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Nine best USA holidays for the ultimate American experiences

Metropolitan city breaks, beach holidays and adventures in the wild west all await across the pond, article bookmarked.

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With so many states to choose from, the US offers unforgettable experiences and activities, stretching all the way from Alaska to Hawaii .

The idea of America, and what constitutes the perfect American adventure, varies wildly depending on where you go (and what you’re into).

Visitors can lose their inhibitions at famous festivals like Burning Man or Coachella, watch global sports events, seek for thrills at out-of-this-world theme parks and chase exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime moments on iconic road trips down Route 66 or while spending days hiking in Yellowstone National Park .

And then there are the white-sand beaches – prolific down both east and west coasts – plus a plethora of big-hitting city break destinations, ranging from the famed skyline of New York City to the healthy-living, celebrity-spotting possibilities of LA; from the party and arty vibes of Miami to the music-steeped old worlde charm of New Orleans.

Here’s a fine-tuned list of American highlights to inspire the ultimate holiday in the USA and give travellers a taste of some of the best bucket list adventures.

• Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks
• Best UK hotels 2022
• Best hotels in Paris for 2023

Read more on North America travel :

• Cowboys and Bandits: Why it’s worth travelling to the Grand Canyon by rail
• How to spend a day in Williamsburg, New York’s energetic, trend-setting neighbourhood
• Six best Hawaii holidays 2023: Where to stay for island escapes

Road trip on Route 66, Chicago to Santa Monica

As road trips go, Route 66 and its 2,400-mile stretch from America’s east to west coast is the mother of all journeys across the States. The iconic highway is packed with attractions, endless desert, farmland and hills, making the drive the destination during exhilarating days on the road. From Chicago to Santa Monica, America’s most famous road trip is the ultimate US experience for petrolhead travellers lusting for authentic small towns, classic movie motel stays and dynamic landscapes unlike any in Europe.

How to do it

Trailfinders  offers an epic 16-day Route 66 “The Mother Land” road trip from £2,129pp, based on two adults sharing a room, including car hire, accommodation and 24-hour roadside assistance. Days on the road will take you from Chicago to Los Angeles with exciting stops at landmarks in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Albuquerque and the Grand Canyon . International flights are not included in the price – the average return airfare from London to Chicago will set you back around £352. 

Wine tasting in Napa Valley, San Francisco

For those with a taste for the finer things in life, Napa Valley, a renowned Californian wine country destination with family estates, vineyards and gourmet produce, is a haven for aspiring sommeliers. Think intimate world-class tastings with experts, behind-the-scenes tours and samples of the famous cabernet sauvignon under the backdrop of impressive architecture and hilly countryside. Jump on the  Napa Valley Wine Train  for a 36-mile round trip of the most celebrated vineyards and wineries. 

Hayes & Jarvis  San Francisco holidays take guests on a 12-day trip through Northern California with a built-in visit to the rolling hills of Napa Valley’s vineyards for wine tasting. Other highlights of the multi-centre road trip include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Lake Tahoe and the golden sands of Santa Barbara. The days spent on a wine tram sampling unique grapes and local produce have a guide price of £3,199pp. 

Visit iconic landmarks in New York

The poster child of American life, New York is synonymous with soaring skyscrapers, educational museums and endless excitement. Famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central Park rise above the busy streets as part of the iconic skyline –head to the Top of the Rock for the best views of the city. Visitors to the Big Apple can get a taste of classic NYC cuisine at constantly evolving bougie restaurants, musical diners, hole-in-the-wall sandwich and pizza shops and hot dog stands, in between seeing some of the finest art in the world at the city’s superlative galleries such as the Guggenheim and MoMA.

Kuoni  provides “New York Essentials” holiday packages for a fast-paced three-night break to the city that never sleeps. For £652pp – based on flights out of Heathrow – stay in midtown Times Square at The New Yorker, a 43-storey Art Deco skyscraper in the heart of NYC . Spend an additional £127pp to enjoy two days of sightseeing using  The New York Pass  to unlock access to dozens of attractions and tours, including the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock.

Hike in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is 2.2 million acres of ecosystems, dramatic rock formations, active geysers and alpine forests. The bucket list travel destination isn’t short of activities: hikes to hot springs and Old Faithful, white-water rafting rivers and skiing holidays in the winter greet outdoor enthusiasts headed to the great American wilderness. Abundant wildlife such as bison, wolves, bears, elk and cougars call the park home, and even within the area's vast boundaries, travellers can often spot Yellowstone’s own “Big Five” animals along the way.

Intrepid Travel offers five action-packed days of hiking in Yellowstone from £2,695pp including meals, transport, accomodation and all activities. The Wyoming walking tour leaves from Jackson with rustic dining and spectacular wildlife trip staples in America’s first national park ; return flights from London start from £773 in January.

Explore Alaska, Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula

The largest and most northern state in the US, Alaska blends icy landscapes with alpine forests and mountain ranges, making it a secluded wilderness of unspoiled natural beauty. On land and at sea, rugged scenery and nature are there to be explored through a wealth of guided and self-guided tours on which you can trek, cycle and fish your way beyond metropolitan America.

Intrepid Travel offers a tour of some of the best sights Alaska has to offer, from Anchorage through the Alaska Range and down the Kenai Peninsula. The 10-day tour costs £3,233pp and includes all breakfasts, transport, lodge accommodation, activities including a glacier cruise and the chance to see moose, caribou and grizzly bears in their natural habitat.

Discover the Deep South, Nashville to New Orleans

North America’s south coast is home to buzzing cities, with some of the richest political, musical and culinary history on the continent. From the “Music City” of Nashville, the epicentre of country music, to the civil rights past of Memphis and the intimate jazz bars and gastronmic delights (including jambalaya) of New Orleans, there’s plenty to experience. Head to the south in February to join in with the famous New Orleans Mardis Gras celebrations and parade.

Audley Travel’s  “Discovering the Deep South” tour from Nashville to New Orleans and the Mississippi River includes international flights, vehicle hire and all accommodations for the two-week trip. Highlights such as Graceland , the former home of Elvis Presley, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis dot the southern route priced at £3,395pp. 

Trail cities and ranches in Texas

Find cowboys and ranches fit for a Western movie set in the Texas Wild West. Tourists can relive history in vibrant cities such as Houston and Dallas, on horseback within boundless ranch lands and in the historic bars of San Antonio , all while developing a taste for soul food chillis, briskets and pies. The lush rural landscapes and metropolitan music venues make a trip to Texas the pinnacle of a holiday to the US, with rodeos, cattle drives and cookouts just some of the highlights on offer.

Trailfinders  “Texan Trail” tours provide a 13-day holiday through cities, ranches and all the diverse attractions the Lone Star State has to offer. From Houston to Dallas , the £2,327pp trip includes car hire, accommodation and some meals. International airfares are not included; return flights to Houston currently average £401 when departing from London. 

Drive to Hawaiian highlights

Holidays to the tropical gem of America’s west coast, Hawaii , offer white sand beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes and isolated archipelagos blanketed in dense rainforests and azure oceans. Dubbed the “Aloha State”, the paradise island 2,000 miles from mainland America is a nirvana for holidaymakers looking to lay back and relax. From Hawaiian Luau’s to hula dancing, idyllic shores fringed with palm trees await.

See Hawaii’s highlights with  Audley Travel  on a self-drive tour to Kilauea Volcano , Maui’s golden beaches and snorkel spots to see the Aloha State’s lively marine life. The 13-day tour from £8,980pp includes international flights, vehicle hire, all resort accommodations and activities – a drive down the otherworldly Road to Hana is a standout moment of the trip. 

Experience the Las Vegas nightlife

The Bellagio fountains, crowded casino tables and decadent buffets epitomise life in Las Vegas . The world-famous Nevada city boasts nightlife unlike any other to entice 21st birthday parties, stag and hen dos and whirlwind weddings to the wild party scene downtown and tomfoolery on the iconic strip – there’s even a zipline to get you from A to B. Take a city break to the notorious “Sin City” to watch musical residencies including Adele, entertainment shows such as Cirque du Soleil and dance the night away under flickering neon signs.

Virgin Holidays  offers a package holiday to Las Vegas for £837pp, including return flights from Heathrow. Stay at the Excalibur Hotel, featuring casinos, food courts and evening entertainment for four nights on the Vegas strip. From £362pp, elevate your Vegas stay and add a  Grand Canyon  helicopter picnic to your trip to take in the Hoover Dam, Colorado River and strip sunsets from the sky.

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Great experience of Vietnam and SE…

Great experience of Vietnam and SE Asia. Everything worked as it was meant to. The Exo reps,Hoang Manh Tan (Hanoi city tour) was very informative of the culture and history of Hanoi and Quang Hun'g was superb,very friendly and helpful throughout our stay in Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Date of experience : March 17, 2024

Reply from Trailfinders

Dear Naresh Thank you for your review. Best regards Trailfinders

William was excellent

William was excellent. He certainly knew his way around Australia & Singapore. Affable & friendly. The suggestion of Bali at the final stage of our trip was the icing on the cake. We are so confident about our arrangements now & so much more relaxed. Only wish he was our tour guide on arrival.

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

Dear Christina Thank you for your review. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments. All the best Trailfinders

Excellent Service

Having booked many trips with Trailfinders I find them so helpful in advising about each country and most importantly accommodating my specific needs for each trip. Lauren Ottley has been my Advisor for the past few years and her friendly welcoming approach has made me feel so at ease with any queries that I've requested. Her specific knowledge of the countries has added a very personal touch to the process of booking. When I give feedback from any trips and if there are any problems they are always dealt with efficiently and with satisfaction. Thank you Trailfinders for your excellent service.

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

Dear Marilyn Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and experience to help create your itinerary. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Kind regards Trailfinders

Katie Gribbon from Edinburgh. Great service

Katie Gribbon from Edinburgh. Katie had outlined a holiday for us last week and we had time to think it over before coming in this week. She is never pushy and gives us great alternatives. Katie goes over the smallest of details and we were pleased with the service.

Date of experience : April 18, 2024

Dear Tom Thank you for taking the time to let us know just how impressed you've been with our service. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments. All the best Trailfinders

Emily Waumsley is so patient!

Emily has been so patient with us, finding a suitable place. There were many phone calls but we finally found the perfect place! Trailfinders booked a previous holiday where we experienced an earthquake and their 24 hour helpline was a game changer. They got us off the island on the next available flight. Will always use this company now! Thank you

Date of experience : March 23, 2024

Dear Allison Thank you for taking the time to let us know just how impressed you have been with our service. We will be sure to pass on your compliments. Best regards Trailfinders

Visit to Trailfinders office in Cork City

I visited Trailfinders offices in Cork city on Friday 12th April and met with your representative Ellen Gaffney. I wished to get assistance to plan a trip to the USA. From the offset Ellen could not have been more helpful and efficient. Any questions I had for Ellen (and there were many) she explained in great detail and with the utmost patience. She understood exactly the type of holiday I was enquiring about and ultimately compiled the perfect package for myself and my travelling companion. On the basis of my experience I would certainly deal with the Trailfinders office in Cork again.

Dear Anne Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and experience to make suggestions and help create your itinerary. It is also encouraging to know you would use our services again in the future. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Kind regards Trailfinders

Nicola was fantastic and really went…

Nicola was fantastic and really went the extra mile to get us the holiday we wanted. She really did think outside the box in trying to get us a trip within our budget. We can’t wait to go on our holiday this summer 😊

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Dear Charlotte B Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and experience to help create your itinerary. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Kind regards Trailfinders

Our holiday to Kerala was brilliant in every way.

Our holiday to Kerala was brilliant in every way, well thought out, interesting, stimulating and very enjoyable. The people of Kerala really made the holiday for us, friendly, honest and full of the joys of life. We never felt pressurised or ripped off at any time. 3 nights stopovers at most places was just right. Hotels were all excellent and our driver was always punctual, knowledgeable and helpful. The organised outings were well thought out and fascinating, the Tea and Spice plantations were the highlight of our trip and the Houseboat experience amazing, food was so plentiful and great quality and great to see all the local ingredients used. Well done Fiona Bose for making this a seamless experience. We hope to use you again.

Date of experience : March 03, 2024

Dear Derek Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know just how much you enjoyed your time in India. We are delighted to hear your trip was a great success and you will be travelling with us in the future. We will be sure to let your consultant and their manager know just how much you appreciated all their hard work. Best regards Trailfinders

Erin and later Peter dealt with our…

Erin and later Peter dealt with our trip requirements quickly and efficiently. We managed to book our trip to Australia within 24 hours of our first visit to the Cheltenham shop. We are very pleased with the outcome.

Dear Mr M Tyre Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultants have been in assisting you with your trip. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultants and their managers. Kind regards Trailfinders

Anniversary trip to Brazil and Peru.

Our anniversary holiday to Brazil and Peru was carefully and seamlessly arranged by Fiona Boase. She selected charming boutique hotels for our stay in Peru, as per our request. She was very mindful of our requests. Her suggested travel itinerary to explore Peru hit the mark. We saw different regions. It was carefully timed so that we could take the luxury Andean Explorer train from Cusco to Arequipa. We were met at airports and taken to our lovely hotels and picked up for airport transfers. The tour guides who picked us from our hotels were excellent, and we still had free time to explore on our own. We enjoyed a care free holiday. We did not have to do much except enjoy ourselves.

Date of experience : March 20, 2024

Dear James Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know just how much you enjoyed your recent trip to South America. We are delighted to hear your trip was a great success and that all arrangements worked well. We will be sure to let your consultant and their manager know just how much you appreciated all their hard work. Best regards Trailfinders

Fantastic service and prices

As usual I always go back to Trailfinders for their fantastic, friendly and considerate service and always getting me the best deals on flights and holidays. Have been using them for almost 20 years now. From Singapore, to Australia to the Caribbean and to Asia. Honestly, the very best

Dear Rehana Thank you for your review. I will be sure to pass on your compliments. Best regards Trailfinders

Hannah Jones very helpful and…

Hannah Jones very helpful and incredibly knowledgeable in helping us to book our holiday to New Zealand in 2025. It's the first time we have used Trailfinders and it certainly won't be the last time!

Dear Chris Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and experience to help create your itinerary. It is also encouraging to know you would use our services again in the future. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Kind regards Trailfinders

Family trip

As always the service provided was high level. Our consultant James made several great suggestions we hadn’t thought off and ended up saving us a fair amount of money. Booking through Trailfinders is really easy and convenient.

Dear Suzanne Thank you for your kind comments. Best regards Trailfinders

Excellent planning and support

Our trip was well planned and where we needed some help during our tour the App and the emergency help was amazing. We will definitely be using Trailfinders again for our next tour. Hannah was also excellent, patient and throughout. We will drop in to say thank you personally over the coming weeks.

Dear Jonathan Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know just how helpful your travel consultant has been during your recent experience with Trailfinders. We’re delighted to hear that based on your experience you would have no hesitation in using Trailfinders for your travels again. We will of course pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Best regards Trailfinders

Trailfinders are always reliable

Trailfinders are always reliable. They will find the best flights and connections for you. The staff are all so knowledgeable and the response via phone or email is super speedy. I’ve booked trips and flights through trailfinders many times and I highly recommend them. Thanks to Jordan for the assistance today and the lovely lady whose name I have forgotten.

Dear Liz Thank you very much for your kind review. As a company we are always looking to exceed the expectations of our clients and we’re delighted this has been your experience. Best regards Trailfinders

Very helpful travel agent…

Very helpful travel agent who paid attention to every detail of our trip. She was always polite and answered all our queries and concerns. We have been delighted with the service offered by all Trailfinders staff we have spoken to. Thsnkbyou

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

Dear Barbara Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and personal experience to make suggestions and create the perfect trip. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Best wishes Trailfinders

Superb service from Trailfinders agin!

As long time customers of Trailfinders we were interested to try ther new Tunbridge Wells branch. Olivia quickly understood what we were looking for and made excellent suggestions. We were able to finalise our plans for a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia within a few days and are now looking forward to going. Olivia was (as always at Trailfinders) very knowledgeable having visited most of the places we were interested in.

Dear Robert A Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know how helpful your travel consultant has been in assisting you with your trip. We’re delighted they were able to draw upon their training and experience to make suggestions and help create your itinerary. We will be sure to pass on your kind compliments to both your consultant and their manager. Kind regards Trailfinders

Trailfinders have been great from start…

Trailfinders have been great from start to finish for our recent tour of Egypt. I will especially praise how they handled an issue with our hotel booking in Cairo. The local hotel would not accept our booking even though it had been correctly booked by Trailfinders. Assistance from both the helpline and our local branch in Norwich was great in helping us resolve this issue. Well done.

Dear Rubix Thank you very much for your kind review. As a company we are always looking to exceed the expectations of our clients and we’re delighted this has been your experience. Best regards Trailfinders

Would recommend Trailfinders based on my experience today.

Speedy response to phone call, no hanging on hold. Asked for prices for particular flights which were given promptly. I asked if I should consider a different flight route to achieve a lower overall price and was given advice which was useful in making a decision to book. The booking process was straightforward and due care was taken in checking my personal details.

Dear Chp Thank you for your kind review. All the best Trailfinders

Always helpful to deal with

Trailfinders is always helpful to deal with. I know travel can be organised online without using an agent, however I find Trailfinders' knowledge and presentation of options such an aid to deciding on and finalising a booking without delay. And there is the confidence that things are safely in place. One reads about so many bookings and itineraries that go wrong.

Dear JN Thank you for your review. All the best Trailfinders

18 November 2023

Nine unique trips to take in north america.

See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of trips...

1. Tour the Four Corners states

The Four Corners states' landscapes are hard to beat (Shutterstock)

There is no easy way to sum up the Four Corners states – Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. They might share a desert topography, bristling with mesas and towering pinnacles, but there is so much here that is unique, from the pueblos of Albuquerque to the vast night skies over the red rock of Utah. Bon Voyage’s Planes, Trains and Desert Terrains trip opens the door to all these, as you ride the old Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad into the mining country of the San Juan mountains, hit the hot springs at the bizarrely titled Truth or Consequences (a town that changed its name to win a 1950s radio contest), visit Spanish missions in Tucson and take stock at the Grand Canyon.

More information: Bon Voyage . Year-round; 14 nights from £2,850pp, including international flights. 

2. Meet South Carolina’s Gullah Geechee

Gullah Geechee are descendants of enslaved Africans (Alamy)

Few travellers know the story of the Gullah Geechee, descendants of enslaved Africans who were sold to the island plantations off the USA’s lower Atlantic coast. Here they were cut off from the rest of the mainland by the waterways, so managed to keep their roots, their music, their culture and their foodways intact – even their language is the only distinctly African Creole in the US. Intrepid Travel’s Charleston to Savannah: Exploring Gullah Geechee Culture first explores African American heritage and the civil rights movement in Charleston before heading to the South Carolina islands of James, Johns and St Helena to meet the communities of Gullah Geechee living there. Here you can learn about a history, culture and struggle that remains unique in the US.

More information: Intrepid Travel . March–June 2024; 7 days from £3,220pp, excluding international flights.

3. Spend winter in Yellowstone NP

See grey wolves in Yellowstone (Shutterstock)

Wyoming and Montana are the setting for Audley Travel’s Winter in Yellowstone tour, which makes the most of the park’s fallow months, when many of its lodges close (Dec–early Mar) and travel becomes trickier for those going it alone. The crowds drift away during this period, so what better time to explore Yellowstone’s mud pots, geysers and hot springs, as they fog the winter air with steam, or scan for its famed grey wolf packs, which are easier to spot against the snow as they stalk elk deep into the valleys. In addition, guests will set off on snowshoe adventures in Grand Teton NP, then head up into Big Sky Country in Montana, where cross-country skiing and sleigh rides put the heavens on full widescreen before you settle in for the night at your ranch in the Rockies.

More information: Audley Travel . Flexible; 14 days from £7,800pp, including international flights.

Read next:  How the reintroduction of wolves has changed Yellowstone National Park

4. Get into gear in the Maritimes

Visit historic towns in Nova Scotia (Alamy)

On the tip of eastern Canada lie the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the inspiration behind Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic, Anne of Green Gables. It’s a region defined by panoramic bays, vast parks, fresh lobster dinners and historic towns such as the UNESCO-listed Lunenburg, whose salty past and sailing heritage still loom large. Discover the World’s Canada: Maritimes Explorer self-drive charts a rugged course through this world via scenic routes. Hit the Cabot Trail that threads the dramatic Cape Breton Highlands, then cruise the Fundy Coastal Drive, passing the twisted sea stacks of Hopewell Rocks to see the phenomenal force of the world’s highest tides.

More information: Discover the World . May–September; 13 nights from £2,054pp, excluding international flights.

5. Take a safari in British Columbia

Find bears in British Columbia (Alamy)

The west coast of Canada is where the vast temperate rainforests of British Columbia trickle down to the waters of the Johnstone Strait. It is an area rich in wild encounters, and Wildlife Worldwide’s Safari Slowly on Canada’s West Coast tour puts you square in the centre of that world. Based in Farewell Harbor Lodge, on an inlet at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest, you are surrounded by trails and some 85,000 sq km of wilderness – ample room for its black and grizzly bear population to roam. Spend your time in the Broughton Archipelago on excursions deep into the rainforest to look for its resident bears, before heading out on boats to scour the water for migratory orcas and humpbacks while bald eagles soar overhead.

More information : Wildlife Worldwide . June–October; 9 days from £6,495pp, including international flights.

6. Hear the blues in the Deep South

Music is at the heart of New Orleans (Shutterstock)

The Deep South is the home of the blues. By exploring states along the Mississippi – Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana – Exodus Travels’ Deep South & Delta Blues trip delves into the roots of a music that first emerged among the descendants of enslaved Africans in the region’s plantations. A visit to Louisiana’s Houmas House Plantation adds context, as does a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr found his voice and was later buried. Then make your way through New Orleans, Memphis and Clarksdale, where Robert Johnson was said to have sold his soul at a crossroads for superlative skills on the guitar, to get a taste of where the likes of BB King and Muddy Waters first wowed their audiences.

More information: Exodus Travels . June–November; 12 days from £4,299pp, excluding international flights.

7. See both sides of North Dakota

Take a road trip through North Dakota's stunning views (Alamy)

In parts of North Dakota, where the plains stretch for days, it can still feel like an America before Lewis and Clark headed west. On the North Dakota Adventures self-drive tour from America As You Like It, the open road is an invitation to explore just why. Whether visiting the largest national grassland (Little Missouri) in the USA or roaming the badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there is plenty of natural grandeur to explore. But it’s the cultural side of the state that intrigues most, with the outdoor stage shows of Medora, a drive along the Enchanted Highway to see the sculptures that line this route, and a visit to Fargo’s Plains Art Museum, filled with local and Indigenous art, all offering a tantalising glimpse of North Dakota’s creative scene.

More information:  America As You Like It . Year-round; 12 nights from £1,819pp, including international flights.

8. Wilderness and wine in Oregon

Explore the Painted Hills in Oregon (Alamy)

Oregon is perhaps best known for ‘capital of weird’ Portland, but it has plenty more strings to its bow. North America Travel Service’s Wilderness, Wine & Coast Adventure explores these corners as it follows the Columbia River east of Portland and up to Mount Hood, which is filled with hiking trails and skiing spots. From here you can choose to detour east via the ‘Painted Hills’ – remarkable hillsides streaked in reds, blacks and yellows – and the high desert of Central Oregon, before looping back round to the pinot noirs, vineyards and farm-to-table eateries of the Willamette Valley. But the highlight is arguably Oregon’s unsung west coast, where dunes, lighthouses, basalt headlands and sea lion colonies await.

More information: North America Travel Service . Year-round (best: May–Sep); 10 days from £2,211pp, including international flights.

Read next: Best things to in the USA's Pacific Northwest

9. Bears and belugas in Manitoba

Manitoba's shores are home to beluga whales (Alamy)

Midsummer in the remote Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba, is a special time to arrive. Despite being 400km from the nearest big settlement, Churchill fills with visitors in the winter months because this is when the polar bears come to hunt on the ice of Hudson Bay. In summer, the waters thaw and the bears spread out along the coast, but another visitor takes their place. Trailfinders’ Ultimate Bears & Belugas Summer Adventure times its arrival for the migration of some 60,000 beluga whales into the bay. You can still spot polar bears here, and boat tours or visits to the town’s famed Polar Bear Holding Facility (where bears who have become troublesome are held before relocation) will delight those wanting to see more, but it’s the whales that are the star at this time of year. 

More information:  Trailfinders .  July–August; 7 days from £4,609pp, excluding international flights.

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The best trips in latin america, where to go in canada and the usa in autumn, alternative urban escapes in the usa, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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The 25 Best Rail Trails in the U.S.

From a scenic path that extends the entire length of New York to a new route connecting Yellowstone to Grand Teton, here are the most scenic ways to experience America’s wilderness by bike

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Over the past 60 years, rail trails have transformed America’s outdoor spaces. These once-abandoned corridors increasingly welcome cyclists and pedestrians, with nearly 25,000 converted miles nationwide. And the main driver behind this push, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy , is only getting started. In 2019, the nonprofit announced its boldest undertaking yet: the Great American Rail Trail , a 12-state project linking La Push, Washington to Washington, D.C. Yes, it’s a lofty goal, and, as of 2021, it’s only 53 percent finished. But there are plenty of other trails ready now.

Here are 25 of the best U.S. rail trails that range from 750 to seven miles, and pass through every region in the country. Ride a section—or the whole thing.

1. Empire State Trail

750 miles: nyc to buffalo and rouses point, new york.

When New York’s impressive Empire State Trail officially opened in late 2020 , it took the title of the longest multi-use trail in the country. Much of this route follows repurposed railroad beds and crosses through scenic stretches of the Hudson River Valley and the Adirondacks region. The route is 75 percent off-road, and 25 percent on-road, with the former sections largely made up of stone dust and asphalt.

2. Katy Trail

240 miles: Machens to Clinton, Missouri

Scenery and history abound along this trail . More than half of the route follows Lewis and Clark’s path up the Missouri River, where pastoral farmland, rolling rivers, and small-town Americana make for an ideal snapshot of Midwestern charm. This crushed-limestone trail, one of the longest in the country, links 26 trailheads across the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad.

3. Greater Yellowstone Trail

180 miles: grand teton to yellowstone national park, wyoming.

Roughly 70 percent of the highly anticipated 180-mile Greater Yellowstone Trail  is currently ready for riders. This project, launched in 2015, will connect two of the region’s most famed national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone . The corridor of paved and gravel terrain will also connect with the Continental Divide Scenic Trail , promising a slew of long-distance adventures along a single route.

4. Cowboy Trail

203 miles: valentine to norfolk, nebraska.

The Cowboy Trail consists of 189 crushed-gravel miles between Valentine and Norfolk, Nebraska, with an additional 14 miles between Gordon and Rushville. It follows an old agricultural rail route known as the Cowboy Line , which connects more than 200 bridges, native prairies, and grassy dunes—all signature scenes of the Cornhusker State. Highlights include a view of the Niobrara National Scenic River near Valentine, plus Sandhills , the western hemisphere’s largest grass-covered dunes, located just outside the town of Long Pine.

5. Great Allegheny Passage

150 miles: cumberland, maryland to pittsburgh, pennsylvania.

Following rolling peaks and pastoral landscapes, this route winds through the Cumberland Narrows gorge, across the historic Mason-Dixon line, and along the Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle State Park , where waterfalls and gorges abound. Trail towns dot the crushed-limestone path roughly every 10 miles, ensuring that bike packers have plenty of lodging and dining options.

6. Paul Bunyan State Trail

119 miles: bemidji to brainerd, minnesota.

Minnesota’s longest paved bike trail shows how the state earned its “land of 10,000 lakes” motto. The path travels by more than 20 lakes and 10 rivers and streams on its journey from Lake Bemidji State Park to Brainerd’s Crow Wing State Park , 130 miles north of Minneapolis. More than 15 trail towns fall along the route, and a canopy of aspens, maples, and oaks shade the way.

7. Olympic Discovery Trail

90 miles: port townsend to sappho, washington.

This under-development route links some of the Pacific Northwest’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, from craggy coasts to mossy valleys and cerulean lakes, not to mention Washington’s crown jewel: Olympic National Park . The path is currently around 90 miles long, with several intermittent breaks in the path as it continues to be built. Once fully completed, it will connect nearly 140 miles from the Puget Sound to the Pacific.

8. George S. Mickelson Trail

109 miles: Deadwood to Edgemont, South Dakota

Expect commanding Black Hills vistas along this rail trail of crushed-stone. The route crosses almost 100 converted railroad bridges, and weaves through Black Hills National Forest . It also hits gold-rush and mining-town remnants and iconic landmarks, including Wind Cave National Park and Mount Rushmore.

9. Little Miami Scenic Trail

78 miles: cincinnati to springfield, ohio.

This scenic trail proves Ohio’s more than a flyover state. The paved multi-use path begins just southeast of Cincinnati, and stretches north through a series of green spaces before weaving through suburbs like the local outdoor-adventure haven of Loveland. It also cuts through the 2,800-acre Caesar Creek State Park and the hippie-hub Yellow Springs, where the Yellow Springs Brewery abuts the path.

10. Greenbrier River Trail, West Virginia

77 miles: cass to caldwell, west virginia.

This ride packs in the best of West Virginia, including 35 bridges, a smattering of quaint small towns, and two tunnels. But these highlights are largely overshadowed by one of the most intriguing sections of any U.S. rail trail: the National Radio Quiet Zone . In this 13,000-square-mile expanse in the eastern corner of the state, cell signals are restricted to protect the colossal Green Bank Telescope , which astronomers use to “eavesdrop” on space.

11. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail

73 miles: Milford to New Brunswick, New Jersey

From historical landmarks to wildlife sightings, the highlights along this crushed-stone pathway show off the Garden State’s lesser-seen side. Riders will pass 19th-century bridges and stone-arch culverts, as well as the Delaware River and Carnegie Lake, and have the option of trail-town pit stops throughout. Don’t miss Rockingham State Historic Site in Somerset County, home to one of George Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters.

12. Northern Rail Trail

58 miles: lebanon to boscawen, new hampshire.

Following the historic roots of America’s Northern Railroad, the largely crushed-stone route moves along and above multiple waterways, including nine bridges crossing the Mascoma River within the first four miles. Trailside attractions include the restored circa-1874 Andover’s Potter Place Railroad Station, the Keniston Covered Bridge, and 600-acre Webster Lake, a peaceful getaway in the heart of New England.

13. Prairie Spirit Trail

51 miles: iola to ottawa, kansas.

The Prairie Spirit Trail blends a patchwork of Kansas’ beauty: rolling pastures, ambling streams, and rustic farmland. Its end point, the town of Ottawa, is just 50 miles from Kansas City. Its most breathtaking attraction, by far, is the Nature Conservancy’s Anderson County Prairie Preserve , a protected 1,450-acre slice of what was once more than 170 million acres of tallgrass prairies.

14. Withlacoochee State Trail

46 miles: citrus springs to trilby, florida.

Halfway between Tampa and Orlando lies this lesser-known bike-and-hike path . On this flat, paved route, you’ll see herons fly overhead, turtles cross the pavement, and oftentimes, a gator along the path. The Citrus Springs-to-Trilby corridor winds along the Withlacoochee River, and crosses through the biodiverse 157,000-acre Withlacoochee State Forest , home to bald eagles and white-tailed deer.

15. Longleaf Trace

45 miles: hattiesburg to prentiss, mississippi.

Take in southeast Mississippi’s Piney Woods on this route that travels across these longleaf pine forests. The paved trail parallels the abandoned Mississippi Central Railroad line and cuts through startling changes of landscapes, from forests to farmland, and is shared by equestrian riders and pedestrians.

16. Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

34 miles: Abingdon to Whitetop, Virginia

Crossing verdant forests and sprawling fields, this trail weaves across two counties near the Virginia and North Carolina border. Enjoy the thrills—without the uphills—with Damascus Bike Rentals’ shuttle service, which takes cyclists up to the path’s highest point, Whitetop, for a swift, mostly downhill 34-mile ride back to the Abingdon start.

17. Elroy-Sparta State Trail

34 miles: elroy to sparta, wisconsin.

The nation’s first rail trail is also one of its most impressive. The crushed-limestone path runs through hand-dug train tunnels, with the longest reaching up to nearly three-quarters of a mile; given the distance, temperatures inside hover around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter the outside weather. The route also has views of wetlands, prairies, and farmland.

18. Union Pacific Rail Trail

28 miles: park city to echo reservoir, utah.

Starting at an elevation of 6,800 feet in Park City, this ride is a true immersion into Utah’s wild and wondrous scenery. It crosses narrow volcanic canyons and lush wetlands, where wildlife like fox, deer, and moose might share the trail. It consists of both paved and gravel terrain, and follows the route of an old mining railroad that transported coal and silver ore in the late 1800s.

19. Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail

25 miles: westwood to susanville, california.

This gravel route parallels the former Fernley and Lassen Railroad line that runs through California’s Lassen County, with stretches that traverse Susan River Canyon and numerous historic tunnels. Thick pine and fir forests shade much of this path from Westwood of Susanville, roughly 200 miles north of Sacramento.

20. Banks-Vernonia State Trail

23 miles: banks to vernonia, oregon.

Oregon’s first rail-trail project pairs train history with mossy Pacific Northwest scenery. The path crosses the willow-dotted foothills of the northwestern Coast Range, starting at Banks, a town 24 miles from Portland. More than 10 bridges, a sprinkling of vintage railroad remnants, and the emerald landscapes of the 1,700-acre L.L. Stub Stewart Park are among the trip’s highlights.

21. Santa Fe Rail Trail

17 miles: santa fe to lamy, new mexico.

Following the active Santa Fe Railway line, this route departs from the city’s Railyard District, home to a bustling farmers’ market and breweries. After four miles of paved urban trail that cuts through Santa Fe, the path transitions to a juniper and yucca-fringed dirt pathway for 13 miles. It ends with a quick mile-and-a-half offshoot path to a quirky century-old train depot in the town of Lamy, where the Legal Tender Saloon and Eatery serves up New American dishes in an Old Western setting.

22. East Bay Bike Path

14 miles: Bristol to Providence, Rhode Island

Showcasing the Ocean State’s deep nautical history, this ride connects eight parks along a waterfront track that follows an old railbed used for the Providence, Warren, and Bristol Railroad, once vital to America’s shipbuilding and transoceanic trade. It passes through birding-haven Squantum Woods Park, with Providence’s skyline visible along much of the route.

23. Island Line Rail Trail

13 miles: burlington to south hero, vermont.

See the best of Vermont—the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and the Colchester Causeway—via this popular trail , a mix of pavement and crushed limestone. It starts on the waterfront via the Burlington Greenway before heading north to the Colchester Causeway, a sliver of land across Lake Champlain that links mainland Vermont with South Hero on the Grand Isle. Completing this route requires taking the Island Line Bike Ferry to reach the Causeway’s northern end.

24. Moab Canyon Pathway

13 miles: moab to arches national park, utah.

What the Moab Canyon Pathway lacks in long-distance miles, it makes up for with surreal Utah scenery. The asphalt route follows Old Highway 191 from Moab along the southern border of Arches National Park , linking up with the Colorado Riverway Bridge along the way. It then follows an active railroad line to the route’s terminus near the Gemini Bridges Trailhead , a 16-mile mountain biking and ATV route.

25. Keuka Lake Outlet Trail

7 miles: penn yan to dresden, new york.

While the Finger Lakes region is great for road-tripping , this upstate New York escape is equally ideal for bike rides—especially on the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail . The route promises serious views: expect forest-shaded waterfalls and gorges with historic mill sites and old canal locks. The gravel path links two of the seven Finger Lakes—Seneca and Keuka Lakes—along with 40-foot Seneca Mills Falls .

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Best Adventure Travel Companies

This is our roundup of the best adventure travel companies. This article is for those of us who love to travel, but don't have the time or energy to spend on figuring out complicated logistics. 

There are hundreds of adventure travel companies operating all over the world, from Andorra to Zimbabwe, that cater to a wide range of different travel styles and preferences. Booking a trip through an adventure travel company can save hours of frustration and help you have a fantastic experience.

We’ve taken a systematic approach to ranking these tour operators, taking into account everything from popularity, to online reviews, sustainability commitments, and the company’s breadth of trip offerings, so you can be confident that you’ve found the operator that’s right for you.

Let’s get to it!

Want to book your next adventure with a local guide?

These are all individual travel operators, but if you want to book direct with a local guide, check out the trips on Skyhook. 

Best Adventure Travel Companies In the World

#1. g adventures (9.8/10), best small group adventure travel operator.

G Adventures is one of the world’s largest and best adventure travel companies, with over 700 different trip offerings around the globe. Although they take over 200,000 travellers out on adventures each year, they’re actually best known as a small group travel operator with a high focus on sustainability and authenticity.

Instead of shuttling travellers from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, G Adventures takes small groups of guests off the beaten path and give them the chance to have quality interactions with local people.

G Adventures eschews fancy hotels and western-style meals for more local options. Their tours are best suited for the traveller that’s interested in stepping outside their comfort zone for a more authentic travel experience.

#2. Audley Travel (9.2/10)

Best tailor-made adventure travel company for luxury.

Audley Travel believes that the best way to see the world is to explore it in your own way. That's why they specialise in creating travel experiences that are tailored to the individual needs and desires of any given traveller.

Instead of selling you a pre-packaged experience, anyone travelling with Audley Travel starts their journey with a conversation with a specialist, who will figure out what your budget is, where you'd like to go, and how you want to travel, so you end up with an experience that's perfect for you.

This top-of-the-line service means that guests adventuring with Audley Travel can expect luxury accommodation and itineraries crafted just for them. Of course, this type of service doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for custom luxury travel, Audley Travel might be for you.

#3. Exodus Travel (9.2/10)

Runner-up: best adventure travel company for small groups.

Exodus Travel offers an amazing range of different travel experiences that focus on active adventure and education about a country's culture and environment. Each of their 500 different trips builds in a variety of outdoor activities, whether that be hiking and biking or winter sports.

Exodus takes guests to more than 90 countries on all seven continents, so they've got something for everyone. Plus, they've made a commitment to travelling responsibly, with respect to both the environment and other cultures, when bringing guests to some of the world's most fascinating places.

#4. Intrepid Travel (9/10)

Intrepid Travel was founded nearly three decades ago by two Australian friends who set off for a journey around Africa. They gave up traditional Western comforts for an authentic travel experience like no other. It is this ethos that started Intrepid lives within the company to this day. Intrepid takes over 100,000s of travellers on over 800 different trips on every continent in the world.

These days, Intrepid specialises in small group travel to some of the world's most remote places. As their name suggests, they focus on out-there adventures that are off the beaten path, yet committed to sustainability.

They run trips to suit a wide range of different travellers and travel styles, but everyone travelling with Intrepid should be ready for an adventure like no other!

#5. National Geographic Expeditions (9/10)

Best operator for expert guides.

The name ‘National Geographic’ is synonymous with amazing photography and ground-breaking scientific research. Nat Geo brings the same quality found in their magazines to their adventure travel trips .

Each Nat Geo trip is designed for people of a specific interest group, whether that be food, culture, wildlife, or active adventure. There’s a Nat Geo tour for pretty much everyone.

What sets Nat Geo apart from other tour operators is their commitment to hiring only true experts to run their trips. So, when you book on an African safari, you’ll be accompanied by an actual researcher that’s dedicated their life to studying the very animals you’ll see.

#6. Urban Adventures (8.8/10)

Best city adventures.

Sometimes, the best adventures happen in the heart of a city. Although the idea of “adventure travel” usually conjures up imagines of high mountain peaks or vast desert landscapes, Urban Adventures firmly believes that there’s a lot to explore and learn from inside some of the world’s greatest cities.

Urban Adventures has a trip for everyone, whether you’re a foodie or an active traveller. They’ve got shopping tours, beer tours, and multi-city tours, so it’s not difficult to find a trip that piques your interest.

Urban Adventures will create a custom itinerary just for you. You can be sure that you’re getting the city adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

#7. World Expeditions (8.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure operator.

World Expeditions wants to take you to some of the world’s most amazing places via the path less travelled. They’re committed to providing high-quality travel experiences that focus on responsible tourism and supporting local communities. World Expeditions brings travellers to every continent but leaves behind the touristy areas for some seldom seen places.

They focus on cultural immersion and active adventures, but they cater their trips to travellers of all different ages and different activity levels so you can find a trip that's right for you. Plus, if you have a dream trip in mind, they'll even help you craft an entirely custom made itinerary and make it happen.

#8. TrailFinders (8.2/10)

Best adventure travel agency.

Trailfinders offers a variety of different tours that have garnered them a worldwide reputation. While they have a selection of pre-packaged trips, where Trailfinders really shines is in creating tailor-made travel itineraries because they know there’s nothing better than a bespoke travel adventure.

Trailfinders is known for its fantastic customer service, from actual travel experts who have actually been to the places they sell tours. You can be confident that you're getting an itinerary that's right for your needs. They offer everything from a weekend getaway to months-long holidays and everything in between.

#9. International Expeditions (8.2/10)

Best eco-travel operator.

If eco-friendly small group travel sounds like your kind of adventure, then look no further than International Expeditions . The company is committed to sustainable tourism and conservation efforts both in their offices and on their trips.

International Expeditions create award-winning travel experiences to over 20 different countries. They focus on facilitating authentic interactions with local people and cultures.

On an International Expeditions trip, you’ll be accompanied by an expert naturalist and expedition leader who are local to the area you’re travelling to. This means that with International Expeditions, you’ll get information and service that you could never find in a guidebook.

#10. Kuoni (8/10)

Runner-up: best luxury & tailor-made travel company.

Kuoni is one of the best adventure travel companies for luxury custom travel that's designed specifically to meet your needs. Whether you're looking for a guided small-group tour or a carefully designed experience, Kuoni is there to make your dreams a reality.

Where Kuoni really shines is in its customer service. For travellers from the United Kingdom, you can visit their offices and have a chat with one of their destination experts. If you're someone who wants to plan a trip and a pre-packaged tour won't cut it, Kuoni's adventures just might be for you.

#11. Flash Pack (8/10)

Best adventure travel company for 30-40-somethings.

Are you between the ages of 30 and 49? Do you frequently travel alone but wish you had adventure companions like you? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then Flashpack is the best adventure travel company for you.

Other tour operators place people on a trip together simply because they wanted to go to the same place at the same time. Flashpack specialises in connecting travellers in their 30s and 40s with other like-minded adventure enthusiasts. You can explore the world in style without having to go about it alone.

#12. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel (8/10)

Runner-up: best operator for expert guides.

Wild Frontiers was founded by renowned travel writer Jonny Bealby with a mission to bring travellers to amazing places and introduce them to the fantastic people and cultures that make these locations so special.

The company specialises in small-group travel. Itineraries are organised by regional experts that have been to the places you’ll journey to.

Wild Frontiers offers a wide variety of different tours to some truly remote places, but they’re also happy to tailor-make an itinerary, just for you. On a Wild Frontiers trip, you’ll stay active and experience some of the world’s most remote places like a local.

#13. Trek America (7.8/10)

Runner-up: best small group adventure travel operator.

North America is home to some incredibly diverse landscapes, from the deserts and canyons of the Southwestern United States to the jagged, snow-covered peaks of the Canadian Rockies. There's so much to see and do in the USA and Canada and one of the best ways to experience it all is on a Trek America tour.

Trek America offers road trips in the USA and Canada for young international travellers who want to see the big cities, stunning national parks, and everything in between on their next North American holiday.

Tours vary from just three days to three months. Trek America has something for every active young traveller looking for an adventure holiday in North America.

#14. KE Adventure Travel (7.8/10)

KE Adventure Travel started out as the premier adventure tour operator in the remote Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. Since then, they’ve expanded their range of offerings to include trips to popular destinations such as the Himalaya , Mount Kilimanjaro , and the European Alps . Hike, bike, climb, and adventure to your heart’s content.

KE Adventures specialises in organising active travel holidays to nearly 90 countries. On a KE Adventures tour, you'll head off the popular trails toward hidden valleys and isolated villages and immerse yourself in the culture of the local people for an authentic travel experience.

#15. Classic Journeys (7.8/10)

Although they may be called “classic,” Classic Journeys ' tours are anything but standard. Classic Journeys is dedicated toward making sure that every traveller on their trip has the experience of a lifetime.

Most Classic Journeys' trips go to popular locations, like France , New Zealand , and the Galapagos . However, they give you a chance to see these places in a different way.

Classic Journeys’ itineraries give you a unique perspective on some of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Classic Journeys' high-end trip offerings include options for families and solo travellers, too, so there’s really something for everyone.

#16. Austin Adventures (7.8/10)

Family-owned and operated, Austin Adventures is a pioneer in small group active holiday adventures around the world. Austin Adventures prides itself on hiring only the highest-quality tour guides and all of their trip itineraries have been fine-tuned. 

The best part about Austin Adventures? Their trips are priced at an all-inclusive rate. You don’t have to worry about shelling out more money after you arrive at your destination. Trips come with a departure guarantee, so you don’t ever have to worry about last-minute cancellations due to low enrollment.

#17. Abercrombie & Kent (7.6/10)

Abercrombie and Kent have been guiding guests on luxury adventure tours for over 50 years, so it’s no surprise that they’ve made it onto our list of the best adventure tour operators.

Abercrombie and Kent will take you quite literally anywhere you want to go in the world. You can choose from one of their pre-set luxury small group tours or ask about a custom itinerary and tour, just for you.

The defining feature of any Abercrombie and Kent tour is luxury. When you book a trip, you can rest assured that you'll be staying at the best hotels and travelling in the most comfortable way possible.

#18. Butterfield & Robinson (7.6/10)

Butterfield and Robinson  offer prescheduled journeys in dozens of countries on nearly every continent.

Their trips focus on hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits during the day, but ensure that you still get to enjoy the comforts you expect from a luxury travel company. Butterfield and Robinson  offer a bespoke travel service, so they can design a luxurious active holiday that’s just right for you.

#19. UTracks (7.6/10)

Best active european adventure travel company.

Photo by Sam & Jo

UTracks ' tours are all about exploring Europe in your own way. Dedicated to leading the industry as an active European holiday tour operator, UTracks offers over 400 different small group tours  in nearly 50 countries.

Plus, they have a range of self-guided tour options, so you can skip the hassle of planning logistics and just worry about having an amazing time on your trip. All of UTracks’ trips focus on either walking, cycling, boating, or winter sports, so they’ve got a little bit of something to please everyone.

#20. Natural Habitat Adventures (7.4/10)

Runner-up: best eco-travel operator.

Natural Habitat Adventures specialises in nature travel, bringing visitors to some of the world’s most remote places, so you can see first-hand the beauty of the natural world. Natural Habitats even partners with the World Wildlife Fund to design sustainability and conservation-focused tours for their guests.

Natural Habitats itineraries are wholly unique, and their expedition leaders are some of the most experienced guides out there. Plus, their trips have very small group sizes, with an average of just nine guests per tour, so you can spend more time enjoying nature and less time avoiding tourist crowds.

#21. Explore! (7.2/10)

Explore! has been guiding visitors around the world for nearly 40 years. In that time, they’ve grown from offering just six tours to their current selection of over 600 tours.

Offers range from your classic group excursions to active family adventures. They offer trips in over 130 countries, each of which gives you the chance to learn more about the unique culture and environment in the region you choose to visit.

On every Explore! tour, you'll be guided by locals, who can provide you with information and service that you just can't get from a travel blog or guidebook. Explore! has been fine-tuning their itineraries for nearly four decades, so they have the skills and expertise necessary to create some fantastic active holidays.

#22. Peregrine Adventures (7.2/10)

Peregrine Adventures is the premium small group adventure travel section of the better known Intrepid Travel Company. Like Intrepid, Peregrine is dedicated to offering travellers an off-the-beaten-path experience, so you can get an authentic feel for a place during your holiday.

Where Peregrine stands apart, however, is that their maximum tour size is just 12 people. This means you'll get a much more personalised experience. Peregrine hires experienced local guides, hand-picks their accommodation, and travels in smaller, private vehicles.

#23. Tucan Travel (7.2/10)

Best latin american adventure travel company.

With over three decades of experience under their belt, Tucan Travel is no newcomer to the adventure travel game. Tucan Travel offers first-time travellers and seasoned globetrotters a choice of over 200 different tours in 70 countries. We rate them as the best adventure travel company for Latin America.

Tucan Travel also caters specifically to solo travellers, who make up over half of their total clientele. Tucan Travel is committed to offering affordable active holidays that are focused on sustainable and responsible travel.

#24. Kandoo Adventures (7.2/10)

Best hiking adventure travel company.

If you like to hike, Kandoo might be the adventure tour operator for you. Kandoo pitches themselves as a world expert in adventure trekking, and with trekking tours to places such as Aconcagua, Bhutan, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and Nepal, there’s no doubting that they know what they’re talking about.

Kandoo's trips are specifically designed to bring small groups of hikers to some of the world's most remote and famous high-altitude trekking destinations. They're perfect for the adventure traveller with a bucket list.

The team at Kandoo is also committed to responsible travel. When you book with them, you can be confident that your local guides and support team are all adequately compensated and respected.

#25. Adventure Alternative (7/10)

Runner up: best hiking adventure travel company.

Photo by AJCHO

Adventure Alternative was founded almost thirty years ago by Gavin Bate, a mountaineer and International Mountain Leader with decades of personal climbing, trekking, and international travelling experience under his belt.

These days, they focus on providing the highest quality adventure travel experience to their guests. Whether that be on a trip to the jungle, the desert, or the Arctic.

All of the Adventure Alternative’s trips have a focus on hiking, so they’re best for anyone looking to stay active and off the beaten path on their holiday. They’re also more than happy to help you plan a private expedition whatever your personal trekking challenge.

#26. REI Adventures (6.8)

Photo by NW Boating

REI Adventures is the adventure travel subsidiary of Recreational Equipment, Inc., one of the largest and most popular outdoor gear stores in the United States.

REI’s mission is to get people outdoors. They’ve dedicated themselves to providing over 150 different trips to every continent to help their guests have the experience of a lifetime.

REI trips are active adventure expeditions that bring guests to some of the remote places in the world. They’re led by top-notch guides, many of whom are local to the places you’ll be travelling in. The emphasis at REI Adventures is on environmentalism and authentic experiences.  You won’t find any cookie cutter trips with this company.

Ranking Methodology

Criteria & scoring.

To rank the adventure travel companies on our list we used 5 main criteria, as follows: 

We researched the web traffic statistics as measured by SimilarWeb.com and social media audiences as measured by followers on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribers on Youtube. We created a popularity score for 1. Web Traffic and 2. Social Media presence on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 5%

Review Profile

We analysed the public review profiles of each of the travel companies focusing on the major independent 3rd party review platforms like Trustpilot, Tourradar, Stride, Tripadvisor, Feefo and Facebook. We divided our review score into two parts: 1. Size of Review Profile, and 2. Overall Quality of Reviews. Each part was scored on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 6. Weighting: 80%

Responsible Travel Practices

We reviewed each travel operator's website and read their statements about responsible travel / ethics / sustainability. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Awards and Accreditations

We explored each travel operator's website to uncover evidence of accreditations like ABTA, ATOL, ATTA and AITO (among others), and official awards / recognitions from the travel industry. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

Breadth of Offering

We analysed the breadth and scale of each operator's tour offerings, focusing on the number of tours offered, countries covered and number of activities. We then scored each operator on a scale of 1-3. Total available points: 3. Weighting: 5%

We recognise that smaller travel companies would struggle to compete on some of the criteria above.

For example, a small tour operator would most likely have significantly less web traffic and a smaller social presence than a big travel operator. Equally, they would likely have a smaller scale and breadth of offering.

To provide a level playing field, we therefore weighted our overall score heavily towards 3rd party reviews - a criteria that all operators can fairly compete on.

The total review score counts 80% towards the overall score, with the rest of the criteria accounting for 20%.

Table of Adventure Travel Company Data

Below is the raw data we captured for each adventure travel company during our analysis. Please note, metrics like traffic, social media followers and reviews are dynamic and change overtime. The data below is a snapshot of these metrics as of April / May 2019.

We will revise these numbers annually. 

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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great article.. thanks for the information…

Hello Mark,

Do you have any experience with a travel company called 10Adventures? We are planning a hiking trip through Tuscany and I cannot find any reviews.

Hi Marianne, I’m not familiar with this company, but you may want to look at the Italy trips on our platform, Skyhook: https://skyhookadventure.com/go/italy

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices.

The 13 summer trips Americans are searching for the most, according to Google Flights

• Google Flights revealed the top searched destinations on its platform for summer 2024.
• The data is based on the most searched travel destinations from US users between June and August.
• Neither New York nor Paris took the top spot.

If you're looking to get away this summer, you may find inspiration from Google Flights' list of the top searched destinations for the summer of 2024.

The list is based on US users' most searched destinations on Google Flights for travel between June 1 and August 31.

The list remained largely consistent from 2023, but Chicago and San Francisco didn't make the top 20 this year. The insights also revealed that searches about travel itineraries and "solo travel" reached an all-time high in January 2024.

Here are the top 13 destinations.

13. Barcelona

There's a long list of tourist attractions in Barcelona including renowned museums featuring Picasso and Joan Miró, exploring the Gothic Quarter's architecture. Barcelona is also well known for its iconic nightlife.

Miami is known for its clear beaches and vibrant culture. It's also rated second in US News and World Report's "10 Best Party Cities " in the US.

The travel destination is also a popular site for families, and made the third spot in Google searches for top places to do things with kids, according to Google trend insights from for January 14 to March 14.

11. Los Angeles

Located in Southern California, LA is known for its beaches, Hollywood glamour, Mediterranean climate, and wellness culture. The city has a number of tourist sites, including the iconic Hollywood sign, Universal Studios, and the Getty Center.

If you plan to visit LA, make sure you factor in the cost of transportation — and the time you may spend in traffic .

Athens is rich in history and has a number of tourist attractions. BI has previously suggested visiting the Athens National Garden National Garden, the Acropolis, Panathenaic Stadium, Areopagus Hill, and Mount Lycabettus.

Seattle , often referred to as the Emerald City, is home to major companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Tableau. Surrounded by water, mountains, and forest, it's also known for classic attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and its grunge music scene.

8. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for its extravagant gambling scene and luxurious hotels . It was also ranked the number one city to party as of August 2023, according to US News and World Report.

It's not just a hot spot for bachelor parties though — according to Google travel insights from January 14 to March 14, it was the number one location people searched in the US for places to go as a couple.

Orlando was the first ranked location for searches that led with the prompt "things to do" with kids, according to Google travel insights from January 14 to March 14. The Florida destination is filled with family-friendly tourist attractions , like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Cancún is a popular vacation destination known for its Caribbean waters, luxurious all-inclusive resorts , and vibrant nightlife. That, and it's often budget-friendly for the experience you're getting.

Cancún moved down from second to sixth place in Google Flights' 2024 destination list. The popular vacation spot was also listed in the top five locations for couples and families searching to get away, according to Google search insights from January 14 to March 14.

5. New York

New York City, also known as the Big Apple or the city that never sleeps, has a seemingly endless list of tourist attractions. It has iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty; world-renowned museums; a vibrant theatre scene; eclectic nightlife; and some of the world's best restaurants.

New York has something for everyone — but it's expensive. Prepare to spend more on everyday items if you visit New York City.

Rome is filled with rich history and architecture that makes it an easy site for tourists to occupy themselves. Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Colosseum are a few of the most popular spots.

If you do visit Rome, make sure you avoid common tourist mistakes and tip the servers.

Tokyo rose from eighth place to third in the last year, according to Google Flights.

The city in Japan has a convenient public transportation system and is relatively affordable. It also includes culturally rich sites like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and Sensō-ji Temple .

Paris is known for its authentic culture, charming architecture, and buttery croissants.

If you visit Paris, you'll want to visit some of the famous tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles. That, and you may want to brush up on your French too.

London maintained its spot as the number one searched tourist destination for summer travel. While living in London can be expensive and cloudy, the city is lively and vibrant during the summer.

Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the thriving theatre scene are just a few of the activities this city has to offer.

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Is Door County one of the best summer travel destinations in the U.S.? Voters will decide

The peninsula is one of 20 finalists in the online poll for the usa today 10best readers choice award.

DOOR COUNTY - We all know Door County is a tremendously popular destination for visitors in the summer – heck, all you gotta do is see the traffic heading up and down State 42 or 57 each weekend between Memorial Day and mid-October.

But now, the public can use its vote to prove to the nation that the Peninsula is one of the most popular and best places to visit in summer.

That's because Door County is one of 20 nominees in a USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2024 online poll that asks readers to vote for the Best Summer Travel Destination in the country. The poll is open until 11 a.m. Central time May 13, and voters can vote once per day in each of several different categories being polled.

A panel of travel experts nominated summer vacation spots from across the U.S. for consideration, and USA Today 10Best editors narrowed the field to the 20 finalists vying for the award. The winner and top 10 vote-getters will be revealed May 22.

In recognizing Door County as a nominee , the 10Best poll website cited the Peninsula's 300 miles of shoreline; numerous art galleries; five Wisconsin State Parks; plentiful opportunities for hiking, biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing or water skiing; and the solid craft beer and wine scene.

For Door County to win, or even make the top 10, it will have to beat some of the most famous summer vacation sites, as well as a few lesser-known locales, from one end of the country to the other. As of deadline, Door County was in 12th place.

The Peninsula's competitors in this poll include:

• Mackinac Island, Michigan, with its horse-drawn carriages in place of cars;
• Bar Harbor, Maine, an art, shopping food and cruise ship destination at the entrance to Acadia National Park;
• Badlands National Park and the Black Hills area of South Dakota;
• The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona;
• The waterside destinations of Catalina Island, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Ocean City, New Jersey; Ocean City, Maryland; San Juan Islands, Washington; and Gulf Shores and Ocean Beach, Alabama;
• Capitol Reef Country in Utah, with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches national parks all in close proximity;
• Sevier County in Tennessee and Swain County in North Carolina, respectively on the north and south sides of Great Smoky Mountains National Park;
• The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, home to numerous wineries and vineyards;
• Cody, Wyoming, the "Rodeo Capital of the World" and near the southeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park;
• The outdoor activities within the Laurel Highlands area of southwestern Pennsylvania;
• The eclectic mix of outdoors, wildlife, city life and Indigenous history in Juneau, Alaska;
• Sandusky, Ohio, with its famed Cedar Point amusement park and downtown attractions;
• The Space Coast of Florida, where Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are located on the Atlantic Ocean shore.

If Door County wins this poll, it won't be the first time it's won a USA Today 10Best poll. In 2019, the Peninsula was elected by 10Best readers as the country's Best Destination for Fall Foliage .

That same year, a survey of baby boomers conducted by the AARP Travel Center ranked Door County as one of the top 12 fall vacation destinations for seniors in the U.S., based largely on the fall scenery. And last fall, an art icle on the Trips to Discover website listed Door County among its " 20 Best Places in the U.S. for Fall Colors ."

To vote, visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel and select the "Best Summer Travel Destination" button .

C ontact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or  [email protected].

MORE: 102-year-old antique car reported stolen in Door County, 15 months after the theft

MORE:   Door County's 'goats on the roof' Swedish restaurant makes plans for its 75th anniversary

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS:  Check out our website

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These Are the Best Frequent Flier Programs of 2024

Only the best will do.

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Summer vacation is just around the corner, which means many of you will be taking to the skies to get to your dream destinations. But, before you do, make sure to sign up for a frequent flier program to ensure you maximize those travel benefits. But, which one should you be signing up for exactly? WalletHub has the answer.

The personal finance website released its report on the 2024 Best Frequent Flier Programs . The report ranks the 10 largest domestic airlines based on 21 key metrics, including everything from the "value of a point/mile" to "blackout dates for reward flights." The team also created three distinct consumer profiles, a "Light Flier," who spends roughly $355 on annual airline travel, an "Average Flier," who spends roughly $3,736 on annual airline travel, and a "Frequent Flier," who spends $7,117 on annual airline travel, so see how each program pans out for every traveler. 

After looking at all the data, WalletHub named Alaska Airline's program the best in the business. 

"Alaska Mileage Plan is the best frequent flier program of 2024, beating last year’s winner United MileagePlus," WalletHub wrote in its findings. The airline won thanks to its policy to never allow miles to expire, its high number of destinations and partner airlines, and the value earned by every category of traveler (light, average, and frequent). 

It was joined in the top five programs by United Airlines and its MileagePlus program in second, followed by Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles, Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles, and American Airlines' AAdvantage. 

The good news is, no matter which program you choose you'll likely be winning. According to WalletHub, seven of the 10 largest airlines are "offering more rewards value in 2024 than in 2023. On average, the top 10 airlines are offering 18 percent more value than they did last year."  

"For any good and sustainable airline rewards program, it has to be a win-win situation. Consumers get perks such as priority boarding and free check-in luggage; gradually, they become more loyal to that specific airline, make more purchases, and spread more positive Word of Mouth over time," Wan Yang, an associate professor and associate editor of International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, The Collins College of Hospitality Management, shared in the findings about what makes one program better than another. "Meanwhile, they will accumulate more miles with that company, which makes 'switching brands' more costly. Eventually, the airline company will gain great long-term benefits from those loyal consumers, also known as more 'Lifetime Value' from consumers." 

Beyond the study, WalletHub also shared a custom calculator that allows travelers to personalize the results of the best frequent flier programs based on their own budget. This way, you can always pick the one that's right for you. 

'Access to hidden-gem ports': Why this luxury yacht is the best option for beach lovers

“This is your yacht, to do with as you please,” Captain Rob O’Leary said to guests of the Emerald Sakara , the second luxury superyacht from Emerald Cruises. “We have an international crew from 21 different nations, and we are all here for you.”

I was on the maiden voyage of the 360-foot Sakara, a December 2023 sailing with the added glamor of a Champagne christening in San Juan, Puerto Rico, led by the ship’s godmother Kelly Craighead. She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization.

“Sakara” is a Sanskrit word meaning “thoughts become things” – a fitting name, given the thought that went into the ship’s chic design.  And our itinerary for the week couldn’t be more yacht-like – an island-hopping experience in the West Indies, stopping in out-of-the-way ports that larger cruise ships can’t manage. And while some smaller boats can feel rocky, the Sakara’s stabilizers keep the ship on an even keel.

Are luxury cruise ships worth the money? We did the math for Silversea's Silver Nova.

With just 100 guests and 76 crew, the Sakara is part of the larger trend in cruising: smaller ships that cater to vacationers who want the style and feel of a yacht, and the intimate service that accompanies that, with the amenities of a larger ship. Craighead said that small-ship cruises offer “luxury at a great value, access to hidden-gem ports and unique features like marinas for water activities directly off the ship,” she says. “These small ships can even be chartered, for your own amazing, private yacht experience.”

After departing from San Juan, the Sakara reached the Puerto Rican island of Culebra in a few hours, just 20 miles off the coast. We hopped in a taxi van at the port to reach the pristine waters of Flamenco Beach, which consistently makes the world’s top 10 lists. It was a fall-asleep-on-the-sand kind of day, under brightly colored umbrellas, with multiple trips to the canteen for French fries.

“I hope you enjoyed Culebra today because it’s quite hard to get in, through a very narrow channel,” O’Leary said at a supper-hour briefing. 

The next day, we stopped at the nearby island of Vieques, which is filled with wild horses – about 2,000 of them – most of whom are fully accustomed to the photo op. We docked at Esperanza Bay and wandered the waterfront. There were jeeps or ATVs available to rent for those who wanted to beach-hop, but we settled into the sand at Sun Bay. And when we sailed into Cruz Bay on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John the following day, there were yachts and catamarans everywhere – and the Sakara fit right in.

The crew outdid itself the next day at White Bay Beach on Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the British Virgin Islands. A barbecue feast awaited us, along with beach loungers, steel-drum entertainment, and all the paddles and water toys from the ship. Later, we wandered down the beach to find a young yacht crowd, groups of friends who have rented their boats, all knee-deep in their mojitos.

“I get a real kick out of driving the Emerald Sakara into St. Barths, muscling in and anchoring next to all the other superyachts,” O’Leary said. “It looks good in the pictures.” A stop there brought a snorkeling excursion, a bit of high-end shopping and a few rosé-soaked hours on Plage de Saline.

Back on board, the creature comforts of the Sakara included plenty of outdoor space to connect with the ocean, a small infinity pool, a full-service spa and a large, elegant dining room and terrace. It’s all part of the cushy yacht lifestyle. 

The ship will spend the summer and fall cruising the Mediterranean Sea – heading for the French and Italian rivieras, Croatia and Greece – with eight-day itineraries from $5,100. The Emerald Sakara will be back in the Caribbean next December, with eight-day cruises starting at $4,100. 

Editor’s note: The contributor of this story received access to this cruise from Emerald Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.

You can still find affordable flights to Europe this summer

Airfare prices to amsterdam, brussels, prague and reykjavik are way down from last year.

Christina Saull and her husband have waited five years to take a 10-day cruise through the Norwegian fjords. The first time they planned the trip, it was postponed for a medical emergency. The second time, there was a family wedding. Now, finally, they were getting ready to go in July.

Only they needed plane tickets.

“It’s interesting to see how expensive fares have been and how they’ve fluctuated,” said Saull, a public relations executive who lives in Alexandria, Va.

The couple watched prices go from as little as $900 round trip to as much as $2,500 for flights from Washington to Edinburgh, Scotland, and back from Copenhagen . They finally settled on premium economy seats for $2,000 each on Delta Air Lines and its partner Air France.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable for summer Europe travel,” Saull said of what they paid.

Not unreasonable is a good way to describe transatlantic air travel this summer. Even with strong travel demand, tickets are cheaper on average than they were last year.

“Airfare to Europe is less expensive than last year by 10 percent,” said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at flight-booking app Hopper . The average round trip ticket before any extra fees costs $882, according to the data.

The highest fares are in June, July and August, Berg added. Traveling in shoulder months — for example, September and October — could save travelers as much as 30 percent.

Schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium Diio shows airlines will offer 8 percent more seats on U.S.-Europe routes from May through September than last year.

Philadelphia is gaining new nonstops to Copenhagen, Naples , and Nice, France, on American Airlines. Phoenix gets its first nonstop to Paris on Air France. Washington, a new flight to Zurich on Swiss International Air Lines. And many other routes additional flights or options on larger planes.

“In the transatlantic, we are looking forward to another strong summer,” said Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta Air Lines, referring to bookings earlier in April. He added the airline sees “healthy demand” for seats to Europe.

Paris has flight deals, but hotels are pricey

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are a bump in the finely tuned machine that is summer air travel to Europe. The Games run from July 26 through Aug. 11, and the French capital is expected to host some 15 million visitors during the event and the following Paralympic Games. Last summer, the city saw more than 6.2 million visitors in July and August.

“Paris will be like an Olympic village in July and August,” said Christine Ourmières-Widener, CEO of the French airline French Bee . All those visitors still need a way to get to the city. French Bee , which caters to leisure travelers like those going to the Games, has added flights from Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco to meet the demand.

Flight deals to Paris can still be found. Booking website Expedia recommends travelers buy tickets at least 21 days before their trip and, for international travel, look at departing on a Monday to find the best airfares.

Finding an affordable hotel in Paris during the Games is another matter. Expedia said it has seen a “massive surge” in searches for accommodations there this summer and recommends travelers look at nearby cities for more reasonably priced options.

Consider Nice, Prague and Reykjavik

Finn Vigeland, a transit planner who lives in Washington, was “quite surprised” last month when he found a good deal on flights to Nice, France, in July.

Prices on American Airlines’ new nonstop to Nice from Philadelphia were only $700 to $800 round trip, he said. That was affordable enough to make a trip to France with friends possible, and he booked the flight (with points, not cash).

Average fares to Nice from the United States are down a quarter to $907 compared to last summer, Hopper’s data shows. The city also has the distinction of being one of the few European destinations with lower airfares this summer than in 2019, 11 percent lower to be exact. That drop is, in part, thanks to a plethora of new flights on American, Delta, and United.

Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague , and Reykjavik , Iceland, are other European cities where ticket prices from the United States are down more than 20 percent from last year, according to Hopper.

Airfares are not down double-digits in all markets though. Fares to cities like Berlin and Glasgow, Scotland, are on par with last year.

Traveler after traveler said they felt like they could find reasonably priced plane tickets for trips between the United States and Europe this summer. Those who said they could not often lacked flexibility to adjust their trips to when and where fares are the cheapest.

“I felt like this was doable. It made sense,” Alexander Giess said of his plan to take his 10-year-old daughter on a three-week trip to France this summer.

After a lengthy search, in March the marketing executive paid about $1,000 each for two round-trip tickets to Nice from San Francisco on his preferred airline, Delta.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights .

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

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Green racket: dc mayor took ‘economic development’ trip to masters on taxpayers’ dime.

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District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser may want a mulligan on this one.

The Democrat took a taxpayer-funded “sports and economic development” trip to last week’s Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga.

Bowser, 51, announced the jaunt on her public schedule and a spokeswoman for the mayor’s office confirmed that DC residents paid for all related travel expenses to get inside the gates at the fabled Augusta National Golf Club, DC News Now reported .

Susana Castillo, Bowser’s communications director, told the outlet that the mayor was invited by Jodie McLean and Deborah Ratner Salzberg, who are co-chairs of a city task force “to revitalize the Gallery Place and Chinatown Neighborhood.”

The spokeswoman did not disclose the total cost of the more than 500-mile flight south, nor did she immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

“No matter where I am, my team is working and always in touch with me at a moment’s notice,” Bowser added in a statement of her own to DC News Now.

The mayor has faced sharp criticism for her handling of a crime spike in the nation’s capital before pivoting last fall amid mass resignations by city police — including former chief Robert Contee III .

Violent crime surged 39% in the nation’s capital from 2022 to 2023, with homicides rising 35% and robberies up a whopping 67%.

In two recent high-profile incidents, armed carjackers stole the vehicles of an FBI agent and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), while a former federal official in the Trump administration was shot and killed by another car thief in February.

Bowser embraced the Black Lives Matter movement during the riots that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, but reversed course in 2023 to fight the city council over a radical crime bill that lightened sentencing for robberies, carjackings and other gun-related felonies.

Last year, she also opposed a progressive policing law that hampered officers’ ability to apprehend suspects and increased disciplinary measures, making them “scared to do their job,” according to Bowser.

The crime spike had briefly threatened a $515 million deal with Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, who entertained moving the NBA and NHL teams to a new northern Virginia arena before reaching an agreement with Bowser to stay in the nation’s capital.

It’s unclear what other projects Bowser may be pursuing in Chinatown.

“As mayor, I frequently attended meetings and events to foster economic development, strengthen partnerships, and build rapport with people interested in investing in our city,” DC councilman Vincent Gray, who served a single term as mayor before being unseated by Bowser in the 2014 Democratic primary, told DC News Now.

“I met with people in countless venues, be they overseas, in downtown DC conference rooms, or sometimes at high-profile gatherings,” he said. “I see no controversy in travel that is intended to promote the District in furtherance of opportunity that benefits residents and local businesses.”

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