Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture is the only place in the world where you can watch wild Japanese macaques soak in a natural hot spring. Pairing it with the centuries-old hot spring village of Shibu Onsen ten minutes down the valley turns the visit into one of Japan’s most atmospheric winter trips.
Somewhere along Panama’s Caribbean coast, roughly 365 islands and cays are scattered across a stretch of turquoise water, most of which are uninhabited. This is Guna Yala, known internationally as the San Blas Islands. A sailboat or catamaran is the most comfortable way to explore, and the only option to reach its most remote parts.
Traveling to Japan in winter? Takayama and Shirakawa-go are two of the most atmospheric stops in the Japanese Alps, with Edo-period streets, thatched farmhouses, and some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Together they make an easy pairing from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Kanazawa, and we’d put this part of Japan high on the list for any winter trip.
You arrive at Gangtey Lodge to the sound of traditional song, a welcome massage, and a warm drink waiting for you. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Tucked in Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, the lodge sits high above one of the country’s most unspoiled landscapes, surrounded by mountains, forests, and centuries of monastic history.
Some journeys are beautiful, and then there are the ones that stay with you. The Tiger’s Nest hike in Bhutan falls firmly into the second category. Paro Taktsang, a monastery that appears to grow straight out of a sheer cliff face, is unlike anything else we’ve seen in years of travel. The path follows the same route pilgrims have walked for centuries.
This 7-day Bhutan itinerary is designed around two festivals – Thimphu Tshechu and Gangtey Tshechu – giving you a chance to experience both a large-scale celebration and a more intimate local gathering. It’s an ideal introduction to Bhutan for first-time visitors, balancing festival attendance with visits to the country’s most iconic sites.
After visiting Bangkok four times, we finally found our favorite place to stay in the city. Neil Niwas offers something different from the usual hotel experience: a stunning 135-year-old colonial Thai house located on a peaceful canal, just a short walk from Wat Arun. With only four rooms, it feels wonderfully cozy and authentic.
A character rich Bangkok boutique hotel in a restored former bank building dating back to the late 1800s, on the edge of Chinatown and Talat Noi. Expect patina walls, vintage curios, a dramatic spiral staircase under a circular atrium, and freestanding tubs in the rooms that belong in a film set. The Mustang Blu hotel is all about atmosphere.