This video presents the “Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Brazil – Your Ultimate Travel Guide! a thrilling journey through some of the …
source
Top 10 Must-Visit Places in Brazil – Your Ultimate Travel Guide!
Thousands Of Islands & New Luxury Hotels: The Surprising Must-Visit European City For 2025
[ad_1]
Last Updated
If you’re scoping out Europe for an epic vacation next year, you can skip the global icons we’ve all dreamed of visiting in favor of lesser-known destinations.
Many travel experts have been highlighting cities off the traditional tourist path, which makes sense given how many travelers are seeking out alternatives to avoid crowds, contributing to overtourism concerns.
Forbes just revealed a real surprise for most, but not for me, since I was fortunate to visit in October and totally get the hype.
With nonstop flights from the U.S., brand new ritzy hotels, and thousands of islands to explore, at first glance, you might think this city sounds like the Caribbean, but it’s actually Scandinavia.
Sweden may not be commonly associated with island-hopping, being more notable for deeply-rooted viking culture and their ‘fika’ lifestyle.
While visiting this region during winter comes with blistering cold weather, planning ahead for spring and beyond is your best bet to enjoy all the thrills, delights, and luxury of Stockholm in 2025.
Travel In Style: Stockholm’s Selection Of New & Revamped Luxury Stays
Stockholm is teeming with ritzy stays throughout the city. In fact, it holds a reputation as being pretty pricey.
I scored a great deal at the conveniently located AC Hotel on the outskirts in Solna next to the train station, which made reaching the city center a breeze.
But, many travelers will want to stay in Stockholm proper, and rightfully so. According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers’ 5 favorite hotels heading into the new year:
- Hotel Rival
- Bank Hotel
- Hotel Skeppsholmen
- Grand Hotel
- Hotel Frantz
Additionally, Forbes just announced a pair of exciting new hotel openings to kick off 2025, as well as another remodel to a 120-year-old staple.
So, let’s start with the ladder. Situated in Vaxholm, a vibrant archipelago village near Stockholm, the Waxholms Hotell is undergoing an extensive makeover, transforming into a ‘food and lifestyle destination’ backed by renowned local restaurateurs Jesper Ahlbom and Stefan Strömberg.
Mark your calendars for February 15, 2025 for this historic hotel’s new chapter.
As for the new additions, travelers can look forward to Stockholm Stadshotell, a 32-room boutique hotel set to open in January 2025, and Hagastrand, a new haven for the ultimate relaxation anchored by a state-of-the-art spa, slated to open doors at an undisclosed date in Fall 2025.
Explore Thousands Of Islands, Including A Breathtaking Old Town
No matter what time of year you visit, Stockholm’s incredible islands are calling your name. Although, not all are accessible, there are sightseeing tours and ferries to reach those open to the public, along with the city’s easy-to-use metro to some as well, which sells tickets from single use to yearly passes with numerous increments in between to save you money.
My favorite was Gamla Stan made up of the island of Stadsholmen, otherwise known as Stockholm’s ‘Old Town’.
While the city center beholds a mix of old and new like many major European cities, Gamla Stan’s quaint alleyways and cobbled streets take you back in time.
Here, you’ll find an array of cafes, bars, and fascinating architecture, including the Royal Palace and Riddarholmen Church, among rows of multi-level buildings seemingly illuminating every other shade on the color wheel.
It’s a beautiful place. So much so we kept going back to sip mulled wine and partake in the ‘fika’ way of life after an obligatory IKEA stop and wandering other neighborhoods.
Gamla Stan is not alone in must-visit islands. TripAdvisor highlights Sodermalm as travelers’ favorite Stockholm island, lined with endless cafes and restaurants, plus cozy hotels and vibrant streets.
I visited Sodermalm, too, and loved starting my day with a cappuccino and pastry from Embargo Cafe & Bar and capping off the night with traditional Swedish meatballs and lingonberries at Meatballs for the People (book ahead!).
Forbes also mentioned the highly-anticipated Stockholm Archipelago Trail (SAT), a new attraction spanning 168 miles and linking 21 islands in 2025.
Which Airlines Fly Nonstop From The U.S. To Stockholm In 2025?
Many travelers prep for at least one connection when jetting off to Europe, but there are 3 routes and 3 airlines with direct service to Stockholm.
Bad news being a majority of the U.S. will have to opt for a layover as only East Coast routes are nonstop.
Scandinavian Airlines’ 2 routes:
- Newark (EWR) – flights every Thursday and Sunday
- Miami (MIA) – flights every Wednesday and Saturday
United’s lone seasonal route:
Newark (EWR) – flights every day from June 18, 2025 through September 2025
Delta’s lone route:
New York City (JFK) – flights 4 days per week beginning April 15, 2025
Fun fact: Believe it or not, you can stay at an IKEA Hotel and visit an IKEA Museum, both located in Almhult, Sweden.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
[ad_2]
Source link
Why This Lesser Known Mexican Beach Destination Is A Must-Visit Spot For Budget Travelers
[ad_1]
Last Updated
Mexico is the most popular vacation destination for American travelers. But that popularity comes at a cost….and a significant hit to your wallet.
Popular resorts like Cancun and Tulum are often big-budget destinations. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Enter Puerto Escondido. The new hot Mexican beach destination for travelers who have a tight grip on their purse strings.
Puerto Escondido is home to bucket list-worthy beaches, it’s the top-rated surfing destination in Mexico (and one of the best in the world), and boasts outstanding natural beauty, too.
Here’s the thing: Budget travel doesn’t have to mean inferior travel.
I reckon you can have all the same cultural explorations, white sand beaches, and epic local grub at a fraction of the cost of a resort vacation in Cancun.
And to prove it, here’s a breakdown of the perfect trip to Puerto Escondido and how much it will cost:
Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is located on the Emerald Coast of Oaxaca and is known for its beaches and its epic nightlife scene.
One of the best beaches to explore in the area is Playa Carrizalillo, which is a calm cove perfect for swimming and kayaking.
This is one of the few beaches in Puerto Escondido where you could take out a paddleboard too.
Or Puerto Angelito. This is a more popular spot with tourists which means it is busier and has a more vibrant atmosphere.
But it’s a great place to eat seafood and sunbathe on the soft sand.
I love nothing more than spending time on the beach, swimming, and riding my paddleboard, but as an added bonus, these are some of the most affordable vacation activities: they don’t have to cost a penny!
Many turtles come back to the beaches along this stretch of the coast to nest.
Visiting the Baby Turtle Release Centre is a great way to learn more about these incredible creatures, and you can do your bit for their conservation by getting involved in the nightly turtle release.
You can hold the baby turtle as you gently release it into the sea and experience the site of hundreds of these tiny animals scuttling toward the water.
You’ll be asked to make a contribution of $150 Mexican pesos ($8) per person to take part in this.
If you’re in Mexico’s surfing capital, you’re probably going to want to surf.
Surfers travel from all over the world to ride Puerto Escondido’s famous barrel waves.
If you’re an experienced surfer then the best and most affordable way to do this is to just hire a board and hit the waves.
If you’re new to surfing then it’s a good idea to take a lesson or two first. Puerto Surf has a great reputation and you can choose between private or group lesson options (with group lessons being the most affordable choice.) A group lesson will cost 750 MXN ($39) and a private lesson will cost 900 MXN ($47).
Getting To Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido boasts its own airport (PXM) Airport which is obviously the most convenient option, but you can’t fly here directly from the U.S. right now as it isn’t an international airport.
You’d have to fly to Mexico City and then take another flight from here.
The 2 cheapest airports to choose to fly this route in October are Houston and Chicago, at the time of writing.
From Chicago, from October 8 to October 15, flying economy class roundtrip, you can expect to pay $276.
This is flying with Vivo Aerobus, and as I mentioned above, you’d have a layover in Mexico City.
Or you could fly into Oaxaca (OAX), which is 131.3km away, with a range of transfer options available.
In October, you can fly directly to Oaxaca from Los Angeles, Dallas, or Houston. Flights from Los Angeles are currently the cheapest option.
Fly from October 7 to October 14 to secure an economy class round trip for $269.
You’ll fly with Volaris, and the flight time for this route is just 4 hours and 2 minutes.
There are flights with similar prices throughout October and November.
The drive time between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is just under 3 hours if you want to hire a car or a private driver. (Fun fact! It took me longer to get to Tulum from Cancun airport via private transfer in May)
Alternatively, you could take a bus, which would take around 7/8 hours, but on the bright side, the journey costs less than $20!
Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido
Where I was most pleasantly surprised when putting this piece together was just how affordable accommodation is in Puerto Escondido.
There are hostels available in the city for as little as $15 per night, and these are popular with both backpackers and surfers.
A huge majority of these have great reviews. But as I wouldn’t stay in a hostel myself, I won’t list any here!
A 3-night stay in the 3-star Hotel Camino Del Sol from October 16 to October 19 would cost $189, based on 2 people sharing a superior king room. That’s just $63 per night, and the hotel has a pool, air conditioning, and is close to the beach.
If you want to splurge on a 4 star hotel then the Hotel DC Boutique and Spa is just 50 meters from the beach and boasts a rooftop outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, and on site bar and restaurant.
For the same dates this would cost $268 based on 2 people sharing, which works out at $89 per night.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
[ad_2]
Source link