A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Given it’s one of the world’s most famous resort islands, Bali seems an unlikely choice for those wanting to escape the crowds. And while it’s true that this is a very touristy destination – attracting nearly 10 million visitors per year – most people only head to the south of the island, leaving plenty of wonderful spots to explore elsewhere, blissfully free of the masses.
Jim Morrison said it: “The West is the best.” These extraordinary properties, showcasing the diverse natural landscape of the inland and coastal West (excluding California), truly support this claim. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Hotels were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. Like many of the resorts on this list, this year’s top Western resort hotel, the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, derives much of its character from the rugged terrain and open spaces of the surrounding mountains. It is an old-fashioned dude ranch located between the pristine Sierra Madre range and Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming, offering luxurious accommodations. “Cabins are appointed in a luxurious, Ralph-Lauren style,” said a reader. “Bravo!” The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is one of several properties that celebrate the frontier traditions of the West. The spirit of old Montana infuses both Triple Creek Ranch and the Ranch at Rock Creek. If your idea of a getaway involves horseback riding and fly-fishing, these destinations are ideal. “Best family vacation I have ever been on,” expressed a fan of the Ranch at Rock Creek. “They had amazing summer activities such as shooting, a ropes course, a weekly rodeo, and a barn dance. Can’t ask for more.” Last year’s winner, Gateway Canyons Resort, in the dramatic red-rock country of southwestern Colorado, remains a prime destination for outdoor-adventure enthusiasts, offering hiking, riding, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. This year, the property hosted its inaugural Gateway to Craft Beer festival during Memorial Day weekend. Two other properties in Colorado, the Hotel Jerome in Aspen and the Sebastian in Vail, cater directly to winter-sports lovers. Summer travelers who prefer a slower pace can head to Oregon to relax at golf resorts such as Brasada Ranch in Bend and Salishan Spa & Golf Resort on the central Oregon coast. For stunning sunsets over the water, consider visiting the Stephanie Inn, located a bit farther north, or the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa on the shores of Lake Washington, just outside of Seattle.
Prices in Morocco have risen along with its popularity, but there are still bargains to be had. In the relaxed seaside city of Essaouira, many of the attractions are free: exuberant music festivals, gallery-hopping around the 18th-century medina, gazing over the ocean from its honey-coloured ramparts, watching fishermen at work in the postcard-pretty harbour, and strolling along its endless golden beaches.
Divide and conquer, they say. A metropolis of Belgrade’s size is best conquered by exploring its distinct, vivid neighborhoods. Spread out on both banks of the Sava and Danube rivers, each of them offers sites rich in history and culture and is hip and photogenic in its own way. Here’s a quick tour through the main districts of the Serbian capital.
Got a bad case of the travel blues? Join us on a rainbow ride through some of Europe’s most luminous locales.
GoTravelDaily Local Jo-Ann Titmarsh has been living in Venice for over 20 years. Although she originally came to the city as a student for a three-month stay, she soon decided to make Venice her home. Despite how long she’s been here, she never tires of the city’s beauty and its wealth of art exhibitions, cosy restaurants, interesting walks and fabulous places for cocktails with a view.
Uzbekistan: the name conjures images of far-away mosques and blue-tiled domes, camels and caravanserai, mosaics and medressas. It’s true that Uzbekistan is the kind of destination that many people don’t reach, but the country has chugged into the new millennium with an excellent high-speed train network that makes traveling here much easier than many travelers might think.
Veteran GoTravelDaily writer Anirban Mahapatra has been living in Dhaka for the last three years. He spends much of his time exploring the quaint alleys of Dhaka’s old quarters, mingling with the masses in the city’s atmospheric markets, discovering its artistic and cultural melting pots, and savoring its legendary Bengali cuisine.
Ah, Hawaii … beloved by millions as the land of sunshine and sand. Yet this tropical Eden is also the land of rainbows. Breathtaking swatches of resplendent color often stretch across the skies, but they wouldn’t be possible without one of the islands’ most cherished natural blessings: rain.
GoTravelDaily Local Elio Stamm moved to Accra three years ago. Although the humidity and sheer volume of everything were a little overwhelming at first, he quickly fell for the bustling energy and creativity with which the city’s inhabitants go about their daily lives. He’s since discovered a rapidly evolving arts scene, diverse cuisine from around the globe, and found that Accra’s politeness is even starting to rub off on him.
More than 200 islands lie within reach of Abu Dhabi’s coastline, scattered across the Gulf beneath cloudless blue skies. Easily accessible islands such as Saadiyat and Yas have blossomed into cultural and entertainment hubs, while more remote isles like Bu Tinah, home to endangered green and hawksbill turtles, remain off-limits to all but marine conservationists.
We arrived late in the evening in Milan for our trip across Italy.
Multicultural Malmö, the capital of Skåne county and Sweden’s third-largest city, is almost entirely surrounded by water. This city occupies a prime location approximately 40 km east of Copenhagen across the Öresund Strait, and is a short hop across the Baltic Sea from present-day Germany. The sea is central to the lives of the locals, a vibrant ethnic mix made up of more than 150 nationalities, many of whom arrived here by ship and owe their livelihoods, in one way or another, to the ocean.
There is no denying that Nagasaki’s intense and turbulent history has forever marked it as a distinct destination. However, this vibrant city today presents an opportunity to learn not only about its painful past but also to embrace its diverse charm and modern energy, which looks toward the future.
In 2018, County Galway was designated a European Region of Gastronomy, and its capital will become a European City of Culture in 2020. To get a taste of what makes this small, westerly stronghold of Irish culture a must-visit destination, embark on a culinary journey through Galway City’s winding medieval lanes, uncovering its best artisan restaurants and quirky food producers.
Yes, Asia is a long flight from the U.S., and the jet lag can be a beast. However, when it comes to finding islands that encompass it all—rich culture, healthy marine life, and endless white-sand beaches—you’d be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular part of the world.
Transfer to hotel by private vehicle with a driver and guide. For breakfast, you can join the locals at one of the small food stalls for a bowl of Pho, traditional Vietnamese noodle soup.
The internet is a vast resource when it comes to travel – there’s an abundance of websites and apps designed to aid those looking to explore. At GoTravelDaily, we recognize the value of community and the importance of conversing with fellow travelers who have been where you want to go. Below, we’ve compiled a list of thriving communities that exist on (and off) the web to help you plug into the perfect travel network.
Best in Travel is here!Discover 2024’s destinations
The Russian Far East has a mystique that’s been luring travelers for generations. With the volcanoes and geysers of Kamchatka, ancient stone pillars on the Lena River, and some of the world’s coldest and remotest human settlements, as well as the cosmopolitan cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, the region has something for everyone. Russia’s poignant past is present here too, from the BAM (Baikal-Amur Mainline) railway to the infamous Kolyma Highway that runs to Magadan, the most notorious outpost of the Far Eastern Gulag system.