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A column in every issue · The day beyond the base

The Detour

The day trip that earns the drive, and how to do it without losing the week. The column about leaving.

30 columns · newest first

The column, issue by issue

  1. A visitor walking along a beach at Buck Island Reef National Monument, with the sea and hills in the distance. St. Croix · Vol. 2 · No. 10 · October 2026 Buck Island: St. Croix’s Reef Monument A boat trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument offers an underwater snorkel trail and a stop at Turtle Beach. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  2. The Christ the Redeemer statue on the Corcovado peak above Rio de Janeiro, with the city and the crowded viewing platform below.1 cristor redentor 2014 · Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Rio de Janeiro · Vol. 2 · No. 09 · September 2026 Rio's Clear-Day Ascents Plan two essential Rio climbs around the weather for views of the city and coast. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  3. A night sky shows numerous stars and a light trail above a dark landscape with a curving road, a layer of clouds, and distant land with faint lights. Maui · Vol. 2 · No. 08 · August 2026 Maui's Two Big Drives Maui's two signature drives, Haleakalā's summit and the Road to Hāna, are full days out, each requiring early starts and a full tank. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  4. The lakefront promenade at Menaggio on the western shore of Lake Como, with a tree-lined walkway, moored boats, and mountains across the water.Lake Como from Varenna 01 · Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped Lake Como · Vol. 2 · No. 07 · July 2026 Western Shore Gardens Leaving your base for a boat day to Villa del Balbianello and Villa Carlotta reveals the cultivated beauty of Lake Como's western shore. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  5. A view shows a vegetated cliff face dropping into the sea, with waves breaking at its base and a path running along the cliff top.Cliff at Uluwatu temple, Bali · Emma THERY · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Bali · Vol. 2 · No. 06 · June 2026 East to Sidemen When the central streets of Ubud feel busy, the Sidemen valley to the east offers the same terraced green with a fraction of the traffic, under the volcano. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 9
  6. Painted wooden boats and a red and blue plank walkway on stilts at the Carrasqueira palafitte pier, with huts on poles over the tidal mudCais Palafítico da Carrasqueira (2) · Sara Jaques · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Comporta · Vol. 2 · No. 05 · May 2026 Carrasqueira's Stilts Over The Estuary Beyond Comporta's beaches, the rickety palafitte pier at Carrasqueira offers a strange, photogenic landmark on the Sado estuary. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 9
  7. Bell Rock, a rounded red sandstone formation near the Village of Oak Creek south of Sedona, with desert scrub in the foreground.Bell Rock in Sedona · https://sedona.org/ · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Sedona · Vol. 2 · No. 04 · April 2026 Verde Valley Wine and Jerome Southwest of Sedona, the Verde Valley offers wine tasting, a historic mining town, and ancient cliff dwellings for a full day's outing. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 12
  8. The road to Glenorchy running along the shore at the head of Lake Wakatipu beneath high mountains. Queenstown · Vol. 2 · No. 03 · March 2026 The Glenorchy Road and Beyond The 45-minute drive along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy and Paradise offers a profound shift from Queenstown's town centre. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 8
  9. A two-lane road curves along a cliff, with a tall, reddish rock face on the left and the sea with distant land on the right.Chapmans Peak Drive 3 · kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Cape Town · Vol. 2 · No. 02 · February 2026 The Winelands Day Trip or Overnight Less than an hour from Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer a distinct wine country experience many wish they had extended. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 9
  10. The twin peaks of the Maroon Bells reflected in the still water of Maroon Lake, with dark forest on both slopes Aspen · Vol. 2 · No. 01 · January 2026 Ashcroft and the Valley A short drive up-valley from Aspen, the ghost town of Ashcroft offers groomed cross-country tracks and a calm half-day away from the ski lifts. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  11. McWay Falls dropping onto the sand of a small cove framed by cliffs at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State ParkMcWay Falls Big Sur May 2011 005 · King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped Big Sur · Vol. 1 · No. 10 · October 2025 Big Sur's Coastal Viewpoints Two iconic pull-offs on Highway 1 are worth timing for the perfect light, from a waterfall onto sand to a keyhole rock. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  12. Rows of vines on a hillside in the Chianti hills with olive trees and ploughed fields beyond under a pale skyChianti4 · Alicebrinis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Tuscany · Vol. 1 · No. 09 · September 2025 Val d'Orcia Hilltowns Drive The Val d'Orcia offers a string of fortified towns along its ridges, perfect for a day's exploration by car. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  13. A white-washed monastery building with a red dome and a bell tower stands on a grassy slope under a clear blue sky, with white village buildings in the background.Monastery of Panagia Tourliani 10 · Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped Mykonos · Vol. 1 · No. 08 · August 2025 Delos: A Morning Beyond Mykonos The sacred island next door is one of the great archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, a short boat ride from Mykonos, and best visited early before the midday sun. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  14. Low basket-trained grapevines growing in pale volcanic soil on SantoriniVineyard in Santorini 2 · ArticCynda · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Santorini · Vol. 1 · No. 07 · July 2025 Santorini's East, Vines, and Quiet Beaches Discover Santorini's other side: volcanic wines and black-sand beaches, offering a calmer pace away from the caldera crowds. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 8
  15. The hilltop village of Gordes in the Luberon, its pale stone houses stacked up the slope under a blue sky with wispy cloud1 gordes pano 2016 · Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Provence · Vol. 1 · No. 05 · May 2025 Luberon Villages and Camargue Marshes String together the perched villages of the Luberon one day, then run south to the flat Camargue and its horses and flamingos another. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  16. The wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera temple among red and orange maple trees in autumn, with the city of Kyoto spread out beyondKiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, November 2016 -01 · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Kyoto · Vol. 1 · No. 04 · April 2025 North to Ohara When the city's temples fill with visitors, Ohara's moss gardens and hillsides offer quiet a short journey from Kyoto's centre. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  17. The long stone perimeter wall of Kumbhalgarh fort running along the Aravalli ridgesKumbhalgarh Fort, Rajasthan 02 · Varada Phadkay · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Udaipur · Vol. 1 · No. 03 · March 2025 Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur Day Trip A long day's drive from Udaipur takes in a vast hill fort and one of India’s most intricate marble temples, offering a sharp contrast to the city's lakes. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 12
  18. A wide landscape view shows a riverbed flowing through a green valley with small villages, surrounded by mountains, some with snow, under a blue sky.Road to Ourika · Wimmiden · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped Marrakech · Vol. 1 · No. 02 · February 2025 The Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert An hour out, the High Atlas villages and the stony Agafay 'desert' give you a day of mountains or dunes and a different quiet to come back from. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 12
  19. The steep patterned tile roof and tall Gothic south tower of St Stephen's Cathedral seen from below.Wien, Stephansdom, Blick vom Südturm -- 2018 -- 3282 · Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Vienna · Vol. 0 · No. 12 · December 2024 An Hour Out of Vienna When Vienna's centre fills with festive crowds, two distinct day trips offer a welcome change of pace and scenery by train. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 13
  20. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets on wooden frames along the shore at Fort Kochi at low tide.Chinese Fishing Nets - 3 · Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Kerala · Vol. 0 · No. 11 · November 2024 Up to the Tea Hills of Munnar The four-hour climb from the coast to Munnar is the trip's second act, offering tea estates, planting history, and unique wildlife away from the busy town. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  21. A small white temple with a red roof and ornate windows stands by a stream with a waterfall, next to a dirt path in a dense forest.Paro Taktsang trail 08 · Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Bhutan · Vol. 0 · No. 10 · October 2024 Phobjikha Valley Cranes A half-day beyond Punakha, the high, open Phobjikha valley offers a quiet respite, especially when black-necked cranes arrive for winter. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 13
  22. The domed exterior of Hagia Sophia with its four minarets seen against the sky.Istanbul Türkiye Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Ank Kumar Infosys… · Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Istanbul · Vol. 0 · No. 09 · September 2024 The Princes' Islands Detour An hour by ferry from Istanbul, the Princes' Islands offer a quiet day of walking or cycling away from city traffic. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 14
  23. A still turquoise lake ringed by pine forest with a wooden boathouse and a steep peak rising behind.Lago di Braies South Tyrol 3 · kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped The Dolomites · Vol. 0 · No. 08 · August 2024 Walking the Front Line The Dolomites bear the indelible marks of the First World War, with walkable tunnels and restored trenches offering a profound human history. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 12
  24. Grey-shingled cottages in Siasconset under climbing pink roses in full summer bloom. Nantucket · Vol. 0 · No. 07 · July 2024 Great Point and the Far North Tip Nantucket's remote northern tip offers seals, a light station, and quiet, accessible by four-wheel-drive or guided tour. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 14
  25. A wide view of Gullfoss waterfall in a canyon, with water cascading into a misty gorge, and numerous visitors on paths along the banks.Gullfoss, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-16, DD 119 · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Iceland · Vol. 0 · No. 06 · June 2024 Iceland's Interior Roads Open The F-roads into Iceland's interior open for a short season, offering access to rhyolite mountains and hot springs. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  26. A winding tarmac road with white lines curves through a valley, flanked by grassy hills, under a pale sky with distant mountains. The Scottish Highlands · Vol. 0 · No. 05 · May 2024 The North Coast 500 Pace The North Coast 500 is a significant undertaking, demanding five days or more to traverse its 500 miles of northern coast. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 12
  27. The exterior of a large, ornate stone cathedral with multiple spires and a tall tower, partially covered in scaffolding, under a clear blue sky.Exterior of the Cathedral of Seville 20180719 · Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Seville · Vol. 0 · No. 04 · April 2024 Córdoba by Fast Train A quick journey from Seville reveals a city of unique historical weight, making a day trip by rail a worthwhile proposition. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  28. A wide red-sand desert valley with steep sandstone and granite mountains rising from the flat floor under a clear sky.Rum lama 1 · Lama Sakhnini · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Petra & Wadi Rum · Vol. 0 · No. 03 · March 2024 The King's Highway Southbound The King’s Highway offers a more rewarding journey from Amman to Petra, revealing Jordan’s history and landscapes through a series of worthwhile stops. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 11
  29. The sloping stone bastions of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress rising above Cartagena under a bright sky.Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena 15 · Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped Cartagena · Vol. 0 · No. 02 · February 2024 Rosario Islands: The Offshore Detour The clear water most visitors picture is offshore, in a protected coral archipelago an hour out by boat. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 10
  30. The wooden buildings and Arctic Circle marker of Santa Claus Village under snow at dusk. Finnish Lapland · Vol. 0 · No. 01 · January 2024 Kemi: Snow Castle and Icebreaker Kemi on the Gulf of Bothnia offers a unique winter experience with its annually rebuilt SnowCastle and the icebreaker Sampo. By Mariko Sato · 2 min read · p. 14
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