I'm a Travel Writer - These Are the 12 Top Places I've Been To (Part I)

As a travel writer, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many fascinating destinations. Traveling is an important part of life for me. It allows us to experience new cultures, visit places with great historical significance, and do things we’d only ever dreamed of doing.

Therefore, I want to inspire your next vacation destination. To do that, I’ve decided to share the top 12 places I’ve been to. It takes a special place to make someone want to go back, but I’d happily return to any of the entries on this list in a heartbeat. They offer rich culture, beautiful landscapes, exciting attractions, and more.

Thailand, Phuket

Phuket is a vibrant city on Phuket Island, the capital of Thailand’s Phuket Province. The younger generations might know Phuket best as one of Thailand’s most popular party hubs. However, beyond the hustle and bustle of the lively nightclubs and bars lies a unique city with a diverse mix of cultures, beautiful temples, and glorious white sand beaches.

If you want to learn more about the city and explore its most famous sights, head straight to Old Town on Thalang Road. You’ll find colorful 19th-century Sino-Portuguese buildings, shops, and beautiful mansions here. Notable attractions include Phuket Walking Street, Soi Romanee, Thai Hua Museum, and Chinpracha House. Once you’ve explored the Old Town, enjoy the sunshine at Patong Beach.

Italy

We spent almost two months traveling through Italy and loved every second. Italy has everything from world-famous historic landmarks in Rome to vibrant beach towns like Positano. Of course, the Italian cuisine also stole my heart with delicious pasta dishes, authentic pizzas, and tasty desserts.

If you only have a few days to spend in Italy, visit the capital, Rome. This historic city is jam-packed with fascinating sights, beautiful plazas, local eateries, and things to do. Don’t miss the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, or the Pantheon. If you’d prefer beaches and sunshine, I recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. Alternatively, head to Cagliari for a combination of big city, history, and beach town vibes.

Jordan

If you love impressive landscapes, historic landmarks, and unique cultures, like me, Jordan is a place you must tick off your bucket list. One of the most spectacular countries in the Middle East, Jordan is famed for its impressive archaeological sites, beautiful scenery, and delicious cuisine.

One of my favorite places in Jordan is Petra. Built as early as the 5th century, this wonder of the world, world-famous archaeological site, and ancient city is a sight to behold. It features mesmerizing temples, tombs, and houses carved into pink sandstone cliffs, Al-Khazneh being the most iconic sight. In Jordan, I also thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the Dead Sea, which is famous for its medicinal properties, and sleeping under the stars in a Wadi Rum tent.

Spain

Another country we’ve spent a large chunk of time in is Spain, where we spent about a month moving around. While places like Barcelona and Madrid are lovely, offering tourists everything they need from a Spanish city break, it’s Cádiz I fell in love with. This southwestern Spanish city has to be one of Spain’s most underrated beach destinations.

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Cádiz features several pristine beaches, a historic port, and a cobblestone Old Town bursting with gorgeous landmarks. Significant points of interest in the city include Playa de la Cortadura, Playa de la Victoria, Torre Tavira, Castillo de Santa Catalina, and Catedral de la Santa Cruz de Cádiz. One of my favorite pastimes was to grab a refreshing drink and bite to eat by the sea.

Morocco

Morocco is a beautiful North African country known for its rich history, strong culture, food diversity, and scenic landscapes. Two places in Morocco stole my heart: Marrakech and Essaouira. These two places offer a unique insight into Moroccan culture and many things to see and do.

In Marrakech, a much-loved summer vacation destination, enjoy exploring the busy souks (traditional markets), visit the iconic Bahia Palace, and stroll through Le Jardin Secret, a lush botanical garden. If you want to enjoy the best beach near Marrakech, head to Essaouira, where you’ll find a gorgeous stretch of coastline and a long sandy beach (Plage d’Essaouira). I also loved the 18th-century Medina of Essaouira (Old Town), Sqala du Port d’Essaouira, and the city walls.

Southern France

The next destination on my list is Southern France. Again, limiting the region down to one place is hard, so I’ll give you three. The three places I love most in Southern France are Antibes, Saint Tropez, and Cannes. Each place offers authentic French charm, picturesque beaches, and vibrant Old Towns packed with history.

Having said that, each place also has its individual perks. For example, Cannes wins when it comes to outdoor adventure, offering rolling hills perfect for hiking. Meanwhile, Saint Tropez is one of Southern France’s most luxurious and glamorous seaside locations. Antibes is generally quieter and more relaxed than Cannes and Saint Tropez, making it a better option for travelers who want to escape the crowds.

Dominican Republic

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As much as I love seeing and doing as much as possible, sometimes it’s nice to take things slower, relax, and unwind. One of my all-time favorite places to do that is the Dominican Republic. However, the great thing about this Caribbean island nation is that there are still plenty of things to do besides sunbathing.

The Dominican Republic offers a beautiful tropical climate, stunning beaches, outdoor activities, and historic locations. Significant points of interest include Punta Cana Beach, Bávaro Beach, Cabarete, Santo Domingo (the oldest city in the Americas), Juanillo Beach, and Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua and Puerto Plata Cable Car are two of my favorites as well. Do not miss a day trip to Isla Saona; the beaches there are absolutely gorgeous.

Greek Islands

The Greek islands are famed for their incredible natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture. As a result, they are loved by most travelers, myself included. As a Greek, I’ve been to several of our beautiful islands, like Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, and Crete—and many more that are not as famous.

However, one island has a deeper meaning for me as my dad comes from there. As such, I’ve spent many a summer exploring the heavenly landscapes and swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Lefkada.

One of the great things about Lefkada is how quiet it is. Compared to other Greek islands, such as Santorini, Lefkada is much less touristy, so you can find a peaceful slice of paradise. Beachgoers enjoy spending time at Porto Katsiki, Kathisma, and Egremni beaches. Other than beaches, explore the beautiful Lefkada Old Town, the 14th-century Agia Mavra Fort, and seafront villages like Agios Nikitas and Vassiliki.

Switzerland

Switzerland is another exciting destination I can’t pin down to one location. The entire country is dotted with picturesque landscapes, vibrant cities, and charming hillside towns. However, I particularly love Lauterbrunnen, the surrounding villages, and Zermatt. Lauterbrunnen is a breathtaking Swiss village brimming with snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, and tall waterfalls.

Popular things to do include hiking, adventure sports, mountain climbing, and picnicking. As for the towns and villages near Lauterbrunnen, don’t miss Mürren, Isenfluh, and Wengen.

Then, there’s Zermatt, a mountain resort village renowned for skiing, hiking, and climbing. It’s from Zermatt you can catch a glimpse of the iconic Matterhorn Mountain. Meanwhile, Bahnhofstrasse (the main street) is lined with boutique shops and restaurants.

Denmark, Copenhagen

Denmark is a beautiful country that has something to offer every traveler. However, the capital, Copenhagen, is the best place to visit. This vibrant city is filled with fascinating attractions, famous landmarks, and exciting things to see and do. Better yet, it has a delicious food scene coupled with great design.

My favorite things to see in Copenhagen include Amalienborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid Statue, Reffen Street Market, and Nyhavn. Besides Copenhagen, we’re partial to visiting the Lego House with our children. Located in Billund, where Lego originates, this is a fun building filled with over 25 million Lego bricks. It has an entertaining Lego design and is filled to the rafters with Lego exhibits, games, and play areas.

Indonesia, Bali

Dubbed the “Island of the Gods” due to its close ties with Hinduism and the countless temples and religious sites that cover the island, Bali is a breathtaking island with much to see and do. Belonging to Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali is a haven for picturesque sandy beaches, turquoise waters, powerful waterfalls, and rich culture.

When you’re not soaking up the sun on one of the many beaches or exploring a famous temple, tuck into local cuisine overlooking a rice terrace, explore the quaint handicraft markets, and race through the rainforest on an ATV. Some of my favorite things to do in Bali include releasing sea turtles in Kuta, exploring the markets in Ubud, hiking in Tegallalang Rice Terraces, and relaxing at Finn’s Beach Club.

Belgium

Belgium has a special place in my heart for many reasons, starting with the fact that my family and I currently live in the capital, Brussels. Brussels is renowned for its beautiful architecture, historic Old Town, awesome food, and administrative center of the European Union.

You’ll likely spend most of your time in the city eating your way through the streets, admiring the architecture, and visiting the most iconic attractions. Places you don’t want to miss include the Grand Palace, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and Atomium. Other places in Belgium I love include Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Dinant. Admittedly, Bruges is quite touristy, but it’s still a beautiful place to visit.