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11 BEST Travel Guides for 2024 [Websites & Guidebooks]

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL;DR: The two best travel guides are Rick Steves for first time travelers—especially anyone going to Europe—and Bradt Guides for off-the-beaten-path destinations and “Slow Travel.” Both are reliable, will give you ideas for what to do, and help you plan the best trip.

The way we travel has changed drastically in my lifetime. Information is more readily available in the digital age, a massive plus for traveling. 

Everyone, including myself, wants to make the most of every trip abroad. That’s why I love reading travel guide books or online guides. 

Some of these guide books help you get off the beaten path. Others give information on tours you can take on your own to learn the history of a certain destination you’re visiting. 

But which are the best?

After years of reading and doing research, I have found the best travel guides for you to use when planning your next trip abroad!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

Here’s a quick look at our recommendations

• DK Eyewitness
• Bradt Guides
• Rick Steves
• Lonely Planet
• Blue Guides
• Footprint Guides
• Frommer Guides
• Tripadvisor
• Rough Guides
• Moon Travel Guides
• Insight Guides

Table of Contents

#1 DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness is one of the best travel guide books on the market today. But they offer more than just travel information. 

After publishing books for over 45 years, DK Eyewitness Books cover everything from travel, science, history, pop culture, and children’s topics.

Their travel guides give the information you desperately need for travel– such as maps, itineraries, accommodations, where to eat, and more! 

I also love how easy their visuals are to look at. I sometimes get lost in their maps and start imagining myself there (I’m a big daydreamer if you can’t tell!).

DK Eyewitness Travel guide books might not be the most in-depth on a particular location, but they help with travel inspiration. 

If you want more information, DK Eyewitness has a podcast called ‘Where to Go,’ which is another excellent way to get your travel information on the go!

• 100+ destinations
• Heavy on history
• It has both outdoor and city guides
• Amazing visuals
• Not as in-depth as other guides

#2 Bradt Guides

A Bradt travel guide is perfect if you’re interested in visiting countries that are less traveled to— written by experienced travelers with fantastic insider tips. 

Bradt travel guide books has a reputation as the “World’s leading independent travel publisher.” They are also the best India travel guide company.

Some unique destinations include Iraq, Sri Lanka, Galapagos Islands, and Grenada. But don’t worry. Bradt Guides also has a British series for those interested! 

Lately, I’ve been striving to travel like a local. Bradt has a ‘Slow Travel’ guidebook series, which I love using these days because it helps me travel like a local. 

The trip ideas are great in detail but might not be for your preferred country to visit. 

Bradt Guides prides itself on being the most comprehensive on the market. Their authors give cultural insights and expressions of interest and knowledge.

You can support Bradt’s Guides even further by subscribing to their Patreon! Here you can pay monthly for a specific tier and earn different things like one free e-book a month.

• More off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Slow travel series
• Has a Patreon page
• Unique style of travel not for everyone

#3 Rick Steves

Rick Steves books are the guide books your mom hands you when traveling to your dream destination in Europe. And that’s a good thing! They’re trusted by many for a reason.

These travel guide books are always up-to-date, thanks to Rick Steves’ research partners. 

Rick’s books will have you feeling like you’re on guided tours! He ensures you’ll have some fantastic cultural experiences. 

I love Europe, but there are many other cultures throughout the world that I’m even more interested in. So, since Rick Steves’ guidebooks are primarily Europe-focused, I’m not as drawn to them.

Also, traveling in Europe long-term can get expensive. His books cater to a more wealthy crowd. 

Pick any European country, and you will have high-quality content on that destination. Rick has visited Europe countless times, and other travel websites can’t compete. 

Rick’s bestseller is his Italy guide, which isn’t surprising. In that guide, he goes over the best places to eat and sleep and how to beat the crowds. 

It’s a good idea to grab a Rick Steves’ book simply for the detailed maps.

• Best guides for Europe
• It gives in-depth information for solo tours
• Perfect for a beginner traveler.
• Catered to upper and middle-class travelers

#4 Lonely Planet

I’m sure you’ve heard of Lonely Planet , as they’ve been a dominant force in the travel scene for quite some time now. Their goal is to make travel planning easy, and they’ve succeeded!  

I loved using Lonely Planet books when I first started traveling. These books helped me up my game as a budget traveler. 

Lonely Planet dominates the internet with a wealth of online resources. While the information they offer online is easy to access, it can be vague. 

You can subscribe to Lonely Planet on their website for free. I’ve done this, but I’ve found that there tends to be some destinations/articles that are low in detail. 

Considering Lonely Planet’s sheer amount of content, it’s not too surprising that they sometimes gloss over details. 

Their claim to fame is their numerous experts located worldwide. These experts cover adventure travel, family holidays, food and drink, and much more. 

Plus, a Lonely Planet magazine is an amazing coffee table piece, am I right?

• Backpacker friendly
• An extensive collection of guides for the entire world
• Free information is available
• Some of their content is outdated or not detailed

#5 Blue Guides

If you love the art and history of Italy, then Blue Guides is for you! People often plagiarize Blue Guide books due to the amount of accurate information each book has. 

With over 14 books on Italy alone, you won’t find more detailed information on a particular destination than with Blue Guides– they deliver it all! 

Italy was the first country that I visited outside of the United States, and I’m so glad that I had a Blue Guide book with me. 

Their award-winning maps and exceptional attention to detail made it feel like I was on a private tour! 

Be aware: there aren’t a lot of online articles from Blue Guides or many countries to choose from, which could be an issue if you like to visit more unusual locations.

Blue Guides’ first publication date was in the early 1900s, so it’s undoubtedly a top guidebook for a travel junkie!

• Helps travelers understand art and history
• Multiple guides on Italy
• Extremely thorough in their research
• Not a lot of destinations

#6 Footprint Guides

Footprint Guides is the go-to source for Latin American travel tips for all budgets! My love for this region of the world has only grown since I started using their books.

Even if Latin America isn’t one of your top destinations, they do offer other print books. All Footprint Guides are written by experts who have lived in that destination. 

Unfortunately, for North American travelers looking to plan a dream road trip, you won’t find much helpful information here, as their focus is decidedly on the south. 

Alongside their practical information, Footprint adds a layer of imagination to their guidebooks, giving them an edge that makes them one of the best travel guide series available today!

• Wide range of budgets
• Specializes in Latin America
• Practical information
• Not much content on the United States

#7 Frommer Guides

Does traveling on $5 per day sound appealing to you? Arthur Frommer thought so when he set out to create his Frommer travel guides . 

Alongside some of the best guidebooks, Frommer also offers other forms of information, including podcasts, online articles, and hotel deals!

I love using Frommer guides on road trips because they help me in many different situations. 

I usually like to have a podcast for when I’m driving , a guidebook on specific destinations while I’m in a hotel room, and online sources when on the go. 

Having Frommer guides in all their varied forms is essential since each one typically doesn’t go into heavy detail. 

If purchasing travel guide books doesn’t interest you, then keeping up to date with Frommer’s online travel guides is the way to go.

• Many styles of information are available
• Updates information frequently
• Offer hotel deals
• It covers only the main details

#8 Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is an online source that most travelers have heard about. It’s unique on this list of travel guides because you interact with other travelers!

If you’re looking for help with trip planning, look no further than the Tripadvisor forum . Here you can talk with fellow travelers about your upcoming trip! 

When I have a specific question that needs answering, I always check Tripadvisor first. They have information on most countries, but some info on the forums can be outdated. 

Tripadvisor is great because it’s free! But they’re more than just a review and forum-based platform; you can also book different travel deals and tours through their website.

Sometimes the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming to click through.  If that sounds relatable, you might want to purchase some guidebooks instead. 

Tripadvisor started the wave of online travel planning. They’re worth browsing, even if you just want to write down a few travel tips!

• Multiple reviews from other travelers
• Travel deals available
• Forum can be out of date
• The massive amount of information can be overwhelming

#9 Rough Guides

Rough Guides has grown into a leader in the travel industry with its amazing travel guidebooks and online travel guides. 

What I love about these books is their authenticity. Their recommendations from locals helped to grow them into who they are today.

It all started with their Greece travel guide, and it quickly blew up. Demand increased for more and more Rough Guide content; they released a guidebook series for people who were eager for more. In 2017, Rough Guides expanded even further.

Today Rough Guides are more than just a travel guide company that sells books. They offer tours, custom-made itineraries, and more! I love using their website when planning my next trip. 

These custom-made itineraries and tours are expensive but for a reason. Rough Guides’ experts are located worldwide to give you the best travel experience ever. 

Rough Guides best selling guides offer a ton of background information and local tips, making them worth the high price!

• Detailed itineraries
• Personal recommendations from locals
• An extensive list of countries
• High prices for tours and custom itineraries

#10 Moon Travel Guides

Moon Guides are my favorite guidebooks for traveling around the United States. Planning that perfect road trip is challenging but Moon Guides makes it easier.

Moon’s travel guidebooks are all about traveling sustainably. I’ve used them countless times in the Americas and have found them super helpful.

But Moon Guides don’t focus on the Americas only– they also offer some of the best travel guides for Japan in particular.

I’ve learned to use these books more for research instead of bringing them on my travels– they don’t always hold up with how rugged traveling can get for me.

Moon’s detailed maps are so good in their guidebooks that I fill my phone library with them. They are easy to read and use, which is what I think makes a good map. 

The best travel tips are from locals, and that’s what Moon’s travel guidebooks bring. They don’t have a fancy touring app or anything, but they don’t need it. 

If you want one of the best travel guides for families, then there’s no better choice than making Moon Guides your tour guide when traveling. 

Find your dream destination, get travel inspiration from their maps, and book that plane ticket.

• Emphasis on the Americas and the Pacific
• Easy-to-understand maps
• Many pages of information solely for hotels/accommodations
• Guidebooks aren’t durable

#11 Insight Guides

Insight is one of the best travel guidebooks on the market for a reason. The beautiful photographs in these travel guidebooks will have you daydreaming for days.

Insight guides are perfect for those history buffs out there like me. They combine great information with also some off-the-beaten-track activities. 

Insight has produced over 200 guidebooks and language books. Their books provide information on nearly any country you can think of (besides Mexico).

I love their books because they also have a mini-series.

During the Covid years, I was in the mood to read a lot. I picked a different destination each week and bought a new e-book. 

I could do this because they only cost five to ten dollars! Most of the best travel guidebooks are double this.   

Besides its guidebook series, Insight offers a handmade trip planned by experts to the destination of your choice. What more could you ask for?!

• Multiple countries in each continent
• Has language guides
• Sells hand-picked vacation packages put together by locals
• Offers mini versions of guides to sell for cheap
• No Mexico guide

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Guide

What to Look for in Travel Guides

Is the information up to date.

Picking the best travel guidebooks can be an overwhelming process. But the most important thing to watch out for is making sure the information is up-to-date.

Compared to online sources, guidebook information tends not to get updated as quickly for obvious reasons. 

You don’t want a travel guide taking you to a restaurant that doesn’t exist anymore, do you? No. You want to get off the beaten track but not THAT off that it gets you lost.

Pick Locally-Based Travel Guides

My ideal travel style is meeting locals, living, and eating like a local. I have the best travel experiences when I dive deep into the culture.

The best information about a destination comes from locals. When you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, wouldn’t you want to consult someone who has lived there for many years?

When you rely on locals’ recommendations, you’ll truly have an experience of a lifetime. 

Know What Type of Traveler You Are

This next tip can be difficult for some, and it can change from year to year. I have gone from being a true budget traveler to somewhere in the middle. 

I used to love history (I still do) and would base my travels around that. Now I seek adventure activities. 

Different types of guides will focus on different things, such as budget travel, adventure, expensive tours, food, or history. 

Finding the travel guide that fits your style will be more beneficial in the long run.

Know Which Destination You Want to Visit the Most

The best world travel guidebooks are often better for certain locations than others. For example, Rick Steves has a reputation for being the best travel guide for Europe and, specifically, the best travel guide for Italy. 

So, choose your travel guide based on which one specializes in the area you’re curious about.

Other Helpful Travel Guides

Travel is a huge industry which means there are more guides than you could ever possibly use. 

If you prefer your travel content in video form, one of the best travel guide Youtube channels is Ryan Shirley . 

His videos showcase the top places to visit in different countries with some of the best drone shots you’ll ever see. 

FAQs About Travel Guides

Should You Even Buy a Travel Guide?

A travel guide has its place. It may seem outdated to use one, but you can find some of the best information in them. 

Some guides take years to make and are very specific in the details they write for certain locations. The maps tend to be better and easier to read in these types of guides as well.  

Which is better: Lonely Planet or Rough Guide?

It depends on the style of travel you prefer. I prefer budget travel and tend to take fewer tours, so I like Lonely Planet. Rough Guide also has amazing tours if you’re interested in those.

What is the difference between Fodor’s and Frommer’s travel guides?

Frommer travel guides are excellent for those who want an easy read. Fodor is typically the better choice if you want more details about your activities. 

Fodor also has one of the best travel guides for Ireland, so check out Fodor if that’s your destination.

Is it better to travel with a tour guide or alone with a travel guide?

The answer differs from person to person! If you want your trip planned, then a tour guide is perfect. Going alone with a travel guide is nice because you can go at your own pace. 

Do people still buy travel guides?

Absolutely! There’s something different about having a travel guidebook to look at rather than scrolling through a website. 

Rick Steves and Bradt are my favorite travel guides.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

Planning your next big adventure? Check out these related articles below!

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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Here are some other Travel Guidebooks you should review and compare: National Geographic Traveler Guides Monocle Travel Guides Capitool reisgidsen guides Dumont Travel Guides AAA (Triple A) Guides Marco Polo Guides Time Out Guides Baedeker Guides Passport To European Travel Guides

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15 Best Travel Guidebook Series & Why You Will Love Them

• Updated: 07/09/2024

Are you an avid traveler or someone who loves exploring new places? If so, you know the value of good travel planning  information and particularly the value of editorial independent guidebooks . Though—with so many options, how do you choose the best book? 

In this article, I share the top 15 must-have travel guidebook series , from Lonely Planet to Rick Steves and everything in between. These books offer essential resources for travelers seeking reliable details about destinations, local cultures, and tips for a seamless journey.

The guides deliver a one-stop-shop that combines the best of the internet without the pop-up ads and paid-for-placement “recommendations.”

So, join in—as I delve into the pros and cons of each travel guidebook series, considering factors like accuracy, depth of coverage, user-friendly layout, and unique features. I will cover what sets these guidebooks apart, helping you to make the best decision on which one to choose before your next trip.

Table Of Contents

Why travel guidebooks are still relevant in the digital age.

From our early days of travel, I remember one of the heaviest parts of backpacking around the world used to be shouldering the weight of hefty printed guidebooks as we made our way from one country to another. We would often carry four or five thick books at a time. This heavy stack included guides for our current country, our recently visited country, and, if we happened to be organized—for the country we were going to next.

We did this because, at the time, we had no other choice. Before the prevalence of e-books and travel blogs, YouTube channels, and social media, old-school travel guidebooks provided the only source of travel information available.

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However, today, when information is just a few clicks away, you might wonder if travel guidebooks still hold any value. The truth is, despite the abundance of online resources, guidebooks continue to be an essential tool for travelers worldwide.

Here are three reasons why: 

• Travel guidebooks offer a curated, reliable, and comprehensive source of information . While the internet can provide a wealth of data, it can also be overwhelming and often unreliable. Guidebooks, on the other hand, are meticulously researched, are editorially independent (aka do not receive payment from businesses for placements), written by experts who often share a distinct opinion on a place and its attractions, and are constantly updated to ensure accuracy.
• Guidebooks provide a complete overview of a destination. They go beyond just listing tourist attractions, offering insights into possible itineraries, local customs, traditions, and lesser-known gems that are easy to miss. Whether your interests lie in history, art, food, or adventure, guidebooks typically cover it all comprehensively.

For example, after reading Frommer’s EasyGuide to Washington, DC  before a family spring break visit, I learned I needed to act fast to request tickets for Capitol and White House tours. Because the guidebook let me know to reserve so early, we successfully booked a tour and visited the Capitol building. Standing in the historic and beautiful US Capitol Rotunda and viewing the House and Senate Chambers was an unforgettable experience I would not have wanted to miss. 

With these benefits in mind, we will explore things you should consider when choosing the best guidebook in the section below.

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Guidebook

To help you choose the ideal travel guidebook for your next trip, here are five key factors to consider:

1. Destination: Consider the specific destination you plan to visit. Some guidebook series specialize in regions or countries, offering more in-depth coverage and insider tips. For example, Rick Steves’  travel guidebooks focus on Europe only.

2. Travel Style: Think about your travel style and preferences. If you are a backpacker looking for budget-friendly recommendations—you will likely want to read Lonely Planet . Or are you more interested in luxury and upscale experiences? Then, a DK Eyewitness Guide or a Fodor’s might be more to your taste. Different guidebook series cater to specific travel styles, so choose one that best aligns with the way you travel.

3. Content: Evaluate the type of content you are looking for. Do you prefer detailed historical information, practical tips, or recommendations for off-the-beaten-path experiences? Some guidebooks, like Culture Smart! , focus on cultural insights, while others provide a broader overview.

4. Layout and Format: Consider the layout and format of the guidebook. Is it easy to navigate? Are there maps, photos, or illustrations? Does it offer an easy-to-follow rating system for top recommendations like the Frommer’s guides include? A well-organized guidebook with clear visuals can significantly enhance your travel experience.

5. Publish Date: Reference the date the travel guidebook was most recently published. If it is several years old, see if a newer version with updated content is available for your destination from a different guidebook series. 

Now that we have covered the factors to consider, check out the top 15 picks for the travel guidebook series in the sections below.

Lonely Planet: The Iconic Travel Guidebook Series

Best for: Budget and mid-range independent travelers.

Coverage: 50+ countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, Americas, Australasia & the Middle East.

Lonely Planet  is—undoubtedly—one of the most well-known and respected travel guidebook series. For over five decades, Lonely Planet  has been helping travelers discover the world with its comprehensive guides.

Here are three things that set Lonely Planet apart:

• Accuracy: Lonely Planet guidebooks are known for their accuracy. Writers and editors meticulously research the information, ensuring that you have the most up-to-date and reliable details at your fingertips.
• Depth of Coverage: Lonely Planet offers extensive coverage of destinations worldwide. From popular tourist spots to hidden gems, you will find detailed information on attractions, accommodations, transportation, and more.
• User-Friendly Layout: Lonely Planet guidebooks have a user-friendly layout that makes it easy to navigate and find the information you need quickly. Clear maps, color-coded sections, and helpful icons enhance the reading experience.

However, it is worth noting that Lonely Planet guidebooks can sometimes be overwhelming due to the vast information provided. Additionally, since it focuses primarily on budget and mid-range travel, you may want to consult other sources for more luxury recommendations.

Though given that their library is so extensive and refreshed so frequently, they may offer the only up-to-date travel guidebook for your destination. We recently used their Lonely Planet Malta & Gozo guide for a spring family trip to Gozo  and Valletta and found it an excellent resource. 

The only other downside when it comes to Lonely Planet for travelers who prefer e-books is that it can be slow to e-publish new editions, offering only print guides for sale.

Rick Steves: A Comprehensive Guide for the European Traveler

Best for: Independent European travelers.

Coverage: 30+ European countries.

For travelers planning a trip to Europe, Rick Steves’ guidebooks are a must-have. With a focus on European destinations, Rick Steves has been helping travelers explore the continent for over four decades. 

Three reasons why travelers regard Rick Steves’ guidebooks so highly:

• In-depth European Coverage: Rick Steves’ guidebooks offer unparalleled coverage of European destinations. Whether visiting popular cities like Paris and Rome or exploring lesser-known towns, like Dingle Town in Ireland, you will find detailed information and valuable insider tips provided by experts. For example, in his Ireland guidebook, the excellent detail for the Dingle Peninsula self-guided route is supplied by a local archeological tour guide and retired police chief, Tim Collins.
• Cultural Insights: Rick Steves is known for emphasizing cultural immersion. His guidebooks provide insights into local customs, traditions, and history, helping to give you a deeper understanding of the places you visit.
• Practical Advice: Rick Steves packs his guidebooks with practical advice for European travel. From transportation options to money-saving tips, you will find everything you need to make the most of your trip.

One downside of Rick Steves’ guidebooks that might be an upside is that Rick always has an opinion, and he shares it. You may love his strong point of view. Or you might not agree with what he thinks. 

For example, I love Rick Steves and always reference his guides for any new European destination. However, in his Switzerland guidebook , Rick shares his low opinion of a Berner Oberland mountain hub town called Grindelwald for being too busy and overly commercial. Upon visiting Grindelwald, I could see his point. However, a short five to 10-minute walk from the train station showed me a very different view of a beautiful and much quieter destination that I would, without hesitation, highly recommend for any traveler to visit. 

Read Rick for his deep knowledge of Europe, though take some of his strongest opinions with a grain of salt. Then, visit and form your own views. 

Fodor's: The Go-to Guide for Luxury and Upscale Travel

Best for: The upscale traveler.

Coverage: 150+ guides for countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australasia & the Middle East.

For travelers seeking a more luxurious and upscale trip experience, Fodor’s guidebooks are an excellent choice. With a focus on high-end destinations and experiences, Fodor’s offers a curated selection of recommendations for the discerning traveler. 

Here are three things that make Fodor’s stand out:

• Luxury Recommendations: Fodor’s guidebooks offer comprehensive coverage of luxury accommodations, fine dining options, and upscale experiences. If you want to indulge in the finer things during your travels, Fodor’s has you covered.
• Insider Tips: Fodor’s guidebooks offe r insider tips and recommendations from local experts. Whether a hidden gem or an exclusive experience, you will find unique suggestions that cater to luxury travelers.
• Beautiful Photography: Fodor’s guidebooks are known for stunning photography. The visuals not only inspire wanderlust but also provide a glimpse into the luxurious experiences that await you.

However, due to its upscale focus, you may find Fodor’s guidebooks to be not as budget-friendly as other series. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to supplement this book with additional resources.

Frommer's: A Trusted Guide for Budget-Conscious Travelers

Best for: The all-around traveler looking for value for money. Also, for family travelers.

Coverage: 350+ guides split across 10+ different series from Frommer’s Complete Guides to EasyGuides that cover Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australasia & the Middle East.

If you are a budget-conscious traveler looking for value-for-money recommendations, which includes most family travelers, Frommer’s guidebooks offer an excellent choice. With a focus on affordable travel, Frommer’s offers practical advice, insider tips, and a reliable rating system, bestowing one to three stars on places and experiences it recommends as worth your time and money.  

Over the years, and as a value-conscious traveler always looking to get the most out of my travel budget, I have come to rely on Frommer’s guidebooks as my first resource for how I want to shape a trip. I use these guides to set high-level itineraries and develop a broad-strokes list of things I want to see and do most. For example, its Hawaii guide provided just the right amount of information for me to figure out which islands were best for our family to visit on a two-week trip. 

These three factors set Frommer’s apart:

• Budget-Friendly Recommendations: Frommer’s guidebooks provide a wide range of budget-friendly recommendations, including affordable accommodations, dining options, and attractions. They also offer money-saving tips to help you stretch your travel budget.
• Practical Information: Frommer’s guidebooks are known for their practical and detailed information. From transportation to multiple sample itinerary options, you will find everything you need to plan your trip efficiently.
• Local Insights: Frommer’s guidebooks include insights and recommendations from local experts, allowing you to experience a destination like a local. This adds a unique perspective to your travel experience.

One limitation of Frommer’s guidebooks is their coverage, which may not be as extensive as other series. Especially if you are visiting lesser-known destinations, you will want to consult additional resources.

Rough Guides: The Adventurous Travel Companion

Best for: The adventure traveler.

Coverage: 100+ countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australasia & the Middle East.

For adventurous travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences, Rough Guides is the perfect companion for your journeys. With a focus on adventure travel, R ough Guides offers a wealth of information for those looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots.

Here are three things that make Rough Guides unique:

• Off-the-beaten-path Recommendations: Rough Guides detail recommendations for lesser-known destinations and experiences. Whether trekking through remote mountains or exploring hidden cultural gems, Rough Guides will inspire your adventurous spirit.
• Adventure Travel Tips: Rough Guides offer practical advice for adventure travel, including information on outdoor activities, gear recommendations, and safety tips. If you are planning a hiking, diving, or wildlife-focused trip, Rough Guides supply a valuable resource.
• Cultural Immersion: Rough Guides emphasize cultural immersion, providing insights into local customs, traditions, and indigenous communities, helping you achieve a more authentic travel experience.

One potential drawback of Rough Guides is their limited coverage of popular tourist destinations. If you plan to visit major cities or well-known attractions, you may need to consult additional guidebooks.

DK Eyewitness Travel: Visual Guides for Immersive Travel Experiences

Best for: Travelers who love to learn while they travel.

Coverage: 200+ guides to destinations throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australasia & the Middle East.

If you are a visual learner or prefer a more immersive travel experience, DK Eyewitness Travel guidebooks or their Pocket Top 10 guides are a perfect choice. Or the ideal complement to read along with a more detail-intense series. With its stunning visuals and in-depth coverage, DK Eyewitness Travel offers a unique way to explore the world. 

Here are three things that make DK Eyewitness Travel stand out:

• Visuals: DK Eyewitness Travel guidebooks are known for their beautiful photography, detailed illustrations, and 3D maps. These graphics bring destinations to life and help you visualize your travel experience.
• Immersive Content: DK Eyewitness Travel guidebooks provide immersive content beyond just listing attractions. They offer insights into local culture, history, and traditions, helping give you a deeper understanding of the places you visit.
• User-Friendly Layout: DK Eyewitness Travel guidebooks have a user-friendly layout with color-coded sections, detailed maps, and easy-to-read text. Readers find these convenient to navigate, helping them to find the information needed.

However, it is worth noting that DK Eyewitness Travel guidebooks may not offer as much depth of coverage or budget-friendly recommendations as other series. If you seek more specific or detailed information, you will want to pick this up elsewhere.

National Geographic Traveler: Discover the World Through Stunning Photography

Best for : Travelers who want their guidebooks to double as keepsakes and prefer a culturally immersive experience. 

Coverage: 40+ guides to destinations throughout the world, with the heaviest coverage in Europe and a few titles for top destinations in the US, Central America, Asia & Africa.

National Geographic Traveler guidebooks offer a unique perspective on travel, combining stunning photography with informative content. 

Three factors that make National Geographic Traveler guidebooks a must-have:

• Photography : National Geographic Traveler guidebooks are known for breathtaking photography. The visuals capture the essence of a destination and will inspire your wanderlust.
• Insider Tips: National Geographic Traveler guidebooks provide insider tips and recommendations from National Geographic experts. These insights offer a deeper understanding of a destination, allowing for more unique travel experiences.
• Cultural Exploration: National Geographic Traveler guidebooks emphasize cultural exploration, focusing on local customs, traditions, and indigenous communities. These elements add a deeper layer of authenticity to your travel experience.

One potential limitation of National Geographic Traveler guidebooks, like the DK Eyewitness Guides , is their limited coverage of the logistics of travel as compared to other series. If you are planning a trip to lesser-known or off-the-beaten-path locations, you may need to consult additional resources. 

8 Other Notable Travel Guidebook Series

1. Bradt Travel Guides : Known for their offbeat and unconventional destinations, and Slow Travel titles to British regions, Bradt Travel Guides are perfect for travelers seeking unique experiences.

2. Moon Travel Guides: Moon Travel Guides offer comprehensive coverage of worldwide destinations. Though—it publishes many titles for less mainstream places. For example, Moon offers the best, and in some cases, the only guidebooks for less common places like Vermont  and Door County, Wisconsin .

3. Berlitz Pocket Guides : Berlitz Pocket Guides provide concise and practical information for travelers who prefer a more compact and portable guidebook.

4. Michelin Green Guides : Michelin Green Guides are known for their meticulous attention to detail and focus on cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks. Although, check the date of publication. Many of its Green Guides are due for an update.

5. Blue Guides : These in-depth guides are indispensable for culture and history lovers. Expect a deep and thorough dive into art, architecture, and history for major and minor destinations and sites throughout Europe. Also, look for their Art/Shop/Eat guides  for major international cities.

6. Culture Smart! : Culture Smart! guides offer excellent pre-trip reading. Learn about the people, the culture, and the dos and don’ts travelers should adhere to while visiting. These illuminating guides—we read Culture Smart! Switzerland  before a trip to the Bernese Oberland —written by long-term expats, journalists, professors, and diplomats, help provide visitors with a deeper understanding of a place and direction on how to be a good guest. 

7: Not for Tourists : Although these guides, mainly offered for major US cities and a few large international ones, are designed for residents, they provide an excellent alternative read for visitors seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

8: Independent Local guidebooks: When planning a visit to any new destination, search online for the term “best guidebooks for [your destination]” and see what you find. Many travel locales offer hyperlocal guidebooks written by experts in the know and are sometimes not easily found without an engaged search.

A good example of this is the Himalayan Travel Guides  series, offering 20+ titles dedicated to in-depth information about trekking in the Himalayas. Or the Hawaii Revealed  series, which provides the most extensive and detailed travel resource for the four most visited Hawaiian Islands. I read both the Oahu Revealed  and Kauai Revealed  guidebooks before a two-week Hawaii stay, and each was excellent. 

Or even for a recent trip to Acadia National Park   in Maine, I found and read two non-mainstream travel guidebooks, Acadia: The Complete Guide  and Ten Days in Acadia—A Kids Hiking Guide to Mount Desert Island , both off-the-radar reads written by locals. The history section in the Complete Guide was so good that I read it twice. And our heavily used dog-eared copy of the Hiking Guide is a testament to how valuable I found it to be during our trip. See a few pics from our Maine visit below.

About Finding the Perfect Travel Guidebook for Your Next Adventure

Choosing the best travel guidebook can easily enhance your travel experience, providing you with the most useful information, insights into local culture, and practical tips. From Lonely Planet  to Rick Steves , Fodor’s to DK Eyewitness Travel , each guidebook series has its own unique strengths and specialties.

Consider factors like accuracy, depth of coverage, user-friendly layout, and unique features to help pick the right book. Determine the destination, travel style, and content you are looking for to choose a guidebook series that fits your needs best. 

If you are still unsure which travel guidebook is the right one, try one out. Borrow a book from your local library, visit a nearby bookshop to skim their travel section , or take a leap and buy and download an e-book to determine if you want to keep or return it.

Guidebooks continue to offer a valuable travel planning resource in the digital age, delivering curated and reliable information not often replicated by online sources. So, before your next adventure, find your perfect travel companion from the travel guidebook series that fits you best. Happy travels!

Related Reading

If you are searching for more travel planning assistance to help you save time and money and to stay organized, check out the related articles below.

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• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack

Additional Trip Planning Resources

To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below. 

Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here . 

Google Hotels . Use its “ Where to stay ” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.

Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.

Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences . Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.

Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps . Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list. 

AllTrails . Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.

Guide Along . 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour .

Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here . My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com . 

Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks , and my free customizable travel itinerary template , downloadable in four file formats.

About the author : Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog, Gather and Go Travel . After attending the University of Michigan undergraduate business school and following a career in retail strategy and event management, she returned to focus on her first love—travel. Read her bio , learn how she became a blogger , and discover how to work with her . Sign up for her monthly Discovery Newsletter to get her latest travel recommendations and how-to’s .

Love to travel? Sign up for m y monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.

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The best tour operators in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

It’s been a challenging few years for tour operators but the names below are in it for the long haul (as well as the short and medium), honing itineraries and managing expectations. So who prepared your travel documents this year? Red Savannah and Black Tomato scored highest for first-hand knowledge, and Exodus Adventure Travels and Abercrombie & Kent for on-the-ground support. But when it came to all-round endeavour, Scott Dunn and The Turquoise Holiday Company were leaders of the pack. Both report a surge of interest in Asia, as well as multi-generational travel, solo adventures to Namibia, Bhutan and Mexico, and authentic experiences such as outback stations in Australia and bear lodges in Canada.

These are the best tour operators in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards . The scores below are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction.

The best general tour operators in the world 2023

15. Cox & Kings. Score 88.00

14. Hayes & Jarvis. Score 89.44

13. Carrier. Score 90.73

12. Simpson Travel. Score 91.48

11. Kuoni. Score 92.82

10. Mr & Mrs Smith. Score 93.29

9. Kensington Tours. Score 94.14

8. Audley Travel. Score 94.77

7. Original Travel. Score 95.44

6. Cazenove + Loyd. Score 95.92

5. The Ultimate Travel Company. Score 96.75

4. Abercrombie & Kent. Score 97.12

3. Elegant Resorts. Score 97.39

2. Red Savannah. Score 97.96

• The Turquoise Holiday Company. Score 98.42

The best travel specialists in the world 2023

15. Wild Frontiers. Score 94.81

14. Martin Randall Travel. Score 95.17

13. Intrepid Travel. Score 95.40

12. Wilderness. Score 96.54.

11. Inntravel. Score 96.88

10. Oxford Ski Company. Score 97.15

9. Kirker Holidays. Score 97.47

8. andBeyond. Score 97.61

7. Ampersand Travel. Score 97.65.

6. InsideJapan Tours. Score 97.79

5. Steppes Travel. Score 97.88

4. Black Tomato. Score 98.03

3. Exodus Adventure Travels. Score 98.15

2. Healing Holidays. Score 98.35

• Scott Dunn. Score 98.70

Forbes Travel Guide Stories

Forbes Travel Guide’s 2021 Star Award Winners By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

February 16, 2021

Travel came to a standstill when the pandemic struck last year. Airplanes, trains and cruise ships emptied. Crowds deserted tourist attractions like Venice’s canals, the Louvre and the Empire State Building. Most of the world hunkered down at home, waiting for conditions to improve.

The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout offers some hope for 2021, allowing stir-crazy, grounded travelers to start planning their next getaway. To help inspire those next adventures, Forbes Travel Guide presents its  2021 Star Awards  for the world’s best luxury hotels, restaurants and spas.

The 63rd annual list features 283 Five-Star, 576 Four-Star and 438 Recommended hotels; 73 Five-Star, 136 Four-Star and 77 Recommended restaurants; and 90 Five-Star and 200 Four-Star spas worldwide. (The winners were surveyed both before the pandemic and once regional restrictions allowed FTG’s incognito evaluators to visit.)

To rate properties, Forbes Travel Guide inspectors stay at each hotel for three days and two nights, posing as regular guests and paying their own way. They test up to 900 objective, stringent standards, from modern-day luxuries—such as whether a room is set up to enhance sleep, and the food-and-beverage choices are health-conscious—to more traditional luxuries, like the quality of the interior décor and design of the staff’s uniforms.

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, service remains paramount. It’s more important than ever before that properties demonstrate the utmost regard for their guests’ wellbeing: 75 percent of a hotel’s rating is based on its service and genuine care and concern shown by the staff, while 25 percent is determined by the quality of its facilities.

When you’re ready to travel again—whether it’s to embark on a far-flung escape or a low-key staycation—check into one of the best hotels in the world. See the full list of Star-Rated properties  here , and find out more about the newest additions to the collection below.

Tokyo Rises To The Top

Before COVID-19 spread, Tokyo was readying itself to host the 2020 Olympics, constructing stadiums, boosting its infrastructure and improving its hotels. While the Games were ultimately postponed, the metropolis’ luxury hotels still went for the gold—Tokyo gained more new Five-Star hotels than any other city in our list.

The four 2021 newcomers are  The Capitol Hotel Tokyu , a property with authentic Japanese décor that celebrated its 10th anniversary last year;  The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, A Luxury Collection Hotel, a contemporary retreat where every room looks out over the city;  The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo , which floats on top of a 53-story skyscraper in buzzing Roppongi; and  Takanawa Hanakohro , an intimate 16-room  ryokan  (a traditional Japanese inn) surrounded by a five-acre Japanese garden with 230 cherry trees and 16 types of flowers.

North America Celebrates Inaugural Wins

Five North American cities welcomed their first Five-Star hotels, including the Emerald City.  Four Seasons Hotel Seattle  picked up the first top honor in Washington State; situated across from the Seattle Art Museum, the downtown favorite overlooks the Olympic Mountains, the Seattle Great Wheel and Puget Sound (drink in the views from the terrace alongside the heated infinity pool and fireplace). The Four-Star  spa ’s treatments incorporate Pacific Northwest ingredients like juniper, cedar and ground coffee beans—though guests can order a steaming cup of joe through the hotel’s coffee concierge, too.

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston  brings a dose of Five-Star opulence to Texas. It houses the only Five-Star spa in the state, along with a multimillion-dollar art collection with works from Frank Stella, Robert Motherwell and more—not to mention a private helicopter pad. The garden-inspired Bloom & Bee restaurant makes a lovely Instagram shot with its ceiling of blown-glass flowers and bright-pink seating.

In South Carolina’s Hilton Head,  Montage Palmetto Bluff  was made for languid Lowcountry days when all you want to do is sit in the shade of your cottage’s screened-in porch. But there’s much to lure visitors outside. A riverside location affords bountiful water activities—plus there’s a nature preserve and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Over in the City of Brotherly Love,  Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center  and its crystal-filled spa debuted in 2019 within a 60-story tower. Both deliver sky-high views, whether you clink glasses in the top-level bar helmed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten or swim in the 57th-floor indoor pool. What’s more, every guest room affords floor-to-ceiling vistas of the city.

Also earning double Five-Star inaugural honors were  Four Seasons Hotel Montreal  and its soothing  spa . The modern hotel bears a sleek black-glass façade and debuted in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile in 2019. It features celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s first Canadian outpost, Marcus Restaurant + Terrace.

Bali Sees Stars

Two new entries join Bali’s Five-Star ranks.  The St. Regis Bali Resort  includes spectacular suites and villas that stand out as enchanting oases with private pools, gazebos and Balinese decorative touches. Other superb amenities include a nearly 40,000-square-foot saltwater swimming lagoon, a butterfly-themed  spa  set on a koi pond and butler service for all guests.

The Mulia – Nusa Dua, Bali  boasts the island’s longest and most stunning oceanfront infinity pool, lined with 20-foot-tall statues of women holding sheaves of rice—a symbol of prosperity. The all-suite resort also offers a 20-room Four-Star spa with bespoke treatments and some of the island’s top dining spots.

Scotland Hits A Milestone

Scotland landed its first Five-Star hotel with  The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel  in Edinburgh.

Within the stately, castle-like 1902 building, visitors are immersed in a thoroughly Scottish experience, with kilted doormen, a Gaelic poet-in-residence, a bar that stocks more than 500 single-malt whiskies and the must-visit restaurant Number One, which serves modern Scottish cuisine.

Los Cabos Cements Its Luxury Status

Mexico’s popular luxury sun-and-sand destination adds sister properties  Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection  and  Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection  to its Five-Star lineup. These siblings, though, have their differences. Chileno Bay boasts a more modern and sultry feel, and is home to one of Cabo’s few swimmable beaches. Its Baja-influenced  spa  also attained a new Five-Star rating.

Meanwhile the elder Esperanza is the only private beach resort in Los Cabos. Its cliffside setting provides a dramatic backdrop, especially when dining at Cocina del Mar, a tiered seafood restaurant that sits on a rocky promontory. Not to be outdone by its little sister, Esperanza has a palapa-topped  spa  that’s a repeat Five-Star winner.

Other Notable Winners

As Turkish landmark  Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul  celebrates its 30th anniversary under the Kempinski flag, it also marks its entry into the Five-Star echelon. But its history runs even deeper—the former sultan’s palace dates back to the 17th century. Today, you can live like a king in the grand 310-room estate. And don’t miss the sprawling infinity pool, which gives the illusion of swimming in the Bosphorus. A waterfront hotel in the UAE capital has also scored the top award.  The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi ’s Mediterranean architecture blends in with the pristine six-mile stretch of sand. And beyond the beach, there’s the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, a kids’ club and six restaurants.

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing  and its stylish  spa  both scooped up the coveted accolade. The 73-room boutique hotel contains some of Beijing’s largest accommodations—though you will not want to miss the vast rooftop garden terrace, which offers incredible views of the Forbidden City.

Stateside,  The St. Regis San Francisco —a newly renovated destination for art aficionados—climbed to Five Stars. Not only is the property home to the Museum of the African Diaspora and located next to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but it also carries its own collection of works from local artists. Each room’s desk showcases a California landscape from famed photographer Ansel Adams under smoked glass.

And Utah’s  Montage Deer Valley  is a Five-Star haven for outdoor enthusiasts. During snow season, the mountain retreat draws them in with ski-in/ski-out access and the cozy, rustic Après Lounge serving Veuve Clicquot and caviar. When warmer weather arrives, activities shift to mountain biking, fly fishing and hiking.

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How to Pick the Best Travel Guide Books

Ann-Marie Cahill

Ann-Marie Cahill will read anything and everything. From novels to trading cards to the inside of CD covers (they’re still a thing, right?). A good day is when her kids bring notes home from school. A bad day is when she has to pry a book from her kids’ hands. And then realizes where they get it from. The only thing Ann-Marie loves more than reading is travelling. She has expensive hobbies.

View All posts by Ann-Marie Cahill

Travel. I love it. I live it. I breathe it . In my view, it all starts with the rush of exhilaration when I choose the magical destination for my next trip…only to come crashing down when I have to choose a damn travel guide to start my research. Because you don’t want to be lugging around every travel guide. You need to narrow it down to the best travel guide books. And I mean, really narrow it down. 

I hate that part.

We’re not talking the travel-inspiring books . We’re talking the more practical side of travel planning. And seriously, there are so many travel guides on the market, it is a nightmare of global proportions to choose only one. Add to that how q uickly the information can date, and you are left wondering if this really is such a good idea.

The thing is, each travel guide has its pros and cons. Some are perfect for the USA, some have a better understanding of the winding roads of New Zealand. There are guides perfect for your architectural adventures through Rome while others take you on a culinary tour of Paris. But unless you have nine months to read up on every travel guide, it’s really hard to know which is the best travel guide books. 

So I did the hard work for you. I narrowed it down to 11 of the best travel guide books and the reasons why (just so you know I didn’t simply accept whichever book was left on the library shelf). And how did I choose the best? Well, I read each of their editions for a city or country I am already VERY familiar with. Now, usually, we would only be reading travel guides of places we want to learn more about, right? What better way to ‘test’ a travel guide than to see if they know it as well as a local!

Before you start buying up on guidebooks, here are a few tips to help you choose your own:

The Best Travel Guide Books

Lonely planet guide.

Great for: Big picture travel across a whole country for most regions but especially Oceania, Asia, and the “Shoestring” range. New Zealand is the best ever.

Not so great : They need to update their South America collection. The most recent edition for Ecuador was lacking in detail and encouragement to try new things, especially for the Galapagos Islands. Really felt like at least two of the white male writers phoned it in from their NY base.

Great for: The best highlights of any city, especially in Europe (e.g.  Paris ). 

Not so great: Personal local touch, or if you plan to stay in one place for longer than a week at a time.

Recently, they have been changed their focus to a more budget-friendly approach, but I don’t think it is coming through with their local writers.

Great for: Mainstream Travel with an upmarket touch, especially Western Europe (see Frommer’s Europe ).

Not so great: “One block over” travel, stepping away from the regular, e.g. the Melbourne guide did little to entice me into exploring the city’s famous laneways of culture, coffee, and bookshops.

DK Eyewitness

Great for : visually inspiring your holidays. Beautiful for places like Rome or London. Great guide for Italy . 

Not so great: Day-to-day travel details. Once I stepped out of the Vatican Museum, it was pretty much useless.

Rick Steves

Great for: First-timers travellers visiting one of the major cities of the world, like London or  Paris

Not so great: Anyone looking for a little more depth, e.g. do not use for Venice—that’s a city you need to be lost in at least once.

Rough Guides

Great for : Historic or off-the-beaten-track adventures, like SE Asia, NZ, South America

Not so great: Big cities or glossy photos for visual cues. It was of no help in Kuala Lumpur.

Bradt Guides

Good for: Cultural highlights of countries and regions, especially Macedonia .

Not so great : Asia. The Borneo guide was lacking in details about the various cultures and land issues for the locals.

Blue Guides

Great for : Book Riot, history and literary buffs, that big cultural holiday you were taking through the Romantic History of Europe. The Blue Guide: Greece (The Mainland) is especially lovely to read!

Not so great: The rave scene in Berlin. Not really the Blue Guide style.

Footprint Travel Guides

Great for : transport. Really useful in busy, stretched out places like Bangkok and Thailand

Not so great : Budget details.

Insight Guides

Great for: Giving you an idea in your mind of where you want to go. The Insight Guides Turkey  is especially memorable

Not so great: Actual travel. Don’t rely on these books to get you around a city like Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

This is… by Miroslava Saska

As always, I’m open to suggestion and we LOVE suggestions here at Book Riot. So, if I have missed your favourite, please tell us all about it in the comments. Or if you are looking for a suggestion for your dream destination, ask us!

Bon Voyage!

[Ed.’s Note: This article originally incorrectly stated that The Insight Guides is produced by the Discovery Channel; they’re produced by APA Publications, which is not affiliated with the Discovery Channel.]

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Europe Tour Companies

List of europe travel companies & tour operators with 259547 reviews.

• Excellent - 5,726 reviews for Europe tours

Amazing itinerary with an exceptional guide for this Discovery trip. Memories to last a life time! 👌🏼

Tour was good. Enjoyed the sheepdog experience immensely. But the trip manager slept with people on the tour which ruined the mood.

Expat Explore Travel

• Excellent - 4,681 reviews for Europe tours

Luke is an excellent, smart, funny, history driven guide! His knowledge and zest for the history of the UK and Ireland extensive and entertaining. I was astonished daily by his unending energy and the concern and care for all those in our group. I would highly recommend him for any tour and look forward to his continued secsesse!

Excellent tour, thoroughly enjoyed this.

Europamundo

• Good - 4,378 reviews for Europe tours

Itinerary was great!! Alba and Jorge did a great job, giving us all the information.

Excellent trip , well organised!

• Excellent - 404 reviews for Europe tours

Best part was the optional balloon trip .Worst part was the time pressure.

Upon arrival we changed the itinerary, instead of doing the first full day in Istanbul, what we did was a small tour in the morning and we started the bus circuit, if we had known in advance we would have flown directly to Ankara, avoiding 24 hours practically without stopping to travel. On the other hand, the circuit itself is made to make you spend money. During the bus tour we stopped in 4 places where we were supposed to see local things and the reality was that they gave us a 5' talk and took us to the store to buy, buy and more buy. In addition, we did not like that during the tour they included dinners and breakfasts because the lunches practically force you to eat where they have arranged. We have been to 2 or 3 roadside restaurants with inflated prices for tourists. It would be much better to include lunches and leave dinner to the traveler's choice, in order to get to know the local gastronomy. Otherwise everything was fine, good hotels and a very friendly guide.

Click Tours

• Good - 710 reviews for Europe tours

Overall I was very happy with the trip. I would strongly recommend choosing minimum 4 start hotel when staying in Athens. Both Santorini and Kalambaka are quite nice and hotels were excellent. Guides were excellent and the pickup and drop off were spot on.

So many issues and confusion. 1st, we were not on a Click Tour, nor a Tourradar tour. We were farmed out to Fantasia/Caranni tours. We had no idea until we landed in Rome and my name was on a paper attached to a what one would call a fence at baggage claim. We had no idea who these people were and why they had our names. We proceeded to the hotel. Tourradar charged us 3 times what a taxi would have cost us to our hotel. Don't book transfers with them, if you book at all. The hotels were not terrible, not great. Very low on amenities and most were far from city center costing lots of taxi rides if you wanted to go into town in any city on the tour. The Hotel St Martin in Rome, where we stayed 3 times in 10 days was right in the middle of a huge Muslim community. Not a racist statement, hear me out. There was little Italian food available without a long walk or a cab ride. But if you're into Halal middle eastern food, you'll love it. I didn't go to Italy too eat anything but italian. The tours were grueling and hot. It was August. So much walking and uphill much of the time. The busses were ok. Air conditioning is not a priority in Italy so it's never cold enough for any American. The schedules were given either the night before or the morning of. Very frustrating. No matter how many times we asked, we were met with, I'll get it to you when you need it. Really? The tours for not follow the exact Itinerary we booked, Grand Journey of Italy. We spent exactly 15 minutes in Naples. That was very disappointing. Some of the trip was amazing. Some of it terrible. The Vatican tour should come with a warning in Summer. 2 of our group passed out and were taken to the hospital. Out Vatican guide was horrible. She said, I'm not waiting for anyone so if you lag behind, I'm leaving you. She did and that's how our 2 members were left. We refused to go on until medical attention arrived. Mona was get name and she should not working there. She's a tyrant and nasty. I had to go to the bathroom and she told me I was hurting her schedule and to hurry up. I'm an adult, I'm not listening to such nonsense. The group was so mad at her for so many reasons. If you go on thr Vatican tour, take lots of water and a fan. It's so hot inside you can breathe. It ruined the tour for us. The best part of the trip was finishing in Sorrento. Views of Mount Vesuvius and a lovely hotel, the Grande Vesuvio. Just beware that there is no where to buy water or sundries without a 15 shuttle ride. Water bottle at the hotel were $8 each. Don't expect Romans to be nice to tourist unless they profit from it. Romans are very rude. The further south you go, the nicer the people get. But honestly, if you think you're going to have a single guide on this tour, You won't. You'll be passed from guide to different tour company many times. I do not recommend either Tourradar nor Click Tours. Find a better company. Oh and the free meals included are sub-par by anyone's standards. And FYI, you do not need any formal wear no matter what the itinerary tells you. We brought dressy clothes and never had occasion if wear them, sadly.

City of Sultans

• Excellent - 220 reviews for Europe tours

If you want to see main attractions in Turkey, it is a good tour. However, it was not well planned. Every day before you get to see the attraction listed, you are taken to pottery shop, jewelry store, wine store, etc. So out of 12 hours on Pamukkale tour, I actually spent only 2 hours there. Also, most tour guides bring you to attraction and then leave you to explore it yourself. I actually expected to have more historical and cultural explanations (tour) but only one guide in Ephesus (Barbaros) took as around the place and explained what we see. And since

Had a great experience touring with TourRadar! The guide was excellent in explaining the landmarks in English and the groups were small which was very helpful. Yagiz, one of the associates, was very responsive which I appreciated! If I were to go on another tour, I would research the hotels thoroughly / may be upgrade the hotels because some of them were very small to stay in. Overall a good experience and I would consider this company again.

Choose Balkans

• Excellent - 338 reviews for Europe tours

This was a great tour! We loved the hikes we did, especially Valbona pass and the hike into the mountains from our place in Valbona. Our guide, Albi, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable, engaging, and did his best to make sure all of us had a good time. He shared information about the culture of the area, history, and was happy to answer all of our questions. The only thing that I wish had been different was the last day, which was a long day of bus, boat and van driving back to Tirana. Albi did his best to make it as painless as possible but it was a lot of sitting! Not sure anything could have been done differently though, given that we were in a remote part of the country. Administratively, I think communication from Choose Balkans coild have been better from the outset about the need to carry our packs the whole way. We didn’t have a problem with it, but we also didn’t know til after we signed up that this was required. I think a few people on our hike would have been happier had they known.

Our guide Albi was perfect! He was very informative, entertaining and attentive to different needs of the group. We had a great time in Theth and Valbona, and we made amazing friends with the group!

• Excellent - 153 reviews for Europe tours

While I enjoyed the opportunity to tour the different islands, It was time consuming and tiresome. The hotels chosen were subpar. The hotel in Santorini was billed as a 'beach hotel'. Not sure why when there was no beach view and the beach was at least 15 minutes away. We also had a major issue with that hotel. The tour company was able to obtain a partial refund but sadly.to say, it was not.enough.

Communication was poor when it came to transportation. Some days we got no communication, some days the transportation service had no idea what was going on. The hotels were small, the staff at some hotels were very friendly and informative and some were not. Two of the hotels upon arrival were not ready for our group. Outside of that it was awesome/beautiful.

Travel Zone

• Excellent - 541 reviews for Europe tours

Everything was incredible. I wish I had stayed longer in Greece. Dilimar knows very good Spanish and also the assistants knew Spanish.

Hotels were centrally located, the tours were nice & I met new people. Kudos to assistant Elias for helping me find my lost hat. I had a blast even though travelling solo. Thanks guys.

Flag Travel Holidays

• Excellent - 457 reviews for Europe tours

Wife and I did this tour as the first part of our honeymoon and absolutely loved it. It’s fast in each town, but very efficient to get you to everything in a small amount of time

Well planned and coordinated. Beautiful area to visit.

Penguin Travel

• Excellent - 518 reviews for Europe tours

Great, varied tBulgaria our with an excellent, knowledgeable tour guide Lubo. Good accommodation and good tour van. Despite intensive tours, plenty of free time

A fantastic trip, very well organised and conducted throughout. Great introduction walking tours in the cities. Guide Andrey was excellent and had everything running smoothly. Driver Bobby was also excellent in getting us around. Hotels were generally good, some were very good. Nice scenic journeys between cities. Good value for money and would recommend.

• Excellent - 1,966 reviews for Europe tours

Nice travel, good organization

Our trip was wonderful & the tour guide was professional Sasha was very organized also knew so much about Italy . Our driver Gianni was amazing he knows how to get the coach down narrow streets. The coach was clean & comfortable .

Overland Ireland - Small Gr…

• Excellent - 512 reviews for Europe tours

Would have liked to have done the Kayaking

We loved our whole tour experience. Our driver/guide was fantastic - kind, patient and well organized. The places we stayed in were very comfortable. Our guide regularly consulted us about itinerary choices and we enjoyed all the places we visited in Ireland. The weather cooperated most days and we were lucky to do biking and lots of hiking!

• Excellent - 434 reviews for Europe tours

Great trip. We especially enjoyed Ephesus and the balloons over Cappadoccia.

Fez Magic Carpet Travel with Mr. Goku Pamir was an amazing experience. He was professional, knowledgeable and understanding. Our group was able to add some places, thanks to him arranging it for us and adding a boat and House of Mother Mary for us. We even saw mulana Rumi's place and learned about Sufi dance , which is the best. He surprised our group with 4D theatre at the library of Celsius and showed us original Carpet, Silk, and Leather makers. Overall, it was a wonderful experience because he stopped at the best food places for breaks frequently and even gave us a small keychain as a reminder gift or souvenir besides the gifts Fez gives us. Fez travels offers wifi and charging ports in their bus which is a life saver. Hotels and places visited were all beautiful and I recommend visiting Turkeye with Mr. Goksu Pamir. Thanks.

Dorak Tours

• Excellent - 59 reviews for Europe tours

What a wonderful experience, our guide Ayhan Köpür was excellent, very knowledgeable and helpful, always looking after us.. I’ve been in tours with other companies but the hotels Dorak chose for us were outstanding in all the cities we stayed in.. excellent communication with the managers as well.. I would definitely use them again.. Thank you Dorak for our excellent Turkish tour

We arrived at the SAW airport ,the pick up was on time and transport comfortable.Amazing experience from our tour guide Andy being very knowledgeable and fantastic! She was energetic and happy for the duration of the tour. I hope we get to have another tour with her again soon because she was a wonderful. I got to see beautiful parts of Turkey and some dreamlike landscapes as well as the “healing waters of Pamukkale” and the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocea, the historical church sites and more many attraction! Definitely worth the money. I give this tour a 10/10 recommendation! We have stunning pictures that will pictures will stay as good memories forever.

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From Mauritius To Montana, Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Star Award Winners

The 66th annual hospitality awards celebrate the world’s best hotels, spas, restaurants and ocean cruises., by jennifer kester , contributor.

F ollowing the pandemic, travelers flocked to big, iconic destinations, like Paris, Rome and the Maldives. While those destinations will always have their allure, vacationers are now seeking out more meaningful trips where they can embark on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like a safari. They also are booking trips to smaller metropolitan areas, cities rich with culture, gastronomy and activities but without the crowds.

Forbes Travel Guide ’s 2024 Star Awards reflect these trending tastes among travelers. For the 66th annual list of the best hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises, FTG explored destinations offering meaningful experiences as well as smaller U.S. cities that are often overlooked. The awards also expanded to new destinations, including Azerbaijan, Curacao, Iceland, Kenya, Sardinia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

FTG compiles its ratings using an objective, independent and data-driven process. Incognito inspectors pose as everyday guests and stay at hotels, board cruises, receive spa services and dine at fine restaurants around the world. They test some 900 exacting standards—such as whether a room is designed to promote sleep quality or whether the food-and-beverage choices support a guest’s well-being—emphasizing exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. Newer standards focus on the guest experience, such as ensuring “cocktails are dynamically interesting and photogenic” and even asking if the inspector would “readily recommend this property to others.” The remaining 30 percent comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. Finally, inspectors are now required to reflect on whether there was great value in the experience.

See the complete list of 2024 Star Awards winners here , and learn more about the newest additions to the collection below.

Raffles Doha

Great Gains in the Middle East

The Middle East emerged as the region with the most new Five-Star awards. Waldorf Astoria Kuwait won the top honor for both its art-deco-influenced hotel and its 13,560-square-foot spa . Talise Spa at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait also received Five Stars for its water-themed haven. Over in Qatar, established local favorite Four Seasons Hotel Doha and newcomer Raffles Doha earned Five-Star ratings.

For the second consecutive year, Macau held onto its grip as the city with the most Five-Star hotels in the world—it clocks in at 22 with the new addition of Paiza Lofts , an all-suite, French-themed hotel inside The Parisian Macao . But Dubai gave a strong showing, logging more new Five-Star hotels than any other location worldwide: Address Beach Resort , home to the world’s tallest infinity pool; Armani Hotel Dubai , a stylish designer stay inside the Burj Khalifa; Atlantis, The Royal , a new architectural feat; The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai , a family-friendly oceanfront oasis; and The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm , a gilded getaway with a rooftop of destination dining, pushed Dubai’s Five-Star hotel tally to 12.

Several Dubai restaurants also made their debut on the 2024 list. Armani/Ristorante Dubai , which serves sophisticated Italian fare overlooking the Dubai Fountain, and Stay by Yannick Alléno , a French institution at One&Only The Palm , earned Four-Star accolades.

One&Only Gorilla's Nest

A Sense of Adventure

As travelers seek out more once-in-a-lifetime adventures, there are more luxurious options than ever. Rwanda debuted on the list with two Five-Star winners: One&Only Gorilla's Nest , a basecamp in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains for gorilla treks, and One&Only Nyungwe House , a retreat on a tea plantation close to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

For those who want to get closer to the animals, stay with the long-necked residents at Nairobi’s Four-Star Giraffe Manor —and don’t miss breakfast with them. Meanwhile, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club will take guests on guided safaris at the nearby Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.

Adventurous travelers can also find a safari at sea aboard the Viking Neptune or the Four-Star Seven Seas Splendor , which offer Arctic expeditions along the shores of countries like Iceland and Norway, with possible polar bear sightings along the way. And for the ultimate around-the-world adventure, opt for the Viking Sky , which covers up to 37 countries in 180 days.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Triple Five-Star Standouts

Several hotels joined the elite ranks of the triple Five-Stars, a group of 15 properties that earned the highest rating for three different outlets under its roof (typically, it’s a hotel, restaurant and spa that earn the Five Stars). The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is the first property in the Caribbean to attain triple Five-Star status. Sprawled across 144 acres along Seven Mile Beach, the resort earned the top rating along with its Blue by Eric Ripert , a seafood-focused restaurant from the celebrated chef, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Grand Cayman , a 20,000-square-foot ultra-modern sanctuary.

Stateside, Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California, garnered triple Five-Star recognition with Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Miramar Beach , which features treatments using extraordinary local plants and flowers, and Caruso's , a Southern Italian fine-dining spot overlooking the ocean. An hour from Washington, D.C., Salamander Middleburg gives travelers a luxurious place to stay in Virginia’s horse and wine country, with Harrimans Grill (which serves seasonal Southern cuisine) and the state’s only Five-Star spa on its 340 pastoral acres.

Christian Horan Photography; Montage Big Sky

The Only Five-Star Hotel Brand

Montage Big Sky , an alpine ski retreat in Southwestern Montana that opened in 2021, picked up its inaugural top rating. The win marked a Five-Star sweep for Montage Hotels & Resorts across its seven properties, giving it the title of the world’s only all-Five-Star hotel brand. The Montage collection spans from Bluffton, South Carolina , to Los Cabos with a strong presence on the West Coast with properties in Sonoma , Laguna Beach and Park City, Utah .

The U.S.-based company is a longtime luxury hospitality purveyor—it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 and boasts the longest-running Five-Star spa. California’s Spa Montage Laguna Beach was the first spa to earn the Five-Star distinction in 2005 and has maintained the rating ever since.

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

The Rise of Smaller Cities

One of the biggest travel trends for 2024 is the surge of smaller metro areas in the United States that are ready for larger crowds. In Nashville, JW Marriott Nashville lures them in with chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Sky Lounge, the city's highest rooftop restaurant and bar. Conrad Nashville caters to those who prioritize well-being with Wellness Rooms that come with a Peloton bike, an Echelon Reflect Fitness Mirror, free weights and a healthy minibar.

Four Seasons New Orleans

Elsewhere in the South, The Charleston Place reigns as Charleston’s grande dame, but the boutique hotel is forward-looking with seasonal offerings like a dream concierge for better sleep and a book butler who works with a local bookstore.

And as New Orleans gets ready for Mardi Gras, there are other reasons to celebrate the Crescent City. Two properties snagged new Four-Star awards: Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans , with restaurants from famed local chefs Donald Link and Alon Shaya and the glittering Chandelier Bar, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans , the largest spa in the city is a bathed-in-gray refuge with locally inspired treatments like the Voodoo Ritual.

R&R MVPs

For those who scour FTG’s Star Awards list for stunning beach getaways, there are plenty of newly minted Five-Star hotels, including the private island hideaway Hurawalhi Island Resort and eco-friendly LUX South Ari Atoll in the Maldives; newly renovated LUX Belle Mare and tropical paradise Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury in Mauritius; art-driven La Casa de la Playa and sleek, modern Nizuc Resort & Spa in Mexico; and exclusive all-suite Mandarin Oriental, Canouan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mandarin Oriental, Canouan

Well-being continues to be a priority for travelers. Those seeking to recharge physically and mentally can check out new Five-Star spas like The St. Regis Spa Chicago , which opened in the world’s third-tallest building last year; The Spa at Seafire in Grand Cayman, where guests can unwind in a mosaic hammam; The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen , a 68th-floor haven that blends Eastern and Western therapies; Evian Spa at Palace Hotel Tokyo , a unique facility from the mineral water brand; and SpaHalekulani Okinawa , also in Japan, that draws from Okinawan and Hawaiian traditions for its bliss-inducing treatments.

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2024

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2024 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Adventure Travels

With trips on every continent, Exodus Adventure Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten-path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Adventure Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 8-16 people and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Adventure Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Aventure Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Adventure Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Adventure Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

A Taste of the Sweet Life in Slovenia

Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,014 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $799 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $749.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 10 million dollars to over 160 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-35 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience foodie trip of a lifetime Intrepid Travel’s South Korea Real Food Adventure , which includes time in three cities and an overnight temple stay.

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination. For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina).

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $6,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to closer destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife & Nature: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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How to Unlock Fast Travel in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Reviews Are In

Zelda: echoes of wisdom performance reportedly worse than link's awakening, zelda: echoes of wisdom releases new update, quick links, when do you unlock fast travel in zelda: echoes of wisdom, how do you fast travel in zelda: echoes of wisdom.

In The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom , Zelda will have to travel across the land of Hyrule (and mysterious, treacherous rifts) to rescue Link . As soon as you open the map of the world with the Minus button, you'll quickly realize just how big it is.

The map size begs the question: is there fast travel in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom ? And how do you unlock it? This guide will answer those questions.

The reviews are in for the Nintendo Switch exclusive game The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

Eventually, as part of the main story, you will end up in Suthorn Village after progressing through Suthorn Beach. Leave the village and head east past the sign to find Echoes of Wisdom 's first fast travel point, called a Waypoint .

These little structures glow yellow and allow Zelda to travel to any other unlocked Waypoints across the map. Of course, as you get through the game, there will be plenty of other ones to activate. To activate these, you just need to approach them and press the A button on the Switch controller .

You'll eventually unlock the second Waypoint in the northeastern section of Suthorn Forest . Once you pass the group of Spear Moblins guarding a treasure chest containing Grapes, you'll find the waypoint to the right.

To actually fast travel between Waypoints, just interact with the statue, hover over the Waypoint you want to teleport to, and press 'Warp.' Tri will go on top of Zelda's head, and the game will take you to the chosen location in just a few seconds. Luckily, teleporting between Waypoints does not waste any resources, so you can do it as often as you wish.

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

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I’ve Been to 4 Continents With These Stretchy Travel Pants That Never Wrinkle — and They're on Sale

I already have them in two colors, and I might get a third.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

When it comes to travel pants , we should all have the highest standards. Of course, they should be stylish enough to appear in vacation photos, but they also need to be comfortable for long days of sitting, walking, and eating. Beyond that, travel pants must be versatile enough to re-wear with various tops throughout your trip. And, I should mention that they shouldn’t be so bulky that they hog precious luggage real estate — and having a wrinkle-resistant fabric is always a plus so you can pull them from your suitcase without needing to bust out the hotel ironing board. 

If that sounds like a tall order, you’re right, it is. But it’s not an impossible feat for a single pair of trousers to check all these boxes and more. In my search for the perfect pair of travel pants, I’ve refused to settle and, therefore, have finally landed on the ultimate unicorn pair: Athleta’s Endless High-rise Pants . I’ve been to four continents with them on trips to Mexico, Chile, Germany, and Israel, and they’ve never let me down. 

Athleta Endless High-rise Pants

Currently on rare sale for 36 percent off (and selling out fast), the Athleta Endless High-Rise Pants' main appeal is that the fabric is made with recycled polyester (from post-consumer plastic bottles) and a hint of spandex for added stretch. The moisture-wicking, quick-drying material pulls sweat away from the body to the surface of the fabric so it can evaporate. This helps keep you cool and dry during city strolls and even workout classes. They’re super breathable, and I’ve worn them in 90-degree Fahrenheit temperatures without issue. 

The trousers feature a semi-fitted, straight-leg, ankle-length silhouette, which is elegant enough for the office or a fancy dinner (I’ve paired them with a polished sweater and heels for both situations). Still, they can be dressed down with sneakers and a T-shirt when you're feeling casual. While similar silhouettes have proven uncomfortable to sit in, the Athleta Endless High-rise Pants' stretch fabric and wide elastic waistband (with a faux fly) keep the bottoms supremely cozy whether I’m standing, sitting, or exercising. Another detail of note: The two side pockets have hidden zippers, which help keep pickpockets at bay. 

When I truly love an article of clothing, I buy multiple. The Endless High-rise Pants currently come in seven colors, but Athleta is constantly adding new hues into the mix. I got abalone, which is a goes-with-anything creamy beige that's on the verge of selling out. Later, I invested in a second pair in black. But don’t think I stopped at just two pairs. These pants are so damn good, I had to have a third. I picked the cargo version , which is nearly the same as the original style but they feature two snap-shut cargo pockets on both thighs. 

Soon, I'll be crossing off a fifth continent from my travel bucket list with a trip to South Africa, and you can bet that the Athleta Endless High-rise Pants are coming with me; I’ll wear them through Cape Town and on safari. Since these can be worn in virtually any situation (save, perhaps, the frigid cold) from hiking to the office to a fancy restaurant, they’d make a worthy investment for anyone’s travel wardrobe. And, I recommend grabbing a pair while they're on sale because discounts like this rarely happen. 

However, if you’re looking to stock up on even more comfy and wrinkle-proof pants for jet-setting, here are 14 other styles from across the web that fit the bill. 

More Comfortable Travel Pants to Shop:

Baleaf women's upf 50 ankle travel pants .

Golfers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate that these moisture-wicking trousers are made with a UPF 50+ nylon-spandex fabric. The ankle-length pants have an elastic waistband, mock fly, and two zippered back pockets. 

Lululemon Swift Mid-Rise Wide-leg Pants

These wrinkle-resistant bottoms are perfect for early-fall travels thanks to their lightweight fabric and breezy wide-leg silhouette. The polyester-elastane fabric is stretchy, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying, so feel free to wear them for a workout.  

Aritzia Effortless Pant Crepe Trousers

Another personal favorite of mine, these wide-leg pants are made from a special Japanese crepe fabric that has a natural textured look and is designed to resist wrinkles. Despite not having much stretch, these dressy pants are surprisingly comfortable thanks to the roomy silhouette and high-rise waistband. 

Yogipace Women's Straight-leg Yoga Dress Pants

These best-selling yoga pants are equipped with belt loops, a faux fly, and functional pockets that disguise them as dress pants. Still, the nylon-spandex fabric has all the give you’d expect from lounge pants. They come in various inseam lengths from 27 inches to 37 inches, allowing people of all heights to get the perfect fit. 

Everlane The Dream Pants

Imagine a pair of pants that feel like sweats but look like a dressy trouser. Everlane’s aptly monikered Dream Pants are exactly that. The soft, cotton-modal-elastane blend fabric is wrinkle-proof and has plenty of stretch, but a pintuck detail down the front keeps the tapered, ankle-length pants looking smart. 

Vuori Villa Trousers

Vuori’s loungewear-dress pant hybrid is crafted from recycled polyester and elastane, which gives the fabric plenty of stretch. Though the moisture-wicking wide-leg pants have a hook-and-eye closure and belt loops, the waistband has an elastic back that makes them very comfortable even for long flights. The wrinkle-resistant bottoms come in petite, regular, and tall lengths. 

Lululemon City Sleek Barrel-leg Pants Light Utilitech

With a roomy barrel-leg design and a lightweight, stretchy recycled polyester-elastane fabric, these pants offer all the comfort you’d want from a travel pant. Still, they’re sharp enough to wear to the office thanks to their front pleats and a jeans-inspired five-pocket design. 

Aday Turn It Up Pants

With a professional look and a loungewear feel, these slim-leg bottoms are some of the most versatile pants for travel. The biodegradable fabric is lightweight and breathable, and it’s perfect for packing thanks to its ability to resist wrinkles. The ankle-length, elastic-waistband pants come in 12 gorgeous hues, making it tough to pick just one. 

Promover Wide-leg Pants

Extra coverage on a travel day is always welcome, which is why travelers are flocking to the best-selling Promover Wide-leg Pants at Amazon. Their wide, high-rise waistband keeps everything in place during every step of your flight, all while ensuring things stay breezy and relaxed with their flowy, wide-leg silhouette. 

Alo Yoga High-waist Pursuit Trousers

Equal parts flattering and comfortable, these high-waisted wide-leg trousers look like workwear but feel like sleepwear. The lightweight, stretchy fabric and elastic waistband make them ideal for wearing on long-haul flights. A bonus for fur parents: Customers report that pet hair slides right off the fabric. 

Rhone Birdie UPF 50+ Stretch Crop Golf Pants

If your travel itinerary involves lots of time outdoors, consider a pair of pants equipped with a UPF 50+ fabric. These wrinkle-resistant, stretch bottoms also come with anti-odor technology. They’ve got an elegant front pleat, a zip fly with hook-and-bar closure, and a zip pocket. 

Vuori Villa Cargo Joggers

We’re longtime fans of Vuori’s lineup of travel-ready joggers . This new lightweight, cargo style is designed for adventuring thanks to its partially recycled silky soft performance stretch woven fabric that’s moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant. A thick elastic waistband and a roomy silhouette up the comfort even further. 

Athleta Brooklyn Heights High-rise Pleated Wide-leg Pants

Athleta’s Brooklyn Heights line is crafted from a tissue-thin recycled polyester fabric that’s breathable and perfect for wearing in climates that are still on the warmer side after summer. Still, the material is abrasion-resistant and rated UPF 50+. The high-rise wide-leg pants come in petite, regular, and tall lengths. 

Crz Yoga Womens 4-way Stretch Ankle Golf Pants

These soft and stretchy wrinkle-free pants come in a whopping 21 colors. The mid-rise pants are made from a fabric that’s thick and warm but not overly so, making them great for transitional seasons. A mid-rise elastic waistband adds even more comfort.  

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