It’s January in the UK and we are dreaming about travelling, wondering where in the world to go once things reopen.
Our first stop will be home. Sydney, Australia to see our friends and family and reconnect with the sun. But after that – who knows?
Where will you go for your post-pandemic adventure?
We asked our blogger friends to tell us about their favourite places to travel so that we could share them with you. Keep reading for some great destinations to inspire your next adventure!
Table of Contents
Maui, Hawaii
Jade’s favourite place is the Hawaiian Islands for the sunshine, endless green jungle, magnificent volcanic mountains, sublime beaches, and wildlife.
Maui is extraordinary, not only because we got married there in 2016!Maui is great for snorkeling with turtles, trekking in the jungle, discovering hidden waterfalls, watching sunrise on the volcano, and exploring old port towns and remote villages.
What to do:
- Sunrise at Haleakala – The volcano is now dormant but each day you can get the best view of sunrise here. Sing along with the traditional Hawai’ian dawn song, but make sure you dress warmly!
- Snorkelling Molokini Cove and Turtle Bay – Experience a whole new underwater world, with multi-coloured fish and turtles. If you come around November you will hear the whales singing to each other under the water.
- Road to Hana – take your time and drive the winding cliff road all the way to a little town called Hana in the middle of the jungle. Along the way are hidden waterfalls, tiny roadside stalls, pristine beaches, and jaw dropping ocean views.
- There are many other roads and places to visit but these are our top few.
Stay: We suggest you stay for around a week – you will need to get a small interisland plane from Oahu Island – where the main international airport is located.
Do rent a jeep or off-road car – there is limited public transport and you will need your own wheels to get to Hana or go exploring.
Best time to visit: October / November when the whales come into the bay for mating and the weather is slightly cooler and agreeable.
If you like this destination read more in our blog Let’s get Maui’d
Landsberg am Lech, Germany
Our friend Jack of Jack’s Paks writes about his medieval town.
Landsberg am Lech is one of the few places that has ever felt like home. Nestled under the shadow of the Alps, Landsberg am Lech is one of those small German villages that has retained its Bavarian character.
Infamous for being where Hitler wrote Mein Kampf while imprisoned, the historic centre of the town is largely preserved from the 1300s. It is one of the few German towns to avoid being bombed during the war. The traditional restaurants, beer houses, and cobblestone streets are all still there as they have been for centuries.
If you walk up the hill from the town square you arrive at the Medieval city wall which is still largely intact. Walk along the wall for several minutes and you arrive at a breath-taking view of the town.
What to do there:
- Gasthaus Süẞbräu has excellent traditional Bavarian food and beer.
- Rohrkopfhütte – Die Berghütte in Schwangau is a mountain house where hikers can stop in for good food and beer, while watching the famous Alpine Glow sunset – whereby the Alps seem to glow red at sunset.
- The Christmas Market is open from late November – Mid-December. Drinking a steaming mug of Glühwein while watching families celebrate the impending holiday as German Christmas music plays, is something you won’t soon forget.
- Walk the Whole Town in order to fully understand the charm of Landsberg am Lech. Even after living there for months I still enjoyed a stroll along the cobblestone streets.
Stay: 3 Days is long enough to see the town, hike, and visit the nearby fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
Best time to visit: Winter is best. It’s cold but magical! Visiting during winter will allow you to see the Alps covered in snow and also gives you the chance to visit the Christmas Market.
If you like the sound of Europe and cute towns, check out our post on Bucharest, Romania.
Darjeeling, India
Our good friend Subhadeep of My Travel Frames is an expert on all destinations in India. Here he shares one of his (and our!) favourite places.
Darjeeling is known as “Queen of Hills” in India. Situated at an altitude above 2000 metres from sea level in the state of West Bengal, Darjeeling has been a favourite summer destination since the mid-nineteenth century. It has three attractions that make this place one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country: the mesmerizing view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world; the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is also a UNESCO World Heritage property; and Darjeeling tea.
I love Darjeeling for its lonely walkways, colonial bungalows, magnificent cafes, chugging toy train and the unparalleled view of snow-capped mountains on a clear day. The happening Darjeeling Mall, the misty Observatory Road, the delicious breakfast in Glenary’s, and the sight of sprawling tea estates near Singtom always hauls me back to Darjeeling.
Things to do in Darjeeling:
- Visit places like Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo),
- Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI),
- Japanese Temple,
- Peace Pagoda,
- Rock Garden,
- Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, Batasia Loop and Ghum Monastery
- Witness a magical sunrise from Tiger Hill
- Learn about tea processing in Happy Valley Tea Estate
- Enjoy a “Joy Ride” on Darjeeling’s Toy Train
- Have a sumptuous breakfast in Glenary’s or Keventer’s
- Drink Darjeeling tea
- Spend an evening in Darjeeling Gymkhana Club or in a local pub
Stay: You should stay for at least three days in Darjeeling to experience most of the things above.
When to visit: You can visit Darjeeling throughout the year. If you are keen to get the best view of the Mt. Kanchenjunga, then you better take your chances during the month of November-February. And if you are not concerned about the sight of snow-capped mountains, then I suggest, you visit Darjeeling in monsoon when the cloud plays at the top of the pine trees, and the valleys get covered in gorgeous green.
Getting there: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra, and the nearest railhead is New Jalpaiguri. Both of which are well-connected to all major cities in India.
Accommodation:
- Luxurious: Windamere Hotel, Glenburn Tea Estate
- Mid-scale: Mayfair Hotel, Hotel Elgin
- Budget: Magnolia Residency, Hotel Shangri-La Regency
Eating:
- Glenary’s
- Keventer’s
- Kunga Restaurant
- Gatty’s Cafe
If you like the idea of Darjeeling why not check out our blog on South East Asia!
Sevilla, Spain
Rebecca of Veggies Abroad writes about vegan travel in her favourite place Sevilla, or is that Seville?
I always throw people off when I call Seville, Sevilla. Seville just doesn’t have the same bounce and vibrancy that I think such a beautiful city deserves. Seville just falls flat. As you can tell I am particularly fond of Sevilla.
Sevilla is the capital city of Andalusia, situated in the south of Spain. It is famous for its culture, artistic beauty, and traditions. Tourists flock to the sun-soaked capital to enjoy Flamenco and around Easter for the grand processions in the city streets.
What to do:
- Walking through the city is like walking through its own history book, it’s a unique mix of Gothic to Baroque, Renaissance and Mudejár (a blend of Moorish/Arabian) architecture. The styles show how the city has been shaped and changed over the past 1300 years.
- Seville Cathedral – With 80 different chapels it is the largest cathedral in the world and holds the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
- Real Alcazar – Incorporating Western and Muslim architecture, the palace is still occupied by the royal family when they are in Seville. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Book tickets ahead of time.
- Archeological Museum – Houses the most important artefacts from the Seville area. The highlight is the Treasure of El Carombolo, 21 pieces of gold jewellery made by the Tartessos culture – neighbours to the Phoenicians.
While you’re exploring some of the beautiful architectural gems of the city, you’re going to need sustenance to keep going! Here are two vegan hot spots you must check out:
Mercado del Arenal, Calle Pastor y Landero, S/N, 41001 Sevilla, Spain
100% vegan restaurant with a fun brunch and lunch menu. They take traditional items and veganize them. There is something for everyone here!
Feria, 61, 41002 Sevilla, Spain
This sweet little vegan place is family run and focuses on local, organic produce in all of its dishes. They have weekly menu changes, and a quiet patio for a nice dinner outdoors.
Stay: Plan at minimum 2 full days in the city.
When to go: We travelled in January (winter: dec/jan/feb) and enjoyed 60 – 70 degrees fahrenheit (15 – 21 celsius) .Coming from the arctic tundra, known as Michigan, the weather in Sevilla was a delight.
For more spanish inspiration, check out our post on Oaxaca City or the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia!
Muyil Ruins, Mexico
Jacob of the Neverending Field Trip has hit upon two subjects close to our heart: Mexico and ancient ruins…..swoon.
The Muyil (moo-yil) ruins are actually a fairly new location on my family’s travel list, but it almost immediately became one of our new favorites. Located about 20 minutes south of Tulum, Mexico, Muyil hosts some of the oldest Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, dating back to around 300 B.C.E., centuries before the more famous sites like Chichen-Itza or Coba. It is also much smaller, which I actually prefer.
The ruins’ smaller size meant that there were fewer tourists to contend with, no gift shops, or even much signage. Which in turn means you have a better chance of spotting animals. In fact, my family spotted a small group of spider monkeys within thirty minutes of getting there!
What to do:
- Muyil Ruins – While tours are available in the ruins, we decided to forego them in favor of meandering down the jungle paths on our own and were rewarded with plenty of one-on-one viewing time with the ancient Mayan pyramids.
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve – Muyil also boasts its very own entrance to the Sian Ka’an Reserve which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Float down pristine natural canals filled with crystal clear water. Climb to the top of a wooden observation tower and gaze over the tops of the trees. Or, simply keep your eyes peeled for the local flora and fauna in their natural habitats.
Times: The ruins open daily at 9, with the last tickets being sold at 3, and it can take several hours to enjoy everything on offer. Get there early to enjoy the ruins during the cooler morning, and spend the afternoon exploring the canals.
I honestly don’t know why these ruins aren’t better advertised, but the ease of access, lack of crowds, and natural beauty all point to this being an excellent addition to any trip to the area.
When to go: Nov-Jan is best as it’s dry season and early in the tourist season.
For more inspiration in Mexico check out our blogs on Zipolite the beach town and San Cristobel de la Casas.
Jordan
Jen from Dabbling in Jet Lag writes about a country that’s top of our bucket list.
Jordan is, without a doubt, my favorite destination. Its natural beauty, world-renowned historical sites, and delicious food make it an ideal destination for any traveler.
In fact, Jordan lies at the heart of one of the most captivating regions in the world. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, a place where East meets West. From nomads to conquering armies, they have all left their mark. And it’s this unique blend combined with its major role in history that make Jordan an exciting place to visit.
What to see:
- Archeological wonders like Petra, Little Petra, Shobak Castle, and Jerash will give you a glimpse into ancient civilizations. You can even negotiate with merchants in Petra for a handmade scarf. With the scorching sun and gusts of sand filled wind, purchasing a scarf is something you won’t regret.
- For stunning desert landscapes, venture into the Wadi Rum. Not only will you find striking red rock formations but also petroglyphs from the ancient Nabatean peoples. It’s easy to see why it was used as the backdrop to Lawrence of Arabia! If you are up for a real adventure, you can even spend the night in the desert.
- Finally, relax and take a swim at the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Its natural healing powers are something not to be missed.
Traveling in Jordan is not only a journey through time but also a journey for your taste buds. Jordan has so many mouthwatering dishes, it makes it difficult to choose. Try Mezze, aka Arabic tapas, and sample a variety of dishes!
Stay: 10-12 days to see all the sites listed above. See more here
When to go: April-May and October-November. During these times crowds and prices are at their lowest and the temperatures are not too hot.
If you love the idea of ancient cities in remote places, check out our posts on Ephesus and Kazakhstan.
