Destinations – Global
International Inspiration
Looking for your next destination? You’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive travel directory spans almost 60 distinct destinations across nearly every continent on earth—including a few nations, like Yugoslavia and East Germany, that can now only be found in history books. This is a global footprint of the world through my eyes.
To make your trip planning as seamless as possible, I’ve broken my travels down by region and included short overviews of what makes each spot special. For every destination, you will find direct links to their official national tourism boards, ensuring you have the most accurate, authoritative information for your itinerary. Scroll down, pick a region, and let’s start planning what’s next on your list.
🇪🇺 Europe
Skiing down the breathtaking Alps in my younger days gave me a lifelong emotional connection here (hello, The Sound of Music!). Plus, their Jägerschnitzel gives Germany some serious competition!
Famous for its stunning medieval architecture and world-class chocolate, but if I am being totally honest, it is the incredible Belgian fries that I savor the most.
I first experienced this stunning destination back when it was still Yugoslavia. I will never forget how incredibly beautiful it was—the crisp fresh air and the crystal-clear water.
A beautiful Scandinavian destination filled with some of the most genuinely welcoming and friendly people you will ever meet.
Falling in love with London on a high school British Literature trip made me literally choose my college major just so I could study abroad here—and it remains one of my absolute favorite cities.
In high school, my parents let me take the overnight duty train to spend all day in Paris! I climbed every single step of the Eiffel Tower and quickly became the designated travel guide when family and friends visited.
Attending high school here made this one of my favorite countries on earth. If you haven’t tried (or if you’re not willing to try) pommes (fries) with curry ketchup and mayo, I have to put you on hold. No, seriously, I do!
Tracked down ancient history in Athens, walked through the iconic blue domes of Santorini, and enjoyed postcard looking Mykonos.
Breathtaking green scenery everywhere you look, paired perfectly with the absolute friendliest locals you could ever hope to chat with.
The ultimate escape, from the coastal villages of Cinque Terre (google it!) to the spot where I was completely sold on trying grilled octopus for the very first time. Delicious!
A spectacular, real-life fairytale old town featuring dramatic clifftop fortresses, deep lush valleys, and beautiful historic architecture.
The ultimate capital of glamour and luxury overlooking the Mediterranean, where there is just crazy money everywhere you turn.
Famous for its historic windmills and massive tulip fields. I also enjoyed exploring Madurodam, a super fun miniature model park built entirely to a 1:25 scale.
Breathtaking northern landscapes. I didn’t get to spot the magical Northern Lights on this trip, but they are still firmly at the top of my travel list!
A ruggedly beautiful, historic land filled with incredibly warm and welcoming locals.
Home to the absolute best paella I have ever eaten in my life, and the country where I fell in love with Barcelona—officially one of my favorite global cities.
Iconic mountain views where I tasted the BEST “lasagna” of my life—layered with ham, cheese, and a divine white sauce inside a personal iron skillet.
🌴 Caribbean & Atlantic Islands
A twin-island Caribbean nation celebrated for having 365 distinct white-sand beaches – one for each day of the year!
Spectacular white-sand beaches paired with a fantastic culinary scene heavily and deliciously influenced by European flavors.
A tropical paradise that serves up the absolute best, ultra-fresh conch salad you can find.
An idyllic island escape defined by its vibrant local culture and endless stretches of postcard-perfect beaches.
Home to the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, unforgettable scuba diving excursions and swimming with friendly stingrays.
A unique island where bright, colorful Dutch-colonial architecture sits right next to hidden, rugged desert coves.
A tropical escape where the music is lively and the local food is consistently incredible.
Hidden away in a beautiful mountainous landscape, this island boasts a remarkably resilient culture, unique art, and seriously good food.
The ultimate home of relaxing reggae rhythms, tropical waterfalls, a laid-back vibe, and world-famous, richly spiced jerk cuisine.
St. Kitts’ quiet sister island, offering peaceful plantation estates, therapeutic hot springs, and a wonderful island culinary scene.
A tranquil, historic island featuring volcanic peaks and uncrowded beaches, where the local food is absolutely delicious.
Breathtaking landscapes framed by the towering volcanic Pitons. We rented a car to drive all around the island and tracked down the unforgettable Rabot Restaurant, where literally every single dish—even the steak, poultry and seafood entrees are spectacularly infused with local chocolate.
We always enjoy exploring the French and Dutch sides of this island. It’s also famous for tourists watching planes fly dangerously low over Maho Beach, but take it from my maturing self: it’s a sight better left to the internet than experiencing firsthand!
Boasting some of the most jaw-dropping, clear turquoise water on earth, paired with phenomenal fresh seafood.
🌎 North, Central & South America
A vast country where I’ve explored Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Vancouver. Sweet Canadian ice wine and fantastic pho are my two absolute non-negotiables for each and every visit.
Beautiful beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, colorful festivals and comfort food that make your taste buds dance!
An unforgettable destination where you quickly learn what pura vida truly means – living intentionally with positivity, gratitude, and a relaxed attitude.
Home to incredibly clear beaches and the unforgettable family vacation memory where we tried iguana for the first time (spoiler: it tastes like chicken!).
Two things are permanently etched in my memory: driving over the historic canal and drinking a delicious prune milkshake—trust me, I don’t even like prunes, but it was spectacular!
Living and teaching English in Cartagena for a year (and visiting Bogota, Barranquilla, and Turbaco) inspired my daily café con leche ritual – and this website’s very first featured recipe.
🇺🇸 US States & Territories
Spotting whales, bears, and bald eagles was priceless, but touching a a 200 year old block of ice (Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center) with my bare hands stole the show! There’s also a local favorite that you can’t miss in Skagway – Klondike Doughboy!
From relaxing in Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island to swimming with sharks in a protective cage and ziplining, this paradise is close to my heart. Walking up Diamond Head and visiting Pearl Harbor are absolute musts!
Full of vibrant Caribbean energy, rum distillery tours, and home to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
A cosmopolitan island getaway in the U.S. Virgin Islands, packed with world-class duty-free shopping and incredible local dining spots.
St. John 🇻🇮
A peaceful eco-paradise where the beaches are pristine and the island food is fresh and delicious.
An exquisite island territory in the Caribbean Sea, boasting reef-lined white sand beaches, active historic harbors, and pristine marine sanctuaries.
🌏 Asia & The Middle East
I haven’t been back to Japan since I was a child, but I am officially heading back in February 2027 to explore it with my maturing eyes!
The absolute definition of a luxury island escape. The overwater bungalows are such a treat.
Filled with history, amazingly delicious food, and where we scored our favorite leather coats!
An unforgettable trip exploring the massive shopping malls and gleaming gold districts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and heading into the dunes for camel rides, ATVs, a desert photo shoot, and an incredible dinner under the stars!
🌊 Oceania & French Polynesia
A massive, beautiful continent with incredible food, where I bravely tried kangaroo and emu meat for the very first time (and loved them both!).
Had the absolute freshest coconut water — a local literally climbed up a palm tree, cut a fresh coconut down, popped a straw in it, and handed it to us.
A dreamlike South Pacific paradise that marked our very first, unforgettable experience staying in an overwater bungalow. Pure bliss!
So incredibly cool. My husband drove our rental car all over the stunning landscapes, and we even successfully climbed Baldwin Street in Dunedin—the steepest street in the world!
🦁 Africa
Discover the spectacular wildlife, modern cities, ad diverse cultural landscapes.
Truly unforgettable. A spectacular destination where we paired world-class winery tours with humbling history, from standing at the southernmost tip of the African continent and seeing wild penguins to standing inside and touching Nelson Mandela’s actual prison cell on Robben Island.
Countries of the Past
I explored this historic nation before its dissolution in 1992. Today, the regions I stepped foot in are entirely separate modern countries, but the history remains unforgettable.
I visited Berlin while the wall was still standing and famously crossed over checkpoint lines into East Berlin to go shopping—a surreal look at a world that completely changed in 1989.