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Terraced pools with milky blue waters surrounded by chalky white stone

12 Extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites Where Nature Meets Culture

Cave art or beaches? Mountains or temples? Ancient ruins or volcanoes? You can enjoy both culture and nature at these remarkable sites.

June 9, 2025 05:16 AM

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Pat Tompkins

Natural Wonders

Crowds Flock to Iceland Volcano as Lava Spills

Some are roasting marshmallows on the lava; others are trying to get close to a moment 800 years in the making.

March 25, 2021 11:17 AM

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Associated Press (AP)

Scenery of Shiretoko in Hokkaido, Shari-cho, Midsummer

Outdoor Adventure

In a Lesser-Known Part of Japan, Outdoor Adventure Awaits

Explore bubbling volcanoes, primeval forests, and fantastical wildlife in the far east of Hokkaido.

March 22, 2024 01:25 PM

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Sarika Bansal

An Erupting Volcano on Spain’s La Palma Island Lures Visitors

Curious onlookers flock to see the glowing lava flows and thundering magma on the Canary Islands destination even as residents grapple with the damages.

September 21, 2021 01:43 PM

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Aritz Parra

Epic Trips

I Rode a Bike Through Rwanda for 5 Days—Here’s Why It Was the Best Way to See the Country

Rwanda’s flourishing cycling culture gives reason to visit beyond the mountain gorillas.

October 11, 2024 09:35 AM

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Erik Trinidad

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl opens July 2024 and is located in a restored castle on Lake Fuschl in Austria.

Hotels

Hotel Watchlist: Summer Openings Smart Travelers Should Know About

Afar’s resident hotel expert shares the summer 2024 openings that are worth a special trip.

May 31, 2024 01:48 PM

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Jennifer Flowers

Hiking + Cycling

Hiking Trail Reopens in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Following Last Year’s Eruption

Nearly one year after the historic caldera collapse, most of the popular Kilauea Iki Trail has been repaired and is now open to the public.

April 26, 2019 01:49 PM

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Sarah Buder

The view of San Pedro Volcano across Lake Atitlan

Outdoor Adventure

8 Beautiful Lakes Around the World to Plan a Trip to Right Now

Waterside beauty goes beyond the beach.

May 27, 2024 09:32 AM

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Chloe Arrojado

UnCruiseAdventures_Troy Squillaci/Pexels

Outdoor Adventure

Island-Hop on This Small-Ship Cruise in Hawai‘i

Escape the crowds and connect to the aloha spirit with award-winning UnCruise Adventures.

Sponsored by UnCruise Adventures

The hills of Chile's Araucanía Region are aflame with oranges and red during April and May.

Destination Spotlight

Obsessed With Fall Foliage? These Southern Hemisphere Spots Are Peaking Right Now

Bask in the golds, oranges, and reds of these places where you can witness the changing of the color guard on the flip side of the equator.

March 24, 2025 09:16 AM

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Hillary Richard

Diptych showing Tierra Atacama's terrace (left) and vicunas in front of volcanic mountains in San Pedro de Atacama Chile (right)

Stay Here Next

Stargazing, Flamingo-Filled Lagoons, and Indigenous Craft at a Reimagined Atacama Desert Design Hotel

Chile’s Tierra Atacama lodge has reopened with a renewed focus on Atacameño culture and excursions to geysers, salt pans, and lunar landscapes

October 10, 2025 05:26 AM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

Outdoor Adventure

The Tallest Mountain in the World May Not Be What You Think

It’s all depends on whether you measure from sea level, sea floor, or even the planet’s center.

July 1, 2024 06:27 PM

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Susan Portnoy

Whether your ideal Hawaiian vacation means time sunning, hiking, or snorkeling, there’s an island for you.

Islands

The Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit for Different Kinds of Travelers

Escape the cold with a visit to one or more postcard-perfect Hawaiian islands—plus, how to give back while you’re there.

December 19, 2025 12:59 PM

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Amanda Castleman

Astrotourism

The Next Solar Eclipse Tours Are Already Filling Up—Here’s How to Pick Now Between Iceland Versus Spain

See the 2026 eclipse while sipping wine on a vineyard near a castle or from a hot spring overlooking a glacier-topped volcano?

August 21, 2025 11:24 AM

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Cassandra Brooklyn

Monument Valley is just one of a dozen spectacular parks and monuments in Arizona.

National Parks

The Grand Canyon Gets 5 Million Visitors. These 10 Arizona Parks Offer Pueblos, Hoodoos, and Fewer Crowds

Discover the lesser-known national parks and monuments in the Grand Canyon State.

February 3, 2026 06:30 AM

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Melanie Haiken

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