The Top Travel Destinations You Really Need to See

The world is your oyster—but where will you explore first?

As the world starts to open up again after the pandemic, travel is one thing on everyone’s mind—it was one of the top ten things most people wanted to do once Covid ended. So, if you’re tired of staying at home, dust off your passport and start thinking about your next vacation!

With so many travel destinations in the world, it’s not easy to decide where to go. To help you out, here are some of the best travel destination ideas around the world—we’re sure you’ll love them!

Hawaii

One of the best places to travel has to be the stunning islands of Hawaii. This chain of Pacific islands is known for inventing surfing, but also offers spectacular beaches, jagged mountains, and unique Hawaiian hospitality. There are so many options for your stay, including places like the Kaanapali Alii resort and upscale condos for rent.

While you’re there, you can enjoy a luau, go hiking, learn about Hawaiian culture, or have fun in the ocean. Surfing, jet skiing, diving, and paddleboarding are all popular options.

Many visitors base themselves on Oahu, one of the most popular islands and home to the famous Waikiki Beach and city of Honolulu. However, there are other great islands to visit, including Kauai, Maui, the Island of Hawaii, and Lanai.

Can’t decide which one is best? Don’t worry, they’re only a short flight apart from one another, or you can also book a Hawaiian islands cruise, giving you an introduction to each island.

Hawaii is also one of the best travel destinations for Americans without a passport since it’s, of course, part of the USA!

New York City

There’s truly nowhere else on earth with the energy and excitement of New York City! It’s the city that never sleeps and has so much to offer tourists, from Broadway shows to footlong hot dogs.

Even if you’ve been to NYC before and have done all of the main attractions, there’s always something new to discover. NYC is full of unique attractions, including the ruins of the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital and the New York Transit Museum.

Many people worry that a trip to NYC is too expensive, but there are plenty of ways to save, such as taking the subway everywhere, lining up each morning for discounted theater tickets, or dining at street food trucks instead of restaurants.

Or, on the other end, you can find plenty of five-star hotels and Michelin starred restaurants to indulge in!

Bali, Indonesia

If you’re dreaming of a tropical paradise, you should probably book plane tickets to Bali! It’s one of the most beautiful Indonesian islands, with the Balinese culture offering history, delicious cuisine, and fascinating cultural places of interest.

The resorts and spas offer plenty of luxury and are more affordable than you might think. Imagine your own private plunge pool, an in-room Balinese massage, or a sunset fire show of traditional dance.

While you’re there, be sure to visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, take a yoga class in Ubud, dance the night away on Seminyak Beach, or just relax in the sun. If you don’t mind an early start, it’s also worth doing the sunrise trek to Mount Agung, one of the island’s volcanoes.

After relaxing in Bali, other popular areas of Indonesia include Komodo, Lombok, and the Gili Islands.

Paris, France

As Humphrey Bogart famously said in Casablanca, ‘We’ll always have Paris”. It’s true that Paris is one of the great travel destinations for romance, but anyone can enjoy the fun of Paris, even solo.

From a river cruise down the Seine to watching the world go by as you enjoy a croissant at a cafe, Paris is a unique travel destination that you’ll never forget!

Climb the Eiffel Tower, admire the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and see how the other half lived at Versaille, just outside the city. Of course, Paris is all about slowing down and relaxing too, so enjoy great food, delicious wine, and take it easy.

Just outside of Paris, you can also visit some of France’s famous champagne houses, producing some of the best bubbles in the world.

London, England

While you’re in Europe, don’t miss London! It’s one of the most famous cities in the world, as it’s home to icons like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London—not to mention the royal family!

London is one of the best places to visit for those who love history, since the British empire spans so many centuries. For history fans, be sure to visit the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum.

If you’re interested in the royal family, definitely check out the Tower of London, but also Hampton Court and Kensington Palaces. After all that sightseeing, head to a traditional English pub for a pint and fish n’ chips—yum!

London is such an iconic destination that it can’t be missed. If you’re planning a tour of Europe, London can be a great starting point.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in Cambodia, just outside the town of Siem Reap. It’s not just any temple complex though, as it’s the largest in the world! It’s also a UNESCO Heritage Site.

There are hundreds of temples within the site, but the most famous is Angkor Wat itself, dating back to the 12th century.

It was built for the Hindu god Vishnu and is an elaborate and intricate structure, with statues and sacred places. Many people love to visit at sunrise, as the sun comes up directly over the center of the temple.

Other noteworthy temples to visit include Ta Prohm, Bayon, and Preah Khan. The complex is best visited with a tour guide who can educate you on the history and meaning of each temple.

Without a guide, it’s hard to know what you’re looking at, as most of the temples don’t contain signposts.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef formation in the world and can be found off the Queensland coast in Australia. For many, diving or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is a ‘bucket list’ item that can’t be missed!

This protected marine park is home to thousands of species of fish, coral, sharks, and mammals—including sea turtles. You can also see ‘Nemo’, a cute and colorful clownfish frequently spotted on the reef.

It’s a place of extreme natural beauty, but it’s also a fragile ecosystem, so take care when visiting.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone is famous as it’s the world’s oldest national park, founded in 1872 by President Grant. The park is in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, so it’s worth visiting if you’re ever in the west.

Yellowstone is famous for its spectacular geysers and its buffalo herds. It’s not unusual to see a buffalo walk right next to your car, so always drive slowly.

Some of the most famous places in the park include the Old Faithful Geyser, the Lamar Valley, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Plus, you’re sure to see plenty of wildlife, so bring along your camera.

After a day in the park, you deserve a bit of luxury. Some of the best hotels near the park include the Hotel Jackson and Amangani. Because Yellowstone is so big, with lots of driving involved, you’ll want at least three full days to see everything.

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

For some adventures, top travel destinations are all about hard-to-reach places. If you’re looking for a new challenge on your next vacation, head to Tanzania.

It’s home to Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. It’s also the largest free-standing mountain in the world and it’s truly a sight to behold.

You can admire the mountain from afar, but the best way to appreciate it is by climbing to the top. This takes around 7-10 days and is best done slowly, so you have time to enjoy the views and acclimatize to the altitude.

It’s not something you can do on your own though, as that would be unsafe. You’re best joining a hike with an experienced leader—Ultimate Kilimanjaro is a good option for this.

You’ll need to prepare in advance as well, with plenty of long, steep hikes. Otherwise, you may struggle to reach the summit.

Cape Town, South Africa

Staying in Africa, it’s worth visiting one of the continent’s most beautiful cities—Cape Town! This sparkling harbor city, known as the ‘mother city’, can’t be missed.

It’s most famous for Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, iconic rock formations best seen from the aerial gondola. You’ll also want to see the gorgeous Camp Bay Beach, the colorful Bo Kaap, and the V&A Waterfront.

The coastlines near the city are some of the most beautiful in the world, with pristine turquoise water and huge, jagged cliffs.

Not far from Cape Town you can also find several national parks and safaris, ideal for anyone hoping to see African wildlife.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The only surviving one of the Seven Wonders of the World is the Pyramids of Giza, in Egypt. We’ve all seen the famous Egyptian pyramids in movies or documentaries, but they are amazing to visit in real life!

Set near the city of Cairo, you can go inside several of the pyramids and also see the Sphinx. The pyramids surrounded by desert are, like Angkor Wat, best visited on a tour or with an experienced guide.

Depending on when you visit, the eagerly-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum is opening in 2022. This will be one of the best places to learn about mummification, hieroglyphics, and ancient Egyptian culture.

Tokyo, Japan

New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Tokyo is a close second! This huge, sprawling city is Japan’s capital and is incredible to visit.

The city is a mix of both futuristic design and traditional Japanese culture, giving it a unique contrast. You’ll find amazing food, trendy shopping, and plenty of history too.

A few popular attractions in Tokyo include the Ueno Park, the busy crossroads of Ginza, the Imperial Palace, and the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Japan is such a unique place, so it’s sure to impress even the most seasoned of travelers.

Queenstown, New Zealand

If you find yourself in New Zealand, you really need to see Queenstown! This beautiful town, on the South Island, is surrounded by a crystal-clear lake and the Remarkables mountain region.

It’s ideal for skiing and snowboarding in the winter or for hiking and outdoor activities in summer. The town is also considered the adventure capital of the world, so don’t miss parasailing, bungee jumping, or ziplining.

For a slower pace, just sip a glass of local wine, admire the gorgeous landscape, and chill out—you deserve it!

Which of these Epic Travel Destinations Will You Visit First?

Wow, who knew there were so many amazing travel destinations out there! Which one will you visit this year?

Since it can be hard to decide, start by thinking about your budget, your interests, and how much time you have for traveling. Then, do some more research online or talk to an experienced travel agent for advice.

Once you’ve decided, book those flights and start counting down the days—you’re off to one of the most beautiful places in the world! We can’t wait to see your epic Instagram photos!

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