2. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Highlights: The earth's geological history opens before your eyes in a mile-deep chasm
This incredible sight, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of those beautiful places for which photos or video just don't do it justice-its sheer size and scope are hard to comprehend.
With geology formed over the past two billion years, yes billion, the 277-mile-long canyon itself is believed to have been started around five to six million years ago. It was formed by the flow of the Colorado River, which still flows through it and continues to erode the geology along its course. The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide in places and up to a mile deep. Imagine standing on the edge, looking down a sheer rock wall almost a mile to the river below.
Most visitors come to the area referred to as the South Rim. This is where a number of impressive hiking trails into the Grand Canyon begin and great overlooks are spread along the rim road, known as Desert View Drive. A range of accommodations is available here and nearby, from tents to a rustic luxury canyon-side resort built from logs. A few accommodations are also found on the remote North Rim.
Many visitors access the canyon via the historic Grand Canyon Railway, which runs from the town of Williams, Arizona. The 64-mile rail line provides an entertaining way to get to the canyon with food and live music onboard. For those who prefer to drive, see our articles on driving north from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon or driving from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.
Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do at the Grand Canyon
3. Rome, Italy
Highlights: History around every corner; the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon are must-sees
The Eternal City is more like a giant, living museum. Visitors are immersed in and surrounded by thousands of years of history. It's a relatively compact city, and a three-day itinerary gets you to the minimum number of must-see places.
These must-see sites for any visitor include the Colosseum and adjacent Roman Forum; the Pantheon; and Vatican City, a separate country in the middle of central Rome.
Take some time to explore the outskirts of Rome, too. Consider a hike along a tomb-lined section of the Appian Way, the ancient Roman superhighway, and a visit to one of the aqueduct ruins outside the city.
If you feel like hitting the beach after all your exploring, Rome has a wonderful assortment of beach towns just a short drive away on the Lazio Coast. Escape the heat, hustle, and bustle of the city to bathe in the cool waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Rome
4. Maui, Hawaii
Highlights: A tropical paradise with stunning beaches and five-star luxury resorts
This Hawaiian island offers a wide range of experiences for visitors. You can surf, enjoy a meal on the beach at a five-star luxury resort in Wailea, ride a horse across a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park, or hike through a rainforest in the West Maui Mountains. The natural scenery is amazing-it's truly one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
When it comes to accommodation, there is something for everyone here, from rustic hippie bungalow bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury resort hotels. Wailea has all the luxury resorts-it's like the beachfront Beverly Hills of Maui. If you're staying here, be sure to venture out and spend some time in Kihei, where the locals hang out.
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5. Masai Mara, Kenya
Highlights: Wild animals in their natural environment, luxury safari lodges
Kenya's Masai Mara is an incredible bio-diverse area and a popular safari destination. It's an opportunity to see the "big five" animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) all during one trip or, if you're lucky, during one afternoon.
The protected Masai Mara National Reserve park area is huge, with over 1,500 square kilometers of mainly grassland, extending all the way to the Serengeti Plain of Tanzania. The popular times to visit are during the twice-yearly migrations, the main ones being in July and August. Over a million wildebeest and other animals cross the area in huge groups to go from one feeding area to another. Most visitors fly into Nairobi, then take a small bush plane to the Mara.
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6. New Zealand
Highlights: Amazing natural sights in one easy-to-visit country
With its striking natural beauty, friendly citizens, and recent popularity due to its use as the filming location for the Lord of the Rings films (as well as many others), this island nation is one of the world's great places to visit. The biodiversity here is amazing — it's believed New Zealand was one of the last places on Earth to have human inhabitants.
Start your visit off in Auckland, with its culture, history, and museums. Spend some time on the water and at the beach — Waitemata Harbour has beaches, along with a range of sailing and boating activities.
Visit the Rotorua area to learn about and experience Indigenous Maori culture and head to Queenstown to experience the country's wide range of outdoor extreme action sports. Remember, this is where bungee jumping was invented.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Zealand
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Highlights: Shopping in the bazaars, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia are not to be missed
Turkey's capital city is another destination that offers a great mix of culture, food, and history. There are thousands of years of history here, starting with Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans and leading up through the Ottoman Empire.
There's a mix of the new and the timeless here unlike anywhere else. You can spend the day shopping and the night at a wonderful restaurant eating great Turkish food and dancing to Turkish music, then rise (very early) in the morning to the sound of the Ezan or morning Islamic call to prayer. It echoes across the rooftops as it's broadcast from loudspeakers set atop the minarets of the city's mosques.
Istanbul has excellent public transit, which means it's easy to get around and explore all the major sites and monuments. Must-see places include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapi Palace.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul
8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Highlights: A stunning ancient jungle city with hundreds of intricately constructed temples
Located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world. Angkor Wat is Cambodia's top tourist attraction.
It was created originally as a Hindu temple and mausoleum for the Khmer ruler in the early part of the 12th century and was converted to a Buddhist temple at the end of the 12th century. Just part of an enormous ancient city. Angkor Wat is the temple area, and Angor Thom was the city and palace area. There are hundreds of other ruin sites in the area, all part of the ancient capital of Angkor.
Siem Reap and its temples and ruins are now very easily accessible via daily flights from Hong Kong and other large Asian cities. Accommodations range from inexpensive guesthouses to lavish luxury resorts, with everything in between.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Siem Reap
9. Bali
Highlights: Tropical beaches, volcano hikes, ancient temples, and friendly people
The tropical Indonesian island of Bali is a lush, tropical destination that should not be missed. A bit of everything can be found here, from towering volcanoes and sun-kissed shores to lush jungles complete with mischievous monkeys.
Add in the cultural aspect of vibrant temples and the friendly Balinese people, it becomes very easy to spend longer here than you may have planned. Bali has a long list of interesting things to do including rice terrace tours, volcano climbs, surfing lessons, and handicraft markets.
In the evening, enjoy the delights of Balinese dining with a tasty plate of Nasi Goreng or satay followed up by the rhythmic beats of a Kecak dance performance.
Accommodation: Best Resorts in Bali
10. London, England
Highlights: History, architecture, dining, and world-class shopping
This historic English city is another destination just filled with incredible places to visit. A trip to London is an opportunity to visit iconic places like the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London.
Take advantage of the city being a cultural center as well by seeing a West End theater show or watching a musical performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Modern London is also a city of fine dining, luxury hotels, and world-class shopping.
Don't miss the museums, the vast British Museum is free, and usually quite crowded. Make time to visit The Wallace Collection, a free museum on Oxford Street. It has one of the world's greatest collections of furniture and porcelain, along with some important Old Master paintings.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in London
11. Manhattan, New York
Highlights: Shopping, dining, Broadway shows, museums, and the Statue of Liberty
One of the five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan is actually an island, bordered by the East River and the Hudson (and a little bit by the Harlem River). This island is a bit less than 23 square miles and is home to almost two million residents. Add in the daily influx of workers, and the island routinely holds close to four million people.
No other city in the world offers the frenetic energy of New York City. It's filled with the world's best shopping and dining, along with incredible museums.
Manhattan also has a giant green heart, Central Park. No matter the season, it provides a playground for the city's residents, offering a range of activities from museums to a zoo. There's also a lot of green space where you can play and relax, along with miles of running, biking, and skating trails. You can also enjoy plenty of things to do in winter in NYC, from skating and sipping hot chocolate, to shopping and Broadway shows.
12. Paris, France
Highlights: Dining, shopping, the Eiffel Tower, museums, Seine River cruises
No visit to the French capital is complete without a trip to and a trip up its most iconic structure. The 300-meter-tall Eiffel Tower was quite simply, the tallest man-made structure in the world, from its opening in 1889 for 41 years until 1930.
Use your visit as a stair workout and climb the 300 steps from ground level to the first of three levels on the tower. If you're in great shape, climb another 300 steps to the second level. Then hop on the elevator here to get to the top. Aside from the workout, you'll also skip most of the crowd who want to take the elevator the whole way.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris
13. Montreal, Canada
Highlights: Notre Dame Cathedral, historic Old Town and waterfront, delightful dining options
As you listen to the sound of French being spoken around you and explore Old Montreal, wandering down its narrow cobblestone streets-you might think you're in France. The historic area is filled with quaint shops and cafés; this Canadian city can be a chance to experience a bit of Europe in North America.
The city also has a thriving food scene, with several popular farmers' markets, including the Atwater Market and the Jean Talon Market. It's also known for its bagels, cooked hot and fresh by several iconic must-visit bakeries.
Be sure to visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica and take a drive up to Mount Royal, the big hill (or low mountain) the city is named after. You'll be rewarded with some amazing views extending all the way to the port.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Montréal: Best Areas & Hotels
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Montreal
14. San Francisco, California
Highlights: The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, historic streetcars
San Francisco is a truly unique American city and one of the world's great vacation spots. Explore its hills, ride the cable cars that climb them, and eat some seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. Also spend some time exploring Marin County on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, including the picturesque town of Sausalito. The giant redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument are only 30 minutes away and also well worth a side trip.
Be sure to also make time for a visit to or even better, a drive across, the Golden Gate Bridge. This monument to modern engineering genius spans the strait that connects San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The almost two-mile-long, six-lane bridge connects the Northern California city with Marin County.
Opened in 1937, the bridge has a unique, geometric beauty and can be viewed from many areas on either side of its span. Some of the best views are from the Marin Headlands, a hilly part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a national park that includes areas on either side of the bridge.
15. Marrakesh, Morocco
Highlights: Old walled city, shopping in the bazaars, and a sensory overload
Start your Marrakech adventure in the Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main, open square in the Moroccan city. It's the gateway to the medina or old walled city. The square is like nowhere else in the world, presenting a constant show of humanity. There are musical performers, snake charmers, monkey trainers, amateur boxing matches, and transvestite belly dancers.
It's also a giant food market, as well as a giant antique market and swap meet. You can even get a haircut or have some dental work performed. At night, there are fire performers, and an outdoor food fair is set up in the center, with rows of food stalls fronted by counters lined with chairs.
This exotic African destination is only a short flight (usually less than four hours) from most major European cities. As a popular getaway destination, there are frequent flights available. Accommodations range from riads, traditional houses remade into luxury boutique hotels in the medina to five-star luxury resorts just outside the city in an area called La Palmeraie.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Marrakesh
16. Cartagena, Columbia
Highlights: Incredible 500-year-old walled city with historic 19th-century architecture and some of Colombia's best dining
Colorful Cartagena, one of the great historical Spanish cities of the Caribbean, pulses with life along the north coast of Colombia. Founded in 1533, its old walled city has seen its fortunes rise and fall through the centuries and has more recently experienced a resurgence and revitalization.
Significant restoration of the old city has resulted in once-dilapidated 16th-century buildings springing back to life as modern, yet historical hotels, world-class restaurants, and shops. Wander through the narrow city streets to see an impressive church, an open plaza with public works of art, or an eclectic shop selling that perfect souvenir.
Be sure to wander along the ancient city walls, and as you watch the sunset over the ocean, think back to what life used to be like here nearly 500 years ago.
It's easy to get to Cartagena from the United States, with daily flights from Miami and good connections through Panama City. This is the perfect destination for an exotic long weekend getaway from almost anywhere in North America.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Cartagena: Best Areas & Hotels
Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia
17. The Canary Islands
Highlights: White-sand beaches, rugged mountains, luxury resorts, island adventures
Off the coast of northwestern Africa are a delightful chain of islands that should be on every sun-seeker's to-do list. The Canary Islands are all a bit different from one another, allowing the intrepid traveler to have four or even five (or more), experiences in one trip.
The Canary Islands are especially known for their beaches. Stunning white-sand beaches washed by crystal-clear waters are among the best beaches in Spain. Many people come here to stay at the multitude of luxury resorts that line the waterfront, and rarely venture off the property.
Those that have a taste for adventure will find towering volcanoes, stunning hiking trails, towering pine forests, and authentic old towns dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus.
Some of the most popular islands are Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Each of these offers its own unique experience and landscape.
Accommodation: Best Resorts in Tenerife
18. Hong Kong
Highlights: Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor, skyscrapers, Victoria Peak views, awesome dining
Asia's largest city can feel like an Asian Manhattan, with giant skyscrapers in a compact area and a serious focus on business. But venture deeper, and you'll find the city's unique mix of ancient Chinese culture and remnants of its British Colonial history as well. Gleaming skyscrapers are built with hand-assembled bamboo scaffolding in a fusion of new and old.
The city is divided into two main sections: Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, separated by Victoria Harbour. Take the Star Ferry across the harbor, still one of the great travel bargains, given the spectacular scenery on both sides. You can also venture into the more rural areas to discover the sparsely populated Outlying Islands, hiking trails, and beautiful beaches.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hong Kong
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More Great Places to Visit Around the World: If you are heading to Europe, be sure to see our guides to the best places to visit in France, Italy, and Portugal. Our lists of best places to visit in Scotland and Ireland will also point you in the right direction in these countries. For ideas on where to go in America, see our recommendations for the best places to visit in the United States.
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