There’s nothing wrong with having a favourite holiday destination but visiting the same place year in year out can get a bit mundane. Sometimes it’s a good idea to step outside your comfort zone because the world really is your oyster! It’s time to jump into the unknown and discover the many dreamy locations the world has to offer, that’s why we have put together a top ten list (in no particular order) of jaw-dropping destinations that SHOULD be at the top of your bucket list.
10. South Africa
South Africa will change your life. Incredible beaches, breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, a world-class city and not to forget, the wine. South Africa has to be one of the world’s most beautiful destinations to visit, packed with diverse culture and rich in history. It is also home to Kruger National Park, one of the biggest national parks in the world, tourists have the chance to stay in luxury lodges and take tours from experienced gamekeepers, giving you the chance to spot the Big Five in their natural habitat (lions, elephants, rhinoceros, leopard and Cape buffalo). South Africa really is a once in a lifetime destination everyone should try.
9. Ha Long Bay - Vietnam
Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Ha Long Bay in northeastern Vietnam is located in between over 2000 small islands. This gorgeous pool of emerald green waters includes endemic floral and faunal species, enormous caves with numerous large stalagmites and stalactites, beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife. Ha Long Bay should definitely be one to tick off your bucket list.
8. Austria
Be sure to put Austria on your travelling checklist. Vienna houses medieval architecture, cobbled streets and quaint eateries or visit Salzberg, the birthplace of Mozart. Austria’s Lake District is a marvel best explored on two wheels as beautiful cycling tracks hug the shores of many inland beaches. It would be a great recommendation to take a dip in Halstattersee, as the lake and its attached town of Halstatt have won awards for beauty and preservation. Snow or sunshine, the beautiful Austrian alps are dotted with skiers, while summer beckons white-water rafters, and canyoners to glacial rivers.
7. Seychelles
A country situated off the coast of East Africa and is an archipelago of more than 100 islands. Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, fine white sand, turquoise waters, and a year-round tropical climate makes this place a dream. The Seychelles is home to many endangered and critically endangered species. High on the ‘look-out list’ for nature lovers are the hawksbill and green turtles, Aldabra giant tortoises, and Seychelles paradise flycatchers.
6. Phuket
The pearly white, palm- and casuarina-fringed beaches that ring Phuket's southern and western coasts are the island's key bounty. Those tropical-island beaches are glorious, of course, but venture just a little beyond and you'll uncover astonishing Phuketian cultural riches that many visitors zip right past. East-coast capital Phuket Town delights with its eye-opening museums, Peranakan cooking, Chinese shrines and historic mansions and shophouses done in characteristic Sino-Portuguese style.
5. Grand Canyon
You won’t have seen anything like it. Believe me. Stretching across 277 miles, 18 miles wide and over a mile deep, the grand canyon is truly breathtaking and the 5 million people who visit a year will also agree. The vibrant red of the marbled layers of four sedimentary rocks that make up the cliff faces really do make for a spectacular view. Tours from Las Vegas are held in all manner of forms, from helicopter rides to mule rides (not for the faint-hearted). The Grand Canyon should be up high on your bucket list, it really is grander than you first think!
4. Machu Picchu
A visit to the "lost city of Incas" is not for the faint of heart, but it is often described as life-changing (once you acclimate to the altitude). While the four-day hike along the Inca Trail is challenging, arriving at the site during sunrise is well worth it, according to past travellers. If you're not up for the trek, you can also hop on a tourist train to the mountain base. Machu Picchu is full of a mysterious nature which attracts many researchers and tourists. It is considered as the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire and one of the most important heritage sites in the world.
3. Santorini
Of course, Santorini would be in the top 10. This beautiful Greek Island has one of the most picturesque hillsides in the world, with bright white houses and churches with deep blue rooftops. With its reputation for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and volcanic-sand beaches, it’s hardly surprising the island features on so many travellers’ bucket lists. Not to be outdone by its surroundings, the food found in Santorini is pretty spectacular. The local cuisine oozes what Greek food is all about, wholesome, flavoursome and delicious with some of the freshest seafood caught that day. Pair this with wine from some of the oldest vineyards in the world, you are in gastronomical heaven.
2. Bali
The exotic weather, down-to-earth lifestyle, laidback atmosphere; spicy food and rich heritage all feature highly. You’ll enjoy the ample sunlight and the wonderful open blue skies, even at the most densely populated urban areas due to the low-rising buildings and absence of skyscrapers. Most who go to Bali make Ubud their base – often known as the spiritual and cultural heart of the island. Surrounded by tiered temples and beautiful beaches, Ubud is a place that’s hard to part ways with. Waterfalls in Bali are something you will be definitely chasing. Bali isn't only about beautiful beaches and sunset cocktails. This paradise island is home to stunning waterfalls too.
1.Maui
Maui has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, so much so that they are celebrated daily. With the most miles of swimmable beaches that Hawaii has to offer, the water is warm all year round. No beach is the same either! Blankets of black, white and red sand hug Maui’s coast leaving you spoilt for choice. So what is it about the Hawaiian Islands that continues to charm travellers? It’s what locals call the Aloha Spirit. The definition of Aloha Spirit is much more than friendly greetings at the hotel and good vibes on the beach. Aloha Spirit represents the welcoming philosophy of native Hawaiians to treat everyone (including visitors) with deep care and respect. Hawaii isn’t just a destination, it’s a feeling.
To book your dream holiday destination, give Holidays By Design a call on 01472 897333.