A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
To mark the launch of our latestBestTripsguide, we asked GoTravelDaily staff to share their stories of times spent on the road. Ever the adventurous bunch, these daring drivers recall time spent navigating tricky mountain paths, drifting down coastal roads in search of beautiful beaches, and driving into the downright bizarre on off-the-beaten track adventures.
As you drift across the mirror-still surface of a shallow bay in Kosterhavet, Sweden’s first national marine park, the reasons for Bohuslän’s allure become as clear as the water barely stirring beneath the kayak. Renowned for its commitment to environmental stewardship, Sweden ranks high in both the Global Green Economy Index and the Environmental Performance Index, showcasing its sensitive development along the west coast.
Some 1800 years ago, Arabic traders gave the Maldives a moniker that remains relevant to this day: the ‘Money Isles’. Back then, the archipelago’s abundant cowrie shells (boli) were a powerful international currency, and these paradisaical islands have evolved into a playground for the rich and even richer.
One place that I was eager to visit during my trip was Bhaktapur. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been a topic of much conversation since our arrival, making it clear that it needed to be added to our itinerary without delay.
The best aspect of European spa breaks is their indulgent nature, offering a perfect escape for relaxation and pampering. With various options throughout Europe, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy a blissful spa experience.
Picture the scene: you’re on a busy train on the London Underground when you accidentally step on someone’s foot. Your fellow traveller mumbles an inexplicable apology, and you respond by making eye contact and initiating a conversation. Silence envelops the carriage and everyone’s gaze drops to the floor, while the other person pulls the face of someone who’s been told they have seven seconds to live. Five seconds ago.
Island bliss often taunts in the form of a crystal clear desktop screensaver—a palm tree over a lounge chair, a stone’s skip from where the water’s edge is lapping at the sand. It’s a far cry from your cold office and seems even further. Yet, there’s a place where bliss awaits not at one secluded resort or private beach, but on the more than 60 small, tropical islands and cays that comprise the British Virgin Islands (BVI, a British overseas territory).
If “Beauty and the Beast” has you wishing you, too, lived in a castle, don’t despair. There are several hotels in the United States where travelers can live like royalty. These are some of the best castle-like hotels and bed and breakfasts in the U.S., according toYelp. The properties were identified based on reviews mentioning “castle” and ranked based on the quality and quantity of reviews. From the Norumbega in Maine to the Castle Marne in Colorado, these hotels take luxury seriously. More than simply high class, they’ve created ambiance fit for a queen.
Architecture enthusiasts are making pilgrimages to homes designed by legendary craftsmanFrank Lloyd Wrightthis year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth, which falls on June 8. To mark the occasion, the Museum of Modern Art has planned the exhibition “Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archive,” which runs from June 12 to October 1, 2017. Considered one of the most radical architects in history, Wright used revolutionary building technologies and materials and experimented with using the natural landscape as part of his designs. Over his lifetime, he designed more than 1,000 projects in the U.S., many of which were residences that are still privately owned. Many operate as museums, such as Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, theRobie Housein Chicago, or the iconicFalling Waterin Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Here are 10 Wright-designed buildings that you can visit, including six that offer overnight stays.
Shanghai is a vibrant metropolis, rich with energy and excitement, offering a plethora of interesting activities. While designer shopping malls and upmarket restaurants may dominate the scene, Shanghai is also filled with free and inexpensive attractions to explore.
The Alentejo is one of the world’s great unsung culinary destinations. Home to scenic vineyards, olive groves, and fertile farmlands, the Alentejo is in many ways the gastronomic soul of Portugal.
The following day in York was one of the quickest I’ve ever prepped for (or at least very close). For starters, the breakfast atthe Gray’s Court hotelis worth arriving early and allowing ample time to enjoy. (I didn’t take any pictures today but I promise to pack my camera tomorrow to provide you with a visual treat!).
Good, quiet, scenic roads; sleeping in out-of-the-way places; the chance to go wherever the mood takes you. There are few better ways to explore New Zealand than by campervan. High summer might seem best for a road trip; however, hiring a camper outside peak season can be up to 50% cheaper. Autumnal May offers lower prices but still pleasant conditions and better driving circumstances compared to winter.
Galicia isn’t quite a separate country, but this distinctive northwest corner of Spain, separated from the rest of the nation by both geography and culture, is a far cry from stereotypical Spanish images.
Travelers looking for a serene getaway often take to an island, seeking the solace of sun, sand, and sea. There are a myriad of options to choose from, such as the Polynesian island of Tahiti or, closer to home, North America’s Bermuda.
Caravanserais. Silk Road. Spices. There’s something undeniably romantic about travel to this ‘Stan’, which has been the cultural heart of Central Asia for millennia.
Whether you’re bearing witness to a colossal procession of icebergs floating out to sea in Canada, staring at starry skies and dazzling sunrises in Australia’s outback, tracking dragons in Indonesia, or watching Italy’s alpine region reawakening into spring, May is a spectacular time to soak up some of the planet’s natural offerings.
In Milan, when the clock ticks over to 6pm and the sun starts to slowly sink, something rather magical happens: the shuck-shuck of ice in a cocktail shaker heralds the aperitivo hours, a time when locals gather to chat, clink glasses, and savour a few nibbles.
Weary of the politics and stresses of Ancient Rome, Emperor Tiberius fled to Capri, where he spent his last decade in sumptuous villas enjoying a secluded island life. Two millennia later, most of us can relate to the emperor. We also seek refuge from our daily routine at beach resorts — if only for a week, rather than 10 years. And while Tiberius had to first build himself a dozen palatial retreats, today’s beachgoers don’t need to do any heavy lifting.
