With the world getting smaller every day and cities becoming overrun with tourists, a travel goal should always be to see places before it is too late.
This list is also aimed at Natural beauty, culture, unique things you might not see anywhere else, adventure & activities, not just a beach, can go to a beach in Mexico or Florida… let’s find some fun and adventure. Affordability, always great when you can go to a place and live like Royalty whether it is staying in the nicest places or eating amazing food.
The goal of this list is to visit a place that will give you an experience you have never had before. I also wrote this list trying to pick places that anecdotally, not tons of people I know have been too, except a couple places I had to include.
For instance you don’t need a blog or podcaster to tell you to go to Paris, New York, Bangkok, Berlin, Vancouver, Tokyo, Barcelona, Dubai, Venice, London etc so will be trying to avoid highly traveled to places that we all know hundreds of people have been to.
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Luang Prabang | Laos
If I were to think about a perfect setting for a movie set in a small Asian village… this is it. I would have made this higher on the list but wanted to throw a more unique spot at you to start the list out.
I wish I could explain it better as some may come away from Luang Prabang saying four days there was enough. This could be true if you are one of those “okay seen it all, what’s next” people but if you just want to take in a small town, eat amazing food, live like royalty and just chill… this is the place.
It is almost like a perfect sleepy beach town, however instead of a beach (of which there are millions of beaches in the world) you get this cultural mecca with monks, their morning Alms ceremony through town, waterfalls, elephant sanctuaries, the famous night market, 34 temples all while being along the notorious Mekong river.
You can also hike Mount Phousi for more amazing views, see one of the prettiest waterfalls I have ever seen in Kuang Si falls and then Luang Prabang is home to probably the best meal I have ever had in my life, which you can read about here.
Noosa Heads | Australia
I didn’t want to have standard beach towns in this list but some are just that special and this perfect beach town along the Sunshine Coast boasts some of the best surfing in the world. Noosa really is that postcard surfing town with white beaches, sandbars and ridiculous turquoise water.
There are stunning walks like Noosa National Park Coastal Trail where you might even see wild Koalas; a boat tour of the Noosa Everglades, which are the only everglades on earth where you can safely swim (you’d never guess that with it being in Australia); great quaint restaurants & shops as you’d expect; rock climbing, hikes & lookouts like Mount Tinbeerwah or Laguna Lookout for stunning views, kayaking with a great chance of seeing dolphins and other sea life; farmers markets, amazing snorkeling, and everything you need for an activity filled sleepy beach town.
It can also be part of your trip to the famous Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay, Brisbane and a ton of what the stunning East Coast of Australia has to offer.
Varanasi | India
Varanasi, also known as Benares, is the holiest city in India said to be the birthplace of Buddhism, the ultimate pilgrimage place for Hinduism as well as Jainism, and Sikhism both claiming a part or all of their origin here.
I can’t explain it better than Mark Twain so… “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
I can’t say I loved Varanasi but wow, India itself was truly a life-altering experience and Varanasi is at the heart of that. Varanasi is located along the Ganges River where people come to place their dead on wooden rafts and set them aflame pushing them out to float down the river, WILD.
You will walk the ever-so-tight paths with monkeys jumping across the path; be approached by snake charmers as you watch cobras come out of pots along the side of the street; visit temples, watch ceremonies, have cows, goats and monkeys be sleeping below your hotel; stroll historic markets; watch cricket played in the street and of course take a holy bath in the holiest river in the world.
You will also want to visit all of their spiritual and enchanting ghats, which are steps leading down to the river used for rituals, bathing and the aforementioned cremation.
It truly is out of a documentary and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will be out of your comfort zone but you should do that more often. You can go to a beach any time… you can’t do this.
For the podcast version of this article check out this link here or via spotify below.
Medellin | Colombia
Medellin, the city of eternal spring with typically perfect year-round temperatures, is one of the most majestic cities you might ever come across.
The juxtaposition of a massive urban city set down in a valley surrounded by breathtaking green mountainous jungles while the infamous slums of Comuna 13 look over over the city makes it one-of-a-kind.
With a scary past many are nervous of going to Colombia but Medellin has transformed itself into one of the most visited cities on earth.
Medellin checks most all the boxes on this list with it being extremely cheap; it has panoramic hikes in national parks; urban areas with exquisite dining & bustling shopping areas like el Poblado; you can pick your own coffee on a coffee tour, then there are unique metro cable cars dangling across the sky across the city; and of course there are deep cultural & historic roots whether you visit El Centro, La Candelaria or of course the awe-inspiring & infamous Comuna 13.
I could go on, rooftop dining & bars at their best, food or walking tours, check out Pueblito Paisa, markets, unreal parties or taking a day-trip to scenic Guatape.
You might also not know that Colombia is the 2nd most biodiverse country on the planet behind only Brazil. The only thing I have bad to say about Medellin is that arepas are overrated… ya I said it. I also didn’t love Cartagena.
Sayulita | Mexico
When you think of a perfect quaint latin america beach town I think of Nosara in Costa Rica, Roatan in Honduras, Tulum in Mexico 20 years ago or San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua 20 years ago, Placencia in Belize and then Sayulita.
I think I love Samara and Nosara in Costa Rica equal to Sayulita but Sayulita is just so easy & Cheap to get to from the USA or Canada.
I lived in Phoenix and a flight to Puerto Vallarta was 2.5 hours and $250-300. Catch a taxi or uber from there and 45 minutes later you are at your hotel in paradise. It is hard these day to get anywhere nice in half-day and Sayulita is one of those places.
Sayulita has terrific surfing, hikes from the beach through to the jungle to other secret beaches & caves, turtle nesting, cobblestone streets lined with restaurant tables as if you were in Italy and one of my favorite restaurants on earth.
You can read my top things to do in Sayulita here but is must be a stop on your next trip to Mexico.
Auckland | New Zealand
I did mention I wouldn’t have major cities like this one on the list but I really don’t know too many people who have been to New Zealand, so here we are.
New Zealand itself boasts a ton of amazing places to visit, which makes Auckland a great starting off point to see this country that is full of natural beauty & wonders.
I just loved Auckland as one minute you can be at the marina having a wonderful meal overlooking the water then 30 minutes later you can be in Waitakere Ranges hiking up to majestic waterfalls and panoramic beaches.
There are winery islands in Auckland like Waiheke Island, a great metropolitan city to walk around, hike Mt. Eden and a ton of day-trips to wineries, mermaid pools, hot springs, Hobbiton and so much more.
If you love adventure and nature activities then New Zealand is your place, it almost reminded me of a tropical and warmer British Columbia.
Kauai Island | United States
Kauai, known as the garden island, is the best island in Hawaii. While it is not a “city”, it is a small island and you absolutely have to visit it if you love adventures.
Kauai is right out of Jurassic Park with towering green mountains, enormous waterfalls and enchanting blue water surrounding the island.
There are so many hikes to waterfalls you might not see them all in one visit. You of course need to visit Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast State Park, Queen’s Bath, Wailua Falls, swim with sea turtles or hike some of the best hikes in the world like Hanakapiai Falls trail or Awa’awapuhi trail.
There is so much more I could talk about but Kauai is unreal, so leave Maui alone with the millions of other tourists and check out one of my favorite places on earth.
Kelowna | Canada
You can say I am biased but it is the best town in Canada. Vancouver or Montreal are the best cities, Kelowna is the best town… this can be seen as seemingly 75% of Canadian hockey players have their summer home here.
Kelowna boasts a gorgeous lake and beaches in the heart of town, it is Canada’s wine country with picturesque wineries littered across the rolling hills overlooking the lake, it has a ton of hikes & mountain biking trails, some of the best fresh fruit in the world, tons of lakes surrounding the area and boasts one of the best ski resorts in North America.
If you want to visit Canada, I highly recommend doing a Vancouver & Kelowna combo or another great option is Banff via Calgary. While writing this I did start thinking Banff probably rivals Kelowna yet is such an expensive, touristic instagram mecca without wineries and less to do, so Kelowna gets the nod.
Manuel Antonio | Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio is renowned for its biodiversity where you can walk through the national park witnessing sloths, three different types of monkeys, snakes, bats along with a ton of other animals ending at a world class beach. You can also do trips to some of the prettiest waterfalls you might ever see.
Costa Rica is the birthplace of adventure tourism and must be on your list for your next trip. While it has gotten more expensive than some of its neighbors, you at least will go home having one of the best times you will ever have.
Not only does Manuel Antonio itself have so much to do, on the way there from San Jose is a crocodile bridge and a area with a on of macaws, which is a nice way to break up the drive from your travel day.
Manuel Antonio truly is just a gorgeous area and you can cap your day off with one of the many restaurants overlooking the jungle and ocean. See here for the 15 best things to do in Manuel Antonio.
If you have 10-14 days in Costa Rica I would combine it with La Fortuna. You can read all about my new home Costa Rica and articles on it here.
Bruges | Belgium
We went on a recent trip to Paris, Venice, Lille and Bruges and our favorite place was Bruges. People have called it a poor man’s Amsterdam but I would call it a less busy and more relaxed Amsterdam.
The city is out of a history book with the main square, the market where I had one of my favorite meals ever, canal boat tours, views from the Belfry tower, parks and overall just a sleepy amazing town with so much charm.
I wouldn’t spend a week there but 3-5 days and you will fall in love with this quaint terrific little city, plus you can do a day trip to Gent with an easy train ride. Between the medieval architecture, amazing food and cobblestone streets it seems like you walked back in time.
Chiang Mai | Thailand
When people ask me where to go in Asia I typically leave Thailand and Bali out as they are like places such as Tulum in Mexico where I feel have been completely overrun with tourists leaving behind all local and cultural charm.
However, Chiang Mai still boasts some sites and experiences that make it such a captivating place to visit.
You absolutely must do a multiple day jungle trek on your trip, visit an elephant sanctuary, visit markets, tour temples, eat the best food for so cheap and overall just take in this perfect Asian city.
If you have never been, Asia should be the first place you go if you have the time. It is just another world and boasts so much incredible culture, food, activities and unique things to do.
Singapore
Singapore is one of only three major cities to make this list just because of how darn unique and enchanting they are.
Singapore is one of a kind with its modern and futuristic architecture, world famous culinary scene and the superlatives could just go on about what a cool and unique city Singapore is.
They have the best zoo on earth with monkeys free roaming or biodomes you walk in with animals strutting around you non-stop.
You must have a drink at Marina Bay, see the Gardens by the Bay, the Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove, Clarke Quay, Chinatown and of course just go on your own walking tour strolling through this majestic city.
With all of this said, I feel like Singapore is the most expensive city on earth, so beware.
I love Singapore as a gateway to Asia as it can be cheap to fly into from North America, then stay there for a couple of nights and you can have a cheap flight to most anywhere in Asia.
This is a great option with direct flights or one-stop flights vs. flying 32 hours to Chiang Mai or Luang Prabang etc. Then on your way back home do the same thing with another cool major city like Hanoi, Hong Kong or Tokyo.
Havasupai | USA
Havasupai is one of my top three places for most surreal areas on earth.
The now world famous hike full of next-level waterfalls is one of the few places these days where you are cut off from cell-service, pack in your own food and have a true natural camping experience as the most radiant turquoise water flows along your campground.
Check out my Havasupai guide & tips podcast here
Havasupai is not only one of the the most scenic places on earth but you also have a grueling hike in and out of the area, which adds an enormous feeling of accomplishment that many of us will never have again.
This place is so once-in-a-lifetime that you have to win a ticket lottery to even visit it and if you love adventure it has to be on your bucket list.
I have an entire guide about Havasupai including how to get passes via this article here.
Mexico City | Mexico
Forget about me being robbed and extorted by the police after the Mexico vs. Canada soccer game… it is one of the most unique and coolest cities on earth.
CDMX is like portions of Rome, Rodeo drive in LA, Vancouver, pyramids of Egypt, Venice canals, New York’s Central Park, has multiple areas of skyscrapers, incredible food, ruins, architecture, museums, markets and clearly as you can see I can go on forever.
Mexico City truly is one of a kind and with millions of tourists it is completely safe as long as you stick the main tourist hubs of which there are many. Don’t let the city scare you, it is absolutely majestic and sprawling with so much to do and see.
People could have completely separate trips there where one could just do upscale rooftops, restaurants, shopping and stay at five-star hotels while another could stay in the the Centro and be immersed in history, ruins, churches and historic Mexico.
I recommend doing it all of course and you can see all of the things to do via my article here on 13 must do things to do in Mexico City.
San Ignacio | Belize
San Ignacio is another charming and scenic town that you must visit if you love the outdoors!
People come to Belize for the islands and scuba diving but doing this you could miss what I think is the best place in Belize. There are beaches everywhere in the world but San Ignacio offers some unique options that you must see for yourself.
It starts with the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave experience where you walk, traverse, swim and crawl through a cave system that includes skeletons, ceramics and stoneware… correct, there are actual skeletons in the caves that you will see. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
On top of that San Ignacio offers cave tubing, walk to the top of giant ruins with views of the sprawling jungle, visit other caves & swimming holes, visit waterfalls, go horseback riding, visit markets, gardens and so many more incredible things to see.
San Ignacio is also just two hours from Flores in Guatemala where you can see the famous Tikal ruins, which are arguably top three ruins in the world. There are a plethora of other amazing things to do around San Ignacio & Flores so you could spend two incredible weeks just in that area.
San Juan | Puerto Rico
San Juan is a captivating place that offers everything you could want in a city from culture to heritage to nature to beaches.
San Juan also has a great culinary scene and if you want nightlife, it also has great options. Just Old San Juan itself is worth the trip, to see the UNESCO World Heritage site with its ruins, cobblestones streets, old Forts, quaint shops, authentic restaurants and of course known for its colorful doors & neighborhoods.
Then just one hour out of town is El Yunque National Forest where you can go for serene hikes and even see waterfalls.
Beaches, history, culture, food, hiking… it really offers so much and is a must-visit.
Chania | Greece
Skip the influencer & party packed Santorini or Mykonos and go visit the island of Crete, which offers a massive range of experiences.
Chania is a great city to start with as a home base and from there go visit ruins, drive through the mountains and of course go beach hopping.
Chania is one of the most picturesque towns that makes you feel as if you travelled back in time. The town is built into walls of an old fortress and the harbor is something out of Game Of Thrones.
The narrow winding streets, gorgeous harbor, exquisite food and feeling like you are walking through history makes this a place you have to visit once in your life.
When visiting be sure to take day trips to visit Balos beach, Elafonisi beach and also hike the majestic Samaria Gorge.
Rome | Italy
I said I wouldn’t include standard top 20 cities in the world on this list but Rome is just that amazing it has to be included for anyone who has never been.
I like Barcelona, Madrid, Hong Kong, Sydney… I love Paris, New York, Rio De Janeiro, London… but Rome I think beats them all and has my heart.
I went into Rome with standard expectations to see the main sites and had no idea that the incredible main known sites were just 10% of what Rome has to offer.
My feet have never hurt so bad than the days I had in Rome as I have never walked to much in my entire life. I never have felt older as I took naps, rested and slept with my feet elevated as my ankles and feet were so swollen.
It seemed like every corner you turn in Rome is a new extraordinary building, plaza or site to see. The cobblestone streets, the history, the food… it has to be one of the top three cities on earth.
Sa Pa | Vietnam
Sapa is nothing short of unforgettable and enchanting.
You may have never heard of this town yet you might have multiple screensavers on your computer that are from Sa Pa’s rice fields or mountains that one might think they were in Switzerland.
Sa Pa is a sleepy town in the mountains of Vietnam that is truly out of a fairytale. With a cute little village town, incredible treks through villages & rice fields, waterfalls, markets, a glass bridge, cable cars to the top of the world, cloud yards and so much more, Sa Pa is one of my favorite places on earth.
It also is a great place for homestays if that is your vibe and overall has a ton of incredible unique experiences all while being such an incredible cultural experience.
Cusco | Peru
Cusco and the surrounding region is arguably the best place in the world.
The town Cusco itself is one of the most picturesque places on earth and seemingly came out of a story book with the spanish tiled roofs, Inca architecture, mountainside dining, hikes and ruins within the city. This doesn’t include how it is the gateway to not only the Sacred Valley but also Machu Picchu.
It is cheating a little to include Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley as part of Cusco but I just did. Cusco is magical and insanely cheap. One day you are eating a tomahawk steak overlooking the entire city for $25 and the next you are hiking the Inca trail on the way to Machu Picchu, which is one of the new wonders of the world so you can also check that off your bucket list.
I could go on about Cusco as it is one of my three favorite cities on earth and can read the best things to do in Cusco here.
Antigua | Guatemala
Antigua, as you can see, fits into my top three favorite places on earth as it has one thing no other place I have been has… hiking up to an active lava bursting volcano.
Antigua itself is full of captivating colonial architecture, ruins, coffee plantations, one of the biggest markets on earth and has some of the most mouthwatering unique restaurants along with hidden speakeasies and just a ton of surprises you would never expect.
Antigua is littered with rooftop restaurants & bars, which are made so unique as you have three active volcanoes towering above you. Even going to a soccer game is made that much better as you watch the game with a volcano erupting in the distance.
Guatemala is also ridiculously cheap allowing you to live, eat and drink like royalty on your trip.
I have the 20 best things to do in Antigua here. On a trip to Guatemala you must also visit Flores to see the lost world of Tikal, which are arguably the best ruins to visit in the Americas.
You can also check out Lake Atitlan, which is another picturesque spot you wouldn’t think would be in Guatemala. Overall Guatemala is one of my favorite countries on earth due to its uniqueness and lack of major tourism that you see in neighboring countries like Costa Rica or Mexico etc.
Here is a link to my podcast on Guatemala.
Siem Reap | Cambodia
Siem Reap is like you jumped into the pages of a National Geographic book.
One day you can be going through the best ruins on earth in Angkor Wat, which are one of the new wonders of the world, and then the next on a traditional xuong wooden boat going through the jungle on the way to a floating city to feed alligators.
Angkor Wat alone is one of the most enchanting places on earth. Many people think it is just the one main temple that you see on social media. However, Angkor Wat is home to 72 major temples and over 1,000 total temples in the entire archaeological park.
One of my favorite days if my life was here where I biked 60 miles around Angkor Wat, rope swung into a moat, ate all sorts of street food along the way (including frog) leading to a ridiculously cheap 90-minute 4-hand massage and ended with a street party in town.
If you went to one city in Asia, this should be it but of course all of the Asian places in this list must be visited!
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