7 Places In The World Everyone Should Visit Once In Their Lifetime ─ 2024 Guide

2020 has been a disappointing year for travel enthusiasts worldwide. The dreaded Covid-19 has not only restricted trips, but the extended isolation has made people distressed. In such a circumstance, the rejuvenating power of traveling may just be the thing you need to feel cheerful again.

With a coronavirus vaccine on the horizon, it seems that will be much brighter for those of you who are eagerly waiting to tour around the globe. In this article, we share seven destinations that everyone must visit once before they die (of Covid-19 or otherwise).

1. Venice, Italy

Venice will provide an excellent city experience for people not comfortable in losing themselves in the wilderness. The city has a strong cultural heritage and is unique to tourists for its beautiful houses, winding streets, canals, religious monuments, and art museums.

St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the best-known churches in the world, is situated in the city. The domes and walls inside of the church are decorated with 4,240 square meters of gold mosaics. The altars, floors, and treasury of the church are equally decorated with ages-old Byzantine art.

If you and your friends plan to stroll, chat, or drink coffee in Venice, there is no better place than St. Mark’s Square. The three sides of the square are framed, and mosaics and exotic curves occupy the open end.

Canale Grande or the Grand Canal that sweeps through Venice is the next best thing to experience. You’ll find remnants of old Gothic palaces opening onto the grand canal. Perhaps a trip by a Venetian Vaporetto along the canal will let you see all such historical monuments.

If you still have time in Venice, don’t forget to explore Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (a gothic church), and Gallerie dell’Accademia (the Museum of Fine Arts). Of course, if you find yourself in Venice, don’t forget to check out the Venetian Coast with beautiful sandy shores and small tourist towns such as Lido di Jesolo. Italy has much more to offer, so we advise you to click here not to miss something.

2. Santorini, Greece

Santorini is an island in Greece well known for its volcanoes, pebble beaches, cliffs, scenic vistas, blue-domed churches, and giant windmills. This Greek island’s picturesque beauty draws lovebirds and newlyweds from all over the world to experience inspiring sunsets, hot springs, cuisine, and luxurious resorts.

The famous volcanic craters of Santorini are visible from the sky if you travel by air. Upon reaching the island, you’ll need a smart car or ATV to explore the islands’ surroundings through its rough roads. Two of the island’s most preferred destinations are Oia and Firá. You’ll find many small villages and relaxing settings between these two crowded towns.

Firá is the capital of Santorini. The city is full of white cubic houses, whirling lanes, tiny squares, and abrupt cliffs. Oia, which is twelve kilometers away from Firá, attracts tourists for its beautiful sunsets. Situated in the northern parts of Santorini, Oia’s village is a treat for the eyes due to its whitewashed houses, cute boutique hotels, and waterfront public places.

Besides these two major attractions, Santorini is popular for Caldera, the Akrotíri Archaeological Site, Red Beach, and Pyrgos (Santorini’s former capital). Suppose you want to experience Greece’s historical sites and monuments. In that case, you must visit Santorini’s Ancient Thira (site of early Byzantine and Roman buildings), Firá’s Archeological Museum, and Museum of Prehistoric Thira.

3. New Zealand

After the coronavirus crisis is over, New Zealand should be one of the destinations on your list, and it’s not just because of the nation’s brilliant handling of the pandemic. New Zealand’s dramatic geography, its sparkling coves, coastal glaciers, snowy peaks, and clean rivers make it a once-in-a-lifetime destination.

New Zealand is famous for its adrenaline-rushing adventure activities like luging, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, skydiving, heli-skiing, and bungee jumping, which attract younger visitors throughout the year. New Zealand is extremely easy to explore due to its versatile topography, diverse culture, affordable driving arrangements, and various accommodation facilities.

When you decide to visit the nation, you must be ready with the ultimate New Zealand vacation itinerary so that you don’t miss its exciting attractions. Fiordland National Park is one such world-famous attraction in New Zealand which also happens to be a World Heritage Site. Fiordland offers visitors vast lakes, gushing cascades, mountain peaks, and offshore islands. The site is also a hub of adventure sports like hiking and sea kayaking.

People who prefer the seashore can visit the Bay of Islands and Queenstown. The Bay of Islands, which is not far from Auckland, is well-known for its versatile marine creatures such as whales, dolphins, and penguins.

The Bay is also a haven for water sports events like sailing, fishing, and yachting. Queenstown will offer you all these excitements along with its top-class hotels, restaurants, and spas. Some other attractions in New Zealand are Rotorua, Mount Cook National Park, Napier, and the Coromandel Peninsula.

4. South Africa

South Africa is perhaps the best place on earth for safari camps and jungle adventures. The African nation entices tourists with its beautiful gaping gorges, vast deserts, golden savannah, and wildlife. Besides the national parks, South Africa is also famous for its luxurious lodges and private game reserves.

Shark dives, coral reefs, colossal mountain ranges, and golden beaches are major tourist attractions of South Africa. However, the country’s national parks possess its most cherished charm, its wildlife. Kruger National Park is a world-famous safari park, which is a four-hour drive from South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg. The park offers visitors the opportunity to see all the significant wild creatures like buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is situated in the remote Northern Cape of South Africa. The park’s key attractions include red sands, gnarled camel thorn trees, and golden grasslands. It also has a rich stock of wildlife like black-maned Kalahari lion, cheetah, hyenas, meerkats, and sociable weavers.

If you wish to taste South Africa’s urban life, picturesque towns like Stellenbosch and Cape Town should be on your list. Cape Town is home to some breathtaking landscapes and botanical wonders, such as the Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, False Bay, Cape Point, and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

Destinations like the Garden Route, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, and Robben Island are some of the other major tourist hotspots in South Africa. You’ll need an all-terrain four-wheeler to explore the versatile land and wildlife of South Africa. When you are on such an outing, install a roof rack awning on your car so that you can take occasional breaks and relax beneath the awning.

5. Egypt

Egypt, the land of tombs, temples, and ancient Pharaohs has a lot more spark to offer to modern-day tourists. Egypt has vast deserts, fantastic scuba diving facilities, and Africa’s longest river, Nile. Egypt is an interesting mix of adventure, culture, and tradition that people of every age can enjoy.

While beach lovers can go to the Sinai, archaeology enthusiasts will enjoy Luxor. Cairo, the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa, offers all the luxuries of a metropolis. For a taste of the countryside, you can visit Aswan.

Everything said, the Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, are Egypt’s most recognized landmarks. These Pyramids, built for the great Pharaohs, have mesmerized travelers and archaeologists through ages.

The next most fascinating place in Egypt is Luxor, which was known as Thebes in ancient times. The town is famous for the Karnak Temple, Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut, and Valley of the Kings.

Abu Simbel is another temple that will create similar awe in the minds of the visitors. It is the temple of Ramses II, adorned with majestic wall paintings and standing guards. In an incredible UNESCO operation in the 1960s, the temple was relocated away from its original setting as it was set to sink underwater.

6. Costa Rica

Travelers who love rainforests, wildlife, and natural landscapes should visit Costa Rica at least once in their lifetime. A global destination for ecotourism, Costa Rica welcomes visitors with golden beaches, waterfalls, green mountains, volcanoes, and vibrant wildlife. People wanting a peaceful escape from monotonous city life may find Costa Rica’s small towns, Caribbean waters, lovely squares, and heterogeneous culture really soothing.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most popular attractions of the nation, with picturesque beaches, diverse wildlife, and lush green forests. A visit to the park will let you meet various sorts of colorful birds, squirrel monkeys, butterflies, and capuchins.

If volcano viewing is your priority, you should visit the Arenal Volcano National Park that hosts the Arenal Volcano. This volcano had a huge eruption in 1968, killing 82 people. The park is also home to massive numbers of Costa Rican reptiles, birds, mammals, and amphibians.

The Cloud Forests near Monteverde offer visitors a unique chance to see uncommon plants and creatures (like jaguars and pumas). Some other tourist destinations of the country are Dominical, Tortuguero National Park, Tamarindo, Jaco, and Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Nature lovers will particularly enjoy the humid climate of Monteverde, with its expansive cloud forests that ooze with waterfalls and strange plants – including yellow bromeliads and orchids. Visit familydestinationsguide.com to check out more destinations like this one.

7. Gozo, Malta

If you are from Europe and want to visit a secluded island nearby, Gozo’s Island will be a great choice. This peaceful island is only eight kilometers away from Malta. This scenic island is known for sandy beaches, beautiful coves, lush green hills, and little farms.

Although famous for its sleepy ambiance, the Mediterranean island becomes a center of attraction during summer. Its picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters make adventures like scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming more enjoyable.

When you arrive in Gozo, its capital city, Victoria’s surrounding landscapes should be your first destination. The center of the famous city is situated on a hilltop and was constructed by Saint John’s Knights in the sixteenth century. Historic spots of the city include the Folklore Museum, the Old Prison, and the Cathedral of the Assumption.

Ggantija Temples believed to be one of the rare freestanding monuments in the world, is a major attraction in Gozo. It is a UNESCO-listed prehistoric site that dates back to around 3500 BC.

For visitors who want civic luxuries, the Seaside Resort of Marsalforn offers beach entertainment, adventure sports, and upmarket restaurants and cafés. If you are more interested in magnificent sea scenes, the Baroque Church of Nadur, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, will provide you with an excellent view from the hilltop.

Bonus Tip ─ Balboa Park, San Diego California

This 1,400-acre tourist attraction is a must-see for any history enthusiast visiting San Diego. Balboa Park features numerous gardens, museums, and greeneries. The park was created from 1915 to 1916 and to our surprise, most of the buildings remain from that era.

As such, much of the design and architecture is Spanish-style. Couples who meet here are often said to stay together forever, and as such, various events places near the area cater to weddings. If you’re one of those fateful couples, this site can help.

Conclusion

It is said that traveling tests your patience and pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Exposure to new places, people, and cultures opens up new horizons for you and makes you an evolved human being. The places mentioned above will certainly help bring a fresh perspective in your life.

However, you must take all the safety measures when you travel in a post-Covid world. With the right planning and information, your tour will be all the more worthwhile and memorable.