Great itineraries are collections of contrasts, introducing travelers to multiple facets of a destination. These juxtapositions keep a vacation fresh, lively and memorable. One of the best ways to dig deep into the variety a region has to offer is to spend time in both the city and its surrounding countryside, contrasting lively urban settings with simple rural pursuits. We polled our travel advisors, asking them about their favorite city/country combinations. Their list includes some enduring classics as well as some wonderfully surprising choices:
Italy’s greatest art city is surrounded by some of the world’s most splendid countryside. According to manager Bonnie Minutillo, A first-time visitor should start in Florence, delving into the breathtaking paintings of the Uffizi, the gracefully expressive sculptures of Michelangelo and Donatello, the glories of high Renaissance architecture and the wonders of Florentine gelato. Although it’s easy to do day-trips into Tuscany from a base in Florence, who wouldn’t want to take a few days to savor this sublime landscape of olive groves, vineyards, medieval hill towns and stone farm houses framed by stands of cypress trees?
Set on an island in the St. Lawrence River, the largest French-speaking city after Paris offers a heady draught of Gallic charm without the transatlantic flight. Wander the historic streets of Vieux- Montreal, tour the dazzling Musee des Beaux-Arts and walk along Rue St-Denis, the vivacious heart of French Montreal. Less than two hours away, Mont- Tremblant rises above the scenic Laurentians, ideal for light hikes and mountain biking. In the other direction, Lake Massawippi is the centerpiece of the picturesque Cantons-de-l'Est, a patchwork of farms, lakes and vineyards.
Travel Advisor Mary Manthei suggested this combination, citing the charm and history of Cusco. The former imperial capital of the Incas, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere possesses a fascinating blend of Spanish colonial and Incan cultures. Explore the harmonious plazas of the historic district, and then venture into the spectacular Sacred Valley, dotted with colossal and ingeniously engineered temples and citadels.
Towering incongruously over the desert sands, Dubai’s glitz remains undiminished in the face of the 2008 real estate crash. Rolls Royces and Bentleys crowd valet stands at the malls, which contain top designer boutiques, giant aquariums and surreal downhill ski runs. Bargain in the glittering gold souk, take an abra (water taxi) up Dubai Creek and relax at a sybaritic resort. Just two hours away in unspoiled Oman, crumbling stone watchtowers crown rugged mountains plunging dramatically into the sea. Snorkel along a coral reef, hike to an abandoned clifftop village and explore the fjords of Musandam. Adventurous sorts wanting to make a memorable entrance can paraglide down to reception at Six Senses Zighy Bay hotel.
Founded in 1670, the core of patrician Charleston is laced with cobblestone streets lined by a living museum of more than a thousand carefully restored churches and homes, including airy antebellum mansions ringed with piazzas and ornamental ironwork. A constellation of gracious restaurants serves superb seafood and Lowcountry cuisine. After steeping in the charms of Charleston, decamp to the countryside. Spend a few days along the glorious 10-mile beach of Kiawah Island, also noted for its biking trails, bird-rich wetlands and world-class golf. According to Travel Advisor Megan Leininger, it’s a fantastic city and beach itinerary.
The popes moved their court to beautiful Avignon in the 14th century for a reason. Nowadays, because the dramatic ramparts and medieval center remain gorgeously intact, visitors can’t help but be transported back to the city’s heyday. Some of Europe’s loveliest countryside rolls away from Avignon in every direction. Romantically perched hill towns bustle with colorful markets, vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône swell with grapes, olive trees shimmer in the golden light and monumental Roman ruins stand in mute testimony to Provence’s ancient riches.
For Travel Advisor Paula Dunlap, this is the ideal city/ country itinerary. After sprucing up for the Olympics, London has never looked better. Bask in the post-Games glow, taking advantage of the thousands of hotel rooms added for the event. With the Olympics and Jubilee hoopla in the past, London’s offering of astonishing museums, unparalleled shopping, worldclass restaurants, top-notch theater and perfectly refined hotels awaits. Autumn and spring are ideal seasons to explore the nearby Cotswolds, two hours northwest of London. It is sheer delight to meander the back roads of this compact region, taking in the natural beauty and exquisite rural architecture. Dunlap calls the towns here “incredibly picturesque” and says “there’s nothing better than sitting in a pub talking to the locals.”
One of our all-time favorite combinations barely needs repeating—numerous Andrew Harper members experience this perfect pairing every year. With several superb hotels in San Francisco, a few gems across the Golden Gate bridge in Marin County and a half-dozen remarkable retreats in the enchanting Napa and Sonoma valleys, even those who have made the trip before can create a completely new experience for themselves. We in the Travel Office certainly return any chance we get; Travel Advisor Sasha McNeal calls this combo “culinary America at its best,” and Linda Petrasek notes that October is a “gorgeous” time to visit.
As Andrew Harper notes, “Laos is the last secret of Southeast Asia, but it is unlikely to remain unchanged for long.” In Luang Prabang, the former capital, travelers will find more bicycles than cars and more ochre-robed monks than tourists. Jewel box temples punctuate tranquil and friendly monastic schools; French-colonial architecture lines the pedestrian- friendly streets; and a beautiful night market abounds with local textiles, woodcarvings, paintings, metalwork and other handicrafts. Easily reached via non-stop flights from Siem Reap, Bangkok, Hanoi and Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang makes an excellent base for exploring the Lao countryside as well. Take a private boat up the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Carved out of a cliff overlooking the storied Mekong, these caves contain hundreds of carved Buddha images. The nearby Kuang Si waterfall also merits a visit, and those wishing to dig deep can explore the unspoiled villages of hill tribes.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
1 (800) 375-4685
Open M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM CT
