Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2024: The Best Apres Ski Apparel To Wear On The Mountain

With cobblestone lanes wrapped around arched bridges and canals, Amsterdam makes for a charming vacation at any time of year.

The fabulous diversity of the Maldives means there’s an island for every type of tourist, from budget travelers to adrenaline junkies who dream of exploring beneath the waves.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jaclyn Sienna India, the founder of the luxury travel concierge Sienna Charles . The following has been edited for length and clarity.

The Acropolis in Athens, Greece, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Visiting the artistic complex offers a chance to stand where philosophers once debated, where democracy was born, and where art and culture flourished during the Greco-Roman era. The structure has endured wars and stood the test of time thanks to ongoing restoration and conservation efforts. It sits atop a hill in the heart of Athens, which rewards visitors with panoramic views of the city, stretching all the way to the Aegean Sea. The UNESCO World Heritage site attracts around three million visitors annually. Due to the throngs of summer tourists and concerns over the long-term preservation of the ancient citadel, there is now a daily cap of 20,000 sightseers per day. The restriction does not affect most. That said, opting for a vacation rental close to the Acropolis will give you a head start for a morning visit and a spectacular backdrop for your stay. These Airbnbs near the Acropolis are all within walking distance from the heritage site and have direct views of the complex from balconies or rooftops, so you can sit back and enjoy your visit to Athens without hustling through crowds.

Velana International Airport in Male is the gateway for most visitors to the island-nation of the Maldives. As you disembark, take in a delicious blast of salty sea air and glimpse the tantalizing turquoise waters.

Forget Paris in spring: Rome is both warmer and cooler in the first few months of the year. The locals are in their winter black rollneck jumpers, accessorised with equally noir-ish sunglasses. With an average of 17C by March, it’s warm enough to sit outside cafés and bars, but not hot enough to fall foul of the “no shorts” rule enforced in Rome’s oldest churches.

The Grand Canyon, the Napa Valley, New Orleans — the United States' biggest draws need little in the way of introduction, having long captured imaginations across the globe. But in some ways, big isn't always best, at least where carbon footprints are concerned — and there are ways to take in the country's greatest hits without the correspondingly great environmental cost. From kayaking the Everglades to going electric in Washington, DC, here's how you can tread lightly while still enjoying the very best of the US.

Whether you’re an indoor gym climber or you’re lucky enough to have access to real boulders in wide open spaces, you’ll need to have a proper pair of climbing pants as you progress in the sport. For Valentine’s Day this year give your loved one something that supports their passions and interests. Here are the coolest pants for rock climbing.

Sure, you could walk into any wine shop and walk out with a bottle of big-name Champagne. But to show that you really put some thought into the bubbly you are gifting to that special someone, why not choose something unique — and made in the United States? From California to Vermont (and everywhere in-between), wine makers are crafting surprising sparkling wines that are perfect for Valentine’s Day, or honestly every day. Here are a few of my favorites right now.

A world-class city, Athens is crammed with attractions and entertainment that can fill weeks of any visitor's time.

February half-term is usually a near-guaranteed time for ski lovers to find snow in Europe - but it may be significantly harder this year.

San Francisco’s mild weather makes it a consistent year-round attraction, which is a bonus for visitors looking for flexible travel dates.