One of the most rewarding aspects of travelling is the lasting impressions that only the most exceptional destinations and experiences can leave on you. Earning these impressions requires more than just research, visiting a museum, or merely passing through. It requires sensory experiences that linger with you long beyond the moment. These can range from the most minor and intricate details of a monument or meal to powerful and unforgettable experiences capable of altering your perspective on the world and yourself.
Luckily, these types of destinations are abundant and not kept secret. Sometimes, you don't have to look far off the beaten path for life-changing travel. Classic destinations like England, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, and Japan are packed with timeless sights, sounds, and textures that inspire globetrotters worldwide. The only obstacle, though, is ensuring you get there.
Now is the perfect time of year to start planning your next adventure as you reconnect with your friends and families over the holiday season. To help, we've gathered some of our most iconic destinations by touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell so you can start planning your 2025 travel wish list by what you love most.
Touch: Bali & Iceland
Memorable travel obviously isn't just what you see or do—it's what you feel. Bali and Iceland each prove this but in strikingly unique ways. Bali, also known as the Island of Gods, is a tropical paradise blessed with lush, forested mountains, expansive rice paddies, and beautiful beaches. While these sights are enough to demand your appreciation, Bali's renowned yoga and wellness experiences go above and beyond most of the world. Feel the tension leave your body during traditional Balinese massages, stretch and strengthen your muscles with a yoga class or hike up Ubud's mountains, or simply enjoy the soft sand and warm ocean water on your skin at one of the many beaches, including Kuta, Jimbaran and Seminyak.
Is there a better place for a journey experienced through touch than the Land of Fire and Ice? Dip into the iconic Blue Lagoon and touch the soft silica, algae, and mineral mud beneath your feet before rubbing this exfoliating blend over your skin. Contrast this with a visit to the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand beach, where volcanic sand will crunch beneath each step, and the basalt columns' rough and jagged textures tell the story of violent eruptions. You'll also be able to touch some of the last remnants of the Ice Age from November through May in ethereal blue glacier caves formed by flowing meltwater in the spring and summer.
Taste: France & Italy
France and Italy's magnificent culture, history, and natural beauty could easily be highlighted anywhere in this article. However, when talking about the origin countries of the Michelin guide and wine itself, it's only fair to give special attention to their world-renowned gastronomy.
France and Italy benefit from culturally and naturally diverse regions, reflected in their cuisine. You can explore much of France's diverse gastronomy in Paris, where dishes from around France inspire menus at bistros, fine dining restaurants, and everything in between. Moules à la crème from Normandy, Mediterranean bouillabaisse from Provence, German-influenced choucroute garnie from Alsace, and hearty boeuf bourguignon from Burgundy are all delicious examples of the country's rich regional flavours.
Italy's cuisine is equally diverse and delicious. Curated meats and specialty cheeses like asiago and gorgonzola and tortellini pasta, creamy risotto, and polenta are all products of Northern Italy's cattle and sheep industry, while Central Italy's thriving grape, wheat, and tomato crops helped inspire classic Neapolitan pizza. Southern Italy's proximity to the Mediterranean is showcased in its menus, heavily dominated by seafood and tomato-based recipes.
France and Italy also boast some of the world's oldest and best wine regions. France's Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, and Beaujolais regions are home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Gamay, and Grenache. Italy's 20 wine regions are praised for their Chianti, Barolo, and Prosecco.
Sight: Japan & Greece
Japan and Greece are two of the world's most visually stunning destinations, enhanced uniquely by their equally historic and captivating cultures. In Japan, you'll wander through golden temples in Kyoto before watching cherry blossoms scatter like confetti in the spring breeze. Witness Tokyo morph under its colourful neon-lit skyline and marvel at the sight of Mount Fuji from Hakone before venturing up the iconic mountain for more unforgettable sights.
Then there's Greece, where the vivid blue Aegean Sea surrounds Santorini's whitewashed cliffside villages. Witness three millennia of human history preserved in Athens' Parthenon, Acropolis, and Statue of Zeus, each bathed in the golden glow of the Mediterranean sun. Watch Mykonos' narrow, winding streets bustle with life en route to its stunning, long golden beaches, where you'll quickly get lost in the sight of sparkling blue waters and sun-kissed sand.
Sound: Alaska & England
Alaska is one of the world's most awe-inspiring destinations, where nature flourishes without restraint, and the sounds you'll hear are as vast, raw, and unique as this region. Find yourself along the edge of the Kenai Fjords and listen to thunderous cracks and violent splashes from calving glaciers. Listen to the rhythmic rumbling as you travel along the Alaska Railroad into Denali National Park, where wild howls from wolves, deep trumpeting from bull moose, and the rustling of birch trees echo across the rugged landscape.
England offers a more intimate yet equally captivating auditory experience than Alaska, with lively city sounds and the hum of the countryside permeating throughout. There's always a new story, old and new, being told in the streets of London. The toll of Big Ben, the gentle rustle of leaves in the royal gardens, the pitter of rain on a sea of umbrellas, and the lively banter in local pubs or hidden alleyways each set the scene. The soft ripples in the Lake District and the serene silence at Stonehenge are the perfect contrast, creating the ideal atmosphere for reflection and appreciation.
Smell: Ireland & Spain
Smells of fresh rain, damp moss, wildflowers, and earthy aromas are familiar scents of Ireland's countryside, while smells of freshly brewed coffee and hearty pub fare waft through Dublin's streets. Step into Dublin's famous Guinness Brewery, where the rich scent of malted barley, hops, and roasting grains excites you for your upcoming round of delicious Guinness. Venture to the cinematic Cliffs of Moher and smell the fresh air from the Atlantic Ocean as you look over the Aran Islands.
The air in Spain is infused with the scents of Mediterranean herbs, citrus groves, lavender fields, and sizzling cuisine. Barcelona's iconic tapa bars release fresh aromas of local ingredients that will fire up your appetite, and the intoxicating smell of Valencia's Orange Blossoms will reinvigorate your senses. Venture to the small medieval town of Brihuega, where rows of lavender fill the air with its distinct floral scent.
Born to two parents who met travelling, Sael has always wanted to travel the world. Sael has hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, visited blue-footed boobies on the Galapagos Islands, stood on both hemispheres of the equator in Ecuador, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hiked the base of Uluru, surfed Pacific Ocean waves in Mexico, and skydived over the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Meeting new people and sharing stories are some of Sael's favourite parts of travelling, and he hopes he can help ignite this passion for discovery in others.
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