As you may have noticed, in the past weeks we’ve created this small series “Our Editors’ Favourite Destinations”. Today, I’ll present seven recommendations from six continents. Africa is left out for now, since apart from Ceuta (nice, but not a favourite), it’s still an unexplored region for me.
Table of Contents
Utah and Arizona
After at least 20 trips to the USA, I’ve recently drifted away from the country as a travel destination for several reasons (price levels, run-down city centres, …). Yet, trips to the Southwest are always a pleasure. The cities there are hardly worth mentioning, but the nature is all the more so.
A road trip is, of course, most enjoyable with a rental car. Highlights for me include the hiking paradise of Sedona, Bryce & Zion Canyon National Parks, and the area around Moab (Arches & Canyonlands National Park). They all share red rock formations that look like they’re from another planet. And the next Taco Bell is never far away.
Big Island (Hawaii)
Let’s stay in the USA for a moment. Another six hours from the US West Coast is the 50th state: Hawaii. The main city, Honolulu, is well-known, but if you really want to experience Hawaii, you should avoid it. Personally, I’ve now visited all five major islands of the archipelago, and I have two favourites: Kauai and Big Island, also called Hawai’i (like the state itself).
In a direct comparison, Big Island wins. There’s simply more to do, and the accommodations are a bit cheaper. During our first visit, we spent nearly two weeks driving across the island in a rental car and still didn’t see everything. My personal highlights: the green valleys in the northwest, the Volcano National Park with close-up views of solidified lava, numerous waterfalls, and a scenic flight across the island. Of course, a shave ice is a must for cooling down.
Japan
If someone were to ask me right now which is my number one travel destination, I’d probably say: Japan. My fascination with this country began in 2019 with a 24-hour layover in Tokyo (part of a crazy world trip). Since the pandemic ended, I’ve been back five times and love almost everything about it. And this, despite the fact that I’m not into manga, anime, or the like.
It starts with the dense, well-organized, and fairly affordable train network, whether in the city or countryside. And thanks to the weakening yen, Japan has become very affordable: Central business hotels are available almost everywhere for around €40 to €60 per night. The country is also incredibly diverse: from snow monsters (frozen trees in weird shapes) in winter to shrines in rainforests, bustling urban entertainment districts, and paradise islands near Okinawa. And if you stay away from the Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto triangle, you won’t encounter many tourists.
Another thing that keeps pulling me back is the affordable, diverse, and delicious food. Whether it’s udon noodles at Marugame, onigiri from a convenience store, tonkatsu schnitzel, Japanese BBQ, sushi for 100 yen, or fresh sashimi from a fish market: I could live off this food for weeks without getting bored. Plus, I’ve only tried a quarter of 7-Eleven’s ice cream selection… Time for the next trip to Japan!
Switzerland
It seems that it’s mainly Asians and Americans who appreciate Switzerland as a travel destination. That might be because it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe. But as a tourist, you get a lot in return: idyllic small towns, possibly the best hiking trails in Europe, the world’s best cheese, the ability to ski and sail on the same day, and trains that run on the minute.
With a Half-Fare travel card, saver day pass, or similar offers, public transportation becomes somewhat affordable. And while prices in many restaurants and supermarkets around Europe have skyrocketed, they’ve remained relatively stable in Switzerland. So, the price difference isn’t as big as it was before the pandemic. Finding affordable accommodation is the biggest challenge.
Falkland Islands
My profile info states that I’m particularly fond of (remote) islands and destinations with penguins. That’s why my trip to the Falkland Islands (my trip report (in German)) will always remain unforgettable. Where else in the world can you sit undisturbed with hundreds of penguins on the beach? That’s basically all you need to know about the Falkland Islands as a travel destination—and why I’m eager to go back.
But it’s neither easy nor cheap. A trip from Europe involves at least three layovers and over €1,000 for flights. Then you arrive in the capital, Stanley, which is cute but mainly serves as the starting point for onward flights to more remote islands.
South Georgia (and Antarctica)
The only way to top the Falkland Islands trip was with Antarctica. So, for New Year’s 2023/2024, I took a cruise to Antarctica. But not directly—we stopped in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
I actually liked South Georgia even more than Antarctica. The place offers a stunning contrast of green hills, snow, blue icebergs, glaciers, turquoise waters, and thousands of white dots that turn out to be penguins. While more than 50 cruise ships now visit Antarctica, South Georgia remains relatively quiet in comparison.
Home (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Admittedly, home is not exactly a travel destination. But between all the long-distance trips, you sometimes forget how beautiful your home actually is. After years of travelling to other continents, I realized I hadn’t seen much of my home region, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With the introduction of the €49 Germany ticket, the excuse of not having a car no longer holds, so I spent this summer exploring my home in-depth.
Even a day trip to a neighbouring town helps to curb the wanderlust for a few days. If you actively look, you’ll almost always find an event happening somewhere. I literally live where others vacation, but there are beautiful corners all over Germany just waiting to be discovered.
Honorable Mentions
I could go on forever with this article. Next on the list would be:
- Valencia (for the unique blend of modern and old architecture)
- Iceland (besides islands and penguins, I also have a thing for waterfalls)
- The Faroe Islands, which are similar to Iceland but even quirkier
- San Antonio is one of the few American cities with a truly pleasant downtown
- Luxembourg for its free public transportation, beautiful capital, and surprisingly expansive nature
- Patagonia for all hiking fans, especially the charming Chilean town of Puerto Natales
- Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) is a South American city that feels more like Switzerland than Argentina (and because of the wonderful grilled lamb)
- Malmö is an underrated destination in Sweden and a cheap starting point for Copenhagen
- Liège for its waffles, authentic Belgian fries, and impressive train station (same architect as the modern buildings in Valencia & the Turning Torso in Malmö)
- Slovenia, the European country that probably surprised me the most
- Vancouver is the most livable city in North America
- Vancouver Island is a huge nature paradise that few people have on their radar
- The national parks in Western Canada (Banff and Jasper, although the latter was recently hit by wildfires)
- Tasmania, which combines Australia’s highlights in a compact size (and penguins!)
For now, that’s all. Most of the places on this list I’ve only been to once. So many times, I’ve planned to return soon—only to put it off again.