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Curved around the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia is Vietnam, home to the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay and vibrant cities such as Hanoi and Hoi An. Visiting Vietnam as an American requires a visa application, but it’s well worth it, as you’ll soon be on your way to pristine beaches, idyllic national parks and delicious cuisine. If food is your focus when traveling, you’ll love this 12-day Vietnam adventure, which includes Vietnamese street food aplenty, and a cooking masterclass, interspersed with walking tours, swimming, kayaking, and an overnight luxury cruise.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for any American, visiting the Galapagos Islands will bring you up close and personal with the extraordinary biodiversity that influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. An organized tour is the best way to get around the islands – and this express, five-day journey is led by Culture Trip’s Local Insider, who’ll show you the best parts as well as some lesser-known spots. Swim with sea lions, snorkel with sea turtles, hike along lava trails and spot giant Galapagos tortoises roaming in the wild on this bucket list adventure.
From the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains, Ecuador is brimming with natural wonders. When you’re not busy scaling a volcano or white water rafting, you’ll be admiring the colonial architecture and learning the secrets of Ecuadorian cuisine in the high-altitude capital, Quito. This eight-day adventure takes you through the heart of the country, where you’ll go horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park, hike around the Quilotoa crater lake, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and ride the Swing at the End of the World.
Planning a trip to Europe but put off by long flight times? Iceland is a perfect European destination for Americans for this reason – direct flights from the East Coast to Reykjavik are under six hours. Our five-day epic adventure to Iceland showcases the out-of-this-world landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs and glaciers this country is best known for. After travelling across the country – and hopefully seeing the Northern Lights – you’ll finish off the trip with a soak in the Blue Lagoon.
Cloud forests, white sand beaches and dozens of volcanoes – the otherworldly landscapes of Costa Rica make it the ideal getaway for Americans, without having to fly long haul. There’s incredible biodiversity in the jungle, including sloths, jaguars and capuchin monkeys. You’ll have a chance to spot these creatures on our eight-day Costa Rica tour, while also enjoying the”pura vida” lifestyle with activities including sunrise yoga, coffee tasting and cooking workshops. White water rafting, ziplining and mountain biking are also on the agenda.