With a world full of fascinating destinations, choosing the
perfect vacation spot can present a challenge. We hope these
recommendations can help you craft your travel bucket list.
01.Great Barrier Reef |Australia
Why Go to Great Barrier Reef
As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great
Barrier Reef holds a spot on every traveler's bucket list. Hugging the east
coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef extends from Cape York
in the north all the way to Bundaberg in the south — a total of 1,250 miles.
With roughly 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands and 1,625 species of fish, the reef
leaves its 1.6 million annual visitors enchanted.
But before diving in, it's important to get your bearings.
The northern half of the reef runs from the Cape York Peninsula to Cairns, a
popular home base for many reef visitors. Not only does Cairns provide the
closest reef access from the mainland, but it also boasts a few attractions of
its own, like the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas.
Travel farther down the coast and you'll run into the southern half of the
reef, which stretches from the Capricorn Coast (along the Tropic of Capricorn)
to Gladstone and Fraser Island. Airlie Beach is a favored hub for travelers in
the south thanks to its array of stylish resorts and its close proximity to a
cluster of 74 islands known as the Whitsundays.
Wherever you decide to hang your hat, the Great Barrier Reef
is a treasure trove of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you're gazing at
marine life through a scuba mask, letting the tropical breeze unfurl your sail,
or in a plane gliding high above it all, the possibilities for exploration are
nearly limitless.
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based
on analysis of expert and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation
destinations.
Great Barrier Reef is ranked as:
#1 in World's Best Places to Visit
#1 in Best Places to Visit in Australia and The Pacific
#1 in Best Adventure Vacations in Australia and the Pacific
Best Things to Do in Great Barrier Reef
#1 Diving and Snorkeling
#2 Cairns
#3 Hamilton Island
02.Paris
Why Go to Paris
The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with
its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art
collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles
through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and
blocks of Rococo- and Neoclassic-design architecture, further enhanced by
charming trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and
graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the
market, cafe or cinema.
Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine, and an
atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors," as
Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoir, "A Moveable Feast." Visit
the Centre Pompidou, enjoy gourmet pastries, shop couture on the Champs Élysées
or hit the boutiques in Les Halles, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or
even plan a day trip to Versailles Palace. But don't miss out on the simple
pleasure of meandering the marvelous arrondissements (districts).
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based
on analysis of expert and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation
destinations.
Paris is ranked as:
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Europe
#2 in World's Best Places to Visit
#2 in Best Summer Vacations
See all 8 Paris rankings
Best Things to Do in Paris
#1 Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris)
#2 Musee du Louvre
#3 Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
03.Bora Bora
Why Go to Bora Bora
The small island of Bora Bora (just 6 miles long and more
than 2 miles wide) overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its
center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon.
In fact, author James Michener, who wrote "Tales of the South Pacific,"
called Bora Bora "the most beautiful island in the world." The
18th-century British explorer James Cook even coined it as the "pearl of
the Pacific." The very definition of a tropical getaway, blissful Bora
Bora abounds with luxurious resorts, sunny skies, warm waters and friendly
locals.
And as you might've already guessed, the main industry on
this petite island in French Polynesia and its swarm of tiny motu (small
surrounding islands) is tourism. To that end, you can snorkel, explore Vaitape
(Bora Bora's quaint town), hike Mount Otemanu and more. But there's a catch:
Bora Bora is expensive — very expensive. In short, visit Bora Bora for natural
beauty, visit for utter relaxation and visit if you have the money.
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based
on analysis of expert and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation
destinations.
Bora Bora is ranked as:
#1 in Best Honeymoon Destinations
#2 in Best Winter Vacations
#2 in Most Luxurious Honeymoon Destinations
Best Things to Do in Paris
#1 Matira Beach
#2 Mount Otemanu
#3 4x4 Excursions
04.Florence
Why Go to Florence
This little city, tucked amid the Tuscan hills, casts a long
shadow through history. The wellspring of the Renaissance, Firenze (or
Florence) sheltered the powerful Medici family and inspired artists like
Michelangelo (David) and Brunelleschi (the Duomo). If it weren't for the
fashionable Italians and chic shops lining Via Tornabuoni, you might think you
had traveled back in time to the 14th century. But Renaissance art is not the
only reason to come: You also visit Florence for its gorgeous sunsets, its
Italian cooking and its unbeatable romantic charm.
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based
on analysis of expert and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation
destinations.
Florence is ranked as:
#1 in Best Romantic European Getaways
#4 in World's Best Places to Visit
#4 in Best Summer Vacations
Best Things to Do in Florence
#1 Piazza della Signoria
#2 Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
#3 Piazzale Michelangelo
05.Tokyo
Why Go to Florence
"Animated" is perhaps the best word to describe
Tokyo. Crazy about its anime, Japan's mega city is constantly buzzing with
movement—feet clack down sidewalks, cars zoom along streets, subway trains hum
below ground, ships cruise in and out. And yet bright lights and loud signs beg
you to pause, to break your motion for just one second to pray (oops, we mean
pay) at the altar of consumerism. This is a city that feeds on motion and
progress.
But when you want to stop in Tokyo, the city will certainly
make it worth your while. The tech savvy locales may whizz past the monuments
and urban parks daily (except during the cherry blossom season when everyone
floods the green space), but, we assure you, the museums and historical sites
are world-class. Here, there are photos to be taken, sushi to be eaten, and a
lot of shopping to be done. So what are you waiting for? You better get a move
on.
Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based
on analysis of expert and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation
destinations.
Tokyo is ranked as:
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Asia
#5 in World's Best Places to Visit
Best Things to Do in Florence
#1 Tsukiji Market
#2 Tokyo National Museum
#3 Meiji Shrine
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