We’ve all had to put our travel plans on hold this year, and it hasn’t been easy. The good news is, that soon our beautiful world will reopen and give us the chance to reexperience the joy of travel all over again.
To get us excited, we’ve asked travellers around the world to tell us which dream destinations are at the top of their travel wish list. When it’s time to travel again, here are the places we’ll be visiting first.
Our travellers can’t wait to visit their favourite dream destinations as travel opens up around the world. Get inspired to plan your holidays. Where will you go?
The dream destinations our travellers can’t wait to visit next:
1. Japan
Japan, also known as “The Land of the Rising Sun”, tops our travellers’ list of dream destinations and with good reason. First of all, there’s Tokyo, one of the world’s most eclectic cities where old meets new. Visit a robot cafe in Shinjuku, say a prayer at Senso-Ji the 7th-century Buddhist temple, and see the city from the top of the Mori Tower, to name but a few things you won’t want to miss. That’s before we even get to the ancient forests of Yakushima Island, a UNESCO Heritage Site, and the awe-inspiring waterfalls of Tōhoku region in northern Honshū. There’s enough here to keep even the most adventure-hungry of travellers busy for weeks.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Japan.
2. Italy
Food and fashion have developed as central tenants of the Italian identity. Each region is home to its own flavours, from Tuscany’s world-renowned vineyards and Emiglia Romagna’s famed parmesan cheese to Neopolitan pizza and the Roman art of carbonara. When asked, our travellers said Rome is one of their dream destinations to visit when this is over. Food isn’t the only reason to set your sights on “The Eternal City”. Highlights include exploring the Colosseum, eating gelato in front of the Trevi Fountain, and standing underneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Italy.
3. Australia
With its golden sandy beaches, aboriginal history and world-renowned coffee culture, it’s no wonder Australia comes in at number three on the list of dream destinations. Grab a surfboard and enjoy the crystal-clear waves along the Gold Coast, immerse yourself in the culture of Sydney including the iconic Opera House, and come face-to-face with a rainbow of colourful corals snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Perth on the country’s West Coast is also not to be missed, as is Uluru, Australia’s famous sandstone monolith, which is sacred to indigenous Australians.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Australia.
4. USA
Each state has its own unique culture from architecture to the arts and you’ll want to see them all. From the French, African and American melting pot that is New Orleans, to the vibrant live-music scene of Austin, there’s so much to see. Adventure-seekers won’t want to miss the dramatic landscapes of Utah and Yosemite National Park. As you’d expect, New York is a particular draw for travellers. Highlights include a trip to Broadway, traversing the High Line, walking through Central Park and visiting “The Big Apple’s” many museums.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in the States.
5. New Zealand
Nature lover’s paradise New Zealand is the place to go to escape urban life and lose yourself in the awesomeness of the great outdoors. First-time visitors shouldn’t leave without experiencing Maori culture, Milford Sound (which Kiwis will tell you is the eighth wonder of the world), and soaking in a hot spring. Fans of the Lord of the Rings films won’t want to miss Hobbiton, the life-sized set of the Shire, and a trip to Tolkienesque Rangitoto Island. Rangitoto, one of the most iconic landmarks in Auckland’s city skyline, is the youngest island in the Hauraki Gulf where you can climb through lava fields and caves.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in New Zealand.
6. Thailand
Thailand is known as “The Land of smiles” and for good reason. The Thai people are some of the friendliest you’re likely to meet on your travels, and the landscapes will leave you feeling inspired. Highlights include The Grand Palace in Bangkok, island hopping through the tropical archipelago, going off the beaten track in Chiang-Mai, and indulging the senses at Damnoen Saduake’s famous floating market.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Thailand.
7. Greece
The Greek islands are like an assorted chocolate box in that each one has its own flavour. There are literally hundreds of islands you can visit each with their own untouched sandy beaches, rolling valleys and awe-inspiring clifftops. Mykonos is great for parties, but if you’re looking for a more authentic experience then the typical island towns and deserted beaches of Kefalonia and Crete are perfect. That’s before you even get to the mainland, the capital Athens and the up and coming university city of Thessaloniki, which is attracting young creatives from across the world.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Greece.
8. Bali (Indonesia)
Bali, otherwise known as “The Last Paradise” and “The Island of a Thousand Temples” is home to forested volcanic mountains, beaches and coral reefs. No wonder then it comes in eighth on the list of dream destinations our travellers want to visit when this is over. Pick up a surfboard on Kuta beach, explore Ulun Danu Temple, one of Bali’s best examples of Hindu religious architecture, and go diving in Padang Bai. There’s enough on Indonesia’s most popular island to keep even the most adventurous of souls busy for days.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Indonesia.
9. Spain
Spain is one of those countries that people love to visit time and again, so it’s no surprise that it comes in at number nine on our travellers’ list of dream destinations. Mainland Spain is home to iconic cities including Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. From discovering Madrid’s food markets and finding inner peace on a secluded beach on Lanzarote to drinking Rioja in La Rioja and trying ensaimada in Malaga there are plenty of reasons Spain will find a place in your heart. Don’t forget about its islands including party-lover’s paradise Ibiza and Mallorca, the home of world-renowned artist Joan Miró and Moorish architecture that will get your creative juices flowing.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Spain.
10. Canada
In at number 10 is the world’s second-largest country, otherwise known as “The Great White North”. The mix of cool cities and untouched wilderness is what makes Canada so appealing to every type of traveller. There are few places where you could be watching a show one minute and through a forest the next. Canada’s capital Toronto is best known for CN Tower, once the world’s tallest towers, vibrant Kensington Market, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Quebec, Vancouver and Montreal are also not to be missed.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Canada.
11. France
Our travellers have nominated Paris as one of their top destinations, and it’s easy to see why. The “City of Lights” has unique magic which attracts millions of visitors each year. Get lost in the gritty Pigalle neighbourhood, walk along the boardwalk garden on Bassin de l’Arsenal canal and indulge the senses in the covered markets of Le Marais. Not-to-mention Paris is the home of the cosy chic wine bar. But it would be a mistake to ignore France’s second and third cities including Marseille, Cannes, Bordeaux and Biarritz. From Bordeaux’s young, artsy aesthetic to Canne’s glamorous boulevards and boardwalks you’ll see more of what makes France so enchanting.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in France.
12. Hawaii (USA)
Technically, Hawaii is part of the United States but special mention goes to the island best known for two things: volcanoes and surfing. In fact, it’s considered the birthplace of the sport and attracts adrenaline seekers the world over because of its enormous waves. If you’ve got no intention of picking up a surfboard anytime soon, there’s still plenty to discover from Hawaii’s national parks, home to all sorts of wild animals including turtles, to its volcanoes, which you can do all sorts of ways including a sunrise lava tour. It also happens to be one of our travellers’ top dream destinations.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Hawaii.
13. Iceland
Considering how cold the weather can be (the clue is in the name) Iceland consistently ranks at the top of people’s lists of dream destinations. That’s because it’s tundra landscapes are home to natural phenomena like hot springs and sulphuric pools, volcanoes and dramatic waterfalls. Not to mention how rare species of animals including humpback whales call Iceland’s rugged coastlines home.
Discover a variety of hotel and car rental choices for your adventure in Iceland.
So there you have it, the 13 dream destinations our travellers can’t wait to visit next.
Where will you go when the world reopens? Here are a few more ideas that might help you decide…
Discover the dream destinations from travel blogger Jess from The Layover Life
11 of the best places to visit in the UK
10 surreal destinations you won’t believe exist on earth
15 mediterranean destinations to visit next summer
17 beautiful places in the Balearic islands
15 inspiring travel books that will take you around the world
Explore the Seven Wonders of the World (virtually!)
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