Where to go next? It’s a privileged question. To find the answer, I often search for inspiration online, visiting various websites and checking the best times of year to travel to different destinations. So many choices, so little time. Sometimes, during your travels, you come across places that feel almost otherworldly. Below are some of my favourites.
1. Tenerife – Mount Teide/Teide National Park
As soon as you rise above the clouds in Parque Nacional del Teide, you’ll encounter a landscape that feels like another planet. The moonlike terrain is perfect for hiking. At the park entrances, rangers provide excellent advice and maps. While the Mirador de la Ruleta is popular and beautiful, lesser-known spots like Mirador de los Poleos offer equally stunning views with fewer crowds. The best way to explore Teide (and Tenerife) is by car.
The Teleférico del Teide (cable car up the volcano) is touristy, but absolutely worth it. Two important tips: book in advance (especially during high season) and bring a winter coat, gloves, and a beanie. It gets busy—and really cold. Before ascending, park rangers will tell you there’s a two-hour limit at the top, but enforcement is flexible. For serious hikers, there’s a trail from the top of the Teleférico all the way down to the ocean.
Tenerife is a popular tourist destination, but with a little effort, you can avoid the crowds by staying on the north or northwest side of the island. Other must-sees include Garachico, San Cristóbal, and the dragon tree in Icod de los Vinos.
2. Cambodia – Angkor Wat Complex
The ancient Khmer civilization (802–1431) built a massive number of temples, and now the jungle is slowly reclaiming them. Angkor Wat is the most famous, but if you want to channel your inner Lara Croft or Indiana Jones, this place is for you. For instance, Tomb Raider was filmed at Ta Prohm temple.
Besides Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, must-see sites include the 1,000-faces temple of Bayon, Ta Som, Preah Neak Poan, and Banteay Srei, which is a bit farther afield.
Visit the temples early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds, as most larger tours follow a set sequence. Most tourists spend only a day or two here, but to truly explore the ruins of Angkor, slow travel is best. Around Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, there are several temple complexes. You can buy tickets at the Angkor Ticket Office: one-day passes ($37), three-day passes ($62), or seven-day passes ($72). Three days should be the minimum.
Siem Reap offers a wide range of accommodation, from hostels to hotels, Airbnbs, and B&Bs. Remork motos (tuk-tuks) are the best way to get around. Several apps allow you to arrange rides and negotiate fares in advance. Hiring a remork for a day typically costs $15–$25, depending on the temple’s location. Guided tours, including the remork, are around $45–$50. You can also rent bikes to explore the area around Angkor Wat.
3. Colombia – Valle de Cocora
Disney chose the perfect backdrop for Encanto. The Valle de Cocora, with its towering wax palm trees (up to 60 meters tall), is stunning and surreal. Hike at least to the second mirador (viewpoint) to fully appreciate the landscape.
Many websites discourage tourists from renting cars due to chaotic traffic, but this isn’t Italy or Egypt. If you drive cautiously, it’s perfectly doable, and the freedom is fantastic. Especially in Quindío Department, where you’ll find not only Valle de Cocora but also waterfalls, coffee farms, and charming towns.
4. Italy – Ischia
Visiting Ischia in August is like stepping into an old Italian movie. August is when Italians take their vacations, and it’s incredible to watch families of all ages swim from piers, rocks, and cliffs. Everyone—from children to seniors—gathers by the sea to enjoy the water’s coolness.
Ischia, though less famous than its neighbor Capri, has just as many attractions. On the ferry from Naples, Sorrento, or Amalfi, you’ll spot the stunning Castello Aragonese d’Ischia. This fortification, located on a small island off Ischia’s coast, dates back to the 5th century BC. The castle has been rebuilt many times since then, and you can visit it daily (entry costs around 12 euros). Plan to spend at least half a day exploring the site.
Afterward, go for a swim by diving off the boulders of the bridge to the castle. Other great swimming spots include Caletta dei Terenzi (a local favorite) and Miramare e Castello.
5. Portugal – Sintra
Palácio da Pena is one of the most colorful castles in the world. Founded in the 15th century, it was gradually transformed into the yellow, red, and gray structure it is today, surrounded by lush gardens atop a mountain next to the village of Sintra.
Palácio da Pena isn’t the only castle in the area. Don’t miss the nearby Moorish Castle or the National Palace of Sintra. There’s almost no parking near Pena and the Moorish Castle, so take a train to Sintra and catch a bus up the mountain.
You’ll get a discount if you book your ticket three days in advance. Regular adult tickets cost 20 euros without the discount.
6. Lebanon – Baalbek
Sometimes, you visit a place you’ve never heard of, only to feel like you need to rewrite history. That’s what Baalbek did for me. For days, I sent photos to friends and family, amazed by what I had seen.
Located in the beautiful Beqaa Valley, about 70 km from Beirut, Baalbek’s history dates back to the time of Alexander the Great. The vast archaeological site contains the ruins of an ancient Roman town, formerly a Phoenician city, with colossal temples still standing. The park is even larger than the Acropolis in Athens!
A tour from Beirut is a great way to visit Baalbek. Traffic in Lebanon can be chaotic. In July and August, the annual Baalbek International Festival brings music, dance, and opera to the temple backdrop.
7. Mongolia – Naadam Festival
Some call it the Mongolian Olympics, but the Naadam Festival feels like stepping into Genghis Khan’s world. Held every July near Ulaanbaatar, the festival features wrestling (for men), archery (for both men and women), and horse racing (for children). Anyone can compete, and the tournaments last for days until the champions are crowned. Participants wear traditional clothing.
The best way to reach Ulaanbaatar and the games is via the Trans-Mongolian Express. Mongolia is worth more than just a quick stop. To fully experience its culture, leave the capital and explore the countryside. After Naadam, consider flying to Ulaanbaatar, taking your time, and continuing your journey by train to Beijing. Naadam events are held all over town, with wrestling and archery at the stadium, and tours or taxis can take you to the horse races outside the city.
8. Saba – Underwater World
The world’s smallest commercial runway leads you to an otherworldly underwater paradise. Saba, a tiny volcanic island in the Caribbean Sea and part of the Dutch Caribbean, is known as “the unspoiled queen.” With just around 2,000 inhabitants, the entire island is now a nature park, renowned for its diving and snorkeling.
At the harbor, you can rent snorkeling gear from dive companies and head to Well’s Bay when the sea is calm. The crystal-clear water reveals vibrant fish and sea turtles. While hitchhiking is common around the island, Well’s Bay isn’t on a regular route, so you may need to arrange a taxi.
Located 70 km from the more popular Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, Saba is often visited on day trips, but it’s worth staying at least 3 to 4 days. In addition to hiking and diving, Saba offers several excellent restaurants.
9. Tanzania – Serengeti and the Great Migration
The Serengeti is often called one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. Witnessing the Great Migration—when millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles travel from January to March—is awe-inspiring. Predators like lions and hyenas often follow close behind the herds.
You could fly directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, but if you’re here, consider seeing more of Tanzania. Land in Dar es Salaam, visit the capital, explore Zanzibar, and travel by bus throughout the country. From Moshi and Arusha, tour operators offer safaris into the Serengeti.