Travel Escapades: 10-Day Itineraries

There are many options for 10-day holidays, whether you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed adventure. If you're seeking a unique experience, you could try a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, exploring the Galapagos Islands, or even elephant trekking in Chiang Mai. For a more relaxed trip, consider the beaches of Bali or a food and wine-focused holiday in South Africa. If you're short on time, there are plenty of destinations closer to home, such as the French Alps, Northern Spain, or a road trip through the American Southwest. Alternatively, you could opt for a city break in London, Paris, or Edinburgh.

European road trip: London to Rome

Day 1: Arrival in London

Welcome dinner and a chance to meet your tour group and director.

Day 2: London

Take a guided sightseeing tour of London, including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.

Day 3: London to Paris

Take the Eurostar train to Paris. Enjoy a free evening in the city of lights.

Day 4: Paris

A guided tour of Paris, including the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palais Garnier opera house.

Day 5: Paris to Amsterdam

Take a high-speed train to Amsterdam. Enjoy a canal cruise, and see the Dutch National Opera house, the Skinny Bridge, and the Flower Bike Man.

Day 6: Amsterdam

A free day to explore Amsterdam.

Day 7: Amsterdam to Heidelberg via Cologne

Cross into Germany, stopping at Cologne Cathedral. Enjoy a Rhine River cruise from Boppard to Sankt Goar, passing six ancient castles.

Day 8: Heidelberg

Take a guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town, Market Square, and University. Ride the funicular to Heidelberg Castle for panoramic views.

Day 9: Heidelberg to Lucerne

Cross into Switzerland and take a guided tour of Lucerne, including the Lion Monument, the Jesuit Church, Kapellbrücke, and the Water Tower.

Day 10: Lucerne to Lake Como

Head to Lake Como, taking in the beautiful architecture and crystal-clear waters. Visit Villa Carlotta and enjoy a cruise on the lake.

Day 11: Lake Como to Venice via Verona

Stop in Verona to see the Roman arena and Juliet's Balcony. Continue to Venice for dinner.

Day 12: Venice

A guided tour of Venice, including St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and a glassblowing demonstration.

Day 13: Venice to Rome

Travel to Rome by train, crossing the Apennine Mountains. Take a guided walk to see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Day 14: Rome

A free day to explore Rome.

This trip offers a great overview of some of the best cities in Western Europe, with a mix of guided tours and free time to explore.

Adventure in Iceland

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Arrive in Iceland and pick up your rental car. Start your adventure by exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula, famous for its volcanic landscape. Hike or relax in the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa set in a rugged black lava field.

Day 2: Golden Circle Route

Head to the Golden Circle route, a circular trail that takes you to some of Iceland's most beloved attractions. Visit Þingvellir National Park, home to the world's oldest parliament and the meeting point of tectonic plates. Try horseback riding or dive in the Silfra fissure, known for its clear water. Witness the Geysir Geothermal Area, where hot water shoots up to 25 meters high, and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall.

Day 3: The Ring Road

Continue your journey on the Ring Road, the main road circling Iceland. Head south to Seljalandsfoss, one of the country's highest waterfalls, and Skogafoss, just 10 km away. If visiting during summer, explore Þórsmörk, a mountain ridge named after Thor. Alternatively, visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara before an evening in Vík.

Day 4: South Coast and Vatnajökull

Venture further along the captivating South Coast to Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, nestled in the mystical Skaftafell National Park. Get up close to this vast ice sheet by going on a glacier walk. Explore the glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, and follow the icebergs to Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice create a breathtaking contrast with the black sand.

Day 5: East Fjords

Embark on a scenic drive through the East Fjords, where towering mountains meet the tranquil sea. Enjoy the sprawling views and explore unique towns and villages along the coast, such as the colorful and artistic community of Seyðisfjörður.

Day 6: Lake Myvatn and Húsavík

Head north towards the unique landscapes surrounding Lake Mývatn, known for its geological wonders. Warm up in the geothermal baths by the lake, then drive to the coastal town of Húsavík, the whale-watching capital of the world. If time permits, delve into the surreal landscapes of Hverir, filled with bubbling mud pots and steaming vents.

Day 7: Akureyri, the "Capital of the North"

Make your way to Akureyri, often referred to as the "Capital of the North." Discover the town's botanical gardens, museums, and shopping scene. In the afternoon, head to Dalvík for a whale-watching tour if you haven't already. As the day winds down, explore Akureyri's vibrant dining and cultural offerings.

Day 8: Westfjords and Dynjandi Waterfall

Bid farewell to the northern towns and journey westward towards the remote and untouched landscapes of the Westfjords. Visit the stunning Dynjandi waterfall, cascading down a mountainside in multiple tiers. Slow down and embrace the tranquility this region offers.

Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Explore the diverse landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often referred to as "Iceland in miniature." Discover the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, the charming town of Stykkishólmur, and traverse the Snæfellsjökull National Park, home to a glacier-capped volcano.

Day 10: Return to Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon

Depending on your departure time, you may want to drive south and choose accommodation closer to the airport. On your final day, revisit any missed spots, such as the Blue Lagoon, or stock up on souvenirs in Reykjavik before your flight home.

Safari in Kenya

Kenya is a great place for a 10-day safari adventure. Here is an itinerary for a 10-day trip to Kenya, focusing on its diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes.

Day 1: Nairobi

After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, a driver will take you to your hotel in Nairobi, Kenya's bustling central city. You can spend the rest of the day resting or exploring the city, including its famous flea markets and authentic Kenyan restaurants.

Day 2: Amboseli National Park

Today, you will visit Amboseli National Park, one of the most popular parks in Kenya, renowned for its large elephant population and views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The park features five different habitats, including the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, savannah, and woodlands.

Day 3: Hell's Gate National Park

After breakfast, you will depart for Naivasha, located in the Great Rift Valley. Along the way, you will stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. In the afternoon, you will interact with wild Kenyan animals in their natural habitat at Hell's Gate National Park, which offers spectacular walks, including a walk to the park's hot spring.

Day 4: Mount Longonot National Park

Today, you will hike Mount Longonot, a volcanic mountain in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The five-hour hike will take you through a thick forest and offer scenic views of the valley and Lake Naivasha.

Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, you will depart for Nakuru, with a stopover at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. In the afternoon, you will explore Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its animal sanctuary, home to black and white rhino species, flamingos, pelicans, waterbucks, leopards, and the endangered Rothschild giraffe.

Day 6: Lake Bogoria

In the morning, you will depart for Lake Bogoria in northwest Kenya, with a stop at the equator closing line, where you can experiment with water and observe its movement in the two separate hemispheres. Lake Bogoria is known for its thousands of pink flamingos and picturesque lake views.

Day 7: Maasai Mara Park

Today, you will visit Maasai Mara Park, one of Kenya's best wildlife reserves and an extension of the Serengeti Ecosystem. Every year, over a million animals, including wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, migrate from the Serengeti in search of fresh feeding grounds, making this one of the most spectacular game migrations in the world.

Day 8: Maasai Mara Park

You will spend most of the day exploring the Maasai Mara Park, with the opportunity to witness the migrating animals and spot the Big Five: lions, endangered rhinos, elephants, leopards, and buffalos.

Day 9: Maasai Mara Park

Today, you have the option of a hot air balloon safari in Maasai Mara. You will be picked up at dawn and enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunrise, with unique perspectives of the park and excellent photographic opportunities.

Day 10: Nairobi

On your final day, you will have the chance to visit a Maasai village and interact with the indigenous villagers. You will then transfer to Nairobi Airport for your international flight back home.

This 10-day safari in Kenya offers a mix of wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and scenic landscapes, providing a well-rounded and immersive journey through this East African country.

South Africa: Cape Town and Kruger Park

Day 1: Cape Town

Fly into Cape Town International Airport and get settled into your accommodation.

Day 2: Cape Town Peninsula Tour

Explore the Cape Peninsula, including the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain. Visit Boulders Beach in Simon's Town to see the penguins. Enjoy the small fishing village of Hout Bay, and take in the World of Birds and the township of Imizamo Yethu.

Day 3: Robben Island & Table Mountain

Take a half-day tour of Robben Island, a former prison and now a World Heritage Site. Then, spend the second half of the day exploring Table Mountain, one of Cape Town's most prominent tourist attractions.

Day 4: Cape Winelands

Take a full-day tour of the Cape Winelands, including the town of Franschhoek, known for its wine estates and restaurants.

Day 5: Travel to Kruger National Park

Fly to Johannesburg and then to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit. Transfer to your accommodation in the Kruger National Park area.

Day 6-7: Kruger National Park

Spend two full days on safari in the Kruger National Park, one of the world's biggest and most diverse game reserves.

Day 8: Relaxation

Take some time to relax by the pool or on the beach, and enjoy the food and wine that South Africa has to offer.

Day 9: Cape Town

Fly back to Cape Town and spend the day exploring the city, including the V&A Waterfront and the Winelands.

Day 10: Departure

Depart from Cape Town International Airport.

This itinerary provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, allowing you to experience the beauty of South Africa's nature, culture, and cuisine.

The Caribbean: island-hopping

The Caribbean is a great destination for a 10-day trip, offering a unique combination of luxurious pampering, awe-inspiring natural phenomena, cultural experiences, and sunny beaches. The close proximity of the islands makes it ideal for island-hopping, allowing you to explore a variety of destinations and experiences within a short period.

Where to Go

• Days 1-4: Antigua - Start your journey in Antigua, which offers a mix of historical and natural attractions. Visit English Harbour, a former British Royal Navy base and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the capital, St. John's, with its museums, forts, and historical buildings. Enjoy the natural beauty of Devil's Bridge, a natural blowhole, and Half-Moon Beach.
• Days 5-8: St. Lucia - St. Lucia is known for its lush tropical forests and mountainous terrain. Spend a day exploring the capital, Castries, and the Pigeon Island National Park. Discover the eco-farm and waterfalls of Soufriere, and don't miss the Sulphur Springs, an open volcano with sulphur springs.
• Days 9-10: Barbados - Barbados offers a blend of cultural and historical sites. Visit Bridgetown, including the Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Barbados Museum, St. James Parish Church, and the Arlington House Museum. Learn about the island's rum and sugar history by visiting St. John's Parish Church, the Codrington College, and the St. Nicholas Abbey.

Getting Around

Caribbean island-hopping is made easy by the excellent transport infrastructure. Regional airlines like LIAT and InterCaribbean Airways connect the larger islands, while ferries, catamarans, and private boats provide scenic routes between many islands. Chartering a boat is also a viable option, and in some cases, may be more environmentally friendly than flying.

When to Go

The best time to visit the Caribbean is during spring or early summer when the weather is calm. The Atlantic hurricane season starts in early June and runs until the end of November, with the peak season for storms between August and October.

Frequently asked questions