Where to go when: an alternative month-by-month guide

A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail. 

Brian Parsa was enjoying a vacation in Europe last month with his girlfriend when, suddenly, everything fell apart.

Nestled in the alluring embrace of the Mediterranean, the opulent Monte Carlo Beach Hotel stands as a glamorous sanctuary, epitomizing contemporary luxury and timeless elegance. Designed by renowned architect India Mahdavi, this seaside villa pays homage to the 1930s French Riviera, offering guests an unforgettable escape into a world of indulgence. With its private beach, Olympic-sized pool, and the gastronomic delights of Elsa, the hotel has achieved the prestigious Green Globe certification, solidifying its commitment to sustainability and responsible hospitality.

Travel in August is all about being canny. It’s a prime time to be in Europe but you need to be nimble to avoid the crowds and escalating prices across the Med and beaches radiating beyond. It's worth thinking of alternatives if you want more than a packed fly-and-flop beach break or an overheated European city visit where half the venues are closed for the summer.

Compared to the typical Latin American tamale — a corn-based mixture steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf — the Mississippi Delta’s iteration is smaller, spicier, meatier and often simmered rather than steamed. Some say the dish came from Mexican migrants or soldiers in the Mexican American war; its origins may lie in Native American cuisine, or hail from the African dish, kush — cornbread hash. The flavours are as varied as the backstory — here are some of the best places to try them.

Yosemite National Park, perhaps more than any other, is responsible for the broader vision of wilderness conservation in this country, thanks to a Scottish immigrant named John Muir who fell in love with this land, fought to protect its natural wonders and, in the process, founded the Sierra Club.

One of the most celebrated painters in history and a feminist icon, Frida Kahlo has her own museum in Mexico City: the Frida Kahlo Museum, otherwise known as La Casa Azul (The Blue House). La Casa Azul is not just any building, it is the bright cobalt blue house where the artist was born, grew up, and spent most of her life until her death at age 47 in 1954. According to Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera’s wishes, a few years after her passing, La Casa Azul was transformed into a museum where her paintings, personal objects, furniture, folk art, clothing, etc. are displayed for the enjoyment of all those who are fascinated by Kahlo’s work and life.

Seville, the sun-drenched capital of Andalusia in southern Spain, is a city packed with cobbled alleys, terraza bars that spill into plazas filled with orange trees, and live flamenco. Known for its magnificent architecture, Seville is home to a stunning array of historical landmarks. The centerpiece is undoubtedly the Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, standing in the heart of the city. Seville’s culinary scene is a delightful journey through hole-in-the-wall tapas bars. At local tavernas like El Rinconcillo, the city’s oldest bar, you can savor traditional tapas such as espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) or solomillo al whisky (pork in whisky sauce), paired perfectly with a glass of crisp, local sherry or vermouth. Choosing where to base yourself in the city is depends what style you’re into. The old centre is a tangle of narrow medieval streets, while the neighbourhood of Triana, one of the birthplaces of flamenco, has become the city’s hippest hangout. To help you out, here’s a selection of top-rated hotels famed for their level of service, design aesthetic, and location close to must-see attractions.

Europeans love a carnival like nothing else; it’s a time to dress up, drink up and get legitimately weird on the streets. Many carnivals take place during Mardi Gras, when Roman Catholics traditionally feast and sing for the last time before Lent’s abstinence begins.

London, Edinburgh, Cardiff… These are the usual suspects when visitors are thinking about city breaks in the United Kingdom. But there are actually 66 other cities to be explored throughout this land, each with something different to offer. Here’s our pick of the 8 best alternative UK city breaks, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

New Zealand's reputation as a walker's paradise is thanks partly to its diversity of scenery, from the tropical beaches, hot springs and volcanic mountains in the north to the temperate forests, dramatic fjords and glacier-fed lakes in the south. But it's also due to the country's well-maintained network of backcountry trails managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

With the Tour de France in full swing and 2017 marking the 200th anniversary of the mighty bicycle, Rough Guides' Greg Dickinson embarked on his own two-wheeled adventure through the country – and he discovered some things about the power of pedalling along the way.