By Haley Beham

Right after the COVID-19-related travel restrictions eased, we encouraged traveling to just one country. Spending more time in one place always brings a depth of discovery, and logistically, it just made more sense as entry requirements were vastly different from country to country.  

Now that global travel has resumed to almost pre-pandemic levels and is on track for a full recovery, that trend is shifting back to visiting multiple countries on a single trip. Just this summer, I traveled with my family to Italy. And while we stayed in Italy for almost the entirety of the trip, traveling from Milan to Sorrento and everywhere in between, we also tacked on a trip to Paris to jumpstart the trip. I had never been to Paris and desperately wanted to see it. Adding it to a trip we already had planned made a lot of sense. 

One of the benefits of traveling to both Paris and several Italian cities was the ability to compare the various aspects that make the countries unique while each was fresh in our minds. I found myself asking my children questions like: Notice the architecture that we see in Milan. How is it different from the architecture of Paris? How does the city feel when you walk through it? Look how the countryside changes as we make our way south. And think about the food we are eating...how is it different in Italy than it is in France? And — because they are five and eight — which hot chocolate do you like better? (They both picked Parisian hot chocolate, by the way.)  

Taking them to two countries back-to-back allowed us to ask questions we might not otherwise have asked if we broke the trip into two and traveled years apart from each other.  

Another added benefit to combining multiple countries in a single trip is less time in the air. I think we can all agree that air travel isn’t as glamorous as it once was. By combining the two countries in one trip, we only had to cross the pond there and back once, saving us time in the air and fighting flight delays, which, unfortunately, is all too common these days.    

But European countries aren’t the only countries that pair well together. In Latin America, Peru and Ecuador team up perfectly for the peace seeker in search of serene landscapes, immersive nature, and remote destinations. Then there is Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay whose shared borders open a world of diverse and breathtaking beauty. Don't forget the Three Guianas as well: Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana might form a singular shield located at the top of the continent, but they couldn't be more different in their heritage and offerings. 

Further afield, combining multiple countries in Southeast Asia is an obvious choice after the long-haul flight it takes to get there. If you combine Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, you could see the highlights of the best historical, religious, and scenic sites, delicious food, and bustling markets in as little as 20 days.  

Another great way to combine multiple countries in a single trip is with long layovers in popular hubs like Dubai, London, Paris, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. Additionally, programs like Stopover in Iceland allow you to add a one-to-seven-day stopover in Iceland with no additional airfare when you fly on a transatlantic flight with Icelandair. Panama has a similar campaign with COPA Air, allowing you to combine two destinations for the price of one ticket. Travelers can spend up to seven days in Panama exploring the “Hub of the Americas” and then continue onto nearby Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.  

How to Book Multi-Country Journeys 

It seems like booking trips are entering a new Wild West with Google and AI. But multi-country journeys are really where Ker & Downey’s travel designers shine. While handling travel arrangements and logistics yourself can bring unwanted headaches, Ker & Downey designers are able to draw on their personal experience and relationships in countries all over the world to create seamless itineraries. Juggling multiple connections, booking hard-to-get restaurant reservations, and securing space in the best hotels is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to planning a multi-country sojourn.  

See more of the world in one trip. Whether you want to visit two neighboring countries or take off to points scattered all over the globe, creating your custom Ker & Downey itinerary is without limits – and without borders.