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MOUNT FUJI, JAPAN
Fuji-san, the tallest peak in Japan, is a sacred mountain and symbol. On a clear day, it can be seen from Tokyo, but one of the best ways to view the still-active volcano is by taking the shinkansen bullet train from the capital to Osaka (top tip: sit on the right-hand side for the best views). Surrounding areas Hakone (where there are natural hot springs) and Fujigoko are worth visiting during cherry-blossom season.
ANGEL FALLS, VENEZUELA
The world’s highest waterfall, with 3,212ft cascades, is located in the UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park and was the inspiration for the Disney film ‘Up’. The site is only accessible by boat or plane.
PROVENCE, FRANCE
In summer, endless fields of lavender in bloom turn the Provençal landscape purple. At the end of the season, when the crop is harvested, honey, soaps and pastries are made with a fragrant dose of the plant.
Ever seen a lake that’s pink in color? That’s what is weird here, thanks to the presence of certain plankton and minerals. It is located some 30 kilometers northeast of Dakar. The reason behind the water being pink is the huge presence of Dunaliella salina algae in the water body. It is known for its high salt content, up to 40% in some areas. It will surely catch your eye in Senegal. Swimming in this water is safe, so pack your swimsuit and head here.
Socotra Island, Yemen
Separated from mainland Africa more than six million years ago, this remote island looks like the set of a sci-fi film. Socotra’s incredible and unique biodiversity means that there are plants and trees here not found anywhere else in the world – particularly bizarre are the ancient and twisted dragon’s blood tree and the bulbous bottle tree.
Lake Hillier, Western Australia
This beautiful pink lake was discovered in 1802 on the largest of the islands in Western Australia’s Recherche Archipelago. The lake is pink all-year-round, due to its high salinity and some salt-loving algae and pink bacteria that is found in the water.
Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey
In some places, the Pamukkale Thermal Pools look like fields of cotton balls. The name translates to cotton castle. The thermal pools are filled with natural hot spring waters and cascade down inclines to various tiers. The thermal pools are more than a great way to relax or spend the day swimming. They are breathtakingly beautiful. Do not forget the camera!
You can look at picture after picture, but you still really need to visit the Maldives to believe its beauty. If rich sunsets, flour-like beaches and vibrant blue waters are your style, this is the destination for you.
Though it’s somewhat difficult to get to this small island nation southwest of Sri Lanka, that also means it’s incredibly private and secluded, which makes it the perfect spot for a honeymoon or romantic beach getaway.
And don’t worry about getting bored, either — explore the water by snorkeling or scuba diving, relax in the spa or wander around the bustling Male’ Fish Market.
Some of the world’s most stunning mountain scenery and vistas are located in Banff, the tiny Canadian town located at 4,537 feet above sea level inside the national park by the same name. Banff is the highest town in Canada, and Banff National Park was Canada’s first, established in 1885.
Shred some powder at Banff’s three ski resorts in the winter, then come back in the summer for activities like hiking, biking, fishing and scrambling (scaling steep terrain using nothing but your hands).
In recent years, Bali has become a popular expat destination, where groups of "digital nomads" work and play.
But the island hasn't lost its original charm to this added tourism and continues to be an incredible destination. Divide your time between swimming in the beach, hiking active volcanoes, visiting temples and enjoying views of tiered rice terraces.
Hot tip: Though shoulder season (January to April and October to November) means fewer crowds and cheaper prices, it also means rain. Tons of it. We'd recommend avoiding the rainy season if possible.
Fun fact: On the Saka new year, Balinese people celebrate Nyepi. This Hindu celebration is a day of silence when everything on the island shuts down and no noise is allowed.
Cologne is another of those wonderful old German cities that has managed to preserve its past for modern generations to enjoy. Originally settled by the Romans, Cologne was for centuries an important religious center and a place of pilgrimage. The city is also a popular stop in Germany for its location on the Rhine River, which slices through the city. The riverfront is not only a wonderful area to explore on foot, but also serves as a major embarkation point for Rhine river cruises that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
If there's a single travel destination in Germany that encapsulates all that's wonderful about this amazing country, it's the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Located in the heart of beautiful Bavaria and an easy drive from some major cities such as Frankfurt, Rothenburg, as it's most often called, boasts superb photo opportunities everywhere you look. For a real treat, try to book a night or two's stay in the medieval old town center. You'll then be perfectly positioned to explore the magnificent Old Town Walls later in the day, after the majority of the crowds of day trippers have dispersed. Although this takes a little over a half hour, you'll want to make stops along the way to catch the spectacular views over the old town, an effect that is heightened as the sun sets.
The capital of the state of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities, Munich owes much of its popularity as a tourism destination to its location on the outer edge of the beautiful Bavarian Alps. Although not one of Germany's oldest cities its roots can be traced back to a settlement of monks pre-dating its official founding in 1158 Munich has played a major role in shaping the country's cultural and political make up.
If you're only ever able to make a single trip to Germany, you'll want to spend at least a few days in Berlin. The country's capital is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in Europe, as popular for its superb dining experiences as it is for its shopping and entertainment. Berlin is also considered one of Europe's top cultural destinations, home to numerous excellent art galleries and museums just waiting to be explored. Some of the best of which are located on Museum Island, a must-see destination that alone can take days to explore.
Vietnamese for peace, Hòa Bình province is located in the north of the country and is home to hill tribes including the Hmong, Muong and Dzao, plus endless rice fields.
With its striking architecture, grand boulevards, world-class art, jewel-box patisseries and classic places to stay, this is a city that never sleeps. Its unrivalled food scene is best experienced by stumbling upon corner bistros down cobbled streets.
The red-cliff coastline and pristine whitewashed Moorish villages that dot the south-western region of Portugal have started shifting crowds away from the region’s busier hotspots. It has its own sunny microclimate and affordable places to stay such as Casa Mãe in Lagos make it a great winter-sun option too.
A small seaside town in the Ica region of Peru, Paracas is where the desert meets the sea. A trip to the area isn’t complete without a boat ride to Islas Ballestas, the rocky islands off the Pacific coast known for their diverse wildlife including flocks of sea lions and crowds of baby penguins.
The imperial capital of Russia for two centuries, the city is filled with grand architecture and historic art and is a leader in performing arts. The sun never fully sets in mid-June, turning the evenings a hazy grey. A trip to the State Hermitage, one of the best museums in the world, is a must, while watching the most famous ballet, Swan Lake, at the Mariinsky Theatre is an evening well spent.
The most westerly point on mainland Australia is this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded before Captain Cook discovered land at Botany Bay, with Dutch explorers touching down here in the 17th century. The area is diverse there’s a beach made up entirely of tiny white shells, stromatolites on the shore of Hamelin Pool and the salt mine at Useless Loop, which produces the purest grade of salt in the world and is only accessible via four by four or visible from the sky.
If the moon had a shoreline, it would probably look something like Reynisfjara. Just a 20 minute drive from Vik in southern Iceland, jet black sand and spectacularly shaped basalt columns make this beach one of the most impressive sites in an already impressive country.
Raja Ampat is a chain of some 1,500 islands off the western coast of West Papua. The views here are downright prehistoric: jagged lava peaks clad in green jungle; palms sprouting out of sheer cliff walls; mist drifting in and out of deep canyons.
The seemingly endless stretches of lavender fields make Provence one of the prettiest (and best-smelling) places in France. Distilleries where the essential oil from the flowers are bottled and used to make soaps, lotions, and creams dot the area, but the multitude of fields featuring unreal violet views are the real pride of the region.
The Auld Reekie is buzzing with new energy. The highly anticipated Hotel W, designed by Jestico and Whiles in conjunction with Allan Murray Architects, is opening next winter. And several other hotels have recently opened in and around the city Marine North Berwick, the Market Street hotel, Rusacks St. Andrews, and ship turned luxury hotel Fingal. Gleneagles Townhouse, a first-ever city outpost from the famed Gleneagles estate, is opening in the spring. St James Quarter, a developing area of the city, and where Hotel W is being built, is opening next year with 85 shops, 30 restaurants, and a cinema. New in whisky is the September christening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street. And promising to shake up the scotch scene in the capital city is Leith Distillery, opening in the summer.
You're likely to glimpse Europe's pro athlete and yachting crowds at Marriott's four hotels on the Costa Smeralda, the glitzy Italian destination known for its Caribbean-like beaches and luxury resorts. Its glamorous Hotel Cala di Volpe has gradually been unveiling room renovations alongside new dining options, including its Harrods Suite, with a roof terrace and sea-facing plunge pool, and BeefBar's first Italian outpost. The entire area is one big "Billionaire Experience," but Formula One and entertainment mogul Flavio Briatore snagged the term for his new dining and nightlife venue in designer shopping destination Porto Cervo. For more of a low key, family friendly escape, the Baglioni Resort Sardinia opened an hour south in San Teodoro in June, overlooking the stunning Tavolara Marine Reserve.
Within the Caribbean, the 60 islands that comprise the British Virgin Islands have long held the reputation of luxury draped in relaxation. And now it's doubling down on that brand of island spirit with Richard Branson's second private island, the 125 acre Moskito Island that opened in October and sits right across from his first BVI paradise, Necker Island (which received a serious upgrade when it reopened last year after a two-year closure). The new destination will eventually have 10 private estates that can be rented through Virgin Limited Edition, but among the ones already available are Point Estate, starting at $17,500 a night, and Oasis Estate for $19,000. But Moskito isn't the only shiny new reason to visit BVI. Proving the area's resilience following the devastation after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Saba Rock, the private island long known for its diving, went through a complete reconstruction before reopening in October; the Bitter End Yacht Club reopened in December with BVI's first over-the water bungalows; and Oil Nut Bay will expand in early 2022 with new villas, a watersports center, and spa. Also on tap for 2022, the solar-powered White Bay Villas and new hilltop suites at Long Bay Beach Resort. And with the Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival returning in the spring of 2022 after being canceled for two years, BVI is proving it's truly back and stronger than ever.
The region of Burgundy is known for you guessed it its Burgundy wine, but French wine isn't the only reason Burgundy is a must visit in 2022. In the spring, the region's capital city of Dijon will welcome the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin (International City of Gastronomy and Wine), an expansive complex with a cooking school, a new hotel, a handful of restaurants, and a wine cellar with over 250 by the glass offerings. The new project is perfectly situated at the starting point of Burgundy's famed wine route Route des Grands Crus which runs from Dijon to Santenay and produces some of the country's most well regarded wines, including pinot noir, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc.
Very few places in the world capture both old-world charm and elegant modernity like Hungary's capital city, and Budapest's latest 130-room luxury hotel, Matild Palace, is a shining example. The neo baroque palace turned hotel, which opened last summer in the city's District V, is a UNESCO-protected site that once housed the city's royalty. The hotel is now home to Wolfgang Punk's famed restaurant, Spago, the first of its kind in central Europe. It also hosts the Duchess bar, a rooftop "liquor library" that mixes craft cocktails using local wines and pálinka, Hungarian fruit brandy, which can be enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Danube river. Surrounded by 22 wine regions, Budapest is a city for oenophiles. Enjoy a glass of Kékfrankos or Kadarka in the Castle District's newly opened wine bar, Takler Borbár Buda, founded by one of the country's renowned winemaking families. Don't leave the city without visiting Marlou, a biodynamic wine bar near the Hungarian State Opera, and Portobello, an unassuming coffee and natural wine bar around the corner from Matild Palace.
For art and history buffs (and anyone who appreciates delicious Italian food), Florence is a must-visit city.
As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it’s home to some of the most iconic artworks by the world’s premier artists throughout history — Michaelangelo, Brunelleschi and Donatello, just to name a few. In addition to art museums and architectural wonders, Florence is also home to chic shops, quaint cafes and spectacular gardens.
With its picturesque blue-domed churches, whitewashed buildings and colorful beaches, the island of Santorini is a photographer’s paradise. If you want to snap photos to post to Instagram and make everyone back home jealous, this is the place to go.
Also make sure to experience some of Santorini’s archaeologically significant sites, like Ancient Akrotiri (an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash) and Ancient Thera (where humans lived as early as the 9th century BC). And don’t forget to visit the smaller islands that surround it, including Thirassia, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.
As the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of marine species. This makes it a paradise for scuba diving or snorkeling.
The reef system is truly gigantic, with over 600 islands and about 2,900 individual reefs. This is one of Australia's greatest prides, but it's also a planetary national treasure. Seeing it with your own two eyes is an experience that is incredible beyond words.
Located mostly in Wyoming as well as Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone is America’s first national park and remains one of the most popular in the country, welcoming more than around 3.8 million people last year. With unpredictable geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, craggy peaks, shimmering lakes and tons of wildlife — from elk to boars to bison — it’s easy to see why so many people flock here.
Though the park dropped five spots this year, it continues to be an amazing vacation destination. It makes for an awesome family trip and is well-suited to budget travelers since it offers so many campsites (over 2,000!).
Niagara Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. The power with which water storms down cliffs on the border between the United States and Canada has captivated the imagination of humans for centuries.
This natural wonder is comprised of three awe-inspiring falls. One of the best ways to experience them is on a boat tour.
Everyone should visit San Francisco at least once in their lives. Though tech companies grab all the headlines these days, it remains down-to-earth, diverse and packed with things to do.
Where to start? No matter your style, you’ll want to check out the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, see the sunbathing sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf, take a tour of the historic prison Alcatraz and relax in one of the city’s many parks, especially Dolores Park for its epic people-watching on the weekends.
For dinner, treat your tastebuds and make a reservation at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the Bay Area.
For years, Cancun has been the preferred getaway for East Coast Americans (particularly Floridians) who want an international getaway that's still close to home. But despite the droves of tourists, the area has managed to keep the charm that attracted people in the first place.
Cancun itself is known mostly for its luxury hotels, wild nightlife and warm beaches. Definitely indulge in all of these — as well as the Mexican food! — but also consider other activities like visiting Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes and snorkeling.
Set in the Sorrentina Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast has long been renowned for its natural beauty and idyllic coastal towns. During the golden age of Hollywood, it was a preferred vacation spot for glamorous movie stars.
Days here are spent eating Italian food, drinking wine and walking around colorful cobblestone streets. You can also expect to drink copious amounts of wine as you look out into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Argentine Patagonia comes in at No. 30 on the U.S. News & World Report, dropping eight spots from previous rankings.
In this region in the Andes, as U.S. News notes, you’ll find “cobalt lakes, azure-tinted glaciers, emerald trees and turquoise skies” everywhere you look. For a trip full of adventure and discovery, there are few better destinations on the planet.
No trip is complete without a visit to the craggy Mount Fitz Roy, the historic (and mysterious) Cave of the Hands, the Punta Tombo wildlife preserve, the Peninsula Valdes marine wildlife refuge and the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. Be sure to bring your camera and your sense of wonder.
The ultimate ranking of travel destinations aims to solve a serious problem: so many places to visit, so little time.
Using feedback from editors, experts and everyday travelers, the team at U.S. News & World Report devised a list of 30 global destinations that — among 700 places analyzed — rise to the top. From the sleek skyscrapers of Dubai to the emerald-green waters of the Bora Bora lagoon, you’re sure to find at least one vacation that piques your interest (and likely several!).
Which ones have you already been to? And which ones stoke your wanderlust most?
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