Europe just had another record-breaking summer. Now, with fall airfare to Europe up about 33% from last year, travelers are skipping pricey Paris and Rome for cheaper corners like Malta, Montenegro, and Slovakia, where you’ll find Adriatic coastline, Alps-style hiking, and thermal spa towns for a fraction of the price.

US visits to Montenegro alone jumped 29% this year. And with Central and Eastern Europe projected to grow another 10% in 2027, the window to beat both the crowds and the price hikes is closing.

With thousands of islands, islets, reefs, and cays in the Caribbean, picking which one to go to is the hard part.

This guide narrows it to 17, plus where to stay on each, from big-name resort islands to quieter ones with far fewer crowds.

November Edition

November is one of the best times to go, with clear skies and mild temperatures before summer’s peak heat arrives.

The Atacama’s parched, high-altitude air and almost nonexistent light pollution make it one of the clearest places on the planet to see the stars.

When the sun drops behind the Canadian Rockies, Jasper’s night is just getting started.

As Canada’s largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve, it pairs stargazing tours with wood-fired saunas, craft cocktails, and fireside après-ski after a day at Marmot Basin.

Olympic National Park packs temperate rainforest, glacier-capped mountains, and a rugged coastline into one corner of Washington.

These Airbnbs put you close to the trails and hot springs, with Port Angeles as the easy gateway.

The Matador Editorial Team

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