The 20 best US cities for coffee lovers, ranked

Sri Lanka may only be small, but thanks to its jungle-clad mountains, golden sandy beaches, abundant wildlife in their natural habitats, and spice-laden cuisines, the island nation ensures visitors are never bored.

With bald eagles and bears for neighbours, the mighty Mendenhall Glacier to the north and the Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the US — at its feet, Juneau may, at first glance, seem a daunting destination for hikers. Look closer, however, and the rugged wilderness of southeast Alaska reveals itself in stages. In the foothills and valleys just beyond the city, waymarked trails suitable for a wide range of abilities bring Alaska’s wild landscapes to life. Here are three to try. 

While many Americans associate kaleidoscopic fall foliage with New England, Seattle also brims with autumnal appeal with cool, crisp air and a stunning backdrop of tree-covered hills and mountains. Also: where else can you take in awe-inspiring views of Mount Rainier, knock back a chambong (champagne glass-beer bong hybrid), savor spicy Laotian chicken laap, and retire to a plush room overlooking Elliot Bay in a single day?

Bacalar has a seven-tone lagoon of blue that is one of the most extraordinary places to practice snorkeling and scuba diving. (Photo Credit: Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, Sectur)

JetBlue is putting flights on sale in time for fall and winter getaways with travel starting as low as $39.

Holiday tradition usually dictates staying home for a large gathering with the extended family. But celebrating away can be an exciting prospect. You might not think it, but spending the holidays somewhere else can be much less stressful than hosting or staying with relatives. A vacation rental provides a neutral territory and a much-needed break from your normal holiday routine. All you need to do is to choose a festive place to go. A good place to start is with the country’s most popular Christmas cities. New York City, Santa Claus, Williamsburg, Park City, and Santa Barbara are the most sought-after destinations in the US for the holidays, and these are the best family-friendly Christmas Airbnbs perfect for a Yuletide gathering.

It’s never too soon to start making those holiday travel plans or even decide on a winter vacation to escape the cold. If you’ve been saving up points and miles to make the trip easier, now is the time to put them to work for you.

As diverse as it is enchanting, Mexico is a year-round destination. This 32-state nation boasts glistening coastlines, numerous microclimates and an astonishingly varied terrain.

Think of Brazil and huge swaths of tropical rainforest, swampy wetlands, rolling grasslands, rugged plateaus and green mountains come to mind.

While a large portion of the world considers Halloween to be largely for children, Americans of all ages take the holiday very seriously.

From the deserts of Arizona to the rocky coastline of Maine, from the sandy shores of Florida to the peaks of Colorado, the United States offers a breathtaking range of natural landscapes. The new National Geographic book Great Outdoors USA: 1,000 Adventures Across All 50 States reveals how to hike, raft, climb, surf, and bike through some of the best of them. Here are 50 of its top picks, one in each state.

A burger and fries by the beach in San Diego, California. (Photo Credit: sophia_ross/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)