18 Must-See Travel Destinations: Where Should You Go Next?

The first time I arrived in Courmayeur, on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the mountain filled the windscreen and the whole car went quiet. In the village, you hear cups clinking along stone lanes and smell wood smoke drifting from old timber balconies. I’ve been back in every season since. Winter brings deep snow that hushes the valley and skies so clear they stop you in your tracks. Summer opens into meadows, cold rivers, and horizons that stretch further with every turn of the path. Courmayeur manages to feel both grand and intimate at the same time.

What makes it so special is the balance. The mountains bring their full drama, but the town meets you with warmth that is simple and human. You can head out for a serious adventure in the morning and by lunchtime be eating polenta with local fontina, swapping route ideas with a guide who knows every ridge by name. The weather makes you slow down and pay attention. The hospitality brings you back to center.

Whether you ride high for the views, walk Val Ferret with the sound of water beside you, or sit in the late light watching the peaks turn pink, Courmayeur slows your pace. Everyone should stand there at least once. It’s a reminder of how small and lucky we are to be in places like this.

Without a doubt, the Roman Colosseum! It is a monument which the visitor can enter, experience, walk through, and feel the same way as when it was in its greatest splendor, just like a citizen of Ancient Rome. What makes it so special is not just its age or its fame, but the way it connects us emotionally and physically with a civilization that shaped the foundations of the modern world. When you stand inside the amphitheater and look up at its massive arches, you are not observing history—you are standing inside it.

Its power lies in authenticity. There are ancient ruins around the world, but few places still transmit such a tangible sense of human drama. You can still trace the path of the gladiators as they entered through the Gate of Death, feel the immensity of an arena built to hold over 50,000 spectators, and see the remains of the underground hypogeum where lions, tigers, and prisoners once waited in darkness before rising to the roar of the crowd. The Colosseum is not a silent monument—it speaks. Every stone tells a story of ambition, power, courage, and survival.

From an engineering perspective, it remains one of the greatest achievements in human construction. Built in the 1st century AD under Emperors Vespasian and Titus, it was completed in less than a decade—something nearly impossible even by modern standards. Its design inspired every large stadium built afterward in Europe and the Americas. Two thousand years later, its travertine blocks, vaulted corridors, and precision of construction continue to leave architects in awe.

But beyond history and architecture, the Colosseum is special because it symbolizes the eternal spirit of Rome. It has survived fires, earthquakes, wars, looting, and even attempts to demolish it in the Middle Ages. Yet it still stands—imperfect, wounded by time, but undefeated. It embodies resilience. And that is why millions travel from every corner of the world to see it: not to look at ruins, but to feel what humanity is capable of—its greatest triumphs and its darkest instincts.

Visiting the Colosseum is not tourism, it is transformation. You do not simply take photos—you carry something with you when you leave. You understand history not as something distant, but as something alive. That is why the Colosseum is a place everyone should experience in their lifetime—because for a brief moment, it makes time disappear.

Japan is a destination I believe everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. It’s truly remarkable how ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity exist side by side in perfect harmony.

In Kyoto, you can explore centuries-old temples in the morning, then relax in a mountain-view onsen by afternoon, and finish your day enjoying incredibly delicious sushi from a simple bullet train station vendor.

What makes Japan truly special is the attention to detail you notice everywhere – the trains that arrive exactly on schedule, the quiet respect that permeates daily interactions. These experiences expand your appreciation for beauty, order, and mindfulness in ways no other destination quite manages to do.

Tromsø in Norway is my pick because it has a high probability of seeing the northern lights, while also being surrounded by fjords. There are hiking trails accessible (with the correct footwear) all year round, and the entire city looks like a Christmas postcard during the winter months. You’ll have the chance to enjoy city life, mountains with hiking trails, see the aurora borealis, spot reindeer and even spend some time with the nomadic Sáami people who call the region home. It’s truly a remarkable place and somewhere everyone should experience at least once. There is something magical about being inside the Arctic Circle.

I’ve learned that great destinations balance beauty with movement. Tokyo stands out as a place everyone should experience. Its transportation network is unmatched; every train, bus, and walkway operates in quiet harmony. You feel the city breathe through its logistics. Watching millions of people flow efficiently through Shinjuku Station changes how you see cities and systems. For me, Tokyo shows that mobility isn’t just infrastructure; it’s culture in motion. That sense of organized energy stays with you long after you leave.

With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the birth of our country coming in 2026, I think everyone should explore the historic towns and hamlets in the original 13 colonies. Instead of staying in the major cities, like Boston, Philadelphia and Williamsburg, go to Lexington/Concord, Mass.; Easton, Pa.; or Yorktown, Va., and use them as your home base to visit the bigger destinations.

Tanzania is known for the Great Migration and Olduvai Gorge. The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country is also home to the Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites ever discovered.

The migration is a continual cycle of movement by more than a million Zebra and Wildebeest that follow the rains and thus the fresh green grass that the animals feed upon.

No matter what time of the year one visits the country, the migration is taking place. June to October is the peak season and also one of the most exciting as it is over these months that the animals have to undertake the river crossings of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. These are perilous crossings as many predators lie in wait specifically for this occurrence.

Visitors can experience a myriad of once-in-a-lifetime places and events including the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera on Earth. The floor of this caldera is incredibly fertile, making it an ideal home for many antelope species, Rhino, Elephant, Hyena, and Lions all competing for food. Wildlife sightings and interactions are incredible here.

Many visitors to Tanzania indulge in a “bush and beach” holiday where they include post-safari relaxation on either Pemba or Mafia island before returning home.

The country is an ideal destination for couples, newlyweds on honeymoon, and families that wish to show their children the wonder of the natural world.

It is important to note that visitor numbers will soon be greatly reduced in both Kenya and Tanzania due to the negative effect huge tourism numbers are having on the animals’ ancient migratory routes.

African Safari Experts curates itineraries to suit the specific desires of their guests to ensure they get the most from their journey to these incredible locations.

Hot Springs, Arkansas, is one of those places that surprised us – definitely a hidden gem! It’s where natural beauty and history meet–where you can soak in the same thermal waters that drew travelers to the area centuries ago, then stroll through a charming downtown filled with local shops, trails, and a touch of old-fashioned charm. The entire city sits inside a national park, which makes it unlike anywhere else in the country. There is plenty to see and do, so whether you prefer hiking trails to scenic overlooks, touring historic bathhouses, or enjoying a craft beer at a local brewery, Hot Springs has it all. It’s a destination that reminds you why slowing down to explore somewhere unexpected can be the most rewarding kind of travel.