Matador Network's Blog, page 40

The Most Common Second Languages Spoken Around the World

English is the first language in many countries — The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, etc. — but have you ever wondered what the most common second languages are in these nations? Hold on to your socks, the answer may be surprising to you.

Using data from the CIA’s The World’s Factbook and Wikipedia, MoveHub, a UK-based company that helps people move abroad, created a map of the most common second languages around the world. Although not all 195 nations are represented, the graphics are still very insightful.

Photo: MoveHub

Spanish is the commonly spoken second language in the US. Considering the shared history between Mexico and the US, as well as the nation’s geographical proximity to other hispanic countries, it makes perfect sense.

Canada’s second language is equally unsurprising. Of course, the most commonly spoken second language in the Great White North is French. The first Europeans to land in Canada were French, after all, and the province of Quebec’s official language is French.

Photo: MoveHub

Photo: MoveHub

However, you may be surprised to learn that Mandarin is Australia’s most commonly spoken second language. In the UK, it’s Polish. And did you know that Turkish is the most commonly spoken language in Germany after German? In Argentina, Italian is the second most common.

Photo: MoveHub

It goes without saying that often the reasons behind a preponderance of certain second languages are colonization and immigration. French is very common in North Africa because large swathes of the Maghreb used to be French colonies, and Tagalog is the second language in Saudi Arabia because many Filipinos are employed in the country.

Photo: MoveHub

Photo: MoveHub

The maps reveal that English is the most commonly spoken second language in the world (55 countries), followed by French (14) and Russian (13).

What languages are being studied the most around the world?

As of 2025, English remains the most studied language in the world, leading in 135 countries due to its dominance in business, academia, and technology. Spanish follows closely, driven by its widespread use in the Americas and its strong cultural presence. The rise of remote work has only furthered this — English is by far the most common language used in remote work and international professional communication, especially in scenarios involving cross-border collaboration such as virtual meetings, video calls, emails, and shared work platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams.

French, German, and Mandarin Chinese also maintain high popularity thanks to their global relevance in education, economics, and international relations. Travelers, though, tend to prefer studying the language of places they aspire to travel or move to. Japanese and Korean have surged in popularity, especially among Gen Z, due to cultural exports like anime, manga, K-pop, and Korean dramas. Hindi has also seen a rise in global learners, reflecting the influence of the Indian diaspora and interest in Indian culture.

Technology has played a major role in expanding access to language learning, with platforms like Duolingo offering over 148 new courses through AI integration. Cultural trends are significantly shaping learning priorities, making pop-culture-driven languages like Korean and Japanese increasingly mainstream. Economic motivations continue to steer interest toward languages like German and Mandarin, which are tied to strong job markets (and thus draw businesses as well as expats).

How being bilingual helps your brain (and your travel skills)

People who speak a second language experience unique cognitive and psychological effects — and many of these often go unnoticed. Bilinguals tend to develop stronger executive function skills, making them better at multitasking and switching between tasks (switching between languages on the fly is no easy skill to develop, after all). Their brains may even begin to show increased neural flexibility, which has been linked to a delayed onset of dementia by several years compared to monolinguals. Interestingly, bilingual individuals may think differently depending on the language they’re using. Emotional distance from a second language can lead to more rational decision-making, and many bilinguals report feeling like different versions of themselves when switching between languages due to cultural or situational associations. This is where travel can really play a role — if you frequently travel to Spanish-speaking countries and learn Spanish as a second language, your association with the language will certainly be defined at least in part by your travel memories and interactions.

It gets even cooler from here. Bilinguals often have an internal “switch” that activates depending on who they’re speaking to or where they are, enabling seamless transitions between languages. While it might seem like they should have twice the vocabulary, bilinguals actually tend to have a smaller lexicon in each individual language than monolinguals, though they often excel in understanding language structure and patterns. In children, early bilingualism might involve mixing languages, but this is a natural and temporary part of language development—not a sign of confusion. The real confusion may actually be on a multilingual parent.

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Meet the Woman Sustainably Diving for Some of the Best Uni in the World

The uni from Santa Barbara, California, is often regarded as some of the best in the world. This meat from local sea urchins is prized for a concept chefs call merroir: the oceanic equivalent of terroir, or taste of a place. Cold, nutrient-rich waters in the Santa Barbara Channel nourish kelp forests that urchins feed on, producing creamy, golden uni that’s served in casual dining spots and Michelin-starred restaurants alike.

But behind the luxury is a fragile ecosystem. The collapse of sea star populations — specifically the Pycnopodia species — has allowed purple sea urchins, which less desirable from a culinary perspective and more destructive, to overrun kelp forests. Without predators, these urchins decimate young kelp, threatening the entire marine food chain.

Stephanie Mutz, California’s only female commercial sea urchin diver, is helping shape the state’s tightly regulated sea urchin industry. Commercial sea urchin diving in California is a field largely dominated by older men. With only 300 state-issued permits — most held by divers in their 60s — the profession is not only graying, it’s becoming nearly impenetrable to newcomers due to a permit lottery system that allows just one new diver in for every 11 who exit.

Michael Motamedi and Vanessa Salas spoke with Mutz in Santa Barbara for the Matador Network podcast No Fixed Address. Trained as a marine biologist and educator, Mutz shifted her career from academia to the sea, drawn by both purpose and the freedom of underwater work. “I function better underwater than I do on land,” she tells the hosts.

In a field driven by volume and middlemen, Mutz created a supply chain of one. She harvests red sea urchins — the prized variety found in sushi bars — and sells them live, directly to chefs and consumers. Her careful handling (she calls her urchins “princesses”) and close chef collaborations have helped Mutz build a name in the California seafood industry.

“I’m not looking for new customers,” she says. “I’m looking for better ones.”

Mutz also stands out for her work helping to create a more sustainable uni source. Working with abalone farms, she feeds purple urchins nutrient-rich kelp, reconditioning them into high-quality seafood while helping control the purple urchin population. It’s a win-win: waste becomes revenue, and divers help restore balance to the ocean floor.

Though Mutz spends much of her time underwater, her business is firmly anchored in relationships. She teaches environmental science online part-time, speaks candidly about sustainability challenges, and views chefs not as clients but as collaborators.

“Beyond seafood, it’s about how we choose to live,” she explains.

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Indulge in Quiet Luxury at This Dallas Hotel That Looks Like a Castle

When I was a kid, my Turkish grandmother referenced the ‘80s soap opera Dallas anytime she talked about the mystique of American culture, particularly American wealth and Texan folklore — down to cowboys and oil heirs. I’ve never seen the show, but something tells me it was an accurate depiction because every time I step foot in Dallas, I smell not oil itself but oil (read: old) money.

There’s an air of luxury in Dallas, and my recent stay at Hotel Crescent Court was no exception. My Uber pulled up to what looked like an American version of a castle, with stone exteriors and meticulously ornate arches. “This is it!” the driver exclaimed.

I strolled into the lobby, which the property calls the Great Hall, where I spotted a headless statue reminiscent of the Louvre’s Venus de Milo, as well as dangling wiry art much like you’d find in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Unlike the Louvre or MoMA, though, the hotel’s Great Hall was not overflowing with tourists carrying iPhone cameras in hand.

In a place like Dallas, you realize true luxury is about quiet luxury. As the saying goes: money talks, wealth whispers.

The rooms at Hotel Crescent Court

Photo: Keven Gungor

My next stop was checking into my room. Hotel Crescent Court has 186 guest rooms and 40 suites in total, spread across five sprawling floors. They range from 380 square feet (on the slightly larger side of average for a standard US hotel room) to 3,035 square feet (about 40 percent larger than the median US single-family home of late, according to census data).

I waltzed into what the property calls a Premier Room (480 square feet) with modern art adorning its walls and amber and golden tones throughout, accentuating the luxury motif while also creating a warm home-away-from-home ambience.

True to the motto that everything’s bigger in Texas, my bed was one of the largest I’ve seen, and the hallway between the bedroom and bathroom consisted of not one but two floor-to-ceiling wooden closets to neatly fit all wardrobe needs.

Photo: Keven Gungor

I was excited to check out the bathroom next — typically the highlight of an upscale hotel. This one was larger than my apartment’s living room, with a deep soaking tub (bath salts included), a jumbo mirror, and a walk-in shower that could accommodate a family of six all at once.

Really, though, it’s the hotel’s largest suite, the Grand Presidential Suite, that showcases how palatial the accommodations can get. With features like a grand piano and a spiral staircase leading to the master suite (there’s also a guest room), the two-bedroom suite can optionally connect to two other suites, making it a four-bedroom mansion by hotel room standards. If money talks and wealth whispers, quiet luxury in Hotel Crescent Court’s splurgiest suites echoes.

The amenities at Hotel Crescent Court

Photo: Keven Gungor

What I love about hotels like Hotel Crescent Court is that if you really want to relax and decompress, you can chill there without ever having to leave the property.

While the terrace pool offers dips and sunbathing, the Wellness Center below the Great Hall provides a different pace for fitness enthusiasts and spa-goers. The 24-hour gym extends guests complimentary group classes including Barre, yoga, and spin six days a week (not Sundays).

Guests can also access the spa’s amenities (whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge) regardless of whether they’ve booked a massage or other service there — though I highly recommend making a reservation for the latter during a stay.

The spa menu includes everything from traditional Swedish massages and CBD herbal massages to oxygen facials and boost skin rejuvenation treatments, plus packages ranging from $300 to $600 with posh names like the Distinguished Gentleman (deep tissue massage, pedicure, and manicure) and the Taste Of Luxury (Swedish massage and custom facial).

Photo: Keven Gungor

No Hotel Crescent Court visit is complete without a promenade through its courtyard, as highlighted by the property’s name itself. This lush and tranquil spot leads to the Crescent Complex, a shopping center with upscale restaurants and boutique shops — demonstrative of the trendy Uptown vibes the neighborhood embodies.

Uptown Dallas possesses its own West Village neighborhood, named after the iconic New York City downtown area. In the vein of New York City’s charming quarter filled with brownstones lined with trees, Dallas’s equivalent carries a reminiscent chicness, with elevated shopping and refined dining. The West Village is a five-minute car ride from Hotel Crescent Court and a 25-minute stroll away.

The dining at Hotel Crescent Court

Photo: Keven Gungor

Where Hotel Crescent Court really shines is its on-site restaurants. Take The Conservatory, which sets a high bar as the hotel’s self-proclaimed “casual dining option.” Based in a glass sunroom, The Conservatory offers brunch dishes that parallel the design of the adjacent courtyard in view, with meticulous attention to detail on each plate’s presentation.

For savory options later in the day, the property also plays host to a Nobu, the famous Japanese restaurant chain known for celebrity clientele across other locations like Malibu. The Crescent Club across the street, styled like a 19th-century private dining club, offers another elegant option. Unfortunately, my trip was too quick to explore either spot, but they’re both on my list for my next Dallas rodeo.

Photo: Keven Gungor

Lining the right side of the Great Hall is Beau Nash, a cocktail bar that also has a full meal service (think lobster tempura tacos, 44 Farms prime beef filet, and desserts like chocolate raspberry mousse, which I couldn’t resist during my stay).

When special events occur at the property, the tables surrounding Beau Nash in the Great Hall are revamped. On the particular weekend I visited, I was invited to experience afternoon tea, which takes place every weekend during brunch hours with varying seasonal themes. Mine had spring-inspired table decor, African black tea and Southern-style iced sweet tea, and light sandwich bites and tasty treats like scones, carrot cake, and key lime pie.

Getting to Hotel Crescent Court

Photo: Keven Gungor

Hotel Crescent Court is a 20-minute car ride from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), the city’s main airport. The property has a valet service for guests, as well as a complimentary house car service within a five-mile radius on a first-come, first-served basis.

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All the Travel Gear You Need to Backpack Through Europe

Having the right gear on an international trip is the key to staying organized. For a backpacking trip around Europe, compact and condensed is the goal. Here is the ultimate gear guide for backpacking in Europe to keep you moving efficiently and with less stress. Each of these items can be purchased through Amazon Prime via the links here, saving you both time and shipping costs.

We hope you love the travel gear for Europe we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Osprey Farpoint 55 or Fairview 55 backpack

Photo: Osprey

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For a backpacking trip in Europe, you’ll need a durable and comfortable backpack. There are two types of backpacks to consider before you hit the road: a “backpacking” backpack, like the ones you see many international travelers using, or a trekking backpack like you’d bring on an overnight hiking trip. A 40- to 65-liter “backpacking” backpack like the Osprey Farpoint 55 or the Osprey Fairview Trek 50 (made for women) is the perfect travel companion. These versatile packs offer a large zippered panel for easy access to the main compartment (it opens like a suitcase), and also come with a daypack that you can fit your laptop in. If you’re planning on doing outdoor adventuring while on the road, a trekking backpack like the Osprey Atmos AG 65 for men and Aura AG 65 for women is also a great choice for its comfortable straps that can double as your travel pack as well if you don’t mind a bit of extra bulkiness around the hips.

Price: $150 — $300

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Fjallraven Kanken Pack

Photo: Fjallraven

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Unless you’re going to be carrying your backpack every hour of every day, you’ll need a day bag. If your main backpack doesn’t come with one like the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview mentioned above, having a smaller bag to carry your smaller items when your pack is sitting at the hostel is essential. This Fjallraven Kanken Pack from the Swedish sustainable gear company is the perfect balance between functional and stylish (something that is nice to consider when you’re in Europe). It’s big enough to fit a camera, your water bottle, a pair of shades, and a sweater, but it’s also compact enough to fold into your larger backpack when you’re not using it. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors.

Price: $80.00

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Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless bluetooth noise cancelling headphones

Photo: BOSE

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Bose noise-cancelling headphones are a top-tier choice for travelers. They have been a top pick for years for their ability to cancel out outside noise effectively. Bose is an ideal companion for travel, particularly during long flights, train rides, or noisy accommodations. They connect via Bluetooth and easily sync with any device, so enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks uninterrupted, no matter where you are. They are also lightweight and made with premium materials, so you can comfortably wear them for extended periods.

Price: $329

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Eagle Creek Pack-it Starter Set

Photo: Eagle Creek

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High-quality packing cubes to roll or fold your clothes are a must-have travel accessory for packing efficiently. It’s a lot easier to take out a packing cube to grab an item than to reach for a shirt at the bottom of your bag, just to have all of your other clothes fall out. This Eagle Creek Pack-It Starter Set will help keep your clothes compressed and compartmentalized in your backpack. The folder that comes with the two packing cubes is great for nicer items that you’d like to keep wrinkle-free during your travels.

Price: $45.95

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LifeStraw Go water filter bottle

Photo: LifeStraw

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Grab a filtered reusable water bottle to save money and reduce plastic usage abroad. If you’re traveling to a country like Greece where it’s not advised to drink the tap water, having a filtered water bottle will not only give you some peace of mind with every sip, but it will help you avoid buying plastic water bottles that might end up floating on beautiful beaches. This trusted LifeStraw Go bottle has a two-stage integrated filter for clean drinking water on the go.

Price: $33.30

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Selfie stick

Photo: Production Perig/Shutterstock

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If you are a solo traveler or want to get that hard-to-achieve angle shot, you need a selfie stick. BZE’s product is compact, portable, and surprisingly sturdy. This model shines in its versatility. It can function as a traditional selfie stick, a tripod, or a phone holder. It also comes with a Bluetooth remote control that works seamlessly within a considerable distance, making it easier to capture shots from afar.

It’s important to note that selfie sticks have been banned in numerous museums, venues, theme parks, and sporting events in Europe due to safety concerns and the potential to block other people’s views. So, before you use yours at a specific location, it’s recommended to check whether they are allowed.

Price: $19.99

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Conair Travel Smart All-in-One Adapter with USB

Photo: Conair

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Having several travel adapters on hand is always a smart idea if you want to be able to charge your devices. Shop this Travel Smart All-in-One international travel adapter to connect your electronic devices to European outlets, as well as those in China and the US. This one comes with both an EU and UK adapter, along with a USB port.

Price: $30

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Sea To Summit Travelling Light hanging toiletry bag

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A nice hanging toiletry bag will save you the frustration of finding a clean countertop to set your toiletries on at a hostel or Airbnb. You also want a bag that’ll fit all of your goods from back home, but that isn’t too big to avoid over-packing your toiletries. This Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag is the perfect size, has multiple zip compartments, comes with a built-in mirror, and is also waterproof just in case something happens to spill.

Price: $49.95

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Lermende TSA approved clear toiletry bag

Photo: Lermende

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Along with a hanging toiletry bag, bringing a TSA-approved clear toiletry bag will save you from having to throw away your favorite shampoo bottle at the airport. Airports in Europe tend to be stricter than the US when it comes to limiting liquids to a quart-sized bag and they will usually make you take out all of your liquids to put in their provided plastic bags. Save yourself the trouble by readily storing your liquids in this Lermende TSA-approved clear toiletry bag for a quicker pass through airport security.

Price: $9.98

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Apple AirTag (pack of four)

Photo: BandersnatchShutterstock

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Airtags are small, simple, and functional tools that can help you keep track of your belongings while on the go. Their Bluetooth tracking capabilities allow them to trail any item they’re attached to, be it your suitcase, your car, or even your passport wallet. This ensures you never lose important items during your travels. They are especially useful for backpacking and staying in shared dorm accommodation.

Price: $99.00

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ProCase Accessories Bag electronics organizer

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A compact and heavy-duty electronics organizer is essential for keeping all of your electronics in order. The ProCase accessories bag features some elastic loops for cables, two larger pockets for bigger items like camera chargers, as well as some mesh zipper pockets for smaller items like SD cards and USB flash drives. We love how this one rolls up and can be easily thrown into your backpack.

Price: $19.99

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RoomyRoc Mesh laundry washing bag

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To keep from having to question whether or not you’ve washed a clothing item in your backpack after days or weeks of wandering, make sure to bring a large but foldable laundry bag. This one from RoomyRoc also doubles as a washing bag to help filter out microfibers released from clothing.

Price: $11.99

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PackTowel Original Quickdry Microfiber Towel

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A microfiber towel is great for when you don’t want to pay for towels at hostels. They’re compact, easily absorb water, and dry quickly. The PackTowel Personal towel is really soft and the towel also folds into the included pouch for convenient storage.

Price: $14.95

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Master Lock TSA approved luggage lock

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Bringing a lock on your backpacking trip will help keep your personal belongings safe, especially when leaving your backpack at hostels. A combination lock like the Master Lock 4688D is better to have than a key lock (keys are usually easy to lose). The Master lock is also TSA approved, so screeners can inspect and relock your luggage at the airport without damaging it.

Price: $8.99

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Yamiu travel shoe bags

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You need a way to store your dirty shoes in your backpack without ruining the rest of your clothes and belongings. These Yamiu travel shoe bags are large enough to fit up to a men’s size 14 shoe, are made of waterproof nylon fabric, and also feature a strong zipper.

Price: $14.99

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Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger

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Mobile phones have become an important part of our lives, and our travels. Having a dependable portable charger can be a lifesaver if you need to use your phone to access travel documents when your battery is low and there are no charging outlets around. The Anker PowerCore 13000 has two high-speed USB ports and has enough power to keep you going for days.

Price: $50.33

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First-aid kit

Photo: Johnson + Johnson

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This 100-piece first-aid kit can prevent minor mishaps like cuts and scrapes from turning into trip-ruining incidents. Johnson + Johnson’s travel first-aid kit includes all the basic stuff you’ll need to dress, wrap, and cover on the go.

Price: $28.18

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Chrome Industries Cobra merino wool hoodie, men’s and women’s options

Photo: Chrome Industries

The number one rule of travel clothing is that it can be worn more than once between a wash. Merino wool is perfect because it absorbs sweat, is light and airy, and can be worn in all seasons as a quick and easy cover. It’s also more sustainable than synthetic or polyester products. Chrome Industries offers the best merino wool travel hoodie, and it’s black — so you know it’ll go well with anything.

Price: $119.95 men’s, $80 women’s

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Nite Ize RunOff 3-1-1 waterproof pouch

Photo: REI

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The Nite Ize RunOff 3-1-1 waterproof pouch offers exceptional protection for your valuables from incidental moisture as well as unexpected rain. It features a simple slide-to-secure zipper that is easy to use and creates a waterproof and dustproof seal. The pouch is tested to IP67, which means you can fully submerge it up to one meter deep for 30 minutes, and it’ll keep everything inside dry. It’s ideal for documentation, electronics, and material first aid items such as bandages and plasters.

Price: $35.00

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Survival Show ‘Alone’ Brings You Closer to These 5 Rugged African Parks

The TV show “Survivor” may have kicked off the survival reality TV trend, but many shows since then have carried the mantle.

One of those shows is Alone, a true “survive on your own” show on the History Channel. The show drops participants in the wild with rugged filming equipment like GoPros, basic survival items, and nothing else. Except for the occasional health check, they’re on their own, with one rule: whomever stays in the wild the longest wins the cash prize.

The first season of Alone attracted significant attention (around 2.5 million viewers), making it one of the top cable series in the US when it premiered in 2015. Since then, it’s continued to be one of the most popular shows on the History Channel, spurring spin-offs like Alone: Australia, Alone: Finland, and Alone: The Beast.

Two of 10 contestants that will battle to win in South Africa’s Great Karoo Desert. Photo: The History Channel/Alone

It’s turned into a sleeper hit, taking viewers on a tour of some of the world’s wildest and most undeveloped places. The first 12 seasons were filmed in locations around the world, including bear-filled Port Hardy on Canada’s Vancouver Island, Lago Soberania (Lake Soberania) in Patagonia, Khonin Nuga in the Khentii Mountains of Mongolia, and Great Slave Lake near the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

And for season 12, premiering in June, there’s a new location to add to the list: the Great Karoo Desert in South Africa. It’s a 153,000-square-mile region in southern South Africa often called the “Land of Thirst.” It’s sometimes compared to well-known destinations considered inhospitable to humans, like Australia’s Outback or Mexico’s Chihuahan Desert.

This is one of the toughest environments to date on the show, notes the release. Contestants will “face off against exotic animals including warthogs, scorpions, venomous snakes, baboons, Cape buffalo, wildebeest and more.” It promises that “searing heat, foul water, and unpredictable storms are just the beginning of participants’ challenges.” The show already filmed with 10 contestants from around the world vying to win $500,000.

While the physical and mental challenge is the main draw of the show, the destination always play a key role. Between scenes shot by contestants, often shaky and out-of-focus, are gorgeous shots of the destination. And in the case of the Karoo, the crew should have no problem finding beautiful places to shoot B-roll and background video. If you’re keen to visit the same destinations as the Alone contestants (though perhaps with a bit more creature comforts), here are five national parks in the Karoo where you can have a wild(ish) experience. No reservations are needed to visit these parks as a day visitor, though you’ll want to book accommodations and some activities in advance.

Karoo National Park (Western Cape)

Photo: JMx Images/Shutterstock

Karoo National Park, near Beaufort West, spans about 300 square miles with mostly rugged landscapes, including the dramatic Nuweveld Mountains. The park’s Fossil Trail guides visitors through the park’s prehistoric life and remains, and wildlife enthusiasts may be able to spot species like Cape mountain zebra, black rhino, and various antelope, plus the elusive Verreaux’s eagle. Self-driving is allowed, and the Klipspringer Pass is especially popular for its panoramic views of the park landscape. For something on a smaller scale, the Bossie Trail passes some of the park’s most impressive plant life. The park is accessible year-round, but spring and autumn offer milder temperatures better suited to all-day exploration.

Tankwa Karoo National Park (Western Cape/Northern Cape border)

Photo: Dirk M. de Boer/Shutterstock

Tankwa Karoo National Park is known for solitude and stargazing. It sits in the “Succulent Karoo Biome,” a biodiversity hotspot with more than 6,000 species of plant alone. It has views of sharp cliffs and steep passes around the Roggeveld Mountains, plus expansive rolling plains toward the Tankwa Desert. Birders also love this park, with interesting species like the Burchell’s courser and Namaqua sandgrouse calling it home.

The park is about a four-hour drive from Cape Town, and you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle. Because of this, many people choose to visit via guided or overnight tours from Cape Town. Lodging options are relatively basic and sparse, so be sure to bring all your own supplies.

Camdeboo National Park (Eastern Cape)

Photo: EcoPrint/Shutterstock

Camdeboo National Park is near the historic town of Graaff-Reinet and known for the nearby “Valley of Desolation.” It’s a geological wonder with tall dolerite (rock) columns that formed more than 100 million years ago. Fortunately, visiting it is rather easy, requiring just a short (and scenic) drive to the top, then a short path to a look-out point. The park is also dotted with unique Karoo vegetation, like sweeping thickets of succulents, adding to its rugged beauty.

When it comes to wildlife, the best way to see the park’s species is via the 12-mile game drive, available for self-driving (but bring water, sunscreen, and anything else you may need). On the drive, which starts near the Lakeview Gate entrance, you may see Cape buffalo, springbok, kudu, hartebeest, meerkats, and smaller predators like jackals and caracals.

Anysberg Nature Reserve (Western Cape)

Photo: Marshallartz/Shutterstock

Anysberg offers plenty of recreation activities for visitors, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and stargazing. Outdoor options range from the three-mile Landsekloof hike to a remote waterfall (pick up a map at the visitors center) to more challenging routes like the 30-mile Allemorgensfontein mountain bike trail, where you might be able to see antelope and zebra from your bike saddle.

The park is also famous for its San rock art, some of which is around 2,000 years old. You’ll want to reach out to the reserve’s main office in advance to ask about scheduling a tour, or joining in on guided activities like overnight horseback rides to the historical sites. The park’s accommodations are relatively modest, with camping being the most popular (though there are also cabin rentals).

Mountain Zebra National Park (Karoo’s eastern edge)

Photo: EcoPrint/Shutterstock

Mountain Zebra National Park was established in 1937 to protect the namesake endangered Cape mountain zebra, but has since expanded to cover 100 square miles of varied terrain. Visitors can do self-drive safaris along well-maintained gravel roads to potentially spot not just the Cape mountain zebra, but also eland, red hartebeest, springbok, and black wildebeest. Even predators like cheetahs and lions have been reintroduced, though sightings are less common.

There are also guided activities within the park, like morning and evening game drives led by rangers, and even cheetah tracking on foot (with guides, naturally). Both activities should be booked via the park’s website in advance. Mountain Zebra National Park has more options than most in the area, including the Mountain Zebra Rest Camp, with a small store and on-site restaurant.

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California’s 5 Must-Visit Wine Regions, From North to South

More than 80 percent of all the wine made in the United States comes from California. The state alone is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world after Italy, France, and Spain. And while the vineyards and wineries in the northern half of the state are the most famous, producers in Napa and the surrounding areas only make a fraction of the high-quality wines found up and down the California coast.

I grew up in a little wine town on the Central Coast. It was easy to take what was in my own backyard for granted, even as I got older and started to appreciate my hometown wineries. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City and started working in wine — first at a boutique wine store in the Upper West Side, then as a writer covering the wine industry and wine culture — that I fully realized how special California is to the wine world.

There are entire books devoted to exploring California wine. Some cover the state’s 154 American Viticultural Areas (or AVAs, the designated wine-producing regions listed on labels), other tome-length volumes focus just on one section of the state. It can be a lot to take in for anyone — even for those well-versed in wine. One of my favorite ways to approach learning about California wine is to start north and head south. The vibe tends to get more relaxed the farther south you go, though the wine is still seriously good.

Wine enthusiasts could spend years just exploring any one of the regions below (not to mention the many in between, even if only hitting the most sustainability-minded regions). But for the highlights and an introductory taste, these are the five parts of California that every wine lover should experience at least once.

Napa | Sonoma | Santa Barbara County | Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County | Temecula Valley

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Napa

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Napa is the premier name-brand wine region in the US. Wines with “Napa” on the bottle carry a well-earned reputation for quality around the world, and people travel near and far to see the vineyards and wineries. There’s certainly plenty to choose from: Napa Valley has nearly 500 tasting rooms, and 3.7 million people visited the area in 2023, according to the latest numbers from Visit Napa Valley. While that means there’s no shortage of options, it also means picking where to go can be a bit overwhelming. Regardless of your choice, however, you’re unlikely to be disappointed (particularly if you do your wine tasting on the Napa Wine Train).

The broader Napa Valley AVA contains 16 smaller AVAs. Each has a distinct terroir, from the valley floor and the historic St. Helena AVA, to the higher-altitude vineyards near the Mayacamas Mountains. Many of Napa’s most iconic wineries built their name on cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. That said, more than 35 grape varieties are grown here, so you’re sure to find something you like. Napa’s classic wineries — Chateau Montelena, Stag’s Leap, and Grgich Hills Estate, to name a few — are destinations in their own right, or you might opt for one of the wineries helping the region lead in river restoration and sustainability. Though you don’t have to travel far to drink great wine from across the valley. Downtown Napa is filled with tasting rooms so you can get a taste of the area before planning which vineyards to visit.

Wineries to visit:

William Cole Vineyards: Private, 90-minute tastings by appointment for $150 per person that start with a tour of the historic stone winery building built in 1873 and ends with a seated tasting. Charcuterie pairing available for a fee by request.Far Niente: A sustainability leader for decades in a stunning location with a 19th-century stone winery. Private tastings with a cheese and charcuterie plate start at $120, while tastings with tours of the wine cave and pours from the brand’s rare wine collection cost $275.Cakebread Cellars: One of the best places in Napa for merlot, Cakebread has a range of tours and seated tastings by appointment.

Where to stay

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When exploring some of California’s most storied winemaking estates, you’ll want to be as close as possible, not only for the sake of convenience but because waking up to vineyard views is part of the experience. For a group stay (up to seven guests), this Guest Favorite Airbnb is minutes from wineries, the Napa River, and downtown Napa. The home overlooks the valley with al fresco dining spaces on two decks and a gourmet kitchen. Another group-sized option is this three-bedroom bed and breakfast ($1,430 per night) on the Yount Ridge Estate. The property sits on 15 acres with some of the most stunning views of Napa Valley. There are also morecompact and affordable Airbnbs. Take, for example, this one-bedroom cottage ($124 per night) on a river-side resort two minutes from the Oxbow District. Guests can access on-site amenities such as indoor/outdoor games, a heated swimming pool, and a hot tub.

The best Airbnbs in Napa for groups

Sonoma

Photo: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Sonoma is next door to storied Napa. Wines from this region are just as well-crafted, and the terroir just as vineyard-friendly, as those of its more famous neighbor. The prices, glamour, and vibe, however, are much different. Sonoma County’s 19 AVAs stretch from the Pacific to the mountains, and are known for being laid-back and sustainability-first. The county covers a wide geographic range, so it’s best explored by picking one or two areas to focus on each trip. Healdsburg is a natural starting point. This small town is a hub for great wine, Michelin-star dining, and outdoor recreation. Or base your trip in Sebastopol, one of Matador Network’s favorite small towns in the US.

Roughly 60 varieties of grapes grow in Sonoma County. Chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon are the most widely planted, followed by zinfandel, merlot, sauvignon blanc, and syrah. One of the most popular wine regions in the area is the Russian River AVA, where you’ll primarily find wines made with cool-climate grapes like chardonnay and pinot noir at the more than 80 wineries. It’s also an easy region to reach from the Bay Area.

Wineries to visit:

Francis Ford Coppola Winery:Here, guests can get a taste of the winemaking process first-hand along with a taste of the wines themselves. The free Coppola WineLab offers the opportunity to experience how different winemaking techniques influence flavor and provide feedback that’s considered in the final blends. More traditional tastings are also available, or just sip on wine and enjoy what else is on the property: a restaurant, pool with cabins, live entertainment, and a collection of movie memorabilia from Francis Ford Coppola’s oeuvre.J Vineyards: Located in Healdsburg, this winery is known for its acclaimed sparkling and still wines, and offers elevated tasting experiences. Don’t miss the Bubble Room tasting for $175 featuring pairings with a five-course menu.Enriquez Estate Wines: This Sonoma winery doesn’t have an official tasting room for its by-appointment visits. What it does have is an intimate tasting of tempranillo, pinot noir, cabernet franc, and more on the family-owned estate surrounded by vines and a rustic barn.. You might even get insight from owner-winemaker Cecilia Enriquez. Or you can bring the tasting to you for a group of up to 20.

Where to stay

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Choose between staying in town within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms, or venturing to a more rural setting. You’re spoilt for choice in either setting. This Scandinavian-style farmhouse offers a rural stay 10 minutes from Sonoma Square. The family-friendly home is beside a working biodynamic vineyard, and there are dozens of world-class wineries within 15 minutes of the charming Airbnb. Another option within a quick drive to town is this three-bedroom tranquil retreat ($630 per night.) The open and spacious interior is flooded with natural light, and there are outdoor decks for evening entertaining. For a stylish group stay, this creekside three-bedroom ($534 per night) on the east side of Sonoma is one to bookmark. There’s ample outdoor space, a wraparound deck, a hot tub, and al fresco dining underneath a canopy of olive and citrus trees.

Santa Barbara County

Photo: Carolin Sunshine/Shutterstock

Bordering the Pacific on the Central Coast, Santa Barbara County has more than 300 wineries across seven AVAs. Cool-climate varieties like chardonnay and pinot noir are the most widely planted grapes, followed by syrah, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and grenache. More than 75 grape varieties thrive here thanks to a wide range of microclimates.

Start in the sleepy town of Lompoc, where you can taste some of the best pinot noir in the country made with grapes from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The east-west mountains help bring in cool ocean air and morning fog, and many local winemakers have set up tasting rooms in an old warehouse district now called the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. While the wine compares to the quality of California’s more famous northern regions, the prices are much lower and the environment much more casual whether you go to the in-town tasting rooms or the vineyards themselves. If price is less of a consideration and you want something a little fancier, Santa Barbara, the “American Riviera,” has its Urban Wine Trail.

From there, head farther inland to the Santa Ynez Valley. Sideways helped make this wine region famous with filming locations in Buellton and across the valley. Here, the roads are lined with vineyards and dotted with small towns. The warmer climate here is well suited for syrah, grenache, mourvedre, roussanne, and viognier. Los Alamos looks straight out of an old Western movie, and Los Olivos seems to have as many tasting rooms as every other business combined in the small downtown area: about 30 in a town of less than 1,000 people.

Wineries to visit:

Montemar: A playful winery in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto making seriously good pinot noir and syrah. Come for the wine tastings that range from $15 to $25, and stay for a glass in the large outdoor patio space and garden before walking to the other nearby tasting rooms.Alma Rosa: Make an appointment to sip pinot noir in the Sta. Rita Hills with a cheese pairing for $75. Or go deeper and take a tour of the vineyards in a large golf cart followed by a reserve wine tasting for $100. For outdoorsy types, there are two hike-and-taste options as well.Fess Parker: A focal point of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Fess Parker is a family-owned winery founded in 1989. The gorgeous estate has seated tastings, kid- and dog-friendly patio tastings, reserve tastings, and a vineyard tour tasting.

Where to stay

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To truly immerse yourself in the sun-drenched hillsides and vineyards of the county, consider staying in Los Olivos or the Santa Ynez Valley. Ideal for a small family or group of friends, this two-bedroom home in the heart of Los Olivos is within walking distance to the many tasting rooms downtown. Owned by a writer and artist, expect creative design details throughout the interior and garden spaces. The front yard is a butterfly sanctuary, and there’s a wisteria-draped gazebo where you can watch the sunset over the nearby hills. For a group stay in Santa Ynez, you won’t find better than this four-bedroom countryside retreat ($938 per night.) A top Airbnb, the home sits among rolling hills and vineyards on a private seven-acre estate. It ticks all the boxes: breathtaking views, secluded outdoor space, outdoor dining, and the perfect blend of rustic-chic styling and modern amenities.

Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County

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Paso Robles is within San Luis Obispo County (known locally as simply “Paso” and “SLO”). The town of Paso Robles is about 25 miles from the coast at the halfway point between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Unlike most of the wine regions in nearby Santa Barbara County, however, Paso Robles (the city and the AVA, which share the name) tends to see notably higher temperatures. The most popular varieties are classic grapes from France’s Bordeaux and Rhône regions: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandel, syrah, and chardonnay. Smaller amounts of viognier, pinot noir, and other varieties are also grown in the region’s cooler microclimates. Eleven sub-AVAs within the Paso Robles AVA offer plenty of opportunities to taste a wide range of styles across the 200 or so wineries here. The Adelaida District and Willow Creek District AVAs are particularly noteworthy. At the southernmost edge of the Paso Robles region is the Santa Margarita AVA. It’s home to just one vineyard, Margarita Vineyard, the estate vineyard of Ancient Peaks Winery, where you can zipline or take a wildlife tour alongside a tasting of award-winning wines.

To get a taste of the whole county, follow the SLO CAL Sustainable Wine Trail. More than 50 of the region’s 250-plus wineries along the 70-mile stretch of Highway 101 are certified for sustainable viticulture. Edna Valley, just outside of the lively college town of San Luis Obispo, has had grapevines on the land since the Spanish missionaries planted them in the 1800s. Here, you’ll find cooler weather ideal for pinot noir, chardonnay, viognier, and syrah, as well as many sustainability-minded operations.

Wineries to visit:

Halter Ranch: This Paso Robles estate is the world’s only fly-in winery and vineyard — and has on-site accommodations and fine dining, too. You don’t have to know a pilot to enjoy the property. Tastings can include a tour of the largest wine caves on the Central Coast or a tour of the 2,700-acre estate in a Land Rover.L’Aventure: French winemaker-owner Stephan Asseo spent decades making wine in premier wine regions in France before heading to Paso for more freedom and a distinct terroir. Open since 1998, L’Aventure focuses on blends that highlight the region. Tastings among the vines at this highly lauded winery start at $50, while a private one-on-one tasting in the wine caves start at $130.Chamisal: The second SIP certified winery (a stringent sustainability certification), the Edna Valley winery Chamisal is about 10 minutes from downtown SLO. You’d never guess from the vineyard-surrounded tasting room where you can sip flights or indulge in a bubbles and caviar pairing.

Where to stay

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You’ll want to stay close to Paso Robles and Edna Valley wine trails. This two-bedroom cottage is geared to those who value waking up to 360-degree views of Paso Robles wine country. After a day of tastings, you can kick back on the back patio around the fire pit or take in the sunset from the hot tub hidden in the hillside. For a more intimate stay, this one-bedroom barn conversion ($180 per night) is simply beautiful. A top five-percent listing, the home was once used as a floral design studio, so expect light-drenched rooms and a stylish natural color palette.

Temecula

Photo: Brian Reilly/Shutterstock

Temecula Valley is unlike the storied wine regions in Northern California and along the Central Coast. It’s relatively newer — the first vineyards were planted in the 1960s — and in close proximity to the desert. This Southern California wine region is hot and dry. The 33,000-acre Temecula Valley AVA, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, is home to about 50 wineries. Warm-loving varieties like syrah, grenache, and Italian varieties take center stage. Continuing the trend of wine regions becoming more casual and affordable the farther south you go from Napa, Temecula Valley wineries are often just as much about the visitor experience as the wine itself. Big groups and wedding parties are more than welcome at many of the wineries, and it’s not uncommon for the wineries here to have on-site dining, accommodations, and live entertainment. They can also be quirky: Briar Rose Winery has a replica of Snow White’s cottage on the property, while Europa Village is a multi-winery resort designed to evoke small towns in France, Italy, and Spain.

The AVA has a relatively small number of wineries for how large it is. Three designated wine trails make it easier to navigate: the Rancho California Wine Trail covers some of the older and best-known wineries, the Calle Contento Wine Trail takes you off the more well-traveled roads, and the DePortola Wine Trail includes 11 family-owned wineries all in close proximity.

Wineries to visit:

Bottaia: Wine club members get special terrace views over the vineyards and access to the pool and lounge, though non-members can still enjoy a seated tasting paired with a charcuterie board or head to the wine blending lab to bring home their own mix.Leoness: The highly-rated wines at Leoness get new meaning through a tasting and tour of the estate. The winery focuses on farming first, and seasonal tours walk through the vines, barrel room, and winemaking facilities before a flight paired with cheese.South Coast Winery: The award-winning wine is a major draw here, but that’s matched by the experience overall. South Coast Winery is the only full-service winery resort and spa in Temecula Valley, with accommodations set among the vineyards. Visit for a tasting experience, live entertainment, and guided tours that can include walking the grounds or blending your own wine.

Where to stay

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Sure, you can travel easily from Los Angeles and San Diego to Temecula for a day in wine country, but to avoid pulling straws for a designated driver, there are Airbnbs close to the city and tasting rooms. For views and only a two-minute drive to wineries, check out this three-bedroom single-story villa with a pool and spa. If you’d rather stay somewhere a smidge more rural, this three-bedroom home ($619 per night) is on a small family vineyard. The backyard is surrounded by vines, and there’s a large patio area, a gas fire pit, a grill, and a hot tub.

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The Price of Paradise: Luxury Travel Can Save the World’s Wildest Places, but at What Cost?

In summer of 2022, an American tourist threw a rented scooter down the famous Spanish Steps in Rome; it caused $26,000 worth of damage to the 300-year-old stone staircase. The tropical island of Boracay in the Philippines had to close for six months to recover from damage done by tourists to beaches and wetlands. And on the Indonesian island of Bali, more than 60 percent of aquifers are running dry as hotels and resorts demand more water for guests.

These incidents are not isolated and illustrate the mounting pressures that global tourism exerts on fragile environments and landmarks. Overtourism is hardly a new concern when it comes to travel woes — but it’s not unavoidable. A number of places around the world are turning to exclusivity over wide accessibility to limit tourism impact.

Just ask Charlotte Barbosa, course director for dive shop Divers Den, based in Cairns, Australia. “Unlike in other regions, only one dive boat per site is allowed on the Great Barrier Reef,” she says. According to recent research, about 86 percent of all visits to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Association, are concentrated across just seven percent of the marine area.

The rest of the reef is difficult to reach for both guests and commercial dive operators. Operators must get permits specifying when and where they can access sites, with hefty fines or permit revocation for violations. Environmental Management Charges are collected from each passenger to fund protection programs, and the various marine park zones are regularly patrolled in partnership with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Tour operators must submit environmental and activity reports. Some shops, like Divers Den, go further by meeting global Green Fins standards and participating in long-term monitoring efforts like the Eye on the Reef citizen science program.

A Divers Den boat on a dive site on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Divers Den

The result of all this, Barbosa says, is a reef largely unaffected by the direct impacts of overtourism. Like all reefs, the Great Barrier’s coral gardens are threatened by humans in the form of ocean warming and coral bleaching from climate change. But the direct impact from tourists, she says, is very low. In fact, she thinks the overall effects of tourism here is a beneficial one.

“Visitor education and reef levies [taxes] provide essential funding and awareness for the reef,” Barbosa says. “That far outweighs tourism’s environmental impact.” The reef attracts more than 2 million visitors annually. Those tourists contribute $5.7 billion to the Australian economy — 90 percent of the $6.4 billion economic impact of the reef. (Other economic contributions come from fishing, recreation, and scientific research).

Maintaining healthy reefs comes with a cost — one borne primarily by the wealthy tourists who can afford to go diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Divers Den charges about $220 USD for a two-dive day trip, including lunch, compared to average rates of $120 to $160 in other parts of the world. That’s pricier than diving in the Red Sea, the Maldives, Indonesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, or almost anywhere else on Earth, other than Galápagos and Iceland — two notoriously expensive vacation destinations. While that helps keep most of the Great Barrier Reef relatively healthy despite heavy tourism, it’s only relatively wealthy travelers who will get to experience it.

The argument over environmental gatekeeping

Gatekeeping to decrease the number of tourists is primarily done in one of two ways: limiting public knowledge of a place or how to get there, or by implementing high prices that intentionally limit access. While some see gatekeeping as necessary for conservation, others criticize it for fostering exclusion and elitism, arguing it limits access to experiences everyone has an equal right to enjoy.

Yet for some destinations, the answer to whether or not to gatekeep comes down to basic facts: the planet can only handle so much tourism.

Photo: Pikaia Lodge/Shutterstock

“We fully recognize the tension there is between exclusivity and accessibility,” says Norman Brandt, manager of the high-end Pikaia Lodge on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos Islands. “But the Galapágos cannot sustain mass tourism, and that is why the national park limits the annual number of visitors. The sole idea of scaling access to everyone at any price would cause irreversible environmental damage.”

The Galápagos Islands are known for having one of the most fragile environments on earth, and reputable organizations such as UNESCO have called out spotty enforcement of environmental regulations. Ecuador limits the number of ship-based visitors to the islands each day, but has no cap on land-based visitors on areas outside the official park boundaries. As there are no hotels in the national park, all visitors spend a large part of their time in these less-protected areas.

In 2010, there were about 85,000 land-based visitors to the Galápagos. By 2023, about 230,600 people opted for land-based itineraries, staying in hotels or guesthouses on the four inhabited islands and taking day trips rather than joining the smaller number of travelers on live-aboard cruises.

In 2023, the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association called for limits on land-based tourism, but it’s still unregulated outside of the park as of April 2025. The government has taken steps to control tourism, such as doubling the national park entry fee to $200 per person in 2024. Though the land within Galápagos National Park has maximum quotas for each section of the park per day, evaluations of whether those numbers are environmentally sustainable, appropriate, and effectively monitored are mixed at best. The growing tourist population is putting pressure on already limited supplies of freshwater and food, as well as taxing waste management systems and leading to habitat loss and pollution in the inhabited areas of the islands where regulations are less strict than in the national park. What happens in these more commercial areas has trickle-down effects on the entire 13-island region.

Tourists approaching wildlife on the beach in the Galápagos. Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

These reasons, and many more, are why lodges like Pikaia are choosing to implement their own visitation management strategies. Like many others, Pikaia’s strategy heavily relies on high pricing. Having fewer guests and more income means the lodge causes “less strain on local resources like water, energy, and waste systems, and has less impact on sites,” Brandt says. The resort also runs programs designed to improve the environment and local communities, like on-property reforestation to create homes for native animals and hiring a teacher for a local community school.

Even without these initiatives, costs would need to be high, Brandt adds, noting that the hotel’s location drives up even basic costs. “Operating in the Galápagos entails significant expenses related to environmental permits, outsourced guest services, specialized transportation, and complex logistics,” he says. Even a non-luxury hotel would still need to be expensive to meet a basic standard of environmental stewardship. Because of this, the lodge has no plans to switch to a more affordable model.

“We’re prioritizing quality over quantity,” Brandt says, noting that the resort caters to travelers who understand the “importance of conserving the Galápagos Islands” and are “ready to positively contribute to its long-term goals” — i.e., visitors who are willing and able to pay the high costs.

Like many others, Pikaia Lodge intentionally targets travelers willing to pay above average for a more sustainable and conservation-minded experience. Photo: Pikaia Lodge/Shutterstock

Though high prices can help protect the environment, they do little to address global inequality. As a 2019 report from Parks Journal notes, “Protected areas in low-income countries are on average 30 times less affordable to citizens than in high-income countries,” with high costs suppressing local visitation and weakening public support for conservation. Critics argue that pricing limitations mean only wealthy tourists, often from the global north, can access these areas, while local communities are priced out or only serve in secondary support roles. This echoes historical patterns of exploitation and turns nature into a commodity to be exploited, rather than valuing the natural environment for its own sake.

Tour operators like Divers Den recognize this tension. Barbosa notes that if prices rise too high, fewer people visit the reef, reducing the number of both tourism-related jobs and the tourist taxes that fund essential conservation work on the Great Barrier Reef. “Without tourism funding, conservation efforts and the Great Barrier Reef Authority wouldn’t exist, and crucial practices like water quality management and reef monitoring wouldn’t happen,” she says. While organizations like PADI AWARE also contribute, it works alongside, not apart from, government-run marine park management. In the end, raising prices might boost short-term profits and limit tourism-related damage, but it risks limiting public exposure to the reef.

“People protect what they love,” says Barbarosa. “Without exposure to the natural world, like seeing a panda in a zoo, people wouldn’t care to protect it.”

The goal? More money, fewer visitors

Expensive permit fees have helped fund efforts to save Rwanda’s mountain gorilla population. Their population has grown by hundreds since the park raised costs. Photo: Suzie Dundas

Love it or hate it, the model used on the Great Barrier Reef is effective — and not unique to Australia. After a civil war in the 1990s, Rwanda rebuilt its economy with a focus on sustainable development, purpose-built tourism, and economic development to benefit all. In Volcanoes National Park, home to critically endangered mountain gorillas, trekking permits started at $250 per person in 1999 and rose to $1,500 in 2017. Only 80 to 90 permits are issued each day.

The Virunga Massif gorilla population grew from 380 individuals in the mid-2000s to more than 600 by 2016. Poaching is rare, thanks in large part to strong law enforcement and programs to transition many former poachers into tourism-related jobs. Those programs are funded by tourism, which brought in $164 million in 2021. Permit sales contributed about $39 million that year, compared to $7 million from permit sales in 2007. At least 10 percent of total tourism revenue is guaranteed by the government to fund proposals from local communities for projects ranging from healthcare to infrastructure to new businesses.

Compare this to neighboring Uganda, which began offering gorilla treks through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park around the same time, and it’s clear Rwanda’s model is more environmentally advantageous. Uganda offers 160 gorilla trekking permits daily, priced at $700 each, enabling far more tourists to see the gorillas each year. Uganda sold 41,486 permits in 2024, generating about $29 million — falling short of Rwanda’s total by more than $10 million, despite Uganda hosting far more visitors. Rwanda’s high-value model allows for greater investment in anti-poaching, veterinary care, and habitat expansion, including an upcoming park expansion, while minimizing daily disturbance to gorilla groups. Uganda’s higher visitor numbers bring greater management challenges and environmental risks, including frequent reports of guests getting too close (reported in up to 98 percent of visits), increased disease risk, and gorillas that show signs of increased stress. These issues are less pronounced in Rwanda, which can spend more money on rule enforcement.

Accessibility may be a bygone luxury, environmentally speaking

The Grinnell Glacier, one of many melting at an alarming rate in Montana’s Glacier National Park due to climate change. Photo: Glacier National Park/Tim Rains

As of 2025, the Earth’s most sensitive ecological zones are teetering on the edge. Scientists are regularly warning that we’re perilously close to the point of no return from planetary damage. The Doomsday Clock (a symbol set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to reflect humanity’s proximity to catastrophe) now stands at just 89 seconds to midnight — the closest it’s been since the measurement started in 1947. Researchers are starting to call it the “polycrisis” era, where we’re on the cusp of triggering multiple tipping points that could make a complete recovery impossible.

In 2024, the planet was more than 1.5 degrees celsius hotter compared to pre-Industrial levels — widely considered the global warming limit to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change. Long-term, that could lead to abrupt global changes: the collapse of major ice sheets, a complete dieback of the Amazon rainforest, a loss of arctic permafrost that releases unheard of amounts of stored methane into the atmosphere.

When approached from that viewpoint, it’s easy to make the argument that we no longer have the luxury of caring if practices to protect the planet are accessible to all. But by that logic, international tourism shouldn’t exist at all, as about 2.5 percent of CO2 released annually comes from commercial aviation. (Nor should most energy or livestock production.) And since efforts like carbon removal and sustainable fuel initiatives aren’t keeping up with the growing demand for travel, it’s enough to raise the question of whether the world should even be as accessible as it is.

Tourism can exacerbate both environmental concerns and income inequality concerns. Shown here: an anti-tourism sign in the Canary Islands, a region known for growing overtourism problems. Photo: svf74/Shutterstock

But there’s an even bigger price to pay. A world divided into those who can afford to experience the planet’s wonders and those who can’t comes with the threat of worsening the already-very-real effects of global income equality, both between individuals and between developed and developing countries. The differences in health, education, housing, and quality of life between the haves and have-nots on the world stage is stark and alarming.

Charging $1,500 for a gorilla trekking permit is not going to drive up the cost of living for locals overnight. But exposure to the natural world through travel can increase empathy and help people see first-hand what needs to be protected. So what happens when everything in nature is commodified, and citizens have to choose between paying for healthcare or paying to access the great outdoors near their home?

Some destinations try to address the balance between exclusivity and accessibility. Rwanda offers steep discounts on gorilla trekking for residents and students, manages the park under the Rwandan government, and reinvests revenue in communities. Pikaia Lodge takes local schoolchildren on park trips and provides training and career development for staff. Divers Den offsets pricier overnight trips with more affordable snorkeling options. Elsewhere, only tourists who are willing to pony up for sustainability efforts are allowed in, such as Bhutan, which has a mandatory $100 per person, per day fee attached to every tourist visa.

Bhutan’s steep visa fees keep tourist numbers low while bringing in a high tourism spend per person. Photo: sprabbito/Shutterstock

Based on emerging research and real-world case studies, it’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all model for balancing conservation and access. Strategies that seem to work well include creating zoning and buffer areas to protect flora and fauna (as with the Great Barrier Reef), integrating Indigenous communities into management (as with Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest), and effectively reinvesting tourism funds into local infrastructure (as seen in Rwanda and safari destinations like Kenya). Tiered pricing and free access for residents, students, or scientists can help maintain local accessibility. Choosing destinations with less overtourism pressures can also help — the world is large with many beautiful destinations, not just those that constantly pop up on social media.

The most sustainable models need to recognize both the urgency of environmental protection and the necessity of social equity. When the environment takes precedence, travelers may need to seek out more affordable “dupe” destinations. In some cases, restricted access may be necessary now to ensure these places survive for future generations.

“Limiting visitors is not elitism,” says Norman Brandt, of the Galápagos’ Pikaia Lodge. “It’s ecological necessity.”

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The Sustainability Initiatives That Each Major US Airline Is Taking to Make Flying Greener

Flying commercial aircraft is a carbon-intensive activity. A typical domestic shorthaul flight burns about 2.5 metric tons of fuel per hour, emitting some 7.9 tons of CO2 – roughly the same as driving the average car for 1.7 years. The Air Transport Action Group recorded 35.3 million commercial flights in 2023, with separate estimates for air travel’s total environmental impact noting the industry accounts for between 2.5 and four percent of total carbon emissions globally.

That is significant, but the news isn’t all bad – across the industry major airlines and third-party businesses and organizations are researching, developing, and scaling a variety of ways to significantly reduce the impact of flying. Some of these, like on-board recycling programs, are visible right now to flyers, but much is happening behind the scenes in labs, farms, and boardrooms far from the typical traveler’s sightline. To help you gain an understanding of what your favorite airline is doing to address its environmental impact, Matador spoke with airline reps and poured through studies and data sets to compile a rundown of what every major US airline is working on.

Efforts taken by all major airlines

Most major airlines have invested heavily in the development and growing deliverability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a benchmark of their sustainability initiatives. Use of SAF has recently grown significantly year-over-year. Photo: Bulent Camci /Shutterstock

Before jumping into each airline’s efforts, I want to point out a few practices that my research for this story showed to be common among major airlines. These are important to include because, as I noted in a recent in-depth report on carbon removal and the airline industry, the process of decarbonizing air travel is a long-game effort that will likely never reach “absolute zero.” That is, it’s unlikely that commercial air travel will ever be entirely free of carbon pollution. Rather, it’s important that airlines pursue big-picture optimization strategies that allow them to minimize emissions while maximizing operational efficiency, as technologies like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon capture ramp up.

This is happening in a few key ways across these airlines, including in buying the most fuel-efficient aircraft possible, something that is always ongoing as aircraft technology evolves and new ideas are tested. Each airline I spoke with for this story is in an active effort to get the most fuel-efficient planes as they are developed. Now and in the future, airlines are also working to fly the most fuel-efficient routes possible. This involves the elevation at which planes fly, and even the trajectory – which is partly why some flights heading across the Atlantic head way north toward Greenland and Iceland before dropping further south to land at their destinations, for example. Doing this can actually cut flight time and fuel demand as it allows planes to harness wind patterns and avoid bad weather.

New technology consistently evolves to help air travel be more efficient. Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program tests and implements technologies aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. In 2024, the program evaluated 36 technologies, including the use of sustainable aviation fuel blends, single-engine taxiing, and advanced flight path optimization – an example of a technology that is benefitting airlines now. Looking ahead, United’s and Delta’s investments in JetZero’s “blended-wing body” aircraft, known as the Z4, integrates the wings and fuselage into a single, wide airframe, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and potentially reducing fuel consumption by up to 50 percent per passenger mile compared to traditional aircraft. This could be used in commercial flights as soon as 2027.

All major US commercial airlines have invested in SAF and have partnered with producers to help scale its production and use. Most now offer options for customers to purchase SAF during the process of buying a ticket – which dollar for dollar is more effective than buying a carbon offset. Lobbying industry and government partners is ongoing, as well, among airlines. JetBlue, for example, told me it has been active in pushing for the FAA to modernize its scope and operations to line up with airlines’ sustainability goals.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines sustainability initiatives include pioneering waste reduction and recycling

Photo: Alaska was the first US commercial airline to ditch plastic water bottles in favor of boxed alternatives — and many airlines still haven’t followed suit. Andrew Mauro /Shutterstock

On September 18, 2024, Alaska Airlines completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. In addition to merging two competitive airlines into a unified force that could better compete with the “Big 4” US airlines, the merger brought together a collection of unique approaches to airline sustainability practices. In 2021, Alaska ditched plastic water bottles in favor of boxed water. This followed it being the first airline to develop an onboard recycling program and to eliminate plastic cups in its food and drink service.

Alex Da Silva, Regional Communications Director with Hawaiian, spoke with Matador via email about some of the company’s more under-the-radar sustainability initiatives.

“In 2024, we partnered with Debrand to divert more than 8,000 pounds of end-of-life pilot uniforms from landfills,” Da Silva says. He also noted that, “Hawaiian has a commitment to source more local food and beverage for its catering service, which supports food production and helps lift Hawaii-based companies, all while reducing emissions from the shipping of products. Hawaiian also developed a Travel Pono (Responsibly) program to equip visitors with information on how to enjoy the islands safely and respectfully, while having a positive impact on communities.”

The company is also looking ahead to SAF.

“SAF is the most effective technology to decarbonize aviation in the next two decades,” Da Silva says. “But it’s not at the scope, scale or cost today to realize its full potential.” The airline took part in a “first-of-its kind partnership with Microsoft to sell Scope 3 credits from SAF and to effectively co-invest in supply. This model is now widely used across the industry.”

Alaska is working with Shell to identify the best way to bring SAF to its hub in Seattle, and Hawaiian with Par Hawaii and Pono Pacific to jumpstart the SAF market in Hawaii. The company has also partnered with Microsoft and Twelve to support Twelve’s e-fuel production in Moses Lake, Washington, Da Silva noted.

“We worked on policy, permitting, advocacy for federal loans, and more – and we’ll be using the first gallons from that plant, once produced,” Da Silva says.

JetBlue sustainability initiatives happen mostly behind the scenes

JetBlue has been active in pushing for the FAA to modernize its scope and operations to line up with airlines’ sustainability goals.
Photo: Chad Robertson Media /Shutterstock

Across the country, New York-based JetBlue has been less vocal about its initiatives than Alaska, though its efforts are equally ambitious.

“We currently have eight public SAF partner offtakes, including four delivering partners in Neste, World Energy, Shell, and most recently, Valero which helped us bring the first regular SAF supply for commercial air travel to New York,” said Morgan Johnston with JetBlue Corporate Communications via email. “Along with the delivering partners, we also have four long-term SAF deals with partners and facilities expected to deliver in the future.”

Like Alaska, JetBlue has put onboard efforts into minimizing single-use plastics and incorporating recyclable materials where possible, though there’s still room for growth.

“Our multi-part emissions reduction strategy focuses on reducing climate-warming emissions where we safely can, building up sustainable aviation fuel that offers approximately an 80% lower carbon footprint and supporting industry changing and lower-carbon flying technologies such as alternative energy aircraft through JetBlue Ventures,” Johnston says.

This highlights why it’s important for flyers to look at a company’s full scope of operations when analyzing its plans to reduce environmental impact.

“Many of our sustainability efforts aren’t immediately apparent to travelers, such as our efforts to reduce fuel burn through use of newer more fuel-efficient fleet, fine-tuning our procedures and routing to optimize fuel consumption, and advocating for FAA modernization to improve system operations. More visible to customers would be our efforts inside the cabin to reduce unnecessary waste through use of reusable service items, recycling, and phasing out of single-use plastics.”

American Airlines sustainability initiatives include a massive effort to avoid contrails

Contrails, the ice-crystal trails formed by aircraft at high altitudes, trap heat in the atmosphere by acting like thin cirrus clouds, contributing to global warming. American is actively involved in progressing ways to avoid contrails. Photo: Velolosik /Shutterstock

American Airlines has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. To support this, it has set ambitious intermediate targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2035 and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions by 40 percent by 2035, both validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This includes a goal to induct zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2032 or earlier, for which the airline is involved in partnerships with ZeroAvia and Embraer, and is involved in research for advanced aircraft designs like the Boeing X-66A with Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept – which would use significantly less jet fuel to fly than today’s planes.

For SAF, the airline has entered long-term agreements with producers like Gevo and Infinium. With Infinium, American is supporting the development of eFuels—synthetic fuels made from captured CO₂ and renewable electricity—which offer a scalable path to decarbonizing aviation.

One initiative that American has loudly embraced, though, is contrail avoidance. Contrails, the ice-crystal trails formed by aircraft at high altitudes, trap heat in the atmosphere by acting like thin cirrus clouds, contributing to global warming. Though they don’t emit pollutants directly, their climate impact can exceed that of CO₂ emissions from the same flight, especially when they persist and spread.

“American is grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners at Google Research and Breakthrough Energy to help advance the science on contrail avoidance,” said Jill Blickstein, Vice President of Sustainability at American, in a press release. “The results from this small-scale test are encouraging, and, while clearly there are more questions to answer about how to operationalize contrails avoidance across our industry, we’re excited to have played a role in establishing this first proof point. And we’re looking forward to sharing what we learned with stakeholders in the aviation industry and beyond.”

United sustainability initiatives include a big investment in Direct Air Capture

A rendering of one of Heirloom’s forthcoming Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants in Louisiana. United invested heavily in Heirloom as part of its sustainability strategy. Rendering courtesy Heirloom

Like American, United has committed to be “net zero” by 2050 – and while claims like that are somewhat subjective and vague, its approach so far has been slightly different than those of its competitors. United invested in Heirloom, a direct air capture (DAC) company that uses limestone to extract CO₂ from the atmosphere. Heirloom is in the process of building two DAC plants in Louisiana. Through this partnership, United secured rights to remove up to 500,000 tons of CO₂, either for permanent storage or for conversion into synthetic fuel.

United also launched the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, a $200 million initiative that invests in startups focused on decarbonizing air travel. The fund has supported companies developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen-electric propulsion, and other clean technologies. Notably, United has invested in SAF producers like Cemvita, which utilizes carbon dioxide to create fuel, and has entered agreements to purchase significant volumes of SAF for future use. As such, the airline’s efforts , and as Matador has outlined, carbon capture, this type of proactive forward thinking (as opposed to buying carbon credits or offsets) is what is needed to make a notable difference in airline emissions.

Southwest sustainability initiatives further Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The ethanol used in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is often derived from fermenting sugars in corn starch at a refinery like this. Southwest has heavily invested in SAF as part of its “Nonstop to Net Zero” initiative. Photo: FUN FUN PHOTO /Shutterstock

Southwest is also on the “net zero by 2050” bandwagon. Its “Nonstop to Net Zero” strategy includes the ongoing effort of modernizing its fleet with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, aiming to replace 10% of its total jet fuel consumption with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030, and electrifying 50% of eligible ground support equipment by the same year. Additionally, Southwest plans to eliminate single-use plastics from inflight service where feasible by 2030 and reduce energy utilization at its Dallas headquarters by 50% by 2035.

Distinctively, Southwest has invested in the development of SAF through its acquisition of SAFFiRE Renewables, a company focused on producing renewable ethanol from corn stover, which can be converted into SAF. The airline’s “Repurpose with Purpose” program upcycles used aircraft seat leather into new products.

Delta sustainability initiatives include reinventing Terminal C at LaGuardia

Delta has invested $4 billion to transform Terminal C at New York’s LaGuardia Airport into a state-of-the-art travel hub that places sustainability at its core. Photo: cheap lev /Shutterstock

LaGuardia International Airport is a major hub for Delta, and it’s here that flyers can witness a new sustainability effort from the airline come to life over the coming years. Delta has invested $4 billion to transform Terminal C at New York’s LaGuardia Airport into a state-of-the-art travel hub that places sustainability at its core. The terminal features exterior glass that automatically tints based on weather and time of day to reduce heat and energy use at the gates, along with an advanced energy-efficient baggage system. Additionally, it includes an innovative ice-making plant that generates ice during off-peak hours to help cool the terminal during the day, easing demand on the power grid.

Beyond infrastructure, Delta has partnered with the Central Park Conservancy, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, New York Restoration Project, and the Botanical Garden of Staten Island to provide funding for these organizations’ stewardship and education efforts. The airline is modernizing its fleet by introducing next-generation aircraft that it claims are 28% more fuel-efficient per seat mile than the planes they replace, on average. Delta is ramping up use of SAF and has electrified a significant portion of its ground service equipment, deploying over 1,600 electric units since 2020.

Delta is a founding member of the EcoVadis Sustainable Airlines Initiative to coordinate decarbonization and waste reduction efforts with other airlines including KLM and Virgin Atlantic. Much like United’s Sustainable Flight Fund, Delta launched the Sustainable Skies Lab in 2023 to found research and development of sustainable aviation technologies. The airline is also collaborating with JetZero to develop the blended-wing-body aircraft. In addition, Delta is involved in an ongoing effort to eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics annually by switching to different products and packaging for food and drink service.

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The Cheapest Summer Flight Deals for 2025, According to New Travel Data

More than three million paid members use Dollar Flight Club to find cheap travel deals. That gives the company quite a lot of data to pull from when it comes to analyzing travel preferences, seasonal travel trends, and, most importantly, what destinations are regularly reached via budget-friendly flights. It just released a report on what destinations are the best for affordable summer travel, based on 500,000 airline booking data sets.

Overall, most airlines are dropping their estimates of how much money they think they’ll make this year. That’s bad news for them, but could be good news for travelers, as they may offer deals to help fill every seat they can. Unfortunately, more and more airlines are also relying on dynamic pricing, using AI technology to adjust ticket costs in real time based on everything from demand to changing fuel costs. “This dynamic pricing model means airfare can fluctuate frequently, requiring travelers to monitor fares closely,” advises Dollar Flight Club CEO Jesse Neugarten in the report.

Dollar Flight Club also advised other tips to save money based on its data, such as booking international flights four to six months in advance, and domestic flights two to three months in advance. That means you want to plan summer international trips by April or mid-May at the latest. To find the average round-trip price (in economy class, naturally), Dollar Flight Club looked at data from the top 10 busiest US airports by passengers data — so the flight estimates below should reflect price trends, no matter where you’re flying from in the US.

Here are the rest of the trends you can expect when it comes to summer flight deals.

International bucket-list destinations are in demand

Paris continues to be as popular as ever for summer travel. Photo: Catarina Belova/Shutterstock

After the COVID-19 pandemic, it became trendy for travelers to seize the day — and seize on the chance to travel again — by opting for classic bucket-list destinations they’d always wanted to visit. It seems that trend is here to stay, as the Dollar Flight Club report shows users are searching for summer flight deals to tried-and-true destinations.

The top international destinations are those ever-beloved by travelers: Paris, Tokyo, Rome, Cancun, and Bangkok. Surprisingly, some of those are also fairly affordable, showing that sometimes, you can find good summer flight deals, even to in-demand destinations.

If you’re looking for summer flight deals, these are 10 most affordable international cities to visit, along with the average lowest round-trip flight cost from the US this summer.

Dubai, Unites Arab Emirates: $900-$1,400Bangkok, Thailand: $750-$1,200Tokyo, Japan: $700-$1,100Barcelona, Spain: $620-$880Rome, Italy: $600-$900Dublin, Ireland: $550-$780Paris, France: $500-$800London, United Kingdom: $500-$750Mexico City, Mexico: $350-$550Cancun, Mexico: $226-$331

If you have your sights set only on that dream European destination, London is still going to be your most affordable option, especially as you can book inexpensive connecting flights to other cities from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. But destinations like Amsterdam, Madrid, and Munich are cheaper than you may think, too.

The average cost of a round-trip flight to the cheapest destinations in Europe this summer. Photo: Dollar Flight Club

Looking for the beach? Here’s where to go.

Flights to Santo Domingo likely won’t break the bank this summer. Photo: Nick N A /Shutterstock

Travelers looking for summer flight deals to beach destinations can also use Dollar Flight Club’s data to plan their trips. While destinations like Honolulu and the Amalfi Coast will always be popular, travelers looking to save money should plan to fly further south. “These destinations offer the same turquoise waters and resort experiences,” offers the analysis, “often at half the price of more well-known alternatives.” Here are the average costs of round-trip flights from the US to five of the cheapest beach destinations this summer:Nassau, Bahamas: $636Belize City, Belize: $626Cartagena, Colombia: $621Liberia, Costa Rica: $614Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: $548

Cold weather is cool

Photo: JeniFoto/Shutterstock

According to the data, not all travelers are keen on getting a tan and breaking a sweat. Cool- and cold-weather destinations are also trending for summer travel, with the summer flight deals to match. The report attributes it to soaring summer temperatures in the US, which may make travelers keen to feel slightly cooler temps when they step outside. Fortunately, Dollar Flight Club found just as many summer flight deals to cool-weather destinations as it did warm ones. Here’s where to go.

Photo: Dollar Flight Club

To determine the costs above, Dollar Flight Club averaged the cost of round-trip flights from the 10 busiest airports in the US: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Miami International Airport (MIA)​. It also asks customers when they sign up what destinations they’re most interested in visiting, and collects data from all searches, as well as its own internal data tracking systems. The costs above represent the lowest average round-trip price for travel between June and August 2025.

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This Road Trip Across the West of Québec Is the Ultimate Voyage Through Nature

The west of Québec is a patchwork of diverse natural landscapes waiting to be explored. From Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s rugged terrain and the Outaouais’ serene waters to the Laurentians’ towering peaks, Lanaudière’s rolling vistas, and Mauricie’s many charms, there’s so much you likely haven’t seen.

What does exploration look like in this corner of the province? That depends on you. Whether you spend your days hiking through dense forests, paddling quiet rivers, or finding new and memorable ways to soak in the surroundings, a road trip through this part of Québec invites you to connect with the province’s scenery in all its glorious, untamed splendour.

Go wild in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.Parc national d'Opémican, Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Photo: C. LeducRéserve faunique La Vérendrye, Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Photo: L. JalbertObadjiwan-Fort Témiscamingue National Historic Site, Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Photo: L. Jalbert

Just few hours’ drive from major cities in Ontario, Abitibi-Témiscamingue promises untouched wilderness with over 4,000 sparkling lakes and lush forests that are home to moose, beavers, and other woodsy critters. It’s an ideal escape to embrace the wild beauty of the Canadian Shield.

Tucked between the calm waters of Lake Timiskaming and Lake Kipawa, Parc national d’Opémican is a draw for outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and stand-up paddleboarding — all set against the peaceful backdrop of lakeside cliffs. For the geologically inclined, Parc national d’Aiguebelle takes center stage with its unique pillow lava formations and towering rocks known as “giant’s kettles.”

More outdoor adventure awaits at the Réserve faunique La Vérendrye, where you can hike, fish, and canoe in one of the most vast and lake-filled areas of Québec. All that recreation might leave you curious about how Abitibi-Témiscamingue came to be the playground it is today. For a deeper exploration of the land’s history, the Lieu historique national d’Obadjiwan–Fort-Témiscamingue opens a window into the region’s Indigenous and fur-trading past. Discover the legacy of the First Nations peoples and early European settlers who trod here before you did while strolling through ancient forests and exploring the remains of a 17th-century trading post.

To truly unwind, set up your base camp at La Bannik. At one of its comfortable cottages overlooking the waters of Lake Kipawa, you can soak in your private outdoor hot tub after a day of exploring this phenomenal region.

Play lakeside in Outaouais.Kenauk Nature, Outaouais. Photo: Camille LabontéParc Omega, Outaouais. Photo: M. Baril-TessierParc national de Plaisance, Outaouais. Photo: C. Labonté

Home to over 15,000 lakes and rivers, Outaouais seamlessly blends rich cultural heritage with stunning natural beauty. Here, you can explore one of North America’s oldest (and largest) private nature reserves and stay in the world’s largest log cabin.

At Kenauk Nature, find off-grid, eco-friendly chalets deep in the wilderness. With your beautiful lakeside chalet comes access to an impressive fish and game reserve and all the recreation it entails — fishing, canoeing, hiking, you name it. If wildlife is your focus, go for a drive-through safari at Parc Omega to see deer, bison, wolves, and moose across 1,500 acres, or birdwatch at Parc national de Plaisance. Located on a series of islands along the Ottawa River, the park’s marshlands and forests are inhabited by more than 250 bird species. You can call it home, too, by spending a night at one of the campgrounds. Alternately, enjoy a refined stay at Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the world’s largest log cabin, which combines rustic charm with five-star amenities including a pool and cabanas in summer.

The more you explore the region, the more you’ll see that the Outaouais is dotted with surprising discoveries like the Chutes du Moulin, a dramatic 35-metre waterfall with hiking trails that provides historical insights into North Nation Mills. Elsewhere, along the Petite-Nation River, you can paddle to Baie Noire or Baie de la Pentecôte, or hike accessible trails like the floating Zizanie-des-Marais path and the Marais-aux-Rubaniers boardwalk. And that’s just the start of the outdoor activities that await.

To up the adrenaline, Arbraska Laflèche offers zip lines, suspended bridges, and an underground adventure in the Laflèche Cave, one of the largest in the Canadian Shield. See if you can catch a glimpse of the bats that live here, perched high on the cave walls.

Reach new heights in the Laurentians.Tremblant - Ziptrek, Laurentides. Photo: Tourisme LaurentidesSentier des cimes, Laurentides. Photo: Tourisme LaurentidesParc régional Montagne du Diable, Laurentides. Photo: N. Aubry

The Laurentians, just north of Montréal, is a mountain range with plenty going on between its peaks — think nature parks, dense forests, and endless lakes alongside vibrant towns and villages. The region appeals to both outdoor adventurers and those seeking local culture.

Mont-Tremblant is one of the finest snapshots of the area, with year-round activities like zip lining, mountain biking, hiking, and swimming. In summer, the lively village becomes a hub for dining, shopping, and cultural events. Under an hour away, Saint-Sauveur Valley entertains with art galleries and boutiques, as well as the exciting Sommet Saint-Sauveur Water Park. Don’t miss one of the season’s highlights: the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, celebrating music and dance.

Cycle or hike Le P’tit Train du Nord, a 234-kilometre linear park along a former railway. Explore charming villages and enjoy farm-to-table dining at places like Maison de Soma, where regional agricultural traditions shine in every dish. For a bird’s-eye perspective of the area, head to the 40-metre-tall tower at Sentier des cimes Laurentides. This treetop adventure gives panoramic views of the Laurentians forests along an accessible boardwalk.

The Laurentians are also home to beautiful regional parks like Poisson-Blanc, Kiamika, and Montagne-du-Diable — ideal for hiking, canoeing, camping — and a long list of other scenic venues for outdoor experiences.

Breathe deep in Lanaudière-Mauricie.Auberge du Lac-à-l'Eau-Claire, Mauricie. Photo: Véronique WilfortAuberge du Lac Taureau, Lanaudière. Photo: Damien Lair

Lanaudière and Mauricie are two special regions between Montréal and Québec City that are true testaments to Québec’s wild beauty. Stroll through vast forests, swim in crystal-clear lakes, and experience nature’s raw allure.

Visit Auberge du Lac Taureau, a luxury getaway set on the shores of a pristine lake, where you can kayak, fat bike, or simply soak in the surrounding tranquility. Just a short distance away, Auberge du Lac-à-l’Eau-Claire is a lakeside inn set amid thousands of acres of forest. It features a renowned aquatic center with an Olympic-sized pool, a health center, and a variety of activities, including fishing, wildlife observation, and water sports.

Minutes from La Mauricie National Park, Nature Nature offers eco-friendly-chic accommodations for a more rustic escape. Choose from micro-cabins or traditional camping and enjoy the beauty of the St. Maurice River. Whether hiking nearby mountains or relaxing by the campfire, this peaceful spot invites a deeper connection with nature.

Food lovers should take a guided forest walk with Marcheur des Bois to forage for the unique flavors of the forest, followed by a gourmet meal that highlights the land’s seasonal bounty. Meanwhile, adventure-seekers will love Batiscan River Park, featuring 20 kilometres of hiking trails and 10 kilometres of mountain biking paths. With the added excitement of via ferrata and zip lining, it’s a perfect stop for families to explore, with fun for all ages and abilities.

As you’ll quickly see, road-tripping the west of Québec is a complete voyage through nature. Breathtaking mountains, wild forests, tranquil waters, vibrant villages, stunning lakes, charming towns — the list of what awaits is long and intriguing. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, immersive accommodations in the wilderness, rich cultural experiences, or a calm retreat to reconnect with nature, this is the Québec for you.

 

Explore more road trip inspiration in Québec

Road Trip to the Gaspé Peninsula to Uncover the Best of Seaside Québec
Québec Is a Delicious Slice of Canada. This Road Trip Is Proof.
Wildlife Lovers, Pack Your Bags: This Québec Road Trip Is a Whale of a Time