Experiences
Tromsø in winter: the cable car, food and the polar night
The polar night is blue, not black. How to use the light hours, and where to eat when evening comes.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
Nordics
Best places to see the northern lights in the Nordics
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
From Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands to Abisko, Finnish Lapland and Iceland: where your chances of seeing the aurora are highest, and the hotels where you can step straight out into the dark.
Vegard Stien / Visit TromsøTravel experiences
It is the experiences you remember. Here are Picolo's tips for adventures, food and wine and shopping on your travels.
Experiences
Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village, huskies and winter as it should be
Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, reindeer in the snow and the northern lights over the forest. How to plan a trip to Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland, and where to stay.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
Experiences
Husky sledding in Norway and Lapland: drive your own dog team
The sound of paws in the snow and excited barking before the start. Where to drive your own husky team, from Tromsø and Finnmark to Finnish Lapland, and the hotels close to the dogs.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
Ski holidays
Zermatt: Maybe the world's most spectacular ski destination
Many agree that Zermatt has the toughest mountains, the most beautiful village, and the very best food on the slopes.
Ski resorts
St. Anton: skiing on the Arlberg, après-ski and where to stay
St. Anton am Arlberg is where Alpine skiing became a way of life. Here are the slopes, the legendary après-ski and the hotels that put you right in the middle of it all.
- October 23, 2026
- 7 Mins
Ski resorts
Val Thorens: skiing in Europe’s highest ski resort and where to stay
Snow-sure, high and ski-in/ski-out almost everywhere. This is Val Thorens, at the heart of Les 3 Vallées, and the hotels where you wake up above the tree line.
- October 23, 2026
- 6 Mins
Ski Resorts
Chamonix: dream conditions in thin mountain air
Virtually the entire ski resort is in an excellent location over 2,000 metres above sea level. This creates dream conditions all the way to May in this legendary French ski resort with an Olympic heritage.
- October 23, 2026
- 6 Mins
Long-haul
Safari holidays in Africa: how to choose the country, season and lodge
The engine is switched off, and in the silence you hear a lion yawn ten metres away. The best safari countries in Africa, when to go and the lodges where you wake up with the savannah outside.
Long-haul
Thailand island hopping: the route, the boats and the hotels
Limestone cliffs, turquoise water and a new beach with every boat ride. How to plan Thailand island hopping in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and the hotels we would choose on each island.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Long-haul
Things to do in Bali: temples, surf, beach clubs and volcanoes
From the kecak dance at Uluwatu to sunrise on Mount Batur: the best things to do in Bali, area by area, and where to stay.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Long-haul
Japan itinerary by train: two weeks from Tokyo to Hiroshima
From the neon of Tokyo to the temples of Kyoto and the peace park in Hiroshima, by shinkansen all the way. A two-week Japan itinerary by train, with rail tips and hotels right by the stations.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Europe
Christmas markets in Germany and Austria: the best cities and hotels
- October 22, 2026
Mulled wine in a mug, gingerbread from Nuremberg and stollen from Dresden. How to choose a Christmas market in Germany or Austria, and where to stay in the middle of it all.
Unsplash
Experiences
Amalfi Coast: the best things to do and where to stay
Villages clinging to the cliffs, a hike high above the sea and boats to Capri. How to plan your trip to the Amalfi Coast, and where to stay in Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
- November 01, 2026
- 8 Mins
Experiences
Santorini: the best experiences and hotels overlooking the caldera
White houses on the rim of a volcanic crater, boats to the hot springs and sunset in Oia. How to plan your trip to Santorini, and where to stay with a view.
- October 22, 2026
- 7 Mins
Experiences
Mount Teide: the cable car, the summit permit and where to stay
The road climbs through pine forest and out above the clouds. Suddenly the landscape turns red, brown and black, with lava flows and strange rock formations, and above it all stands Teide. Down on the coast it is beach weather, but up here the air is thin and cool.
- October 22, 2026
- 7 Mins
USA
New York at Christmas: the tree, the ice rinks and the Fifth Avenue windows
Lights sparkle on the Rockefeller Center tree, roasted nuts scent the air and skates scrape the ice. How to experience New York at Christmas.
Experiences
Grand Canyon: viewpoints, hikes and where to stay
First light hits the rim and the rock shifts from grey to rust and pink. How to experience the Grand Canyon, and where to stay closest to the edge.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Experiences
Route 66 road trip: Chicago to Santa Monica
Neon signs, motels and diner coffee across eight states. How to drive Route 66, what to stop for and where to stay along the way.
- October 22, 2026
- 10 Mins
Experiences
Things to do in Miami: Art Deco, South Beach and Little Havana
Pastel Art Deco buildings in the morning sun, Cuban coffee in Little Havana and street art in Wynwood. How to experience Miami beyond the beach.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
Adventures
Check into 8 of the world's most unique hotels
For many travellers, the destination itself is what matters most. Accommodation usually comes in second. But why resign yourself to boring chain hotels, Airbnb, and tents? Here are some of the world's most amazing hotels.
Hotels
Overwater bungalows: 7 hotels where you sleep above the water
A glass floor above the lagoon, steps straight down into turquoise water and fish under the bed. These are the overwater bungalows we recommend, from the Maldives to Crete.
- October 28, 2026
- 7 Mins
Experiences
The world’s most famous beaches: 10 iconic beaches and where to stay
From Copacabana and Bondi to Maya Bay and Whitehaven: these are the beaches that offer more than chalk-white sand and turquoise water, and the hotels where you wake up with the ocean right outside.
- October 22, 2026
- 5 Mins
Travel tips
Best honeymoon destinations: 12 places and the hotels we recommend
Beach, culture or rainforest? These are the honeymoon destinations that work best for newlyweds, when to go, and one hotel in each place.
- October 29, 2026
- 9 Mins
Food and wine
Wine tasting holidays in Europe: 8 wine regions and where to stay
- October 22, 2026
- 10 Mins
The best wine tasting happens where the wine is made, with views over the vineyards and a bed a few steps away. Here is Picolo’s guide to wine tasting holidays in Europe, with eight wine regions and a wine hotel in each.
Picolo
Food & Wine
Piedmont wine: Barolo, Alba truffles and the wine hotels of the Langhe
Piedmont means Barolo and Barbaresco, white truffles from Alba and hills of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Here is our guide to a Piedmont wine trip, with the hotels we would stay in.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
Food & Wine
The best food cities in Europe: 8 places to travel to for the food
Some cities you visit for the museums. These you visit to eat. Here is Picolo’s list of the best food cities in Europe, from pintxos in San Sebastián to ragù in Bologna and pastéis de nata in Lisbon, with a hotel in each city.
- October 22, 2026
- 10 Mins
Food & Wine
Best pizza in Naples: the pizzerias, the street food and where to stay
Naples is the home of pizza, and it tastes different here than anywhere else. Here is our guide to the best pizza in Naples, the street food you have to try, and hotels on the bay where you can sleep it off.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Shopping
Best shopping in London: the streets, markets and hotels for a shopping break
From Oxford Street and Liberty to Portobello Road and Borough Market: Picolo’s guide to the best shopping in London, area by area, with the hotels that make it easy to drop off the bags.
Shopping
Best shopping in New York: Fifth Avenue, SoHo and Brooklyn
New York is the shopping city everyone dreams about at least once. Here is Picolo’s guide to shopping in New York, from Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue to SoHo, the Meatpacking District and vintage in Williamsburg, with hotels that make it easy to get around.
- October 20, 2026
- 9 Mins
Shopping
Best shopping in Paris: department stores, the Marais and the Saint-Ouen flea market
Paris is the city where even window shopping feels cultural. Here is our guide to the best shopping areas, from Galeries Lafayette to the flea market at Saint-Ouen, and the hotels right in the middle of them.
- October 22, 2026
- 9 Mins
Shopping
Shopping in Copenhagen: Strøget, Danish design and the best side streets
Copenhagen is the design capital of the north, and you notice it in the shops. Here is our guide to shopping in Copenhagen, from Strøget and Illums Bolighus to Jægersborggade and Værnedamsvej, with hotels in the middle of it all.
- October 22, 2026
- 8 Mins
More than a destination
The best trips are about what you do there, not just where you go.
Find the experience that suits you
A trip is rarely remembered for the flight. It is the meals, the beaches, the special hotels and the small discoveries along the way that stay with you. Here we have gathered Picolo's articles about experiences in three categories.
Under Adventures you will find everything from the world's most famous beaches to the best places to travel solo. Under Food and Wine you meet chefs and wine regions, and under Shopping you get advice on buying abroad.
Frequently asked questions about travel experiences
How do I find great experiences when travelling?
Decide first what kind of trip you want: active, relaxing, culinary or a mix. Read guides about the destination before you go, but leave time to explore without a plan. Many of the best experiences come from following local tips.
What kind of travel experiences does Picolo cover?
Picolo covers adventures such as beaches, yoga and spa, family holidays and solo travel, as well as food and wine, chefs, wine series and shopping. The articles are based on the trips and interviews our editors have done.
Should I book activities in advance?
Popular activities, restaurants and tours should be booked well ahead, especially in high season. Simpler experiences such as beach days, markets and city walks rarely need booking. Always check the cancellation terms before you pay.
Explore experiences by destination and theme
Here you will find all our experience guides, with the hotels we would stay at nearby.
Experiences in the Nordics: northern lights, fjords, Svalbard and Lapland
Experiences in Europe: the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic islands and the great cities
Experiences in the USA: national parks, road trips, New York and Florida
Ski resorts: the best ski resorts in the Alps, the Nordics and North America
Long-haul experiences: the big experiences further afield
Shopping: neighbourhood by neighbourhood in the best shopping cities
Food and wine: wine trips, food cities and restaurants we have tried
Adventures: lists of places and hotels for the big experience