Best hot springs in Arenal Volcano National Park

Located in the centre of New Zealand's North Island, the town of Taupo sits sublimely in the shadow of the snow-capped peaks of Tongariro National Park. Fittingly, this 40,000-person lakeside town has recently become one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations, as hikers, trout fishers, water sports enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies have started descending upon it.

Banff is well known as the gateway to the Canadian Rockies with its small-town charm, position as the perfect base for a trip into the backcountry, wide swath of adventure travel opportunities (skiing and otherwise), and access to wildlife and nature.

Big Bend National Park shares a border with Mexico in a stunning stretch of southwestern Texas, where evenings are defined by orange skies reflecting against red-rock canyons.  While such stunning scenes are commonplace within Big Bend, the massive desert preserve remains overlooked among US national parks. It’s never had more than 500,000 visitors in a single year since it was made a national park in 1944, making it one of the least-visited parks in the lower 48.

Winter may not seem like the ideal time to visit the wilds of a national park, but really there’s no bad time to enjoy the beauty of America’s public lands. Some national parks in temperate or even tropical climates are better to visit in winter when they’re free from the scalding heat of summer. If you don’t mind the potential for a bit of snow, you’ll enjoy relative quiet in some of the larger parks visited en masse during warmer months.

Based on its name alone, you might picture a vast frozen wilderness, but actually only 11% of Iceland is covered with ice.

Yellowstone has experienced record-breaking visitor numbers over the past few years, but at what cost? Georgia Stephens journeyed deep into Wyoming to face the crowds and investigate their impact on some of America’s greatest wilderness.

Taiwan remains largely undiscovered and seriously underrated by Western travellers, but those that make it here are in for a real treat. Modern Taiwan – an eclectic mix of Chinese, Western, Japanese and indigenous cultural influences. Keeping the diversity of this country in mind, we have compiled a list of the best things to do in Taiwan.

Hot springs and geysers are all well and good, but man cannot live on water alone. Iceland's biggest new attraction is quickly shaping up to be the food scene in its capital. From Mexican flavours to traditional Icelandic specialities, there's a lot to explore. Here Tamara Hinson shares the nine Reykjavik restaurants you ought to put at the top of your hit list.

New Zealand's reputation as a walker's paradise is thanks partly to its diversity of scenery, from the tropical beaches, hot springs and volcanic mountains in the north to the temperate forests, dramatic fjords and glacier-fed lakes in the south. But it's also due to the country's well-maintained network of backcountry trails managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Few countries in Asia boast such dramatic natural diversity and such a range of hiking opportunities as Japan. Mountains make up two-thirds of the country, with beaches fringing the coast and the balmy southern islands. Japan is well set up for hikers, with the ultra-efficient rail network making getting around the country a breeze. Here are ten of our favourite places to go hiking in Japan.

An outdoor soak is an essential part of the Icelandic experience – a surreal way to spend a dark winter's day or to unkink those muscles after a long day's hiking. In fact, the Icelandic tradition of bathing outdoors in volcanically heated pools dates right back to Viking times. From the Blue Lagoon to those in its stark interior, here are 14 of the best natural hot springs in Iceland.

Ishikawa is one of the country’s most enchanting prefectures. Its scenic location – fringing the Sea of Japan on Honshu’s northern coast – is matched by a long history, stretching back to days ruled by the Kaga clan. Over the centuries, Ishikawa has developed into an important centre for a range of creative arts, and you’re just as likely to find yourself marvelling at fine ceramics and lacquerware as sparkling ocean views. Here, Rough Guides brings you the definitive Ishikawa travel guide.