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Air Canada, Air New Zealand, airlines, Blue Lagoon, budget travel, Cathay Pacific, Chile, China, Fiji, Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong, Iceland, Icelandair, Istanbul, LAN Air, layover, Reykjavik, Santiago, South Pacific Islands, spas, stopover, Tahiti, Travel, Turkey, Turkish Airlines
The stopover has rapidly become the best deal for savvy travellers. If you’re travelling on a long haul flight, why not get off the plane at the halfway point and add an extra country to your trip? It’s an opportunity to stretch your legs, get some decent sleep, and explore an extra city (or two) that you would’ve otherwise flown over.
For most airlines, a stopover is a visit of at least 24 hours or longer in a city. The best part is, most airlines will allow a stopover for free or at very minimal charge. Some will even allow passengers to stay as long as a week, while others permit multiple stops on a journey. It’s basically a two-for-one special!
Here are six stopovers to consider when booking your next trip:
1. Hong Kong, China
Why go? Hong Kong is buzzy, alive, and rarely sleeps. Foodies will love this city for its non-stop buffet of international cuisine. Don’t miss Dim Sum in a Cantonese restaurant or High Tea at the swanky Intercontinental Hotel. At sunset, take the tram to Victoria Peak and snap killer photos of the skyline. Fashionistas can cruise for designer labels near Tsim Sha Tsui or dirt cheap bargains in the Temple Street Night Market. For a walk on the wild side, I recommend the Dragon’s Back trail – a 4-hour trek along the South China Sea declared “Best Urban Hike in Asia” by Time Magazine.
Airline: Cathay Pacific
Destinations: Over 167 destinations worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Middle East & Indian Subcontinent, Mainland China & Northeast Asia.
2. REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Why go? Seven days is plenty to explore Iceland’s rugged scenery, shops, fresh seafood, and volcanoes. In the winter, you can get awesome views of the Aurora Borealis outside of Reykjavik. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon – a geothermal spa formed out of a lava field. I loved relaxing in the warm waters and it’s good for the body. Read about my past trip here.
Airline: Icelandair
Departs: Toronto or Halifax (May to September). Year-round USA departures.
Destinations: Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Finland, England, Spain, Italy, France, Russia, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Canada.
