Our list of the top places to visit if you want an epic adventure right now.

Snowy mountains reflect on a lake — Unsplash / John Lee

Choosing your next vacation can be challenging, especially with endless options and competing tourist boards encouraging you to book your plane tickets and enjoy an adventure. But choosing ‘the best’ place to visit comes down to more than marketing.

From factual information, like the amount of tourists and the ethical impact on local communities, to the cost of visiting somewhere, there are too many factors to create a ‘best places’ list free from bias.

So, using a blend of our experience, general opinion, and factors like ease of access, lack of overtourism and sheer volume of incredible things to see and do, we’ve selected our ten top places to visit right now.

Japan

Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji at night — Shutterstock / Krishna.Wu

Straight in at the top of the list is Japan. There is absolutely no shortage of incredible experiences, must-visit historic places and food, music and culture that are truly unique on earth. Japan is usually at the top of many people’s travel bucket list, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.

You can spend you’re whole time Japan’s cities without seeing the same thing twice. From the iconic temples of Kyoto to the fast-paced fervour of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, even your trip between cities on the Shinkansen (bullet train) is an attraction within itself.

But beyond the neon haze and endless crowds, Japan’s countryside and nature offer a whole new dimension. Mount Fuji, although truly epic, is almost as touristy as Japan’s cities, but it really isn’t hard to get to the crispy, snowy slopes of Hokkaido or the tropical beaches of Okinawa. Despite its connectedness, Japan remains incredibly diverse, making it a perfect place to explore on multiple trips.

Hawaii

For those based in the US, there’s a certain practicality to vacationing on the islands; no passport needed, your healthcare and insurance require no additions, and you can still access your favourite foods, TV shows etc.

But these are all nothing compared to the lush hillsides, towering volcanoes, stunning beaches and awesome ocean views that make the Hawaiian islands one of the most idyllic places on earth to visit.

Whether it’s climbing the slopes of Mauna Kea on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure trip, or sipping cocktails by the pool in Maui, everyone is catered for.

Sweden

Although you’ll have an incredible time exploring historic Stockholm (the capital), the real adventure begins in the Swedish hinterland. Sleepy towns, endless forests and some of the best unspoiled natural places in Europe make for an unforgettable adventure.

Track moose and camp wild in the spring and summer months, or grab your skis and go cross country when the harsh but enchanting winter sets in.

And if you miss the creature comforts, take time to explore Sweden’s other amazing cities. From green Gothenburg to Swedish Lapland’s centrepiece, charming Kiruna, you’re never far away from crisp air and unforgettable views.

The French Riviera

Lights reflect on the water in front of a town in France — Shutterstock / Fokke Baarssen

There could be a few reasons why this corner of Southern France, known locally as the Côte d'Azur, is famous the world round, and a movie star in its own right. Maybe its the way the azure waters – which gives it its name – or the gorgeous, rolling hillsides peppered with fairytale terracotta towns and villages. Or maybe it’s the beaches.

Whatever it is, any trip to the French Riviera, encompassing the region surrounding Nice and Monaco all the way to Cassis near Toulon, will be one to remember. Although difficult to grab an invite, the Cannes Film Festival proves the attraction, with the rich and famous choosing the sleep beach town to visit once a year.

A little more accessible is a day spent on the beach, of which there are no shortages. And then there’s the wine, most likely the best selection you’ll ever come across.

Pricey, yes, but worth absolutely every penny.

Nashville

Never mentioned in the same breathe as must-visit US cities like New York, Chicago and LA, Nashville has slowly but surely emerged as a hotspot for tourists thanks to one thing: music.

We won’t pretend Nashville is jam-packed with gorgeous architecture and globally-significant cultural landmarks (It does have its moments), but you aren’t here for that. You visit Nashville to throw on a pair of cowboy boots and catch the next big thing in a dingy dive bar, at a country festival, or simply twanging a guitar on any given corner.

Music isn’t a hobby or entertainment form in Nashville – it’s a way of life, almost as important as food (which is also amazing). You can spend an entire week watching bands, which perform almost every hour of the day. Even breakfast is usually accompanied by a soundtrack. Even the airport has a band playing to new arrivals!

Even if you don’t know your Garth Brooks from your Taylor Swift, it isn’t just about country either. Blues, Rock, Rockabilly, Bluegrass and every other genre imaginable – even EDM – have called Nashville home. You’re absolutely guaranteed to hear something you’ve never heard before.

Bali

Ok, let’s just get the hyper-tourist areas out of the picture first, of which there are a few. But once you’re past the busy, grimey streets of Denpasar, the jungles, hills, rivers and beaches tell a whole different story.

Although now much more accessible, Ubud and its rice terraces allow you to go back hundreds of years and truly escape the modern world. Sip ultra-clear water mineral from hillside trickles as you hike through the clouds, with incredible views at every turn of the trail.

If that sounds like hard work, the sleepy villages and resorts around the coast are the perfect places to wile away your vacation with a book and cold drink by the pool or ocean.

Culture vultures are covered too, with some of Indonesia’s most incredible temples offering a day trip away from the hedonistic way of life. Prambanan rivals the rest of Asia’s temples for looks and the iconic ‘Gates of Heaven’ at Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang make for a slightly contrived yet fantastic addition to your Instagram gallery.

Banff National Park

Canada’s most famous national park makes this list because, well, it’s absolutely stunning from almost every angle. Alpine forests, crystalline lakes and incredible mountain backdrops make a camping, hiking or canoeing trip here worth the effort.

Relatively easy to reach from Calgary, pretty much any outdoor activity imaginable, from snowboarding to stargazing, is on the menu. You don’t even need a tent either, with some excellent hotels, lodges and RV-hookups providing the creature comforts for those who only want a taste of the wilderness.

Although the park is gorgeous year-round, spring is the time to visit, when waking bears, majetic elk, budding wildflowers and gorgeous winter run-off waterfalls make the scenery extra special.

Rome

The Eternal City gains its spot on our list because, unlike certain Italian historic must-visits, it has the capacity to welcome visitors and still remain as enchanting as it has been for the last 2,500 years.

The word iconic probably isn’t strong enough for sights like the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, and that’s just the tip of Iceberg. Rome is more of a gigantic living museum, with some of the best preserved pieces of Roman architecture alive and thriving, rather than roped off, crumbling to nothing.

And if you’re expecting a busy, noisy and dirty European capital, you'll be hugely surprised. Rome lives up to its illustrious past with a city center that is easy to navigate, is well connected with the Rome Metro, is clean and welcoming, and packed with amazing places to stay, explore and of course feast on Italy’s cuisine – maybe the best on earth? Controversial.

Bora Bora

A verdant island rises out of the ocean — Unsplash / Tom Donders

The Caribbean is suffering from overtourism, the Maldives is pricing itself out of the equation and we’ve already included Bali. That means the pretty much unspoiled island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia acts as our must-see tropical paradise on the list.

You can book into a famous overwater bungalow and live the typical idyllic life the revolves around cooling dips and on-tap room service, or you can lace up your boots and explore some of the best-preserved natural habitats in the South Pacific on Mount Pahia, the main island’s extinct volcano.

However, your time is also very well spent in the water. Bora Bora’s lagoons and of course the Pacific Ocean are teeming with marine life, including turtles and coral gardens that are easy to see year-round.

The Grand Canyon

Not exactly a hidden gem, and absolutely one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, we felt this one can be included because, well, the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon means you can lose the crowds with little effort.

More than just the skywalk and helicopter pads that ferry tourists from Las Vegas (both of which are still great to experience the Grand Canyon), the almost 300 mile long, sometimes 18 mile wide and up to one mile deep gorge cutting through the Arizona bedrock is a natural playground.

White water rafting, hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing are all possibilities, with the desert climate providing an exciting challenge for wilderness wanderers. But beyond this, it’s very easy to engage with the people and cultures that have called the banks of the Colorado home for thousands of years. The Nankoweap Creek granaries, carved into the steep cliffs, is a must see, and tours led by the Hualapai people are a great way to understand the importance of the Grand Canyon from a spiritual perspective.