When you’re planning a multi-city or multi-country trip, there are just some destinations that go well together. It makes sense to do Australia and New Zealand in one trip – if you have the time. France and England make sense thanks to the high speed train service. Central European countries make sense by either rail or river cruise. A lot of people combine the countries in Southeast Asia, as well as some combination of African countries during a safari. But there are some sensible destination combinations that people rarely think of. I thought this would be a fun post to highlight lesser known destination combinations for your next trip! (I even share why you should go and how you get there.)
destination combinations to think about for your next trip
Personally, I enjoy figuring out how many countries I can pack into one trip – within reason. I am not a five-countries-in-three-days kind of gal but I am not opposed to doing two or three (even four) countries over a two week period if its relatively easy to do so. As I already noted above, there are just some destination combinations that are easy and make sense. Germany and Austria, or France. Switzerland and Italy. Greece and Turkey.
It’s time to think outside the box and see what other destination combinations there are. It’s not necessarily about the proximity of the countries to each other rather than the uniqueness of the combo and the ease with which one can get there. Stopovers make GREAT destination combinations because you’re not buying a multi-city ticket, you’re just prolonging the layover. There are a lot of airlines that offer stopovers as part of their flight packages, and some include hotels and transfers. A stopover, for clarification, is NOT a layover – it is more than 24 hours on an international flight and more than 4 on a domestic flight.
I would love comments on your ideas – leave them in the comments box at the end of the post!
Iceland and Spain
Thanks to Icelandair’s stopover program, it’s easy to incorporate a stay in Iceland on your next trip to Spain. Under the airline’s rules, travellers can buy a stopover ticket and pay no more, ticket-wise, than they would for a flight with just a quick layover in Keflavik. Iceland consistently makes the list of cool places to visit and post-economic crisis it is not (quite) as expensive to travel there. Reykjavik is a vibrant, colourful city with an architecturally spectacular concert hall, a very unique cathedral, and a small, walkable city centre. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a bustling city filled with grand plazas, ornate museums, and royal palaces.
Why combine the two? They are complete opposites. Iceland’s dark volcanic landscape is a far cry from the golden hills and sparkling beaches of Spain. If unique landscapes and rich history intrigue you, then Iceland and Spain will spark your interest.
How to get there: Fly Icelandair from the US to mainland Europe through Reykjavik, and enjoy up to seven days on a stopover.
New Zealand and Tahiti
Sure, Australia and New Zealand make sense; and there are other destination combinations you can combine with New Zealand. But how about New Zealand and a South Pacific island? Last fall, during a whiskey and cheese night with Paul Gauguin cruises, I came up with the idea of a Tahitian cruise paired with a self-drive itinerary through New Zealand. Imagine sailing on a luxury cruise through the cobalt seas of the South Pacific – then exploring the jagged peaks of New Zealand’s South Island. There is no better juxtaposition. Book on a hosted Virtuoso Voyages cruise for added perks in Tahiti, then stay at one of the remote luxury lodges of New Zealand.
Why combine the two? This is an exercise in luxury meets remote lands. If New Zealand strikes you as a backpacker’s paradise, you haven’t done in style yet.
How to get there: Fly from mainland US to Tahiti, then from Tahiti to Auckland, New Zealand on Air New Zealand or Air Tahiti
Italy and Portugal
Italy gets the short end of the stick, I think, when it comes to combining Italy with another European country. There is so much to do in Italy alone – from Sicily to Naples to Puglia to Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, the lakes, Tuscany, etc, etc, etc – that most people do Italy and Italy alone. However, if you’ve already done the major sites in Italy, then this is an ideal combination. Portugal is still off the beaten track for a lot of people yet it’s definitely creeping to the top of must-visit lists. From Lisbon to Sintra to Porto, there’s unique architecture and the same North African flair that you’ll find in southern Spain with a distinct Portuguese twist.
Why combine the two? Wine not? Italy and Portugal is a GREAT combination for wine lovers. Begin in Tuscany with a self-drive wine tasting tour (Italian Hotels Collection has a wonderful itinerary!), then head to Porto. The Douro Valley is north of Lisbon, east of Porto. The terraced hills, lush with vineyards, will beckon even the most well-travelled wino.
How to get there: All major carriers fly direct to Rome from the US, or stopover in Amsterdam on your way into Florence on KLM. You can then fly from Pisa or Florence to Porto or Lisbon.
Peru and Chile
While Peru certainly has more than enough to keep adventurous travellers within it’s borders, why not combine a trip to Peru’s Sacred Valley with a few days in Chile’s northern Atacama Desert? Virtuoso partner explora has remote, all-inclusive lodges in both destinations and happily helps transfer between the two.
Many people are familiar with the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, but there are a few others. Staying in the Valle Sagrado allows travellers access to plenty of remote Incan ruins through included explorations – by whatever form of transport you prefer. explora’s Sacred Valley property is literally smack in the middle of this ancient land.
explora’s Atacama property offers horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, hot springs, and desert explorations – a totally different world from the lush Sacred Valley. To really get the most out of both destinations, I recommend at least 5 nights at both.
Why combine the two? explora is built for explorers, and both destinations are located in the heart of places to see in your lifetime. If you have extra time, head for one of the other explora properties – Easter Island, Patagonia, Bolivia, or Argentina – for another enriching cultural experience.
How to get there: Fly to Lima, Peru before boarding a flight to Cuzco. Fly from Cuzco to Calama, Chile. explora offers complimentary airport transfers to and from all properties.
Denmark and Faroe Islands
Ok, this one isn’t too far-fetched as the Faroes, an autonomous government, are within the Kingdom of Denmark. It makes sense that SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and Atlantic Airways fly direct to Faroe. But they couldn’t be further apart in landscape and lifestyle. Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, has a distinct northern Europe feel to it, mixed with a glitzy, relaxed glamour. Expect world-class dining, designer shopping, and plenty of rich, gilded history. There are a few excellent Virtuoso properties in Copenhagen’s old city.
The Faroe Islands, by contrast, are a remote North Atlantic island, located approximately between Iceland, Norway, and the Shetland Islands. Fishing is the main export here, and the population is only around 50,000. Copenhagen alone has a population of nearly 800,000!
People are drawn to the Faroes for the excellent bird watching and hiking. In the summer, the sun never sets, making this the ideal time to visit. Whales can sometimes be seen offshore or on a whale watching cruise. No Virtuoso properties here, but rest assured that your travel advisor can find a comfortable place for you to rest your weary head!
Why combine the two? For two places within the same kingdom, these two couldn’t be further apart. Travellers interested in combining a trip that has both culture, history, and nature should head to this great destination combination.
How to get there: Major carriers fly into Copenhagen from the US’s east coast, and SAS flies direct to Faroe from CPH.
Southern Italy and Croatia
Hop an overnight boat from Dubrovnik and arrive in Bari, southern Italy’s eastern port city. The sun-kissed shores of Croatia are a far cry from the rugged, rural ravines of Puglia. This combination explores the best of the Eastern Mediterranean, whose history stretches back thousands of years. Dubrovnik – known today as the filming location for Kings Landing in Game of Thrones – has some of the most intact city walls of the Adriatic. Countless Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque architecture litters the city, which has been an important, strategic port for almost a century.
Want to know about other Game of Thrones locations?! Check out this post about Northern Ireland, home to iconic show scenery.
Bari, another strategic port, is the gateway to southern Italy’s remote, rugged region of Puglia. Puglia is home to a unique architectural style of churches and dwellings. The rock-cut, or rupestrian, churches line the ravines of towns like Ginosa, Matera, and Masseria. Similar architecture can be found in Cappadocia, Turkey. India, Ethiopia, and the Levant also have rock-cut churches, but they are not the same as the primitive style found in Puglia.
Why combine the two? Who doesn’t want to sail the Mediterranean? Combining the unique history of Croatia with the just as unique history of Puglia, and adding a side of golden beaches, turquoise seas, and unforgettable sunsets is a recipe for a great getaway.
How to get here: Dubrovnik requires a bit of work to get to, as it’s location on the southern Croatian coast is fully surrounded by Bosnia. There are multiple airlines that fly into Dubrovnik from across Europe. Bari also has an international airport, with flights from across Italy and Europe. To travel between the two, take the 7 hour ferry across the Adriatic Sea.
India and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, is one of the top travel destinations for 2018 – yet it is still relatively off the beaten track. There are no less than five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka and India has plenty of its own. Both countries have a wide range of landscapes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts and highlands.
India requires a lot of time – there is so much to see. But for travellers who may have already been to the northern provinces, explored the foothills of the Himalayas, or visited the bustling cities of Dehli or Mumbai, getting off the beaten track and including Sri Lanka makes for an unforgettable vacation.
Why combine the two? The richness of Indian culture meets the ancient Buddhist culture of Sri Lanka. Between the two countries, there are over 30 UNESCO heritage sites to see.
How to get here: Dehli has international flights from across the US and Europe, as does Mumbai. from either airport, you can fly into Colombo.
Hawaii and Japan
This combination is ideal for travellers who want to combine a leisurely exploration of the Hawaiian islands with a trip to another volcanic country: Japan. There are a few excellent times to do this: you could head to Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival in March or April, and then explore the vibrant city scenes of Waikiki Beach on your way home. Or, you could spend a ski vacation at one of the luxurious Japanese mountain resorts, and then recover at a secluded beach resort on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast (Big Island) or Kauai.
Why combine the two? Both make up part of the Pacific’s Ring of Fire, but couldn’t be further from each other in culture. While Hawaiian culture is rooted in the Polynesian explorer heritage, Japanese culture has the same characteristics as the Chinese and Korean cultures. While Hawaii was a monarchy until the late 19th century, Japan’s history is very dynastic and empirical.
How to get there: Hawaiian Airlines offers stopovers in Honolulu on trips between the US, Asia, and the South Pacific. Even better, there is no limit to the number of days you can spend basking on the beach! (Want some other Far East destination combinations? Japan Airlines also offers stopovers in Tokyo or Osaka, should you want to fly from mainland US into Southeast Asia.)
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