Most of us at Moon have an ever-growing list of places we want to visit, a common side effect of working on a book–or even just seeing the cover options. The following list reflects a few of the destinations that inspired our wanderlust in the last year. There are trip-of-a-lifetime-type destinations and there are smaller destinations, but all of them triggered that classic reverie, imagining what it would be like to be there, and the pull of awaiting adventure.
Kick off 2016 like a Beach Boys song. Find your own travel inspiration in Aruba’s best beaches and our best of Aruba in one week travel itinerary.
Eagle Beach and Manchebo Beach…offer a tranquil, secluded getaway…. There are many spots where a visitor can settle down, look around, and not see a soul.”
–From Moon Aruba by Rosalie Klein
Aruba’s beaches are never too hot for a barefoot stroll even at noon. Photo © Iuliia Nufrychenkova/123rf.
Start the new year with a run up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And don’t stop there–Philly is museum-rich. Check out the museums in Old City Philadelphia and the Museum District. Once you’ve had your fill of history and art, take in the rest of the best of Philadelphia in three days.
And if you don’t mind bundling up, winter offers the lowest hotel rates, fewest crowds, and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a beautiful snowfall.”
–From Moon Philadelphia by Karrie GavinRocky Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo © Natalia Bratslavsky/123rf.
Join the snowbirds and escape winter at this low-key beach destination. Wildlife lovers will have fun birdwatching on Sanibel Island and the South Gulf Coast is perfect for a road trip.
The quiet, secluded island feels like a beach town that has only hesitantly embraced its identity as a beach town…. Twenty-five miles of wide, multi-use trails run parallel to the main roads, and the flat terrain is optimal for biking.”
–From Moon Sarasota & Naples by Jason FergusonLighthouse Point on Sanibel Island, Florida. Photo © Daniel Korzeniewski/123rf.
Come for the international poetry festival, then set out for some of Nicaragua’s natural wonders. Start with experiencing the city’s colonial charm, and don’t forget to sample some of the best boating, swimming, and cycling in the country. If you can, take in the best of Nicaragua in two weeks–or pick and choose from our itinerary to craft your perfect trip.
A lot of the city’s charm lies in the interesting excursions…. Choose a day trip to Volcán Masaya, Mombacho, or the Laguna de Apoyo…. The annual Poetry Festival (February 14-20, 2016) is a knockout.”
–From Moon Nicaragua by Elizabeth PerkinsGranada, Nicaragua. Photo © Rafal Cichawa/123rf.
Enjoy the great outdoors and get some alone time in this vast, isolated park in the Chisos Mountains.
It’s a true getaway to a relatively untouched land…. The solitude and seclusion amid a gorgeous backdrop of rugged beauty are ultimately soul cleansing.
–From Moon Texas by Andy RhodesChisos Mountains from Sotol Vista Overlook on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive at sunrise, Big Bend National Park, Texas. Photo © Steve Lagreca/123rf.
Experience diverse and authentic island culture against a backdrop of Danish colonial architecture. Whet your travel appetite with our expert author’s introduction to St. Croix, then start your planning with our seven-day travel itinerary.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands is the richest in history, culture, and landscapes…. Nowhere is St. Croix’s diversity more evident than in its music, food, and arts.”
–From Moon U.S. & British Virgin Islands by Susanna Henighan PotterSalt River Bay, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Photo © Susanna Henighan Potter.
Soak in the infectious energy of this enigmatic island—and perhaps even get there on a direct flight from the U.S. Here’s why you should travel to Cuba and just as importantly, five ways to immerse yourself in the experience.
Cuba is a mother lode for anyone who loves classic American autos, fine cigars, quality rums, and Las Vegas-style cabaret revues…. The tail fins of ’57 Eldorados still glint beneath the floodlit mango trees of nightclubs.”
–From Moon Cuba by Christopher P. Baker
Parque Céspedes in Santiago de Cuba. Photo © Christopher P. Baker.
Sample small towns and small sips of Kentucky’s spirit along this idyllic route. To make the most of your meandering along the trail, check out our five day itinerary.
Travel along the famed Bourbon Trail and you’ll get to taste more than the nation’s only native liquor…. This is small-town America, …where neighbors are never strangers and where the best cooking is home cooking.”
–From Moon Kentucky by Theresa Dowell BlackintonOak barrels used for aging whiskey along the Bourbon Trail, Kentucky. Photo © dcslim/123rf.
Catch a northbound train from New York’s Grand Central Station for a weekend of antiques and historic estates. There are plenty of day trips to the Valley for those short on time but big on travel.
A handful of majestic estates line the Hudson River…. Kykuit, the sprawling hilltop estate of the Rockefeller family, is a must-see…. If you want to browse antiques shops, …stay on the train until it arrives at Cold Spring Station.
–From Moon Hudson Valley & the Catskills by Nikki Goth Itoi
There are tremendous views to be found in the Catskills, like this scenic look at North-South Lake. Photo © Colin Young/123rf.
Climb the Maya pyramid Nohuch Mul at the Cobá Archaeological Zone—an increasingly rare experience.
Just an hour from Tulum are the terrific jungle-cloaked ruins of Cobá…. The view from the top is impressive—a flat green forest spreading almost uninterrupted in every direction.”
–From Moon Cancún & Cozumel by Gary Chandler & Liza PradoMayan Nohoch Mul pyramid in Coba, Mexico. Photo © Nataliya Hora/123rf.
Wander through Quito and enjoy the sights of cobbled, hilly Old Town in the (nearly) year-round springtime air.
Steep, narrow streets characterize [Quito’s centro historico], and cars barely fit in lanes designed for horse and foot traffic.”
–From Moon Ecuador &the Galápagos Islands by Ben WestwoodAerial view of the city of Quito, Ecuador. Photo © Nicolas De Corte/123rf.
Stare out at the garden of sandstone spires and see first-hand what a hoodoo is. Take three days to experience best of Zion and Bryce, or craft your own weekend escape.
Bryce Canyon isn’t a canyon at all, but rather the largest of a series of massive amphitheaters cut into the Pink Cliffs…. A short walk down either the Queen’s Garden Trail or the Navajo Loop Trail from Sunset Point will bring you close to Bryce’s hoodoos.”
–From Moon Zion & Bryce by W. C. McRae & Judy Jewell
Thor’s Hammer at sunrise in Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo © Pierre Leclerc/123rf.
Tour the quaint Charlottetown on the island inspired the bucolic setting of Anne of Green Gables and get back to nature in Prince Edward Island National Park.
L. M. Montgomery portrayed rural Cavendish as an idyllic ‘neverland’ called Avonlea, imbued with innocence and harmony. The most pastoral and historic places are preserved as part of Prince Edward Island National Park.”
–From Moon Atlantic Canada by Andrew HempsteadPrince Edward Island harbor. Photo © Darryl Brooks/123rf.
Take an epic drive from one of Canada’s most dynamic cities to the glaciers and ice fields of Banff and Jasper National Parks. Roadtrip to Vancouver and make sure the car’s packed for camping in Banff. If you’d like to take in more of the city or Vancouver Island, here’s when and where to go.
Vancouver’s city skyline. Photo © Lijuan Guo/123rf.
Vancouver [is] a splendid conglomeration of old and new architectural marvels, parks and gardens, and sheltered beaches.”
–From Moon British Columbia by Andrew Hempstead
The 230-kilometer (143-mile) Icefields Parkway, between Lake Louise and Jasper, is one of the most scenic, exciting, and inspiring mountain roads ever built.”
–From Moon Canadian Rockies by Andrew HempsteadIcefields Parkway and Cirrus Mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Photo © Feng Yu/123rf.
Step up your Spanish game with a short-term course at a language school in this charming town. Use these tips on learning and speaking Spanish in Mexico and bolster your studies by taking in the best of San Miguel and more with our expert author.
As evening falls, …amber streetlights illuminate the sandstone domes of 18th-century churches, while clanging iron bells herald the end of another day…. Mariachis tune their instruments and sidewalks hum with diners, gallery-goers, and revelers. This is Mexico mágico, the mythic place of corridos (ballads) alive and thriving on the high plains.”
–From Moon San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and the Bajío by Julie Doherty MeadeSan Miguel de Allende, Mexico, overlooking Parroquia Archangel Church. Photo © William Perry/123rf.
Savor authentic Basque cuisine in this up-and-coming capital city, which also hosts a summer Shakespeare festival in a riverside amphitheater. Before you travel, discover all Idaho has to offer.
Once you arrive in Boise, take in a summer play under the stars at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival after touring the Basque Block… a thriving ethnic enclave with restaurants, bars, and a museum.
–From Moon Idaho by James P. KellyThe foothills of Boise, Idaho. Photo © rck953/123rf.
Follow the St. Lawrence River north out of Québec City for relaxingly beautiful scenery, quaint towns, and perhaps a beluga whale sighting. Once winter hits, skiing Le Massif de Charlevoix is an incredible experience–despite modernization, the mountain maintains its unique, untouched beauty.
Charlevoix’s landscape is distinct in its variety. At times pastoral and hilly, the region’s high cliffs and breathtaking fjords are adorned with tundra, while nearby, steep sand dunes rise unexpectedly along the coastline.”
–From Moon Montréal & Québec City by Sacha JacksonLandscape of Port-au-Persil in Charlevoix, Québec, Canada. Photo © Denis Roger/123rf.
Kayak around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to view these colorful cliffs at your own pace. Start planning your visit early to make the most of the experience.
The remarkable colors, cliffs, and rock formations of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretch out like an artistic masterpiece being unveiled.”
–From Moon Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Paul VachonMiner’s Castle in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo © ehrlif/123rf.
Hike through the Andes–for two hours or upward of four days–to add to the unforgettable reward of seeing Machu Picchu. Make this trip-of-a-lifetime the full experience by taking on the trek to Machu Picchu, and explore the best of Machu Picchu in eight days.
The mist lifted to reveal the spellbinding sight of perfect stonework backed by the towering mountain of Huayna Picchu…. Machu Picchu is the culmination of a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage.”
–From Moon Machu Picchu by Ben WestwoodMachu Picchu, Peru. Photo © a41cats/123rf.
Road trip along “America’s Favorite Drive” surrounded by the warm hues of fall foliage. Take a full two weeks for the experience, and make sure you brush up on these driving tips for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
North Carolina’s High Country is no joke. The mountains are steep, and the road grows aggressively curvy, making for unworldly views as you round corners with nothing but space and the Blue Ridge Mountains in front of you.”
–From Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip by Jason FryeLinn Cove Viaduct, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina. Photo © Mark VanDyke/123rf.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and the week leading up to it in Oaxaca City and surrounding towns, the best place in Mexico to experience this fiesta.
You can spend your entire week admiring altars and tapestries, and enjoying the party in Oaxaca City. Or you can head out into the valleys and hills, and celebrate…in a dozen different towns and villages. Every single one will have its own way of honoring their dead.”
–From Moon Oaxaca by Justin HendersonLa Catrina costume, Dia De Los Muertos. Photo © Alejandro Duran/123rf.
Visit this quintessential California wine country region on a weekday during this most popular season to beat the crowds. Between tastings, there’s always plenty of hiking, boating, and biking.
The cool, lush Russian River Valley has forests, rivers, small farms, and some of the best pinot noir and chardonnay in California…. The warmer Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley are home to big red wines from small family-owned wineries.”
–From Moon Napa & Sonoma by Elizabeth Linhart VenemanNapa Valley, California. Photo © Andrew Zarivny/123rf.
Head to Brazil’s economic and cultural center for urban sophistication then combine it with a side trip to Iguaçu Falls to stare into the Devil’s Throat. A stroll to take in the sights along São Paulo’s Avenida Paulista is an excellent daytime activity, as is shopping for the latest Brazil fashions between browsing antique galleries.
“Teeming with noise, activity, and a certain degree of urban chaos, …São Paolo offers a wealth of artistic, gastronomic, nightlife, and shopping options.”
“Iguaçu is not just one big cascade but a series of 275 falls that rush over a 3-kilometer-wide (2-mi) precipice. The sound is deafening, and the sight absolutely unforgettable.”
–From Moon Brazil by Michael SommersIguaçu Falls, Brazil. Photo © leksele/123rf.
Watch the sunrise from one of the beaches in Colombia’s famously beautiful national park. Plan your visit for early December to avoid the winter holiday rush, and make certain you pack the essentials for Colombia travel.
The frequently tempestuous waters of the PNN Tayrona provide dramatic scenery, with palms growing atop massive island boulders, waves crashing up against them.”
–From Moon Colombia by Andrew DierParque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Colombia. Photo © Andrew Dier.
End the year to the beat–and inspiration–of Music City. Seek out live music venues as you take in the the best of Nashville in the fall and winter.
People come here to make their dreams come true…. You don’t have to be here more than a day or two to encounter truly talented musicians singing on the curb on Broadway.”
–From Moon Nashville by Margaret Littman
Downtown Nashville skyline, Tennessee. Photo © Sean Pavone/123rf.
