Best Places to Travel for 1 Month:
15 Unconventional Ideas
One of the most accessible ways to travel long-term is to take the occasional one-month trip. One-month stays make for great experiences. Two weeks in, you’ll feel like you’re only just getting started – and that’s when the realization will hit: that’s the point where you had to head home on past vacations. Ooph! You might start thinking about your next career break…
Plus, longer trips have secret benefits. For example, on long vacations you can often negotiate discounts on accommodations. Seeing your favorite travel destinations might actually be cheaper than your usual 2-week vacation.
Still, the one-month trip is a luxury, and if you can swing it, oh boy is it worth making sure you plan a grand adventure – whatever that means to you: relaxing on a beach in Central America, exploring temples in Southeast Asia, or taking the unconventional path in Western Europe.
We often work with clients to plan detailed one-month trips tailored exactly to their preferences and desires. There’s a ton of information out there for trip ideas, but the best trips go beyond the cookie cutter. Don’t you want your next trip to suit you and not the average person on the internet?
To get you started dreaming about your one-month adventure, here are 15 unconventional trip ideas for your extended vacation! For each trip below, we’re sharing an idea for a “twist” that will make your trip unique and memorable.
#1: Southern France (Western Europe)
The Twist? Go in the off-season.
There is so much to do in Southern France, but in peak season, it’s totally packed. But here’s the thing – the off-season in Southern France? It’s lovely. (Shoulder season is fine too if consistently warm weather is important to you.) And unlike overly-trodden places like Cinque Terre and Santorini, much of Southern France stays open in the off-season, so you don’t have to go there in early June.
The tiniest towns along the Cote D’Azur (aka the French Riviera) will still have many store closures, but there will still be plenty to do. Nice, France remains a bustling hub with endless activities – though you may not want to do too much if you end up walking through the marché aux fleurs each morning. (The resulting food coma might just send you back to your hotel for a nap!)
And, you’ll get to experience all of this with fewer crowds, which is why we think the sweet spot for the best time to see this region is actually in the winter. (Yes, there will be some chilly days then, but there’s still plenty of good weather days in this region during the winter.)
Our recommendation would be to split your time between Biarritz, Provence, and Nice – taking plenty of day trips to explore surrounding towns. (Public transportation is exceptional in the area, and there are plenty of trains to easily connect small and large towns in Southern France.) You’ll get to spend time in villages like Les Beaux-de-Provence that are normally packed with only a slew of tourists to fill them instead.
Plus, it’s often easiest to fly in and out of Paris, so why not add on a few days in Paris as well? And if you’re keen on “country-bagging,” you’ll find Monaco makes a convenient day-trip from Nice.
#2: Italy (Western Europe)
The Twist? Go to a local language school.
The Italian language is one of the best parts of Italy. It’s dramatic, easy to learn for English-speakers, and learning the right hand gestures will get you half-way there.
Italy has tons of local language schools all over the country that are affordably priced (so long as you don’t enroll in one marketed to Americans… those get pricey!)
What’s especially great is that language school will only occupy half of the day. You get to keep much of the day open. Pick one in a place like Rome or Bologna, where you’ll have endless museums, art, and food to explore in the afternoons after you finish your language classes.
You can even divide your time so you devote half of your trip to language school in a large city and then take the latter half to fully explore a region! Italy has endless opportunities for deep exploration – from enjoying vineyards in Tuscany (and tasting the wine of course), to hiking in the Dolomites, to bopping through quaint towns in the Italian Riviera, to enjoying underrated towns like Padua and Naples, to taking extended road trips in Sicily or Sardinia. You know, you’ll have just a few options to consider…
#3: Morocco, Northern Africa
The Twist? Do it all.
Morocco is one of those tourist destinations that most people don’t get right. They spend time in cities Moroccans tell you to skip (ahem, Casablanca) and go to the “desert” (Agafay) instead of the real desert (the Sahara.) That doesn’t exactly make for a good time.
Morocco is worth a month, and it offers variety to keep you entertained for that whole period. Did you know Morocco offers all of these different types of adventures?
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Posh beach towns that will remind you of Laguna Beach
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An incredible mess of sand dunes in the Sahara
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Hidden villages in the High Atlas Mountains or Middle Atlas Mountains
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Bustling cities like Marrakech, Tangier, and Rabat with maze-like medinas in major cities, and
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Off-the-beaten-track historic sites and Unesco World Heritage Sites (some of which double as movie sets today!)
With a full month, you can see it all. And why not take in everything Morocco has to offer?
PS – Definitely check out our haggling tips before you head to Morocco! You’ll need them.
#4: Southern African Adventures in Namibia & Botswana
The Twist? Add in Zambia
It’s hard to call Namibia the standard tourist path in Southern Africa, but it is growing in popularity. In addition to the stunning wildlife you can see in Etosha National Park, you may have the life-changing experience of meeting the San People (some of whom live off the land in the barren desert even today) or might splurge on sky diving in the sleepy town of Swakopmund, which has somehow become quite the adventure hub.
Botswana, on the other hand, offers other “well-trodden” (but not really) tourist sites in the Okavango Delta, where you can enjoy true bush camping, and in Chobe National Park (one of my favorite national parks ever). In Okavango, take a mokoro out to the middle of nowhere, camp in the wild, and take walking safaris or mokoro safaris through the delta to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and a heck of a lot more. In Chobe, be sure to book a few game drives to see the wildlife.
The twist in all of this? Adding in Zambia. Zambia is decidedly not known for its wildlife viewing potential, as it doesn’t have many national parks. But we think it’s not to be missed. For one, Lusaka is a bustling city worth a day or two on your trip. But secondly – and most importantly – Zambia is home to some of the best animal viewing. At least, in our opinion. South Luangwa National Park is not-to-be-missed and is well worth a multi-night stay.
#5: Animal-Focused East African Adventures
The Twist? Skip the Serengeti
The standard path in East Africa is to enjoy the Masai Mara in Kenya, to see the Serengeti in Kenya, and possibly to tack on Zanzibar. We think that itinerary is… fine. But it’s not what we would do after traveling extensively in the region.
First of all, travel experts will go the extra mile and tell you to travel during the great migration, when millions of animals migrate between Kenya and Tanzania. They’re right – if you’re in the right place at the right time, you’ll have incredible wildlife viewing. Nature lovers especially will cross something off their travel bucket list.
But beyond that, Kenya has so much more to explore than just the Masai Mara. Lake Nakuru, for one, is filled with hippos and unique sites like drowned trees. Near the Masai Mara, it is well-worth spending time with the Maasai themselves to learn about their culture. (Ideally, spend more than an hour! Spend the night in a camp with the Maasai so your understanding of their culture is more than superficial.) In Nairobi, don’t miss Sheldrick’s Elephant Sanctuary or Giraffe Manor.
In Zanzibar, be sure to split your time between the beach and Stone Town, where you can learn about the island’s history. (PS – It’s bleak. Zanzibar played a major role in the slave trade.)
In Tanzania, our unconventional advice is to skip the Serengeti. Yes, sites like Ngorongoro Crater are remarkable, but so is the road quality. Remarkably bad, that is – in fact, some of the worst in East and Southern Africa. Rather than spend time in the Serengeti, spend more time in the Masai Mara or in Zanzibar and save yourself the back pain.
#6: Vietnam (Southeast Asia)
The Twist? Skip Southern Vietnam
We love Vietnam, but we’ve spent enough time there to know the real gems are in Central and Northern Vietnam. The especially crazy thing is that much of the well-trodden tourist track is absolutely worth doing. It makes for a great time! And yes, that means you shouldn’t skip:
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Ha Long Bay (or Lan Ha Bay or Cat Ba Island if you prefer)
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Hoi An – where you should absolutely get clothes custom-made by tailors
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Hanoi – well-worth more than a few days to fully explore all of the nooks and crannies of old town
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Day trips or multi-night stays in Da Nang, Hue, Ninh Binh, and Trang An
But here’s the thing – Vietnam’s monsoon season is crazy. It varies by region, and when it’s dry in one part of the country, another region might be flooded. That makes seeing the whole country in one fell swoop complicated. So, we recommend sticking to two regions, staying dry, and cutting out the South. Yes, there are plenty of things to do in Southern Vietnam, but relatively speaking we think most people have a far better time in Central and Northern Vietnam.
#7: Thailand (Southeast Asia)
The Twist? Prioritize Phuket
There’s plenty to do in Thailand. It’s worth several trips. From temples in Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to the wildly popular Bangkok (some years the most touristed city in the world) to the southern islands popular with honeymooners like Koh Samui, you’ll never run out of things to do.
We think one spot in Thailand is worth a month-long trip on its own: Phuket. Plus, it’s easy to get convenient flights to and from the island. Phuket has tons of things to do – from jet skiing between tiny islands to enjoying Thai massages to exploring night markets.
But the real gem in Phuket? Great food. Especially fusion food. With exposure to food cultures in Malaysia, India, Singapore, Indonesia, and China, Phuket offers a uniquely delicious food experience. The street food in particular will leave your mouth watering for more. And, when you’re lounging around on beaches in Phuket, you’ll probably be thinking about lunch.
One quick PSA – Make sure you go in the dry season. The rainy season might leave you stuck in your hotel due to floods and power outages.
#8: Indonesia (Southeast Asia)
The Twist? Skip Bali
We’re not opposed to Bali, but we think a lot of people head there picturing one thing and leave disappointed. Some people definitely should prioritize going to Bali, but we think those circumstances are limited.
Instead, we’d prioritize the Gili Islands, Yogyakarta, and Lombok. You’ll have no shortage of things to do – from snorkeling to trying new foods, to seeing street art in Yogya, to seeing major cultural sites (and Unesco World Heritage Sites) like Prambanan and Borobudur. Truly, these beautiful islands offer an endless list of things to explore, and you’ll struggle to remember why you wanted to go to Bali in the first place.
Just be sure to travel in the dry season. No need to deal with the (dangerously) heavy rains in the wet season.
#9: The Philippines (Southeast Asia)
The Twist? Practice some super slow travel.
Most people recommend island hopping in the Philippines. We disagree. We think the best thing to do in the Philippines is to find a small town or island that fits your vibe and to spend an inordinate amount of time there.
For us, that was Port Barton – a town that only got 24-hour electricity in the last decade. We found endless snorkeling, delicious food (which is not the Philippines’ reputation), beautiful beaches for sunbathing, and fun hiking and kayaking. For you, another island – Siquijor, Siargao, or Boracay – might be more your vibe.
Our recommendation though is to pick one or two and spend most of your time there. Enjoy the peace… and perfect weather. It might be tempting to bop around to a lot of islands in the Philippines, but we think it’s far more relaxing to avoid the transit. After all, if you’re heading to the Philippines, relaxing is probably on your to do list. You know what’s not relaxing – airports and long ferry rides.
#10: Argentina & Chile (South America)
The Twist? Add in the Atacama Desert
In our view, Patagonia is the crown jewel of South America. The picturesque towns throughout the south of Argentina and Chile make it easy to explore the region. You’ll likely bop between Peurto Natales in Chile, and El Calafate, El Chalten, and Ushuaia in Argentina. Spend a night or two in each place as you marvel at the natural wonders and the Unesco World Heritage Sites. (Plus, it’s relatively easy to arrange transportation between the towns.)
But while Patagonia is worth spending at least a week, you have more to do in Argentina and Chile. In Chile, be sure to spend a few days in Santiago to get your fill of a great South American city and take a multi-day tour through the Atacama Desert – so long as you’re good with altitude.
In Argentina, spend at least a week in Buenos Aires, which will make you wonder if you stepped foot in Paris.
#11: New York City (United States / North America)
The Twist? Slow Travel Just in New York City.
New York itself is worth a month. It remains one of the best cities in the world.
In our opinion, the best time to visit is in the early fall, when high season has died down but there are still enough sunny days. If you’re willing to navigate some chilly weather, the holiday season offers something more: Christmas markets, snowy trees, and hot chocolate galore.
The East Coast of the US is a busy place, filled with major hubs for business, art, and culture. New York, even today, never sleeps, but it has more to offer than the standard tourist path. Great food – from some of the best international food in the world to, yes, the best pizza and bagels – is hard to avoid. While even tourists will recommend Broadway (and yes, you should see a Broadway show), we’re partial to the comedy joints, like the Comedy Cellar in the East Village.
There’s more than a month’s worth of things to do in New York, but it also makes for a great hub to visit other parts of New England. Hop on the Amtrak and head to Vermont, New Hampshire, Boston, or Philadelphia. Or head to upstate New York for an isolated weekend.
#12: Alaska (United States / North America)
The Twist? Make it a road trip, not a cruise
Alaska doesn’t see the tourism level it deserves. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, in our opinion, and those who do see it most frequently see it from a cruise ship. That’s not a great place to use as a home base if you want to get a sense of the real Alaska.
If it’s your first visit, we recommend going during the summer months, when you’ll find rare warm weather across most of Alaska. Plus, visiting during the summer season will allow you to take advantage of long days, since the sun hardly sets.
Alaska is a great place to find real solitude. We think one of the best ways to see it is to rent a car and drive through towns in south central Alaska. If you want a home base, choose Anchorage. Be sure to visit Homer, Seward, Talkeetna, and take the long drive up to Denali National Park. In many of these places, you can choose to camp, if you’d like, or you can find a local B&B.
#13: Bonaire (Caribbean Islands)
The Twist? It’s below the surface.
Bonaire is different from the standard Caribbean trip. It’s all about what’s below the surface. Surrounded by a national marine park, it makes for incredible wildlife viewing – while scuba diving or snorkeling or swimming. The underwater views here go beyond seeing sea turtles. Bonaire is largely protected from hurricanes, which keep the corrals thriving and attract incredible wildlife.
It’s one of our favorite spots in the Caribbean, because few people go, but it still has the resources of a great tourist destination: tons of things to do (even above-water, like hiking and relaxing on the beach) and great food.
#14: Greek Islands (Eastern Europe)
The Twist? A few… Check out our non-standard ideas
The standard tourist path in Greece is simple: Mykonos, Santorini, maybe Athens. Unless you’re 22 and ready to party, we recommend skipping Mykonos entirely. Santorini and Athens can stay on your list.
We recommend a much more expansive trip through the Greek Islands. (Check out Athens on the way in and out of Greece.) Do go to Santorini, but go in the shoulder season so you can see it when it isn’t mobbed by tourists. Then travel like a local through some of the best islands – that means, use the ferries! Add Syros (where we think one of the best things to do is this multi-day cooking school), Rhodes, and Crete to your itinerary, and travel slow. Spend a week on each island you choose so you can fully digest its Unesco world heritage sites, marvelous views, lounge-worthy beaches, and incredible food.
#15: California (United States / North America)
The Twist? Skip San Francisco
California is massive. Though you could easily spend more than a month in the state, we recommend hitting the best sites on a month-long road trip. Start in San Diego and drive North through Southern California – hitting Temecula, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, Death Valley, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara before heading to Northern California.
Many people would include San Francisco in their itinerary, but we recommend skipping it. Napa Valley and national parks like Yosemite are well-worth your time (and won’t be as crazy-expensive as SF.) Along the way, you’ll find some of the best food in the US.
What makes California such a great place to visit is that pretty much any time of year can feel like the perfect time to visit. California is blessed with nearly year-round sunny weather. For those visiting the US for the first time, this is a good place to start!
What’s the right place for your next trip? If you’re not sure, shoot us a note or schedule a free consultation with us to see if we can help plan your next adventure. If you’ve found the perfect opportunity to take a longer trip, we want you to take full advantage!
