If you’ve ever flown to a far-flung destination, then you know that travel can be addictive. Whether you spend three days or three months in a new place, you always leave wanting more. You want more culture, more food, more adventure. Maybe your next trip is right around the corner, or maybe you’re making plans for the future. Either way, here are four destinations to add to your travel bucket list.
How To Decide Where To Travel Next
There are so many places to visit in the world that it can be overwhelming when you have to choose where to go next. Here are some questions that can help guide you to an answer:
- What type of climate and weather do you like?
- How much time and money can you dedicate to the trip?
- Are you willing to communicate in another language besides English?
- How adventurous are you feeling?
Another option is to follow a more personal route. You can thank Johann Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss chemist who discovered DNA in the 19th century, for giving you the opportunity to find out where your distant ancestors are from. Thanks to DNA testing, you can discover your family’s origins and visit your ancestral homeland. Perhaps you’ll find yourself trekking through an orchard in Southern Italy or stomping through the snow near Helsinki. Whichever inspiration calls you, don’t miss out on these four mind-blowing destinations.
1. The Mediterranean
While all your friends swoon over Paris and Amsterdam, you should add the Mediterranean region to your itinerary. The Mediterranean Sea touches more than 20 countries and holds 3,000 islands. You can go from island hopping in Greece to treasure hunting in the maze-like markets of Morrocco all during one vacation.
If one visit isn’t enough, you can follow up with a trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy to check out Mount Vesuvius, and then head across the sea to Tunisia. There, you can get swallowed up by the crystal clear water at picture-perfect beaches before exploring the historic ruins that dot the country.
2. East Africa
For grand adventure, glorious food, and gorgeous nature, you have to check out East Africa. From the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro to the urban nightlife of Addis Ababa, the countries of East Africa have it all. Make sure to save up for a luxurious safari trip before you go. Staying in a secluded resort, you can sleep under the stars then have breakfast in bed before heading out to snap unbelievable pictures of local wildlife such as lions, giraffes, zebras, and more. Finish off your trip with a stay on the island of Zanzibar for some intense rest and relaxation.
3. South India
If you’ve ever considered traveling to India, you might want to think about focusing on one region at a time. India is an incredibly diverse and huge country, and its southern communities have their own distinct cultures, languages, foods, and historical sites. To start, you can get your fill of dosa, a South Indian specialty, in the place of its origin, Karnataka, and then explore the picturesque ruins in Hampi. From there, add beaches and culture to your itinerary as you travel through Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
5. The Mekong River
The Mekong River is at the heart of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. You can choose to visit any of the six countries where the river flows, or travel through two or more in one trip. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia are particularly well-connected, allowing you to take a flight or a bus from one fascinating city to the next. Some of the top sights to see include:
- Islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Samet, and Koh Tao
- Four Thousand Islands Archipelago in Laos
- Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam
- The Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
When you hear adventure calling, don’t ignore it. Pull out a map, digital or paper, and discover the location of your next life-changing experience.
