There’s a great big world out there just waiting for you to explore every inch of it. Between natural wonders, historic architecture and all the authentic food to try, there will always be something remarkable worth marveling at wherever you go.
While every nook and cranny of the globe features exquisite nature that deserves to be admired, that’s just the beginning of your journey. Whether you’re especially interested in local cuisines, nightlife, museums or historical sights, there’s a location around the world that will check all of your boxes and help you to discover new ones.
Let’s take a trip around the world and show you the best places to explore, admire, dine and relax.
Best Cities to Visit in the World
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a vibrant city known for its yacht-studded harbor and the iconic Opera House with its towering sail structure. The best way to explore this world-class destination is to set out on foot and take in all the sights up close. Ferries run regularly to bustle locals and tourists alike across the harbor, allowing you to visit as many landmarks as possible during your trip.
Medellin, Colombia
Craft beers, local restaurants and nightlife sum up Medellin well. This city is the second largest in Colombia and has become a popular tourist mecca in recent years. Its weather has earned it the nickname ‘City of Eternal Spring’ as it rarely gets cold, making it a great destination at any time of year. Here you’ll find hiking trails, colorful towns, interesting museums and mountain views aplenty.
Cape Town, South Africa
A captivating blend of cultures and cuisines, Cape Town is full of spectacular highlights with something to suit every type of traveler. Table Mountain is a popular tourist destination famed for its views of Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, Camp’s Bay, Robben Island and the city of Cape Town. Lion’s Head Peak offers panoramic views which stun admirers day and night, while those looking for shops and restaurants will revel in a day at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Known for its ancient temples and mountainous landscape, Chiang Mai offers an array of sightseeing opportunities. Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand and has itinerary options ideal for families, couples and single travelers alike. Highlights of this breathtaking location include visiting tribal villages, traditional markets, elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes and more. During your vacation, be sure to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the region’s most sacred temples, which sits elevated in the Doi Suthep mountain.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Explore weekend ferias and markets, great dining establishments, historic sites, plazas and museums in Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital city. With beautiful weather and festivals all year round, Buenos Aires has all the activities to keep you occupied from dawn to dusk and beyond. Visit monuments in the morning, watch a football game in the afternoon and tango the night away after dinner and drinks!
Best Summer Destinations in the World
Sun and Scenic Views in Portugal
There are countless opportunities for fun in this stunning escape-to-the-sun hotspot. Portugal is a seaside oasis in southwestern Europe renowned for its two archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. Natural beauty and beaches welcome you with their stunning coastlines and sands, where you can relax before heading out to a festival or a local restaurant to taste Portuguese cuisine.
Greenland’s Picture-Perfect Mountain Views
Greenland features green mountains with beautiful wildflowers, fjords, hot springs and more. At over three times the size of Texas, Greenland is the world’s largest island and home to the Humboldt Glacier, which stands 328 feet high. Animals flourish in the sea and on land in Greenland and whale-watching tours are a popular activity during the summer.
Scenic Landscapes in New Zealand
A scenic landscape is one of the most picturesque natural wonders and New Zealand offers them in abundance. New Zealand is made up of two main islands, both hosting breathtaking views and landscapes that seem almost otherworldly. Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and sits on the North Island, where the diverse landscapes offer rolling hills, sandy beaches, and even active volcanic peaks.
Colorful Old-style Architecture in Modern Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, is an amazing place to embrace the summer heat. Known as ‘The White City’ due to its UNESCO-designated Bauhaus architecture, Tel Aviv boasts a combination of nature and culture that will make any trip here a summer standout. There are tours of all kinds and lengths, where you can take in the history and modern architecture before watching a picture-perfect sunset over the beach right before your eyes.
Fabulous Food and Beautiful Beaches in Sicily
Sicily offers exceptional natural beauty where you can appreciate the stunning beaches and ancient ruins all summer long. This island in the Mediterranean offers a warm summer climate, perfect for both exploring and resting while you listen to the sounds of the sea. When you’ve seen the sights and are winding down for the day, feast your eyes on fresh Sicilian seafood in one of the many restaurants known for their home-style settings and cuisines.
Best Places in the World to Commune with Nature
Outstanding Natural Wonders in France
Known throughout the world for its turquoise waters and steep vistas, France offers more than just the Eiffel Tower. The wide variety of landscapes range from the aqua seas in the Verdon Gorges to the Etretat Cliffs in Normandy. Meanwhile, historical tourism takes on new meaning at Ille-sur-Têt Organs, one of France’s best natural wonders, where you can see 4 million years’ worth of erosion in spectacular fashion.
Adventurous Activities in Victoria Falls
The waterfall that borders Zambia and Zimbabwe offers endless solo and group excursions to delight you. At this World Heritage site, you can view the majestic falls that flow at nearly 33,000 cubic feet per second and bungee jump toward the mighty Zambezi from the Victoria Falls Bridge. Explore the adjacent Victoria Falls National Park or Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and observe wildlife in their natural habitat, all in one trip.
Montenegro: Fall in Love with its Picturesque Views
Montenegro, one of Europe’s most underrated gems, is full of rugged mountains and medieval villages and features a narrow strip of beaches along its Adriatic coastline. With both coastal and mountainous terrains and a wide variety of local food, this is a destination that can’t be missed.
Check out our Montenegro Ultimate Travel Guide: Things you need to know
Japan’s Most Impressive Natural Sights
From Tokyo to Okinawa and beyond, there are endless places to visit that exemplify natural beauty in Japan. Nature lovers from around the world travel to Japan to see its coastlines, forests and volcanoes, including the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Japan’s unofficial national flower, the radiant cherry blossom.
See the Northern Lights in Alaska
Alaska is in the Aurora oval where the Borealis lights are most seen. A clear night at sea is the perfect venue to stargaze. Here you can watch blues and greens dance across the sky without any interference from the modern world. The aurora occurs all year long and is best viewed from Fairbanks in Alaska’s vast interior between August and April when less daylight leads to darker night skies.
Best Wildlife Destinations in the World
Galapagos Islands Wildlife Adventures
The Galapagos Islands are like no other place in the world. This volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean was discovered by accident but is now purposefully visited by adventurers looking for the islands’ famous creatures and fun in the sun. Kayak, paddleboard and snorkel up-close and personal with the world’s most fearless wildlife. See animals only found in the Galapagos Islands, such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos flamingo, Galapagos penguins, Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, and more.
Discover Leopards and Bengal Tigers in Captivating India
Home to over 1.3 billion people, India is a diverse and thriving destination, offering a range of tourism opportunities. From experiencing iconic global attractions like the Taj Mahal to visiting memorable villages, India is a place to connect with people, history and nature. A highlight for many is Ranthambore and Jawai, where you can spot Bengal tigers and leopards in the untamed rainforest landscape. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the buzz of the cities or unwind surrounded by nature, India has something for you.
Best Wildlife-Viewing in Botswana
Wetlands and wide rivers are havens of biodiversity in Botswana. This African country features ‘The Big Five’ when it comes to wildlife: lions, leopards, elephants, black rhinos and buffalo. However, there are many others to see, including zebras, giraffes and antelopes. Popular locations in Botswana for animal lovers are Chobe National Park near Kasane and Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta.
Costa Rica: A Rainforest Oasis
Known for marine life like the humpback whale species and spectacular nature parks and reserves, Costa Rica has something for everybody. The scarlet macaw and keel-billed toucan are among its most famous inhabitants, as well as monkeys, sea turtles and coatimundis. Costa Rica has dozens of national parks, wildlife refuges and conservation regions that protect 25% of the country’s land, such as the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Caño Island Biological Reserve.
An Unforgettable Spectacle: Safaris in Tanzania
A vibrant and beautiful country with exceptional parks and reserves, Tanzania is home to 430 different animal species and subspecies, including 20% of Africa’s large mammal population. Enjoy a front-row seat to the greatest show on earth – the Great Migration – when over 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras gather on the vast plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to begin their remarkable pilgrimage towards greener grazing lands in Kenya’s Masai Mara.
Best Destinations for Adventure Seekers
Outdoor Adventures in Utah
Experience the ultimate active adventure in Utah! From hiking excursions to water sports, Utah is a haven for those up for an exciting vacation. Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks can be found in Utah and all offer trails ranging from moderately easy ‘out and back’ types to rugged, multi-day trips. Horseback riding and float trips are other active options. The Four Corners National Monument is also well worth a visit, located on Native American land and showcasing the area where Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico meet.
The Ultimate Adventure: Trekking the Elusive Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
Uganda has an abundance of wildlife diversity, where it is home to 95 species of mammals and 20 predators and other wild animals. With habitats, including mountains, tropical rainforests, swamps and savannas, Uganda is home to chimpanzees, lions, elephants, hippopotamuses and more. However, the reason Uganda is on many explorers’ bucket lists is to trek the endangered Mountain Gorillas, with almost half of the remaining 1,000 on earth living in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Explore the “Lost City” of Machu Picchu
Embrace cultures past and present in the hills surrounding Cusco and delight in the amazing views of the Sacred Valley. Take the train to Machu Picchu, the most-visited tourist destination in Peru and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the Citadel in the footsteps of Hiram Bingham and hike Huayna Picchu, where you can oversee the ancient Inca ruins and take in its historical beauty.
Sri Lanka: Diverse Landscapes and a Rich History
Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for travelers looking for adventure, historic sites and natural wonders. There are endless possibilities for thrill-seekers, such as safaris in Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park, rainforest tours and snorkeling trips that let you see and swim with underwater wildlife. There are also countless historic and religious sites, including Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and churches. Be sure to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which was founded to protect the jungle’s injured elephants, and Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, with its many shopping arcades.
Discover Nature and Adventure in Panama
Panama, the country linking Central and South America known for the famous canal, is an adventure lover’s dream. A surfing hotspot, this bustling tourist location has it all. In addition to the beautiful surf, you’ll find zip lines and kayaking activities at every turn. Just as easy to come by are opportunities for white-water rafting, mountain biking and snorkeling. Itinerary highlights in Panama include a boat trip around Lake Bayano Islands, nature and birdwatching tours, hikes to Camino de Cruces or Los Quetzales Trail and a visit to the Golfo de Chiriquí National Marine Park. Whatever your preferred adventure speed, there’s a match for you in Panama!
Book Your Next Expedition
At Nature Expeditions International, we have almost 50 years of experience creating tailor-made journeys for our clients. Our knowledgeable and well-traveled team are on board to organize every detail of your upcoming trip, helping you to make the most of every second. Whether you’re interested in relaxing by the sea, taking in historic sights, viewing spectacular wildlife or seeing everything cities have to offer, we know just how to create the perfect itinerary for you.
If you’re dreaming of creating your bespoke journey to one of these exciting locales or somewhere else of your choosing, contact our team today!
