Mendoza is one of the most beautiful small cities in the world with parks on almost every other block and numerous fine-dining restaurants. Set in the high desert, the tallest mountains in the Americas (indeed, the whole Western hemisphere) lie just west of the city. The watershed of the Rio Mendoza drains these peaks before coursing through the fertile wine valleys where dozens of fincas — some going back hundreds of years — produce the world’s supply of Malbec. Mendoza is the staging ground for expeditions to climb Aconcagua (or just hiking/exploring around Aconcagua Provincial Park) as well as ski trips to Las Leñas, arguably the best inbounds skiing in South America.
When to go: As high desert, Mendoza gets super hot in the summer. Consider a winter trip (which is summer in the US) from June through August when you can ski.
Get deeper: For an incredible weekend trip, rent a car in Mendoza, then follow the Ruta Nacional 7 up the Rio Mendoza, visiting vineyards along the way before spending the night in the small town of Potrerillos. From here you’re at the doorstep of epic side-country hikes, and nearly limitless terrain all the way to the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores and the border with Chile.
Lexington is unique in the South for its whiskey (90% of the world’s bourbon comes from here), and horse tradition — more than 400 horse farms are here — and the city keeps getting better. The once-abandoned distillery district is now a booming food, entertainment, and and retail area. In addition to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, there are also 7 craft breweries along the Brewgrass Trail. Finally, the The Barn collects the top independent local restaurateurs from Lexington into one of the South’s newest food halls.
When to go: May. Spring is a beautiful time in this part of the world, perfect for visiting horse farms and sipping bourbon.
Get deeper: Early Spring 2018 is also the reopening of Castle & Key, a hidden bourbon distillery by Kentucky’s first female master distiller.
15. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Warmest temps north of the Arctic Circle
Iceland seems to get all the love on Instagram but Norway has equally stunning ranges and archipelagos, and one of the most amazing fisheries in the world. Check out this video for proof. Lofoten is remote, yet fairly simple to reach via train from Oslo to Bodø, then passenger ferry to Lofoten. Once there, you’ll find a great infrastructure for kayak trips and wildlife viewing.
When to go: Wintertime is best for seeing the Northern Lights.
Get deeper: Stay in a Rorbu, a traditional Norwegian fishing house built partly on land and partly in the water. You can rent and stay in these throughout Lofoten.
Brittany is the region of France’s northwestern peninsula, which includes a rocky and wild coast dotted with islands and small beach resorts. There’s a fascinating literary history here that intersects with the legend of King Arthur (Merlin’s tomb was said to be here), and various Stone Age structures exist that you can still visit, such as the Carmac stones.
Our favorite islands are Belle-île, Houat, and Groix. They are a short ferry ride from the mainland and can be easily explored on foot or by bike. Just don’t forget your windbreaker because the Breton coast can be very windy.
The best foods to have in Brittany: butter and sugar crêpes with a glass of Breton cider and a warm Kouign-Amann from any local bakery. If you’re into seafood, oysters are the way to go.
When to go: April. It may be too chilly to swim in April, but it’s also the time of the year when tourism is low, so you won’t be bothered by crowds.
Get deeper: Brittany has a longtime nautical tradition. It’s where all the best yacht racers come from, and you can take sailing lessons just about anywhere.
Lisbon is western Europe’s oldest major city. The narrow cobblestone streets run up and down hills and lead to countless bars, ruins, castles, cathedrals, and miradouros (lookouts). There’s an always-on food and nightlife scene — think fresh seafood and gourmet-food markets, and hole-in-the-wall bars with people nipping ginjinha — that stretches from the clubs along the Tejo River through the barrios Alto, Bica, and Cais do Sodré.
Being so old, there’s an element of tattered beauty to Lisbon. Parts of the old town have peeling, rundown but beautiful buildings housing cool ground floor boutique shops and cool street art. It seems to add to the chill and friendly vibe here.
Finally, there are great beaches and surfing nearby. Costa Caparica is only a 20 minute drive away.
Best time to go:If you want it uncrowded, go in the winter/spring. Lisbon has a temperate climate and average 260 days of sun, so you can get nice days even in winter. In the summer though, particularly June, it goes off with Santo António and other festivals that are basically city-wide blowouts.
Get deeperIf you’ve just arrived and don’t know anyone, don’t be afraid of taking at least an hour-long tuk tuk tour. Befriend the driver; buy them a beer and they’ll send you to great locals’ hangouts.
A surprisingly manageable single day’s drive from Santiago, Pucón is the northern gateway to the Lake District of Chilean Patagonia. It has an otherworldly setting with the enormous snow-capped Villarrica Volcano and surrounding watershed filled with pehuén forests, powerful whitewater, and hot springs. The small downtown has a ludicrous amount of paddling, climbing, and skiing outfitters. Predictably, a fun (rowdy) bar and hostel scene has evolved around the stoked crews of travelers and locals who come through.
When to go: November is the austral summer with long warm days and pumping rivers. The video gives you an idea of how this place looks in summer.
Get deeper: Stay at the Pucon Kayak Hostel and have David Hughes & company set you up with an outdoor adventure packages, whether you’re a paddler or just want to explore the local area. This crew has helped pioneer many of the local runs and knows the terrain better than anyone.
