The World’s Most Instagrammable Sunset Cities; The World’s Cheapest Countries + Golf and Cruise News

Here’s a fun chart: A look at the world’s best cities for Instagram sunset posts.

New research by Heepsy analyzed 54 cities worldwide to identify the ones that have the most Instagrammable sunsets. The study considered several key factors, including the number of Instagram hashtags, average annual sunshine hours, air quality index (AQI), tourist arrivals, and popular sunset spots, to determine the cities that offer the most stunning and popular sunset experiences. 

Here’s their top nine, including total score based on the above factors and key places to watch the sun go down. As a California native who grew up near San Francisco and went to college in L.A., I love seeing both cities on the list, as well as Honolulu, Barcelona and Istanbul.

Paris: 100, Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur Basilica, Pont Alexandre III

Dubai: 98.6, Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Marina

Los Angeles: 97.2, Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach

Barcelona: 90.5, Park Guell, Montjuic, Barceloneta Beach

San Francisco: 88,8, Lands End, Baker Beach, Twin Peaks

Cannes: 85.6, La Croisette, Ile Sainte-Marguerite, Suquet Hill

Madrid : 81.4, Temple of Debod, Parque del Oeste, Circulo de Bellas Artes

Istanbul: 79.5, Galata Tower, Maiden’s Tower, Bosphorus Strait

Honolulu: 66.6, Waikiki Beach, Tantalus Lookout, Ala Moana Beach Park

Speaking of Honolulu, here are some great reasons to visit.

• Ideal Weather and Fewer Crowds: During September/October, Honolulu boasts warm temperatures in the 80s, with comfortable evenings in the lower 70s, an ideal diversion from the chill of fall temps elsewhere on the mainland (endless summer!)
• Cultural Immersion: The annual Aloha Festivals in September showcase Hawaiian arts, music, and traditions, providing an authentic glimpse into local culture. Visitors can enjoy Hawaii’s largest block party, parades, and a variety of cultural events that foster the aloha spirit. And, from October 3-13, the Honolulu Film Festival on Oahu invites film lovers to experience a diverse array of international and local films, celebrating storytelling in the heart of Honolulu. The festival provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work against the backdrop of Hawaii’s vibrant cultural scene.

Places to stay in Honolulu:

• Hotel Renew: This chic boutique hotel, appealing to GenZ’s and surfers, offers a stylish and intimate experience for in-the-know travelers.
• Waikiki Malia: Recently having undergone a multi-million renovation, this conveniently located hotel puts you right in the heart of Waikiki’s best shopping and just steps from the iconic beach.
• Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head Hotel: For those seeking a more secluded experience, this elevated hotel, ideal for couples and the active set, provides a tranquil retreat with stunning views of nearby Diamond Head and offers a full-floor, newly refreshed 1,700 square foot Penthouse. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond also happens to be where one of the hottest new restaurants in Honolulu is located – Arden Waikiki, named by Eater as one of Honolulu’s Essential Restaurants, and helmed by husband-and-wife chef team Makoto Ono and Amanda Cheng.

CHEAPEST DESTINATIONS TO VISIT

I’ve often told people to look to Southeast Asia if they want an inexpensive holiday. I often see four or five-star hotels in cities like Bangkok for $200 CAD or less. That same hotel in, say, Paris or New York City, might cost five or eight times as much. Food is also much cheaper in southeast Asia.

So, I wasn’t surprised when I saw that HelloSafe included a number of Southeast Asia countries in their most recent list of cheapest countries in the world to visit.

Laos came in on top, with a daily budget of $18 USD. That’s a tiny fraction of the $463 you would have to spend for a day in Barbados, which HelloSafe lists as the most expensive country to visit at $463 USD per day.

Here’s their top 10 cheapest and top 10 most expensive countries to visit, based on Food, transportation, accommodation and tourist activities. The list does not take into account the cost to get to the destination.

Canada came in as the 35^th most expensive at $215 USD per day, roughly on a par with Finland, Hong Kong and Australia.

The chart is pretty amazing. If you assume the numbers are accurate, and I don’t know any reason that they wouldn’t be, you could spend more than three weeks in Laos for what it would cost for a single night in Barbados. Or, let’s say you’re a Europe lover. You could spend 10 nights in Armenia for what it costs for a single night in Switzerland.

TEN CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT

Laos: $18 USD per day

Kazakhstan: $26

Rwanda: $28

Ghana: $29

Mongolia: $32

Armenia: $36

Burkina Faso: $38

Georgia: $39

Mali: $41

Burma (Myanmar): $44

TEN MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES TO VISIT

Barbados: $468

Antigua and Barbuda: $438

Saint Kitts and Nevis: $385

Maldives: $371

Grenada: $368

Switzerland: $359

United States: $354 (Such a wide range from place to place, but this could be right)

Micronesia: $350

Greenland: $320

United Arab Emirates $313

 

OTHER NOTABLE COUNTRIES AND DAILY COST IN USD

12^th: Bahamas: $311

18^th: France: $267

21^st: Iceland: $258

25^th, Greece: $249

27^th, UK: $243

30^th, Italy: $225

41^st, Germany: $205

43^rd, Spain: $204

45^th, Ireland: $193

46^th, Singapore, $193

50^th, Portugal: $184 (I’m surprised it’s that high)

51^st, Dominican Republic: $182

55^th, New Zealand: $175 (great deal)

59^th, Jamaica: $159

65th, Japan: $145 (great deal again)

66^th, Costa Rica: $144

72^nd, South Korea: $133

77^th, Slovenia: $126 (love that country)

80^th, Egypt: $117

83^rd, South Africa: $113

88^th, Malaysia: $103

89^th, Thailand: $102

91^st, Brazil: $99

92^nd, China: $98

103^rd, Philippines: $180

108^th, Vietnam: $74

CABOT GOLF ACQUIRES ANOTHER AMAZING COURSE

The Cabot Collection, renowned for an amazing collection of luxury resort and residential golf destinations, announces a strategic investment in Lofoten Links, built majestically into the rugged, seaside landscape of Norway’s remote Lofoten Islands. This visually stunning property is a natural fit for Cabot, offering an unparalleled blend of alluring landscapes and outstanding golf. Cabot plans to welcome the property into its growing portfolio, extending its international presence to Northern Europe.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Links stands out as the world’s northernmost links-style golf course. Ranked No. 24 in the world by Golf Digest and No. 88 in the world by Golf Magazine, its dramatic scenery and remote coastline provide a breathtaking backdrop for golf enthusiasts.

The company recently announced Cabot Bordeaux, previously known as Golf Du Médoc Resort, a premier destination for golf and wine enthusiasts located in Bordeaux, France. Additional luxury resorts anchored by world-class golf courses in extraordinary locations include the award-winning (and spectacular) Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Cabot Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Cabot Revelstoke in British Columbia (not yet open), Cabot Citrus Farms in Florida and Cabot Highlands in Scotland, which I toured last year and found to be a terrific layout.

 AVALON WATERWAYS GOING GANGBUSTERS

 

On the heels of a record-breaking year for Avalon Waterways in 2024, the award-winning river cruise company is poised to smash sales goals for 2025. “We’re coming to the finish line of our strongest sales year ever. And I’m thrilled to share that 2025 is on another record pace and gaining. In recent weeks, 2025 bookings are outpacing 2024 by more than 50 percent (50%), year-over-year,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “Leading the way are France and Portugal as well as off-season, ‘special interest’ cruises, including our exclusive series of ‘Active & Discovery’ itineraries.” I had a wonderful sail on the Danube with Avalon a couple years ago on the Avalon View. The View was christened in Bratislava by TV host Meredith Vieira, who I found to be utterly charming. The ship was equally impressive, and I loved our visits to Vienna, Bratislava and Esztergom, Hungary.

 

NATIONAL PARKS IN UTAH BOOMING

Utah’s national parks spurred nearly $2 billion in visitor spending last year, according to a new report. That’s up about 15% from 2022.

Almost 16 million visitors traveled to Utah national parks in 2023 — about two million more than the year before. Zion ($676 million), Glen Canyon ($540 million) and Arches ($283 million) generated the most spending.

My wife and I visited four Utah national parks in just three days (nobody ever said I was smart) last year following a Great Rocky Mountaineer train trip between Denver and Moab, Utah. We visited Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. They’re all wildly impressive, but Zion may offer the most variety.