If leisure had a poster child, it would be Goa. 

One of India’s smallest states sits on the western coast, bordered by the Arabian Sea. It enjoys popularity for being a destination that offers something for every kind of traveler, from the hippies to the adventure junkies. Need a relaxing vacation? Check. Need to improve mental health and wellbeing? Check. Need to eat your weight in good food? Check. Need to party all night? Check. Need to immerse yourself in culture? Check. Need to get cozy with nature? Check. Goa will help you tick off every item on your to-do list.   

Four centuries of colonial rule have fed into the state’s ethos, impacting every aspect of its identity. Goa may have changed dramatically through the years, but there is a new generation of Goans who are hard at work to showcase (and preserve) its traditions. This is a boon for locals, and travelers alike.   

Good things come in small packages and Goa offers the best of a travel destination in one neatly wrapped, captivating package. 

1. Drink in the local spirit

When in Goa, drink local. Goa’s state drink is feni, a potent homegrown spirit made with the juice of the cashew apple, or the sap of the coconut palm. Cashew feni is double distilled, and the first distillation yields a refreshing drink called urrak – also a hit, especially in summer months. These spirits are only found in Goa and are an integral part of the state’s identity. Start with urrak or a coconut feni, which are milder, or look for a feni cocktail in the nearest bar.  

To learn more about this drink visit a cashew farm, Fazenda Cazulo, for a feni tasting conducted by Hansel Vaz. Vaz is the founder of Cazulo Premium Feni, and for a decade, has been working tirelessly to popularise this spirit and bring it recognition. There, you will learn about the process, see the instruments used, taste some expressions and understand how feni pairs with food.

Local tip: Goa is also home to a burgeoning craft spirits movement, and some distilleries like Paul John, Tamras, Maka di, and Goa Brewing Co, are open for tours.

2. Enjoy an intimate evening of Goan-Portuguese culture

Goans love two things with passion: football and music. If seeking a better understanding of the latter, step into a 200-year-old Goan home in Panaji. It’s a house that overlooks the river, and one section has been converted into the Centre for Indo-Portuguese Arts (CIPA).

Part of this is Madra Goa, a small room beautifully decorated with oyster shell panes, tiled awnings, printed umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, and the Goan ghumott (percussion instrument) and the Portuguese guitar. One wall has been painted to look like a street in Lisbon. It is in front of this “street” that celebrated Goan fadista (fado singer) Sonia Shirsat, accompanied by musicians (and sometimes, other fadistas) takes the stage for an intimate concert. Shirsat introduces each fado and mando and even guides the audiences into singing along. In the interval, snacks are sent around – plates of Indo-Portuguese fare such as bacalhau (salted cod fritters), pork empadinhas (pies), pastéis de nata (egg tarts), and choris (Goa sausages) pao.

Detour: Heritage Home Experiences also conducts cultural concerts featuring the band, Entre Nous, who sing different Goan musical stylings like mandos, dulpods, dekhni and fado.  

3. See the preserved body of a centuries-old saint in Old Goa

Old Goa is certainly a must-do for anyone visiting Goa. The erstwhile capital of Portuguese India is home to many old, architecturally-beautiful churches, chapels and protected monuments, some of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The biggest draw here is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, an imposing granite structure where you will find the body of St Francis Xavier, encased in a silver casket. The saint died in 1552 and for years, his body remains well-preserved. It is brought down for an exposition every decade for pilgrims to pay respects. This year is an exposition year, and festivities will continue for a month (21st November to the 5th January).

If you are there during the Exposition, don’t forget to pick up roasted gram, choris pao (sausage bread), and some khaje (a fried sweet of chickpeas and jaggery).

Detour: The 17 CE Convent of Santa Monica in Old Goa houses the Museum of Christian Art (MoCA), an accessible museum showcasing Indo-Portuguese art sourced from churches and private collections.

4. Celebrate a monsoon festival in the state’s off-season

The monsoon months of June to September are typically off-season, and bring with them a slew of festivals that aren’t just religious, but incorporate and honour the environment too.  

It starts with São João in June, where people celebrate the feast of St. John de Baptist by jumping into water bodies. Sangodd celebrates Goa’s fishing community, and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and includes a parade too. Chikal Kalo sees the male villagers of Marcel play games in the mud, which they believe Hindu deity Krishna played as a child. In August, the island of Divar celebrates a festival of flags called Bonderam – it includes a parade, much song and dance and mock fights between people where they try to knock down each other’s flags.

Local tip: Goan tour group, Soul Travelling, conduct tours offering visitors an in-depth look at these festivals.

5. Learn to surf on Goa’s beginner waves

Surfing is slowly becoming a popular sport in Goa. There are surf schools dotting Morjim, Ashvem and Mandrem in the North and Agonda in the South offering one-off classes, and training. Surfing in Goa is recommended because of its long coastline, a large number of surf schools, decent lifeguard infrastructure, and a gentle sea with mellow waves – surf teachers call them “beginner’s waves”. Lessons are held in the morning and throughout the year, bar the monsoons. Popular surf schools include Vaayu Surf and SUP, Banana Surf School, On Da Wave, Octopus Surf School, Surf Wala, Swell Cats Surf Club, and Mumu Surf School.

Planning tip: Surf schools like Surfwala, Vaayu Kula, and Banana Surf School offer accommodation options, and a place to eat/ drink. 

6. Listen to some vinyl at the state’s only vinyl bar

Some smooth jazz, a delicious cocktail in hand, and a dog at your feet… if this sounds like a perfect evening, then For The Record-Vinyl Bar (FTR) in Panaji should be on your list. Started by vinyl lover, architect and musician Buland Shukla, FTR is an intimate space that prides itself on its music – all vinyls; drinks – championing Indian craft spirits and brews like mahua and feni; and food – features his experiments with fermentation. FTR regularly hosts listening sessions, and small concerts. Go there in the afternoon, and you will likely meet his friendly dog, Django. 

Detour: Right next door is the workspace, gallery and store of Thomas Louis, often referred to as Thomas the Potter. His creations make for lovely gifts, and he regularly conducts pottery classes.

7. See a croc in the wild

While dolphin watching is a popular activity in Goa, a far more adventurous one involves riding along water bodies looking for crocodiles. Crocodiles are revered, and considered a guardian spirit in Goa. The freshwater mugger is common to the state, and can be found in the Cumbharjua Canal. A typical ride on this stretch introduces you to the backwaters, the thriving mangrove habitat in the canal, and the marine life it sustains, including birds, crabs and crocodiles. The latter are usually found sunbathing on the shore, camouflaging well with the mud. Though fearsome in sight, they are quite used to human presence.

Planning tip: John’s Boat Tours organizes a Crocodile Dundee: a 4-5 hour tour with birdwatching and snacks. 

8. Go forest bathing in Mollem

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is the state’s largest protected wildlife area, and home to Mollem National Park. The forest is part of the biodiversity hotspot that is the Western Ghats, and home to varied flora and fauna. Here, you can look for Goa’s state symbols: the state bird – a flame-throated bulbul, state animal – the gaur, and state tree – crocodile bark tree. Venture deep within the forest and you will find Goa’s oldest temple, the basalt Tambdi Surla. There are seasonal and perennial waterfalls, accessible by a short hike – the most popular is Dudhsagar.

Planning tip: If you fancy spending a night in the forest, without distraction, seek out Jungle Trails Homestay. A women-led homestay with basic facilities (no wifi or TV) with vegetarian food, they can organize bird-watching tours, and folk dance performances.

9. Brush up on your spice knowledge at a spice farm

It is one of those typical tourist activities to do in Goa, but a visit to a spice plantation doesn’t have to be boring. You start with a tour that introduces you to the spices that Goans love to cook with, including the tirphal (related to Sichuan pepper) and see some herbs and medicinal plants. The tour is typically followed by a Goan lunch. Many farms also offer that little extra. At Tanshikar Spice Farm, you get to see an old Goan mud house, with a cow dung floor and learn about the houses of the time. There are pools and water slides, and a zip line at Nandanvan Spice Farm. NV Eco Farm has wooden cottages for stay, and adventure activities like rock climbing and zip lining.

Detour: Step out of Kushavati Organic Farm, and you will find one of Goa’s oldest historic sites: the Usgalimal petroglyphs, dating back to the Stone Age.

10. Seek out a Goan village that resurfaces once a year

As villages go, Curdi certainly stands out for being the only one that remains submerged through the year, coming up for air in summer. Curdi was once a flourishing agricultural village. When the Selaulim Dam was built nearby, the village was one of many to be submerged by its waters. The villagers were moved out, but the skeleton of the village remains. Every summer, when Curdi resurfaces, villagers head back to celebrate their old home. You can visit Curdi on your own, and see the remains of the once flourishing village, including a chapel, a temple and some houses.

Detour: The Selaulim Dam lies a few kilometers away and is well-known for its main feature: a duckbill spillway.

11. Eat some fish, curry and rice

When in Goa, eat like the Goans. The staple meal here is fish, curry and rice. It’s a simple meal that utilizes the best that Goa has to offer – the bounty of the sea, local rice, and fish curries made with coconut, tirphal, local chillies, and kokum. These meals are found in most restaurants and some shacks but are best eaten at thali restaurants, small unassuming places serving fresh fish.  A Goan thali has rice, curry, fried fish, some vegetables, a salad, kismur (dried shrimp salad) and solkadi (a digestive drink made with kokum). It’s a nourishing, filling meal that is best eaten by hand.  

Detour: If seeking a delicious meal with a side of history, seek out Shubhra Shankwalker of Aai’s. The home chef organizes sit-down lunches at her farm, which feature an elaborate spread of Goan Saraswat food that is seasonal, and fresh.

12. Shop for food souvenirs at the local markets

Every avid traveler knows that the best way to understand a place is to visit its markets. Goa’s markets are an interesting riot of color, sound, and aromas. Most villages have a small market place, but the municipal markets in the cities are also worth a visit. Mapusa, Panaji, and Margao markets are divided into zones, dedicated to fish or fruit and vegetables, or flowers. These markets are a good option for those seeking food souvenirs – besides produce, you can also buy cheap but quality food souvenirs like cashew nuts and feni, Goa sausages, local bread, Goan sweets and snacks.

On Fridays, pay a visit to Mapusa’s market, which sees vendors from across Goa out to sell their wares.

Local tip: In May, many of the markets, like the one at Banastarim, also offer items for purumenth – the practice of stocking up for the monsoons – like dried fish, dried mango and jackfruit seeds, chillies, rice, pickles and more. During Chaturthi season, you will find the markets stocked with fruit, vegetables and herbs for the matoli, a wooden canopy suspended over the idol and laden with fresh produce.

One thing you won’t find in Wyoming are bustling metropolises – the largest city, Cheyenne, has just 65,000 residents. But if you’re searching for a touch of the West – wide-open spaces, tall peaks, Indigenous history, wildlife, geysers, hot springs, hiking, skiing, horseback riding, fly-fishing and staged “gunslinger duels” – you’ll find it, along with plenty of small-town charm.

Different parts of the state feature different types attractions, from ski-town Jackson Hole to college-town Laramie and outdoor-icon Lander. Pick your destination – or opt for a few – and explore the best of Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park

Best national park for geysers, wildlife

Yellowstone is the country’s first national park, and it’s packed with over 10,000 hydrothermal features, gorgeous scenery and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Walk the boardwalks and peer into colorful multi-hued hydrothermal features, watch geysers erupt and spend some time gazing at boiling mud – it’s far more mesmerizing than you would expect.

Old Faithful’s eruptions are so predictable that the park puts out a schedule of predicted eruption times for the iconic geyser and a few others. Be sure to show up early, though, since the predictions are just estimates, and you wouldn’t want to be a minute late.

Spend some time in wildlife hotspots like Lamar and Hayden valleys – dawn and dusk are considered prime time for wildlife viewing, though you can often spot some critters in Yellowstone – like bison herds – throughout the day.

Grand Teton National Park

Best national park for hiking

Pull on your pack, clip your bear spray to your belt and get ready to hike. Grand Teton National Park is a favorite destination for trail lovers, encompassing great options for everything from an hour-long stroll to a multi-day hard-core adventure. For a scenic day hike, consider Jenny Lake, or hike up one of the park’s mountain canyons.

To snag an overnight backcountry permit, try for an advanced permit months ahead of time, or shoot for a first-come, first-serve permit, available in-person a day before the trip begins – competition for permits can be fierce, so have a backup plan.

Be well-prepared and equipped for any hike in the park, and check current conditions and weather, keeping in mind that mountain conditions can change very quickly. Be prepared for wildlife encounters, and practice good bear safety.

Jackson Hole

Best town for skiers

Receiving over 500 inches of snow per year – which blankets some of the best terrain in the world – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is on every avid skier’s bucket list. Book a reservation early and spend days cruising down the groomers or getting fresh powder turns out in Teton Village. Or stay close to Jackson’s and try out “Town Hill” – Snow King Mountain Resort – which is walkable from town.

Like any good ski destination, Jackson also offers plenty of top-notch aprés-ski selections. Check out Teton Village’s range of options, from the Alpenhof to the Mangy Moose – where you can often catch live music – or venture into the town of Jackson to check out the Snake River Brewery, and other spots.

Cody

Best place to learn about the past

Spread across five different museums and a research library, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West tells the beautiful, grand and often chaotic story of the American West. All five museums are worth a visit, but if you’re short on time, be sure to visit the Plains Indian Museum to learn about the Indigenous people who lived here long before Europeans arrived.

Founded in 1979, the museum showcases the Plains Indian peoples’ rich cultures, histories, traditions and what their lives look like today. Peruse both historical artifacts, like an authentic buffalo hide tipi from around 1850, and contemporary works from local artists.

Cody is also home to the Plains Indian Powwow, which generally takes place in June.

The center’s other museums include the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and Cody Firearms Museum.

Dubois

Best place for guest ranches

With fewer than 1000 residents, Dubois is tiny, but it’s one of the best places in the state to sign up for a week-long stay at one of the nearby guest or “dude” ranches. Experience life on the ranch, saddle up to explore, cast a fishing line or sign up for a multi-day horsepacking trip deep into the wilderness.

In town, swing by the Dubois Museum, National Museum of Military Vehicles and the National Bighorn Sheep Center, and be sure to check out the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo in the summer. Grab a deli sandwich, a slice of pizza, or even a steak before heading out to immerse yourself in the world of ranching.

Thermopolis

Best place to enjoy hot springs

Best known for its hot springs, Thermopolis is a must-visit soaking paradise great for couples, groups, solo travelers and families. Opt for a relaxing soak at Hot Springs State Park’s bathhouse or get ready for some hot springs water park action at Star Plunge, which has water slides, pools and even a “vapor cave,” a natural steam room.

Thermopolis has more to offer than hot springs, though. Hike six miles of trails at the state park, visit the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, or hire a guide for a fishing trip or sign up for a horseback riding tour. Unwind or find the action – it’s all up to you.

Lander

Best outdoorsy town

Lander is home to the headquarters of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), so it’s no surprise there are lots of great outdoor adventures nearby. The town is full of people who are involved with NOLS in one way or another, and you’ll find no shortage of outdoor enthusiasts eager to climb some rock, go for a mountain bike ride or scale a peak. And with Sinks Canyon State Park just down the road, you’ll find plenty of places to play.

After a day out and about, settle into town for a fun evening. Lander Brewing Company is a favorite spot to rehash the day’s adventures while sipping a pint of Rock Chuck Rye or Half-Tanked Hefe.

Laramie

Best college town vibe

Laramie is home not only to the University of Wyoming and Cowboys football, but also to the country’s highest elevation Division 1 stadium, at a sky-high 7220ft.

This vibrant college town always has some sort of event, party, live music, art walk, farmers market or other activity going on that keeps you hopping around town. Don’t miss Laramie Jubilee Days in July.

Laramie also has one of the most diverse food scenes in the state, with an array of cuisines including Indian, Mexican, Italian, Thai and Japanese. Find a coffee shop perfect for studying or cozying up with a good book, and drop by one of the many local watering holes to watch a game or just hang out.

Cheyenne

Best place for a classic Wyoming experience

Cheyenne isn’t just Wyoming’s capital city – it also occupies a special place in every country music lover’s heart. From George Strait’s “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” to Garth Brooks’ “The Beaches of Cheyenne,” the city keeps coming up in country music, decade after decade, for a reason. Head to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum for a touch of rodeo history or visit during rodeo season to see what all the fuss is about. If you’re there during the rodeo, check out the “Indian Village” where Indigenous performers have shared dance, culture and music each year since 1898.

Cheyenne is rich in history, so be sure to spend some time immersing yourself in local lore and history at the Wyoming State Capitol, Wyoming Historic Governors Mansion, Cheyenne Depot Museum for railroad history. The Nelson Museum of the West showcases a number of Native American exhibits, including Art of the Pueblo Indians and Art of the Plains Indians. In summer, head to “Gunslinger Square” downtown to watch a staged Wild West gunfight, and hop on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley to learn all about Wild West history.

All around Cheyenne, you’ll see 8ft-tall “Big Boots” on display. These large-scale creations are custom-designed by a variety of Wyoming artists as pieces of public art.

Casper

Best fly-fishing town

A river town through and through, Casper is known for its top-notch fly-fishing. Venture out to the “Miracle Mile” for trout, or stay in town and fish the North Platte River as it runs through Casper. While the North Platte is a blue-ribbon fishing destination, you can also cast your rod in other waters nearby, including Alcova Reservoir and Fremont Canyon. Stop by a fly shop to learn about local conditions or hire a guide to make your day out fishing even better.

Make your way to the Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, and Salt Creek Museum to learn more about local history, or visit the Casper Planetarium for a peek out into the cosmos. With half a dozen breweries, Casper has earned a spot on the Wyoming Beer Trail, and Gruner Brothers Brewing offers tours for a peek behind the scenes.

Keep planning your trip to Wyoming:

If you love to camp, check out the best campgrounds in Wyoming
Check out Wyoming’s most fascinating museums
Cool off with a dip at Wyoming’s best swimming spots

Practically a country unto itself, Bavaria packs in more than most independent states of its size.

Think peaks over 2000m (6560ft) and sweeping plains. Medieval cities and 21st-century museums. Roman ruins and Alpine lakes.

You could spend a lifetime exploring it all. If you need a place to start, here are 10 experiences that will introduce you to the pleasures of this special corner of Germany. 

1. Take the high road to the Alps

Geography may have granted Germany’s south just a mere sliver of the Alps, but the region certainly makes the most of its mountains, many of which are but a short train ride from central Munich. The ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the place to head for the best fun in the snow, as it sits under Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, the top of which can be reached by a special train. Surrounded by Austria on three sides, the Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria’s far southeast delivers all the best Alpine pleasures, providing dramatic mountain scenery, great hiking and splendid lake vistas.

Local tip: Skiing is a big deal in the German Alps, with countless pistes scoring their snowy slopes. The skiing season here runs from around mid-December until sometime in April, depending on weather conditions. When the white stuff fails to fall, artificial snow made by special canons means the fun doesn’t stop.

2. Lose yourself in world-class museums

You could devote many months to Bavaria’s exceptional museums, some of which rank as the best of their kind in Europe. It would be easy to while away a week “doing” Munich’s art museums alone, including the world-class Pinakotheken (Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne). The Deutsches Museum is a highly enjoyable repository of the country’s storied technical past, while Nuremberg boasts the Deutsche Bahn Museum, Germany’s top railway museum, and the Nationalmuseum, the country’s most comprehensive exhibition of Germanic culture. Of course, Bavaria witnessed one of the most sinister chapters in European history – the rise of the Nazis – and regional sites don’t sugarcoat this story. Berchtesgaden’s Dokumentation Obersalzberg and Nuremberg’s Reichsparteitagsgelände – where the largest Nazi rallies were held in the 1930s – memorably relate elements of this unfortunate past.

Planning tip: Many of Munich’s museums and galleries charge only €1 on Sundays, which could save you a considerable amount of your travel budget if you intend on visiting a few.

3. Sample Bavaria’s hop-infused traditions

Munich has often been called “the city of art and beer,” and after you’ve taken in art by day (see above), the evenings belong to the one-liter steins of frothy brews in typical beer halls such as the Hofbräuhaus, the Augustiner Bräustuben and the Weisses Brauhaus. Of course, the best time for disciples of the hop to make a pilgrimage to the Bavarian capital is during Oktoberfest (annually late September to the first weekend in October), during which over 6 million liters of beer are downed.

Outside Munich, the beer is just as good – better in fact, according to the drinkers of Franconia (Bavaria’s northern region), where countless village breweries pump out an astonishing variety of Landbier (small-scale regional beers) not available anywhere else. The best place to sample these is the Kellerwald near Forchheim, literally a huge beer garden in the middle of a forest. 

Local tip: A Bavarian phenomenon is the beer garden, with its tables and chairs set out under horse chestnut trees and garlands of fairy lights. Some of the best to seek out in Munich are the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm in the Englischer Garten; the Hirschgarten, which has almost 9000 seats; and the Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz, said to be the original Munich beer garden.

4. Discover Ludwig II’s castles

Every Bavarian town and hilltop seems to host a medieval pile or two, but it’s to three 19th-century follies commissioned by Bavaria’s King Ludwig II that most outsiders flock. Rising out of Alpine forest near the town of Füssen, Schloss Neuschwanstein is Germany’s most popular tourist attraction, its dreamy turrets and dramatic location having inspired Walt Disney. Ludwig’s other two sugary creations are the Herrenchiemsee, a Versailles-inspired palace on an island in the Chiemsee, Bavaria’s biggest lake; and compact Linderhof, in a remote Alpine location near Oberammergau.

Local tip: Linderhof occupies a lonely spot amid the peaks of the Ammergau Alps. A great way to reach it is to take a gentle 12km (7.5-mile) hike from Oberammergau, itself a major tourist attraction.

5. Feel the speed at BMW

Bavaria is home to two of the highest-octane names of the motoring world: BMW in Munich and Audi in Ingolstadt. The space-age BMW Welt (BMW World) is a car fanatic’s dream come true, a huge, free exhibition of the company’s latest models, which can be sat in, fiddled with and admired from the driver’s seat. Next door is the excellent BMW Museum, and technically intriguing tours of the nearby factory can be easily arranged.

6. Admire Bavaria’s deep-rooted traditions

The world-famous Oktoberfest and Christmas markets. Oberammergau’s once-a-decade Passion Play. The glass-blowing traditions of the Bavarian Forest, the beer-brewing monks of Andechs, the folk-costumed bashes in Alpine taverns and the veneration of Wagner at Bayreuth: Bavaria is a place where culture and traditions form an easily accessible link with a colorful, folksy past. And unlike other countries in Central Europe, you don’t have to look far to find them, for every local keeps lederhosen or a dirndl in their closet for wearing to weddings, church services or simply the local beer festival.

7. Buy Bavarian 

There’s shopping for every budget in Munich, from top-end boutiques to secondhand bookstores. And there sure are a lot of items unique to the Free State that will weigh down suitcases on departing planes and trains. Traditional Bavarian folk costume makes for a truly unique souvenir. Central Munich’s Loden-Frey sells the real deal; those on a budget should head for Holareidulijö, which offers secondhand items. Just before Oktoberfest, many pop-up shops appear in central Munich offering cheap versions of traditional garb. 

Nymphenburg porcelain is another popular take-home item, best sourced at the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg factory shops. Glassware from the Bavarian Forest area, Nuremberg gingerbread, and new and antique beer steins are other mementoes to take home from any Bavaria trip. More-unusual shopping experiences are provided by Käthe Wohlfahrt shops, where you can source your Christmas decorations all year long – a surreal experience in July when the mercury is pushing 30ºC (86°F).

8. Make a splash in Bavaria’s gorgeous lakes

Between Munich and the Alps, many picturesque foothill lakes reflect quaint villages and onion-domed churches in their glassy waters. Easily accessible by S-Bahn from Munich, the Fünfseenland is (as its name implies) an area of five lakes. Perhaps the most popular is the pretty Starnberger See, a retreat for stressed-out city folk and the place King Ludwig II mysteriously drowned in 1886. Southeast of Munich, the Chiemsee is a great place to mess around in boats. Yet top marks must go to the Königssee, Germany’s most spectacularly beautiful body of water, cupped by Alpine slopes and walls of granite. Take an electric boat along its length or hike the high peaks around its shores.

9. Chow down like a local

Bavaria’s heavy, carnivore-friendly menus are the perfect accompaniment to its tasty beer. Eating out is not all about soaking up the lager, however. Munich has a thriving culinary scene, with vegetarian, vegan, Asian and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants, and boasts more Italian eateries than most cities in Italy. In the countryside, things stay on the traditional side, though there’s still a lot of variety, especially where tourists congregate in numbers. 

A must-try Bavarian specialty is Weisswurst. Essentially sausages of minced veal and bacon, flavored with various herbs and spices, these off-white links are served with sweet mustard, a pretzel and a mug of wheat beer…for breakfast. Sample a plate in any city-center tavern until 11:59am – after which locals will push a plate of them away, declaring them stale.

10. Set out on the Romantic Road

Running along the western edge of Bavaria, the Romantic Road is Germany’s most popular tourist route, extending for 350km (217 miles) from Würzburg in the north to the Alps in the south. This ribbon of quaintness is punctuated by perfectly preserved walled towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen. You could spend a week visiting all of the towns and villages on the route – more if you decide to attempt the trip by public transport.

Planning tip: The Romantic Road is traveled by millions of visitors over the summer, so consider setting out in winter, when a blanket of snow adds extra romance to these special places.

From misty cloud forests and steamy rainforests to beautiful beaches and volcanic peaks, Costa Rica is dazzling in its diversity. This Central American hotspot is home to an astonishing array of wildlife, including sea turtles, macaws, sloths and four species of monkeys.

Accommodations are as varied as the landscapes, from tree houses and forest campsites to an airplane reimagined as an apartment, and the emphasis is on minimizing guests’ impact on Costa Rica’s fragile ecosystems.

Hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and ziplining are just some of the adrenaline-inducing adventures on offer, or you can just slow down, reconnect with nature and embrace the pura vida lifestyle.

Whether your budget is big or small, here are some of the most unique places to stay in Costa Rica for a vacation that won’t cost the planet.

1. Wet and wild adventures at Pacuare Lodge

Who needs a 4WD when you can reach this out-of-the-way rainforest escape by white-water raft, navigating Class III and IV rapids along the world-famous Río Pacuare? 

Built along the riverbank amid spectacular jungle scenery, Pacuare Lodge is the epitome of rustic luxury, with 20 sumptuous suites decorated with Indigenous artwork, a serene spa and a multi-level restaurant overlooking the river.

Located two and a half hours from San José, this family-run lodge focuses on sustainability, working closely with the indigenous Cabécar community on cultural and nature tours.

After braving the rapids to get here, adrenaline junkies can indulge in more high-octane adventures, from challenging hikes to ziplining and canyoning, and conservation fees help to fund numerous local projects.

2. Try regenerative living at Rancho Margot

Twenty years ago, a Chilean scientist bought 400 acres of former cattle ranch land near Lake Arenal and began to restore the decimated landscape with endemic flora and fauna.

Today, Rancho Margot is part off-the-grid ecolodge, part self-sufficient organic farm and part living laboratory, where the owners grow crops, produce electricity and build furniture using timber harvested from reforestation projects.

Guests can sleep in the bunkhouse or a spacious bungalow, spending days exploring the sprawling ranch, hiking the trails around the Arenal Volcano, kayaking on the lake, horseback riding, mountain biking and rappeling down waterfalls. Afterward, ease weary muscles in spring-fed rock pools before a fabulous farm-to-table feast.

3. A room with a caffeine fix at Finca Rosa Blanca

Wake up and smell the coffee at Finca Rosa Blanca, a carbon-neutral organic coffee farm and art-filled boutique hotel. Inside, 14 one-of-a-kind suites and villas pop with color, courtesy of local artists.

The property is surrounded by gorgeous tropical gardens where everything is supersized, from jumbo Swiss cheese plants to giant blue morpho butterflies.

Finca Rosa Blanca is set in the lush Central Valley, close to historic Heredia and San José, and guests can discover how the coffee beans are plucked, dried and roasted before a tasting session. Alongside adventure tours, visits to local artisans and cacao farms are also on the menu.

4. A canopy getaway at Topo’s Tree House 

Instead of cutting down trees to construct his ecolodge, Slavko “Topo” Topolovsek built around them.

The result is a multi-level, two-bedroom tree house snuggled in the outstretched branches of a rubber tree, with massive aerial roots incorporated into the design. It’s the perfect height for spying on monkeys, sloths and toucans.

The treehouse is a pebble’s throw from the black sand beach of Playa Negra in Cahuita, a village settled by West Indian immigrants on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. 

Check out the beachfront Reggae Bar for live music and typical Caribbean fare, such as coconut chicken or grilled red snapper. Don’t miss a guided snorkeling tour over the coral reefs of nearby Cahuita National Park.

5. A picture-perfect stay at La Caravana

The retro-chic Airstream trailers that make up the accommodation at La Caravana are as Instagrammable as the stellar sunsets that can be seen from the doorstep, framed by the palm-fringed golden sweep of Playa Carillo. 

Choose from a cleverly remodeled and beautifully furnished Overlander, Argosy or Avion Imperial caravan for your stay near one of Costa Rica’s best beaches.

All come with air-conditioning and fully-equipped kitchenettes, workspaces for digital nomads and private gardens for eating and lounging, and there are local restaurants within strolling distance.

Playa Carillo is a place to slow down and indulge in life’s simple pleasures, connecting with the local community, and your helpful hosts can arrange everything from surfing lessons to boat tours and horseback rides.

6. Fly high at 727 Fuselage Home

With its red nose jutting out of the rainforest, this vintage Boeing 727 jet is arguably Costa Rica’s quirkiest place to sleep. 

Rescued from San José airport and turned into a one-of-a-kind, two-bedroom apartment, this former passenger plane is surprisingly spacious, and lined with hand-carved Indonesian teak, with a bathroom in the cockpit. The engines are gone, but staying here still feels like flying across the treetops. 

The plane sits in the expansive grounds of the Hotel Costa Verde, surrounded by tropical foliage.

You’re just a short walk from Playa Espadilla, bordering the hugely popular Manual Antonio National Park – don’t be surprised if you see squirrel monkeys scampering across the fuselage! Continue the plane theme at El Avion, a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane reinvented as a bar and restaurant in Manuel Antonio.

7. Jungle Camping at La Leona Ecolodge

On the fringes of the wild and wonderful Corcovado National Park on the isolated Osa Peninsula, La Leona Ecolodge is a family-owned glamping site set in a private reserve. Simple, safari-style tents sit on wooden decks, offering views over a deserted beach or a tangle of rainforest.

Hike along jungle trails – the park is home to Costa Rica’s four native species of monkeys and magnificent macaws that know no boundaries – or just lounge in a hammock and wait for the wildlife to come to you.

Then shower under the sun or stars, dine at the al fresco restaurant and be lulled to sleep by the sound of Pacific rollers.

8. Cuddle up in the cloud forest at Chira Glamping Monteverde

Get close to the wildlife-rich cloud forests around Monteverde at Chira Glamping. No sleeping bags are needed here; round pods come with marshmallow-soft beds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and minibars, and there are outdoor showers and hot tubs.

Monteverde’s mist-wreathed reserve is home to evocatively named hummingbirds, sloths, howler monkeys and more. Hike through primary, secondary and open forest then splurge at San Lucas, a treetop restaurant with tables set in glass cubes perched high on a mountainside.

The surprise nine-course tasting menu of contemporary Costa Rican cuisine will take you on a tour around the country, with thrilling views and a forest noises soundtrack.

9. Stargaze from your bed at Green Moon Lodge

A dome house with a difference, Green Moon Lodge was a labor of love. Designed by its owner, Katrin Heintschel, this emerald-green lodge was constructed using a mix of concrete blocks and dishwasher detergent.

With a little help from her artist friends, Katrin then decorated the lodge with plant and marine motifs, adding ornate welded iron doors and windows.

This private rental sits in the hills of Montezuma on the chilled-out Nicoya Peninsula, one of the five world Blue Zones associated with long life, and one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica.

Head to the coast for surfing, sunning and spying on nesting sea turtles. When not spotting monkeys and butterflies in the tropical garden, you can open the roof and stargaze from your bed.