North America Retreats Map

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Pristine lakes, untouched wilderness paradise

8.4

More than a million acres of lakes and forest spread across northern Minnesota. Travellers explore by canoe and portage between quiet lakes where motors are mostly banned. Loons, moose and wolves live in the forest. Outfitters in Ely supply gear and campsites sit on rocky shores.

Highlights:

💧 Discover waterfalls like Devil’s Cascade and Johnson Falls
🥾 Hike to Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point
🛶 Go on an overnight canoe camping trip through lakes

Denali National Park

Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife

8.8

North America's tallest peak rises 20,310 feet above this Alaskan wilderness. A single park road is served by shuttle buses. Visitors can see grizzlies, moose and caribou and stay in backcountry lodges like Kantishna. Hikers and campers enjoy vast tundra and few crowds in the summer months.

Highlights:

🛩️ Take a flightseeing tour above Denali’s snowy peak
🥾 Hike the Savage River Trail for rugged alpine views
🐻 Spot grizzly bears and moose in their wild habitat

Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica’s Wildest Rainforest Frontier

8.2

Remote rainforest covers the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica and is among the most biodiverse places on Earth. Tapirs, scarlet macaws and even jaguars live here. Visitors can hike with guides and stay at ranger stations or eco lodges. Quiet beaches and river mouths add calm days.

Highlights:

🐢 Watch endangered sea turtles nesting on remote beaches
🌌 Camp under the stars at La Sirena Ranger Station
🥾 Hike Corcovado’s diverse trails through rainforest and coastline

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve

Ancient Maya Ruins in Pristine Jungle

7.7

A Maya city lies deep in the jungle of Campeche, Mexico. Its pyramids rise above the forest canopy and offer wide views. Visitors can see howler monkeys, toucans and possibly jaguars. The huge biosphere reserve is remote and quiet far from any main road or city.

Highlights:

🐦 Join birdwatching tours for over 300 species
🌳 Explore dense jungle trails with diverse wildlife sightings
🗿 Climb ancient Mayan pyramids in Calakmul ruins

Katmai National Park

Bears, salmon and volcanic wonders

7.2

Brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls in this remote Alaska park. Visitors fly in by floatplane and stay at Brooks Camp. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes shows ash flows from a huge eruption. July and September are the top months to see bears.

Highlights:

🌋 Explore volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions
🚁 Fly over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
🐻 Watch brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls

Alaska

Land of superlatives and adventure

8.9

Glaciers, mountains and wild coastlines fill America's largest state. Remote lodges and cabins sit far from any road in places like Kenai Fjords and Wrangell St Elias. Visitors can see bears, whales and northern lights and fly by small plane to quiet camps. Summer brings nearly endless daylight.

Highlights:

🐻 See wild bears fishing for salmon in Katmai
🛳️ Cruise through glacier-filled waters in Glacier Bay National Park
🌌 Watch the northern lights dance above Fairbanks

Olympic National Park

Untamed Wilderness, All in One

8.5

Temperate rainforest, glaciers and Pacific beaches share one park in Washington state. Hoh Rain Forest has moss draped trees and quiet trails. Visitors can visit Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach and Sol Duc Hot Springs. Lake Crescent Lodge offers a peaceful base beside the forest and sea.

Highlights:

💧 Visit Sol Duc Falls and enjoy the tranquil waterfall
🌲 Explore the lush trails of the Hoh Rainforest
🏞️ Hike to Hurricane Hill for breathtaking panoramic views

Great Basin National Park

Ancient trees, caves and starry skies

7.8

A remote Nevada park holds Wheeler Peak, which rises to 13,063 feet. Ancient bristlecone pines grow near the treeline above the desert. Lehman Caves offers guided underground tours and quiet hiking trails. Visitors can camp in peaceful campsites and enjoy dark skies that make stargazing spectacular.

Highlights:

🌌 Stargaze under one of America’s darkest skies
🕳️ Explore the stunning Lehman Caves with a guided tour
🥾 Hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak

Voyageurs National Park

Watery wilderness of northern Minnesota

8.0

A park of lakes and forest on the Canadian border is reached mostly by boat. Houseboats and canoes explore quiet bays and islands. Visitors can see wolves, loons and northern lights. Dark skies and calm waters suit a slow retreat under wide northern skies at night.

Highlights:

🛶 Paddle a canoe through the peaceful waterways and explore wildlife
🌌 Witness the breathtaking northern lights over pristine lakes
🚣‍♂️ Explore hidden islands by boat and camp overnight

Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Volcanic wonders in pristine rainforest

8.0

A UNESCO rainforest park on Dominica has volcanic peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. The Boiling Lake hike is a famous day trek. Visitors can swim at Emerald Pool and see Trafalgar Falls. Small eco lodges offer quiet stays in villages around the mountain forest and rivers.

Highlights:

💦 Explore the twin Trafalgar Falls and natural hot springs
🏞️ Swim beneath the 50-foot cascading Emerald Pool waterfall
🌋 Hike the challenging trail to the Boiling Lake

Montana

Wild Beauty & Vast Big Skies

8.4

Big Sky Country has open ranges, rivers and mountains. Dude ranches and cabins sit in valleys like Paradise Valley near Yellowstone. Visitors can fly fish, ride horses and watch wildlife. Bozeman and Missoula add small city comforts between quiet valleys beneath snowy peaks and big skies.

Highlights:

🐎 Go horseback riding through wide open Big Sky Country
🦬 Spot wildlife and geysers in Yellowstone’s rugged wilderness
🏞️ Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

Wyoming

Wild West landscapes and natural wonders

8.5

Wide open ranges, dude ranches and mountain towns define this western state. Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole draw nature lovers. Visitors can ride horses, fish rivers and stay in log lodges. Wyoming has the smallest population of any US state across the wide open plains.

Highlights:

🗻 Climb Devils Tower, America's first national monument
🥾 Hike scenic trails in Grand Teton National Park
🌋 Witness Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone National Park

Tortuguero National Park

Wildlife and Waterways Adventure

7.8

Canals wind through Caribbean rainforest on Costa Rica's northeast coast. Howler monkeys, caimans and toucans live along the waterways. Visitors can paddle quiet canals and watch green turtles nest in season. Guides lead walks and boat trips through the wet jungle near the Caribbean coast and quiet beaches.

Highlights:

🦜 Spot monkeys and toucans in the dense jungle canopy
🛶 Glide through rainforest canals on a guided canoe tour
🐢 Watch green sea turtles nest on the beach at night

Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

Mist, Wildlife and Cloudy Magic

8.4

Misty cloud forest covers the mountains around this Costa Rican village. Hanging bridges and ziplines reveal the canopy. Visitors can look for quetzals and hummingbirds, tour coffee farms and join night walks. Family lodges offer quiet evenings in the hills beneath the misty trees and hummingbird feeders.

Highlights:

🦜 Spot rare resplendent quetzals among misty trees
🌉 Walk the hanging bridges for canopy views
🥾 Hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest's biodiversity-rich trails

Glacier National Park

Crown of the Continent

8.9

Many Glacier Hotel stands on the east shore of Swiftcurrent Lake and was built by the Great Northern Railway. The park is far from major cities and its nearest airport is in Kalispell. It has nearly 700 miles of trails and over 700 lakes. Grizzly bears, wolves and mountain goats live here.

Highlights:

🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes

Tofino

Wild Pacific, Rainforest, Endless Waves

8.1

A surf town on the west coast of Vancouver Island has long sandy beaches and old growth forest. Storm watching season draws visitors in winter. Visitors can see whales, hike Pacific Rim National Park and soak at Hot Springs Cove. Cosy cabins and cafes line the shore.

Highlights:

🐋 Go whale watching in Clayoquot Sound waters
🥾 Explore Pacific Rim National Park Reserve trails
🏄‍♂️ Surf the waves at famous Chesterman Beach

Redwood National Park

Home of the World’s Tallest Trees

8.3

The tallest trees on Earth grow in misty groves on the northern California coast. Fern Canyon and Lady Bird Johnson Grove are favourite hikes. Visitors can watch Roosevelt elk in open meadows and camp among the giants. Empty beaches and foggy mornings add to the calm.

Highlights:

🥾 Walk the scenic Karl Knapp Trail near Big Tree Wayside
🍃 Explore Fern Canyon’s prehistoric fern-covered walls
🌲 Hike the Tall Trees Grove, home to towering redwoods

El Yunque National Forest

Tropical rainforest paradise in Caribbean

7.7

A tropical rainforest in northeast Puerto Rico rises above the Caribbean. Waterfalls like La Mina Falls tumble beside trails through mossy forest. Visitors can hike to El Yunque peak and listen to coqui frogs. The forest lies about an hour from San Juan and rentals nearby offer cabins.

Highlights:

🥾 Explore El Yunque Peak trail, a challenging rainforest hike
🌄 Climb Mt. Britton Tower for panoramic rainforest views
🌊 Hike to the stunning La Mina Falls and swim

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida's wild swamp wilderness experience

7.5

A vast swamp of cypress and sawgrass lies north of the Everglades in south Florida. Alligators, wading birds and rare Florida panthers live here. Visitors can drive the Tamiami Trail and the Loop Road and paddle quiet waterways. Camping and dark night skies make it a peaceful escape.

Highlights:

🛶 Paddle through mangrove tunnels on a guided kayak trip
🐊 Spot alligators and wading birds along the Loop Road
🛻 Take a swamp buggy tour through the cypress landscape

Craters of the Moon National Monument

Otherworldly volcanic landscape on Earth

7.7

Black lava fields, cinder cones and lava tube caves spread across this Idaho landscape. The Dark Sky Park has superb stargazing away from city lights. Visitors can hike Inferno Cone, explore Indian Tunnel and camp in the quiet campsite. Wildflowers bloom across the lava in early summer.

Highlights:

🚗 Drive and stop along the 7-mile scenic Loop Road
🦇 Explore lava tube caves with a free permit
⛰️ Hike to the top of Inferno Cone for panoramic views

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park

Where two nations preserve wilderness

8.9

A peace park spans the border of Canada and the United States with mountains, glaciers and lakes. Going to the Sun Road crosses Glacier National Park. Visitors can stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel and see grizzlies and mountain goats. The park is UNESCO listed.

Highlights:

🛶 Canoe or kayak on serene Waterton Lake
🚗 Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road
🥾 Hike the challenging Crypt Lake Trail with stunning views

Yosemite National Park

Nature's Grand Cathedral

8.5

Granite domes, waterfalls and giant sequoias fill this California park. Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls are the famous sights. Visitors can hike, climb and stay at the Ahwahnee or in cabins. Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point add high country views in the high Sierra.

Highlights:

💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan

Maui

Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity

8.8

The Road to Hana passes waterfalls and rainforest on this Hawaiian island. Haleakala crater gives sunrise views above the clouds. Visitors can stay on Upcountry farms, visit Kula lavender gardens and snorkel at quiet bays. Quiet villages on the north shore suit a slow pace.

Highlights:

🐢 Snorkel with turtles at Molokini Crater reef
🚗 Drive the scenic and winding Road to Hana
🌄 Watch sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano summit

Mount Rainier National Park

A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty

8.2

A 14,410 foot volcano towers above wildflower meadows in Washington. Paradise and Sunrise offer trails with views of glaciers. Visitors can hike parts of the 93 mile Wonderland Trail and stay at Longmire. Waterfalls and old growth forest add quiet beauty along the park trails and roads.

Highlights:

🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views

Grand Teton National Park

Stunning Peaks and Wildlife Wonders

8.6

Jagged peaks rise above lakes and sagebrush flats near Jackson Hole. Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake lodges offer quiet mountain stays. Visitors can see moose and elk and float the Snake River. Mormon Row barns make a famous photo beneath the Teton range at sunrise.

Highlights:

🏞️ Trek through Cascade Canyon for breathtaking views
💧 Explore Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point nearby
🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop Trail

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Home of the Giant Sequoias

8.0

Giant sequoias, deep canyons and granite domes fill these neighbouring parks in the Sierra Nevada. The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree by volume. Visitors can climb Moro Rock and tour Crystal Cave. Wuksachi Lodge and quiet campsites offer mountain stays in the high Sierra Nevada.

Highlights:

🕳️ Explore Crystal Cave on a guided tour
🧗‍♂️ Climb Moro Rock for breathtaking panoramic views
🌲 Visit the General Sherman Tree, largest on Earth

Rocky Mountain National Park

Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness

8.7

Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet through alpine tundra in this Colorado park. Elk gather in autumn and Bear Lake has easy trails. Visitors can climb Longs Peak and stay in Estes Park. Quiet meadows and snowy peaks fill the skyline in the crisp mountain air.

Highlights:

💧 Explore Alberta Falls, a short and beautiful hiking route
🏞️ Climb to Sky Pond for dramatic mountain and waterfall views
🥾 Hike to Emerald Lake via scenic Bear Lake Trail

Juneau

Glaciers, whales and wild Alaska

8.3

This Alaska capital can be reached only by air or sea. Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching and Tracy Arm fjord are the big attractions. Visitors can ride the Mount Roberts Tramway and eat fresh salmon. Quiet forest trails and cosy inns suit a slow getaway beneath the mountains.

Highlights:

🐋 Go whale watching to see humpbacks in natural habitat
🚠 Take the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway for views
🧊 Visit the stunning Mendenhall Glacier and Visitor Center

Jasper National Park

Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies

8.8

Mountain peaks, glaciers and lakes fill this Canadian Rockies park in Alberta. Maligne Lake has a famous island and boat tours. Visitors can see elk, hike to Pyramid Lake and stay at Jasper Park Lodge. The Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Glacier is a stunning drive.

Highlights:

🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island

Acadia National Park

Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty

8.4

Granite cliffs, spruce forests and carriage roads cover this island park on the Maine coast. Cadillac Mountain gives sunrise views over the Atlantic. Visitors can bike car free carriage roads, hike to Jordan Pond and stay in village inns at Bar Harbor. Lobster rolls and popovers suit a slow coastal break.

Highlights:

🚗 Drive the Park Loop Road for coastal and forest views
🥾 Hike the scenic Jordan Pond Path surrounded by nature
🌅 Watch sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain

Vermont

Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm

8.4

Green mountains, maple syrup and covered bridges define this New England state. Stowe and Woodstock offer cosy inns and farm stays. Visitors can taste cheese and cider and hike quiet forests. Autumn foliage draws many visitors each October in small villages across the hills and valleys.

Highlights:

🎿 Ski the snowy slopes of Stowe Mountain Resort
🍦 Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
🍂 Admire fall foliage on Vermont’s scenic byways

Kiawah Island

Wildlife, Beaches and Luxe Retreats

7.4

A barrier island near Charleston has about ten miles of quiet beach, live oaks and salt marsh. The Ocean Course is a famous golf venue. Visitors can bike quiet paths, watch dolphins and stay in beach cottages. Seabrook Island nearby adds kayaking and horseback rides.

Highlights:

🚴‍♀️ Cycle along the peaceful island trails through maritime forests
🌅 Watch sunset from the pristine Kiawah Beachwalker Park
⛳ Play a round of golf at the Ocean Course

Mammoth Cave National Park

World's Longest Known Cave System

7.6

The world's longest known cave system has more than 400 miles of mapped passages beneath Kentucky. Guided tours show huge chambers and narrow canyons. Visitors can hike above ground along the Green River and camp in quiet woods. Lodging and cabins sit near the park entrance.

Highlights:

🛶 Paddle the Green River through forested limestone valleys
🕯️ Take a guided lantern tour through historic cave routes
🕳️ Explore the vast underground chambers of Mammoth Cave

Bay of Fundy

Home to world's highest tides

7.6

The highest tides in the world rise and fall twice daily in this bay in eastern Canada. Hopewell Rocks shows giant sea stacks at low tide. Visitors can walk the ocean floor, watch whales and stay in seaside inns. Fishing villages and quiet trails line the coast.

Highlights:

🦴 Discover fossils and cliffs along Fundy National Park trails
🛶 Kayak among towering sea stacks during low tide
🌊 Watch the world’s highest tides at Hopewell Rocks

Finger Lakes

Waterfalls, wine and pristine lakes

8.0

Eleven long glacial lakes stretch across upstate New York. Wineries specialise in Riesling and farm stands sell fresh produce. Visitors can see waterfalls at Watkins Glen and Taughannock Falls and stay in bed and breakfasts. Cayuga and Seneca Lakes add quiet boating and sunset views.

Highlights:

🌊 Visit Taughannock Falls, one of the tallest in the East
🖼️ Tour the Corning Museum of Glass and watch live demos
🥾 Hike the scenic Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park

Maine

Lobsters, Lighthouses and Lush Landscapes

8.0

Rocky coastlines, lighthouses and lobster shacks define this New England state. Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park offer mountain and forest trails. Visitors can rent lake cabins at Moosehead Lake and eat fresh seafood. Autumn foliage and small harbour towns suit slow travel along the coast.

Highlights:

🏖️ Visit the Portland Head Light, Maine’s iconic lighthouse
🦞 Eat a freshly steamed lobster at a coastal shack
🌄 Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park

New Hampshire

Mountains, lakes and coastal charm

8.3

The White Mountains, covered bridges and lake cottages define this New England state. Franconia Notch and Mount Washington offer dramatic scenery. Visitors can hike to Appalachian Trail huts and stay at inns around Lake Winnipesaukee. Autumn foliage is famous in small villages beneath the mountains.

Highlights:

⛷️ Ski the snow-covered slopes of Bretton Woods
🏔️ Climb Mount Washington and experience powerful summit winds
🍁 Drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway through fall foliage

Yellowstone National Park

Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness

8.8

Geysers, hot springs and wildlife fill this huge Wyoming park. Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring are the big name sights. Visitors can see bison and wolves in Lamar Valley and stay at Old Faithful Inn. Yellowstone's Grand Canyon adds waterfalls and colourful cliffs in the park.

Highlights:

🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone

Banff National Park

Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes

9.2

Turquoise lakes, glaciers and jagged peaks fill Canada's oldest national park. Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway are the big name sights. Visitors can hike, canoe, ski and stay in backcountry lodges. Elk, bighorn sheep and black bears wander the valleys throughout the long summer days.

Highlights:

🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views

Arenal Volcano National Park

Lava Trails, Rainforest and Epic Views

8.4

A conical volcano towers above rainforest and Lake Arenal in northern Costa Rica. Old lava fields and hanging bridges offer easy hikes. Visitors can see birds, soak in hot springs and stay in eco lodges. The volcano has been quiet since 2010 and the lake below it is calm for paddling.

Highlights:

🌄 Enjoy spectacular volcano views from multiple lookout points
🌿 Explore rainforest biodiversity on the El Ceibo circuit
🌋 Hike the Las Coladas trail over old lava flows

Manuel Antonio National Park

Jungle, Wildlife and Stunning Beaches

7.2

A small national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica mixes rainforest with white sand beaches. Sloths, white faced monkeys and iguanas live along the trails. Visitors can swim, snorkel and stay in eco hotels on the hillsides. Boat tours explore nearby mangroves and islands.

Highlights:

🦜 Spot toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds
🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Playa Manuel Antonio
🐒 Hike jungle trails filled with monkeys and sloths

Revelstoke

Big Mountain Adventure, Small Town Soul

8.0

A mountain town in British Columbia is surrounded by the Monashee and Selkirk ranges. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has deep powder and long runs. Visitors can drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway and soak in hot springs. The Columbia River adds quiet paddling in the surrounding mountains.

Highlights:

🥾 Hike the alpine trails in Mount Revelstoke National Park
🚠 Ride the gondola for sweeping Columbia Valley views
🎿 Ski deep powder slopes at Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Mammoth Lakes

Alpine Paradise in Eastern Sierra

8.1

A Sierra Nevada mountain town has skiing, hot springs and alpine lakes. Devils Postpile, Hot Creek and the June Lake Loop are nearby. Visitors can rent cabins, fish at Convict Lake and ski at Mammoth Mountain. Autumn colours bring golden aspens along the roads in the high country.

Highlights:

♨️ Relax in the natural Hot Creek geothermal springs
🪨 Hike to Devils Postpile National Monument
🎿 Ski the famous slopes of Mammoth Mountain

Gatlinburg

Gateway to the Smoky Mountains

7.5

The gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains is filled with cabins in forested hills. Visitors can drive to Clingmans Dome and hike to waterfalls. Ober Gatlinburg adds an aerial tramway and ski slopes. Nearby Pigeon Forge has Dollywood and Appalachian crafts for slower days between hikes.

Highlights:

🐠 Tour Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
🌲 Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park gateway trails
🌉 Ride the Gatlinburg SkyLift and walk the SkyBridge

Colorado

Rocky mountains and red rocks

9.2

Rocky Mountains, high desert and hot springs fill this western state. Small towns like Telluride, Crested Butte and Ouray sit in steep mountain valleys. Visitors can stay in cabins, ride horses and soak in mineral pools. Golden aspens light up the hills in autumn across the state.

Highlights:

🚗 Drive along the scenic Trail Ridge Road
🎿 Ski the world-class slopes of Aspen or Vail
🏞️ Hike through Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine trails

Michigan

Great Lakes State of Wonder

7.9

Great Lakes shorelines, dune forests and cherry orchards define this northern state. Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks have stunning lake views. Visitors can stay in cottages, ride bikes on Mackinac Island where cars are banned and fish quiet lakes. The Upper Peninsula is wild and remote.

Highlights:

🍁 Drive the scenic M-22 coastal highway in autumn
🎶 Explore Detroit’s revitalized downtown and Motown Museum
🏞️ Admire the Great Lakes views from Sleeping Bear Dunes

Banff

Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure

9.0

A small mountain town in the Canadian Rockies has hot springs and cosy inns. Visitors can soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs and ride the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Lake Minnewanka and Bow Falls are close. Wood fired cafes and galleries line the main street beneath the peaks.

Highlights:

♨️ Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs with mountain views
🥾 Hike Johnston Canyon and explore breathtaking waterfalls
🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic Sulphur Mountain views

La Fortuna

Volcano Views, Hot Springs, Adventure

7.5

A small Costa Rican town sits beneath the Arenal Volcano with hot springs and waterfalls. Eco lodges and farm stays surround the town. Visitors can see La Fortuna Waterfall, ride horses and tour chocolate farms. Canopy walks and birdwatching add rainforest adventure in the nearby hills and farms.

Highlights:

🌉 Walk the hanging bridges at Mistico Park
♨️ Relax in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano
🌊 Hike to the breathtaking La Fortuna Waterfall

Lake Louise

Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies

8.9

An emerald lake in Banff National Park sits beneath glaciers and peaks. Visitors can paddle canoes and stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Teahouses at Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers reward hikers. In winter the lake freezes for skating and skiing.

Highlights:

🚡 Ride the Lake Louise Gondola for panoramic alpine scenery
🥾 Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning mountain views
🛶 Canoe on the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise

Best rural retreat destinations in North America