tickets. If you’re able to, though, you’ll be blown away.
El Quim de la Boqueria : located right in the heart of the Mercat de la Boqueria, this is the possibly the best breakfast you’ll get in the entire city. You may well have to wait a while here; trust us, it’s worth it.
El Xampanyet : Another one that’s hugely popular, but deserving of its fame. The welcome is always warm, the food is always fantastic.
Bodega Biarritz 1881 : A classic, rustic Catalan tapas restaurant. It’s very cosy so getting a table can be tricky, but if you’re able to it’s well worth it. The intimate, low-light vibe is perfect for a romantic dinner setting for couples.
Disfrutar : A special occasion option – Disfrutar is the brainchild of three El Bulli alumni chefs. Focussing on Meditteranean cuisine with innovative, creative flourishes, this is a very special restaurant indeed. As you’d expect from a team that won the coveted ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ title 5 times, then.
Ca L’Agut : Despite Barcelona’s epic choice of restaurants boasting cuisines from across the world, it’s essential to visit one very traditional Catalan restaurant during your stay here. Ca L’Agut is that place. It’s been running forever, without chasing trends; just excellent Catalan cuisine every time. The lunch menu in particular is an absolute steal for the quality of the food, too!

General Tips

D o you need to tip in Barcelona ? The usual European rules apply here. It’s not customary or expected; locals when tipping will typically leave €1-2 or 10%. For exceptional service, round the bill up to the nearest €5-10.
Bring comfortable shoes ! Good practice for most European city breaks - prepare to do a lot of walking as you navigate Barcelona’s many attractions.
Book ahead : sadly for the spontaneous types, the time of rocking up to Sagrada Familia on the day is long gone. You’ll need to book well in advance[LINK TO GYG], particularly if you’re trying to play calendar Tetris and squeeze in as much as possible!
Be aware. Barcelona is a wonderful, cosmopolitan city – but, like all big cities, you should keep your wits about you especially after dark. Pickpocketing and bag snatching can be a problem here, particularly in areas such as El Raval. Stay aware of your surroundings and you’ll be fine, though.
Be sensitive to culture. To the difference between Spanish and Catalan culture. Not only does this stop you making cultural fuax pas, but it’s worth remembering as most of the ‘typically Spanish’ attractions in Barcelona (Flamenco dancing etc) will be entirely tourist traps; not authentic displays of Catalan culture.

Final thoughts

Barcelona is a wonderful city - vibrant, cool and buzzy. With lovely weather throughout the year, it's a brilliant place to visit year-round. With so much to see and do here, it really is a city for everyone.

The Ultimate Guide to a long weekend in Rome

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:30:58 GMT

How to make the most of three days in the Eternal City

Welcome to Rome

Italy’s capital is one of our all-time favourite city destinations. Before you’ve even landed, Rome begins to make its mark; punctuated by the River Tiber, its iconic landmarks leap out of the urban sprawl as you descend.

From there, Rome just keeps getting more and more special. Standing where titans of the ancient world – Cicero, Julius Caesar, Augustus – made history, surrounded by the crumbling vestiges of their Empire - still imperiously dignified in their dilapidation – is a moving, humbling and awe-inspiring experience.

Perfect for a long weekend break, getting to Rome is quick and easy. When we visited in 2025, we had two and a half days here, which felt a bit rushed; we’d recommend 3 or 4 days if you really want to make the most of the city without feeling rushed.

With better-than-fiction history, beautiful architecture, tranquil green spaces, magnificent food and – naturally – great museums, Rome is the quintessential European city break.

In fact, the sheer number of incredible sights, sites and tastes is what can make Rome feel overwhelming! If this is you – you’re in the right place. This article will break down the best places to stay, see and eat in the Eternal City.

Getting around

Getting to Rome

Rome’s principal airport is Fiumicinio , which is less than a 2.5-hour flight from London (Stanstead) and less than 3-hours from Edinburgh.

Getting to the city centre from the airport

Getting around Rome

Rome’s a very well-connected city, so you’ve got plenty of options here. You can get around using:

Rome’s Metro : fast, reliable and runs from 05:30 until 23:30 every day.
Bus : Rome has over 350 different bus lines, so you can get anywhere and everywhere by bus.
Hop-on hop-off buses : As you might expect, there are hop-on hop-off buses here too! We love these – they’re a great way to get your bearings and have a bit of a taster of the city before diving deeper into specific areas, all while enjoying some patchy historical commentary!
Moped : When in Rome, as they say! You can hire electric mopeds from Bici Baci and zip around the Roman way.
Walk ! Rome’s such a walkable city. Plus walking gives plenty of opportunity to meander down pretty cobblestone streets, dipping into a café for a cappuccino and a pastry as you make your way to the next historic activity!

Where to stay

Dharma Boutique Hotel : tucked away down a cobbled street in the heart of trendy Monti, this boutique hotel is modern, comfortable and perfectly located for exploring. The service is also exceptional – which we can vouch for, having stayed here ourselves!
Hotel Isa : situated in the quiet and elegant Prati neighbourhood, this is great for families or those of you seeking a more tranquil base to return to after a day amongst the crowds! Plus, you’re walking distance from the Vatican.
First Musica : Another Prati favourite, the First Musica is a modern boutique hotel with a super cool vibe. In its rooftop restaurant (customary for any cool Roman hotel), the food is delicious and creative. Stay after dinner for a cocktail overlooking the city as the sun goes down.
Hotel De Ricci : A stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona, staying here has you right in the middle of the action whilst feeling like you’re in your own private home once you’re inside.
Hotel Locarno : Our top pick for families, Hotel Locarno is tucked away on a charming street just off the famed Piazza del Popolo; it’s also super close to Villa Borghese. The interior design is stunning, with Art Deco furnishing giving the rooms a wonderful old-world-yet-artsy vibe.
The St Regis : our top luxury pick – the St Regis is Rome’s iconic luxe hotel. The grand, marble foyer hints at the level of service you can expect here. For a luxury hotels, the rooms are surprisingly bright and airy. This is luxury without the stuffiness! The St Regis is also a stone’s throw from Rome Central Station – ideal for stepping into after a late arrival.

What to do in Rome

As in many cities around Europe, Rome offers its own ‘tourism pass’: the Roma Pass. Like those offered elsewhere, the Roma Pass gives you free public transport across metro, bus and rail, as well as free entry to 2 museums and further discounts to other events and attractions.

You can purchase either a 48 or 72 hour Roma Pass, which is well worth it doing!

The usual suspects

The Colosseum : probably top of almost everyone’s Rome to-do list. To go inside, you’ll need to book onto a guided tour. These sell out far in advance, especially in the summer – so booking well ahead of time is strongly advised!
Roman Forum : Given that the Forum is right next door to the Colosseum, these two sites are an obvious pair. In fact, you can purchase tickets that give you combined entry to both! Take plenty of time here to really soak it all in.
The Vatican City : again, one that everyone wants to do. Queues to get into the Vatican beggar belief – 4 hour wait times are not unusual. Another one where booking ahead of time is well advised! You can book either a guided tour or simple fast-track entry, where you’ll enter as part of a group before dispersing once you’re through the door.
Trevi Fountain : One to get to early – it’s thronged with crowds throughout the day that make walking through difficult and photo-taking nigh on impossible! We arrived at 7am and it was nice and peaceful – by 07:30 the crowds were already forming!
Spanish Steps : A short walk from the Trevi Fountain, pop into a café on the Via dei due Macelli for a caffeine hit along the way between the two. You’ll also be grateful for getting here early, if you manage it!

Relax in Villa Borghese : When you’re a bit fed up of crowds, old stuff and being on your feet, take some time to chill out in Villa Borghese – the largest park in Rome and a haven of green amidst the stone city streets. You’ll also get stunning panoramic views over the city. Head here from the Spanish Steps, the closest landmark to Villa Borghese.
Stop by the Jewish Quarter : Rich with history, interesting architecture and buzzing with vibrant shops, the Jewish Quarter is well worth a stroll around. Here you’ll find the very best of a quintessential local dish – deep-fried artichokes. Don’t leave without trying them!
Head underground: Explore Rome’s famous catacombs – the final resting place for many Romans of old - to see a different side to the city. To take the spooky vibe up a notch, do an after hours tour!
Immerse yourself in food and wine : Take a foodie tour and experience the best authentic, local spots for treating your taste buds!
Take an Italian cooking class: learn how to make delicious, authentic pasta at Kitchen of Mamma or decadent pizza at Amore.

Other top picks

Where to eat in Rome

It wouldn't be a guide to Rome without talking about food! As with every region across Italy, Rome has its own gastronomic signature.

Rooted firmly in la cucina povera - literally meaning "poor kitchen", cucina povera focuses on simple, hearty meals with humble, local ingredients - Roman cooking centres around simple, unpretentious dishes. Most humble of all is the classic cacio e pepe : a simple pasta made only with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.

While Roman cooking is simple to its core, it's anything but basic. For some of the best eats in the city, head to:

Restaurants

Cuoco & Camicia: located in Monti not far from the Coloseum, Cuoco & Camicia is a chic trattoria that serves modern, seasonal cuisine. The quality of the food here is absolutely excellent – using fresh, quality ingredients harmoniously without being over the top. Given that the food wouldn’t be out of place on the table of a Michelin-starred restaurant, the prices here are incredible, too.
Il Matriciano: This Prati-based, women-owned restaurant has a proper old-world vibe, with 5 wood-panelled dining rooms and a streetside terrace. Having been in business for over 100 years, they know a thing or two about good food, done well. Expect simple, delicious and well-priced Roman cooking without pretense.
Mercato Centrale: located right next to Termini station, Mercato Centrale is a fun, trendy street food market serving both local Roman specialities (the ‘Trappizino’ is a must-have) and international favourites. This is more of a lunch spot than dinner, and is definitely worth a visit!
Carter Oblio: Another Prati restaurant, Carter Oblio is in many ways the opposite of Il Matriciano. This is fine-dining, with a cuisine centred around innovative reinterpretation of classic Italian dishes. Gorgeously presented and delicious, this is the place to come for something that bit special.
Spizzica Roma: hidden away down a narrow cobbled street between the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon, Spizzica was – for both of us – the pizza highlight of our own trip to Rome. It’s served ‘al taglio’ (by the slice), so you can try a few different varieties in one go. And trust us, you’ll want to.
La Taverna dei Monti: an understated, family-run trattoria in trendy Monti, you’d be forgiven for walking right past it. Behind the down-to-earth exterior, though, is some excellent Cucina Romano (Roman cooking). It would be criminal not to order the cacio e pepe.
Gli Esploratori: A restaurant, wine shop and bookshop all rolled into one, this restaurant in Ottaviano manages to thread the needle of being hyper-cool while retaining a really welcoming, friendly vibe. A favourite with locals (always a good sign!), the food is creative and inventive and, of course, delicious!

Venchi Gelato: Located right by the Pantheon, Venchi makes a great dessert stop after pizza at Spizzica. Being so close to the Pantheon, we were worried it would be a bit of a tourist trap. But this ended up being our favourite gelato we had on the entire trip (and we had a LOT).
Giolitti : We couldn’t have a gelato list without mentioning Giolitti. Held by many to be the best gelato in Rome, Giolitti is without doubt a must-visit. Don’t be put off by the gigantic queues – they work with military precision, so you won’t be waiting long for your gelato fix.
Neve Di Latte: A veritable gelato laboratory, this artisan gelateria is up there with the very best. They only use top-quality ingredients and make everything on-site, too.
Grom: If you’re looking for a treat that’s guilt-free, Grom is your place! Grom uses only locally grown, organic ingredients – with most coming from their farm just outside the city.

For gelato

General Tips

Speaking of general ‘tips’ - do you need to tip in Rome ? It’s not customary or expected; locals when tipping will typically leave €1-2 or 10%. For exceptional service, round the bill up to the nearest €5-10.
If servizio appears on your bill, this is a service charge. You won’t need to tip at all in this case.
Bring comfortable shoes ! Prepare to do a lot of walking as you traverse between landmarks. Rome does have a good Metro service, but even using this you’re still likely to log a lot of steps!
Book ahead : sadly for the spontaneous types, the time of rocking up to major sites and attractions on the day is long gone. You’ll need to book well in advance , particularly if you’re trying to play calendar Tetris and squeeze in as much as possible!
Don’t rush! Limit yourself to a couple of the major sites per day. You’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet as it is – the last thing you want to be doing is marching from place to place as well. Give yourself time to amble! If you’re not sure how to structure your Rome itinerary, read our guide to a long weekend in Rome .
Rise early. The early bird catches the worm in Rome. Even if you’re not a morning person, we promise that a quiet and crowd-less Pantheon, Trevi Fountain or Spanish Steps will be well worth the alarm.

Final thoughts

Rome is our favourite city break destination - the incredible history, food, architecture, people and the ease of getting around make it perfect for a long weekend.

It can be intense, though. Knowing how to pace and sequence the trip is crucial for getting the most out of the city, without needing another holiday to recover from your holiday!

Where to travel for Autumn vibes

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:29:15 GMT

The best of the autumn colours and culture

Soft, diffuse light from a setting sun turns the surrounding mountains into a terracotta bowl. Forests turn from a mass of green to a fiery display of burnished bronze and honey-gold. One by one changing from ceiling to carpet, this is nature's final flourish before the onset of monochrome winter. And it's all the prettier for being only too brief.

Summer may be over, but that's no reason to pack away the suitcase for the year. Autumn brings milder temperatures, smaller crowds and that final, beguiling flourish of colour. Each place peaks at a different time, so we've ordered them by when's best; from mid-September in Banff to November in Kyoto. Follow them in order and you can chase autumn around the northern hemisphere.

Banff, Canada

Summer turns quickly to autumn in the Canadian Rockies. Banff is one of those places that's special all year, but the autumn is first among equals. There's nothing quite like the sight of its yellow-orange larches interspersed with the piercing turquoise of its lakes. Alone amidst a sea of evergreens, these conifers turn gold before dropping their needles altogether. Join in the "larch march" by day with alpine hikes, followed by cosy evenings sipping hot chocolate under a blanket.

Autumn is also one of the best times to see wildlife here. You'll hear the piercing whistle of the elk before you see it: its challenge to rivals echoing through the hills before the jousting begins. Later in the season, you'll see deer and sheep follow suit with their own sparring sessions. Meanwhile, bears both black and grizzly are hyperphagic - gorging themselves on thousands of calories to pack on fat before a long hibernation. Relatable.

A trip here wouldn't be fully complete without taking a guided horseback ride through the alpine pastures and mountain passes of Banff and Lake Louise surrounded by the colours of autumn.

When to visit : The window is actually fairly short in the Rockies. Colours start to change from mid-September, when larch needles turn to gold. The aspen trees follow suit shortly after, and by mid-October, the descent into winter has begun.

Lake Jasna, Slovenia

Perched in the far north-west of Slovenia, Jasna sits between the Austrian border to the north and the Italian border to the west. Jasna sits just outside the small city of Kranjska Gora, itself nestled in the Julian Alps. This means a blend of snow-capped peaks and golden leaves that are quintessentially autumn.

Lake Jasna is actually not one, but two man-made lakes joined together. Just the right level of human intervention means the nature is incredibly accessibly without being spoiled. Take a walk through the alternating hot-and-cold pools along the Kneipp Path to feel refreshed, or dial the autumn energy up to maximum by curling up with a book in the lakeside library!

When to visit: Late-September through to mid-October gives you the best of autumn's burnished bronze, while temperatures remain mild, typically in the mid-teens.

Also try: Lake Bled. Slovenia's headline act has the same Alpine scenery as Jasna, although its fame draws more crowds. Lake Bled is only 45mins away from Jasna, so visiting both in one trip to Slovenia is extremely do-able.

Bavaria, Germany

As with most of the other destinations on this list, autumn in Bavaria brings vivid colours, moderate temperatures and crisp mornings. Experience Oktoberfest in Munich and enjoy wandering the wooded parks and leafy streets as they become carpeted with orange leaves.

Two places across wider Bavaria are autumn must-visits: Eibsee and Neuschwanstein Castle . Situated an hour apart from each other on opposite sides of the Ammergebirge nature reserve (if you're a hiker, spend some time here too).

Eibsee is a glassy alpine lake that sits at the stone feet of Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain. In the still water of the lake you'll see reflected the face of the mountain, its green beard flecked increasingly with orange as the year wanes. In gloomy weather, it's rugged and atmospheric. Under clear skies, everything pops with vividness.

There's something Disney-esque about the tall turrets of Neuschwanstein. Or, more accurately, something Neuschwanstein-esque about Disney; this Bavarian castle being Walt Disney's inspiration for the 'Sleeping Beauty castle'. Lit up in gold under the autumn sun and nestled on its mountain perch amongst orange-green trees, it looks every inch the fairytale setting. Beyond the storybook-descriptions - a practical note. You can go inside the castle, but tickets sell out fast. Purchase tickets online well in advance, making sure to double-check opening times before you do.

When to visit: Higher mountain areas see the onset of Autumn by late-September. Mostly, though, early October is when you'll see the best of the autumn foliage.

New England, USA

Ask anyone from the USA where to go in search of classic autumn scenery; they'll tell you to head straight for New England. This isn't just the pursuit of tourists, after all. You'll find just as many locals as tourists on these winding roads.

And autumn travel in New England really lends itself to a road trip. The best way to do it is to begin north in Maine and head towards Massachusetts, following autumn's own journey south. Your journey will take you along wide roads flanked by the full spectrum of autumn colours: golden ginkgo, blazing scarlet maple through to the bottomless purples of ash trees.

Follow a gentle route from the breezy Maine coast to Acadia National Park for some classic lakeside views before immersing yourself in the granite crags, tranquil lakes and vast forests surrounding New Hampshire's White Mountains. Vermont may well be the highlight of the whole trip; the colours of its green fields, pumpkin-orange leaves and blue sky look like those Instagram photos with the saturation dialled up to 100.

Head down from the mountains through to the gentle slopes of the Berkshires. Enjoy its wide variety of museums and cultural sites, as well as its charming, old-fashioned villages. All of course backgrounded by a shifting mosaic of green and orange trees. Finally, head back east to the coast - either to Boston or, if you have the time, Cape Cod. Halloween-enthusiasts shouldn't miss a trip to Salem, too.

When to go : Head to Maine in late-September and go as long and lazily as you can manage. This is a route that's best travelled at nature's pace - slowly. Massachusetts won't break out its autumn wardrobe until mid-October, so there's no rush to head south.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a classic autumnal city break destination. It's architecturally one of Europe's prettiest cities, with an eclectic mix of styles ranging from 13th-century Gothic, Habsburg Baroque, fine Neo-Classical and drab Stalinist Functionalism. The diffuse late-afternoon autumn sun leaves the large stone slabs of Fisherman's Bastion glowing in honey-gold hues.

At this time of year, the weather is ideal for walking. Which is great, because you'll do plenty of it here! The intense heat of midsummer is long gone during the day, with temperatures hovering around the mid-teens. Mornings are bright and crisp, without the biting cold that comes later.

Autumn is also when the city's food scene really shines. Market halls fill up with the first batches of new-season produce that typifies autumn. Pumpkin, mushrooms and game meat all feature heavily on menus.

When to go: We'd recommend October, particularly early-to-mid October. The autumn colours hit peak vibrancy, the weather is clear, dry and mild and the crowds are long gone. September is also beautiful, and often holds on to balmy summer warmth. November, on the other hand, is typically miserable.

Transylvania, Romania

A more off-the-beaten-track destination than the others on this list, travellers heading to Romania in autumn are well rewarded. Transylvania packs in mist-shrouded mountains, flame-coloured forests and charming medieval towns boasting a blend of Gothic castles and cosy cafés.

Possibly more than any other destination on this list, an autumn trip to Transylvania isn't just about seeing the vermillion forests or misty mountains. There's a tonne of rich culture here. Transylvania has formed part of no fewer than 4 countries since the Middle Ages, and this frequent changing-of-hands has endowed it with a melting-pot mix for architecture, cuisine and local traditions.

Of course, for most people, the mere mention of Transylvania conjures up images of Dracula, vampires and Halloween vibes. And locals have really leant into it. Throughout the region you'll find ghost tours and Dracula-themed parties that often run until the early hours, accompanied by plentiful food and drink. A night-time visit to Bran Castle is a must, too.

However, Transylvania is so much more than this. The region remains deeply connected to authentic Romanian folklore and customs. Rural areas (such as Bran) still celebrate traditional harvest festivals like Răvășitul Oilor (the Sheep Fair), which heralds the return of the shepherds from the mountains.

Celebrations held on the 25th of October known as the 'Fire of Sumedru' see the Transylvanian hills ablaze with towering bonfires; the air thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the sound of villagers jumping over the flames and sharing traditional harvest food.

When to visit: Throughout October the weather actually stays relatively mild. For the best of the festivities, late-October is prime time.

Kyoto, Japan

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Kyoto, and Japan more broadly. It's both more affordable and less-crowded than visiting during cherry blossom season in the spring. While catching the brief cherry blossom can be like threading a needle, the period of autumn colours lasts much longer.

What begins as a canvas of orange becomes a rich blend of colours as maple and ginkgo leaves assume their signature hues. Red temple roofs are accented by maple leaves that hit the ground like crimson confetti while the honeyed tones of the ginkgos complete the signature autumn scene.

There's a reason that the celebrated Japanese haiku master and Kyoto-admirer Bashō wrote:

First day of spring-

I keep thinking about

the end of autumn.

Eikando Temple is our top pick. Visiting Kyoto you'll be spoiled for choice on places to visit; Eikando should be the one non-negotiable. Here you'll find that traditional vignette of rippling ponds crossed by worn stone bridges - all surrounded by leaves of bright crimson, burnt-orange and lemon-yellow intermingled with evergreens like an Impressionist painting. It's the autumn spot in Kyoto.

When to visit: November is when the autumn colours reach their peak here, with places further south like nearby Nara keeping their rusty raiment into early December. Temperatures remain comfortable in November, with clear blue sky the norm.

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Autumn is the evening of the year, and it passes quickly wherever you are. But like all good evenings, it can be stretched if you know where to go: begin among Banff's golden larches in mid-September and you could still be standing under Kyoto's maples in November.

How to spend 10 nights in São Miguel

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:59:51 GMT

A detailed guide personally experienced by us.

The largest and most populous island in The Azores archipelago, São Miguel can be a holiday by itself. Tucked between the folds of its hills are a treasure trove of secluded waterfalls, dense jungle and sheltered coves.

The art of a good travel itinerary is threading the needle between 'making the most of' and 'getting the best of'.

We recommend hiring a car for a trip to The Azores. With many of the best sites being well off the main roads, relying on public transport will be extremely limiting.

Days 1-4: the central hub

By the time you've landed at Ponta Delgada airport, you'll have had your first hint at what the next 10 days has in store.

The descent from the air reveals rolling waves of green on one side, and a serene sheet of blue on the other. With the patchwork of green rising into craggy peaks, it almost looks like you've landed in the Highlands of Scotland. The blast of heat as you step from the plane cuts through any momentary thoughts of kilts and haggis.

We recommend beginning your island odyssey in the city; a short drive from the airport.

Perched on the central-southern coast of São Miguel, Ponta Delgada - meaning "thin cape" - is the capital city of the Azores. With a population shy of 70,000, it's about the size of Inverness. Amid the city's colourful streets you'll find museums, cafes and shops aplenty. While Ponta Delgada has a handful of hotels, the volume of local restaurants and supermarkets make self-catering here a great option.

Day 1

After grabbing your car and jettisoning luggage, you'll be ready to explore.

Orient yourself with a stroll through the city's narrow streets - a maze of cobblestone fringed with colourful stucco facades - before grabbing a drink and some shade at the Jardim Botânico António Borges . Like a surprising majority of attractions on the island, entry is free. Perch yourself in the arms of the park's tropical fauna and watch the resident chickens strut amidst crowds of ducks.

Make time too for a trip to our favourite pineapple plantation on the island - Plantação de Ananás dos Açores. Despite being smaller and less-famous than Plantação Ananases A Arruda, it's well worth a visit. It's walking-distance from town, and the on-site cafe also boasts the best pineapple ice cream we found across the island!

End the day with a stroll along the sea front to watch the sunset, sampling some local fish before calling it a night.

Day 2

After listening to the hum of the city as it comes to life, grab yourself a punchy Azorean coffee and get exploring.

Your first full morning in Ponta Delgada is a great time to get to know your new home. Museu Carlos Machado was the convent of Santa Andre before Carlos Machado transformed it into an ethnographic museum in 1943. The ground floor is dedicated to 19th and 20th century Azorean life; the upper floors house displays of Azorean art, religious artifacts, coinage, textiles and interesting geological finds dating back to the original settlement of the island in the 15th century.

Along the harbourside, there's a small military museum whose old guns and military equipment kids will particularly enjoy. Those artistically-inclined are well catered for in Ponta Delgada, too. Head to the INFORMAL Gallery to see work by local Azorean artists or drink in owner Anne's paper-based works of art at Papel Da Lua .

Whale Watching

Whale watching is undoubtedly one of the Azores' must-do activities. Take the opportunity to hit the clear Atlantic waves this afternoon, and keep your camera at the ready! Trips take anywhere between 3 and 5 hours, depending on how far you need to go to find animals.

A dazzling diversity of marine life can be found off the coast of Sao Miguel, including a wide variety of cetaceans. Keep your eyes peeled for sperm whales - these icons of the Azores spend a good chunk of time down in the depths. Combined with the fact they look like big rocks when above-water, this makes getting a sighting of these giants no mean feat!

That said, we did 2 trips on our visit to Sao Miguel and saw sperm whales both times. On the second time we even saw them in their iconic 'standing' posture! Across both trips, we ended up seeing 3 types of whale and 4 types of dolphin - so there's a lot to see here!

Our absolute favourites are the dolphins, though. Watching a pod of dolphins leaping out of the water and playfully racing your boat is among the most wholesomely-joyful sights we've seen!

If you're visiting in April or early-May, keep your eyes peeled for planet Earth's largest creature - the Blue Whale. These behemoths come to feast on springtime plankton blooms before resuming their great trek to the Arctic. Reaching up to 24 metres long and with tongues that weigh more than an elephant, seeing one of these gentle giants in the wild is a profoundly humbling experience.

Head into town to grab a local bite to eat before crashing out. For recommendations, check out our favourite places to eat in Sao Miguel.

Day 3

It's time to adventure! Use today to escape the city and embark on a day on Sao Miguel's rugged west.

Sete Cidades

The centrepiece of the island's western side is the famous Sete Cidades . Crowned by the towering ridges of the caldera and studded with pastel-hued hydrangeas, these glittering blue and green lakes are one of the most captivating views in the Azores. Separated only by a narrow bridge and surrounded by dense forest, the entire area seems to beckon you into the realm of fairy story.

And it is. The famous colour difference is the stuff of Azorean legend. A shepherd boy and a princess met at the lake's edge and fell in love, but were forbidden from meeting again. Their final farewell produced tears: her blue eyes gave color to Lagoa Azul, his green eyes to Lagoa Verde. The actual explanation is more prosaic — different depths, suspended algae, and the angle of reflected light.

The journey from Ponta Delgada is a fairly short one, taking around 25 minutes via the EN9-1A road. However, in reality you'll find it taking much longer, as you stop every few minutes to gaze at the ever-widening panoramas as the road ascends.

Be sure to stop at the Miradouro da Grota do Inferno on your way up the mountainside. The walk up takes you gently through scenic forest before steepening sharply. The climb is short, though, and well worth it. Your reward is an unmatched panorama over the lakes.

The primary viewpoint is the Miradouro da Vista do Rei . It's impossible to miss, with the crumbling carcass of the abandoned Monte Palace hotel brooding forbiddingly on the hillside. Built as recently as the early 1990s, its present state of dereliction offers a poetic contrast to the enduring majesty of nature's architecture it sits alongside. It's actually possible to go inside the gutted remains, and even to climb to the roof! Be warned: it's pretty eerie, but the views from the top are worth the ascent up through the wrack and ruin.

Whether from the hotel roof or the main viewpoint, soak up the view of these jewels in the crown of Sao Miguel. Descend the other side of the ridge and pass through the wall of hydrangeas at the bottom before threading your way between the lakes into the village of Sete Cidades.

Sete Cidades is a charming, small village with a population of approximately 700 people. There's not much going on, which gives it a lovely, relaxed vibe. We highly, highly recommend a pitstop at Carioca Breezy - a gorgeous community-run garden-lounge serving refreshing acai from a food truck. This is the perfect place to laze after the morning's hiking, shielded from the heat of the day by the shade of the garden's abundant foliage. Fred - the owner - is a ray of Azorean sunshine, having traded the stress of life in the art world for slowness, simplicity and joy in Sete Cidades.

From the village you can also rent kayaks to take out onto the lakes themselves, which is great fun.

The West Coast

If you can make the tide times line up, make sure to visit Ponta da Ferraria too. This natural thermal pool is tucked into the shore itself, in a pool of basalt rock. Here, geothermal spring water mixes with the raw Atlantic ocean, creating a unique and all-natural spa.

As afternoon rolls slowly into evening, we recommend heading into the village of Mosteiros on the west coast. This is the place for watching the sun dip behind the blue rim of the Atlantic. On a clear day, the pastel hues of pink, orange and blue are like a Monet painting.

Something to bear in mind: driving in the dark can be quite tricky here. As temperatures cool, the clouds lower, making visibility deteriorate rapidly. Combined with a lack of lighting, this can make driving conditions quite challenging. We learned this one the hard way! So, especially if this is your first time driving on the right-hand side, beat a retreat from Mosteiros before the sun goes down.

Day 4

Having seen the headline act yesterday, day 4 is an ideal time to head off the beaten track. We booked a local-guided tour of Sao Miguel's hidden gems, and highly recommend it.

The North-East's Hidden Gems

Doing a locally-guided tour is a nice change of pace from going under your own steam, and gives you the opportunity to connect with those who know the island intimately. You also get those flourishes of local colour that give a place character. Before our tour, I'd have driven through San Roque without even noticing it. After, I can still picture the street there where our chatty guide - Catia - grew up.

Our trip took us to the other side of the island; to Nordeste. As the name hints it, this is the north-easternmost part of Sao Miguel. We learned from Catia that Nordeste used to be thought of as Sao Miguel's "second island". My mind immediately pictured volcanic tumult that over eons joined up the two islands, but the reality is much more prosaic. Before the new highway that encircles Sao Miguel was built, it took 2-hours to get to Nordeste from Ponta Delgada. This was an intolerably long drive for locals who can get most places in 20 minutes, so they basically never bothered going there. Hence, it might as well be a second island!

Fortunately, with the drive time slashed to a mere 1-hour, we could experience the region that - as well as the second island - is also known to be Sao Miguel's "cleanest and greenest".

Nordeste certainly lives up to this billing, with vast tracts of tropical rainforest that hides many a secret waterfall. We visited a bunch and, except for two intrepid Azorean influencers, were always the only ones there.

Other highlights included forest-bathing amongst endemic Azorean woodland; threading through fractals of branches and flowers in a rainbow of hues. Climbing into the cloud forest (yep, they have one here!) along a narrow ridge as the mist descended was so worth it for the exceptional views back over the island.

The other great thing about travelling with a local guide is local restaurant recommendations! Nestled in the quiet streets of a coastal village, we filled ourselves with fresh Azorean fish in a local taverna. Dessert wasn't quite as 'authentic' - a Toblerone tart - but just as delicious!

Days 5-8: into the heartlands

Day 5

It's time to leave the city behind and plunge into the heart of Sao Miguel's wild side. Before that, though - a detour. The shimmering waters of Vila Franco do Campo's islet beckon.

Head east out of Ponta Delgada, driving for half an hour before reaching the town of Vila Franco do Campo . The narrowing streets offer a dead giveaway that you've reached the town.

Vila Franco Do Campo

Vila Franco do Campo feels the classic small beach town - St Ives versus Ponta Delgada's Truro. Its crescent-shaped beach backs onto a quiet street of charming, old-fashioned buildings, behind which sits the small shops and cafes of the town.

Vila Franco do Campo's main draw, however, isn't in the town itself. In fact, (technically) it's not even part of the same island! Just off the coast sits the islet that draws the attention. Known as the 'Princess Ring', the islet is the remains of a conic volcano that collapsed in on itself amidst ceaseless battering from wind and waves.

Uninhabited, the island is a protected nature reserve for native seabirds. As a result, access is carefully controlled, with a cap on the number of simultaneous visitors. You can also only access the island on an authorised boat transfer, unless you kayak over yourself (which requires a special ticket). Finally, the islet is closed to visitors from 15th April to 14th June each year.

Navigating these conditions is well worth it, though! If you've the strength for the 30-minute crossing, it's fantastic fun to take a kayak over in calm seas. You can also swim and snorkel in the water at the centre of the islet, which is a haven for a huge variety of fish.

If you're in the mood for something a touch less active, you can also join tours run by marine biologists to learn about the islet's formation and ecology.

After the afternoon whiled away in the clear waters of the islet, the forests of Furnas await.

Furnas sits in the central highlands of Sao Miguel, and you'll notice the change in the landscape as you comb through its winding roads. Trees grow taller, plant life gets denser and wildflowers flourish in steeply-rolling fields. You're heading into the centre of Sao Miguel's geothermal heartlands.

Furnas

The two main sites in Furnas are the town centre and Lake Furnas . Lake Furnas is a large volcanic crater lake whose pristine expanse of emerald-green reflects the colour of the steep, forested peaks that surround it on three sides. The lake itself is protected, so it's not for swimming. Around its perimeter, though, is a well-kept 11km walking trail. A walk around the lake is an absolute must! But for now, continue on into the town.

Furnas town is both small and packed full of interesting things to see. Here you'll find the geothermal baths of both Parque Terra Nostra (as well as its impressive garden!) and Pocas de Dona Beija . The former is larger and busier, the latter less polished but with a loyal following. In the town, you'll also come across various cracks in the street from which volcanic steam billows ominously, especially as you head towards the fumaroles . Here you'll find spring water emerging in geysers, with temperatures ranging from 15c to a staggering 95c!

There are also several hotels and restaurants of various shapes and sizes. We visited a lovely local spot named A Quinta - a small restaurant set in a small garden with rustic wood furnishing, friendly, attentive staff and low-key acoustic music in the background.

Day 6

Having rested after a night's sleep, this is the perfect time to get out and explore the lake. The 11km trail tends to take around 5 hours, particularly if you take the highly-recommended detour into Parque Grena . Despite this, it is a very gentle and accessible walk, particularly outside of Grena.

Lake Furnas

Begin the walk from the southerrnmost car park, heading past the carved wooden wizard on your left. After a short walk along the cobbled path you'll reach the chapel of Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias . Behind the chapel sits Mata Jardim José do Canto - a botanical monument to the passion of José do Canto. The garden costs €5 to enter and boasts over 100 plant species - both endemic and exotic - along a 2km stretch.

As you bend around to the western shore past the pair of Como-esque lakehouses, you'll reach the Centro de Interpretação Ambiental das Furnas . This modern museum is well worth a visit, housing fascinating and interactive exhibits on the Azores' volcanic origins. You'll also learn about the enduring influence the constant, looming presence of the volcano has on local life in Furnas.

Pit stop at the museum done, it's time to continue the trail. From here on, the trail gets a touch wilder as you edge further into the dense woods of the hills. Take your time to breathe in and enjoy the rich mix of plant life all around you. Every now and then, a gap in the vegetation reveals the shining, still surface of the lake. The way the early sun shines from the east makes these views particularly delightful in the morning!

Eventually, after walking up the long western side under the eaves of the trees, the land widens. Here you'll find the fumaroles steaming and bubbling away like natural cauldrons, whose sulphuric scent hangs noxious in the air. To this day, the local dish of Cozido is cooked in these fumaroles . Look closely and you'll see packages each bearing the name of a local hotel.

Here you'll also find the gateway to Parque Grena . Entry costs €10, and is worth every cent. This winding woodland trail takes you deep into the dense forest of the lake's northern slope, culminating in Sao Miguel's largest waterfall. The trail is absolutely gorgeous - pure wilderness all the way. Towering Japanese Cedar and Eucalyptus trees flank paths leading inexorably up towards the falls, accented by colourful tropical plants thriving in the park's close humidity.

You'll also find dotted around the park's expanse curiosities like a hobbit house, a small zoo and even a sauna & hot tubs! On the baking September day that we visited, the cool river criss-crossing the hiking trail was the prime attraction; a dip in cold, clear water the perfect refreshment after the steep ascent.

After a couple of hours enjoying the wild trails and spectacular viewpoints of Parque Grena, the final stretch of the walk lies ahead. Passing the stalls selling fresh pineapple and ice cream, the path turns south along the eastern bank of the lake. Unlike the rest of the densely-wooded trail, on this section you're treated to unobstructed views of Lake Furnas' emerald expanse.

Walk finished, a spa session is wholly justified. Book in an evening slot at Pocas de Dona Beija and enjoy the warm geothermal water under a canopy of stars. And relax!

Day 7

Terra Nostra

After yesterday's walking, today calls for something slightly slower-paced. After a leisurely breakfast, head to Parque Terra Nostra for a gentle amble around its expansive 12.5 hectare botanical gardens. It's open from 10:30 until 16:30, although guests at the Hotel Terra Nostra get unlimited 24hr asccess. Home to more than 2,000 species of trees, there's plenty to see on a walk around the grounds.

Tree-lined walkways lead you through the park, passing gently flowing streams and lotus-filled pools. The deep shades of green, scent of flowers and sound of water gently flowing all give the park an idyllic, serene quality. Take your time here. There's no rush.

The pool at Terra Nostra is the colour of weak tea: iron from the volcanic water, not mud. It sits at 39 degrees, and locals and tourists float in it side by side. The colour is a result of the volcanic water's high iron content. So it's best to not wear your favourite swimsuit!

We ate at the hotel restaurant in the evening, and really enjoyed it. It's on the fancy side, although you can still get a hearty, authentic Cozido here. For those of you with a sweet tooth - the dark chocolate mousse may just be the highlight of your entire trip.

Days 8-10: let's go to the beach

Day 8

Leaving the deep green of Furnas behind, it's time to head back to the coast! Fortunately, the drive north is just as picturesque as the drive from the south was. The scenery is bucolic: all twisty roads flanked by wide fields and thick hedgerows. Traffic here consists mostly of tractors and, occasionally, long lines of plodding cows.

Eventually, the wide vista of Sao Miguel's northern coastline opens up before you.

Your destination is Santa Barbara , a small and achingly-pretty beach sandwiched between the contrasting towns of Rabo de Peixe and Ribeira Grande . Before that, though, there are a couple of important stops to make!

Gorreana Tea Plantation

Founded in 1883, Che Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. It's now also the only tea plantation in Europe! Set amidst the ordered lines and iconic, layered banks of tea plants, the plantation is a window into tea-making tradition. Entry here is, again, free. Inside, you can see the tea-making process happening in real time.

The lack of computerisation is striking - heavy machinery moves the tea leaves through the factory line to be sorted by-hand into Gorreana's various varieties. You can also walk through the fields of tea plants themselves, taking in the scent and watching the tea pickers at work.

After a stop at the cafe for tea overlooking the sea, it's time to move on to the next stop: Lago di Fogo. It's a detour away from Santa Barbara, and couldn't be more worth it!

Lago di Fogo

Winding your way up the snaking EN5-2A , you'll reach a point in the road where you can go no further. A police cordon blocks the way up the mountain during the day (and you wouldn't want to be driving these roads at night!). At the police block, you'll find the car park.

From here, you've got two options. Ascend a weather-worn wooden staircase to reach yet more geothermal baths: Caldeira Velha .

If you've not yet had your fill of warm water, this is a great one to go to. The setting is strikingly different from Furnas' bathing pools. Unlike those town-surrounded places, here you're drawn into the jungle. Hot springs bubble up under the shady cover of a dense tree canopy, giving these pools a uniquely tropical vibe.

If you've left your swimwear at the bottom of the suitcase, your road leads to the mountaintop. You get there via buses, which run every 30 minutes and cost €5pp. There are two routes: red and green. You'll be getting the red route, which will ferry you up the northern pass of the mountain. The green route takes passengers up and down the southern side of the mountain, so there's no real need to take it.

The red bus stops at a couple of viewpoints on the way up, and different ones on the way down. You're welcome to get out and marvel at the views each time, but make sure you're back in time to leave! You'll soon see why you wouldn't want to come here at night, as the route winds up the zig-zagging hairpins of the mountain roads towards the summit.

After around 25 minutes, you'll be at the top. From the moment you step off the bus, the sweeping vista explodes into view. Rich green fields bend their way up into thick forests before the sudden green cliff of the treeline leaves the craggy face of the mountainside bare. At the margin of the land sit the clustered buildings of Ribeira Grande and Rabo de Peixe . Beyond: the glassy Atlantic stretches out towards the distant horizon.

That's not all, though. Right behind the bus stop is a cutback that leads steeply upwards to the crest of the mountain. The path levels out and the ground simply stops. Inside the broken bowl of the crater lies one sheet of blue water. Past the rim, the whole island is laid out in order: the bare grey face of the mountain, a green carpet of trees, the terracotta rooftops of Ribeira Grande, and the Atlantic going inexorably on.

The forbidding peaks of its volcanic towers, dark and ancient. The undulations of its verdant land in bucolic swathes of green. The deep blue of lakes, like ink blots on green canvas, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. Drink it all in.

Eventually, when you can tear yourself away from the view, grab the bus back down the mountain and set the sat nav for Santa Barbara .

Santa Barbara

I've purposely left the hotel/accommodation recommendations open in this article. This is about what to do without prescription of where to stay. However, here I'm going to throw all that to the wolves. If you can, the place to stay here is Santa Barbara Eco Resort (SBER from now on) , a natural-yet-modern complex of eco-lodges perched on the cliff overlooking Santa Barbara beach. This is where we stayed on this leg of the island. We've also had several clients stay here - without fail it's one of the first things they rave about.

SBER's eco-first ethos is, naturally, a huge thing for us. The whole complex has been built with sustainability in mind. Farm-to-table dining, upcycled furnishings and creative energy production keep operations low-impact. The rooms are also gorgeous, the food incredible and the setting perfect. As you can tell, we rather like it!

There are of course other good options along this stretch of north coast, particularly in Ribeira Grande . For a proper, detailed overview of these, chat to us. For now, though, we'll base this section of the article on staying at SBER.

Having checked in to SBER, it's time to relax. Both now and in general. This final leg of the trip is the time to slow down and relax.

Start as you mean to go on by watching the sun set from the clifftop as sea and sky turn from blue to pink. Oh, and, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins! We saw a pod bouncing their way east in the fading light, leaping and splashing as they went.

Day 9

Whale Watching/Rabo de Peixe

With Sao Miguel's north coast famously being the best place for whale sightings, another whale watching trip is well worth it. Mornings are best for cetacean activity, so grab a quick breakfast and make your way to Rabo de Peixe .

Rabo de Peixe is the largest fishing village in the Azores. Since the 16th century, fishing has been the beating heart of this north-coast town. To this day, all-things maritime remain central to the people of this village and their way of life. The village was made famous by the Netflix series Turn of the Tide, and, since its release in 2023, Rabo de Peixe has seen tourist numbers increase. However, it still retains an earthy, local feel; sharply contrasted to near-neighbour Ribeira Grande .

On the morning that we hit the waves, the sky was a sullen blanket of grey. Sea conditions were perfect, though - glassy and calm. Our little zodiac made light work of its gentle lapping, and we were quickly out into the depths.

We soon came upon a pod of Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins. As usual for dolphins, they seemed to be having the time of their lives, chasing each other, racing our boat and leaping out of the water. Dolphins really have to be up there with the most joyful animals around!

The playful dolphins were, though, the starter. A warm up for the main course to come. Our guide spotted a big lump moving around in the distance, which we quickly caught up to: a Bryde's Whale. A species of baleen whale on its migratory route.

The tourist then ran into some natives - a pair of sperm whales. Loitering in their iconic upright posture, we could see their heads sticking up above the water like smooth rocks. What followed was a scene from an Attenborough documentary.

The sperm whales were not at all happy about the intrusion of the Bryde's Whale into their neighbourhood, a message that appeared to get lost in translation. Tails were waved in warning to the delight of all of us watching. The big baleen grew ever-closer to the sperm whales, its constant exhaling like loud sighs of exasperation. Maybe we were anthropomorphising too much, but we felt the tension in the air.

Then, if this weren't enough, two dolphins joined the party! In classic dolphin fashion, they cared not at all about the battle of wills going on in front of them. Jumping and splashing, they first considered harassing the sperm whales. Despite their playful appearance, dolphins actually carry out frequent muggings of sperm whales. They jab the poor whales' stomachs with their breaks to make them vomit, which they then eat. Outrageous!

Cetacean conflict was averted when the Bryde's Whale thought better of it, turning off west. The dolphins decided this looked more exciting, following along in the baleen whale's wake.

Excitement over, it was time for us to return to shore.

Ribeira Grande

After the early start, the afternoon is wide open. Return to SBER to relax by the pool or hit the beach in the afternoon sunshine.

If you've still got energy left in you, have an explore of Ribeira Grande. Rabo de Peixe's closest neighbour has a totally different vibe: classic laid-back surf haven. It's a much bigger town than its neighbour, too. In fact, the second-largest after Ponta Delgada!

You'll find lots of small squares, pretty churches and local shops here. You'll also find Fábrica de Licores Mulher de Capot e, a liqueur factory established in 1993 that offers free and guided tours. For a science fix, head to Observatório Astronómico de Santana , which offers astronomy exhibits and nighttime viewing.

Alternatively, do as the locals do and hit the waves! Grab some surf lessons at Monte Verde beach and see what the fuss is all about. After a couple of hours on the waves, head to Mercado Municipal Da Ribeira Grande to refuel on local food offerings.

Day 10

Santa Barbara

This has been an action-packed adventure - by this point you've been all over Sao Miguel and seen a full serving of dramatic landscapes and local culture .

But ideally you don't want to come back from your holiday so tired that you need another holiday. So, with the homeward-bound flight around the corner, now is the time to relax.

If you're staying at SBER, make the most of their outrageously-tasty food. Lounge lazily by the pool. Watch the waves roll against the shore. Soak up the sun and the sounds of nature around you.

If you can be bothered, grab an açai bowl and your favourite beverage at the beach bar and while away your final evening listening to their live music as the sun sets on your time in the Azores.

Day 11

Well-rested, it's time to pack up and head for home.

Grab breakfast and a final salutary dip in the sea before checking out of SBER and heading back to Ponta Delgada. The drive to the airport is only 20-minutes. There's a Galp petrol station on the EN3-1A a couple of minutes after leaving Santa Barbara where you can top up the hire car if you need to.

Now the beginning, in reverse. Transfer. Airport. Flight. This time, looking out across the receding mosaic of green, you no longer see an unfamiliar island. That thread of road is the one to Sete Cidades. Under that cloud, somewhere, is Fred's place. Even the pathless blue on the other side is engraved with cetacean conflict. Ten days ago this was a landscape. Now it's real places you can point to and say "I've been there".

Top Destinations for Sustainable Travel

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:35:16 GMT

Our top picks for responsible adventure

The more and more of us are looking to make sure we travel sustainably and responsibly; enjoying the beauty of the world while minimising our impact on it. And it's not just about how you travel. Where you travel makes a big difference.

The countries below have all made a deliberate effort to put sustainability at the heart of their respective tourism agendas, and it shows. As well as being environmentally responsible, and in stark contrast to countries like Spain and Croatia that have suffered under increasing over-tourism, these destinations are quieter and less developed. This has gone a long way to preserving local traditions, as well as keeping things less crowded.

So travelling to these places is calmer, more authentic and environmentally responsible - what's not to love?!

The Azores

The Azores are routinely named among the best destinations for sustainable travel, and it's easy to see why. This vibrant, rugged and exceptionally beautiful volcanic island chain is surprisingly under-visited. Their abundant and beautiful nature is their greatest asset - both in sustaining their way of living and as an attraction for tourists. Given the prominent role of nature in all things Azorean, the island chain attracts an adventurous crowd.

This reputation as a haven for adventure travel is one that they are only too happy to support. The Azorean government's positioning of the archipelago as a more 'special interest' adventure-travel destination has been central to preventing the islands following the same path as the Balearics.

The Azores heavily utilise renewable energy sources including wind, biomass and geothermic energy, and they are continually increasing their reliance on these cleaner, greener sources or energy.

Importantly, much of their tourism activity is also heavily regulated to protect the interests of nature and wildlife. Long gone are the days of the whalers. Instead, whale-watching activities are carried out extremely considerately, and serve to raise awareness of how to engage with cetaceans responsibly.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been a haven for travellers seeking exceptionally abundant and diverse wildlife in all shapes and sizes. Its dense tropical rainforests, volcanic foothills and pretty beaches house 6% of the whole planet's biodiversity, including a vast and vibrant array of bird life. Not bad for a country that accounts for 0.03% of the world's landmass.

Fast becoming a capital of wellness travel, great care is taken to protect the flora and fauna that make Costa Rica so special. Similarly to The Azores, its government has been far-sighted in ensuring that the country handles increasing tourism sustainably.

Tourism revenue is directly used to fund the maintenance and protection the country's protected land. And it's protected a whole lot of land, including 28 National Parks, 58 wildlife refuges and 34 nature reserves including wetland, rainforest and biological reserves.

Bhutan

Bhutan operates a "high value, low volume" approach to tourism. The country intentionally regulates and controls tourism numbers in order to protect both the unique nature and the country's deep cultural heritage. This has made Bhutan one of the last holdouts of a bygone age - where rampant commercial development and ubiquitous technology has not yet reached behind its Himalayan fences.

As in Costa Rica, revenue from tourism is directly used to fund nature and wildlife conservation across the country. Bhutan has also enshrined in law the requirement for 60% of the country to remain forested, which acts as a carbon sink.

Uniquely, all independent leisure travel must make use of local Bhutanese tour operators. Not only does this economic support protect the country from needing commercial development, it also gets travellers much closer to authentic Bhutanese culture, organic, locally-produced food and traditional ways of living in rural areas.

New Zealand

New Zealand's history is full of examples of invasive species running rampant in this abundant and fertile land. Whether pest species out-competing native animals or European settlers diluting traditional Maori ways of living, New Zealand has felt its fair share of impact from foreigners.

Fortunately, its government has made great strides in protecting the country's famously-beautiful nature. Natural features are given legal 'personhood status', granting iconic landmarks like the Whanganui River and their surrounding ecosystems enhanced protection. As in The Azores, cetaceans are well protected with strict regulation on all whale-watching activities by their Department of Conservation.

Their rich Maori language and culture - with its deep connection to the land - continues to be taught, practiced and preserved. Their pride in the rituals, ceremonies and traditions that have been passed down through generations is palpable to anyone lucky enough to watch them; a carnival of sound, movement and collective energy.

Fortunately for both natives and tourists alike, there's lots of education to be found on Maori language, sacred places (marae) and ceremonies. Their commitment to keeping these crucial parts of their culture alive is reflected in the amazing breadth of authentic experiences and education that's been made available.

Rwanda

Rwanda has also heavily prioritised the construction of environmentally-friendly eco-lodges to support tourism demand as opposed to energy-hungry hotels.

Of course, we can't not mention the majestic mountain gorillas. Amidst the tangle of wild jungles and fenced by the brooding peaks of 5 volcanoes, 10 families of gorillas can be found. Visits to see these endangered creatures in their natural habitat are strictly controlled to prevent familiarisation and undue human influence on their natural behaviours.

Rwandans - particularly in the capital city of Kigali - also participate in creative ways to protect the environment and support communities. These include the practice of Umuganda - a mandatory, nation-wide clean-up festival.

Norway

As a nation of people who delight in the beauty of their nature, it's likely little surprise to see Norway feature on this list. However, Norway has actually caused us the most headaches in compiling this list. In fact, I've spent ages going back and forth on whether to remove it or not. Transparency and full information is really important to us, so I've decided to keep it in, with a full explanation of the good and the bad.

Research "sustainable travel destinations" and Norway are featured in almost every list. In many ways, Norway's sustainability credentials are superb, surpassing most of the world when it comes to the strength of their environmental protections and sustainable tourism commitments.

99% of their electricity comes from hydroelectricity, with a national commitment to be carbon-free by 2030. They invest enormous sums of money into biomass and other sustainable fuel sources each year. Laws protecting people and place are strictly enforced, including those protecting the biodiversity of Norwegian waters. They lead the world in the uptake of electric vehicles.

The country's government is also famously egalitarian and the population prosperous. So what gives??

The issue that first caught my attention (and led to my initial decision to remove Norway from this list!) is their continued practice of whaling. The Azores are of course a prime example of how it's possible to turn a whaling past into a hallmark of responsible tourism in the present. And yet the Norwegian government refuse to budge on this. You'll still see whale on sale in markets and restaurants which, personally, makes us uncomfortable. All we can do as travellers here is to vote with our feet - this means not buying whale meat and instead giving demand to the handful of responsible whale watching tours available.

Additionally - despite their being on the country's red list of endangered species - the government continue to impose harsh restrictions on Norway's wolf population, even in areas where livestock are few and unharmed. Just 1% of the country is designated as a "wolf zone"; any litters born beyond the meagre amount allowed by the government are shot.

So, as you can see, a mixed picture. One that's almost certainly more nuanced than I've been able to describe in a few paragraphs. Ultimately, Norway is still a fantastic and fascinating country to visit, with some of the most beautiful and well-looked-after natural scenery in the world! However, it's important to be aware of their shortcomings and how to navigate around them.

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As always, there's so much more to each of these places than can be described in an article like this, including specific places to stay and activities to do that will give you the very best experience in each of these incredible destinations!

If you're looking to embark on your next adventure with sustainability at its heart, please do talk to us . Sustainable travel is something that's exceptionally important to us, so we'll always offer you eco-friendly accommodation and activity options as standard.

Our Azores Diaries 📔

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:46:25 GMT

How we spent 10 days on Sao Miguel

As you may have seen all over our social media, we've just spent the past couple of weeks exploring The Azores. This volcanic archipelago - located off of Portugal's west coast, about ⅓rd of the way to America - remains very much a hidden gem.

Known as the “Galapagos of Europe”, these islands are perfect for adventure-travellers and those of you seeking something very different to anything the rest of Europe has to offer.

If you're entirely unfamiliar with The Azores, the best description is this: it's Iceland but tropical. It's got the same raw, rugged wilderness and breathtaking scenery as Iceland, but with the bright, life-affirming weather of the Mediterranean.

Despite its relatively northerly location (it's further north than the Canaries!), the archipelago has a very tropical climate; high humidity with hot days and warm nights during the summer.

Our trip centred around Sao Miguel - the principal island of the archipelago's 7. Here you'll find most of the 'famous' sights as well as the only 'city' on the entire island chain - Ponta Delgada. This is where our trip began.

And if you're keen to learn more about exactly where we went and what we did, head to our full, hyper-detailed breakdown of our 10 days on São Miguel. This longer piece covers every place we visited and every activity we did.

Kayaking on the famous blue and green lakes of Sete Cidades

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is the only city on the entire island chain, and the capital of The Azores. With a population of around 70,000 people, it's about the same size as Inverness.

With the airport only a mere 15-minutes outside the city centre, Ponta Delgada is a logical first stop on any Sao Miguel itinerary.

It's a charming city, with cobblestone streets flanked by the pastel hues of those sun-bleached buildings that are so characteristic of southern Europe. Here you'll find the museums, galleries and bars that are missing elsewhere on the island. Far more importantly than those things, though - you'll also find Sao Miguel's various pineapple plantations. A sweet Azorean pineapple juice is a tonic when the heat of the sun gets too much.

Ponta Delgada is also a perfect gateway to Sao Miguel's west - including the famous twin lakes of Sete Cidades that you've probably seen shining on social media in their sheens of green and blue. Further afield, take a trip into the less -famous but equally-amazing thermal pools at Ponta da Ferraria.

You can also embark on whale watching tours from Ponta Delgada's harbour, which we highly recommend doing.

After 4 days in Ponta Delgada, we left the city behind, heading into Sao Miguel's central highlands and…

The woodland of Parque de Grena is straight out of a fairytale

Furnas

Furnas could not be more different to Ponta Delgada. This small town in the centre of Sao Miguel is dominated by its relationship to the volcano it shares its space with. Steam billows from cracks in the pavements apocalypse-style and traditional Cozida are still cooked in the boiling water of its geothermal springs to this day.

Volcanic soil means an abundance of plant life perched on the steep slopes of its caldera. At the bottom of this basin sits Lake Furnas - a large, pristine lake whose emerald-coloured water is only disrupted by the odd leaping fish.

One of the highlights of the entire trip was our day spent doing the walk around the lake. Depending on whether the sun was out, the land seemed to flip between the Scottish Highlands and the Seychelles! The sun unleashed the colours of the tropical plant life; the shade seemed to give the towering pines centre stage.

The Parque de Grena is an absolute must-do. Set back from the main lake trail, this slice of wonderland leads you through dense woodland, climbing up and up the side of the caldera as you go. A mid-climb swim under a waterfall is highly recommended!

We also visited Parque Terra Nostra and Poça da Dona Beija . The latter is better for bathing, with more pools and the ability to go in the evening! Our walk around Terra Nostra's pretty gardens in the middle of the day proved too hot to stomach the thought of a dunk in 40c water!

Stunning sunsets at Santa Barbara beach

Santa Barbara

From the lush green of Furnas' forests back to the striking teal of the coast, our last leg saw us hit surfer-paradise Santa Barbara . Perched on the north coast across the island from Ponta Delgada, Santa Barbara's combination of honey-coloured sand and rhythmic waves make it popular with water-lovers of all kinds.

5-minutes eastward sits the town of Ribeira Grande , an really interesting town that reflects its hybrid population of Azorean locals and foreign surfers. On one side of a road sits a dimly-lit taverna filled with the French-sounding twang that characterises Azorean Portuguese. On the other, a wellness cafe serving poached eggs and smoothies to a wetsuit-clad crowd.

On the other side of Santa Barbara sits the fishing village of Rabo do Peixe, where we caught our second whale watching tour of the trip . The signs were good - the Atlantic glassy and calm.

We quickly ran into a pod of Atlantic dolphin who - as all dolphins seem to be - were busy goofing around. Another game of race-the-boat ensued, punctuated by the dolphins hurling themselves out of the water in great leaps.

Later on, we were treated to the defining moment of the trip: two native sperm whales having some kind of interaction with a Bryde's whale on its migratory route. Two locals and a tourist. Clearly, the Bryde's whale wasn't travelling respectfully, as the two sperm whales were in their iconic 'upright' defensive posture.

To complete the scene, two freewheeling dolphins entered the picture from stage left. They briefly harassed the two sperm whales before hitching their wagon to the now-retreating Bryde's whale, playfully splashing around all the while.

Our trip came to an end with more achingly-beautiful sunsets; watching the sea of Santa Barbara kindled to a burning orange as the remainder of the swimmers called it a day.

Should you use AI for travel?

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:44:25 GMT

Its pitfalls and perils

Across the travel world we're seeing more and more AI-generated content being pushed out into the internet. And this has made us stop to think.

A little power can be a dangerous thing. And AI is certainly incredibly powerful. It can create content - images and videos - that look incredible. Better than any human being could create on their own. It can carry out research and produce information sets that look - on the surface - to be brilliant.

But, when it comes to the world of travel, this doesn't always work out.

It's disastrous for the environment

This is actually our biggest gripe with it all, to be honest. People don't tend to know just how destructive using gen-AI is for the environment, mostly because it's not really something that AI companies want to shout about.

Using generative AI harms the environment in more ways than one:

Environmental destruction : Building AI computer chips requires mining critical minerals like lithium, silicon and gallium. This mining creates toxic chemical runoff, which in turn poisons water sources and destroys habitats for wildlife.
They’re energy hungry : Data centres for AI servers are predicted to consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity every single year. For context, this is triple the annual electricity use of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria - combined .
Water usage : The servers that AI runs on generate huge amounts of heat, particularly when they're all stacked together in data centre buildings. AI infrastructure withdraws billions of cubic meters of water - which places particular strain on drought-prone areas
Waste product : Discard AI hardware is project to create 2.5 million tonnes of waste per year by 2030 - the bulk of which is expected to end up in low-income countries

When people are using AI multiple times a day for things like writing emails, it's coming with a huge unseen environmental toll. Using AI to generate images and videos in particular, drives this up even further. Multiply this by the thousands of people doing it on a daily basis and the result is severe damage to our planet for relatively trivial outputs.

It creates ethical issues

The AI-generated images you'll see will be made to look as perfect as possible. Usually to make you buy something or to convince you of something (usually to eventually make you buy something!)

If someone's gone to the trouble of making a fake image, their motives should probably be questioned. After all, would you want to buy something on the basis of an entirely fabricated image/video/text?

The real challenge here is the expectations it creates for travellers. If people think that it's even remotely possible to have a tiger cub perched on your shoulder like a pirate's parrot (see below!), they're in for nothing more than crushing disappointment.

These inflated expectations also have negative impacts on local hosts, too. We've heard increasing reports of people (not VetSetters clients of course - you're all much too reasonable) getting angry and aggressive with staff at safari camps when nature fails to deliver the same ‘experiences’ they've seen online.

Similarly, more and more people are engaging in intrusive - and at times downright unsafe - behaviours around wildlife, in an attempt to replicate cool-looking photos that have actually been generated by a machine.

All of this creates downstream negative impacts for the livelihoods of humans too, particularly those on the ground in lower-income countries and creative professionals; whose craft that's been developed over years is being replaced by something that can be created in seconds.

Needless to say, this is AI-generated

It makes stuff up - a lot

This is likely what everyone is most familiar with - gen-AI's propensity to simply invent nonsense, and to “say” it with the confidence of a vet client who's taken advice from their dog breeder.

The hallucination + confidence combination is particularly tricky, because you need to be in-the-know yourself to be able to catch when it's bluffing you. When it tells you that (yes is a real example!), it's obvious.

But how about when it tells you that the theme park Tivoli Gardens is in the town of Tivoli, just outside Rome. Unless you know already that Tivoli Gardens is actually 2,000 kilometres away in Copenhagen, you're likely to accept this hallucination as real. You might even book tickets to Tivoli Gardens, only to discover your error when your satnav informs you of your 23-hour journey north.

AI can't test the credibility of what it tells you. It's a sampling machine, so this issue is inherent to the way it works. It ‘predicts’ which word should follow each word, based on the dataset it has been fed. So it's pure probability that it's going to produce words that don't make real, contextual sense but that seem fine to the AI model.

My favourite analogy here is of placing a rhino in your living room. When you return later to find your house trashed, you wouldn't suggest that the rhino “just needed a better prompt”. You'd know that rhinos are inherently quite unpredictable and so letting it loose in your living room isn't something you should do.

By humans, for humans

We don't actually use any AI across VetSetters at all. Full stop. We feel it's a bit intellectually bankrupt, and even hypocritical, to extol the virtues of personal service using words and images created entirely by machines.

Does this mean everything takes 10x longer than it could? Oh hell yeah. But it's consistent with what we stand for. We also strongly believe that life isn't about doing everything as quickly as possible! If a thing is worth doing - it's worth actually doing .

Where to Travel in September

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:49:22 GMT

Shoulder season's top places to visit

With the arrival of September, the long days and peak temperatures of summer have begun to fade into the distance as greyer skies become more common than they were a month ago. The waning of the year alongside September’s general ‘back-to-school’ vibe leaves many of us seeking an escape from the day to day.

We’ve handpicked the best destinations – both near and far – for a September getaway. Whether you’re seeking an extension to the heady days of summer or a respite from the heat, September offers an opportunity to experience many of our favourite destinations with fewer crowds, milder temperatures and an altogether more serene experience.

Of course, the very best place to visit will be personal to you. To get tailored advice and a trip built entirely around you, get in touch .

Canada

September is one of the very best months of the year to experience Canada in all its wild beauty. The crowds of the summer have dispersed, leaving you with the wild & wide expanses of Canada’s National Parks all to yourself. You’ll see the first tones of autumn become visible in the trees and experience the feeling of Canada’s vastness and serenity in all its glory.

This makes the west of the country a particularly wonderful destination in September. Peaceful mountain towns, the pristine, striking blue of untouched lakes and nothing but the nature of the silent hills for company. Perfection.

Time difference: UTC-3:30 in the east to UTC-8 in the west
Average temperatures: 10-19 celsius
Average rainfall: 60-80mm

New Zealand

Similar but opposite to Canada – September in New Zealand heralds the coming of spring. Rising temperatures brings out both flora and fauna from their winter slumber; visiting New Zealand in September means watching the country come to life in vibrant colours. Bouncing lambs dot the hillsides, wildflowers put on their finery and the sense of life renewed is thick in the air.

Melting glaciers also feed rivers and watercourses, making September a wonderful time to visit for all things watersports! Whatever you do, you’ll do it in the peace and quiet that comes with getting here before the tourist season begins in earnest.

Time difference: UTC+12
Average temperatures: 10-17 celsius
Average rainfall: 33-48mm

Namibia

September is late-winter in Namibia; a winter that couldn’t be more different from ours. Temperatures in September are warm and balmy, hovering either side of the mid-twenties, depending on where in the country you are. Wherever you are, the days are almost guaranteed to be a clear run of endless sunshine.

With a good 3-4 months of dry season having passed, wildlife will be congregating around the water sources that remain – particularly in Etosha National Park as well as further north in Zambezi (formerly called the Caprivi Strip). This makes September a wonderful month for safari and wildlife spotting, with sightings coming thick and fast at this time of year.

Time difference: UTC+2
Average temperatures: 21-29 celsius
Average rainfall: 0-1mm

Bali

When’s the best time to visit Bali? All across Indonesia, September brings calm seas and golden days, and Bali is no exception. Without the humidity and tropical downpours that come both earlier and later in the year, there’s no better time to wander through Bali’s hidden bays and dense rainforests, soaking in the serenity under clear blue skies.

Any errant showers that show up will be quick to clear, giving way again to hot sunshine that’s perfect for lazing on the south coast’s quiet beaches.

Time difference: UTC+7
Average temperatures: 23-30 celsius
Average rainfall: 30-60mm

Peru

As with so many places, Peru experiences a dramatic decline in tourism numbers through September. This means space to yourself on secluded trails while not being completely dead. You’ll still find most places open before the season draws to a close, making September very much the best of both worlds.

September is also wonderful for wildlife in Peru. Northern migrating bird species begin to make their way to Peru through the month, while many native species enter mating season. If you’re hiking in the Sacred Vally, watch out for flourishes of red Andean tunki zipping around the mountain forests.

Time difference: UTC-5
Average temperatures: 15-20 celsius in the South; 21-32 in the Amazonian regions
Average rainfall: 0-30mm in the south; 130-215mm in the Amazon

Argentina

Spring arrives in Argentina’s Lake District and, similarly to New Zealand, this brings the whole area to life. Colourful wildflowers abound across hills of deepening green and animals exit winter hibernation to dine out on spring’s growth.

Off the coast of untamed Peninsula Valdes, you’ll see an incredible abundance of sea life, with whale sightings common, along with penguins, seals and more seabirds than you can count.

Time difference: UTC-3
Average temperatures: 8-10 celsius in the south; 16-25 celsius in the north
Average rainfall: 60-98mm in the north; 19-36mm in the south

Portugal

Whether losing yourself in the Iceland-but-warm ruggedness of the Azores archipelago or drinking in Lisbon’s sun-drenched September days, Portugal is one of the best short-haul destinations to visit in September. As with everywhere in Europe, there’s a massive reduction in crowds as everyone heads back to work and school, leaving you with the run of the place.

For those of you looking to keep the spirit of summer alive for as long as possible, Portugal is the place to do it.

Time difference: UTC+0
Average temperatures: 17-27 celsius
Average rainfall: 26-33mm

Italy

As summer softens, you’ll get the best of those balmy Mediterranean evenings that are so enchanting, without the intense heat during the day. The peak tourist crowds have departed by now, too, so you’ll have an entirely different experience than visiting even a month prior – slower, quieter, more leisurely.

Across the country, you’ll still get wonderful weather; the intensity of the warm sunshine attenuated just enough by a pre-autumn breeze. September lends itself beautifully to any kind of Italian dream - relaxing in the rolling green hills of Tuscany’s countryside, soaking up the summer-but-quieter days on the beaches of Amalfi or a short Roman city break – all will feel very dolce vita in September.

Time difference: UTC+1
Average temperatures: 16-27 celsius
Average rainfall: 18-70mm

What is 'Premium Travel'?

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:07:48 GMT

Why it's not what you think

When we’re asked to summarise what kind of travel we do best, we tend to lean heavily on the phrase ‘ premium adventure ’ . The ‘adventure’ bit is really the main thing, but it kind of doesn’t mean anything by itself (it’skind of like saying we sell holidays. Duh, but what kind??).

So we put the word ‘premium’ in there to clarify things. By all accounts, an abject failure; the word ‘premium’ is just as nebulous as the word ‘adventure’! While it feels much closer to the mark than the word ‘luxury’, it still leaves plenty of room for interpretation!

Premium travel (at least as we see it!) isn’t necessarily a rarefied thing; it’s not the preserve of the elite or the super-wealthy.

What makes travel premium is the experience. Okay, what does that mean?? As James bemoans every time he sees travel companies marketing “experiential travel” – it’s all experience! Unless you’re unconscious, you’re having an experience. So we’ve got some more explaining to do.

What makes a premium experience?

In our view, what makes an experience premium is how much of a mark it leaves – in the moment and afterwards. How much it resonates with you in the moment, and how special the memory is in retrospect.

When it comes to travel, a premium experience is a meaningful one. So it follows that a premium adventure is one that should provide you with more meaningful experiences. Then what is a meaningful experience??

Meaningful experiences have one or more of these qualities:

They’re personalised : they’ve been created explicitly for you and designed around your preferences, goals, values and
They’re unique : A premium travel experience is not one you should be able to do at home. Whether a one-of-a-kind landscape, a bucket list activity or a rare insight into another culture - they’re very much out of the ordinary.
They’re purposeful : this doesn’t necessarily mean saving the planet (although it very much can if that’s your jam). This can look like quality time to connect with family, learning about another culture or deeply recharging body and mind – they connect you to something that matters to you.
They’re rich : Deeply engaging, premium experiences are sensorily-rich in a way that fosters mindful immersion with the world.

A great indicator of this is just how much an experience takes you out of your own head. It’s tough to think about what’s going on at work when you’re white water rafting down plunging falls, exploring Angkor Wat or staring rapt at the play fighting of lion cubs.

Interestingly, material conditions (things like whether the taps are gold or the floor is marble) have reliably shown to have very little impact on the enjoyment and satisfaction you tend to get from something.

All this points towards the premium travel experience looking quite different to what we’d normally think of us ‘luxury’ or ‘premium’. It’s more about richness of experience that richness of wallet!

How you feel

For us, the experience itself is just the first step in building a premium adventure. The feelings and emotions the experience creates are what we’re really aiming at. Surfing in California is an objectively novel and cool thing to do, but it’s much nicer for the person who feels thrilled doing it as opposed to terrified.

So, how do you want to feel? Knowing this is the beginning of creating a premium travel experience.

The usual suspects are awe, connected, revitalised, content and curious.

Awe frequently tops the list of emotions that travellers want to feel. Awe – and its closer siblings, wonder and delight – are the result of being totally immersed in something vast, novel and beautiful.
Connectedness can be quality time with the family, feeling at one with nature or connected to cultures different from your own.
Feeling revitalised encompasses a deep physical and mental sense of relaxation and rest, combined with a fresh sense of energy.
Contentment is a feeling of satisfaction and peace; the sense that nothing needs to be different from the way it is right now.
Curiosity is the sort of experience that accompanies the broadening of your horizons as you experience something – whether natural or human – that expands your understanding of the world.

What separates premium travel from other forms of travel is the duration and intensity of these feelings. A premium experience is one that takes you into the deeper waters of awe , contentment , connectedness, curiosity and revitalisation - or anything else you’re looking to feel while away.

But, this isn’t the end of the line either. As what you’ll want to feel, as well as what will make you feel it, is personal to you.

So what determines how an experience will make you feel? How it’s filtered through the psychological coagulate that constitutes you .

It’s personal

Here’s where we get psychological.

For an experience to really tick all of the ‘meaning’ boxes, it needs to go one step beyond being satisfying and even fulfilling in the moment. The most meaningful experiences are ones that make you feel wholly alignedwith the person you want to be. This means values.

For example, care is a really strong value of ours. So we find the most fulfilment, satisfaction and meaning in travel that allows us to live that in as many ways as possible. This could be volunteering to conduct wildlife research while on safari, working at a spay & neuter clinic or even simply showing our interest in local cultures and traditions. Ideally all of the above. Dovetailing travel and care is what takes it from “just a holiday” to something more special.

This is something that’s very individual. You may well read the previous paragraph and think that it all sounds far too much like work! And there’s nothing wrong with that. A core value of being active might lead you towards a ski trip or a holiday in the mountains instead.

We’ve all got multiple values, and they all interact with each other. So choosing a trip style that hits as many of those values as possible is going to ratchet up how meaningful the trip feels for you.

This touches on how travel can also be a tool for personal & psychological growth. If you want to become more curious, adventurous or anything else – choosing a trip that feeds that particular quality is a great way to strengthen it in yourself.

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This seems like a lot to think about, and it is! There’s a real art to weighing up each of these considerations and integrating it all; all this stuff knits together, making finding the perfect trip much like threading a needle. That’s the part that makes it ‘premium’ – it’s easier not to do this kind of thinking, and so it’s not particularly common.

Fortunately, this kind of thing is what we do best.

What's the deal?

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:24:32 GMT

You may well have noticed that we don't typically promote a lot of holiday offers or 'deals'. This is a conscious choice we've made, but it's never really occurred to us to explain why.

We just didn't do it. But, given how ubiquitous they are in the world of travel - we think we should! 

There are actually some important reasons and principles behind why you won't typically find us posting about the next 'unbeatable offer'... 

Who makes the deal?

Firstly, consider the dynamics. Typically a 'deal' is a negotiation between two parties, where each adds their input to the terms of the deal. But, when it comes to holiday deals - where are you? At no point are you at the negotiating table.

With carte blanche to set the terms of the deal, it should come as no surprise that - 9 times out of 10 - the  primary beneficiary of said deal is the operator  themselves, not you, the customer.

So far, so obvious, you might think. But this manifests in ways that you might not have altogether realised. These deals are often not what they seem. 

As agents, we have deals thrust at us by suppliers pretty much all day. And some of the very "best" have included:

1. An exceptional price for a 2 week trip to Thailand... neglecting to mention it's only applicable during the worst of the monsoon season.

2. An 'incredible' offer to take the family to the Caribbean... during hurricane season.

3. A 'safari from your cruise ship' that actually turned out to be a visit to a zoo, not an actual game reserve.

4. "Amazing price on a gorgeous hotel"... but the previous customers say it's like sleeping on a prison bed.

5. The "perfect family holiday"... with flights at 3am. In term time.

What is value? 

Also, equally as important, is value over price. Substituting a unique, curated and immersive adventure for a holiday of someone else's (the operator's) choosing is far from an even trade. 

Quality means as many things as there are people. A quality holiday looks different to each of us. And that's much the point -  holiday deals are not designed for you . They're designed for a faint facsimile of a human born from a bunch of data points.

So while you may be getting a better price (compared to what, though?), are you getting the trip you really, really want? 

Travelling Economy 

Travel is a constantly changing market of dynamic pricing, with flights and hotel prices shooting up and down all the time. The hidden driver behind this pricing is a foundational economic maxim: the rarer something is, the more value it has. 

Holidays are a market constantly buffeted by the forces of supply & demand. As demand for a particular flight or hotel goes up, supply becomes smaller (and thus more valuable). If demand stays high, supply both dwindles rapidly AND then has greater competition for each unit still left. 

For example, if there are 20 hotel rooms with 20 people seeking to buy them, that's a nice 1:1 ratio of competition. If demand spikes to 50, not only does the available room count drop to 5 very quickly, you still have 35 people remaining, all fighting over 5 rooms - now a 7:1 ratio. 

A shortage of supply AND a high competition ratio means one thing - the price per room skyrockets.

Why does any of this matter? 

Because the exact opposite is happening with the 'deals' you're being offered. In short, you're being offered what's got low demand and high availability - what no one else wants. 

This is also why the notion of 'last minute deals' is a bit of a myth, by the way. In 90% of cases, leaving it late just allows others to snap up the better pricing while there's still availability.

The real deal 

Now, don't get us wrong - we're not entirely against these kinds of offers. There really are occasions when truly exceptional ones surface. But this is the exception, rather than the rule. 

And this is important for us too.  We want you to be able to trust that - if you see us post a deal - it's, well, the real deal. 

We know that this stance is quite different from most of the other travel agents out there. But, we think, you aren't coming to us to be like any other travel agent! 

So, if you're looking for an adventure that's made with you in mind, we're here for you.

Namibia: the vastness that has it all

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:19:57 GMT

Many of us have things that come to mind when someone mentions Africa. Lions, elephants, zebra, giraffe; all participating in the circle of savannah life. Wide open plains stretching out to distant hills flecked with trees. Or perhaps even the bustling chaos of Johannesburg or Nairobi.

What most people don’t picture, however, is Namibia. It wasn’t long ago that most people didn’t even know where “Nambia” was; let alone considered travelling there.

My biggest reflection on returning from this spectacular country - aside from the beauty and diversity of its landscapes, flora and fauna - is genuine dismay at why Namibia isn’t the #1 most-travelled-to destination in Africa.

The landscapes are increasingly well-known, and speak for themselves. Everything here is vast in a way that evokes awe. The plains stretch on forever, careering into the endless sky whose innumerable stars mirror the countless small plants that make their home in the desert ground. Atlantic swells extend their foamy frontiers to the feet of towering hills of sand that glow in the sunrise - a band of bright orange set between the striking blues of sea and sky.

The diversity of Namibia is staggering. One minute you’re the only humans in sight in the midst of the desert; the next you’re in a coastal town that would be totally at home in Southern California. The rolling green of petrified sand dunes transitions sharply to featureless desert in the blink of an eye, before morphing again through scrubby savannah into lush green before reaching the tropical forests and wetlands of Caprivi.

In contrast to the landscapes, the safari is perennially under-rated. Both the frequency and diversity of game around Etosha National Park rivals what you’d get in Kruger or the Masai Mara. In our 2 brief days there, I counted over 20 species of animals in the quiet of Ongava Reserve.

In the background to all of this - unnoticed until pointed out - is just how clean, safe and stable Namibia is. Streets, especially in areas like Swakopmund, are exceptionally clean and well-maintained. Crime rates are low across the country. Locals repeatedly and proudly highlight the progress being made by the current government to eradicate corruption, improve education and strengthen the economy; progress that any of our parties would do well to achieve in a decade.

In a way, Namibia is the perfect blend of everything and nothing. It has it all - great safari, rich history, good infrastructure, safety from crime & disease and every landscape that exists under the (endless) sun. And yet the majority of it is entirely untouched - wide and wild land without the instability that afflicts neighbouring countries on the continent. All with an absence of things that might make a first-timer to Africa nervous: crime, disease and political instability.

Especially for families and those visiting Africa for the first time, Namibia really is the perfect way to experience the very best of the continent. In the open midst of its vast nothing, you’ll find everything you’re looking for.

How to travel for awe

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 07:17:56 GMT

The question of why we travel is one that I've kept returning to over the past couple of months.

I've been reflecting on why we travel, the experiences we seek, the feelings we want to evoke and, crucially, how we often get in our own way.

And the more I've thought about it, the more philosophical it's gotten. Enjoy this trip into the deep waters of travel philosophy.

As I've thought deeper and listened longer, two words in particular have come up again and again. Awe and wonder.

What is it that generates those sumptuous, sweet feelings of awe, wonder and delight in us when we travel? And how we can thoughtfully craft adventures that optimise for awe?

To work this out I've trekked across fields - across the fields of psychology and philosophy. I've spoken to both travellers and people who work in travel. And I've tried to decipher what it is that makes travel feeling meaningful and awe-inspiring.

This kind of hyperbole is far too overused, but in this case it's genuinely true: I've changed the way I think about travel.

What makes a meaningful trip?

Nobel-prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman distinguished between our 'experiencing self' (there in the moment) and the 'remembering self' (the one who makes sense of what we experienced and creates a story around it).

Our brains need time to create meaningful memories. So the way to create a truly unforgettable trip often isn't to cram more in. It's to slow down and allow in the awe & wonder that flood in naturally when you take the time to fully absorb where you are.

Travel, in fact, is far more like music than it is a journey. With a journey, the point is to get somewhere; from A to B. You have a purpose that you're trying to fulfil. Like a commute to work or a journey to the doctor's. Your aim is to get where you're going.

Travel - real, meaningful travel - much more closely resembles music. The point of music isn't to get to the end. Otherwise the best and most popular songs would be those with only one note! Music doesn't really have a point. There's no point in music beyond simply the enjoyment of the music itself.

And this mindset shift helps to unlock more awe in our travel.

Paradoxically then, purposeful travel bankrupts itself by keeping you fixated on the next thing; the next sight, the next city, the next thing to tick off. And in all that hurrying around you miss everything.

Pointless travel, or slow travel, in having no explicit purpose, overlooks nothing. And thus immerses you fully in where you are.

Slow travel

When travel becomes less about ticking things off and more about experiencing fewer things more deeply, that's when we prime ourselves for awe.

This means going deep rather than broad - spending more time in fewer places. Looking closely instead of whizzing by on your way to somewhere else. Not only is this more meaningful, it's much more relaxing!

After all, the last thing you want to spend your precious travel time doing is, well, travelling.

You actually get time to take a breath, settle and unwind instead of racing from one place to the next. You might even return without needing to say "I need a holiday to recover from my holiday!"

So what?

So far, so philosophical. What do I do with this information?

Practically, there are useful ways to slow things down and give you the time and space to really savour a place:

On your next trip, commit to seeing fewer places; instead spending longer getting under the skin of where you stay
Opt for an expansive itinerary that provides unscheduled, free time. These are the moments when you let your curiosity take you!
Engage with local culture & people; ask questions!
Spend time in nature - the wilder the better!

It turns out the route to more purposeful travel is to make it a bit more pointless.