Sydney
Sydney is both a laid-back beachside town and a thriving metropolis that boasts some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best surf, landmarks and activities. Whether you’re looking to watch a show at the iconic Opera House, take to the waves at Bondi Beach or explore trendy areas like The Rocks and Darling Harbour, Sydney features something for everyone. Even Sydneysiders have an ideal mix of both worlds: Fashion-forward attire and British-style sarcasm combine with a “no worries” attitude and relaxed coastal vibe. It’s no wonder this vibrant city down under is a natural choice for first-time Aussie visitors.
Santorini
Frequently touted as a top honeymoon destination, this Greek isle woos newlyweds every year with its breathtaking sunsets, pastel-hued villages and colorful beaches. Archaeological sites, such as Ancient Thira and Ancient Akrotiri, beckon to history buffs, while central Santorini’s winery tours lure oenophiles. For a relaxing daytrip, hop on a boat to Thirassia, and at night, head to Amoudi Bay to watch the sun set while dining alfresco
Amalfi Coast
Few places in the world can rival the natural beauty found along the Amalfi Coast. This region along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula is home to 13 quaint towns etched into seaside cliffs. Among the pastel-hued fishing villages, you’ll find upscale hotels and resorts, plus a lot of delectable Italian wine and food that ranges from rustic to refined
Florence
Florence offers plenty of world-famous attractions, including the Duomo, Piazzale Michelangelo and Piazza della Signoria. After appreciating this historic Italian city’s Renaissance architecture and art, sample some of the region’s delectable Tuscan food and wine at Florence’s quaint cafes, gelato shops and ristorantes. Then, cross the Ponte Vecchio to get to the Boboli Gardens, where you’ll find verdant gardens and panoramic views
Paris
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre. From the scenic trails of the colorful Park Güell to the romantic narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic; from the beachside nightclubs to the city’s dozens of sacred churches and architectural marvels, this city by the sea seems to attract all types: the adventurer, the couple, the partier, the culture lover – and more – with an almost overwhelming variety of things to do. You could stay for a few days, but chances are you’ll need a whole week to explore.
Masai Mara
The protected Masai Mara National Reserve park area is huge, 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 one 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.
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kenya- Africa. The reserve is located in the Great Rift Valley in primarily open grassland. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated on the reserve’s western escarpment. The Masai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas. The annual wildebeest’s migration alone involves over 1.5 million animals arriving in July and departing in November
There have been some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 birds species recorded on the reserve.
New Zealand
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, 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 the capital city of 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.
London
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.
Manhattan
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.
