Everyone’s heard of Barcelona. A lot of people have heard of Costa Brava. Some may have heard of Tarragona. But if you keep driving south — past the Roman ruins and beach resorts of Costa Dorada — something quieter and wilder starts to appear. Pine-covered cliffs, secret calas you’ll have to shimmy into, a coastline that smells like fennel and salt, and tuna. Massive, impressive bluefin tuna.

Welcome to Southern Catalonia’s wild coast. Here's how we fell in love with it — and how you can too.

We’ve packed for Arctic ferries, jungle hikes, desert road trips, and one slightly questionable swamp tour in Louisiana — and if there’s one thing we’ve learned? Most packing lists are basically long-winded ways of telling you to buy more stuff.

This isn’t that.

This is the gear we actually use for every trip, regardless of the destination. The stuff that’s earned a permanent spot in our suitcase after being thrown around, rained on, and occasionally stolen (RIP Lonely Planet Indonesia, and shame on you, anonymous traveler who took it in our hostel). It’s not minimalism. It’s lagom. It’s just common sense, hard-earned from years of overpacking, underpacking… and repacking on the hotel floor.

Who better to share the best of Sitges than the locals? We’ve partnered with @TheGuideSitges, a great go-to resource for all things Sitges, to bring you their top tips. From hidden spots to iconic events, here’s everything you need to know — straight from the experts.

Although increasingly blighted by mass day tourism which sees large tour groups doing hit-and-runs on the main sites, Sitges retains many places off the beaten track for discovering unforgettable corners that you would only find if you knew where to look. That’s what this guide is all about.

Here’s a rundown of some experiences that not everyone will get to know about, gathered specifically for readers of Penguin Trampoline

Sure, you’ve seen the photos: turquoise coves in Formentera, impossibly blue beaches in Sardinia, rugged cliffs hugging the Costa Brava. These Mediterranean icons are no secret — and in July or August, they can feel more like open-air festivals than peaceful getaways. Sure, we’re all about Arctic destinations, but we love a good Mediterranean beach too!

And here’s the thing: even the busiest places have quiet corners. You just need to know where to look.

After years of exploring these coastlines (and ducking the crowds like pros), we’ve put together our favorite off-the-beaten-path spots — the secret beaches, small-town stays, wild hikes, and local food joints that still make us feel like we’ve discovered something new.

If you want sun, salt, and (some) space to breathe — this is your summer guide.

Everyone’s heard of Algarve’s golden sands and dramatic cliffs. But here’s the secret: Portugal’s wildest, quietest, most soul-restoring beaches aren’t in the brochures.

From the windy wilds of the Alentejo to the moody cliffs north of Lisbon, here are 10 spots where the Atlantic still roars and the Wi-Fi still sucks (in a good way). Swam in their icy Atlantic waters (check local advice for currents). Got lost on dusty trails. Ate delicious fish along the way.

These aren’t polished. They’re not trendy. They’re not all swimmable — head to Algarve for calmer waters. They’re wild, raw, and totally worth the detour. And yuou’ll definitely need a rental car.

Here are 10 of our favorite underrated beaches in Portugal — the ones we almost didn’t want to share. These are the “praias” we tell our closest friends about — and now, you!

We were looking for a nature destination with whimsical, dramatic landscapes for our unofficial wedding. Iceland had gotten way too popular, and the Lofoten Islands seemed to be next…

We found the perfect Faroese photographer, so we decided to travel to the Faroe Islands to symbolically get married, and, of course, explore this one-of-a-kind destination!

Will you join us on an unforgettable trip to the Faroe Islands?

Spoiler alert: A very famous character died there!

We often get asked if a travel insurance is necessary.

Good question!

Keep reading to find out, to learn all the benefits of a travel insurance, and to enjoy 5% discount — up to 15% off with seasonal offers — exclusive to Penguin Trampoline readers if you do need one.

Packing for Greenland is like dressing for mood swings — sunshine, snow, wind, and rain all before lunch. We’ve lived it, felt it, and nearly froze our eyelashes off. Take this as your Arctic survival script (with a side of style… or not).

And yes, read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for even more cherry-picked wisdom!

Imagine a place where rainbow flags dance in the Mediterranean breeze, where cobblestone streets lead to hidden calas and iconic beaches, and where the spirit of love and acceptance is palpable in the warm welcome of the locals.

Benvinguts a Sitges, the ultimate destination for LGBTQ+ pride celebrations and a magical place we’re blessed to call home!

Nestled on the stunning Garraf coast, near Barcelona, this postcard-perfect town offers so much more than sol y playa; it’s a vibrant haven of inclusivity and joy. ¿Nos acompañas?

here’s something quietly radical about sailing down the coast of Greenland. In a world obsessed with faster, flashier, and flatter, boarding the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry from Ilulissat to Nuuk felt like a deliberate act of slowing down. Like trading in your high-speed train for a wandering polar bear. Or, say, skipping the flight in favor of a three-day odyssey past glaciers, fishing villages, and the kind of endless horizon that recalibrates your sense of scale.

We hate cruises. This has nothing to do with one. Welcome aboard!

Icebergs that groan and crack like thunder. Midnight suns that never set. Sled dogs howling across the frozen fjord. Welcome to Ilulissat: Greenland’s jaw-dropping, iceberg-studded west coast town where nature doesn’t just whisper—it roars.

Nuuk might be Greenland’s capital. But Ilulissat? Ilulissat is the showstopper. The drama queen. The main event. It’s the number 1 tourist destination in Greenland, and there’s a good reason for that.

At a young age, I (Eli) saw a documentary about Disko Bay and always remembered. So, seeing these icy giants 3 decades later was a dream come true. And there’s no word to describe a feeling like that, but we will try our best.

So why Nuuk, Greenland? Because it’s not trying to impress you. Nuuk doesn’t show off. It just is. It’s a capital without the stress, and without the tourist groups of Ilulissat. A city that feels like a village — if that village had sushi, mummies, arctic fjords, and some of the most grounded, generous people you’ll ever meet.

We had seen Nuuk in Conan O’Brien Must Go, we knew about the new airport, and we landed here with a few vague expectations about “Arctic vibes.” What we got was something else entirely: a crash course in Greenlandic calm, a boatload of icebergs, and an accidental royal sighting (more on that later). And honestly, we were very surprised on many levels.

Nuuk is not just a place. It’s a reset button. And we can’t shut up about it.

Greenland was a childhood dream for us, and the only Arctic destination we hadn’t explored (with the exception of Siberia, but not happening right now). So, when we heard about Nuuk’s new international airport and direct flights from the US, we HAD to go before everyone else does.

We just came back from Nuuk and Ilulissat — with a ferry ride in between — and we’re still thawing out emotionally. If you’re even slightly tempted to go, this is your sign. Here’s everything that might be useful if Greenland is on your bucket list (don’t worry, we’ll leave a few surprises). Adventure ahead!

Espot, Spain, is the hidden gem of the Spanish Pyrenees we had been dreaming of. Imagine stepping into a postcard-perfect village, surrounded by dramatic mountains, with welcoming locals.

While there are tourists, mass tourism is not a thing (yet), so we thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet!

Espot offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and local charm that's simply irresistible. Ready to dive into this beautiful corner of Catalonia? Let's explore top six things to do in Espot.

The Lofoten Islands are a stunning playground for hikers. So picture-perfect, in fact, that the first time you’ll go there, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a real place — and not something out of Arendelle!

If you’re physically able to hike, that’s how you’ll breathe and feel the Lofoten Islands. And forever fall in love.

While increasingly popular, these gems are still not crowded with tourists. But hurry, it won’t last long.

So, put on your hiking shoes and follow us on our favorite trails!

Spoiler alert: You won’t find Mykonos or Ibiza here. This is a deeply biased, highly personal list of European beaches we’ve actually been to — and loved enough to forget our towels (and sometimes swimsuit) for. And don’t expect just sea, sun and sand! From lava-black shores in Iceland to dreamy coves in Sardinia, here’s where to go if you’re looking for irresistible landscapes and sweet solitude (well, at least off season).

When we first started exploring Portugal highlights, we thought we knew what to expect: the picturesque tram of Lisbon, the amazing Sintra, the beaches of the Algarve, and, of course, a pasteis de nata or two.

But trust us — Portugal has so much more to offer when you veer away from the typical tourist hotspots. It’s these hidden gems, these tucked-away villages and wild stretches of coast, that really made us fall in love with this place.

If you want to discover Portugal like we did, here are 5 places in Portugal off the beaten path.

Spoiler alert: It’s impossible to eat just a pasteis de nata or two. There’s a reason why they sell them in tubes!

Svalbard had been on our bucket list for a long time. And we finally took the leap… with a little help from a Black Friday offer on flights!

Remote… Freezing… Empty… Dark… Everyone asked us why on earth we decided to go there.

Well, because it’s the northernmost place you can go without an expedition, which means flights are actually affordable.

Yep, the northernmost, so close to the North Pole… How could we NOT want to go there? And in the heart of the winter, of course!

If you’ve been reading us for a while, you know we’re in love with Arctic regions. And a lot of people turn to us for advice, and even want us to go with them on an Arctic trip!.

We’ve been there. We’ve hiked across frozen tundras, stood under the shimmering Northern Lights in absolute silence, and yes, once questioned our life choices while knee-deep in snow, miles from civilization.

The Arctic isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling, a test of resilience, and a reward for those who seek the extraordinary. So, this guide is for you, adventurous penguins, and all of our friends and relatives who keep asking us stuff (we love you)!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Arctic adventures, it’s that human stubbornness knows no latitude. Where most creatures call it quits, slap on some fur, and hibernate, humans build bars, churches, and—of course — saunas. Because what’s a little darkness, ice, and bone-snapping wind when there’s beer to drink, sins to confess, and steam to sweat out?

We’ve been there, frozen that — from sipping local brews in Svalbard to sweating it out in a sauna shaped like a golden egg in Sweden. So here’s our firsthand guide to the northernmost everythings—places so absurdly remote that you’ll question why (and how) they even exist.