Epic Stays tips

Solar eclipses are rare events. North America, however, has been blessed with two in quick succession: one in 2017, and another that will happen on April 8, 2024. The first stopped people across the country who sat in awe in the path of totality. The latter will be even more accessible for people in the United States, with a long stretch of totality from the Southwest to New England.

Minneapolis stands out for its art museums, its lakes, and its sporting prowess. The largest city in Minnesota sits on the west banks of the Mississippi River whereas its Twin City and the state capital is a short journey on the light railway.

Northern India’s state of Rajasthan is the largest Indian state by area (and the seventh largest by population), covering 132,139 square miles — translating to roughly 10% of India’s total geographical area. The city is known for its tourist attractions like hill forts and palaces, having garnered the nickname “royal state of India” for its royal history. Here’s where to stay in this historic city.

The central train station in Edinburgh is Waverley. It’s in the city’s center, under the shadow of the Old Town’s narrow closes, wynds, courts, the Mound, and Edinburgh Castle. Arriving by train in my teenage years, this grand welcome would leave me speechless. And after living in Edinburgh for over six years, it still does today.

Around 1,600 towering karst pillars and forested islets spring from the emerald bays off Vietnam’s northeastern coast. Traditional sailing junks, cabin cruises, and yachts drift through the Ha Long, Lan Han, Bai Tu Long bays, and the Cat Ba Archipelago. Most travelers spend at least one night aboard with kayaking, climbing, and short yet steep hikes immersing you further in this spectacular landscape.

Before it was developed into a seaport and garrison, the area now known as Chennai comprised a cluster of small villages on India’s Coromandel Coast. The largest of these, Madrasapattinam, inspired the city’s original name of Madras before being renamed Chennai in 1996. This history has resulted in a sprawling metropolitan area with no clearly defined downtown core although the region between the Cooum and Adyar rivers generally defines the tourist zone.

We’re in the golden age of expedition cruises. Travelers can board relatively small luxury ships or yachts to explore remote places like the frigid Article Circle, or cruise to Antarctica to hike, kayak, and photograph penguin colonies. According to the Expedition Cruise Network, these types of excursions are the “fastest growing” market in the cruising world.

Geneva sits on the southern shores of Lac Léman in French-speaking Switzerland. The city is cradled by the Alps and Jura ranges with the tip of Mont Blanc is visible on a clear day. Not just the domain of bankers and diplomats, Geneva’s whimsical Vieille Ville is a hilly tangle of medieval plazas and monuments. The International Museum of the Red Cross is a sobering look into the latest humanitarian efforts. Directly on the lakeside, the Bains des Pâquis offer seasonal bathing (and winter saunas). These magnifique Airbnbs in Geneva, Switzerland, put you close to the lake and Place du Bourg-de-Four.

Udaipur is a surprise oasis in the southern reaches of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India’s landlocked (and largest) state. The city wraps around a sequence of artificial lakes with Lake Pichola being the most beautiful. Reflecting the Aravali Range in its shimmering waters, this lake and its floating palaces have established Udaipur as one of the most romantic destinations in Northern India. Add your name to the long list of travelers who lost their heart to Rajasthan’s City of Lakes at one of these Airbnbs in Udaipur near Lake Pichola.

We hope you love the hotels we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Drifting off the west coast of Greece (and Albania), Corfu is one of the seven Ionian Islands. Nereids and deities, fishermen and warriors, heroes and sea monsters from this region have inspired myths that still enchant Greek island-hopping travelers. Modern-day Corfu (Kérkyra) is just as beguiling for its craggy coastline and jaw-dropping beaches while the Venetian-built capital adds a surprising twist. Plan your next Greek odyssey to one of these idyllic Corfu Airbnbs on the beach or up on the cliffs.

It doesn’t take much of a search online to figure out what my hobbies are — after all, I’m a travel editor, and I write about the things I like to do when traveling. Usually, that involves some kind of outdoorsy activity, like mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, wildlife watching, or something else in that vein.

Lima is more than the jumping-off point to Cusco and a certain wonder of the world. The capital of Peru lolls on sheer cliffs rising 60 meters above the Pacific Ocean although this isn’t a typical beach destination. The Lima lifestyle revolves around strolling the clifftop esplanade, hitting the surf, warming up for Machu Picchu at Huaca Pucllana, and mopping up one too many Pisco Sours with picarones. Even the most mall-shy folk are won over by the Larcomar retail complex.

First established as an East India Company trading post, Calcutta served as India’s capital under the British Raj between 1772 and 1911. It was officially renamed Kolkata in 2001 to reflect Bengali pronunciation and has become a center for culture and the arts with 13 major festivals occurring every year.

Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state and the epicenter of India’s high-tech industry. The city is also known for its green spaces and vibrant nightlife. There are numerous attractions, from historical landmarks to modern experiences, like the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the Bengaluru Palace, and the ISKCON temple Bangalore. The city is also known as a great place to shop, home to numerous malls and markets.

Motors and Motown put Detroit on the map. Michigan’s largest city also has a vibrant cultural scene expressed through street murals and a rotating fleet of 75 seasonal food trucks. Served by the free-to-ride QLine Streetcar, Woodward Avenue links Downtown Detroit with Brush Park, Midtown, and the Amtrak station. The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is free for 2024, meaning that you’ll have more dollars to put toward sightseeing – or a place to hang your hat. Featuring skyline condos and artsy lofts, these Airbnbs in Detroit have as much character as Motor City.

Osaka is half the size of Tokyo but just as much fun. Lightning-quick shinkansen trains link the two cities in a little over two hours while nearby cities of Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara are an easy day trip. Osaka itself is home to its namesake castle, scores of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and a belting street food scene. The central districts are defined by Honmachi, Dōtonbori, Namba (Minami), and Kita (Umeda) although Osaka Bay is a handy base for visiting Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) and Universal Studios Japan. Mingling Japanese and Western traditions, these are the top-rated Airbnbs in Osaka’s coolest neighborhoods.

San Antonio, Texas, is known for its tasty food, dynamic cultural heritage, and rich history. It was the site of the infamous 1836 battle for Texas’ independence from Mexico at The Alamo, now a preserved historic site and museum — and for the San Antonio Riverwalk, which overflows with delicious restaurants, fun shops, and opportunities to explore on foot. Here’s where to stay and spend the night on a trip to this southern city in the Lone Star State.

Rome is a mesmerizing mélange of art, faith, and history that has spanned almost three millennia. Here you will encounter legendary monuments from Republican matriarchs, the finest frescoes in the world to some of the most iconic landmarks in history such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum. Located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, Rome is one of Europe’s most visited cities, with millions of tourists flocking to it each year to experience its rich culture and history. Due to its popularity, hotels in Rome can come with a hefty price tag and can book up far in advance. If you’re planning a getaway to the city, want to save money, and stay somewhere as remarkable as the historic capital, plan ahead of time.

We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

There’s only one city in the world where you can sleep with yogis on Monday, rent an artist’s studio on Tuesday, and slumber under the stars on Wednesday. Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, already stuns with its medieval old town and offbeat attractions but choosing a one-of-kind accommodation experience rounds off a trip to this Baltic city. These are the most unique hotels and Airbnbs in Vilnius that’ll inspire you to stay in.