Dambulla is located in central Sri Lanka and the closest town to the Ancient City of Sigiriya. It's known for Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, Dambulla Cave Temple, both of which visitors climb.

Though I'd already lived in Asia, some of Japan's rules were simply lost on me. And as predicted, it was a tough country to explore on my own. Tricky transportation, swarming tourists and wild weather were a challenge to navigate.

Pinnawala is a village near Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo. The small village is special because of its elephant orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. Pop over for a night and grab a room overlooking the elephant's watering hole.

Located on Bahía de Cienfuegos, a bay on Cuba’s southern coast, Cienfuegos is a peaceful town oozing charm. Known for colorful colonial-era buildings, the town is a chief seaport for sugarcane, coffee and tobacco.

At almost 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Set above the Urubamba River valley, the site was built in the 15th century and later abandoned. Even today, it carries an air of mystery with its exact purpose still debated.

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 because of its historical importance as a center of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, Trinidad is also one of the most well-preserved cities in the Caribbean.

Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Havana has had many lives. The city is celebrated for its vibrant culture, rich history and mix of architecture, including Colonial, Baroque and Neoclassical. The tropical climate helps give way to beautiful parks and al fresco dining.

Once capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is famed for its rich history, culture and architecture. Cobblestone streets lead visitors to Plaza de Armas, alongside archaeological remains like the Twelve-Angled Stone. It's also the spot for freshwater trout ceviche and the perfect jumping off point for Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.

Creating travel as a priority, choosing the ultimate destination and money saving tips.

Known as the “Best Kept Town” in Ireland, Killarney is small and charming. It’s home to some of the most undisturbed landscape in the country, including the Ring of Kerry, a 111 mile circular route in southwestern Ireland.

Sacred Valley is a region in Peru's Andean highlands known for fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages, stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo. Together, with Machu Picchu and the nearby city of Cusco, they formed the heart of the Inca Empire in the late 1500's.

Almost 100 feet above the rocky coastline, UK's delicate Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge links mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede. It’s thought to be used by salmon fisherman for over 350 years. Giant's Causeway is an incredible display of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

Otavalo is a town in the Andean highlands of northern Ecuador. It’s surrounded by volcanoes and famous for its indigenous peoples, the Otavalos, as well as the Otavalo Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in South America where you’ll find handicrafts and Andean folk music.

A two hour drive from Cusco, Vinicunca, also called Mountain of Seven Colors, is a mountain in the Andes of Peru with an altitude of 16,522 feet above sea level and extremely harsh conditions. The seven colors come from mineral composition but are only visible during Augusts’s dry season.

An Andean town west of Bogotá, Salento is known for its coffee estates and sweeping scenery. To the East is Cocora Valley, where the world’s tallest palms dot the landscape. Rare parrots, poisonous mushrooms and iridescent hummingbirds can be spotted along many of the hiking trails.

Colca Canyon is a river canyon in southern Peru famed as one of the deepest in the world. It’s a trekking and rafting destination with canyons, valleys and remote traditional villages with terraced agriculture predating the Incas. And the giant Andean condor can often be spotted from viewpoints like Cruz del Condor.

My absolute favorite spots in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Over 500 feet tall and eight miles long, the Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs that leave a lasting impression; just don’t get too close to the edge. The Aran Islands are three rocky isles guarding the mouth of Galway Bay. Both can be reached through Galway, a harbor town on Ireland’s west coast.

The oldest of all South American capitals, Quito, sits high in the Andean foothills. It was built on an ancient Incan city and is known for its colonial center filled with churches that blend European, Moorish and indigenous styles.

Known as the “White City” because of its baroque style buildings made of sillar, a white volcanic stone, Arequipa feels warm and welcoming and is filled with live music, spicy food, antique stores and a lively historic center. The town is also surrounded by four imposing volcanoes.