Fifty one countries and four continents later I thought I
would share my favorite places in the world.
I’ve been to every type of environment from inhospitable desert to
swampy jungle to the biggest cities in the world and all in between. So what does it take to be on the list? Well, it doesn’t hurt to have a fascinating
history and complex contemporary issues.
However, a place can be my favorite simply based on scenery (as you’ll
see below), great food, beautiful people, fun activities, or exotic
locale. These are all easily accessible
and I’m sure you’ve heard of some of these recommendations before, but I hope
you’ll find a couple new gems along the way too. Here’s the list:
10. Istanbul, Turkey
Some of the most recognizable historical buildings in the
world are here such as the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Some of the best food you’ll ever eat is on
every corner of the city. Some of the
most beautiful people will be walking by you all the time. Some of the most cosmopolitan people and
culture you’ll experience sit here.
There are amazing views of this great city, and some can be seen from
the top of ancient city walls. It’s the
crux of east meets west. You can see a
sultan’s palace and some of the most ancient artifacts in the world. Do I need to say more?
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| The Hagia Sophia and Hippodrome area will make you wonder at ancient civilization and current city planning. |
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| The views of the water are beautiful and you'll always find a new spot to admire. |
9. Luang Prabang, Laos
While Southeast Asia has plenty of temples and monks, one
city easily stands out amongst them all.
There is a calm beauty to this place part in fact because the Laotians
have quiet, calm demeanors and also part of the beautiful views of the Nam Khan
and Mekong rivers. The outdoor markets
are fantastic and you’ll always be walking by monks. The temples are exotic and the town is very
cosmopolitan. Great cooking classes,
waterfalls to walk under, animal experiences, and a chance to watch monks get
their daily morning offerings are all great activities here. Vientiane might be the capital of Laos, but Luang
Prabang is the undisputed cultural capital of Laos.
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| Temples and jungle mountain scenery combine for beautiful and unique scenery, even for Southeast Asia. |
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| As a center of Buddhism, you'll find monks wandering the city and studying. |
8. Cairns, Australia
The adventure capital of Australia sits on the coast of the
Great Barrier Reef where you can do some of the best diving in the world. If you’re not into the water, you can do
nearly every single adventure activity here amongst some of the best views in
the world. People don’t realize that
northeast Australia is a rainforest and has amazing mountains to boot. So while you are whitewater rafting or
skydiving you’ll have amazing views to enjoy.
The town is cute and quaint with a pool in the center of town made to
look like a beach. Although Australia is
expensive, everything is first rate and always super friendly.
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| Rainforest hikes, views of the mountains, and encounters with wildlife are literally a mile away from the town center. |
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| The Great Barrier Reef doesn't disappoint in terms of scenery, wildlife, or clarity. |
7. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
There
are ancient ruins throughout the whole world, and I’ve been to nearly all of
them. None show off the grandeur and
impressive detail in a great forested environment like Angkor Wat. The best part is that you are still allowed
to walk these ruins and get up and close with the detail, making it so much
easier to imagine yourself here nearly 1,000 years ago at its peak. If you want to fulfill your Tomb Raider
fantasy, nothing works better than a walk around the ruins of Angkor Wat.
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| Walking around the sites, you'll get a sense of the grandeur of this massive creation. |
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| One of the most iconic sites in all the world, Angkor Wat truly is as advertised. |
6. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders, or as it’s better
known: Victoria Falls. The scale of this
waterfall is only matched two other places on earth, but you can’t do nearly as
many adventure activities or go on a safari.
You can ride African elephants, whitewater raft, bungy jump, ride a
microlight, or if you are adventurous enough even sit on the edge of the falls
in the famed Devil’s Pool. It also has
one of the best backpacker vibes in the world.
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| It's an adrenaline capital, and the signature piece of that capital is the bridge. This bungy jumper is finding out firsthand. |
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| No matter what you do or see, the highlight of Victoria Falls is the view of the falls itself. |
5. Kyoto and Nara, Japan
Kyoto evokes everything you want of Japan: geishas,
fantastic temples and shrines, history, and gardens in one of the most livable
cities in the world. Rent a bike and go
from trail to bamboo grove to temple. There
is one of the best onsens (spas) in the world, and since this is Japan, there
is amazing food everywhere. They even
light up a lot of the temples at night so you can revisit your favorite spots
in a different atmosphere too. It’s one
of the few places where five days might not be enough even if you are going at
it hard each day.
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| You'll walk and wind your way through a maze of Japanese history and culture. |
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| The Golden Pavilion is one of many permier temples and sites in Kyoto. Combined, Kyoto and Nara have as many sites as any top tourist destination in the world. |
4. Dahab, Egypt
Far from pyramids and ancient temples is the laid back
resort area of Dahab. It’s the lesser
known chic hangout of the Sinai Peninsula, but it’s by far the cheaper and
better option. The whole town is easily walk
able and is flush with one word: relax.
Plus some of the best diving is literally off the steps of the waterside
restaurants. There are dozens of
excellent diving options here that will double as a way to cool yourself off
from the intense Middle East heat. If
you’re up for a hike and a bit of history you can go hike Mount Sinai and see St.
Catherine’s, but I’d just advise a hookah and a dive.
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| Hike through the night to Mt. Sinai where you can walk where Moses received the Ten Commandments. |
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| Dahab is about relaxation and diving, and they have both in spades. |
3. Cape Town and the South African coast
The number one questions I get: What is your favorite
country? It’s easy to me. What place else has a fascinating history
combined with a reconciliation amidst African animals, amazing coastline, the
most beautiful wineries in the world, one of the best cities in the world (Cape
Town), and great activities? There’s
only one. Only in South Africa you can
play with baby lions, dive with great white sharks, ride an ostrich, and pet
cheetahs.
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| You can fulfill your animal dreams, such as playing with baby lions, in South Africa's wilderness. |
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| Not only does Cape Town have Table Mountain, but great food and markets to explore. |
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| The Cape of Good Hope's coastline is spectacular and gives awe to those that tried to go around the bottom of Africa in search of spices and goods. |
2. Queenstown, New Zealand
As you are flying into Queenstown you’ll already notice that
you’re in an other-worldly place. The
majestic mountains combined with Lake Wakatipu make for fantastic scenery. Queenstown is one of the most entertaining
and nicest cities while maintaining a quaintness to it. You can do the original bungy jump dive,
skydive, ride a luge, whitewater raft, take Lord of the Rings tours, go to
Milford Sound, or do a vast other number of activities. There’s so much to do here that you can spend
weeks and thousands of dollars. I can guarantee
you will fly away with a smile on your face.
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| It's charming, small, and yet extremely nice: Queenstown. There are fantastic bars, hotels, restaurants, and tourist centers here. |
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| The luge track is super fun and has amazing views of Lake Wakatipu, the long lake that sits on Queenstown. |
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| There are so many activities to do here (including seeing some of the sites of Lord of the Rings) that specialize in adventure. |
1. Hallstatt, Austria
It always has been, and it almost always
will be number one. I visited here ten
years ago and was so blown away that I had to come back (which is a rarity for
me). Here’s all you need to know about
Hallstatt: I was traveling with a girl in Salzburg who was amazed by the beauty
of the city and surrounding countryside.
I kept telling her that it was nothing compared to Hallstatt. She was getting mad at me that I was building
up this place so much in her mind that there was no way she wasn’t going to be
disappointed when she finally saw it. A
day later when we were leaving Hallstatt she said, “It still beat my
expectations. I can’t believe it.”
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| It's quaint and sits right on the lake, and that's the whole point of the Hallstatt. |
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| A gondola takes people to a salt mine and a restaurant containing amazing views. |
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| The old Austrian architecture sits perfect with the Austrian Alps and Lake Hallstatt. |
