Destinations Travel Experts Return To Again And Again

Travel lovers typically strive to visit as many different places in the world as they can. But some destinations are so special that even the most adventurous travelers can’t help but return again and again.

Whether a place possesses breathtaking landscapes, a rich history, unbeatable cuisine, welcoming locals or all of the above, there are many reasons why it might draw repeat visitors. And a wide variety of locales can fit the bill.

We asked experts in the travel space to share the places they’ve returned to again and again. Keep scrolling for 23 countries, cities, islands and other types of destinations to inspire your next vacation.

photography by Ulrich Hollmann via Getty Images

Colombia

“The place I return to over and over again is Colombia,” said Claire Summers, the travel blogger behind Claire’s Itchy Feet. “There is just something about it that keeps pulling me back.”

She believes it’s the most beautiful country in the world, in part thanks to its rich biological diversity. 

“So no matter how much time I spend there, every new place I visit feels like a whole new country,” Summers explained. “From the vibrant cities like Medellin and Cali to the music-filled streets of Caribbean coast. You can be hiking in the mountains one moment then floating down the river into the sea the next."

The nightlife is another draw, with ample opportunities for salsa dancing.

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Romania

“Romania isn’t only a travel destination for me ― it’s like a second home,” said Erick Prince, a travel blogger and founder of Minority Nomad. “Romania maintains a deeply Romanian identity, rejecting many of the mass tourism tropes that plague other destinations.”

Although you’ll find international travelers in places like Bucharest and parts of Transylvania, he noted that much of the country is largely tourist-free, especially up north. 

“This allows travelers to have an authentic experience that can be truly educational,” Prince said. “Experiencing Romania in the best way possible requires local help, so open yourself up to being uncomfortable. Maybe take Romanian language classes. When Romanian people like you, they’ll tend to adopt you.”

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Bali, Indonesia

As a travel blogger, Isabel Leong believes Bali is an ideal destination due to its booming digital nomad culture and the variety of fellow travelers who visit from around the world. 

“I’ve been back in 2023, 2022, 2017 and 2012,” she said. “It used to be a booming beach destination years ago, making it an easy trip for family travelers, which I did as a family. Then, the Bali cafe scene started sprouting up due to the influence of Australians coming to Bali, which made for another good reason to visit and go cafe-hopping!”

Alyssa Ramos, the blogger behind My Life’s A Travel Movie, is also a fan of the Indonesian island. 

“Bali seems like a stereotypical answer, but I can’t deny that I love it,” she said. “The mixture of Indonesian culture with Western business is truly just something else.”

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Costa Rica

“I’ve never seen such abundant wildlife and nature as I have in Costa Rica,” Leong said. “Costa Rica has 27 separate national parks, 58 refuges for wildlife or sanctuaries, 32 protected zones and 19 forest or biological reserves, even though they’re not a large country.”

Although she’s visited twice and even did a seven-day road trip around Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, there’s still much of the country left for her to explore, including many species of overland and underwater animals.

“I spent most of my time in Tamarindo and have grown fond of the laid-back, carefree vibes of this beach town,” Leong added.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

“Again and again, we return to Edinburgh, a city dripping with history, romance, beauty, inspiration and amazing food,” said Travelmax CEO Simone Collins, who got married and spent part of her honeymoon in the Scottish capital.

She touted the city’s rich arts history, from Adam Smith to the "Harry Potter" series, which offers lots of inspiration to travelers looking for a place for work remotely for a bit. 

“Don’t miss afternoon tea at the Signet Library, a gorgeous Edwardian law library just off St. Giles Cathedral and consider staying in one of the historic buildings right on the Royal Mile, which offers both budget-conscious Airbnbs as well as truly luxurious boutique hotels like The Witchery,” Collins added.

She also recommended leaving time for scenic walks around Holyrood Palace, Dean Village and New Town. Don’t forget to try the haggis as well.

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Vermont

“Vermont, home of the Green Mountains, is one of those unsung states full of natural beauty and activities year-round,” said Judy Gauthier, senior vice president of destination and partnership development at Go City. “The main draw are the mountains and national parks that provide stunning foliage, endless hiking trails, and some of the Northeast’s best ski slopes.”

She also pointed to the beautiful lakes for kayaking and enjoying quiet time on the water and her favorite private campground with family-friendly “glamping” cabins.   

“There are lots of destinations that I enjoy visiting because they are ever-changing and energetic, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Vermont because it grounds me and recharges my spirit,” Gauthier said.

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South Africa

“There are both tangible and intangible qualities about South Africa that continue to reel me in,” said travel journalist Travis Levius. “South Africa’s lure, for me, stems from both the tangible and intangible.”

He pointed to the delicious food (particularly for meat lovers), local wine, deep house and amapiano music scene, stunning natural beauty and great prices.

“Then there’s the people you meet, full of effervescence and openness, and I feel this invisible embrace upon arrival each and every time,” Levius said. “Even with its problems and issues, like any other country endures, South Africa remains magnetic.”

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Thailand

“I haven’t traveled all of Thailand, but I am yet to find a place there that I don’t like,” said Annette Richmond, creator of Fat Girls Traveling. “I spent a few years bouncing around Southeast Asia when I first started working remotely. Thailand was always the place I returned to, it felt like home.”

Perhaps the biggest draw for Richmond is the country’s distinctive food culture. 

“In Bangkok, you can find an upscale restaurant still open for business at 2 a.m.,” she said. “Here you will also find a street food vendor, Jay Fai, making the crab omelets that made her one of only two Michelin-starred street-food stalls in the world.”

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Mexico

“Every time I visit a new city in Mexico, I feel like it’s a whole new country,” said Gabby Beckford, a travel expert and founder of Packs Light. “Beaches in Quintana Roo, beautiful mountains in Oaxaca, waterfalls in Hidalgo. It’s the 13th-largest country in the world, but it has the most diverse landscapes I’ve seen from any country.”

In addition to the beautiful diversity of landscape, it’s Mexico’s food, people and culture that have drawn Beckford back at least 10 times over the past two years. 

“Riviera Maya in Mexico, specifically Playa del Carmen and Tulum, are destinations I have been frequenting for years,” Ramos said. “Their close proximity to the U.S., the energizing atmosphere and people, the sense of strong culture, and of course, beautiful nature, affordable pricing, and delicious foods, all makes it a paradise to me. So much so that I bought an apartment there!”

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Tarifa, Spain

Go City’s chief commercial officer Laurence Miall d’Août is a fan of the popular windsports destination Tarifa in southern Spain.

“The natural beauty, richness of experience, and excellent food and wines keep me coming back,” he said. “Not to mention the warmth and kindness of the locals. I love Tarifa to bits. I have been there over 10 times in the last 20 years, and I am never disappointed. It’s a destination you get to enjoy at all ages, and I love that my children grew up to love it as much as I do. As long as you love the wind, this is paradise.”

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Honolulu, Hawaii

Travel blogger Kerwin McKenzie is a fan of Honolulu, Hawaii, for its immaculate weather and beautiful beaches. 

“Plus hiking up to Diamond Head and enjoying that view of Waikiki is unparalleled,” he said. “It’s also fun watching the surfers and the sailboats ― very calming.”

The juicy and delicious pineapples are another big draw for the fruit fan.  

“I think the main reasons why people return to a destination are the people, the food and how safe they feel,” he said. “If one feels safe in a place, you tend to want to return as you’re just not worried when you go. Plus when the food is good, you just eat your way through the city.”