We have all heard about the famous Roman phrase Carpe Diem or how we translate it into English: seize the day. How to do that exactly? Well, just try to remember some of the most pleasant days you had in your life. You were probably at some exciting, remote location, had a bunch of friends around you, had an opportunity to see new things, try out new experiences, and taste the flavors you have never tried in your life.
Yes, traveling, especially with good friends, makes each day last at least a week and each memory is something you keep coming back for many years to come.
But, where to start? With so many interesting locations on the radar, streamlining the locations you need to check during the next holiday season becomes an admittedly difficult task.
France
This year’s Olympic showed us that is that France is definitely one of the places you need to check out at least once in a lifetime. Best athletes competing against the iconic backdrops of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame – who could tell that we need a reminder to pay the City of Lights a long overdue visit? But, France is not all about its fabled capital. Spreading from its famous Mediterranean coastline all up the shores of Normandy, France has something in store for everyone and presents an absolute European all-time classic.
New York, USA
We had to narrow this one to only one city. The United States of America is a country that is simply too enormous and diverse to be tackled in one run. Places like Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and numerous museum are just some of the things you should definitely explore. Even if you had the slightest exposure to the USA pop culture, the chances are you have New York carved into your brain. So, be sure to pay this extraordinary metropolis a visit.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the best gateways to Latin America you can ever hope to get. Proudly delivering the promise behind the name ‘Rich Coast, this Caribbean country has one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the Western hemisphere, one of the greatest biodiversity levels in the world, countless cloud forests, and countless other things that make this region so special. But, if we had to highlight two things that make this “Switzerland of South America” a must-see, that would be the waterfalls of Mariposario Rio Celeste and the still active Arenal Volcano that will leave you stunned and amazed.
Saudi Arabia
If Costa Rica presents ‘the best of South America’ we could argue Saudi Arabia serves pretty much the same purpose for the region of the Middle East. If you are in for a modern, high-end experience you have cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. People who are in love with ancient civilizations and stark desert vistas will certainly appreciate Al Ula which presents the most popular archeological site of the ancient Nabataean civilization and a unique open air museum. And let us not forget the religious centers like Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia has it all and makes an excellent touch point for all foreign travelers.
China
This one was a close call and this rub could just as easily go to Japan. This sleeping giant is becoming one of the most important countries in the world with its rich cultural and religious heritage like Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian holy places and shrines. Maybe it’s the Terracotta Army or the Great Wall of China. Everything about China seems so grand, mysterious, and authentic its allure is very hard to resist. So, be sure to put this one on your list.
Sicily
This one was also a very difficult choice. You can spend an entire lifetime traveling across Italy and you would have nothing to regret. But, Sicily probably presents one of its quirkiest, most interesting, and hauntingly beautiful corners. Seriously, where to start? Syracuse is one of the cutest cities on the planet. Palermo… Well, Palermo needs to be experienced to be believed, especially at night. And if you are in love with the Godfather trilogy places like Savoca, Forzà d’Agrò, and Taormina will definitely put a smile on your face. Sicily is simply a gift that keeps giving and gives you an offer you just can’t refuse.
Well, we hope this short roundup gave you a couple of ideas for the next vacation season. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg, and even if you devoted your entire life to travels, you would still miss tons of things that make our world so special and so beautiful. That, however, shouldn’t prevent you from trying and the locations we gave you definitely present a good place to start. So, pack your bags and make the world your oyster.