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The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

From far-flung destinations to hometown favorites, 2022 is the year to get back out there and turn your dream trips into reality.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Planning new adventures as a new year approaches is always a thrill, but finding the best places to visit in 2022 is unique. After two years of border closures, cruise cancellations, and travel restrictions galore , 2022 is the year we hope to get back out there, uninhibited (albeit vaccinated and COVID tested ), return to our favorite destinations, and cross new ones off our lists.

Though the hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, many properties used the forced downtime to renovate rooms, add new amenities, and expand outdoor spaces to offer even more once guests return. 2022 is when many travelers will venture further from home, and even overseas, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, finally reaping the benefits of these valiant efforts.

Although COVID variants remain, regulations are still evolving, and precautions must still be taken, many of the destinations we chose for 2022 offer what we believe travelers are looking for in a post-pandemic world, from hotels with private accommodations to destinations teeming with fresh-air activities . Others, like Las Vegas, are for those who are ready and raring to make up for all the social time they missed — with a few splashy headliners, including Adele and the Raiders, thrown in for good measure.

As cruising makes its comeback , we included unforgettable places to see by water, from Antarctica to the Nile, and as hard-hit destinations like Italy and Asia recover, we found the buzziest reasons to return. Of course we didn't forget about all the stateside gems we got to know while domestic travel was surging, from Alaska and California to Florida and Michigan.

Our 2022 list, organized alphabetically, doesn't hold back, with aspirational trips as far away as India, Mozambique, Qatar, and even space — but we're also including hometown favorites, like Walt Disney World and its new Star Wars hotel ; the wellness retreats of beautiful Sedona; and the simple pleasures of small-town, farm-to-table living in Franklin, Tennessee. Because no matter what type of trip you've been dreaming of, we want to help you turn 2022 into the year you get back out there and make it a reality.

— Edited by Nina Ruggiero and Scott Bay

1. Abruzzo, Italy

Stretching from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea on the peninsula's southeastern side, Abruzzo, Italy has long been one of the country's most overlooked destinations despite its unspoiled villages, picturesque Trabocchi Coast, and stunning natural escapes. Over the past few years, however, it has gone from a sleepy underdog to an ambitious harbinger of slow travel, sustainable gastronomy, and conscious hospitality. Villa Corallo , a 19th-century mansion near Civitella del Tronto was transformed into a five-star hotel in 2019. Dimore Montane , an eco-lodge opened in 2020 in Majella National Park, marries glamping with environmentally-friendly facilities with a zero waste policy. Meanwhile, restaurants like Bottega Culinaria in San Vito Chietino and Materia Prima in Castel di Sangro are redefining the region as one of Italy's most exciting food hotspots for their innovative and sustainable takes on local produce and traditional dishes (in case Niko Romito's three-Michelin-starred Reale wasn't enough). And completing construction this Spring is Via Verde dei Trabocchi: a cycling and pedestrian path along the Adriatic sea that's being built on a disused railway route. — Marianna Cerini

With many international borders closed over the last two years, many eager U.S. travelers' eyes turned to Alaska. The vast state, famous for its towering, snow-capped peaks, pristine wilderness, massive national parks, and colorful locals, made for a dynamic destination with no passport required. But as borders reopen, interest in the 49th state is showing no signs of slowing down. Alaska's tourism board said early forecasts are projecting that more than 1.57 million cruise ship passengers could visit southeast Alaska in summer 2022. That's an 18% jump from 2019, the previous record year. Many perennial favorite cruise lines , like Holland America, will be returning to full strength after a non-existent 2020 and abbreviated 2021. Others, like Windstar Cruises, UnCruise, and Hurtigruten are rolling out fresh itineraries or are launching new ships. On dry land, Alaska is set to see myriad new offerings and events. In Juneau, the Sealaska Heritage Institute will open their Arts Campus (where visitors will be able to learn about Alaska Native art and culture) and will host Celebration , one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous peoples. In Anchorage, Fur Rendezvous , Alaska's oldest and largest winter festival, will be back from Feb. 25 to March 6 (which also happens to be peak aurora season ). The event hosts activities like the Running of the Reindeer and the Outhouse Races, before culminating with the 50th running of the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race . — Bailey Berg

3. Anguilla

This easy-going Caribbean gem is simpler than ever to get to with American Airlines launching the first-ever nonstop, direct flight from Miami on Dec. 11. Private charter flights by Tradewind Aviation have also resumed service to the island. And the just-opened Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club has a fleet of jets to ferry guests from key U.S. cities. The sprawling luxury resort will include a few restaurants overseen by chef Abram Bissell, formerly of Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, and The Modern. Quintessence , a boutique luxury resort with perks like butler service and a 4:1 staff-to-guest ratio, is opening a more affordable annex of suites called Quinn that will debut in 2022 (along with a Champagne cellar tasting room and Art Bar). New Restaurant Uchu at Belmond Cap Juluca is taking inspiration from Belmond's collection of properties in Peru. Named after the Quechuan word for spice, the menu will feature contemporary Peruvian cuisine inspired by three of the country's regions: the coast, the jungle, and the highlands. — Scott Bay

4. Antarctica

The pandemic shutdown created a compelling reason to visit Antarctica in 2022: See how the whales, seals, and penguins react after nearly two years without seeing humans. New polar-class expedition ships and new ways to get to the White Continent are reasons to pack your boots too. Viking Expeditions will be in Antarctica for the first time in 2022 with new, twin 378-passenger expedition ships. Ponant's new 270-passenger Le Commandant Charcot introduces eco-friendlier sailing, as the first hybrid-electric ship fueled by liquified natural gas (rather than heavy fuel). Quark Expeditions' long-awaited 199-passenger Ultramarine delivers exciting heli-hiking adventures via two eight-seat twin-engine helicopters. Hit a craps table in between icy exploration on the luxurious new all-suite 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor . Silversea Cruises' posh, 144-passenger, all-suite Silver Explorer returns with a debut travel option: Skip the notorious (for rough water) Drake Passage and catch a private flight directly from Chile to Antarctica to board the ship. — Fran Golden

American travelers have long loved the Bahamas for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and sunshine just about 50 miles off the coast of Florida, but there are even more reasons to visit the island nation in 2022. Baha Mar on the Island of New Providence has a brand new water park equipped with everything from a lazy river to a surf simulator, and day passes are available for purchase to those who aren't resort guests. For more rest and relaxation, journey to the outer islands of the Bahamas. While charter flights will get you exactly where you need to go, Crystal Cruises is offering a Bahamas-centric cruise that brings guests to some of the quieter and more remote islands. On its mid-July cruise, guests will embark and disembark from Nassau and then be whisked away via "6-star" service to the islands of Bimini, Great Exuma, San Salvador, and Long Island. Beyond the beach, don't forget to indulge in some local food and culture. The Island archipelago is famous for its conch, stew fish, and rock lobster. From late April through early May, Carnival is celebrated in Nassau and back after a pandemic hiatus. Keep an eye out for the famous sound and dance of the junkanoo. — Jamie Aranoff

6. Barbados

Whether you want a relaxing all-inclusive stay or a vibrant vacation filled with dining and nightlife, Barbados has you covered. Nowhere is that more evident than the pedestrian-friendly South Coast, which is teeming with new resorts and restaurants. The O2 Beach Club & Spa is an all-inclusive resort set on the white sands of Dover Beach, with three pools, six dining options, seven bars, and the Acqua spa, featuring the only hammam treatment room on the island. It joins other luxurious South Coast hotels, including Sandals and Sea Breeze Beach House . If you can pull yourself away from the resort pools, head along the coast to Worthing Square Food Garden, an outdoor food hall with 20 vendors serving dishes from around the Caribbean. Or stroll down the mile-long boardwalk for easy access to ocean-front food and drinks at local favorites like Champers, Salt Café, Tiki Bar, and Chill Café & Bar. — Kevin Gray

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

A favorite of adventure travelers for its rainforests and divers who explore the Great Blue Hole and expansive barrier reef, Belize offers an abundance of casual spots and a handful of luxe resorts. The latest arrival is Alaia Belize, an Autograph Collection Hotel , in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, opened mid-2021 with plans to add to its already extensive guest room, suite, and oceanfront villa accommodations. Major airlines are also recognizing the destination's potential with nonstop flights and convenient connections from most U.S. cities. In addition to United and Delta's nonstop flights from Houston and Atlanta, respectively, Alaska Airlines added nonstop service from Los Angeles and Seattle to Belize City in November, and Frontier Airlines will start weekly nonstop flights from Denver and Orlando. — Patricia Doherty

8. Budapest, Hungary

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. — Stephanie Andrews

9. Burgundy, France

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. — Evie Carrick

10. British Virgin Islands

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. — Rachel Chang

11. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

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 . — Nina Ruggiero

12. Crete, Greece

The Greek Islands have long been a perennial favorite vacation destination for discerning travelers, and Crete, the largest of the 227 islands in the archipelago, deserves a spot atop your must-see list. Yes, it's a place where you can find the white-washed buildings and blue roofs you've lusted after on Instagram for years, and a spot where you can dive into the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean at every turn. And of course you can dig deep into both history and mythology as humans have lived on the island since the 7th millennium B.C ., not to mention the fact that Crete is the birthplace of Zeus . It's little surprise then, with all this beauty and history, that Crete continues to harbor a rich creative community, mostly centered in the neighborhood of Chania. There, visitors can peruse works in museums like the Mediterranean Architecture Center , or seek out unique pieces in galleries like the Municipal Art Gallery or the Redd Gallery . To visit Crete, hop aboard a sailing with Silversea , which takes guests to Crete and several other stellar islands, or book a stay at the Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort , named one of the Top 10 Greece Resort Hotels in Travel + Leisure 's World's Best Awards, 2021. — Stacey Leasca

13. Walt Disney World

The " World's Most Magical Celebration " — Walt Disney World's 18-month-long 50th anniversary event that kicked off on Oct. 1 — continues through 2022 with enchanting touches and highly anticipated ride and hotel openings. Star Wars : Galactic Starcruiser will begin offering its immersive, two-night adventures in a galaxy far, far away on March 1. The interactive, choose-your-own-adventure experience will have guests wielding lightsabers, sleeping on the ship, brushing shoulders with Star Wars characters, eating intergalactic cuisine, and maybe even going on a secret mission, making this a truly unique experience that you can't find anywhere else in the world. Other 2022 openings include the Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind indoor coaster at Epcot, slated for summer. — Elizabeth Rhodes

14. Doha, Qatar

As we ask ourselves what cities of the future should look like, we naturally look around for examples. Places like Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York City seem to fit the description on paper, but I'd argue that no city better encapsulates that definition than Doha, the capital of Qatar. There is so much to discover — from East-West/West-East , a series of four steel monoliths created by sculptor Richard Serra to the Museum of Islamic Art , the massive 560,000-square-foot gallery. Eat at Syrian comfort food spot Damasca One, Em Sherif a rooftop spot that serves up authentic regional dishes, and the lively corner restaurant Nourlaya Contemporary for Sri Lankan cuisine. Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Doha or Banyan Tree Doha . (Read Robinson's full dispatch on Doha in the July 2021 edition of Travel + Leisure) — Whitney Robinson

15. Edinburgh, Scotland

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. — Scott Bay

16. Finger Lakes, New York

The Finger Lakes have bolstered their wellness and culinary offerings in recent years, carving out a name for themselves in the luxury travel realm. Inns of Aurora , comprising five historic mansions, debuted a holistic wellness facility in 2021 — set on 350 acres overlooking Cayuga Lake, complete with hydrotherapy pools, meditation areas, and a farm fresh cafe. Forty miles west of Cayuga, The Lakehouse on Canandaigua — situated on, yes, Canandaigua Lake — recently unveiled the Willowbrook Spa, which boasts lakeside barrel sauna sessions among other innovative treatments. Sandwiched between Cayuga and Canandaigua lakes is Seneca Lake, home to the largest of the Finger Lakes wine trails (this might be riesling country, but don't knock the lighter-bodied reds till you try 'em) and foodie draws like the 14-seat F.L.X. Table . Travelers visiting in the coming year will also see the Finger Lakes festival roster return in full force, including Rochester's Lilac Festival in May and International Jazz Festival in July, as well as attractions for the historically inclined road tripper, like Cayuga County's celebration of Harriet Tubman's birth through a number of walking tours and activations rolled out through 2022. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

17. Franklin, Tennessee

Despite its count of more than 80,000 year-round residents, the very walkable Franklin firmly grasps onto its small-town charms , starting with a quintessentially quaint downtown chock-full of shops and restaurants finding shelter in brick storefronts lining the sidewalks. The uninitiated might know this place for its past — Civil War museums, battleground sites, and historical markers telling the stories of a slave market, race riots, and Black soldiers in the U.S. Colored Troop division of the army all offer points of education and reflection. But the southern city has many modern-day draws as well — for starters, an exciting food and drink scene that includes the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and Arrington Vineyards , the largest winery in the region. Musical events and venues abound, too: The Pilgrimage Music Festival is one of the biggest in the state, and the 7,500-seat FirstBank Amphitheater , newly opened inside a former rock quarry, has welcomed the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Santana to its stage. There's also Leiper's Fork , a quirky-cool enclave filled with antique shops and art galleries. Even more brand-new to the scene is Southall , a 325-acre farm and inn with 62 rooms and suites and 16 cottages opening this June. The lush setting amid rolling hills makes active adventures (hiking, biking, kayaking), wellness pursuits (a spa, meditation, yoga, and two outdoor pools), and nourishing food (the restaurant uses ingredients grown, raised, and foraged on the property) easy to find. All of this and more lie just a short, 30-minute drive from bustling Nashville, making it tempting to tack onto a visit to the capital city. — Alisha Prakash

18. Galápagos Islands

The world's largest marine biosphere reserve will expand more than 20,000 square miles next year thanks to a recent presidential decree . The conservation measure seeks to combat illegal fishing by offering increased protection to the thousands of species that populate the archipelago's waters as well as a migration corridor stretching up to Costa Rica used by sharks, whales and other sea life. Come January, travelers can cruise this UNESCO-protected region on new nine-day adventures from Hurtigruten Expeditions and outfitter Metropolitan Touring aboard the 90-guest carbon-neutral MS Santa Cruz II. For a more intimate experience, passengers can book Aqua Expeditions ' seven-suite 164-foot superyacht, Aqua Mare, when it debuts in May. At the end of the year, eco-enthusiasts can sail to lesser-explored islands to spot giant tortoises, sea lions, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and marine iguanas on Quasar Expeditions ' new sustainable yacht — the 18-passenger M/Y Conservation featuring biodegradable amenities, renewable energy and a carbon-neutral footprint. Those with timid sea legs should check into the locally owned and run Montemar in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. — Nora Walsh

19. Greater Palm Springs, California

Greater Palm Springs is kicking its signature self-care into high gear in the coming year. Taking a cue from its sister property, Sensei Lanai , the new Sensei Porcupine Creek is converting a 230-acre private estate into a luxury wellness experience in Rancho Mirage in 2022. In Palm Springs proper, Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza will celebrate Indigenous art and history alongside the new Spa at Séc-he , where visitors will soak in approximately 12,000-year-old hot springs. Nearby, Fleur Noire Hotel just opened its adults-only casitas and bungalows, with a speakeasy Champagne bar to follow. Unexpectedly, the desert has a budding surf scene — the former Wet 'n Wild waterpark is becoming Palm Springs Surf Club , with a state-of-the-art wave pool, spa, restaurant, and bar; DSRT Surf is set to open a 5.5-acre wave lagoon in Palm Desert; and Kelly Slater himself is bringing a green energy–powered wave basin to Coral Mountain , a proposed new wellness resort with a hotel and residences, set to open in La Quinta by 2023 pending city approvals. And for entertainment outside the splash zone, the $250-million Coachella Valley Arena will host hockey, concerts, and more live events by the end of the year. — Nina Ruggiero

20. Greenville, South Carolina

Once in the shadow of Charleston and Asheville, Greenville has emerged in recent years as a go-to destination in its own right — and it keeps giving travelers more reasons to visit. In 2022, the city of just over 70,000 people will welcome a luxury boutique hotel, unveil a new public gathering place, and build on its well-earned reputation as a culinary and craft beer hotspot. The long-awaited, 187-room Grand Bohemian hotel is expected to open its doors this spring, complete with a two-story restaurant and bar, art gallery, and spa. The 60-acre Unity Park will feature plenty of greenspace, an observation tower, baseball fields, playgrounds, and walking and biking trails. And recently opened restaurants, including French Laundry alum Drew Erickson's Camp , Urban Wren, Coral, and an outpost of Nashville's famous Prince's Hot Chicken located inside Yee-Haw Brewing will ensure you're well-fed while in town. — Kevin Gray

21. Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique

While South Africa and Uganda grab headlines for African wildlife, Mozambique has been quietly making strides protecting 17 percent of its land — including beaches, coral reefs, and islands — showcasing its dedication to its natural beauty both on land and underwater. Ever since the country's 16-year civil war ended in 1992, the southeastern African nation has been aiming to build back in the right ways. Case in point: the private island of Ilha Caldeira, less than seven miles off the coast as part of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, located within the marine-protected area with 20 percent of the country's intact living coral. It's here that the eco-luxury Banyan Tree resort chain has developed one of its most ambitious projects yet, a five-star property — accessible by jetty or helicopter — with 40 private pool villas that will be completely solar powered. Add to that a fish market restaurant with a 270-degree ocean view, the brand's trademark Banyan Tree Spa, and world-class diving, all in a too-pristine-to-believe beach setting, and this island escape is sure to draw attention away from its Indian Ocean neighbors when it opens at the end of 2022. — Rachel Chang

22. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Those wary of traveling internationally in 2022 will find solace in Jackson Hole, a mountain town with endless open space (Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S.) and plenty to do. In the winter, life revolves around Jackson Hole Mountain Resort , home to some of the nation's best skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, plan your trip around the Jackson Hole Food & Wine Summer Festival (June 23-25) or head to the nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. For easy access to the mountain town, travelers can hop on one of Aero's high-end, seasonal flights and stay at The Cloudveil off the Town Square or the Caldera House at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. — Evie Carrick

23. Kafue National Park, Zambia

Straddling three regions of Zambia, Kafue National Park is the largest (and oldest) in the country, measuring 8,648 miles. In the wildlife-rich Busanga plains — located in the secluded northern side of the park — spend the night at newly opened Chisa Busanga Camp in their bird's nest shaped rooms. Enjoy a silent safari, thanks to e-cruisers or an e-bike safari provided by the property. See wildlife from above with a hot air balloon safari from Shumba Camp or Busanga Bush Camp . Other accommodation offerings in the park include riverfront Ila Safari Lodge and Mukambi Safari Lodge . Both properties offer fishing, walking safaris, boat cruises, and have Instagram worthy pools (perfect for a soak and the traditional safari sundowner: a gin and tonic). — Mazuba Kapambwe

24. Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas, Lithuania has a lofty New Year's resolution. After a century of wars, Soviet rule, and, since the 1990s, independence, this UNESCO Creative City of Design is ready to cultivate a new identity — and it's doing so as one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2022 (alongside Novi Sad, Serbia). The festivities commence in January, with thousands of concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and events throughout the year to celebrate Kaunas' history while cementing its path forward . Also this year, Kaunas will welcome the highly anticipated $30 million Science Island, Lithuania's first national science and innovation center designed by UK firm Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC). By May, the city's former Magnus Hotel will reopen with sparkly new digs and a posh rooftop under the ibis Styles umbrella . This lively city is also a main stop on the recently unveiled 1,330-mile Forest Trail across the Baltics. And, a host of just-announced Ryanair flight routes, including Madrid to Kaunas, will make visiting this capital of culture a breeze. — Stephanie Vermillion

25. Kyushu, Japan

Kyushu may be less than two hours from Tokyo by plane, but it feels far from Honshū's well-beaten tourist circuit. The southwesternmost Japanese main island is still largely unexplored, providing those willing to venture off the beaten path with a much different Japan than the one they'll find in its cities. As a warm, subtropical island, Kyushu is home to long, golden beaches and some of Japan's best snorkeling and scuba diving. Inland, the country's most active volcano, Mt. Aso, feeds the island's myriad natural hot springs — many of which offer sea views. And while the island has accommodations that include both hot spring resorts and luxury beachfront villas , nothing tops a stay at Hirado Castle , which was recently restored and renovated to welcome visitors overnight . — Evie Carrick

26. Lanai, Hawaii

Wellness opportunities and cultural awareness are showcased along with luxury at Lanai's two Four Seasons resorts. At Sensei Lāna'i, A Four Seasons Resort , guests can now choose the Discover Sensei Experience , offering the ability to enjoy the retreat's amenities without joining the more comprehensive programs. New "Optimal Wellbeing" programs focus on improving performance in tennis and golf along with overall wellness. Four Seasons Resort Lanai is adding an observatory as part of "Love Lanai," featuring cultural experiences designed to share the island's rich heritage. The observatory program will center around the history of Pacific voyaging, native traditions, and astronomy. — Patricia Doherty

27. Las Vegas, Nevada

Never bet against the house: The pandemic may have put a damper on Las Vegas, but the ever-on-the-move city is back in a big way for 2022. A massive new development on the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas, opened in June, has three distinct Hilton properties under one enormous roof, not to mention more than 40 restaurants and bars, plus pools (plural), and a handful of $15,000-a-night villas . Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the Cromwell , and downtown's Circa Resort & Casino are also giving visitors fresh options on where to stay. The city's pro sports teams — also now plural — are drawing in fans. And off-Strip "immersive experiences," like the Omega Mart by Meow Wolf and the Illuminarium, both at Area15 , are lending an additional layer of things to do beyond the expected. Not that there's anything wrong with splashing out on dinner and a show after the past two years. Live acts — like Adele's just-announced residency at The Colosseum — are once again hot tickets, as is a table at chic new supper club Delilah , at the Wynn Las Vegas. Some things, thankfully, never change. — Paul Brady

28. Louisville, Kentucky

Your cowboy boots were made for walking the streets of Louisville. Nicknamed "The Bourbon City," an official gateway to Kentucky's bourbon trail, the city is expanding its bourbon footprint in 2022. In October, the Urban Bourbon Trail welcomed the first and only African American–owned distillery in the state, Brough Brothers . Meanwhile, its trailmate, Angel's Envy , will wrap its $8.2-million expansion project complete with a new event space and five tasting rooms in the spring. The city is most well known for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby every spring at the historic Churchill Downs racetrack, and the Downs will open the first installment of its multi-year expansion plan, the Homestretch Club , just in time for the 2022 Derby. There, attendees will be able to enjoy the race with an all-new trackside lounge experience. — Hannah Streck

29. Malaysia

Malaysia is home to a beautiful medley of cultures (Chinese, Indian, and Malay) and a diverse smattering of terrain: bustling cities with towering buildings, verdant rain forests with incredible wildlife, and idyllic islands with dreamy beaches. But all of this and more has been closed to the world for much of the pandemic. Now that the island of Langkawi is open via a travel bubble, with the rest of the country expected to follow suit in 2022, travelers can once again experience Malaysia's many gifts. Langkawi, a beach lover's paradise, blends unspoiled nature (UNESCO-listed Kilim Karst Geoforest Park ) and unparalleled luxury ( Four Seasons Resort , Datai Langkawi ), while cosmopolitan capital Kuala Lumpur draws visitors with its gleaming Petronas Towers, delicious hawker food stalls, and shopping. Then there's Borneo, complete with wildlife-packed jungles and a rich Indigenous culture, as well as Desaru Coast, a 3,900-acre area that's home to coveted resorts like the One&Only Desaru Coast , a tropical oasis that opened in early September 2020 (the brand's first in Asia). — Alisha Prakash

30. Maldives

The Maldives' 1,000+ islands sit in the Indian Ocean like a string of turquoise pearls. The tropical nirvana has 166 accommodation options, including the new Joali Being nature retreat, which leads guests on a transformative wellness journey. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives debuts in February with 80 beach and overwater villas on the Raa Atoll. Coming to the same atoll in May, also with 80 luxury villas, is Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa on a massive lagoon primed for snorkeling. The ever-innovative Soneva Fushi has a new experience that includes zip-lining to a six-course meal 30 feet about the sand. Along with Soneva Jani, they've debuted Soneva Soul , a new spa complex melding ancient and modern techniques. Other vacation favorites are unveiling new digs like the sleek, contemporary renovation of Naladhu Private Island and the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island , debuting in February. — Katie Lockhart

31. Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is considered one of the sailing capitals of the world. It is home to the largest fleet of America's Cup 12 Meter yachts , most of which are available for charter. In May, the coastal town is welcoming a Sailing Museum that is sure to solidify that title. Over the past few years, a slew of hotel openings have closed a much-needed gap for luxury accommodations, including Hammett's Hotel , Brenton Hotel , and The Wayfinder Hotel . The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection is debuting the property's highly anticipated transformation conceived by Dallas-based design collective Swoon — the lobby, dining room, and shared areas are now complete with guest rooms finishing early next year. Renowned beverage executive Maxwell Britten has joined the team as chief cocktail curator alongside an amazing chef who cooks up a selection of elevated pub-inspired dishes. And don't miss Giusto , at Hammett's Hotel, which serves up excellent Italian with a Rhode Island twist. — Scott Bay

32. Nile Cruise, Egypt

There is no trip that will convert you to a life of river cruising quite like a sail down (well, technically, up) the Nile. In fact, the world's first river cruises sailed in Egypt, a country designed around the central waterway, where it makes sense that the Nile would act as your home base. A typical Egyptian river cruise sets sail from Cairo to Luxor and then Aswan, with the occasional stop to visit an island temple along the way — complete with sights like the Pyramids, Valley of Kings and Queens, Nefertari's tomb, and the Temple of Kom Ombo. In 2022, there's more than one new river cruise to choose from, between Uniworld's newly launched S.S. Sphinx and AmaWaterways' Amadahlia , both of which sailed their inaugural voyages in fall 2021. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

In late 2021, Panama launched a tourism platform along with the coolest tagline in travel: " Live for More ." With a booming coffee scene and a renewed focus on its culture, history, and biodiversity , the Central American nation is ready for its moment in the spotlight. It's an attractive place for those looking to get out of resort mode and into a world open for exploration and adventure. Immersive environmental experiences abound here, including trekking through the rainforest on its suspended hanging bridges and walking to the top of the Volcán Barú, an active volcano with both Pacific and Atlantic Ocean views from the top. There is also abundant opportunity to learn from Panama's seven Indigenous communities, each of whom offer their own personalized experiences and are happy to share their craftsmanship and traditions. Panama offers plenty of luxury, too. In its capital city, check into the American Trade Hotel , centrally located in Panama's Casco Viejo district, a historic neighborhood which happens to also be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. — Stacey Leasca

34. Phuket, Thailand

Before the pandemic, Phuket was beautiful but crowded, full of beach bars and tourists chasing all-nighters. It's still full of energy and surrounded by the same pristine sea glass–colored water, but its luxurious side is finally getting the attention it deserves, from its high-end coffee shops to its cocktail bars. Hide from the world in paradise with a stay in one of the private pool residences at Trisara , featuring kitchens, a private chef, butler service, and breathtaking views over the sea, as well as access to the resort's PRU restaurant , which has earned both a Michelin star and a Michelin green star. Or book a stay at the brand-new V Villas Phuket , which offers a curated selection of 19 private-pool, 1-, 3-, and 4-bedroom villas. Later, party the night away in Phuket Old Town with inventive cocktails at Club No. 43 (think: rum with grilled pineapple juice and espuma), or settle in for a great dinner and a night of daring performances at the Junkyard Theatre , which just launched a weekly Saturday night show. — Alison Fox

35. Pico, Portugal

The islands of the Azores — a Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean some 900 miles west of Lisbon — are more popular than ever, and for 2022, travelers will want to fix their eyes firmly on the second-largest isle: Pico, an alluring, otherworldly locale covered with black, volcanic rocks. Conquering Portugal's highest peak, the cloud-shrouded, 7,713-foot-high Mount Pico, used to be the island's main draw, but a recent uptick in hospitality infrastructure has allowed for more opportunity to partake of Pico's most important agricultural output: wine. Renowned Portuguese winemaker Antonio Maçanita just opened a new winery that comes with bookable design-forward apartments adjacent to the island's unique vineyards. On Pico, grapes are planted on volcanic terroir that are then protected from Atlantic winds with rock walls. Maçanita's ​​ Azores Wine Company 's mineral, sometimes slightly salty wines could be the perfect celebratory drink after a grueling hike.The crashing waves around Pico are beginning to seduce surfers, too. And there are also ample opportunities to watch for marine life thanks to 20 species of dolphins and whales (including humpbacks and orcas) that can be spotted in these waters. But if you'd rather eat what's in the water: Try lapas, a local shellfish delicacy best served grilled with butter and garlic and finished with a squeeze of lemon. Thankfully, getting to experience all of this has never been easier: Starting July 1, United Airlines will for the first time connect Newark to the island of São Miguel (the Azores' largest island), and from there, it's a quick hop over to Pico. Or you could always get there via direct flights from Lisbon or Porto with Tap Air Portugal's stopover program. — Chadner Navarro

36. Quebec, Canada

After over a year of tight pandemic restrictions, Canada reopened to American tourists in 2021, so now might finally be time to plan that trip to the Great White North, starting with the province of Quebec. From the charming, French-influenced cities of Montreal and Quebec City to the region's snow-capped mountains, there's something new to explore every season. In December 2021, the first Club Med mountain resort in Canada, Club Med Quebec Charlevoix , opened, offering all-inclusive ski vacations just a short flight from several major U.S. cities. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a foliage-packed autumn cruise from New York to Montreal in October. No matter what time of year you visit, Le Capitole Hotel in Quebec City and Humaniti Hotel Montreal are top picks for places to stay in the major cities. — Elizabeth Rhodes

37. Queensland, Australia

Australia's highly anticipated international border reopening will be well worth the wait, especially as more travelers seek nuanced cultural experiences and sustainable stays. The northeastern state has long been the gateway for visits to the rightly beloved Great Barrier Reef, and beginning in 2022, visitors can learn about conservation efforts and the ecosystem directly from the area's Traditional Land Owners and Indigenous guides during day trips from Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel . Aboriginal elders and Traditional Land Owners are also working with local operator Gudjuda Tours on a daylong excursion to tag and rescue one of the reef's most beloved creatures: sea turtles. Those who want to take a more extended trip to the Whitsunday Islands can look to Elysian Retreat , recently certified as the area's first fully solar-powered resort, or its carbon-negative sister property Pumpkin Island . Back on the mainland, within the verdant Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Site, eco-luxury hideaway Silky Oaks Lodge will finally welcome guests back after its $15-million overhaul. — Sarah Bruning

38. Santa Ynez Valley, California

Two hours from L.A., the Santa Ynez Valley is rural, unassuming, and coming into its own. The region has grown grapes for decades and has even made a Hollywood cameo in the movie Sideways. The arrival of newer tasting rooms, restaurants, and hotels in recent years has firmly put the area on oenophiles' and travelers' radars. Start with a private olive oil tasting at Global Gardens and hard cider at Tin City Cider in Los Olivos. Follow with pizza pies at Full of Life Flatbread and vino at nearby female-owned A Tribute to Grace and Casa Dumetz . Detour to Firestone Walker 's outpost in Buellton for a few limited edition craft brews and finish with dishes such as roasted tomato and fennel risotto at the Ballard Inn's Gathering Table . Though it's technically just beyond the boundaries of the valley in Lompoc, The Hilt Estate , is too good to miss. And once it opens this year as an Auberge property, The Inn at Mattei's Tavern will make for the perfect base from which to explore it all. — Tanvi Chheda

39. São Paulo, Brazil

Known for its dynamic combination of luxury, design, and fashion influence, São Paulo is an international metropolitan hub of arts and culture. It's the largest city in South America, hosting an array of entertainment opportunities such as fabulous hotels, decadent restaurants, high-class museums, and iconic mid-century architecture. With airlines including American adding flights throughout Brazil in 2022 and a flourishing hospitality renaissance throughout the city, São Paulo is well prepared for its anticipated influx of new travelers. A must-visit destination for 2022 is the Rosewood São Paulo , located in the heart of São Paulo's Cidade Matarazzo and housed in a historic landmark building. Here, visitors will encounter 200-plus luxurious guest rooms, suites, and residences, plus six restaurants and bars and two pools. — Molly O'Brien

40. Savannah, Georgia

This coastal Georgia city is rightly famous for its atmospheric, moss-draped streets and squares, not to mention its hundreds of years of history. But lately Savannah has been boosted by creativity and innovation outside the sometimes frozen-in-amber Old Town, which means now is a particularly compelling time to visit. Make home base the brand-new Thompson Savannah , a slick 13-story tower with interiors by Studio 11 Design that anchors the still-developing Eastern Wharf neighborhood. Phase one of the 54-acre development, which aims to turn a once-industrial waterfront into a contemporary mixed-use destination, includes hundreds of apartments, fitness trails, access to the Savannah River, and multiple bars and restaurants, including Fleeting , a seasonally driven spot inside the Thompson. At the same time, Savannah's other major waterfront destination has also come into its own. The Plant Riverside District, a stone's throw from Old Town, marked its official grand opening in November 2021, putting a bow on a bustling JW Marriott hotel , countless restaurants and bars, and multiple live performance venues all along a rebuilt waterfront. Not that all the action is along the river: The ever-evolving Starland District, a short drive from Johnson Square, has its share of hangouts including Starland Yard , a food truck park that's also home to the excellent Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana ; Two Tides Brewing Company , which pours hazy ales and delicious sours in a super-cool taproom; and Troupial , a Venezuelan cafe. You'll also want to pack Wildsam Savannah , a newly released field guide that helps visitors understand the layers of history (and the contemporary politics) that are fueling the latest renaissance in Savannah. — Paul Brady

41. Seattle, Washington

Few places offer both an urban and a natural escape in one destination — and the Emerald City might be one of the best. The city center is world-class with top hotel accommodations ( Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and Thompson Seattle ), locally focused fine dining, and countless cultural sites. Then, just minutes away from all of that is some of the most stunning outdoor recreation out there. Adding to the city's luster is the newly opened Lotte Hotel Seattle . The 189-room tower is bringing high design and refined service to the area. Charlotte , the hotel's restaurant on the 18th floor, serves up an inventive menu that is sure to become an all-time favorite dining experience. The landmark Fairmont Olympic Hotel recently completed a $25-million historic restoration of its public spaces, quickly becoming one of the most Instagrammable spots in town. Plus, its buzzy new culinary showpiece will debut in the months to come. Before leaving Seattle, don't miss a meal at celebrated pasta specialist Brian Clevenger's new restaurant, Autumn . — Scott Bay

42. Sedona, Arizona

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

With tourism already surging thanks to the Instagram fame of attractions like Devil's Bridge, Sedona garnered even more of a following during the pandemic among cooped-up city dwellers enthralled by the destination's red rocks and energy vortexes. In 2022, set your sights on North America's first landscape hotel, Ambiente , home to 40 standalone accommodations (called "atriums"), most with private rooftop decks perfect for stargazing. Opening in May, the sustainability-focused retreat will offer on-site trailhead access — further immersing guests in the Sedona landscape while combating traffic along the city's main highway — and reactivate an ancient waterway to populate a stream running throughout the hotel. Experience Sedona's culinary clout right on property at Ambiente's restaurant, Forty1, housed in a refurbished airstream, or venture next door to Mariposa , the city's must-visit restaurant by chef Lisa Dahl, who pioneered fine dining in this town. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

43. Singapore

Singapore reopened to vaccinated American travelers in October 2021 with the introduction of the country's Vaccinated Travel Lane . Travelers can fly from the U.S. on Singapore Airlines' vaccine-mandatory flights ; the World's Best airline 26 years running launched Vaccinated Travel Lane flights this fall, and United Airlines plans to follow suit by January 2022. Even in the early stages of reopening to foreign travelers, the city-state is already unveiling new culinary ventures. Recently, chef Julien Royer, behind three-Michelin-star Odette, opened Claudine , and Raffles Singapore unveiled Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse, while Marina Bay Sands plans to debut chef Tetsuya Wakuda's second restaurant within the hotel in the new year. Of course, there's just as much flavor to be found at Singapore's famed hawker centers, now on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. As tourists return to Singapore, new cultural attractions follow — from the return of Singapore Art Week, beginning Jan. 14, to the recent unveiling of SkyHelix Sentosa , an open-air ride towering 300 feet above sea level, for anyone still in need of thrills after a 17-hour flight over the Pacific. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

44. Southwest Michigan

Beaches with ocean-like views were once the main draw to Michigan's southwest coast, but new high-style accommodations and hyper-local experiences are giving us more reasons to go. Where to stay with so many options? Consider the cool new motel-turned-boutique Lake Shore Resort in Saugatuck; The Fields glamping retreat with new spa tents in South Haven; the revamped, modern Harbor Grand Hotel in New Buffalo; or anywhere along the coast with high-touch Bluefish Vacation Rentals , which has killer lakefront homes now stocked with handmade local goods. Hop on the new pedestrian/bike trail in Union Pier, and definitely shop two new woman-owned standouts: the beautifully curated Haven and Ariane Prewitt's AP Cottage, scheduled to open this spring. Women are showing off the culinary scene, too, with everything from a special saison ale — winner of the 2021 Great American Beer Festival — at woman-owned Waypost Brewing Co. , to new herb-inspired cocktails at James Beard-winning chef Melissa Corey's Penny Royal Café & Provisions , to James Beard nominee Abra Beherns' Granor Farm , where dinners return this year in a new glass-enclosed barn. — Nina Kokotas Hahn

45. St. Moritz, Switzerland

If you're on the hunt for glitz, glamour, and powder for days, look no further than St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Alpine ski town has long been considered the birthplace of winter vacationing. Tourists first flocked to the mountain town in 1864 , when hotelier Johannes Badrutt took a few British travelers to the community, promising them bluebird days all winter. It wasn't long until others learned about this hidden winter oasis. Skiers and winter sports enthusiasts flocked to the mountain, which has now hosted the Winter Olympic Games not once, but twice. It's an ideal place for ski bunnies too, thanks to its luxury shopping, and its numerous Michelin-starred restaurants . This winter, head to St. Moritz for its fantastic events like White Surf (Feb. 6, 13, and 20, 2022), an international horse race that takes place across the frozen Lake St. Moritz, and the Snow Polo World Cup (Jan. 28-30, 2022), which happens to be the world's only high-goal tournament on snow. Book a stay at the Badrutt's Palace Hotel , which officially reopened on Dec. 3 for the 2021/2022 season and offers guests the chance to try their hand at high-octane winter sports like skijöring, snowkiting, tobogganing, and even private helicopter tours to the peaks of Piz Bernina and Piz Palü. — Stacey Leasca

46. St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida

The beaches of St. Petersburg and nearby Clearwater are consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. and even the world , but there's more to this destination than white sand, pristine waters, and 361 days of sunshine per year. St. Pete/Clearwater offers more than 30 museums and galleries featuring world-renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, as well as the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside of Spain. One could say brewing the perfect beer is also an artform that St. Pete/Clearwater has mastered, with its trail of 35+ locally owned craft breweries. Playfully nicknamed the " Gulp Coast ," complete your experience with a digital passport that tracks your beer-sampling progress. These year-round offerings mean you can visit any time, but head over in June 2022 to revel in the 20th anniversary of St. Pete Pride , the largest Pride event in Florida, hosting events for everyone from friends and families to couples and solo travelers. — Jessica Poitevien

47. Todos Santos, Mexico

Todos Santos is one of Mexico's pueblo mágicos, or "magic towns," and locals are working to retain its history and culture while embracing the steady stream of travelers who have begun venturing an hour north of Cabo San Lucas to discover its charm. The area saw a handful of new boutique resorts pop up in 2021 that provide luxury amenities while keeping the rugged land and local flora the centerpiece. Wellness-focused Paradero describes itself as a "landscaping project" that just so happens to have luxurious suites, and El Perdido , an all-villa resort less than five miles south, provides all-terrain vehicles so visitors can get to Los Cerritos beach, the local surf break of choice. Oceanfront Rancho Pescadero 's multimillion-dollar transformation will be complete in the spring. Bookings for its oceanfront villas and penthouse rooms — some with private rooftops and plunge pools — open in January. Todos Santos has fully embraced farm-to-table dining, with Javier Plascencia's orchard-adjacent Jazamango leading the way, and Santa Terra , a cosmopolitan oyster bar meets arts and entertainment venue concept, is in the process of adding multiple bars and restaurants, plus a glamping site and amphitheater, according to its developer, "without chopping down a single tree." — Nina Ruggiero

48. Udaipur, India

After an extremely challenging 20-month closure, India reopened to vaccinated travelers on Nov. 15, 2021. Those looking toward South Asia in the new year, perhaps to see the Taj Mahal in Agra or hit the Goan beaches, should make sure Udaipur is on the itinerary. The city of lakes in southern Rajasthan is thought of as the most romantic Indian destination (even called the "Venice of the East") — but it's not just for honeymooners. From the vibrance of Hathi Pol bazaar and Shilpgram , an artisanal compound on the outskirts of the city with a festival set to return on Jan. 22, to the serenity of Lake Pichola, the artificial lake made in the 14th century, Udaipur is a city where you can fully immerse in Rajasthani culture. A hub of Indian luxury, Udaipur is now home to the country's first Raffles hotel, which opened in October. This private island hotel on Udai Sagar Lake is accessible only by boat — something of a trademark for the over-the-top hotels of Udaipur. Meant to be a flagship hotel in the Raffles portfolio, complete with brand staples (think: bars, both Long and Writers), 101 lavish suites, Rasoi cooking school, and lakeside open-air restaurant Belvedere Point. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

49. Wales, United Kingdom

The only path in the world to follow the whole of a country's coastline, the Wales Coastal Path celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022. Walking its 870 miles would take three months, but its most spectacular stretches can be seen in one visit — and in style. St David's in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, is Britain's smallest city with a mere population of 1,600 and is home to a Medieval cathedral , a luxury hotel inside Roch Castle , some excellent pubs, and the upscale St David's Gin & Kitchen . Hiking paths with unbeatable coastal vistas are within easy reach (try the St David's Head loop ) and pass neolithic tombs and hillforts. — Jamie Carter

50. Yucatán, Mexico

Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, has emerged as one of Mexico's most popular cities thanks to its lively restaurant scene, a busy calendar of cultural events, and a relaxed tropical atmosphere. Increasingly, however, travelers are venturing beyond the city to explore the state's unspoiled nature reserves, ancient Maya sites, and sprawling haciendas — a number now converted into hotels. Among the destinations that are drawing travelers to Yucatán are El Cuyo, a quiet beach town that was long a closely guarded secret of windsurfers. Now visitors can also enjoy gourmet Mexican fare at the El Chile Gordo restaurant and boho-chic lodgings at the new Casa Mate . In Espita, a charming colonial town near Valladolid, is the Casona los Cedros hotel which opened in summer 2021. Sisal, a historic port in the western part of the state, has attracted new interest since being named a Pueblo Mágico at the end of 2020. A new highway completed in April now connects Sisal to Hunucmá (and then beyond to Mérida) making it easier for beachcombers to visit, and perhaps spend the night at the cool Club de Patos . — John Newton

51. Bonus: Space

This was a monumental year for human spaceflight — not only did NASA and SpaceX achieve a regular cadence of astronaut launches for the first time since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011, but space tourism has also lifted off in a major way, making space a top destination to visit in 2022. And it's a realistic trip, too, so long as you have the budget for it. Both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic succeeded in taking passengers to space on short suborbital hops this year, and each company plans to ramp up those flights in 2022 — Virgin Galactic already has more than 600 bookings. The price for a quick jaunt to space? A few hundred thousand dollars . If you have an even bigger budget (say, a couple hundred million dollars), you could charter your own orbital flight in a SpaceX Dragon Capsule, as did entrepreneur Jared Issacman with his Inspiration4 mission in September. There are also tourism trips to the International Space Station in the works; Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa launches on his multi-day journey in December, courtesy of space travel agency Space Adventures and Russia's Roscosmos space agency, which plans to take even more " citizen space explorers " to the orbiting laboratory in the near future. Of course, not everyone has pockets deep enough to cover space travel, but more affordable journeys are on the horizon. Startup Space Perspective plans to launch high-altitude balloon rides to the edge of space in 2024 , for the relatively low price of $125,000. Potential dealbreaker, though — the balloons don't actually reach space, maxing out at 100,000 feet in altitude, while space is considered to begin somewhere between 264,000 feet (50 miles) and 327,360 feet ​​(62 miles). But hey, at least there's a bar on board. — Stefanie Waldek

I Want to Travel the World—Where Do I Start?

by Jhasmine Wade - Last updated on November 3, 2021

• Before You Go

Have you ever said to yourself, "I want to travel the world, but where do I start?" Well, believe it or not, simply by having the desire to travel and asking questions, you are already off to a great start! We’ll share international travel tips, inspiration to travel the world , and insight on how to make money while traveling around the world.

Where will you begin your international adventure?

There is no right or wrong way regarding how you travel as long as you have done your research and a little planning. The idea of traveling around the world may seem overwhelming at first, but once you start to put things into perspective, you'll begin to ask yourself why you do this years ago!

Is it possible to travel the world and make money?

Yes, it is possible to travel the world and make money. Nomads have been doing it for years, and there are endless opportunities to earn income while you travel the world. Take some time to develop your skill set, identify your interests, then determine your niche.

Research what services are in high demand worldwide or gain an online certification that can allow you to make money from anywhere in the world. The opportunities are endless once you identify all that you have to offer and how to make it work to your advantage.

Believe it or not, you may find that making money abroad is easier than working a regular job in the United States! Nomads are said to have more flexibility, affordable costs of living, and better work-life balance once they finally take the leap to travel the world and find ways to earn an income.

READ MORE: Leave the Office Behind: 12 Best Places for Digital Nomads

Where to start if you want to travel around the world.

An easy solution when asking how to travel is just to get started! Spend less time fantasizing about travel and more time planning out your trip . That doesn't mean run out and start shopping for the cutest travel outfits and matching luggage sets. Although that part is exciting, there are more essential things to arrange first.

For example: Figuring out how you’ll actually *get* there.

1. Obtain proper documentation

Your passport is your first step to getting around the world, but in addition to your passport, you may need to obtain a visa depending on the country you visit and how long you plan to be there. Visas must be applied for and have various application requirements. You can obtain a visa by making an appointment at the embassy of your desired country.

READ MORE: International Visas: What You Need to Know

2. research the culture.

It's a good rule of thumb to understand the social norms and familiarize yourself with the language of the country you plan to visit. The last thing you want to do is accidentally offend a native person by not understanding their customs. Learn as much as you can to avoid culture shock .

For example, hot water may be a standard expectation where you're from, but that may not be the same in the country you're visiting. You'll also want to know how public transportation works, the currency difference, and the country's cost of living.

Lastly, determine the best time of year to travel to your destination. Planning a trip during the hottest time of year or the rainy season can impact your travel experience.

3. Create your budget

Dreams are great to have—but you’ll need a budget to make them a reality!

Believe it or not, you don't have to have thousands of dollars saved up to travel the world! Some people left their home country with less money than you and are thriving abroad. Consider starting a GoFundMe or FundMyTravel account to create a fundraiser to support your travel expenses.

Budget your flight, accommodation, transportation around your destination, and general spending, then start your saving and funding plan. Don't allow costs or a lack of funds to discourage you! There will always be a way to make it work with what you have if you want it bad enough.

READ MORE: 10 Cheapest Countries to Live and Work

4. book your flight.

Flight costs can be expensive, but you can potentially cut costs by purchasing your flight far in advance. Also, keep a lookout for advertised flight deals. There are even apps that help you find the lowest flight price possible, such as Skiplagged and Hopper. If you have a friend who works for an airline, ask them for a buddy pass. A buddy pass is not a confirmed seat, but it is a cost-effective way to get to your destination.

5. Find accommodations

Finding accommodation is an essential part of travel. You'll need a safe place to lay your head at night. Need a few international travel tips for finding accommodations around the world? Facebook Marketplace has countless rentals listing. You're able to filter your search to the exact area you want to stay in, your price range, and the type of rental.

Hostel? Hotel? Airbnb? Choose the right accommodation for you.

It isn't wise to pay for anything online until you have arrived and set eyes on the property if you go this route. Depending on your length of stay, Airbnb can be a cost-effective option. They even offer monthly stays if that fits into your budget.

Lastly, as a solo traveler, hostels provide a sense of community where travelers from all over the world reside during their travels. Hostels can be very affordable, and some even offer private rooms.

6. Understand credit cards and cell phones

Before you take flight, it's a good idea to review your bank policies on foreign transactions. Most banks charge international fees when using a foreign ATM or making a transaction abroad. However, other banks offer lower or no transaction fees abroad. Some Credit Unions provide low rates and even rebates for ATM fees.

Also, check with your cellphone provider for international travel plans. You may consider getting an unlocked phone and purchasing a local SIM card so you can have access to a working network throughout your travels. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are great ways to keep in touch with family and friends if you only have wifi access.

7. Utilize social media

The great thing about social media is that it connects people from all over the world. You can use Facebook groups to find travelers just like you who have been where you are going and who are willing to give you free advice on how to travel.

The online travel community is an excellent resource for all aspiring travelers. Speaking directly to people living out your dreams can help you gain first-hand knowledge and excitement for the experience!

Ready to take the next step? Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get 5 personalized travel program matches

Learn how to travel the world—and make it a lifestyle.

Did we mention to pack appropriately for the weather?

Have you ever heard the quote, "Your mind must arrive at the destination before your life does”? Believe it or not, having the right mindset can take your travel experience from a constant daydream to a reality.

The best way to get started traveling around the world is to surround yourself with those who can keep you motivated to achieve your goal. Traveling the world is a lifestyle for many individuals and families.

As you get closer to your travel goals, you'll learn so much and develop your own way of doing things. One thing is for sure—you can apply your knowledge anywhere in the world, even if you never traveled abroad before.

Be confident in your abilities and knowledge. Your purpose should be to find what you need and thrive while walking your path.

Sign Up for GoAbroad.com’s 20 Days of Travel Inspo for a Daily Dose of Positivity

This article was contributed by Jhasmine Wade . Jhasmine is a travel and lifestyle blogger promoting personal growth and development through travel. She has traveled extensively and shares her experience on her travel & lifestyle blog, Sincerely J. Wade. In her stories, Jhasmine highlights alternative ways of living and shows the world that the lines between travel, living, and working are no longer blurred. As an HBCU graduate, Jhasmine proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, where she discovered her passion for writing and travel.

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Here’s Everything You Need to Travel the World

F iguring out how to travel the world is no easy feat, especially when you’re trying to do it on a budget or planning world travel with a family.

There are many factors to keep in mind when evaluating your trip, including what to do before leaving and your budget. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide on how to travel the world, including everything from how to start looking into your trip to how to save money once you’re abroad.

1. Get prepared

If you want to travel the world, there are some planning measures you want to take first to ensure you have durable luggage and the proper documents — a passport and possibly visas — and figuring out how much time off you’ll need.

Get your documents in order

Those in the U.S. will want an up-to-date driver’s license because by Oct. 1, 2020, all U.S. residents traveling domestically must have identification compliant with the Real-ID Act , which increased security requirements for state drivers licenses and ID cards.

Residents in 24 states including Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Oregon and Washington have until Oct. 10, 2018 get a Real-ID compliant card, though states have the option to apply for exemptions through Oct. 1, 2020 when the last phase of the Real-ID Act is enforced, meaning residents in those states should regularly check the status of their IDs before flying.

For travel outside of the U.S., passport cards or trusted traveler cards can serve as documents at certain land and sea crossings. But you’ll want to make sure you have a passport book if there’s any chance you might leave or enter another country via plane, where passport cards won’t work.

Already have a passport? You’ll want check if it’s valid for at least six months after planned trips. That’s because some countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia make this a requirement for entering their countries. Renewing a passport takes at least six to eight weeks through the mail, but those with proof of international travel (like a flight itinerary) can get an expedited passport renewal for an additional $60 to the $110 fee and by visiting a passport center in person.

International travel could also require a visa depending on the location and duration of your trip. Some countries have agreements in place that allow travelers to enter and leave visa free. For example, the U.S. and Canada don’t require visas for travel ( except in certain circumstances ), and Europe’s 26 Schengen States have a system where a visa issued by one of the 26 states typically allows travel throughout the others for up to 90 days.

To find out if your trip requires a visa, check your destination’s embassy or consulate website. Some countries will allow you to travel visa-free for a short stay. Others, like Lebanon , also allow citizens from destinations like the U.S. to get a visa upon arrival.

Get your vacation dates in order

Working while traveling can be tricky, but there are a few steps you can take that don’t involve quitting your job to travel the world.

Start by saving vacation days if you work at a company that pays out for these dates. Those looking to trade in vacation days can also check out companies like PTO Exchange , which lets companies buy back unused vacation days so employees can convert these days into travel, health benefits or charity credits.

Speed up security wait times

Signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can help save you time when moving in and out of airports.

TSA PreCheck , which costs $85 for a five-year membership, allows you to speed through domestic airport security without having to remove your shoes, belt, laptop, liquids or light jackets. The service is currently available in 200 airports in the U.S. across 47 participating airlines .

Global Entry , which costs $100 for a five-year membership will get you the same expedited screening through airport security as TSAPreCheck does, while also giving you the added benefit of expedited U.S. customs screenings through automated airport kiosks when arriving from an international destination.

Look for work on the road

Even if you leave your job to travel the world, there are some ways you can make money while abroad .

Companies like Upwork allow people to find work almost anywhere, even while traveling, since it’s open to freelancers across a wide range of fields that include video production, translation, programming, designing, writing, and mobile development. Income will vary on the type of position and number of hours worked, but freelancers can often rack up hourly rates that go as high as $200 per hour, according to Upwork representatives.

You could also find a place to stay through companies like the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms ( WOOF ), which offers housing at organic farms around the world in exchange for volunteering on the farm, doing everything from feeding livestock and watering gardens to harvesting fruit trees.

Get the right credit card

Having the best travel credit card for your trip can not only prevent foreign transaction fees, but also help you reap rewards and perks during your trip.

A few cards with travel benefits include the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee), which offers $300 toward travel costs, $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, access to thousands of airport lounges, zero foreign transaction fees, and a 1:1 point transfer program towards top airline and hotel loyalty programs. The Bank of America Travel Rewards no-fee card lets you easily cash points to use toward airline tickets, baggage, hotel stays, car rentals and cruise packages. The card offers unlimited points, with up to 1.5 points for every $1 spent and 20,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases the first three months of opening your account.

When it comes to savings on hotels, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card lets you earn five points for every dollar you spend at one of the company’s hotels, and two points at participating Marriott Rewards hotels.

Read More: What Is Travel Insurance? And How Much Is It?

2. Book travel far in advance

After all that preparation, you’re ready to book your trip around the world, which will likely be a round-the-world plane ticket, a journey by sea, or a combination of flights and ground transportation.

Below is a breakdown of how different travel options work:

Consider a round-the-world ticket

Round-the-world tickets allow you to buy a ticket and fly with various airlines under one alliance. But there are some regulations to keep in mind. Tickets are usually valid for up to one year, though flyers are required to start and end their trip in the same country through the following major alliances:

• Star Alliance (including Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, Austrian, United, and Lufthansa) bases its round-the-world tickets on the number of miles, with levels of passes you can choose from based on mile increments. You can take up to 15 stopovers, but you’ll need to keep moving in the same direction as how you started your trip.
• OneWorld (including American Airlines , British Airways , Cathay Pacific , and Qantas) has two different round-the-world ticket options. Its Global Explorer ticket is a mile-based option with four different mile increments to choose from, while the One World Explorer is based on the number of continents you visit, with up to four segments (flights) you can take in each of the six continents the alliance flies into.
• Skyteam’s (including Delta, Air France, Korean Air, AeroMexico) round-the-world option requires a minimum of two stops and runs for a year, with the alliance even offering theme-based trips, like beach or history, to make planning your ticket a little easier.

Round-The-World tickets can cost around $2,000 , and Dave Grossman, author or MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points , recommends checking whether it’s cheaper to book a round-the-world trip or individual legs by entering itinerary into Google Flights and comparing the overall price to those offered when building an itinerary out on the alliance websites.

You can also book round-the-world tickets through a travel agent or third-party sites like AirTreks of Flight Centre . These sites can be cheaper because they often pull together individual airline tickets based on the lowest fares to create a round-the-world itinerary.

However, round-the-world ticket travelers should note: missing one leg of your ticket could cancel the rest of your trip, making it best for travelers who feel comfortable planning out a lengthy trip well in advance.

Take a world cruise

If you’re looking to travel the world by sea, a world cruise can provide the flexibility to explore multiple continents, traveling from the U.S. to Europe for example, or to hone in on one continent. Itineraries vary by cruise, and world cruises can be great for families, retirees or those who can be at sea for around three months.

Sometimes, cruise lines will offer the option to book only a segment of world cruise, which can range from two weeks to a month. To book a segment, prospective travelers will also have to add a one-way trip to or from the start or end of their journey.

The costs of world cruises can be anywhere from $13,000 to upwards of $40,000 per person, as Cruise Critic points out.

Take a repositioning cruise

If you’re looking to travel the world for cheap, consider a repositioning cruise, which take place when ships need to relocate from one region to another. The cruises can cost up to $50 less per day than classic cruises and typically take place during shifting seasons like the fall and the spring. Cruise lines often sell repositioning tickets as one-way routes.

Consider train travel

If you plan on using trains throughout your world travel, there are a few options. For example, select companies like Great Rail Journeys now offer around the world rail journeys as well as a variety of rail passes.

Amtrak offers U.S. rail passes with 15-day ($459 for adults), 30-day ($689 for adults), and 45-day ($899 for adults) pass options that let you travel across eight segments (stops), 12 segments (stops), and 18 segments (stops).

Rail passes are a popular way to explore multiple stops within continents like Europe on the cheap. The Eurail Global Pass is the only rail pass that lets international travelers visit all of Europe , with unlimited travel offered in 28 countries. Eurail sells its global passes directly through its official website with a variety of prices and time options, starting at $600 per person for six days of travel within a month.

Those looking for the cheapest ways to travel, which can involve buses or ferries, can check out Rome2Rio , which lets you see all the transportation you can take between two locations and what route will be the cheapest. There are also lower-cost options like Berlinbus (a low cost bus operator in Germany) and the Student Agency Bus , which will give you discounted prices on coach lines in Europe. Swiss Federal Railways, often called SBB , also provides travelers with a wide variety of overnight train options, allowing you to save on overnight hotel fees to travel instead.

Know when to book

Unfortunately, there’s no magic set of days before your trip that will get you the best deal on flights. But travel seekers can keep an eye out for regular flight sales on social media, where airlines will often announce flash sales. And there are certain travel apps that will alert you when the price has gone down on flights you’re interested in.

3. Avoid hidden travel and communication fees

Once you’ve started your trip, there are tips and tricks to help you travel each destination across the world on a budget. Here are some ways to cut costs during your travel around the world:

Grab a city pass

City-pass offerings vary by location, but many will give you free or discounted admission to top attractions in a city, as well as fast-track options to cut lines. Some passes, like the Paris Pass , also include free transport throughout the city as well as admission to attractions. If you’re traveling in the U.S., you can check out the CityPASS network , which provides discounts on attractions across 12 North American cities.

Eliminate hidden hotel fees

To reduce hidden hotel fees (that is, after checking what hidden fees the hotel charges before you book), you can ask the hotel whether they can forego additional fees for amenities you don’t use, like the gym or in-room safe. The hotel may be able to remove these charges from your bill before you arrive.

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive property, you’ll want to look into the fine print and the “terms and conditions” of your stay. The reason for this is that some properties will charge more for items like champagne, high-end liquor or some activities. The easiest way to spot these is by keeping your eye out for asterisks in promotions and advertisements.

Communicate for free

Communicating with friends and family while traveling is important, but roaming charges and international calling fees can add up quickly.

Apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, which allow messaging and calling for free over Wi-Fi if you have an Android phone. You can also grab a local SIM card, which you can purchase at airport vending machines and convenience stores. The Local SIM app can pinpoint the best local cellular carrier to grab your SIM card.

Choose Restaurants Wisely

While eating food from around the world is often one of the best parts of traveling, dining out for every meal can become expensive. To save some money: stay away from restaurants located near tourist attractions, which generally have higher prices and lower quality . Some travel experts recommend making lunch your biggest meal, when prices can be half that of dinner, according to CheapOAir.

Ask about free amenities on flights and at hotels

Some airlines and hotels have free perks available to guests who know to ask for them. On flights, for example, travelers can request everything from ukuleles on some Hawaiian Airlines flights to hot chocolate on Southwest Airlines. Some hotels also offer free amenities that range from night lights, chargers and curling irons at Kimpton Hotels to complimentary yoga sessions at select Hyatt properties.

Now, if all you need is travel inspiration, check out the 20 best and affordable places to travel in 2018 .

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Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler

The holiday travel season is fully upon us. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen a record number of passengers this Christmas, and the TSA already broke a daily record. They screened a whopping 2.9 million travelers on Nov. 26, 2023, alone ... the most passengers ever screened in a single day.

As millions of travelers take trips by plane , cruise ship or road , we've gathered some essential travel tips on how best to book and enjoy your journeys.

Whether you're an occasional road-tripper or a frequent globe-trotter, these TPG-backed top travel tips can help you avoid unnecessary headaches when you spend time away from home.

How to find travel deals

Flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap airfare any time of year.

Changing your arrival or departure date by a single day can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. If you don't mind altering your family's plans slightly, consider booking travel directly on major holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas for cheaper prices and thinner airport crowds.

One of our favorite tools at TPG for finding deals is Google Flights . You can use the search field to find the cheapest (or best) flights. Google will also give you a historical view of how prices have ranged and will even send you email alerts if fares jump or drop on specific routes you've selected.

It also has some fun tools you can use to find a cheap destination. By clicking the "Explore" button on the sidebar and putting your departure airport, Google will give you a map or list view of the most wallet-friendly destinations.

However, Google isn't the only place to find deals: TPG publishes regular deal alerts. You can sign up for Twitter alerts and subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest deals news.

Don't sleep on mileage awards, either. If you've been hoarding miles during the pandemic, it's time to spend them. Cash prices are high, so it can be a good time to burn those miles.

No matter how much you think you know about redeeming miles for flights , there are always new tips and tricks for turning those earnings into dream trips. Turn to TPG for guidance on sweet spots for redemptions. Sites like ExpertFlyer (part of Red Ventures, like TPG) supply additional redemption ideas or even business class upgrade inventory.

You may even want to consult a travel agent to get access to special deals that aren't available anywhere else. Travel agents can sometimes get you extra perks at hotels or even cheaper business-class airfare to your dream destination.

Be your own best advocate

Since there are still air traffic controller shortages and little room for error in the system these days, travelers have to be their own best advocates.

There are ways to get ahead of any possible travel nightmares.

First, be smart when booking. Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You'll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of having your luggage go in a different direction than you during a transfer.

You could also take one of the first flights of the day, as those are least likely to face afternoon thunderstorms and most likely to depart on time. Read our article 5 reasons to book the first flight of the day for all the data.

Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here's what you should do next

Download your airline's mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you'll also learn of any delays first. Some airlines allow you to even rebook yourself in the app.

If your flight is canceled, you'll want to beat everyone else on your flight who is also looking to get rebooked.

We recommend heading for the customer service desk (or lounge desk if you have access). You could also get on the phone with the airline or contact them via social media if there's a delay . Sometimes, an airline's Twitter representative will help you faster than a phone or in-person agent can. You have to use every tool at your disposal when things go south.

Many airlines also now have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.

I always have an alternate plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I'm booked in case something goes awry. This way, I'll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.

Also, save all the receipts for the expenses you incur during delays or cancellations. You'll want excellent documentation in the case of meltdowns like the one Southwest passengers experienced during the holidays .

If you're stuck at an airport for an extended period, seek out your airport's secret quiet spaces for a brief escape from the travel chaos.

Get Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck

One of our favorite ways to speed through the airport and avoid those summertime mega lines is via Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry .

Essentially, the government pre-screens you for security and thus you save a bit of time during your travels. You'll need to apply ahead of time and pay a fee. The great news, however, is that many credit cards will give you a statement credit for these fees. TSA PreCheck is a $78 application fee for five years, and Global Entry is $100.

Related: 7 ways to get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and/or Clear for free

TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through airport security without removing your shoes, laptops or liquids. With Global Entry , you can breeze through customs when you return from an international trip.

If you have the time, going for Global Entry rather than simply TSA PreCheck makes sense. Global Entry requires an interview with Customs and Border Patrol ahead of time, but once you're approved, TSA PreCheck will be included.

Get Clear for the ultimate security trifecta

The other security tool we recommend you have in your travel toolbelt is Clear .

Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear

The expedited security program allows you to bypass long security lines by using a separate lane at many airports. You'll approach a kiosk where your identity is confirmed via an iris scan or fingerprint. A Clear employee will then escort you to the front of the security screening line.

A Clear membership combined with TSA PreCheck will enable you to go to even shorter lines at some airports with designated Clear/PreCheck lines. Clear isn't perfect at all airports where it's so popular, and there are now long lines (cough, Atlanta). However, it will still generally lead to shorter lines overall.

Related: Guide to using the Amex Platinum Clear benefit

Make copies of your important documents

Make digital and hard copies of all your important travel-related documents. Start by photographing your driver's license, your state ID and/or your passport.

You should have copies of your IDs in your phone's library in case you get separated from the actual document. Sometimes, it also helps in a pinch if you are asked for ID, and you didn't bring the hard copy. For example, I was recently asked for my ID to enter One Vanderbilt to have dinner at the new American Express Centurion Lounge in New York. The receptionist would have accepted a photograph of the ID if I didn't have the physical document.

TPG also recommends having an actual photocopy in a separate place. Editor Kristy Tolley says she stores a hard copy in a separate place from where she keeps her passport in case she loses a bag. "I also leave a copy of it at home if I'm traveling alone," she said.

Check expiration dates

If you aren't 100% certain of the expiration date of your passport and other travel documents, go check them now. Renewing passports takes time, and some countries require six months of future passport validity to allow entry. Remember that child passports expire every five years, which can sneak up on you.

Related: How and when to renew your passport

Double-checking the expiration dates for your driver's licenses and state IDs is also a good idea. Remember that TSA checks the expiration dates on your documents when they screen you for security. Don't forget to check the expiration dates for your Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, Clear and TSA PreCheck, too. It can take a while to get a Global Entry interview appointment if you need one to renew.

Few things are worse than getting to the front of the security line and realizing the PreCheck mark is gone from your boarding pass.

Finally, check the entry requirements if you are traveling internationally. Some countries require visas that you must acquire before arrival.

Consider travel protection

When booking your travel, try to use a credit card that offers some built-in travel protection . Many credit cards, including TPG favorites like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express , offer this when you use those cards to purchase your airfare and similar.

Related: Best credit cards for trip delays and cancellations

If the coverage offered by your credit card isn't enough, you might also want to purchase travel insurance . These policies can sometimes go beyond trip cancellations to cover things like medical evacuations. Warning: Read the fine print on any extra policies very carefully to ensure it covers the situations that matter the most to you.

Those who frequently travel abroad may want to consider purchasing an annual travel insurance policy instead of buying one on a trip-by-trip basis. Some TPG staffers purchase annual policies because of the cost savings for multiple trips. Some will find having an annual policy is easier than juggling separate policies or various credit card coverage terms and conditions.

Tips for your luggage

TPG has a ton of tips when it comes to luggage.

First and foremost, try to be on "team carry-on" whenever possible. If you don't check baggage, you are much less likely to become separated from it. Many of us at TPG refuse to check luggage except under extreme circumstances.

Of course, other folks with families or those embarking on long journeys may still want to check bags. If that's the case for you, you can still do many things to lessen the chance you get separated from your stuff. For example, make sure your luggage is in good working order, your contact info is attached, the bag is within the weight limits, you get to the airport early (but not too early) to check it and confirm your luggage is tagged to the right destination or connection.

Related: 7 tips to keep the airline from losing your luggage

After last year's baggage delays and luggage disasters , we strongly suggest you put Apple AirTags (or the Android equivalent ) into your luggage so you can track your items if they go missing .

If you check a bag, keep extra medicine or medical supplies in your carry-on bag in case your luggage goes missing or gets delayed. "As a diabetic, I keep a tiny emergency kit in my backpack with enough supplies to keep me going in an emergency," TPG writer Tanner Saunders said.

Former TPG credit card writer Ryan Smith also offered words of advice regarding luggage. "The last items you pack in your carry-on will be most accessible, so use this for your passport, ID, ticket, headphones or whatever else you need during the trip," he said. By making sure those items you'll use most are easiest to reach, you'll save yourself the hassle of having to dig around (or partially unpack) your bag to grab what you need.

Finally, be sure and get compensated if your bags are late or lost. Many airlines will give you points or even cash for delayed bags, and the government has rules on compensation if your bags are lost.

Staying safe on your journeys

From potentially getting robbed while on the road to experiencing bad weather or natural disasters while traveling, there are many scenarios that could arise when you're away from home.

To mitigate those risks, pay attention to U.S. Department of State warnings about a destination you plan to visit and check local sources for the latest news from that country or region for additional context. Although the State Department tends to err on the side of caution with its warnings, it's still best to be aware of what you may face during your trip.

Also, know the local number in case of emergencies. In many places, including Mexico and much of Europe, if you dial 9-1-1 on your cellphone, you will be connected to emergency services just like in the U.S. However, you should know the local emergency numbers of whichever country you visit.

Let people at home know your itinerary and stay in touch with them throughout your trip. If something goes amiss, at least someone will know where you're supposed to be or the last place you visited.

If you're arriving at night, contact your hotel or home-share host to ask about the best way to get there at the time you're arriving and the safest ways to travel at night in that area.

Also, be strategic about how you check into a hotel. Some solo travelers request two keycards to imply someone else is on the trip. Giving thought to the hotel room's security swing bar can also make sense, with some taking steps like placing a hand towel over it to make it harder to dislodge from the outside.

Some final tips

• For cruisers, TPG principal cruise writer Gene Sloan suggests arriving in port at least a day in advance (if not several days ahead of time). This will eliminate the risk of missing your ship's departure time and help you get acclimated to the local time zone.
• When taking road trips to out-of-the-way destinations, go old school and bring paper maps with you or download offline maps from Google. Using a paper map or an offline version means you always have a way to navigate around your chosen destination, even if you lose cellular service.
• One other note, you should reserve airport parking ahead of time during peak travel times. Some airport parking areas fill up fast around holidays, so reserving your spot ahead of time will save you from wasting time looking for a space when you need to catch a flight. You can also sometimes save by booking online in advance, too.

Bottom line

Whether you're fresh to the world of traveling or a seasoned expert, you can always learn new tips to maximize your time away from home. The more research and preparation you do before your trip, the better your experience will be — especially if things go wrong, as they sometimes do.

Some of our favorite tools are deal alerts, Google Flights , sign-up bonuses and credit card rewards . Learn those tools and use them for better travel every time.

Remember that these days when things go wrong, you have to be your own best advocate. For more travel tips and tricks, read the stories below.

Related reading:

• Your flight is delayed or canceled: Here's what to do next
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• Here's how to get through airport security faster

How to Successfully Choose Your Next Travel Destination

Need to choose your next travel destination but don’t know where you should go? I’ve been there!

Figuring out where to travel next can actually be quite tough because there are so many factors to consider. So if you’re looking for a little clarity and inspiration to choose a destination for your next trip, you’re in the right place.

This guide takes you through the questions you should ask yourself and shares traveler-tested tips on how to choose a travel destination for your next trip.

Choose Your Travel Destination: Start with the Basics

You want your trip to be a success and that starts with the right destination. But, choosing a travel destination can feel overwhelming. Contrary to the expression it’s a small world, the globe can seem larger than life when asking where should I travel next.

This can happen whether you’re planning your first trip or you’re a seasoned traveler. Luckily, and as with most big decisions, it’s helpful to break the process down into smaller pieces to sort out what’s practical (or not).

The best way to do this is to start with some concrete essential questions that’ll help you hone in on your next destination. They’re basic and practical, but they are really effective, too. These questions are the ones I ask myself when I’m faced with the same dilemma.

How much time do you have? 

Where should you travel has a lot to do with how much time you can be away. The reality is that some trips need more time than others to really make the whole experience worthwhile. I find this to be a helpful first step because I can usually eliminate some possible destinations right away.

If you’re taking a 1-week vacation or less, it’s not worth it to plan that bucket list trip to Thailand or Patagonia . Not only is the time to get there likely long from wherever you are, but you’ll spend a lot for a trip that won’t leave you feeling as if you’ve had a well-rounded experience with a true taste of the destination.

Likewise, in that amount of time, taking that road trip cross country (in the United States) will likely be a lot of driving without enough time to actually stop to enjoy the many sights and places you’ll pass.

That’s not to say that a short trip isn’t worth it! Sometimes what you have is 5-7 days or even a long weekend getaway. It’s not a reason to miss out on traveling altogether.

You can plan a National Parks trip , some beach time in Mexico , or even visit a city like New York or London. With careful planning and a willingness to fill each day, you might even plan 1 week in Spain .

On the other hand, can you get away for a 2-week trip or more? With 2 weeks, you can explore a couple of new places like Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands or pack your bags for Europe and comfortably use the high-speed trains to travel between cities and even countries. You could consider road trips like circling the Emerald Isle or driving the Oregon Coast.

Perhaps you’re at a place in your life where you have a lot of time for extended travel. If this is you, ask yourself if this type of opportunity is likely to present itself again.

You might be taking a sabbatical or be in between jobs. Either way, these are unique chances to make that dream destination a reality because you’ll have enough time to experience it the way you always imagined.

Visiting the Okavango Delta and doing a safari on a trip to Africa, traveling through multiple countries in Southeast Asia, or setting off to explore Australia and New Zealand are all on the table.

Depending on where you live and the amount of time you have to travel, certain destinations will make more sense than others. I find this question about how much time to be a really helpful starting point as I think about places I want to visit for my next adventure.

The bottom line is that regardless of whether you want to relax, sightsee, or have an active adventure, traveling too far or cramming in too much can make for a rushed and ungratifying trip.

Who are you traveling with? 

Another important question to ask yourself is who your travel companions will be, if any. Are you traveling for a family vacation with young kids or on a couple’s trip? Perhaps you’re planning a girls/guys trip or maybe a solo adventure.

The people you travel with or without might make specific places and experiences more practical than others. You have to ask what kind of destination would be enjoyable for everyone traveling. It may also be necessary to make some compromises so that everyone is happy with the destination and itinerary.

Some destinations and experiences like trekking on a glacier , climbing Angels Landing , or visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum may not be right for little ones. While a quick jaunt to Portugal might make the perfect girls’ getaway!

If you’re traveling solo, is it your first time or have you been on your own before? Traveling on your own comes with unlimited freedom to make your own choices. First-time solo travelers might be more comfortable in places like Iceland or Paris .

Or you might want to explore an off-the-beaten-path destination like Romania or travel to a new destination with a group by   taking a guided tour .

No matter what your situation is, being clear on who you’ll be traveling with or not can help you choose your next travel destination.

What kind of weather matches your travel style? 

Do you want to sightsee when it’s warm or work on your tan? Or do you prefer cooler temperatures for city travel or hope to see a perfect winter white landscape?

Obviously, your weather preference can help narrow down possible travel destinations based on the time of year you intend to travel. Weather conditions are what they are so if your next vacation falls in February and you don’t want to sightsee in Rome in chillier temperatures then it’s not the right time for you to visit.

On the flip side, if you’re hoping to ski and snowshoe in the Canadian Rockies, you’ll need to visit Banff in winter and not summer.

Keep in mind that if your travel dates fall during a destination’s peak season, it’ll likely come with higher prices compared to visiting at other times of the year. A slight compromise on weather and travel dates could also mean finding the best deals for that destination, like heading to the best places in Puglia in southern Italy in September instead of August.

Another upside to making some sacrifices when it comes to weather is fewer people. Everyone wants to visit a destination during peak season but going during shoulder season means you’ll be less affected by crowds. This and the hot weather are exactly why I prefer visiting Europe in the off-season when sightseeing is so much more enjoyable.

So, although it may seem like a basic question, the question of where to go when can be very informative.

What is your travel budget?

Unfortunately, how to choose the right destination also comes down to money. You certainly don’t need to be rich to travel, but you also want to feel comfortable with the destination you choose and all it has to offer.

All destinations are not created equal when it comes to cost. If you’re on a tight budget, budget-friendly destinations will allow you to stretch your money much more than somewhere pricier.

Another place might come with an extra cost either because of a visa fee or a special permit needed to take part in specific activities. The same goes for the kind of trip to requires special gear. If these costs are too much right now, then perhaps it’s not the perfect travel destination right now either.

For international travel, don’t forget to look at the exchange rates. One that is not in your favor can cost you much more than you realized. Choosing your next travel destination could be as simple as going where your currency is strongest for the best value.

You also need to be honest with yourself about your preferences when it comes to the seat class you fly in and where you like to stay. If you’re someone who absolutely needs more legroom when flying for more than a few hours, this cost has to be factored into your travel plans.

Hostels are a longstanding way to save money while traveling but if you’re not comfortable staying in one, then it could negatively impact your whole trip. On the other hand, paying for a hotel or vacation rental in an expensive destination might require sacrificing on activities and/or returning home stressed because you blew a hole in your travel budget.

The right travel destination allows you to be in your comfort zone when it comes to your travel style while sticking to as much money as you’ve allotted for this next trip.

And remember to think about any travel rewards you may have. A travel rewards credit card allows you to earn miles and points so that when you’re ready to take that next big trip, you can use them to book the trip or at least offset some of the cost.

A  financially savvy traveler  knows the answers to these questions and chooses a vacation destination accordingly.

What kind of journey or travel experience do you want?

With the above questions asked and answered, you’ve finished the practical first steps to choosing your next travel destination. 

Now it’s time to connect what information you got from the questions above with the type of trip you’re imagining. This is when you work to align the practical with all that pent-up travel inspiration in the right side of your brain.

Start by asking yourself the purpose of your trip.

Is the perfect destination one where you can lounge and relax beside a beach? Or are you craving an outdoor adventure? Maybe you’re picturing a new travel destination with historical sites, cultural experiences, and foodie experiences.

If you’re like me, you probably would love all of the above. But the best option when choosing where to travel next depends on what you need at that moment.

If something in your life has left you feeling exhausted and stressed and all you can think of is going somewhere to relax and unwind, a beach destination or mountain retreat will likely be a better option than a sightseeing trip in Europe.

Maybe your norm is to always use your vacation time to go to a beach. So this time you’re looking for new destinations where you can see wildlife, like in Costa Rica , or explore historic ruins like those in Pompeii.

Beyond thinking about the type of trip you need, ask yourself what type of experience you’d like you and your possible travel companions to have.

Is there something you would like to gain from your travels? How do you want to remember this trip? Is there a lasting impact you’re hoping for?

If you want to take an adventure trip as a couple, it might be the right time to finally do that African safari or see the northern lights in Finnish Lapland .

Maybe you’re traveling with children and want the travel to be educational in some way. Consider, then, a place with fun and interesting sights, age-appropriate museums, and cultural experiences.

Understanding the type of journey or experience you want is the essence of choosing the right destination and making your trip a success. Too often, people are heard saying  “I need a vacation from my vacation.”   It doesn’t have to be this way if you focus on the important things you want and choose a travel destination based on this.

Travel can be so fulfilling if you take the time to plan a meaningful getaway that meets the needs, hopes, and wants of you and your travel companions.

But, the opposite is also true. When you choose your travel destination because it’s where you think you  should  take your kids or where  everyone else you know goes , your trip can end up feeling lackluster and, ultimately, not worth your time and money.

10 Tips to Choose Your Next Travel Destination

With the information you’ve focused on by going through the who, what, when, and why questions above, you’re surely closer to answering the biggest question of them all…where?

And while the final decision about where you should travel next is yours, these are some of the best things I’ve used or done to choose my next travel destination.

1. Get Inspiration from Pinterest, Social Media, and Hashtags.

“A picture is worth a thousand words” is so cliche, but also resonates with truth.

We are visual creatures in the same way my dogs relate to the world around them by using their keen sense of smell. Our brains are hardwired to process visuals quickly, which impacts how we feel, what we think, and even what we do.

Sometimes these visuals create a spark that sticks with us. It’s important to pay attention when this happens!

Visual platforms like Pinterest , Instagram , YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok attract 100s of millions of people who use them not only for entertainment and social connection but also to plan everything from home decor to travel destinations.

We’ve all seen photos of places that have grabbed us, causing an emotional, visceral reaction. These feelings can be a huge help when choosing your travel destination.

And if you’re not sure where to start on these platforms, just start typing on the search bar. Inevitably, other words will populate to give you some ideas. For example, you might type in “bucket list travel destinations” and the search bar might suggest you add “in Europe” to refine your search even further.

Hashtags can also be a great way to find inspiration. By searching #tropicalisland, you’ll find countless photos and videos to spark your wanderlust. You might even discover a new place that wasn’t on your radar.

ProTip: A word about popular destinations…Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean you have to go, too. If the destination doesn’t speak to you, it’s not your jam, at least right now. It doesn’t matter what social media says. And with so much attention focused on a handful of places, you can share your tourism dollars with a destination better suited to you and just equally as deserving as the latest must-go hotspot.

2. Read Travel Blogs.

Ok, you had to know this was coming! 😉

But, in all seriousness, there are a ton of travel blogs out there with a lot of inspiring, incredible content.

Find a few travel bloggers you like on social media? Take some time to explore their blog. The hidden gem blog posts are often discovered by those who take a few minutes and dig beyond just the most recent posts.

You just might discover a place like Husavik in Iceland or fall in love with Sibiu in Romania. Or you just might see a few photos of Cordoba in Spain and be instantly bit by the travel bug!

3. Go Old School with “Coffee Table” Travel Books

With everything digitalized or online these days, don’t underestimate the power of travel books.

I’m not necessarily talking about travel guides, but the ones with oversized, smooth pages and glossy colorful photos that fill your eyes and heart with wanderlust. They’re perfect for perusing whether you want to choose your travel destination or just float away into your travel dreams.

I love opening these books to random pages and seeing what I find. Sometimes I take a photo of a photo or keep the book open to a specific page for a couple of days just to see if a place feels like the right one for my next trip.

Here are a few of my favorite travel picture books.

These books can excite a passion for traveling the world in just about anyone! The photos carry you into the scene, while the text about each place transports you to lush rainforests and medieval architecture.

These books are perfect for choosing experiences that match the journeys you imagine for yourself and others. You’ll go from Patagonia to the Canadian Rockies to the world’s best dive spots and the best National Parks in the U.S. If you’re like me, you’ll be packing your  backpack  as you stare wide-eyed at the list of places awaiting!

4. Follow the Deals.

This tip for choosing a travel destination should not be overlooked! Not only might you discover amazing places, but it can also help you save (potentially) a lot of money.

Know you want to go to Japan someday and you just found a super cheap airfare to make it happen? Guess what? Someday has arrived. You may never have the chance again to book such a cheap ticket to Japan.

It’s also a great way to add flexibility (which always helps save money when traveling) when you can’t be flexible on your dates. Say, for example, if you’re a teacher or a family with kids who have to travel around the school calendar.

Maybe you’re just an open-minded, flexible person who’s just happy to travel anywhere. Perhaps you’re looking to get away for the least possible money!

To find these deals, use tools like:

• Google Flights Explore
• Momondo Explore
• Secret Flying

Aside from Google Flights Explore, Momondo  is a great airfare website for choosing your travel destination and finding the best airfare. They have an explore anywhere feature that lets you choose destinations by continent, month, budget, and theme (beaches, cities, etc.)

Skyscanner  is another tool to search for the best prices on flights even when you don’t where you want to go. Type your home airport as the departure and “everywhere” as the destination. Skyscanner will show you the lowest-priced flights to a range of destinations.

The Hopper App can help you know whether or not to book a flight or wait for a better price.

You could also use airfare deal email newsletters like Matt’s Flights to get alerted to mistake fares and low fares in real-time without spending hours searching. The deals are timely, though, so you’ll need to book quickly before the price changes. For more tips about  how to find cheap flights , check out everything I do to find cheap flights.

5. Where Can Your Travel Rewards Points Take You?

I am a confessed points and miles nerd. But, my studies have paid off because I’ve been to many great places that I never dreamed would be possible. If you’re interested in getting started with travel rewards, check out my free course.

Once you sign up for hotel and airline loyalty programs, you’ll get emails to learn about destinations with low airfares or hotel rates. Look for loyalty program award discounts to specific places or for particular hotels.

For instance,  hotel brands like  IHG and Hilton  offer promotions throughout the year discounting award night stays in specific destinations.

If you earn travel rewards points through a bank like Chase or American Express , watch for transfer bonuses that give you a percentage bonus (i.e. 30%) on the points you transfer to a specific airline or hotel.

You can also apply the same principles for finding deals as above. Go where the deals are.

Need to get to Paris but the award flight space is too expensive or nonexistent to Paris?

Look at surrounding airports and Voila…there’s plenty of affordable space to Brussels which is only an 80-minute train ride from Paris. Maybe you’ll even have a few extra days to spare to visit places like Bruges and Antwerp before heading to France.

6. Trust Your Gut.

Saw an incredible photo or movie about a place you never knew much about and now you can’t get it out of your head?

Book it as your next trip!

Sometimes you just get a hunch or a feeling about a place. If you act on it, you might just end up on one of the most incredible and unforgettable trips ever.

I did exactly this when I decided to go to Romania and Malaysia because I saw a few photos and was instantly struck. Both trips were amazing and I learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes it really pays to not overthink things and just go. It may be cliche but the world really is an endlessly fascinating place!

7. Calibrate Current Events.

No one wants to feel unsafe when they travel. And unfortunately, sometimes, world events make it unsafe to visit certain places at certain times.

It’s a good practice to check travel warnings issued by not only the United States but also by the governments in Canada, the U.K., and Australia. I find this gives a fuller picture of the actual scope of the alerts.

You should also remember what you see on TV and watch and read online isn’t always the reality in all places in that destination or region. Can you imagine visitors canceling their trips to New York City because New Orleans had a hurricane? Or forgoing a trip to Rome because Paris was having protests?

Use common sense. Invest in travel insurance . And, always do what makes you comfortable when deciding whether or not you should travel to a particular place.

8. Respect Your Capacity for Logistics.

Planning a trip takes time and effort. You have to research, book transportation and accommodation options, as well as map out your day-to-day at least partially. The destination you choose dictates how intensive this process will be. So what can you manage right now?

It’s a lot easier to plan a beach getaway or a camping trip than it is a multi-city sightseeing trip. Both are equally worth it but one requires more research and planning.

Dreaming of an extended road trip through South America but don’t have the time right now to plan it the way it needs to be planned? Perhaps it’s better to go with something else right now. The same could be said for country-hopping through Europe.

Travel is supposed to be fun, exciting, and enjoyable and that includes the planning process. If you’re dreading the time needed to plan a trip to a particular place, go somewhere else instead for now.

9. Go on a Guided Tour.

Or opt for a guided tour . It’s easy because all of the logistics are handled for you. Plus, oftentimes, you meet interesting people and visit places you might not have considered on your own.

I’ve taken tours with both Intrepid Travel and G Adventures and had a great time on each one. I’ve even made some long-lasting travel friends along the way!

So, if you’re not sure about traveling solo or just don’t want the hassle of planning, pick a tour and go!

10. Revisit Your Bucket List…and Just Go!

If you still aren’t sure about what to pick for your next trip, go back to your bucket list. You put places and experiences on there for a reason. At one point or another, taking that trip someday resonated. Trust that and go.

Frame it like this. It’s not analysis paralysis but rather a desire to visit so many places that it’s hard to choose one destination over another. I always take this as a sure sign that I can’t go wrong no matter where I choose.

So, How Do You Choose the Right Travel Destination?

Break down the process into smaller steps by using the questions, tips, and tools in this guide. They’ll help you choose your next travel destination by pointing you in the direction of where and what makes sense for you right now.

And remember, no one ever regrets traveling, but rather the trips they didn’t take. So, go ahead and plan your next trip!

So, how do you choose the right destination? 

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36 thoughts on “how to successfully choose your next travel destination”.

Great tips! I also love Kayak Explore ( https://www.kayak.com/explore/ ). You choose your home airport, the time of year you want to travel, and (optionally) your budget/flight length, and it returns a map with flight options for you. It’s one of my favorite tools!

Thanks, Kelly! How could I forget Kayak’s explore, tool!? Thanks for the reminder and for adding to this guide with such a great tip!

Haha, I am definitely guilty of saying ‘I need a vacation from my vacation’. These are great pieces of advice, especially deciding what type of adventure you want, and who you’ll be with so that your expectations matches the reality!

Lol, Annie. I don’t think you’re alone on that one! It’s such a disappointment when you have one idea in mind and then the trip turns out not like you wanted.

I really use pinterest for visual searches. I love that you included that. My friends and I already peg the places we want and the moment there is a sale— we just go for it.

I love how you said, “we just go for it.” So awesome, Karla. You can plan forever, but in the end, you just have to take action! 🙂

Really nice I like that you added tools to go along with how to choose your travel destination! Pinterest is a great place to get information and what I like about it is getting a picture preview before you get to the website to peak interest instead of print list on google search 🙂

Thanks for reading. I so agree! The Pinterest visual is really great and so much more helpful than just a text link.

Great resources on deciding where to go! 80% of my travels are booked after I see special offers on airlines as the cost of the ticket is a major factor.

Flexibility is key to being a successful traveler, right Chrysoula?! So, following the deals is smart.

I love the follow the deal method. I tend to pick wherever has a cheap flight for my three day weekend adventures. I just book the trip and figure out the rest later.

Thanks for sharing, Jennifer. It’s always great to get a good deal! Good for you for being so open and flexible.

Great post! I abide by most of these tips myself! I’d say I usually pick where to go based on three things: length of visit (I’m not going to plan a trip to Australia with only 3 days) who I’m going with (is my boyfriend coming along? Maybe I’ll go somewhere that is more iffy for solo travelers) and the weather (I don’t want to go anywhere during monsoon season)!.

And of course, blogs, Pinterest and Instagram are where I get much of my inspiration!

Thanks for reading, Erika. I do the same and I always have to think differently when I travel solo versus with my husband. (Shh..I can be more adventurous without him! lol)

These are all very practical things to think of and helpful advices! Some things didn’t work out as planned but it happens, least we could do is try and prevent them 🙂 I’ll check against this list the next time I plan to go!

Exactly, Mar. We can’t prevent everything but thoughtful planning means you tried your best. 🙂 Thanks for reading.

Great tips. It is a struggle every time I have some time of but I think I basically ask all those questions myself – and I am very strongly influenced by social media of course 🙂

Absolutely, Arzo! Isn’t is perfect when a photo or a post on social media just speaks to you? 😉 Thanks for reading.

What a great guide. I love your tips. As someone who wants to go everywhere, sometimes picking one place can be daunting.

Lol, Mags. I can totally relate!

Recognizing “what kind of journey and travel experience” you want is key! Great tips, thanks for sharing. Happy travels 🙂

Thanks for reading, Carmen! 🙂

Great tips and amazing write up Jackie! I love how you made it look simple yet contains lots of important informations. Totally loving your tips and will absolutely use some of your tips in choosing where to go next in the future! Thanks!

Thanks for reading. 🙂 Happy travels!

It’s good to know more about finding a vacation destination and hotel. I like how you said that it depends on if we’re traveling with our kids. This summer we plan on taking our two kids with us, so we’ll have to find a destination and a hotel that will work for two rowdy children!

Thanks for reading, Ridley. I edited out your link as they’re not allowed in comments. Thanks!

Thank you for your tip to consider what type of lodgings you will be staying at. My brother wants me to visit the sea with him and his family. I’ll be sure to talk to him about whether we’ll be staying in a motel or hotel and what type of accommodations they offer.

Thanks for reading, Skylar. Hope your family travel is fantastic! 🙂

I loved the tip that you gave to consider following deals while you are looking for a place to visit. Me and some of my classmates are wanting to find a tour to go on for a project for our photography project, and it will be important for us to know that we could find the right tour. I will be sure to follow the deals, so we could stick to our tight budgets.

Thanks for reading, Gus. That flexibility makes all the difference.

Thanks for these tips! I like that you mentioned we should think about what sort of experiences we want to gain from the trip so that it helps us in determining the perfect holiday destination. My wife and I are planning to go on a couple’s vacation next month and I’ll be sure to speak with her on her preference.

Thanks for reading, Kristofer. Also so important to think about the types of experiences. Hope you have a great trip.

I like your tip about reading travel blogs to help decide where to vacation since they may have some hidden gems you didn’t know about. My husband and I have been looking for somewhere to go to celebrate our one year anniversary. I think we should find a vacation rental somewhere that is less well known so that we can spend quality time together.

Thanks for reading, Charlotte. Hope you have a great anniversary trip.

Hi, interesting article and useful tips. I especially like that you recommended tools that help to choose a destination. When I travel I always spend a lot of time searching for the ideal place for my trip.

Thanks for reading, Mark. 🙂

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World’s 30 Best Travel Destinations, Ranked

Best places to visit in the world.

The ultimate ranking of travel destinations aims to solve a serious problem: so many places to visit, so little time.

But even in a world with a trillion destinations, some manage to stand out and 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!).

These are the 30 best places to visit in the world. Which ones have you already been to? And which ones stoke your wanderlust most?

30. Argentine Patagonia

In this region of the Andes, you’ll find glaciers, evergreen trees, deep blue lakes and clear 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.

* Rankings are based on U.S. News & World Report's " World's Best Places to Visit ," traveler ratings as well as our own editorial input.

What to Know Before You Go to Argentine Patagonia

Where to stay: Cyan Soho Neuquen Hotel

Hot tip: Since springtime occurs in the southern hemisphere in October and November, those months are your best bet when planning a trip.

Fun fact: The largest dinosaur fossils ever unearthed were found in Argentine Patagonia. They belong to the largest-known titanosaur, believed to have weighed about 83 tons. 

Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.

29. Amalfi Coast, Italy

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 best way to see the coast is to rent a car and then drive to different towns each day.

What to Know Before You Go to the Amalfi Coast

Where to stay: Hotel Marina Riviera

Hot tip:  If you're planning on using a beach chair to work on your tan, make sure you wake up early, as they are usually first come, first served.

Fun fact:  The Amalfi Coast is featured in Sofia Loren's 1995 Film, "Scandal in Sorrento."

28. Cancun, Mexico

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.

The city 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. One thing is certain: You won't run out of things to do in Cancun .

What to Know Before You Go to Cancun

Where to stay: Hyatt Zilara Cancun

Hot tip:  While you're in Cancun, make a plan to visit one of Grupo Xcaret's six eco-tourism parks, with the best ones being Xcaret and Xelha. The Mexican-owned company is credited with starting the eco-tourism trend in the Yucatan Peninsula, and the parks offer incredible and varied local experiences.

Fun fact:  The Yucatan Peninsula, where Cancun is located, was the cultural, political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Many locals have Mayan ancestry and Mayan continues to be widely spoken in the area.

27. San Francisco, California

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 .

What to Know Before You Go to San Francisco

Where to stay: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

Hot tip: Want similarly beautiful landscapes and rich cultural attractions, but at lower prices and with (slightly) fewer crowds? Head to Oakland just across the Bay Bridge, named one of the most exciting places on earth to travel by National Geographic. 

Fun fact: The fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco by a Japanese resident. Random!

26. Niagara Falls

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.

What to Know Before You Go to Niagara Falls

Where to stay: Sheraton Niagara Falls

Hot tip: There is some debate about which side of the falls is better, but the general verdict is that the Canadian side offers better views. This is because you can (ironically) get a better view of the American Falls as well as get up close to Horseshoe Falls. 

Fun fact:  Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S.

25. Yellowstone National Park

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 3.3 million people in 2022. 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. 

The park makes for an awesome family trip and is well-suited to budget travelers since it offers so many campsites ( over 2,000! ). 

What to Know Before You Go to Yellowstone

Where to stay: Stage Coach Inn

Hot tip: You’ll never fully beat the crowds at this wildly popular park, but April, May, September and November are your best bets for finding some solitude.  

Fun fact: Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.  

24. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

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.

What to Know Before You Go to the Great Barrier Reef

Where to stay: Crystalbrook Flynn

Hot tip: Though going underwater to see the reef is a must, we also recommend booking a helicopter tour to experience the magic of it from above.

Fun fact:  Made of corals, which are animals that live in collectives, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet.

23. Santorini, Greece

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. 

What to Know Before You Go to Santorini

Where to stay: Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini

Hot tip: To optimize your vacation, visit in September and October or April and May — when the weather is still warm, but there aren’t as many other tourists milling around.

Fun fact: While it’s difficult to prove, locals like to say there’s more wine than water on this island where it hardly rains (and vino abounds).

22. Florence, Italy

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. 

What to Know Before You Go to Florence

Where to stay:  NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa

Hot tip: Keep Florence in mind if you want to spend your honeymoon in Europe without spending a fortune, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Fun fact: The city’s famed “El Duomo” cathedral took over 140 years to build .

21. Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite, one of the most-visited national parks in America with more than 4 million annual guests, encompasses 750,000 acres of wilderness just waiting to be explored.

It’s home to scenic waterfalls, like the 317-foot Vernal Fall and the 617-foot Bridalveil Fall, as well as iconic rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome, two popular spots for the world’s best rock climbers to test their mettle.

Not surprisingly, the wildlife here also impresses. Dozens of species of butterflies, marmots, bobcats and mule deer are just some of the animals that call Yosemite home. And keep your eyes peeled for black bears; some 300 to 500 roam the park . 

What to Know Before You Go to Yosemite

Where to stay:  The Ahwahnee

Hot tip: Summer can get really busy here, so if you want to camp, be sure to book a spot early. Want to beat Yosemite’s notoriously bad traffic? Ditch the car and take advantage of the park’s extensive free bus system.

Fun fact: This is one of the only places in the country where you can catch a moonbow — like a rainbow, but created by the light of the moon instead of the sun. 

20. St. Lucia

Whether you’re visiting on a cruise ship or just relaxing at an all-inclusive resort or boutique hotel, stunning St. Lucia is a clear winner. This Caribbean island offers diverse terrain for vacationers, from its pristine beaches to its lush rainforests to its volcanic peaks, the Pitons, that loom over the landscape. 

Adrenaline-junkies love hiking, climbing and zip-lining, while newlyweds (and soon-to-be-married couples) enjoy the romantic mix of fine dining, adults-only resorts and exotic activities. 

What to Know Before You Go to St. Lucia

Where to stay: Rabot Hotel From Hotel Chocolat

Hot tip: Visit when temperatures are moderate, which is typically in May and June.

Fun fact: St. Lucia is the only country named after a woman: Christian martyr Saint Lucia of Syracuse.

19. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Everything is bigger and better in Dubai, home to one of the world’s largest shopping malls, tallest towers, largest man-made marinas — and the list goes on. 

This Las Vegas-like urban center in the United Arab Emirates has an eclectic mix of activities for visitors to enjoy, including beaches, waterparks, tons of shopping and even an indoor ski resort. Outside the skyscraper-filled city, the vast desert awaits, best enjoyed via quad-biking or sandboarding.

What to Know Before You Go to Dubai

Where to stay:  Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai

Hot tip: Though you’re likely to pay a pretty penny for a trip to Dubai no matter when you visit, you can save a little cash by visiting during the scalding-hot summer months and by booking your hotel room two to three months in advance.

Fun fact: Dubai’s man-made Palm Islands were constructed using enough imported sand to fill up 2.5 Empire State Buildings . 

18. Machu Picchu, Peru

Many travelers describe their visit to Machu Picchu as life-changing. Why? It’s an archaeological wonder, the remains of an ancient Incan city dating back more than 600 years. No wonder this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most-visited attraction in all of Peru. 

Be sure to visit significant sites like Funerary Rock, where it’s believed Incan nobility were mummified, and Temple of the Condor, a rock temple sculpted to look like the impressive bird in its name.  

What to Know Before You Go to Machu Picchu

Where to stay: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Hot tip: If you’re planning a trip, be sure to get your ticket in advance, as only 2,500 people can visit Machu Picchu each day. (And a lot of people have this destination on their bucket list.)

Fun fact: The site contains more than 100 separate flights of stairs . 

17. Sydney, Australia

With its iconic Opera House and lively Bondi Beach, Sydney is the perfect spot to vacation if you’re looking for a blend of culture, arts, nightlife and relaxation. 

Spend the day on the water at Darling Harbour, then head to the Royal Botanic garden for even more fresh air. Want to travel like a local? Get a ticket to a rugby match and order a Tim Tam, a popular chocolate-covered cookie that pairs well with coffee. 

What to Know Before You Go to Sydney

Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

Hot tip: You can make your trip more affordable by visiting during Sydney’s shoulder seasons, which are typically September through November and March through May.

Fun fact: In 2007, Bondi Beach was the site of the largest ever swimsuit photoshoot ; 1,010 bikini-clad women participated, enough to earn it a spot in the Guinness World Records book.

16. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is truly massive (277 river miles long and up to 18 miles wide!), which helps explain why so many people feel the urge to see it in person. 

In 2022, 4.7 million people visited, making the Grand Canyon the second-most popular national park in the country (behind Great Smoky Mountain Nationals Park). Established in 1919, the park offers activities for all ability levels, whether you want to do an intense hike down into the canyon and sleep under the stars (with a backcountry permit, of course) or simply want to saunter along the South Rim Trail, an easy walking path with views that wow.

What to Know Before You Go to the Grand Canyon

Where to stay:  The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Hot tip: If you’ve wanted to visit the Grand Canyon for a while now, this is the year to do it. The park is celebrating its 100th birthday with musical performances, lectures, screenings and other special events.

Fun fact: The most remote community in the continental U.S. can be found in the Grand Canyon. At the base of the canyon, Supai Village — part of the Havasupi Indian Reservation — has a population of 208. It’s inaccessible by road, and mail is delivered by pack mule. Want to see it for yourself? The village houses a collection of campsites , accessible via a hiking trail.

15. Bali, Indonesia

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.

What to Know Before You Go to Bali

Where to stay: Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach

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.

14. New York, New York

As the saying goes, New York City is “the city that never sleeps” — and you won’t want to either when you visit, lest you run out of time to take it all in. 

Be sure to check out newer attractions, like the High Line (an elevated park) and Hudson Yards (a mega-mall along the Hudson River), but also make time for some New York City classics, like catching a Broadway show or standing under the lights of Times Square. 

Foodies will have a hard time choosing where to eat (the city is home to almost 100 Michelin stars !), which is why an extended trip is always a good idea.

What to Know Before You Go to New York City

Where to stay: The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

Hot tip: Yes, January and February get cold here, but this is also the best time to lock in relatively reasonable hotel rates. You can spend your time eating in the city’s restaurants, exploring its fabulous museums and catching its world-class theater shows without needing to spend much time in the chilly outdoors. 

Fun fact: There’s a birth in New York City about every 4.4 minutes — and a death every 9.1 minutes. 

13. Banff National Park, Canada

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).

What to Know Before You Go to Banff

Where to stay: Fairmont Banff Springs

Hot tip: June to August and December to March are the best times to visit if you want to take advantage of summer and winter activities. 

Fun fact: Banff National Park has more than 1,000 glaciers.

12. Maldives

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.

What to Know Before You Go to Maldives

Where to stay: Velassaru Maldives

Hot tip: May to October is the island-nation’s rainy season — but that also means it’s the best time to go for fewer crowds and better rates.

Fun fact: In 1153 AD, the nation’s people converted to Islam. Today, the Maldives remains the most heavily Muslim country on earth.

11. Barcelona, Spain

Soccer, architecture, shopping, nightlife, world-class food and wine, arts and culture — is there anything Barcelona doesn’t have? If there is, we honestly can't think what it would be. 

This cosmopolitan Spanish city is home to some awe-inspiring architecture, including several buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, so be sure to book tours of his whimsical creations like Park Guell and the yet-to-be-finished Church of the Sacred Family (La Sagrada Familia). 

For nightlife and shopping, Las Ramblas is always bustling; for an enriching arts experience, follow the progression of famed artist Pablo Picasso at Museo Picasso.

What to Know Before You Go to Barcelona

Where to stay:  Hotel Bagues

Hot tip: It can get really humid here, so it's best to plan your trip in May and June before things really heat up.

Fun fact: In preparation for its 1992 hosting of the Olympics, the city flew in sand from as far away as Egypt to make Barceloneta Beach a place where people would want to go. Though largely man-made, the beach remains a wonderful spot for seaside R&R. 

10. Glacier National Park, Montana

The crown jewel of beautiful Montana, Glacier National Park is every outdoors traveler's dream.

Of course, the most defining natural feature of the park are its glaciers, which provide spectacular views as well as a number of pristine lakes. There are hundreds of trails that will take you up peaks, down through valleys and across some of the most beautiful landscapes you'll ever see.

What to Know Before You Go to Glacier National Park

Where to stay: Firebrand Hotel

Hot tip:  Plan to spend a day or two in the nearby town of Whitefish. This gateway to Glacier National Park is one of the best small towns in America and a destination in its own right. 

Fun fact: During your visit, you're very likely to run into mountain goats, which are the official symbols of the park.

9. Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese capital is one of the most exciting cities on the entire planet. It is notoriously fast-paced, with neon lights illuminating the multitudes that are constantly rushing to their next destination. 

But Tokyo is also a city of temples, of taking time to picnic under the cherry blossoms and of making sure you enjoy the abundance of delicious food that can be found on basically every corner.

What to Know Before You Go to Tokyo

Where to stay: The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Hot tip: Visit between the months of March and April or September and November for more comfortable temperatures. Of course, spring is when the city's cherry blossoms are famously in full bloom.

Fun fact: Tokyo happens to be the largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 40 million people calling the greater metro area home.

8. Phuket, Thailand

If you’re looking for a vacation destination that feels luxurious but won’t break the bank, start searching for flights to Phuket now. 

This island in southern Thailand, which is just an hour flight from Bangkok, is surrounded by the Andaman Sea, so white sandy beaches abound. If a stunning sunset is what you’re after, head to Promthep Cape, the southernmost point on the island and a popular spot for photo-ops. For views of the island and beyond, climb to the top of the massive alabaster statue called Big Buddha.

You can even learn something during your vacation by visiting the Soi Dog Foundation, an innovative animal shelter that’s fighting the meat trade and taking care of the thousands of stray cats and dogs in the area.

What to Know Before You Go to Phuket

Where to stay: InterContinental Phuket Resort

Hot tip: Visit between November and April for the best weather — and ideal conditions for beach activities like swimming and boating. 

Fun fact: The island is not pronounced in the rather colorful way it appears to be. The correct way to say it is “poo-ket” or “poo-get.”

7. Rome, Italy

Though Rome’s historic significance cannot be overstated, don’t assume that this Italian city is stuck in the past. On the contrary, you’ll find posh storefronts and luxurious hotels not far from iconic structures like the Pantheon (built in 120 AD) and the Colosseum (built in 80 AD).

And then, of course, there’s the city’s art. Stroll through Rome, and you’ll stumble upon some of the greatest treasures the world has ever seen — an astonishing collection of frescoes, paintings, ceilings and fountains created by icons like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael and Bernini.

After all that exploration, take advantage of ample opportunities to eat and drink, including at several Michelin-starred restaurants. City staples include suppli (deep-fried balls of risotto, mozzarella and ragu meat sauce) and cacio e pepe (a deceptively simple mix of al-dente pasta, pecorino romano and fresh black pepper). 

What to Know Before You Go to Rome

Where to stay: Radisson Blu Ghr Hotel

Hot tip: Tourists congregate here in the summer when temperatures are also sweltering. Go instead between October and April, when there are thinner crowds, better rates and cooler temps. Just make sure to bring a light jacket.

Fun fact: Each year, travelers throw about $1.7 million worth of coins into the Trevi Fountain. The money is donated to Caritas, a Catholic nonprofit that supports charities focused on health, disaster relief, poverty and migration.

6. London, England

English writer Samual Johnson once said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” 

From live performances of Shakespeare to truly world-class (and free!) museums like the National Gallery, London will enrich your mind and enliven your senses. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at Buckingham Palace to see the famous stone-faced guards outside and the 19 lavish State Rooms inside (though, unfortunately, you can’t see the queen’s private quarters). Another must-see landmark is the Tower of London, the historic castle on the north side of the River Thames.

What to Know Before You Go to London

Where to stay: Vintry & Mercer

Hot tip: Many U.S. cities now offer direct flights to London, so set a price alert and act fast when you see fares drop.

Fun fact: London’s pubs are worth a visit for their names alone; fanciful monikers include The Case is Altered, The Pyrotechnists Arms, John the Unicorn and The Job Centre. 

5. Tahiti, French Polynesia

Flavorful French cuisine, top-notch resorts, warm waters — need we say more? Though Tahiti can be pricey, travelers say it’s so worth it. 

The largest of the 118 French Polynesian islands, Tahiti is split into two main regions (connected by a land bridge). Tahiti Nui, the larger region, is home to the island’s capital Papeete and surfing hotspot Papenoo Beach, while Tahiti Iti, the smaller region, offers more seclusion and the bright white sands of La Plage de Maui.

What to Know Before You Go to Tahiti

Where to stay: Hilton Hotel Tahiti

Hot tip: Visit between May and October, Tahiti’s winter, when there are less humidity and rain. 

Fun fact: Overcrowding is not a concern here; Hawaii gets more visitors in 10 days than all of French Polynesia does in a year.

4. Maui, Hawaii

If you’re short on time or you just can’t decide which Hawaiian island to visit, Maui is right in the sweet spot: not too big, not too small, but just right.

There are five regions to explore on Maui, including the popular West Maui and South Maui, home to some of the island’s best-known attractions and beaches (Wailea Beach is in South Maui, for example). But don’t overlook East Maui, where you can travel along the Road to Hana, or the Upcountry, where you can explore the world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala. 

What to Know Before You Go to Maui

Where to stay:  Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Hot tip: This is Hawaii we’re talking about, so your trip will be on the pricey side. Be sure to budget for add-ons if you need them (think gym access and WiFi at your hotel), and do some research on insurance before you head to the car-rental counter.

Fun fact: How’s this for a selling point? Maui has more beach than any other Hawaiian island — 60 miles of it, with red, white and black sand.

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Don’t write off the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora just because of its size. Though it’s a little more than 2 miles wide and just 6 miles long, Bora Bora packs in an abundance of natural beauty. To start, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the island’s turquoise lagoon surrounded by lush jungle.

If you’re looking for more than relaxation on your trip, consider hiking or booking a 4X4 tour of Mount Otemanu, part of an extinct volcano that rises 2,400 feet above the lagoon. You can also snorkel among the coral reef of Coral Gardens, where you might catch a glimpse of reef sharks, eels and stingrays.

Because of its remoteness, flying into Bora Bora Airport will be quite a journey, no matter where you're departing from. But you'll forget everything as soon as you see this Polynesian paradise that is beautiful beyond words.

What to Know Before You Go to Bora Bora

Where to stay: Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Hot tip: Though Bora Bora can be wildly expensive to visit, you can cut costs by visiting between December and March (though you should avoid the Christmas holiday) and by bringing your own alcohol and sunscreen with you.

Fun fact: Bora Bora is one of the countries that no longer exists . The Kingdom of Bora Bora was an independent state until it was forcefully overtaken and annexed by France in 1888.

2. Paris, France

Paris has it all — incredible cuisine, legendary landmarks and centuries of history. Those are just some of the reasons it’s the second-best place to visit in the world.

Though you’ll want to spend your time hitting up popular tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d’Orsay, you should also carve out time to explore other parts of Paris — the city’s 20 diverse neighborhoods, called arrondissements, for instance. Standouts include the 2nd arrondissement, which touts covered passages and some of the city’s hippest restaurants, and the romantic 18th arrondissement, with charming squares, cafes and bars, set apart from the city’s more tourist-packed areas.

What to Know Before You Go to Paris

Where to stay: Grand Hotel Du Palais Royal

Hot tip: Yes, summer in Paris is busy, but the weather is also ideal — average highs are in the 70s.

Fun fact: Built for the 1889 World Fair, the Eiffel Tower was originally meant to be temporary , and was almost torn down in 1909. Luckily, local officials saw its value as a radiotelegraph station, preserving the future tourist icon for generations to come. 

1. South Island, New Zealand

South Island, the larger but less populated of the two islands that make up New Zealand, earn this top-spot honor for its gorgeous scenery, adrenelin-pumping experiences and affordability.

The 33.5-mile hike on Milford Sound, which is limited to 90 people at a time, is considered one of the world’s best treks, with stops at Lake Te Anau, suspension bridges, a mountain pass and the tallest waterfall in the country, Sutherland Falls.

For a heart-pumping experience, you can jump out of a helicopter while flying over the Harris Mountains with skis on your feet. Still not satisfied? Roam Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area, and explore the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, two of the most accessible glaciers in the world.

What to Know Before You Go to New Zealand

Where to stay: QT Queenstown

Hot tip: Book your trip for the fall, when South Island is temperate, not overcrowded and offers great rates. Bonus: This is also when the island is at its most stunning.

Fun fact: New Zealand natives, called Kiwis, are among the most hospitable you’ll ever meet. The local saying “He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata” translates , appropriately, to “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people.”

How to Plan a Trip When You Don’t Know Where to Go

When people find out about all the places I’ve been, many times I get the question: “How did you even know where to start?” Other times, people will say something like: “So I’ve decided I want to go traveling somewhere, now what?” When I’ve been asked these sorts of questions, I know they are usually really asking me how to plan a trip. Or, maybe more precisely I should say, they’re asking me how to figure out where to go when on a trip.

At a high level, “how to plan a trip” might sound like “how do I get a passport” and “how do I book a hotel in a foreign language” kind of stuff. But typically in my experience, it’s not a question of “how do I start traveling?” but more of a question of “I’m not sure where to go when I’m traveling.” These are very different questions. If you’ve ever wondered how to figure out where to go on a trip, whether around the world or just a short getaway, I’ve got you covered.

Now, if you’re asking yourself these questions, you will eventually need to answer the “how do I start traveling?” question. And trust me, it’s a huge question to ask and figure out. But, if you don’t have a destination in mind yet, there’s no point in figuring out how to get there .

Start Reading

Maybe you know you want to travel in Europe, but you’re not sure what destinations you want to visit. This is normal. Any experienced traveler started in this same position and then started doing lots of research. The best way to plan your trip is to look at travel guides for the areas you want to visit. I highly recommend the Lonely Planet series of guide books. That’s because they’re easy to parse, contain the maps you need, and are loaded with useful information.

Every country in the Lonely Planet series is presented with major sights to see and possible itineraries for that area. Then, for each city, it contains sights, recommended eats, hotel info, nightlife, shopping, and transportation info. To begin, I recommend you first look at the sights for the major cities in potential countries you want to visit. See what inspires you. Look at pictures on the internet. What are you curious to know more about or experience in person? For those places, write down the city name and some quick notes. If a country really speaks to you, then look at some of the smaller cities and more remote sights in that location. Start out big and work towards the small.

Once you have a list of places, you may find that it’s easy to start seeing a path or plan to put these notes together into a trip itinerary. Once you plan your first trip like this, it gets easier and easier for every trip that follows.

For the Explorers and Wanderers

For those of you who feel as though you want to see the whole world, and don’t mind doing over a couple of big trips or even lots of little ones, you might find that you want to start even more generalized. If this sounds like it may be interesting to you, Lonely Planet does a great job of including large areas in some of their guides. For people like yourselves, I recommend looking into at:

With just these few books, you’ve already covered a huge portion of the planet’s surface. You may even find that you want to explore places you never even considered. I should also note that I have heavily preferred the physical copies of the books to their ebook versions. In my opinion, they are easier to read and the maps are easier to use on the go.

With this information in hand, go start researching! Once you know which cities and locations you want to visit, you’ve already answered a lot of where to go and how to plan your trip itinerary. In future posts, I’ll talk more about how to execute your travel plans in the real world.

• Posted: April 12, 2020
• Category: How To Travel
• Tags: first time travel , how to , lonely planet , research , travel , where to start

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Italy: a first-timer’s guide

Feb 28, 2024 • 8 min read

One of the best things to do in Italy? Spend time on the water (coast, lake or canal) © Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

With its iconic monuments, timeless landscapes and irresistible food,  Italy is one of Europe’s most alluring destinations. Its historic cities promise thrilling art and architecture at every turn while its varied coastlines and Alpine heights provide a stunning outdoor playground.

In fact, the country is so packed with possibilities that it can seem almost overwhelming. Where should I go? How do I get there? How much will it cost? This planning guide tackles these questions and provides clear practical advice on how to get the most out of your first Italian trip.

When should I go to Italy?

The short answer is anytime. Spring and fall are best for sightseeing , touring and seasonal food. It’s warm without being stifling and nature is in full color. But with the glorious blue-sky weather come crowds and high-season prices in the main cities.

Summer sees cities empty as holidaymakers head to the coast. Prices skyrocket in popular areas, peaking in mid-August when beaches are packed and resorts full. Meanwhile, the festival season swings into gear with high-profile events such as Il Palio di Siena, featuring a wild bareback horse race around Siena 's Piazza del Campo , and Spoleto’s Festival dei Due Mondi , with musicians, artists and actors performing to passionate throngs.

Winter is generally quiet – except in ski resorts – and it can be wet and cold. But low season rates and empty museums make it a decent option for a city break.

How much time do I need to visit Italy?

Realistically, you’ll need at least two or three days in top cities such as Rome , Florence and Venice . That won’t give you enough time to cover everything, but it will allow you to get a feel for the place and explore some of the headline attractions.

If you’re happy to move fast, you could cover Italy’s highlights on a whistle-stop 10-day tour. That would give you a couple of days each in Venice and Florence, a day in Bologna , Pisa and Naples , and three days in Rome. Alternatively, you could focus on a particular area. For example, with a week you could explore southern Tuscany and parts of neighboring Umbria , or cut a swathe through Sicily’s baroque southeast .

Is it easy to get in and around Italy?

Italy is well served by air with flights from across the world. Major airports include Rome Fiumicino (officially Leonardo da Vinci) and Milan Malpensa , the two main intercontinental gateways, Venice Marco Polo , Pisa International (for Florence and Tuscany), Naples International  and Catania (Sicily’s busiest airport). There are also excellent rail and bus links, especially to northern Italy, and ferries to Italian ports from across the Mediterranean.

Once in Italy, you've got transport options . Trains are best between major cities and along the coasts, while buses are better for the mountains and hilly inland areas. For more remote parts you’ll really need your own wheels. Most major cities have decent public transport, though you can often cover their historic centers on foot.

Top things to do in Italy

Tour rome’s greatest hits.

First port of call for many travelers is Rome, Italy’s charismatic capital. You’ll never be able to cover all of its monuments and masterpieces, but there are some you won’t want to miss. The Colosseum and Pantheon are obvious highlights, along with the Roman Forum and Palatino . Then there’s the Vatican where you’ll find St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (in the Vatican Museums ). And, of course, you’ll want to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure you return to the Eternal City.

For a taste of authentic Roman cuisine, try a slice of pizza from Forno Roscioli or a pasta carbonara at Flavio al Velavevodetto in the Testaccio neighborhood.

Marvel at masterpieces in Florence

One and a half hours north of Rome by train, Florence is the second of Italy’s ‘big three’ (Venice completes the trio). Visitors have been rhapsodizing about the city for centuries and still today it thrills with its Renaissance palazzi (palaces), frescoed churches and artworks such as Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia , Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Galleria degli Uffizi , and Brunelleschi’s red dome atop the landmark Duomo . Art apart, there are markets and boutiques to explore and Negroni cocktails to be sampled, including at the historic Caffè Rivoire .

With more time, you could add a day-trip to Siena or a tour of the Chianti wine country .

Get lost in Venice’s backstreets

As soon as you set foot in Venice you know it’s special. And confusing. To get your bearings take vaporetto (water bus) No 1 along the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco where you’ll find several landmark sights. Chief among these are the Basilica di San Marco and the Gothic Palazzo Ducale , former residence of the ruling Doge. Elsewhere, you can catch modern art at the world-class Peggy Guggenheim Collection and browse colorful produce at the centuries-old Rialto Market .

To fuel your wanderings, Venice is famous for its cicchetti (bar snacks). A top spot for these is the canal-side Bracaro ae Bricoe bar in the Cannaregio sestiere (neighborhood).

Feast on pizza, art and street life in Naples

With Mt Vesuvius brooding on the horizon, Naples is sprawling, loud, sometimes edgy and often magnificent. Its Dickensian backstreets are a joy to explore and its regal palaces showcase world-class collections of Greco-Roman antiquities and baroque art – check out the Museo Nazionale Archeologico and Cappella Sansevero for a glimpse. Then, of course, there’s the city’s revered pizza, served at historic pizzerias such as Da Michele .

Beyond the city, Pompeii is an easy day trip and the Amalfi Coast is within striking distance via the sunny resort town of Sorrento .

Cruise the Italian Lakes

Ringed by brooding Alpine summits and steep wooded slopes, the Italian Lakes have been a popular holiday spot since ancient times. At Lake Maggiore , you can explore the Isole Borromee with their ornate palaces and lavish gardens, while further east you can go celeb-spotting on Lake Como , cruising around its exquisite villas and villages.

To reach the lakes you’ll often have to pass through Milan , Italy’s northern powerhouse. A day here would be enough to take in some of its signature sights: Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper , the fairy-tale Duomo , the Quadrilatero d’Oro shopping district.

My favorite thing to do in Italy

Italy’s obvious beauty and blockbuster sights abound, but what I love are its simple pleasures: a leisurely lunch in a favorite trattoria, the sight of pine trees towering over Roman ruins, a glass of prosecco on a Venetian canal-side.

I also love wandering around Rome and seeing how its life plays out against a backdrop of ancient monuments and historic palazzi . There’s always something going on and even without trying I usually come across something special, an amazing baroque fountain or a teeming market in a medieval square. The city’s streets really are an experience in themselves. I mean where else can you wait for a tram just yards from where Julius Caesar was stabbed?

How much money do I need for Italy?

Italy isn’t cheap. Accommodation rates vary enormously between places and seasons but prices are universally high in popular destinations. That said, you can still find deals if you book early and avoid peak periods. Sightseeing can also add up with top sites charging top dollar. On the plus side, eating out doesn’t have to cost the earth, especially if you stick to pizza and gelato.

Some average daily costs:

• Double room in an agriturismo (farm stay) €40-80
• B&B room €60-140
• Coffee (standing at a bar) €1.10
• Midrange meal €25-35
• Glass of wine €5-8
• Museum admission €10-20
• Public transport ticket (Rome) €1.50 for 100 minutes unlimited travel (but only one metro ride)
• High-speed train ticket Rome to Florence €55

Frequently asked questions

This is italy, so do i have to dress up all the time.

In a word, no. When sightseeing go for comfort, especially when it comes to shoes – you’ll be walking a lot and cobbled streets can be murder on the feet. Note also that major religious sights often enforce dress codes, so make sure you can cover your shoulders, torso and thighs. For going out in the evening, smart casual is the way to go.

What’s the score with tipping?

Tipping is not strictly necessary in restaurants as most places add servizio (service) to the bill. If they don’t or if you want to leave something, a few euros is fine in pizzerias and trattorias; 5% to 10% in smarter restaurants.

What’s this about not drinking a cappuccino after 11am?

Italy has a whole (unwritten) rule book on the dos and don’ts of drinking. As a foreign visitor you’ll get a pass if you order the wrong drink at the wrong time, but it helps to know that Italians regard cappuccinos as breakfast drinks, call an espresso un caffè , and drink beer with pizza.

What’s the card vs cash situation?

Businesses are legally obliged to accept digital payments but it’s always best to have some cash on you. You probably won’t have any problems but it’s not unheard of for payment machines to be mysteriously broken in smaller bars, shops, museums or restaurants. Major credit cards are widely accepted (Amex less so).

This article was first published May 2019 and updated February 2024

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• 2024 TRAVEL UPDATE
• Work with us
• Beyond Bologna
• Regions of Italy
• Travel books
• Best group tours
• Itineraries
• Accommodation guide
• Italian phrases for travel
• Rocket Italian review: 2024 update
• Ultimate Italy Travel Planner
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• Essential Guides
• Italy themed gift ideas
• Trip planning services

How to plan an Italy trip

Want to know how to plan an Italy trip? You’ve come to the right place. Italy trip planning is one of our favorite things to do. So much so that we set up this website.

We wrote this article to take you step by step through planning your trip. From deciding when to go and how much it will cost to what to take and how to use your mobile phone, it’s all here to remove the overwhelm and make your trip planning easier. Even if you choose to hire a travel agent to assist with your bookings, it is a good idea to walk through these steps as it will help the agent build the best trip for you.

You can see an overview of the steps you need to follow in the article contents below. Follow our guide and you’ll be on your way to planning your own trip or choosing the right tour for you and your travel companions.

Article contents

Step 1 – Decide when you want to go and your budget

When to go to italy.

There is no bad time to visit Italy but there may be one that suits you better. Depending on your interests and the places you want to see you need to be aware of seasonal differences that you need to know about:

• Summer – June to August: peak tourist season, weather is hot and prices higher. Many Italians are on vacation and the coastal areas are very busy especially in mid August
• Fall / Autumn – September to November: September remains hot and busy in most of the major tourist centers. By October the weather is cooling and ferry services on the coast and lakes stop running. At this time grape harvest is in full swing. November is generally quite wet but there is lots of sunshine between the showers.
• Winter – December to February: As the weather cools so do the crowds. Attractions are much less busy and the lead up to Christmas is magical with lights and decorations in shop windows. In January and February restaurants in many coastal areas are closed. February’s Carnevale in Venice is generally one of the most expensive times to visit the city
• Spring – March to May: In March and April wildflowers bloom and the countryside is awash with color. Easter is a popular holiday for Europeans to visit Italian cities especially Rome, Florence and Venice.

NOTE: peak season in the most visited destinations is May – October.

Our favorite time to visit Italy in the shoulder months. In April and May and October and November the weather is generally sunny and mild, the crowds are manageable and you can find great value deals on your flight and accommodation.

Although we are past the worst of the pandemic and travel restrictions, things can change quickly – you can check our article Can you travel to Italy plus current situation.  We update this regularly with the latest travel news.  

READ: Our full article on the best time to visit Italy

How much will it cost?

This will depend on your expectations, interests and travel style. You can travel very cheaply in Italy if you visit lesser-known regional areas and avoid the big cities. Even in the big cities it is possible to find free attractions and budget accommodation if you know where to look.

If you want to see the main sights and enjoy experiences such as cooking classes, private boat cruises and wine tours then the sky is really the limit when it comes to cost.

Most travelers fall somewhere in the middle however and a reasonable daily budget per person for food, transport and activities is around €100 on top of flights and accommodation.

READ: Our full article on Budgeting for your trip to Italy.

Expert Assistance

Need some help planning your trip?

Book in for a trip consultation with our expert Italy travel planners ready to help you build your dream vacation in Italy whether that be a classic first timer trip or an off the beaten path adventure

Step 2 – Do some preliminary research and preparation

Where to research your trip to italy.

From online news and magazines, blogs, Instagram, Facebook groups (check out Italy Travel Planning ) and even podcasts like ours – there are thousands of resources online. I am sure you’ve already seen quite a few of them already. Sometimes endless options can be overwhelming so we recommend collecting ideas in an online folder or scrapbook and organizing them into destinations that you really want to see.

You’ll probably want to “do it all” but really have a think about your interests and what will best suit you and your travel style. Once you have some ideas, it’s best to consult a structured resource to check your assumptions and thoughts.

Traditional guidebooks definitely have their place for planning a trip to Italy. Well researched and structured, they’ll give you in depth information on destinations and sights to see as well as practical tips to help you plan. Even after 30+ trips to Italy we still consult guidebooks for new destinations we want to visit. You can find our favorite Italy guidebooks here .

Italy travel planners

We noticed that even guidebooks can provide too much information in the planning process so we created one page travel planners for the top places to visit in Italy. Our planners tell you the top sights, best viewpoints, must have experiences and our favorite places to eat (including best gelato stops) in each place.

You can print them off or keep them on your phone and there’s a link to an online map so you can map out your days. We have guides for Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. Our goal is always to simplify the trip planning process and we know you will find them useful.

DISCOVER: Our Digital travel guides and planners .

Group tour itineraries

Tour companies – like ours ! – put a lot of effort into designing tours that cover the main sights and even lesser known regions. They know the times it takes to get around and how long you can stay in each place to get a taste or feel for the destination.

We often check itineraries of places we would like to visit as an input into our own planning.  Here are some recommended tour companies and itineraries to investigate.

Private tours

If you want maximum flexibility and comfort, consider a private driving tour . From the moment you land, to when you depart, you’ll have a personal driver with local knowledge making sure your trip is exactly what you imagined.

Passports and visas

At this stage of your planning it is a good idea to check the validity of your passport and if you require a visa. Citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand may enter Italy and stay up to 90 days without a visa within an 180 day period. You must have 6 months validity on your passport when you enter Italy. Go and check this now as it can take several months for new passports to be processed.

All other nationalities should check this Italian government site that will walk you through whether a visa is required for your visit.

Citizens of the European Union can travel with photo identification.

Please note – this information is subject to change and it is always best to check with your local foreign office for the latest advice on travel to Italy.

• United States –  click here
• Australia –  click here
• United Kingdom –  click here
• Canada –  click here

READ: Can you travel to Italy plus current situation .

Step 3 – Confirm your itinerary

Itinerary planning is where many people get stuck. We understand. There are so many amazing places to see in Italy that deciding where to go and how much time to spend there can be hard. As a general rule, we like to spend a minimum of three nights in each place to minimize time spent traveling and also enjoy each place as much as possible. So if you have a 10 day trip then 3 main stops would be a good baseline to start with.

Where to go

From your research, you probably have an idea of where you want to go. You may want to visit the popular cities and regions on your first trip however each city and region in Italy offers something special.

Most popular cities

Most popular regions.

On our site, you can also browse Italy’s lesser-known cities and regions on the destinations page or visit our article on hidden gems in Italy for inspiration.

Itinerary suggestions

As a general rule, for a 3-5 day trip we suggest choosing one destination – a city or region. If you have a week to 10 days then you can plan 1-3 places in either the north OR south of Italy. In a two week trip you could cover 3-4 places and see both north and south.

Try not to squeeze too much in. It’s easy to underestimate transit times and getting in and out of airports and train stations. Plus you want to have plenty of time to enjoy yourself and soak up every last moment.

Suggested itineraries

If it is your first trip to Italy, like many first-time visitors you may choose to start your journey in Rome and visit Florence and Venice. This 10 day Italy itinerary covers that route. It includes detailed instructions on how to make the most of your time in Italy.

Want our FREE Italy trip planning checklist? >> Click here .

Alternative 10 day itinerary suggestions

Most people travel to Italy for 10 to 14 days so we built some itinerary suggestions to cater for that time frame that cover both northern and southern Italy.

Group Tours

Packaged group tours of Italy are a popular way to travel and avoid the stress of planning your own trip. They are also a great option if you would like some company along the way. Here is a quick summary of popular tour companies:

• Untold Italy small group tours – we run exclusive small group tours for food and wine-loving travelers wanting to get off the beaten path to see hidden Italy beyond the major cities and tourist areas. We lead groups of 14 people on journeys of discovery to experience the regions of Sicily, Puglia, Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, Bologna and surrounds, Capri and the Cilento coasts > learn more
• Trafalgar – popular and well respected brand appealing to the 50+ age group. Travel is by coach and the focus is on culture and history. Expect group sizes of 40-45 passengers and 4 star hotels. Trafalgar also include interesting local experiences such as wine tastings and unique stays in their itineraries. Check out their popular Best of Italy tour
• Intrepid Travel – small group tours with an average of 10 travelers with plenty of free time built in for exploring. Their popular Italy Real Food Adventure is an 8 day itinerary that showcases their travel style well
• Peregrine – Intrepid’s premium brand offers some interesting hiking tours of the Italian Lakes and Amalfi Coast
• Tourradar – is a market place for group packaged tours where you can browse hundreds of package tours by different operators, and by date. You then filter by your interests and age group and read detailed reviews. You can browse fully organized tours to independent self-drive or train itineraries

READ: Our full article on the Best package tours for Italy .

When should you start booking your trip?

Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world, so in our opinion, it is never too early to start the booking process. Book accommodation as soon as possible, and at least 6-12 months in advance especially for peak times in July and August.  We prefer to pay the higher rate for flexible bookings on both Booking.com and Plum Guide .

Day tour and attractions also sell out months in advance at peak times. In 2020 our preferred booking site GetYourGuide refunded all tours canceled due to the pandemic and stand by their policy of allowing cancelations with a full refund up to 24 hours before your activity starts.

Flight bookings will depend on where you are flying from. For long haul flights the best deals are generally found 6-12 months in advance while deals pop up regularly for travel within Europe.

Rail bookings can be made up to 4 months in advance on high speed intercity and standard intercity trains.

Step 4 – Book your flights, inbound travel & insurance

Flights to italy.

It is easy to fly direct (or with a single stop) into Italy from most places in the world. Rome Fiumicino [Leonardo da Vinci](FCO) international airport is the main hub for air traffic but you can also easily fly into Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Venice Marco Polo (VCE) airports from major hubs around the world.

There are many other airports throughout the country that can be accessed within Italy and Europe. Pisa is useful for trips to Tuscany and the Cinque Terre and you will need to fly into both Sicily and Sardinia.

To source the best flight deals to Italy we use a combination of Skyscanner ,  CheapoAir  and  Google flights .

• Skyscanner  – portal where you can view cheapest days and routes to fly and set alerts for price drops
• CheapoAir – uncovers the best deals on first and business class flights around the world
• Google flights  – great for checking schedules and airline routes

Secure the best deals by setting up alerts on Skyscanner for the month you wish to travel and wait for price drops. It’s good to have a price that you wish to pay in mind but be prepared to be flexible on dates and stopovers. It is often cheaper to fly into Milan rather than Rome and that city is a useful entry point for northern Italy itineraries.

TIP: always use an incognito browser window to search for flight deals. Prices are amended up for users known to be searching for specific dates and times.

Inbound rail from within Europe

Major Italian cities – Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice – have fantastic fast speed train links from other capitals and major cities in Europe. The website  Seat 61  is a great resource for planning train travel within Europe.

Bus travel to Italy

If you’re on a tight budget and traveling within Europe, then you might want to consider coming to Italy by bus. Low cost operator  Flixbus covers 3,000 destinations in 39 countries.

You can compare schedules and prices using Omio – a useful site for booking a combination of train, bus and air travel within Europe.

Organize travel insurance

Once you have booked your flights or tour, we recommend organizing travel insurance straight away. The main reason you should purchase insurance is to cover health costs and emergency repatriation to your home country should you fall ill. Since 2020 you need to check whether there is cover provided for issues relating to covid19 however general health cover is recommended regardless.

Cover for cancelation, delays and loss of belongings is a bonus and again they may not apply under pandemic conditions. You need to read all the terms and conditions of your cover including any exclusions before you commit to buy.

Policy costs vary by your country of residence, what is covered, age, existing conditions and the insurer. You can visit Worldnomads for a quick quote. We use this company for our family travels and find the cost, coverage and claims process to be good to excellent.

Another option if you are in the United States is Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance . Unfortunately neither option provides policies for those aged over 69. In this case you can try Travel Insurance Master – a service that allows you to compare quotes and insurance policies.

Step 5 – Book accommodation and transport

Accommodation.

Choosing where to stay at each stop is an important part of itinerary planning. Italy has many different options for tourists and you can expect the usual range of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation as well as apartments and villas.

If you plan to spend any time in the country, consider staying at an agriturismo or farm stay. This is accommodation offered by Italian farmers who earn additional income by providing rooms and meals. Very popular in Italy and Europe, prices ranges from budget to luxurious. You can find agriturismi (plural) with swimming pools, hammams, restaurants and wine cellars. We always try to build them into our itinerary. 

LISTEN: Find out about farm stays in Italy in this podcast episode .

How much will accommodation cost?

Here is a rough guide to average prices for a double room. This will vary with prices higher in popular areas at peak times

Upscale / Luxury – €210+ [USD $240+] per night Midrange / Boutique – €120-260 [USD $135-295] per night Budget / B&B – €70-130 [USD $80-150] per night Ultra budget / Hostel or shared room in AirBnB – €30-45 [USD $30-40] per night

Best accommodation sites

Our favorite sites for booking lodging are Booking.com and Plum Guide – between them, you’ll find a huge range of options from hotels and resorts to bed and breakfast, apartments and farm stay accommodation.

Plum Guide is particularly useful for longer stays in apartments and villas and if you’re traveling as a family and need some extra space. Use the code “Untold5” for a 5% discount here .

Other sites we use and recommend

• BookingsForYou – beautiful villas and apartments in Tuscany, Italian Lakes and Puglia – 5% for readers when you mention our site or code – UntoldItaly – when booking
• VRBO – has some great options for long stay villas and apartments, particularly on the Amalfi Coast
• Agriturismo.it – great for finding smaller farm stays but the booking engine is terrible. You can usually find the same properties on Booking.com
• Airbnb – we have used Airbnb on many occasions in Italy but are now finding better value and booking conditions on Booking.com and VRBO

LISTEN: To more accommodation options and what to look for in this podcast episode .

Further reading:

• Where to stay in Rome – a district by district guide to the best areas to stay
• Best places to stay in Florence – neighborhoods and areas best suited to your trip
• Where to stay in Venice – a neighborhood and area guide
• Where to stay in Milan – best areas, places and hotels

READ: Our Italy accommodation guide .

Transport while in Italy

As a general rule, if you are traveling between cities and major towns then the best way to travel around Italy is by train. If you want to explore the countryside and small villages you will need to rent a car.

When you are mapping out distances to travel between destinations use Google maps or Rome2Rio .

Train travel in Italy

Trains in Italy are modern and efficient. Fast speed services link the major cities and regional trains connect smaller towns and villages. Two major train networks operate throughout Italy – Italo and Trenitalia .

You should book in advance for high speed intercity services where seats are allocated. If you purchase non-flexible tickets you can make significant savings with advance bookings. They are not required on regional services.

READ: Our Complete guide to train travel in Italy .

Recommended train booking sites – Omio and The Trainline

You can book directly with the Italian operators or an easier way is with:

Omio – compare train times and prices across both Trenitalia and Italo schedules and keep your ticket details on their handy app. Click here to search for rail tickets on Omio

The Trainline is a similar service to Omio offering schedules, pricing and booking for train companies in Italy and Europe. They also have a useful app and great instructions in English. Click here to search for rail tickets on The Trainline

High speed train intercity travel times on popular routes

Rome to Florence – 1 hour 30 minutes Rome to Naples – 1 hour 15 minutes Rome to Milan – 3 hours Rome to Venice – 4 hours Florence to Venice – 2 hours Florence to Milan – 2 hours

Car rental in Italy

One of the best ways to see the smaller towns and countryside in Italy is to rent a car and take to the open road. Driving in Italy is quite straightforward. You just need to do some forward planning and use your common sense. Here are some tips to

• You are required to carry an International Drivers Permit – these can be arranged in your home country at minimal cost
• Standard transmission on cars is manual or stick shift. If you want to rent an automatic car expect to pay extra, if you can find one available
• Rent the smallest car you can to fit you and your luggage – roads are often narrow and you don’t want to get stuck!
• Heavy fines apply if you enter ZTL zones or historic districts where driving is not allowed

We use both Car Rental by booking.com  and AutoEurope to find the best car rental deals in Italy including one way options. They both search international and local providers so you get a wide variety of choice and there is 24/7 support if you need it. AutoEurope is usually your best option if you want a one way rental.

Click here to search for car rentals in Italy with Car Rental by booking.com .

READ: Our guide to Renting a car in Italy .

Internal flights

If you want to visit the islands of Sicily or Sardinia, or travel very long distances, flying makes the most sense.

Check on Skyscanner  or  Google flights  for routes and prices. Remember to set alerts for those routes you want to fly and book early for flights in the summer months.

READ: Our guide to all transportation in Italy .

Step 6 – Book Attractions, tours and activities

Major attractions.

The major cities of Italy – Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan – are some of the busiest cities for tourists in the world. And most visitors want to spend time at their famous attractions

We strongly advise you to prebook advance skip-the-line tickets for the following attractions – the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery and Doge’s Palace. Otherwise, you could spend precious vacation hours standing in lines to enter these sites. Note – in winter months booking in advance is not as necessary.

We have given you the official booking sites and an alternative for approved ticket partners should you have trouble using the official site – unfortunately, that happens a lot! The direct sites are usually cheaper but the partner sites are generally more user friendly. Always check the terms and conditions of your purchase, particularly in relation to changes and refunds. GetYourGuide has a very easy cancelation policy which in many cases allows cancelation with refunds up to 24 hours prior to departure.

• Colosseum – official ticket site OR buy Colosseum tickets on Get Your Guide
• Vatican Museums – official ticket site OR buy Vatican Museum tickets on Get Your Guide
• Omnia pass – Colosseum + Vatican + one other museum + hop on, hop off bus – click here for details
• Uffizi Gallery – official ticket site OR buy Uffizi tickets on Get Your Guide
• ‘David’ statue [Accademia Gallery] – official ticket site OR buy Accademia tickets on Get Your Guide
• Duomo roof climb – official ticket site OR buy Dome climb tickets on Get Your Guide
• Doge’s Palace  – official ticket site OR buy Doge’s palace tickets on Get Your Guide
• San Marco basilica  – official skip the line tickets OR buy a tour of San Marco including tickets on Get Your Guide
• ‘Last Supper’ painting – official ticket site OR buy Last Supper tickets on Get Your Guide
• Duomo rooftop  – official ticket site OR buy Duomo tickets on Get Your Guide

READ: Our full review of Get Your Guide .

If you want to learn about the sites you are visiting then we recommend a group day tour. We prefer small group or private tours where you learn about the culture and history of the places you are visiting. It’s so much more fun than reading plaques and you are also able to ask questions.

So make sure to build in a couple of tours when you are planning a trip to Italy.

Our favorite small group tour companies are Take Walks (formerly Walks of Italy) and Liv Tours  and we prefer With Locals for private tours. Both offer very well designed and engaging tours of the major sights in Italy as well as interesting food and cultural tours.

• Take Walks have a longstanding reputation for excellent service, groups under 20 people and guaranteed departures. So if you are the only person booked on a tour it will still go ahead. We recently enjoyed our Colosseum at night tour and day trip to Tuscany with them
• Liv Tours – family run Italian company offering true small group tours of 6 people or less. All of their tours use expert guides who will help you fall in love with Italian history, culture, and food. Tours include a popular golf cart tour of Rome’s highlights and their fascinating Women’s history tours
• With Locals offer great value private tours. You choose from a series of set itineraries and guides in cities across Italy. There are tours focused on history, food, culture and other themes or they can be customized them for your group. We tried their 10 Tastes of Naples recently and it was lots of fun. They also have great options for families
• Eating Europe – food tour specialists who will ensure you discover the best local dishes

Save 5% on Liv Tours with code – ‘untold italy’ >> click here to browse tours

• Rome: A 3 Day Itinerary
• The best tours in Rome
• Unmissable day trips from Florence
• Day trip from Rome to Pompeii
• Best tours of the Vatican
• Tickets and tours for the Colosseum
• Rome’s best food tours

Activities and experiences

Seeing the sights of Italy is always a treat but you’ll also love immersing yourself in Italian culture. These days you can choose from a wide range of experiences and activities. From food and wine tours, to football matches, concerts and exploring the countryside by vintage car, there are memorable experiences to suit you.

Recommended experiences

• Cooking class with Nonna Nerina near Rome – Grandma Nerina teaches you how to make fresh pasta and welcomes you into her home. If you can’t wait until you get to Italy to do this she also does online classes
•   Capri boat trip –  small group on a private boat means a slower pace and more time to see the island. You can read what to expect on this day trip here

Our favorite companies for searching for interesting and unique things to do in Italy are:

• Cookly – cooking class and food and wine experiences like truffle hunting from small operators across Italy
• Get Your Guide – has the biggest listing of tours and experiences

Step 7 – Get ready for departure

Organize your money and credit card.

The local currency in Italy is the € Euro.

You do not need to carry too much cash when you are there. Credit and debit cards VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted while American Express and Diners Club are not as popular. You may want to consider a foreign currency card like the Wise Mastercard where you can convert Euros easily and cheaply from your US dollar, Australian dollar or Canadian dollar accounts (plus many other currencies)

Be aware of foreign currency charges and ATM withdrawal fees applied to your account when you are abroad. You may want to review the cards you are taking with you prior to your trip. We recommend that you take two – one as a back up for emergencies. And inform your bank before you go. Sometimes they can be overzealous and place a block on your card if they see unusual activity.

Book airport transfers

Planning your arrival in Italy is recommended. Most of the airports are a fair way out from the city center – and in the case of Venice, in the middle of a lagoon!

Compare different transfer services on Suntransfers – a company that specializes in transfer options from major airports. They have options to suit all budgets and prices for coach, mini bus, private car and limo services.

Rome – transfers from Fiumicino airport

Taxis are fine to take in Rome. There is a set rate into the center of €48 and the ride takes around 45 minutes. Or, if you would prefer to be met at the airport you can pre-book a transfer. A transfer is the best option if you are traveling with more than 2 people and have several items of luggage. We recommend:

• Welcome Pickups – available 24/7, a private car transfer means you are met at the arrivals hall and will take between 30 minutes and one hour door-to-door.
• Suntransfers – offers a wide range of vehicles for groups of all sizes. Transfers can be canceled up to 48 hours in advance with no penalty.

Another popular way to transfer into Rome is to take the Leonardo Express train . This non-stop service between Fiumicino and Rome Termini (the main station) takes 32 minutes. Trains depart every half hour from 6:08 to 23:23, and the cost is €14. You can purchase tickets at the station on the day. Unless you are staying close to Termini you will then need to get a taxi to your accommodation.

The cheapest transfer option – this bus goes direct from the airport to Termini – €6-7 one way.

READ: Our full article on Rome airport transfers .

Venice transfers

The water bus company Alilaguna runs shuttles every 15 -30 minutes in peak season to and from the airport and the islands on the lagoon. This bus stops at San Marco and Rialto as well as some other secondary stops. The fare is €8 one way €15 return and the journey takes 1½ hours – you can book online here

A private boat transfer or shared transfer in a water taxi is the fastest (and most glamorous) way to transfer to your accommodation in Venice. Journey times and prices depend on the number of people in your party and exclusivity. A direct private transfer to the airport takes around 45 minutes.

• Private transfer – around €200 for 6 people – book here
• Shared water taxi transfer – around €32 per person – book here

You can also take a taxi (cost €25) or express airport bus to Piazzale Roma (cost €8) and then take a vaporetto (water bus) or walk your hotel/accommodation. A one way trip on the ferry costs €7 per person and is valid for 60 minutes.

READ: Our full article on Venice airport transfers .

Florence transfers from Florence airport

Florence airport is very close to the city center and a 15 minute taxi ride away. There is also an airport bus that takes around 20 minutes.   A 20 minute tram ride takes you to the main Santa Maria Novella train station and costs €1.50.

Florence transfers from Pisa airport

Many people fly to Pisa to reach Florence as it is a larger airport. If you arrive during the day take the PisaMover train to Pisa Centrale train station – journey time 5 minutes. Then take a train to Florence. Starts at 6.00 am and the last train departs at midnight and it costs €5.00.

On our last visit we arranged a transfer with Suntransfers as we arrived too late for the last train. There is also a coach transfer option.

Amalfi Coast or Sorrento transfers from Naples airport or train station

We recommend organizing a private transfer for this journey. The train, ferry and bus via Sorrento can take 4 hours while a car service is around 1.5 hours. You can compare different services on Suntransfers – a site specializing in ground transportation.

You may find sites or groups where specific drivers are recommended. We do not recommend booking a driver this way for safety reasons – how do you know that the person recommending the driver is reputable, let alone the driver? And also for practical reasons – small operators may not have capacity or availability.

Plan how to access the internet

Consider how you will access the internet on your trip. You may be happy to disconnect and use paper or offline maps however many of us need internet access.

Italy has high speed internet and there are many options to stay connected depending on your needs. If you use minimal data and are happy to use offline maps and guides then you should be able to get by using wifi at your hotel or accommodation. Do not expect wifi to be available in restaurants and cafes because in Italy restaurants are for eating.

If you plan to use wifi make sure to turn off international data roaming before your trip to avoid unpleasant bill surprises.

Paid internet options

• Use your provider’s roaming plan – usually very expensive and slow speeds if coming from outside Europe
• Local SIM – purchase a tourist SIM before your depart or when you arrive that has enough data for map navigation and research. Italian provider TIM comes highly recommended and there are outlets at the airports and train stations
• Portable wifi device – connect multiple devices to high speed internet for reasonable prices. We use and recommend Solis Wifi (Get 10% off with our code – UNTOLDM )

READ: Our full guide to Cellphones and getting online in Italy (SIMs, wifi and more) .

Packing for your Italy trip

The key to packing for Italy is to pack the minimum that you need. Many people like to take carry-on luggage only for their trips. This is a great way to travel as you will find it much easier managing trains, cobblestones and stairs that are a feature of travel in Italy.

But, most of us find that a challenge, so try to stick to a medium bag per person plus one carry on item. Large suitcases are not a good idea. You will also thank yourself if you consider your footwear carefully. Three comfortable pairs will see you through most trips.

Note – We have a complete packing guide coming soon.

LISTEN: to packing strategies in this podcast episode .

Must have items for your trip

• Luggage – get the size right with our guide to the best luggage for Italy
• Untold Italy travel planners – one page checklists of the must see sights, restaurants and gelato bars in Italy’s most popular places
• Collapsible water bottle – stay hydrated and fill up at free water fountains all over Italy
• Camera – for your vacation snaps. We recommend lightweight mirrorless models like these ones
• Packing cubes – these make packing, organizing your luggage and unpacking so easy. We love them!
• Power cube – don’t bring lots of bulky converters. This one has 3 USB ports
• Battery pack – keep all your devices charged
• Plug adapter – you will need one!
• Face masks – for your safety and you may be required to wear one indoors
• Hand sanitizer wipes – to keep germs at bay

READ: Our Complete packing guide for Italy .

Get started and plan your Italy trip now!

We hope you now have more confidence to start planning your trip to Italy. This will no doubt be a trip that you’ll remember and cherish for years to come. And, like many of us, you may find it sparks a passion to return to bella Italia again and again.

Latest Italy Travel Podcasts and Articles

Can you travel to italy – latest travel information [april 2024], visiting italy in may – reasons to go and what to expect, episode #216: 10 reasons we love italy’s umbria region, visiting italy in april – reasons to go and what to expect, episode #215: discover regional italy without a car, episode #210: travel smart to italy – your guide to new regulations and important dates, how to use your cellphone in italy, venice tourist tax – latest information on the new access pass for venice, planning a trip to italy.

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I've been to all 50 states. Here are the 10 I think everyone should visit at least once.

• Over the past decade, I've traveled solo to all 50 US states and most major US national parks.
• Although I've found beauty in every state, there are some that I want to visit over and over again.
• I love traveling to places like New Mexico, Montana, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

Over the past decade, I've successfully visited all 50 US states solo. I've even made it to most of the major US national parks along the way. Because of this journey, I'm often asked which states I'd recommend to travelers.

Although most international travelers gravitate toward states like Florida and New York , I've found fantastic beauty and history in every state.

However, these are the 10 states I always return to.

New Mexico boasts a surprising variety of stunning landscapes.

New Mexico is always at the top of my list when recommending US states. Nicknamed " the land of enchantment ," it lives up to its moniker — and then some.

Those who haven't visited New Mexico may think of the state as a mostly barren desert, but it's actually the diverse landscapes that keep me coming back.

From the otherworldly dunes of White Sands National Park to the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there's beauty to be found around every corner.

Outside the natural beauty, the state is chock full of history, art, food, wine, and culture.

Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

With its vast open spaces, majestic mountains, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

The state is home to the breathtaking Glacier National Park and parts of Yellowstone National Park . The sky is vast and open, the mountains are towering, and the lack of development makes me feel like I'm entering another world entirely.

California is full of diverse landscapes and experiences.

Every time I visit California , I feel like I'm entering a completely different reality.

The sheer size and diversity of the state are impressive, and it has gorgeous beaches, cities, forests, deserts, mountains, and even volcanoes.

I love road-tripping up the coast, visiting Yosemite National Park, taking a boat to the Channel Islands, and wine tasting in places like Napa and Sonoma.

There's no place quite like the Maine coast.

There's so much to love about Maine, but my favorite part of the state is the coast. With jagged and dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and lobster shacks, visiting the Maine coast is an unforgettable experience.

It's easy to find peace in the state that sees the first sunrise of the year and is home to Acadia National Park, which is one of the country's most popular national parks.

I love to road trip up the coast, stopping in beautiful towns like Kennebunkport, Bar Harbour, and Lubec.

I've returned to West Virginia multiple times.

While it may not get as much attention as some of the other states on this list, I've returned to West Virginia multiple times since my first visit.

The state's natural beauty is stunning, from New River Gorge National Park to ample lush forests, underground caverns, historic small towns, and over 200 waterfalls .

Wisconsin is home to beautiful scenery and great dining options.

Wisconsin has so much more than first meets the eye, from the natural beauty of the Apostle Islands and the 15,000 lakes in the state to the classic cheese curds, breweries, and wineries that dot the landscape.

I love spending time along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, dining at one of the state's famous supper clubs, and exploring the many Wisconsin state parks.

As my home state, Colorado will always hold a special place in my heart.

I couldn't write a list like this without including my home state of Colorado. The state has so much to offer, from beautiful views to fun activities.

On the Front Range, I enjoy hiking in Boulder and exploring Cheyenne Cañon. I like to spend the night at the The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs before heading over to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

In the Rockies, I love driving Independence Pass to Aspen, as well as exploring the underrated Grand Mesa, which is the biggest flat-top mountain in the world . I also enjoy taking road trips to the charming mountain towns of Telluride, Buena Vista, and Steamboat Springs.

No matter where you find yourself in Colorado, there's no shortage of incredible natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

Utah is home to five major national parks.

Utah is a state that you have to see to believe. With five major national parks, 46 state parks, 15 ski resorts, and hidden gems at every turn — you'll never get bored here.

I love visiting Moab to hike in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park before heading south to Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion National Park .

I also love making stops in Park City and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

New Hampshire boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

The Northeast is famous for fall foliage, but I can't help but think that New Hampshire is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors, Maine and Vermont.

I was stunned by its natural beauty during my first trip to the state. From the White Mountains to Franconia Notch State Park, the state boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

Arizona is the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

Arizona is well known for the Grand Canyon, but the state has much more to offer. From Flagstaff's high-altitude forests to Sedona's iconic red rocks, Arizona's diversity is surprising and worth a trip.

I love hiking among the cacti in Sedona or Scottsdale before heading to one of the many resorts to jump in a pool or hit the spa — the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

• Main content

I Want to Travel but I’m in a Relationship

‘I want to travel but I’m in a relationship’ – ah, what a dilemma. It’s something that I’ve dealt with myself, with my current partner, who is about as opposite to a backpacker as you can be. ‘ I want to travel but my partner doesn’t ,’ I’d say to my friends, hoping that they could somehow magically come up with a solution.

But what is the solution if you want to travel but you’re in a relationship? How do you know if you’re making the right decision? I am a member of several Facebook groups about travel, specifically solo female travel . While most of the posts in the groups are about whether a destination is safe or what the best things to do there are, questions that I see time and time again are:

• How do you choose between a relationship and travel?
• What do I do if I want to travel but I’m in a relationship?
• My boyfriend doesn’t want to travel WITH me but ALSO, said boyfriend doesn’t want me to travel WITHOUT him – what do I do?

Usually these posts come from people slightly younger than myself who are finishing up with school and have been yearning to travel for as long as they can remember, but their high school sweetheart (or someone they just started dating) just point blank refuses. And it’s a real dilemma. As someone who grew up dreaming of travel, where my travel dreams bordered on obsession, I totally get how, for some people, travel is a need and not simply a want.

I’m also a hopeless romantic, and so I also understand the desire to find that one perfect person who you spend the rest of your life with, and not wanting to end things with somebody in case they are that person and you end up regretting it. So, what do you do? Well, there is no one-size-fits-all answer I’m afraid. Every relationship is different, every set of circumstances are different, and I can’t sit here and make your decisions for you. With that being said, I can give you some possible solutions, compromises, and the kind of advice that I am much more able to give at age 29 then I would have been at 18 or 19.

Table of Contents

I Want to Travel but I’m in a Relationship – What Should I Do?

One of the first things to address is whether you travelled before you met your partner, whether you have always dreamed about travel, or whether your wanderlust is a more recent thing. The reason I say this is because I believe that these three scenarios are all very different. For example, I have been travelling for over 4 years. I have not spent longer than a couple of months in my home country since I was a student, and have been what you would call ‘nomadic’ for most of my adult life. When I met my current boyfriend, I was upfront right from the beginning.

I wanted him to know exactly what he was getting into and be aware of the fact that I have no intention of changing my lifestyle anytime soon. I told him that I understood if this was a deal breaker for him but that this is me and he can take it or leave it. The point that I am making is that if you are already travelling and you meet somebody that wants you to stop for them, then you are entitled to politely tell them to F off and not to let the door hit them on the way out. If, however, your travel dreams have always been just that – dreams – then unfortunately you do have to take your partner’s feelings into consideration. It’s only polite after all.

What does travel mean to you?

The first thing you need to do is establish exactly what you mean by ‘travel.’ Do you want to embark on a 3 month backpacking trip around Southeast Asia and then return home to focus on your career? Do you want to move to China for 12 months to teach English? Do you want to buy a camper van and drive around Europe indefinitely? Do you want to do multiple short trips that will allow you to balance work and travel? Do you want to move to Italy and build a life as an expat? All of these ways of travel are completely different and some of them will definitely have more of an effect on your relationship than others. If you want to embark on one single backpacking trip somewhere, from anywhere between 3 – 6 months, then I don’t see why it has to spell the end of your relationship.

If you are planning to spend your entire life with this person then a few months should not matter. Many, many people take a few months out of their ‘real lives’ to travel while their partner continues on as normal back at home. With the ever-improving technology that we have, long distance relationships are becoming easier and easier, and if your relationship is strong then it should be able to survive a few months apart. If you’re sitting here reading this and thinking ‘ but my boyfriend doesn’t want me to travel without him!’ then I’m sorry to break it to you, but you have bigger issues in your relationship then whether you should go travelling or not. Anyone in a healthy, secure, non-controlling relationship should be able to go and travel for a couple of months without the relationship falling apart. If your partner doesn’t want you to travel without him, I’d wager that this won’t be the last control issue that you’ll have in your relationship.

If you want to do long-term travel then this may post more of a challenge. If, like me, you want to backpack indefinitely and without restrictions, then having a partner who doesn’t want to travel at all will be an issue. If the two of you can’t come to a compromise (you travelling in shorter bursts or him coming with you for some of the time), then it might be time to end things. If you want to actually move to another country and create a life there then your partner has the choice to either come with you, be long distance indefinitely (not what I would recommend), or part ways.

If your idea of travel is going on short city breaks whenever you have the free time, but remaining based in the same city as your partner, then there is no issue at all! If your partner doesn’t want to join you then you can go alone or with friends. If your partner won’t ‘allow’ you to go on travel without him then as I mentioned earlier, you need to get another partner.

Travel vs. relationship – why not have both?

As I have tried to show, you don’t necessarily have to choose between travel and your relationship. Travel and relationships are not mutually exclusive things. You can have both. It’s a hell of a cliché, but relationships really are about compromise, and if you partner is the one for you then they will be more than happy to discuss the ways in which you can still achieve your dreams without turning your back on the relationship. It might not be an ideal situation, but ultimately you should be able to come to an agreement whereby both of you are happy. If your partner is the one for you then you will manage to make it work.

This may mean long distance. It may mean being flexible. It may mean you staying put a little longer than you’d like, and your partner travelling a little more often than they would like. But somehow it will work. Alternatively, perhaps you are the right people who met at the wrong time. There is nothing wrong with putting the relationship on hold for a little while and then coming back to each other in the future to try and make it work. Maybe too much time has passed and you no longer feel a connection, or maybe you will be able to be together fully with nobody having to adjust their life to make the other happy. If your partner is not supportive of your dreams at all, or even gives you an ultimatum and asks you to choose between travel and the relationship, is that really someone that you want to be with? I would say no.

Hell, if your partner sees themselves living a completely different lifestyle to you, is it not better to end things now? From my experience, travellers (and people that want to travel) have similar traits. People who don’t like to travel also have similar traits. While they like comfort and routine, you like adventure and unpredictability. While they like security, you like the unknown. While they prioritise their career, you prioritise travel. While they may be more financially motivated, you are all about creating memories. None of the qualities that I have just mentioned are bad. In fact, you could definitely argue that the qualities a person without wanderlust has are ‘better’ than those that an avid traveller has!

However, while differences in a relationship are a given, if you are fundamentally different in so many ways, then perhaps you are not meant to be in the long run. Perhaps the person for you is currently camping in the Sahara desert or teaching people to dive in Malaysia. Perhaps the person for your partner is actually in an office right now, or curled up on the sofa with a takeaway and a good Netflix series. There are more than 7 billion people on the planet . There is a good chance that there is somebody out there whose lifestyle is more compatible with yours who is just waiting for you to find them and fall in love with them.

How my boyfriend and I worked it out

When I met my boyfriend, he was working an office job in Manchester and I was visiting home from where I’d been living in Sicily. I told him, upfront, that I would not stop travelling for anyone, and so, after a few months together during lockdown in rainy Manchester, he said that he would give Sicily a go. We went there, but he hated it more or less right away. Palermo is not for everyone, and I understand that.

We then spent about 6 weeks backpacking, but he wasn’t keen on that either. I won’t lie, I worried a LOT about what this would mean for our relationship. However, we eventually reached a compromise. He wanted to base ourselves somewhere for at least a year, and I agreed, but said that wherever we were had to be outside of the UK, and with great weather. Enter, Valencia.

We are now 7 months into our 12 month lease and we are both super happy here in Spain. He feels better having a base, and now that restrictions are loosening, he is enjoying flying back home frequently to see his family and work in the office from time to time. We’ve spoken about what happens if I want to go travelling, and he said that if I wanted to go off travelling for a month at a time, it’s fine by him (as long as I still pay my share of the rent!). We’ve also talked about weekend trips and short city breaks that we can do together.

It might not be the usual way of doing things (he is currently in Ireland for a month working, and I am here alone), but it works for us, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. I’m compromising by having a base and giving up my nomadic lifestyle, and he’s compromising by settling down in a place that he never imagined he would. It works.

If you DO have to choose, choose travel

With all that being said, I know that for some couples, a compromise just can’t be reached. I am a travel addict. I know that wanderlust is a hunger that will grow and grow until you feed it. I know that your yearning for travel will not cease to exist if you try and repress it. It will do the opposite. It will get to the point where you look at your partner with resentment. You will blame them for you deciding not to travel and become bitter about your life together. You will feel as though you are a character in their life rather than the protagonist of your own. And that’s if you stay together.

What if you break up after a few years and you now have commitments that don’t allow you to travel? You have a car, a pet and a mortgage. You can’t just up and leave like you could have done 10 years ago when you initially wanted to travel. You will have to live with the regret of having not travelled when you were as free as a bird, when life wasn’t so complicated. Unfortunately, the odds of you and your partner staying together forever are slim. This isn’t me being a pessimist – I meant it when I said I’m a hopeless romantic – this is me being real with you. While you might think that you and Brad from college are soulmates, you probably aren’t.

I thought my college boyfriend was my soulmate. We were crazy about each other and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. He told me that he felt the same and that we would get married and grow old together. Needless to say, I was single before I turned 19 and my GOD am I thankful for that. Mr College Boyfriend was not the one for me, and I would have missed out on SO much life experience if I’d stayed with him. I wouldn’t have lived on a beach in Cambodia or backpacked through the Balkans. I wouldn’t have worked in hostels and met some of my best friends in the world. I wouldn’t have had travel romances that have been exciting and magical and fun.

“But won’t I be single forever if I travel?”

I think one of the main reasons people are afraid to travel is that they fear being single. They worry that a life on the road will prevent them from creating and maintaining fulfilling relationships and figure that staying with their current partner and missing out on travel is better than being perpetually single. First of all, F. THAT. Being single is the BEST. Everybody should be single for a prolonged period at some point in their life. Being single and travelling is even better. You can choose where to go, how long to spend there, what to do when you’re there and if you want to kiss a cute boy on a pub crawl then you can bloody well do so.

You don’t have to rush back to the hostel to call your boyfriend before he goes to bed, or fight about that dude that tagged you in an Instagram picture. You can be truly selfish in the best possible way, and trust me when I say that your heartbreak over Brad will disappear quicker than a bottle of Bintang on Khao San Road. That being said, travel doesn’t prevent you from finding love. I would go so far as to say that you are more likely to find somebody compatible with you when you’re travelling verses when you’re not. First of all, they are living the same lifestyle as you, so that’s a start. Second, travel romances are so pure and beautiful. You know the butterflies and excitement that you used to get in high school before ghosting and mind games and situationships took over?

Welcome to the world of travel romance. I know plenty of people who have fallen in love and formed successful relationships on the road. My best friend met a guy travelling and dated him for 3 years . I know people in Cambodia that met while backpacking and proceeded to open businesses, get married and have babies together (while still travelling!). I know other couples that embrace ‘van life’ culture and see the entire world together. Travelling does not mean singledom. Travelling has never affected my romantic relationships. Romances that have fizzled due to distance are romances that were never going to work anyway. Travel just helped me find that out quicker.

I Want to Travel but I’m in a Relationship | Final thoughts

Ultimately, I can’t tell you what to do. I’m just a stranger on the internet who is incredibly biased towards travel. That said, I think the fact that you are thinking about this in the first place answers your question – if this person was truly the one for you, it would be a non-issue. You would either forget about travelling entirely because you’ve found something that matters more to you, or you would make it work. If you are already trying to decide between travel and your relationship, then unfortunately I think that says it all. What do you think? Do you agree with me or do you think that saving the relationship is more important? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below! xoxo

If you liked this article and would like to support my work, please click the button above to donate a couple of bucks and buy me a coffee. The ad revenue that I receive on this website is minimal, so support from my readers enables me to keep creating content that you (hopefully!) love to read.

6 thoughts on “I Want to Travel but I’m in a Relationship”

This is exactly what I needed (and wanted) to hear, thank you for the inspiration I needed to pursue my dreams! Great blog.

This makes me so happy! 🙂

Love this blog!

I think my boyfriend would be up for travelling though thank god but even then if he didn’t this blog was quite inspiring ! I would be away and he wouldn’t have a say! Deffo you should always do what you want to do in life! It is yours for the taking! xD

I really want to travel after I graduate but I’ve always wondered about career stability/ finances if I was to take a year out though I shouldn’t let this hold me back! I would then just be worried if my boyfriend couldn’t afford it but wanted to come travelling. then I would have to decide whether to go without him which would be mean or have patience till he can pay or I could help him pay! Or maybe working holiday visas would be the way to go in this situation. 🙂

Ever heard of a situation like this?

Can’t wait to spend my first proper wages on travelling when I can!

Thanks so much!

I don’t think that you should be worried that taking a year out would impact your career too much. If anything, jobs LOVE knowing that you have travelled, especially if you have done bits of volunteer work along the way or have other cool stories to tell about skills that you’ve picked up (like sailing around Europe or helping out an an elephant sanctuary or taking a cooking class in Italy!).

As for your boyfriend and his finances, I personally wouldn’t advise that you help him out, unless you’ve been together for years and years and you KNOW that he could (and would!) pay you back. Even then, I wouldn’t advise it. If he really wanted to go but needed a few extra months to save up, then wait for him for sure 🙂 if he doesn’t take saving up the money seriously and you end up waiting longer and longer – screw it, go without him! If your relationship is strong enough then a few months apart won’t be the be all and end all, and maybe he could even meet you out there after a couple of months! Volunteering in exchange for bed and board is also a great option – I have a long article all about working in hostels which you might find interesting!

Working holiday visas are also a great idea, so many people have that experience in Australia and love it 🙂

Hi Jez, I know I’m the wrong age group for this blog, but I’ve been that person who grew up traveling (around the world twice by age 10, in 1967, when this was not done), was bitten by the bug, and wanted it for the rest of my life. I only did small spurts because I couldn’t manage my own life until after college. 3 weeks in Ecuador at 15, 8 weeks in Greece at 22, then trying to figure things out with grad school and early jobs. I married my husband chiefly because I thought he was a good traveler. He was in Russia for a semester when we were first engaged, met me in Italy when I had a Fulbright for a summer. But ultimately, he wasn’t a good traveler for me. Now I’m planning retirement; my kids are grown. [I’ve helped them become brilliant travelers, by the way!] I figure I will rent my house out and go. As a 65-year-old woman alone, I want to do the “harder” trips now, and the easier trips (Europe again) when I’m old. I am a little worried about being a woman alone, but I’ve never had problems I couldn’t handle. At least not yet.

Amazing! I’m sure you have so many wonderful adventures to come!

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I Want To Travel, But Have No Friends To Travel With

You found this article because you want to travel, but have no one to go with. I know exactly how it feels because I spent YEARS thinking: “ I want to travel, but I have no friends to travel with .”

I felt stuck just repeating over and over again how I want to travel, but not alone! Why none of my friends want to travel?

Turns out, there are so many different ways to travel when your friends are not really into it, and going solo is not the only option!

In this solo female travel guide, I will show you exactly how to travel when your friends do not want to travel. 

Keep reading to find out what to do when you want to travel, but no one to go with.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!

You Want To Travel but have no one to travel with

1. think about how to find friends to travel with.

If your friends don’t want to travel, think about whether you’re in the right friend group. If the answer is no, where can you find people who want to travel?

Your friend group might be great, despite them not wanting to travel. This does not mean that you need to get rid of all of your friends and find new ones. You just need to enrich your social circle.

If you stay in the same friend group and never step outside of your comfort zone you are missing out on potential friendships with people who share your interests. 

2. Try making new friends in your town

If you are still in high school or the early years of university, this is your sign to be yourself .

Join the clubs that interest you without thinking about what other people would say. That way you can meet people who share your interests, including travel. 

Try to expand your friend group.

Be open to making connections with people you do not usually talk to at school or university. These are the most effortless years to make friends because lots of people constantly surround you.

Do not be embarrassed to start talking about your interests with other people. That way you can see if somebody will agree with you, and you can find out that people share your interests, but they were uncomfortable talking about them! 

3. Sign up for a study abroad semester

Study abroad programs are an amazing opportunity to find travel friends!

Do you know why? Because all of the people you’ll meet already stepped out of their comfort zone and traveled to a new country to spend one semester, or a year, at their exchange university!

Again, people from different backgrounds have different opinions on traveling.

While people in your home country might find it interesting, others will!

When went backpacking Thailand for 2 months, I met just one other Croatian traveler and hundreds and hundreds of British and Dutch travelers!

If you are still in University, inquire about your study abroad options!

European students can apply for study abroad with Erasmus +. The program also covers traineeships!

American universities probably have a similar program as well, but from my understanding, it depends on your university.

I studied for 5 months in Leuven, Belgium on the Erasmus+ exchange program. And that is exactly where I found my future travel buddy! So this one comes from personal experience.

4. Join a work exchange program

If you are no longer in school and studying abroad is not an option, working abroad might be!

There are so many different work abroad programs out there!

Work and Travel USA is a hugely popular way to visit the United States, and actually earn some money to enjoy your trip along the way.

If you are lucky enough that your country is eligible for a Work and Holiday Visa in Australia , it allows you to work and travel Australia for 12 months.

If you’re not eligible for none of the above-mentioned programs (hello friends with weak passports) you can look into work exchange programs!

Worldpackers is one of the best platforms out there to find reliable volunteer abroad opportunities.

Browse their offers, read the reviews, and apply for the ones that accept multiple volunteers so you make some friends along the way!

5. Join Group Tours If You Have No Friends To Travel With

If it is your first time traveling, and you are scared to go alone or overwhelmed by having to plan the whole trip – How about somebody else who does all the hard work for you?

That is what group tours are for!

They connect solo travelers from all over the world who want to visit the same destination and give them an organized trip and instant friends.

Group tours came a long way from bus tours rushing retirees from one hot spot to another.

Nowadays, many group travel companies are geared toward young travelers looking for active adventures!

You can find almost every destination you would be interested in visiting as a group tour. You can even travel with your favorite Instagram Content Creators!

There are many advantages to booking a group tour !

• Your trip will be organized, and all you have to do is enjoy it.
• You do not need to worry about the logistics.
• You do not need to worry about missing out on important landmarks or creating your travel itinerary
• Finally, the biggest advantage is that you will not be alone!

You will be grouped with like-minded people who love traveling and want to explore the world.

It is a fantastic opportunity to make great friendships with people that you can later plan solo trips with!

What tour company to pick as a solo traveler?

Some of the best Group tour companies for young people that I found are:

• Contiki – They specialize in social travel for 18-35-year-olds, and they have tour options worldwide. 
• Trutravels – They take pride in creating life-changing experiences. And that is exactly what their trips look like! They have options for different types of travellers, while all share the same social adventure vibe.
• G Adventures – They have tour options for all types of travelers. They have a wide selection of trips for people under 30 years old and others geared towards travelers looking for Wellness and relaxation, trekking, and family tours. 

Whichever company you choose to go for, read through reviews and pick a trip for your style of travel.

There are fantastic tour companies, and there are bad companies.

If you have had a bad experience before, do not let that deter you from trying one of the companies recommended above! 

6. Look For Travel Buddies Online

If you can’t find a group tour suited to your needs, or you’re trying to stay on a budget – you can look for a travel buddy online!

There are a lot of sites online to look for travel buddies, and they are excellent places to meet people to travel with!

You can join female travel buddies’ Facebook groups, or there might be a local website that connects travelers in your region. I met some wonderful girls in France using Facebook expat and travel groups!

For example, in Croatia, we have a website Putoholicari which has a travel buddies section that works pretty well! There is probably a similar concept in your country as well.

What you need to do is post that you’re looking for friends to travel with , and see who answers your query.

As far as Facebook groups go, I saw a lot of success stories in Host a sister and Female travel buddies groups. But there are many others!

You can look for the groups in your region. That way you can meet up with your new travel buddy before the trip. 

Please be safe and use common sense when using these options. I like to be positive, but the world is a scary place.

Make sure that you are confident about who you are talking to, and Facetime your potential travel buddy.

7. Try Solo Travel

Finally, the best thing you can do when your friends are not interested in traveling is to travel alone!

Solo traveling might seem intimidating at first. However, just because you are starting solo does not mean that you will be alone all the time! 

There are some challenges you will face as a solo traveler. You will be the only one responsible for your trip, and you will have to learn to depend on yourself and take responsibility for yourself.

At the same time, there will be so many advantages!

You are the one who decides what are you going to do and when. Because you are alone, you can easily join other people you meet if you like their plans.

Also, if you do not like what your new friends are doing, there will be no hard feelings if you decide to leave.

You do not have to wait on other people or visit sights you are not interested in, you are in complete control of your whole trip. 

• If you are planning your first solo trip, check out my Solo female travel guide for an in-depth step-by-step approach to planning your first solo trip.

How to make friends on the road?

If you want to make friends when traveling , first research if your destination is a popular backpacking destination.

Because many people backpacking are solo travelers, and usually there is a beaten path to follow!

If you are backpacking in Europe, there are many different backpacking Europe routes . On the other hand, most people backpacking SE Asia, follow the same route!

When everybody around you is also a solo traveler it is easy to make friends. Especially once you notice you keep running into the same people.

One of the best things about solo travel is all the people you will meet along the way! Some people you meet might become your future travel buddies.

The easiest way to make new friends is to stay in hostels and join the activities they organize.

Making friends in hostels is the most common way people make friends when traveling solo.

Most hostels also have private rooms if sharing a dorm room does not appeal to you. That way you can still enjoy the social aspect of a hostel while keeping your privacy.

Staying in hostels is also a great way to save money on your trip as well!

Summary: Want to travel but no one to go with

And that is it, girls! I felt like I had no one to travel with for years.

However, once I left my hometown and made friends with similar interests I finally found my travel buddies.

Also, I found out I love solo travel. You can compare solo travel and travel with friends , and see which one is for you!

Even as a complete introvert, I made so many friends traveling solo who I could travel with.

Now that you know exactly what steps to take to find people who want to travel , here are the best winter experiences in Europe to add to your Europe travel bucket list to inspire your next adventure!

Natali is the founder of She's Abroad Again. She is a solo female travel and backpacking expert who traveled to more than 30 country over 3 continents, mostly solo and on a budget! She is a lawyer turned travel blogger as she traded long office hours in Croatia for a digital nomad life and currenly calls France her home.

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Turn Your Love of Travel Into a Paycheck: Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Travel Blog

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You love to travel. You also love to tell people about amazing places to visit — where to go, places to avoid, and practical advice on how to make the most of their trip. Basically, you have all the makings of a great travel blogger. 

Check Out: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

But there’s a problem: You don’t know how to start a travel blog. And do travel bloggers get paid? The good news is that many travel bloggers can and do make thousands of dollars per month from their travel blogs. And most of them, if not all, had the same questions you have right now. Fortunately, we have answers. Here are the steps to becoming a successful travel blogger.

Choose a Niche

It’s a big world out there, and you might think that you need to write about as many destinations and topics as possible to be a successful travel blogger. But that approach could slow your success, said Shelley Marmor, a full-time, professional blogger who has five blogs, including Travel Mexico Solo and Travel Blogging 101, where she teaches blogging courses. “I often hear that people don’t want to pigeonhole themselves, or limit what they write about,” she said.

But if you want financial success in a shorter amount of time, she said sticking to a well-defined niche is the way to go. “Google will eventually see you as an expert in that niche, and start to show you in their search results,” she said. So go ahead, embrace your love of 17th-century cheesemaking, the world’s best train rides or vegetarian restaurants in the South. Chances are if you are interested in it, others are too.

Choose a Name for Your Blog

This is a choice that can get first-time travel bloggers hung up for days, if not weeks. But believe it or not, said Marmor, your blog’s name is far less important than you think. “While many people will rack their brains to come up with a cool, funny or clever name, I personally think direct blog names work best,” she said. For instance, her blog that covers Tulum, Mexico, is simply named Tulum Travel Secrets. The name is simple and descriptive, and it took only a few minutes to come up with. Stick to this formula, she said, and Google will know what your blog is about immediately, leading to better search results for you.

Here are three important things Marmor suggested you keep in mind when naming your blog:

• Leave your name out of the blog title, because if you ever sell your travel blog, you’ll have to sell it with your name attached.
• Make sure you can grow with the blog. For instance, stay away from names like 20-Something Travels or Traveling With Two Kids, because eventually you will be 30, and you might have a third child.
• Don’t get too clever and cross into confusing. Tell someone who doesn’t know you well and see if they get your name without an explanation.

Consider Taking a Blogging Course

If you have never written professionally or created a website, you might want to take a course on blogging or travel blogging. It is by no means necessary; however, it can help. In fact, Marmor, who was a professional journalist before starting her blog, took a travel blogging course herself when she was starting out and said it was one of the best moves she made. “There is a formula that works when it comes to profitable blogging, and you either know it or you don’t,” she said.

Many people are under the false belief that search engine optimization involves merely finding keywords that launch their site to the top of Google’s list, or at least on it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. SEO is very complex, involving not only keywords but site organization, loading speed and a host of other elements.

Learning SEO, at least at a fundamental level, is important to your blog’s success. “I believe that SEO is vital to blogging, and I’m pretty sure the vast majority of bloggers would agree,” said Marmor. “If you want to get free traffic from Google and other search engines, then you need to learn the language search engines speak, and that’s SEO.”

Decide on a Length for Your Blog Posts

This might seem arbitrary and unimportant. And to some extent, your blog posts can be any length. The important thing is that each post fully answers the reader’s questions about a destination or activity. While there is no exact agreed-upon or even recommended length for travel blog articles, Google tends to favor long-form content that thoroughly answers the user’s query, said Marmor, whose own blog posts tend to run 2,500 to 4,000 words.

Choose a Hosting Platform for Your Travel Blog

This is another area in which a new blogger could easily find themselves falling down a rabbit hole. Do a search on Google and there will be a vast array of advice, each seemingly suggesting a different list of the best hosting platforms for travel bloggers.

But, said Marmor, don’t sweat this too much. Just make sure you choose a reputable provider that makes building your travel blog easy. Remember, you want most of your energy going into writing. “As long as you aren’t choosing a bottom-of-the-barrel host, you’re fine,” she said. “No hosts that I know of are specific to travel blogs, so just read reviews before choosing,” she said.

Decide on Your Blog’s Cadence and Write Posts Consistently

This is your blog, so you get to decide how often you write a new post. But in today’s world, more is usually more. So a good rule of thumb is to write as often as you can, without burning yourself out, said Marmor.

“When you burn out you’ll quit, so if your life doesn’t allow it right now, don’t set an unrealistic expectation that you’ll write and publish 15 blogs per week,” she said. Instead, she advised, concentrate on making each and every blog high quality. “If you can get one high-quality blog done per week without burnout, that’s great. If you can get five done per week without burnout, even better,” she said.

Add Photos and Videos to Your Travel Blog

Much of the attraction of travel is seeing the sights, so photos and videos are great additions to your blog. They enhance the user experience and keep readers engaged and coming back.

But, said Marmor, when you are starting out, you might want to keep your vlogging in check. “Doing both [blogging and vlogging] can expand your reach and your audience, but doing both well is like having two full-time jobs,” she said. “When you’re making enough in passive income from one, you can start thinking about starting the other.”

Promote Your Travel Blog

The good news is that in today’s world, self-promotion is fairly easy to do, thanks to the vast social media landscape. The bad news is that that landscape is absolutely littered with noise that makes breaking through difficult. So while outlets such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, might seem like a necessity, Marmor warned that they can also become a drain on your time. “I do zero social media, and have no interest in ever doing it,” she said. “If the day comes when I feel I need it for my business, I will hire out.” She believes that no platform benefits a blogger more than spending more time traveling and blogging.

Incorporate Affiliate Marketing Into Your Travel Blog

Affiliate marketing is a marketing model in which you, the travel blogger, incorporate links and promotions for goods and services on your website. When one of your readers clicks through and makes a purchase, you are rewarded, usually in cash. If done well, it can be extremely lucrative. In fact, said Marmor, about half of her monthly income is from affiliate marketing.

Marmor, who writes about and teaches classes on affiliate marketing, said that different affiliate marketing programs have different criteria. When you have a sufficient amount of blog posts live on your site — at least 10, she said — you can apply to these.

Partner With Brands You Love

Another monetization opportunity is partnerships with companies, where they pay you to promote their products and services. These take time and readership, however, because companies will want strong metrics showing that many people visit your site each month, said Marmor. “It will take time to build that up to a number which will make companies take notice, and be willing to pay you to promote them,” she said.

She also cautions to only endorse brands you use yourself and stand behind, as she does. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing the trust of your readers, the worst thing possible for your brand.

Be Patient — Making Money From Your Travel Blog Takes Time

While travel blogging can pay off, don’t expect success to come overnight — or even in a year. Marmor tells new bloggers to expect it to take about two years of consistent work for your blog to make money . “It can take slightly less, but that will really depend on how fast you work, and more importantly, how smart you work,” she said.

Marmor saw success quickly, but she said that’s because she worked full time on her blog with a devotion to becoming her own boss. If family, work or other obligations won’t allow you to devote 40 hours a week to your blog, be patient and keep typing.

Remember the Most Important Rule of Travel Blogging

Sure, you probably want to become a travel blogger so you can turn your passion into a paycheck . But to do that, you need to provide a service. As Marmor so succinctly put it, “No one cares where I’ve been in Mexico — and I’ve been to a lot of places — but they do care about how I can help them have the best vacation ever in those same places.” So, she said, in 2024, it is vital to the success of your travel blog that it helps readers gain valuable information they can use to improve their travel experience. Do that and the cash will come.

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The one thing you'll want to do is the only thing not to do while driving during solar eclipse

The 2024 solar eclipse will shroud much of the United States in darkness on Monday, leaving many people to wonder: Is it safe to drive during the celestial event?

We know Americans should wear certified eclipse glasses when looking directly at the eclipse. And millions of Americans are in the eclipse's path of totality , the moment that occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun's light from reaching us. During totality, the eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye.

The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path. If you plan to drive during this time, you may not only have to contend with traffic , but need to take steps to stay safe.

Here's what to know about driving during the eclipse.

Where to get free solar eclipse glasses: Libraries, Warby Parker and more giving glasses away

Is it safe to drive during an eclipse?

It's safe to drive during an eclipse as long as you don't look up at the sky. AAA is telling drivers to be focused on the road if they are operating a car during the total solar eclipse.

"Anyone operating a vehicle should not be attempting to look up at the sky during the eclipse – their eyes should be on the road," said Aixa Diaz, a spokeswoman from AAA.

The automobile insurance company is advising Americans who want to safely view the total eclipse to "find a safe place to park (not on the side of a road or highway) away from other traffic and then wear your eclipse glasses," Diaz said.

Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving

It should go without saying, but authorities are also reminding people to not drive while wearing eclipse glasses .

The Missouri and Texas departments of transportation are both advising drivers to not wear eclipse glasses during the natural phenomenon and to focus on the road.

"Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving," reads a list of safety tips from the Texas department. Thousands people are expected to drive to towns along the path of totality, including Dallas, ahead of the eclipse.

Several state transportation departments  released similar warnings  ahead of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Wyoming's, for example, warned people traveling to the state about how they wouldn't be able to see the road with solar eclipse glasses on.

"When the glasses are worn, a person shouldn’t be able to see anything except the solar eclipse, which is why it is unsafe for a person to wear them when driving," the warning reads.

"Eclipse glasses are for eclipse viewing, not driving. They shouldn’t be treated like normal sunglasses," Diaz said.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Thinking of taking a last-minute drive to see the eclipse here's what to know.

Geoff Brumfiel

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred. AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred.

NASA says that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of this year's total solar eclipse, and a little under half of the U.S. population lives within 200 miles driving distance of the path of totality .

That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you're still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here's what to consider.

Have some destinations in mind, and check the weather and cloud cover forecasts in advance

It's a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.

There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory . You can use them to figure out what sites might work best for you.

In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you'll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.

Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses before April 8

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho "because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to."

Before driving into the path of totality, make sure your gas tank is full and that you've got everything you need

During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, it's estimated some 5 million people took to the roads, and those numbers will potentially be much higher this year.

Given all that, Upchurch says it's important to make sure you're taking what you need into the path of totality. You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Totality stretches from Texas to Maine

Simple tips to safely photograph the eclipse with your cellphone.

Also don't forget to bring eclipse glasses, which must be worn anytime you're looking at the sun, except for the few minutes when it is completely blocked by the moon.

Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone! Erika Goldring/FilmMagic hide caption

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone!

Arrive early and stay late

Once you figure out where you're going to watch the eclipse, and you've got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.

"Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem," he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

And one more thing: If you do find yourself on the move near the time of the eclipse, state officials stress that you should not simply pull over to the side of the road or highway you're driving on. It's important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.

If you're already in the path of totality: Relax and enjoy!

Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there's no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You'll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.

Shots - Health News

Watching a solar eclipse without the right filters can cause eye damage. here's why.

If you're on the edge of the path of totality, however, you might consider making a short trip to get closer to the center of the eclipse's path.

"If you're within about 40 miles of the center line, you'll have two-and-a-half minutes or more" of complete totality, Upchurch says. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth making the trip to a more central location.

Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he's still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.

"Totality is absolutely spectacular," he says. "If you have a chance to witness it, I would do it."

• 2024 solar eclipse
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• 2024 eclipse
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Cute & Portable Humidifiers for Keeping You Dewy & Moisturized When You Travel

Whether you want to avoid dry skin when you're on the go, driving, or just sitting at your desk, these stylish (and super tiny) humidifiers have got you covered..

We independently selected these products because we love them, and we hope you do too at these prices. Shop with E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Prices are accurate as of publish time. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!.

Does your skin feel dry ? Do you wake up with a dry throat or sinus issues? Are your plants desperate for some moisture? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it's time for you to get a humidifier. And, if you're on the go and want that moisture while you travel , then you need a compact humidifier that's easy to pack in your luggage or place in your car. There are many reasons why you might want to introduce a humidifier into your routine and there are plenty of benefits to doing so. Whatever your reason, these are the best humidifiers to add a little moisture back into your life.

Benefits of Using a Humidifier

The added moisture that humidifiers pump into the air result in tons of benefits . For starters, dry air (especially when you travel) can cause irritation to your throat or sinuses and cause allergies to flare up, and humidifiers help lessen the intensity of these problems. During cold and flu season (which feels like it is basically year-round at this point), humidifiers can help ease symptoms like coughs. Since blasting the heat or AC can dry out your skin and cause chapped lips, humidifiers are also a great way to soothe dry skin and flaky lips since they replenish moisture. If you're a plant parent , a humidifier can also help tropical varieties to flourish.

What to Look for in a Portable Humidifier for Travel

If you're traveling on an airplane or by car, or just want a humidifier that you can leave on your desktop, you'll want to look for the size and how it's powered. Compact humidifiers can hold anywhere from 200 milliliters to 500 milliliters of water, so look at the dimensions and weight to see what's best for you to carry. And, keep on eye on battery and charging – not having to worry about outlets can be a bonus when you're staying in a hotel or driving in car. 

With humidifiers starting at just $9 and with so many cute and aesthetically pleasing options to choose from, there's no reason to put off purchasing one any longer. From heavy duty and compact options to stylish ones that you'll want to display, these are the best humidifiers that are cute, affordable, and best of all, easy to travel with.

The Canopy Portable Humidifier for Skin Hydration

This humidifier is the one that I keep by my bedside and pack when I'm on the go. Measuring 7 x 3 x 3 inches, it's so compact and easy to throw in your carry-on, holds 500 milliliters of water, and can run for 24 hours. It even comes with a travel sachet and an aroma puck for adding some essential oils. Best of all, you can get it for less with code YAYSAVE at Sephora right now.

MOVTIP Portable Mini Humidifier

Backed by 16,000 5-star Amazon reviews, this mini humidifier is a popular choice. It can hold 500 milliliters of water and you can choose an intermittent or continuous spray mode. Measuring 3.74 x 5.07 inches, it's compact and can run 6 to 12 hours (depending on the spray mode). Plus, it's powered via USB.

Mipow X Miffy Cool Mist Humidifier

Sometimes you just want a humidifier that's also really cute, and this one fits the bill. The tank holds 380 milliliters of water, it measures 3.27 x 6.24 inches, and features an adorable bunny design. You can choose between intermittent and continuous spray modes, it's powered via USB, and even features a night light function.

LtYioe Colorful Cool Mini Humidifier

With a selection of 7 colorful light modes, this mini humidifier is a great night light option. It measures 3.7 x 4.7 inches, features a continuous and intermittent spray mode, and is powered via USB. The tank can hold 300 milliliters and you can even get it in pink.

AWLYLNLL Cat Small Humidifier

This small humidifier is another super cute option. With a design that looks like a cat in a spaceship, it'll bring a smile to your face every time you see it. The humidifier has a 300 milliliter tank, is powered by USB, and includes an intermittent and continuous spray mode.

MistAire Travel Portable Ultrasonic Humidifier

Featuring an adjustable mist control knob, this portable humidifier is perfect for getting just the right amount of moisture in the air. It comes with a travel satchel for portability and a cleaning brush, and all you have to do is attach a water bottle for use. Plug it into an outlet and you're good to go.

Mate2GO Facial Mister

If you're looking for more of a handheld humidifier, this facial mister is a great option, and is so easy to fit in a bag. You get two minutes of continuous spray at once, and on a full tank (200 milliliters) you can use it up to 12 times. And on a full charge of battery, it can last a week.

KAKAO FRIENDS Mini Humidifier

The cute humidifiers just keep on coming. This mini humidifier from Korea features adorable characters perched over the top. Plus, it's USB-powered, includes a 200 milliliter tank, and is so compact for travel.

GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifier

Featuring an intermittent and continuous spray mode, nightlight function, slim design, and 250 milliliter tank, this  humidifier is another portable option. Measuring 3.4 x 3.4 inches, it can fit in your car, your luggage, or wherever you're going. You have to connect the power cord for it to work, and it can run for up to 8 hours on a full tank.

Invigorate your skin with these refreshing and revitalizing toner mists and sprays .

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.