Here's Your Chance to Win a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass

Including round-trip tickets for two and the highly sought-after Companion Pass. On Our Radar [Hurtigruten Unveils New Norwegian Cruises to Svalbard and Oslo in 2023]( The cruise line's iconic Coastal Express is getting a major upgrade. [This Country Has Decided to Change Its Name—and the Reason May Surprise You]( After years of being associated with a bird, one country has had it. [Southwest Airlines Is Celebrating Its 51st Birthday With a Week Full of Prizes]( Including round-trip tickets for two and the highly sought-after Companion Pass. Destination of the Day The Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands are an almost mythical archipelago more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador's mainland. Spread over 17,000 square miles, the 21 islands are home to some of the rarest wildlife on the planet, including Galapagos tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions, and sea turtles—all of which are seemingly unfazed by human visitors. Before booking a [Galapagos tour]( or [cruise](, read on to discover [the top Galapagos Islands]( and the features for which they're known, so that you can select what you most want to see. Isabela Island The Isle Isabela is by far the largest Galapagos island, a 1,771-square-mile mix of open lava fields and, at higher elevations, red mangrove forest that is made up of five young (and still active) volcanoes. It's home to Flamingos Lake, where you'll find more pink flamingos than anywhere else on the islands. Isabela's Moreno Point is a good spot for penguin sightings, and its [Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center]( breeds all five subspecies of giant tortoise that are native to the island. Santa Cruz Island On this central island you can visit the [Charles Darwin Research Station](, where you'll find decades' worth of scientific info relating to the islands, as well as a natural history collection showcasing the archipelago's biodiversity. There are also naturally formed underground lava tubes you can walk through, and the El Chato Tortoise Reserve is a great place to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. From Puerto Ayora, the Galapagos' largest town, it’s just a 1.5-mile walk to Tortuga Bay—a spectacular white-sand beach with a separate cove for swimming in the company of white tip reef sharks. Española Island The southernmost island in the Galapagos and one of its oldest—estimated to be over 4 million years old—Española is a wildlife hub. Especially at Suarez Point, a trail that begins at a small lighthouse and often passes curious sea lions, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, Darwin's finches, and swallow-tailed gulls en route to a natural blowhole that can spray water up to 100 feet in the air. Vacation Like a Pro The island of Santa Fe in the Galapagos is the only place in the world where you can find the Santa Fe land iguana, which measures 3 feet long and can weigh up to 30 pounds. The entire population of the species lives on this single, small volcanic island, one of the oldest and most centrally located in the archipelago. [Astrid Taran]( Senior Special Projects Editor Your Packing List [The dry season]( (June through November) features drizzle-filled days and little sunshine. Cold, steady winds from the south bring the average temperature down to the upper 60s and low 70s as well, which can make things damp and cool at times. Plan accordingly. Despite it being cloudy, you’ll still want sun protection—you’re near the equator after all. Pack a [sun hat](, [sunglasses](, [reef-safe sunscreen](, and [aloe vera](. If you’re planning to spend any time out on the water, be sure to also pack two to three [swimsuits](, a wetsuit, and a [rash guard]( in your suitcase. Bring a pair of [binoculars]( to get up-close views of the wildlife in all their glory! Since the terrain can be uneven and slippery, pack some [water shoes]( for wet landings and [lightweight hiking boots]( for longer treks. Trending in Travel [This 150-Night Cruise Stops at 97 Ports in 25 Different Countries]( [The 8 Best LGBTQ-Owned and Affirming Bookstores in the US]( [Disney's Fastpass Is No More—Here's What It's Been Replaced With]( Get Inspired Just two hours [outside of Shanghai](, Suzhou is famous for many things: silk production, legendary temples, and its well-preserved traditional gardens. Of the city’s 50-plus historic gardens, nine are recognized for their "outstanding universal value" by UNESCO. It's certainly worth an overnight stay in [Suzhou]( to tick more than one of the city's renowned gardens off your list. Got Any Tips? Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve? Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter! 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