The weather is cold, but the welcome is warm and the mood joyous.

The glories of Spanish summers are well-known–the sun-drenched landscapes, the 8000 kilometers of coastline with pristine beaches, and the endless warm nights sipping wine on the plaza. Yes, it’s understandable that everyone seems to want to go there. According to Turespana, the Spanish government tourism bureau, international traffic to Spain in August 2024 is expected to increase by 10.3% over the same period in 2023.

Even if you can't travel this year, you can take your tastebuds on a vicarious tour of the world’s delicious holiday foods

With the cost of lift tickets rising each year at popular North America ski resorts and crowds continuing to grow, a ski or snowboard vacation can include its fair share of headaches. Look off the beaten path for some unique ski resorts and take advantage of fewer crowds in these quaint mountain towns.

Photo By Shanti Zinzi September 2011

"This is a view from the streets of Taormina, Sicily, adjacent to the gorgeous pebbly beach of Isola Bella, a marine reserve known as 'The Pearl of the Ionian Sea'. Snorkelers and divers will find Isola Bella's clear waters home to moray eels, starfish, sea horses, octopus, stonefish and several other small, colorful sea creatures.

Bliss and Patrick left their jobs in finance and law in New York City to travel around the world with their two-year-old son, Jude. They blog about their adventures traveling with a toddler at Around the World with a Two-Year-Old. Among other adventures, the family has taken the Trans-Siberian Railroad from Beijing to Moscow, and recently spent a week in India. We here at Global Basecamps authentic travel service are happy to share this guest blog with you, enjoy!