For many of us, this winter weather has been far from living in a wonderland, and we’re getting tired of freezing everyday. At the same time, the impacts of COVID-19 have made it more difficult than ever to get away and go somewhere new. In honor of attempting to alleviate cabin fever and escape the cold, here are my top 10 vacations that I want to visit in my life, number 10 being my ultimate travel destination:
- Cairo, Egypt
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One of the seven wonders of the world, it’s no surprise that the Pyramids of Giza made my list. The Great Sphinx can also be found near the pyramids, which were built between 2550 and 2490 B.C. I’ve always been fascinated by the era of pharaohs, and want to learn more about the history, architecture and culture of Egypt.
- Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
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Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, it always amazes me that a spot as beautiful as the Grand Canyon is located on the same continent that I live, only a few hours plane ride away! I’m an avid climber and love to hike, so the 227 mile long and over ten mile wide canyon is a picture-perfect place for me.
- Santorini, Greece
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I’m pretty sure we’ve all seen those photos of colorfully roofed buildings (especially the blue dome-shaped ones) and have wished we could be walking down those hilly streets at sunset. And if you haven’t, please Google Santorini ASAP. It’s a beautiful island in the Aegean Sea, and can easily be reached by ferry from other islands like Mykonos.
- Rome, Italy
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The Colosseum. The Pantheon. The Catacombs. The Food! Rome is an ancient city filled to the brim with history and a rich culture just waiting to be explored. Not to mention it’s only a few hours drive away from Venice and a short train ride to Pompeii. Rome is truly the heart of Italy.
- Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
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If you’re like me and love to spend time outdoors in nature, Banff is a great travel destination option. It’s just one part of a system of 43 park reserves across Canada, so the adventures are never-ending. You can even catch the view from the top of Sulphur Mountain, or skip rocks on the picturesque Lake Louise. This is also a perfect place for lovers of winter sports like me, with opportunities to do anything from ice skating to skiing.
- Great Barrier Reef
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Located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is another natural wonder of the world! It’s the world’s largest coral reef system, made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles. I love to snorkel and hope to become scuba certified in the near future, so this is a must-stop place for me. And while I’m at it, I’ll pay the Australian mainland a visit too.
- Bangkok, Thailand
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This is a city that is bursting with culture and just waiting to be explored. As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is known for its vibrant street life and amazing sights such as the Grand Palace, which has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. When I go here, I will be sure to take a boat ride down the bustling Chao Phraya River and stop to try some new foods to really immerse myself in the experience.
- United Kingdom
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London is a city that I could see myself calling home one day, but before then I would love to see the tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben and Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. I also plan to attend a play at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, and, most importantly, tour the Harry Potter sets at the Warner Brothers Studio. I of course will have to venture to Belfast in Northern Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, and the gorgeous rolling highlands in Ireland. I’ll also pop over to Scotland to see the Edinburgh Castle, visit Glasgow, and take a cruise through Loch Ness to see if I spot any creatures lurking in the water.
- Vienna, Austria
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Just like Billy Joel said, Vienna is waiting for me and I cannot wait to go! There is so much art, history and culture to be discovered from the city’s gorgeous location on the banks of the Danube River. I definitely want to visit Hofburg, home to the Austrian President, the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the many museums that can be found there.
- U.S. Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas)
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I don’t think this one needs much explanation as to why it’s my favorite….I would love to travel around the entire Caribbean if I could, possibly through work on a boat. Visiting (or living on) these islands would sure be an adventure I would never forget.
My life philosophy is to experience as much as possible, meet as many new people as I can, and to always remember what truly matters in life – not money, material things, or status, but love, relationships, and freedom. We only get one life to live, and I fully believe that you should live it to your own core values and beliefs and truly make it count. For me, that’s following the direction of my heart and going wherever the day will lead me.