Skip the crowds of Ha Long Bay. Here’s how we spent a week on Cat Ba Island, including an overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay, plus our tips.

Crete has far more to offer hikers than the Samaria Gorge. Based in Chania, we explored the western half of the island on foot: monastery trails, a quiet gorge, coastal paths and the pink-tinged shores of Elafonissi.

Twenty minutes can change the weather completely on Madeira. We spent a month finding that out — based in Funchal, we figured out which bus company went where, which hikes earned the early alarm, and which greengrocer beat the supermarket on prices.

Living and Working on La Palma: A Quiet Escape to Nature and Stunning Landscapes

Flores, the greenest and most untouched island of the Azores.

Is the Samaria Gorge worth the hype? Our honest take on the hike, the logistics of getting there and back, and what to expect from the crowds.