1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru
It’s hard to see a picture of Machu Picchu without wanting to jump right in. The vibrant green grass, majestic craggy peaks, and remarkable stone ruins are breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder this magical spot has been dubbed one of the top places to visit in the world.
This archeological masterpiece was once an Inca City (in the 15th and 16th centuries). Today, it’s one of the most phenomenal of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and one that millions have placed at the top of their bucket lists for good reason.
Not surprisingly, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Peru. To get here, you’ll have to plan your visit well. Entry is only permitted twice a day (in the morning or afternoon), and you’ll have to either hike along the famed Inca Trail or take a bus from the nearby town of Aguas Calientes for access.
Most visitors stay in historic Cusco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas, for easier access to the site. The swanky, five-star Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond Hotel is your best bet for a luxurious stay in Cusco.
2. The Maldives
Overwater bungalows in the Maldives
It’s easy to picture Nirvana when you’re staring at an unblemished Maldivian shore. Topping the list of the most beautiful islands in the world, this lush wonderland is literally the stuff of dreams and one of the most bucket-list-worthy destinations.
A romantic archipelago (it’s made up of over 1,000 islands), the Maldives are set just off the coast of Sri Lanka. The area features the most crystalline turquoise water gently lapping sugar-white sandy beaches. Below the waves, you’ll find fish of all shapes and colors darting about, while on shore, tall, waving palm trees sway in the warm breeze.
Add a few luxurious overwater bungalows to this scene, and you’ve found a version of paradise even the greatest writers couldn’t make better. You’ll also understand why it’s been deemed one of the best honeymoon destinations, especially if you’re traveling in January. Tons of Hollywood A-listers and others with deep pockets flock to this exotic locale to ring in the New Year.
Families are more than welcome to visit the Maldives, and large luxury bungalows make it easy to house your entire crew, but if you’re looking for a romantic getaway for couples, this serene spot should top your list!
Accommodation: Best Honeymoon Resorts in the Maldives
3. Africa on a Safari
Elephants in front of Mount Kilimanjaro
Who hasn’t added an African safari to the top of their bucket list vacations? Guaranteed to be a trip of a lifetime, it’s no wonder so many people crave this incredible experience. A safari is thrilling, awe-inspiring, and picturesque, especially when conducted in one of the world’s most phenomenal landscapes.
Whether you’re hoping to catch sight of the “Big Five” (lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos) in Kenya, bounce along in a jeep through Kruger National Park, or soar through the air in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti National Park, an African safari won’t disappoint.
With so many fantastic game reserves (including many in Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania), you’ll have plenty of places to choose from when booking your trip.
Not a fan of sleeping rough? Ramp up the luxury at one of these stellar safari lodges in South Africa.
Craving a more intimate and unique animal encounter? Head to one of the best places to visit in Tanzania (on Mafia Island, to be exact) to swim with whale sharks (from January through March, or October through December).
4. The Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built in the mid-1600s by Shah Jahan in memorial to his third wife – it’s said she made him a deathbed promise to build her the most beautiful of structures. He definitely fulfilled his duty! Well, over 20,000 workmen finished this duty for him, and it took them over 17 years to complete this top bucket list destination.
Today, this magical marble mausoleum is one of the most recognizable (and captivating) buildings on the planet. The Taj Mahal is also one of the most famous sites in all of India. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this ornate masterpiece lies amid almost 17 hectares of an immensely gorgeous Mughal garden, on the banks of the sparkling Yamuna River.
Not surprisingly, it’s been deemed one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Agra
Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Agra
5. Paris, France
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Europe’s most revered city of love, Paris has so much more to offer than its iconic Eiffel Tower. You’ll find some of the world’s best stores selling clothes so fashionable they haven’t yet hit the North American market. The restaurants serve food so divine, you’ll crave seconds (and sometimes thirds).
Famous Paris attractions like the Arc de Triomphe and Panthéon beckon photographers, while museums such as the Museée du Louvre and Musée d’Orsay beg history buffs to while away hours within their lavish halls.
Hold hands while wandering the banks of the Seine, enjoy a café al fresco on the Champs-‘Elysée, and take a few moments to reflect while traipsing within the hallowed walls of the Cathédral Notre-Dame. You certainly won’t be bored while sightseeing on this bucket list vacation.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Paris: Best Areas & Hotels
6. The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
The Amazon River and rainforest in Brazil
All becomes right with the world when you putter down the mystical Amazon River in Brazil. Beside you towers the incredible Amazon Rainforest, chock full of wildlife so beautiful, it will take your breath away.
A chorus of birdsong guides you along, while monkeys swing from nearby vines and sloths slowly climb their way to a better view. Snakes, turtles, and jaguars are also set to make an appearance, if you’re patient enough to spot them.
To experience the Amazon’s splendor first-hand, you’ll need to board a boat from Manaus to the Encontro das Aguas (the point at which the Rio Solimões meets the Rio Negro). From here, you can join a boat tour through the heart of the rain forest.
It’s hard not to feel nature’s pulse here, providing life to the planet through its essential ecosystem. Known as the “planet’s lungs,” the Amazon rainforest is responsible for 20 percent of the world’s oxygen.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Brazil
7. Santorini, Greece
Oia village, Santorini
You’ll be hard-pressed to enjoy a more romantic sunset experience than that found in Santorini. Whether you visit the picturesque capital of Firá or watch the sun descend over the sparkling water in front of beautiful Oia, stepping foot on Santorini is akin to walking into a postcard. This is an ideal honeymoon or bucket list destination for couples.
The iconic pearly white, blue-domed buildings are made even lovelier by colorful blooms. It’s as if an artist was set loose upon each home with only the most tasteful of colors. A bright teal door here and a vibrant yellow wall or red gate there add just the right pop to a perfect natural backdrop.
Set upon jagged cliffs jutting out from the most turquoise of seas, Santorini’s towns are flanked by narrow, winding streets and terraced homes that butt into each other at all angles. Walking through the area, you may find yourself unwittingly tramping upon someone’s roof.
8. Bali, Indonesia
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bali at sunset
A tropical paradise tops our list of the best bucket list vacation spots. Indonesia’s most romantic destination, Bali is a wonderland bursting with natural gems so beautiful, they’ll leave you breathless, and people so friendly, you’ll want to invite them home.
While Bali likely conjures images of soft, white sand gracefully meeting the watery embrace of turquoise waves, this isle has much more to offer than its spectacular beaches. That’s not to say you’ll want to skip the beach – you won’t! Trust us, they’re phenomenal.
Bali’s heart, though, can be found farther inland, in its verdant rice paddies, craggy volcanoes, and lush tropical jungles. Tigers, orangutans, elephants, and Komodo dragons roam these less populated areas.
Ancient temples and a monkey forest grace the village of Ubud, while resort towns like Seminyak and Nusa Dua will round out that beach holiday you were expecting. They contain luxury resorts and hotels that are perfect for families and couples, as well as shops and restaurants.
Luckily, the island is small enough that you can see most of its towns and popular tourist attractions in one trip.
Accommodation: Best Beach Resorts in Bali
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora
One of the top bucket list travel destinations in the world, Bora Bora sets the bar high for an ideal beach vacation. A utopia set in the heart of French Polynesia, this fabulous archipelago is all turquoise waters; soft white sand; and lush, volcanic peaks. It’s going to be almost impossible to beat the islands’ spectacular beauty.
It’s easy to see why Bora Bora has become a popular honeymoon destination. With lagoons to explore, coral reefs to snorkel, and rainforests to hike, there’s no shortage of romantic and exciting things to do in this tropical wonderland. Plus, some of the world’s best beaches are found on these idyllic shores.
Peppered with high-end resorts featuring private huts standing on stilts above the water, visitors are rewarded with an unforgettable and utterly relaxing vacation. If you’re hoping for sunny skies, low humidity, and fun festivals, the best time to visit Bora Bora is during summer (June through August).
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Tahiti
10. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids of Giza
Cairo plays host to one of the world’s most recognizable World Heritage Sites, the iconic Pyramids of Giza. While the most famous of these incredible structures include the Sphinx, Pyramid of Khafre, Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the site is peppered with other archeological masterpieces you won’t want to miss.
The farther you wander through this top bucket list destination, the more interesting things you’ll find at what is now the sole example of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These unique marvels include tombs, mini pyramids, and The Solar Boat museum, which boasts a remarkably preserved ceremonial solar barque.
Those who favor adventure (and don’t suffer from claustrophobia) will enjoy an intimate journey into the bowels of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Since this is one of the best tourist attractions in Egypt, expect to share the site with hoards of travelers if you’re traveling during peak season (December through February).
11. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Al Arab seen from the Madinat Jumeirah hotel in Dubai
You will never explore a more opulent part of the desert than Dubai. A bucket list destination for those who love to shop, eat, and admire futuristic architecture, this one-of-a-kind Middle East haven is so unique, you’ll have to see it to believe it.
Giant skyscrapers like the famed Burj Khalifa stretch to the clouds, shopping malls serve as entertainment destinations where you’ll find everything from stores to restaurants to massive aquariums to indoor ski slopes. Here, you’ll also find man-made islands featuring their own beaches and luxury resorts so swanky, you’ll feel regal.
While you’re here, be sure to make the most of the city’s cultural highlights, like the historic Al Fahidi Quarter, the Jumeirah Mosque, and Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House.
Fancy a more authentic Middle Eastern shopping experience than the high-end stores found in Dubai Mall? Head to the Souks of Deira, situated on the north bank of Dubai Creek. Wind your way through the streets of the various markets selling wares ranging from fish to gold to spices.
12. Iceland to See the Northern Lights
Northern lights at Kirkjufell, Iceland
As one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, witnessing the aurora borealis is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you catch sight of a delicate green glow or are privy to vivacious crimson lines streaking across the horizon, this wonderful spectacle is breathtaking and unforgettable.
To see them, though, you’ll need to be patient. The northern lights are as unpredictable as the weather, so you’ll have to budget in a few days to make your viewing attempt.
Iceland is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. While you can likely see them at any point of the year, the best time to see the most spectacular shows happen between mid-October and early April. At this time, the night skies are at their darkest, which presents a remarkable contrast.
Fairbanks, Tromsø, and Yellowknife are three other great places to catch Mother’s Nature’s spectacular light show.
13. New York City, USA
View over Manhattan
New York is one of the most exciting bucket list places to visit. It’s also one of the most popular.
With so many diverse and interesting attractions (i.e. The Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and Guggenheim Museum), it’s no wonder people keep returning to this cosmopolitan mecca.
No matter your interests, be it eating, dancing, shopping, or theatergoing, Manhattan has something (or likely many “somethings”) to whet your appetite. Want to visit an exhibit like one you’ve never seen? Taste samples at the Museum of Food and Drink, try your hand at espionage at Spyscape, or practice a bit of magic at the Houdini Museum.
Accommodation: Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in New York City
14. Venice, Italy
Gondolas and the Santa Maria della Salute Cathedral
There’s something magical about Venice. Between the intricate canal system, beautiful stone bridges, and harmonious singing of the gondoliers, there’s a unique vibe in this Italian city that can’t be found elsewhere.
A boat ride along the aptly named Grand Canal rewards visitors with an intimate look at the highlights of Venetian architecture lining its banks – from historic churches to ornate palaces like the Doge’s Palace (a.k.a. Palazzo Ducale), which you’ll want to spend at least a couple of hours exploring.
Piazza San Marco is one of the main attractions in Venice and serves as a meeting place for locals, but mainly tourists. It’s home to the famous and intricate St. Mark’s Basilica, but it’s so crowded (and filled with pigeons) that you won’t get a true glimpse of the city’s heart.
Perhaps the best way to tour Venice is by getting lost, which is easy to do. Only then will you stumble upon some of the local’s favorite haunts, as well as the small, winding alleyways that present so much charm.
Bringing the family on your bucket list vacation? Great idea! Check out these top things to do in Venice with kids.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Venice: Best Areas & Hotels
15. Angkor Wat, CambodiaAngkor Wat, Cambodia
The remarkable Angkor Wat is so vast, you’ll need more than one (or even several) visits to see it all. This massive Hindu temple is surrounded by a large moat, adding to its impressive stature. Built in the 12th century by the Khmers, this World Heritage Site serves as the veritable heart of Cambodia.
It’s also the largest religious structure in the world and one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Set upon over 400 acres of land within a jungle, the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. Angkor Wat’s main towers were created to symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru (a place Hindus believe to be home to the gods).
The best time to visit Angkor Wat is between December and February, when the temperature is comfortably in the 20s Celsius. Be warned, though, this is also the most popular time for tourists, so you’ll have to elbow your way through the crowds.
Source: https://www.planetware.com
