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7 Cheapest East Coast Cities To Travel To In September 2024

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• The East Coast offers endless budget-friendly trip options in September, including national parks, hidden beaches, and bustling cities.
• Traveling to East Coast cities in the off-peak season like September allows for scoring great deals.
• Some of the cheapest East Coast cities in September 2024 include, Augusta, Boston, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and many more.

America’s East Coast is vast, and it would take a lifetime to cover all the beautiful places worth visiting. From mountain hikes in East Coast National Parks to hidden gem beaches on Florida’s islands , the region has endless options for fun, unforgettable adventures. However, when it comes to bustling experiences, the East Coast’s world-class cities, which are adorned with iconic attractions, make it stand out.

Whether interested in exploring the rich history of Boston, swimming in some of the nicest beaches in Miami , or taking a trip to NYC’s Statue of Liberty and Staten Island, you will be spoiled for choice. September is a great time to explore the East Coast, as it’s the off-season in many of the cities, and therefore, you can easily score great deals on flights, accommodations, and excursions. Here are some of the cheapest East Coast cities to travel to in September 2024.

The average travel costs have been sourced from BudgetYourTrip .

7 Best East Coast Towns To Visit For Epic Fall Colors This Year

Fall is a fantastic time on the East Coast, with towns dazzling in colorful displays of leaves, festivals, and fun.

7 Augusta, Maine

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $863.

One of the popular US vacation destinations where you can also retire , Augusta, the capital of Maine, was incorporated as a city in 1849 , but its history started in the 1600s when traders first came to the area.

Its rich history is evident in the many landmarks and museums that come with amazing exhibits. The city also boasts scenic hiking trails , vibrant markets, and a breathtaking art scene worth exploring.

It’s one of the cheapest East Coast cities to visit in September, which falls in the off-peak season, and hotels, which go on average for $193 per night per person, normally haven’t hiked their prices at this time of the year. This month is also one of the cheapest to fly to Augusta.

6 Orlando, Florida

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $830.

With more than 18 theme parks, each guaranteeing thrilling experiences for every age, it’s easy to see why the City Beautiful is the Theme Park Capital of the World. Walt Disney World is the most popular destination, but beyond Disney, there are better things to do in Orlando , including the Wheel, Harry P. Leu Gardens, and Pirate’s Cove.

A vacation in Orlando, especially with kids, can be pretty pricey. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to keep your costs down, including choosing the right time to visit Orlando, which is also known for being America’s least walkable city (something to bear in mind if you're not coming in a car). In September, the hotel rates and flight costs are at their lowest, which makes it the most affordable time to tour this amazing city.

Learn expert-approved tips for saving money when visiting Orlando .

5 Boston, Massachusetts

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $705.

Famous for its pioneering US history, Boston has a lot to offer, including a vibrant culture and culinary scene and access to multiple opportunities for outdoor recreation. It’s one of the most popular US cities, and you can discover more than a dozen historical landmarks along the Freedom Trail, one of Boston’s attractions that are very much worth the hype .

Normally, a one-week vacation in Boston costs $1,793 , which is lower than in other major cities like NYC and San Francisco. Besides, a budget traveler only needs around $705. You can reduce your travel costs to Boston by visiting in September, which is when it’s cheapest to fly and score an affordable room with great amenities.

4 Washington D.C.

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $635.

Washington D.C.’s central role in American history makes it a melting pot of incredible museums, historical landmarks, and unforgettable cultural experiences. However, the U.S. capital is not all about history; the city guarantees diverse travel experiences, and whether a food lover or a nature enthusiast, it offers something for everyone.

You can visit the beautiful beaches near Washington D.C. or explore the gorgeous national parks in and around D.C . The U.S. capital does have a reputation for being a pricey place to live, but it’s definitely affordable as a travel destination. The Smithsonian museums, which are some of the most iconic attractions in the city, are all free to explore, and you will find plenty of other free things to do in DC .

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3 Miami, Florida

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $602.

Miami is world-renowned for its beach scene, and you can never go wrong with the nicest beaches the locals prefer in the city . Extreme sports like jet skiing and flyboarding, as well as delicious food, are other incredible things Miami is known and famous for .

When it comes to travel costs, Miami can be quite expensive, but it can also be affordable. The city’s peak seasons are spring and fall when the weather is mild. With its off-season stretching from the beginning to the end of summer, September is a great time to enjoy some of the most affordable deals.

2 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $534.

Myrtle Beach is known for its breathtaking white-sand beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and an incredible selection of golf courses. It’s considered one of the perfect family beach destinations in the U.S. with a fun-filled boardwalk, impressive amusement parks, and top-rated restaurants serving delicious seafood.

Summer is the high season in this city, making September a cheaper time to enjoy its scenic adventures. With flight tickets averaging $136 in September , it’s the cheapest time to fly to Myrtle Beach. Hotel prices, which usually average $180 per night and $1,257 for a one-week trip , go down at the end of August.

Here Are The Quietest Beach Alternatives Near Myrtle Beach

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1 Charleston, South Carolina

The average cost of a one-week budget trip: $483.

Charleston, South Carolina’s oldest and largest city, is famous for many things, including its charming architecture, cobblestone streets, and delicious Southern food. Travelers keep voting this Southern city best in the U.S. , thanks to its historic charm, vibrant cultural scene, and miles of pristine beaches.

Although it’s a year-round vacation spot, spring and fall are when the temperature is most comfortable, and unfortunately, these are the peak seasons. However, if you visit in September, before peak autumn visitors arrive, you can enjoy the cheapest yet beautiful travel experiences.

Charleston is beautiful but can get crowded in the high season. Try a tranquil and authentic experience in one of the scenic small towns in South Carolina that are great Charleston alternatives .

• WEATHER ALERT Flood Warning Full Story

Here's what to expect on the road and in the road as you head home after Labor Day weekend

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- The weather put a damper on Labor Day travel not just here in the Triangle but across the county.

Millions of people will hit the road and skies on Labor Day .

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is expecting a record-breaking number of travelers over the next few days. TSA is preparing to screen over 17 million passengers between Monday and Wednesday.

On Sunday, there were at least 102 delays and nine cancellations.

See here for RDU flight statuses, including delays and cancelations.

WATCH | Millions hit the road Friday for the holiday weekend

Travel tips

If you're traveling by car, the best time to hit the road Monday is anytime before 10 a.m. The worst time is between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

If you're headed to RDU:

• The cell phone lot is just minutes from the terminals and a convenient place to wait for arriving guests.
• Give your party 30 minutes from the time they land to pick up their luggage and get to the curb.
• At RDU, you can use both levels to pick up people.

A few spotty showers may develop Monday mainly late morning across central North Carolina.

This comes after heavy thunderstorms late Sunday. According to ABC11 meteorologist Steve Stewart, Monday's rain will be nowhere near as widespread or potent as Sunday's storms.

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The 4 moments that matter when it comes to travel: New research from The Growth Distillery

The new report revealed Aussie travellers are looking for more guidance but can be overwhelmed when it comes to narrowing choices.

The Growth Distillery has released new research into Aussie travellers, revealing the four key moments when brands and marketers should engage with customers to make an impact.

The Growth Distillery says the Moments That Matter: Travel report is a valuable tool for companies in highlighting when, where and how to best engage with travellers to help turn holiday dreams into holiday realities. It found:

• 82 per cent say travel is very important • 83 per cent are open to more trips and different types of trips • 73 per cent are willing to sacrifice in other areas to be able to travel

The report revealed Aussie travellers are looking for more guidance but can be overwhelmed when it comes to narrowing choices and making decisions.

The Growth Distillery research director Ciel Graham

To help prioritise, this new research identified four key moments that matter for both travellers and marketers in pursuit of the perfect trip: 

• Dreaming: 70 percent say they’re ‘always’ planning a trip. Brands can stand out by keeping it casual, fun and pressure free, so when they are ready, consumers know where to turn for help. 

• Discovery: 70 percent say they regularly consume travel content, whether planning a trip or not. Brands should seize this moment by staying inspirational and top of mind.

• Decision: 1 in 3 of those struggling at this stage blamed information overload. It’s at this moment brands should step in to help consumers stay focused on their chosen path. Now is the time to provide clear, actionable information, not more ideas.

• Details: 3 in 5 are still making travel reservations at this stage, organising essentials and exploring experiences. Brands can shine by providing tailored information and suggestions to make their trip truly unforgettable.

The Growth Distillery research director Ciel Graham said: “With all the considerations and possibilities that travel brings, it’s easy for travellers to become overwhelmed and lost in all the options and choices. It’s critical for brands and marketers to simplify the journey and understand the key turning points that guide those decisions.”

More From Forbes

Hawaii travel update: john oliver discusses tourism, history, and future of hawaii in recent episode of last week tonight.

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John Oliver tackled some major issues facing Native Hawaiians, including tourism, in a recent ... [+] episode of Last Week Tonight.

The Hawaiian Islands have been in the national spotlight of late.

Earlier this month, Maui graced headlines on August 8th as the one-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfires was observed, and prior to that, the amount of aid given to local residents came up on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience .

The latest media focus on the Aloha State comes from late-night host John Oliver, as he urged Americans to learn more about the history of Hawaiʻi and how tourism and multi-millionaires impact the local culture.

In a recent episode of Last Week Tonight, he put together a major segment that addressed a wide range of topics and issues that were both funny, enlightening, and unfortunately sad due to their truthful and revealing nature.

The 30-minute episode kicks off with Oliver warming up by going through several pop-culture topics that skew American’s perception of the islands.

This included some bad cinema from Hawaiʻi Five-0 and the myth of the "cursed" lava rocks, which have been taken and then mailed back to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in extremely large numbers by tourists. The myth is due to a made-up belief that the rocks are cursed by Madam Pele, the goddess of the volcano.

He then dives into more serious topics that have plagued the islands in recent months as well as the modern era in general: the Maui wildfires, the history of Hawaiʻi, increased development, the U.S. military footprint, the impacts of tourism, the local economy, and the reversal of Hawaiʻi’s food production, to name a few.

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Oliver gives large doses of his usual humor as he lays out these topics, but as the episode continues, one begins to see the sad reality of many of the current local issues and how they are negatively effecting Native Hawaiians.

Many celebrities who have purchased land in Hawaiʻi—and at times clashed with locals—are also brought into question, including Mark Zuckerberg and Oprah Winfrey.

The end of the episode is especially powerful, when Oliver discusses the idea of visiting Hawaiʻi as a tourist and how the industry as a whole effects the islands.

Oliver concedes that it’s reasonable to visit Hawaiʻi as a tourist. However, when doing so, he asserts that it's best to make sure you understand the place you are visiting.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the local history and people, and be a considerate guest, he says. (This logic can be applied to any place in the world, of course, but is especially relevant in Hawaiʻi, where local culture has historically taken a back seat to visitor preferences.)

For example, Hawaiʻi has beaches and hikes that are fun to enjoy, he says, but good travelers will be sure to understand the complete picture.

“If you do end up visiting, try to be aware of the history you are stepping into, a history, I realize, most of us were never taught,” Oliver said. "And remember that your vacation spot is also someone else's home."

You can stream the entire episode of Last Week Tonight on Hawaiʻi for free on Youtube .

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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico

Key points .

• There have been reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in people traveling to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico.
• RMSF has been found in urban areas of several states of northern Mexico, including but not exclusive to Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León (see map).
• Ticks spread the bacteria that causes RMSF. Ticks can live anywhere that dogs live. This includes close to peoples’ homes and in their yards.
• Dogs can carry the infected ticks that can bite humans. RMSF is NOT spread from a person to another person.
• Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellants on exposed skin and clothing.
• If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible.
• Ticks can be tiny and their bites may be painless, so you may not always notice a tick bite.
• If traveling with your dog, you can protect yourself and your dog by using tick-preventatives on your dog. Talk to your vet for further guidance.
• RMSF can be deadly. Seek medical attention if you or a family member has traveled to Tecate or another city in northern Mexico and develops symptoms during travel or within 2 weeks of returning to the United States.

Traveler Information

• Health Information for Travelers to Mexico
•   Prevent Tick Bites
• About Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Clinician Information

• CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): Severe and Fatal Confirmed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever among People with Recent Travel to Tecate, Mexico
• Rickettsial Diseases  (CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel)
• RMSF: Clinical Overview of Transmission and Epidemiology
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment for Health Care Providers (Continuing Education ) [Available in English and Spanish]
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Training Video [Spanish Subtitles]

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a potentially deadly bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick.  

RMSF is spread by the brown dog tick ( Rhipicephalus sanguineus ) in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Symptoms of RMSF include fever, headache, and rash. The rash usually appears about 2–4 days after onset of symptoms, however, some patients never develop a rash. The disease can rapidly progress and be deadly if not treated early with the recommended antibiotic. Children younger than 10 years old are five times more likely than adults to die from RMSF.

Doxycycline is the recommended antibiotic treatment for RMSF in adults and children of all ages.

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September 02, 2024

Eagles vs. Packers: Five matchups to watch

From the eagles' rebuilt secondary to their ability to pick up the blitz, here's what to watch for in brazil..

Jordan Love (10) and Christian Watson (9)

In Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Brazil to host a "home" game against the Green Bay Packers. Here are our five matchups to watch.

1) The Packers' deep group of wide receivers vs. the Eagles' revamped secondary

The Packers have surrounded Jordan Love with a bunch of promising young receivers. Their 2023 stats are below, with their ages in parentheses.

The starters will likely be Watson, Doubs, and Reed. Watson is a height/weight/speed freak of nature, and probably their biggest threat. His stats above were in nine games. His spider chart:

With so many young targets on the roster, the Packers could conceivably be a more difficult team to prepare for as their receivers grow into seasoned NFL players.

Meanwhile, the Eagles' pass defense was atrocious in 2023, and they made the secondary a major priority this offseason, signing S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency and selecting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with their first two picks in the 2024 draft.

Darius Slay remains the CB1 and will start on the outside. It is also clear that Mitchell will start in some capacity, whether that's strictly as a slot corner, or if he starts on the outside and then moves inside in nickel. It is likely that Isaiah Rodgers will have a starting role (at least in nickel) on the outside.

The Eagles will face talented receiving corps all season long, and this will be the first of many tests.

We'll also note here that the Packers' defensive coordinator a season ago was Joe Barry, who ran a version of Vic Fangio's scheme. Love saw plenty of what Fangio likes to do in practice last year.

2) The Eagles' run defense vs. the Packers' rushing attack

Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have been the Packers' running back duo over the last three seasons, but Jones left in free agency and Dillon's season is over after he was placed on IR with a neck injury.

The Packers' new running back duo is Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd. 

Jacobs led the NFL with 1653 rushing yards in 2022. He had a heavy workload, with 340 carries and 37 receptions (377 touches). He sputtered in 2023, when he rushed 233 times for 805 yards (3.5 yards per carry).

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Lloyd is a third-round rookie out of USC, where he rushed for 7.1 yards per carry in his final season, but had an alarming number of fumbles (8) on a low number of career carries (291). That's a fumble every 36 carries. Eagles defenders should be mindful to get their Peanut Punches on.

The Eagles' rush defense in 2023 was a tale of two seasons.

In eight of their first nine games, the Eagles held their opponents to under 100 rushing yards. They were allowing an average of 66.7 rushing yards per game, best in the NFL. Thereafter, they became one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, giving up at least 100 rushing yards to each of their last 9 opponents, and an average of 142 rushing yards allowed per game.

There are a number of factors at play when projecting the Eagles' run defense in 2024:

• Can the linebackers be substantially better than they were in 2023? (Low bar there.)
• Did Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter improve their stamina from a year ago? 
• Can Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat hold up on the edges?

We'll get our first glimpses of a concern area within the Eagles defense right off the bat.

3) Where might the Eagles' go feastin'? 🍗

After the retirement of LT David Bakhtiari and the losses of Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman in free agency, the Packers' offensive line will likely look like this: 

The Packers have an average offensive line. Jenkins is a solid veteran, and Tom is a developing into a very good young tackle. The three concern areas are as follows:

• Morgan is a rookie first-round selection who really only played LT in college at Arizona. He is not only moving to guard, but also moving from the left side to the right side. In his rookie debut, he's going to be seeing his share of Jalen Carter. If I'm the Packers, that would be my biggest concern in this matchup.

• Walker was a seventh-round selection in 2022 who did not play as a rookie, but started 15 games in 2023. He was a below average starter, but he's young and could reasonably be an ascending player. I imagine the Eagles will give both Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff reps on that side against Walker, but it'll primarily be Sweat.

• Myers is entering his fourth season, and has not yet developed into a good starting center. PFF had Myers down for 5 sacks allowed in 2023, a high number for a center. If Jordan Davis can't do some damage Week 1, that would be cause for concern for his 2024 outlook.

#FeastinMeter: 5 turkey legs 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗

4) Eagles RG Mekhi Becton vs. Packers DT Kenny Clark

Clark is one of the NFL's most underrated players. In 2023, Clark had 44 tackles (9 for loss), 7.5 sacks, 3 batted passes, and 2 forced fumbles. Highlight reel here .

Becton is moving to RG after playing the first four seasons of his NFL career at OT. After playing in just one game in 2021 and missing the entire 2022 season, Becton stayed healthy in 2023 while playing RT for the Jets, but PFF had him down for 12 sacks allowed and 16 (!) penalties.

The Packers move Clark around, but I imagine they'll be eager to get him matched up against Becton.

On a side note, the Packers have a pair of very good edge rushers in Rashan Gary and Preston Smith (Gary especially), but that is strength-on-strength, as they'll face off against the Eagles' star OT duo of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.

5) Jalen Hurts (and Kellen Moore) vs. Packers DC Jeff Hafley

In the Eagles' regular season finale last season the Eagles faced Wink Martindale and the horrid New York Giants, and there was no mystery to what the Giants were going to try to do to the Eagles defensively. They were going to blitz Jalen Hurts, early and often. The Eagles were wholly unprepared for it, as Hurts looked to extend plays by running out of the pocket and away from blitzes, trying to buy time for vertical routes to develop down the field before eventually throwing the ball away. As usual, there were no hot routes or other mechanisms to allow Hurts to beat the blitz by getting the ball out quickly.

Against Todd Bowles and the Bucs in the playoffs, once again it was crystal clear that the Eagles were going to see a lot of blitzes, and sure enough, they did, with similarly bad results.

A week ago, The Athletic's Mike Sando published his yearly (excellent) " QB Tiers " article, and unsurprisingly Hurts' ability to handle the blitz was broached. 

"The word is out there, if you run zero blitz against Hurts, or show zero and back everyone out, he will panic," one coach said. "That has to change. They lose Jason Kelce, who handled the protections, basically did everything, and you bring in a coordinator who likes to drop back. It will be interesting."

As noted above, the Packers' defensive coordinator last year was Joe Barry. He was replaced this offseason by Jeff Hafley, formerly the head coach at Boston College. Hafley has a reputation for employing an exotic blitz package, though he doesn't necessarily blitz in bulk. 

Heading into 2024, guess what! Defensive coordinators are going to blitz Hurts and the Eagles' offense until they prove that they can consistently beat it, and that'll very likely begin Week 1 against the Packers.

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North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, north korea - level 4: do not travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Do not travel to North Korea due to  the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.  Exercise increased caution to North Korea due to  the critical threat of wrongful detention.

• All U.S. passports are invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State. 
• Special validations are granted only in very limited circumstances. More information on how to apply for the special validation is available  here .

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in North Korea as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea. Sweden serves as the protecting power for the United States in North Korea, providing limited emergency services. The North Korean government routinely delays or denies Swedish officials access to detained U.S. citizens.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of North Korea, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to North Korea.

If you receive a special validation to travel to North Korea:

• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
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Money blog: Millions to get cost of living payments this winter as scheme extended

Scroll through the Money blog for consumer and personal finance news and tips. Today's posts include the Household Support Fund being extended, free Greggs being axed by O2 Priority and Lloyds upping how much it will lend. Leave a comment in the box below on any of the posts you see.

Monday 2 September 2024 13:56, UK

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We reported earlier that anyone with O2 Priority will have their free weekly Greggs treats replaced by £1 monthly Greggs treats - see 6.21am post.

But did you know there are loads of other ways to get food from the nation's most popular takeaway for free or at a discount?

Downloading the Greggs app is a good place to start - as the bakery lists freebies, discounts and special offers there regularly. 

New users also get rewards just for signing up, so it's worth checking out. 

And there's a digital loyalty card which you can add virtual "stamps" to with each purchase to unlock discounts or other freebies.  

Vodafone rewards

Seriously begrudged Virgin Media O2 customers may want to consider switching providers. 

The Vodafone Rewards app, VeryMe, sometimes gives away free Greggs coffees, sausage rolls, sweet treats and more to customers.

Monzo bank account holders can grab a sausage roll (regular or vegan), regular sized hot drink, doughnut or muffin every week. 

Birthday cake

Again, you'll need the Greggs award app for this one - which will allow you to claim one free cupcake, cream cake or doughnut for your birthday each year.

Octopus customers

Octopus Energy customers with smart meters can claim one free drink each week, in-store from Greggs (or Caffè Nero).

The Greggs freebie must be a regular size hot drink.

Make new friends

If you're outgoing (and hungry), it may be worth befriending a Greggs staff member.

The staff discount at Greggs is 50% on own-produced goods and 25% off branded products. 

If you aren't already aware, Iceland offers four Greggs sausage rolls in a multi-pack for £3. 

That means, if you're happy to bake it yourself, you'll only be paying 74p per sausage roll. 

Millions of Britons could receive extra cash to help with the cost of living this winter after the government extended the Household Support Fund.

A £421m pot will be given to local councils in England to distribute, while £79m will go to the devolved administrations.

The fund will now be available until April 2025 having been due to run out this autumn.

Councils decide how to dish out their share of the fund but it's often via cash grants or vouchers.

Many councils also use the cash to work with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes and items to improve energy efficiency in the home.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "The £22bn blackhole inherited from the previous governments means we have to take tough decisions to fix the foundations of our economy.

"But extending the Household Support Fund is the right thing to do - provide targeted support for those who need it most as we head into the winter months."

The government has been criticised for withdrawing universal winter fuel payments for pensioners of up to £300 this winter - with people now needing to be in receipt of certain means-tested benefits to qualify.

People should contact their local council for details on how to apply for the Household Support Fund - they can find their council  here .

Lloyds Bank app appears to have gone down for many, with users unable to see their transactions. 

Down Detector, which monitors site outages, has seen more than 600 reports this morning.

It appears to be affecting online banking as well as the app.

There have been some suggestions the apparent issue could be due to an update.

Another disgruntled user said: "Absolutely disgusting!! I have an important payment to make and my banking is down. There was no warning given prior to this? Is it a regular maintenance? Impossible to get hold of someone to find out."

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson told Sky News: "We know some of our customers are having issues viewing their recent transactions and our app may be running slower than usual.

"We're sorry about this and we're working to have everything back to normal soon."

We had anger of unofficial resale prices, then Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing - and now fees on the official resale website are causing consternation among Oasis fans.

The band has encouraged anyone wanting resale tickets to buy them at face value from Ticketmaster or Twickets - after some appeared for £6,000 or more on other sites.

"Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters," Oasis said.

With that in mind, fans flocked to buy resale tickets from the sites mentioned above - only to find further fees are being added on. 

Mainly Oasis, a fan page, shared one image showing a Twickets fee for two tickets as high as £138.74. 

"Selling the in demand tickets completely goes against the whole point of their company too… never mind adding a ridiculous fee on top of that," the page shared. 

Fan Brad Mains shared a photo showing two tickets priced at £337.50 each (face value of around £150, but increased due to dynamic pricing on Saturday) - supplemented by a £101.24 Twickets fee. 

That left him with a grand total of £776.24 to pay for two tickets.

"Actually ridiculous this," he  said on X .

"Ticketmaster inflated price then sold for 'face value' on Twickets with a £100 fee. 2 x £150 face value tickets for £776, [this] should be illegal," he added. 

Twickets typically charges between 10-15% of the ticket value as its own fee. 

We have approached the company for comment.

Separately, the government is now looking at the practice of dynamic pricing - and we've had a response to that from the Competition and Markets Authority this morning.

It said: "We want fans to get a fair deal when they go to buy tickets on the secondary market and have already taken action against major resale websites to ensure consumer law is being followed properly. 

"But we think more protections are needed for consumers here, so it is positive that the government wants to address this. We now look forward to working with them to get the best outcomes for fans and fair-playing businesses."

Consumer protection law does not ban dynamic pricing and it is a widely used practice. However, the law also states that businesses should not mislead consumers about the price they must pay for a product, either by providing false or deceptive information or by leaving out important information or providing it too late.

By James Sillars , business reporter

It's a false start to the end of the summer holidays in the City.

While London is mostly back at work, trading is fairly subdued due to the US Labor (that's labour, as in work) Day holiday.

US markets will not open again until Tuesday.

There's little direction across Europe with the FTSE 100 trading nine points down at 8,365.

Leading the gainers was Rightmove - up 24%. The property search website is the subject of a possible cash and shares takeover offer by Australian rival REA.

The company is a division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

One other point to note is the continuing fluctuation in oil prices.

Brent crude is 0.7% down at the start of the week at $76.

Dragging the cost lower is further evidence of weaker demand in China.

Australia's REA Group is considering a takeover of Rightmove, in a deal which could be worth about £4.36bn.

REA Group said in a statement this morning there are "clear similarities" between the companies, which have "highly aligned cultural values".

Rightmove is the UK's largest online property portal, while REA is Australia's largest property website. 

It employs more than 2,800 people and is majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp,.

REA Group said: "REA sees a transformational opportunity to apply its globally leading capabilities and expertise to enhance customer and consumer value across the combined portfolio, and to create a global and diversified digital property company, with number one positions in Australia and the UK.

"There can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer may be made."

Rightmove has been approached for comment.

A major lender has announced it will allow first-time buyers to borrow up to five-and-a-half times their income in a bid to help more people onto the property ladder.

Lloyds says it has increased its max loan-to-income ratio from 4.49 as the situation is "tough right now" for first-time house hunters.

It means buyers with a household income of £50,000 and a 10% deposit may be able to borrow £275,000 - up from £224,500 at the previous rate.

To qualify, borrowers have to apply for a first-time buyer mortgage with Lloyds or sister bank Halifax, have a total household income of at least £50,000 and a minimum 10% deposit, and not be using shared ownership or shared equity schemes. Normal affordability checks also apply.

Andrew Asaam, homes director at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Getting the keys to a first home is a big deal, but it's tough right now.

"Aspiring homeowners have been struggling with house prices rising faster than their wages. They need to save for a deposit, keep up with rent, and choose the right mortgage."

Meanwhile, the National Association of Estate Agents' Propertymark president Toby Leek said it was "encouraging" to see banks offering more help to first-time buyers.

The government has promised to look into dynamic ticket pricing, after the cost of tickets for the Oasis reunion tour more than doubled while on sale.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the selling of inflated  Oasis  tickets as "incredibly depressing" as she said surge pricing would be included in a government review of the secondary gig sales market.

On Saturday, fans of the world-famous band  sat in virtual queues for hours hoping to get their hands on tickets  to one of the reunion shows next year.

However, when they got through the two queues and lengthy waits, many were met with ticket prices far higher than face value.

Ex footballer Stan Collymore perfectly summed up what was going on...

Some  expressed their anger on social media , as tickets worth £148 were being sold for £355 on Ticketmaster within hours of release, due to the dynamic pricing systems.

Speaking over the weekend, Ms Nandy announced that such issues, as well as the "technology around queuing systems which incentivise it", would be looked into in an upcoming government consultation.

She said: "After the incredible news of Oasis's return, it's depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live.

"This government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music.

"So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales."

Ticketmaster has been approached for comment.

Some have questioned why Oasis did not prevent dynamic pricing being used, given their statement that tickets sold above face value on unofficial resale sites could be voided.

It's unclear how these tickets could be voided and similar threats by Taylor Swift did not materialise.

With face value resale tickets likely to be in short supply, some will inevitably consider paying inflated prices on sites like Viagogo.

If you do consider this route, do your research - including looking at the reviews of the site you're on. If you still decide to proceed, you should consider using a credit card as this would give you S75 refund right if anything went wrong.

It's also highly likely that any tickets sold on social media are fakes.

A few months ago we examined why concert ticket prices had rocketed in recent years - it's well worth five minutes of your morning...

One of the most popular rewards with O2 Priority is being axed - and it hasn't gone down well.

Customers of Virgin Media O2 get a range of rewards from cheaper Pizza Express to buy one, get one free at pubs chains like Ember Inns or Sizzling Pubs on Thursdays.

They also get a free coffee each week from Greggs, plus a complementary breakfast roll, sausage roll, or vegan sausage roll on Friday or Saturday mornings.

But the Greggs offer ends - or is being significantly cut back - on 12 September.

Instead customers will be able to get a hot drink for £1 every month between 7am and 11.30am.

They'll also have access to one savoury item a month - but only after 11.30am, so they can't get the treats together.

One upside is that the latter won't be limited to sausage rolls or breakfast rolls - it's open to a wider selection from the menu.

A statement on the O2 Priority app promises greater variety in Greggs rewards: "We know how loved the Greggs rewards are, so we've taken our members' feedback on board before making any changes. That's why our new ones give you even more choice, and allow more people to grab savings at Greggs every month."

The free coffee perks has been going for more than a decade - before Greggs it was via Caffe Nero.

Some on social media suggested the company was "BSing" customers with its explanation.

Here's a selection of feedback we found...

Simon Elliott wrote: "As if O2 Priority are trying to claim people would rather pay £1 for a Greggs snack once a month than receive a free coffee and bacon sandwich every week..."

Rich Carpenter said: "@O2 can you explain how removing the Greggs priority reward was consulted with your customers. It's a dramatic reduction and genuinely the only reason I'm an O2 customer."

Bex tweeted: "Was already planning to leave O2 when my contract runs out at the end of the month but taking away the free Greggs has really been the final nail in the coffin."

Andy Fraser wrote: "O2 ruining my week by wrecking the Greggs priority reward."

Harry added: "O2 Priority changing their Greggs hot drink reward from once a day to once a month, I just fell to my knees."

Every Monday the Money team answers your Money Problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

Our dog was taken poorly last week and unexpectedly passed away overnight in the care of the vets. Our insurance company are saying they will deduct the remainder of our year's policy of over £1,000 (we pay via DD) from whatever they pay out. It only renewed in June. Can they? Pumps

The Complaints Resolver  Scott Dixon has this advice...

Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear this. 

Check the terms and conditions of your policy as this should be clearly explained. This would be a key term of the contract and cannot be buried in the small print.

Key terms ought to be fair, bold, prominent and transparent in line with S62 and S68 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

When you take out an insurance policy, you are entering into a one-year contract and monthly instalments are treated as a loan agreement.

In the event of a claim, it is likely that your insurer insists you pay the rest of the full year's premium.

If you believe that this is unclear in the T&Cs, lodge a formal complaint in writing and ask the insurance company to point you to the precise paragraph in the T&Cs where it says they can do this.

Follow the complaints procedure - and if you still think you have been unfairly treated, ask for a deadlock letter or final decision so you can refer your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) .

The FOS will review your case and examine the policy documents given to you when you took the policy out. They will also review how your complaint has been handled and the insurance firm's internal processes before making a decision.

Read more from our Money Problem series...

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:

• The form above - you need to leave a phone number or email address so we can contact you for further details;
• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog";
• WhatsApp us here.

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4 Week Europe Itineraries

Are you looking to book a 4 week European vacation? We’ve highlighted some of the best 4 week Europe travel itineraries below, covering everything from iconic destinations to off the beaten track experiences. Explore our sample itineraries ranging from train journeys to Eastern Europe  trips and city breaks in Paris and London to help you plan your trip.  

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4 week Europe trip itinerary ideas

• Amsterdam  (5 days) - Hop on a canal cruise and have those cameras at the ready – this is the best way to get acquainted with Amsterdam, a city brimming with beautiful 17th-century architecture and atmospheric canals.  
• Nuremberg  (4 days)  - Nuremberg was an architectural marvel, and famous for its artists too. Heavily bombed during WW2, the city was painstakingly rebuilt, and today has been returned to some of its former glory.
• Prague  (5 days) -  Head straight for the Charles Bridge, which joins the Old and New Town, and marvel at how Prague’s dramatic history is reflected in the beauty of its churches, opera houses, concert halls and, of course, Prague Castle.
• Bratislava  (4 days) -  Charming and walkable, Bratislava boasts a medieval castle overlooking its Old Town, along with a variety of gothic, baroque and Socialist-era architecture.
• Vienna  (5 days) - Vienna has been host to some of the world’s leading musical minds at one time or another – including luminaries like Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

4 week itinerary ideas for Eastern Europe

• Bratislava  (4 days) -  Youthful and dynamic, Slovakia’s capital is a historic town full of rich tradition, nostalgia and music. 
• Szentendre  (3 days) -  Set along the banks of the Danube Bend, this picturesque riverfront town instantly charms visitors with its winding cobblestone streets and stunning natural setting.
• Eger  (3 days) -  Eger is famous for Red Bull's Blood (Egri Bikaver) wine, its medieval library, and for having the northernmost minaret in Europe. 
• Pecs  (3 days) -  Take a walking tour of the Old Town where you can visit the city’s historic cathedral, synagogue and fourth-century Christian necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with burial chambers decorated in murals.
• Sighisoara  (3 days) -  Immerse yourself in thousands of years of fascinating history and get lost amongst the colourful Old Town streets of Sighisoara, a fairytale-like town located in the heart of Romania’s Transylvania region.

Budget-friendly 4 week Europe itinerary ideas

• Paris  (5 days) -  From the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, you'll be sure to make a solid dent in your bucket list in the City of Light. End your day with a Seine River cruise or a throwback bohemian cabaret show.
• Swiss Alps  (5 days) - Hit the trail and set off on a half-day hike, or hop on board the Jungfraubahn railway to visit the Jungfrau Mountain summit. 
• Avignon  (4 days) - Visit the magnificent Palais des Papes, which just so happens to be one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.
• Berlin  (5 days) -  Explore the city to see (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.
• Amsterdam  (5 days)   - Visit the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum. Then check out the Heineken Experience and indulge in a spot of beer tasting. 

Discover Europe by train: 4 week itinerary ideas

• York  (4 days) -  In York, you can explore an array of museums, historic pubs, and one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world, all set against a network of medieval streets.
• Edinburgh  (5 days)  - The heart of the city is World Heritage-listed, with its medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, and its 12th-century castle situated in between the two. 
• Inverness  (4 days) -  Inverness has been a focal point for all travel, trade and communication through the Highlands for hundreds of years.
• Liverpool  (5 days) -  Spend an afternoon in Liverpool visiting the Beatles Story, a permanent exhibition all about 'the lads from Liverpool'.
• Bath  (4 days) -  Set within the naturally scenic area of the River Avon valley and surrounded by hills, Bath is one of England's most romantic and best-loved spa resorts.

Discover Europe on a cruise: 4 week itinerary ideas

• Lisbon  (5 days) -  Delve into the warren of winding streets in Alfama — the oldest district in Lisbon — and then make your way to one of the city’s famous food markets to fill up on local delicacies like fresh seafood and egg tarts.
• Regua  (3 days) - Enjoy a full day cruising the Douro Valley’s Vinhateiro wine-growing region. A World Heritage-listed Site, Vinhateiro has a history of wine production that stretches back for 2,000 years. 
• Salamanca  (4 days)  - Take your time absorbing the architectural splendour of Salamanca, a city as visually striking as it is historically intriguing. 
• Pocinho  (3 days) -  Enjoy a leisurely cruise to nearby Pocinho for our Côa Valley discovery.
• Porto  (5 days) - Visit a local corking factory and learn how cork is produced as well as its multitude of uses. Alternatively, you could visit Vila Nova de Gaia, the historic district set on the banks of the Douro River, for a tasting of the region’s famed drop in one of the most famous cellars of Porto.

4 week Europe itinerary ideas starting in Paris

• Paris  (5 days) - Visit   Paris’ main highlights, such as the Champs-Elysées, and enjoy a relaxing Seine cruise with spectacular views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
• Lugano  (4 days) - Admire the towering majesty of the Swiss Alps and St. Gotthard on the way to subtropical Lugano in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
• Florence  (5 days) -  In nearby Florence, you can explore the many gold and leather shops along Piazza Santa Croce, indulge in freshly-made gelato, or head to a world-renowned gallery.
• Rome (5 days)  -  Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s ceiling paintings in Rome.
• Ferrara  (4 days) - Walk through impressive Este Castle to the marble cathedral and browse through the attractive little shops.

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Take a stroll down the streets of  Rome , discover the magic atmosphere of  Florence , shop in  Milan , eat pizza in  Naples  and  Amalfi , climb  Dolomites  and fall in love with  Sicily  and  Sardinia . Discover some of the best tour packages to Italy and book your summer vacation package in the "Bel Paese" or read the  best 7 day Italy itineraries .

Visit one of the most fascinating and romantic European countries out there. With our tours you'll climb up the Eiffel tower, enter the magic atmosphere of Paris, enjoy a  Loire river cruise , the amazing  French Riviera  ( Provence ) and the  Mont Blanc . This can be a one-country trip or an amazing stop on your Europe tour, perhaps between Italy and Germany.

Spain has something for everyone: the movida of Barcelona, flamenco in Sevilla, the impressive architecture of Madrid, the history of Granada ( Andalucia ), the Malaga and  Mallorca  seaside and the amazing Spanish  food . There's plenty left to discover, so do yourself a favor and take a holiday package through Spain this summer.

Discover the ancient Parthenon in Athens, walk the streets of Santorini or party in Mykonos. Take a cruise around Corfù, Crete and Rhodes, the jewels of Ionian and Aegean seas. Enjoy your summer in the  Greek islands  with one of our vacation packages and since you are there visit  Turkey  and  Italy ! With 250 trips to Greece you're sure to find one for you.

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From Paris to Rome: The Ultimate Europe Itinerary

Posted on Last updated: May 15, 2024

Looking for the best itinerary for Europe trip? Well, look no further than my epic guide to help you plan an unforgettable Europe itinerary!

I’ve mapped out a 4 week European itinerary that will lead you through some breathtaking  city breaks in Europe , stunning islands, and of course plenty of iconic historical landmarks.

In all honesty, you need more than 4 weeks in Europe to really see it. But in 4 weeks you can cover a lot of ground! So I’d say if you are planning on backpacking across Europe then you are going to need at least a month to cover some decent ground.

Every day on your itinerary for Europe trip, backpacking in Europe will hold a new adventure, and a new opportunity to create some unforgettable travel memories.

So, let’s pack our bags and get ready to have some travel adventures!

  Quick View 4 week Europe Itinerary

Itinerary for europe trip week 1: spain and portugal.

What’s a better place for your 1 week Europe trip than Spain and later take it to Portugal ? I love the food, music, views, and vibes in both places.

So in my 4 week Europe itinerary, Spain and Portugal come first. You won’t have to travel much to reach beautiful places. They are everywhere in these countries, so why not enjoy that?

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Madrid , Its Museums and Nightlife

In your Europe itinerary 1 week is all you need to immerse yourself in Madrid’s vibrancy and passion. From the moment you step off the plane, you will feel the city’s incredible art, delightful cuisine, and pulsating nightlife. Madrid is a city that doesn’t sleep, and it teems with energy and culture.

Begin backpacking in your European trip itinerary by exploring Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art,” the THREE world-class art museums.

If you’re an art lover planning your 1 week Europe trip, The Prado is a paradise for art lovers, where you can spend hours admiring masterpieces from the likes of Goya and Velázquez. At the Reina Sofia, prepare to have your mind blown by modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica – a real showstopper.

The real charm of Madrid is its buzzing nightlife that will surely fill up your Europe itinerary 1 week trip. If you love booze and wish to live in the moment, Plaza Santa Ana is a great starting point, with lively tapas bars and flamenco clubs begging to be explored.

• Take A Day Trip to Toledo, A Historic City Near Madrid

On Day 4 of your backpacking trip to Europe , visit Toledo , an incredible city that’s like stepping into a time machine. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to Spain’s historical and cultural diversity. The weather is generally nice, so you’ll be comfortable roaming around here.

Don’t miss out on the breathtaking Toledo Cathedral in your 1 week Europe trip, the serene Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, and the commanding Alcazar fortress tell the tale of a city shaped by many cultures. And guys, don’t miss the city view from the Mirador del Valle. It’s a vista that’ll stay with you forever.

• Take An Overnight Train To Lisbon, Portugal

Say goodbye to Spain and hello to Portugal because there’s a lot to cover in your 4 week Europe itinerary. Take a train from Madrid to Lisbon , where you can see the European country vibe while traveling comfortably. European trains are a class apart, so enjoy it while the journey lasts.

Quick Tip:  Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.  Best Europe Tours :  Click here to check out the top Europe tours Best Europe Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Europe Best Europe Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Europe

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Lisbon’s Historic Neighborhoods And Landmarks

As you continue your journey on 1 week Europe trip, I recommend starting your Lisbon adventure in Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district. It’s a delightful maze of narrow streets leading to the impressive São Jorge Castle.

Do you hear that soulful music wafting through the air? That’s Fado, a traditional Portuguese music genre best enjoyed with a hearty meal in the Bairro Alto district.

While in Lisbon, don’t miss the architectural grandeur of the Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower. Catching the sunset along the Belém waterfront is a must – it’s the perfect end to your Lisbon sojourn.

• Take A Day Trip To Sintra, A Beautiful Town With A Palace And Castle

If you’ve ever dreamt of wandering through a fairy tale, Sintra is that dream come to life. The first stop has to be the Pena Palace . Perched high on a hill, the palace’s vibrant colors stand out against the lush greenery that surrounds it and make backpacking for Europe a must-do.

Every corner you turn, every room you enter, you’ll find a mix of styles that somehow works together perfectly, just like the Moorish tiles contrasting with the Manueline motifs.

• End The Week In Porto, Portugal, And Explore The City’s Famous Port Wine Cellars And Charming Streets

As you leave the fairy-tale behind, head towards Porto , a city where the houses are colorful, the streets narrow, and the vibe quintessentially Portuguese.

Don’t forget to head to one of the many cellars in the Vila Nova de Gaia district for a tasting tour, this would be a highlight of your 1 week Europe trip. A glass of Tawny or Ruby Port overlooking the city at sunset to conclude your 1st week of 4 week Europe itinerary ? Yes, please!

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out these options!

Ten To Go Hostel

La Cocotera Boutique Hostel & Coworking

Betica Hotel Rural

5ª Vigia

Europe Itinerary Week 2: France and Italy

A 2 week Europe trip should ideally put these places in the center, as each corner in France and Italy is brimming with stories of the past and whispers of the present.

In your 2 week Europe trip itinerary, you should explore the rich history and vibrant culture of France and Italy as you visit iconic landmarks and savor exquisite cuisine along the way.

• Take A Train From Porto To Paris, France

Your 2 week Europe itinerary begins with a train ride from Porto straight to Paris. As the train chugs along, you’ll see the landscapes change, transitioning from the cozy countryside of Portugal to the lively, energetic urban expanse of France .

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Paris’s Iconic Landmarks And Museums

Continue your 2 weeks in Europe in Paris with the Eiffel Tower . This giant iron structure is really cool to see up close. And the view from the top? Amazing. But only when there’s no rush. So wake up early to catch a good view of the Eiffel.

After that, you should go to the Louvre Museum . It’s one of the largest art museums in the world and has all sorts of art, from paintings to sculptures. You can even see the famous Mona Lisa, which will be memorable for your 2 week Europe trip!

During your 2 weeks in Europe, don’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral , either. This grand church is a must-see.

• T ake A Day Trip To Versailles Or The Palace Of Fontainebleau

If you’re doing your 2 week Europe itinerary by train, take a break from the city and go on a day trip to either Versailles or Fontainebleau . The Palace of Versailles has beautiful gardens, and the inside is just as stunning. If you choose Fontainebleau, you’ll get to see a castle that was home to French kings for centuries.

• Take An Overnight Train To Venice, Italy

For the best 2 week Europe itinerary, in the evening, get ready to take an overnight train to Venice for some calm time and to make your backpacking in Europe more diverse. The cheapest way to complete this almost 12-hour distance is via train, and if you want things to be more comfortable, get on a plane to Venice.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Venice’s Canals And Architecture

Arrive in Venice and spend the day exploring. This city is famous for its canals, so a gondola ride is a must-do. Check out St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace , too.

On your second day in your two week Europe trip, see more of what Venice has to offer. Visit the Rialto Bridge and the markets around it. You might also want to see some of the smaller islands like Murano , known for glassmaking.

• Take A Train To Florence, Italy

After enjoying Venice in your 2 week Europe trip, it’s time to board a train to Florence, the next captivating destination on your itinerary . The journey is about 2 hours and quite convenient, so you won’t spend much time out of your 4 week European itinerary while going to and fro from cities.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Florence’s Art Museums And Churches

Continue your 2 week Europe Itinerary in Florence with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery . One of the most important Italian museums and among the most visited in the world, it holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.

As you move from one room to another, you’ll witness the works of art legends such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.

As you enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe, you can end your day with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories, as it is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

Enzo Hotels Reims Tinqueux by Kyriad Direct

Hotel Elysees Opera

Glamour Suite Cagliari

Hotel Mondschein

💡Quick Tip View my full Europe packing guide here including a downloadable checklist . And check out my Europe Essentials shopping list here .

Europe Trip Itinerary Week 3: Italy And Greece

I suggest dedicating a part of your 3 week Europe itinerary to Italy . Backpacking trips to Europe feel incomplete if you don’t do justice to Italy because, honestly, you can dedicate a whole 10-day Europe itinerary to it. My stay in Italy was incredible, and I am biased toward it.

• Take A Train To Rome, Italy

Start your 3 week Europe itinerary by taking a train from Florence and heading to Rome , the capital city of Italy. It’s a pretty cool ride, and in a couple of hours, you’ll be in the city’s heart. Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world, and it’s like stepping back in time.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Rome’s Ancient Landmarks And Food Scene

Have fun in this ancient place on your Europe itinerary 3 weeks in duration by beginning your Rome visit with the Colosseum, the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. It’s amazing to think of all the history that took place there. You’ll also find the Roman Forum nearby, the ancient city’s main square. Walking around, you’ll see ruins of old government buildings.

On day two of your 3 Week Europe trip, check out the Pantheon , a former Roman temple that’s now a church. It’s got the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, which is pretty impressive. After that, head to the Trevi Fountain, a huge and beautiful fountain that’s famous all over the world. Remember to throw in a coin for good luck (we never know if it works out, right?).

Also, during your 3 weeks in Europe you can’t leave without having some authentic Italian pizza, pasta, and gelato – it’s almost blasphemous, IMO.

Spend the last day visiting Vatican City , where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Don’t miss the Sistine Chapel in your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary, it is known for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

• Take A Train Or Flight To Athens, Greece

After three days in Rome on your 3 week Europe trip, hop on a train or flight to Athens, Greece . It’s the capital of Greece and one of the world’s oldest cities. Athens is known for its ancient buildings and monuments, so you’re in for a treat.

If you travel via local public transport during your 3 weeks in Europe, you must have the best travel bag for Europe that’s waterproof and strong enough to bear the brunt of being relocated.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Athens’s Acropolis And Other Ancient Sites

In your itinerary for Europe trip, I think your first stop in Athens has to be the Acropolis because of its vibe. This ancient hill holds several buildings, including the Parthenon, an old temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The view of the city from up there is also stunning, and the weather will make it even better.

In your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary, other places to explore in Athens are Ancient Agora, a former marketplace, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, once the largest temple in Greece.

Before you leave Athens, make sure to visit the National Archaeological Museum . I assure you it’s the best Europe itinerary for you to include!

• Take A Ferry To Santorini, Greece

Continue your 3 week Europe Itinerary by taking a ferry to Santorini. It’s to get those Insta-worthy pictures clicked because no place is better than Santorini on your backpacking for Europe . From Athens, take a ferry to Santorini . This island is known for its beautiful beaches and blue-domed churches.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Santorini’s Beautiful Beaches And Blue-Domed Churches

On your first day in Santorini during your 3 week Europe trip, visit Red Beach, named for its distinctive red volcanic sand. Remember to bring your camera, as the contrast between the red cliffs, blue sky, and turquoise sea is a sight.

Spend your second day in Oia, one of Santorini’s most picturesque towns. The narrow winding streets are lined with small local shops offering everything from handmade jewelry to local wines and olive oil.

The town is famous for its blue-domed churches, which are scattered across its skyline. These iconic structures against the backdrop of the deep blue sea make for postcard-perfect photos of your Europe trip itinerary.

But the real magic happens at sunset, which will make your 3 weeks in Europe itinerary perfect! Find a good spot to watch the sun go down – it’s a sight that will stay with you forever as the sky explodes in hues of orange, pink, and red over the calm Aegean Sea.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Greece? Check out these options!

Delina Mountain Resort

Eagles Nest

Calistus Mykonos

Best Europe Itinerary Week 4: Greece and Germany

If you started traveling with a Europe trip itinerary 4 weeks, Santorini is a good place to conclude it. But I say the best backpacking trips to Europe give you enough leg space to travel to all places nicely. So plan a 4 week Europe itinerary and end it in Germany .

• Take A Ferry Or Flight To Mykonos, Greece

After soaking in the beauty of Santorini, you can continue the 10 day europe itinerary by heading over to the energetic island of Mykonos . Take a ferry or catch a flight, and in no time, you’ll be in the heart of Greece’s party paradise, where summer parties are the most fun.

• Spend 2 Days Exploring Mykonos’s Party Scene And Beaches

Spend your precious 4 weeks in Europe in Mykonos with a visit to its famous beaches. Visit Super Paradise Beach , known for its clear waters and golden sand. It’s a great spot to relax, soak up some sun, and maybe even make a few new friends. If you’re up for it, you can also try water sports.

In your 4 week European itinerary, when the sun goes down, the island comes alive with music and dancing. Head to one of the many beach clubs or bars and join in the fun. It’s a great way to experience the lively spirit of the island.

• Take A Flight To Berlin, Germany

Let’s move to the mainland on our Europe itinerary 4 weeks in duration, by doing backpacking across Europe excursions . Catch a flight to Berlin , the capital of Germany.

In your backpacking Europe itinerary 4 weeks will allow you to explore a diverse range of cultures, landscapes, and experiences, from the historic streets of Athens to the vibrant energy of Berlin.

• Spend 3 Days Exploring Berlin’s Museums And History

Brandenburg Gate, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, is a good starting point for your Berlin stay. After that, walk along the East Side Gallery, a stretch of the Berlin Wall that’s now covered in art.

Check out Museum Island, home to five of Berlin’s most important museums. Also, don’t miss the Pergamon Museum, which holds a huge collection of ancient art.

For your final day in Berlin during your 4 weeks in Europe, consider visiting Checkpoint Charlie , one of the most famous crossing points between East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

• Take A Day Trip To Potsdam Or Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Before you finish your 4 weeks in Europe, consider taking a day trip from Berlin to either Potsdam or the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp . Potsdam is home to beautiful palaces and gardens, while Sachsenhausen is a former Nazi concentration camp and a sobering reminder of Germany’s past.

End The Trip In Munich, Germany, And Spend 2 Days Exploring The City’s Beer Halls And Landmarks

As an addition to this itinerary for Europe trip, after your day trip, head back to Berlin and catch a train or flight to Munich . This city is famous for its beer halls, so you’re in for a treat. But the weather here is quite cold, so plan your packing list for backpacking in Europe well. Keep jackets and warmers along, so you don’t catch a cold.

In your itinerary for Europe trip, Plan a trip to Marienplatz to start your Munich visit with the city’s main square. You should remember the New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel. After that, head to the Munich Residenz, a former royal palace that’s now a museum.

As I said, Munich is famous for its beer halls, so visit at least one to have your own version of best Europe itinerary. The most famous is the Hofbräuhaus, which has been serving beer since 1589. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian meal with a pint of local beer to wrap up your amazing 4-week European itinerary.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet? The Insurance companies I recommend are  Hey Mondo and Safety Wing Hey Mondo  is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing  is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy. Read my full  travel insurance post  here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Looking for somewhere to stay in Germany? Check out these options!

Roomingtons Laichingen Alb

Das Hotel Ostseeblick

BrombachSeeZeit

Map of Accommodation in Europe

Europe travel guide planning.

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Europe?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Europe which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Europe on Amazon here .

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Europe?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide . They have a lot of options available!

🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?

I strongly recommend using RentalCars . They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here . I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim . Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com , Hotels.com , and Expedia . They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here . I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack .

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Final Thoughts On This One Month Europe Itinerary

My biggest advice to anyone planning Europe trip itinerary is to embrace the diversity and let the journey guide you. Don’t stress too much about seeing everything.

Instead, focus on experiencing the places you visit, whether that means sitting at a café and watching the world go by or joining the locals for a beer in Munich . And of course, keep my 4 weeks backpacking through Europe itinerary blog post handy and you will be stress-free!

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Plan the Perfect 4-week Trip Around South America

•   Bolivia
•   Chile
•   Colombia
•   Ecuador
•   Galapagos
•   Inca Trail
•   Patagonia
•   Peru
•   Top Tips

A picture of South America travellers, Andean Trails

South America is a vast destination with so many attractions. Often, the question is ” How can I fit in as much as possible — in my 4 weeks in South America?”

We have a quarter of a century of experience putting together the logistics for top tours and making dream trip ideas a reality. Ask us the best time to go, where to land, how to maximise travel time, and where to build in some downtime, and we’ll help.

We want everyone to enjoy the continent as much as we do. That’s why we’ve put together several itinerary suggestions for up to four weeks in South America, including a required budget guide.

Four weeks in South America may be beyond many people’s time and budget allowance. These flexible itineraries are mere outlines to inspire, and we can mould them to suit your travel style and tastes.

Read our perfect four-week trips around South America. Get in touch, and we can start planning your trip, too.

Four Weeks in South America by Kathy Jarvis

Andean Trails’ founder Kathy has picked beautiful Patagonia for her four-week tour. Make sure you pack enough memory cards to capture all the beautiful surroundings.

Suggested Itinerary for Four Weeks in Patagonia

Day 1:  Arrive in Santiago, Chile

Day 2:  Explore Santiago

Day 3: Fly to Puerto Montt and explore the Chilean Lake District

Days 4-8: Hike, bike and kayak around volcanoes and lake

Day 8:  Fly to Balmaceda and self-drive through Aysen

Days 9-13: Marble Caves, Terra Luna Hotel

Day 14: Arrive at Villa O’Higgins.

Day 15: Trek and boat crossing from Chile into Argentina to El Chalten

Day 17: Explore El Chalten and Fitz Roy National Park

Day 21: Visit Perito Moreno glacier

Day 22: Travel to Paine W for Paine W trek ( self-guided or group ), or Paine Circuit

Day 28/29: Ends with a flight back to Santiago.

Trip Highlights: Lakes, snow-capped mountains, marble caves, trekking

Who’s it for?: Hikers, independent and adventurous travellers, active families, wilderness lovers

Required budget (without flights): USD 6,500pp upwards

Best time to go: October to April

Where to land: Santiago, Chile

Four Weeks in South America by Kat Dougal

Kat is a huge fan of Ecuador and the Galapagos (Bolivia, Colombia, and more) and has designed a ‘see-it-all’ itinerary.

Ecuador is like South America in miniature; you’ll experience everything from Amazon to high mountains to the unique Galapagos Islands. Travel times are generally short (1-3 hours) between highlights.

Suggested Itinerary for Four Weeks in Ecuador with the Galapagos

Day 1:  Arrive in Quito

Day 2: Explore historic Quito

Days 3-5: Discover north Ecuador’s lakes, volcanoes, and estancias

Days 6-8: Cloudforest and wildlife at Maquipucuña

Days 9-12: Explore the Amazon rainforest

Day 13: Travel to Hacienda Porvenir

Day 14: Horse ride or walk near Cotopaxi

Day 15-16: Quilotoa lagoon and Black Sheep Inn

Day 17: Baños

Days 18-22: Travel overland to coastal Guayaquil, visiting Chimborazo, Ingapirca Inca ruins, Cuenca and Cajas National Park

Day 23: Fly to Galapagos for 5-8 day cruise or land-based trip

Day 28-31: Fly home

Trip Highlights: Wildlife, rainforest, culture, volcanoes, and Galapagos Islands

Who’s it for?: Everyone from children to wildlife enthusiasts to culture freaks

Required budget (without flights): USD 5,000pp upwards + Galapagos at USD 2,000-10,000pp, depending on boat or hotels used.

Best time to go: Year round

Where to land: Quito, Ecuador

Four Weeks in South America by Tom Shearman

Tom has gone for a mix of countries that all share borders in the Central Andes. This itinerary is packed with culture, history, snow-capped mountains and treks, plus a chance to see some of the clearest night skies in the world.

Suggested Itinerary for Four Weeks in Peru, Bolivia and Chile

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

Day 2: Museums and fine dining

Day 3:  Fly to Cusco, city tour

Day 4: Sacred Valley tour

Day 5: Four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Day 10: Relax in Cusco

Day 11: Amazon Rainforest of Manu or Tambopata

Day 15: Return to Cusco

Day 16: First class train to Puno, for Lake Titicaca

Day 17-18: Explore Lake Titicaca

Day 19: Bus from Peru to La Paz in Bolivia

Day 20: La Paz city tour

Day 21: Fly to Uyuni Salt Flats tour

Day 24: Cross the border into Chile for the Atacama Desert

Day 25-28: Explore the area — stargazing, geysers, hot springs with 3 to 5* hotels

Day 29: Fly to Santiago, ends

Trip Highlights: Culture, history, Incas, mountains, trains, stars, and deserts

Who’s it for?: Culture lovers, fine diners, hikers, and explorers of remote places

Required budget (without flights): USD 8,000pp upwards

Best time to go: Year-round (Inca Trail closed in February)

Where to land: Lima, Peru. This tour can also be run in reverse, starting in Chile.

Can you give me some more ideas for South America holidays?

Of course, there is a panoply of ways to spend four weeks in South America. Here are some more ideas for traveller types:

Hikers: Head to Huaraz in Peru, acclimatise on the Santa Cruz trek (4 days), then undertake any number of 8-14 day hikes like the Huayhuash . End with a visit to Gocta waterfall and Kuelap ruins.

Bikers: Some flying is required between Colombia’s road options, Peru’s Single Track biking and some more leisurely stuff in Chile.

Off-the-beaten-trackers: Start in Paraguay , then explore Argentina’s Pantanal at Irupe , ending with Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires.

The Perfect 4 Weeks In South America

There are a few ways to spend four weeks in South America — and we didn’t even mention Antarctica or Guyana .

The continent’s excellent flight connections mean it’s perfectly possible to combine Galapagos in the north with Patagonia in the south.

For many people, a holiday to South America is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it’s essential to get it right.

Make the most of our knowledge. Get in touch for ideas and outline itineraries tailored to your exact needs. Our simple-to-follow outlines will help you get to grips with travel times, logistics, and what to expect on arrival.

Join a group, travel independently, or mix it up. Here at Andean Trails, we’re delighted to talk to people excited about visiting South America. Contact us for more.

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Suggested Trips

4-day inca trail hike to machu picchu, peru.

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Join a small group of like-minded travellers on a guided trip.

What's a tailor made trip?

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Prices From $1,148 / £933 per person

Dates: From March 2024 to January 2025

Duration: 4

Capacity: 16 people

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Manu National Park Camping Tour

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Dates: From January 2024 to December 2024

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Paine W Classic Trek

Prices From $1,940 / £1,577 per person

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Capacity: 12 people

Peru and Bolivia Tour

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Dates: From April 2024 to December 2024

Duration: 17

San Pedro de Atacama Desert Tour

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Duration: 6

Terra Luna Lodge In Aysen, Patagonia

Prices From $887 / £721 per person

Dates: From October 2022 to April 2023

Capacity: 60 people

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Chiloé Island Tours and Things To Do 

Chiloé Island Tours, Activities and things to Do There is so much to do and see on Chiloé Island that the main issue may be how to fit all those tours and activities into your travel itinerary.  The island of Chiloé, in Chile’s Lake District, was once a strategic point of interest for seafarers and pirates alike. Fortunately, for the intrepid traveller, it now seems often overlooked by tourists visiting Chile.   Yet it really shouldn’t be, as here you will find a culturally rich land, with landscapes ranging from temperate rainforests to agricultural land of rolling hills to pristine sand …

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A Perfect 4 Weeks in Japan Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide

Exploring Japan offers an endless array of experiences – from the buzzing streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto to the charming towns nestled in the Japanese Alps. If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of this unique island nation, one month in Japan is the way to go. 

This 4 week Japan itinerary is packed with both must-sees and underrated gems, perfect for first-timers and seasoned explorers. This practical travel guide will take you through the best of Japan, day by day, with insider tips along the way to make the most of your adventures. 

Table of Contents

Overview of this 4 Week Japan Itinerary

Here’s a quick breakdown of my one month in Japan itinerary:

• Days 1-5: Tokyo
• Days 5-8: Fuji Five Lakes
• Days 8-11: Osaka
• Days 11-12: Koyasan
• Days 12-14: Osaka (day trips to Nara, Himeji and Kobe)
• Days 14-16: Hiroshima & Miyajima
• Days 16-21: Kyoto  

Week 4: 

• Days 21-27: Japanese Alps (Kanazawa, Takayama and Matsumoto)
• Days 27-28: Tokyo

Best Time to Visit

You can visit Japan all year round , however, spring or autumn is the best time to visit with this itinerary. I’ve been to Japan five times – three times in winter, once in autumn and once in spring. 

My recent 1 month trip to Japan was timed to catch the spring cherry blossoms in Tokyo at the end of March. Autumn is another beautiful time of the year to visit, thanks to the amazing autumn foliage that spreads across the country. 

However, these times can also be some of the most popular with tourists – particularly peak cherry blossom season in early April.

Consider the shoulder months of February/March, or September/early October for off-peak travel periods. 

I haven’t visited Japan in the summer months of June to August, however, I personally wouldn’t visit during this time. Summer in Japan can be humid and sweltering, which could be unbearable in built-up cities like Osaka and Tokyo. 

How to Get Around on this Japan 1 Month Itinerary 

This one month in Japan itinerary relies on using Japan’s efficient and relatively straightforward public transportation system to get around. 

You’ll use a combination of local subways and trains, the high-speed Shinkansen “bullet train” and buses. We also caught one or two taxis in cities like Kyoto and Kanazawa that rely more on the bus network than the subway.

One of my top travel tips for travellers to Japan is getting a Suica card for use on the subway in Tokyo and Osaka.

On our March 2023 trip, we took our physical Suica cards (that we actually got on our very first trip to Japan in 2013!) and added them to our smartphones to use digitally. This has made getting around Japan even easier! 

We could also top our Suica balance easily through our phones instead of needing to visit the ticket machines each time, which was a great improvement from previous trips. 

For this one month Japan itinerary, hiring a car is not necessary or recommended in most towns due to limited parking and high traffic. 

The one place where I would recommend hiring a car is in the Fuji Five Lakes area. This was my first time hiring a car in Japan, but it was worth it for us to explore more of the Fuji Five Lakes area, beyond Lake Kawaguchiko where we were staying. 

Map – Japan Itinerary 4 Weeks by Region

1 Month in Japan Cost

I’ve crunched the numbers, and our 4 weeks in Japan ended up costing us a grand total of AUD $8,500 for two people.

This equates to AUD $315 per day for two people . As at May 2024, this is roughly USD $210 / €190 for a couple, per day. 

This includes all expenses, except for flights and travel insurance. 

The breakdown for this is as follows:

I’ve gone into more detailed analysis of what we spent in each of these categories in my Japan Trip Cost Breakdown here , however accommodation was our largest expense at 40% of our daily cost.

We stayed mostly in basic Japanese business hotels and guesthouses which were very clean and comfortable. We had a few splurge stays, like a one-night ryokan stay in Atami Onsen.

Accommodation prices may vary depending on the time of year – as we were visiting during cherry blossom season in April 2023, prices may have been higher than average.

Dining out in Japan is fairly cheap, at least for me when compared to Australia. 

We did eat out a lot, and trying all the delicious food is a large part of why we love Japan so much. This is reflected in our food and drink costs, as dining out is an activity in itself for us (perhaps also why the activities category is relatively low). 

We drank alcohol almost every day, and definitely indulged in quite a few sake-tasting experiences along the way. 

Use this as a general guide to help plan your one month in Japan budget. 

Japan Itinerary 1 Month: Week by Week  

Week 1 | days 1-5: tokyo .

You’ve arrived in Tokyo! Get ready to be immersed in the neon lights, busy sidewalks, hidden alleyways and all the fun things that await in Tokyo. 

Things to Do & See

There is honestly so much to do and see in Tokyo – I’ve been five times and still find something new and interesting each time. In fact, you could easily spend a week in Tokyo and still not tire of things to do and see!

Below are some of my top things to do around Tokyo. 

• Explore the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku and play video games at a gaming arcade 
• Wander the quirky streets of Harajuku and visit the Meiji Jingu shrine
• Visit the iconic Shibuya crossing and watch the scramble. Best seen from above at Shibuya Sky (an awesome sunset spot with 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo!)
• Go thrift shopping in Shimokitazawa

• Sample local food at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Wander the market yourself or join a guided foodie walking tour
• Be amazed at the TeamLab Planets immersive museum – make sure to purchase tickets in advance ! 
• Marvel at the hundreds of lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple 
• Explore the pulsing Akihabara electric town 
• Visit some of Tokyo’s temples and shrines, including Senso-ji and Hie Shrine 
• Shop away at Don Quijote 
• Spend a fun day at Disneyland or DisneySea

Where to Eat

Trust me when I say you won’t ever be left wanting for good food options in Tokyo. These are some of my favourites:

• Uogashi Nihon-Ichi: a small and popular standing sushi restaurant in Shinjuku 
• Harajuku Gyozaro: a tasty gyoza restaurant in Harajuku 
• Fuunji Shinjuku: tsukemen dipping noodles
• Ramen Hayshida: popular ramen joint in Shinjuku
• Gyukatsu Motomura (various locations): the most delicious katsu you will ever eat
• Darumasakaba Izakaya Kanda : a friendly local izakaya

Where to Stay

I generally recommend staying in the west of Tokyo (near Shinjuku) or east (near Tokyo Station). As long as you are close to a subway station on the main lines, you generally can’t go wrong. 

• Budget – Kimi Ryokan Ikebukuro : my go-to budget option every time I’m in Tokyo. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station and features traditional tatami mat rooms with clean, shared bathrooms.
• Mid-Range – Via Inn Prime Nihonbashi Ningyocho : I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the rooms in this new, modern hotel. The location was within walking distance to two different subway lines.
• Luxury – Park Hyatt Tokyo : We had a splurge night here to celebrate my husband’s birthday – the hotel’s New York Grill and Bar on the 52nd floor was featured in the movie Lost in Translation

Explore all accommodation options in Tokyo

Week 1 | Days 5-8: Fuji Five Lakes

After a few fun-filled days in Tokyo, it’s time to leave the city and explore the Fuji Five Lakes area nestled near the base of Mount Fuji. 

I found it easiest to get the direct Highway bus from Tokyo Station to Kawaguchiko, otherwise, you can catch the train which includes one transfer. 

As the name suggests, this area comprises five lakes: Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko, and Motosuko. These lakes offer stunning views of Mount Fuji, especially from the northern shores of Kawaguchiko and the eastern end of Yamanakako. 

A visit to Fuji Five Lakes offers a change of pace from the bustling city life of Tokyo: it is a popular destination for camping, hiking and hot spring bathing. And of course, iconic views of Mount Fuji . 

It is a popular day trip destination from Tokyo, but I recommend spending a few days to immerse yourself in exploring some of the incredible things to do and see in the area. 

Make sure to read my detailed Fuji Five Lakes 3 day itinerary to help plan your visit.

Best Time to See Mount Fuji

The best time to visit for clear views of Mount Fuji is between November to April. Otherwise, clouds may obstruct your views. 

During our four days in Fuji Five Lakes in April, we had clear views for three of those. One morning we woke up and we couldn’t even see Mount Fuji as it was heavily obscured by clouds.

• Take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway to an Observation Deck with sweeping views of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. Book 
• Walk, cycle or drive around Lake Kawaguchi and admire the different viewpoints of Mt Fuji
• Stroll along the picturesque lakeside park at Oishi Park 

• Head underground and explore the Narusawa Ice Cave or the Fugaku Wind Cave
• Visit the iconic and picturesque Chureito Pagoda
• Wander through the forest at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrin e

• Visit the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, a European-inspired garden with an antique music box museum
• Sample sake at the Ide Sake Brewery 

Check out more things to do in Mount Fuji here !

• Tanpopo: Family-run izakaya where the wife speaks to you via a hand-held translator – bookings required
• Kosaku: A busy restaurant serving the regional specialty, Houtou noodles. Word of warning, the seating is traditional tatami mat style so wear stretchy clothes!
• FabCafe Fuji: A great coffee spot after a visit to the nearby Chureito Pagoda
• Ramen Kaneyuki: One of the few ramen restaurants in the middle of town. Meals are served in this casual, open-air restaurant out of a food truck. 
• Nagasaki Coffee Roaster: One of the best hand-drip coffees we had during our month in Japan! A few minutes from the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine.

I recommend basing yourself in the town of Kawaguchiko for your time in Fuji Five Lakes. It has the most accommodation options and things to do. You can explore the other four lakes by local bus, but we chose to hire a car to get around Kawaguchiko and its surroundings. 

• Budget – Hostel Michikusa : this small, family-run guest house was wonderful. We booked the private tatami mat triple room with a Mount Fuji view. It was incredible waking up to see Mount Fuji each morning. There is a small common area and modern, clean shared bathrooms. 
• Mid-Range – Fuji View Hotel : Overlooking Lake Kawaguchi, this hotel is surrounded by Japanese gardens and has a public onsen (hot spring bath). 
• Luxury – La V i sta : A short walk from the lake, this hotel offers rooms with clear views across to Mount Fuji plus a sauna, hot tub and onsen hot spring bath. 

Explore all accommodation options in Kawaguchiko

Week 2 | Days 8-11: Osaka

Welcome to the over-the-top sensations, smells and sights of the food capital of Japan!

Spend the next 4 days immersing yourself in the main attractions of Osaka. One whole day will be spent at Universal Studios Japan, just make sure to buy your tickets well in advance! 

• Admire the metropolitan spread from the top of the Umeda Sky Building
• Stroll the majestic Osaka Castle Park grounds and head to the very top of the Osaka Castle (you can buy skip-the-line tickets here !)
• Browse the shops at the undercover Shinsaibashi Suji Shopping Street

• Play video games in a bar at the Retro Bar Space Station
• Wander the hip streets of Amerikamura
• Explore Nipponbashi DenDen Town (Osaka’s version of Akhihabara)
• Spend a day at Universal Studios Japan

• Sample the local street food of Osaka along Dotonbori , including takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), or eat your way through the Kuromon Ichiba Market 
• Visit the unique lion’s head shrine at Namba Yasaka Jinja
• Ajinoya Honten: A popular okonomiyaki restaurant near the Dotonbori Glico Running Man sign
• Ikkaku Shinsaibashi: the juiciest chicken you’ll ever eat, washed down with beers and pickles
• Sake Bar Shiki : we had a blast at this tucked-away upstairs sake bar, trying a range of different sakes served up by the friendly owner 
• Kuishinbo: A hole-in-the-wall local okonomiyaki joint where the pancakes are served on the grill in front of you

For an easy-to-follow day by day itinerary in Osaka, check out my detailed Osaka guide here .

Most tourist guidebooks will tell you to stay near the centre of nightlife near Dotonbori .

After a few stays in the area, my preference these days is in favour of staying a few stops away on the subway line to escape the crowds that the area is known for. 

• Budget – Hotel Sobial : I stayed in this modern hotel with clean and compact rooms, a 2-minute walk from Daikokucho Station, only one stop from Namba station and the Dotonbori area. 
• Mid-Range – Cross Hotel : just a 3-minute walk from the Namba Subway Station, this hotel is in the middle of the action. The rooms are modern and spacious (for Japan’s standards) and offer an inner-city escape from the bustle of Dotonbori. 
• Luxury – Swissotel Nankai Osaka : We had a delightful one-night stay here. You can access the hotel lobby directly from inside Namba Station. The rooms are spacious and light-filled, and facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. 

Explore all accommodation options in Osaka

Week 2 | Days 11-12: Koyasan

An overnight stay at Koyasan will be one of the most unique things you do in Japan. It wasn’t until my fifth and most recent trip that I even learned about Koyasan. 

Koyasan (Mount Koya) is a sacred mountain and the founding centre of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Founded in the 9th century by the monk Kobo Daishi, it is a tranquil and spiritual place, with over 100 temples surrounded by thick forests. 

It is here that you can experience temple lodging , run by Buddhists. 

A temple stay usually includes a morning prayer ritual and traditional tatami mat bedding. All food is either vegan or vegetarian Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori). Some temple stays also offer a fire show. 

Getting to Koyasan from Osaka involves a scenic train ride out of Osaka before catching a cable car up the mountain, and another bus ride to the main town. 

I recommend leaving your bags at your hotel in Osaka, or in a locker for the next day, and pack a light overnight bag as there isn’t much room for large suitcases on the cable car and bus. 

• Daimon Gate: 11th-century gateway to Mt Koya 
• Kongobuji Kompon Daito: the Grand Central Pagoda located in a serene garden 
• Kongobu-ji: This historic temple is the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, and features Japan’s largest rock garden
• Okunoin Cemetery: It was a surreal experience wandering through the forest that is home to Japan’s largest cemetery. You pass through over 200,000 tombstones on the way up the 2-kilometre stretch of path that leads to the Torodo Hall and the final resting place of Kobo-Daishi. 
• Torodo Lantern Hall: The main hall of worship, built in front of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. There are over 10,000 lit lanterns in the hall. 

There are many highly-rated temple stays that are easily bookable through booking.com .

Unfortunately, as I was booking last minute during a popular time of the year (April), I couldn’t stay at one of these. I ended up finding a room available at Henjoko-in Temple, but I would only recommend it if the other ones aren’t available.  

If you are on a budget, there is non-temple stay accommodation in the form of simple guesthouses, however, if you are making the trip to Koyasan I highly recommend spending one night in a temple to get the full experience. 

Both breakfast and dinner are included as part of a temple stay. 

Recommended Temple Lodging:

• Ekoin Temple
• Saizenin Temple
• Yochi-in Temple (one of the cheaper temple stays)

Budget Guesthouse Accommodation: 

• Koyasan Guest House Tommy

Week 2 | Days 12-14: Osaka (day trips to Nara, Himeji and Kobe)

Quick note: the reason I split our time in Osaka into two blocks is to break up the travel day back from Koyasan.  To go directly from Koyasan to Hiroshima would be a very long travel day of 4.5 hours and involve changing buses/trains at least 4 times. Instead, break the journey up by heading back to Osaka for another couple of nights before continuing on your travels to Hiroshima. 

Begin the 3-hour journey back to Osaka from Koyasan.

I used Osaka as my base for the next few days to do a combined day trip to Himeji and Kobe .

Himeji Castle

It takes around 90 minutes to reach Himeji from Osaka. The main reason for our visit to Himeji was to explore the remarkable Himeji Castle . 

Himeji Castle is known as White Heron Castle due to its elegant, white facade. 

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Japan’s most famous and beautiful surviving feudal castles. The castle is a prime example of traditional Japanese castle architecture, dating back to the early 17th century. 

Over its years it has survived wars, earthquakes, and the passage of time, remaining intact through the centuries. The castle is renowned for its imposing size, intricate defence mechanisms, and well-preserved complex, including the maze-like paths leading up to the main keep. 

You can explore the full expanse of the castle grounds, as well as the interior of the castle. It is possible to climb to the very top floor, for a panoramic view across Himeji. 

From Himeji Castle, we walked back to Himeji Station and caught a train that was stopping in Kobe. We came here for one sole reason, and that was to finally sample the famous Kobe Wagyu beef for ourselves! 

You could easily spend a day or two exploring Kobe, however, we only had one afternoon. 

We decided to spend our afternoon exploring the Kobe Herb Gardens , which involved catching a scenic cable car to the top of a mountain and viewing Kobe and the harbour sprawled out below.

Book tickets online here . 

After wandering through the expanse of gardens, Instead of catching the cable car back down to the city, we decided to hike down so we could stop at the picturesque Nunobiki Waterfall on the way. 

After working up an appetite, we chose to try the famous Kobe beef for dinner at Steakland Kobe before jumping on the train back to Osaka (50 minutes).  

If time and energy levels allow, consider spending a day exploring the ancient city of Nara, which is only 45 minutes from Osaka. 

I visited Nara on my very first trip to Japan in 2013. 

Of course, Nara is most well-known for its free-roaming deer that frequent the beautiful parks and historic temples. 

The main attraction in Nara is the massive bronze Great Buddha in Todai-ji Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

You can feed the deer special “deer biscuits” at Nara Park, visit the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine with its lantern-lined paths, and stop by the Nara National Museum which offers insights into Japanese Buddhist art.

Week 3 | Days 14-16: Hiroshima & Miyajima

For the next stage of your Japan one month itinerary, we are heading 2 hours west of Osaka to explore Hiroshima and the small island of Miyajima. 

A visit to Hiroshima is a sobering and impactful experience. 

Most of my time in Hiroshima was spent exploring the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park . It is here you’ll find the Atomic Bomb Dome and learn more about the horrific events during World War II at the Peace Memorial Museum. 

Make sure to try the Hiroshima okonomiyaki, which has a distinct texture compared to okinomiyaki in Osaka.

Other things to do in Hiroshima include visiting the Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle. Museum and art lovers may choose to spend some time at the Mazda Museum or Hiroshima Modern Art Museum. 

• Budget – WeBase : Walking distance from the Peace Memorial Park, this hotel offers a shared lounge and kitchen space for travellers on a budget. The company rooms are clean and comfortable. 
• Mid-Range – The Knot : This modern, trendy hotel is in the perfect location for visiting Memorial Park and catching the ferry across to Miyajima. There’s also a rooftop bar that serves tasty cocktails with an amazing view. A great base for exploring Hiroshima.
• Luxury – Hilton Hiroshima : Close to the main tourist attractions, this five-star hotel offers spacious rooms in a luxury setting.

Explore all accommodation options in Hiroshima

You can choose to spend the night in Hiroshima or spend an extra night on Miyajima Island to give you a full day of exploring the island. 

From Hiroshima, catch the ferry to Miyajima Island . 

Miyajima is a popular island for day trippers, who come to visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its “floating” torii gate in the water. 

I think Miyajima is best explored with a one or two-night stay on the island and was where we chose to immerse ourselves in a ryokan stay experience. 

Things to do in Miyajima include strolling through the Omotesando Shopping Street, visiting the Senjokaku Pavilion and Five-Storied Pagoda and exploring the Momijidani Park. 

On our last day in Miyajima, we ventured to Daishoin temple at the base of Mount Misen, which has hundreds of carved stone statues with knitted hats. Unlike some of the other nearby shrines and temples, this one was very peaceful and serene. 

Afterwards, we continued the trail past Daishoin to hike Mt Misen, the highest peak on the island. 

From the vantage top of the large boulders, you can get almost complete 360-degree views across the island and ocean.  From here, we could catch the Miyajima ropeway back down the mountain and make our way back to the Miyajima Ferry terminal to depart the island.

• Budget – Sakuraya : Affordable Japanese-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities. 
• Mid-Range – Miyajima Hotel Makoto : An older Japanese-style traditional hotel that offers a shuttle service from the ferry terminal
• Luxury – Jukeiso Ryokan : Traditional Japanese-style rooms overlooking the torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine. This ryokan has a public indoor onsen, as well as a private outdoor onsen overlooking the shrine. Yukata robes and ocha (green tea) are provided. I recommend booking the package with dinner and breakfast included for the full Ryokan-style experience. 

Explore all accommodation options in Miyajima

Week 3 | Days 16-21: Kyoto

It’s time to explore Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. 

The city has preserved its ancient history with many traditional temples, shrines and classical gardens. As Kyoto escaped extensive bombings in the war, it’s been able to retain much of its old-world charm , particularly in areas like the Gion district. 

Much of your time in Kyoto will be spent exploring many of the 2,000 temples and shrines that draw tourists across the world to visit Kyoto. 

There’s so much to see and do, it can feel a bit overwhelming! Here’s a summary below, or read my dedicated Kyoto itinerary post for more detail.

These are Kyoto’s most popular (and therefore, busiest) tourist attractions that you should visit at least once: 

• Stroll the thousand vermilion gates of Fushimi Inari
• Visit Nanzen-ji temple and walk along the riverside Philosophers Path to Ginkaku-ji
• Explore Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion temple) and Kinkaku-ji (golden pavilion temple)

• Wander the preserved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka before visiting Kiyomizudera, one of Japan’s most celebrated temples
• Head to the Yasaka-jinja Shrine and stroll the serene Maruyama Park 
• Take an early morning trip to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and head up to Monkey Park Iwatayama 
• Try local street food at Nishiki Market
• Go for an evening stroll along Pontocho Alley and people watch

On our most recent trip to Kyoto, we tried to explore some lesser-known attractions that I hadn’t heard of before. Here are some suggestions:

• Marvel at the colourful ball shrine Yasaka Koshin-do 
• Learn about sake at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in the Fushimi Sake District
• Skip the crowds in Arashiyama and explore the small bamboo grove at Kodai-ji Temple

• Yakiniku Marutomi: great yakiniku restaurant near Pontocho
• Ramen Sugari: the trendiest ramen restaurant we have ever visited! Dining here was an experience in itself
• Menkui Kinya Tempura: delicious udon noodles (hot and cold) served with tempura
• Masuya Saketen Sake Bar : popular little sake bar with yummy snacks
• Ramen Uroko: next to our hostel was this friendly and tasty ramen shop
• Budget – Piece Hostel Sanjo : Trendy modern hostel with a rooftop common area in a great spot near Nishiki Market. We stayed in a private room with a bathroom, there are also dorm rooms and private rooms with shared bathrooms. 
• Mid-Range – Hotel Resol Kyoto Sanjo : Great central location with modern neutral decor and comfortable rooms.
• Luxury – Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu : I was in envy of my friends who stayed at this beautiful hotel. Highlights include a rooftop bar with fire pits, stylish decors and common areas plus an in-house bakery. 

Explore all accommodation options in Kyoto

Week 4 | Days 21-27: Japanese Alps 

I didn’t know much about the Japanese Alps town until I started researching somewhere new to visit on our most recent trip to Japan. 

The three main cities and towns to explore in these areas are Kanazawa, Takayama and Matsumoto. They ended up being one of the highlights of our trip and offered a unique and somewhat lesser touristy side side of Japan. 

Days 21-24: Kanazawa 

From Kyoto, catch the Shinkansen for 2.5 hours to the western coast of Japan where you’ll spend the next 3 days exploring Kanazawa. 

Kanazawa is known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts , remarkable gardens, fresh seafood and ties to samurai culture. Kanzawa is often referred to as “little Kyoto” , due to its preserved buildings and geisha districts. 

To get around, you’ll rely on the public bus network. Alternatively, you could hire a bike or get around on foot as we found the city to be quite walkable. 

• Omicho Market : this busy hub is Kanzawa’s largest fresh food market and features a lot of fresh seafood
• Higashi Chaya District : one of Kanazawa’s three geisha districts. The well-preserved streets with wooden buildings are bustling with many tea houses and shops selling famous gold-leaf products such as gold-leaf ice cream!
• Stroll the historic Nagamachi Samurai District where samurai families once lived, complete with preserved residences and museums

• The Kenroku-en Gardens draws visitors from across Japan – it is considered one of Japan’s most perfect gardens, covering over 11 hectares and renowned for its beauty across all seasons. Next to the Gardens, you’ll find the reconstructed Kanazawa Castle
• Myoryuji Ninja Temple : We joined a tour of the “ninja temple,” which wasn’t actually used by ninjas but features trap doors, hidden rooms and all kinds of ninja-like secrets. The tour was in Japanese but we were given English brochures with translations. 
• Another wonderful example of the mix of new and old in Kanazawa is the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art . The building itself is a work of art with its unique circular design and art installations around the grounds. 
• Oyama Shrine : A small shrine with a lovely small garden and tranquil pond (keep an eye out for the small frog statues!)

• Kourin Sushi: Every night this small sushi restaurant was completely booked. Luckily we managed to get a reservation for our last night in Kanazawa so we could see what the hype was about! 
• Kanazawa Shu Shu: A sake bar restaurant serving small dishes of local cuisine. We were served handpicked sake by the friendly owner! 
• Ramen Uguisu: We unexpectedly had the BEST ramen of the trip here (and we had a LOT of ramen!). 
• Budget – Hotel Pacific Kanazawa : One of the larger rooms we had in Japan, this small boutique hotel is located above a cafe and has bicycles available for hire. Great location near Omicho Shrine and Kanazawa Castle.
• Mid-Range – Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa : Trendy modern hotel with a public onsen and walking distance to the main attractions 
• Luxury – Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel : Spacious, light-filled rooms near the Nagamachi Samurai district 

Explore all accommodation options in Kanazawa

Days 24-26: Takayama 

From Kanazawa, catch the highway coach bus to Takayama. Advance bookings can be made here .

Optionally, you can get off the bus at Shirakawago, famous for its thatched-roof houses, and spend the day exploring the small village. There is luggage storage at the bus station to leave your bags. You would get a later bus connection from Shirakawago to Takayama. 

Due to poor weather, we decided to stay on the bus and head directly to Kanazawa. We did visit the Hida Folk Village in Takayama which is an alternative spot to see and learn more about the traditional thatched houses. 

Takayama is another small city nestled in the mountains that is famous for its well-preserved Edo-era streets. Takayama celebrates two festivals a year, in which spectacular floats traverse the streets of the city. 

Unfortunately, we missed the spring Sanno Festival by one day, which our guesthouse owner told us about excitedly as he poured us a glass of leftover sake from the previous night’s celebration.

Despite missing the festival itself, we found it fascinating to see the floats stored around the town itself. Plus, you can usually visit some of the floats on display at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. 

• Sample your way through the local sake breweries : this was the highlight of our time in Takayama. You’ll find numerous breweries offering free and paid tastings on the historical Sanmachi Street in Takayama’s old town. Our favourites were Harada Sake Brewery and Funasaka Brewery. 
• Sample local goodies at the Miyagawa morning market , with stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to handcrafted goods, sweet treats and pork buns. 
• Wander the open-air museum at Hida Folk Village , with various Edo-period farmhouses on display and historical representations
• Hike the Higashiyama Walking Course . It wasn’t very well signed, but we started from the Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine, walking to the Koryuzan Sogenji Temple before following the Enako River and crossing over into the forest to hike to the Takayama Castle Ruins. From here, we enjoyed the change in forest scenery and were rewarded with views across the city once we reached the peak of the hill where the sparse ruins are located. 
• Check out my 2 days in Takayama itinerary for more

• Ramen Menya Toto: Everyone heads to Menya Shirakawa to try the local style Takayama ramen, but wanting to avoid the long lines we came across Ramen Menya Toto around the corner. Here we thoroughly enjoyed the Takayama style ramen and house specialty shoyu ramen (with no queuing required!)
• Center4 Burgers: retro and quirky restaurant serving up juicy hamburgers (reservations recommended)
• Falo Coffee Brewers: We had a delicious hand-drip coffee and chatted with the barista who had spent time working in Australia (hence you know he makes good coffee!).
• Jakson Curry: Brilliant little Japanese curry shop – bookings are recommended as it’s extremely popular! 
• Budget – Guesthouse Tomaru : Simple Japanese guest house with shared bathrooms near the train station. The owner was extremely friendly and helpful (note that bookings only open a few months beforehand)
• Mid-Range – Wat Hotel & Spa : This trendy, modern hotel is located near the station and includes an onsen, pool and rooftop lounge area. 
• Luxury – Hotel Wood Takayama : A luxurious, architectural hotel located near the centre of Takayama’s old town. Facilities include an onsen plus free-flow sake tastings. 

Explore all accommodation options in Takayama

Days 26-27: Matsumoto 

Time for the final stop of your week-long adventure in the Japanese Alps. 

Head to JR Takayama Station and purchase a ticket from the counter for the direct bus to Matsumoto (2.5 hours). At the time of writing, there are 4 direct routes per day, you can check the timetable here . Reservations are not required for this journey.

The main drawcard in Matsumoto is the striking Matsumoto Castle. It earns its nickname of the “Crow Castle” due to its shiny black exterior. Like Himeji Castle, Matsumoto is one of the only twelve remaining original castles. 

We saw quite a few castles after spending a month in Japan, and can say that this was without a doubt one of our favourites !

• Visit the Matsumoto Castle : of course, this is going to be at the top of your list! I recommend visiting during the day, including heading inside the castle to the top level, and then later at night to see the castle illuminated from the outside.
• Explore the Nawate-dori shopping street which runs parallel to the river – keep an eye out for the frog statues! 
• Try local craft beer at one of the two Matsumoto Brewery tap rooms
• Visit Matsumoto City Museum of Arts , featuring exhibitions of works by Yayoi Kusama, a Matsumoto local known for her polka dots and pumpkin pieces. 
• Try the Matsumoto food specialities, including soba buckwheat noodles and sanzokuyaki (fried chicken!)

• Matsumoto Karaage Center: we headed to this fried chicken joint above the train station to try Sanzokuyaki, the local specialty fried chicken.
• Kobayashi Soba: upscale, refined soba noodle restaurant near the local shrine on Nawate-dori shopping street – some of the fanciest noodles we’ve ever had! 
• Yamameya : a local yakitori joint near our guesthouse 
• Budget – Couch Potato Hostel : This friendly hostel has private tatami mat rooms, clean shared bathrooms and comfy common spaces
• Mid-Range – Tabino Hotel : Close to the train station, this hotel offers compact rooms with public onsen facilities. 
• Luxury – Onyado Nono Matsumoto Hot Spring : This 4-star hotel is within walking distance from the station. With beautiful interiors and a natural hot spring onsen, it offers great value-for-money luxury accommodation in Matsumoto.

Explore all accommodation options in Matsumoto

Days 27-28: Back to Tokyo

Check out of your accommodation in Tokyo and make your way back to Tokyo for one last night in Japan before flying home. 

The quickest and most direct option to get to Tokyo from Matsumoto is to catch the JR Limited Express Chuo Line, which runs once or twice an hour and takes 2.5 hours to reach Shinjuku Station (¥6,620, covered by JR Pass). 

A cheaper alternative is to get the direct highway bus, which takes 3 hours (¥3,900). Reservations can be made in advance here .

Spend your last afternoon in Tokyo fitting in any sites or activities you didn’t get time for at the start of your trip, or simply wander the maze of brightly lit streets and absorb the smorgasbord of sights, sounds and atmosphere that is the wonderful city of Tokyo. 

Final Thoughts – 1 Month in Japan 

That wraps up this epic 4 week trip to Japan. 

While a month in Japan feels like a long time, let me assure you it will fly by in a flash . If you are anything like me, you might find yourself left with an even deeper desire to spend more time exploring the incredible towns and cities across Japan. This four week Japan itinerary honestly just showed me how much more of Japan there is to explore, so I know I’ll be back again soon to uncover more of the vibrant and remarkable places across Japan. 

I hope this 1 month itinerary for Japan has been useful, let me know in the comments below if you have any burning questions! 

Make sure to check out my other Japan travel guides for more help in planning your Japan adventures. 

Japan Itineraries:

• A Fun 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary: Complete 1 Week in Tokyo Guide
• The Perfect 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How to Avoid the Crowds
• An Exciting 4 Days in Osaka Itinerary for First-Timers
• Takayama Itinerary: 2 Days Discovering Traditional Japan
• Exploring Fuji Five Lakes: 3 Days in Kawaguchiko Guide

More Japan Guides:

• START HERE: How to Plan a Trip to Japan: Ultimate Japan Travel Guide
• Is Japan Expensive? My EXACT Japan Trip Cost Breakdown Revealed
• 15 Things to Know Before Visiting Japan for the First Time
• Cool Stuff to Buy in Japan: 20 Souvenirs Actually Worth Buying
• 10 Most Mesmerising Views of Mt Fuji from Kawaguchuiko
• Koyasan Temple Stay: Essential Travel Guide & Tips

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5 thoughts on “A Perfect 4 Weeks in Japan Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide”

I found your 1 month Japan itinerary very informative and am planning a 3 wk trip for my 4 person wanderlust cadre (1st trip to Japan). I was wondering what your transport was from Fuji 5 lakes to Osaka. Did you take public transport or the rental car? And would you have any recommendations for 1 or 2 things to drop for a 3 vs 4 wk itinerary?

Cheers, and looking forward to contributing!

Jeff Goode Chicago, IL, USA

Hi Jeff, Thanks for reading! Excited for your upcoming Japan adventures, you’ll have a blast! The journey from Fuji Five Lakes to Osaka involves either going back to Tokyo (I recommend the highway bus for this) and then getting the bullet train to Shin-Osaka. Another option is getting a different highway bus to Mishima Station which is one of the stops further along the Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen line, saving you going back to Tokyo. This option will be quicker but you’ll just have to check timings as there aren’t as many connections. All the bus and shinkansen timetables are synced into Google Maps, so it should be straight forward to work out what will suit your group best 🙂

In terms of dropping something, I would consider dropping Hiroshima/Miyajima or Kanzawa/Takayama/Matsumoto as these require more travel time to get to (save it for your next trip!)

Cheers, Tess

Hi Tess thank you-very informative! I am planning on going to see the blossoms next year for about the same length of time -I read somewhere that the season travels from west to east but most itineraries are from east to west-is that because its easier to get to Tokio? Also although the title of your blog has blossoms in it I don’t see much information in your blog specifically about blossom viewing sites-any tips would be appreciated!

Hi Lynn, I have a guide with my favourite spots in Tokyo. However you can find them spread across the country (we also saw them in Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa and Kawaguchiko at various stages outside peak bloom), and yes they generally bloom from west to east due to the temperatures being warmer. The Japan Meteorological Corporation release a blooming forecast each year a few months in advance (usually from early Jan), you can see an example in my article here: https://tessomewhere.com/best-place-to-see-cherry-blossoms-in-tokyo/#When_Do_Cherry_Blossoms_Bloom_in_Tokyo

As this year’s cherry blossom season showed, the blooming is VERY temperature dependant so take the forecasts as a guide, and be prepared to be flexible with your plans in the lead up to the season if possible.

I was 3 weeks Osaka,Tokyo,Endorshima,Kamakura,Hiroszima,Miyajima,Kyoto,Nara,Osaka.

It cost me about 7000 PLN – 1,769.51 USD. This included souvenirs, some more expensive visits like Teamlab Tokyo. I used trains and planes to travel around Japan. And this included flight Warsaw Osaka flights.

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Extensive 4-Week Travel Itinerary for Thailand

Finally, you’ve convinced your boss that you really  need those four weeks off to travel through Thailand. The next question is: what are you going to do there? Well, we’ve got some suggestions! On this page, we’ll share an awesome itinerary that will take you past all of Thailand’s landmarks, complete with a daily schedule. Join the adventure and get inspired – let’s go!

Day 1 – Arriving in Bangkok

After a long flight, you arrive in chaotic Bangkok . Get in one of the public taxis to take you to your hotel. Today is all about rest and recovery, so make sure you’re staying somewhere comfortable!

Budget hotel tip: Green House Mid-range hotel tip: iSanook High-end Hotel tip: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Staying at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is one of the best decisions you can make.

Day 2 – First full day in Bangkok

After a “good” night’s sleep, you get up at 7:00 AM. Have a nice breakfast on the street (or at the hotel) before going on the first excursion of your trip: a 3-hour bike tour with Co van Kessel’s bike tours , during which you’ll be exploring Bangkok’s narrow streets.

Accompanied by two professional tour guides, who speak English, you’ll be discovering the local life. Marvel at the aromas of Chinatown’s colorful markets. After the tour, enjoy a lovely lunch on the River View Guesthouse ’s roof terrace with a view of the Chao Phraya River, only a five minute walk away from Co van Kessel’s offices.

In the afternoon you’ll be visiting the magnificent Wat Pho temple , known for its huge reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters wide and 15 meters high. The evening will be spent in the backpackers’ area of Banglamphu, on Thailand’s most famous street: Khao San Road . But don’t forget to check out bustling Soi Rambuttri (the street next to it) either. You can eat on the sidewalk or in one of the dozens of little restaurants.

Crossing the street in Chinatown remains a challenge. Photo credit: Reisjunk.nl

Day 3 – From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

If you feel up for it, start your day early again. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew open their doors at 8:30 AM; make sure you arrive early to avoid the tourist masses. This is where Bangkok’s most beautiful temples are situated; most notably the Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

After checking out of your hotel, take a taxi to Thonburi train station and then get on the 1:35 PM train to Kanchanaburi (no reservation required). The train ride is about two hours. Don’t expect any luxury: you’ll be traveling third class and among the locals. A unique experience!

After arriving in Kanchanaburi, take a taxi to your hotel. There’s just about enough time for a sunset visit to the Bridge over the River Kwai .

Budget hotel tip: Thai Guesthouse & Backpacker Mid-range hotel tip: Good Times Resort High-end Hotel tip: The Float House River Kwai

The impressive Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.

Day 4 – The magical Waterfalls of Erawan

The next morning you get up early again, as you’ll be taking the local bus to Erawan National Park (open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) with its hundreds of waterfalls with crystal clear water, it’s also possible to slide down the waterfalls and even swim underneath them. Super fun!

There’s an adventurous jungle trail of about two kilometers, which will take you past its many tiers. There are seven in total and the higher you reach, the more adventurous the trail becomes. For safety reasons, children shouldn’t go further than the fourth tier.

Make it a day trip and enjoy the spectacular surroundings!

Be sure to bring your bathing suit to the Erawan Falls!

Day 5 – A relaxing day in and around Kanchanaburi

Of course, it’s great to be on the move all the time, but everyone needs their rest as well. So today, stay at the hotel (with swimming pool), read a book and take it easy!

For those of you who have a harder time sitting still, there are enough things to do. You can visit the Death Railway , a museum, the war cemetery located in the middle of the city, or rent a motorbike and explore the area – which is surprisingly green and hilly with hidden waterfalls and various caves.

Large parts of the original Burma Railway, or the Death Railway, are still in use.

Day 6 – The cultural capital of the north: Chiang Mai

Today you’ll be traveling to the north of Thailand, via Ayutthaya .

First, catch the local bus from Kanchanaburi to Suphan Buri (±50 baht). Then hop in the connecting minivan to Ayutthaya (±80 baht). You’ll be traveling for a total of 3 or 4 hours.

You can safely leave your luggage in the lockers available at Ayutthaya train station. Then, before taking the sleeper train to Chiang Mai, visit some of the marvelous, centuries-old ruins by tuk-tuk.

Budget hotel tip: S.K. House 2 Mid-range hotel tip: Swiss Lana Lodge High-end Hotel tip: Rimping Village

The sleeper train traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Day 7 to Day 10 – The colorful and diverse city of Chiang Mai

You finally made the crossing from busy Bangkok to serene Chiang Mai . The difference can hardly be overstated.

Doing nothing isn’t an option in Chiang Mai or the areas that surround it. There’s just so much to see and do! Obviously, it’s up to you how you wish to spend your day, but you might want to consider doing some of the following activities:

• Taking care of elephants at Elephant Nature Park ;
• Ziplining through Chiang Mai’s jungle;
• Taking a traditional cooking class ;
• Climbing Doi Suthep with its spectacular view of Chiang Mai;
• Cliff-jumping at Tuang Thong Canyon;
• Visiting the Saturday or Sunday Night Market;
• Having dinner at The Riverside Bar & Restaurant ;
• Braving the Sticky Bua Thong waterfalls;
• Visiting the 3D art museum when the weather’s bad.

At Elephant Nature Park you can really come close to the elephants.

Day 11 – 762 curves to Pai

After Chiang Mai comes Pai!

The three-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai to Pai is something you’ll just have to endure. Make sure you’re seated at the front of the bus for a clear view of the road. Motion sickness is a lurking danger, so bring a plastic bag. Seriously. You can also rent a car or a motorbike and travel by yourself.

Still, this trip is more than worth it. Pai happens to be Thailand’s greenest valley and there are plenty of options when it comes to outdoor activities. The village itself is known for its healthy food and hippie vibe. Close out the day in Pai Canyon , only 5 kilometers from the Pai center, and witness a magical and unforgettable sunset.

Budget hotel tip: Spicypai Backpackers Mid-range hotel tip: Medio de Pai High-end Hotel tip: Resort Reverie Siam

The road to Pai is quite bendy.

Day 12 – Exploring Pai

If there’s one place where you should rent a motorbike, it’s Pai. The roads are well paved, quiet and will lead you past all of the landmarks. Go west along road 1095, in the direction Mae Hong Son .

Along the way, you’ll go past Sai Ngam Hot Springs , where you can take a warm dip in a jungle hot tub . And because it’s still early, you’ll have the place all to yourself.

The ride along road 1095 will also take you past some stunning viewpoints and hairpin curves. Follow the signs that read “ Tham Lod Cave ”, which is about 50 kilometers from Pai, where you can go on a truly unforgettable guided cave tour on a bamboo raft.

On your way back, visit the Chinese village just outside of Pai, and have a nice cup of tea with a view of the entire Pai valley. In the evening, go for a stroll on the Walking Street, have some dinner and a drink, or buy some unusual artists’ souvenirs.

Beautiful view from the inside of Tham Lod Cave

Day 13 – Water fun

Put on your swimming gear, because today you’ll be checking out Pai’s most beautiful waterfalls . Start at Mor Paeng waterfall; a huge slide that many locals visit as well.

Then go toward Pai Canyon and take a turn at the signs that read: “Pam Sam Bok Waterfall”. This is a unique waterfall from which, in some parts, it’s possible to cliff jump. And of course you can swim in the natural pool.

On the way back, have lunch at Pai Land Split where you’ll be served by Pai’s nicest host. He’ll offer you a free tasting made with all kinds of local produce. Don’t forget to tip the man for his genuine Thai kindness.

For people who consider themselves really adventurous, there’s another waterfall in Pai: the Hua Chang. It’s about an hour’s trek to get there and there won’t be any other tourists around. Another, more relaxing option, is to go sunbathing and swimming at the Fluid Swimming Pool , just outside of Pai city center.

Sliding down from Mor Paeng Waterfall in Pai.

Day 14 – From north to south

Today you’ll be on the road for most the day. First, you take the minivan back to Chiang Mai, which will drop you off at Chiang Mai airport. That same afternoon, you’ll be flying to Surat Thani, in the south of Thailand.

After landing arrange for transportation from Surat Thani airport to Khao Sok National Park . Just go to one of the airport’s ticket offices. The last buses to the park leave at about 5:30 PM and will take about two hours.

Once you get off the bus there will be taxi drivers waiting to take you to your hotel at Khao Sok.

Budget hotel tip: Riverside Cottages Mid-range hotel tip: Las Orquidas High-end Hotel tip: The Hotel Khao Sok and Spa

Chillin’ at The Hotel Khaosok and Spa after a long jungle hike ain’t all that bad.

Day 15-16 – Two-day Jungle Tour in Khao Sok

The natural splendor of Khao Sok National Park is astonishing and awe-inspiring. This will become immediately clear on the first boat ride, which goes past enormous limestone cliffs, hundreds of meters high, jetting out of the lake’s crystal clear water.

Days spent here are all about boat and kayak excursions, exploring caves, jungle treks, spotting wildlife and, last but not least, spending the night in a floating cabin on the lake. How cool would it be to wake up in the morning and be able to take a fresh dip in the water?

The tour finishes in the afternoon of the next day and you’ll have to arrange private transport to the bathing resort of Ao Nang in Krabi through your hotel, a trip that will take about 2-3 hours. Tired but satisfied, you’ll arrive in Ao Nang in the early evening.

Budget hotel tip: Glur Hostel Mid-range hotel tip: Ban Sainai Resort High-end Hotel tip: Beyond Resort Krabi

A group tour in Khao Sok National Park is heaps of fun. Photo credit: Stefan Magdalinski

Day 17 – Railay Beach

Finally, it’s time to explore some tropical islands and beach paradises! And what better place to start than on Railay Beach ?! Take the long tail boat (100 baht per person) from Ao Nang to Railay Beach West, which can only be reached by boat. The first arrival is truly unforgettable. It’s so beautiful here!

All three of the most beautiful beaches can be reached by foot:

• Railay Beach West: child-friendly, wide beaches;
• Tonsai Beach: backpackers’ beach, rock climbing courses;
• Phra Nang Beach: powdery sand, amazing rock formations, and sunsets.

The last (cheap) long tail boats that go back to Ao Nang Beach leave at around sunset. In the evening you’ll need to find other travelers to share the cost of hiring a boat back to Ao Nang; otherwise, you’ll be paying a lot more than you bargained for.

Soaking up the sun at Phra Nang Beach. Photo credit: Sergio Tittarini

Day 18 – Hong Islands

You probably noticed that Ao Nang attracts a lot of tourists. This is especially true during the high season, which lasts from November until February. How to avoid these large numbers of tourists? Well, rent a long tail boat, driver included, and organize your own trip!

Visit the “Hong Islands”; a group of uninhabited islands (Hong Island, Lading Island, Pakbai Island and Rai Island) about 45 minutes from Ao Nang Beach. Gorgeous beaches, rock formations and natural beauty you normally only see on the front of postcards. And because you decide your own pace, you can avoid the tourist masses and enjoy all the beauty you’ll come across even more.

Hong Islands as seen from the Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint in Krabi.

Day 19 – From Ao Nang to Koh Lanta

It’s time to go island hopping! The ferry to Koh Lanta from Nopparat Thara Pier in Ao Nang leaves at 10:30 AM and will take about two hours. Koh Lanta is a pleasant island and popular among those traveling with families. But that doesn’t mean it’s boring!

Try and arrange a stay in a bungalow on the beach. Then rent a motorbike, ride south and watch the landscape change and the area become calmer as you go along. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the Mu Koh Lanta National Park, where there’s an abandoned lighthouse with a fantastic view.

At night you’ll be dining on the beach. Khlong Khong Beach is particularly fun; the atmosphere is very laid-back and there’s live reggae music, burning torches, and comfy lounge cushions.

Amazing little beach bar at Koh Lanta’s Ao Nuy Beach.

Day 20-21 – Snorkeling trip to Koh Rok

Besides relaxing on Koh Lanta’s beautiful beaches, you can also go on a unique snorkeling trip to the uninhabited island of Koh Rok. The waters are crystal clear and the underwater world is the most beautiful of the entire Krabi area. If you want to be really adventurous, spend the night there in a tent . There’s a very small restaurant where you can have dinner at night. Electricity is scarce and there’s no wifi connection. Back to basics!

If you stay on Koh Rok you can rent a kayak and explore the beaches.

Day 22-25 – Heavenly Koh Lipe

What better way to spend your last days in Thailand than on its most tropical island: Koh Lipe ! To get there take the 10:00 AM boat from Saladan Pier (Koh Lanta). It will take about five hours, but it’s well worth it. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking!

During your last days, you’ll be enjoying the island life and the many powdery white beaches, which are great snorkeling spots to boot. Try the Walking Street for food and a different beach bar every night to dance the night away under the starry sky.

Budget hotel tip: Gipsy Resort Mid-range hotel tip: Wapi Resort High-end Hotel tip: Castaway Beach Resort

See if you can find this secret beach on Koh Lipe!

Day 26-28 – Back to Bangkok!

Fully rested (?!) you’ll say your goodbyes to Koh Lipe and return to Bangkok . The boat from Sunrise Beach to the Trang mainland leaves at 10:00 AM and arrives at noon. That afternoon, you’ll hop on the plane to Bangkok, where you’ll spend your final days, in true backpacker style.

On your last night there, grab a drink at a rooftop bar with a view of Bangkok and look back at an amazing trip through Thailand.

Fancy a drink? Try the Sky Bar rooftop at Lebua State Tower. Photo credit: Ninara

How much does traveling through Thailand cost?

Traveling through Thailand is as expensive as you want it to be . You can go out for dinner in a fancy restaurant and pay western prices, or you can eat on any sidewalk for next to nothing. You can either spend the night in a luxury five-star resort or stay in a basic bungalow on the beach. That’s why we divided the overview into three sections: low budget, mid-range budget, and high-end budget. This overview represents the anticipated expenses per person, per day in baht:

So, what will your trip to Thailand look like?

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Backpacking Mexico – 4 Week Mexico Itinerary (2024)

Planning a backpacking Mexico itinerary?!

Putting together your Mexico itinerary 1 month can be very overwhelming, and believe me, I’ve been there… but fear not, because in this post I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about backpacking in Mexico!

Mexico is a much larger country than you think and I recommend spending at least 1-month to experience some of the top places to see in Mexico.

Backpacking Mexico for one month is a decent amount of time to discover the country’s most beautiful beaches, raging waterfalls, ancient Mayan ruins, delicious cuisine, rich culture, and many more fantastic things that Mexico has to offer.

In this guide, you will find my recommended 1-month backpacking route beginning in Mexico City and ending in Cancun, plus all of the best things to do in each location.

Table of Contents

BACKPACKING MEXICO – OVERVIEW

There is no wrong or right way to go backpacking in Mexico as people have different tastes and different interests.

This 4 week Mexico itinerary is based on my own experience with a mixture of cities, beaches, waterfalls, cenotes, and islands that I visited and that I’m sure you will enjoy too!

Here is a quick overview of how to spend 4 Weeks In Mexico:

• Mexico City – 3 days
• Oaxaca – 2 days
• Puerto Escondido – 3 days
• Tuxtla Gutiérrez – 2 days
• San Cristobal De Las Casas – 3 days
• Comitan – 2 days
• Bacalar – 3 days
• Tulum – 4 days
• Valladolid – 2 days
• Cozumel Island – 2 days
• Cancun – 2 days

Some other places to visit in Mexico that I haven’t listed on this one month Mexico itinerary are Puebla, Palenque, Campeche, Merida, Holbox , Playa del Carmen, and Baja .

Feel free to chop and change things around on my suggested itinerary with some of the locations I have listed above.

If I had more time, I would’ve loved to have checked out more of these top places to see in Mexico. Unfortunately, I didn’t, but now I have a good enough reason to go back!

MEXICO BACKPACKING ROUTE

See below for an overview of our backpacking route Mexico.

HOW TO GET AROUND MEXICO?

The two best ways of getting around Mexico are by bus or renting a car.

The most common means of transport for the majority of people backpacking Mexico is by bus.

The major roads between each location are generally well maintained, although, they can be windy in some mountainous areas, which might make your gut churn.

Make sure to get motion sickness tablets before setting off, and you’ll be just fine!

The average bus journey will cost around 300 – 400 Pesos for a 10 – 12 hour journey. There are many overnight buses available which are common among backpackers to save money on 1-night accommodation.

Some of the major long-distance Mexican bus companies are ADO, ETN, OCC, and Primera Plus.

Click here to check all routes, timetables, and ticket prices online, and book ahead of time to secure your seat.

If for some reason you can’t book the bus online, you’ll have to head to the main bus station in whichever town you’re in and purchase a ticket.

It’s best to go to the bus terminal the day before you intend to travel to secure a seat on the bus. 

RENT A CAR:

Renting a car is another option, although it will cost you a lot more as opposed to taking the bus.

I don’t recommend this option as the distances between the locations are very long.

The upside to renting a car in Mexico is having the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path locations that aren’t on the typical tourist trail.

Car Rental – Search, Compare & Save!

Discover Cars are one of the world’s largest online car rental platforms with vehicles in 10,000+ locations.

Find the right car, in the right place, for the best price guaranteed!

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MEXICO?

The best time to go backpacking in Mexico is in the dry season which is between the months of December – May when temperatures are moderate and there is minimal rainfall.

The wet season in Mexico is from June to November and it can get quite chilly during these months.

The upside to backpacking in Mexico in the wet season is that things are generally quite cheaper as it’s the low season with fewer tourists.

VISA FOR MEXICO

Mexico is visa-free for travelers from over 65 countries and you can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.

I recommend checking the full list of nationalities that are eligible for the free tourist visa before coming.

4 WEEK MEXICO ITINERARY

Now that you’ve got a bit of an overview of which Mexico route to take, how to get around, and the best time to visit, let’s get to the fun stuff!

So, without further ado, here is a complete 4 weeks in Mexico backpacking itinerary!

DAY 1, 2 & 3: MEXICO CITY

Let’s start this Mexico 4 week itinerary with Mexico City, also known as CDMX.

Mexico City is most famous for being one of the oldest and largest cosmopolitan cities in the world and what better place to begin your Mexico itinerary than right here in the country’s capital?!

There is no shortage of things to do here, and this is only one of the reasons to visit Mexico City!

For instance, experience the rich cultural heritage, marvel at the colonial architecture, discover unique street art, check out the Teotihuacan Pyramids (UNESCO World Heritage site), and much much more!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO CITY

Here is a list of top places to see and fun things to do in Mexico City which will be sure to keep you busy for 3 days:

• Metropolitan Cathedral in Constitution Square
• Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul)
• Arena Mexico (Lucha libre wrestling)
• Teotihuacan Pyramids

BEST TOUR IN MEXICO CITY

The best trip you can join is the Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, and Tlatelolco Tour !

It includes transportation, Tequila tasting, the entrance fees, and a fun guide to spend the day with!

MY EXPERIENCE IN MEXICO CITY

I happened to be in Mexico during the time of Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead festival) and I spent my 3 days in Mexico City enjoying all of the festivities around this!

Click here to see the full blog post of my experience at the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City!

Needless to say, if you plan your Mexico one month itinerary around this period, I highly recommend you stop and enjoy the festival.

WHERE TO STAY IN MEXICO CITY

There are thousands of accommodations in Mexico City , so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers, budget backpackers, and everyone in between.

See the list of accommodations in CDMX that I personally recommend to start your Mexico travel itinerary 1 month.

LUXURY: Viadora Apartments

MID RANGE: Ibis Styles Zona Rosa

BUDGET: Mexico City Hostel

For More Options In Mexico City, Search On Booking.com

Day 4 & 5: oaxaca.

Oaxaca, pronounced wah-hah-kah , is one of the best cities to visit when backpacking Mexico!

Located in the Central Valley Region of the state, this incredible city within Mexico is full of hidden gems, amazing architecture, and beautiful cobbled streets.

Oaxaca is most popular for its vibrant street scene, tequila and mezcal distilleries, the ancient Monte Alban and Mitla ruins, Hierve El Agua petrified waterfalls, and much more!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN OAXACA

There are a number of epic things to do in Oaxaca so I recommend booking a tour to make the most out of your time during your visit and ensure you get to see and experience as much as possible. 

I’ve written a separate blog post of awesome tours in Oaxaca that you can check out and see which tour best suits you, otherwise, scroll down to see my top recommended tour of Oaxaca. 

I’ve also written two more detailed guides of Hierve El Agua and Mitla Ruins , both of which are located in Oaxaca. 

FULL-DAY TOUR OF OAXACA

Embark on a day of adventure around the city of Oaxaca.

This tour in Oaxaca is perfect for you to experience basically everything Oaxaca has to offer, in just one day.

A few of the highlights en route include Hierve el Agua’s petrified waterfalls, Mezcal factory, El Tule Tree, and the archeological zone of Mitla.

Air-conditioned transportation is included as well as a bilingual tour guide, entrance fees, and Mezcal tasting.

BEST TOUR IN OAXACA

The best tour you can join in Oaxaca is the Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour !

It includes transportation, a fun guide, and they have hundreds of positive reviews!

WHERE TO STAY IN OAXACA

Oaxaca City has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend for a rest on your backpacking Mexico route:

Luxury: Quinta Real Oaxaca

Mid Range: Hotel Casa De La Tia Tere

Budget: Selina Hostel

For More Options In Oaxaca, Search On Booking.com

Day 6, 7 & 8: puerto escondido.

When you backpack Mexico, Puerto Escondido is one of the most popular destinations to see on the southwest coast of Oaxaca state.

There are many awesome things to do in Puerto Escondido and I guarantee that once you arrive, you won’t want to leave!

Puerto Escondido has made its mark on the map for its world-renowned surf beaches, but there are plenty of other great things to do other than surfing.

From secluded beaches to raging waterfalls and everything in between, Puerto Escondido is definitely not to be missed!

FULL BLOG POST → THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

BEST TOUR IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

The best tour in Puerto Escondido is the Bioluminescent Lagoon Boat Ride !

It includes transportation, the boat ride, and endless memories to make in the lagoon!

WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Puerto Escondido has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend.

Luxury: Posada Real Puerto Escondido

Mid Range: Casa Losodeli

Budget: Casa Daikiri

For More Options In Puerto Escondido, Search On Booking.com

Day 9 & 10: tuxtla gutiérrez.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez often gets overlooked by most travelers on their Mexico travel route but it’s not to be missed, in my opinion. 

Home to the incredible Sumidero Canyon and Cascada El Aguacero , an overnight stay in Tuxtla to visit these two epic locations is 100% worth adding to your Mexico itinerary. 

CASCADA EL AGUACERO

Cascada El Aguacero is one of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen!

Located just 1-hour drive from Tuxtla City, El Aguacero Waterfall features a downpour of silvery curtain-like falls with multiple tiers that flows seamlessly into Cañon Río La Venta.

I guarantee you will be in complete awe once you take your first steps upstream and see the towering canyon walls that envelop the river.

Cascada El Aguacero will soon present itself as you come around the bend, so be prepared for that also!

El Aguacero is broken up into different streams that flow down the cliff face in a curtain-like way and a number of freshwater rock pools have been formed because of this. 

My friends and I climbed up to explore the multiple cascades beneath the main falls. We also found some epic caves and tunnel shoots behind the curtain of falls and enjoyed a natural shower while we were at it.

I have put together a separate blog post on El Aguacero Waterfall which includes a detailed guide on how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect.

FULL BLOG POST → CASCADA EL AGUACERO

BEST TOUR IN TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ

The best day trip in Tuxtla Gutierrez is the Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo Tour !

It includes hotel transfers, the river cruise, a fun local guide, and you’ll see countless stunning spots!

SUMIDERO CANYON

Sumidero Canyon (Cañon Del Sumidero) is one of the best day trips to be had from Tuxtla!

Cruise along the river in a boat between the towering Sumidero Canyon walls and drive the road at the top of the canyon to 5 different panoramic viewpoints.

Canñon Del Sumidero is widely known for its abundance of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, and even crocodiles that reside in and around the canyon, and for its grandeur size which is something you have to see with your own eyes!

The Sumidero Canyon Tour is a full-day activity that begins at 9:30 am with a hotel pick-up, a short 45-minute drive west to Cañon de Sumidero, a visit to the 5 panoramic viewpoints, a boat trip along the river ‘Rio Grijalva’ down inside the canyon and a stop into the magical town of Chiapa de Corzo before returning to Tuxtla in the afternoon.

You can book the Sumidero Canyon Tour online in advance with Viator , which has great reviews and dozens of bookings.

This will save you from having to haggle for a good price with the local tour companies in the city.

WHERE TO STAY IN TUXTLA

Tuxtla City has dozens of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

LUXURY: Marriott Tuxtla Hotel

MID RANGE: Holiday Inn Tuxtla

BUDGET: Hostal Tres Central

For More Options In Tuxtla, Search On Booking.com

Day 11, 12 & 13: san cristobal de las casas.

San Cristobal de las Casas is definitely not to be missed on your Mexico itinerary!

Boasting European architecture, vibrant street art, artisan markets, buzzing nightlife, nature parks, cultural experiences, and much more!

THINGS TO DO IN SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS

Here is a list of the top things to do in San Cristobal that will keep you entertained for a few days:

• Climb the stairs to Guadalupe Church
• Try the wine and tapas at La Viña de Bacco
• Buy souvenirs at the Artisan Market
• Wander through the Municipal Market
• See the natural archway at Arcotete Park
• Day trip to Cascada El Chiflon
• Visit the Casa Na Bolom Museum
• Chocolate tasting at the Kakaw Museum
• Get lost in the streets of San Cristobal
• Cañon Del Sumidero Tour
• Have lunch at Casa De Familia
• Check out the De Dulces Artisan Market
• Discover the many churches in San Cristobal

FULL BLOG POST → THINGS TO DO IN SAN CRISTOBAL

BEST TOUR IN SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS

The best tour you can take in San Cristobal is a Tour of Agua Azul, Misol-Ha Falls and Palenque Mayan Ruins !

It includes hotel transfers, breakfast, all entrance fees, travel insurance, and a fun guide to share the day with!

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN CRISTOBAL

San Cristobal de las Casas has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

LUXURY: Hotel Bo

MID RANGE: Hotel Casa De Familia

BUDGET: Puerta Vieja Hostel

For More Options In San Cristobal, Search On Booking.com

Day 14 & 15: comitan.

Comitan is the fourth largest city in Chiapas state, but it’s not the city that you come here for, it’s the nearby lagoons, waterfalls, and ancient ruins that make this place a worthy addition to your itinerary of Mexico!

2 days in Comitan is a decent amount of time to get a taste of this beautiful region when backpacking in Mexico.

THINGS TO DO IN COMITAN

The 3 main tourist spots to check out in Comitan are:

• Cascadas El Chiflon
• Lagunas de Montebello
• Archaeological Zone Chinkultic

I personally only visited one of these locations, Cascadas El Chiflon , which is easily one of the  most incredible waterfalls I have ever seen! 

Boasting not just one but five EPIC waterfalls and turquoise-colored cascades flowing down a lush green valley which can all be explored via an easy walking trail.

Full Blog Post → Cascadas El Chiflon

BEST TOUR TO CASCADAS EL CHIFLON

The best way to discover the waterfalls is to join a Tour To Cascadas El Chiflon & Montebello Lakes !

It includes hotel transfers, national park fees, a stop at Cascadas El Chiflon, and a fun guide!

WHERE TO STAY IN COMITAN

Comitan has dozens of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

LUXURY: City Express by Marriott

MID RANGE: Hotel La Finca

BUDGET: Hotel Clasico Colonial

For More Options In Comitan, Search On Booking.com

Day 16, 17 & 18: bacalar.

Bacalar is home to the biggest and most beautiful lagoon in all of Mexico!

Bacalar Lagoon is commonly referred to as Laguna de Siete Colores (lagoon of 7 colors), boasting 7 different shades of blue and it’s truly one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

Bacalar is one of only a few Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns) in the country, located less than one hour from the Belize border in Quintana Roo, Southeast Mexico.

THINGS TO DO IN BACALAR

There are plenty of things to do in Bacalar to keep you entertained for a few days!

See the list below of 9 Awesome Things To Do In Bacalar :

• Sunrise kayaking on Bacalar Lagoon
• Visit Fort San Felipe 
• Have dinner at La Playita
• Go sailing on Bacalar Lagoon
• Watch the sunrise in Bacalar
• Visit the Bacalar Cenotes
• Eat vegan burgers at Mango y Chile
• Take a photo at the Bacalar sign
• Visit the Pirates Channel Shipwreck

FULL BLOG POST → AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BACALAR

BEST TOUR IN BACALAR

The best trip you can join is the Bacalar Lagoon Sightseeing Boat Tour with Open Bar !

It includes hotel transfers, the boat ride, unlimited drinks and fruits, and a fun guide!

WHERE TO STAY IN BACALAR

Bacalar has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

Luxury: Hotel Makaabá Eco-Boutique

Mid Range: Hotel & Suites Oasis

Budget: Yaxche Centro Hostal

For More Options In Bacalar, Search On Booking.com

Day 19, 20, 21 & 22: tulum.

Next up on this Mexico backpacking itinerary is Tulum!

Full of tropical beaches, amazing cenotes, Mayan ruins, and vibrant nightlife, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be flocking to Tulum as it’s one of the must-see places to include in your Mexico backpacker route!

THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

There are many things to do in Tulum that you could easily spend weeks or even months here!

See the list below of Epic Things To Do In Tulum:  

• Swim at Playa Paraiso
• Visit the Tulum Ruins
• Take a photo of the bent palm tree
• Visit Grand Cenote
• Watch the sunrise at Sunrise Beach
• Clan Destino Bar & Cenote
• Mirador Tulum Beach
• Raw Love art installation
• ‘Follow That Dream’ sign
• Discover El Cenote Encantado

FULL BLOG POST → EPIC THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

BEST TOUR IN TULUM

The best trip you can join in Tulum is the Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Tour !

It includes hotel transfers, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and a fun guide to share the day with!

WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM

Tulum has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend in Tulum during your one month in Mexico trip.

Luxury: The Beach Tulum

Mid Range: Playa Esperanza Hotel

Budget: Che Tulum Hostel & Bar

For More Options In Tulum, Search On Booking.com

Day 23 & 24: valladolid.

The small charming town of Valladolid is another one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico!

Widely known for its colorful street scenes, colonial architecture, and phenomenal Cenotes, Valladolid is totally worth exploring! 

Oh and I forgot to mention, Valladolid was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. So yeah, another great reason to check this place out!

THINGS TO DO IN VALLADOLID

During your visit, I recommend doing these few things to make the most of your experience in Valladolid:

• Explore the town on foot
• Visit the Valladolid Cenotes
• Discover the Chichen Itza ruins

BEST TOUR IN VALLADOLID

The best trip you can join in Valladolid is the Chichen Itza and Izamal Tour With Cenotes !

It includes hotel transfers, lunch and bottled water, the entrance to the cenote, and a fun guide!

VALLADOLID CENOTES

If you don’t know what a Cenote is, it’s basically a natural sinkhole filled with fresh groundwater which is typically a vibrant blue or crystalline color due to the surrounding limestone rocks. Pretty awesome right?!

Not sure what to wear when spending 1 month in Mexico? Check out this Mexico Packing List for some outfit inspo!

The 4 Best Cenotes in Valladolid that you absolutely must see are:

• Ik Kil Cenote
• Suytun Cenote
• Cenote Oxman
• Cenote Zaci

Click on the links above to see detailed guides on each of these Valladolid Cenotes including where to find them, how much they cost, and what to expect!

CHICHEN ITZA TOURS

Chichen Itza is one of the most impressive and most preserved Mayan ruins in Mexico and it’s definitely not to be missed.

You can visit these incredible ruins near Valladolid either DIY or with a tour.

See below the Best Chichen Itza Tours and book online in advance.

WHERE TO STAY IN VALLADOLID

Valladolid has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

Luxury: Mayan Majesty Boutique Hotel

Mid Range: Hotel 41 Valladolid

Budget: Hostal Tunich Naj

For More Options In Valladolid, Search On Booking.com

Day 25 & 26: cozumel island.

Cozumel Island is one of the best tropical island destinations in the country and a must-visit when backpacking Mexico.

Daily ferries depart Playa del Carmen bound for Cozumel Island and the journey takes around 45 minutes.

THINGS TO DO ON COZUMEL ISLAND

See the list below of 9 Fun Things To Do In Cozumel Island to help you plan your trip: 

• Rent a Jeep and drive around the island
• Cozumel snorkeling tour
• Watch the sunrise at the beach
• Check out Chen Rio Mirador
• Beach hop on the east coast
• ATV and Cenote adventure tour
• Live music at Woody’s
• Visit Punta Sur Eco-Park
• Swim out to the Cozumel shipwreck

FULL BLOG POST → THINGS TO DO IN COZUMEL ISLAND

BEST TOUR IN COZUMEL

The best trip in Cozumel Island is the Snorkeling Tour to Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs !

It includes snorkeling gear, drinks and snacks, a stop at the famous reefs, and a fun guide!

WHERE TO STAY IN COZUMEL

Cozumel has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

Luxury: Fiesta Americana Cozumel All-Inclusive

Mid Range:  Hotel Mary Carmen

Budget: Hostel Tropico 20º

For More Options In Cozumel, Search On Booking.com

Day 27 & 28: cancun.

Last but not least on this backpacking Mexico travel guide is Cancun, one of the most well-known destinations in Mexico and perhaps the entire world.

Cancun is most famous for its buzzing nightlife scene, pristine white sand beaches, and all-inclusive resorts. Safe to say that Cancun is an awesome place to spend your last couple of days!

I personally didn’t check out the town or book any activities in Cancun, I booked into an all-inclusive beach resort, put my feet up, and enjoyed the sun, the sand, and the ocean!

If you want to explore more of what Cancun has to offer, scroll down to see a list of recommended tours I suggest joining on your Mexico backpack route.

BEST TOUR IN CANCUN

The best trip in Cancun is the Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour !

It includes the catamaran ride, open bar, snorkeling equipment, free time in Isla Mujeres, and a fun guide!

WHERE TO STAY IN CANCUN

Cancun has countless accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend in Cancun when backpacking through Mexico.

LUXURY: Kempinski Hotel Cancun

MID RANGE: Hotel NYX Cancun

BUDGET: Hotel Casa Mallorca

For More Options In Cancun, Search On Booking.com

Things to know before backpacking mexico.

The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 18 MXN.

Mexicans generally prefer to receive cash for goods rather than a credit or debit card payment.

For any online bookings such as tours, accommodations, or private shuttles, using your credit or debit card is acceptable.

There are plenty of ATMs in Mexico where you can easily withdraw cash.

To be on the safe side, I recommend purchasing a Hidden Money Belt to keep your cash out of sight.

WHAT TO PACK FOR MEXICO

When planning your Mexico 1 month itinerary, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!

Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!

Quick-Dry Travel Towel

The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!

Portable PowerBank

Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

More Mexico Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to Mexico!

FINAL THOUGHTS – MEXICO ITINERARY

Having only done only a little bit of research before backpacking in Mexico, I can honestly say this incredible country exceeded expectations.

The epic landscapes, kind people, delicious food, and perfect weather were just some of the reasons that made this a trip to remember!

If you have any questions about this itinerary for a month in Mexico or want help with your Mexico itinerary 4 weeks, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

Search all rental cars in your next destination.

Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this Mexico backpacking itinerary 1 month!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

2 thoughts on “Backpacking Mexico – 4 Week Mexico Itinerary (2024)”

What would you estimate the cost to be depending on which route you take (mid range, luxury, budget)?

Hi Louie, I would suggest somewhere between $3000-$5000 for your one month in Mexico backpacking adventure.

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Delightfully Italy

The insider's Italy travel guide for independent travelers

Italy in four weeks: best areas to stay and best things to do

Top areas to explore in Italy if you have four weeks in Italy to travel around, and where to stay. Locate on the interactive Italy map  the best areas to stay in Italy, and use them as hubs for your day trips. 

Italy can be conveniently visited in four weeks, at a relaxed pace and with a lot of time for off the beaten path destinations.

If you are lucky enough to have one month to spend in Italy, or even more, your best option could be to identify three or four “hubs” from where to explore the country at a more relaxed pace. This will also give you the possibility of discovering destinations off the mainstream touristic destinations.

Therefore, I didn’t organize this Italy in four weeks page as a tour, but more as the areas worth exploring (in my opinion), with one or two “hubs” in each one where you can set up your base, and even rent an apartment or a country house. How many areas, and days in each area, will depend on your personal interest and aspirations!

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 1:  Venice region, Garda lake and the Dolomites

The rushy travelers hardly see much more than Venice. It’s a pity, since this area has  much more to offer, included the most beautiful mountains in the world (in my opinion): the Dolomites.

Your highlights would be:

• Venice, by definition
• Verona, and possibly, Vicenza
• The Garda lake
• The Dolomites

You can use Venice or Verona as a Hub, or make stops  while transferring to Milan / Como lake (makes more sense from a logistic point of view).

From Verona (or from Venice) a 2-3 hours drive will bring you to the Dolomites.

Dolomites: in my view, the most beatiful mountains in the world! Bressanone, Ortisei, Corvara, Cortina. Indian Summer in October – November, gorgeous colors, fantastic sky slopes from December to April, great trails in the summer time..

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 2:  Milan and Como lake

Milan is a good place to use as a hub to visit it’s many attractions and the surrounding towns. Main highlights would be:

• Milan, Italian bustling capital of fashion, culture and business
• Como lake, and its pearl, Bellagio (easy day trip from Milan)
• Bergamo, hidden medieval jewel one hour train from Milan
• Parma, home of Italian excellences such as Parmesan Cheese, Prosciutto Crudo (typicall ham) and Culatello

Milan is the logical hub of your exploring the region

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 3:  Cinque Terre and Portofino

Cinque Terre are one of the highlights of a trip to Italy for most foreigners. The funny thing is that in general foreign tourist neglect what the Italians consider the region top destination: Portofino. Actually all the coast from  Portofino to Lerici deserves a visit, so if you have enough time, you could easily spend up to 5-6 days enjoying the area.

So here are the highlights:

Cinque Terre: 5 tiny colored villages (Monterosso,Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore), clinging to steep hills, in front of a deep blue see: it’s a natural reserve and a Unesco heritage.

• Portofino, posh and beautiful village, one of the main “dolce vita” spots in the ’50s. and San Fruttuoso medieval abbey, located in a secluded beach . You can only get there by boat or after a long hike.
• Sestri Levante, picturesque Liguria village, with a beautiful small beach (the baia del silenzio) and a gorgeous promontory overlooking the sea
• The “Golfo dei poeti” (poets’ gulf), with Portovenere and Lerici as main highlights.

If you plan to focus on Cinque Terre, then your hub could be Monterosso, otherwise Sestri is a very convenient option.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 4:  Emilia Romagna

This region is, mysteriously enough, out of the mainstream touristic itineraries, even though nearly all visitors cross it while travelling from Florence to Venice or to Milan.

But the few ones who will decide to dedicate a couple of days (or more) to this beautiful region will discover art treasures such as medieval Bologna, Renaissance Ferrara or, even more breathtaking, Roman Empire capital Ravenna, and its amazing 1500 years old mosaics (Ravenna and Ferrara are both Unesco sites). Emilia Romagna is also one of the Italian food capital, being home to Lasagne, Tagliatelle al ragù and world renowned Parmigiano cheese, prosciutto crudo and Balsamic Vinegar.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 5:  Tuscany

It’s a must, obviously, and everybody has in mind highlights such as Florence, Siena and Pisa.

However, Tuscany is an enchanting region, with hundred hiddedn jewells that deserve not less than a week to be explored. Here are your highlights:

• Start with the North, with Lucca , to be explored by bike along the longest renaissance city walls in Europe. Add a a quick trip to Pisa’s Campo de’ Miracoli and it’s leaning tower.
• Then explore central Tuscany: Siena, romantic Monteriggioni, San Gimignano and its dozens medieval towers, Montalcino, home of the world renowned Brunello. Chianti could also be easily visited in one day trip from Florene or  from Siena
• Don’t miss the Val d’Orcia, to the south: that’s the region you see on Tuscany postcards, cypresses dotting endless smooth hills, and indulge in Montepulciano and in Pienza, the “perfect” renaissance town.
• Evenutally, leave the beaten paths and discover the Etruscan territory:  Pitigliano, Volterra and Tuscania. Natural SPA in Saturnia.

Florence is a good hub for Lucca, Pisa, Chianti and Siena, but to taste Tuscany flavor you should spend at least a couple of nights in the country side. Renting a car is highly recommended.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 6:  Umbria

Nearly as beautiful as Tuscany but as rich in history, culture and, less visited and, in my view, even more romantic. In other words: a fantastic off the beaten path destination!

Main highlights:

• Perugia, its narrow medieval streets and its fascinating art museums
• The delightfull small towns, full of history, art and beautiful scenery: Assisi, Todi, Spoleto, Spello, Gubbio. Orvieto.
•  Civita Bagoreggio (“the dying city”), close to Orvieto, is an unbelievable romantic destination, totally out of the beaten path!

I would choose Assisi or Orvieto as my hub.

Have a look at my post “Best  20 things to do in Umbria “.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 7:  Rome and the surrounding region

Rome deserves one week on its own. Refer to my many posts to learn more and to plan your itinerary. Have a look here.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 8:  Naples and the Amalfi coast

What should I say? I’m so in love with this region, and I can’t believe that most travelers limit their visit to Pompei and to Sorrento. Similar to Sicily, the region has seen so many dominations across the centuries (Greeks, Romans, Normans, Frenchs, …) that it has developed a culture and a life style of it’s own, probably the closest to the “Dolce Vita” you may still find in Italy.

Here are your highlights:

• Naples: yes, you will need to keep your eyes opened (but wouldn’t you do the same in New York or in Rio?), but the incredible art and cultural treasures of  it’s city center definitely deserve the effort!
• Capri: beaty in it’s purest state.  Sip and aperitivo in the Piazzetta, walk down to the Faraglioni to admire sunset (and to dive into the deep blue water), indulge in a restaurant, waiting for a seafood spaghetti plate while sipping a glass of cold Greco di Tufo wine
• Positano, Ravello, Furore and Amalfi: lovely hamlets built on unbelievable cliffs (don’t miss Villa Cimbrone terrace in Ravello!). Positano is my favorite.
• Pompei and less known (therefore less crowded) Ercolano, for a dive into the Roman empire

Hard to find the best hub: I would personally spend a couple of nights in Capri, and 2 or 3 days in Positano. Sorrento is very conveniently located, but it’s not my favorite spot.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 9:  Apulia – Puglia

The “heel” of Italy, Apulia is surprisingly out of mainstream touristic itineraries;

Two main areas to consider:

• In the Northern part, look for Polignano a Mare, Trani, Alberobello (to see the famous trulli), Castel del Monte, Ostuni. The main highlghts are the already mentiuonned Trulli (ancient conic stone houses, you can’t find them anywhere else) and the medieval monument such as the many cathedral and Castel Del Monte.
• In the southern part (the so called “Salento”), look for  Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli. Try to rent a car and to sleep in a Masseria (local ancient country house, built in white sandstone in the middle of endless olive trees plantations)

It’s not uncommon to swim in the see until the end of October.

Italy in 4 weeks hub # 10:   Sicily

Sicily is one of the most beautiful and cultural rich Italian regions. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, French, all have invaded the Island and left something of their culture. The result? An amazing cultural melting pot, and one of the best cuisine in Italy, with a taste of Middle East (don’t the Cus Cus alla Trapanese).

Highlights: Palermo, Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa, Piazza Armerina (awsome roman mosaics), Taormina. You can swim till early November, and again from the end of April.

For a true escape, consider spending up to one week in the Eolian islands. It’s a volcanic archipelago of seven islands, each one with its peculiar “character”.  My preferred one is Salina, the greenest one, but posh Panarea is delightful and on Stromboli you can climb up to the top of the active Volcano to see lava fountains at night. Avoid August, and you will discover Italy like it used to be 50 years ago, since the islands get crowded only in the very summer period.

Italy in for weeks: final note

Italy has much more to offer, and I know I’ve skipped a number of areas worth visiting (such as the Langhe in Piedmont, the Marche region, the Calabria, the Basilicata, …). My ambition was not to write a guide book of Italy, so had to make painful choices.. I’ll try to cover these areas in my future posts!

Enjoy your month in Italy!

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16 Replies to “Italy in four weeks: best areas to stay and best things to do”

Great info! We are planing a one month trip to Italy during July/August this year. Are Torino and Sardegna not worthy of a visit?

Hi Ramin, I’m happy you found my post useful. Turin is the town of the (former) Italian Kings dinasty. It can offer a beautiful city center and an amazing Egyptian museum. It’s not part of the mainstream touristic itinearries and, in my opinion, I would rather visit other towns (Bologna, Mantova, …) Sardinia has some of the best beaches of all the Mediterranean sea, and it’s one of my favorite sea destinations. Absolutely avoid it in August, when it gets hiper crowded and expensive, while early July is a good moment to spend time there. Sardinia has two soul: the North (“Costa Smeralda”), posh, windy and amazingly beautiful. More than large beaches, expect secluded coves and archipels, with amazing water colors and granit rock sculped by the strong winds. The south, more relaxed, large beaches and sand dunes (Porto Pino, Villasimius). The Island of San Pietro (main town: Carloforte) is a very relaxed and cheap place, with som ereally good beaches. Enjoy your stay!

Our second stop in Italy, after a week in Rome, will be in Naples ( 2 nights) + Positano( 3 nights). So I have a few questions:

1. Whats the best way to get to Positano from Naples? 2. Visiting Pompei – which base is better to visit from (naples or positano)? 3. Which hotel would you recommend in Positano? And could you elaborate on things to do here and how to move along the coast?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Hello! Fabulous site. We are planning 4 weeks beginning mid-September. Where do you recommend we start and end up based on weather during fall? Thank you. Have a wonderful day.

Hi, thanks for liking my blog! I would suggest to start from the North (Venice, Veroa, Milan, CT) then go down to the South. Just follow the sun!

Hi, we’re spending 4 weeks in Italy and wanted to know the best route to take.

We’re traveling from Nice taking the train everywhere but driving in Tuscany.

We’re visiting Milan, Como, Verona, Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence, Rome, Napoli, Amalfi Coast & Capri.

Can you please advise the best route to take by train leaving Nice. Thanks!

I’d suggest you take a train to Genova, then change to 5 Terre (Monterosso). From 5 Terre you can easily get to Florence by train.

Hi Jean-Pierre……..my sister introduced me to your site this afternoon and I have been combing over it. We have been to Italy and done the Rome, Venice and Florence more than once. But, there are some sections we have missed. Portafino and Cinque Terre, Capri, Sorrento, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Sardinia. My birthday is in November; so, we are thinking October/November 2018. I don’t want to drive this time. I want to eat, drink, enjoy and make new friends…….!!! Any suggestions are very appreciated……..!

Hi Linda, end of October / beginning of November is the beginning of Fall, so you must take weather into consideration. BTW, you didn’t tell me how many days you are planning to spend in Italy: if you have a couple of weeks, you may consider merging two of these destinations.

– Portofino and Cinque Terre (and I would add the Golfo dei Poeti): one of Italian top coastal destinations, easy to be reached from Milan (direct train) and very easy to visit without a car. You can get a glimpse of it in a couple of day, and easily spend a week without getting bored. End of October weather may not be optimal, so question mark…

-Capri and the Amalfi coast: one of my favorite regions, you could easily spend 2 weeks there, visiting the islands (including off the beaten path Procida), enjoying natural SPA at Ischia, trekking the Cammino degli Dei Path, enjoying food and scenery. Expect good weather (you may still swin at sea) and reasonable prices. Public transports are OK. Naples is an absolute jewel, not to be missed.

– Sicily: it’s a fantastic island, with 25 centuries of history, gorgeous landscapes, lovely islands and beaches and arguably one of the best cuisines in Italy. Prices are very cheap compared with mainland Italy, but public transports could be more complicated, especially if you are targeting off the beaten path destinations. Highlights are Palermo, Siracusa, Ragusa, Catania, Taormina. If you look for out of time Mediterranean islands, then the Aeolian islands are a must (you can actually get there from Naples by boat, and combine the two areas)

– Sardinia: the best beaches in Italy, with dramatic coast lines in the North. The season is not optimal for the North (very very windy, could be cold), while in the South it’s OK. Not much to do except nature, transports will be very complicated without a private car.

Hope this helps!

In case you would like a more structured advice, and get a complete, tailored made itinerary, what about considering my Tailored Italian Itinerary service? Just have a look, in case it could be of interest https://delightfullyitaly.com/italy-travel-itineraries/

Hi Jean-Pierre. I tried to send you a message through this same link the other day but I’m not sure if it went through or not so thought I’d try again. My husband & myself are travelling to Italy (first time) arrive 24th Sept – 26th Oct, arriving & departing from Milan. We’d like to see Milan (2 days), Lake Como (1-2 days), Venice (4 days), Cinque Tere (2 days), Pisa (1-2 days), Florence (2 days), Tuscany (2 days), Rome (4 days), Amalfi Coast (2-3 days) and Croatia (Split & Dubrovnik) (6 days). We’re unsure which is the best way from Milan to go. Up to Lake Como then Venice, Croatia then ferry or fly to Italy and travel up through Italy from Amalfi Coast. OR from Milan, down to Cinque Tere, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Amalfi coast, over to Croatia (ferry or fly – not sure what the best option is here) then up to Venice, Lake Como, Milan. Considering we arrive late Sept we thought it might be best to spend those first few days/week at the northern end as the temperatures will no doubt get colder. We don’t really want to do any guided tours, we’re happy to do our own sightseeing but very interested in what your thoughts are on what the best route to take when we arrive, if hiring a car is best (would probably prefer this) and if the number of days at each will be sufficient. Sorry for the message……more info is best right. Hoping you can help some first time travelers. Trina.

Hi Trina, nice to hear from you. You are right, I didn’t get your first message.

September and October are excellent months to visit Italy, not too crowded, not too hot, good prices. The easiest way to go to Croatia is by taking a direct low cost flight from Rome to Split and then back from Dubrovnik to Rome. Ferry would take much more time, in my opinion. You are planning to spend 6 days in Croatia: unless you would like to spend some time on the beaches (in that case end October is probably too late), probably 3-4 days are more than enough.

The way I would suggest you organize your tour is:

– Milan – Milan – Como – Bellagio – Varenna – Milan – Milan – Venice (high speed train) – in 4 days you could also visit Verona and Garda lake, spending the night there would be cheaper) – Venice – Florence (high speed train) – Florence 2 days – Tuscany: better to rent a car, you could dedicate more time here, and maybe spend 1-2 days in Umbria (Assisi, Gubbio, Spoleto…) – Florence – Pisa by train (but try to stay in Lucca, much better than Pisa, a real hidden jewell – Lucca / Pisa Monterosso (Cinque Terre) by train – here you may spend 1 day more and visit Portofino and Sestri Levante – Train to Rome (5 hours) – Visit Rome (will depend on your Croatia flight schedule, flights are 2 or 3 times per week) – Low cost flight to Split (Volotea) – Bus to Dubrovnik – Low cost flight back to Rome – Train to Salerno, visit Amalfi coast (try to add 1 day for Capri) – High speed train to Milan – Back home

In general, I wonder if adding Croatia to your tour wouldn’t complicate it too much. Split is interesting and Dubrovnik is really lovely, but maybe you could visit something more in Italy, such as Sicily or Matera + Apulia. More interesting in my view, and with less disruption on your schedule.

There’s so many things to do and see in Italy, and logistics can be sometimes complex, especially for first comers. I can help you plan your trip, selecting the best and most charming hotels (consistently with your budget) and identifying the travel experiences that will make your Italian trip simply memorable. For 3 weeks or more itinerary I charge 219 €, more details on my travel advice page: https://delightfullyitaly.com/italy-travel-advice/

Either way, happy journey to Italy!

Great update. I’ve got around 4 weeks or so in Italy with my husband and 3 year old daughter – arriving in Milan on 3 Oct. We were thinking of picking up a car from the airport and heading straight to Bellagio in Lake Como, then spending time in Parma (2 -3 nights), then Tuscany – thinking Lucca but also somewhere in southern Tuscany to enjoy day trips in our car. Then onto Umbria, Oriveto or Spello or somewhere else?? Then Puglia. And I def want to spend at least a week in Rome but figure I’ll hand back car by then as no need to garage it for the week. Very comfortable with train travel and really just want a car to help us get around some smaller villages so wondering how long we really need the car for before we should start just train travel. Should we add Sicily or Sardinia? Anywhere else we should go that I’ve missed? We love travel and adventures, enjoy walking but remember we have a 3 year old – she’s a great walker but around 5km is her limit. We also love beautiful cities. Thank you Bronwyn

Hi Bronwyn, your itinerary makes much sense. Just a few notes. – you are skipping Venice, is that a choice because you are travelling by car or because you already saw it? If that’s the case, we can find solutions to accommodate it into your trip. – 2-3 nights in Parma sounds a lot, unless you have a particular reason. Maybe Bologna could be a better hub to visit the region (and you coudl add Ravenna and Ferrara as day trips, both are lovely small towns, easy to visit. Maybe you could rent a bike with a child seat) – Lucca is a lovely town, one of my preferred, and its close to Pisa and its leaning tower. That said, as you mentioned the “true” Tuscany is sout of Florence with 2 areas: Siena-Chianti-San Gimignano and further south Pienza-Montalcino-Montepulciano. – Of course you will like to visit Florence, keep in mind you won’t be able to enter the city center with your car. So you should first visit Tuscany and Umbria, then hand back the car in Florence and go by train to Rome. – No Naples and Amalfi coast? – Consider fly with a low cost airline to Puglia (Brindisi) and then rent a car there to visit, it will save you a long road and could be cheap if you book your tickets now – Not sure you will be able to squeeze Sardinia or Sicily in your trip. By the end of October Sardinia (especially in the North) may be relatively cold and windy, while Sicily is still fine.

Hope this helps. Don’t hesitate to contact me should you wish to get help on your trip planning

All the best JP – Umbria is a fantastic destination, add Assisi to your bucket list, it’s the top place

Your comments are very helpful Is it easy to rent a car in these various locations if you travel by train

Hello Jean-Pierre,

We are travelling to Italy for all of April with our son who will be 11 months old at that time. Our flights are to and from Paris and we plan on taking a train over. What route would you suggest? We are open to both trains and renting a vehicle. We would like to have hub places to stay and branch out to check out the area so we aren’t moving accommodations repeatedly. We have been to Rome for 4 days, we missed out on a few things there and would like to go back.

I would be grateful for any adivice.

Thanks, Michelle

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The Ultimate South America Itinerary – Plus Useful Travel Tips

Planning your south america itinerary.

South America has long been on my bucket list and therefore 9 months ago I found myself putting together my ultimate South America itinerary – determined to cram as many life-changing experiences into a 10 week trip as possible.

I started by listing all my South America must-sees and prioritising those I had lusted after for the longest, namely Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. I knew I wanted a good mix of wildlife, landscapes and culture with a few cities thrown in for good measure. As a keen dancer, the opportunity to dance would be a real bonus so Argentina and Brazil made it onto my South America bucket list .

An important thing to consider when planning your ultimate South America itinerary is the climate. It varies wildly from country to country and you need to take this into account when planning your route through South America. For example, the Inca Trail is actually closed for part of the rainy season as it’s too slippy and dangerous. When it dry and sunny in Brazil, you’ll find it’s sub-zero up a mountain in the Andes.

So for me, leaving in October, the route had to start west and work eastwards. This meant I could fit in some Andes mountain trekking before the rainy season hit and also meant that I got my fix of sunshine and caipirinhas on the beach in Rio before my flight home. Win-win.

** Pssst, this article may contain affiliate links. If you have no idea what this means, click here and everything will be explained!**

What you can expect from this article...

• 1.1 South America by Plane
• 1.2 South America on Tour
• 1.3 South America by Hop on Hop off Bus
• 1.4 South America by Local Bus
• 2 Planning Your South America Itinerary Budget
• 3.1 The Galapagos Eastern Islands
• 3.2 The Galapagos Central Islands
• 3.3 The Galapagos Southern Islands
• 4.2 Machu Picchu
• 4.3 Lake Titicaca
• 4.5 Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats
• 4.6 The Bolivian Altiplano
• 5.1 San Pedro
• 5.2 El Cafayate Wine Tasting
• 5.3 Stay on a Ranch or Estancia in rural Argentina
• 5.4 Get your Tango on in Buenos Aires
• 6.2 How long?
• 6.3 Foz do Igauzu Falls
• 6.5 South Pantanal
• 6.7 Rio de Janeiro
• 7.1 Guatapé, Colombia.
• 7.2 The W trek, Torres del Paine,  Patagonia
• 7.3 Ushuaia, Argentina
• 7.4 The Amazon Jungle
• 7.5 More Useful Resources and Links for Planning your South American Trip
• 7.6 Further Reading

How to get around South America

If you’ve travelled in South East Asia or Europe , you are probably used to getting about by train. However, there aren’t many trains in South America so you will be better off getting about by bus or plane.

South America by Plane

Whilst South America, in general, is not that cheap, getting about by plane is not as expensive as you may imagine as long as you don’t mind small rickety planes! Booked well in advance, you can get short international flights such as Cuzco to La Paz for $50-70. The airports are pretty straightforward.

I booked my flights with trusty Skyscanner – personally, I find this to be the best tool to find the biggest variety of flights at the best prices.

South America on Tour

To save the hassle of finding your own way about, one option is to join a tour . This is possibly the easiest way to pack a LOT of highlights into your South America itinerary in a short time period. You can focus on enjoying the highlights and not having to worry about the practicalities.

I’ve taken a few G Adventures tours in South America and they were great! Brilliant informative tour leaders , well organised and decent transport (mostly air-conditioned minibuses!)

Whilst I haven’t used Intrepid in South America, I have sampled their trips in Africa and South East Asia and again, I was very impressed. Their trips are actually very similar. Check them out and see if any of their South America Itineraries takes your fancy!

I spent a large chunk of my own Latin America itinerary travelling with Dragoman . These are participation, overlanding tours where you camp 50% of the time and stay in hotels and guesthouses the rest.

These are slightly cheaper than G Adventures and Intrepid so great if you’re on a tight budget. However, my preference is still for G Adventures as you get more included activities, smaller groups and local guides. They also work with more local projects to give back to the countries where you travel. That said I would definitely do another overlanding tour as they are a lot of fun!

Check out the trip I took HERE .

South America by Hop on Hop off Bus

Perhaps the best of both worlds, this style of travel will allow you the freedom of doing it your own way with the convenience of jumping on a bus headed straight for the tourist attractions of hot spots in South America. The Bamba Experience is one of the most popular companies that organise hop on hop off trips.

South America by Local Bus

Sometimes it can be tricky finding the right bus and understanding timetables and prices when you don’t speak the local lingo. BusBud has provided a great solution for that – a website where you can search for local bus journeys in almost any country and in multiple currencies.

Planning Your South America Itinerary Budget

Without a doubt, the most expensive place to visit in South America is going to be The Galapagos Islands but boy is it worth it!! Being 1000Km off the mainland and with restricted numbers of visitors allowed on the islands at any given time, a trip to The Galapagos comes with a hefty price tag!

Spending time in Brazil is also pretty pricey with Chile and Argentina not far behind. If you want to make your pennies stretch further, you’ll want to spend more time in Bolivia and Peru. Bolivia particularly is cheap as chips. I would say if you are being careful, you could survive on $20-25/day in Bolivia whereas Brazil will set you back $50-70 per day.

My 9-week trip set me back $14000 which may seem like a lot of money, however, this included a week’s cruise in The Galapagos (which accounted for a whopping $3000) and I took several budget tours in order to pack a lot into a limited amount of time.

If I had the luxury of time, I would have travelled solo and I expect it would have been significantly cheaper! It really depends on what your priorities are! At that particular time, seeing as much as possible in a short time frame was mine.

For more practical tips for your trip to South America, check out my article: 20 Useful Tips for Travel in South America. Whatever you do, don’t forget to invest in a decent camera before your trip to South America! There are SO many great photo opportunities! I use a Sony A7iii yet but it’s pretty pricey so if you’re newer to photography I recommend this one or this one .

Ok so let’s get onto the good bit… What should be on your South America Bucket list?! Let’s get planning your South America Itinerary!

The Great Big South America Bucket List

South america itinerary 1 – the galapagos islands.

Best for Wildlife and Scenery

$200-300 per day if you take a cruise and $160+ for a land-based Galapagos island hopping trip . Remember to factor in tips for your crew! Read more about travelling the Galapagos on a budget and booking a budget Galapagos cruise

7-10 days. Most trips will start from Quito on the mainland so factor a day or two either side of your boat trip. A week actually exploring the Galapagos Islands is about right.

You could easily spend longer but a week will allow you to tick off most of the big wildlife and scenic attractions and will give you a good flavour of the islands. If you cut your trip short, there’s a chance you’ll miss out on the best bits like getting the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions!

Where to stay

Most Galapagos trips are boat based so your board and food will all be included. So it might be pricey but at least you know exactly how much money you will need.

You will undoubtedly save money by staying on dry land and arranging day trips but be warned, you’ll likely have to deal with bigger crowds and will spend a lot of time on the boats getting to the islands. There may also be certain highlights which you’ll miss without taking a boat.

The cruise ships and stay-onboard boats will sale overnight to maximise your time exploring the islands and get you there before the other tourists arrive which was a huge perk.

Since I have been desperate to visit the Galapagos for over 10 years, I really went to town on my research to get the best trip covering the most highlights but at the best price. I settled on a Gadventures boat called The Monserrat – I highly recommend it. I didn’t find any better prices and the trip was fantastic from start to finish! (The food by-the-way was to die for!) Check out the Galapagos tour I took .

To see other Galapagos options for all budgets, click here .

For a Galapagos packing list, click here .

The Galapagos Eastern Islands

Best for beautiful scenery

Visit Isla Lobos for some close encounters with frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. There are SO many sea lions here. A great place to start your Galapagos adventure!

Another eastern highlight is Cerro Brujo – possibly the prettiest beach I’ve ever had the privilege to visit. Unspoilt bright white sand and azure ocean in stark contrast with the black volcanic rock dotted with the occasional marine iguana or sea lion. I think this was one of my biggest ‘Wow’ moments in South America!

See a sample eastern island itinerary here .

The Galapagos Central Islands

Best for rugged scenery

The scenery in the central islands is more varied and rugged. See the black lava formations at Sullivan Bay on Santiago and whilst you’re there, snorkel off the beach – this is where I spotted my first shark!

Take a hike to the viewpoint on the volcanic islet Bartolome island. The views are beautiful but beware the wind!

If you want to catch sight of the elusive land iguana (much harder to spot than marine iguanas,) head to Cerro Dragon. We were lucky to see two on our nature walk here!

For giant tortoises, head over to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. Here you will find the Charles Darwin Conservation Centre, a great place to start and learn about the tortoises’ history on the island. Then head into the hinterlands to spot some in the wild!

If you are lucky you might spot a pod of wild orcas as we did. They may even put on a show for you like we were lucky to witness. That said, you are more likely to see whales on the western islands which I didn’t get chance to visit.

Check out a sample central islands itinerary here .

The Galapagos Southern Islands

Best for wildlife

For me, the best snorkel trip I took in The Galapagos was off the boat, not far from Espanola island. The most colourful coral I’ve ever seen but the best part was swimming with sea lions. There were so many of them and all fairly young which meant they were super playful.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this was the absolute TOP moment of my South America trip! Between Cerro Brujo and here, The Galapagos Islands were scoring pretty high marks!

Another highlight of the Southern Islands was Floreana. This was absolute wildlife paradise. Here you can see the rarely spotted Galapagos Albatross and you will see so many marine iguanas – they lie on top of each other to keep warm so there will actually be piles of them! Hundreds of iguanas basking in the sun, careful not to step on them! Don’t worry, they are a lot more placid than they look!

Check out a sample southern islands itinerary here .

South America Itinerary 2 – Peru to Bolivia

Best for Scenery Seekers 

$20-40. You can do it really cheap but this budget will allow you a decent hotel room and the occasional luxury.

2-4 weeks. You can cover the main highlights (Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Bolivian Altiplano) in a fortnight but you may want to allow yourself longer to travel at a more relaxed pace.

Where to Stay

Since accommodation is cheap as chips here, I’d recommend splashing out on budget hotels and guesthouses . Save the hostels for the more pricey countries!

Top Tip: If you plan to do the Inca Trail, you will need to be super organised! Inca Trail permits need to be bought well in advance – often as early as 6 months! On writing this article in April, the next available permits are for October! If you don’t get yours in time, there are plenty of great alternative treks so don’t panic!

And another Top Tip (I’m good to you like that…) Pack lot’s of layers! The temperature can vary from glorious 25 degrees plus to minus figures within just a matter of hours. This can make it tricky to pack for South America but fear not, I’ve got you covered with my South America Packing Guide !

Previously the capital of the Inca Empire, this attractive city is made beautiful by the well preserved Spanish colonial architecture and is well-positioned in the stunning Andes Mountains in Peru.

Beware it is at 3400 metres altitude so take your time climbing the stairs here!

There are oodles of beautiful churches and colourful markets to explore but you can also use Cuzco as a great base for getting out into the surrounding mountains and visiting a few Inca sites.

Check out these day trips from Cuzco – everything from day hikes to pisco sours tasting!

Machu Picchu

Okay, you can’t really miss out this iconic site from your South America Itinerary, let’s face it! The question is not really IF you should visit it, but more HOW.

You could catch a scenic train ride or you could (and should in my humble opinion) take a trek to get there. Why you ask?! Well because the scenery is stunning and you won’t really get the full experience by seeing it from a train window! So providing you are in a reasonable state of fitness, book yourself onto one of the several treks in the area. You won’t regret it!

The Inca Trail is obviously the most well known. Book well ahead and prepare to be one of many of the trail. The scenery is diverse, beautiful and leads you straight to Machu Picchu plus you can say you did the actual Inca Trail which totally gives you street cred! Check out options for the Inca Trail here .

Another great alternative is the Lares Trek.

The Lares is much quieter, it’ll be just you, your team and the llamas. You may see an occasional farmer but otherwise, you’ll have the trail pretty much to yourself. It goes to a higher altitude 4800 metres so you can brag about that to your Inca trail friends! The scenery is absolutely mind-blowing. I asked my guide which trail he preferred, his answer? The Lares Trek every time!

Read about my Lares experience here .

Or see the G Adventures trip that I took here .

Lake Titicaca

Situated at 3800 metres altitude, Lake Titicaca is really unique and not just because it is the worlds highest lake. What makes it truly unique are the local’s who live by it and even on it! You can take a tour of the local reed villages – yes made ENTIRELY of reed. The local inhabitants make a living by fishing and trading the fish at local markets.

You can easily arrange a homestay at one of the farming villages on the lakeside.  See inside a traditional Peruvian farm, eat with the family and experience traditional cuisine that you won’t get in restaurants and then help out with the farm work the next day.

Don’t be put off by the fact that many won’t speak English. We muddled by using a mixture of English words the children learnt in school, my VERY poor Spanish, lots of miming and showing photos on our phones of our homes, pets and families!

The capital city of Bolivia, La Paz, is quite an experience especially if you take a taxi from the airport… Whilst you’re here, visit the Witches markets – dried llama fetus, anyone?! Also, take a cable car trip and get amazing views of this huge city!

Check out tours of La Paz and nearby HERE

Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

Visit the worlds largest salt plane – 11000 sq Km of bright white desert created when a prehistoric lake dried up leaving these vast salt planes dotted with little cacti islands! Enjoy taking some great perspective photos here. If you visit in the rainy season, you may get beautiful reflection photos.

Check out tours to Salar De Uyuni here .

The Bolivian Altiplano

The scenery here will have you speechless. There’s not a lot to ‘do’ here per se but I personally was entranced by the scenery that the long drive from Salar de Uyuni was actually one of my trip highlights. See the spurting bubbling geysers, find aqua and red lakes filled with flamingos and see desert which stretches for miles. For more inspiration, see my photos to inspire your trip to Bolivia.

Click here for tours to the Bolivean Altiplano

I travelled in Bolivia with Dragoman , see the exact trip here .

South America Itinerary 3 – San Pedro to Buenos Aires

Best for wine and dancing

$30-60. Chile and Argentina are much more expensive than Bolivia but slightly cheaper than Brazil so expect to pay a bit more in some restaurants and for tours.

The prices are not dissimilar to western countries so expect to pay similar to what you pay back home (unless home is Bolivia.)

This route will take 2-3 weeks to cover properly.

As prices are beginning to rise, this may be the time to consider staying in hostels. Most hostels have private rooms if you like a bit of privacy on a budget. Hostels are also a great way to meet people! I use booking.com to find hostels and hotels and usually find they have a great selection of accommodations and you can easily search for your specification – a swimming pool and a hot tub puh-lease!

Ah, I LOVED this place. From the cute little shops lining the streets to the drinking holes that look like they’ve been taken straight from a western movie, San Pedro certainly has character. You definitely shouldn’t miss this one off your South America Itinerary!

I also didn’t have a single bad meal here – the food was Ah-mazing! It’s a great place to arrange trips to Moon Valley and into Bolivia for the Altiplano.

There are so many outdoorsy activities to do here, you won’t be short of things to do! The scenery at Moon Valley, in particular, is just stunning! See my San Pedro guide for more info.

There are so many things to do in this area from horse riding to star gazing. Check out some options HERE.

El Cafayate Wine Tasting

Head to Argentina next and so some wine tasting in the beautiful countryside at El Cafayate. Then go out for a juicy Argentinian steak washed down with some delicious merlot! There are wineries both in the countryside and in town that you can visit. Some trips need to be pre-arranged but often you can just turn up and join the next tour or tasting session.

Stay on a Ranch or Estancia in rural Argentina

Experience the real rural Argentina on an estancia stay. Several estancias (or cattle ranches) offer accommodation and activities such as horse riding and wildlife watching. Check out these estancias near Buenos Aires .

Learn to swing a lasso like a real cowgirl or indulge in an Argentinian BBQ. I stayed at Estancia Los Potreros and had an absolute ball! In addition to the activities above, we also had more wine tasting and a music session with some local cowboys. Read about it here.

Get your Tango on in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a brilliant city! Colourful and diverse, traditional yet cosmopolitan, this city has a lot to offer travellers.

This super colourful neighbourhood is popular with tourists so it can get busy – go early in the morning to escape the crowds. Visit markets, enjoy street tango performances and enjoy the colourful buildings and street art. But make sure you go home before dark as it can be a little unsafe here at night time.

San Telmo Market

Learn argentine tango.

There is no better place to learn to Tango than Buenos Aires! Watch a street show, attend a formal show or take a lesson. But if you want to see the real tango, find a milonga. These are like afternoon tea dances where everyone will be dancing for fun – not for the tourists.

Check out day trips in and around Buenos Aires here , from stadium tours to tango shows.

South America Itinerary 4 – Brazil

Best for eco-tourism

$50-100 Brazil is pretty pricey so unless you are happy to rough it, expect to spend a bit of money here!

2-3 weeks should be enough to cover most of the highlights in South Brazil but of course, there are plenty more places to explore in Brazil if you have time.

To keep costs low, I’d recommend staying in hostels or even camping. I stayed at a few campsites in Brazil which were great and the weather is nice and warm.

Foz do Igauzu Falls

Foz do Igauzu falls are the largest waterfall system in the WORLD, this will surely be a highlight of your South America itinerary! Bordering both Argentina and Brazil, it’s worth visiting from both sides.

From The Argentina side, you can get close to the falls to appreciate their power. From the Brazil side, there are some great opportunities to see it from afar and appreciate the overall beauty! I’ve written a detailed guide to Igauzu falls, see it here .

Also on the Brazil side, there is a great tropical bird park Parque das Aves  where you can get up close to some beautiful birds including the colourful macaws and toucans!

Book your tickets to Iguazu falls HERE .

Did you know Bonito is the eco-tourism capital of Brazil? And rightly so! There are so many amazing places to see in this area!

Rio da Prata

One of the best places worldwide to try freshwater snorkelling with an average visibility of 50 metres. You will drift for 90 minutes along with the current enjoying the underwater garden seeing colourful fish and if you’re lucky a caiman or anaconda! Read more about it in my Bonito Guide .

Buraco Das Araras

This limestone sinkhole is a meeting place for hundreds of brightly coloured and NOISY macaws!

Grotto de Azur

South pantanal.

If you are a big fan of wildlife, head over to The South Pantanal, Brazilian wetlands where you stand a reasonable chance of seeing one of the big cats, possibly even a jaguar!

You will undoubtedly see plenty of caiman crocs and birdlife and there are plenty of chances to see capybara, anteaters and even cute little river otters which apparently are not so cute after all!

Did you know river otters are territorial so they are actually more dangerous than the caimans or anacondas if you were to fall in the river!

Explore by 4WD safari vehicle, on foot, by boat or on horseback. I highly recommend a night safari for your best chance of seeing a jaguar!

Check out tours to The Pantanal here .

Paraty is a really lovely well preserved Portuguese colonial coastal town with cobbled streets and only horse and cart for transport. Spend time exploring the shops and cafe and take a day trip in one of the colourful wooden boats stopping at beaches and islands.

Check out day trips from Paraty here , from jungle treks to boat trips to beautiful beaches and islands.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the fastest paced, diverse, colourful, lively cities you could visit.

There are so many iconic viewpoints you will want to visit such as Sugar Loaf Mountain and The Christ Redeemer statue – two of the most popular sights in Brazil !.

There are so many things to do in Rio but I suggest you start by visiting the colourful Escadaria Selarón steps and then have a caipirinha on Copacabana or Ipanema beach.

Other Places you might want to put on your South America Itinerary

There are still so many places on my South America bucket list that I need to go back and tick off at some point! I would love to see more of Chile and I didn’t even step foot in Colombia and I’ve heard so many great things about it. Here are a few places that will be on my next South America itinerary!

Guatapé, Colombia.

I seem drawn to any colourful town – Cinque de Terre in Italy, by the way, is awesome! Guatape in Colombia is possibly the most colourful of them all. Not only that but it overlooks Penol-Guatape a beautiful man-made reservoir and a great place for water sports. Read more here about planning your Colombia itinerary .

The W trek, Torres del Paine,  Patagonia

Landscapes don’t get more dramatic than in Patagonia – think snow-capped mountains and bright blue glacial lakes. The W trek in Patagonia is a challenging 5-day trek but surely worth the effort for views like this?!

Click here for advice if you are  planning to travel to Patagonia .

Ushuaia, Argentina

In the South of Argentina, is Ushuaia, the starting point for many cruises to the Antarctic. But you don’t have to go that far to see penguins!

The Amazon Jungle

Head deep into the Amazon in Peru, Equador or Brazil to get close to the wildlife and creepie crawlies. Take night walks and river safaris but perhaps not if you are an arachnophobe…

For more itineraries on the places I’ve not been able to cover yet, you should head over to The Broke Backpackers site. He’s got some great information too!

More Useful Resources and Links for Planning your South American Trip

• G Adventure Tours in South America (my personal favourite tour company.)
• Intrepid Tours in South America  another great tour company I’ve sued many times.
• Dragoman overland tour . (cheaper option for tours as long as you don’t mind camping.)
• Other South America Tours
• Bamba Experience – a hop on hop off trip. A cheaper option for the budget conscious.
• Skyscanner – a great tool for booking your flights to and from and within South America.
• Day Tours in South America  and other day tours
• Accommodation via Booking.com or Airbnb

Further Reading

• Useful tips for travel in South America
• South America packing list
• G Adventures Peru review
• G Adventures Galapagos review
• Iguazu Falls Guide
• Day trips from Bonito, Brazil
• San Pedro De Atacama Guide
• The Lares Trek, Peru.
• Lake Titicaca, Peru
• Local’s guide to Rio de Janeiro
• Estancia Los Potreros – Argentinian Ranch horseriding holiday.

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10 day thailand itinerary – the perfect way to spend 10 days in thailand, the ultimate 8 day iceland ring road itinerary, the great big usa bucket list – 38 awesome things to do in america, this post has 34 comments.

Wow I’ve been literally DYING to go to all these places in South America and you’ve just planned my trip for me. Now I have no excuse not to go, THANK YOU, pinning this for later!

Glad you found it useful Constance! Let me know if you need any more tips!

I love this post! So thorough and so helpful!! Sourh Amerixa is huge and it can be so tricky to navigate. But saving this for when I finally make it back.

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful and I hope you get there soon!

I’m planning a RTW trip and this guide is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks for taking to time to write such an in-depth article!

I’m so glad you thought it was useful! As a lazy researcher, I love having everything in one place! Have an amazing RTW trip – I’m SO envious!! Where’s first?!

Thanks for the great info! We’re hiking the Inca trail in September!

Ah have an AMAZING time!! I want to go back!!

Wow! What a guide! I’ll have to share it with my friend who’s currently living in BA and using that as a base to travel.

I hope she’ll find it useful too! Igauzu falls is reachable in a weekend trip from BA!

Great post Leanne. I would love to visit South America someday. I’ll definitely give some thought to the changing climates when planning my visit.

It’s incredible how different the climate from 1 country to the next!

I really enjoyed reading through this! You did a fantastic job! I will definitely pin this to my Pinterest board and share!

Thanks Elizabeth! Kind words ? I’m glad you enjoyed it!

What an incredibly detailed post. This is AMAZING. Saving this everywhere for one day when I go!

Thanks so much! I’m glad it’ll be useful for you! You will LOVE South America! It’s so diverse!

Absolutely love your post. South America is my absolute favorite continent and your pictures make me miss it so much right now. Can’t wait to go back and so all the places I haven’t ssen yet.

Glad you enjoyed it! I want to go back now to see more of chile and Patagonia!

What a fantastic itinerary to South America! I’ve never beenbefore but it’s on my bucketlist with the Galapogos being at the top!

They were at the top of mine too and so worth the price tag!!

Wow this is the most in depth guide of South America I have ever read. So far I ve only been in Central America jut I hope to visit soon

Oh wow thank you! That’s such a lovely compliment! Central America is awesome too – I need to visit there more often!

Wow! This is thorough, and great! I haven’t done South America yet and it’s on my list to do in the next two years. Totally saving this as a reference for planning.

Thanks amy! I bet you’ll have an awesome trip. South America is such an amazing place!

Looks like you put a lot of effort in to create such a detailed post. Thanks for sharing! <3

No problem! I just hope it can be helpful! ?

Wow, this is incredible! All that in 10 weeks, I feel you could write a book from so many experiences! I am myself toying with the idea of going to Argentina later this year, to see the spring (and penguins!), I will bookmark this post for future use!

I’d love to write a book one day – it’s on my bucket list. But I was thinking more of a novel! Argentina will be amazing. I definitely need to go head south and see those penguins soon!

Such a great post. I haven’t yet step foot in South America so this is a great help. Thanks?

Wow that is detailed! what a great overview of travel through south america. I love the salt flat pics, some corkers!

I’m SO glad I’ve found this blog post! South America is the last continent I haven’t been to and I’m in the planning stage of a big trip there. This covers pretty much everything I was hoping for, even the Galapagos Islands, which looks absolutely incredible so thank you so much it all looks insane!

You will have such an amazing time! I just made a video about the Galapagos – it’s on my twitter page @globetrottergp if you want more inspiration! (and videos of tiny tiny baby sea lions…) I hope you’ll have the most amazing trip!

Hi Leanne Great Post! Me and my girlfriend will be travelling to South America October 10th to the end February and will be looking to cover as much as possible, do you have any suggestions on where to start our trip ? I see you began your trip in October too and im a little worried about the changing seasons / rain ! Thanks

The main thing to coisder is the inca train opening times as it closes for some of the wet season. working west to east worked for me in oct

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How Long to Spend in Japan: From 1 week to 4 weeks

How long to spend in Japan depends on your vacation time and the experiences you are interested in. Our past Japan clients have mainly been couples and families with teenagers.

Most families spend 10–14 days in Japan, 30s–50s couples generally spend 1–2 weeks, 50s and above couples generally have longer vacations, so they usually spend 2–3 weeks for a more thorough Japan travel experience . We have also had some business clients who only stay for 3–5 days.

See what we'd recommend for each stay length below…

• We generally recommend 1 or 2 cities for a 5-day vacation , such as a Tokyo in-depth tour or Tokyo + Kyoto or Tokyo + Osaka.
• 1 week gives you time to explore the top 3 destinations in Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
• If your vacation is about 10 days long, consider taking a trip to Hakone (famous for onsens — hot spring baths) or Hiroshima (Peace Memorial City)
• 2 weeks in Japan is ideal for an additional side-trip to see one of Japan's interesting small cities, towns, and villages, like Takayama.
• 3 weeks is long enough for an in-depth and off-the-beaten-track route or two, like going to see monkeys soak in onsens in Nagano.
• 4 weeks could allow you to have a thorough exploration of Japan to fully experience the country and its culture, from Hokkaido in the very north to Okinawa in the extreme south.
• Top Destinations in Japan

5 Days in Japan

1 week in japan, 10 days in japan, 2 weeks in japan, 3 weeks in japan, 4 weeks in japan, do i need a visa to visit japan.

Nationals of many countries are exempt from needing a visa to enter Japan, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Most travelers can stay in Japan without a visa for 90 days.

Top Destinations to Visit in Japan

• Tokyo is the capital of Japan, an international city with a good combination of history and modernity. Seeing Mount Fuji, making sushi, and exploring anime, samurai, Disneyland, and the Science and Technology Museum represent the variety that is the essence of the city.
• Kyoto is Japan's ancient capital with geishas in kimonos, shrines, ryokans (traditional inns), sake, and tea ceremonies making up key features of this incredible traditional city.
• Osaka is the flourishing trade city of Japan. Have a family fun time at Cup Noodle Museum or Universal Studios, and sample authentic street food in Dotonbori.
• Hakone is Japan's home of onsens (hot springs). Don't miss the top experience of relaxing in an onsen at a ryokan. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from some hot spring baths.
• Takayama and Shirakawa-go allow you to get in touch with the rural life of Japan. See for yourself unique and traditional Hida folk village.
• Hiroshima , where the world's first atomic bomb was dropped during World War II, calls on everyone to love peace.
• Hokkaido is the northernmost main island of Japan. The best ski resorts, freshest seafood, and a famous chocolate factory are some of its highlights that you can enjoy.
• Tokyo–Kyoto/Osaka

Spending 5 days in Japan usually includes Tokyo and another city. The usual choices are Kyoto or Osaka . Tokyo is the ideal first stop in travel Japan as plentiful international flights land there. You can get some deep insights into Japanese culture in Tokyo at its Imperial Palace, samurai experiences, and traditional Japanese gardens.

For the rest of the trip, You are recommended to choose the ancient capital of Kyoto or the trading city of Osaka as your next stop . Visit old shrines, explore Gion District, and see geishas in kimonos in Kyoto, or walk through the flourishing downtown area in Osaka, discovering its street food and more-modern attractions. 

• Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka

1 week in Japan would allow you to cover the most popular cities in Japan, including feeling the old vibe and samurai history in Tokyo, see geishas in kimonos and ancient shrines in Kyoto, and experiencing the lively downtown of Osaka.

A hand-picked classic 1-week Japan itinerary:

• Days 1–3 Tokyo (sushi, samurai, anime center)
• Days 4–5 Kyoto (geishas, stay at a ryokan, feed deer in Nara)
• Day 6–7 Osaka (taste street food in Dotonbori, visit outstanding Osaka Castle)

If you don't want to change hotels, you can stay in Kyoto for days 6 and 7. It only takes 30 minutes to get to Osaka from Kyoto, and it's quite convenient to get to Osaka International Airport from Kyoto.

Read more detailed week-long itineraries here >>> The Top 5 Itineraries for One Week in Japan , which satisfy various interests for famous attractions, cherry blossoms, Japanese food, and anime. Or just let us know your interests and requirements , and we can help make it happen.

• Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Osaka

With 10 days in Japan, you can not only explore the classic triad of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but also you can visit Hakone or Hiroshima. This is an excellent choice for first-timers.

Our well-received 10-day itinerary:

• Days 1–3 Tokyo sightseeing (Meiji Shrine, Pokémon Center, Japanese gardens)
• Days 4–5 Hakone (soak in onsens)
• Days 6–8 Kyoto (geisha, sake, try on a kimono)
• Days 9–10 Osaka (Osaka Castle, sample street food in Dotonbori)

Hakone , home of onsens, is one of the popular destinations near Tokyo: it is about 1½ hours from Tokyo. The top experience in Hakone is to stay at a ryokan with an onsen. On a clear day you can even see Mount Fuji.

Hiroshima , notoriously, was the first of two Japanese cities bombed with an atomic bomb at the end of World War II. It's easy to get there from either Kyoto or Osaka, being about 1½ hours by JR (Japan Rail). Visit its Peace Memorial Park and cherish the post-war peace.

Suggested reading: 10 Days in Japan: Top 5 Itineraries >>>. Or you can just tell us your preferences and requirements , and we will customize a tour for you.

• Tokyo–Takayama–Hiroshima–Osaka–Kyoto

2 weeks is an ideal length of time for a relaxed and balanced Japan trip: you could see its small cities and towns, experience more interesting things, and you wouldn't need to rush. All the cities in the following itinerary are conveniently connected by Shinkansen.

A well-proportioned 2-week Japan itinerary:

• Days 1–4 Tokyo (make sushi, visit Tsukiji Market, Disneyland)
• Days 5–6 Takayama (picturesque towns, well-preserved Hida folk village, sample Hida beef)
• Days 7–8 Hiroshima (Peace Memorial city)
• Days 9–10 Osaka (Universal Studios, "Japan's culinary center")
• Days 11–14 Kyoto (geisha, try on kimono, a ryokan stay, tea ceremony, deer in Nara)

Read more about our 2-Week Japan Itineraries for inspiration. Or you could see our popular 2-week family itinerary , which is full of family-friendly activities such as making sushi at a local home, staying at a ryokan with an onsen, having an afternoon tea with geishas, trying on kimonos for family photos, feeding friendly deer, and having fun in Disneyland or Universal Studios.

Contact us if you want to make some adjustments or have any questions. We will create a trip based on your needs.

• Tokyo–Nagano – Kanazawa, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go – Kyoto–Hiroshima–Osaka

For first-time visitors to Japan, 3 weeks allows a deeper travel experience at a slow pace. You could spend time on off-the-beaten-track locations like Nagano, or even have a cross-border trip visiting China or Singapore.

We recommend spending 2 days in Nagano, a small city surrounded by mountains. Watching snow monkeys soak in the hot spring is a new experience. It also has one of the best ski resorts in Japan, and in winter you can experience the charm of skiing there.

Kanazawa, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go are three rural towns with picturesque natural views that are worth spending 3 days on discovering.

• Kanazawa: appreciate local gold-leaf products, sample sake at a brewery.
• Takayama: Visit well-preserved townhouses, stay at a ryokan with an onsen, taste delicious Hida beef.
• Shirakawa-go: View traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. If you go in January or February, you can see their beautiful wintry lighting.

Spending some of your 3 weeks to generate a cross-border trip is also a great idea . You can consider Japan and South Korea or Japan and China. Check out more details on 3-Week Japan Itineraries . 

With 4 weeks in Japan, you could have a comprehensive visit to fully experience Japanese culture, including Japan's southernmost island, Okinawa, and the northernmost main island, Hokkaido.

Hokkaido has the freshest seafood and the best ski resorts in Japan. Not only is the winter snow beautiful from December to February, but also the cherry blossoms in May, the lavender from July to August, and the red maple in autumn (September to November) are all worth seeing. We suggest you spend 5–6 days in Sapporo and Otaru on Hokkaido.

Okinawa has the best beaches on Japan, and it is known as the "Hawaii of Japan" . Clean water, white sandy beaches, and enjoyable water sports are attractions for families or couples. In January and February, Okinawa is also the first place in Japan where cherry blossoms bloom. You are recommended to spend 3–4 days in Okinawa.

Whether your available time is long or short, you can just tell us your preferences and requirements , and we will customize a tour to suit you.

More Articles to Help You Plan Your Japan Trip

• How to Plan a First Trip to Japan
• How Much is a Trip to Japan
• Why Japan is Expensive

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

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