News travels: Your need-to-know before you go
From Balkan beaches to secret surf spots, these are August’s most enticing adventures
A trending Balkan beauty
Europe’s secret summer spot to book now? Albania—thanks to its TikTok-trending Riviera (also pictured top). White-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the Maldives make this the perfect destination for fly-and-flop vacations. Dhërmi is one of the largest and most famous beaches, while to the south of the Riviera is Ksamil, where an idyllic overwater hut can be rented for the day for as little as $10 (you may have seen them starring on an Instagram feed near you).
Meanwhile, more adventurous types can pack their panniers for the new 1,242-mile Trans Dinarica bike trail, which links Albania to seven other Balkan nations. Plus, the country offers rugged peaks in the Albanian Alps and Europe’s first Wild River National Park, the Vjosa, as well as culture-rich UNESCO towns like Berat and Gjirokastra.
Take a hike
Better break in those boots: Hiking is hotter than ever. On social, #hotgirlwalk and #softhiking are trending, while IRL clubs such as Gorp Girls and Hike Clerb in L.A. or Brooklyn’s Black-owned hiking store Outlandish organize group treks.
There are plenty of fresh trails worth lacing up for this summer too: The inaugural section of the 1,800-plus mile Palmilhar Portugal route is set to open in Alenquer, and the new 105-mile Cammino Retico in Italy’s Dolomite range snakes through remote villages. Also, from this fall, Apple Maps will add hiking trails across U.S. national parks, making trekking easier than ever.
A new wave of inland surfing
Go surfing this summer without setting foot on a beach, thanks to a swell of new wave parks. While surf pros use them to train—spearheaded by Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, which opened in inland California in 2015—the consistent waves and controlled environments are also ideal for adaptive surfing for people with disabilities.
Waco Surf in Texas is a hub for landlocked surfers, and Palm Springs Surf Club has been making a splash since opening in January, with Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach, Arizona’s Cannon Beach, and Crest New York soon to join the line-up. Get ready to get stoked—no sea required.
Indigenous exploration
The latest example of Indigenous-led travel experiences is Port Klawock, a new Native American-owned cruise port, recently opened on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, welcoming ships from Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas.
In Canada, the 40-room Métis Crossing resort opened in 2022 and is owned and operated by Alberta’s Métis people. Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada has joined with New Zealand Māori Tourism and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association to form a new international body, working to put the stories of these destinations back in the hands of the original storytellers.
Catch feelings not flights
Hanging out at the airport and never catching a flight might not sound like your idea of a good time, but more and more people are doing it—willingly. Dubbed “terminal tourists,” they’re lured by increasingly exciting shopping and dining experiences in global hubs like Doha and Changi.
The trend is taking off in the U.S. too: Charlotte has opened a new plane-spotting area, the Airport Overlook, complete with an aviation-themed playground and food trucks. Meanwhile, Detroit (DTW) and Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) issue guest passes so that non-ticketed passengers can pass security, perhaps to sample Washington wines at Vyne at SEA or pick up a tasty Coney dog at DTW—or simply to say goodbye to friends and family right at the gate.
An insider guide to Seattle’s spectacular shoreline
Fiona Kerr is a food-loving travel journalist and former features director at Condé Nast Traveller. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Telegraph, Elle Decoration and the The New York Times. When she gets to a new country, her first stop is usually the local supermarket.
