The world’s best this, the world’s best that. Everyone has an opinion. But those opinions only accrue real value when they’re aggregated with those of other people, and preferably other people with first-hand experience of the matter being judged.
21.07.2023 - 08:08 / roughguides.com / Lake Kivu
Jutting northwards into the Persian Gulf, Qatar is one of the world’s smaller nations (about the size of Yorkshire, England), but it is also the world’s richest country per capita. Many will only see Doha’s skyline from afar during an airport transfer, and football fans will know Qatar as the controversial location of the 2022 World Cup, but its labyrinthine souks, intergalactic architecture and beautiful sand dunes are well worth a closer look.
A dhow returns to harbour in Doha, Qatar © Paul Cowan/Shutterstock
Fringed by warm Mediterranean waters, with untouched beaches, excellent ski resorts, ancient ruins and a thriving nightlife capital: the «Paris of the Orient» is full of surprises. Despite ongoing political unrest in the region, Lebanon has seen considerable growth in tourism in recent years, and capital Beirut is the hottest spot in the Middle East for swanky new bars and restaurants.
Byblos, Lebanon © Nate Hovee/Shutterstock
Two decades after the tragic genocide that tore the country apart, Rwanda has emerged as one of Africa’s most socially progressive countries, with a growing ecotourism industry to boot. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and track gorillas on the slopes of the mighty Virunga Volcanoes, or witness the serenity of Lake Kivu – one of the African Great Lakes.
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei), silverback male resting with group, Virunga Volcanoes, Rwanda, Africa
One of the smallest independent countries in the western hemisphere (roughly the size of the UK's Isle of Wight), Grenada is one of the Caribbean’s lesser-known holiday destinations, and it’s all the more charming for it. The Spice Island has all the soft-sand beaches, friendly locals and lush rainforests of Barbados and the Bahamas, but without the package resorts and high-rise developments. Come for the much-anticipated Spicemas carnival in August.
Stunning Morne Rouge Beach In Grenada © Hugh O'Connor/Shutterstock
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About the same size as Massachusetts, Belize is the perfect starting point for an adventure around Central America, wedged between Guatemala, Mexico and the azure Caribbean Sea. Expect thick tropical forests, misty mountaintops and some of the finest diving in the world in the waters that surround the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – the longest such reef in the Americas. Beware, it is mightily expensive here (in comparison to the rest of Central America, at least) so don’t forget your wallet.
Coral reef deep cave Blue Hole, Belize © Tami Freed/Shutterstock
The smallest mainland country in the Americas is affectionately nicknamed Pulgarcito de America, or the «Tom Thumb of the Americas». With an untouched tropical interior, great surfing spots on its coastline and a thriving
The world’s best this, the world’s best that. Everyone has an opinion. But those opinions only accrue real value when they’re aggregated with those of other people, and preferably other people with first-hand experience of the matter being judged.
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
The esteemed Dr. Beach has released his annual list of America’s top ten beaches, and you’ll want to visit all of them this summer—doctors orders.
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
Wondering what the best airlines are according to the average flyer? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) gives a good idea in its Travelers’ Choice best airline rankings each year based on real travelers’ reviews. And the results are different than most trade studies that list the “best airlines.”
Skytrax is out with its annual list of the World’s Top 100 Airlines, perhaps the most recognized worldwide ranking of best airlines. As usual, and to the chagrin of travelers here in the states, most of the top performers are not U.S. airlines. Instead, the list is dominated by Asian, Middle Eastern, and, to a lesser extent, European carriers.
If you want to stay at the best hotel in the United States, head to the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. And if you’re looking for the best bargain hotel stay in the world, it’s in a small town in northern Spain. That’s according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which just shared the best hotel ratings for multiple categories heading into 2019.
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
In this time of isolation, businesses and individuals around the world are sending out messages of hope. Discover, in photos, how we’re keeping our spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
Running along the shimmering Arctic tundra in Greenland, jogging across the African savannah and racing through the Amazon are some of the exhilarating marathon experiences now on offer around the globe. From coastal routes in Jamaica and California to challenging courses in the blazing Sahara and freezing Polar Circle, a growing number of endurance events provide a dramatic change of scene and pace. Read on for our pick of the world's best marathons.