Best Places In The World to Visit Again and Again

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There are places you visit and on your last day you think “This was nice, but I’ll never come back here”. Maybe not because it was bad, but because you’ve seen it now. I’ve been to a lot of those places. Luxembourg for one. Nice city, some fun things to do. But it didn’t make me think that I have to return. I’m glad I visited, but I know I’ll likely never walk around that city again. You must have places that you felt that way about. But then there are the places that really hook you. They get you when you weren’t even expecting it. And you aren’t even sad when your time there comes to an end because you already know that you’ll be back one day. Today I’ll share some of the best places in the world I’ve visited that I know I’ll visit again.

Riga, Latvia

I have to start with the most recently visited place that made me feel this way. Riga was a place I booked on a whim. I had planned to visit Tallinn, Estonia for the Christmas markets and realized that the proximity of Latvia was impossible to pass up. I only planned to be there two nights, but added a third about 2 weeks before I got there. If I’d known how much I was going to love it I would have spent so much longer there. What an amazing city. So quaint, so friendly, so historic. And pretty cheap, which is not something you can claim for a lot of Europe. In fact here are some of the best free things in Riga.

My accommodation, the Boutique Hotel Monte Kristo was perfect for my stay, and about 50 EUR a night. Most of the museums were free to visit. And food and drink was reasonably priced with on average 3-4 EUR for a beer and 8-10 EUR for a meal. But what really got me was how nice everyone was. They said hello as you passed in the street, helped with menu recommendations, smiled and asked where you are from with genuine interest. Riga was the unexpected highlight of my European trip. I walked around on my last morning already planning my return visit.

Paris, France

Polarizing Paris. It’s like the Marmite of Europe. You either love it or you hate it. And I LOVE it. I find it one of the best places in the world. I can’t get enough of the City of Light and try to add a brief stay to every European trip I do. I’ve been almost a dozen times, and can’t get enough of walking around the beautiful streets lined with architecturally exquisite buildings. Taking a stroll along the Seine, stopping to buy things from the Bouquinistes selling antique books and pictures. And of course eating every kind of delicious pastry imaginable, ironically the only person who’s goal is to go to Paris and get fat.

There are limitless museums, shops and attractions to keep you entertained until the end of time. And while the city is a little expensive, you can often get a cheap sandwich or crepe on the go to get you through your day. Plan your trip around the first weekend in the month for an even more budget trip, as this is when a lot of the big museums open their doors for free. I’ve been to Paris a number of times now that I don’t even need to see all the sights. I’m happy at a sidewalk cafe with a book watching the world go by. For a fun free activity check out this guide to some of the best street art of Montmartre.

The Big Island, Hawaii

I’d been interested in visiting Hawaii for some time. For one it looks like paradise. But was it overrated? When a cheap flight deal came up I just jumped on it. Might as well find out what Hawaii is like once and for all. I love pineapples, how bad can it be?! I spent a good amount of time in Honolulu because that’s where we flew in and out of for our cheap flights. But I wanted to check out another one of the islands and really escape the city. I chose the Big Island, and booked a 3 night stay at the Fairmont Orchid Resort. Boy was that worth the price. Amazing location, private beach and killer swimming pool. Oh and did I mention they have turtles just hanging out on the sand? Definitely one of the best places in the world I have stayed and will ever stay.

But it’s not just the resort that’s good. We rented a car and drove around the island. Visited volcanoes, a chocolate farm and had cocktails by the beach in Kailua-Kona. Everyone we met greeted us with the friendliest Aloha ever, and the views were out of this world. I might never see clearer water and more beautiful beaches in my life. And the laid back attitude on the island was enough to make me want to return to the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever had.

Yangshuo, China

I lived in China for 2 years, and during that time I traveled extensively throughout the country. I have a special place in my heart for the country I called home for that time, and while traveling in China isn’t always easy due to language barriers and culture shocks that will knock you sideways, there really are some magnificent places to visit. One of those for me was Yangshuo. In South Central China’s Guangxi Province is the small town nestled between the most impressive karst mountains that honestly look like they’re from another world. It’s a back packer’s paradise and a photographer’s dream, and I immediately fell in love.

I had originally planned to spend 3 nights there, then move onto another city but after day one I sought to extend my stay. I had to move to another hotel since the one I was at was full after my 3 days was up. But I added on another couple of days to explore more of this beautiful region. Each day would involve me renting a bike and cycling into the countryside. Following dirt paths to small villages and passing farmers in fields tending to cows and crops. I spent my evenings eating glorious amounts of cheap local food and washing it down with a beer sat at one of the rooftop bars in the city surrounded by hanging lanterns and views you can’t even make up. I know I will get to Yangshuo again, and I can’t wait for that day.

London, England

Sure it’s a big city, but London has charm you wouldn’t even believe. Pockets of the city contain their own unique vibes that mean everyone ends up with a favorite part of town. Historical, arty, fancy, cultural, bustling neighborhoods make up the city with something for everyone. I’m from the UK so visiting London is like coming home even though I’m from Northern England. It’s where everything is familiar but different enough. I’ve always loved visiting London since I was a kid. My Dad grew up there and he always enjoyed showing me around.

Given that I try to visit the UK once a year now I live in Canada I still try to get to London for at least a night each trip. It’s difficult to afford more than that because the city is not cheap. But if you want to visit London right, then you really need to stay at The Savoy. I’ve never felt richer than being able to say I spent a couple of nights there. Worth it! Balance that out with all of the free museums London has to offer, and some cheap pub food. Wave to the Queen and visit all the historical landmarks that you know so well. You can visit London time and time again and still never do the same thing twice. It will always be one of the best places in the world to me because it’s home.

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

Banff, Alberta

Beautiful Banff. The most amazing town in the Canadian Rockies. Walking down Banff Avenue there are mountains in every direction. Bigger mountains than you can possibly imagine if you’re from a place like the UK which doesn’t have too many. Everything in the Rockies is bigger! While I love traveling all around the Canadian Rockies and have been lucky enough to do so a number of times since moving to Canada 10 years ago, I still love Banff the most. The town has some lovely little restaurants and shops, some incredible places to stay like the Fairmont Banff Springs or the Rimrock Resort, and is accessible to all of the magnificent lakes that Banff National Park has to offer.

Rent a car, pack a lunch and get walking around some jaw droppingly stunning lakes. You’d think you tire of seeing lake after lake, mountain after mountain but you don’t. Nothing will make you feel smaller and more insignificant, but equally glad to be alive, than standing on a deserted road in the middle of Banff National Park. Looking out over the clearest lake you’ve seen with the reflection of an imposing mountain behind will have you snapping pictures until your camera battery inevitably gives out on you. Canada is the country I chose to move to, it’s one of the best places in the world. Visit and you’ll see for yourself.

Sydney, Australia

When I was in my mid-twenties I did what many other recently graduated, have no money but who cares people do. I went traveling. I had always wanted to go to Australia, I mean who doesn’t want to find out if the toilet really does flush the other way?! But it’s so far. Enter the coveted round-the-world ticket. One rule: you have to keep going East but can go to a vast number of places. Well, boy if I wasn’t going to Australia. I mean, I was going to Asia and that’s pretty much halfway there. Having recently discovered Vancouver (see below) I was happy to find that Sydney was a similar city in many respects. It was big, but not too big, and had plenty to do. What a great place.

I was there for about 10 days, and while it nearly tore through my limited travel budget, I really enjoyed the city. Sure, things were expensive, and sure it was freakin’ hot. But the city was beautiful, the beaches were plenty and the wildlife was so different it was fascinating. Except the giant spiders with webs across the hiking trails. Them, I could do without. I’m not selling it much, but the point is that Sydney (and Australia for that matter) should be somewhere you visit at least once. Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge, take a boat ride, relax on the beach and walk so much your feet hurt. And when that’s all done, get out of the city and see some of the impressive sights outside of Sydney. I took a fun day trip to the Blue Mountains.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

I love Thailand. There’s a reason so many people grab their backpacks and book a one way ticket to this country. There are some amazing beaches. Oh. My. God. The beaches! Some of those islands have the most perfectly clear water at the most pristine beaches known to man. It’s a dream vacation for sure. I spent a few days on the island of Koh Lanta a couple years ago. It was heavenly, and so much quieter than some of the more popular party islands. Perfect for the over 30s like me. But one of my favorite places in Thailand was Chiang Mai. What a city! Way less busy than Bangkok, and the people are so much friendlier. You won’t want to leave in a hurry.

The city is busy enough but quiet enough at the same time. If you stay within the old city walls then you have everything at your fingertips for the perfect stay. Our hotel, De Lanna, was phenomenal, and had such a nice pool and restaurant that we didn’t even want to leave. But leave we did. We explored temples without the crowds, markets with plenty of local foods, and got out of the city for a couple of really cool tours. We got to make traditional Thai food from scratch, and even had a day at an ethical elephant sanctuary, Elephant Nature Park. While the city itself might not top your list of best places in the world, the activities you can see all around will make it an amazing base.

New York City, USA

I like to think of myself as a city person. I can keep up with the hordes of people rushing around, the noise of the traffic and the slight feeling of dirt on everything you own. But in reality I’m usually not one for the biggest cities. I like to be able to move, to have my own space. But New York, for however crazy it might feel, I do really like. So much so I’ve been a number of times. And I will keep going back. What a city. One of the best places in the world by far. They call it the city that never sleeps, and never has a truer word been said. Even in other big cities like London or Paris you start to see businesses wind down towards the evening, but not New York. That’s when it really comes alive.

Neon lights, cars honking as they get stuck in traffic and someone always trying to sell you something. It takes some getting used to and at first you can end up getting carried along with the crowd rather than going where you want to go. Losing your bearings is easy to do. But once you know where you’re going and what you want to see, there’s so much to keep you occupied you won’t be bored AT ALL. Get learning the metro system because the city is big, and traffic goes nowhere. Seriously, you can out walk most taxis during the busier times of day. So put on your walking shoes, grab a slice of pizza and relive every movie you’ve ever loved as you wander New York City looking up at the tallest buildings you’ve ever seen.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam seems to be creeping onto everyone’s lists recently. It’s somewhere I’d planned to go to for a while and eventually got around to it in 2019. I was in love with the place. The people, the food, the chaos. And while I loved the smaller areas of Hoi An and Hue, and even the beauty of places like Halong Bay, it was Hanoi that I just can’t wait to return to. Why? Well maybe because it was the first place I landed. But also, I just loved how busy it was, how crazy things were, but how I could find anything I wanted in the city. Quiet areas of reflection such as parks and temples, but bustling markets and traffic circles I never thought I would survive crossing.

We traveled all over Vietnam and I just loved the food, but I was more enamoured with the Northern cuisine of Hanoi than I was of the food in Ho Chi Minh City. We took a cooking class and learned all about the individual components that make up meals to give them the right flavor, texture and overall amazingness that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The best meal we had? As simple as it was, I would say I really liked Bun cha. At Bun Cha Ta Hanoi we got amazing service and the food was insanely good. Also they were kind enough to explain the dish and how best to eat it. Perfect for when you’re traveling somewhere new. Believe the hype about Vietnam, just go!

Vancouver, Canada

Of all of the places I’ve visited none are more worthy of being on this list than the beautiful city I call home. And that’s why I left it to last. It’s the city I chose to move to when I was 23, all the way from England. I intended to stay 6 months. I arrived in 2006! This city never gets old for me, there’s always something new and exciting to see and do. It’s one of the best places in the world. Vancouver is unlike any other city in Canada. The winters are mild, the summers are glorious, it’s not too hot or too cold at any point in the year. With mountains, beaches, parks and a bustling city it really does have it all.

So even if I moved away from British Columbia (which, why would I?) I have to say this will always be home and I’ll always come back again and again. If you’ve been here you probably understand. For a city, it’s not too “big city-like”. My favorite thing about Vancouver is how outdoorsy you can be here. Go skiing, go for a hike, go sailing. Honestly, just head downtown and walk into Stanley Park to get lost for hours and not even realize how close you are to the city.

Dream Travel Destinations – The Best Places in the World

You can have the trip of a lifetime, but you really know you love a place when you’re already planning your return before you’ve left. That’s what these destinations are to me, some of the best places in the world. The places that will be at the top of my list to return to. That is once I’ve visited everywhere else on my list. Or in between. It’s OK to visit places again, despite the often favored views by many travelers that we should be going somewhere new and that frequenting a place you’ve already seen is not as exciting. That all depends on how good you are at seeking out new neighborhoods, new activities and new restaurants. Travel where you want, go as many times as you want, and most of all just have fun on your travels. These are those places for me.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Where are some of the best places in the world you’ve visited and would love to return to? Are there any that would top your list?