I know it’s been a really hard few years full of limitations and restrictions, and right now we all have to do our part to ensure the safety of our communities.
That being said, we’re all itching to venture out into the world again, dreaming of the day we can embrace our inner Sagittarius who longs to be free and explore.
It’s never too early to start planning for once it’s safe to travel again, so here are a couple places you’ve got to check out that maybe you’ve never considered before!
Ireland
With its sprawling green landscape, fun-loving citizens, and rich culture, everyone should try to make it to the Emerald Isle at least once in their lifetime (and I’m not just saying that because there was a brief period before the pandemic hit when I was planning on moving there.)
In Dublin (the capital) you can take a tour of the Guinness brewery, where you can learn to pour the perfect pint, or do a bar-crawl through Temple Bar and beyond!
From there, you can catch a bus to Galway, a charming little sea town on the Eastern side of the country.
While you may have heard of it from the hit Ed Sheeran song, Galway is known as the “Cultural Heart of Ireland” and is full of traditional Irish music and dance, incredible fish and chips, and cute little artisan shops and markets.
Only an hour and a half away, you can visit the Cliffs of Moher — where you may be able to spot some puffins, if you’re lucky — or take a trip down south to Cork, a bustling city with a more modern music scene.
If you love having a good time and can appreciate the beautiful countryside, Ireland is the perfect place for you!
Edinburgh, Scotland
As someone who was fortunate enough to spend three months in the infamous city of London, I know that it’s usually the first (or only) stop people make when traveling to the U.K.
However, I implore you to take a short train ride (or an overnight bus, if you’re looking to save some extra cash) to the beautifully haunted city of Edinburgh.
This gothic city was originally where J.K. Rowling wrote the first three Harry Potter books. If you’re a fan of the series, you can take a Harry Potter walking tour to see all of Rowling’s Scottish inspirations or have a cup of tea at The Elephant House, one of the cafes where she would write!
But Rowling isn’t the city’s only claim to fame.
You can take a sunrise hike up to the top of Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano that overlooks the city…
or explore Edinburgh Castle to see the Honours of Scotland.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take a ghost tour through the old vaults below the city. They were built back in the eighteenth century and have housed many strange happenings and mysterious ghost sightings.
You can also schedule a bus tour up through the infamous Scottish Highlands all the way up to Loch Ness. Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of the ancient monster through the tranquil blue waters…
Bruges, Belgium
Located about an hour and a half outside the country’s capital of Brussels, Bruges is a town straight out of a storybook with its cobblestone streets and picturesque German-style buildings.
It’s also full of the most delectable delights that Belgium has to offer: steamy waffles topped with creamy vanilla ice cream from one of the many street carts in the city center, thick and salted fluffy french fries fresh from the fryer, and rich Belgian chocolate that will ruin Hershey’s for you forever.
You can take a free walking tour (as you can in most cities in Europe) or spend a little money to get a signature food tour of the city.
You can even take a gondola ride through the canals that run through the city center! Something that would cost you $50 in Venice, you can do in Bruges for only a few Euros.
While the city itself is small compared to most cities in Europe, there is much to see and do! I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.
New Zealand
While a flight from America to New Zealand may be a long one, you can be sure it’s worth it.
The entire country is full of expansive, breathtaking landscapes, and its people are some of the kindest humans you will ever meet.
You can pay your respects to the natives of the land by paying the Māori tribe a visit. They are a beautiful culture who have a rich history, and they make really great food using thermal vents.
You can also take a dip in the natural hot springs of the Māori region, just be sure to bring a swimsuit you won’t mind throwing away because the natural sulfur smell tends to linger.
For the thrill seekers, you can go bungee jumping at the first commercial site of the extreme sport on the Kawarau Bridge Bungy…
or – if you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings series – you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and tour The Shire from the popular movie saga!
Switzerland
Of course, hiking or skiing through the Swiss Alps has to be on our bucket list!
The country invests heavily in maintaining their hiking trails across towering peaks and chilling glaciers.
For our adventure-loving folks, skiing down the Matterhorn is a must.
If you’re not a fan of skiing, you can always curl up next to a roaring fire while you take in the spectacular views and enjoy a little R&R in the ski lodge.
Aside from the Alps, there are also plenty of grand cities to explore in Switzerland — you can take in their capital city of Zurich, where you can stroll along the scenic promenade by the lake or get lost in the quirky shops and cafes of the Altstadt (Old Town) district.
If you’re looking to let off some steam after the past few years of isolation, take a trip up to Basel during Basler Fasnacht (the “Carnival of Basel”). This festival takes place sometime between February and March on the Monday morning following Ash Wednesday at 4 AM sharp!
Immerse yourself in Swiss culture by joining this 72-hour party filled with parades of costumed drummers and pipers, exquisite hand-painted lanterns, and bars that are open all night long!
Thailand
For those of you looking to escape to a tropical paradise, Thailand is the perfect getaway.
With over 5,000 miles of coastline, there are plenty of places to explore as you island-hop through this beautiful country.
You can hike through some of their world-renowned National Parks like Doi Inthanon National Park (where you can ascend to the highest peak in Thailand) or Khao Yai National Park (one of Asia’s largest monsoon forests).
Have I mentioned that you can ethically hang out with elephants?
As Thailand’s national symbol, the elephant is a highly revered animal and there are plenty of places you can visit that support the conservation effort while still interacting with these majestic animals — like the Elephant Nature Park, where all of their elephants have been rescued and are working towards rehabilitation.
Japan
While the island itself isn’t very large, the culture of Japan has seeped its way into every corner of the world.
In the nation’s capital, you can revisit your childhood fantasies by stopping by Japan’s mega Pokémon Center or visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum, which gives you an inside look into the world of animation and the studio’s classic movies such as Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Ponyo.
If you wish to venture out beyond the capital, you can check out the towering Sagano Bamboo Forest in the heart of Kyoto or take a bullet train through the mountains all the way to Mount Fuji!
Take a relaxing soak in local hot springs while you take in the incredible snow-capped mountain views or visit an ancient Buddhist temple.
With around 200,000 festivals or “matsuri” that take place year-round, you can always find a fun way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Naturally, while you’re here you have to pay your respects to “Christ the Redeemer” (one of the New 7 Wonders of the World) at the summit of Mount Corcovado, but there are so many other things this exuberant city has to offer.
Samba through the streets in Lapa — a neighborhood teeming with tapa bars, clubs, and live music venues — or take a load off by relaxing on one of the city’s many beaches, like Ipanema Beach, Copacabana Beach, or the smaller, more remote Prainha Beach.
Take a cable ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can bike, ski, or simply take in the dazzling view of the bustling metropolis below.
And you simply can’t visit Rio without stopping by the Tijuca Rainforest, the largest urban rainforest on the planet.
This expansive rainforest consists of 8,300 acres and is home to around 1,600 plant species and 350 different species of animals. Best of all, admission is free!
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer, nature buff, or just looking for a beach on which to spend a week soaking up the sun, Rio de Janeiro has a little something for everyone.
Pick one or pick them all! Comment & Let us know — which have you visited already? And which are on your bucket list??
