5 of the best Indigenous winter adventures in Sweden's Sámi country

While relaxing on a beach with a good book, a cold beverage, and ten toes in the sand can be a recuperative and peaceful way to spend a vacation, sometimes a bold itinerary full of thrilling experiences is needed. Adventure travel is a smart way to go beyond our comfort zones, learn new things, and immerse ourselves into new cultures and landscapes.

I think of it as the “adventure moment”: when the guide says goodbye; when the boat unexpectedly pulls up to the riverbank and the captain tells you to get off; when no one speaks any language you understand; when you have to call on your own resources. The adventure starts when there is no one to tell you what to do next.

Norway is a treasure trove of remarkable experiences waiting to be discovered.

Sustainable travel in the Nordics embodies a commitment to environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and responsible tourism practices, making the region a frontrunner in eco-friendly and mindful exploration.

Ask people to name the places they’ve visited in the Caribbean and Bequia isn’t the first name you’ll hear. That’s an advantage — especially when you want all the beaches, beauty and local charm of an island vacation without feeling like you’re surrounded by more tourists than sand. And for the ultimate escape look no further than the newly opened Grenadine Villas overlooking Friendship Bay Beach, from the island’s top resort Bequia Beach Hotel.

In the snowy heart of the Swiss Alps, one hotel is changing the game for what après-ski means. Traditionally, après-ski is all about kicking back after a day of skiing, maybe with a hot drink or a beer in hand. It's a time to relax and share stories of the day's escapades on the slopes. But at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, they're offering something different, something more.

Sweden is considered to be one of the most sustainable countries in the world… but it also happens to produce an impressive volume of internationally renowned designers and fashion houses given the size of the country.

People may think of Thailand as a food-focused destination, or a place for great nightlife or even a wellness center and somewhere to go and be pampered.

It’s believed that the Norwegians invented modern skiing as we know it, and the first destination ski resort was Switzerland’s St. Moritz around 1864—more than half a century before the oldest operating mountain in the U.S. opened. It was the ski loving but mountain-challenged British that popularized the very notion of the ski vacation, traveling to the Alps for food, fun and skiing.

Discover the incredible world of Sweden’s ICEHOTEL 34 this winter. Picture this: 500 tonnes of ice, equivalent to 10 Olympic swimming pools of the finest "snis" – a blend of ice and snow – meticulously crafted over six intense weeks. The journey began in spring, as ice blocks were harvested from the Torne River and stored in an ice warehouse in Jukkasjärvi, awaiting their transformation into a magical experience. The unique creation has emerged from the creative minds of 32 artists, spanning 14 countries from around the globe.

Safety is top of mind for many travelers as they plan out their trips for 2024 and beyond. But for those in the LGBTQ community, and their allies, knowing which countries are welcoming towards gay travelers is an important consideration. Part of measuring that sentiment is knowing where residents stand on rights, including same-sex marriage. The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about issues and attitudes shaping the world, released a new study showing which country’s residents support same-sex marriage the most, and which countries have the lowest level of support.

A European country has taken over the top spot as the world’s most powerful passport, according to a new index by VisaGuide.World. As of December, the Spanish passport has claimed first place from Singapore, a new study by the visa advice website has found.