Pair City Adventures With Nature Escapes To Give Clients the Best of Both Worlds

Why choose between an urban adventure and relaxing nature escape when you can have both? 

For travel advisors, it’s becoming easier than ever to take your clients from traversing vibrant cities to connecting with more natural surroundings that are only a short journey away. Here are some insights from Allison Amini, owner of Novel World Travel in Encinitas, California, on how to curate the perfect city and nature escape trip combinations for your clients.

France: Lyon + Provence

Themes: Countryside, Jazz, Black History, Gastronomy

Lyon, the third-largest city in France after Marseille and Paris, is a city just big enough. It’s France’s gastronomic capital and known for its laid-back vibe and old-world charm, making it an easygoing segue into Provence, France’s idyllic countryside best experienced on a Rhône River cruise.

• Book With: For river cruises, try AmaWaterways’ themed itineraries focusing on wine, art and education led by Smithsonian Journeys, or discover the Rhône region through its local Black history and culture on the Soulful Experience. For shorter three- to four-night cruises, book with Riverside Luxury Cruises. For custom and private tours, book with Kensington Tours and Scott Dunn.
• Where to Stay: Lyon’s Presqu'île district in the city center for shopping and easy access to iconic squares like Place Bellecour, or the more lively Renaissance-era old town, Vieux Lyon, known for its many traditional bouchons.
• How to Get Around: Trains, river cruise or private transfer are available. 
• Closest Airports: Travelers can fly into Charles de Gaulle in Paris or Lyon-Saint Exupéry, which is about 30 minutes outside of the city center.

Portugal: Porto + Douro Valley 

Themes: Wine Country, Shopping, History, Architecture

Porto is the gateway to Portugal’s enchanted Douro River Valley. Travelers get the taste of city life with its hilly and bustling waterfront, vibrant culinary scene and historic architecture before exploring the Douro Valley, known for its terraced vineyards, dramatic scenery and Port wine production. River cruises are popular here, but land tours or self-guided road trips into the tranquil Douro Valley are an additional way to intimately discover the hidden nooks and crannies of the region.

• Book With: For river cruises, Avalon Waterways and Riviera Travel are sailing with new ships and itineraries. Perillo Tours specializes in land tours in centrally located hotels with four- or five-star experiences.
• Where to Stay: In Porto, there’s Ribeira, the historic riverside district, and Baixa, the lively downtown area with shops and nightlife close to the São Bento train station. Vila Nova de Gaia is on the other side of the river with terraced Port vineyards and wine cellars that offer tastings and tours overlooking the city. In the Douro Valley, a stay at the Hotel Rural Casa Viscondes da Várzea, a historic country wine estate in Lamego, is a must.
• How to Get Around: Trains are available from Porto into the Douro Valley for day trips or longer stays, in addition to river cruise journeys or private transfers for custom or group trips.
• Closest Airport: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is Porto’s international airport. 

Iceland: Reykjavik + South Coast

Themes: Road Trips, Geotourism 

“This is a pairing I design for every client of mine who goes to Iceland,” Amini said. “You can easily extend it to a Ring Road trip, but there’s enough in these two destinations alone for a full week of exploration.”

Reykjavik is a beautiful city that’s bursting with culture, though it’s small enough not to feel completely overwhelming to people who don’t love a big metropolis. From here, it’s a scenic drive to and around the South Coast, where vacationers can take in the iconic sights and experiences of Iceland’s natural wonders, such as waterfalls, glaciers and geysers.

• Book With: 50 Degrees North, a DMC that has deep connections in the region and prioritizes sustainability. For group tours, Amini said G Adventures does a “phenomenal job” and that she even used them last year to put together a private tour of Reykjavik and the South Coast for her friends and family for New Year’s.
• Where to Stay: Amini recommended staying in the city center in Reykjavik and suggested Edition, a modern luxury boutique hotel. “But if you’re looking for something more mid-range, Center Hotels Plaza is spacious and perfectly located,” Amini said. “On the South Coast, you can hop around quite a bit in a week’s time, but my favorite location to put people at is Skalakot Manor, an incredibly charming guesthouse and horse farm.”
• How to Get Around: Driving is the way to get around Iceland. Many people opt to rent a car and drive themselves, Amini said, though she does not recommend this in the winter. “I much preferred to have a driver and guide with G Adventures; this way, we could enjoy the scenery as it passed by outside the window, instead of worrying about missing a turn.”
• Closest Airport: Keflavik Airport is the gateway airport to Reykjavik and the South Coast.

Peru: Cusco + Sacred Valley 

Themes: Culture, Agritourism, Community Tourism, Hiking & Camping

Cusco thrives with its lively, bustling downtown area in and around Plaza de Armas, the historic center flanked by Spanish Colonial architecture, where boutique eateries, live music venues, nightlife and local marketplaces abound. 

Cusco is the gateway to the Sacred Valley, the heart of the Incan Empire, home of Machu Picchu and the sprawling fertile farmlands of the Andean Highlands. Here, travelers can visit indigenous Quechua communities that make their living through craftmaking, farming and community tourism projects that support their region.  

• Book With: Community tourism leaders like G Adventures and Intrepid Travel help travelers meaningfully connect with locals and indigenous communities and offer stays that can range from rugged camping and hiking trips to more comfortable premium journeys with softer landings. Luxury tour operators like Alexander + Roberts provide exceptional packaged and private journeys as well. 
• Where to Stay: Clients seeking a luxurious pampered retreat should look to Belmond Monasterio, a former monastery turned five-star hotel in the heart of Cusco. Los Portales Hotel Cusco is also charming and comfortable for mid-range stays in town. Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley offers an upscale premium experience and is near to the Ollantaytambo train station for those traveling to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu.
• How to Get Around: Trains are part of most trips between Cusco and the Sacred Valley and one of the main ways to get to the entry point of Machu Picchu outside of hiking. There’s PeruRail, which offers various experience packages, or the more luxurious, all-inclusive Belmond Hiram Bingham Train. Private transfers are often used to explore the rest of the Sacred Valley, along with hiking and camping trails.
• Closest Airports: Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima and Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport are the closest options.

Japan: Tokyo + Hakone

Themes: Gastronomy, Spa + Wellness, Shopping, Culture

“Tokyo is my favorite city in the world. I’ve been there three times, and it offers an unmatched mix of food, culture and energy — truly nowhere in the world is like it,” Amini said. “But it can also be a lot to take in, especially after a few days. So if you need a break from the bustle, Hakone is just a short train ride away. It’s much quieter. You can stay on Lake Ashi, bathe in natural hot springs and enjoy views of Mount Fuji (if she cooperates).”

• Book With: Amini often works with InsideJapan, citing that they provide seamless itineraries that deliver Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train) tickets and pocket Wi-Fi devices to her clients’ first hotel so that they never have to worry about how to navigate what can at first be an intimidating country. She also added that they have access to the “best” guides.
• Where to Stay: Shinjuku is the place to be, Amini suggested, as there is “so much dining, shopping and nightlife right outside your door,” plus easy access to Shinjuku Station, which connects travelers to the rest of the city and countryside easily. “In Hakone, I recommend staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, to really immerse in natural surroundings,” she said. “For a more traditional hotel, there are great options with views of Lake Ashi.”
• How to Get Around: Trains or private transfers are the way to go. “The Shinkansen is the best way to get from Tokyo to Hakone,” Amini said, adding that it’s only about 30 to 45 minutes to the main station. “Once you’re there, you can either take a private taxi to your hotel or take advantage of the public transport in Hakone.”
• Closest Airports: Narita or Haneda in Tokyo are the best gateway airports, and are easy to get to from Hakone by train.

Hungary: Budapest + Etyek

Themes: Wine Country, Jazz, Spa, History

Known as the “Pearl of the Danube” and the gateway of river cruising, Budapest is where the old world meets the new. It has a lively nightlife, culinary and tourism scene, plus a rich spa culture with its many geothermal pools. A day trip or weekend getaway to nearby Etyek, where some of Hungary’s legendary wines are produced, is a must, especially during the village’s summer jazz festival. 

• Book With: The Danube River allows for larger ships like the Riverside Mozart from Riverside Luxury Cruises and the AmaMagna from AmaWaterways to provide double-sized accommodations and amenities for guests. Custom tour operators like Kensington Tours are great for land-based itineraries or pre- and post-trip adventures.
• Where to Stay: Grand hotel stays abound in Budapest at centrally-located properties like Matild Palace, the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. 
• How to Get Around: Trains connect travelers to other major cities, while trams are a scenic way of getting around the city. Private transfers or Bolt, the Uber-equivalent in Budapest, are also options. 
• Closest Airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Morocco: Marrakech + Atlas Mountains 

Themes: Shopping, History, Culture, Gastronomy 

Marrakesh is a city filled with culture, color and traditions at every turn. A visit to medina, the historic walled city known for its maze of narrow alleys, souks and riads, is a staple of any trip to the Red City. And don’t forget cooking classes to learn how to make traditional dishes like tagine or simply sitting at a cafe to enjoy mint tea. 

For more natural and relaxed settings, there’s the Agafay Desert, where clients can enjoy camel rides across the sand dunes and gourmet meals in luxury tented camps. Then, slightly further away from Marrakech, are the Atlas Mountains, where travelers can visit the villages in the foothills and hike the rugged terrain before spending time with local Berber families at their homes, learning about their culture and traditions. 

• Book With: Abercrombie & Kent has deep ties with suppliers, premier hotels and destination experts who can craft one-of-a-kind tailormade experiences. 
• Where to Stay: For a luxury riad stay within walking distance to medina, consider La Villa des Orangers. In the nearby Palmeraie district, book a unique stay at Jnane Tamsna. Scarabeo Camp in the Agafay Desert and Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains are relaxing options outside of Marrakech.
• How to Get Around: Private transfer is the best way around Marrakech and the surrounding region.
• Closest Airport: Marrakech Menara Airport is the international airport serving the area.

Originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of The Compass magazine