Geothermal cuisine: discover volcano–cooked Azorean food

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.

Rare is the traveler who looks forward to spending a night in an airport hotel. With an emphasis on convenience and utilitarian style, airport hotels tend to be a necessity rather than an indulgence. Luckily, there are those hidden gems that manage to pleasantly surprise even the most discerning traveler. In a bid to transcend their less-than-ideal locations, these hotels spare no effort in providing all the amenities you'd desire, including restaurants serving delectable dishes, cozy, comfort-focused rooms, and tranquil spas that ease post-flight stress. Check out six of Canada’s best airport hotels.

Among the many wonderful things about Greece is that everyone has a favorite island—and everyone is right. For veteran Forbes travel contributor Jim Dobson, that magical isle is Sifnos. Reachable by ferry from Athens in a little over two hours, Sifnos has beautiful beaches, numerous hiking trails along the Aegean Sea and a remarkable 237 churches. Here’s where to eat, stay and play on Sifnos.

Good news, kids! Your parents were wrong: You can have chocolate for dinner. Well, so long as you’re flying British Airways.

Food pics on Instagram feeds can sate even the biggest visual appetite. Search a hashtag such as #food or #restaurant and you’ll find the world represented through its dishes. A sweet bun served up in a village tea house in Myanmar, a high-concept amuse bouche straight from Paris, a mile-high roadhouse burger from somewhere along Route 66—there’s something for every taste.

A vacation to the Cook Islands is guaranteed to be heavy on “pinch me” moments. Made up of 15 tiny islands and atolls dotting the South Pacific waters some 2,000 miles northeast of New Zealand, the Cooks has managed to escape crowds, chains, and skyscrapers, causing many to say it feels like Hawaii — 70 years ago.

There are few tourism destinations out there that have avoided the scourge of high-rise condos, Quarter Pounders, and traffic lights. And if that destination happens to be our planet at its most beautiful? Forget about it.

Pasadena, California, really does have something for everyone. Food lovers, sports fans, those who travel for live entertainment, and history buffs will all find something to love in this city. Pasadena provides options for both families, couples, and even solo travelers.

Located just moments away from the renowned Whistler resort in British Columbia, the breathtaking Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa is expected to open its doors this upcoming fall in November. Whistler is famous for skiing due to its exceptional snow conditions, extensive ski terrain, and world-class ski facilities.

“You have to be careful,” warns Phil Wheeler, host at Preseli Hills Cottages, as we huddle over mugs of tea and an OS map tracing the route of the Golden Road, a seven-mile ramble along the spine of the hills. “I was up there the other day and I couldn’t see further ahead than this in the fog,” he says, his hand a few inches in front of his face. “Lots of the landscape features look alike, which can make navigation tricky. But there’s a special atmosphere up there. You feel things.” As an ex-military mountain guide and a competitor in the Preseli Beast fell-running race, he’s not a man to exaggerate. 

Southeast Asia is the quintessential backpacker destination – all noodle stands, grungy hostels and full moon parties, right? Not necessarily. There are still plenty of authentic Southeast Asian escapes. You just need to know where to find them. Start here.

Everybody knows the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Skye. But what about the other 6000-odd British Isles? Yes, we did say 6000. From the chunky Shetland Islands in Scotland’s far north to the sunny Isles of Scilly slung out from the coast of Cornwall, the British Isles are made up of islands of all shapes and sizes. Pick the right one and you could even have it all to yourself.