white world travel

31 Beautiful White Places around the World you should visit

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Did you know that exploring white places around the world is the latest travel trend? Not just because we are getting close to Winter , snow, and Christmas. Traveling to white destinations is part of the dopamine travel trend . White travel places are bound to evoke feelings of tranquility and symbolize new beginnings. It is not just about traveling to winter destinations and searching for the land of Ice and Fire. Below you will find a collection of white places to visit, from buildings to salt flats, mosques, and opera houses. All handpicked and personally visited by myself and other travel bloggers .

🏯 If you have been wondering “How many white places from the list has Anja visited?”, you will find the answer hidden in the blog.

White , often associated with cleanliness and simplicity, is the color of Wat Rong Khun or White Temple in Thailand, and the color of endless Salar De Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. White is perfect for dopamine travel and is found in many forms in nature and architecture. Below are perfect fairy-tale white travel destinations around the world, dressed in various shades of white . From bright white to cotton, ivory, and coconut, to pearl white and porcelain, to make you feel more serene and at peace. Now, find out which white places in the world you want to add to your bucket list.

and ALSO READ: • What is Colorful Dopamine Travel trend • 31 Beautiful White Places around the World you should visit • 27 Orange Places around the World for Your vibrant bucket list • 25 Vibrant Red Travel Destinations to visit this year • 27 Pink Places around the World you should visit

and ALSO READ: • GET OVER JET LAG WITH THESE 19 EASY-TO-FOLLOW TIPS • 13 EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOU MORE SUSTAINABLE TRAVELER • BEST WAYS OF TRACKING TRAVEL EXPENSES DURING A TRIP • HOW TO BARGAIN ON YOUR TRAVELS: 17 ESSENTIAL BARGAINING TIPS • 5 ULTIMATE REASONS WHY ARE HELICOPTER TOURS WORTH THE MONEY • ULTIMATE TRAVELER SAFETY GUIDE: WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Table of Contents

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1. Psychology of white color and emotions it evokes

White , often considered the absence of color , holds a unique place in the spectrum of human emotions. White represents purity and cleanliness and is often associated with clarity, simplicity , and a sense of new beginnings . Its pristine and neutral nature also makes it a symbol of innocence . On the other hand, too much white can be perceived as sterile or cold and can bring out emotions of emptiness or isolation . In interior design , white spaces are utilized to create a sense of spaciousness and tranquility. White in medical settings signifies cleanliness and sterility, providing a calming influence on patients.

White has a different cultural significance across the globe. In Western cultures , it is often associated with weddings, symbolizing purity and new beginnings in the union of two individuals. In Eastern cultures , white is a color of mourning, representing loss and the transition from life to death. Even though white is the absence of color, there are different shades of white that impact emotions. Ivory, eggshell and cream tones can evoke a sense of warmth and timelessness . Bright white shades, like coconut, cotton, and pearl may amplify feelings of modernity and minimalism .

2. White places around the world on a map

White places are predominantly found in nature . Like snow and ice in Antarctica, Canada and Finland. White are also vast salt flats, such as those in the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, or Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. Then there is white sand on beaches, like Whitehaven, and calcium carbonate in Pamukkale and Postojna cave. There are also man-made white places , like the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the White Temple in Thailand, the White House in the USA, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Find white places around the world on a map or search for them on Google Maps .

3. White places in the world to visit

3. 1. antarctica.

Name of place: Antarctica Location: Antarctica Highlights With stunning glaciers and unique wildlife, Antarctica provides untouched and pristine beauty. The stark dramatic beauty of the scenery with massive icebergs and ice fields, Antarctica, as the most well-known white travel destination, offers a rare and extraordinary adventure and journey. Known as the Last continent, Antarctica is the remotest continent in the world.

Tips for visiting Antarctica The best and the only time you can visit Antarctica is during the summer season which starts in November and ends in March. With dry weather and temperatures ranging between 0°C and -5°C (32°F to 23°F), these days are suitable for adventures and exploration of the continent. Despite being better in the summer season, Antarctica’s weather is harsh and unpredictable . So, it is always better to be prepared for extreme cold weather and have layers of clothes . Because of the remoteness and limited accessibility, you can only reach for stepping on Antarctica only by cruises . The cruises mostly leave from Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile. There are a few charter flights from Punta Arenas in Chile, but they are mostly to fly over the continent and get back.

What to see & what to do in Antarctica Even though the continent is less explored, there are still many  best things to do in Antarctica . From exploring the historical sites on Deception Island to photographing the variety of unique and strong wildlife such as penguins and seals, this continent is for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.   Where to stay when visiting Antarctica As Antarctica does not have any stay options, the only places to stay are on the cruises that take visitors to Antarctica from other countries like Argentina and Chile. Recommended and visited by Raksha from Solo Passport.

4. White places around the world to visit in Australia

4. 1. sydney opera house, new south wales.

Name of place: Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW Location: New South Wales, Australia Highlights The Sydney Opera House is an iconic symbol of Australia , marking the entrance into the Sydney Harbour. It is usually one of the top things to see on every first-time Sydney itinerary and one of the most recognized white buildings. Designed by the renowned architect Jørn Utzon , this architectural masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The distinctive shell-like structures, inspired by an orange , is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, hosting various performances from opera and ballet to concerts.

Tips for visiting Sydney Opera House The Opera House is best enjoyed both during the day, with its stunning waterfront views, and at night when it’s beautifully illuminated. Taking photos of the Sydney Opera House (and Harbour Bridge) from every possible angle is free . But due to the popularity of the site, there will always be people around.  Opera House is within walking distance from Circular Quay . You can get there by ferry, bus or train. There is even a direct train from the airport to Circular Quay. Ensure to book tickets for a guided tour of the inside of the Opera house well in advance. The same is true if you plan to attend a concert or opera performance at the Sydney Opera House.

What to see & what to do in Sydney Beyond attending opera performances , take a walk around the Opera House. Explore the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens and Circular Quay . For a unique experience, consider a Sydney harbor cruise or Sydney helicopter flight , both offering unparalleled views of the Opera House. For the view of the famous opera from the water, go on a ferry from Circular Quay . If you are visiting in December , during Australian summer, spend New Year’s celebrations on one of the luxury cruises in front of the Sydney Opera House. Enjoy counting down with one of the biggest fireworks shows and be in one of the first cities to say Hello to the New Year . For combining an amazing dining experience with the view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, book a table at Cafe Sydney ! Where to stay when visiting Sydney Opera House in Sydney There is a plethora of places to stay in Sydney. Choose Park Hyatt Sydney for a luxurious stay with unrivaled views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Alternatively, the Shangri-La Hotel, located in The Rocks district , provides a perfect blend of comfort and proximity to the Opera House. If you are tight on a budget, stay at YHA Sydney Harbour – The Rocks hostel . Their terrace offers amazing views of the Sydney Opera House. Recommended and visited by Anja from Anja On Adventure.

4. 2. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

Name of place: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, QLD Location: Queensland, Australia Highlights Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island, is right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef . This is a 7km long stretch of white silica sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Sand is made of 98% pure silica , which means the sand doesn’t retain heat and stays cool to the touch even on the sunniest days.

Tips for visiting Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island Best time to visit Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet is during Australian Spring and Summer, from September to December when weather is sunny, sea is calm and winds are light. Access to Whitehaven Beach is limited and primarily possible with Whitehaven boat tours departing from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. If you don’t have a full day, another, faster, option is to book a Whitehaven Heli Tour with beach landing. Make sure, you don’t take any sand with you as a souvenir! Silica sand is protected under the Great Barrier Reef National Marine Authority and if they catch you, you will be fined $10,000 on the spot.

What to see & what to on Whitsunday Islands Most tours will take you to the iconic Hill Inlet lookout first. There you will be able to see turquoise waters and white sweeping sands. Later you will be able to take a dip and enjoy in the 7 kilometers of unspoiled Whitehaven beach and silica sand. Most tours, daily tours from Airlie Beach, or 2 days cruises , will stop along the way on some of the best snorkeling spots around Whitsundays Islands, which are surrounded by coral reefs. You might even swim with a sea turtle. Where to stay when visiting Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays While there are no accommodations on Whitsunday Island itself. The best places to stay is in Airlie Beach or on Hamilton Island . Airlie Beach offers a range of options, from budget-friendly Magnums to luxurious Coral Sea Marina Resort , with stunning Coral Sea views. For a more secluded tropical experience, consider the Hamilton Island Beach Club . Recommended and visited by Anja from Anja On Adventure.

5. White places around the world to visit in Africa & Middle East

5. 1. sheikh zayed grand mosque, abu dhabi, uae.

Name of place: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Highlights When you see the blinding white and gold of this huge Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque you will feel as if you stepped right into the Arabian Nights . With its many domes, minarets, and reflective pools it seems unreal, like a mirage. Inside the Grand Mosque, you can admire the world’s largest hand-knitted carpet which took 1,200 artisans two years to craft as well as impressive chandeliers sparkling with Swarovski crystals and gold. And the reflective pools and gardens outside are just as impressive!

Tips for visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Visiting the Grand Mosque is free with a tour , otherwise, you need to pre-book an entry ticket online. Make sure to follow the suggested dress code as it is strictly enforced. Everyone should wear loose-fitting clothing that covers the entire body and women need a head scarf. The white marble of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is extremely bright in the sun and the glare can be hard on your eyes. Do take sunglasses along!

What to see & what to do at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque , Abu Dhabi You can just wander through the Mosque and admire it but to get the most out of your visit a tour is a good idea. You can either join one of the free guided tours or book an independent tour to learn more about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of Abu Dhabi’s most famous sight. Check out the public restrooms at the mosque. They are just as opulent and impressive as the rest of the building! And if you are staying in Abu Dhabi overnight you can’t miss seeing the Grand Mosque illuminated at night – the lighting changes according to the moon phase. Where to stay when visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in UAE Many tourists visit the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on a day trip from Dubai or during a cruise. However, there are also plenty of modern and luxurious hotels in Abu Dhabi itself. For exploring the city where many Holywood films were made, a hotel along the Corniche is ideal as this central location offers a beach, a park, and a nearby mall. If you are up for a splurge, the Emirates Palace Mandarin Hotel is the ultimate Abu Dhabi experience. Decorated in the traditional opulent Arabic fashion, it is still bright and airy. This is the hotel if you have always dreamed of living in the splendor of an Arabic palace . Recommended and visited by Kitty from Kitty Meets World.

5. 2. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Name of place: Sidi Bou Said Location: Tunisia Highlights White village Sidi Bou Said is famous for its artistic atmosphere, and its typical Andalusian architecture with whitewashed buildings, blue doors, and wrought iron windows. Bougainvillea and jasmine add vibrant color to the white houses.

Tips for visiting Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia The best time to visit Sidi Bou Said is in spring and fall. The weather is mild without the summer heat, and because it is off-season, there are fewer tourists. Sidi Bou Said is a small village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Tunisia. It is located a few kilometers from the capital city of Tunis and is easily accessible by public transportation. The closest airport to Sidi Bou Said is Tunis Carthage International Airport. It is well-connected to many European destinations. From the center of Tunis, take tram line 1 to Sidi Bou Said. It is a scenic half-hour ride that will cost you about 1 USD. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a rental car, but be aware that parking can be a problem.

What to see & what to do at Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia Visit the Museum of Folk Art and Traditions and the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace. It was once the home of a wealthy Tunisian family. The palace is a center for Arabic music . The building itself is an outstanding piece of architecture. Sidi Bou Said is undoubtedly one of  the best places to visit in Tunisia . Take your time to explore the cobbled streets of the village. You will be tempted to stop and take a photo every step of the way. Walk to the edge of the cliff for a breathtaking view of the sea below. Take a break in one of the many cafes and watch the sunset over a cup of mint tea.

Where to stay when visiting Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia There are plenty of options on where to stay. Book a room at La Demeure and enjoy your stay right on the beach, or stay at the Maison Dedine-SmallLuxuryHotels , with adults-only policy and infinity pool for a perfect Tunisian holiday. Recommended and visited by Maria from Map and Camera.

5. 3. Diani beach, Kenya

Name of place: Diani beach Location: Kenya Highlights Diani beach is without any doubt one of the whitest sand beaches in the world. With its heavenly turquoise color waters, 17 km (10.5 mi) long palm-fringed shores, and colobus and vervet monkeys greeting the visitors all along the coastal area, it is one of the most exciting and beautiful beach destinations in the world.

Tips for visiting Diani beach, Kenya The best seasons to visit the beach are between December and March and June to September. In April and May, which is the rainy season , you could be lucky enough to experience this natural wonder almost on your own, and still be awarded with splendid sunny days. The rainy season can offer you better budget opportunities to visit the beach while avoiding the high-season crowds. Diani beach is just 40 km (25 mi) from Mombasa Airport and can be easily reached by taxi or public transport.

What to see & what to do at Diani beach, Kenya There are plenty of things to do in Diani beach : from experiencing a magical sunset boat tour at the Kongo River , which divides Diani and Tiwi beach, to snorkeling or diving with dolphins and many other stunning marine life in Wasini or Robinson Island. You can also visit the Colobus Conservation Organization and get in touch with these lovely monkey creatures that live in peaceful harmony with humans all along the beach. Where to stay when visiting Diani beach, Kenya Alongside Diani beach there are plenty of accommodations for all budgets. Bahari Dhow Beach villas feature a huge size pool where vervet monkeys hang around the whole day, a beachfront, and a good restaurant where you can listen to live local music performances on selected days. Recommended and visited by Pilar from Travel the World Pages .

6. White places around the world to visit in Europe

6. 1. the brilliant in postojna cave, slovenia.

Name of place: The Brilliant, Postojna Cave Location: Postojna, Slovenia Highlights The Brilliant , is a 5 m (16.4 ft) tall stalagmite shining in a bright, brilliant white color . Based on the height it is more than 50.000 years old and is made of pure calcium carbonate. It is a symbol of the Postojna Cave . Postojna Cave is over 24 km (14.9 mi) long cave system, with the first documented underground railway (opened in 1872), in Slovenia’s Karst region.

Tips for visiting Postojna Cave Everytime is the best time to visit Postojna cave. There is no bad weather and temperature in the cave is constant 10°C (50°F). Wear warm clothes or a light jacket if visiting in summer. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes , since part of the pathways may be slippery. Visiting Postojna Cave is, besides Lake Bled , one of the most popular day trips from Ljubljana . If you don’t have a car, plan your visit to Postojna Cave with a guided tour. What to see & what to do at Postojna Cave , Slovenia Tour of the Postojna Cave lasts around 1.5h . You will go on a short train ride in the Cave and then walk 1.5 km (1 mile) in the cave. You will visit different chambers, galleries in different colors and stalagmites and stalactites formations. In one part of the cave you will be able to see “olm” or “human fish” ( Proteus anguinus ). Olms are blind cave salamanders, sometimes referred to as baby dragons , that can live up to 100 years, and survive without food for up to 10 years. To get the most out of your day, combine the visit of Postojna Cave with Predjama Castle , perched dramatically on a cliff and connected to the Predjama cave system.

Where to stay when visiting Postojna Cave in Slovenia While Postojna offers various accommodation options, like Hotel Jama , staying in Ljubljana provides a more central location for exploring Slovenia . Consider the Grand Hotel Union or the Cubo Hotel for a comfortable base, close to Ljubljana’s main attractions and great as a base for day trips around Slovenia. Recommended and visited by Anja from Anja On Adventure.

6. 2. Alberobello, Italy

Name of place: Alberobello Location: Apulia, Italy Highlights Alberobello is a unique town due to its iconic trulli houses , which are traditional Apulian dry stone huts with conical roofs. The historic center of Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely worth a visit! Tips for visiting Alberobello, Apuglia, Italy The best time to visit Alberobello is during the spring and early autumn. The weather is pleasant, and the town is less crowded, allowing you to wander the streets . The town is free to visit all year round. The nearest airport to Alberobello is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport, which is about 90 km (56 mi) away. From the airport, you can take a train to Alberobello. Alternatively, consider renting a car, which offers more flexibility in exploring the surrounding areas or taking the train from nearer cities like Bari or Lecce .

What to see & what to do at Alberobello, Italy Some of the  things to do in Alberobello  are exploring the Trulli District , visiting the Trullo Church of St. Anthony and trying some local cuisine . Stroll through the Rione Monti district , the heart of Alberobello’s Trulli homes. Visit Trullo Church of St. Anthony and you can even enter some of these houses, like the Trullo Sovrano, a museum showcasing the history of the trulli.

Be sure to try local specialities like orecchiette pasta and panzerotto. Pair your meal with a glass of Apulian wine for an authentic experience. Take a  2-hour guided Trulli tour to enrich your Alberobello experience. You will be led by knowledgeable locals who can provide insights into the history and construction of Trulli, along with interesting stories about the town. Where to stay when visiting Alberobello in Italy For a unique stay, consider booking a Trullo accommodation like  Trulli e Puglia Resort . Recommended and visited by Simina from Travel with Simina.

6. 3. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Name of place: Leaning Tower of Pisa Location: Pisa (Tuscany), Italy Highlights This architectural marvel is one of the most popular sites to see in Italy. The Pisa tower was built in the 12th century without an adequate foundation and other similar towers that were built this way have long since collapsed, so it’s a miracle Pisa has not.  Tips for visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy Pisa is a seaport in Tuscany so the best way to get to Pisa is to take an hour’s train ride each way from Florence or join a day tour to Pisa, San Gimignano , and Sienna . The best time to visit is in the shoulder seasons which are April and May or September and October. The tower opens between 9-10 am, depending on the season and entry is affordable.  Get your tickets online  to secure your spot!

What to see & what to do at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy The main attraction here is walking up the hundreds of stairs to overlook the beautiful Piazza Dei Miracoli as well as take the famous photo of yourself holding up the tower . You can also walk inside the beautiful Pisa Cathedral if you would like to explore more buildings. Where to stay when visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy Pisa itself is a small town, so you will want to stay outside of the city. Staying in Florence will allow you to make an easy day trip to Pisa while still staying somewhere with a lot to do.  Hotel Pendini  is a great central location with free breakfast! Recommended and visited by Taylor from Culture Craving Couple .

6. 4. Sacré-Coeur, France

Name of place: Sacré-Coeur Location: Paris, France Highlights With its elongated Roman-Byzantine domes, the Sacre-Coeur is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris. It sits atop the butte of Montmartre and overlooks the city like an elegant guardian. Every  Paris itinerary  should include a visit to the Sacre-Coeur! It is made from Château-Landon travertine , a kind of limestone that exudes calcite on contact with water, making it white forever.

Tips for visiting Sacré-Coeur, Paris, France Come any time for the exterior views and the view of Paris from the steps outside. But to go inside, you’ll need to stick to opening hours (currently 6:30 am to 10:30 pm daily). Entry to the church is free , but there’s a fee for the crypt and the dome. But be ready for a leg workout: the whole area is hilly and it is impossible to avoid steps and slopes in Montmartre !

What to see & what to do at Sacré-Coeur, France There are great views of both the church and the city from the terrace and steps outside. And you can marvel at the mosaic ceiling and the grand organ inside. The dome , which is reached via 300 steps (and no lift!) offers unique panoramic views of Paris. And around the Sacre-Coeur is the charming, bohemian village of Montmartre , with plenty of cobbled streets to wander and historic cafes to sit in. Where to stay when visiting Sacré-Coeur in Paris, France A stylish option for accommodation in Montmartre is the Terrass” Hotel . It has comfortable rooms, some with Eiffel Tower views , and a lovely restaurant and terrace bar on the top floor. Recommended and visited b y Martha from MayCauseWanderlust .

6. 5. White Cliffs of Dover, Ireland

Name of place: White Cliffs of Dover Location: Dover, Ireland Highlights The  White Cliffs of Dover  have played an important role in Britain’s history , serving as a natural defense against invasion and as a symbol of hope and freedom during World War II. This location also offers some of the most spectacular views of the English Channel . Tips for visiting White Cliffs of Dover, Ireland Check the weather forecast before your visit to avoid disappointment. On a clear day, you can see across the coast of France. Therefore, consider visiting the White Cliffs of Dover during summer or spring . The terrain can be uneven, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking. Exploring the White Cliffs of Dover is free , but there is a small fee for the National Trust car park if you travel by car.

What to see & what to do at White Cliffs of Dover, Ireland If you want to learn more about the cliffs and their history , consider taking a guided tour. Several tour operators offer guided walks or you can join a tour from London . For history buffs, Dover Castle is a must-see attraction. The castle dates back to the 11th century and played a key role in defending England throughout history. For those interested in maritime history , the Dover Museum is a great place to learn about the town’s history as a port and its important role in the Channel crossing.

Where to stay when visiting White Cliffs of Dover in Ireland For those looking for a luxurious stay, the Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel & Spa is a great option. This hotel features stunning sea views, an on-site spa, and an amazing restaurant. Recommended and visited b y Paulina from the UK Every Day.

6. 6. Luskentyre beach, Scotland, UK

Name of place: Luskentyre beach Location: Isle of Harris, Scotland Highlights Luskentyre beach  regularly features on TripAdvisor rankings of the best beaches in Europe . However, given it is located this far north it is very little visited . On a sunny day, when the tide is out, the whole bay around Luskentyre and Seilebost is just bright white sand and turquoise water. It looks more like you are in Southeast Asia than in Scotland .

Tips for visiting Luskentyre beach, Scotland The beach is on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides , which is a group of islands north of mainland Scotland. To get here you can either take a ferry from Skye or fly from the mainland to Stornoway on the nearby island called Lewis. Hire a car to get around since public transport is limited. The best time of year to visit is during the summer months with early summer being particularly pretty. Needless to say, Luskentyre is always “open” and there is no entrance fee .

What to see & what t o do at Luskentyre beach in Scotland, UK Luskentyre beach is perfect for walking . You can walk for miles along the white sands. Or try the circular walk around Beinn Dhubh for fantastic views out over the beach and the sound of Taransay. It is possible to swim in the area but the water is very cold. Where to stay when visiting Luskentyre beach, UK Harris is a small island and there are no big towns. The largest town is Tarbert but it is nicer to stay in one of the remote guest houses such as Grimisdale Guest House . Recommended and visited b y Kristin from Scotland Less Explored .

6. 7. Rovaniemi, Finland

Name of place: Rovaniemi Location: Finland Highlights Rovaniemi, in Finland, is not only one of the whitest places in the world during winter but it’s the official hometown of Santa Claus , too! This is a place where you can experience the magic of the Arctic Circle and the only color you’ll find is when the Northern Lights dance across the sky in their celestial magic! The snow-draped forests and the crisp, frosty air make you feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of a Christmas storybook.

Tips for visiting Rovaniemi, Finland The best time to visit Rovaniemi is during the winter months, from December to February when the landscape is a pristine snowy paradise. Fly into Rovaniemi Airport (airport code: RVN) either via Helsinki or from other major European cities. What to see & what to do at Rovaniemi, Finland There are many fun things to do in this white paradise. Go for a reindeer-pulled sleigh ride , a husky sled ride , cross the Arctic Circle, visit Santa Claus village and see the Aurora Borealis . Don’t miss the views from Ounasvaara Hill. Where to stay when visiting Rovaniemi, Finland Think Finnish Lapland is just for families wanting to meet Santa at the Santa Claus Holiday Village? This white part of the world is made for romance too, with igloos, snow, and treehouse hotels like the Arctic Treehouse Hotel that have private views over the snow-covered treetops with a magic combination of local tradition, Lappish heritage, and modern Scandinavian design. Recommended and visited b y Kaz from The Honeymoon Guide .

6. 8. Oia, Santorini, Greece

Name of place: Oia, Santorini Location: Santorini, Greece Highlights Santorini is the definition of paradise . From the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea to the incredible Mediterranean food, to the lively nightlife and picturesque wineries, Santorini has something for everyone. But, one of the most special things about Santorini is the town of Oia , which features incredible white-washed buildings and churches jutting out from the landscape, making it easily one of the most photographed white travel destinations in all of Greece!

Tips for visiting Oia, Santorini While Santorini is open year-round for tourists, many of the hotels and activities stop operating during the “off-season” for travel. For this reason, it is best to visit Santorini during the months of April-October, with the best time visiting during the shoulder season months. During the high season, there are many flights to Santorini, from Athens or other European countries. You can also come here by ferry on a Greek island hopping holiday .

What to see & what to do at Oia, Santorini, Greece Oia is the major city on the northern end of the island and is where most of the photographed shots of the white buildings and churches are. There are many things to do in Oia, including  wine tasting , shopping, eating, and soaking in the views. If you are staying on other parts of the island, join an Oia sunset tour , but before go on an incolic volcanic island cruise to see the village from below. The best place to see the sunset from Oia is right behind the Church of The Akathist Hymn Of The Virgin Mary, where you will get gorgeous views of the sunset with fewer crowds. Where to stay when visiting Oia, Santorini in Greece The best place to stay in Oia is the Hom Santorini , which features an incredible pool overlooking the Aegean Sea and many amenities.  Recommended and visited b y Jess from Travel + Tannins.

6. 9. Mijas Pueblo, Malaga, Spain

Name of place: Mijas Pueblo Location: Malaga, Spain Highlights Mijas Pueblo is one of the prettiest inland villages on the famous Costa del Sol . Its whitewashed buildings with beautiful flowerpots on the walls, cobblestone streets and amazing coastal views make it a special place. It is a very picturesque destination and the perfect example of a Spanish white city to immerse yourself in an authentic Andalusian village.

Tips for visiting Mijas Pueblo, Malaga, Spain Fuengirola is the closest town to Mijas, and you can drive or take a bus from the bus station. However, if you come from Malaga , the quickest way is to go by car to Mijas. It is important to be aware of the road since it is on the mountainside. It is narrow and a bit hilly, so it isn’t recommended for inexperienced drivers. Better to go with a tour . Despite keeping its charm, the village gets busy during peak season (June to September) and hot, so it is much better to visit it during the shoulder season.

What to see & what to do at Mijas Pueblo in Malaga Mijas Pueblo isn’t big, but you will be surprised by the numerous activities you can do . You can enjoy breathtaking views from its viewpoints, visit the town’s museum and the Mijas Wagon with impressive miniature artworks or buy typical Andalusian ceramics . In addition to these things, you can spend some time wandering and taking photos of the charming streets across Mijas town centre , and if you have a sweet tooth, you will love the Mayan Monkey Mijas chocolate factory . It is also important to mention that donkey rides are popular in the town, but it is better to skip them for animal welfare and opt for a tuk-tuk tour. Where to stay when visiting Mijas Pueblo in Spain The town doesn’t have as many accommodation options as nearby coastal towns, but OPUNTIA Hotel Boutique is in the heart of Mijas Pueblo and has comfortable and lovely rooms. Recommended and visited b y Cristina from My Little World of Travelling.

6. 10. City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain

Name of place: City of Arts and Sciences Location: Valencia, Spain Highlights Nestled at one end of the dry bed of the Turia River,  the City of Arts and Sciences  stands as a modern marvel, seamlessly blending futuristic architecture with a celebration of sciences and culture.  This white complex is a testament to human ingenuity , housing several white structures covered in shattered tiles, like the Hemisféric , an eye-catching planetarium , and the iconic Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, an opera house that seems to defy gravity.

Tips for visiting City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia While there’s never a bad time to visit the City of Arts and Sciences, if you were to be picky, then the best time to visit is probably during the summer months, when the days are long and the sunsets spectacular, allowing visitors to fully explore the outdoor spaces at a leisurely peace. To get there , you can either walk from the centre of Valencia or take the tram or a bus , which will leave you right next to the City of Arts and Sciences. To avoid the ticket lines, buy them online .

What to see & what to do at City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, Spain Once you arrive, immerse yourself in the interactive exhibits at the Science Museum, stroll through the serene Umbracle gardens , or catch a fun dolphin show at the Oceanografic. Where to stay when visiting City of Arts and Sciences in Spain For a unique and luxurious stay, consider the stylish Barcelo Hotel , situated just a stone’s throw away from the City of Arts and Sciences. This hotel offers not only comfort but also convenient access to this famous white travel gem. Recommended and visited b y Laura from Valencia Revealed .

7. White places around the world to visit in North America

7. 1. oculus, new york, usa.

Name of place: Oculus Location: Lower Manhattan, New York, USA Highlights The Oculus is an aesthetic transportation hub that looks like something taken straight from the future. This building was built to represent the strength of New York during 9/11 and is designed in a way that looks like a child is letting go of a dove . One thing for sure is that this is an architectural must-see.

Tips for visiting Oculus in Lower Manhattan, New York This area is filled with both tourists and locals commuting, so expect it to be quite busy , no matter what time you visit. To avoid the crowds, try not to visit during rush hours . To access the Oculus, you can use the Metro and get off at Church Street or Greenwich Street. The Closest Metro station is Wtc Cortlandt. The Oculus is also one of the  best free things to do in NYC .

What to see & what to do at Oculus, New York City, USA Inside the Oculus , you’ll find various well-known shops to browse. On weekends, they often have a farmers market and a holiday market during Christmas time. Also, there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy something to eat. You could also just simply admire the grand architecture . The entire building makes for some great backdrops for photos. Where to stay when visiting Oculus, NY, USA Moxy NYC Downtown is a great hotel located in Lower Manhattan, which features everything from a bar, lounge, and even an old-school arcade game area. Recommended and visited by Samantha from Find Love and Travel.

🏯 “How many white places from the list has Anja visited?” Eight, so I still have alot of traveling to do.

7. 2. White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA

Name of place: White Sands National Park Location: Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA Highlights White Sands National Park  is the  world’s largest gypsum dune field , stretching over 275 mi 2 (712 km 2 ). It can actually be seen from space ! The natural wonder received its official ‘national park’ designation in 2019.  

Tips for visiting White Sands National Park The best time to visit White Sands National Park is from late September to November when you can escape the summer heat and monsoon season. You’ll need to purchase an entrance pass to access the park (children 15 and under are free), but there’s no need for advanced reservations. The national park is situated in the southern part of New Mexico , with the nearest airport, El Paso International Airport, approximately 100 mi (161 km) away. When traveling from Albuquerque or Santa Fe, White Sands is roughly a 3.5-hour drive.

What to see & what to do at White Sands National Park , New Mexico While visiting White Sands National Park, you can’t miss the fun-filled experience of  sledding down the sand dunes . There are also five marked  hiking trails  to enjoy or you have the option to join a park ranger-guided tour to discover more about the park. Another popular activity to do at White Sands is to  book a professional photoshoot . The white gypsum dunes paired with the cotton candy skies at sunset make for the perfect backdrop.

Where to stay near White Sands National Park , New Mexico, USA The nearest town to White Sands National Park is Alamogordo, about a 20-minute drive away. Consider booking  Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo  which includes an outdoor pool, free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. As a bonus, the hotel also offers sleds to borrow if you plan to slide down the dunes. Recommended and visited by Devon from Say Yes to the Trip .

7. 3. White Pocket, Arizona, USA

Name of place: White Pocket Location: Arizona, USA Highlights White Pocket is a photographer’s heaven and an alternative to the ever-popular, Instagram-worthy hike of The Wave in the Vermillion Cliffs of Utah . The only difference is that it is WHITE and you don’t need a permit to hike it!

Tips for visiting White Pocket, Arizona The beautiful destination of White Pocket is located in Arizona, but really close to the Utah border.  It is one of the most unique places to see in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and should be a part of a southwest itinerary for any outdoor adventure lover.  You can travel to White Pocket on your own but it is difficult to get to . There is not much cell service throughout the route to White Pocket so make sure you have a map and know where you are headed. Visiting White Pocket requires some pre-planning to visit White Pocket because access involves at least 2 hours of driving on bumpy dirt roads that need 4-wheel drive and high clearance to drive through all the sand. All other vehicles are not permitted and will get stuck! Because of this is best to go with a tour .

The best time to visit White Pocket is when it is dry out with no forecasted precipitation.  Any amount of rain makes the roads impassable and dangerous, so you should not attempt going to White Pocket in bad weather. What to see & what to do at White Pocket in Arizona Two major reasons for a visit are hiking and photography . While hiking White Pocket, you will see gorgeous views and white fossilized rock formations in the heart of the desert landscape. Scenery is amazing with easy hikes to view it and great photo opportunities. Where to stay when visiting White Pocket, Arizona, USA One of the closest cities is  Kanab, Utah  where you can book a room at the historic Parry Lodge where previous Hollywood movie stars have stayed. Recommended and visited by Michelle from Moyermemoirs Empty Nest Travel Adventures .

7. 4. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA

Name of place: Bonneville Salt Flats Location: Utah, USA Highlights The  Bonneville Salt Flats  are stark white salt plains that span over 30,000 acres. It’s a fascinating place to visit as the minerals in the ground form circular shapes in the salt crust. It also happens to be where they test speed and several speed records have been set here! Tips for visiting Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah The salt flats are located just off I-80, straight over from Salt Lake City . There are stop-offs along the highway so you can park and walk right onto the flats. It’s free to explore and very accessible but the best time to visit is during the summer when the flats are likely dry. They can flood at times, often during the winter and while you won’t be able to drive at that time, it’s a great opportunity for reflection photos. 

What to see & what to do in Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah The salt flats are a beautiful landscape, but there’s not much to do here. It’s a great place for photography and a lot of people like to do illusion photos since the area is flat and expansive. You can also drive on the salt flats in certain areas but you’ll want to make sure it hasn’t rained so you don’t get stuck! If you don’t have a car, you can visit salt flats with a tour from SLC . Where to stay when visiting Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA Because the salt flats are located off the highway in the middle of nowhere, the best place to stay is in Salt Lake City . You can either take a day trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats or see them on a road trip along I-80.  Recommended and visited by Ashley from Jetset Jansen.

7. 5. Integratron Sound Baths, California, USA

Name of place: Integratron Sound Baths Location: near Joshua Tree National Park in Landers, California, USA Highlights If you need a relaxing escape from the world , this is the place for you. The dome-shaped building is 38 ft (11.5m) high and 55 ft (17m) in diameter and is considered an acoustically perfect sound chamber .  Tips for visiting Integratron Sound Baths, California Reservations for visiting Integratron South Baths are a must. They do not have a waitlist for a sold-out days, so book your spot as soon as possible . Calendar opens for 2 months in advance . Sound Baths last for 60-minutes but make sure to arrive 0.5h hour before your session. Integratron, a perfect dopamine travel trend destination , is open from September to July, from Thursday through Sunday. It will be closed on January.

What to see & what to do at Integratron Sound Baths in California Once you enter the chamber, you lie on the provided mats for the sound bath experience. It begins with a historical talk of the building’s beginnings. Then, 20 quartz bowls are played and sing at different frequencies for about 35 minutes.  Chamber Music is played for the final phase while you lie there, soaking in your relaxation and heightened awareness. When the experience at Integratron is over, it is time to head to one of the many hammocks provided on the grounds. You can lie here, relax, and continue to enjoy the cloudless sky and pure desert air.  When you feel like it, take time to explore the surrounding grounds filled with usual art and peruse the gift shop. 

Where to stay when visiting Integratron Sound Baths, California, USA Since it is a 45-minute drive from Palm Springs and 30 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park , you will find plenty of accommodations within easy driving distance. To complete your sound bath experience, book your stay at Moroccan-inspired retreat Korakia Pensione featuring luxurious facilities. Recommended and visited by Kathy from Palm Springs Insider Guide .

8. White places around the world to visit in South America

8. 1. the white mountain range or cordillera blanca, peru.

Name of place: White Mountain Range or Cordillera Blanca Location: Ancash, Peru Highlights The White Mountain Range (in Spanish,  Cordillera Blanca ) is one of the most iconic mountain ranges in Peru, located within the larger Andes mountain range . It’s famous for its glacial lakes, challenging treks and its majestic snow-capped mountains, after which it is named 

Tips for visiting White Mountain Range , Peru Most travelers use the small city of Huaraz as their base for exploring the surrounding area. Huaraz is located an 8-hour drive away from Lima, the capital of Peru, and the best way to get there is by taking an overnight bus. To visit the best lakes and treks in the White Mountain range, you can take day tours that depart from Huaraz. What to see & what to do at White Mountain Range , Peru Huaraz and the surrounding White Mountain Range are the perfect place to spend some time in nature, especially if you like hiking or trekking .  Huaraz is actually known as the “ hiking capital of Peru “. There are lots of  hikes in Huaraz , for both beginner and experienced hikers. From very easy hikes of just over 30 minutes, to treks that last for several days that involve camping in the heart of the mountains.

The most famous hike in the White Mountain Range is the one headed towards Lake 69 , which is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Peru. There are also multi-day trekking options, like the Huayhuash trek and the Santa Cruz Trail. The highest mountain in Peru, the Huascaran , is also located in the White Mountain Range. For the adventurers, the Huascaran offers an exciting opportunity for mountaineering and climbing on snow-covered peaks. Where to stay when visiting White Mountain Range , Peru You can either stay in Huaraz , a small city which is the capital or the Ancash region, or in small towns like Caraz or Carhuaz. Recommended and visited by Sharon from I Travel Peru .

8. 2. Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

Name of place: Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats Location: Uyuni, Bolivia Highlights Known as the world’s largest salt flat , the  Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats  in Bolivia are a sight to behold. Stretching as far as the eye can see in a remote corner of Bolivia’s high plains region , the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats are so dramatically white, so impossibly flat, and so expansive that they’re known for creating optical illusions you can’t experience anywhere else . Pure white in the dry season, they’re perhaps best known for their appearance when flooded with water; still pools of water sitting on the surface of the salt perfectly reflect the sky, creating what is known as the world’s largest natural mirror .

Tips for visiting Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Most travelers visit the Salt Flats by departing on a day trip from the tiny town of Uyuni, though multi-day jeep 4X4 tours offer a much more in-depth experience at both the salt flats and the surrounding region, which is known for having some of South America’s most beautiful landscapes. The Salt Flats are incredible to visit year-round , though most travelers try to plan a visit to correspond with the rainy season when they flood and create the magical mirror effect that is so famous. Aim to visit between December and April for the best mirror effect , though visiting in September or November guarantees the warmest, nicest weather . 

What to see & what to do at Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia Visiting the Salt Flats with a guided tour is the best experience here. Tour the area with a guide to visit nearby destinations like indigenous grave sites carved into volcanoes, an abandoned train cemetery , and nearby sites like dramatic multi-colored lagoons like Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. Make sure to test your creativity on a unique photoshoot location . Where to stay when visiting Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia Multi-day trips will take care of all your accommodation, but if you’re spending the night on your own, make sure to stay at one of the area’s famous salt hotels . These hotels are made entirely from giant blocks of salt cut from the salt flats, and even have floors and furniture made entirely of salt.  Recommended and visited by Carley of Explorers Away.

8. 3. Popayán , Colombia

Name of place: Popayán Location: Colombia Highlights Nestled in the heart of Colombia’s tranquil coffee-growing region , you’ll discover the enchanting city of Popayan, lovingly referred to as “ La Ciudad Blanca ” (The White City) for its stunning whitewashed colonial buildings .

Tips for visiting Popayán , Colombia This gem of a city is a year-round destination , but it truly shines during the Holy Week processions, a  UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage  event that draws visitors worldwide. For travel, buses, and taxis are readily available from Guillermo León Valencia Airport or the city of Cali. The city’s historic landmarks , including the iconic Clock Tower, are generally free to enter and open most of the day, though it’s advisable to check local listings for specific timings during your visit.

What to see & what to do at Popayán in Colombia Embrace the walkable nature of the city , and you’ll find that every corner reveals a new facet of its rich cultural tapestry. Indeed Popayan boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage waiting for you to explore. Wander through its cobbled streets, and you’ll be transported back in time . Visit the Clock Tower, an iconic landmark of the city, and immerse yourself in a captivating blend of history and architectural grandeur. And don’t forget to experience Colombia’s vibrant culture and cuisine firsthand. Consider joining a city tour that includes a cooking class , where you can learn to craft traditional Colombian dishes , all while immersed in the city’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Where to stay when visiting Popayán , Colombia After a day of exploring, retire to the comfort of the Dann Monasterio Hotel . This former 16th-century monastery, now transformed into a luxurious hotel, offers a unique blend of history, comfort, and top-notch service. Popayan, with its stunning mix of history, culture, and gastronomy, is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Recommended and visited by  Giorgy from G-Extreme Travel.

9. White places around the world to visit in Asia

9. 1. himeji castle, japan.

Name of place: Himeji Castle Location: Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan Highlights Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is the most visited and largest castle in Japan . Himeji Castle, also known as, Shirasagi-jō or White Heron Castle , is one of 12 original castles in Japan that have never been destroyed by war or natural disaster. Tips for visiting Himeji Castle Hakuro-jō or White Egret Castle can be visited during all year. Most popular and best time to visit Himeji castle is during spring months in the time of cherry blossom or Sakura . To avoid crowds and make the most of the experience, plan your trip early in the day . Castle can be easily reached by 45 min long train ride from Kyoto or around 1.5h from Osaka. Wear comfortable shoes, as visiting the inside of the castle involves navigating steep staircases and uneven surfaces.

What to see & what to do at Himeji Castle , Japan Visiting this white castle should be part of every Japan itinerary . As a stopover between Kyoto and Hiroshima or as a day trip from Kyoto . White Himeji Castle is a perfect example of traditional Japanese architecture . The castle exterior is supposed to resemble a bird taking a flight . Gates, baileys, and defensive structures provide a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s feudal history. While there, consider going on a guided tour and visiting the Koko-en Garden , a beautiful landscape that perfectly complements the castle experience.

Where to stay when visiting Himej i Castle in Japan To properly experience White Heron Castle, consider staying at the Hotel Monterey Himeji . If visiting Himeji from Kyoto, book a traditional Japanese accommodation, ryokan. Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi is the best Ryokan in Kyoto with a private onsen.  Recommended and visited by Anja from Anja On Adventure.

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9. 2. White Temple or Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Name of place: Wat Rong Khun or White Temple Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand Highlights Thailand is home to thousands of Buddhist temples and the White Temple in Chiang Rai is arguably the most famous white temple in Thailand! Wat Rong Khun is covered in white statues and shimmering glitter that symbolizes purity.

Tips for visiting Wat Rong Khun or White Temple Wat Rong Khun or White Temple is located in Northern Thailand , in Chiang Rai , which is a smaller, and quieter town. It is just 3 hours away from the popular city of Chiang Mai and visiting White Temple one of the best day trips from Chiang Mai ! The best time of year to visit the White Temple is from November to January. During these months it is the dry season meaning there is little chance of rain. However, this is the most crowded time of year to visit this white travel destination. You’ll want to book a tour that arrives early to the temple, or stay in Chiang Rai and visit during off-peak hours, like the early morning or evening. The temple is open every day and charges a small entrance fee.

What to see & what to do at Wat Rong Khun or White Temple When visiting the White Temple you will have the opportunity to explore the grounds of the temple , take incredible photos of the temple, and go inside it. It’s important to dress in temple attire when visiting here. This means, covered shoulders, knees, and overall modest clothing. While here, don’t miss the golden bathroom ! This bathroom has to be the most beautiful bathroom in all of Thailand. Its grand exterior and beautiful interior add a unique contrast to the area.

Where to stay when visiting Wat Rong Khun or White Temple, Thailand When visiting the White Temple it’s best to stay in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. If you want to minimize driving, the Life Hotel Rong Khun is just steps away from the White Temple. This makes it easy to experience the temple for sunrise and sunset, to avoid the tourists. Recommended and visited by Danika from Destination Danika .

9. 3. Lady Buddha Statue, Vietnam

Name of place: Lady Buddha Statue Location: Da Nang, Vietnam Highlights The Lady Buddha is a striking white marble statue that is located at the Linh Ung Pagoda.  Lady Buddha is a magnificent sight with a height of 67 m (219 ft), making it one of the tallest statues in Southeast Asia.  Tips for visiting Lady Buddha Statue in Da Nang The Pagoda is free to enter . The best time to visit the Lady Buddha statue is during the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too harsh, and the crowds are smaller. It is advisable to wear modest clothing and cover your knees and shoulders as this is a place of worship. To get to Lady Buddha , you can fly into Da Nang International Airport, and take a taxi or join a guided tour which could include nearby attractions such as Marble Mountains, Hoi An, and the Dragon Bridge.

What to see & what to do at Lady Buddha Statu e, Vietnam The Pagoda is a large complex with many other statues and striking bonsai trees . To get the most, visit it on a combined tour with the Marble Mountains . There are actually 17 floors inside Lady Buddha, each with a shrine dedicated to a different Buddha, though the stairs leading all the way to the top are open sporadically. The white Lady Buddha is visible from miles around while driving up to it, and the Pagoda offers a stunning birds eye view of Da Nang, its coastline and beaches, offering an opportunity for both reflection and for sightseeing .

Where to stay when visiting Lady Buddha Statue, Da Nang, Vietnam Accommodation options near Lady Buddha range from the luxury resorts along the coast or budget options in the city of Da Nang , or the neighboring city of Hoi An. Recommended and visited by Hanit from Gotta Love New York .

9. 4. Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka

Name of place: Ambuluwawa Tower Location: Gampola, Sri Lanka Highlights If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, visit  Ambuluwawa Tower in central Sri Lanka . This peculiar white tower is a religious center and unique tourist attraction. It skyrockets 157 feet (48 m) high and sits atop Ambuluwawa Mountain at a precarious 3,567 feet (1088 m). The climb up the rickety spiral will certainly get your heart racing! Once you reach the top, enjoy stunning panoramic mountain views . 

Tips for visiting Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka Ambuluwawa Tower is in a remote location , so it takes some planning to reach Gampola. The closest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, over 60 mi (96 km) away. From there, you have several options to reach Ambuluwawa. Public transportation is available, yet buses and trains are slow and cumbersome. A private driver or taxi is the most efficient way to travel to Gampola but your best bet is to go on a tour .  For the best views, it’s best to visit Ambuluwawa Tower during the dry season from January to April. Visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat and crowds. The more crowded it is, the more chaotic and difficult the climb will be. Ambuluwawa is open daily from 9:00 am-5:15 pm, and Thursdays 10:00 am-6:00 pm. When you visit, wear comfortable clothing . Sturdy shoes are best for navigating uneven and slippery stairs. In addition, don’t bring large backpacks because the path up the tower is extremely narrow. 

What to see & what to do at Ambuluwawa Tower in Sri Lanka Ambuluwawa Tower is the highlight of a small city Gampola, that lacks high-quality attractions and accommodations. Plan to stay in the city of Kandy instead. Kandy offers numerous things to do, fabulous restaurants, and places to stay. From Kandy, it is easy to take a  tour to Ambuluwawa . In addition, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy.  Where to stay when visiting Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Lanka Some top 5-star hotels in Kandy are King’s Pavilion or W15 Hanthana Estate Kandy . Recommended and visited by Jennifer from Seeking Stamps.

9. 5. Hsinbyume Pagoda, Myanmar

Name of place: Hsinbyume Pagoda Location: Mandalay, Myanmar Highlights Hsinbyume Pagoda is a stunning Buddhist temple located in Mingun, six miles outside of Mandalay. It was built to symbolize Mount Meru , believed to be the center of the universe by Buddhists and Hindus. For a one-of-a-kind Instagram photo session , you must visit Hsinbyume Pagoda. Like the Taj Mahal, the Hsinbyume Pagoda was built by the King for his wife who died during childbirth. Unlike the Taj Mahal, you won’t have 14,687 other people in your pictures. If you time it right, you will have a private photo shoot at one of the most spectacular sights in the world. 

Tips for visiting Hsinbyume Pagoda, Myanmar The Hsinbyume Pagoda is free to explore , although there is a small fee (~$5) to enter the Mingun architectural zone. Since it is a Buddhist temple, you must dress modestly and remove your shoes prior to entering. The best time to visit is in the morning or evening (before/after the crowds and when the temperatures are most comfortable for bare feet). You can reach Mingun by ferry or car/taxi . The ferry is the cheapest and quickest (one hour along the Irrawaddy River) and the best option if you aren’t making other stops along the way. You can walk to the pagoda from the boat dock in Mingun.  What to see & what to do when visiting Hsinbyume Pagoda in Myanmar Visitors come to Hsinbyume for one reason only: the ultimate photo shoot . Be sure to wear bright colors that will pop against the stark white background. And if you want to be a little extra, buy a colorful umbrella from a nearby vendor. For the ultimate photo travel inspiration, check out this around-the-world family travel memoir .  

Where to stay when visiting Hsinbyume Pagoda in Myanmar Located close to Mandalay’s city center and rail station, Ritz Grand Hotel Mandalay is an excellent choice for your stay. When you’re not out exploring this wonderful destination, you’ll love the city views from the rooftop.  Recommended and visited by Kellie from 4WornPassports .

9. 6. Taj Mahal, India

Name of place: Taj Mahal Location: Agra, India Highlights The Taj Mahal, being one of the  7 New Wonders of the World , needs no introduction. Made entirely of white marble , this monument to love can be often called ‘poetry in stone’. The Taj Mahal is a must-see on any India itinerary for a first-time visitor, and one of the most well-recognized white places around the world.

Tips for visiting Taj Mahal, India The best season to visit Taj Mahal is between November to February. Being a popular destination, there are obviously crowds so visit the monument early, both for cooler weather and lesser crowds. Also, it is best to book your tickets online in advance to avoid long queues at the ticket counter. You should consider taking a guided tour to understand the history and the facts about this marvelous structure. Being such a popular site, you can also find tours to Taj Mahal from Delhi , Mumbai , Bangalore and Jaipur . What to see & what to do when visiting Taj Mahal in Agra, India As you enter via any of the south, east or west entrances, they will lead you into the Chowk-i-Jilo Khana forecourt . Once you cross this, you will see the Taj at the end of the vast gardens. The Taj Mahal reflected in the garden fountains is the classic shot , but difficult to take without crowds. Don’t just see the Taj Mahal from afar. Make sure to get up close and personal with each of the buildings to admire the craftsmanship of their details. 

Where to stay when visiting Taj Mahal, India You will find lots of hotel options in Agra to suit all budgets. Splurge a bit and stay at the ITC Mughal or the Oberoi Amarvilas . Recommended and visited by Shweta from Zest In A Tote .

9. 7. Pamukkale , Türkiye

Name of place: Pamukkale Location: Türkiye Highlights Pamukkale in Turkish literally translates to “cotton castle” , and it’s the most fitting name for the natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southwest of Türkiye. Even in the dark, the bright white color of the travertines is visible from an impressive distance.  

Tips for visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye There are day trip tours to Pamukkale from every big city in Türkiye, but you can also easily take a cheap bus to Pamukkale from those cities. You’ll be dropped in Denezli , the town at the foot of the mountain. From here, you can walk up to the site itself . There is an entry fee to visit both the travertines and Hierapolis, so make sure to take at least half a day to enjoy the entire area. You can also consider visiting them on a day trip from Bodrum or Antalya . Try to visit outside of the high season because it gets busy and very hot during the summer months.  What to see & what to do when visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye Pamukkale is one of the most visited sites in Türkiye. It’s a source of healing mineral water, that created the unique travertines, by simply flowing down the mountain. The minerals dried up to a white cotton substance, which gives Pamukkale its unique texture and look. Walk around, take a bath in small pools with thermal water, and take and Instagram worthy photo. Unfortunately, most of the pools have dried up, leaving only a few. However, the empty pools still create a stunning sight of white “cotton”. From the pools, you get treated to a great view over the area, and on top of it, you’ll find an old Roman city called Hierapolis . Hierapolis, with some surprisingly well-preserved aspects, like a Roman theatre, it’s just as impressive as the Acropolis in Athens . If you want to make your visit to Pamukkale extra special, you can book yourself a sunrise hot air balloon ride to enjoy the area from above.

Where to stay when visiting Pamukkale in Türkiye If you want to at Pamukkale for more than just a day, or to avoid crowds, there are plenty of cheap hotels in Denizli to stick around for a bit.  Recommended and visited by Lizet from A Wander Food World .

10. Final Thoughts on white places around the world

Which of these best white places around the world are on the top of your bucket list? You can also get a dose of serenity and calmness in other places that are white . From snow covered streets in winter, stunning displays of daisy fields and white clouds. You can spot white in nature in cockatoos, sheep, ermine and tulips to name a few.

To continue with colorful travels , visit pink places and blue destinations. Pink destinations will fill you with feelings of joy, love and happiness, and blue places with serenity and inspiration.  As you plan your next travel by color, remember that the world is full of colors and hues. From green and blue, to orange and purple and in all the colors of the rainbow. Choose the one that sparks your senses the most. I will see you on your next colorful adventure, Anja

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Are you ready to travel like a PRO? Save time and money with these travel tips and resources . I personally use these companies to save time and money. They do the work by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews from actual guests, for anywhere I am traveling worldwide. ✈️ FLIGHTS: I use Skyscanner in combination with Google Flights to find amazing flight fares (try the Explore feature). I book directly with an airline or pair it with Iwantthatflight for the best deals. 🏨 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my favorite site for finding great hotel deals. They return the best rates and reviews are from actual guests! 🚘 RENTAL CARS: Discover Cars are my go-to, when planning an epic road trip. 🗽 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: I like to wander around on my own, but when I want to explore with a group, skip the line with an entrance ticket, I book it with GetYourGuide or Viator . ❤️‍🩹 TRAVEL INSURANCE: I never, under any circumstances travel without insurance. In most cases, I use yearly global travel medical insurance. But, if you don’t have that and some impromptu travel plans occur, use SafetyWing . With them, you can buy travel insurance even when you are already abroad. Better be safe, than sorry! 📲 ONLINE SAFETY: NordVPN keeps your devices’ browsing safe and malware-free. Stream shows from around the world, access social media in countries where they are blocked and buy cheap flights by changing your virtual location. 🛜 STAY CONNECTED WITH eSIM: Ditch the plastic SIM cards and waiting in lines at the airport! Airalo eSIMs allow you to connect as soon as you land at your destination. They have eSIMs for over 190+ countries worldwide.

What are the different shades of white color?

There are more than 150 different shades of white color. Some of the more popular white shades are snow, pearl, merino, smoke, porcelain, feather, ceramic, cotton, coconut, all the way to ivory, stone white, eggshell, cream and others.  If you would like to travel by color to white travel destinations, you can find a collection of places in white on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every white destination.

What emotions does white color evoke?

White, the absence of color, often evokes feelings of cleanliness, freshness, and new beginnings. White is a color associated with purity and simplicity, and also the sense of loneliness if there is too much of it. When you see white, you might feel clean and pure, or cold and isolated. If you wish to see modernity, timelessness, and a gentle sense of peace, and purity find a collection of white places on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every destination.

What are the 3 best white travel destinations around the world?

Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia, Santorini in Greece, Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Find a collection of beautiful white places in the world on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every white destination.

Where is the most white place on Earth?

The most white place on Earth is Antarctica. Antarctica is the southernmost continent, and it is covered by a thick ice sheet that reflects sunlight, giving it a predominantly white appearance. The continent is characterized by vast expanses of ice and snow, creating a stunning and pristine white landscape. Find a collection of many white travel places in the world on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every destination.

What are some white travel destinations in the USA?

White Sands National Park in New Mexico, The NYC Oculus in New York, Integratron in California, Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Death Valley in California, White Pocket in Arizona, White House in Washington DC and many others. Find a collection of beautiful places in white around the world on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every destination.

What are some famous white buildings in the world?

Some of the most famous white buildings are Sydney Opera House in Australia, Taj Mahal in India, Ban Chiang lotus flower pagoda in Thailand, White House in United States, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE, Himeji Castle in Japan, Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle) in Germany and others. Find a collection of white places in the world to live in on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every destination.

What are some white city travel places in the world?

Mijas Pueblo in Spain, Tel Aviv in Israel, Oia in Santorini, Greece, Alberobello in Publia, Italy, Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia, Popayan in Colombia and others. Find a collection of white cities in the world to live in on Anja On Adventure travel blog, alongside the tips for visiting every destination.

❥ About Anja On Adventure

Anja On Adventure is a travel blog, a collection of insider tips and information on destinations, that I visited as a solo female traveler, tour guide, teacher, yacht stewardess, and Survivor challenge tester. Anja, is a thirty-something adventure-seeking, sun chasing, beach hopping, gin-loving, tropics enthusiast with a creative mind and sarcastic spirit, who loves coconut and mango but doesn’t like chocolate and sweets. I am passionate about all things travel, maps, and puzzles. Click here to learn more About me .

About the author: Anja

Y VIVE LA EXPERIENCIA

Y VIVE NUEVAS AVENTURAS

World White Travel es una agencia de viajes y turismo joven del pueblo. Con programas que tengan como destino el salar de Uyuni Bolivia o desde la ciudad de Uyuni hasta San Pedro de Atacama Chile , para ello nuestra empresa cuenta con oficinas en ambos destinos.

¡Contáctenos Ahora!

Desde san pedro de atacama.

Salar de Uyuni 3 días y 2 noches

Tour de 3 días comenzando en san pedro de atacama y finalizando en uyuni, en servicio regular (compartido), us$ 210 por persona.

Salar de Uyuni 4 días y 3 noches

Tour de 4 días comenzando y finalizando en san pedro de atacama, en servicio regular (compartido)., us$ 250 por persona.

Tour de 3 días comenzando en San Pedro de Atacama y finalizando en Uyuni, en servicio semiprivado.

Us$ 410 por persona.

Tour de 4 días comenzando y finalizando en San Pedro de Atacama, en servicio semiprivado.

Us$ 510 por persona.

Tour de 3 días comenzando en San Pedro de Atacama y finalizando en Uyuni, en servicio privado.

Us$ 690 por persona.

Tour de 4 días comenzando y finalizando en San Pedro de Atacama, en servicio privado.

Us$ 890 por persona, desde uyuni, stargazing & sunrise, en servicio privado., us$ 180 por persona, en servicio regular compartido, us$ 45 por persona.

Sunset & Stargazing

Salar de Uyuni y Lagunas Alto Andinas 2 días y 1 noche

En servicio privado, us$ 0 por persona.

Salar de Uyuni y Volcán Thunupa 2 días y 1 noche

Us$ 216 por persona.

Tour de 3 días comenzando en Uyuni y finalizando en San Pedro de Atacama, en servicio privado

Us$ 606 por persona, tour de 3 días comenzando en uyuni y finalizando en uyuni o san pedro de atacama, en servicio regular (compartido), us$ 666 por persona, ¡viaja junto a nosotros, *precios son válidos hasta 31 diciembre de 2024, por favor antes de reservar lea atentamente nuestras condiciones de reservas y anulaciones:, política de reservas y anulaciones world white travel.

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The Latest News From White Desert

Decarbonising aviation at white desert, introducing the whichaway wellness dome, scotch on the rocks (make that ice), home base antarctica, the crossing, welcome to antarctica, 70º 48’ 00” s 11º 23’ 00” e.

- Established 2005 -

WELCOME BACK TO THE WILDERNESS

After two decades of exploring, it is still awe-inspiring to be able to bring scientists and tourists into the heart of the most remote continent on Earth.

Antarctica cannot help but to have the most powerful effect on you. It is not just the surreal beauty or unimaginably large landscapes; it is the reconnection to nature in its rawest form. You feel humble and fragile, yet, simultaneously, empowered and deeply connected to our planet.

We only entertain small groups at our luxury camps, providing a much-needed sense of space and discovery. From Emperor Penguins to the Geographic South Pole, iridescent ice tunnels to the endless High Polar Plateau – this is our home.

And we can’t wait to share it with you….

Patrick Woodhead, Co-founder and CEO

Around the World. Truly 7 Continents

“In a first-of-its-kind, White Desert is offering a private jet experience that visits all 7 continents.”

Explore Echo, our space inspired eco-retreat

“"Some of the design inspiration for Echo came from my childhood passion for watching Star Wars. I imagined what would happen if the Millennium Falcon, which feels quite retro today, met a boutique retreat in the modern world." - White Desert CEO, Patrick Woodhead”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

“White Desert is the first Antarctic operator to test Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across its fleet.”

Yes, You Can Visit Antarctica for 24 Hours

“White Desert – the only company in the world to offer a private charter jet to access Antarctica”

Antarctica calling

“Trek through ice tunnels, ski along snowy vistas; connect with nature amidst the cacophony of penguins. Stay in luxurious ‘pods’ and enjoy a gourmet meal while discovering the secrets of Antarctica.”

Antarctica's first luxury camp

“Even when gussied up with private jets, cozy igloos, and cutting-edge cruise ships, a trip down south to the Seventh Continent is intense—which is something the Antarctica experts at White Desert know well.”

On a Trip to Antarctica, Leaving as Light a Footprint as Possible

“White Desert has taken the hardship out of discovery”

Sean, USA, 2022 White Desert Guest

“I’m still processing it all but it was hands down the most memorable experience of my life and I’m already trying to figure out how to get back there again. Thank you all for this, I feel like Antarctica changed me in the best possible way.” ”

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The 55 Most Beautiful Places in the World

From cloud forests to glacial lakes, these destinations are the world's best sights to see.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

From sky-blue lakes in Canada to sandstone beaches in Seychelles, beauty abounds in every corner of the Earth. Focusing largely on national parks , mountains, beaches, deserts, and other natural wonders , we’ve compiled the world's most beautiful places to inspire your next dream destination. 

• Best tourist destination: Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil
• Underrated hidden gem: Fairy Meadows National Park, Pakistan
• Best for families: Grand Canyon, Arizona
• Best for couples: Anse Source d'Agent, Seychelles
• Best for solo travelers: Railay West Beach, Thailand

Join us for a journey to some of the most beautiful places in the world, like the red rocks of the Grand Canyon and the abundantly colorful Great Barrier Reef.

Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Altogether, the 275 cascades on the Argentina-Brazil border form a mind-blowing, panoramic waterfall. The overwhelming sight of Iguazú Falls, combined with the sound and energy of water rushing at up to 450,000 cubic feet per second in the rainy season, is pure magnificence.

Fairy Meadows National Park, Pakistan

Tahreer Photography / Getty Images

Near the foot of the world's ninth-highest mountain (Nanga Parbat), Pakistan's Fairy Meadows offers sublime mountain scenery and wildlife, including brown bears, markhor, and Himalayan ibex. To get to Fairy Meadows, you’ll have to hire a Jeep but be forewarned, the road there is not for the faint of heart.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

Offering some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, the Grand Canyon truly merits the term "breathtaking." The vast geologic wonderland, one mile deep and up to 18 miles across, displays countless layers of colorful rock and practically hypnotic vistas.

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

Pinpointing the most beautiful Seychellois beach is like splitting hairs, but Anse Source d'Argent gets extremely high marks for its sugar-white sand framed by dramatic granite boulders and sparkling aquamarine water. The sweet shoreline is relatively secluded from the resort crowds on La Digue Island.

Railay West Beach, Thailand

Dmitrii Guldin / Getty Images

On the Railay peninsula's west side, Krabi's famous karsts meet a simply stunning jade-green lagoon. The vertical cliffs block access from the Krabi mainland, making Railay reachable only by boat, adding to its incredible appeal.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

There's no better way to experience Patagonia's rugged natural beauty than in Torres del Paine National Park . The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to its namesake granite towers (the park's name is a combination of the Spanish word for “towers” and the Tehuelche word for “blue”), as well as sparkling lagoons and otherworldly glaciers.

Bagan, Myanmar

It's hard to truly grasp the magnitude of Myanmar's Bagan Archaeological Zone , dominated by thousands of temples, pagodas, and stupas. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a bike, or for an eagle's-eye view, take a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise to see the temples scattered across the lush landscape.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica

This magical, misty, and well-preserved cloud forest in northwestern Costa Rica is a successful template for sustainable ecotourism. Along with its sister cloud forest, the Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde is a practically untouched paradise home to thousands of plant, animal, and bird species (including the radiant quetzal), visible from jungle paths and nail-biting steel bridges hanging over the canopy.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia

One of the world's largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls spans the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders. As a destination, "The Smoke That Thunders," as it is known in the Bantu language family, is a hub for white-water rafting, helicopter rides, big-game safaris , and other thrilling adventures.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Whitehaven Beach mesmerizes from above with swirls of white and blue hiding amid the offshore islands of Queensland. Part of Australia's Whitsunday Coast, the star attraction is remarkable for its amazing combination of pure silica sands and vivid blue-green waters.

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

On a dirt road near the west coast town of Morondava is a stretch of tall and ancient baobab trees unique to Madagascar, and all that remains of a once-dense forest. The centuries-old giants are especially magnificent cast in the light of a sunrise and sunset.

Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia

The world's largest salt flat covers 4,000 square miles of the Bolivian Altiplano. In the dry season, it's an endless white sheet of salt tiles made all the more dazzling by clear, sunny skies. From December to April, however, regular rains create a mirror effect that merges lake and sky. No matter when you see it, Salar de Uyuni is one of the most captivating sights on earth.

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam

With hundreds of jungle-covered karst cliffs rising out of emerald green waters, Hạ Long Bay is a photographer's dream. Hop on a boat or kayak to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site 's beautiful islands and surreal cave systems.

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Nicholas Schmidt/Travel + Leisure

Lake Atitlán in the Sierra Madres offers a combination of Indigenous culture and waterside serenity. It likely comes as no surprise that a place this tranquil is also a popular destination for yoga retreats. Cross the gorgeous crater lake by boat and explore various pueblos, shop local markets for Mayan crafts, and sleep in treehouse accommodations.

Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius

A freestanding basaltic mountain hulking over a bright blue-green Indian Ocean lagoon certainly makes for spectacular scenery. When viewed from above, the surrounding sand and silt form an optical illusion that appears to be a massive underwater waterfall at this mythic place — and there is a fascinating history to uncover. Thanks to its isolation and near-inaccessibility, Le Morne sheltered people who escaped enslavement during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Acadia National Park, Maine

From rocky shorelines shrouded in mist to conifer-cloaked mountainsides, Acadia National Park is a wild place of sea, stone, and forest. Visitors flock here to hike, fish, climb, camp, and experience the end-of-the-world feel in New England's only national park.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The mighty Okavango , the largest inland delta in the world, is a vast network of winding waterways and animal-attracting lagoons. Navigating through reed-studded channels in a mokoro (traditional canoe) and spotting hippos, leopards, and elephants is one of the world's great travel experiences for nature lovers.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

This famed wildlife preserve (next door neighbor to the Serengeti) is one of the world's most enchanting ecosystems . The Mara's golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, interrupted by graceful acacia trees and rumbling throngs of wildebeest and zebra — and their stalking predators.

Beautiful Forests Around the World

Cat island, the bahamas.

Cat Island is a secret nirvana hiding in plain sight in the Bahamas . Sparsely developed and off the main tourist track, Cat Island is resplendent in miles of nature trails and wondrous pink sands sprawling under the Caribbean sun. Far from the mega-resort scene of busier islands, the mood on Cat Island is very laid back, so expect to find local vibes and small family-owned hotels.

Zhangye National Geopark, China

Distinct rolling bands of orange, cream, yellow, brown, and russet against jagged mountain peaks make this geological anomaly in the Northwestern province of Gansu look like a psychedelic scene on Mars. Boardwalks have been built throughout the park allowing visitors to see the stripes up close.

Glencoe, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are filled with astonishingly scenic glens, but Glencoe Valley is perhaps the most famous (and infamous, due to a brutal 17th-century massacre that marked a pivotal moment in Scottish history). Today the valley is a haven for hikers, mountaineers, and whisky lovers — the 19th-century Ben Nevis Distillery is a short drive away.

Mount Kōya, Japan

The Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi founded this mountaintop temple town in 819. Today, the sacred and serene place is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains more than 100 temples, including the head temple Kongobuji, featuring gorgeous gilded sliding doors and ceilings carved with flowers. Within the ancient complex is a mausoleum and cemetery surrounded by a cedar forest with old-growth trees up to 600 years old.

Dead Sea, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel

Name aside, the Dead Sea is a lake and one of the world's saltiest, at that. (In fact, the saline water has such a high density that it keeps bathers afloat.) Set between Jordan, Palestine, and Israel at the Earth's lowest elevation, it's known for its beautifully clear and tranquil waters (with nearly 10 times more saline than the ocean) and its surrounding mineral formations, sandy beaches, nature preserves, natural pools, and waterfalls.

Zion National Park, Utah

Elisabeth Pollaert Smith /Getty Images

Glorious Navajo Sandstone cliffs, rainbow-colored canyons, and incredible biodiversity make Zion one of the most popular (and most scenic) national parks in the U.S. Utah is famous for its many gorgeous national parks, but in Zion, you can enjoy unique hikes like The Narrows, a slot canyon trail following Virgin River upstream — just make sure you go in the right season .

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Dominated by a 3,000-square-mile ice cap of the same name, Vatnajökull is a chilly, Icelandic wonderland of caves, craters, glacier-filled calderas, and waterfalls. Perhaps the most famous cascade is Svartifoss, plunging over hexagonal lava-rock columns.

Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale's electric-blue thermal pools and white travertine formations, naturally formed by slowly crystallizing calcium carbonate, make for gorgeous vacation photos. Its location is quite remote, so you will need to set aside a day or two for this special trip, but with steaming hot waters and a name that translates from Turkish to "cotton castles," it's worth the experience as well as the view.

Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii

Nā Pali translates to "the cliffs" in Hawaiian, a deceptively simple name that might not fully prepare travelers for the epic glory on display on the Kauai coast. The staggering coastline is too rugged and vertical for road access, so the only way to see it is by boat, air, or seriously intense hiking trails.

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Ascending iconic Table Mountain tops the to-do list for most travelers in Cape Town. Adventurous hikers can go on foot, but there's also an aerial cableway that gently sweeps up to the 3,563-foot summit. Either way, the top offers insane panoramic views of the South African capital and the Atlantic.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Built nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Incan citadel whose engineering ingenuity and head-spinning views rival the extraordinary beauty of its Sacred Valley setting. It may be a hotspot for tourism now, but the rest of the world has only known about its existence since it was rediscovered in 1911.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Xantana/Getty Images

Picture a serene alpine lake fringed with soaring Alps. Now add in a walkable medieval town and you've got the setting for this long-popular Swiss destination . Don't miss Mount Pilatus (via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway) and the Rigi for nature trails and a famous viewpoint overlooking three lakes.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway may lack Highway 101's ocean scenery, but it trades Pacific views for peaceful Appalachian beauty. Stretching 469 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park , the 45 MPH, no-trucks route winds past overlook after overlook, letting road-trippers marvel at the mountains' dreamy blue hue.

Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

This isn't a tropical island getaway with a wild party scene or a string of upscale resorts. Pulau Tioman is more of a floating nature preserve, with local character and a strong sense of environmental conservation (coral rehab and sea turtle preservation are major focuses for the island's Juara Turtle Project ). The island, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea, is popular for its dive sites, shipwrecks, and tropical rainforest.

Damaraland, Namibia

Damaraland region is an almost mystical vision of red-earth desert plains, flat-topped mountains, a petrified forest, and well-preserved ancient Bushmen rock paintings. Though it looks like a scene from Mars, Damaraland is rich in wildlife, home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and the critically endangered black rhino.

Matira Beach, French Polynesia

The South Pacific calls up many visions of spectacular beaches . The otherwordly Bora Bora 's Matira Beach gets singled out for its miles of pearly white, flour-fine sand, and breathtaking bright turquoise lagoon.

Cirque de Gavarnie, France

Cirque de Gavarnie is a popular hiking destination in the Pyrenees and one of the most beautiful in France . Called "the Colosseum of Nature" by Victor Hugo, the Cirque is a ring of sheer granite mountain walls enclosing a picture-perfect green valley. It's astounding even before you add in three-tier Gavarnie Falls pouring over a 922-foot drop.

Shark Bay, Australia

Shark Bay: where the red earth of Australia's westernmost point meets the teal waters of the Indian Ocean. The bay is home to one of the largest and richest beds of seagrass in the world, as well as rare stromatolites — rocky-looking, cauliflower-shaped microbial reefs and some of the oldest life forms on Earth.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

The Lofoten archipelago bursts dramatically out of the Norwegian Sea. Between the jagged peaks and steep slopes are quaint fishing villages, secluded coves, scenic backpacking and biking trails, and dreamy white-sand beaches. You can even get there by train via the Ofotbanen , a luxury rail service that takes you from Oslo up to the Arctic Circle.

Los Cabos, Mexico

Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, Los Cabos ' symphony of natural features — desert, mountains, sea, and plenty of sunshine — and yes, raucous party scene, have made it one of the most popular vacation destinations in North America. Its cobalt-blue waters are a hub for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and whale watching.

Taormina, Sicily

Frans Sellies/Getty Images

Taormina has all the elements for a gorgeous Mediterranean destination : ancient ruins, a charming old town, and a setting backed by Mount Etna, an active volcano you can summit by foot. One of the highlights is visiting the beach of Isola Bella, a small storied island that you can walk to during low tide.

Dal Lake, India

The snow-capped Zabarwan Range rises above Kashmir's romantic Dal Lake, a long-time Himalayan escape for Indians fleeing the south's heat. During the summer, veranda-clad cedar houseboats bob along the lake's western edge while floating markets and brightly painted taxi boats drift by.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world's largest barrier reef is an unrivaled experience for snorkelers and divers. The sensational underwater world is made up of 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands, and a mind-boggling diversity of marine life.

Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China

Thousands of tapering quartz sandstone formations spiral skyward in this 100-square-mile stretch of karst terrain in China's Hunan Province . Beneath the towers lie valleys, streams, waterfalls, caves, natural bridges, and dense green forests.

Banff National Park, Canada

Canada's oldest national park showcases the majesty of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Banff is known for its staggering peaks, dense pine forests, hot springs, animals — grizzlies, bighorn sheep, and moose all call the park home, and almost eerily azure glacier-fed lagoons, such as the postcard-perfect Peyto Lake.

Wadi Rum Reserve, Jordan

Wadi Rum is a stunning red desert landscape filled with canyons, dunes, mountains, springs, archeological sites, and stone archways. Brave hikers can cross the largest, Burdah Rock Bridge, which is more than 200 feet above the ground.

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, New Zealand

Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure

Glaciers carved this awe-inspiring valley , leaving behind craggy peaks with sheer drops into glistening waters. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wahipounamu , the South Island's Milford Sound is blessed with waterfalls, rainbows, rainforests, and a diversity of wildlife — everything from black coral to bottlenose dolphins, with seals and even penguins in between.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Blissfully isolated 217 miles off the Brazilian mainland, this lovingly preserved archipelago offers pristine beaches and clear waters abundant in marine life perfect for world-class snorkeling. The remote island is also a hub for honeymooners looking for a slice of paradise.

The Algarve, Portugal

Surrounded by the Atlantic to the south and west, Portugal's Algarve region looks and feels like a wild respite. Wind-sculpted cliffs and headlands frame big, sandy beaches popular with surfers and dotted with secret coves and grottoes.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Solitary Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most stunning icons, rising more than 19,000 feet from coffee and banana farms up to snowy volcanic peaks. Along the way to "The Roof of Africa," hikers trek through distinct climate zones, from rainforest to high-altitude desert to the arctic-like summit.

Mount Fuji, Japan

Both an active volcano and an emblem of serenity, Mount Fuji is one of the world's most magnificent sights. You can hike to the sacred landmark's summit for sweeping views or simply gape at it from Lake Kawaguchi and elsewhere in the beautiful Five Lakes region . Head to the spa town of Hakone in winter to pair crisp Fuji views with steaming hot springs.

Li River, China

The Li River carves through the lowland farms and jagged karst terrain of northwestern Guangxi, creating some of China's most picturesque scenery (the area is so pretty, it appears on the 20 yuan banknote). A four- to five-hour river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most popular way to experience Li River, though travelers wanting more autonomy can rent bamboo rafts or hike — the natural moon-shaped arch of Moon Hill makes a glorious lookout.

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como has been one of Italy's most popular vacation spots since the time of the Roman emperors. This unabashedly high-rolling resort area still attracts a posh crowd with its lush gardens, cinematic palaces and villas, and sun-soaked alpine shores. Take the funicular to the tiny village of Brunate for an amazing panorama.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Like so many of Earth's most stunning sights, Crater Lake is the result of earth-altering, volcanic forces. Its 1,943-foot depth makes it the deepest lake in the U.S. , filled with mesmerizingly deep blue waters fed by rain and snow. View its perfection from hiking trails, boat tours, and the 33-mile Rim Drive around the caldera. Keep in mind, some attractions like boat tours and the scenic Rim Drive close for the winter season.

Big Sur, California

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

Even considering California's 840 miles of monumental coastline, it's hard to rival the beauty of Big Sur . Thick redwood forest, foggy canyons, and rocky cliffs tumbling into the Pacific define this area (the name refers to both the town and the coastal region), made all the more famous for its freewheeling NorCal vibes and Old Hollywood history.

Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee

With half a million acres split by Tennessee and North Carolina, this famous park 's wondrous mountain scenery encompasses hardwood forests, steep-sided ravines cut by rivers and streams, and brilliant wildflowers in bloom from spring to fall. Hikers have 150 trails available to them, from the Appalachian Trail’s Charlies Bunion hike to the more challenging Rainbow Falls route.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The scenery alone — waterfalls, calderas, misty bamboo forests — makes Volcanoes National Park a worthy contender of any travel list. The mystical setting is all the more special for hosting buffaloes, birds, golden monkeys, and the elusive mountain gorilla.

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World’s 30 Best Travel Destinations, Ranked

Best places to visit in the world.

The ultimate ranking of travel destinations aims to solve a serious problem: so many places to visit, so little time.

But even in a world with a trillion destinations, some manage to stand out and rise to the top. From the sleek skyscrapers of Dubai to the emerald-green waters of the Bora Bora lagoon, you’re sure to find at least one vacation that piques your interest (and likely several!).

These are the 30 best places to visit in the world. Which ones have you already been to? And which ones stoke your wanderlust most?

30. Argentine Patagonia

In this region of the Andes, you’ll find glaciers, evergreen trees, deep blue lakes and clear skies everywhere you look. For a trip full of adventure and discovery, there are few better destinations on the planet.

No trip is complete without a visit to the craggy Mount Fitz Roy, the historic (and mysterious) Cave of the Hands, the Punta Tombo wildlife preserve, the Peninsula Valdes marine wildlife refuge and the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. Be sure to bring your camera and your sense of wonder.

* Rankings are based on U.S. News & World Report's " World's Best Places to Visit ," traveler ratings as well as our own editorial input.

What to Know Before You Go to Argentine Patagonia

Where to stay: Cyan Soho Neuquen Hotel

Hot tip: Since springtime occurs in the southern hemisphere in October and November, those months are your best bet when planning a trip.

Fun fact: The largest dinosaur fossils ever unearthed were found in Argentine Patagonia. They belong to the largest-known titanosaur, believed to have weighed about 83 tons. 

Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.

29. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Set in the Sorrentina Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast has long been renowned for its natural beauty and idyllic coastal towns. During the golden age of Hollywood, it was a preferred vacation spot for glamorous movie stars.

Days here are spent eating Italian food, drinking wine and walking around colorful cobblestone streets. You can also expect to drink copious amounts of wine as you look out into the Mediterranean Sea.

The best way to see the coast is to rent a car and then drive to different towns each day.

What to Know Before You Go to the Amalfi Coast

Where to stay: Hotel Marina Riviera

Hot tip:  If you're planning on using a beach chair to work on your tan, make sure you wake up early, as they are usually first come, first served.

Fun fact:  The Amalfi Coast is featured in Sofia Loren's 1995 Film, "Scandal in Sorrento."

28. Cancun, Mexico

For years, Cancun has been the preferred getaway for East Coast Americans (particularly Floridians) who want an international getaway that's still close to home. But despite the droves of tourists, the area has managed to keep the charm that attracted people in the first place.

The city is known mostly for its luxury hotels, wild nightlife and warm beaches. Definitely indulge in all of these — as well as the Mexican food! — but also consider other activities like visiting Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes and snorkeling. One thing is certain: You won't run out of things to do in Cancun .

What to Know Before You Go to Cancun

Where to stay: Hyatt Zilara Cancun

Hot tip:  While you're in Cancun, make a plan to visit one of Grupo Xcaret's six eco-tourism parks, with the best ones being Xcaret and Xelha. The Mexican-owned company is credited with starting the eco-tourism trend in the Yucatan Peninsula, and the parks offer incredible and varied local experiences.

Fun fact:  The Yucatan Peninsula, where Cancun is located, was the cultural, political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Many locals have Mayan ancestry and Mayan continues to be widely spoken in the area.

27. San Francisco, California

Everyone should visit San Francisco at least once in their lives. Though tech companies grab all the headlines these days, it remains down-to-earth, diverse and packed with things to do.

Where to start? No matter your style, you’ll want to check out the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, see the sunbathing sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf, take a tour of the historic prison Alcatraz and relax in one of the city’s many parks, especially Dolores Park for its epic people-watching on the weekends. 

For dinner, treat your tastebuds and make a reservation at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the Bay Area .

What to Know Before You Go to San Francisco

Where to stay: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

Hot tip: Want similarly beautiful landscapes and rich cultural attractions, but at lower prices and with (slightly) fewer crowds? Head to Oakland just across the Bay Bridge, named one of the most exciting places on earth to travel by National Geographic. 

Fun fact: The fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco by a Japanese resident. Random!

26. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world . The power with which water storms down cliffs on the border between the United States and Canada has captivated the imagination of humans for centuries. 

This natural wonder is comprised of three awe-inspiring falls. One of the best ways to experience them is on a boat tour.

What to Know Before You Go to Niagara Falls

Where to stay: Sheraton Niagara Falls

Hot tip: There is some debate about which side of the falls is better, but the general verdict is that the Canadian side offers better views. This is because you can (ironically) get a better view of the American Falls as well as get up close to Horseshoe Falls. 

Fun fact:  Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S.

25. Yellowstone National Park

Located mostly in Wyoming as well as Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone is America’s first national park and remains one of the most popular in the country, welcoming more than around 3.3 million people in 2022. With unpredictable geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, craggy peaks, shimmering lakes and tons of wildlife — from elk to boars to bison — it’s easy to see why so many people flock here. 

The park makes for an awesome family trip and is well-suited to budget travelers since it offers so many campsites ( over 2,000! ). 

What to Know Before You Go to Yellowstone

Where to stay: Stage Coach Inn

Hot tip: You’ll never fully beat the crowds at this wildly popular park, but April, May, September and November are your best bets for finding some solitude.  

Fun fact: Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.  

24. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

As the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of marine species. This makes it a paradise for scuba diving or snorkeling. 

The reef system is truly gigantic, with over 600 islands and about 2,900 individual reefs. This is one of Australia's greatest prides, but it's also a planetary national treasure. Seeing it with your own two eyes is an experience that is incredible beyond words.

What to Know Before You Go to the Great Barrier Reef

Where to stay: Crystalbrook Flynn

Hot tip: Though going underwater to see the reef is a must, we also recommend booking a helicopter tour to experience the magic of it from above.

Fun fact:  Made of corals, which are animals that live in collectives, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet.

23. Santorini, Greece

With its picturesque blue-domed churches, whitewashed buildings and colorful beaches, the island of Santorini is a photographer’s paradise. If you want to snap photos to post to Instagram and make everyone back home jealous, this is the place to go. 

Also make sure to experience some of Santorini’s archaeologically significant sites, like Ancient Akrotiri (an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash) and Ancient Thera (where humans lived as early as the 9th century BC). And don’t forget to visit the smaller islands that surround it, including Thirassia, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. 

What to Know Before You Go to Santorini

Where to stay: Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini

Hot tip: To optimize your vacation, visit in September and October or April and May — when the weather is still warm, but there aren’t as many other tourists milling around.

Fun fact: While it’s difficult to prove, locals like to say there’s more wine than water on this island where it hardly rains (and vino abounds).

22. Florence, Italy

For art and history buffs (and anyone who appreciates delicious Italian food), Florence is a must-visit city. 

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it’s home to some of the most iconic artworks by the world’s premier artists throughout history — Michaelangelo, Brunelleschi and Donatello, just to name a few. In addition to art museums and architectural wonders, Florence is also home to chic shops, quaint cafes and spectacular gardens. 

What to Know Before You Go to Florence

Where to stay:  NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa

Hot tip: Keep Florence in mind if you want to spend your honeymoon in Europe without spending a fortune, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Fun fact: The city’s famed “El Duomo” cathedral took over 140 years to build .

21. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite, one of the most-visited national parks in America with more than 4 million annual guests, encompasses 750,000 acres of wilderness just waiting to be explored.

It’s home to scenic waterfalls, like the 317-foot Vernal Fall and the 617-foot Bridalveil Fall, as well as iconic rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome, two popular spots for the world’s best rock climbers to test their mettle.

Not surprisingly, the wildlife here also impresses. Dozens of species of butterflies, marmots, bobcats and mule deer are just some of the animals that call Yosemite home. And keep your eyes peeled for black bears; some 300 to 500 roam the park . 

What to Know Before You Go to Yosemite

Where to stay:  The Ahwahnee

Hot tip: Summer can get really busy here, so if you want to camp, be sure to book a spot early. Want to beat Yosemite’s notoriously bad traffic? Ditch the car and take advantage of the park’s extensive free bus system.

Fun fact: This is one of the only places in the country where you can catch a moonbow — like a rainbow, but created by the light of the moon instead of the sun. 

20. St. Lucia

Whether you’re visiting on a cruise ship or just relaxing at an all-inclusive resort or boutique hotel, stunning St. Lucia is a clear winner. This Caribbean island offers diverse terrain for vacationers, from its pristine beaches to its lush rainforests to its volcanic peaks, the Pitons, that loom over the landscape. 

Adrenaline-junkies love hiking, climbing and zip-lining, while newlyweds (and soon-to-be-married couples) enjoy the romantic mix of fine dining, adults-only resorts and exotic activities. 

What to Know Before You Go to St. Lucia

Where to stay: Rabot Hotel From Hotel Chocolat

Hot tip: Visit when temperatures are moderate, which is typically in May and June.

Fun fact: St. Lucia is the only country named after a woman: Christian martyr Saint Lucia of Syracuse.

19. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Everything is bigger and better in Dubai, home to one of the world’s largest shopping malls, tallest towers, largest man-made marinas — and the list goes on. 

This Las Vegas-like urban center in the United Arab Emirates has an eclectic mix of activities for visitors to enjoy, including beaches, waterparks, tons of shopping and even an indoor ski resort. Outside the skyscraper-filled city, the vast desert awaits, best enjoyed via quad-biking or sandboarding.

What to Know Before You Go to Dubai

Where to stay:  Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai

Hot tip: Though you’re likely to pay a pretty penny for a trip to Dubai no matter when you visit, you can save a little cash by visiting during the scalding-hot summer months and by booking your hotel room two to three months in advance.

Fun fact: Dubai’s man-made Palm Islands were constructed using enough imported sand to fill up 2.5 Empire State Buildings . 

18. Machu Picchu, Peru

Many travelers describe their visit to Machu Picchu as life-changing. Why? It’s an archaeological wonder, the remains of an ancient Incan city dating back more than 600 years. No wonder this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most-visited attraction in all of Peru. 

Be sure to visit significant sites like Funerary Rock, where it’s believed Incan nobility were mummified, and Temple of the Condor, a rock temple sculpted to look like the impressive bird in its name.  

What to Know Before You Go to Machu Picchu

Where to stay: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Hot tip: If you’re planning a trip, be sure to get your ticket in advance, as only 2,500 people can visit Machu Picchu each day. (And a lot of people have this destination on their bucket list.)

Fun fact: The site contains more than 100 separate flights of stairs . 

17. Sydney, Australia

With its iconic Opera House and lively Bondi Beach, Sydney is the perfect spot to vacation if you’re looking for a blend of culture, arts, nightlife and relaxation. 

Spend the day on the water at Darling Harbour, then head to the Royal Botanic garden for even more fresh air. Want to travel like a local? Get a ticket to a rugby match and order a Tim Tam, a popular chocolate-covered cookie that pairs well with coffee. 

What to Know Before You Go to Sydney

Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Hot tip: You can make your trip more affordable by visiting during Sydney’s shoulder seasons, which are typically September through November and March through May.

Fun fact: In 2007, Bondi Beach was the site of the largest ever swimsuit photoshoot ; 1,010 bikini-clad women participated, enough to earn it a spot in the Guinness World Records book.

16. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is truly massive (277 river miles long and up to 18 miles wide!), which helps explain why so many people feel the urge to see it in person. 

In 2022, 4.7 million people visited, making the Grand Canyon the second-most popular national park in the country (behind Great Smoky Mountain Nationals Park). Established in 1919, the park offers activities for all ability levels, whether you want to do an intense hike down into the canyon and sleep under the stars (with a backcountry permit, of course) or simply want to saunter along the South Rim Trail, an easy walking path with views that wow.

What to Know Before You Go to the Grand Canyon

Where to stay:  The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Hot tip: If you’ve wanted to visit the Grand Canyon for a while now, this is the year to do it. The park is celebrating its 100th birthday with musical performances, lectures, screenings and other special events.

Fun fact: The most remote community in the continental U.S. can be found in the Grand Canyon. At the base of the canyon, Supai Village — part of the Havasupi Indian Reservation — has a population of 208. It’s inaccessible by road, and mail is delivered by pack mule. Want to see it for yourself? The village houses a collection of campsites , accessible via a hiking trail.

15. Bali, Indonesia

In recent years, Bali has become a popular expat destination, where groups of "digital nomads" work and play. 

But the island hasn't lost its original charm to this added tourism and continues to be an incredible destination. Divide your time between swimming in the beach, hiking active volcanoes, visiting temples and enjoying views of tiered rice terraces.

What to Know Before You Go to Bali

Where to stay: Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach

Hot tip:  Though shoulder season (January to April and October to November) means fewer crowds and cheaper prices, it also means rain. Tons of it. We'd recommend avoiding the rainy season if possible.

Fun fact: On the Saka New Year, Balinese people celebrate Nyepi. This Hindu celebration is a day of silence when everything on the island shuts down and no noise is allowed.

14. New York, New York

As the saying goes, New York City is “the city that never sleeps” — and you won’t want to either when you visit, lest you run out of time to take it all in. 

Be sure to check out newer attractions, like the High Line (an elevated park) and Hudson Yards (a mega-mall along the Hudson River), but also make time for some New York City classics, like catching a Broadway show or standing under the lights of Times Square. 

Foodies will have a hard time choosing where to eat (the city is home to almost 100 Michelin stars !), which is why an extended trip is always a good idea.

What to Know Before You Go to New York City

Where to stay: The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

Hot tip: Yes, January and February get cold here, but this is also the best time to lock in relatively reasonable hotel rates. You can spend your time eating in the city’s restaurants, exploring its fabulous museums and catching its world-class theater shows without needing to spend much time in the chilly outdoors. 

Fun fact: There’s a birth in New York City about every 4.4 minutes — and a death every 9.1 minutes. 

13. Banff National Park, Canada

Some of the world’s most stunning mountain scenery and vistas are located in Banff, the tiny Canadian town located at 4,537 feet above sea level inside the national park by the same name. Banff is the highest town in Canada, and Banff National Park was Canada’s first, established in 1885.

Shred some powder at Banff’s three ski resorts in the winter, then come back in the summer for activities like hiking, biking, fishing and scrambling (scaling steep terrain using nothing but your hands).

What to Know Before You Go to Banff

Where to stay: Fairmont Banff Springs

Hot tip: June to August and December to March are the best times to visit if you want to take advantage of summer and winter activities. 

Fun fact: Banff National Park has more than 1,000 glaciers.

12. Maldives

You can look at picture after picture, but you still really need to visit the Maldives to believe its beauty. If rich sunsets, flour-like beaches and vibrant blue waters are your style, this is the destination for you. 

Though it’s somewhat difficult to get to this small island nation southwest of Sri Lanka, that also means it’s incredibly private and secluded, which makes it the perfect spot for a honeymoon or romantic beach getaway. 

And don’t worry about getting bored, either — explore the water by snorkeling or scuba diving, relax in the spa or wander around the bustling Male’ Fish Market.

What to Know Before You Go to Maldives

Where to stay: Velassaru Maldives

Hot tip: May to October is the island-nation’s rainy season — but that also means it’s the best time to go for fewer crowds and better rates.

Fun fact: In 1153 AD, the nation’s people converted to Islam. Today, the Maldives remains the most heavily Muslim country on earth.

11. Barcelona, Spain

Soccer, architecture, shopping, nightlife, world-class food and wine, arts and culture — is there anything Barcelona doesn’t have? If there is, we honestly can't think what it would be. 

This cosmopolitan Spanish city is home to some awe-inspiring architecture, including several buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, so be sure to book tours of his whimsical creations like Park Guell and the yet-to-be-finished Church of the Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia). 

For nightlife and shopping, Las Ramblas is always bustling; for an enriching arts experience, follow the progression of famed artist Pablo Picasso at Museo Picasso.

What to Know Before You Go to Barcelona

Where to stay:  Hotel Bagues

Hot tip: It can get really humid here, so it's best to plan your trip in May and June before things really heat up.

Fun fact: In preparation for its 1992 hosting of the Olympics, the city flew in sand from as far away as Egypt to make Barceloneta Beach a place where people would want to go. Though largely man-made, the beach remains a wonderful spot for seaside R&R. 

10. Glacier National Park, Montana

The crown jewel of beautiful Montana, Glacier National Park is every outdoors traveler's dream.

Of course, the most defining natural feature of the park are its glaciers, which provide spectacular views as well as a number of pristine lakes. There are hundreds of trails that will take you up peaks, down through valleys and across some of the most beautiful landscapes you'll ever see.

What to Know Before You Go to Glacier National Park

Where to stay: Firebrand Hotel

Hot tip:  Plan to spend a day or two in the nearby town of Whitefish. This gateway to Glacier National Park is one of the best small towns in America and a destination in its own right. 

Fun fact: During your visit, you're very likely to run into mountain goats, which are the official symbols of the park.

9. Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese capital is one of the most exciting cities on the entire planet. It is notoriously fast-paced, with neon lights illuminating the multitudes that are constantly rushing to their next destination. 

But Tokyo is also a city of temples, of taking time to picnic under the cherry blossoms and of making sure you enjoy the abundance of delicious food that can be found on basically every corner.

What to Know Before You Go to Tokyo

Where to stay: The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Hot tip: Visit between the months of March and April or September and November for more comfortable temperatures. Of course, spring is when the city's cherry blossoms are famously in full bloom.

Fun fact: Tokyo happens to be the largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 40 million people calling the greater metro area home.

8. Phuket, Thailand

If you’re looking for a vacation destination that feels luxurious but won’t break the bank, start searching for flights to Phuket now. 

This island in southern Thailand, which is just an hour flight from Bangkok, is surrounded by the Andaman Sea, so white sandy beaches abound. If a stunning sunset is what you’re after, head to Promthep Cape, the southernmost point on the island and a popular spot for photo-ops. For views of the island and beyond, climb to the top of the massive alabaster statue called Big Buddha.

You can even learn something during your vacation by visiting the Soi Dog Foundation, an innovative animal shelter that’s fighting the meat trade and taking care of the thousands of stray cats and dogs in the area.

What to Know Before You Go to Phuket

Where to stay: InterContinental Phuket Resort

Hot tip: Visit between November and April for the best weather — and ideal conditions for beach activities like swimming and boating. 

Fun fact: The island is not pronounced in the rather colorful way it appears to be. The correct way to say it is “poo-ket” or “poo-get.”

7. Rome, Italy

Though Rome’s historic significance cannot be overstated, don’t assume that this Italian city is stuck in the past. On the contrary, you’ll find posh storefronts and luxurious hotels not far from iconic structures like the Pantheon (built in 120 AD) and the Colosseum (built in 80 AD).

And then, of course, there’s the city’s art. Stroll through Rome, and you’ll stumble upon some of the greatest treasures the world has ever seen — an astonishing collection of frescoes, paintings, ceilings and fountains created by icons like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and Bernini.

After all that exploration, take advantage of ample opportunities to eat and drink, including at several Michelin-starred restaurants. City staples include suppli (deep-fried balls of risotto, mozzarella and ragu meat sauce) and cacio e pepe (a deceptively simple mix of al-dente pasta, pecorino romano and fresh black pepper). 

What to Know Before You Go to Rome

Where to stay: Radisson Blu Ghr Hotel

Hot tip: Tourists congregate here in the summer when temperatures are also sweltering. Go instead between October and April, when there are thinner crowds, better rates and cooler temps. Just make sure to bring a light jacket.

Fun fact: Each year, travelers throw about $1.7 million worth of coins into the Trevi Fountain. The money is donated to Caritas, a Catholic nonprofit that supports charities focused on health, disaster relief, poverty and migration.

6. London, England

English writer Samual Johnson once said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” 

From live performances of Shakespeare to truly world-class (and free!) museums like the National Gallery, London will enrich your mind and enliven your senses. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at Buckingham Palace to see the famous stone-faced guards outside and the 19 lavish State Rooms inside (though, unfortunately, you can’t see the queen’s private quarters). Another must-see landmark is the Tower of London, the historic castle on the north side of the River Thames.

What to Know Before You Go to London

Where to stay: Vintry & Mercer

Hot tip: Many U.S. cities now offer direct flights to London, so set a price alert and act fast when you see fares drop.

Fun fact: London’s pubs are worth a visit for their names alone; fanciful monikers include The Case is Altered, The Pyrotechnists Arms, John the Unicorn and The Job Centre. 

5. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Flavorful French cuisine, top-notch resorts, warm waters — need we say more? Though Tahiti can be pricey, travelers say it’s so worth it. 

The largest of the 118 French Polynesian islands, Tahiti is split into two main regions (connected by a land bridge). Tahiti Nui, the larger region, is home to the island’s capital Papeete and surfing hotspot Papenoo Beach, while Tahiti Iti, the smaller region, offers more seclusion and the bright white sands of La Plage de Maui.

What to Know Before You Go to Tahiti

Where to stay: Hilton Hotel Tahiti

Hot tip: Visit between May and October, Tahiti’s winter, when there are less humidity and rain. 

Fun fact: Overcrowding is not a concern here; Hawaii gets more visitors in 10 days than all of French Polynesia does in a year.

4. Maui, Hawaii

If you’re short on time or you just can’t decide which Hawaiian island to visit, Maui is right in the sweet spot: not too big, not too small, but just right.

There are five regions to explore on Maui, including the popular West Maui and South Maui, home to some of the island’s best-known attractions and beaches (Wailea Beach is in South Maui, for example). But don’t overlook East Maui, where you can travel along the Road to Hana, or the Upcountry, where you can explore the world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala. 

What to Know Before You Go to Maui

Where to stay:  Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Hot tip: This is Hawaii we’re talking about, so your trip will be on the pricey side. Be sure to budget for add-ons if you need them (think gym access and WiFi at your hotel), and do some research on insurance before you head to the car-rental counter.

Fun fact: How’s this for a selling point? Maui has more beach than any other Hawaiian island — 60 miles of it, with red, white and black sand.

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Don’t write off the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora just because of its size. Though it’s a little more than 2 miles wide and just 6 miles long, Bora Bora packs in an abundance of natural beauty. To start, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the island’s turquoise lagoon surrounded by lush jungle.

If you’re looking for more than relaxation on your trip, consider hiking or booking a 4X4 tour of Mount Otemanu, part of an extinct volcano that rises 2,400 feet above the lagoon. You can also snorkel among the coral reef of Coral Gardens, where you might catch a glimpse of reef sharks, eels and stingrays.

Because of its remoteness, flying into Bora Bora Airport will be quite a journey, no matter where you're departing from. But you'll forget everything as soon as you see this Polynesian paradise that is beautiful beyond words.

What to Know Before You Go to Bora Bora

Where to stay: Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Hot tip: Though Bora Bora can be wildly expensive to visit, you can cut costs by visiting between December and March (though you should avoid the Christmas holiday) and by bringing your own alcohol and sunscreen with you.

Fun fact: Bora Bora is one of the countries that no longer exists . The Kingdom of Bora Bora was an independent state until it was forcefully overtaken and annexed by France in 1888.

2. Paris, France

Paris has it all — incredible cuisine, legendary landmarks and centuries of history. Those are just some of the reasons it’s the second-best place to visit in the world.

Though you’ll want to spend your time hitting up popular tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d’Orsay, you should also carve out time to explore other parts of Paris — the city’s 20 diverse neighborhoods, called arrondissements, for instance. Standouts include the 2nd arrondissement, which touts covered passages and some of the city’s hippest restaurants, and the romantic 18th arrondissement, with charming squares, cafes and bars, set apart from the city’s more tourist-packed areas.

What to Know Before You Go to Paris

Where to stay: Grand Hotel Du Palais Royal

Hot tip: Yes, summer in Paris is busy, but the weather is also ideal — average highs are in the 70s.

Fun fact: Built for the 1889 World Fair, the Eiffel Tower was originally meant to be temporary , and was almost torn down in 1909. Luckily, local officials saw its value as a radiotelegraph station, preserving the future tourist icon for generations to come. 

1. South Island, New Zealand

South Island, the larger but less populated of the two islands that make up New Zealand, earn this top-spot honor for its gorgeous scenery, adrenelin-pumping experiences and affordability.

The 33.5-mile hike on Milford Sound, which is limited to 90 people at a time, is considered one of the world’s best treks, with stops at Lake Te Anau, suspension bridges, a mountain pass and the tallest waterfall in the country, Sutherland Falls.

For a heart-pumping experience, you can jump out of a helicopter while flying over the Harris Mountains with skis on your feet. Still not satisfied? Roam Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area, and explore the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, two of the most accessible glaciers in the world.

What to Know Before You Go to New Zealand

Where to stay: QT Queenstown

Hot tip: Book your trip for the fall, when South Island is temperate, not overcrowded and offers great rates. Bonus: This is also when the island is at its most stunning.

Fun fact: New Zealand natives, called Kiwis, are among the most hospitable you’ll ever meet. The local saying “He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata” translates , appropriately, to “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people.”

These beaches have the whitest sand in the world, according to new study

Nothing quite gets our travel wanderlust going than scenes of crystal clear, blue waters, and stunning white sand.

But where in the world can you find the whitest beaches ?

Researchers from luxury villa travel agents CV Villas carried out a study of over 200 beaches around the world, using colour analysis theory and Google Maps images.

After finding out the sands' RGB colour code, the researchers compared this with the world's purest shade of white, to find out which beach truly is home to the whitest sands on the planet.

Here are the top ten.

9. Taylor Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

Tying at number nine with a score of 8.5 points go to beaches found in the Atlantic Ocean.

The secluded and picturesque Taylor Bay Beach is on the southwestern coast of Providenciales, the main island of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

9. Stocking Island Beach, Bahamas

Stocking Island beach in the Bahamas had the same score. Located off the port of Georgetown, Great Exuma, highlights of Stocking Island includes blue holes, coral gardens, and undersea caves

8. Cala Brandinchi, Italy

Countries in Europe dominated the rankings, with half of the top 30 beaches being on the continent.

The first located in Italy is Cala Brandinchi, considered one of the most beautiful in Sardinia, located in the territory of the Municipality of San Teodoro along the eastern coast of the island.

7. Plage de Valras, France

A seaside resort off the Gulf of Lion on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Plage de Valras, in Southern France, landed at number seven.

6. Cala Pluma, Spain

Spain has two entries on the list, the first being Cala Pluma in Ibiza, which offers a serene alternative to the bustling Playa de Ses Salines, located in the Sant Josep de Talaia area.

4. Platja de Muro, Spain

In equal fourth place, Playa de Muro is a large stretch of white sand beach in the northeast of Mallorca that has something for everyone; Clean, blue water, activities, restaurants and hotels.

4. Tropea Beach, Italy

The second Italian beach to appear in the top ten is Tropea Beach, found on Calabria's west coast.

Ranked equal fourth, the town features iconic houses built into the clifftop that offer wide vistas over the turquoise ocean, and the crisp white sand.

3. Marmari beach, Greece

Marmari Beach in Kos, Greece, has a 6.5 point difference in its sand shade compared to the whitest colour in the world, making it the beach with the whitest sand in all of Europe.

2. Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

In second place on the list at 4.3 points off the purest shade of white was Anse Source d'Argent in Seychelles.

The only African beach to find itself in the top 30, with its natural rock formations, alcoves, and interesting botanical features the beach makes for a memorable visit.

1. Tulum Beach, Mexico

Tulum Beach in Mexico has been named the beach with the whitest sand in the world.

The study found it's sand was just 1.4 points off the whitest shade in the world.

Tulum is located on the Yucatan coast of Mexico, about a 45 minute drive from Playa del Carmen.

The spot is consistently ranked among the top beaches in Mexico, thanks to its white sand, palm tree-lined coast, and pastel, calm waters.

So did any beach in Australia make the list?

25. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

As for Oceania, only one beach made it into the top 30, with the aptly-named Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island coming in at 25th.

Whitehaven Beach stretches over 7 km and boasts brilliant white silica sand that is among the purest in the world. It's right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

THE WHITE CONTINENT

A luxury of a lifetime in antarctica.

The Q creates memorable handcrafted travel experiences across the globe. What is the journey that can awaken the memory more than a polar voyage at the end of the world?

The Antarctic is unique. It is mercurial.

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Welcome aboard The White Continent.

THE CALL OF THE FAR SOUTH

The majestic explorer, on board antarctica.

At The Q, we believe that travel is not about seeing new places – it’s about living through an experience.

Every aspect of your journey will be guided by polar experts who have charted out your path across the White Continent and gourmet chefs who will have your dietary preferences on hand when they create a superlative culinary experience. A detailed list of all the clothing and gear you’ll need on the expedition will be customized for you – every single little thing will be thought through.

Even while on board, our team will be at work constantly, ensuring top notch luxury and comfort.

We’re here to help you write the most stunning chapter of your travelogue.

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Traveller talks

Voyage begins 25th Dec, 2025

Explore antarctica the q way with michelin star chef | an antarctic feast, our awards​.

The Q has a trail of achievements and accolades behind them, being pioneers in luxury travel. Recently we have been recognized globally as India’s Leading Luxury Travel Agency (2020).

Achieving an Extraordinary Milestone in Luxury Travel​

We, at The Q, have taken luxury travel to the next level, becoming India’s Leading Luxury Travel Organization !

At the 27th World Travel Awards, The Q has been recognized globally for its unique vision in exotic and unconventional world travel.

We, at The Q, have taken luxury travel to the next level, becoming India’s Leading Luxury Travel Organization!

At the 27th World Travel Awards, The Q has been recognized globally for its unique vision in exotic and unconventional world travel.

21 BEST WHITE CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS FOR FAMILIES!

INSIDE: 20 Best White Christmas destinations for families to put on the Christmas bucket list. Updated 2024

Looking for the best White Christmas destinations around the world?

There are our Top 21 destinations for Christmas vacations  if you are hoping for a traditional snow white Christmas feel, and, fingers crossed, ACTUAL SNOW!

These days, with climates rising worldwide, there’s no guarantees for a snowed in Christmas, even in Northern Europe.  

But these are the best places to spend a White Christmas if you want a YES answer to the question, “Will it snow for Christmas?” 

We’ve included ideas of things to do in each place that make it the Best Christmas Vacations for families.

Disclosure: This article, written by a human (me) , without AI input, may contain affiliate links . If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO COST to you. For our Disclosure and Disclaimer statements, and an explanation of our Advertising policy please  click here

THE INSIDE SCOOP: 21 OF THE BEST WHITE CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome . Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in US dollars, unless otherwise stated

Take a look at at all the BEST Christmas holiday destinations around the world to build a LIFETIME of family memories. 

This list is full of Christmas destination ideas and the best countries to visit for Christmas. 

Hot tip: Book as early as you can. Christmas vacation destinations sell out quickly. 

Image credit: Jocelyn Durston via Flickr CC BY-2.0

EUROPE WHITE CHRISTMAS

Best places for a white christmas in europe.

Northern Europe is where we’d hedge our bets for a Snow White Christmas as it’s one of the best.

Think Winter Christmas decorations, Christmas markets and atmosphere. 

Europe is not the cheapest destination, so plan ahead, book your hotels and flights as far out as you can so you get the pick of the bunch, and save at least double what you’d initially planned. 

We’ve listed the best places to spend Christmas in Europe, including the best Christmas towns in Europe. 

Image credit: Lars Ley via Pexels

No.1: Rovaniemi Lapland Christmas Village (Finland)

Lapland is top of the list of the best Europe destinations for a White Christmas experience, and Rovaniemi  is the ULTIMATE White Christmas destination.

Because Rovaniemi is known worldwide as THE Official Home Town of Santa Claus, and the Santa Claus Village. 

That alone is why this is the BEST place for a White Christmas during the holiday season. 

A Lapland White Christmas also almost certainly means -20° to – 40° celsius (- 4 – to – 40 fahrenheit) so if it doesn’t snow in Lapland, it’s not snowing anywhere! 

It’s almost the only place with guaranteed snow these days. 

Lapland is the best place for a white Christmas with kids too. 

We visited when the boys were 7 and 12. 

Christmas in Lapland was the best vacation of our lives! 

Read all about it here

Image credit: Ken Kum via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

When in Lapland for Christmas, you can:

• Head to the Main Office of Santa Claus to see Santa and his elves
• Visit the Official Santa Claus Village Post Office to send Christmas Cards home to your family and friends
• Take a trip out at night to see the Northern Lights Auroras 
• Head to Snowman World to play in the winter playground, ride the ice tube slides, be wowed by the ice and snow sculptures, and have a drink at the Ice Bar in Snowman World. 
• Enjoy a day at Santa Park theme park, the underground play area for toddlers and preschoolers
• Say hello to the Polar Bears at Ranua Wildlife Animal Park
• Take a reindeer ride around Santa Claus Village, or to a reindeer farm
• Ride a snowmobile through Lapland forests
• Go ice-fishing on a frozen lake
• Meet Lapland ELVES in real life in a snowy forest! (The BEST tour we’ve ever done with kids) 
• Cross the Arctic Circle line of latitude, right in the centre of the Santa Claus Village (Pick up a certificate to prove it!)
• Visit the Arctic Circle Husky Park and take a husky ride on a dog sled

And if you stay at the Santa Claus Holiday Village, you can bake gingerbread cookies with Mrs Claus in kids club, and eat traditional Finnish food for lunch and dinner too. 

HOT TIP: Book your stay at least 12 months in advance if you wish to visit near Christmas time. 

Check latest prices here: Santa Claus Holiday Village, Rovaniemi

Image credit: Maeva Pensivy via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

No.2: Saariselkä Lapland Finland

Saariselkä is a busy ski village located in Northern Lapland, about 260 km north of Rovaniemi. 

The village is home to around 350 residents who welcome visitors with open arms.

• ride a snowmobile into the snow-covered wilderness to Lake Inari
• hop on a reindeer safari
• take a husky-drawn sled ride, or
• toboggan down the northernmost toboggan run in Finland under the aurora borealis Northern Lights.

Book your stay at the Holiday Club Saariselkä so you can swim in the indoor heated pool, and visit the Angry Birds Activity Park on site. 

Saariselkä is also home to the famous Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Igloos and Chalets, where you can sleep in a thermal glass igloo under the Northern Lights. 

Check latest prices here: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Igloos & Chalets

Image credit: Jann Kuusisaari via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.3: Levi Finland Christmas

A Christmas in Levi Finland is fun for the whole family. 

Visit the Levi Christmas Market to buy authentic Finland souvenirs.

Or visit Santa and Mrs Santa in Levi on a guided tour of their secret cabin, led by Santa’s elves.

Mrs Santa is a hell of a storyteller, and shares her favourite Christmas stories, and she’ll serve you a warm Christmas drink, and gingerbread cookies she made herself. 

Book at stay at any one of the Levi cabins and you can arrange a PRIVATE VISIT from Santa Claus to your cabin!

One of the highlights of a visit to Levi at Christmas is spending time at the Tonttula Elves Village and Lodge hotel, just 8 kilometres away from Levi.

The magical forest there is home to the tunnel that leads you to the Hidden Huts , and you can visit the Gingerbread House, the Elves School, and the Wise Elf’s House.

Book a tour with the Elf in the Yellow Dress, and she’ll take you there.

You may even meet one of Roam the Gnome’s Gnome relatives! 

Looking for a unique hotel in Levi?

The Levi Ice Hotel in Luvattumaa, near Levi is the ideal place for once-in-a-lifetime sleepover experience!

Check latest prices here: Levi Ice Hotel Luvattumaa

Image credit: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.4: Tallinn Estonia Christmas

Visit the beautifully preserved Tallin Old Town to delight in the looping cobblestone streets and castle spires inside this medieval walled town filled with 14th and 15th Century architecture.

Visit the C.R Jakobson Farm Museum program , “Christmas on the Farm” to:

• bake bread in the mill and taste it
• feed and pet the farm animals
• play traditional Estonian games in the barn
• make Christmas crafts, and
• take a ride on a pony if it’s snowing. 

Want to go Christmas shopping in Tallinn? 

There’s Christmas markets at:

• Alatskivi Castle
• the Tartu Christmas Fair
• the Christmas Fair at the Tartu Exhibition Fair centre, and
• the cosy, historic Tallinn Christmas Market in Tallinn’s Medieval Town Hall Square. 

Stay at St.Olav hotel, just 220 metres from the action of the Tallinn medieval Old Town. 

Check latest prices here: St.Olav Hotel, Tallinn

Image credit: James Castle

No.5: Iceland Christmas

Expect a crisp white blanket of snow in Iceland for your snow white Christmas adventure.

Iceland is the place to go ice skating on the frozen Reykjavík Pond if you have your own skates with you.

If you don’t, hire skates and take a whirl on the seasonal Christmas ice skating rink in Ingólfstorg square.

• do a family hike on a glacier
• explore Iceland by snowmobile
• drive the Golden Circle loop road if weather permits, and
• if you are lucky, spy the Northern Lights. 

Don’t miss the Christmas market in Hafnarfjörður for traditional Icelandic Christmas ornaments and gifts.

Take a 20 minute bus ride with the locals to shop till you drop. 

You can do more Christmas shopping in Reykjavik around Laugavegur street “Wash Road”, the main shopping street in town.

Look out for traditional Icelandic woollen jumpers featuring Icelandic design patterns.

(The Icelandic Handknitting Association on Skólavörðustígur can give you tips.) 

You can also visit Jólagarðurinn (The Christmas garden) , ten minutes by car from the town of Akureyri.

The fire-engine red gingerbread style house houses Christmas decorations from all over the world, plus traditional Icelandic Christmas crafts and ornaments, and Icelandic handicrafts made by local makers.

Image credit: My Lil’ Rotten via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Fun Fact: The Yule Lads

Santa Claus himself doesn’t feature in an Icelandic Christmas, but you will hear folk stories of the mountain-dwelling characters called the Yule lads.

These 13 mischieveous pranksters are wily and full of naughtiness most of the time, stealing stuff from one and all.

The English translations of their names are hilarious and tell of their misdeeds.

Here’s a few examples:

• Spoon-Licker
• Sausage-Swiper
• Window-Peeper
• Door-Slammer
• Candle-Stealer, and
• Pot-Scraper. 

But one by one during the last 13 nights before Christmas, they come to town to deliver small gifts to children who have left their shoes on the windowsill in anticipation of their coming. 

Book a room at the Consulate Hotel Reykjavik, Curio Collection By Hilton in Reykjavík. It’s in the most popular part of town. 

Check latest prices here: Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

Image credit: Ivan Gonzalez

No.6:  Salzberg Austria Christmas

Salzburg is a fairy tale destination any time of the year, but at Christmas it’s next level charming. 

Enjoy mulled wine as you wander the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt from November to January.

This market at the Dom and Residenzplatz in the heart of Salzburg’s World Heritage listed Old City is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. 

Visit the Salzburg Christmas Museum to see the eleven Christmas themed displays showcasing the changes in Christmas over the last few centuries. 

While in Salzberg, 

• take a Sound of Music tour
• ride the Untersberg Castle Cable Car
• enjoy a Christmas horse-drawn sleigh ride
• hear the church bells
• shop along the main Getriedegasse shopping street, and
• eat all the Christmas market food including sausage and cheese. 

Find the “Christmas In Salzburg” store on Judengasse 11, Salzburg, A-5020, Austria to buy a traditional hand-painted Christmas egg,

Be sure to take part in at least one of the Advent events around Salzburg.

Book tickets for the Salzburg Advent Singing to hear the delightful folk music and Alpine melodies that have enchanted visitors for over 70 years. 

Stay in the heart of Salzburg in the Old Town Linzergasse pedestrian zone at the circa 1408, Star Inn Hotel Premium Salzburg Gablerbräu, by Quality.

Check latest prices here: Star Inn Hotel Premium Salzburg Gablerbrau

Image credit: Finland Lakeland via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.7: Røros White Christmas Norway 

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Røros at Christmas time, and you’ll have the chance to have a go on a kick-sled, the best, most fun way to get around town. 

There’s Røros Husky dogsledding , snowmobiles to ride, and romantic sleigh rides under a sheepskin rug to enjoy. 

Visit the Røros Christmas market to enjoy shopping surrounded by the wintery magic of frost covered windows, colourful houses, strung garlands, glowing lamplights, elegant Christmas trees all in Nordic surrounds.

Eat gingerbread, and spy the Gingerbread houses around town.

Do try the gløgg, the Scandinavian version of mulled wine. 

Enjoy a typical Norwegian White Christmas in the town that inspired the most popular Disney movie ever, Frozen. 

The Unicare Røros Gjesteovernatting hotel is 200 metres walk from the Røros museum in the UNESCO-listed Røros Old Town centre.

Check latest prices here: Unicare Røros Gjesteovernatting hotel

Image credit: Lars Tiede via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.8 Tromsø Norway Christmas

The largest city in the northern part of Norway, Tromsø is located 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, and it’s cold and dark.

The sun sets in late November and doesn’t rise again until late January, making this one of the best places in the world to be dazzled by the beauty and illumination of the town’s Christmas lights, AND the Northern Lights Auroras. 

Take time to visit the big Christmas tree in the Stortorget City Square, and enjoy the Christmas markets there to buy local homemade food and handicrafts.

Look out for:

• woollen Norwegian clothes, and
• gifts and souvenirs made by the Indigenous people of the Arctic, the Sami. 

Looking for that special Christmas experience?

Stop by the “Blåst” glass blowing studio to make your own glass Christmas decoration.

Eat a traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve to taste the traditional steamed ribs of salted lamb (pinneskjøtt) and roasted pork (ribbe).

Hot tip: Kids will be thrilled to spot the whales in the fjords. Book a tour. 

Stay at the Clarion Hotel The Edge. It has a sky bar and rooftop terrace, overlooking Tromsø Sound, and the Arctic Cathedral. 

Check latest prices here: Clarion Hotel The Edge 

Image credit: Lady Dragonfly via Flickr CC BY-2.0

BEST UK WHITE CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS

There’s not many places in Britain to experience a White Christmas these days, unless you are lucky enough to be in London on the very rare occasion of a snow flutter. 

The cities up north are the place to go. 

Image credit: Michael Curi via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.9:  Glasgow Scotland Christmas

Visit the Glasgow Christmas markets in George Square and St Enoch Square to immerse yourself deeply in the Christmas spirit of the UK. 

The St Enoch Square markets are held in the beautifully dressed Christmas village of over 50 seasonal chalets featuring:

• local crispy duck rotisserie
• bratwurst sausage
• crepes, and

George Square is the Christmas market under the giant Christmas tree for hand-crafted artisan products and handmade treasures.

Kids will love sliding down the classic Helter Skelter ride and galloping around the ageless carousel , and meeting Santa as he wanders near the Advent Calendar.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto show!

Book into one of the local productions retelling a classic tale of old such as A Christmas Carol or Cinderella, or a modern laugh-a-minute play.

Look out for old school showings of classic Christmas movies at the Glasgow Film Theatre including “ It’s a Wonderful Life ” and The Nutcracker ballet.

The highlights of a Glasgow Christmas trip are:

• joining Santa School at Scotland Street School , to learn crucial Santa skills in case of a dire missing Santa emergency, and
• The Irn Bru Carnival , a festive tradition for local families in Glasgow who love this giant indoor funfair.  

The award winning Grand Central Hotel, circa 1883, is located at the Glasgow Central Station.  It’s super central, close to St Enoch centre and good Glasgow shopping. 

Check latest prices here: The Grand Central Hotel

Image credit: Magnus Hagdorn via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

No.10: Edinburgh Scotland Christmas

The best reason to visit Edinburgh at Christmas is to enjoy the Edinburgh’s traditional and romantic Christmas Market at East Princes Street Gardens. 

Located in the heart of the City of Edinburgh, you’ll find:

• local crafters selling their handcrafted goodies
• handmade Christmas goods
• artists and their unique wares
• Christmas gift shops selling the best UK ornaments, and
• delicious Christmas food.

It’s all under the gaze of the giant Big Wheel and Star Flyer. 

Santa Land in East Princes Street Gardens features:

• a Christmas Tree Maze
• the Santa Train, and
• family-friendly rides including the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Candy Cane Bunjees, Chair-O-Planes, Helter Skelter, Reindeer Ride, and a Rollercoaster.

Castle Street is home to Santa’s Grotto , The Balloon Ride and Autodrome too.

There’s no need to go anywhere else. 

This modern one-bedroom apartment is close to the Royal Mile, in the most popular part of Edinburgh. Sleeps four. 

Check latest prices here: St Giles Street Apartment in the heart of Old Town

Image credit: Sergey Norin via Flickr CC BY-2.0

St Basil’s Cathedral in the Red Square, Moscow. 

RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS

No. 11: moscow russia christmas.

“Journey into Christmas” is Moscow’s ode to the spirit of Christmas , and there’s plenty to do.

Tverskaya Square hosts children’s workshops and events including:

• the chance to decorate the Christmas tree
• learn to sew dolls
• cook candies and
• ride the carousel.

Around the area, you’ll also find opportunities for kids to engage in animation tutorials and workshops for toddlers. 

Tverskoy Boulevard is another place to stop to give the kids a chance to try figure skating, snowboarding, and hockey for free, with tutors on hand to give all the tips.

Don’t miss the biggest Christmas bauble in Russia, the 17 metre high illuminated treasure in Manezh Square, and the 100-metre long ICE SLIDE for all ages! 

Collect all the best Russian souvenirs including:

• brightly coloured Pavloposadskie shawls and scarves in typical Russian patterns, and 
• at least one Cheburashka toy, a famous Russian toy with big ears.  

Detskiy Toy Store

Don’t miss shopping at the famous ‘Detskiy mir’ children’s retail store, the six story department store.

You can shop, eat lunch at the food court, and visit the small museum of toys from Russia’s history. 

Check the view of Moscow from here, and if you visit on a weekend, take part in free children’s entertainment. 

The most famous of all places to stay in Moscow is the St Regis hotel and there’s no better time to stay than at Christmas. Excellent central location in the Red Square.

Expect free personalised butler service!  

Check latest prices here: The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya

No.12: St Petersburg Russia Christmas

Be wowed by the Christmas decorations and traditional lights of St Petersburg city in Russia. 

Ride in a traditional troika, a carriage drawn by three horses harnessed side-by-side , and then explore Pavlosk Palace, the magnificent neoclassical mansion is one of Russia’s most iconic symbols.

Meet with a Russian Father Frost in the Palace square, and watch him dance in an open air show. 

See a rendition of the “The Nutcracker” or “Swan Lake ballet in one of the regal theatres, the Mariinsky, Mikhailovsky or the Hermitage Theatre, enjoy a performance of Russian folk music at the Music Hall, or check to see if the circus is in town. 

Shop at The Galeria Mall in St Petersburg.

The Christmas atmosphere is strong here, and if you are looking for authentic Russian souvenirs including Matryoshka dolls (also called Russian Tea Dolls or Babushka dolls) , head to the ground floor.

You’ll find more traditional Russian gifts too. 

Image credit: Ronnie Macdonald via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Christmas Fair in Pionerskaya square

Don’t miss the Christmas Fair in Pionerskaya square to:

• see silly jesters
• spy Gypsies in their colourful clothes
• skate on the ice rink
• enjoy daily entertainment and impromptu concerts
• buy folk craft and Christmas fare, and
• enjoy the Christmas cheer.

Open daily from midday to 11pm for the two weeks prior to Christmas. 

You can also visit the International Winter Festival, go ice-skating, and Krestovsky Island reindeer farm. 

Visitors to St Petersburg should also see Catherine Palace to see the gold-tipped opulence of this magnificent building, and St Isaac’s Cathedral with a blanket of snow. 

Did you know that most Russians follow the Julian Calendar, so Christmas for them falls in early January instead of the traditional 25th December. 

Religion and food are equally important at this festival. 

The 5 Stolits aparthotel is near Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Winter Palace, and State Russian Museum.

This accommodation is in the most popular part of St Petersburg. 

Check latest prices here: 5 Stolits Aparthotel

Image credit: Tyler J Bolken via Flickr CC BY-2.0

WHITE CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

There’s not too many places that can guarantee a White Christmas in North America, but these American cities are your best bet. 

Image credit: June Marie via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

No.13:  New York City Christmas

These are the top things to do in New York at Christmas:

No.1: Rockefeller Christmas Tree

See the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree , looking down over the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating rink.

It’s covered in over 50,000 lights, and has a Swarovski crystal star on top!

No.2: Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show

Book tickets to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas show .

It’s worth every cent. 

No.3: Bryant Village Market

Visit Bryant Village Winter Village to shop for all your best New York Christmas ornaments and NYC gifts and souvenirs.

You can eat for the silly season here too, with gingerbread, waffles, frites, mulled wine, and pretzels galore. 

No.4: Union Square Market

Union Square market is another good Christmas shopping destination for lovers of handmade and artisan goods.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market is your other go-to for delightful NYC shopping adventures. 

No.5: Holiday Handmade Calvacade

Don’t miss the Holiday Handmade Calvacade at either the Chelsea market, or the Brooklyn Historical Society, presented by the NY Handmade Collective and Etsy. 

Image credit: Elvert Barnes via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

MORE of the Best Things to do at Christmas in New York City

No.1: macys & barneys white christmas window displays.

Spend a day touring the best New York City Department Stores including Macys, Bloomingdales, Barneys White Christmas and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The beautifully decorated Department Store windows deserve your attention too.

Hot tip: Macy’s Santaland is THE place to see Santa among hanging snowflakes and yuletide decor.

No.2: Brooklyn Bridge

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge on a wintry night to see New York City in full lit glory. 

No.3: Ice skate on Wollman Rink in Central Park.

It’s the done thing in the movies! 

Take a spin too. 

No.4: Grand Central Station Christmas

Wander through Grand Central Station and browse their Christmas collections at the Grand Central Holiday Fair in the majestic Vanderbilt Hall.

The decorations are fun too.

No.5: New York Botanical Gardens Christmas

See a bunch of NYC monuments made out of plants at the Holiday Train show at New York Botanical Gardens

No.6: Carnegie Hall Christmas Shows

Enjoy a Carnegie Hall Christmas Holiday spectacular of some kind.

Take in an opera, hear the orchestra, and delight in Christmas favorites by top rated performers.  

Image credit: Richie S via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.7: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Take a bus ride to Dyker Heights to see the holiday lights , life-size toy soldiers, blow up Santas and revel in the Christmassy atmosphere

No.8: Tallest Christmas Tree in New York

Take a peek at the 30 foot Christmas Tree and all the festive decor at The Palace Hotel (Lotte New York Palace) on Madison Avenue. 

No.9: Rolfs Christmas Decorations

Rolf’s German restaurant in the Gramercy Park neighbourhood is an instagrammer’s dream destination during the weeks leading up to Christmas, when the restaurant ceiling is decked out with THOUSANDS of Christmas lights and Christmas decor.

Make a booking.

Drink the egg nog.

And order up the seasonal roast suckling pig with crispy potato cakes. 

Hot tip: Dress warmly for a New York winter. You’ll be surprised by how chilly the wind through the streets can be.

READ MORE: The ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Best Things to Do in New York City  with Kids

The Novotel Times Square is in the Theater district of New York, close to Times Square.

Head up to the 7th floor terrace to eat outdoors with views of the NYC skyline. 

Check latest prices here: Novotel Times Square New York

Image credit: Nicolas de Camaret via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.14: Aspen Colorado Christmas

The best city in American for a Christmas ski vacation, Aspen is the place to go if you also want to spot celebrities on Christmas vacation. 

The best things to do in Aspen at Christmas include the 12 Days of Aspen celebrations with:

• Holiday stocking decorating at the St. Regis hotel
• teddy bear story hours
• Ice skating with Santa’s elves
• holiday music
• free film nights
• holiday crafts, and
• fun photo booths.

Watch the Little Nell Christmas Tree lighting and join in with the carolers singing all the best Christmas jingles. Stop in at The Little Nell afterwards for their world famous HOT CHOCOLATE! 

Look out for Santa on his annual ride around town when he takes a lift on the Aspen fire truck! 

Or pick one of these: 

• ride a snowmobile through the National forest
• take a sleigh ride to Pine Creek cookhouse restaurant
• go for a snowshoe walk with friends 
• go tubing on Whoa Nellie Hill, or try ice skating on the Snowmass Base Village plaza outdoor ice rink in front of Limelight Hotel Snowmass

The Little Nell in the heart of Aspen is the only hotel with ski-to-door access.

There’s a hot tub, a fireplace, and the best hot chocolate in town. 

Check latest prices here: The Little Nell Aspen

Image credit: JBColorado via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

No.15:  Leavenworth Washington Christmas

This Bavarian-inspired town was once named the Ultimate Holiday town in America. It’s number one of the famous Christmas places in the USA (along with the Bronners Christmas store in Frankenmuth, Michigan) 

Leavenworth is nestled in the Cascade Mountains and is most famous for the “Village of Lights” holiday illuminations that turn on at Thanksgiving and stay on until Valentine’s Day.

The Christmas Lighting Festival complete with over 500,000 lights, seasonal music and a visit from Santa himself is held on the three Advent weekends leading up to Christmas Day. 

The number one thing to do in Leavenworth is to shop at the annual Bavarian-style Christkindlmarket held in Front Street Park, and the Leavenworth Festhalle.

Add to your collection of handmade Christmas ornaments, eat all the best Bavarian foods, and soak up the Christmas atmosphere.

Our tip is to book tickets to one of the Christmassy concerts in town to hear harps, handbells, string instruments and all the voices. 

While you are here, be sure to take the kids tubing or sledding on Leavenworth Ski Hill , on a sleigh ride or dog sled.

Eat all the Christmas baked goodies at Bavarian bakery including Christmas stollen bread and rye bread. 

And take the kids to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum to see ALL the Christmas nutcrackers. 

The year-round outdoor pool is the highlight of the Bavarian Lodge, located just a minute from the Nutcracker museum.

Plus, there’s FREE breakfast daily, including cinnamon rolls! 

Check latest prices here: Bavarian Lodge, Leavenworth

Image credit: Wonderlane via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No. 16: Anchorage, Alaska

Head to downtown Anchorage to experience the fairyland of Alaska. 

Enjoy time at the Reindeer Farm, be in place for the holiday tree lighting in Anchorage Town Square on the day after Thanksgiving, and take a ride on the Holiday Train on the Alaska railroad. 

The most heart-warming Christmas tradition is to take a look at the five-pointed Christmas Star light on the slopes of the Chugach mountains. 

The lights go on after Thanksgiving, and stay on until the last musher hits the finish line on the famous Itidarod dog sled race. 

While in town, visit the Anchorage museum, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature. 

Take the kids to see the Alaskan animals including moose, wolves, reindeer and eagles that make their home at the Alaska Zoo, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation center.  

The Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage is right in town, just 7 blocks from the Anchorage Museum, and with views to the Chugach Mountains or Cook inlet. The location is everything.

Check latest prices here: The Hotel Captain Cook

Image credit: Haydn Blackey  via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Fun Fact: North Pole Alaska

Fun Fact: Did you know there is a town in Alaska called THE NORTH POLE?

It’s a real place, where the streets are decorated year round with Christmas embellishments and decor including:

• candy canes
• lights, and

Even the streets are appropriately named! 

Visit Santa Claus House, the red and white gingerbread cottage for all the best Christmas decor, gifts, clothing, toys, collectibles and more.

The Sweet Shop sells mouth-watering handmade fudge , cookies, chocolates and every kind of Santa candy. 

Do take a selfie in Santa’s Sleigh parked in front of the World’s Largest Santa, at 50 feet tall. 

Pick up ‘Made in North Pole’ gifts and souvenirs for friends and family. Post them home to have them stamped with a genuine North Pole postmark! 

The North Pole is a little over 6 hours drive north of Anchorage. 

Image credit: Artur Staszewski via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

WHITE CHRISTMAS IN CANADA

Here’s a few of the best places to visit at Christmas in Canada.

Canada is up there as one of the best Christmas destination places in the world as it’s so quaint and they have some of the best snowy Christmas markets outside of Europe. 

No.17: Quebec Canada

Visit Quebec City’s Quartier Petit Champlain for a White Christmas out of the movies. 

This is a town with both traditional Canadian and European influences, with a high snowfall rate. 

Here’s a sneak peek!

Christmas Market in Old Québec

Shop at the Christmas Market in Quebec Old Town from the charming wooden stalls under falling snow. There’s choral singing, a festive atmosphere, and performances.

Eat all the best German style food including bratwurst, mulled wine, and gingerbread. 

Find it at 2, rue des Jardins Québec, QC, G1R 4S9

Visit the real Santa Claus, and take some time out in the Kindermarkt dedicated area for kids.

Look out for special performances and activities for kids, and the enchanting Ravensburger chalet.

Image credit: Lou Stejskal via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Here’s a list of more ideas for your Quebec itinerary.

• Stroll along Rue Saint-Jean  through one of Québec City’s signature quartiers, Faubourg Saint-Jean.
• Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville is THE spot to evoke a holiday atmosphere.
• Stop in at La Boutique de Noel , the magical Christmas winter wonderland. It’s the home of elegant and hard-to-find Christmas decorations, nativity sets, vintage baubles, and Christmas collectibles. 
• Wander the Quartier Petit Champlain district, the most elegantly decorated suburb in Quebec, with holiday lighting and bunting draped over the historical architecture of these narrow streets. It’s like A Christmas Carol in real life. Wondering how to get to Petit Champlain? Ride the funicular cable car to lower Quebec city to get started.
• Take the kids ice-skating at the Place d’Youville in view of the magnificent fortress wall, Saint-Jean Gate
• See the Life Size nativity scene at the Basilica in Old Quebec. 

Pick of the bunch is the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

This destination hotel is a heritage property.

Set high up on the hill, this is as close as you can get to staying in a real Princess castle in Quebec City. 

Check latest prices here: Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Image credit: QUOI Mediagroup  via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

No.18: Ottawa, Canada

Canada’s capital of Ottawa is another place to see snow at Christmas. 

Be sure to see the Christmas Magic of Lights festival , a drive-through holiday light display with all the best Christmas characters including elves, snowman and Santa himself. 

There’s more lights at Parliament Hill, including the magical Winter Lightscapes projection show on Parliaments Centre Block. 

Head to the Canadian Museum of History for the lighting of the giant outdoor Christmas tree, and delicious hot chocolate.

There’s also a four-day Christmas market held here in the Grand Hall. Shop for all the best local gourmet foods, handmade crafts, and artisan gifts. 

Visit the Ottawa Farmers market in the weeks before Christmas, and the Originals Ottawa Christmas Craft Sale for more of the same. 

Image credit: Scott Hill

The Gingerbread Man

Make a detour to the Christmas themed “The Gingerbread Man” dessert shop at 1134 Tighe Street, Manotick for all the best Christmas gingerbread treats and gifts such as gingerbread kits, gingerbread dog houses and peanut brittle.

See the two giant Nutcrackers as you enter.

They are super cute!

Find a Christmas Candlelight service, a recital of the Nutcracker ballet, Ottawa Chamberfest Christmas concerts and holiday entertainment including Handel’s Messiah. 

The Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a beautiful hotel for a Family Christmas reunion.

There’s an indoor pool for year-round swimming, and it’s in the best, most popular part of Ottawa. 

Check latest prices here: Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Image credit: Artur Staszewski  via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

No.19: Montréal Canada

Another Northern hemisphere town where you can be like Elsa and Anna, and build a snowman, is Montreal.

It’s a gorgeous city that celebrates Noël in a unique way, with a Santa Claus parade.

A city tradition, Défilé du Père Noël , the official name for the parade, has been a yearly event since 1925.

Nab an early spot along Ste. Catherine street to watch the floats pass by, one after the other. 

The other special event is the annual Christmas in the Park festival.

“Noel dans le Parc”.

You can ride in a cart accompanied by a storyteller to ply the tales of old. 

• See the happy sheep
• Warm yourself by the communal fire pit
• Meet the Traveling Santa and Mother Christmas in their single wheel house
• Enjoy carnival entertainment and street theatre with wild and wacky performers, and
• Join in a Torchligth walk.

Image credit: Ryan Hyde via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Other Montreal Christmas events include:

• Luminothérapie is a light installation with interactive play elements for the public. It’s Montreal’s largest public art competition. 
• Visit the Nutcracker Outdoor Market for handcrafted Christmas gifts, home decor, crafts and souvenirs, or the Montreal Christmas Village at Atwater market to shop for family and friends. 
• Christmas Fireworks at the Old Port in Old Montreal blast off on one day each weekend throughout December and early January. 
• Christmas Mass at the largest church in Canada, St Joseph’s Oratory is a must-do.  An alternative is the Christmas Mass at Notre-Dame Basilica in the Old Town of Montreal. Fees apply.
• Visit the German Christmas Market of Old Quebec for a little European magic. 

While you are in Montreal with kids , visit the Old Port of Montreal, the Old Port Science centre, and the new obstacle course activity playground for kids just outside.

Olympic Park, Grevin Montreal wax museum, and the Biodome de Montreal are more fun places to take the kids in Montreal. 

Intercontinental Montreal is a few minutes walk from the historic Old Montreal, the most popular location for visitors to stay. 

They have an indoor saltwater pool, sauna and beauty salon on property. 

Check latest prices here: InterContinental Montreal

Image credit: Ruth Hartnup via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.20: Whistler Canada  

Take time out and enjoy a traditional Canadian Christmas in the quaint snow-covered ski village of Whistler.

The Village square is home to the Winter Wonderland light display with over 5000 strings of lights decorating the town and ramping up the Christmas feels. 

The trees out front of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler are spectacular. 

Whistler Olympic Plaza is the spot to see street entertainment, and singalongs with the Whistler singers too.

Tangle Tree playground near Starbucks is a fairytale wonder too. 

There’s sleigh rides, and dog sledding rides, ice skating, a tube park plus a Whistler Tree Adventure course. 

Take the kids to the Whistler conference centre to find the pop-up entertainment zone just for kids. There’s mini putt putt, table games, bouncy castles and inflatables, plus a cafe lounge area for parents.

Whistler of course is famous for the ski mountains so be sure to:

• ride the gondola for a view from the top
• go snowmobiling
• try snow shoeing
• fly on the winter ziplining, and
• go skiing and snowboarding too. 

An elegant place for a family stay in Whistler, the kids will love the outdoor pool and hot tub. The location can’t be beat. 

Check latest prices here: Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel Whistler

Image credit: Trekking Days via Flickr CC BY-1.0

No.21: Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise in Canada

Last but not least, is the plan to spend Christmas at the spectacular Fairmont Chateau on Lake Louise. Order a  hot chocolate and drink in the views. 

Take part in all the complimentary activities that are included in a White Christmas bucket list adventure at Fairmont Chateau including:

• Ice skating on Lake Louise
• Bavarian ice curling 
• Board games
• Bingo, includes hot chocolate and cookies 
• Nature walks
• Hot tub soaks
• Christmas movies on the big screen
• Roast marshmallows on the evening campfires or sit in front of the gas fire pit on the Lakeview terrace to soak up the views
• Facepainting fun, or have your likeness drawn by a caricaturist! 
• Meet Bow the Bear, the hotel’s mascot

Image credit: Sebastian Launay via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Plus there’s Christmas Craft workshops for kids

They can make:

• Christmas cards
• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas stockings
• simple jewellery, and
• gingerbread houses.  

Fees apply for the craft workshops. 

Other activities include:

• choir practice
• campfire and games
• outdoor winter games in the snow
• pajama parties and
• a photo scavenger hunt.

(Fees apply)

Join in the hotel activity to help find Santa’s reindeer, as they have escaped and need your help to guide them home! 

Meet Santa, who arrives by sleigh to the front of the hotel to hear last minute wishes, and possibly bring each child a tiny surprise.

You can also book a family sleigh ride with the Brewster Family.

Ride through the wilderness surrounding Lake Louise, all tucked up on cosy seats covered with wooly blankets to keep the frost from your toes. It’s a cosy Christmas card image brought to life! 

We haven’t stayed here yet, BUT ONE DAY, WE WILL.

Check latest prices here: Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise

The Complete Guide to the Best POLAR EXPRESS Train Rides in America.

Did you know you can ride on a Polar Express train? 

These Santa Express train rides let you experience the fun and Christmas cheer from the Polar Express Movie in REAL LIFE!

There’s hot cocoa, Christmas carols, a reading of the Polar Express Train book, AND a chance to meet Santa, his elves, and perhaps even Mrs Claus. 

There’s so many Polar Express Train rides to choose from.

Take a look at our comparison guide to find the best ones. 

Click here for details of the best Polar Express Train Ride locations in America.

Image credit: Jean-Pierre G via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Important Things to Take on a Christmas Vacation

There are THREE very important things to bring to your White Christmas vacation:

• Family Christmas Stockings
• Favorite Christmas decorations, and
• Mischievous Picki Nicki Elf Baby Twins ( a cuter version of Elf on the Shelf!) 

If you don’t already have them or are looking to upgrade in time for a trip, here’s a few you might like. 

Best White Christmas Stockings

• Hand knitted Stockings – Reindeers & Snowflakes in Red, Green & White, set of four
• Luxury Velvet Christmas stocking s – Classic embroidered stockings, set of two
• Natural Jute Burlap stockings – set of six

Best White Christmas Ornaments (NEW)

• Official 2020 White House Christmas ornament
• Mr and Mrs Claus Christmas ceramic ornaments, set of two
• Disney Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament 2020 –  the Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts, Musical with light

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Travel around the world in an epic 21-day journey with White Desert

Friday  newsletters always feature travel contests , tips , or news .

Today:  White Desert announces an epic around the world trip (7 continents in 21 days)

The pioneers of luxury travel in Antarctica, White Desert, announced the launch of another iconic guest experience, White Desert World . Seizing on their award-winning expertise in exploring hard to reach destinations, White Desert World will offer extraordinary opportunities for unique, adventure travel. The first adventure to be announced is an epic 21-day journey that will take guests to 10 iconic destinations, across seven continents: spanning the globe from fabled Easter Island in the middle of the Pacific, ending in the icy wilderness of Antarctica.

The journey will be as diverse as it is luxurious. Drawing on two decades of adventure travel as well as aviation and luxury hospitality expertise, the team have hand-picked each destination. Co-Founder and CEO of White Desert, Patrick Woodhead explains “These countries have been chosen because they are unusual, many are hard to reach destinations and they all epitomise the height of adventure without sacrificing a luxurious experience.”

Starting in Mexico City, guests will then travel to Colombia, Easter Island, Fiji, Borneo, India, Turkey, Namibia, South Africa. Guests will see orangutans and tigers, immerse themselves in Colombia’s hidden beauty, and watch the sun rise over the desolate dunes of Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. The journey will finish with White Desert’s signature trip – into Antarctica. In fact, guests will have the choice of two endings to this incredible journey. Guests can choose either White Desert Antarctica’s ‘Greatest Day’ trip into the 7th Continent where they’ll have a few hours on ice or there’s a chance to extend their stay for a further five days in Antarctica before flying back to Cape Town (numbers strictly limited). Below is a video highlighting the different destinations that will be visited during the White Desert World trip.

White Desert World will focus on offering authentic, local experiences and highlights will include Caribbean cooking in Cartagena, a graffiti street art tour of Getsemani and a sailing trip to Club de Pesca for a night of rum, chocolate and salsa music. Other activities will include sampling the best food and drink offerings, experiencing epic street parties and the opportunity to join in with local traditions. These will be coupled with off-the-beaten track city tours, bustling market visits, and collaborations with artisans and musicians; while expert guides will offer guests an adventure of a lifetime.

Guests will travel around the world in a unique Boeing 757-200 set up in a private configuration with 50 lie-flat seats. All air operations will endeavour to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) where possible and the White Desert World journey will be fully off-set. Indeed, White Desert have been carbon neutral since 2007 and this is an important tenet of all of their operations. White Desert are currently implementing a seagrass meadow planting project, which will help them be even more progressive in their sustainability and conservation efforts.

White Desert World’s 7 Continent Adventure is available for a maximum of 50 guests and will take place from 12 January to February 4, 2024. White Desert World’s team will be traveling alongside the group and experienced local guides will be supporting on the ground in each destination. Prices start from $188,000 per person, with a supplement for an Antarctic extension starting from $37,000 per person. If interested, you can get in touch with White Desert World via this contact form .

ABOUT WHITE DESERT WORLD

White Desert World was conceived in 2023 off the back of a travel boom post-Covid. With the popularity of White Desert trips offering intimate and bespoke group access to the harshest and most pristine environment of Antarctica, many guests started to demand the opportunity to travel further afield and for longer with those that created White Desert. White Desert World have announced their inaugural 21 day adventure but plan to add more to the portfolio in the future.

ABOUT WHITE DESERT ANTARCTICA

White Desert was established by record-breaking polar explorer Patrick Woodhead and his wife in 2005, with Patrick now acting as the driving force behind the business. Born out of a desire to allow people other than scientists and polar explorers to see the wonders of the interior of Antarctica, the company has been established for 18 years and employs over 120 people from 17 different nationalities. Winner of 5 World Travel Awards, White Desert now comprises luxury camps: Whichaway, Wolf’s Fang and Echo (which I reviewed here ). The company is the only operator to fly guests out of South Africa (Cape Town) direct to the White Continent, managing and operating a unique blue ice runway.

Founded with environmentally conscious principles at their core, carbon neutral since 2007, White Desert have diversified over the last two years and now also use their aircraft to transport scientists to their Antarctic research stations. White Desert are currently leading the field with testing sustainable aviation fuels across their fleet. For more details on White Desert’s Environmental Policy visit the website here .

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Putin arrives in Mongolia in first visit to ICC member state since arrest warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Monday in Mongolia , a member of the international court that issued an arrest warrant for him.

The official visit, in which he is to meet Tuesday with Mongolian leader Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, is Putin’s first to a member country of the International Criminal Court since it issued a warrant for his arrest nearly 18 months ago on charges of war crimes in Ukraine .

Ukraine has called on Mongolia to arrest Putin and hand him over to the court in The Hague. A spokesperson for Putin said last week that the Kremlin isn’t worried about the visit.

Members of the international court are bound to detain suspects if an arrest warrant has been issued, but the court doesn’t have any enforcement mechanism.

Mongolia, a sparsely populated country between Russia and China , is heavily dependent on the former for fuel and electricity and on the latter for investment in its mining industry.

The ICC has accused Putin of being responsible for the abductions of children from Ukraine, where the fighting has raged for 2½ years.

Putin and the Mongolian leader are to attend a ceremony on Tuesday marking the 1939 victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army that had taken control of Manchuria in northeastern China. Thousands of soldiers died in months of fighting in a dispute over where the border was between Manchuria and Mongolia.

Though Putin has faced international isolation over the invasion of Ukraine, he visited North Korea  and Vietnam in June and has also visited China twice in the past year.

He joined a meeting in Johannesburg by video link last year after the South African government lobbied against him showing up for the BRICS summit, a group that also includes China and other emerging economies. South Africa is an ICC member.

The Associated Press

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• WORLD HERITAGE

Discover Moscow's Colorful Cathedrals and Striking Palaces

These iconic sites occupy the heart of the Russian nation.

Even those who’ve never been to Moscow recognize the colorful domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, which sits on Red Square below the ramparts of the Kremlin . The Kremlin’s tower-studded, walled complex of domed cathedrals and palaces, which dates to 1156 but occupies a site used for far longer, was the religious center of the Russian Orthodox Church and also the residence of the tsars.

Taken together, these sites symbolize Russia itself and have spent long centuries at the very heart of the nation.

The Kremlin sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River in the center of the city. Its first white-stone walls and towers went up in 1367-68, and a rebuild little more than a century later employed skilled artists and architects from across Europe to shape the site into roughly its modern form and appearance.

During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin became an exclusive enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked. The site remains the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation but access to other areas within the walls has loosened considerably. Museums now display some of Russian history’s cherished relics here, and church services are once again performed in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals.

The Kremlin stands on the west side of the massive, bricked Red Square, which separated the fortified citadel from the city at large. The square area has served as a marketplace, festival ground, gathering place and, during the Soviet era, a parade ground for displaying the might of a military superpower. Lenin’s tomb lies along the Kremlin side of Red Square. The former leader’s embalmed body has been on view inside since 1924.

St. Basil's Cathedral, considered a masterpiece of Orthodox art, overlooks Moscow's famous Red Square.

The 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible (Tsar Ivan IV) to commemorate his victory over the Tartar Mongols. The interior is rich with painted walls and icons from different periods of the church’s long history. But its exterior tents and domed spires, each capping one of nine separate chapels, are nothing short of iconic. Its impressive architecture and rich history earned the Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990.

How to Get There

Moscow is justly famed for its subway system. The closest stations to the Kremlin are Borovitskaya and Biblioteka imeni Lenina. ( See pictures of Moscow's beautiful subway architecture .)

When to Visit

The Kremlin is closed Thursdays. On other days it and the adjacent Red Square are must-see attractions for any visitors to Moscow. Russia is a cold-weather country so winter visitors should plan accordingly—but a fresh snowfall only enhances the appearance of these iconic sites.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

How to Visit

There is much to see in this area where so many events in Russia’s long history have played out, and one great way to hit the highlights is by going on a free walking tour . Discover Russia's treasures on a private expedition or via the epic Trans-Siberian Railway with National Geographic Expeditions .

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Idaho (ID) » 15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho)

15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho)

In a landscape of fertile rolling hills on the Idaho-Washington boundary, Moscow is the county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, founded in the early 1890s.

The city has a cozy downtown with historic brick buildings from the turn of the 20th century and lots of community events, like a weekly farmers’ market spring through fall, and a bustling artwalk in June.

As you would expect, the University of Idaho plays an important role in the city’s cultural, social and sporting life, and many of the attractions in this list are connected to this institution in some way.

The surrounding Palouse landscape of rambling hills decked with wheat fields, can be explored on two paved rail trails, heading out east and west of the city.

1. University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden

The loveliest feature of the university campus’ verdant grounds is the UI Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

You’ll find it in 63 acres, just south of the President’s Residence and the university’s golf course, with undulating Palouse hills in the background.

Open to the public with free admission, the arboretum was laid out on a former hayfield in the early-1980s, although its origins go back way before, to the early 20th century.

In fact you can check out the site of the first arboretum, planted in the 1910s with majestic specimen trees, including a giant sequoia, on the north side of the President’s Residence.

As for the “new” arboretum, this counts more than 17,000 plants from over 2,400 taxa, mostly organized into geographical regions, including Europe, Asia and Eastern and Western North America.

On the south end are exquisite display gardens for xerophytes, ornamental willows, irises and heather, as well as a butterfly garden, magical in summer.

2. Latah Trail

Twelve miles long, this paved trail will take you east from Moscow all the way to the neighboring city of Troy.

The Latah Trail was completed in 2008 and is on the course of a dismantled BNSF railroad line that junctioned at Arrow, some 30 miles to the southeast.

The path is ten feet wide, allowing plenty of space for walkers and cyclists in summer, and snowshoers and cross-country skiers after snowfall in winter.

As this is a rail trail there are no difficult slopes but you’ll be guaranteed breathtaking panoramas of the Palouse, with tilled slopes interspersed with sweeps of coniferous forest.

In Moscow the Latah Trail merges seamlessly with the Paradise Path, in turn connecting with the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, which we’ll talk about below.

3. Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center

The Appaloosa, identified by its colorful spotted coat, is a horse breed synonymous with the Palouse region, so it’s fitting that there should be a museum for it, right on the Idaho-Washington state line.

The museum shines a light on a variety of topics, like the history of spotted horses in art and literature, Appaloosas’ various coat patterns, and the importance of Appaloosas to the native Nez Perce people.

Display cases are loaded with interesting objects, from saddles to black and white photography and Native American artifacts. There’s also a hands-on area to keep children engaged, as well as a theater and an extensive library.

4. Moscow Farmers’ Market

Taking place on Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, May through October, Moscow Farmers’ Market is now well into its fifth decade.

Right on Main Street, this is a celebration of the Moscow area’s farmers, artisans and musicians, giving them an opportunity to connect with the city’s residents and visitors.

For shoppers interested in food provenance the market is a chance to find out where your produce comes from and pick up tips about storage and preparation.

There’s a wide range of vendors for vegetables, fruit, plants, flowers, local grass-fed meat, pastries, honey, jams, cosmetics, home decorations, hand-forged knives and much more.

The market has live music most weeks, as well as freshly prepared food, from tacos to samosas.

5. Bill Chipman Palouse Trail

Following the right of way of the old Union Pacific Railroad, the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail runs west from Moscow, crossing the state line and taking you to Pullman, Washington.

Pullman is the home of the flagship campus for Washington State University, the second-largest institution of higher education in the state.

Seven miles long, the trail, paved all the way, carries you through bucolic Palouse scenery, parallel to State Route 270.

There’s a shallow gradient, and you’ll come across rest areas and interpretive signs along the route. And while the landscapes are gorgeous, the trail also has an important practical use as a commuter route for cyclists between the two university campuses.

6. Prichard Art Gallery

This outreach facility for the University of Idaho is located in downtown Moscow, and moved to its current location on Main Street in 1986.

The Prichard Art Gallery has a lively schedule of exhibitions, events and educational programming, receiving upwards of 17,000 visitors a year.

You can check out the creativity of members of the Idaho College of Art and Architecture, as well as temporary exhibits for local, regional, national and international artists in a whole spectrum of media.

The exhibits rotate at short intervals, so there’s always something fresh to see, while the gift shop sells unique pieces by artists and craftspeople from the area.

7. McConnell Mansion

On leafy Adams Street, a couple of blocks east of Main Street, stands the palatial W. J. McConnell House.

In a Stick/Eastlake style, this elegant residence was built in 1886 for William J. McConnell (1839-1925), who served as Governor of Idaho from 1893 to 1897, after previously representing the young state as one of its first United States Senators.

The mansion is the headquarters of the Latah County Historical Society, and you can take a look around a series of themed period rooms, featuring authentic furnishings and appliances.

The society also puts on fascinating exhibits and learning events, often in partnership with the University of Idaho and always well worth attending.

8. Colter’s Creek Winery

The rolling country south of Moscow has everything you need to make great wine, and in 2016 the Lewis-Clark Valley gained official AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation.

Colter’s Creek has a storefront and tasting room in Moscow, growing its grapes on the sunny slopes where the Potlatch flows into the Clearwater River.

Planted between the 1980s and 2010s these vineyards produce a wide variety of grapes, running the gamut from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon, for local handcrafted wines that have earned widespread acclaim.

The stylish Moscow tasting room is in Main Street’s Hattabaugh building, constructed in 1890, and has a choice of estate wines on tap. Wine tasting classes take place regularly, to help you tell a Sangiovese from a Tempranillo.

9. Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre

On the National Register of Historic Places, this fine old Spanish Revival cinema has a history going back to 1926, and was founded as a vaudeville stage and silent movie house.

The current tiled facade, in a pared-down Art Deco style, has been in place since 1949, and up to the late-1980s this was downtown Moscow’s main movie theater.

Since 2000, the venue has belonged to the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, which carried out thorough renovations in the 2010s. Come for classic, independent and foreign films, as well as a variety of community stage performances and other events.

10. Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center

Summers in Moscow wouldn’t be the same without this public outdoor pool, splash pad and water park, open June through September.

If you want to get your laps in, the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center has a 25-yard, six-lane pool.

Meanwhile parents can bring children to the extensive play area, which features a toddler-friendly slide, tumble buckets, interactive equipment, slides for bigger kids and a small lazy river.

The center also has picnic tables, barbecues, lounge chairs and free Wi-Fi, as well as a full-service concession area, though you’re free to bring your own food.

11. Idaho Vandals

The 16,000-seater multipurpose arena, Kibbie Dome is home field for several of the University of Idaho’s sports teams, all called the Idaho Vandals.

So depending on the time of year you can catch pulsating football, basketball (men and women), soccer (women), tennis and indoor track and field at this venue.

The Kibbie Dome was completed in 1971 as an open-air stadium, and was given its barrel-vaulted roof in 1975.

The football team competes in the Big Sky Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), returning in 2016 after 20 years bouncing around the Big West, Sun Belt and Western Athletic Conferences.

The Vandals’ golden age came between 1985 and 1995 when it reached the I-AA playoffs in ten out of 11 seasons.

If you’re wondering about the name, “Vandals”, it goes back more than a century, when UI’s feared basketball team played defense with such ferocity that they were dubbed the Vandals by the famous coach Hec Edmundson (1886-1964).

12. Ghormley Park

Bordered on the south side by Paradise Creek, Ghormley Park is the favorite destination for family fun and outdoor recreation in summer.

The park covers just over ten acres, a large section of which is in the shade of tall, mature trees.

This is where you’ll find the picnic shelter, fitted with BBQ grills, as well as a children’s playground.

Elsewhere there are amenities for baseball/softball, basketball and horseshoes. You can use the Paradise Trail, which traces the creek and connects a number of green spaces in Moscow, to get onto the Latah Trail on the east side of the city and the Bill Chipman Trail in the west.

13. Palouse Ice Rink

You can hit the ice at this popular local rink on the southeast side of town. Resembling an aircraft hangar, the Palouse Ice Rink has a temporary look about it, and when we wrote this article was making strides raising money for a permanent complex.

There are regular public skate sessions early in the day, after school and in the evening, and skate rental is reasonably priced.

Also on the schedule are casual stick-n-puck sessions, pick-up hockey, drop-in late-night curling, league curling, Palouse Adult League Hockey and much more. Check the calendar for learn-to-skate sessions.

14. Moscow Artwalk

Beginning back in 2004, the Moscow Artwalk is a landmark on the Palouse calendar. On one Friday evening in June, more than 60 businesses and 100 artists around downtown participate in a vibrant cultural and artistic event.

Moscow Artwalk brings exhibitions of a wide variety, as well as live demonstrations by artists, workshops, live music, dance performances and food vendors, on Main Street and its intersecting streets.

You can take in this cultural feast on a self-guided trail, and there’s a passport system, with six stamps making you eligible for a prize draw. And if you miss something, many of the participating businesses also have Saturday hours.

15. Fondo on the Palouse

The foundation responsible for the Latah Trail organizes this cycling event, normally staged on the last Saturday in June.

Fondo on the Palouse takes you out into the beautiful rolling Palouse landscape on a variety of group bike rides, all setting off from Moscow.

The Family Fondo is a 15-mile route from Moscow to Troy. If you want something longer but want to stay away from road traffic, there’s a 50-mile ride along the Latah and Bill Chipman Palouse Trails.

And finally the grand Moscow Fondo is a 100-mile tour of the region, passing through Troy, Deary, Princeton and Potlatch, crossing the state line to Pullman and Colfax, WA, before returning to Moscow.

15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho):

• University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden
• Latah Trail
• Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center
• Moscow Farmers' Market
• Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
• Prichard Art Gallery
• McConnell Mansion
• Colter's Creek Winery
• Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
• Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center
• Idaho Vandals
• Ghormley Park
• Palouse Ice Rink
• Moscow Artwalk
• Fondo on the Palouse

A celebrity 'Russian spy' whale spotted with harness found dead in Norwegian waters

A white beluga whale named “Hvaldimir” that was first spotted in Norway not far from Russian waters with a harness that ignited rumors he may be a Moscow spy has been found dead

HELSINKI -- A white beluga whale named “Hvaldimir,” first spotted in Norway not far from Russian waters with a harness that ignited rumors he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead.

The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the whale carcass was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway Saturday by a father and son who were fishing.

The beluga, named by combining the Norwegian word for whale — hval — and Russian President Putin's first name Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbor where experts will examine it.

“Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea. He has passed away but it’s not immediately clear what the cause of death is,” marine biologist Sebastian Strand told NRK, adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.

Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir's adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit organization, said he was deeply affected by the whale’s sudden death.

“It’s absolutely horrible,” Strand said. “He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). So we just have to figure out what might have happened here.”

The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingøya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019 wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with text “Equipment St. Petersburg”.

That sparked allegations that the beluga was “a spy whale.” Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said.

NGO Marine Mind said on its site that Hvaldimir was very interested in people and responded to hand signals.

“Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity,” it said.

Norwegian media have speculated whether Hvaldimir could have been used as “a therapy whale” of some sort in Russia.

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Putin Begins Meetings in Mongolia in Defiance of I.C.C. Arrest Warrant

The Russian president is making a state visit to a country that is heavily dependent on Moscow for oil.

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By Valerie Hopkins and David Pierson

Valerie Hopkins reported from Berlin, and David Pierson reported from Hong Kong.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia began meetings with the leader of Mongolia on Tuesday in his first state visit to a member of the International Criminal Court since it issued a warrant for his arrest in March 2023.

In advance of Mr. Putin’s trip, the I.C.C. stated that Mongolia was obligated to arrest Mr. Putin, but Mongolia is heavily dependent on Russia for fuel, and an arrest was considered extremely unlikely.

Far from being arrested, Mr. Putin was given a red-carpet welcome in the central square of the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Ahead of the trip, the Kremlin had shrugged off the possibility of an arrest.

“There are no worries, we have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia,” Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, told reporters on Friday, noting that “all aspects of the visit have been thoroughly prepared.”

Mr. Putin was greeted when he arrived Monday night by what appeared to be a Mongolian military guard at the airport and spent the night in the capital, a sign that he is comfortable being in the country.

Mr. Putin’s visit on Tuesday, at the invitation of Mongolia’s president, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, and in defiance of the I.C.C. arrest warrant, serves as a reminder that Russia still commands strategic sway over its southern neighbor despite efforts to hedge.

With the visit, “Putin gets a symbolic win for sure,” said Alexander Gabuev, the director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin. For Mongolia, he said, the visit shows that the need to maintain the relationship with Moscow outweighs the country’s pledge in 2002 when it signed the Rome Statute ratifying its membership in the I.C.C.

He added that Russia’s adversaries would have to “think twice” about the narrative that “Putin is pariah, he’s ostracized and whenever there is an I.C.C. warrant for a country that’s ratified the Rome Statute, that he will be arrested.”

The international court, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, issued a warrant for Mr. Putin’s arrest last year, accusing him of committing war crimes with the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. The court also issued a warrant for Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova .

The I.C.C. has no enforcement mechanism. Countries that have signed on to the court are supposed to detain those who are subject to its arrest warrants. Russia is not a signatory to the court and has consistently rejected its authority.

Mongolia, a landlocked democracy wedged between Russia and China, treads a careful political line in balancing between its two far more powerful neighbors. That has included taking a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine.

While it has looked to the West to ease some of its geopolitical pressure, hosting high-level guests like President Emmanuel Macron of France, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, it is also economically reliant on its far larger neighbors.

Mongolia shares a 2,100-mile border with Russia and relies on the giant gas-producing neighbor for 95 percent of its fuel. It tries to maintain steady ties with Moscow to help balance relations with Beijing, which also holds considerable influence over Ulaanbaatar by purchasing virtually all Mongolia’s commodity-driven exports.

“The Mongolian political establishment thinks it is easier to manage secure and predictable relations with Moscow” by hosting Mr. Putin, said Munkhnaran Bayarlkhagva, an independent geopolitical analyst who used to work at the National Security Council of Mongolia.

“Ulaanbaatar is choosing to have predictable relations with Moscow and do the damage control later,” Mr. Bayarlkhagva said. “After all, geography cannot be changed.”

Mr. Bayarlkhagva said Mongolia likely determined that there would be little blowback for Mr. Putin’s visit given that there is precedent for members of the International Criminal Court defying the Rome Statute. In 2015, South Africa refused to arrest Sudan’s then president, Omar al-Bashir, during his visit to Johannesburg despite the fact that he was wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged genocide and war crimes in Darfur. Last year, Johannesburg asked the I.C.C. for an exemption from arresting Mr. Putin so he could attend the BRICS summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. When it was not granted, Mr. Putin chose to skip the summit instead.

Still, Mongolia’s decision to invite Mr. Putin was condemned by human rights watchdogs.

“Welcoming Putin, an I.C.C. fugitive, would not only be an affront to the many victims of Russian forces’ crimes, but also undermine the crucial principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law,” Maria Elena Vignoli, international justice senior counsel at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement ahead of the visit.

There are strong connections between the ruling Mongolian People’s Party and Russia, a relationship that dates back more than a century to when the People’s Party helped establish Mongolia’s socialist republic with the backing of the Soviet Red Army. Even after Mongolia’s democratic revolution in 1990, ties between the Mongolian People’s Party and Russia remained as a source of its political legitimacy.

The stated reason for Mr. Putin’s visit — to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the defeat of Japanese forces at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol by the Soviet and Mongolian armies — provides an “ideological boost” for the Mongolian People’s Party, Mr. Bayarlkhagva said.

Mr. Putin sought to underscore his country’s role as a protector of Mongolia in a written interview for the country’s biggest daily newspaper Unuudur, noting, “More than ten thousand soldiers and commanders of the Red Army gave their lives in the battle for the freedom and independence of Mongolia.”

No announcements are expected to be made about the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would help redirect Russian gas supplies that had gone to Europe through Mongolia to reach China instead. In August, Mongolia’s parliament voted not to include the pipeline in its budget for the next four years, in what observers said was indication that it had low expectations that it would be built.

A Western diplomat who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said the Mongolian government summoned Western envoys to explain their reasoning behind Mr. Putin’s visit. Among them was the need to secure more supplies of fuel and electricity from Russia to prevent a repeat of the shortages the country faced last winter.

The diplomat said Mongolian officials were asked not to give Mr. Putin a platform to propagandize the war in Ukraine.

Khaliun Bayartsogt contributed reporting.

Valerie Hopkins covers the war in Ukraine and how the conflict is changing Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the United States. She is based in Moscow. More about Valerie Hopkins

David Pierson covers Chinese foreign policy and China’s economic and cultural engagement with the world. He has been a journalist for more than two decades. More about David Pierson

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

Russia’s Bombing Campaign:  A Russian missile strike in the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava killed at least 41 people , President Volodymyr Zelensky said, in the latest in a series of deadly barrages.

Ukraine’s Scarred Students:  As children across Ukraine return to school, a teacher in Kyiv worries for her pupils , many of whom have fled frontline areas or lost family members in the fighting.

Russia’s Youngest Conscripts:  The long-sacrosanct practice of keeping young Russian army conscripts off the front lines  is eroding as the lack of troops in Russia’s Kursk region indicates a manpower shortage.

Ukrainian F-16 Crash:  As Ukraine mourns the death of a widely celebrated pilot, the crash of his F-16 fighter jet remains a mystery .

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

Mongolia ignores an international warrant for Putin's arrest, giving him a red-carpet welcome

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a red-carpet welcome to Mongolia as the country ignored calls to arrest him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes stemming from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — Russian President Vladimir Putin received a red-carpet welcome to Mongolia on Tuesday, as the country ignored calls to arrest him on an international warrant for alleged war crimes stemming from Moscow's invasion of Ukraine .

The trip, which concluded Tuesday night, was Putin’s first to a member nation of the International Criminal Court since it issued the warrant in March 2023. Ahead of his visit, Ukraine urged Mongolia to hand Putin over to the court in The Hague, and the European Union expressed concern that Mongolia might not execute the warrant.

The warrant put the Mongolian government in a difficult position. After decades under communism with close ties to the Soviet Union, it transitioned to democracy in the 1990s and built relations with the United States, Japan and other new partners. But the landlocked country remains economically dependent on its two much larger and more powerful neighbors, Russia and China.

The ICC has accused Putin of being responsible for the abductions of children from Ukraine . Member countries are required to detain suspects if a warrant has been issued, but Mongolia needs to maintain its ties with Russia and the court lacks a mechanism to enforce its warrants.

The Russian leader was welcomed in the main square in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, by an honor guard dressed in vivid red and blue uniforms styled on those of the personal guard of 13th century ruler Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire.

A throng of people watched from behind temporary barriers as Putin and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa walked up the red-carpeted steps of the Government Palace and bowed toward a statue of Genghis Khan before entering the building for their meetings.

A small group of protesters who tried to unfurl a Ukrainian flag before the ceremony were taken away by police. Five others who gathered a few blocks west of the square held up an anti-Putin banner and Ukrainian flag but disbanded after hearing about the arrests.

As Putin was welcomed in Mongolia, his forces struck a military training facility and nearby hospital in Poltava, Ukraine, killing at least 50 people and wounding over 200 others, the country’s president said. The strike appeared to be one of the deadliest by Russian forces since the war began on Feb. 24, 2022.

Mongolia and Russia signed agreements to design and study the feasibility of a power plant upgrade in Ulaanbaatar and to ensure the supply of Russian aviation fuel to Mongolia. Another agreement covered an environmental study of a river where Mongolia wants to build a hydroelectric plant that Russia is concerned would pollute Lake Baikal on the Russian side. Putin also outlined plans to develop the rail system between the countries.

He invited the Mongolian president to attend a summit of the BRICS nations — a group that includes Russia and China among others — in the Russian city of Kazan in late October. Khurelsukh accepted, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

The visit ended Tuesday night, with an honor guard lining Putin’s walk to his airplane. He arrived early Wednesday in Russia’s major Pacific port of Vladivostok, where he is to take part in an economic forum.

On Monday, the EU said it had shared its concern that the ICC warrant might not be executed with Mongolian authorities.

“Mongolia, like all other countries, has the right to develop its international ties according to its own interests,” European Commission spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said. But she added that Mongolia has been a party to the ICC since 2002, “with the legal obligations that it entails.”

Given Mongolia’s dependence on Russia and China for trade, energy and security, it was hardly possible to expect Mongolia to arrest Putin, said Sam Greene, the director of democratic resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

“The overriding reason for this trip will have been to show that Putin can travel right now,” he said.

But, Greene added, the warrant still narrows the circle of possibilities for Putin, forcing “any governments that’s going to think about hosting him to consider both the domestic and the international political consequences of that in a way they wouldn’t have had to before.”

Kenneth Roth, the former longtime director of Human Rights Watch, called Putin’s trip to Mongolia “a sign of weakness,” posting on X that the Russian leader “could manage a trip only to a country with a tiny population of 3.4 million that lives in Russia’s shadow.”

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed the trip wasn’t about “showing something to Western countries,” but rather about developing bilateral relations between two countries rooted in history and “wonderful glorious traditions.” His remarks were made to state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin, who posted them on his Telegram channel.

More than 50 Russians outside the country signed an open letter urging the government of Mongolia to “immediately detain Vladimir Putin upon his arrival.” They included Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was freed from a Russian prison in August in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, denounced the warrant as “illegal” in an online statement Tuesday, describing those who would try to carry it out as “madmen.”

Putin, on his first visit to Mongolia in five years, participated in a ceremony to mark the 85th anniversary of a joint Soviet and Mongolian victory over Japan’s army when it controlled Manchuria in northeast China. Thousands of soldiers on both sides died in months of fighting in 1939 over the location of the border between Manchuria and Mongolia.

“I am very delighted about Putin’s visit to Mongolia,” said Yansanjav Demdendorj, a retired economist, citing Russia’s role against Japan. “If we think of the ... battle, it’s Russians who helped free Mongolia.”

Uyanga Tsoggerel, who supports the protests, said her country is a democracy that doesn’t tolerate dictatorship and accused Putin of “recklessly humiliating and shaming Mongolia in front of the world.”

Putin has made a series of overseas trips in recent months to try to counter the international isolation he faces over the invasion of Ukraine. He visited China in May , made a trip to North Korea and Vietnam in June and went to Kazhakstan in July for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

But last year, the South African government lobbied against Putin showing up in Johannesburg for the BRICS summit, which he ended up joining by video link. South Africa, an ICC member, was condemned by activists and its main opposition party in 2015 when it didn’t arrest then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir during a visit for an African Union summit.

Enkhgerel Seded, who studies at a university in Moscow, said that historically, countries with friendly relations don’t arrest heads-of-state on official visits.

“Our country has obligations toward the international community,” she said. “But ... I think in this case as well, it would not be appropriate to conduct an arrest.”