I’ve been lucky enough to travel to 22 different countries and visit 18 different states. However, because of that, I have a list of places I think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Whether it’s for Christmas break or for 10 years down the road, here are my top six places to visit on your next trip.
- Granada, Spain
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I can’t deny it, I love Granada — I love it so much that I dream of moving there someday. If you asked me why it’s simply: Granada is beautiful and rich with history. When you walk down the street, there are pomegranates on top of the pavement barriers and tiled onto the ground. There is beauty surrounding the whole town. Not only that, but Granada is home to Alhambra. In case you don’t know, the Alhambra is a famous part of Islamic architecture and contains many examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
- Valdez, Alaska
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Growing up in Alaska, my favorite part was going to Valdez every summer for fishing. While you might be more interested in Anchorage for a trip to Alaska, Valdez is the place to be for fishing, hiking, and a plethora of other activities. In the winter, you can ice fish, ski, or see the northern lights. In the summer, you can take a boat to see the glacier, hike, or visit any of their museums for a rich lesson in Native Alaskan culture and history. Most of all, you have to try some seafood — or else you’re missing out.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Thailand is such a beautiful country. If you are going to Thailand, check out Chiang Mai. One of my favorite activities was the half-day cooking class I took, where my family and I were taught how to make red and green curry, mango sticky rice, and a pea flower lemonade. Alongside that, Wat Rong Khun — or White Temple — is 3 hours away but completely worth it. The temple is yet to be completed, but the beauty of the temple lies both inside and outside. Just remember to dress appropriately if you go.
- San Francisco
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I was about 11 or 12 when I visited San Francisco, and I fell in love. Something about the city made me feel so content. When visiting there, my favorite part of the whole trip was seeing Alcatraz and learning about the history —especially about the two prisoners who managed to escape. Alongside that, San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge — but I loved the food. While I don’t have any specific recommendations, you can never go wrong with Chinatown.
- Rome, Italy
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I know Rome is overused, but trust me on this: there’s more to Rome than the traditional tourist attractions. While Vatican City and the Colosseum are wonderful places to see, you haven’t visited Rome if you don’t get lost in the streets — and I mean that literally. My favorite memory of Rome was getting lost on a side street and finding a little restaurant with two tables inside for dinner. That night, I stuffed myself full of pasta and limoncello that I felt like I had to be rolled out of there — but the memory of laughing with the family that owned the restaurant will never be forgotten. If you have the chance, visit Rome.
- Galway, Ireland
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There’s a reason why Galway has been an inspiration for so many songs. When I visited, there was something so beautiful about this town that you can’t stop dreaming about. Whether it’s visiting Galway Cathedral or simply walking around outside, you’ll find yourself more in love by the minute. For a quick bite, stop by The Dough Bros, a place that serves the best pizza from my experience.
Whether you want to dream about traveling somewhere new or are ready to settle on a new trip destination, I highly encourage you to visit any of these six spots.