A bit of a detour in today’s blog, but allow me to indulge my passion for travel just a bit. I’ve been a traveler since birth, having reached four continents by the time I was five years old.
As I have now visited more than 140 countries (as defined by the Travelers’ Century Club) across six continents (I’m coming for you one day, Antarctica…), I am often asked about my “favorite” travel destinations. While that is not an easy question to answer, I certainly have quite a few experiences baked in my memory that I enjoy sharing with my globetrotting friends who are seeking offbeat travel inspiration. No one needs me to advise them to visit the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, or the canals of Venice, but I am happy to share my “Top 25 Memorable and Non-Obvious Travel Discoveries.” While most of these spots bring me positive memories, I’ve included a few from the “mixed bag” category as well. If you’re looking for something a little different from your typical beach holiday or city break, look no further!
Americas
Dearborn, Michigan. The Henry Ford is my #1 underrated “must do” museum in America. While in the neighborhood, leave time for the Ford Rouge factory tour. This is a destination for all ages.
North American Safaris. For adults and kids alike. If you can’t make it to the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya anytime soon, there are two astonishingly good safari experiences available right in North America that I have experienced with my kids: Wild Animal Safari in Bryan, Texas and African Lion Safari in Hamilton, Ontario. A jaw-dropping experience considering just how far they are from the African plains.
Dayton, Ohio. Included here because it’s a “middle America” city that seldom gets attention as a tourist spot, yet boasts some of the finest museums and attractions in the world for those with an interest in the history of transportation and particularly, aviation (right up my alley). The Wright Brothers Factory and the National Museum of the US Air Force top that list.
The Brazilian Amazon. Talk about going off the grid. Fly to Manaus in northern Brazil, and hop a bus to a boat to a van and another boat, and at the end of a long day, you will be transported to another dimension. Going deep into nature, experiencing the flora, fauna (think sloths, pink dolphins, and jaguars if you’re really lucky), and interactions with indigenous natives, making it one of my most memorable travel adventures.
Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia. The most rustic trip I have ever taken was made fully worthwhile by landscapes that provide the impression of traveling on another planet. Mesmerizing, awe-inspiring, whatever hyperbole you can think of, still doesn’t do it justice.
Peru. I would like to do more epic train rides in years to come, but for now, my #1 is the all-day Andean Explorer that snakes its way between Cusco and Lake Titicaca. Majestic and luxurious, yet also affordable. (Side note, from personal experience in Lima: Do Not Drink Bottled Water if it comes from a street vendor… you may end up with rebottled and unfiltered tap water, which could pretty much ruin your entire day).
Easter Island, Chile. Not much to say, other than worth the effort of flying five hours from Santiago de Chile, to this remote Pacific island, home of the enigmatic Moai statues.
Europe
Florence, Italy. I said I wouldn’t use this blog post to plug “obvious” destinations, but Florence is just so incredible, I couldn’t help myself. Quick plug to my favorite meal in Florence (as first discovered when I was 8 years old, and reaffirmed as an adult): Tortellini alla Panna, which I have never found as delectable anywhere else, including the rest of Italy.
German Christmas Markets. They know how to do it right. If I could, I would travel to a large German city every December just to stroll around and experience the magic. The world’s top “year-round” Christmas market has to be the quaint, albeit touristic, town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, an easy drive from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, or Nuremberg.
Giverny, France. One can certainly tell from visiting Monet’s Garden how the impressionist found his inspiration! Worth a stop for a relaxing excursion from Paris.
Paris. There is not much to be said about Paris that hasn’t already been documented ad nauseam. However, I will include it here for one simple reason: I confess to being an ice cream fanatic, and hands down, I’ve had none better in the world than at Berthillon, a family-owned brand which can be found in no other city (and not while the family shuts down for summer holidays, either). Hint: Go there for breakfast when the lines are shortest, as I did!
Tromso, Norway. I took a 3-day trip to one of the most expensive destinations on earth for one purpose: to catch the Northern Lights. The unfortunate constant cloud cover during my entire stay pretty much ended that aspiration. The quest for Aurora Borealis “magic” continues…
Galicia, Spain. This northwesternmost province of Spain (the land that sits “above” Portugal) does not receive as much attention on the tourist map as other parts of the country. However, it really should. Galicia is best known for the city of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The region should be equally well known for its seafood. With its rough and frigid coastal waters, the variety and freshness of its fish and shellfish is truly second to none. As a native New Englander who knows his seafood, this is saying a lot. For something rather different, try the percebes (gooseneck barnacles)!
Valencia, Spain. Spain’s third-largest city is host to the most memorable and unique festival I have ever experienced, Las Fallas. Forget other Spanish festivals that involve dodging flying tomatoes or rampaging bulls. Las Fallas is where it’s at… It is, literally and figuratively, fire…
German Tropical Paradises. Yes, that’s not an oxymoron. Two fantastic indoor tropical paradises are well known in Germany, but less so outside. Near Berlin, bring the family to Tropical Islands, built on an old WWII airfield. Close to the Munich airport, check out the world’s largest spa (and water park) at Therme Erding. Grab a plastic stine of Erding beer to enjoy while relaxing in the ultra-warm indoor/outdoor pool! Both of these attractions feature both clothed and unclothed (FKK, in German parlance) sections.
Republic of Georgia. I had the fortune of discovering the country (not the state) of Georgia in a previous job, where I visited the capital Tbilisi on three occasions, and coastal Batumi and Poti on another. There is lots to appreciate here, but most importantly, the food is truly “next level.” While well known and appreciated in former Soviet countries, Georgian food is virtually unknown in the West and that is such a shame. I would argue Georgian restaurants should be as commonplace around the world as French, Italian, or Japanese. If you can’t make it to Tbilisi, there are several options in North America, particularly in NYC. Note to any native Georgian restaurateurs out there: if you’re considering opening an establishment in Greater Boston, seriously do reach out. I want to invest!
Chisinau, Moldova. The capital of Europe’s poorest country was certainly an enjoyable surprise, but it principally makes my list because of the memory of my one and only meeting with a Head of State. I had the somewhat unexpected opportunity to present for several minutes directly to the Prime Minister. Nevermind that he ended up in prison some time later. Hopefully nothing that I was responsible for….
Asia
Japan. The contrasts of Japan make it the top country on my list of where I can’t wait to return to and where I think I would never get bored. From futuristic Tokyo to the easier pace of Kyoto, to the Zen-inspiring rural ryokans (bed and breakfasts) and onsens (thermal hot springs), Japan is a wonder and a treat for all senses. I haven’t even mentioned the food yet… of a taste and aesthetic all its own. On a side note, the first vivid travel memory that remains with me today was from when I had just turned 5 years old and visited with my parents the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The image of the “melting” wax human figures is seared into my brain for eternity.
Taipei, Taiwan. Included here mainly for the serendipitous encounters with multiple strangers that reinforced my faith in humanity. Great people, wonderful food, fun times.
Xi’an, China. The ancient capital of China is home to the army of TerraCotta warriors, one of the most astonishing man-made archaeological discoveries that I have ever encountered. Read the back story of these unique creations and their eventual discovery. It is simply mind-boggling.
Inner Mongolia, China. Visiting on a whim while on an extended work project in Beijing, I decided that the city of Hohhot would be an unusual weekend getaway. A gateway to inner Mongolia, Hohhot itself was a city I had never heard of, but is actually a bustling, modern metropolis and features the very impressive Inner Mongolia Museum. The city, however, also served as my gateway to the steppe of inner Mongolia, where I hired a guide and experienced horseback riding with nothing but the wind sailing around me. Bonus: got to sample my first taste of yak butter tea!
Varanasi, India. If you want one true cultural experience in India, Varanasi is the place to visit. It’s a shame that I got sick while on my trip as the food lit up my taste buds everywhere I went.
Africa
The Democratic Republic of Congo. Although ranked one of the world’s most dangerous countries, the DRC’s Virunga National Park is one of the most special places I have visited (as tourists, we were protected by rangers armed with AK-47s whenever we were in transit). Seeing gorillas in the wild is a heart-stopping experience. We were blessed to meet Andre Bauma, the star of the Netflix documentary, Virunga. My friends and I also took a day trek to a mountaintop to witness the active Mount Nyiragongo volcano, something I was thoroughly unprepared for physically. Having survived, I am very glad that I went and saw lava spewing with my naked eyes from a vantage point that few others have had.
Egypt. OK, sneaking in another one that’s really pretty “obvious,” but seeing the pyramids, relics, and landscapes of Egypt should qualify this ancient land as the textbook definition of a “bucket list” destination.
Morocco. I have visited Morocco on four occasions. While the vast majority of people are friendly as can be (quite multilingual too I might add), the sites are astonishing, and the cuisine is of the highest order, traveling without a private guide can be a big mistake. For one, it is very easy to get lost inside a kasbah. However, the real issue is that in any tourist destination, you become the prey. People want your money and will stop at almost nothing to try and sell you something or seek tips for providing unsolicited advice. I have been to many countries where this can be a nuisance, but nowhere is it as bad, in my experience, as in Morocco. This is a shame as it really puts a damper on the country as a destination for the independent traveler.
Miscellaneous
Stargazing. Speaking of hit or miss opportunities, much like my Northern Lights fail… I had pretty good luck on the Milky Way stargazing front in Jordan's Wadi Rum desert, where it’s quite popular to camp out with the Bedouins. On the other hand, I traveled deep into Chile’s Atacama desert, expecting to be blown away by the stars of the Southern Hemisphere… but alas, I didn't get to see anything at all that was worth writing home about.
I might note that I have not included here the “risky-ish” trips that I took in 2016 with fellow aviation enthusiasts to fly aboard exceptionally old and rare aircraft types in Belarus, North Korea, and Iran. I’m still not sure I’ve fully internalized my experiences in those countries, but they are probably worthy of a separate blog on a future date. I also plan to dedicate a future blog to some reflections about Ukraine, which holds a special place in my heart.
Anything else I've missed? Of course, plenty. While I don’t travel as much these days given work and family obligations, I am looking forward to hitting a number of new destinations in the future. My top ten places that I have never been to and can’t wait to visit, in no particular order, are:
Antarctica
Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands
The “Five Stan” Silk Road Countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan)
New Zealand
Australia (beyond Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)
Kenya and Tanzania
Madagascar
Vietnam and Laos
Borneo
Pakistan
What's next for me? Ironically, something I had never yearned to do in the past, but I’m sure will be enjoyable nonetheless and keep my little ones sufficiently entertained: a good old Royal Caribbean cruise!
Wow. This is amazing. I was just thinking that some of my goals for the next couple of years involve more travel. I am planning to go to the San Juan islands and to the Peruvian Amazon this year. It was so informative to see your list and I was curious how you picked travel destinations. I too love stargazing and some of the best places for me have been Big Bend National Park and the surrounding areas, Wadi Rum, and Kauai. Thanks for all you do.
Count me in the officially jealous category of readers