A safari through the wild heart of Africa is often considered a bucket-list vacation, but the reality of the experience is far more profound than a simple holiday. Witnessing the raw drama of the animal kingdom and standing before the continent’s immense, untamed landscapes can fundamentally shift your perspective on nature, time, and your own place in the world. Here we outline six specific ways a safari adventure can truly change your life forever.
Make your safari meaningful.
A safari in Africa may be one of the most overwhelming types of vacations to plan. That’s because, for many people, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip – which means the pressure is on to make it absolutely perfect. Micato Safaris, a luxury family-owned outfitter that’s been organizing journeys in East and South Africa for the last 50-plus years, more than meets this challenge. Whether they’re planning classic small-group itineraries or fully customized private tours inspired by specific interests like birding or mountain biking, Micato aims for life-changing adventures without the angst. Here’s how they do it.
1. Embrace the power of two.
With so many amazing safari destinations – Botswana! Kenya! South Africa! – the biggest hurdle may be choosing just one. Luckily, Micato Safaris makes it easy for travelers who want more, with four popular East Africa journeys that go to both Kenya and Tanzania. The 15-day Micato Grand Safari, for example, spends six days at three luxury camps in Kenya, including one in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, before visiting two of Tanzania’s most prized game reserves: the Serengeti (home to the great wildebeest migration) and Ngorongoro Crater (an enormous, wildlife-filled caldera where you can spot black rhinos). Micato also makes it possible to take in two separate regions with the 17-day African Splendor trip. It begins in Southern Africa, with two days each exploring Cape Town and Victoria Falls, and ends with East African highlights: Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, and the Maasai Mara national game reserve, where you’ll meet local villagers.
2. Keep things in the family.
Micato Safaris was founded by Felix and Jane Pinto, third-generation Africans whose passion for what they do is abundantly clear – and something those traveling through Nairobi will witness firsthand. That’s because the Pintos meet each and every guest for a meal, be it breakfast at Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel or dinner in their own home. “They understand how special the safari experience is, but they also want to leave each safari-goer with the feeling of warm hospitality,” says Virtuoso travel advisor Susan Ferrell. In fact, during a lunch at their home, the Pintos surprised Ferrell’s husband, who had just celebrated a birthday, with a cake and singing by the staff. As Ferrell puts it, “They always make sure that each guest feels welcomed.”
3. Perk up.
When you’re traveling with Micato Safaris, abundant amenities make for a seamless and worry-free getaway. For starters, everything is included. You won’t have to pay for a single meal or drink (even beer and wine), and on a custom getaway, you can dine at any restaurant you want without receiving a bill at the end. And there’s no tipping, ever, so forget about bringing extra cash and figuring out who to tip. “Micato, more so than any other tour company, allows its clients to truly enjoy their vacations without having to think of anything but the experience itself,” says Virtuoso advisor Rhona Wendler. “You really cannot put a price on the freedom you are given by Micato to 100 percent immerse yourself in the trip.” And on every East African safari, travelers are accompanied by both a safari director and a driver guide. “They take charge, and it’s their responsibility to make sure you’re seeing what you are there for and getting close to the animals,” says New York City-based Virtuoso advisor Andy Pesky.
4. Steer clear of the crowds.
When on safari, there’s nothing more disappointing than spotting a wondrous wildlife moment – a lion napping in the shade or a cheetah enjoying some just-caught prey – only to wait in line behind other vehicles for a close-up view. To avoid these crowded situations, Micato sometimes helicopters guests to remote areas with a high density of animals but low numbers of visitors. They also partner with lodges that sit on their own private reserves, allowing for special activities such as walking safaris and dining right in the bush. Ol Jogi Ranch, in Kenya, for example, is located on 58,000 acres exclusively available to guests – along with the 65 rhinos and 5,000 giraffes (among other wildlife) that call it home.
5. Go high and low.
Most safaris keep the same schedule: early-morning drives, lunch and rest, evening game drives, sundowners, and dinner. Not so on a Micato safari. Guests have the option to experience the breathtaking natural environment in various ways, including a hot-air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara, which Pesky can vouch for firsthand. “It was sensational from beginning to end,” he says. “It gives you a different perspective of the magnificence of the landscape and how wide open it is.” Ferrell, who has also taken the hot-air balloon ride, can’t stress the importance of these experiential extras enough. “If you are on safari for six days, after a while you’ll want to do something different,” she says. “A walking safari puts you at eye level with animals, while the balloon ride does the opposite. And on a horseback ride, you may end up ‘herding’ giraffes, as I did on my last visit.”
6. Do good.
Ever since Micato founded its nonprofit arm, Micato-AmericaShare, more than 25 years ago, the company has helped improve the lives of young people in Nairobi’s Mukuru slum by sending a child to boarding school for every safari sold. You can also sponsor individual students – so far Virtuoso travelers have sponsored 172 students – and even visit them at school when in Nairobi, as Pesky did with his grandson. “He said to my wife and me, ‘I now realize how lucky I am,’ ” he remembers. “That in itself made it so worthwhile.”
What makes a safari unlike any other journey is the transformation that happens along the way. You’re not just traveling—you’re reconnecting with something primal and deeply human. As you watch elephants cross the savanna at sunset or lions stretch lazily in the golden light, you’ll feel a rare sense of stillness and awe. Each day brings new encounters that open your senses, awaken gratitude, and remind you of life’s bigger picture. Whether it’s your first safari or your fifth, this kind of experience doesn’t just fill your camera roll—it fills your soul.
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You’ve likely been to Paris, Rome, and New York. But what about the places that haven’t yet been discovered by the masses? These hidden destinations carry all the charm, beauty, and authenticity of the world’s most famous cities—without the crowds. From coastal hideaways to vibrant cultural hubs, there are remarkable places waiting to be explored before the secret gets out.
At Bellhopping, we believe travel should be about more than checking off popular spots. Our mission is to connect you with unique destinations that feel authentic, exciting, and perfectly tailored to your style. Whether you’re traveling for romance, adventure, or family time, our team helps you uncover those one-of-a-kind journeys that make lasting memories.
Travel alternatives for the crowd-weary.
There’s a reason the classics are the classics. We love the romance and filtered light of Venice, Kyoto’s temples and gardens, and that view of Machu Picchu. But with chart-topping popularity comes the strain of overcrowding: stress on fragile environments, landmarks, and local infrastructure – and an annoying lack of elbow room. Seasoned travelers know how best to see the favorites, visiting in the off-season, taking two wheels, and hiking hidden trails. Here, a fresh look at ten crowd-pleasers, contrasted with less-explored counterparts that are just as fascinating and fun – proof that when it comes to where to go next, there’s always a new hit to discover.
1. Play It Again: Alaskan Adventure
The Last Frontier’s network of waterways carved by glaciers millions of year ago tops expedition-cruise to-do lists. Sprawling across 3.3 million acres, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is the place to find fjords and forests, not to mention whales, porpoises, sea lions, and bald eagles. “Take a Lindblad Expeditions cruise to get up close and personal, or a Natural Habitat Adventures trip to view the amazing grizzlies on the Kenai Peninsula,” says Angela Wallace, a Virtuoso travel agency owner.
Up Next: Norway’s Fjords
“From the fjords to Svalbard, Norway cruises reveal majestic scenery and charming port towns,” says Jenny Westermann, a Virtuoso agency owner. Photo fodder: the country’s southwestern coastal region, where deep blue inlets cut into mountains to form the country’s famous inlets. A cruise or kayak into Geirangerfjord, a 62-mile-long behemoth of 5,000-foot gneiss walls and waterfalls, is essential, as is sailing through the 127-mile-long Sognefjord, which crosses three preservation areas. Norway’s small towns make good springboards for outdoor adventures and visits to see medieval wood-stave churches around Bergen, and to Haugesund, homeland of Norway’s Viking kings, who ruled the country between ad 800 and 1066.
Play It Again: Mykonos Beaches
The party crowd descends on Mykonos every summer – as do scores of cruise ships. This is the Platonic ideal of Grecian glam: The windmills, painted doors, and bougainvillea-draped corners of whitewashed Mykonos town, with its cobblestoned streets, underscore the Greek good looks that have made the Aegean island a perennial favorite. Cerulean seas lap at the island’s more than 40 beaches. At some, such as Paradise Beach, the party never stops, while travelers looking for the quieter side of Mykonos should unroll their towels at serene Panormos for reading and napping sans nce-nce music. Even within such a hot location, you can find plenty of hidden gems and tucked-away tables, says Rachelle Kontos, a Virtuoso travel advisor. “I suggest visiting Kiki’s, a taverna in Agios Sostis, which uses no electricity and serves up delicious homemade cooking. You can drink a complimentary glass of rosé and enjoy the view of the beach while waiting for your meal.”
Up Next: Mellow on Mallorca
For a less-trafficked, idyllic beach scene, Jenny Westermann recommends Mallorca. On this largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, about 120 miles off the country’s eastern coast, sites such as the Royal Palace of La Almudaina draw visitors. The capital of Palma thrums with dance clubs, while more than 200 beaches offer a chance to lounge and swim during the island’s 300-plus sunny days per year. For cooler air and sheer-sided mountain views, hike in the Tramuntana range, along the island’s northern coast.
2. Play It Again: Kenya’s “Big Five” Bounty
Kenya reliably delivers the African safari of daydreams, with its vast savanna and majestic wildlife. The variety of landscapes shines here, from the grassy plains and gentle hills of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to the great wildebeest and zebra migration between June and October, to safaris in Amboseli National Park with Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. Daily game drives reveal the “big five” (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo), as well as gazelles, hippos, giraffes, and warthogs. Joshua Bush, a Virtuoso agency owner, recommends off-season stays (March through May and October through December) for more-intimate treks, and visiting conservancies, which are privately run, for more-flexible game viewing than public parks can offer. “The Mara North Conservancy is a personal favorite,” he says.
Up Next: Wild for India
Travelers have long flocked to India for the Taj Mahal, the Amber Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb. But it’s also a rising wildlife destination, says Kemi Wells, a Virtuoso advisor. While elephants, rhinos, reptiles, and 1,300 bird species draw visitors, it’s the regal Bengal tiger that makes India a safari star. “India has one of the biggest and safest tiger habitats around the world,” Wells says. Of the country’s 50 sanctuaries, Bandhavgarh National Park has one of the highest densities of tigers in the 40 square miles of the park open for tours, and the 514-square-mile UNESCO World Heritage site Sundarbans National Park counts around 100 Bengals. If you can stand the heat, visit between March and June, when the striped cats seek out pools of water to cool down, making them much easier to spot.
3. Play It Again: Kyoto’s Traditions
As the cultural and historical heart of Japan, Kyoto’s big – and busy – draws are its astounding number of gardens, temples, and shrines. The gleaming Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) is a must here, as is Fushimi Inari-Taisha, a shrine with wildly photogenic orange torii gates. Try kaiseki for dinner, perhaps in Kyoto’s famous geisha district of Gion. The multicourse meal consists of precisely prepared seasonal dishes. For a new way to get to all the sites, go on two wheels, says Virtuoso agency executive Charlotte Harris: “The city is mostly flat, roads are well maintained, and there are plenty of places to rent a bicycle.”
Up Next: Takayama’s Mountain Air
Sometimes called “Little Kyoto,” the mountain village of Takayama in the Gifu Prefecture distills the essence of old Japan. The narrow streets of its Sanmachi Suji historic district are lined with wooden merchant houses dating to the Edo period (1603 to 1867). They brim with cafés, shops, and restaurants, where Virtuoso agency owner Claudia Rossi Hudson recommends dining on miso soup and local Hida beef. Takayama is a major sake-producing region, and sake breweries are scattered around the neighborhood. During the city’s festivals each April and October, gilded floats parade through the streets. In winter, a dusting of snow renders the alpine town a snow-globe scene.
4. Play It Again: Machu Picchu Pilgrimage
Shrouded in mystery – and often in mist – at 7,972 feet in Peru’s Andes, the sprawling fifteenth-century Incan citadel induces awe with its temples, terraces, and huge blocks of stone. Many arrive via train from Cuzco, about 70 miles away, or stay the night in nearby Aguas Calientes. Hardier types can hoof it for several days along the breath-capturing Inca Trail. Even better: Hike the lesser-known Salkantay and Lares routes, says Cristina Buaas, a Virtuoso agency owner. The UNESCO World Heritage site enforces strict visitation rules, including advance-ticket purchase, set entrance times, and mandatory guides. July and August are busy, as are Sundays, when Cuzco Province residents can visit the site for free.
Up Next: Kuélap Exploration
The fortress of Kuélap, which sits at 9,842 feet in northern Peru, predates Machu Picchu by nearly a millennium. “It’s hard to believe the Kuélap ruins, and the whole region of Chachapoyas, have remained so untouched,” says travel advisor Geordie McDonald. “More bromeliad flowers grow on the trees than people visit each day.” Overlooking the Utcubamba Valley, some 400 ruins spread over more than 1,100 acres here. Until recently, the walled complex was a four-hour hike or bumpy 90-minute bus ride from the village of Nuevo Tingo, but a cable car that opened in 2017 streamlines the ascent to 20 minutes.
5. Play It Again: Vintage Napa Valley
More than 400 wineries pack Napa’s 30-mile-long valley, with renowned labels such as Stag’s Leap pouring the area’s prized cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays. Travelers come to worship at the prix-fixe altar of The French Laundry and other Michelin-starred restaurants. Fall is golden, literally, when leaves change and wineries’ crush season arrives. Virtuoso agency director Anthony Goldman recommends getting off the main highway with a biking tour through the Napa Valley and adjacent Sonoma County. “By day, pedal through vineyards, sip on world-class wine, and enjoy fabulous Californian fare; by night, bed down at some of the region’s premier hotels, including one of my favorites, Solage, an Auberge Resort, in Calistoga,” he says.
Up Next: Okanagan Valley Vineyards
“Imagine Napa Valley with a 90-mile lake down the middle,” says Jill Anglehart-Hamilton, a Virtuoso travel advisor, adding that, in some ways, the Okanagan Valley feels like Napa did 40 years ago. The valley stretches about 125 miles between the Washington State border and Armstrong, British Columbia, punctuated with laid-back towns and crystal lakes with vineyards rising from their shores. Headliners are the pinot noirs and rieslings, but innovative boutique wineries, such as CedarCreek, offer robust reds, crisp rosés, and even ice wine. “Don’t miss Mission Hill Winery, where Prince William and Kate visited on a recent trip to Canada,” Hamilton advises. Summer brings alfresco dining and sandy lakeside beaches, while for active travelers, winter competes as the best time to go: Skiers and snowboarders can hit the fresh powder at nearby alpine resorts one day, and warm up during winetastings the next.
6. Play It Again: Great Barrier Reef Diving
For divers and snorkelers, the world’s largest and longest coral reef system is underwater heaven. Off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the fragile system spans more than 1,400 miles and teems with marine life, including sea turtles, giant clams, manta rays, and clown fish. For unrivaled access, agency director Anthony Goldman recommends staying at Qualia, Great Barrier Reef. “Qualia flies guests to snorkel points by helicopter or seaplane, with sensational aerial views of Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and the Whitsunday Passage,” he says.
Up Next: Electric Blue in Ningaloo
Halfway up Australia’s west coast, the 186-mile-long Ningaloo Reef sits close to shore – only a few hundred feet away in some places – but is beautifully secluded, says advisor Kemi Wells. That means uncrowded encounters with turtles, manta rays, humpback whales, and 500 species of fish. What really sets the reef apart, however, are the elusive whale sharks that assemble here in large numbers – more than any other place in the world – from March through August. Launch from the towns of Exmouth or Coral Bay to kayak, swim with whale sharks, or take a scenic flight over the remote Indian Ocean reef.
7. Play It Again: French Riviera Glam
The stretch of southern France’s Mediterranean coast is European glitz writ large and has attracted renowned artists and the upper crust for centuries. Travelers arrive en masse during July and August to bronze at swanky beach clubs in Saint-Tropez, channel 007 in Monte-Carlo, and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants in Menton and Nice. “Rent a car to explore at your own speed, and ask your hotel’s concierge to book the best tables at fabulous regional restaurants,” Kemi Wells says. September here is especially magical, when summer’s frenzy wanes, but the sun still shines on the fabled coast.
Up Next: Under-the-Radar Biarritz
Napoleon III and his wife, Eugénie, shined a spotlight on this French seaside resort on the Basque coast when they arrived in the mid-nineteenth century. Globe-trotters still come for the coastal scenery and Basque pintxos and wine, Angela Wallace says. These days surfers also stop here, to test their skills on the Atlantic waves that pound Biarritz’s sandy beaches. Try Basque specialties and seafood at Crampotte 30, one of several dozen small fishermen’s huts in the old port, and pick up a pair of candy-colored espadrilles, summer shoes with Basque roots. At the boutique Les Sandales d’Eugénie, customize your own with ribbons and ties.
8. Play It Again: Venetian Variety
Built on 118 islands, the floating city in northern Italy sees around 20 million visitors each year – meaning summer can be downright uncomfortable. Recent floods have only added to the city’s environmental stress. Well-trod but iconic activities include a gondola ride through the canals and a photo in the Piazza San Marco. But the warren of tiny lanes and dead-end alleyways lead over arched bridges and into small piazzas and quieter neighborhoods where the “real” Venice awaits. Another way to get to know the city? “Find your people,” says Eva Braiman, a Virtuoso travel advisor. “My daughter and I visited the Jewish Ghetto, founded in 1516, and met some of the only 450 Jews who live in Venice today.”
Up Next: Beeline for Bruges
For waterways, cultural stimulation, and postcard serenity – without the crowds of La Serenissima – Kemi Wells steers travelers to the Belgian city of Bruges. Step-gabled houses from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries front pretty canals here, and cultural attractions run the gamut from tongue-in-cheek (the Frietmuseum, dedicated to french fries, Belgium’s beloved snack) to classical (the Groeningemuseum showcases six centuries of Belgian and Flemish masters’ work). Even the imposing Church of Our Lady houses treasures, including a Michelangelo sculpture. Hop aboard a boat tour of the town’s swan-filled canals crossed by stone bridges. And be sure to stop at one of the many chocolate shops to taste the city’s official sweet, Brugsch swaentje, a chocolate-covered praline embossed with a swan.
9. Play It Again: Saint Moritz Sparkle
As posh alpine resorts go, Saint Moritz in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley hits every mark. It has welcomed the Winter Olympics twice, and its modern and traditional restaurants and endlessly flowing Champagne draw an après set from around the globe. For off-piste action, the boutiques along Via Serlas can occupy an afternoon – and create a good-size credit-limit dent. The last weekend in January brings snow polo – a sport born here – on the frozen lake. Avoid traffic on nausea-inducing alpine roads, Charlotte Harris says, and arrive aboard the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express, which travel along a UNESCO World Heritage railway line.
Up Next: Steep Slopes in Kitzbühel
Forty miles southwest of Salzburg, the Austrian village of Kitzbühel is known for its punishing January downhill ski race, the Streif, on the mountain of Hahnenkamm. “When the snow is good, the skiing is fantastic, and avid skiers can try their hand at the Streif course,” says Jen Connelly of tour operator Alpine Adventures. She also notes that, at other times, Kitzbühel’s snow coverage can be patchy and runs icy. In those cases, the streets of the Tyrolean town are waiting. “Kitzbühel’s thirteenth-century village center is incredibly picturesque, and the city has maintained the architecture,” she says. Browse the boutiques and warm up in mountain huts and bars, such as the popular Londoner, which has poured drinks for thirsty crowds since 1976. Also in January, the Snow Polo World Cup plays out, second in size and prestige only to the Saint Moritz tournament, and just as sensational.
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In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in constant noise, screens, and schedules that leave little room for true rest. The Arctic offers a rare chance to step away from it all—where time slows down, horizons stretch endlessly, and the quiet is so profound it feels like medicine for the soul. Surrounded by untouched landscapes, crisp air, and a sky that shifts from glowing midnight sun to the dancing Northern Lights, the Arctic is more than a destination—it’s an awakening.
What makes the Arctic the ultimate reset isn’t just its beauty, but the perspective it inspires. Standing beneath the aurora or walking across frozen expanses reminds us of how vast the world is, and how small daily stressors really are. Add in the warmth of Scandinavian hospitality, unique cultural traditions, and restorative activities like husky sledding or sauna rituals, and you’ll find an escape that nourishes both body and spirit. The Arctic isn’t just a trip—it’s a transformation.
This nine-day trip through Norway, Finland, and Sweden is packed with adventure, local culture, and plenty of sauna time.
Autumn in the Scandinavian Arctic – surrounded by majestic fjords, mossy forests, crystal-clear lakes, and snow-covered mountains – invites travelers to reconnect with both nature and themselves. Before the depths of winter set in, the region and its singular experiences make for a special kind of wellness retreat, from sweating it out in a Swedish sauna to forest bathing in Finnish Lapland.
“There was an incredible sense of stillness and space,” says Virtuoso travel advisor Jodi Zoph, who recently returned from Swedish Lapland. “And a profound beauty and calm that’s hard to describe.”
Tour operator 50 Degrees North specializes exclusively in the Nordic region and Scandinavian Arctic, connecting travelers to local experts and guides with deep roots in each. The company can work with your Virtuoso travel advisor to personalize any of its itineraries, but this immersive nine-day jaunt from Tromsø, Norway, to Luleå, Sweden, sets travelers up for a proper Scandinavian reboot.
Days One and Two: Arctic Fjords and Autumnal Gold
Arrive in Tromsø, Norway, a lively coastal town situated about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Tromsø’s historic center is packed with small boutiques, stylish cafés, and contemporary art galleries, housed in charming gabled wooden houses. Head to the suburb of Tromsdalen to ride the Fjellheisen cable car nearly 1,400 feet up a steep mountainside to the Fjellheisen viewpoint for an impressive panorama of the town and its surrounding fjords and snowcapped mountains. Back in Tromsø, dinner is at Bardus, a cozy, bistro-style spot specializing in Norwegian seafood favorites, including aquavit- and dill-cured halibut, fresh-caught turbot, herring, and sweet Nordic shrimp.
The following day, cross the border into Finnish Lapland, home to Kilpisjärvi, a remote village surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and pristine rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. In autumn, Finnish Lapland’s birch, maple, and aspen trees turn bright gold, crimson, and orange; it’s so beautiful, the Finnish have a word for their autumnal splendor: ruska. During your visit, you’ll likely run into several Finns, who flock to this well-kept secret wonderland every fall.
Days Three and Four: Reindeer Hikes and eBike Adventures
Sápmi, the cultural region of the indigenous Sámi people, stretches across much of northern Scandinavia, where the nomadic reindeer herders historically grazed their animals. In Kilpisjärvi, join a local Sámi herder and their reindeer on a hike through the Finnish Lapland wilderness, listening to stories about Sámi culture and life in the north.
“It’s a deeply enriching cultural experience that offers perspective on the traditions and resilience of Arctic Scandinavia’s Indigenous communities,” Zoph says. “It was special to meet someone whose way of life has remained deeply connected to the land for generations, hearing firsthand about the traditions, challenges, and daily rhythms.”
The next day, explore Finnish Lapland’s explosion of color on an e-bike tour, pedaling along forest paths beneath the spectacular fall foliage. Summit the 3,376-foot Saana fell for the best views across the Arctic tundra, then retire to the sauna to recover before dinner. On clear nights, travelers can embark on a guided trek in search of the northern lights – an unforgettable Arctic experience.
Days Five and Six: Swedish Saunas and the Northern Lights
It’s over to Swedish Lapland to take advantage of the season – considered one of the best for spotting intense auroras – during a private northern lights dinner in the wilderness, far from any artificial light sources that would interfere with the dazzling show in the night sky.
“Even if you don’t see the northern lights, there’s still a shimmering sky at night,” says Virtuoso travel advisor Steve Jermanok. “You can see the moon and all the stars – it’s stunning.”
If you’re up a little late, it’s OK, because a serious dose of Scandinavian wellness awaits in the morning. For centuries, practitioners of the cold plunge/sauna circuit have lauded its benefits: It boosts circulation, flushes out toxins, and alleviates stress and anxiety. Experience the healing benefits of this contrast therapy for yourself during a two-and-a-half-hour session at the Jukkasjärvi Culture Sauna, located in the small village of Jukkasjärvi. A sauna guide introduces bathers to the region’s traditional sauna culture, then leads a ten-step ritual that includes washing with tar soap, steaming in a wood-fired sauna, plunging into the icy Torne River, and relaxing in heated outdoor bathtubs.
Next you’ll head to Abisko, an outdoorsy retreat popular among Swedes for its year-round activities, from hiking and camping to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In autumn, head out on a private fishing tour on the Torne, known for its run of Baltic salmon and migratory whitefish as well as perch, pike, arctic char, and rainbow trout.
Days Seven, Eight, and Nine: Stylish Stays and Local Delicacies
One of the highlights of 50 Degrees North’s Arctic reset is the accommodations – overnights showcase the best of Scandinavian design, from a cozy lodge to a collection of suites made from ice and snow. Today, travelers arrive in Harads, Sweden, for the trip’s final leg, checking into a sustainable, wellness-focused hotel that floats atop the Lule River.
On the agenda for your two days in Harads: spa time at the hotel and a hike into the surrounding forest, led by a legendary local guide (and self-described moose whisperer) who shares stories about traditional Sámi culture, endemic animals, and the Arctic way of life. Warm up back inside during a three-hour meal served beside a roaring fire, featuring traditional local cuisine – including reindeer, pickled herring, chanterelle soup, and plump cloudberries foraged from the forest.
Craving an escape from the daily noise?The profound silence and breathtaking beauty of the Arctic are calling. Start planning your unforgettable adventure today and explore hotel deals & discountshere. For more travel inspiration, follow us on Instagram@bellhoppinghotels.
Australia offers unparalleled natural beauty and stark contrasts, captivating travelers. From the vibrant Great Barrier Reef to the ancient Uluru, it’s a “greatest hits” of geological wonders and unique ecosystems. Prepare to be awestruck by Australia’s most iconic natural attractions.
Whether you’re diving into crystal-clear reef waters or standing in the shadow of the Outback’s red heart, Australia delivers unforgettable moments at every turn. At Bellhopping, we help you experience these bucket-list destinations with ease, curating seamless itineraries, local insights, and travel tips that let you focus on what really matters: the adventure. Start planning your reef-to-rock journey today (and have every perk infused into your trip, with cash deposited into your account upon your return for booking with Bellhopping!)
Virtuoso on-site tour connections craft bespoke journeys across Australia. Intrepid Travel can create a custom itinerary to complement the route below; work with your Virtuoso travel advisor to book this experience.
Australia casts a wide spell, from its cosmopolitan-cool coasts to red-earth deserts, Technicolor reefs, and tangled emerald rainforests. For first-time visitors, the urge to take it all in can be irresistible, which makes shaping a well-paced itinerary necessary.
This 18-day tour Down Under stitches together Australia’s iconic stops, starting with a warm welcome from Sydney’s harbor attractions and surf beaches, and finishing at the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.
Along the way, weave through Melbourne’s art- and food-filled laneways, retreat to the spiritual heart of the Red Centre, and stop for sips at award-winning vineyards striping the Barossa Valley. It’s a trip that captures Australia’s full spectrum, and one that may inspire another visit – to, say, sail the ancient West Coast or discover under-the-radar destinations.
Australia | 18-Day Itinerary
Days 1-4: Sydney and Surroundings
Days 5-8: Melbourne via Canberra
Days 9-11: The Barossa Valley
Days 12-14: Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Days 15-18: Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef
Days 1-4: Sydney and Surroundings
Lock in a suite with a balcony at the 155-room Park Hyatt Sydney, suggests Virtuoso travel advisor Gabrielle Thackray, for front-row seats to Sydney Harbour and the opera house’s architectural “sails.” Marvel further at the World Heritage building on a guided Sydney Opera House tour or, better yet, ask your Virtuoso advisor to book tickets to a marquee performance.
Spend sunny days exploring the city’s cultural giants: the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which impresses with its new building, Naala Badu, celebrating renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Australian, and international artists.
Take a supreme beach day, learning to surf at Bondi Beach or swimming in the postcard-worthy Bondi Icebergs ocean pool. Or escape the hot spots on a ferry to Manly’s Shelly Beach, where snorkelers enter the clear, shallow waters to witness wobbegongs, stingrays, and schools of tropical fish.
Reserve a day to venture into Blue Mountains National Park, a 90-minute drive west of the city; here, “sandstone cliffs meet the ancient forest,” says Intrepid Travel’s Brett Mitchell, managing director of Australia and New Zealand. Australia’s first cable car, the Scenic Skyway (it debuted in 1958) glides above tiered Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters sandstone rock formation studding the Jamison Valley.
Back in the city for sunset, sleuth out the Central Business District’s hidden drinking dens: Door Knock serves playful, tropical cocktails and features a zero-proof menu; steps below York Street, Hustlers is known for its lemongrass-and-yuzu cocktails and bone-marrow fried rice.
Between stops, scope out the city’s best vantage points: Mrs Macquaries Point provides views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge in a single, sunny frame; Observatory Hill appears bathed in golden-hour light; and, on most Saturday nights, the skies above Darling Harbour crackle with fireworks.
Days 5-8: Melbourne via Canberra
From Sydney, hop on a four-hour train to Canberra: Australia’s small but mighty capital city provides a tranquil intermission before continuing on to Melbourne.
Still underrated, Canberra offers travelers slower-paced discovery, says Virtuoso travel advisor Lena Nielson. Take your pick of 40 regional wineries and spend an afternoon sampling cool-climate shiraz and riesling. Or retreat to Lake Burley Griffin and ply its calm, glassy waters on a stand-up paddleboard. In winter, Nielson recommends The Truffle Farm’s hunts, followed by tastings or a long lunch.
If time allows, slip away to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, an hour outside Canberra, to hike trails that weave through snow gum (aka eucalyptus) forests, revealing grazing kangaroos and koalas hugging tree forks. End in Canberra on a culinary high note at Inka, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant where ceviche and sashimi highlight tasting menus.
An easy up-and-down, one-hour flight links Canberra to Melbourne, which hums with cool, creative energy and an art scene that starts with Australia’s oldest and most-visited gallery – the National Gallery of Victoria – and evolves with street-art vignettes lining Hosier Lane.
Drop your bags in a loft suite at the 94-room Royce, an art deco-inspired boutique stay housed in a reimagined Rolls-Royce showroom. “The design and decor make you feel like you’ve stepped into an old Hollywood film,” Nielson says.
To catch the beat of the city, join Intrepid’s creative neighborhoods walking tour. Check out the eclectic streets of the Fitzroy and Collingwood districts while learning about the post-World-War-II immigrants who shaped them, and sip the city’s famous coffee at the social enterprise Streat Café.
For dinner, settle into Tipo 00, an intimate pasta bar serving modern Italian dishes such as rigatoni with nettles and uni-and-scallop agnolotti. Cap off the evening at Caretaker’s Cottage, a candlelit cocktail bar named for its previous incarnation as a church sexton’s house, or peruse the Queen Victoria Night Market’s food stalls amid live entertainment.
Days 9-11: The Barossa Valley
Home to the world’s oldest continuously producing shiraz and grenache vines, and renowned for its bold reds and fortified wines, the Barossa Valley more than earns its place on any oenophile’s must-visit list. Beyond exploring more than 80 cellar doors (tasting rooms), wine-country wanderers can soar above the vineyards in a hot-air balloon, hike through nearby national parks, and sample just-picked produce at the lively Saturday farmers’ market.
After a quick 90-minute flight from Melbourne to Adelaide and an hour-long car ride from the airport, arrive at the exclusive 15-room Louise, a chic wine-country spot where checking in feels like receiving a backstage pass to the Barossa.
Seppeltsfield Road is flanked by more than 2,000 palm trees that line the three-mile stretch into the valley’s vineyard heartland, and guests of The Louise enjoy access to Seppeltsfield Estate, a prime stop on the route, for tastings of tawny straight from the barrel – with the vintage matched to their birth year.
Between helicopter tours over the vines and chauffeured tours of the vineyards, hotel guests master gnocchi making at an Italian cooking school and attend a gourmet “Breakfast with the Roos” in Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. At The Louise’s Appellation restaurant, a four-course tasting menu caps stays (and celebrates the region) with dishes such as kingfish tacos and Wagyu steaks.
Days 12-14: Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Pop back to Melbourne for a flight with a cinematic descent into Ayers Rock Airport – ask your Virtuoso advisor to book a window seat on the plane’s left side to behold the aerial view of Uluru. The colossal sandstone monolith seemingly shifts from fiery orange to deep crimson to dusty pink and purple, depending on how the sun hits.
The Outback meets opulence in this swath of Australia’s Red Centre: Under a pincushion of stars, travelers “glamp” among rolling red sand dunes at Longitude 131°, an all-inclusive wilderness camp with 16 white tents draping open to views of the great rock. Wind, erosion, and the flow of water over 550 million years shaped and smoothed the rock that’s sacred to the Indigenous Anangu people. Roughly 25 miles west, Kata Tjuta, a mysterious collection of 36 dome-shaped boulders, rises from the desert like a riddle in stone and qualifies as Uluru’s iconic sibling.
As the sun comes up, Longitude 131° guests set out with guides into Walpa Gorge, where towering walls give way to a surprisingly green, tree-lined creek. At the Kata Tjuta viewing platform, they pause for coffee and baked goods, taking in views of the domes and Uluru. The excursion wraps up with a visit to the Anangu-designed Cultural Centre at Uluru, which offers insight into the region’s heritage and an opportunity to browse local artworks.
For art on a larger scale, the resort shuttles guests to the nearby Field of Light: Installation artist Bruce Munro’s 50,000 solar-powered, glass-sphere-tipped stems light up at dusk with ever-changing colors, “blooming” and swaying gently into the evening.
Days 15-18: Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef
Experiencing the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and its largest reef system in a single stretch of coastline makes for a fitting crescendo to the trip. In Tropical North Queensland, travelers find themselves conveniently situated between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, accessible from Uluru via nonstop, two-and-a-half-hour flights into Cairns.
The Reef House, a breezy, 67-room retreat just 25 minutes north of Cairns Airport, fronts a ribbon of white sand at Palm Cove shaded by melaleuca trees and palms. Kick off this tropical finale by borrowing vintage cruiser bikes, casting a line in the sea, or browsing the hotel’s book bar before crashing at the beach.
Plan to dedicate a day to the Great Barrier Reef. One of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders, it spans more than 133,000 square miles and shelters thousands of marine species in an ecosystem so vast it’s visible from space. Your Virtuoso advisor can arrange a catamaran to some of the reef’s best snorkel and dive sites, where sea turtles, clownfish, and bright corals await. Many excursions are led by marine biologists, offering deeper ecological insight.
The next day, trade the reef for rainforest with an exploration of the 180-million-year-old Daintree, about two hours from Cairns. Raised boardwalks wind through lush undergrowth and help protect the fragile forest; during a leisurely stroll, keep your eyes peeled for electric-blue Ulysses butterflies flitting about. For more action, cruise the Daintree River in search of saltwater crocodiles. In a historic 2021 deal, ownership of the rainforest was returned to its Aboriginal custodians, the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people. Your Virtuoso advisor can arrange a tour of this ancient land with its most experienced and knowledgeable guides.
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Copenhagen shines brightest in summer, when its cobbled streets buzz with outdoor festivals, harbor baths glisten under the midnight sun, and locals trade winter woolens for canal-side picnics. From Michelin-starred food halls to bike-friendly boulevards that lead to hidden beaches, Denmark’s capital offers a perfect blend of urban energy and laid-back Nordic charm. Here’s why Copenhagen should top your warm-weather travel list.
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If you’re looking for dips in the harbor, slick design, and moderate temps, this could be the place.
I’ve long been a skeptic of summer vacations in southern Europe. Beyond the high-season prices and suffocating crowds, I cannot abide sweating through a linen sundress despite doing nothing more strenuous than sipping a Campari spritz in the shade. And these days, I’m not alone. The impact of major heat waves, increasingly common across large swaths of the continent, has many travelers reconsidering destinations that are likely to suffer soaring temperatures.
The trend this summer is instead looking northward to the Nordic and Baltic regions. These destinations have already seen a 263 percent year-over-year increase in summer 2025 bookings, according to data from Virtuoso-member travel agencies, by travelers looking to climb glaciers in Iceland, laze on remote beaches in the Stockholm archipelago, or sauna in Helsinki.
Every summer for the past decade, I’ve found an excuse to hop down to Copenhagen from my home in Stockholm. And I’d argue that nowhere does summer better than the cool Danish capital, where I spent a week last June biking between swimming piers, glittering architectural landmarks, waterside wine bars, and high-gloss design museums. At its peak, the city enjoys more than 17 hours of daylight, so most mornings began early at Juno the Bakery, my favorite spot for a sweet cardamom bun or a soft brioche filled with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream.
Afternoons in Copenhagen whiz by like cyclists on a mission – I spent mine exploring new neighborhoods such as Nordhavn, an industrial port area that has been meticulously transformed into a livable waterfront district in recent years. It’s now home to hypermodern architecture, from a former grain silo reimagined as a futuristic glass-and-steel apartment complex to a panoramic playground atop a multistory parking garage. Along the way, I devoured barbacoa tacos at Hija de Sanchez taqueria, sipped espresso at Andersen & Maillard café, and sprawled on the boardwalk among sunbathers at Sandkaj Harbour.
Papirøen, the city-center island, reopened to the public last summer with cool, futuristic-looking apartment buildings, urban gardens, and large public piers overlooking the Opera House and its new waterside garden. The island’s redevelopment is the latest in a long line of projects along the city’s once-industrial waterfront. There’s an outstanding overview of this evolution at the Danish Architecture Center, housed in a building resembling a Lego-like stack of glass boxes. The permanent exhibition, So Danish!, traces Danish design from the Viking Age to its masters of midcentury modernism and today’s trend-setting brands such as Gubi and Hay.
Across the harbor inRefshaleøen, I spent sun-drenched evenings drinking lively natural wines on the quay beside La Banchina, an idiosyncratic wine bar with a swimming pier and on-site sauna. From there, it’s a short walk to Noma, the celebrated three-Michelin-starred restaurant that was supposed to close permanently at the end of 2024;it will serve one more Ocean Season through late June this year, for the lucky few who can snag seats. But my top pick for dinner is a spot locals can’t stop talking about: Alouette, another Michelin-starred favorite that recently moved from the graffitied outskirts of town to a neoclassical address next to the seventeenth-century Rosenborg Castle. Standouts on its ever-evolving, multicourse menu may include caviar-topped asparagus custard or a grilled Norwegian langoustine tail with oregano-and-elderflower beurre blanc. And afterward, on a postprandial promenade as the sun begins to set behind the castle, just remember: Mykonos will still be there in March.
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