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Coro and Los Médanos

(pronounced: KOH-roh / lohs MEH-da-nohs)

Coro gave me one of the strangest combinations of landscapes I encountered in Venezuela.

I could wander through a historic colonial centre filled with colourful buildings and churches, then travel just beyond the city and suddenly find myself surrounded by enormous rolling sand dunes.

I enjoyed exploring Coro itself first. As one of Venezuela's oldest cities, its historic centre has a completely different character from the country's modern cities, with traditional architecture and quiet streets that were easy to explore on foot.

Los Médanos was the real surprise for me, though. Walking out onto the dunes felt almost surreal, particularly as the city disappeared behind the sand.

The wind constantly reshapes the landscape, and staying until later in the day gave me the chance to watch the colours change as the sun dropped.

For something a little more adventurous, you can also rent sandboards (in certain places) and ride down the dunes. Even if you don't try it, watching people attempt the steeper slopes adds some fun to the experience.

I'd spend one or two nights here so there was enough time for both Coro's historic centre and a proper sunset visit to the dunes.

How Coro and Los Médanos fit into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd combine Coro and Los Médanos as one stop when exploring northwestern Venezuela. One or two nights gives you enough time to experience the colonial city and dunes before continuing towards the Paraguaná Peninsula and Caribbean coast.

Morrocoy National Park

(pronounced: moh-roh-KOY)

I loved exploring Morrocoy National Park. After spending time around Coro and the desert landscapes of Los Médanos, arriving on this stretch of the Caribbean coast felt like another complete change of scenery.

The best part for me was getting out on the water.

Morrocoy is scattered with small offshore cays surrounded by incredibly clear, shallow turquoise water, and travelling between them by boat meant I could experience several different beaches rather than settling in one place for the day.

Some had stretches of soft white sand and palms that looked almost impossibly Caribbean, while others were better for jumping straight into the water with a snorkel. 

I especially enjoyed exploring beneath the surface, where reefs and coral added another side to the park beyond its beaches.

The mangroves were another highlight. Passing through their sheltered waterways felt completely different from being out among the exposed cays and made the boat trips themselves part of the experience.

I'd stay for two nights and devote at least one full day to boating, swimming and snorkelling. Morrocoy was somewhere I was very happy to spend most of my time outdoors.

How Morrocoy National Park fits into your Venezuela itinerary

Morrocoy fits naturally into a northwestern Venezuela route with Coro and Los Médanos. I'd spend two nights here before or after Coro, giving the trip a great contrast between colonial streets, desert dunes and the Caribbean coast.

Choroní

(pronounced: choh-roh-NEE)

Getting to Choroní was one of those journeys where the trip itself became part of the experience. The road crosses the mountains of Henri Pittier National Park, twisting through thick cloud forest before eventually dropping towards the Caribbean coast.

I loved watching the landscape change along the way. Dense green forest gradually gave way to glimpses of the sea, and on the other side I found a small colonial village backed by mountains and surrounded by tropical vegetation.

Choroní had a slower pace than many of the coastal destinations I visited in Venezuela. 

I spent time wandering around the village, but the beaches were the biggest draw for me. Playa Grande was particularly memorable, with palms behind the sand and steep green mountains creating a dramatic backdrop.

What also made Choroní stand out was its Afro-Venezuelan heritage. Traditional drumming is an important part of the local culture, and hearing that music gave the village an identity that went far beyond being another pretty Caribbean beach town.

I stayed for two nights, which gave me time to enjoy both the coastline and Choroní itself without rushing straight back over the mountains.

How Choroní fits into your Venezuela itinerary

Choroní works particularly well as a two-night coastal escape from the Caracas and Maracay area.

I'd combine it with Henri Pittier National Park, turning the journey over the mountains into part of the experience rather than treating Choroní as a standalone beach stop.

The Orinoco Delta

(pronounced: oh-ree-NOH-koh)

Exploring the Orinoco Delta gave me a completely different perspective on Venezuela. 

There are few roads once you get deep into the delta, so boats become the main way of getting around, and I loved heading out from the lodge each day to explore its maze of rivers and narrow jungle channels.

Wildlife was the biggest highlight for me. I kept watching the trees and water as we travelled, spotting monkeys moving through the forest, colourful birds overhead and caimans lurking close to the banks.

Seeing river dolphins surface near the boat was one of those moments that made me realise just how wild this part of the country still is.

I also found the Warao communities fascinating. The Warao have lived throughout the delta for generations, with many communities built directly along the waterways.

Seeing their stilt houses and learning more about how closely daily life remains connected to the river added an important cultural dimension to the trip.

Conditions were hot, humid and wonderfully tropical, and this wasn't somewhere I wanted to rush. I'd stay at a jungle lodge for at least two or three nights so there was time for several boat excursions at different times of day.

How the Orinoco Delta fits into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd treat the Orinoco Delta as a dedicated two- or three-night nature experience rather than trying to squeeze it between other stops.

Its remote location in northeastern Venezuela means the journey takes some planning, but that isolation was a huge part of what made the experience memorable.

Isla Margarita

(pronounced: EES-la mar-ga-REE-ta)

Isla Margarita gave me a chance to slow things down after some of Venezuela's more adventurous destinations. I loved having a few days where the biggest decision was which part of the island I wanted to explore next.

The beaches were naturally the main attraction for me, and I found plenty of variety. 

Some stretches were calm and suited to swimming, while others were much windier, with kitesurfers racing across the water. Playa El Yaque was particularly fun to visit because of its windsurfing and kitesurfing scene, even if you're happier watching from the sand.

I also enjoyed discovering that Margarita had much more to it than resorts.

Exploring the historic streets around La Asunción and visiting the island's old Spanish fortifications added some history between beach days, while the mangrove lagoons offered another completely different landscape to explore.

What I liked most was being able to mix those experiences without travelling huge distances. One morning could be spent exploring a colonial town and the afternoon swimming in warm Caribbean water.

I'd give Isla Margarita at least three nights, so there's enough time to explore several beaches rather than spending the entire stay around one resort area.

How Isla Margarita fits into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd use Isla Margarita as a three-night Caribbean break within a longer Venezuela trip. Its northeastern location also makes it a logical destination to combine with the Orinoco Delta if you want to experience two very different sides of eastern Venezuela.

Mérida and the Andes

(pronounced: MEH-ree-da)

Mérida showed me a side of Venezuela that felt completely removed from the tropical coastlines I'd been exploring elsewhere. 

I loved the cooler mountain air, the youthful energy of the university city, and having the Andes surrounding me almost everywhere I looked.

The experience I was most excited about was riding the Mukumbarí cable car. It climbs from Mérida into the Sierra Nevada, eventually reaching Pico Espejo at more than 4,700 metres. 

Watching the landscape change as I climbed was spectacular, with the city gradually disappearing below and the rugged Andean peaks taking over.

But I wouldn't come here solely for the cable car. Mérida was also a great base for getting farther into the mountains.

I enjoyed exploring the surrounding countryside and smaller Andean communities, where winding roads passed through high valleys and dramatically different scenery.

There's plenty here for more adventurous travellers too. Hiking is an obvious draw, while paragliding over the valleys offers an entirely different perspective on the Andes.

I'd spend at least three nights in Mérida. That gave me enough time to experience the city, ride into the high mountains and dedicate another day to exploring beyond it.

How Mérida and the Andes fit into your Venezuela itinerary

Mérida deserves at least three nights as the main stop on a western Venezuela route.

I'd give it its own section of the trip rather than trying to squeeze it between coastal destinations, particularly if hiking or exploring the surrounding Andean villages is a priority.

Los Roques

(pronounced: lohs ROH-kes)

Flying into Los Roques was one of the most memorable arrivals I had in Venezuela.

Looking down from the small plane, I could see tiny strips of white sand scattered across unbelievably clear shades of turquoise and blue. I already knew this would be somewhere special.

I loved that the experience stayed relatively simple once I arrived. Gran Roque is the main inhabited island, with colourful streets and small posadas rather than sprawling resorts. 

From there, my days revolved around getting into a boat and heading out to explore a different cay, reef or sandbar.

Some of my favourite moments were also the simplest. I could swim in incredibly clear shallows, snorkel around the reefs and then spend hours on a stretch of sand with almost nothing around me except the Caribbean.

That lack of large-scale development was a huge part of the appeal for me. Los Roques felt like somewhere I'd come specifically to disconnect, spend as much time as possible on the water and forget about sightseeing schedules altogether.

I'd stay for at least three nights, although this is one destination where I could very easily justify four or five.

How Los Roques fits into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd make Los Roques a dedicated three- or four-night Caribbean escape, ideally connected with Caracas because that's the main gateway for flights.

It also works beautifully near the end of a Venezuela itinerary when a few slow days of swimming, snorkelling and island hopping are exactly what you want.

The Gran Sabana

(pronounced: gran sa-BA-na)

The Gran Sabana was one of those places where I kept wanting to stop the car just to take in the view.

I loved the sheer scale of the landscape, with open grasslands stretching towards the horizon and enormous flat-topped tepuis rising almost vertically in the distance.

Driving through the region was a huge part of the experience for me. The main highway crosses the savanna towards the Brazilian border, and I stopped along the way at viewpoints, waterfalls, and swimming spots.

With so much empty space between them, even getting from one place to another felt like part of the adventure.

The tepuis fascinated me most. These isolated table mountains are remnants of extremely ancient sandstone formations, and their sheer cliffs and cloud-covered summits make the landscape look almost prehistoric.

It's easy to understand why this region became associated with Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World.

I also valued spending time around Pemón communities and learning a little about their connection to this landscape, which extends back long before travellers began coming here.

Of all the places I explored in Venezuela, the Gran Sabana gave me perhaps the strongest sense of just how ancient and enormous the country's wilderness can feel.

How the Gran Sabana fits into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd dedicate at least three or four nights to the Gran Sabana and treat it as the centrepiece of a southeastern Venezuela itinerary.

It's also the natural region to combine with Canaima National Park and Angel Falls, although reaching different parts of this remote corner of Venezuela requires careful transport planning.

Mount Roraima

(pronounced: roh-RY-ma)

Climbing Mount Roraima was one of the most extraordinary adventures I had in Venezuela. I'd already seen tepuis rising above the Gran Sabana, but actually setting out across the savanna towards the enormous cliffs of Roraima was something else entirely.

The trek took several days, and I loved how dramatically the landscape changed along the way.

I crossed open grassland before climbing the natural ramp through increasingly steep, wet, and misty terrain. Eventually I emerged onto a summit that barely resembled the world below.

That was the moment I'd been waiting for. Standing on top of Roraima above the clouds genuinely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I spent time exploring strange black rock formations, crystal-clear pools, and tiny plants adapted to life on this isolated plateau. Mist could roll across the summit incredibly quickly, occasionally clearing to reveal enormous views beyond the cliffs.

It was physically demanding, but that effort made reaching the top even more rewarding for me. This wasn't somewhere I simply arrived, photographed and left.

I'd allow at least six days for a guided expedition. Roraima deserves the time, preparation and respect that a remote mountain trek requires.

How Mount Roraima fits into your Venezuela itinerary

Mount Roraima fits naturally into a longer Gran Sabana trip, but I'd treat the six-day trek as a separate expedition rather than another sightseeing stop. I'd leave additional time on either side for transport and recovery before continuing through southeastern Venezuela.

Angel Falls and Canaima

(pronounced: SAL-toh AN-hel / ka-NY-ma)

Seeing Angel Falls was the experience I'd been waiting for throughout my travels in Venezuela, and somehow the journey there made it even better.

I first flew into Canaima, where I found a beautiful lagoon edged by palms and several powerful waterfalls.

I loved exploring the lagoon and getting close enough to the falls to feel the spray, but knowing what was still ahead made Canaima feel like the beginning of a much bigger adventure.

From there, I travelled upriver by motorised canoe through increasingly remote jungle. Eventually, Auyán-tepui appeared above the forest, and seeing Angel Falls plunge from its summit was difficult to put into perspective.

The water drops almost a kilometre, with much of it turning into mist before reaching the jungle below.

What stayed with me was the entire experience rather than simply seeing the waterfall. Flying into the wilderness, travelling along jungle rivers and sleeping in a hammock surrounded by rainforest made reaching Angel Falls feel genuinely earned.

I'd give Canaima and Angel Falls at least three days. This is one place where getting there is every bit as memorable as the destination itself.

How Angel Falls and Canaima fit into your Venezuela itinerary

I'd save Canaima and Angel Falls for the final three or four nights of a Venezuela itinerary. After seeing the Andes, Caribbean coast and Gran Sabana, finishing beneath the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall would be very difficult to top.

Venezuela itinerary ideas

Venezuela is a country where I wouldn't try to see everything in one trip. The distances are substantial, and places such as Canaima, Los Roques and the Orinoco Delta require flights or dedicated excursions rather than simply joining them together by road.

For a first visit, I'd concentrate on a few completely different landscapes and leave enough time to actually experience each one. With two weeks, I'd combine the Caribbean, the Andes, and the extraordinary wilderness of southeastern Venezuela.

Venezuela itinerary: 2 weeks

Why this route? For my first two weeks in Venezuela, I'd want to experience just how dramatically the country changes from one region to another.

Los Roques gives you a few days of Caribbean beaches and snorkelling before heading into the cooler Andes around Mérida.

From there, the second half becomes much more adventurous, with the ancient tepui landscapes and waterfalls of the Gran Sabana followed by Canaima and Angel Falls as the finale.

*This itinerary requires domestic flights and carefully planned transfers, particularly between western Venezuela and the remote southeast. I'd deliberately leave Mount Roraima out of a two-week trip because its six-day trek deserves to be treated as a separate expedition rather than squeezed between other destinations.  

Why Venezuela deserves more than a Caribbean holiday

Venezuela's Caribbean beaches are spectacular, but some of my favourite experiences happened once I travelled into the mountains, savannas and rainforest.

I loved how dramatically the landscape changed, from riding high into the Andes around Mérida and road-tripping across the ancient Gran Sabana to climbing Mount Roraima and travelling by canoe through the jungle to Angel Falls.

The sheer variety was what made Venezuela so memorable for me. Caribbean islands, enormous waterfalls, tepuis, cloud-covered mountains, desert dunes and wildlife-filled river deltas could all feel like completely different trips.

If you're visiting Venezuela for the first time, I'd absolutely make time for the Caribbean, but I wouldn't spend the entire trip on the coast. Heading inland was when I really began to appreciate just how extraordinary the country's landscapes are.

FAQs about travelling to Venezuela

Ready to explore Venezuela? Optimise Travel is here to help

Venezuela is incredibly diverse, but deciding how to connect its Caribbean islands, Andes, vast savannas, remote tepuis, rainforest, and waterfalls can make planning a trip particularly challenging.

At Optimise Travel, we create personalized travel itineraries based on your interests, travel style, and budget.

Whether you're dreaming of snorkelling around Los Roques, exploring the Andes around Mérida, trekking to the summit of Mount Roraima, travelling across the Gran Sabana, or making the journey through Canaima National Park to Angel Falls, we'll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.

If you'd like help planning your trip to Venezuela, click here to learn more about our concierge travel services.

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Salem, Massachusetts

(pronounced: SAY-lem, mass-uh-CHOO-sits)

I can't imagine a more appropriate month to explore Salem than October. The city completely embraced Halloween, with carved pumpkins, decorated historic buildings and ghost tours filling the streets after dark.

I enjoyed the spooky side of Salem, but what kept the experience from feeling like one giant Halloween attraction was the history underneath it. 

Visiting sites connected with the 1692 witch trials gave much more context to the stories I'd heard, and the memorial was a particularly sobering contrast to the festivities elsewhere in town.

October's Haunted Happenings celebrations added another layer, with events running throughout the month.

I loved wandering Salem in the evening, when the colonial architecture, cooler air, and autumn decorations created exactly the atmosphere I'd hoped to find.

The historic waterfront gave me somewhere quieter to explore too, which I appreciated after spending time around the busiest streets.

I'd personally choose early October over Halloween weekend. I still got the fall atmosphere that makes Salem special without experiencing the month at its absolute busiest.

For me, that balance of genuine history and unapologetic Halloween fun was exactly why Salem worked so well in October.

How Salem fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend two days in Salem and combine it with Boston or a wider New England fall trip. It's close enough to Boston to reach easily, but staying overnight gives you time for the historic sites during the day and Salem's completely different after-dark atmosphere.

The Adirondacks, New York

(pronounced: add-ih-RON-dax)

The Adirondacks gave me some of the most spectacular fall colors I've seen in the USA, but what I loved was how much space I had to actually enjoy them. 

Compared with some of New England's famous foliage destinations, everything felt a little quieter.

Lake Placid made a great base. On calm mornings, the reds, oranges, and golds surrounding the lakes reflected almost perfectly in the water, making the scenery seem twice as colorful.

One of my favorite experiences was exploring the Adirondack Rail Trail.

The former railway corridor has been transformed into a wide recreational trail connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, making it ideal for cycling or walking without contending with much road traffic. 

I loved cycling on a 4-seater rail bike through the forest as the leaves were changing around me.

I mixed that with a couple of hikes, which gave me completely different perspectives on the landscape. From the trails, I could look across mountains covered in fall color before returning to the lakes for those beautiful reflections.

Three days felt about right, giving me enough time to get outdoors without turning the trip into a race between viewpoints.

How the Adirondacks fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend three days around Lake Placid and the surrounding lakes, with time for both the Adirondack Rail Trail and a couple of hikes. It works beautifully as a standalone fall escape or as part of a longer road trip through upstate New York and New England.

Napa and Sonoma, California

(pronounced: NAP-uh and soh-NOH-muh)

October was one of my favorite times to experience California wine country because the vineyards weren't simply beautiful to look at. They were busy doing what they're actually there for.

Harvest activity was happening around me, with grapes coming in from the vines and wineries moving into one of their busiest periods of the year. 

I loved seeing that working side of wine country before sitting down to taste the finished product.

Napa certainly delivered the polished wineries and beautiful estates it's famous for, but I found myself particularly drawn to Sonoma.

Some of the smaller wineries felt more intimate and less scripted, and I enjoyed being somewhere where the harvest activity seemed to be happening right alongside my tasting.

October also gave me the kind of weather I wanted for lingering outside. I could spend the day moving between vineyards and then settle into a long outdoor lunch surrounded by those golden California hills.

I wouldn't try to cram too many tastings into one day. Leaving space between wineries gave me time to enjoy the scenery, food, and slower pace that made wine country so memorable for me.

How Napa and Sonoma fit into your October USA itinerary

I'd allow three days, spending dedicated time in both Napa and Sonoma rather than treating them as a single day trip from San Francisco.

They're an easy addition to a Northern California itinerary, and I'd add a few days in San Francisco before or after wine country if time allows.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

(pronounced: SAN-tuh FAY)

October brought out everything I loved about Santa Fe. 

The intense summer heat had faded, but the days were still warm enough for me to spend hours wandering between galleries, adobe buildings, and restaurants without constantly looking for somewhere to escape the sun.

I particularly loved exploring around the historic Plaza and Canyon Road. Santa Fe's architecture already has such a distinctive character, but the adobe walls seemed to glow when the lower autumn sun hit them in the late afternoon.

The food was another highlight. I ate my way through plenty of New Mexican dishes built around red and green chile, and those cooler October evenings made settling into a cosy restaurant after a day outside even better.

What really stuck with me, though, was the light. There was something incredibly clear about the high-desert sky, especially towards golden hour when the surrounding mountains and adobe buildings took on warmer colours.

October can also bring an enormous bonus nearby: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 

Seeing hundreds of colourful balloons filling the morning sky makes a spectacular addition to an already memorable New Mexico trip.

How Santa Fe fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend three days in Santa Fe, then add Albuquerque if your dates coincide with the Balloon Fiesta. The two cities are only about an hour apart by road, making them an easy pairing for a four- or five-day New Mexico trip.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

(pronounced: NEW HAMP-shur)

The White Mountains gave me the kind of fall scenery I'd always associated with New England, only on a much bigger scale. Instead of colorful trees lining pretty country roads, I was looking across entire mountainsides covered in reds, oranges and golds.

Driving the Kancamagus Highway was an obvious highlight. The road twists through the mountains with viewpoints, forest trails and covered bridges along the way, so I found myself stopping far more often than I'd planned.

But I'm glad I didn't experience the White Mountains entirely from the car. Getting out for a proper hike changed my perspective completely. 

Climbing above the surrounding forest gave me sweeping views across valleys where the fall colors seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon.

That combination of driving and hiking was what made this area stand out for me. One moment I could be following a road beneath a canopy of autumn leaves, and a few hours later I was looking down over the same landscape from above.

October weather could feel wonderfully crisp too, although conditions changed noticeably as I gained elevation. That unpredictability was part of the experience, but it definitely made layers essential.

How the White Mountains fit into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend at least two days here, allowing one for the Kancamagus Highway and shorter stops and another for a proper hike. The White Mountains also fit naturally into a longer New England fall road trip through New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.

Zion National Park, Utah

(pronounced: zy-ON, YOO-tah)

Zion was a completely different hiking experience for me in October. Southern Utah can be brutally hot in summer, so being able to spend hours on the trails without battling extreme temperatures made the park much more enjoyable.

The Narrows was easily one of my highlights. Instead of following a traditional trail, I waded through the Virgin River with enormous canyon walls rising on either side of me. 

It was one of those hikes where the surroundings kept making me stop and look up.

October can bring lower water levels than spring, but that didn't mean the water was warm. I was very glad to have suitable cold-water gear, especially once I'd spent a few hours between the shaded canyon walls.

I also loved seeing autumn beginning to appear along the canyon floor. Golden cottonwoods against Zion's enormous red and cream cliffs added another layer of colour that I hadn't really associated with southern Utah beforehand.

After spending one day down inside the canyon, I used my second to get higher. Seeing Zion from the elevated trails gave me a completely different appreciation for just how enormous the landscape was.

How Zion National Park fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd give Zion at least two full days, with one focused on the Narrows and another on the park's higher trails and viewpoints. It's also a natural stop on an October Southwest road trip combining southern Utah with Bryce Canyon or the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

(pronounced: ah-riz-OH-nuh)

I'd seen countless photos of the Grand Canyon before visiting, but they hadn't prepared me for the scale of it. October made it even easier to appreciate because I could actually spend hours outside exploring rather than constantly thinking about the summer heat.

I particularly loved walking the rim in the early morning. Sunrise brought out layers in the canyon that seemed to disappear later in the day, with long shadows making the cliffs, ridges and rock formations much easier to distinguish.

Rather than staying at the busiest viewpoint, I walked farther along the rim and found the experience became noticeably quieter. 

Having such an enormous landscape in front of me without a crowd around made that morning one of my favourite memories here.

I also made time to hike below the rim, which gave me a completely different sense of the canyon's scale. Looking down from above was spectacular, but being surrounded by those rock walls made me realise just how deep it actually is.

The cooler October weather made hiking much more comfortable for me, although temperatures increased surprisingly quickly as I descended.

How the Grand Canyon fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd allow two days at the South Rim, giving me one for sunrise and a longer rim walk and another for a shorter hike below the rim. It also fits naturally into a Southwest road trip with Zion, although I'd leave enough time between the two parks that neither feels rushed.

Sedona, Arizona

(pronounced: seh-DOH-nuh, ah-riz-OH-nuh)

Sedona was somewhere I wanted to explore on foot, and October finally gave me the weather to do that comfortably. 

Instead of dealing with the intense summer heat on exposed trails, I could spend hours hiking between those enormous red rock formations.

Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock showed me exactly why Sedona has become such a famous hiking destination.

But I also really enjoyed getting away from the busiest trails. West Fork was a favourite, with a completely different feel as the trail followed Oak Creek beneath canyon walls and through trees beginning to show their fall colours.

Late afternoon was when Sedona really came alive for me. As the sun dropped, the red sandstone seemed to become more intensely orange before gradually turning darker against the evening sky.

I made a point of slowing down for at least one sunset rather than trying to squeeze another hike into the day.

Staying in Sedona itself helped with that. I could spend the day on the trails, return to town, and still be surrounded by those distinctive rock silhouettes as the temperature dropped.

Three days gave me enough time for several hikes without making every day feel like a race between trailheads.

How Sedona fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend three days in Sedona and use the town as my base for hiking and sunset viewpoints. It pairs particularly well with the Grand Canyon, making it easy to combine Arizona's red-rock desert scenery with a couple of days at the South Rim.

New Orleans, Louisiana

(pronounced: new OR-lee-unz, loo-ee-zee-AN-uh)

New Orleans was one of those cities where I enjoyed having less of a plan. I could start the morning wandering through the French Quarter and end up following live music down a completely different street several hours later.

October made that kind of exploring much easier. The worst of the summer heat and humidity had eased, so I was happy walking between neighbourhoods rather than constantly ducking inside for air conditioning.

I loved spending time beyond the French Quarter too. 

Wandering through the Garden District gave me a completely different side of the city, with grand historic homes, enormous oak trees and streets that felt much quieter than the centre.

Food inevitably became a big part of my days. I could sit outside for a long lunch again, working my way through dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and po'boys without the summer humidity making me regret choosing a courtyard table.

Evenings were my favourite, though. Live jazz seemed to spill out onto the streets, and around Halloween, New Orleans embraced its darker side with costumes, decorations and plenty of theatrical flair.

More than anything, I loved letting the city dictate what I did next.

How New Orleans fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd give New Orleans three or four days and keep the itinerary deliberately loose, dividing my time between the French Quarter, Garden District and wherever the food and music took me.

It's different enough from the fall-foliage destinations on this list to also work brilliantly as a standalone October city break.

Vermont

(pronounced: ver-MONT)

Vermont came about as close as anywhere I've visited to matching that picture-perfect image of fall in America. 

White church steeples, covered bridges and country roads surrounded by brilliant reds and golds seemed to appear everywhere I drove.

Stowe was beautiful, but I quickly realised I didn't need to stay around the famous towns to find the scenery I'd come for. Some of my favourite stretches were simply quiet back roads where the trees formed a canopy overhead and there was barely another car around.

I loved travelling this way because I could stop whenever something caught my attention. One minute I'd be photographing a covered bridge, and the next I'd pull into a little farm stand for fresh apples or cider.

Rather than building my days around a checklist, I found it much more enjoyable to pick a general direction and see where the roads took me. October made even the drive between towns feel like part of the experience.

Peak foliage was obviously the star, but it was Vermont's slower pace that made the trip memorable for me. I wouldn't rush it. Four or five days gave me room to wander rather than simply chase the most photographed viewpoints.

How Vermont fits into your October USA itinerary

I'd spend four or five days here, basing myself in one or two small towns and leaving plenty of time for unplanned drives in between. Vermont also fits perfectly into a longer New England fall road trip with the White Mountains and Salem.

USA in October itinerary ideas

Most of these destinations work perfectly well as standalone fall trips, and I wouldn't try to force all ten into one enormous itinerary. A few, however, sit close enough together that they make much more sense as part of a longer road trip.

If I had 10 days, these are the two routes I'd choose. The first gives you a classic New England fall experience, while the second trades foliage for red-rock hiking, desert scenery and California wine country.

East Coast USA in October itinerary: 10 days

Why this route?

This is the trip I'd choose if fall foliage was my main reason for visiting the USA in October. I'd start with Salem for the Halloween atmosphere before driving north into New Hampshire for the Kancamagus Highway and a proper hike in the White Mountains.

From there, I'd cross into Vermont and deliberately slow everything down. Those final days would be about small towns, covered bridges, farm stands and following whichever back road looked most colorful.

*I'd keep this itinerary flexible around the foliage, and rent a car for this trip. Peak color moves through New England rather than arriving everywhere simultaneously, so I'd check current foliage reports shortly before travelling and adjust the New Hampshire and Vermont portion if necessary.

West Coast and Southwest USA in October itinerary: 10 days

Why this route?

This route is ambitious geographically, but I love the variety. I'd start in Las Vegas and immediately head for Zion, then road-trip through the Grand Canyon and Sedona while October temperatures are much friendlier for hiking. 

From Phoenix, I'd fly to Northern California rather than waste a full day driving across the Southwest, pick up another car, and finish among the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma during harvest season.

*I'd ideally add another night or two if time allowed, particularly for San Francisco. With only 10 days, I'd treat it primarily as an arrival or departure point and keep the focus on the destinations covered in my guide. 

FAQs about visiting the USA in October

Ready to explore the USA in October? Optimise Travel is here to help

October opens up several completely different ways to experience the USA, and deciding between New England fall colours, Southwest hiking, wine country harvest season and atmospheric city breaks can quickly become the hardest part of planning your trip.

At Optimise Travel, we create personalized travel itineraries based on your interests, travel style, and budget.

Whether you're dreaming of driving Vermont's colourful back roads, hiking through Zion and Sedona in cooler weather, experiencing Halloween in Salem, exploring Napa and Sonoma during harvest, or following the music and food through New Orleans, we'll help you build an October itinerary that makes the most of the season.

If you'd like help planning your October trip to the USA, click here to learn more about our concierge travel services.

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Cyprus

(pronounced: SY-prus)

Cyprus was one of those places that made me realise October doesn't necessarily mean giving up on summer.

By this point in the year, the busiest crowds had faded, but I could still swim in beautifully warm Mediterranean water and spend plenty of time outside in the sunshine.

Paphos gave me much more than a beach break. I particularly enjoyed exploring its archaeological sites and Roman mosaics, which added some history between slower afternoons along the coast.

But the biggest change came when I headed into the Troodos Mountains.

The temperature dropped, the scenery became greener and suddenly I was surrounded by hiking trails and small villages rather than resorts and beaches. It felt like discovering a completely different Cyprus.

That contrast was what I enjoyed most. I could spend one day beside turquoise water and the next walking through cooler mountain landscapes as autumn started to arrive at higher elevations.

I think it's easy to visit Cyprus and concentrate entirely on the coast, but October gave me every reason to explore further inland. For me, combining both sides of the island made the trip far more interesting.

How Cyprus fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Cyprus four or five days and treat it as a standalone autumn escape rather than trying to squeeze it into a fast multi-country itinerary.

Splitting the trip between a coastal base and at least one night in the Troodos Mountains gives you a much better sense of the island.

Malta

Malta gave me exactly the kind of October trip I love: plenty of sunshine and warm water, but without the intensity of travelling around the Mediterranean in midsummer.

One of my favourite ways to explore was by water taxi. Seeing Malta's honey-coloured cities and fortifications from the harbour gave me a completely different perspective, and I loved being able to combine sightseeing with time out on the water.

It was still warm enough to snorkel too. I headed to the Blue Lagoon, where the incredibly clear turquoise water made getting in irresistible, even in October.

Away from the coast, I really enjoyed wandering through Valletta without the oppressive summer heat. Mdina was another highlight, particularly towards sunset when the old stone streets seemed to glow.

We also visited a couple of local wine estates, which ended up being one of my favourite surprises. Malta wasn't somewhere I'd strongly associated with wine beforehand, so tasting locally produced bottles added another side to the trip.

For such a small country, I found it remarkably easy to fill several days without ever feeling rushed.

How Malta fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Malta three or four days, using Valletta as a base while making time for Mdina, the coast and at least one trip on the water.

Its compact size makes it particularly good for a shorter October break where you want history, food and some lingering Mediterranean sunshine in the same trip.

The Loire Valley, France

(pronounced: lwahr)

The Loire Valley felt made for autumn travel. I loved seeing the landscape beginning to change colour, but what really made October special for me was experiencing the region during grape harvest.

My favourite days combined two completely different sides of the Loire.

I'd spend the morning exploring one of its grand châteaux, wandering through ornate rooms and formal gardens, then head into the countryside in the afternoon to visit vineyards surrounded by rows of ripening grapes.

That contrast gave the region much more personality than I expected. The châteaux provided all the history and grandeur I'd come looking for, while the wineries made the Loire feel like a living, working landscape rather than somewhere preserved purely for visitors.

October also suited the slower pace I wanted here. I could take my time over a long lunch, stop at a winery without feeling rushed and enjoy the gardens as autumn colours started appearing around the estates.

I wouldn't try to race between every famous château. Picking a handful that genuinely interested me left much more time for the vineyards, villages and food that made the Loire memorable.

How the Loire Valley fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd allow three days and choose a central base such as Tours or Amboise to keep travel times manageable. The Loire Valley also combines naturally with a few days in Paris, making it an easy countryside addition to a longer October trip through France.

Bavaria

(pronounced: buh-VAIR-ee-uh)

If I could choose when to visit Bavaria in autumn, I'd arrive right at the beginning of October. 

Oktoberfest usually spills into the first few days of the month, so you can still catch the tail end of the celebrations before experiencing a much quieter side of the region.

I loved that combination. Munich was still buzzing with packed beer halls, traditional dress and Oktoberfest energy, but once the festival wrapped up, the atmosphere changed surprisingly quickly.

From there, I wanted to get out into the countryside. Autumn colour was spreading through the forests, the mornings felt crisp and misty, and Bavaria's smaller towns and villages seemed particularly suited to this time of year.

I also loved slowing down in cosy beer halls after spending much of the day outside. There was something about coming in from the October chill to hearty Bavarian food and a beer that just felt right.

For me, that's why early October is the sweet spot. You get one last burst of Oktoberfest excitement followed by the quieter autumn atmosphere that makes Bavaria such an enjoyable place to explore once the festival crowds disappear.

How Bavaria fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Munich at least two days before heading deeper into southern Germany for another couple of days.

If autumn scenery is your priority, I'd use the second half of the trip for smaller Bavarian towns, lakes or the Alps rather than trying to cover too much ground.

The Douro Valley

(pronounced: DOR-oh)

The Douro Valley was already one of the most beautiful wine regions I'd visited, but seeing it around harvest time gave me another reason to love travelling through Europe in October.

What struck me first was the landscape. Vineyards seemed to cover every available patch of the steep hillsides, dropping in terraces towards the Douro River.

By October, those vines were beginning to take on warmer autumn colours, making the viewpoints even more spectacular.

I particularly enjoyed seeing that this was still very much a working wine region. Depending on the timing of the harvest, I could see activity among the vines rather than simply walking into a polished tasting room and seeing the finished product.

Of course, tasting the local wines was a highlight too. Port might be what the Douro is famous for internationally, but I enjoyed discovering the region's excellent table wines as well.

My favourite decision was spending a night among the vineyards rather than treating the valley as a quick excursion from Porto. Once the day visitors disappeared, everything seemed to slow down, and I had more time to appreciate just how peaceful the valley could be.

How the Douro Valley fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd spend two or three days here and combine it with Porto. Taking the train along the Douro is one of the easiest ways to reach the valley, but I'd stay at least one night among the vineyards rather than making the entire experience a day trip.

The Cotswolds, England

(pronounced: KOT-swoldz)

The Cotswolds in October gave me one of my favourite ways to experience the English countryside: travelling between villages under my own steam.

I mixed hiking with cycling, following quiet lanes and countryside trails as the hedgerows started turning shades of gold and red. Instead of rushing between as many famous villages as possible, I could actually enjoy the landscape connecting them.

Stopping at country pubs along the way was part of the fun. After a few hours outside in the cool autumn air, settling in somewhere warm for lunch or a drink felt like exactly what an October trip to England should be.

I also used a luggage courier service to move my bags between overnight stops. That made a huge difference. 

I could walk or cycle with only what I needed for the day and find my luggage waiting for me when I arrived at the next village.

Places like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury certainly delivered the classic honey-stone cottages I'd pictured, but some of my favourite moments happened between the villages.

Travelling slowly through the countryside was what made the Cotswolds feel special to me.

How the Cotswolds fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd spend two or three days here and choose a small cluster of villages rather than trying to cover the entire region. It's an easy countryside addition to a London trip, but I'd stay overnight in the Cotswolds so you can enjoy the villages after the day-trippers have left.

Prague, Czechia

(pronounced: PRAHG)

Prague was already one of Europe's most atmospheric cities for me, but October seemed to suit it particularly well. The cooler weather, changing leaves and earlier golden light somehow made all those Gothic spires and cobbled streets feel even more dramatic.

I especially loved walking across Charles Bridge without the intensity of the summer crowds.

From there, I made my way towards Prague Castle and took my time exploring the surrounding district. The softer afternoon light over the rooftops and Vltava River made this one of my favourite parts of the city to wander.

Once the temperature dropped in the evening, Prague's beer halls became even more appealing. 

Sitting somewhere warm with a Czech beer and a hearty meal after spending hours walking outside felt less like another attraction to tick off and more like part of experiencing the city in autumn.

I also enjoyed having one day without much of a plan. Prague is incredibly walkable, and some of my favourite streets, cafés and quieter corners were the ones I stumbled across after leaving the busiest parts of the Old Town behind.

How Prague fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Prague three full days: one for the Old Town and Charles Bridge, another for Prague Castle and Malá Strana, and a final day for exploring at a slower pace.

It's also particularly easy to combine by train with cities such as Vienna, Dresden or Berlin for a longer Central European autumn trip.

Andalusia, Spain

(pronounced: an-duh-loo-SEE-uh)

Andalusia was one of those places where October completely changed how much I enjoyed being outside. 

Summer temperatures here can be relentless, but by October I could comfortably spend entire days walking through Seville and still want to head back out again in the evening.

Seville was particularly good after dark. I loved wandering through the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter without much of a plan, stopping for tapas whenever I found a bar that looked inviting.

Mild October evenings meant I could sit outside without the intense heat that defines summer here.

I also spent time exploring the Real Alcázar, where the gardens were much more enjoyable at this temperature, before continuing to Granada.

The Alhambra was the highlight there. I could take my time exploring its palaces, courtyards and intricate architecture without feeling as though I needed to escape the heat.

Granada also felt noticeably different from Seville, with cooler evenings and the mountains providing a dramatic backdrop.

For me, combining the two cities was what made Andalusia such a strong October trip: similar cultural threads, but two distinctly different experiences.

How Andalusia fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd allow five or six days, with three in Seville and another two or three in Granada. They're easy to combine on the same trip, and I'd resist adding too many other cities unless you have a full week or longer.

Sicily, Italy

(pronounced: SIS-ih-lee)

October might be my favourite version of Sicily. The intense summer heat had eased enough that I could spend hours exploring on foot, but the days were still warm and evenings pleasant enough for long dinners outside.

Taormina was every bit as beautiful as I'd expected. Standing in the ancient Greek theatre with Mount Etna rising behind it gave me one of those views that almost didn't look real. But I was equally glad I didn't make Sicily entirely about the coast.

Heading into the southeast brought me to Noto and Modica, where ornate Baroque churches and honey-coloured buildings filled the historic centres.

I found them much calmer than Sicily's best-known coastal stops, and wandering those streets without a packed itinerary became one of my favourite parts of the trip.

Then there was the food. I ate exceptionally well across the island, from street food and pasta to pastries and granita, and October made the whole experience feel more relaxed without the peak-season rush.

That's what I loved most about Sicily at this time of year. I could still enjoy that Mediterranean warmth while experiencing the island at a much gentler pace.

How Sicily fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Sicily six or seven days and split the trip between the coast and the southeastern Baroque towns rather than staying in one place.

With more time, I'd add Palermo or Mount Etna, but Sicily is large enough that trying to cover the entire island in a week quickly becomes a driving holiday rather than an Italian escape.

Tuscany, Italy

(pronounced: TUS-kuh-nee)

If I had to choose one place that captured what I love about Europe in October, Tuscany would be difficult to beat.

The softer light, quieter roads and harvest activity made the countryside feel completely different from the Tuscany I'd associated with busy summer trips.

I loved driving without much of a plan through Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano, following cypress-lined roads between hilltop towns and stopping at wineries along the way.

Around harvest time, these weren't simply polished tasting-room visits. There was genuine activity happening around the vineyards and estates, which gave me a much better sense of how closely wine is tied to life here.

October also overlaps with the beginning of the olive harvest in parts of Tuscany, adding another seasonal element to the countryside.

I wouldn't skip Florence either. I spent a few days exploring its Renaissance art and architecture before heading into the hills, and the softer autumn light over the city's terracotta rooftops was beautiful.

For me, October Tuscany felt less like somewhere putting on a show for visitors and more like a region getting on with one of the most important times of its year.

How Tuscany fits into your October Europe itinerary

I'd give Tuscany at least a week, with two or three days in Florence before hiring a car and slowing the pace right down in the countryside.

Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano make a natural route, but I'd deliberately leave some room in the itinerary for whichever small towns and wineries catch my attention along the way.

FAQs about visiting Europe in October

Ready to explore Europe in October? Optimise Travel is here to help

October opens up several completely different ways to experience Europe, and deciding between Mediterranean sunshine, autumn colours, historic cities and wine regions in the middle of harvest can quickly become the hardest part of planning your trip.

At Optimise Travel, we create personalized travel itineraries based on your interests, travel style, and budget.

Whether you're dreaming of snorkelling in Malta, exploring the vineyards of Tuscany and the Douro Valley, hiking between villages in the Cotswolds, catching the end of Oktoberfest in Bavaria, or enjoying warmer autumn evenings in Andalusia and Sicily, we'll help you build an October itinerary that makes the most of the season.

If you'd like help planning your October trip to Europe, click here to learn more about our concierge travel services.

Have You Seen Our Travel Concierge Service?

Nazca

(pronounced: NAS-ka)

Nazca was one of the strangest places I visited in Peru, mostly because the experience I'd travelled there for only really made sense once I was in the air.

I took a small plane over the Nazca Lines, and I'll admit the flight itself was an adventure. 

The plane banked sharply from side to side so everyone could see the geoglyphs below, and my stomach definitely noticed.

But then the hummingbird appeared against the desert floor, followed by figures such as the spider and monkey, and suddenly I understood why people make the journey here.

What fascinated me was how subtle the lines could look from above. They weren't enormous trenches or structures rising from the ground, but carefully created markings spread across a vast, almost completely barren landscape.

Knowing that many were created roughly 1,500 to 2,000 years ago only added to the mystery.

Researchers have proposed ceremonial, astronomical, and water-related explanations for the lines, but there's still debate around their exact purposes. 

I actually liked leaving Nazca without a neat answer.

How Nazca fits into your Peru itinerary

Nazca fits naturally into an overland journey south from Lima, particularly if you're also visiting Paracas and Huacachina. I'd stay overnight rather than trying to squeeze the long journey and scenic flight into the same day.

Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

(pronounced: wa-RAS / kor-dee-YEH-ra BLAN-ka)

Huaraz was all about the mountains for me. The city itself was useful as a base, but every morning I found myself looking beyond it towards the enormous snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.

My standout day was hiking to Laguna 69. The trail climbed through a wide valley past waterfalls and grazing cattle before becoming noticeably steeper as I gained altitude.

By that point, every uphill section felt harder than it normally would, and the final climb was a proper test.

Then I reached the lake.

Laguna 69 was an almost impossibly bright turquoise, sitting beneath glaciers and sheer mountain walls at around 4,600 metres.

I spent longer there than I'd planned, partly because the scenery was incredible and partly because I was very happy to stop walking uphill.

There are much bigger adventures around Huaraz too, including the multi-day Santa Cruz trek through the Cordillera Blanca.

What I loved most was that this part of Peru felt entirely focused on being outdoors. If hiking is one of the reasons you travel, I'd make room for Huaraz.

How Huaraz fits into your Peru itinerary

Huaraz is a substantial detour north from Lima, so I'd treat it as a dedicated mountain stop rather than squeezing it into the classic southern Peru circuit. Allow at least four nights, and longer if you want to complete one of the region's multi-day treks.

Chachapoyas and Kuélap

(pronounced: cha-cha-POH-yas / KWEH-lap)

Chachapoyas showed me a side of Peru I hadn't really associated with the country before. 

Instead of dry Andean mountains, I found misty green ridges, thick cloud forest, waterfalls, and archaeological sites hidden among the hills.

Kuélap was the place I most wanted to see. Built by the Chachapoya culture centuries before the Incas arrived, the enormous stone complex sits high on a mountain ridge. 

I took the cable car up, and watching the landscape unfold beneath me was part of the experience. Once there, I explored the huge defensive walls and distinctive circular structures while clouds drifted across the surrounding mountains.

I also made time for Gocta Waterfall. The hike took me through lush forest and farmland before the falls eventually appeared across the valley, dropping dramatically down the mountainside.

It was a completely different experience from Kuélap and gave me another reason to stay several days rather than rushing through.

What I enjoyed most was combining archaeology with proper outdoor exploration. Around Chachapoyas, the journey through the landscape often felt as memorable as the sites themselves.

How Chachapoyas and Kuélap fit into your Peru itinerary

Chachapoyas requires a dedicated detour into northern Peru, so I'd allow at least three or four nights for Kuélap, Gocta, and the surrounding area.

It makes particular sense as part of a longer northern Peru itinerary rather than trying to add it to a short Lima–Cusco–Machu Picchu trip.

Lima

(pronounced: LEE-ma)

I could happily have planned my entire time in Lima around food. Peru's capital has an extraordinary restaurant scene, but one of the meals I remember most was also one of the simplest: ceviche for lunch.

The fish arrived in chunky, tender pieces, swimming in sharp, citrusy leche de tigre with red onion, chilli and coriander. The first mouthful was intensely fresh and acidic, followed almost immediately by the heat of the chilli. 

On the side, sweet potato softened that sharpness, while the large kernels of Peruvian corn added a completely different texture. It was bright, spicy, salty and refreshing all at once.

Paired with a cold pisco sour, it was the meal that made me understand why people talk about eating their way through Lima.

Thankfully, I did occasionally stop eating. 

I walked the clifftops around Miraflores overlooking the Pacific and spent time in Barranco, where colourful street art, old mansions, cafés and bars gave the neighbourhood a more creative feel.

I'd originally thought of Lima as the gateway to Peru. I left thinking it deserved to be a destination in its own right.

How Lima fits into your Peru itinerary

Lima is the natural starting point for most Peru itineraries. I'd spend at least two nights here before heading south towards Paracas and Nazca, north towards Huaraz, or flying into the Andes for the next part of the trip.

Colca Canyon

(pronounced: KOL-ka)

I'd seen plenty of incredible landscapes by the time I reached Colca Canyon, but standing on the edge and watching an Andean condor rise out of the gorge below was something else entirely.

I went to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint early in the morning, when the birds use the warming air currents to gain height. 

At first I was staring into what seemed like an empty canyon. Then a condor appeared below us, circling upwards almost effortlessly.

Eventually it swept past surprisingly close, and seeing its enormous wingspan against the canyon walls gave me a completely different sense of its size.

The condors were the highlight, but I loved the wider Colca Valley too. Ancient agricultural terraces covered the mountainsides, while small villages and white churches broke up the otherwise enormous landscape. 

I also found that staying in the valley made the experience feel much less like a quick sightseeing excursion from Arequipa.

After a day of viewpoints, winding mountain roads and walking, soaking in one of the valley's natural hot springs was a pretty perfect way to finish.

How Colca Canyon fits into your Peru itinerary

I'd visit Colca Canyon after Arequipa and spend two nights in the valley. From there, you can return to Arequipa or continue towards Lake Titicaca, making it a natural part of an overland journey through southern Peru.

The Peruvian Amazon

(pronounced: PWEHR-toh mal-doh-NA-doh)

The Peruvian Amazon was one of those places where I quickly realised how little control I had over what I might see. I could go looking for wildlife, but the rainforest ultimately decided what showed up.

I based my experience around Puerto Maldonado, which was surprisingly easy to reach from Cusco. From there, travelling by boat into the jungle felt like crossing into another Peru entirely.

The mountains disappeared, the air became hot and heavy, and seemingly every patch of forest contained something moving or calling.

The wildlife was obviously the highlight. I watched brightly coloured macaws gather around a clay lick, spotted monkeys moving through the canopy, and went out after dark looking for the reflected eyes of caimans along the water. 

I loved the early mornings most, when the river was still and the jungle seemed ridiculously loud with birds and insects.

Staying at a jungle lodge also made a huge difference. Instead of visiting the Amazon for a few hours, I woke up surrounded by it and experienced how dramatically the forest changed between dawn, daytime and night.

How the Peruvian Amazon fits into your Peru itinerary

Puerto Maldonado works particularly well after Cusco because you can fly between them and add three or four nights in the rainforest without a huge detour.

I'd choose Iquitos instead if the Amazon itself were a major focus of the trip and I wanted a deeper river-based experience.

Lake Titicaca

(pronounced: tee-tee-KA-ka)

Lake Titicaca was even more striking than I'd expected. At nearly 3,800 metres above sea level, the water was an incredibly deep blue, and on a clear day I could see mountains stretching across the horizon.

I travelled onto the lake from Puno and visited the floating Uros islands first. 

Walking on them was an experience in itself. The layers of totora reeds felt soft and slightly springy beneath my feet, and seeing how the same reeds were used for homes, boats and handicrafts gave me a much better understanding of life on the lake.

I enjoyed getting farther away from Puno even more. Taquile felt quieter, with terraced hillsides, stone paths and wide views across the water. 

I also found its textile traditions fascinating, particularly learning how weaving and knitting remain an important part of local culture.

Spending the night on an island was what turned Titicaca from a sightseeing stop into something much more personal for me. 

Once the day-trippers had gone, the lake became incredibly peaceful, and watching the light disappear across the water was one of my favourite memories from southern Peru.

How Lake Titicaca fits into your Peru itinerary

I'd place Lake Titicaca between Arequipa and Cusco on a longer southern Peru route, ideally allowing two nights rather than rushing through Puno. It's also a natural crossing point if you're continuing into Bolivia.

Arequipa

(pronounced: a-reh-KEE-pa)

Arequipa was one of my favourite cities to simply wander around. Much of the historic centre is built from pale volcanic sillar stone, and in the sunshine the buildings almost seemed to glow. 

The Plaza de Armas was particularly beautiful, especially with the cone of Misti rising behind the cathedral.

My highlight was Santa Catalina Monastery. I expected a conventional historic building, but once inside I found an entire maze of narrow streets, courtyards and little plazas.

The deep blue and terracotta walls made it one of the most colourful places I visited in Peru, and I spent far longer exploring it than I'd planned.

I also ate extremely well in Arequipa. One thing I highly recommend trying is queso helado, the city's traditional frozen dessert. Despite the name, which translates as "frozen cheese", there's no cheese in it. 

It's a creamy, ice cream-like dessert traditionally made with milk, sugar, cinnamon, coconut and spices such as cloves. I loved the combination of sweetness, cinnamon and coconut, especially after walking around in the afternoon sun.

Arequipa gave me history, architecture and food without ever feeling rushed.

How Arequipa fits into your Peru itinerary

Arequipa fits perfectly into a southern Peru route, particularly after Nazca or before Lake Titicaca. I'd spend two or three nights here before continuing into Colca Canyon, which is the natural next stop.

(pronounced: KOOS-koh)

Cusco was somewhere I initially thought of as the gateway to Machu Picchu, but it quickly became one of my favourite destinations in Peru in its own right.

I loved walking around the Plaza de Armas and through San Blas, but what fascinated me most was seeing Inca stonework incorporated directly into later Spanish buildings.

At Sacsayhuamán, the scale became even more impressive. Some of the stones were enormous, yet they fit together with extraordinary precision.

I also spent time exploring the Sacred Valley, and I was glad I didn't treat it as a single rushed day trip.

I wandered through Pisac, saw the geometric salt pools at Maras, and explored Ollantaytambo, where huge agricultural terraces climb the mountainside above the town.

What I particularly liked about Ollantaytambo was that Inca history wasn't confined to an archaeological site. I could walk along narrow streets laid out centuries ago, with water still flowing through channels beside them.

The valley also sits lower than Cusco, so spending time there gave me a gentler introduction to the altitude before continuing higher into the Andes.

How Cusco and the Sacred Valley fit into your Peru itinerary

I'd give Cusco and the Sacred Valley at least four nights before Machu Picchu, splitting my time between the city and the valley rather than basing myself entirely in Cusco.

Ollantaytambo is especially convenient because trains to Machu Picchu depart from there, making it an easy final stop before continuing to Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu

(pronounced: MA-choo PEEK-choo)

I'd seen the classic photograph of Machu Picchu hundreds of times before I went, so part of me wondered whether the reality could possibly match the image. It did.

My first proper view across the terraces towards Huayna Picchu stopped me in my tracks. 

Clouds were still hanging around the surrounding mountains, and as they shifted, more of the ruins and impossibly steep landscape appeared. It was one of those rare travel moments when I didn't immediately reach for my camera. I just wanted to look at it.

Walking through the site made it even more impressive. From a distance, Machu Picchu looked almost impossibly picturesque. 

Up close, I started noticing the carefully fitted stonework, temples, plazas, agricultural terraces and water channels that made this a functioning Inca settlement rather than simply a beautiful ruin.

The setting was what stayed with me most, though. Mountains dropped steeply towards the Urubamba River in almost every direction, making the entire city seem improbably balanced on its ridge.

Machu Picchu was Peru's most famous attraction, but for me, it absolutely earned that reputation.

How Machu Picchu fits into your Peru itinerary

I'd visit after spending several days acclimatising in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, with Ollantaytambo making a convenient departure point for the train.

Staying overnight in Aguas Calientes also gave me more flexibility than trying to travel from Cusco, visit the ruins and return all in one day.

Peru covers everything from Pacific desert and Amazon rainforest to some of the highest mountains in the Andes, so I wouldn't try to connect all 10 destinations in one trip. 

For a first visit, I'd focus on southern Peru, where many of the country's biggest highlights connect naturally, and use domestic flights when they save a full day of overland travel.

Peru itinerary: 7 days

Why this route? For a Peru itinerary of 7 days, I'd stick to the essentials rather than spend too much time travelling.

You'll get Lima's brilliant food scene, Inca history in Cusco, the archaeological sites and mountain scenery of the Sacred Valley, and enough time to experience Machu Picchu without treating it as a rushed day trip.

*I'd fly from Lima to Cusco and spend the first day at altitude taking things relatively slowly. If possible, I'd also spend a night in Ollantaytambo before Machu Picchu rather than travelling all the way from Cusco that morning. 

Peru itinerary: 10 days

Why this route? For a Peru itinerary of 10 days, I think this strikes a good balance between cities, food, wildlife, history and mountain scenery.