▲The sunny coastal country is the perfect size for a solid two weeks filled with beaches, castles, nightlife, and pasteis de nata. Because the country is relatively small, you can travel quickly and affordably from the charming town of Porto in the north, to the rugged cliffs and warm waters of the Algarve in the south.

▲Lisbon is obviously a city you don’t want to miss, but the country also offers tons of hidden gems that you can pick and choose according to your specific interests, be that visiting a church of bones or watching surfers tackle monstrous waves.

▲Skip the all-inclusive and throw yourself into the lush tropical rain forests full of wildlife, and go zip-lining, hike up volcanoes, surf off the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, or just spend all day basking in the sun.

▲For the eco-minded traveler who wants to enjoy a vacation that they can feel good about in every single way, this Central American country has the sustainable tourism to keep you busy and blissful. After all, it was elected the happiest place on Earth.

▲For more of the city life, spend some time in the capital, San José, where you can admire colonial architecture and munch on fried plantains, beans and rice, and Costa Rican coffee. The city is also a great base to make trips out to cloud forests, which are the country’s gems, set so high up that you’ll literally have your head in the clouds.

▲The southern tip of the continent offers a diverse landscape with stretches of white sand, golden savannas, gaping gorges, and soaring mountains.

▲Cape Town is one of the most popular spots, offering hiking at the majestic Table Mountain (pass by the UNESCO-protected Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens), roaming penguins along False Bay, and museums bursting at the seams with some of history's most important lessons.

▲If you’re looking for a lot of nature mixed in with gorgeous hikes and a healthy dose of history, Peru is the place for you.

▲Visit the Hindu temples, old rice paddies, and coffee plantations to get a taste of a very rich culture.

▲Kick back on the beach, grab a board and try surfing, or spend some time practicing yoga in Ubud. Additionally, you can find that picturesque swing everyone keeps posting about on the nearby island Gili.

▲Wildlife lovers, South Africa is calling your name! You can see the famed Big Five (lions, buffalo, leopards, rhinoceroses, and elephants), and you can go shark-diving as well as drive among other land-roaming predators to reacquaint yourself with nature.

▲Of course you won’t want to miss Machu Picchu, the Incan UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 15th century. You can take a train or embark on a four-day hike, then treat yourself to some fantastic food in Lima, which is known as the gastronomical capital of the Americas.

▲Take some time in Cusco, a charming town rife with Spanish colonial architecture and historic ruins.

▲Spend a couple days in the north, take cooking classes in Chiang Mai, or relax in the hot springs in Pai.

▲Thailand is great for people on a tighter budget, as travel within the country is cheap, and you can enjoy beaches, temples, and night markets galore for a fraction of their cost elsewhere.

▲There are, of course, the main stops like Santorini, Mykonos, and family-friendly Corfu, which are still so popular because they’re just too gorgeous not to visit.

▲The stunning Indonesian island has something for every kind of traveler, from breathtaking beaches to cultural sites, to places where you can be pampered.

▲You definitely don’t want to miss the opportunity to island hop in the Phi Phi islands, and for the party-seekers there is the unforgettable phenomenon of the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan.

▲Despite its financial turmoil, Greece has remained a popular vacation spot, with hundreds of islands, centuries of history, and miles of beaches to enjoy.

▲Athens is also a great place to brush up on your Greek mythology while you take in the impressive Pantheon and Acropolis. Don’t forget to indulge in the fresh Mediterranean fare!

▲Romantic beaches, endless recreation, volcano treks—whether you’re a couple, a family, or a solo adventurer, Hawaii holds undeniable appeal.

▲There are six major islands—the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu—which make it incredibly easy to customize your trip to fit exactly your needs.

▲Oahu’s world-famous Waikiki Beach, Kauai’s rugged natural waterfalls, and Maui’s enormous volcano are all perfect ways to fill your days. Make sure you don’t miss a traditional luau! You’ll be far away from your e-mails and hopefully bring back some of that aloha spirit with you.

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Japan is a great place to go to fully immerse yourself in a unique culture, vastly different atmospheres, revered dining, and historical attractions, all of which will make your two weeks feel twice as long.

▲The island nation is jam-packed with things to see, including the soaring Mount Fuji, hot springs in Izu, and Buddhist temples in Kyoto.

▲While this one is a little more ambitious, if you plan it right, you can get a lot of activity and peace in during your two weeks in Japan. Start with the obvious, Tokyo, and fill up on sushi and ramen like you’ve never tasted before.

▲The start of the year is a fantastic time filled with potential and possibility as you get a fresh set of vacation days to spend as you please. Though shorter vacations can be revitalizing, two weeks is the perfect amount of time to fully unplug from work and immerse yourself in a new environment. Do yourself a favor and skip the monotonous, overpriced resort, but also avoid overloading your trip by going somewhere you can’t possibly explore in just two weeks. Click through to see the places that will fill your vacation with a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

Stunning destinations perfect for a two-week vacation

Here's where you can skip the resort but leave feeling restored

22/08/24 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Vacation

The start of the year is a fantastic time filled with potential and possibility as you get a fresh set of vacation days to spend as you please. Though shorter vacations can be revitalizing, two weeks is the perfect amount of time to fully unplug from work and immerse yourself in a new environment. Do yourself a favor and skip the monotonous, overpriced resort, but also avoid overloading your trip by going somewhere you can’t possibly explore in just two weeks. Click through to see the places that will fill your vacation with a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.