It’s that time of year the kids to head back to school. Wanderlust Travel believes you should never stop learning or exploring. For 26 days we went through the ABCs and highlighted travel destinations to keep in mind for your next adventure.
Take a look at our ABCs:
Azores
The Azores offers travelers a different atmosphere than what they’ll find on the mainland of Portugal. Here, enchanting landscapes, parks, marine reserves, hydrothermal waterfalls, garden, whale watching, and white-and red-sand beaches take center stage. The Azores is made up of nine major islands, all of which are of volcanic origin.
Bruges
An hour outside of Brussels, the small medieval town of Bruges, Belgium is worth a visit whether as a day trip or for an overnight stay. Known as the “Venice of the North,” canals loop across the town whose picture-perfect look is complete with cobblestone paths, brick archways, and stone churches. Cars are prohibited to enter the city, so it is fun and safe to discover by foot.
Cape Winelands
The dramatic mountains and lush vineyards of the Winelands are just over an hour east of Cape Town. The region is dotted with Cape Dutch architecture, award-winning restaurants, and exquisite inns where you can rest your head after an afternoon of wine-tasting.
Dubai
Dubai is just plain larger than life: It has the world’s busiest airport, the world’s tallest building, the world’s largest shopping mall, the world’s largest indoor theme park and longest zipline, and scheduled for 2020 is an underwater luxury resort, The Floating Venice, with restaurants, bars and a spa underwater, all accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
Edinburgh
Culinary travelers will be delighted with Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, as the city, with its castle, cobbled streets, parks and museums, hosts more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in Britain outside of London. Don’t forget to taste the national drink on a Scotch whisky tour, and pay a visit to Edinburgh Farmers’ Market.
Florence
Romantic, enchanting and irresistible, Florence is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. Few cities are so compact in size or so packed with extraordinary art and architecture masterpieces at every turn that it is not surprising that the entire city center is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a true gem for those seeking nature, culture and history. It is Central America’s most diverse country that captivates travelers with its extraordinary landscapes and a civilization that reaches back centuries. Shop in local markets for colorful textiles, sample local coffee, and explore volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites.
Haifa
Haifa is a high-tech city that features some of the most important historical sites in the Middle East. The city is home to the headquarters of the Bahai faith, as well as the largest national park in all of Israel; with its scenic waterfront location and proximity to other sights in the region, Haifa serves as an excellent base for exploring Israel.
Ischia
Across the water from Naples and Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Ischia has drawn visitors to its mineral-rich thermal waters since Roman times. While many tourists go to Capri, Ischia is a great alternative for an authentic Italian island getaway, perfect for those who want a five-star experience but prefers to fly under the radar.
Johannesburg
South Africa’s largest city commemorates the country’s turbulent history with the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, and Constitution Hill, all essential sites for first-time visitors. And for a break from city life, the Cradle of Humankind (90 minutes from Jo’burg) is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing some of earth’s oldest fossils of ancient humans, dating back as far as 3.5 million years.
Kildare
Grand houses, stunning gardens and the heart of Ireland’s horseracing community, Kildare is a true thoroughbred and a star of Ireland’s Ancient East. Less than an hour from the Dublin airport, the County Kildare has castles, luxury hotels and spas that give you easy access to the capital city and beyond making it the perfect destination for either your home-base to explore Ireland or a stop at the beginning or end of your journey. Known as Thoroughbred County many of Ireland’s top studs, stables and racecourses are found here.
Los Cabos
With some of the most luxurious resorts in the world, incredible experiences and activities and unparalleled natural beauty, it is easy to see why Los Cabos is the playground of the rich and famous. From a relaxing vacation on a beautiful beach to swimming with whale sharks, 5-star resorts to incredible villas, fresh fish tacos on the street to the finest dining, Cabo has something for everyone. I find that many Eastcoasters are missing out by not taking this destination into consideration for travel. It is not hard to get to and the unique and luxurious destination is worth the travel time.
Malta
Malta is home to endless sunshine, crystal clear sea and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. 3000 hours of sunshine every year combined with short driving times between exceptional cultural experiences makes Malta the perfect travel destination to explore for a 3-5 day stay and would be a great addition to your trip to Sicily or Rome.
Nova Scotia
If you are looking for an under-the-radar, not too crowded destination for R&R and some outdoor adventure, this is your place. With gorgeous scenery and plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, and more you can stay active during the day and enjoy peaceful evenings with beautiful clear skies for stargazing. Nova Scotia is a great destination to get away from it all.
Oaxaca
Culturally rich, gastronomically exciting and with a varied and extensive landscape, Oaxaca keeps its roots deeply planted in its indigenous history. A visit to its capital boasts enriching visits to Zapotec archeological sites and historic churches. The markets are packed with color and flavor and Oaxaca’s gastronomy is renowned throughout Mexico. Head out of the city to enjoy lush mountainous retreats or head to the beaches that boast some of the best surfing in Mexico.
Puglia
The sun-soaked heel of the Italian boot offers a calmer way of life – removed from the big city crowds – still thrives. Puglia is one of Italy’s best kept secrets with bright blue waters, silver-green olive groves and whitewashed cities perched on hills.
Qatar
Qatar is a combination of the past and future, desert and city. You can learn about the ancient pursuit of falconry, watch camels race or 4WD through the desert. The capital, Doha, is a world-class city in the making, thanks to its spectacular modern skyline, peerless Museum of Islamic Art, a fine and expansive traditional souq, and burgeoning arts and culinary scenes. On any given day you could sample a portfolio of sophisticated restaurants and then watch the sun set over sand dunes that seem to spring from a fairy tale. You will hear more of this region as Qatar prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Romania
Rugged stone churches and dazzling monasteries dot a pristine landscape of rocky mountains and rolling hills. Main attractions include: Black Sea resorts, castles & fortresses, Danube Delta, medieval towns, The Carpathian Mountains, the painted monasteries, medical spas, and traditional villages. The countryside is the heart and soul of Romania, where peasant culture remains a strong force and medieval ways prevail like nowhere else in Europe.
Slovenia
Charming Slovenia is nestled between the Alps and the sea. Enjoy ancient caves and the delightful city of Ljubljana – a graceful, green, and walkable city – in this evolving country. Your experiences might include a visit to 1,000-year-old Bled Castle, a gingerbread house-making workshop, wine tasting, truffle hunting, hiking, and more in this stunningly beautiful country, a new hot spot for seasoned travelers. It is also a great destination to add on a trip to Venice or Croatia.
Texas Hill Country
Easy to get to from either Austin or San Antonio, The Hill Country has sweeping views that seem to go on forever. Whether you want to relax and recharge at a wellness resort or go off the beaten path glamping there is outdoor adventure, wineries, dining, entertainment, shopping and places that will take you back in time.
Umbria
Known locally as the “the green heart of Italy”, Umbria sits between Florence and Rome and is one of the greatest historical centers of art and creativity in the world. Umbria is everything one imagines when they dream of Italian, rustic, rolling hills. Offering even more outstanding views of nature than Tuscany, Umbria is truly a hidden gem – boasting everything from pristine landscapes, to historic, middle age castles, as well as Medieval villages, secluded monasteries, and charming hillside towns.
Vienna
In the Austrian capital visitors can enjoy marvelous museums, palaces, stunning avenues, historic spots and delightful places to sit down, dine out and savor the city. Viennese coffee houses are so important to Austria’s culture that they have quite literally shaped the history of the country and its’ place in European history. It was in these coffee houses that writers and thinkers would congregate to discuss change and controversial subjects. Today, coffee houses are as popular as ever and have become one of the cities’ main attractions.
Wales
With rich culture, world-famous art, jaw-dropping scenery, and endless opportunities for adventure, Wales is sure to excite each type of traveler. Whether you fancy a visit to castles, hiking or biking through national parks, golfing at some of the best courses in the UK, or taking in a food festival this small country packs a big punch for adventure opportunities.
Xi’an
The Xi’an region is one of the most important in the history of China. Popular sites include the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, impressive Big Wild Goose Pagoda, distinctive Muslim Street, precipitous Mount Hua, and enchanting Huaqing Hot Spring. The history and cultural significance of Xi’an stretches through China’s ancient past and into its bright future, and is a destination not to be missed when exploring China.
York
The city of York boasts a dramatic 2,000 year history. Visitors to York can enjoy a wealth of attractions, museums, historic buildings, shops, restaurants and bars, all within the compact walled city. Substantial portions of the City’s Walls are still intact today – more so than any other English city. We have an amazing guide in York who we work with to tailor your tour to the historical sites, explore the landscapes, or even geological findings in the region.
Zagreb
It’s blend of history and fast-forward culture makes Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, a fun place to linger and explore. During the holiday season, there are two different Christmas market routes, showcasing the beauty of Zagreb in winter, including open-air concerts, candle-light displays, an ice-rink and traditional wooden huts and stalls selling gifts, cards, mulled wine and more. The Zagreb Christmas markets is repeatedly voted the best Christmas market in Europe.
We hope you enjoyed your back to school lesson of Wanderlust’s ABCs of travel.
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Contact Us:
Jamie Jackson: (336) 263-1977 or [email protected]
Luxury Travel Advisor and Virtuoso Wellness Travel community member at Wanderlust Travel Boutique
At Wanderlust Travel Boutique, we will create a truly personalized, hassle-free vacation with a comprehensive itinerary, so you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.
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