World's Best Places to Visit
With a world full of fascinating destinations, choosing the perfect vacation spot can present a challenge. That's why U.S. News used expert opinions, reader votes and current trends – and evaluated sights, cultures, scenic beauty, food scenes and more – to compile this list of the world's best places to visit. Use these recommendations to craft your travel bucket list, and cast your vote below to help us determine next year's list.
South Island, New Zealand
#1 in World's Best Places to Visit
New Zealand's South Island brims with majestic landscapes at every turn, from dramatic mountains to fjords to glaciers. Here, you can admire the mountains of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from hiking trails or a boat on Milford Sound. At night, journey to the University of Canterbury's Mount John Observatory to gaze at the starry skies. You can also indulge your inner daredevil in Queenstown, explore two of the most accessible glaciers in the world on the island's west coast or sample delicious food
and wine in the Marlborough region.
Paris #2 in World's Best Places to Visit
The magnetic City of Light draws visitors from around the globe who come to see iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. But what travelers really fall in love with are the city's quaint cafes, vibrant markets, trendy shopping districts and unmistakable je ne sais quoi charm. Get lost wandering along Paris' cobblestone streets, or grab a croissant and relax on the banks of the Seine for hours. If you're up for a quick daytrip, head about 15 miles southwest of the city center to another must-see attraction: the Palace of Versailles
Maui, Hawaii
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.
Montreal, Canada
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.
Located just outside the Cambodian city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world. 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 a enormous ancient city. Angkor Wat is the temple area, 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.
The Plitvice Lakes can be found on Croatia’s Adriatic Sea coast, just lingering on the border between Zadar and the nation’s capital, Zagreb.
These lakes consist of 16 bodies of water that are all joined together by a variety of cascading waterfalls and fascinating bridges, flanked by age-old emerald forests that hold wildlife aplenty: birds, wolves, bears, and more!
These lakes consist of 16 bodies of water that are all joined together by a variety of cascading waterfalls and fascinating bridges, flanked by age-old emerald forests that hold wildlife aplenty: birds, wolves, bears, and more!
Enjoy walks in one of the top travel destinations in the country across a variety of paths, both natural and man-made, and explore the wide expanse between the lowest altitude lakes of 280 meters and the highest 1,000 meters above it.
You can even take a ferry to travel between them!
You can even take a ferry to travel between them!
Few people consider these African nations as among the best countries to visit, but those people are missing out!
Victoria Falls is one of the earth’s largest waterfalls, reaching a majestic 355 feet in height and spanning across an entire mile.
Its rush of falling water is the biggest of its kind, with the shocking speed of 550,000 cubic meters per minute.
On top of that, Victoria Falls is among the world’s Seven Natural Wonders, and its mist that shrouds the area can be seen from 50 kilometers away, creating a rainbow!
You’ll want for nothing in this heaven-like spot.
Bora Bora is an island paradise isolated from much of the world, in the middle of the South Pacific ocean.
It is one of the world’s most famous go-to honeymoon locations. It hosts a dormant volcano, which is encircled by thick, gorgeous green.
This is the perfect spot to just kick it back and relax. It’s romantic and close to nature, yet is extravagant in its elegance.
Amalfi Coast is a fantastic getaway for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for some calm relaxation, you’re itching for some fresh seafood, or you desire something more adventurous, Amalfi Coast is one of the best vacation spots you can hope for.
13 towns along the cliffside provide hiking trails and a sense of warm civilization, while beaches provide the white expanses of sand perfect for a picturesque lounge.
Look over from a luxury hotel and marvel at the view – wide cliffs, green trees, and the deep blue sea.
Whether you’re looking for some calm relaxation, you’re itching for some fresh seafood, or you desire something more adventurous, Amalfi Coast is one of the best vacation spots you can hope for.
13 towns along the cliffside provide hiking trails and a sense of warm civilization, while beaches provide the white expanses of sand perfect for a picturesque lounge.
Look over from a luxury hotel and marvel at the view – wide cliffs, green trees, and the deep blue sea.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is likely one of the most intriguing vacation spots in the world.
This is because of its fascinating, unique, and borderline bizarre natural structures known as fairy chimneys.
These are geological formations made from rock, shaped in cones, that form in a variety of sizes as volcanic ash solidifies.
On top of this interesting phenomenon, Cappadocia also hosts underground structures of all kinds that served as homes, stores, and cities all the way in the 4th century.
You can even spot some Byzantine art in monasteries.
You may feel like Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar.
That’s because the famed Cinderella’s Castle building, located in Disney World, is heavily inspired by and modeled after this incredible, opulent palace.
This magnificent structure is built on top of a mountain, and its Bavarian construction is a wonder to behold.
It’s no wonder that it’s one of the top vacation spots in the country.
The Marble Caves are among the best places to visit if you are a fan of unreal sights that you can barely believe exist.
These caves are found on the border of Chile and Argentina, on the General Carrera Lake, and they are formed through tunnels and caverns that hold some of the most important and beautiful marble depositions the world has to offer.
You’ll be able to see the marble reflected in the vivid water beneath, changing in appearance with the tide and as the seasons turn.
There’s nothing quite like being there in person to witness the superb caves in motion.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
If you’re a sucker for a good soak in a hot spring, the Blue Lagoon is one of the best places to travel.
It’s a one-of-a-kind geothermal spa that sits right in the middle of a rather intimidating lava field.
It might sound frightening, but when you see it, you’ll know why it’s such a great place to take a trip to.
It may be a man-made lagoon, but it is home to silent, still white waters, and a lava flow nearby leads to nice, warm water that makes for a wonderful treat for your body.
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