A first-timer's guide to Patan-Lalitpur, Nepal

The secret is out about Belize, although seasoned globetrotters added the country’s vast mountain range and deep-sea wonders to their bucket lists years ago. And as easy as it is to fly to the Central American country – most major U.S. cities are two to three hours away – it’s just as quick to obtain a visa to enter. In fact, you may not even need one. 

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than three million square kilometers of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

For most travelers, entering the vast diversity of Ecuador’s Cuatro Mundos ("Four Worlds": the Pacific Coast, Andes, Amazon and Galápagos) requires nothing more than arriving with your passport.

Though I pride myself on being an independent traveler—I was in the United States Peace Corps in Paraguay for two years, have been to six continents, and spent multiple years reviewing hotels across the U.S. and around the world, by myself— India is one country that I’ve never considered visiting as a solo traveler.

Sweeping investments in alternative-fuel technology; slashing plastic waste; making crew uniforms from recycled marine detritus: These are just a few of the steps airlines have taken in recent years to help minimize their environmental footprint in the face of a worsening climate crisis. But so-called “green airfares”—a dedicated fare class aimed at reducing carbon impacts—are the latest attempt at greening the industry.

People have looked to the mountains for spiritual consolation for millennia. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,” say the Psalms, “from whence cometh my help.” For Nepalis, the link is especially powerful. The Himalayas are where the Hindu gods go to meditate and replenish their tapas, or spiritual “heat”, and the Buddhist peoples of Nepal’s Himalayan regions regard many of the highest peaks and lakes as sacred.

Life on two wheels is a beautiful thing, and travel on two wheels can be epic. Here are a few of the world's greatest cycle routes to consider for your next big trip.

Nepal and yoga seem to go hand in hand: with yoga's beginnings linked to Hinduism and over 80% of Nepalese identifying as Hindu, it's only natural that Nepal yoga retreats have become extremely popular. And that's without mentioning the stunning mountain scenery that immediately helps visitors feel detached from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Whether you're a beginner or pro yogi, want a quick immersion or an extended stay, here are some of the best yoga retreats in Nepal.

If you like your holidays with a pinch — or even liberal lashings — of adrenalin, then you may want to check one of these life-changing experiences out. Taken from the pages of Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth, here's ten ultimate trips for thrill seekers.

You’ve got a backpack and your passport is ready to receive some serious stamping. All that’s left for you to decide is where you’re headed, and what you’re going to do when you get there. Studying a few maps will help with the first problem, but won’t do much for the second – so allow us to provide a dash of inspiration.

Unless you’re planning a digital detox, you’re likely going to use the internet, either on a desktop or via a mobile app, to plan part of your next trip. Here are 12 websites and apps you need to check out for your travel plans in 2016.

«The only thing you could focus on was the fact that the earth was moving from side to side by about eight to ten metres.» These are the words of Kathmandu resident Amritman Buddhachari as he describes the huge earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015, destroying many of the important historical Buddhist sites throughout the country.