THE COMPASS

This week: Chasing wild weather in Canada; wine regions with fewer crowds; a national park with no crowds; an island abbey in France and a coral island in Taiwan; and going eye to eye with humpbacks.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AWL IMAGES; JOHN E. MARRIOTT

Go eye to eye with humpbacks on this back-to-nature kayak tour

Crackling campfires, starlit nights, and breaching whales—this immersive island adventure puts you in the thick of nature.

Related: Whale watching is booming. Here’s how to do it responsibly.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICKY FORBES

At this clifftop resort, get a front-row seat to storm-chasing with hygge vibes

In 1996, the film Twister sparked a fascination with storm-chasing that still thrills today. At this wild weather zone, travelers can get a glimpse of the action from the comfort—and safety—of a cozy resort.

Related: From floatplanes to via ferrata, these are British Columbia’s wildest adventures

PHOTOGRAPH BY DIANE TRIMBLE

Love Napa but not the crowds? Roam these lesser known California wine regions

The Golden State may be famous for the award-winning wines that draw millions to Northern California. But there are more hidden regions worth toasting.

Related: Is this the new Napa?

TOOLS AND TIPS TO TRAVEL BETTER

PRESENTED BY CITI® / AADVANTAGE®

PHOTOGRAPH BY JONATHAN IRISH

Your next adventure: Tokyo, Japan

Join National Geographic photographer Jonathan Irish as he explores Tokyo’s vibrant neighborhoods, incredible food, and hidden treasures, and discover why this city should be your next adventure.

TRAVEL JOURNAL

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEITH LADZINSKI, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Photo gallery: Peer into the abyss at Colorado’s least-visited national park

There’s a reason the few travelers who have visited this compelling landscape say it’s better than the Grand Canyon—and far less crowded.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PASCAL ROSSIGNOL / REUTERS/ ALAMY

Soar above this medieval monastery perched on a tiny island

France’s famed sanctuary sits at the “peril” of the sea that surrounds it, where it’s subject to some of the highest tides in the world.

Related: A new sustainable development plan aims to preserve France’s island abbey

MORE TRENDING STORIES
TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT TRIP

Clicking on the Facebook, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.
Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2025 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.