With a collection of beautiful places available on the planet at your disposal, it can be an overwhelming task to determining where to spend your next holiday. With more of us than ever before travelling, the appetite for exciting destinations that offer a combination of culture, scenery and adventure continues to thrive. This guide highlights some of the world’s most attractive destinations, sure to inspire you for your next dream trip. 

1. Bali, Indonesia: A Tropical Paradise

 Located along the Indonesian archipelago and dubbed the ‘Island of the Gods’, Bali is a paradise of volcanic landscapes, heritage culture and beautiful people. Chances are, if you’ve ever discussed travel – whether on the radio, in print or over a coffee with friends – then you’ve heard of Bali. The tourist centre of Indonesia, this small island has long been the natural target for intrepid young travellers as well as more seasoned travellers with children and those avid for luxurious goods and services. From the verdant rice terraces of Ubud to the white-sand beaches of Seminyak and unforgiving surf of Kuta, Bali is a one-of-a-kind destination for every interest and budget. Travellers come to Bali to participate in the ancient trappings of the ornate culture, witness elaborate Balinese dance, hone their swim and surf skills, ascend active volcanoes or alight on uninhabited islands, feast on local specialities and mingle with lovable locals and present-day royalty. On this island, travellers can tee off, dine boisterously or take in a show without ever incurring the cost of airfare. Welcome to Bali.

2. Iceland: Nature’s Playground

 Iceland offers great outdoor adventures from beautiful waterfalls to the aurora borealis Perched at the edge of the arctic circle, the Nordic island of Iceland is a landscape torn asunder – majestic, unruly and unspoilt. Its unusually attractive topography, strewn with rivers, geysers, waterfalls including the tallest in Europe, and thundering cataracts makes it a captivating destination to visit. Most of Iceland’s tourists voyage along the much-trodden Golden Circle of South West Iceland, starting at Gullfoss ( Golden Waterfall ), Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The circular route also takes in the geothermal wonders of Geysir and Strokkur spouting water from hot springs, the site of the nation’s first parliament, the Law Rock of Thingvellir National Park and the UNESCO Geopark’s impressive ice sheets that separate the continents of Europe and North America. However, those seeking adventure and outdoor experiences can explore the Icelandic highlands, with the challenge of a glacier hike; take a dip in the steaming waters of the Blue Lagoon; or see the Northern Lights ( aurora borealis ) shimmering across the Arctic sky. Booking a trip to Iceland offers an immersive experience with its bountiful raw natural beauty.

3. Japan: A Land of Contrasts

 Japan is a feast for the senses, a country that manages to be both deeply traditional and futuristic. The pulse of the country is in the neon lights of modern Tokyo, where skyscrapers tower over historic temples and frantic street markets anthropomorphise into frenetic rhythms of the future. Tradition bubbles up in charming Kyoto, a collection of shrines, stone tearooms and immaculate gardens that seem perpetually clad in a haze of blossoms. Japan’s gastronomy needs little exposure and includes melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef, fresh sushi and sashimi, brothy ramen and sweet, doughy dorayaki pancakes. Nature lovers will also be awestruck by the powder peaks of Mount Fuji, the lush forest that stretches across the land, the bright coral beaches and volcanic onsens. A venerable country of poised beauty, Japan has everything if you know where to look. 

4. Portugal: Europe’s Hidden Gem

 Portugal, Portugal! The cork capital of the world, the country that dared to exist at the far edge of the Iberian Peninsula amid golden sands, high mountains and a cragged coastline. Nestling on the western tip of the peninsula, Portugal is ideal for hopping around. Of course, you’ve heard of it. Delightful Portuguese destinations, from Lisbon on the southern coast to Porto in the north, rival any top European destination. And if that wasn’t enough, some of the best beaches in all of Europe are right here. The towns and cities are cozy, yet elegant, the food is fantastic, the people are friendly and, for a European destination, the climate far exceeds what you’d expect. Portugal is an easy choice for your next getaway. From verdant green interiors to pleasant climes, Portugal is a pleasing concoction of European, Latin and African influences. From famous explorers to fine wines, you’d be hard-pressed to find any aspect of Portuguese culture that doesn’t impress. Lisbon on a summer evening, along the river Tagus, you might think that the best of Barcelona had been transported to a better-groomed, more welcoming Lisbon. 

5. Tanzania: Wildlife and Wilderness

 Travelers wanting to go on a safari unlike any other, with different animals in different landscapes on an epic journey from the far north to southern regions of Tanzania, can find the following in this one holiday. Enjoy a wildlife safari in some of Africa’s most beautiful and celebrated game parks and reserves. Enjoy a wildlife safari on the exotic East African island of Zanzibar, with its unspoiled powdery white beaches and lush tropical palm-f Town and mingle with the local peoples and their artisanal traditions, as well as learn about Zanzibar’s historic and daring slave trade, especially at the old slave market built during Sultan Seyyid Said’s rule in the 1820s on the Slave Market Road in the heart of the historic Stone Town.

 The world is a large and beautiful place filled with many adventures waiting to be discovered. But the reasons and interests to travel at all are not singular. Whether interested in the tropical paradise of Bali, rugged autumnal beauty of Iceland, Japanese culture, coastal Portugal, or wildlife wonders of Tanzania, the answers are multiple and out there to be experienced. So pack your bags, get on your next trip, and see the world through its magnificence. Mountains and beaches, ancient temples and bustling cities, the experiences and sights endless, and the adventure awaits.