A small town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is an important fishing port filled with delicious seafood, picturesque beaches and life changing whale watching. It's also a great jumping off point for the iconic old city of Galle.

Central Turkey's dry region of Cappadocia is known for its magical fairy chimneys, hot air balloons and mysterious caves. To unwind, enjoy hookah, browse for local artifacts or smash a fiery clay pot overflowing with testi kebab for dinner.

The emerald green forests of Arashiyama offer more than meets the eye. Come for the bamboo but stay to explore the charming temples, beautiful shrines and cherry blossoms along Ōi River.

An island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Vieques is a land of untouched beaches, roaming wild horses and spark-filled Bioluminescent Bay.

A fortified town on the Adriatic coast, Kotor sits nestled in the Bay of Kotor, a natural fjord characterized by ancient ruins, winding streets and more charm than one can ask for.

Little gem of the Balkans, Mostar is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most visited towns. Situated on the Neretva River, it's named after bridge keepers who watched over the Old Bridge during the Ottoman era. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the stone bridge only adds to the charm and character of this fairytale-like town.

Ella is most well known for Nine Arches Bridge, a viaduct bridge built without any steel and set against a lush green landscape surrounded by rolling hills, cloud forests and tea plantations. The town also boasts epic waterfalls, exhilarating train rides and sacred Buddhist temples.

A lush metropolis full of green space, Mexico City has a vibrant art scene, fascinating architecture and out of this world cuisine. It's both the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Indigenous people, originally built by the Aztecs on a group of islands in Lake Texcoco around 1325.

With an unimaginable food scene, delicious Chilean wine and streets filled with art, history and culture, Santiago is worth getting to know.

Over 10,000 torii gates line the path to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of the deity Inari Ōkami and spirit of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture, industry, general prosperity and worldly success. Placing offerings helps protect visitors from evil forces.

"Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik sits in southern Dalmatia along the Adriatic Sea and is known for its unique Old Town, enclosed with massive stone walls from the 16th century and packed full of delicious seafood restaurants and charming boutiques.

Once a retreat for the British elite and colonial planters of the country’s tea industry, Nuwara Eliya lies in the misty hills of central Sri Lanka with the nickname, “City of Light.” The town has a temperate, chilly climate and is littered with colonial style bungalows and tea plantations.

Even after a decade of solo travel to more than 50 countries around the world, I'm often reminded that most others aren't as adventurous as myself. Still, it only takes following a few tips to create a seamless and safe holiday trip.

Coined the "City of a Thousand Temples," Kyoto oozes old world charm, steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. It's also the perfect jumping off point for areas like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.

Founded in the early 16th century, Antigua is a small town surrounded by massive volcanoes and famed for its candy colored Spanish colonial buildings.

Fes is referred to as Morocco’s cultural capital, known mostly for its walled medina, Fes El Bali. The walled city is a never ending maze of distinctive architecture, inspiring culture and beautiful handicrafts like Moroccan rugs, antiques and textiles, alongside historical museums, traditional hammams and leather tanneries.

Formerly Constantinople, Istanbul straddles both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest city and main seaport in Turkey. Delight in all things spices, traditional meze, Turkish baths and towering mosques.

Established in 1521 by the Spanish, Old San Juan is the oldest city in the United States and its territories. There you'll find colonial architecture, impressive fortifications, cobblestone streets, open plazas, and hidden patios. Nearby, el Yunque National Forest is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S.

A large city in central Sri Lanka, Kandy is set on a plateau surrounded by mountains home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. The city is famed for sacred Buddhist sites like the Temple of the Tooth's and its heart is the scenic Kandy Lake.

Located in the lush mountains north of Tokyo, Nikkō has long been celebrated as for its Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship. Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Nikkō National Park are highlights worth exploring.