Switzerland might appear small on paper, but it’s a hell of a lot bigger when you look up. Welcome to one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, where the Alps ripple across 60% of its territory. With a whole lot of vertical, it’s all about peak performance here – the Swiss are practically born on skis and four-year-olds will often whizz rings around you on the slopes. And the rush is never greater than where the glacier-capped Alps are at their highest: Valais, a canton tucked away in the south of Switzerland and straddling the Italian border.

When the first flakes fall in winter, the land of mighty Matterhorn and the 4634m Dufourspitze, Switzerland’s highest peak, has skiers itching to hurtle down the pistes or make fresh tracks in the backcountry. And whether you’re a black-run thrill seeker, a lover of cruisy blues with big views, or an absolute beginner, there’s a run with your name on it. Read on for our seven absolute faves.

Zermatt

Best for riveting Matterhorn views and skiing into Italy

Let’s begin with the big one… You never forget the first time you clap eyes on 4478m Matterhorn: that perfect pyramid-shaped peak that says Switzerland (and Toblerone) like no other. Most likely it will be a fleeting glimpse from the little red train that chugs from Visp to Zermatt. Once you arrive, there are distractingly lovely vistas from the slopes, which are the country’s highest, topped off by the 3883m Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car station, where you can swoon over views of 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks over 4000m.

Car-free Zermatt makes a terrific base for hitting the pistes, which amount to 360km when coupled with over-the-mountain Cervinia in Italy (much easier to reach since the 2023 launch of the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing). The cruisy slopes around Rothorn, Stockhorn and Klein Matterhorn suit confident intermediates, while plenty of great off-piste areas will please powder hounds (though getting a guide is wise). Likewise, there is fine skiing for beginners and families at Wolli Park Sunnegga, and a snowpark with rails, boxes, jumps and kickers for boarders. A bonus for families is that kids under nine ski free.

Planning tip: One of the world’s most scenic train rides, the Glacier Express makes the 290km, eight-hour journey between Zermatt and St Moritz twice daily from mid-December to early May.

Arolla

Best for quiet, uncrowded slopes and heavenly off-piste

Huddled away in the deeply traditional Val d’Hérens, and with pop-up views of glacier-encrusted 4000m peaks, the sleepy hamlet of Arolla has a backdrop out of all proportion with its size (population 200). Sitting at a giddy 1998m, the endearingly Alpine village has an impeccable snow record, ravishing scenery and 47km of downhill slopes to whoosh down – mostly blues and reds geared toward beginners and intermediates respectively. By Swiss standards, it’s reasonably inexpensive, too.

Given its remoteness, there’s fine off-piste terrain for ski touring (best tackled with a guide who knows the slopes inside out). The village forms a leg of the famous high-level, week-long Haute Route from Zermatt to Chamonix, which threads through the Mont Blanc massif. One of Europe’s toughest and most memorable skis, it’s suitable for expert ski tourers only.

Planning tip: It’s not just about the downhill; there are 42km of cross-country ski tracks where you can glide to a glacier in quiet exhilaration, not to mention an extensive network of snowshoe trails, including the 5km stomp from La Gouille to shimmering, forest-ringed Lac Bleu.

Verbier

Best for challenging slopes and celeb spotting

Cradled in a south-facing bowl, glamorous, celebrity-magnet Verbier is the Swiss king of cool, with seriously hard-core skiing spread over elevations of 1500m (the village) to 3330m (Mont Fort). Its pulse-quickening black runs, glorious off-piste, narrow couloirs and mogul-spotted itinerary routes challenge even super-adventurous skiers – the toughest being the mythical freeride Tortin. Freeriders and boarders are in their element at the 2250m-high La Chaux snowpark. Right at the heart of Les 4 Vallées ski area, with soul-stirring views of the Mont Blanc and Combins massifs, the resort has a fabulous snow record and access to more than 400km of marked pistes, many of which target bold intermediates.

The skiers that flock here – royals, James Blunt (who has a lift named after him), Richard Branson (owner of ultra-luxe mountain hideaway The Lodge), the Beckhams, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ed Sheeran included – party just as hard as they pound the powder. The champagne-fuelled après-ski scene here is legendary.

Planning tip: If you want to find fresh powder in the backcountry, check out Les Guides de Verbier. Besides off-piste guiding, they also offer ski touring, ice climbing and snowshoeing.

Crans-Montana

Best for sun and sparkle

On a high plateau above the Rhône Valley is the ritzy ski resort of Crans-Montana, where 160km of largely south-facing slopes, linked by ultra-modern cable cars, are perfect for confident beginners and cruisy intermediates, especially around the Cry d’Er section. And the 360-degree views are phenomenal, taking in white giants like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

There are a few black runs in the mix, including the breathtakingly steep World Cup Piste Nationale, one of the longest downhill runs in the Alps. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: you’ll also find ski mountaineering trails, a snowpark with a superpipe for boarders and freestylers, Plaine Morte glacier for ski-high cross-country skiing, and a happening après-ski scene. The latter cranks up a notch during the end-of-the-winter-season Caprices music festival, which brings big-name acts to the slopes.

Planning tip: One of the hippest mountain hangouts in the Swiss Alps at 2112m, Chetzeron has gasp-eliciting views from its terrace, where you can snag a hammock or sheepskin-clad deckchair to sip chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) post-ski. Reach it by ski or snowboard from the top of Cry d’Er cable car.

Bettmeralp-Aletsch

Best for serene slopes and glacier gazing

Imagine the Swiss Alpine village of your dreams, times it by 10 and you’ll probably conjure up something like Bettmeralp: snowbound, mountain-rimmed, sprinkled with dark-timber chalets and perched high above the Upper Rhône Valley at 1970m. In winter it’s pure Christmas-card stuff. And with just 452 permanent residents, this family-friendly hamlet naturally has a far more chilled vibe than the bigger resorts.

On the often sunny, car-free plateau, there are 104km of pistes forming the Aletsch Arena to play on. At the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, these are largely geared toward intermediates, snowboarders and off-piste thrill-seekers, but there is also ample terrain for beginners and experts.

Planning tip: Skiing doesn’t get more ludicrously lovely than on the run from the 2627m Bettmerhorn cable car top station, shadowing the 23km Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the European Alps.

Champéry

Vast slopes and skiing to France

Nudging France in the northwest of Valais, Champéry forms part of Les Portes du Soleil (“Gates of the Sun”) ski area, comprising a whopping 600km of pistes spread across two countries and 12 resorts, making it one of the biggest in the world. A single pass covers the lot.

Dwarfed by the jagged, multi-summited Dents du Midi, Champéry’s wide slopes and long valley runs are well suited to intermediates (beginners will find them a little tough). Boarders head across to Avoriaz and Les Crosets for terrain parks. Black runs and some substantial off-piste ramp up the challenge for experts.

Planning tip: La Chavanette, otherwise known as the “Swiss Wall,” is a real thigh-burner of a ski – with a 37° slope and 76% gradient, it’s so breathtakingly sheer it’s like leaping into the void, and there are so many moguls that there is no respite from bumps along its entire length. It’s classed as an itinéraire (avalanche controlled but not patrolled).

Saas Fee

Best for freeriders and boarders

Hemmed in by an amphitheatre of 13 implacable peaks above 4000m, glacier-licked Saas Fee sits at the foot of the 4546m Dom – the second-highest mountain in Switzerland and the third-highest in the Alps. As you might expect, the scenery is out of this world. And with skiing between elevations of 1800m and 3550m, there’s always fantastic powder to find.

A happening resort today, Saas Fee was an isolated outpost only reachable by mule trail until 1951. Now the car-free resort is an architectural mix of traditional dark-wood granaries sidling up to modern chalets. The skiing on 145km of runs is overall fairly gentle: great for beginners and easy-going intermediates, though the 1700m top-to-bottom descent of the mountain ups the challenge. Experts can tackle the Weisse Perle black run and hook onto guided ski tours, while boarders find big air thrills at Morenia snowpark.

Planning tip: If you fancy a post-ski snack with a view, hop on the underground funicular to 3500m Allalin, home to the world’s highest revolving restaurant.

Make it happen

Geneva Airport (GVA) is the gateway to the Valais region, with fast, frequent and scenic SBB rail connections to all the major ski resorts. Taking the train, in fact, is often preferable to driving, as many resorts are car-free. Buses and cable cars fill in the gaps.

The ski season runs roughly from December to April. For better deals and more availability, avoid peak season (Christmas and Easter). You can often beat the queues and save money by purchasing ski passes and organising ski hire online with Intersport. For group tuition, check out Swiss Ski Schools.

How do you even begin to choose the best beach in the Philippines? With 7641 islands to choose from, you could throw a dart at a map and be confident of finding sandy shores and turquoise waters.

For decades, the Philippines has drawn travelers eager to trade skyscrapers for towering coconut trees. Sunseekers flock to islands such as Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and Coron, finding gleaming white beaches and vibrant dive sites just a short flight from Manila.

Reaching some of the best beaches involves inter-island flights, overland journeys and multiple sea crossings, but this is part of the charm of travel in the Philippines. Those willing to step off the beaten track will find blissfully uncrowded shores, year-round warm weather and an even warmer welcome from locals.

Whether it’s your first time in the Philippines or your fifteenth, here’s our pick of the best islands for beach lovers.

1. Palawan

Best beaches for adventurers

You can’t go wrong with big-hitter Palawan, with attractions neatly packaged into organized tours. Kayak into secret coves to find empty beaches bordered by rugged limestone cliffs at El Nido, then dive into the glassy waters of Kayangan Lake or snorkel over shipwrecks in Coron.

Gorgeous beaches abound. On the mainland, try Nacpan Beach, a 4km (2.5-mile) crescent-shaped strip of creamy golden sand framed by azure waters. On the northwest coast, San Vicente shelters the country’s longest white sand beach; you could clock up almost 20,000 steps strolling the entire 14km (9-mile) stretch of Long Beach, but you may be content to simply doze off in a hammock instead.

Detour: For the freedom to make up your itinerary on the fly, rent a motorcycle in Puerto Princesa for the trip to El Nido and back. Break the journey at Port Barton, where boat tours offer the chance to snorkel and swim with sea turtles. Head southwest from Puerto Princesa to reach Balabac at Palawan’s southernmost tip, where the pristine sands of Onok Island call out to thrillseekers with time and money to burn.

2. Boracay

Best for a group getaway

Backed by palm trees for 4km (2.5 miles), White Beach has long been one of Boracay’s top tourist draws. Air-conditioned hotel rooms, fast food joints and bars are just steps away from the sandy shore. Expect a flurry of activities, from dive trips to paddling on transparent kayaks, or sip on an icy-cold fruit shake or indulge in a soothing massage without straying from the sand. As the sinking sun blazes orange, pop into the Hue Hotel for a poolside cocktail or Los Indios Bravos for a craft beer, or board a paraw (outrigger boat) for a cruise; the sunsets are spectacular when viewed from the water.

Detour: To stretch your sea legs, rent a mountain bike and pedal to Mount Luho, the island’s highest point. Boracay is just 7km (4.3 miles) long, so you can loop the island in under three hours, passing rustic beaches such as Puka Beach and Bulabog Beach.

3. Cebu

Best for underwater enthusiasts

Easily accessible by air and sea, the island of Cebu offers a bustle of beaches, accommodations, activities and excellent dining. Sun worshippers make a beeline for the white sand beaches of Bantayan Island, Malapascua Island and Mactan Island, while colorful coral reefs teeming with sea turtles and other marine life add extra appeal for snorkelers and divers. For something out of the ordinary, head to Moalboal or Pescador Island, where spectacular sardine runs can be seen close to the surface year-round.

4. Bohol

Best for together time

Bohol is another effortless choice, with abundant lodging options and lots of fun activities to plug into your itinerary. Family-friendly resorts line lovely Alona Beach on Panglao Island, and there’s more picturesque white sand nearby on Dumaluan Beach. Bangka boats wait to whisk tourists offshore – on the islands of Pamilacan and Balicasag, you can bask on beautiful beaches and enjoy a spot of dolphin spotting and snorkeling on the side. 

Anda on Bohol’s eastern edge offers a quieter getaway, with 3km (1.9 miles) of dazzling sand for undisturbed idling; the Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa is a secluded spot for couples to cocoon.

Detour: For a change of scenery, head inland to visit Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries – always a hit with kids – then grab some fruity ice cream on the coast at Bohol Bee Farm.

5. Siargao

Best for surfers

Home to the world-famous Cloud 9 break, Siargao Island draws surfers across the globe. The vibe is lively yet laid-back, and beginners can take surf lessons near the town of General Luna, where hip cafes, social hubs and budget hostels are clustered. Some shops rent out customized motorbikes with racks so surfers can ferry their boards to secret breaks along the coconut-tree-lined coast, including postcard-perfect Pacifico Beach.

Boat tours to islets, rocky tidal pools and the spectacular Sugba Lagoon are easy to book online. Beyond the surf, digital nomads and sociable solo travelers are drawn to Siargao by the allure of slow island living and many end up staying longer than expected.

Detour: The dreamy beaches of the Dinagat Islands are accessible via a new sea route launched in April 2024. This underrated destination is rarely visited even by locals; get here from the village of Del Carmen on Siargao’s west coast.

6. Romblon

Best for intrepid explorers

If you prefer the sound of waves breaking on the shore to the buzz of conversation, you’ll love Romblon. Hours will stretch into days as you wander from one beach to another on this easygoing island. A short tricycle ride from Romblon’s main town is Bonbon Beach, a low-key spot with soft sand and calm waters. When the tide is low, you can walk along the sandbar to a nearby islet or watch youngsters frolic in the waves. Romblon’s coast is studded with immaculate islets, with water so clear you’d think it was AI-generated.

Detour: You’ll find more fine beaches on the neighboring islands of Tablas and Sibuyan. Test your castaway potential by taking a trip to Cresta de Gallo, a snaking sandbar off the coast of Sibuyan where you can enjoy sweet solitude surrounded by sparkling seas. Return to Sibuyan to hike up the jagged slopes of Mount Guiting Guiting, one of the country’s toughest climbs.

7. Batanes Islands

Best for photographers

The islands of Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat in Batanes province in the far north of the Philippines hide some incredible stretches of coastline, though you may spend more time snapping photos than swimming on these remote islands. Despite the compact size of each island, exploration takes longer and memory cards fill up faster with so much striking scenery to record. 

The landscape of the Batanes islands is defined by rolling hills topped by lighthouses and rugged beaches covered with volcanic rocks. Leap over the boulders at Valugan Boulder Beach on Batan for dramatic shots, then head over to White Beach, south of Mahatao, for a safe dip on a pebble-sprinkled strip of sand.

Heading on from Batan, board a wooden faluwa boat at Basco for the bumpy crossing to Sabtang Island. After snapping shots of the island’s iconic stone houses, head to Morong Beach, dominated by a natural rock arch. This scenic seaside stop is ideal for swimming and the best place on the island to enjoy local specialties such as turmeric rice, uvud (banana heart meatballs) and dibang (flying fish).

8. Santa Cruz Island

Best for an eco-escape

Santa Cruz Island, just off the coast of Zamboanga on Mindanao, has one of the few beaches in the world with pink sand. Stroll along the shoreline and you’ll immediately notice its blushing hue – caused by crushed red organ pipe coral mingling with grains of white sand.

It’s a rewarding escape for environmentally-conscious travelers; yellow-painted fishing boats offer trips into thick mangrove forests, where you can gather edible seagrapes and spot stingless jellyfish. At the center of the island lies a calm and shallow lagoon dotted with vintas – traditional Zamboango fishing vessels with rainbow-striped sails. It’s a picturesque spot for paddling.

Detour: Northeast along the coast from Zamboanga City are the Onse Islas, a cluster of eleven small islands with fine sandy beaches. Swimming, kayaking and nature treks are the main draws in these community-managed islands, which remain blissfully free of commercial development.

Some people like to relax on their summer vacations. Some like to stay active. And yet others seek out invigorating, adrenaline-pumping – even grueling – holidays that test their endurance and deliver the ultimate in thrills.

If you’re in the last group, read on.

Adapted from Lonely Planet’s The Bikepackers’ Guide to the World, the itineraries below will test your mettle as they take you up, down and across Europe. The payoff? Sublime views, superb training and the endless pleasure of taking the road less traveled. (In this case, way less traveled.)

So gear up and get ready for some continental-scale adventures.

1. Trans Dinarica Trail

Western Balkans 
3106 miles (5000km); challenging

The multi-use Trans Dinarica Trail was designed by local enterprises to encourage visitors to explore all the Western Balkan countries by bicycle: the route connects Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo. It’s a sister trail to the Via Dinarica hiking route. The Trans Dinarica starts in Slovenia’s Soča Valley, famous for its water sports, then rolls through the foothills of the Julian Alps beside the Italian border before dipping into Croatia for a foray into the forests of Risnjak National Park. Next, it shadows the Adriatic before a transfer takes riders across the border and into Bosnia & Hercegovina, where it visits Mostar and Sarajevo. Then it’s on to Montenegro – with a pit stop at Durmitor National Park – and Albania, where you can either bike the Albanian Alps or take a more relenting route through Tirana. From there, pedal by Lake Ohrid and through Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia, and visit the cities of Pizren and Gjakova in Kosovo. Cross the finish line in Serbia after enjoying the views of Uvac Canyon and cycling along the Drina River. 

2. Ronde van Nederland

The Netherlands
860 miles (1384km); easy

Holland’s long-distance cycling routes, known as LF routes, are an easy way of exploring this cycle-friendly nation. Most use traffic-free bike paths that are wide and well made. Some of the classic trips include the LF Kustroute along the North Sea and Wadden Sea coastlines; the popular LF Zuiderzeeroute around an inland sea and through national parks and historic towns; and the LF Vechtdalroute linking quiet Dutch villages. But put some of the LF routes together and you get this fantastic 860-mile (1384km) circuit of the Netherlands. Dunes, dikes, canals, sculptures, megaliths, polders, towns and villages feature. Completing the Ronde van Nederland earns riders a special certificate.

3. Iron Curtain Trail

Germany
Distance varies; moderate

EuroVelo’s EV13 route, the Iron Curtain Trail, follows that great geopolitical fissure from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea, through Norway, the Baltic nations, Poland, Germany, Czechia, the Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria and beyond to Türkiye. The route is in different stages of development, but will cover more than 6214 miles (10,000km) when finished. While you can build your own adventure on the trail, the German section is well signposted and ready to ride. The history of the Iron Curtain means that there are some fascinating sites to visit along these quiet roads and bike paths. But if you want to get further off the beaten track, consider the Iron Curtain Gravel Trail, a 426-mile-long (685km) trail crafted by Markus Stitz that runs from the Harz mountains to the Czech border (maps available via komoot.com).

4. Tour du Mont Blanc

France, Switzerland and Italy
105 miles (169km); challenging

File this trip under “do now, while you can.” Climate change is causing the glaciers of the High Alps to melt, which means that the stability of these mountains is changing and, increasingly, that trails such as this loop around western Europe’s highest peak are diverted or closed due to rockfalls and other dangers. But while it’s possible, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a fantastic challenge for mountain bikers, who need only carry enough kit for three or four nights spent in refuges. Most start at Chamonix and will enter three separate countries on their ride. They’ll also cross rivers, climb several passes above 6500ft (1981m) and eat their own weight in pastries.

5. Torino-Nice Rally

Italy and France
435 miles (700km); challenging

Beginning life as an annual bikepacking rally – a non-competitive group ride – designed by James Olsen, this gorgeous route explores some of the lesser-known Alpine regions between Turin in Italy and Nice in France, and it can be ridden at any time between late June and early September when the higher parts are free from snow. Riders take a mixture of rough gravel tracks and trails, with some road diversions available if needed. Bikes are usually hardtail mountain bikes, but gravel bikes with chunky tires will also be fine. And accommodation can be in some of the mountain refugios on the route or under canvas, depending on preference. There’s a lot of ascent, obviously, so most need eight or more days if stopping to savor the views and the local food.

6. Great North Trail

UK
825 miles (1328km); challenging

Snaking north from England’s Peak District National Park to the tip of Scotland, the Great North Trail touches on some of the UK’s greatest cities and its wildest open spaces. This is a mountain-bike route for experienced cyclists if attempted as a single trip, but it’s easy to break it up into sections. The first leg borrows the Pennine Bridleway, which hugs the ridge of hills between Manchester and Leeds before entering the patchwork of stone walls and green fields in Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route then crosses the open moors of Northumberland National Park, and heads into the Scottish Borders at the mountain-biking hub of Peebles before visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow and taking on the real mountains of Scotland on its way to John O’Groats.

What makes Joshua Tree National Park so memorable? It’s a little bougie. It’s a little woo-woo. And its natural beauty is simply astonishing.

Between the Coachella Valley and the vast high desert of interior California, the park is within easy drive of marvelously midcentury playground Palm Springs and the holistic hot spot that is the city of Joshua Tree. (You don’t have to follow your hike with a martini at a Rat Pack–era lounge or a sound bath in a magical dome inspired by extraterrestrials. But you can – details below.)

The national park is where two deserts with totally different ecosystems – the Mojave and the Colorado – meet. It’s home to striking succulent-filled fields, towering rocks eroded into skull- and animal-like forms, and groves of trees with blade-like leaves.

Spend a day here and you’re less likely to ask “What desert am I in?” than “What planet have I landed on?”  

And because deserts are inherently places of wonder, first-time visitors are likely to have many questions. Is Joshua Tree National Park doable as a day trip from Palm Springs? What about from Los Angeles? Will I see actual trees named Joshua? And where do I find the dome that must have been designed by aliens?

Curious? We have answers.

When should I go to Joshua Tree National Park?

As you probably guessed, desert-based Joshua Tree gets blazing hot in the summer – like, triple-digits-every-day hot. This does make May through September the low season, when you’re more likely to score deals on hotel rates. The blazing heat, however, can be dangerous, so visitors are advised to check the weather daily and stay flexible with plans, whether limiting outdoor activities to early mornings (before 9am) or evenings (after 5pm), or avoiding them altogether. The park also warns guests of increased bee activity during summer, which may persuade anyone with an allergy to visit in the cooler months.

October through April is peak season, with April being especially busy because of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in nearby Indio (about 25 miles from the park’s south entrance). While it’s always fun to mix music with outdoor adventure, you’re likely to pay an arm and a leg for lodging everywhere from Palm Springs to Pioneertown, including every Airbnb and converted Airstream in the area. Fall, winter and spring have pleasant daytime temperatures for hiking and climbing, ranging from low 60s to mid 80s (F) – but nights can get cold, especially December through February, when it can dip into the 30s.

How much time should I spend in Joshua Tree National Park?

There’s enough desert eye candy to treat your senses for a week…or much more. But if, say you’re visiting Palm Springs and want a national-park pit stop, a shorter visit can work. (For that post-hike martini back in Palm Springs, by the way, head to Melvyn’s.) A day trip from Los Angeles, however, is ambitious – to say the least. Depending on traffic (which is guaranteed in Southern California), the drive is between 3 and 4 hours each way. Count on staying overnight near the park.

If you have one day…

Stick to hiking the trails near the park’s west and north entrances, which open up to the Mojave Desert. With higher elevations than the Colorado Desert portion of the park, the Mojave is home to mind-boggling boulders and otherworldly rock formations as well as the park’s namesake trees – and you can’t visit Joshua Tree National Park without laying eyes on one.

If you have a weekend… 

With at least two days, you can explore both the Mojave Desert portion of the park (mentioned above) and the Colorado Desert side, which is known for its fields of fuzzy-looking cacti. While you won’t have time to trek every foot of trail, you’ll be able to get in a few solid hikes and still have time for some scenic drives. You can also spend the night. While there are no hotels within the park, there are 500 campsites, most of which can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.

If you have a week or more… 

The California desert is your oyster. Hike to your heart’s content inside the park, then branch out to nearby trails like Tahquitz Canyon near Palm Springs, home to a seasonal 60ft-high waterfall. In addition to visiting Palm Springs, sneak in a day trip to Idyllwild, a charming mountain town that’s a great respite from the desert on extra-hot days. A week is also plenty of time to explore the unique towns and quirky attractions north of the park. Visit an Old West–style town originally built as a film set in the 1940s (Pioneertown), see sculptures made from defunct TVs and toilets (Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum in Joshua Tree) and get a sound bath at that alien-designed dome mentioned above (the Integratron in Landers).      

Is it easy to get in and around Joshua Tree National Park?

Yes – if you have a car.  The park has paved roads so it’s entirely accessible, but there’s no public transportation within the park, and cell service is too spotty to count on calling for a ride. Once you’ve arranged your own set of wheels, be sure to arrive with a full tank of gas and plenty of drinking water, as there aren’t gas stations, restaurants or grocery stores in the park.

The closest airport is Palm Springs International Airport, 45 miles away.  

Top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park

Stroll among thousands of teddy-bear cholla cacti

Like so many of Joshua Tree’s trails, the Cholla Cactus Garden proves that mileage isn’t the only thing that will get your heart pumping. Only a quarter-mile loop, the path teems with eye-catching cacti with fuzzy-looking limbs that almost resemble the outreached arms of a teddy bear. These plants are definitely prickly, though – so we don’t recommend going in for a hug.

Scale a monzogranite rock formation

All those captivating crags and bewitching boulders aren’t just pretty scenery. Joshua Tree National Park draws rock-climbing enthusiasts of all levels to its more than 8000 climbing routes. Hiring a guide, especially if you’re new to the sport and/or the park, is always a good idea. Cliffhanger Guides, Joshua Tree Guides and Stone Adventures all offer half-day and full-day adventures.

Hike a historical gold mine 

What today is an area of hiking gold was once a literal goldmine. Over the course of about 40 years in the last century, Lost Horse Mine produced today’s equivalent of $5 million in silver and gold, making it one of the most successful mines in the park. These days, the tunnels and mill are fenced off, but you can still see artifacts and ruins in the area, including stone houses where the miners lived. Out and back, Lost Horse Mine Trail is 4 miles, or you can take a looping route that’s 7 miles total.

Get a glimpse of the Milky Way

Thanks to very little light pollution, Joshua Tree is one of the rare International Dark Sky Places in the USA – which means it’s a prime place for stargazing. The park has four designated stargazing areas that are especially dark: the parking lots of Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain.

My favorite things to do on a Joshua Tree National Park trip

Get maximum hiking excitement for minimal sweat

The photos will show your family and friends that you scaled gargantuan granite boulders beneath the Mojave Desert sun. But they don’t have to know the hike was only a mile. That’s why I’m a huge fan of the Hidden Valley Nature Trail: an easy, flat loop that’s doable for even my 1-year-old from the comfort of his stroller. But the views and opportunities for scrambling up rock formations make you feel like a true adventurer, no matter your age.

Stay at a souped-up roadside motel

In recent years, California has been in the midst of a motel renaissance, with hoteliers rehabbing atmospheric if simple properties dating to the 1940s and ’50s. These resurrected roadside palaces are my preferred accommodations around Joshua Tree: they feel as timeless as a national park getaway. Take your pick from Pioneertown Motel, ​​where legend has it Gene Autry played poker from sundown to sun up in room #9; Harmony Motel, where U2 was photographed in their Joshua Tree era; and Mojave Sands, renovated by a former furniture maker for Marc Jacobs.

Catch a concert at a saloon-style music venue 

Another reason I like to stay at the Pioneertown Motel: it’s a 2-minute shuffle from there to Pappy & Harriet’s, a former cantina and biker bar that now hosts musicians like Orville Peck and Patti Smith for intimate performances. Even if you don’t come for a concert, you can still stop in for barbecue, burgers and cactus-flower cocktails.

How much money do I need for Joshua Tree National Park?

Both in terms of activities and your budget, Joshua Tree National Park is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place. You can splurge on a house with a pool, or snag a campsite for only slightly more than your breakfast burrito. A heads up: hotels and house rentals in Palm Springs skew more expensive than those in the high desert. Within the latter, lodging in Twentynine Palms offers better value than Pioneertown or Joshua Tree town.

• Joshua Tree National Park entrance pass: $15 per person per week for those entering on foot or bike; $30 per private vehicle per week, including all passengers
• Campsite in the park: $15–25 per night
• Campsite outside the park: $44 pernight 
• High desert hotel room: $150–300 per night
• Palm Springs hotel room: $250–600 per night
• High desert three-bedroom home rental: $250–350 per night
• Palm Springs three-bedroom home rental: $500-$600 per night
• Cup of coffee: $4
• Breakfast burrito: $12
• Burgers and fries for two: $35
• Beer at a bar: $7
• Cactus flower cocktail: $14
• Souvenir t-shirt: $25
• Half-day rock-climbing guide: $138 per person (for group of four)
• Tickets for a Concert at Pappy & Harriet’s: $70
• Public sound bath at the Integratron: $55 per person

Frequently asked questions about Joshua Tree National Park

Are some of Joshua Tree National Park’s three entrances busier than others?

The west entrance, near the town of Joshua Tree, is the busiest, with waits up to an hour on weekends during peak months. Exiting here also gets busy just after sunset. Near Twentynine Palms, the north entrance is less busy; the south entrance, near Cottonwood Spring, is usually the least crowded.

Are there picnic areas in Joshua Tree National Park?

Get your breakfast burritos to go: the park has eight picnic areas (Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Live Oak, Split Rock, Cap Rock, Hidden Valley, Quail Springs and Black Rock). 

What time does Joshua Tree National Park close?

It doesn’t! The park is open 24/7, making it especially great for stargazing. 

What should I pack for Joshua Tree National Park?

Pack plenty of layers, especially if you’re visiting in the winter when daytime weather may be sunny and 65°F – but dipping town as low as the 30s come night. A sizable water jug, comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen and a hat are also key. 

Was the album art for The Joshua Tree by U2 shot in the park?

The bad news: no. The good news: no need to waste your time searching for the famous cover tree. The desert landscape featuring a lone Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), featured on the inside cover of the album, was actually shot about four hours north of the region, much closer to Death Valley National Park. Sadly, that particular tree is no more. But a dedicated fan dropped a bronze plaque in its place inscribed with the question, “Have you found what you’re looking for?”

There’s perhaps no better way to experience the stunning mountain scenery around Bozeman than to pack a sleeping bag and camp beneath a ceiling of Montana stars. The fresh scent of pine needles, the warmth of a crackling campfire and the taste of outdoor cooking are an unmissable part of the Montana summer experience.

An excellent range of campsites awaits you within an hour’s drive of Bozeman, and all offer their own draws. Spend your day hiking, biking or fly fishing before heading back to a campchair and s’mores next to a roaring fire. It’s the best seat in the house. Here are some tips to make the most of your adventures.

Don’t forget to bring cash

It’s easy to forget important things when heading out on the season’s first camping trip. Create a checklist beforehand and always remember matches, charging cables, flashlights, spare batteries and bug spray. If you are headed to a Forest Service campground without reservations, bring a range of bills because you often need to pay cash in exact change.

Make reservations far in advance

Campgrounds around Bozeman are popular in summer, especially on weekends, and they become busier the closer you get to Yellowstone National Park. Most accept reservations through Recreation.gov, so book a site in advance, preferably a few weeks.

Take bear safety precautions

Most campgrounds around Bozeman are in grizzly country, so follow essential precautions – keep your food and toiletries out of your tent, preferably in your car, and don’t leave any food out overnight. When backpacking, hang a food bag from a tree. Bear spray is recommended, especially in the backcountry.

Forest Service campgrounds include a fire ring and table

All the Forest Service campsites listed here include a fire ring and picnic table, but only vault (not flush) toilets and no RV hookups. Most are open from mid-May to mid-September and cost $34 per site. Outside formal campgrounds, dispersed camping is allowed only at numbered sites or half a mile from a road. 

Spire Rock Campground offers trail access to great hikes

Hikers love Spire Rock Campground for its trail access to two classic lung-busting hikes: to 7170ft Storm Castle Peak (almost 2000ft gain in two miles) and longer Garnet Mountain (2800ft elevation gain, 8 miles return), both of which offer superlative views. Rock climbers come here for access to local granite, while families flock to rafting and zip lining at nearby Montana Whitewater. The popular Lava Lake day hike is also nearby.

The secluded campground is 3 miles off Hwy 191, down Squaw Creek Rd, with one-third of the 19 sites backing onto Storm Castle Creek for tent-side fishing access. It’s 27 miles from Bozeman.

If you’re headed to or from Yellowstone, try Pine Creek

Perched on the side of the beautiful Paradise Valley, Pine Creek Campground is halfway between Bozeman and the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

There are plenty of things to do here, both natural and man-made. A popular hiking trail leads from the campground up to Pine Creek Falls (easy, 2mi return) and, more ambitiously, to Pine Creek Lake (10.5mi, six hours, 3400ft elevation gain), high in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. It’s also a base for a visit to the hot springs and rollicking saloon at Chico Hot Springs, 16 miles southwest, or the artistic Western town of Livingston, 15 miles north.

If campfire cooking sounds like a drag, drive 3 miles downhill to Pine Creek Lodge for good food, weekend brunches and excellent live music.

The 25 sites offer fine views over the northern Paradise Valley. RVs might have difficulty climbing the winding road up to the site.

Head to Hyalite Canyon campgrounds for all the outdoor adventures

The Hyalite Canyon is a popular weekend outdoor destination. There’s loads to do here, from demanding single-track mountain biking and big day hikes up to Blackmore or Hyalite Peaks to slower-paced paddling on Hyalite Reservoir. The three Forest Service campgrounds here make for a great car-camping base.

Langohr is the closest to Bozeman – 12 miles (a 30-minute drive) away – and ideal for anglers casting for Arctic grayling and brook trout.

Five miles further up the valley are the 25 sites of Hood Creek. It’s next to Hyalite Reservoir, which makes it ideal for paddlers, sunset watchers and family fun.

A mile further, the quieter 10-site Chisholm is closest to the accessible trail to popular Palisade Falls, and it has hiking and mountain biking access to the epic Hyalite Creek and Emerald Lake trails.

Hike, bike or snowshoe to one of the Forest Service cabins

An interesting compromise between a lodge and camping is the handful of remote cabins offered by the Custer Gallatin Forest Service. Most are accessible only on foot, mountain bike or cross-country ski (sometimes snowmobile) and are pretty rustic. You’ll get a wood stove, bunk beds, table and an outhouse, but no electricity or running water, and you’ll have to pack everything in and out. Cabins cost $65 for up to four people, and you can (and should) reserve them up to six months in advance. They offer incredible potential for an authentic adventure.

For the best views, it’s hard to beat the former fire lookout cabin atop 8245ft Garnet Mountain in the Gallatin Valley. It’s a steep hike up the 3.5mi Garnet Mountain Trail, or an ambitious winter expedition on the 10-mile snowshoe, ski or snowmobile trail from Rat Lake. You’ll get a stove, propane cooker, mattresses and an outhouse, along with 360-degree views and fabulous sunsets from the balcony, but you need to pack water. Bring a copy of Phillip Connors’ excellent book Fire Season, detailing his years as a fire lookout, or pretend you are the writers Jack Kerouac or Gary Snyder, both of whom spent seasons in similar lookout cabins.

Another gem is Mystic Lake Cabin, offering great scope for lakeshore fishing, wildlife spotting and hiking. Hike, mountain bike, ride a horse (there are two corrals at the cabin) or ski the eight to 10 miles here from Sourdough Canyon Trailhead in Bozeman’s southeastern suburbs.

Also worth investigating is the summer-only Windy Pass Cabin, which was built in 1934 atop the dramatic Gallatin Divide Trail.

Soak in the hot springs at Bozeman Hot Springs Campground

This family-friendly place attached to Bozeman Hot Springs, a 15-minute drive west of Bozeman, is the only campground open year-round. This isn’t a wilderness experience. Instead, showers, laundry, wi-fi, RV hookups and simple cabins are available. There’s also live music at the springs every Thursday and Sunday (until 10pm). Most importantly, two hot spring passes are included in every booking. 
 

Famous for its ski slopes, the small mountain town of Bansko, Bulgaria is drawing savvy travelers all year long with a diverse array of activities.

Adventurous mountain lovers, social butterflies and travelers looking for peace and quiet surrounded by nature will love this little town, whose many faces can surprise. In recent years, Bansko has become a favorite of non-Bulgarians and digital nomads choosing this place as a new home base – and for good reason. 

Whether you’re visiting just for a weekend or staying for a couple of months, start planning now with this list of unmissable things to do in Bansko. 

1. Soak in the streets of the Old Town

Bansko’s cobblestoned Old Town is the heart of the city, with many families having lived in its typically Bulgarian houses for generations. Take a stroll through these streets and hear the echoes of centuries-old traditions and the warm, welcoming spirit of the locals. The friendly guides of Bansko Free Tour can provide a lively overview of the town and a first-hand account of what it’s like living there. 

Local tip: A small river runs alongside Gotse Delchev St – making it a great spot for a relaxing promenade. Grab a smoothie at the newly opened Cherry Berry and snap a photo with the stunning Pirin Mountains as a backdrop. 

2. Get a glimpse of history at a house-museum

Immerse yourself in local history by visiting the house of the revival hero Neofit Rilski; the home of beloved poet Nikola Vaptsarov; the historical complex of Radonova House; and the impressively decorated House of Velyan. These fascinating sites reflect Bansko’s rich history. 

Planning tip: Stop by the Bansko Visitor Information Center to get information from the helpful staff for each site’s location, current opening hours and other recommendations in town.

3. Admire St Trinity Church 

Centrally located St Trinity Church stands as a testament to Bansko’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Built in 1835, the Orthodox church features frescoes, intricate woodwork and an impressive bell tower. Come in the warmer months to spot the family of storks that nest in the belfry.

Local tip: If you visit Bansko around Orthodox Easter, join locals in lighting a candle and walking around the church during the traditional celebrations at the midnight mass that ushers in Easter Sunday.

4. Dine at a traditional mehana…

The Bansko region is proud of its distinctive local cuisine. Many local taverns – called mehanas – serve traditional Bulgarian fare and local Bansko specialties. Take a table to dig into dishes like chomlek (veal and potato stew) and kapama (a mix of rice, sauerkraut, veal, pork and chicken, cooked in a pot). It’s hard to resist an order of Banski starets (which translates to “Bansko old man”), a dried-pork sausage served as an appetizer).

Local tip: A few favorite local mehanas are Obetsanova Мehana, Bai Kotse, Chevermeto and Valevitsata Tavern. 

5. …or sample newer artisan-food and coffee spots

In recent years, Bansko has seen some wonderful artisan food and coffee places pop up. Enjoy banitsa (Bulgarian pastry) with a modern twist at Lyubanitsa, savor sourdough artisan bread at The French Guy and enjoy delicious brunch fare at Skabrin Resto Bar. For vegan buffet-style meals, head to Le Retro Hostel. And don’t miss the specialty coffee at Black Honey.

6. Enjoy winter fun on the slopes – and at the après scene, too

From mid-December through mid-April, Bansko draws downhill enthusiasts from all over Europe – and the world – with slopes that are great for both beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Winter is also when all the town’s restaurants, bars, clubs are open, offering plenty of entertainment. 

Local tip: We recommend a Bansko getaway toward the end of ski season, in March and especially April. Avoid the month of February if you can, as this is when it gets really busy.

7. Buy fresh local produce at the Sunday market

No matter the season, every week farmers and traders from the area bring their local produce to the buzzing Bansko Sunday market. Shoppers find fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, pickled foods, homemade honey, eggs, many dried and fresh spices, nuts, and more. A regular flea market also takes place at the same time, a few streets away.

8. Enjoy summer culture in the town square

To make Bansko a year-round destination, the municipality organizes various cultural, arts and music events outside of the ski season. The rich program features arts-and-crafts markets, an open-air cinema with summer movie nights, musical performances and more. Notable cultural and musical events on the calendar include Bansko Jazz Fest and Bansko Opera Fest in August, and Bansko Film Fest in November.

9. Ride the gondola to enjoy Banderishka Polyana in summer

In the summer, Bankso’s gondola becomes a fun attraction for both kids and adults, taking you up to the summer attractions at Banderishka Polyana. These include Europe’s longest slide (400m/1312ft), mini golf and more.

Planning tip: Don’t miss Baikusheva Mura, a 1300-year-old pine tree that lies at the end of an hour-long hike from the gondola station. You can also reach the tree by car.

10. Hit the mountain-biking trails

As you hurtle down a mountain-biking trail, you’ll discover why Bansko is a playground for action sports – especially downhill mountain biking in the summer. The local biking community maintains several exciting routes, all perfect for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the adrenaline rush as you navigate the tracks and take in the beautiful mountain scenery.

Planning tip: Take your bike on the Gondola lift during the summer months to enjoy trails that start higher up in the mountain. And you enjoy them over and over with a day or even full-summer-season pass for bikers. 

11. Cowork and even co-live with fellow digital nomads 

Over the last few years, fast internet connections, the affordable cost of living, a low income tax, and strong community have turned Bansko into a magnet for digital nomads. Get some work done in one of the coworking spaces – Coworking Bansko, Nestwork and Altspace. If you want fully embrace the remote lifestyle, coliving spaces catering to digital nomads include Coliving Bansko, Valentina Heights, Avalon Coliving and Nomadico. 

Planning tip: A week-long festival with networking sessions, lectures and activities, the Bansko Nomad Fest at the end of June attracts more than 500 attendees from all over the world.  

12. Hike the Pirin’s peaks 

To truly experience what makes Bansko special, you have to hit the hiking trails in the Pirin Mountains, which offer stunning vistas of peaks, meadows and lakes. The majestic Vihren Peak is the star of every postcard, while Todorka Peak impresses with impressive views of Vihren and other high points. For the brave, Koncheto Ridge offers a challenging, adrenaline-filled adventure.

Planning tip: The summer hiking season starts in late May and early June, when the snow starts melting, and continues to October.

The World Nomad Games is happening in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. Here’s everything you need to know.

Central Asia’s biggest sporting event is back in its fifth iteration for 2024 – the World Nomad Games continuing its migratory trend (thematically appropriate, one thinks) with a move to Astana, Kazakhstan from September 8 to 13.

Themed as “The Gathering of the Great Steppe,” the Astana World Nomad Games (WNG) brings back event highlights, like sporting competitions and an ethno-village showcasing regional cultures, while adding a unique scientific conference and an unusual big-city vibe to a competition that has previously primarily been held in rural locales.

Unfortunately, official information about the World Nomad Games is hard to come by, and first-time visitors often have the same basic questions as they begin planning their trips so we’ve pulled together this guide on how to make the most out of a trip to Central Asia’s “Nomad Olympics.” Note that, according to the organizers themselves, much information will only be available starting sometime in August – including items like when most events tickets will go on sale, how much they’ll cost, or indeed even how many tickets will be available at several key event venues. All information here is accurate at the time of publication, but anticipate some changes before the event begins in September.

Buying tickets to the World Nomad Games

In a departure from previous iterations of the World Nomad Games all events will be ticketed, with tickets made available for purchase on the World Nomad Games webpage. Payment can be made with international Visa and Mastercard accounts, and can be refunded after a 14-day wait. However, note that currently the website will at times accept payment but not send tickets; the WNG are unable to comment on when this technical issue might be resolved, and refer visitors to the ticketing agent support directly.

Tickets for all wrestling events are currently on sale starting from 600–5000T (US$1.25–11.46) depending on event and start times. Tickets to the opening ceremony at Astana Arena and equestrian events at the Hippodrome complex are not yet available to purchase – event venues are still under construction, and tickets are expected to be released in August once final seating configurations for the venues are established. WNG authorities indicate that tickets will also be available to purchase on-site from sales points at the Hippodrome, Ethnoaul, and Astana Arena; but no information regarding the prices of opening ceremony or equestrian event tickets is currently available.

Competitions at Duman Hotel for togyz kumalak, mangala, and owari (all intellectual/board games) are closed to the public, and thus no tickets will be issued for these events.

World Nomad Games sports competition schedule and venues

The vast majority of the public-facing Astana program will be centered on two areas: the Wrestling Palace (43 Kabanbay Batyr Ave) and adjacent Alau Ice Palace (47 Kabanbay Batyr Ave) in the center of Astana’s modern skyscraper district at the heart of the city, and an area to the southwest of the center where the Kazanat Hippodrome, Argymak Equestrian Complex, and Ethnoaul are all clustered together.

For international visitors, the most exciting new-to-you sports will typically be those played on horseback at the venues in the southwest. At Ethnoaul, horseback archery and horseback wrestling offer a mounted twist to familiar concepts, while kokpar and kok boru at the Kazanat Hippodrome showcase two teams fighting to yank a stuffed headless goat carcass from the midfield line to toss it into a large goal at the far end of the pitch. On September 12 and 13, look for Tenge Ilu events in which riders collect coins or other small objects from the ground at a gallop as well as Kusbegilik events, as bird trainers and their hawks, falcons, and golden eagles compete in simulated hunting exercises.

In the Wrestling Palace area, competitions of at least nine different forms of wrestling will be held across various venues. While casual spectators may struggle to spot the differences between koresh, kurash, kuresi and gureshi the local crowds from across Central Asia take their national athletes very seriously and it’s worth spending at least a few hours here if only for the atmosphere of the venue.

Intellectual games mangala, toguz kumalak, and oware will be held at the Duman Hotel in Astana, but competitions are not open to the public.

A detailed program of sporting events is available directly on the World Nomad Games website, but if previous years are any indication, don’t be surprised if timing changes on the spot with little communication, so try to retain a flexible outlook.

Cultural events at Ethnoaul

The base for cultural events at the World Nomad Games is the 10-hectare Ethnoaul (literally, Ethno-village) beside the Kazanat Hippodrome complex. Cultural events will be focused around three major themes: Ethnohit (folklore and pop music), Ethnodance, and Ethnofashion.

While the cultural program is not yet finalized (check the official website) the current draft version includes theatrical performances, fashion shows, concerts by domestic and foreign artists, and what the organizers are calling an “oriental bazaar” featuring handicrafts products of local artisans, and vendors selling national cuisine on-site.

The 2024 WNG will also incorporate a “Nomad Universe Festival” highlighting the connection of the region’s nomadic past to modern lifestyles in displays on urban and landscape design, modern architectural forms inspired by the classic yurt, and daily artwork exhibitions by local sculptors.

Scientific Program at the World Nomad Games 2024

Alongside sporting and cultural events, a scientific conference will be held at Kazakhstan’s National Museum from September 9 to 11 on the themes of “History and Culture”, “Sport Science”, and “Nutrition of Central Asian Nomads”. Presentations will be free and open to the public (though advance registration, which will not be possible until sometime in August, is required) and presented with simultaneous translation in Kazakh, English and Russian. A detailed program of presentations should be available in August as well.

Getting to and around the World Nomad Games

The city of Astana is well-connected by Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) to Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe. Kazakh flag carrier Air Astana connects the city directly to Antalya, Beijing, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Seoul or with connections in Almaty (ALA) to Bangkok and London. Further international carriers include flydubai, LOT, Lufthansa, Turkish, and WizzAir among others.

Within the city and between venues, public buses and private taxis are available. Taxis between the Wrestling Palace and Hippodrome areas typically cost from 1400–2400T (US$3–5) through the popular YandexGo mobile application. Bus tickets can be purchased from drivers for 180T (US$0.38) in cash or half that through the CTS mobile application (which requires a Kazakh SIM card), with the following routes connecting the Astana Arena bus stop (in between the Alau Ice Palace and Wrestling Palace) to Astana Jūldyzy stellasy, which is a short walk from the Hippodrome area: 10, 37, 301, 302, 303, 308, 309. Full route information is available on the CTS site, as are links to download the mobile app on Apple and Android.

Where to stay at the World Nomad Games

Astana has no shortage of accommodation to choose from, from $7 budget backpacker hangouts to $400 high-end luxury hotels. Very generally the area immediately surrounding the Wrestling Palace area is dominated by mid-range and high-end options, including most of the international hotel chains with representation in Astana, while more of the lower-budget accommodation options can be found north of the river in the older section of the city. Options in the southwest of the city near the Hippdrome area are quite limited, but it can be worth checking homeshare platforms like Airbnb to see what is available.