From the scenically superb Sweden, Norway and Iceland to history- and culture-dense Greece, Italy and Spain, there are many incredible holiday destinations awaiting the American traveller. Add the amazing countries of South Africa, Canada and Australia to this mix, and an even greater wealth of foreign destinations beckon!
#1 – Iceland
Incredible, bizarre, beautiful and completely unique, Iceland is truly a land of ice and fire. It has 269 named glaciers, close on 30 active geysers, and all of its 37 volcanoes are still considered active.
There are an estimated 10,000 beautiful waterfalls that freeze solid in winter creating uniquely beautiful spectacles. With its surreal moss-grown landscapes, stunning Blue Lagoon, incredible basalt columns or breathtaking crystal ice caves, Iceland will enchant, delight and transport you.
#2 – Spain
Spectacular Spain has it all – great historical sites, stunning scenery, diverse cultures and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Its diverse landscapes range from the soaring Pyrenees to the natural splendours of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park with its magnificent waterfalls.
Vibrant cosmopolitan cities like Madrid, Granada, Seville, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca offer endless entertainment and interest. And as for the food, mouth-watering paella, tapas, jamón, chocolate con churros and those delectable ‘brave potatoes’ (patatas bravas) will tax your will power to the utmost!
#3 – Canada
Enormous and diverse Canada has something for everybody. From the vibrant cosmopolitan cities of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver to the splendour of Niagara Falls, Canada offers visitors a wealth of interests, amenities and activities. Skiing fanatics are catered for by some of North America’s best ski resorts, and vast parks delight wildlife enthusiasts. So whether you’re looking for beautiful landscapes, wildlife, sophisticated city amenities, or you just want to hit those slopes, Canada offers the perfect destination.
#4 – Italy
No discerning American traveller’s bucket list can be complete without Italy! Italy has some of the world’s greatest artworks like Michelangelo’s ‘David’, his stunning Sistine Chapel ceiling, and Leonardo’s immortal fresco ‘The Last Supper’. Rome also houses many famous Roman ruins, famous historical buildings like the Colosseum and the Pantheon, as well as the Vatican.
Venice, the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’, is famous for its canals and gondolas (and gondoliers!). Milan is regarded as the world’s fashion capital by many fashion cognoscenti. Along with its famous cuisine, Italy also boasts some of the world’s most superlative scenery in the breathtaking Amalfi coastline.
#5 – South Africa
Scenically beautiful and fascinating in its diversity, South Africa has a great deal to offer visitors. From beautiful Cape Town with its famous Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, to bustling Johannesburg, South Africa holds all the ingredients of a great holiday.
That said, it is still South Africa’s diverse wildlife that visitors from all over the world flock to see. So a trip to South Africa without a visit to one of the Greater Kruger’s superb game parks simply wouldn’t be complete. Throughout this great wildlife area world-class luxury lodges offer great Kruger Park Safaris for Americans. Many of these wonderful lodges ensure that children have a great time by offering lots of supervised activities for kids.
#6 – Greece
Greece is famed for its charming villages, beautiful islands, clear waters and amazing beaches. It also has some of the most famous historical sites in the world like Knossos, the Parthenon and the magnificent Acropolis.
However, Greece also offers spectacular natural sites of outstanding beauty like the magical Melissani Lake cave, the astonishing Epirus ‘Stone Forest’, and the stunning Blue Caves of Zakynthos. Whether you’re a passionate history buff or just looking for a relaxing beach holiday, Greece will never disappoint!
#7 – Norway
World-renowned for its beautiful scenery, fjords and mountains, Norway offers great hiking, skiing and cycling opportunities. You can do fantastic whale watching, and learn about Sami culture and reindeer herding. Why not play in the snow during a magical polar night, and hike, picnic or cycle in the midnight sun?
Bustling cities like Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Bærum and Stavanger offer entertainment and cultural activities with many excellent museums, theatres and theme parks. And the breathtaking Northern Lights hold an experience that can’t ever be forgotten!
#8 – Australia
With the dynamic cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, the vast stretches of the Outback, many superb beaches and national parks, Australia offers visitors a host of activities. Australia’s unique wildlife makes a visit to some of its national parks and botanical gardens an absolute must. So whether you’re after a sophisticated city break, want to revel in some unique wildlife and habitats, or just hit a great beach, Australia is the place to go!
#9 – Sweden
Sweden offers another excellent Nordic holiday destination with a wide range of amenities, entertainment, snow-related and cultural activities, not to mention the spectacle of the Northern Lights! Its capital Stockholm is built on 14 islands and has more than 50 bridges.
The Gamla Stan or ‘old town’ houses the magnificent 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the royal palace, as well as the Nobel Museum. Wildlife enthusiasts love Sweden’s impressive national parks. Its many amusement parks are great for the whole family. With some of Europe’s best ski resorts, keen skiers must put Sweden on their bucket lists!
#10 – France
France has been one of the world’s premier travel destinations for ever! With the beautiful Côte d’Azur beaches, great cities like Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and Marseilles, widely diverse landscapes and incredible history, art, winemaking and culture, France simply has it all.
And then we haven’t even mentioned the food! As an unrivalled hub of gastronomic excellence, France is revered for its amazing cuisine, pâtisseries and innumerable superb restaurants and other eateries.
With these wonderful destinations beckoning, don’t deny yourself this well-deserved reward. Why not pick one of these fabulous destinations and book that holiday of a lifetime this very instant? The world’s marvels are waiting for you!