Which place is your ultimate dream destination? That’s the question we recently asked IndependentTraveler.com readers on Facebook and Twitter. (We asked our staff too — check out their answers here!). In response, we got the following wanderlust-inspiring list.
Read on to see which places top our readers’ bucket lists. (Warning: You may find your own wish list growing.)
Viva l’Italia
Reader Take: “More, more, more of Italy and of much of Western Europe in general. I visited 17 cities in nine countries over 13 months last fall, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Can’t wait!” — Wynne Gavin on Facebook
IT.com Recommendation: Exploring Italy can keep you busy for a lifetime. A few of our favorite spots include Burano, a charming, colorful village in the Venetian Lagoon, and Cortona, the hilltop town made famous by Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
Into the Wild
Reader Take: “I wanna go to the wild of Madagascar one day.” — Yusof Ibrahim on Facebook
IT.com Recommendation: For animal lovers, a trip to Madagascar is a must. This island nation off the coast of Africa is home to a wealth of unique species such as flying foxes, mongooses, spear-nosed snakes and about a dozen types of lemurs.
Adventure and Amazing Views
Reader Take: “New Zealand. As a photographer and adventure traveler, NZ is always calling me.” — @RideRunRoam
IT.com Recommendation: New Zealand is famous for its adventure sports — everything from sky diving and bungee jumping to “zorbing” (rolling downhill in a giant, transparent ball). Queenstown, on the South Island, is considered the country’s adventure capital.
Beaches Without the Crowds
Reader Take: “Albania for its unspoiled beautiful beaches! Travel planning right now :)” — @Blocal_
IT.com Recommendation: Albania’s pristine coastline is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Ksamil Beach is one of our favorites, with its picturesque village, crystal-clear water and nearby islands reachable by boat.
Mountain Culture
Reader Take: “Tibet and Nepal. Always wanted to see Lhasa and Kathmandu … and the Himalaya Mountains. (Tibet being ‘China’ now.)” — Kim Higns on Facebook
IT.com Recommendation: Tibet and Nepal have some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Hikers can challenge themselves on high-altitude Himalayan treks, while other travelers come to explore the cultural riches here, from temples and monasteries to colorful festivals.
Ancient Wonders
Reader Take: “Peru, for all its ancient wonders!” — @malviche
IT.com Recommendation: Everyone thinks of Machu Picchu when they think of Peru, but many don’t know that the country is also home to numerous other Incan ruins. One of the most impressive is Sacsayhuaman, outside of Cuzco, an ancient fortress where the Festival of the Sun is celebrated each June.
European Coffee Culture
Reader Take: “Vienna. Because of the coffee culture coming out of there.” — @meCatarina
IT.com Recommendation: Vienna’s oldest and most traditional coffee houses often have ornate details such as chandeliers and marble table tops. Locals can linger there for hours over rich coffee and pastries, perusing a newspaper or chatting with friends.
Do-Over in Paradise
Reader Take: “A bucket list location; that’d be a bit of a do-over as I didn’t plan Fiji correctly so I left. Now, I think instead I’d head for the Cook Islands; Seychelles & Maldives just not likely to be in ANY budget I’ll have but who knows?” — Colleen Costello on Facebook
IT.com Recommendation: With their pristine beaches, the Cook Islands are the perfect place to work on your tan — but if you’re after something a little more active, you can snorkel, kayak, hike and enjoy local foods such as rori (sea cucumbers) and ika mata (marinated raw fish, similar to ceviche).
History in Southeast Asia
Reader Take: “Vietnam! I love unique destinations with rich history and Southeast Asia is next on the list!” — @Mander_LA
IT.com Recommendation: Vietnam presents a rich tapestry for travelers to explore. We love browsing its colorful food markets, where you can pick up anything from exotic vegetables to chickens (dead or alive!). Night markets, floating markets, bustling city markets … they’re all a feast for the senses.
Ecuador from A to Z
Reader Take: “I’d love to tour Ecuador. Cuenca, Banos, Shell, the coast!” –@jamiedurbin75
IT.com Recommendation: Ecuador’s most famous tourist destinations are Quito, its capital city in the Andes, and the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands. But the small, welcoming city of Cuenca beckons visitors with Old World architecture, an active arts community and a scenic location in the mountains.
Finding the Secret to Happiness
Reader Take: “Bhutan. Happiest people in the world.” — @sarahhong43
IT.com Recommendation: This small country in the Himalayas uses a “Gross National Happiness” index to measure and improve the wellbeing of its people, incorporating factors such as education, health and cultural diversity. Visitors must book their trip through registered local tour operators, which emphasize a policy of “High Value, Low Impact.”
Honeymoon in Ireland
Reader Take: “Ireland!!!! It’s the honeymoon we never had because my hubby is military and he was constantly deployed. We ended up at a justice of the peace after he’d been in the field for a week and came in for a couple hours to get married. … I’m so grateful to be married to him but someday, soooomeday we will have that honeymoon to Ireland. He retires with 31 years of being in the Army this year and I truly hope in a couple years we can finally go.” — Jo Kula on Facebook
IT.com Recommendation: There are plenty of romantic experiences to have in Ireland, from a hand-in-hand stroll across Dublin‘s Ha’penny Bridge to an overnight stay in a castle.
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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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