National Geographic Traveller (UK) Magazine

04 December, 2025

This month’s cover story journeys the length of Japan — from the tropical Okinawa archipelago in the south to the snow-covered island of Hokkaido in the north — and uncovers its most idiosyncratic experiences, from spotting the endemic wildlife of the Yaeyama Islands to visiting the vinyl listening bars of Tokyo. Elsewhere, we find out how Sámi creativity blooms amid the ice and snow of Sweden’s northern Lapland area; take a backcountry hike through the Grand Canyon along the multi-day Escalante Route; discover the food icons and ancient history of Lyon, the French city with a young spirit; go on a photographic journey through Türkiye's lush, tea-wreathed hills around the city of Rize; and check out Marrakech's best sleeps, from olive-tree-dotted resorts to ancient riads . Exploring French Polynesia onboard a 230-passenger cargo ship, gliding along Sweden’s Göta Canal in a 25-cabin, retro-inspired wooden boat — this year’s Cruise homes in on the top 26 small-ship adventures for 2026 and beyond. Elsewhere, we hear from three mariners about their life-changing experiences at sea; meet the locals safeguarding the wildlife of the Galápagos Islands; come face to face with the raw power of nature in Greenland; hop aboard a cargo-passenger ship in the Caribbean; float along the Mekong in Laos; and try a spot of island-hopping in the Canaries.