Marissa Parkin

If a Mediterranean holiday is calling to you with its sun-soaked islands, ancient wonders, idyllic villages and pristine beaches then consider a holiday lasting 12 days. With 12 days in the Mediterranean, you can choose to spend your time exploring a single country or hop between several for a sample of what the continent can offer. Uncover major highlights of Italy, Spain and Greece or get off the beaten path and explore lesser-visited destinations in Montenegro, Albania and Monaco. For island hopping there are options galore. Take your pick from Malta, French Riviera, Sardinia, Corsica or the Balearics. Hop on board a 12-day Mediterranean cruise to hit multiple destinations. Wherever you go on a Mediterranean holiday, the beach is never far and the food will always set your taste buds alight.

Pristine beaches? Check. Stunning landscapes? Check. Adventure activities? Check. The Azores have everything going for it to qualify as an island paradise. So when is the best time to visit the Azores you ask? For our money, we recommend visiting the Azores in August, when the islands enjoy the warmest temperatures of the year and see the least amount of rain. From snorkeling and sunset cruises to dolphin watching excursions and island-hopping, enjoy everything the Hawaii of the Atlantic has to offer.

Stretching 5,150 kilometers (3,200 miles) across the equator and comprising thousands of islands, spending 5 days in Indonesia will spoil you for choices. You could base yourself on a single island namely Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands and spend your time sightseeing, island-hopping or relaxing on the beaches. Wildlife lovers might want to consider a short cruise of Komodo National Park, home of the legendary Komodo dragon, or a visit to Tanjung Puting National Park, famous for its orangutan population. For culture vultures, there are plenty of temples and ancient sanctuaries to dive into. Five days in Indonesia is also enough for adventure enthusiasts to squeeze in a short hike up Mount Agung, Mount Batur, or Mount Rinjani.

The idea of exploring Portugal in 11 days may sound impossible, but with a well-planned itinerary, it is very much doable. Thanks to its relatively small size and good transport infrastructure, you can zip around several destinations, soaking up all those Portuguese vibes (and sunshine). You could spend a few days checking out Porto and Lisbon—Portugal’s two most popular cities before hitting the beach in the sun-drenched Algarve or even jetting off to the Azores or Madeira. Eleven days is also enough to set off on a hike or a cycling trip along a section of the country.

Six days is plenty to discover your own little piece of England, splitting your time between a few destinations or selecting a base and opting for some day trips. Most first time visitors spend 6 days in England and find the pull of London irresistible, but if you’re wanting to see a bit more, Oxford, Stonehenge, Windsor and Canterbury are all doable day trips. You could also spend a few days in London and pair it with another destination. The Cotswolds, the Lake District and Yorkshire are all popular options. If you’re wanting to explore the country on foot consider a rewarding multi-day hike. There’s the Cotswold Way, James Herriot Way through the Yorkshire Dales or Saints Way which traverses Cornwall from Fowey to Padstow to name just a few.