Flightless birds are among the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Having evolved in environments with few natural predators, many of these birds gradually lost the ability to fly but developed other remarkable adaptations—strong legs for running, powerful swimming skills, or impressive size. Today, they are also major wildlife attractions for travellers seeking unique nature experiences. Here are some iconic flightless birds from around the world and the best places to see them.

Ostrich — South Africa

The ostrich is the largest and fastest-running bird on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of about 70 km/h. Native to Africa’s open savannahs and deserts, these towering birds are instantly recognisable thanks to their long legs and powerful build. Oudtshoorn is often called the “Ostrich Capital of the World.” Visitors can tour ostrich farms, learn about their history in the feather trade, and observe the birds up close.

Emu — Australia

The emu is the second-largest living bird and an unmistakable symbol of Australia. Known for its shaggy feathers and curious personality, this bird can run up to 50 km/h across Australia’s landscapes. Flinders Ranges National Park is one of the best places to observe emus in the wild, where they roam freely across rugged outback terrain.

Kiwi — New Zealand

Small, shy, and nocturnal, the kiwi is one of the most unusual birds in the world. It has hair-like feathers and a long bill with nostrils at the tip, an extremely rare trait among birds. Do visit the Zealandia Ecosanctuary on your visit to New Zealand. The sanctuary offers one of the best opportunities to see kiwi in a protected natural habitat.

King penguin — South Georgia Island

Penguins are the world’s most famous flightless birds, perfectly adapted to life in water rather than air. The king penguin, with its striking orange markings and upright posture, forms massive colonies in sub-Antarctic regions. Salisbury Plain hosts one of the largest king penguin colonies on the planet.

Cassowary — Australia

The cassowary is often considered one of the most dangerous birds in the world due to its powerful legs and dagger-like claws. Despite its intimidating reputation, it plays a crucial ecological role by dispersing seeds in tropical rainforests. Visit the famous and iconic Daintree Rainforest to see these amazing birds. The rainforest is among the few places where these rare birds still roam in the wild.

Greater rhea — Argentina

Often described as South America’s version of the ostrich, the greater rhea inhabits grasslands and open plains. These birds are excellent runners and are known for their unusual breeding behaviour, where males incubate eggs from multiple females. Visit Iberá wetlands to see these fantastic birds in the wild.

Galápagos penguin — Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species found north of the equator. Smaller than most penguins, it survives in the tropical climate thanks to the cool ocean currents around the islands. As the name suggests, these penguins are found in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, specifically, Isabela Island. The island provides excellent chances to spot them along rocky shores and lava formations.

A dream vacation to “il bel paese” doesn’t have to break the bank.

For many, visiting Italy is a dream trip—one that’s worth saving up for. There are certainly plenty of glamorous resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and exclusive experiences that you might want to splurge on, but a trip to Italy doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, according to Numbeo, the cost of living is, on average, 12.1 percent lower in Italy than in the U.S.

I’ve been living in Rome for nearly five years and visited Italy many times before that, so I’ve found some strategies for traveling around the country without overspending. Here’s how to plan a trip to Italy on a budget.

Planning Your Trip

Want to visit Italy in the summer? So does everyone else—and increased demand drives up the prices on flights, hotels, and even tours. If you want to save some money, plan your trip for the low season (November through March), when you’ll find better rates and fewer crowds. Just keep in mind that while cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan are year-round destinations, coastal destinations like the Amalfi Coast all but shut down in the winter.

It’s a good idea to start planning your trip to Italy about three to six months in advance, or even longer if you’re planning a trip in the high season and want to be sure you’ll have plenty of options. According to Attilia Avino, who, together with her sister Mariella, runs Palazzo Avino, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World on the Amalfi Coast, they prepare for bookings a year in advance.

How to Save Money on Flights

There’s no denying that flights are more expensive now than they were in the past—and flights to Italy are no exception. According to Priceline, the average cost of a round-trip flight to Rome in May 2024 is $1,183, while in May 2023 it was $977. That’s an increase of 21 percent in the span of a year.

“The two months with by far the highest number of cheap flights to Italy are January and February,” Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight officer of Going.com, told Travel + Leisure. “Aside from winter travel, shoulder season (March through May and September through November) is known for cheap Italy deals,” he said.

When looking for ways to save money on flights to Italy, it’s important to be flexible. Try using the “anywhere” feature on Google Flights to compare flight costs to different cities in Italy. If, for example, you want to visit Rome but find that the cheapest flight is to Florence, you could save hundreds of dollars by flying to Florence and then taking the train to Rome.

How to Find an Affordable Hotel

According to Priceline, the average price of a hotel room in Rome rose from $180 in spring 2023 to $301 in May 2024 (that’s a whopping 67 percent increase), but there are still deals to be found. Accommodations in Italy run the gamut from historic grand dames with white glove service to spartan bed-and-breakfasts or hostels with shared dorms. And in many Italian cities, monasteries run guest houses that offer affordable rooms but might have a curfew. Sites like Booking.com will give you plenty of options that will likely fit your budget.

If you want to stay in the countryside, consider booking a room at an agriturismo. The word comes from “agri” for agriculture and “turismo” for tourism, so staying at one is essentially a form of agricultural tourism. Some have working farms that provide fresh fruit and vegetables and produce cheese or charcuterie, which they serve at their restaurant or sell at local markets. Better yet, they’re often more affordable than hotels or resorts.

Airbnb is an obvious choice, but it isn’t always more affordable than staying at a hotel, especially in in-demand neighborhoods in major cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. It’s a good idea to compare the prices of Airbnbs with budget hotels or hostels when deciding where to stay. And consider that accommodations in neighborhoods outside the historic center will usually cost less than staying near the major monuments.

Transportation in Italy

Italy has an extensive network of trains and buses that transport people around the country, and most cities have public transit (metros, buses, and/or trams) to move around within them. The key to saving money when traveling between cities is figuring out which train you need to book and booking it at the right time.

High-speed trains like the Frecciarossa travel at speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour. From Rome, you can be in Naples in 70 minutes, Florence in 90 minutes, Milan in three hours, and Venice in four hours. Tickets on the high-speed trains should be booked in advance because the longer you wait to book, the higher the price will rise. There are also intercity trains and regional trains, which cost less but take longer than high-speed trains. If you want to visit small cities such as Parma or Tropea, you might need to transfer from a high-speed train to a slower intercity or regional train. Use Trenitalia.com or Italiarail.com to search for and book the best train routes.

To get around cities like Rome, Milan, and Bologna, the metro is often the cheapest and fastest way to go. In Rome, for example, a single ticket costs €4 and is valid on the metro, buses, and trams for 100 minutes. ( For €8.50, you can buy a 24-hour pass that grants you unlimited rides. Tickets can be purchased at ticket booths in some metro stations, at the automatic machines in all metro stations, or at a tabaccaio (look for a sign with the letter T) or at some newsstands. You can use Google Maps to plan your route or download the app Moovit, which has updated information about metro, bus, and tram lines and will warn you about service changes and strikes.

In Venice, the vaporetto is the name for the public water buses that ply the Grand Canal and ferry passengers to the outer islands—and they are significantly cheaper than taking a water taxi. If you just want to cross the Grand Canal, look for the gondola traghetto. These gondolas operate in points where there isn’t a bridge nearby—like between Piazza San Marco and Punta della Dogana — and cost €2 to ride.

Eating on a Budget

Eating out in Italy can put a dent in your wallet, but it doesn’t have to. There are many different types of restaurants in Italy, ranging from casual take-out spots to fine dining restaurants with elaborate tasting menus. According to Numbeo, the average cost of a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant in Italy is €70, while the average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is €15.

When I want to sit down for a casual meal of local specialties with affordable prices, I book a table at a trattoria or an osteria. Eating at a pizzeria is also a good option that’s usually more affordable than eating at a restaurant. Sit-down pizzerias are usually only open for dinner, but sometimes I like to get pizza al taglio (by the slice) for a quick lunch. Popping into a friggitoria (a place that specializes in fried food) is also a good option for a quick bite. And most bars have a selection of pastries and sandwiches.

To save a bit of money, join the locals in drinking their espresso standing up at the bar counter instead of sitting down and getting table service. In my experience, an espresso taken standing at a bar usually costs around €1.20, while a cappuccino and cornetto might cost €3 or €4.

Free and Low-cost Activities

Visiting museums, archeological sites, and other cultural attractions in Italy is generally quite affordable. Tickets sometimes cost just a few euros or at most about €25. For popular attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Galleria Borghese in Rome, the Uffizi Galleries and Pitti Palace in Florence, and the Doge’s Palace and Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice, it’s best to book tickets in advance. At the Colosseum, for example, tickets might sell out, forcing you to fork over a lot more money to join a guided tour. If you want to save money, book a basic entry ticket in advance and listen to one of Rick Steves’ free audio tours.

State-run museums throughout Italy are free on the first Sunday of every month and on some holidays, like the Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) on April 25, but in some cases, you’ll still need to book tickets online in advance.

There are also lots of things to do in Italy that are totally free all year round. Most churches are free to enter—and some of the most incredible Renaissance and Baroque art you’ll see in Italy is inside them. I have found that Italy’s churches can also be a cool, quiet place to rest my feet if I’ve been walking around for hours. Public parks such as Villa Borghese in Rome are also free. And of course, strolling around and simply admiring the beautiful piazzas, fountains, and monuments doesn’t cost a cent.

More Money-saving Tips

If you’re visiting Italy in the summer, you’ll probably want to soak up the sun on the beach, but prices at the beach clubs range wildly from about €15 to upwards of €100 for a sunbed and umbrella—not including food and drinks. While prices tend to be higher in touristy areas like Capri, Positano, the Italian Riviera, and the Costa Smeralda, you don’t have to fork over a fortune to enjoy the beach. Instead, seek out free public beaches (called spiaggia libera)—just make sure to bring your own towel.

You might also want to consider visiting secondary cities, such as Parma, Modena, Siena, Perugia, Orvieto, Tropea, and Lecce, where accommodations, experiences, and even meals are often less expensive than in major cities.

Wondering where to wander in Europe? Our experts pick the best trails, from gentle Amalfi coast hikes to Greek island hopping and Norwegian fjord explorations

Remember that song by Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Are Made for Walkin’? Well, Nancy, never mind the footwear, our bodies are made for walking too — and there are few holiday pursuits more natural than a proper, old-fashioned hike. You stretch your legs a little, conversation is suddenly uncorked and the need to reach your goal supplies all the purpose you need. Suddenly, you notice your surroundings too — and that’s what makes this collection of European walking holidays especially mouth-watering, because they explore some of the continent’s most dramatic and fascinating landscapes. Madeira, the Dolomites and Albania’s Accursed Mountains all feature, with levels of difficulty to suit every adventurer — and a good night’s sleep at the end of each day all but guaranteed.

1. Campania, Italy

No wonder the Amalfi coast has become such a hiking hub. Thanks to its plunging mountainsides, movie-star glamour and shimmering sea views, just being there is a buzz. And by walking its revitalised network of valley paths and mountainside mule tracks, you’ll avoid the perpetual crowds of its harbour towns.

This moderately strenuous seven-night Intrepid itinerary overnights in four small hotels — in Naples, Agerola, Minori and Amalfi — and is canny for all sorts of reasons. As well as tackling the short but spectacular Path of the Gods, it sets a day aside for Pompeii’s ruins and adds a kayaking excursion from Minori so you get an essential taste of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Just be sure to extend your stay by at least a day, in order to climb to the mountain-top Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Avvocata. Hardly anyone hikes there, despite the sensational views.

2. Haute Savoie, France

It’s an essential part of walking’s appeal — the sense of freedom that comes from spending a whole day outdoors. This 14-night tour of Mont Blanc in the western Alps doubles down on that pleasure but turns the hike into a camping trip as well. Don’t worry: all your gear is transported ahead of you, and your camp support leader puts up your spacious, two-person tents before you arrive, as well as preparing your meals. Nearly all your campsites have hot showers too.

Nevertheless, this is still a challenging hike, as you circle, 94 miles, around the mountain’s mesmerising massif — from Chamonix into Switzerland, on through Italy and back into France. Each of your three scheduled rest days is going to be bliss.

3. The Cyclades, Greece

The ever-changing play of sunlight across the Aegean gives this easy-going two-week Explore! island-hopping itinerary its sparkle. So, too, the chance to commune with its ghosts as you explore the islands’ historic paths. On Paros, for example, you’ll walk a Byzantine road, paved with local marble, that’s thought to be 1,000 years old. On Syros, coastal walks are the norm, while a dramatic path beckons in Santorini, along the edge of the island’s crater.

On each of your four island stops you’ll stay in small and friendly hotels, with plenty of free time for day-trips to neighbouring islands or optional hikes with your guide. Or maybe just a lazy afternoon, soaking up the spring or autumn sun like a lizard.

4. Cumbria and Northumberland, UK

For a continuous dialogue between history and landscape, England’s Hadrian’s Wall path has few European rivals, especially in its central section. Here, it shadows the best-surviving parts of the Imperial frontier, as the wall hauls itself onto the Whin Sill escarpment and marches on, regardless of the terrain, in a way that speaks volumes about the Roman mindset.

This five-night self-guided holiday with Exodus takes care of your daily luggage transfers as you walk from Lanercost near Brampton to St Oswald’s Church, above Hexham, with overnight stops in four different inns and hotels en route. And because it allows you to set your own pace and book your own dinners, it gives you time to properly enjoy two key features of this magnificent stretch of country — the world-class archaeology of the fort at Vindolanda, just south of the wall, and a burgeoning gastronomic scene.

5. Valbone, Albania

Sheer cliffs and bare limestone crags make Albania’s Accursed Mountains reminiscent of Italy’s magnificent Dolomites. But there is one startling difference — by western European standards, hardly anyone lives there. It’s a place of rudimentary infrastructure and isolated villages, now protected by the Alps of Albania National Park; and the sense that you’re seeing a mountain range in a more pristine state adds an extra thrill to this guided week-long exploration with Wild Frontiers. Five days of fairly strenuous walking culminate in a crossing of the 1,795m (5,889ft) Valbona Pass, accompanied by packhorses to carry your luggage. Overnight accommodation is in a range of small hotels and local guesthouses.

6. Vestland, Norway

Odda, southeast of Bergen, is your base for G Adventures’ feisty, one-week introduction to the Norwegian fjords — which climaxes with a guided ascent to the Troll’s Tongue balcony of rock, that sticks out 700m (2,296ft) above the lake at Ringedalsvatnet. This final 10-12 hour trip includes an optional via ferrata section and requires both agility and a steady nerve. But the itinerary builds to it slowly with an easier climb to the Strandsfossen waterfall, a walk on the Folgefonna Glacier, and a day of rest for kayaking, biking or self-guided rambles alongside the shores of the Hardangerfjord. After one night in Bergen your accommodation will be in one of Odda’s unfussy, hiker-friendly hotels.

7. Madeira, Portugal

Roughly 100 million years in the making, Madeira is nature’s Atlantic-island masterpiece. A breathtakingly intricate and vertiginous place, it mixes subtropical forests, terraced fields and towering cliffs — while see-forever ocean views add a haunting, edge-of-the-world sense of isolation.

Not surprisingly, getting around the island is tricky, so the best walking holidays here are group tours which stick to either the eastern or the western half of the island and provide transfers to and from the walks, saving you the stress of mountain driving.

Ramble Worldwide has a moderately strenuous eight-day Eastern Madeira trip that’s based in a modern hotel in the island’s capital (complete with rooftop pool) and focuses on the island’s more dramatic eastern end. Among the highlights are hikes along the sinuous Sao Lourenco peninsula and through the lush forests of the Ribeiro Frio.

8. Cornwall, England

England’s South West Coast Path may be a 630-mile leviathan, which takes many walkers seven to eight weeks to complete, but the six-night, self-guided Walking the tip of Cornwall itinerary from Headwater will serve up many of its highlights in a much shorter, 41-mile package. Tracing Cornwall’s far western tip, the route explores the county’s wildest and most atmospheric stretch of coast — from St Ives to Morvah — as well as the gorgeous shimmering coves of Porthcurno and Lamorna.

The endless undulations of the cliff path will test your legs, so the trip’s baggage transfer service between your overnight stops (in five atmospheric inns and hotels) is a boon, as is the respite provided by pubs such as the Gurnard’s Head. But it’s the heaving ocean beside you that offers the best reward for your efforts. You’ll never tire of looking at it.

9. La Gomera, Spain

It’s not only sunbathers who love the Canary Islands’ balmy climate. January and February temperatures that top out at 22C make it a congenial place for winter walking too — and to sidestep the kiss-me-quick holiday resorts, all you need to do is target a smaller island.

Mountainous La Gomera is the hiker’s favourite. A mix of semi-desert, tangled cloud forests and steeply-terraced fields, it’s a place of startling contrasts; with sea views at the end of every valley and small, characterful hotels that feel a world away from the behemoths of neighbouring Tenerife.

In six moderately strenuous walks, Exodus’s self-guided, seven-night Contrasts of La Gomera tour explores its most distinctive landscapes; from the island’s summit at Alto de Garajonay to the village of Agulo, set on a green and fertile balcony of farmland.

10. Lapland, Sweden

Here’s a useful corrective to the idea that Europe is overcrowded; Kungsleden trek — the Kings Trail of Sweden is a nine-night, hut-to-hut hike through a landscape that is almost entirely unpopulated. KE Adventure’s trip follows a section of the trail into the Scandinavian mountains, and once you’ve left the wayside halt of Abisko, north of Kiruna, the only people you’ll see are the wardens of the mountain refuges you’ll stay in — and other hikers.

The trip is guided, which takes nearly all the stress out of venturing into such a wilderness, although you will have to carry all your own gear and a share of the communal food. It also allows for the ascent of Sweden’s highest mountain: the 2,097m (6,879ft) Kebnekaise. If there’s snow on the summit, your guide will supply crampons and show you how to use them.

11. Sardinia, Italy

Usually, it’s the landscape that supplies your walking holiday with a sense of drama. But on Italy’s toughest trek — the Selvaggio Blu — it’s the path itself that will give you goosebumps. Over the course of 25 miles, along Sardinia’s wildest stretch of eastern coastline, it serves up five abseils and two via ferratas, as well as lunchtime swims in secluded coves.

The six-night Trek the Selvaggio Blu Trail tour with Much Better Adventures tackles the full length with five nights of camping en route and the support of a qualified and experienced mountain guide. Needless to say, both a head for heights and a high level of fitness are essential.

We’re all familiar with travel tips such as pack a flexible wardrobe, roll clothes, don’t fold – and stash your passport and other travel documents somewhere handy but safe.

But one hotel manager has curated a selection of must-dos that can help make a holiday really feel like a break.

Lachlan Walker is the regional general manager, Fiji and Pacific, IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the Pacific Island holiday spot’s largest luxury resorts.

He has experienced thousands of guest stays each year, which means he and his team see first-hand what helps people switch into holiday mode faster – and what quietly derails it.

That gives Walker a clear idea of how Australians travel. He sees the good habits, the avoidable mistakes, and the small behaviours that instantly change the tone of a trip.

Rather than another generic packing list, he’s pulled together a selection of the small, practical travel habits that consistently make the biggest difference, whether you’re heading to Fiji or anywhere offshore.

Here are a few that could resonate:

1. Pack your ‘first-hour kit’ in your carry-on

Swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, deodorant, phone charger. Most guests waste their first afternoon rummaging through luggage. Those who change immediately feel like their holiday starts the second they arrive, not three hours later.

2. Take a photo of your packed suitcase before you zip it

It sounds simple, but when guests can’t remember whether they packed something, or need to describe contents for insurance or lost luggage claims, that photo becomes gold.

3. Set your out-of-office a day earlier than your flight

The guests who arrive genuinely relaxed are the ones who mentally clock off before departure day. If you’re answering emails in the airport lounge, you’re already behind.

4. Unpack properly, even for three nights

Guests who live out of their suitcase never quite settle. Taking 10 minutes to hang clothes and clear surfaces makes even a short stay feel longer and calmer.

5. Leave space in your itinerary for boredom

The most consistent feedback from returning guests is that their favourite moments weren’t scheduled. A long breakfast. An unplanned swim. An afternoon that drifted. Overscheduling is the fastest way to come home needing another break.

6. Keep swimwear in a breathable pouch, not plastic

In tropical destinations especially, guests often struggle with damp clothes by mid-stay. A simple mesh or fabric pouch prevents musty smells and makes packing up easier.

7. Decide your digital boundary before you land

Not just “less phone time”, but something specific. No email after 4pm. No phone at breakfast. Guests who define a rule before arrival stick to it far more successfully.