Aruba is a small Dutch Caribbean island and constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, best known for dry, sunny weather, white-sand beaches, turquoise water, and an easy-to-navigate tourism setup. The official Arub...

Afghanistan is a landlocked crossroads between Central Asia, South Asia, and the Iranian plateau, with Silk Road cities, high Hindu Kush landscapes, Islamic architecture, and Buddhist archaeological sites. It is not, however, a...

Angola is a large Atlantic-facing country in southwest Africa, about the size of Alaska, with Luanda as its main gateway and West Africa Time as its single time zone. Its visitor appeal is unusually varied: a 1,650-kilometer co...

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the northern Leeward Islands, about nine miles north of St. Martin and roughly 150 miles east of Puerto Rico. It is a compact, low-key Caribbean destination best suited to travelers w...

The Åland Islands are an autonomous, Swedish-speaking, demilitarized region of Finland in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and mainland Finland. Visit Åland describes the archipelago as 6,700 islands, with maritime history, handic...

Albania is a compact Balkan country where Adriatic and Ionian beaches, Ottoman-era towns, Roman and Greek archaeological sites, mountain valleys, and a fast-changing capital can fit into one trip. The National Tourism Agency of...

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, best known to travelers for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain. It combines hyper-modern city skyli...

Argentina is one of South America's most varied travel countries, stretching from subtropical Misiones and the Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires, wine country, Andean deserts, Lake District forests, Patagonian glaciers, Atlantic wil...

Armenia is a mountainous South Caucasus country known for early Christian heritage, stone monasteries, volcanic landscapes, highland lakes, wine traditions, and Yerevan's cafe culture. The official Armenia Travel site highlight...

American Samoa is a U.S. territory in the South Pacific and the eastern half of the Samoan archipelago, centered on Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'u, Swains Island, and Rose Atoll. It is a good fit for travelers who want Pol...

Antarctica is not a country but a continent governed through the Antarctic Treaty system, and travel there is closer to a regulated expedition than a conventional vacation. The U.S. Department of State lists Antarctica at Level...

Australia is a continent-sized country where visitors choose between coastal cities, reefs, beaches, deserts, rainforests, wine regions, islands, Aboriginal cultural experiences, wildlife, and long road trips. Tourism Australia...

Austria is a compact Central European country where imperial cities, Alpine scenery, classical music, lakes, museums, wine regions, skiing, hiking, and efficient rail travel fit together unusually well. The Austrian National To...

Belgium is a compact, rail-friendly country where medieval cities, Art Nouveau, comic art, beer culture, chocolate, World War I memory sites, EU institutions, cycling routes, coast, castles, and the Ardennes fit into short itin...

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are three special municipalities of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, often grouped as the BES Islands but best planned as separate small-island trips. Bonaire is the most developed for visitors...

Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African country with important cultural, musical, architectural and archaeological heritage, but it is not a safe leisure-travel destination at this time. The U.S. Department of State lists Bur...

Bangladesh is a densely populated, river-shaped country on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, with a travel experience built around waterways, Mughal and British-era cities, Sufi shrines, archaeological sites, tea country and...

Bulgaria is one of Europe's most varied compact trips: Roman ruins, Orthodox monasteries, Ottoman-era towns, Black Sea beaches, mountain hikes, ski resorts, rose valleys and wine regions sit within a country that is easy to com...

Bahrain is a small island kingdom in the Gulf where ancient Dilmun heritage, pearling history, modern Manama, malls, beaches and Formula 1 tourism fit into a short stay. The official tourism site presents Bahrain around UNESCO...

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a compact Balkans destination where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslav and postwar history meet mountain scenery, rivers, coffee culture and old stone towns. The official tourism site highlights Saraj...

Belarus has notable cultural and natural attractions, including Minsk's broad Soviet-era avenues and museums, Mir Castle, Nesvizh Palace, Brest Fortress, Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, village and agritourism stays, milit...

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, closer to the U.S. East Coast than to the Caribbean, known for pink-sand beaches, reef-protected water, pastel architecture, golf, sailing, forts and a polished isl...

Brazil is a continent-scale country rather than a single destination: Rio de Janeiro beaches and mountains, Sao Paulo museums and dining, Salvador's Afro-Brazilian culture, the Amazon, Pantanal wildlife, colonial towns in Minas...

Barbados is a compact eastern Caribbean island with a strong mix of beaches, food, rum history, cricket culture, gardens, caves, surf breaks and heritage towns. The official tourism site highlights beaches, diving, snorkeling,...

Bouvet Island is not a normal visitor destination. It is an uninhabited Norwegian dependency in the South Atlantic, widely described as one of the most remote islands on Earth, with no airport, no harbor, no lodging, no tours a...

The Central African Republic has remarkable rainforest and wildlife assets, especially Dzanga-Sangha in the southwest, but it is not a safe leisure-travel destination at this time. The U.S. Department of State lists the country...

Cyprus is an eastern Mediterranean island with beaches, ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, mountain villages, wine routes, diving, food, and a complicated modern political geography. The official Cyprus Tourism portal, run by t...

Honduras combines Caribbean islands, Maya archaeology, cloud forest, colonial towns, birding, diving, and waterfalls, but travel planning needs careful security screening. The official Honduras travel site highlights Roatan, Ut...

The Maldives is an Indian Ocean island nation of atolls, coral reefs, overwater villas, local-island guesthouses, liveaboards, diving, snorkeling, surfing, and resort-based beach travel. Visit Maldives describes the country as...

Slovenia is a small country where Alpine, Mediterranean, Karst, and Pannonian landscapes sit close together, making it unusually efficient for a varied trip. The Slovenian Tourist Board highlights active holidays, hiking, bikin...

Uganda is one of East Africa's most varied wildlife and adventure destinations, with the Uganda Tourism Board highlighting mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Nile rafting, Rwenzori hiking, safari drives, c...

Uruguay is a compact South American country where visitors can combine Montevideo's waterfront rambla and Ciudad Vieja, Colonia del Sacramento's cobbled historic quarter, Atlantic beach towns such as Punta del Este, La Pedrera,...