Some trips stay with you because of the intimate details—a quiet street, a sunset without a crowd, or a meal you didn’t rush through. These destinations offer places where connection comes naturally, without a perfect setting.
Paris, France
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If you’re in Paris and can see the Eiffel Tower from your room, you’re doing it right. Go catch a show at the Palais Garnier — the building alone is worth it. And if you want a different view, there's a big tethered balloon at Parc André Citroën that takes you way up over the city.
Venice, Italy
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Venice isn’t built for rushing around. It’s a lot better when you just wander. Ride a gondola at sunset if you want to be cliché (in the best way), or cross the little bridges until you find a quiet spot. The Bridge of Sighs has one of those old legends about true love if you're into that, but honestly, dinner by the canal is enough.
Santorini, Greece
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It looks exactly like the photos — white buildings, blue roofs, ocean everywhere. Sunset in Oia is busy, but still worth it. In between, you can hop on a boat to the hot springs or sit somewhere high with a glass of local wine.
Prague, Czech Republic
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Get to Charles Bridge early when it’s just you and the pigeons. The city feels old in the best way, with its Gothic towers and narrow streets. You can float down the river, check out the castle, and end the day eating dinner underground in a spot that looks like it hasn't changed in a few hundred years.
Kyoto, Japan
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Kyoto’s one of those places that looks different every time you visit. There are cherry blossoms in spring, and red leaves in fall. Stay at a ryokan if you can — they serve fancy, multi-course dinners and you get your own little hot spring bath.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
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If you’ve ever wanted to wake up and jump straight into clear blue water, this is the place. You’re either swimming, snorkeling over coral, or laying around watching the sunset during long sunny days.
Maldives
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It’s almost impossible to be distracted in the Maldives. You’ll probably stay in a villa right over the water, and snorkeling is basically something you can do five steps from your bed. Some days, doing absolutely nothing will feel like the best plan you’ve ever had.
Bruges, Belgium
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Bruges never got the memo to modernize — and that’s the charm. Take a boat tour through the canals for the best view of the medieval stone buildings. Stop for hot chocolate or waffles along the Markt square. If you’re up for a short climb, the 13th-century Belfry gives you one of the best wide-open views in Belgium.
Quebec City, Canada
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Old Quebec has the only fortified city walls north of Mexico, and the streets inside twist together like an old maze. Walk down Petit-Champlain, one of North America’s oldest commercial streets, packed with boutiques and cafes. In winter, you’ll see everything under a blanket of snow; in summer, buskers fill the squares.
Maui, Hawaii
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Maui’s beaches are great, but the Road to Hana is where it gets good. It cuts through lush jungle and past waterfalls you can jump into, with stops like the black sand beaches at Wai'anapanapa State Park.
Tuscany, Italy
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Tuscany’s wine is a good place to start. Vineyards roll over the hills, especially around Chianti and Montepulciano. Towns like San Gimignano have medieval towers, gelato shops, and piazzas. Long lunches under patio umbrellas are basically the day's main event.
Cinque Terre, Italy
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Cinque Terre’s five villages — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore — are connected by hiking trails that wind through terraced vineyards and offer constant sea views.
Bali, Indonesia
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Bali is green — like, really green. After it rains, Ubud’s rice terraces almost hurt your eyes. Swings overlooking the jungle valleys are everywhere if you’re feeling adventurous. Temples like Tirta Empul still have locals coming to bathe in the spring waters.
Seychelles
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Seychelles is proof that you can never get enough of beaches. Giant granite boulders frame the white sands at places like Anse Source d’Argent. You can snorkel off tiny coves, spot giant tortoises on Curieuse Island, or hop ferries between islands with nothing but a backpack and beach towel.
Queenstown, New Zealand
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Queenstown is a playground if you want it — bungee jumps, jet boats, all that. But it also has quiet trails by the lake where you can catch your breath. You can simply grab a coffee by Lake Wakatipu and watch the clouds roll across the mountains.