Short-Notice Travel - Full-Time Travel

Short-Notice Travel

Short-Notice Travel

Last-Minute Adventures, Minimal Planning

Sometimes, the most exciting travel experiences lie just a short drive from the city-center. An unexpected day-trip or weekend excursion can introduce you to some hidden treasures you wouldn’t have otherwise seen. These destinations, just a stone’s throw from metropoles like Manhattan and Paris, require little to no planning ahead. So grab a few spontaneous friends—or pack up your whole fam—and head to these nearby neighborhoods, outskirts and picturesque towns.

Brighton, UK

If you live in London (or planning to travel there), take a day outside the Big Smoke to the seaside town of Brighton. While sunbathing may be off limits in the wintertime, the town’s scenery is just as quaint, with  candy-colored houses lining the streets—straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Plus, fish and chips taste great all year around—they’re sure to be the best you’ve ever had!

Porto, Portugal

Just up the coast from Lisbon, Porto is emerging as Portugal’s hottest new travel destination. It’s easy to add this city by the sea to your agenda if you’re visiting Lisbon—in the summer, you’ll stroll past countless beachy bars, cafés and restaurants to enjoy in the areas around the beaches Praia do Molhe and Praia de Gondarém.

Versailles, France

Versailles is sophistication at its finest. After all, the Château de Versailles was home to infamous fashionista and lover of all things extravagant, Marie Antoinette. Just a 30-minute bus ride outside of Paris, the opulent palace stays open through the winter, and the size of its sprawling gardens will still make you gasp—a perfect day trip.

Brooklyn, NY

If you find yourself with free time after ice skating in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center and staring upward at Shelby (the name of the plaza’s 75-foot Christmas tree), be sure to make a quick jump across the East River over to Brooklyn. Neighborhoods like ultra-hip Williamsburg are teeming with vintage boutiques and record stores (perfect for gift shopping!); while the Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights offers Winterfest through Dec. 31, where you can walk through a giant snow and take a selfie with the world’s largest snowman.

Mount Hood, Oregon

Looking to slide outside Portland today? Grab your favorite flannel and take a short drive out to Mount Hood for some of the best skiing the Pacific Northwest has to offer. After a full day on the slopes, head to one of the dozens of local wineries scattered around the base of the mountain to warm up and get your merry-and-bright on. .

Kamakura, Japan

Looking to celebrate New Year’s outside the buzz of the Tokyo? Kamakura, about an hour’s drive north of the city, is an incredible cultural trip with its countless shrines and temples—many of which stay open all night on New Year’s Eve. Kamakura is known for its street snacks, so be sure to sample everything from inari sushi to lemon sugar crepes and—if you’re one of those people that love drinking iced coffee in the wintertime—matcha gelato.

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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