We’re constantly bombarded with wanderlust-inducing images – whether we’re scrolling on Instagram or flicking through our favourite travel magazines – reminding us that the world is filled with awe-inspiring destinations.
With so much choice, it can often be hard to choose where to explore next. So, to help you out, we’ve rounded up 10 incredible countries we think you should add to your bucket list. Start planning an epic adventure.
India
Best for: culture vultures
Vibrant colours, tantalizing spices and a relentless buzz have entranced travelers to this vast subcontinent for centuries.
As well as landscapes ranging from towering snowy peaks to palm-shaded backwaters, its 3.3 million sq kms (1.3 million sq miles) are home to at least nine recognized religions, bringing with them a brimming calendar of festivals, including candle-lit Diwali and riotous Holi.
Successive maharajas and British rulers have left their distinct marks on India including the elegant Amber Fort and, of course, the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
Alaska, USA
Best for: getting away from it all
Separated from the rest of the USA, this northwest extremity seems like the final frontier. You won’t find Wi-Fi, or even phone reception, on demand here, making Alaska the perfect place to get off the grid.
Whether watching the flitting Northern Lights dancing in the boundless sky or a gargantuan brown bear snatching slippery salmon from a rushing stream, the natural world will prove itself to be far more engrossing than the digital one.
Costa Rica
Best for: wildlife
With five per cent of the globe’s biodiversity, Costa Rica’s rainforests, beaches, mangrove swamps, and more, are a haven for countless flora and fauna.
Here, you can see turtles hatching on golden sands and swarming towards the ocean, as well as sleepy sloths and red-eyed tree frogs hanging out in the rainforest. You’ll hear the buzzing wings of jewel-like hummingbirds and the amplified call of howler monkeys in this charming country where, instead of “hello”, you’re greeted with “pura vida” (pure life).
Vietnam
Best for: fascinating history
Successive dynasties and French colonialism have left their mark on the architecture, culture and cuisine of this enchanting country.
From the Imperial capital of Hue on the evocative Perfume River to the traditional trading port of Hoi An, history is everywhere you turn. Walk through Hanoi’s old town, where tantalising scents drift from food stalls, and enjoy a cocktail at a rooftop bar in cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh City, the haunt of western journalists during the Vietnam War.
There are plenty of reminders across the country of this clash of ideologies. The Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive network of underground passages and rooms, showcase the gruesome booby traps set by the Viet Cong, while Ho Chi Minh City’s War Remnants Museum documents America’s involvement in this deeply controversial war.
Chile
Best for: stargazing
At 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level, with next to no light pollution and the world’s driest climate, Chile’s Atacama Desert is the perfect place to explore the night’s sky. Although you can see plenty of twinkling lights with the naked eye, futuristic observatories in the midst of the sand will take you on a guided tour of space.
Turn your attention back to Earth and Chile’s scenery will not disappoint. From the verdant vineyard latticed Central Valley to the vast ice fields of Patagonia, the landscape can change dramatically in the space of a single day’s travel.
South Africa
Best for: dining experiences
Instead of searching for the Big Five, embark on a gourmet safari of South Africa.
Traditional dishes reveal Dutch, Malaysian, Indian and English influences.
Sample bobotie (spiced minced meat with an egg topping) or braai (South African barbeque), before rounding off your meal with a bowl of boeber – this delicious dessert is made from milk, vermicelli, cinnamon, cardamom and rose water.
If you’re looking for cutting-edge cuisine, head to Johannesburg – this vibrant city is leading the foodie revolution. The economic hub of the continent, Joburg’s kitchen has become a melting pot of African flavours.
Meanwhile, the mountain-shadowed Cape Winelands produce delicious grapes, that attract top chefs serving up extravagant paired tasting menus.
Canada
Best for: cool urban scenes
While Canada is best known for its incredible scenery, it is also home to countless captivating cities. Taste a flaky croissant at a Parisian-style café on a cobbled street in Montréal, split your sides at one of trendy Toronto’s comedy clubs, explore Ottawa’s grand National Gallery and weave your way through the bright lights of Vancouver’s pulsating Chinatown.
Away from the hustle and bustle, the second largest country in the world is home to 46 national parks, comprising tundra, boundless prairies, the Rocky Mountains and more.
New Zealand
Best for: adventure
The two main landmasses that make up New Zealand are an adrenaline-inducing playground.
On the North Island, you can sandboard on Cape Reinga’s towering dunes, abseil down Auckland’s Sky Tower and hike the Tongariro Crossing, the setting of Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. You can also go spelunking or tubing in the Waitomo Caves, seeing only by the light emitted from sound-sensitive glow-worms.
The awe-inspiring Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers await you on the South Island, as well as monumental mass of Aoraki (Mount Cook), the country's tallest peak. Whatever you do, don’t miss Queenstown. The birthplace of bungee jumping and the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, here you can do everything from mountain biking to paragliding.
Japan
Best for: quirky culture
After a robotic dinosaur has checked you in to your hotel, you’ve shared a matcha tea with a feline friend and marveled at a discombobulating TV show, Japan can seem like the film set of a sci-fi movie.
But, as well as being futuristic, this is a country steeped in tradition and blessed with heart-stopping scenery. There’s dramatic Mount Fuji, which you can climb in the summer months, Kyoto’s traditional Gion district, where you can watch parasol-bearing Geisha in beautiful embroidered kimonos out for a stroll, and the atmospheric tunnel of red torri at the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Don’t miss Himeji Castle: this ghostly hilltop fort is thought to resemble a bird taking flight.
The archipelago is also set to become a sporting stage in the coming years, with the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics being held in Tokyo.
Iceland
Best for: epic scenery
This otherworldly island literally forms around you as volcanoes spew out new land, while glaciers sluggishly carve through mountains.
The lunar landscape is home to bubbling geothermal pools, gushing waterfalls and spouting geysers, frequently illuminated with the ethereal green filaments of the Northern Lights. Slap on a facemask in the steaming, milky waters of the Blue Lagoon, cleanse your lungs with the fresh island air and you’ll come back from Iceland with a clear head and soul.