Mountain Adventures

Most of these are road trips through mountain and lake country: the high passes and Lago di Braies in the Dolomites, Lake Bled and the Soča Valley in Slovenia, Lake Tahoe, Muskoka with Algonquin, and Charlevoix in Quebec. Lofoten, Tasmania, Madeira and New Zealand's Catlins add wilder coasts with peaks behind them. For a slower pace, ride the railway from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka, base yourself in Mestia in Georgia or Ginzan Onsen in Tohoku, or walk the Camino over O Cebreiro. Sydney pairs a city stay with the Blue Mountains.

Go in autumn for Quebec and Muskoka, when the maples turn, and in summer for Dolomites hiking, Lofoten's long Arctic days and Tahoe's beaches. Slovenia fits comfortably into a week; the Dolomites, Madeira and Lofoten need five to seven days, and Tasmania and New Zealand each deserve ten days or more. For a first mountain trip, Slovenia and the Dolomites have short drives between stops. Sydney combines well with Tasmania, a short flight south.