Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take a break, explore new destinations, and maximize your PTO. With careful planning, you can turn the holiday weekend into a week-long getaway using only a few vacation days. Here are 8 of the best Thanksgiving destinations, with recommendations for accommodations and activities to make your trip unforgettable.

When winter rolls around, many travelers picture cozy cabins, twinkling holiday markets, or powdery ski slopes. With winter just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what to check off (or add to!) your bucket list to round out the year. Whether you’re chasing Northern Lights, sipping mulled wine in Europe, or escaping the cold for a tropical beach, I’m here to share some inspiration to get started.

Reykjavik may be one of the smallest capital cities in the world, but it’s big on charm, culture, and adventure. Nestled between the sea and snow-capped mountains, this colorful city is the perfect base for exploring Iceland’s natural wonders, while offering plenty to see and do right in town. As a travel advisor, I help clients craft Iceland itineraries that maximize their time, blend iconic experiences with hidden gems, and include the right accommodations and tours. If Reykjavik is on your itinerary, here’s my expert list of must-do experiences to make the most of your visit.

If you’re visiting Iceland and want to experience the country’s raw natural beauty without straying far from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is the perfect place to start. This iconic 300-kilometer route is packed with geothermal wonders, powerful waterfalls, and historic landmarks, all in one unforgettable day trip. Whether you choose to self-drive or join a Golden Circle private or group tour, you’ll get a snapshot of Iceland’s most famous attractions plus plenty of opportunities for off-the-beaten-path adventures. On our 9-day campervan trip, we opted to self-drive, which gave us the freedom to stop at hidden roadside gems you’d miss on a fixed itinerary.

During our unforgettable 9-day campervan road trip around Iceland, we chased countless waterfalls, explored volcanic craters, stood on massive glaciers, and walked on beaches in every shade imaginable. Iceland’s raw beauty is unmatched, but one experience completely surprised us and became a highlight of the trip: snorkeling between two continents at Silfra Fissure in Þingvellir National Park. This wasn’t just another adventure; it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to float in crystal-clear water right where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

Iceland is a land of striking contrasts, where volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches, and thundering waterfalls share the same landscape. Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, this country offers some of the most diverse and dramatic scenery in the world. For us, this trip was years in the making. Originally planned for Spring Break 2020, our dream Iceland Ring Road trip was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. After more than a year of anticipation, we finally made it happen in 2021, opting for the ultimate way to experience Iceland: a 9-day overland campervan road trip around the legendary Ring Road.