Seeking a getaway? There’s no shortage of epic adventures waiting for you around the world. Will you set out to explore the natural wonders of Taiwan, go trekking through under-the-radar trails in the Himalayas, or hop on a plane with your favourite vacation buddy to discover a new island in the Caribbean? Take your wanderlust to these dream travel destinations.

One of the most popular travel spots in Canada is the Rocky Mountains. Banff National Park and Lake Louise are some of the most popular places to visit, but Yoho National Park, Mount Robson, and other parks in British Columbia and Alberta also allow you to experience the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies while getting away from the tourist crowds. 

This four-season destination is great for all types of travellers. Outdoor enthusiasts can go skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing with epic views every step (or turn) of the way in the winter months, and climb mountain peaks and go camping in the summer. If you prefer to relax, the mountains have plenty of natural hot springs that will leave you rested and rejuvenated.

This getaway also offers the ultimate Canadian road trip: from Banff to Jasper National Park through the Icefields Parkway. This drive takes you through the most stunning landscapes in the Rockies, including Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield, and Athabasca Falls.

Taiwan’s east coast typically doesn't get overwhelmed with international tourists, so this destination is ideal for exploring like a local and discovering the lesser-known. Once you’ve seen the sights in Taipei, hop on a train and head east. Taiwan’s rail system goes along much of the east coast, where you'll get some of the most impressive ocean views of any coastal train.

Hualien is the first major city to visit on your tour of Taiwan’s east coast. Many travellers spend a few days here, starting with a full day at the popular Taroko Gorge to check out its many sights. Take an afternoon to wander the pebble beach by the Chisingtan Scenic Area just outside of town for views of the distant mountains looking out to the sky-blue sea. Then, get off the beaten path and head south to the small surfing town of Dulan. Book a room at a local guesthouse or hostel, and spend a few days learning to surf or testing your skills on a stand-up paddleboard.

With eight of the world's tallest mountains in this landlocked country, Nepal attracts mountaineers, solo travellers, spiritual seekers, budget travellers, and everything in between. While it’s best known for the Mount Everest Base Camp trek, you can explore more of Nepal along its many other trails with impressive views (and without Everest's conga line of mountaineers).

For hikes beyond the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp, you can check out Api Base Camp or Tsho Rolpa, which takes you to one of Nepal’s most expansive glacial lakes. Keep in mind that Nepal strictly enforces its ban on solo trekking tours, so you'll have to hire a licensed local guide for mountaineering in the Himalayas. You can inquire about the best guides and routes when you arrive in Kathmandu — there are lots of local tour agencies in the Thamel district.

Even if you aren’t a big hiker, Nepal is rich with cultural experiences. Witness centuries-old traditions, like the ritual oil lamp ceremonies from some of the nation’s most beloved temples or even from the rooftop of a guesthouse in Kathmandu.

Cinque Terre in Italy offers just as much history and culture as other popular travel destinations across the country. Translating to "five lands," Cinque Terre is made up of five seaside villages dating back to the 11th century — Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. With several medieval castles and terraced farmland and vineyards throughout the region, each village in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth exploring.

In Cinque Terre, nature enthusiasts can trek from one village to another along cliffside hiking trails. Foodies can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at trattorias, especially seafood specialties from the Liguria region. Those looking to relax can take the scenic train between each town and take in the coastline of the Italian Riviera. No matter how you travel this region of Italy, you won't soon forget the beach scenery and seafood of Cinque Terre.

Made up of 18 islands dotting turquoise-blue waters, just thinking of Tahiti evokes visions of paradise. Whether you want to relax on white-sand, palm-fringed beaches, swim in the blue lagoons, or take a hike up to the high mountain peaks, Tahiti has bucket list experiences for everyone.

With an abundance of natural marine life, Tahiti is an ideal destination for divers and wildlife enthusiasts. You can go free diving with humpback whales or snorkel with dozens of stingrays and sharks. This tropical spot is also known for its atolls, which are ring-shaped islands formed around sunken volcanoes and encircled by coral barrier reefs. Many travellers go atoll hopping by plane or boat, taking surface time on the beach between days spent diving among the coral and its wildlife.

If you’re dreaming of checking off a once-in-a-lifetime hike on your next vacation, add Patagonia to your travel bucket list. Perched on South America’s southern frontier, Patagonia encourages its visitors to get truly lost in nature, whether climbing to lagoons beneath jagged mountain peaks or exploring marble ice caves. There are vast stretches of the southern Andes mountain range to cover, often populated by far more penguins than people.

Spanning large sections of Argentina and Chile, both sides of the Patagonia region are worth visiting. Many hikers go to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, which offers everything from single-day to two-week treks, with towering mountains as the backdrop at every turn on the trails.

The Argentinian side of Patagonia is equally full of adventures. You can traverse the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate, or walk with penguins in Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the gateway to Antarctica.

If you’re looking for an unexpected destination to add to your travel bucket list, then Georgia may be just the place. From the snow-covered mountains of the Caucasus region to the coastal resorts around the Black Sea, Georgia is quickly becoming a top vacation pick. And it’s one of the most budget-friendly places to visit on this list.

Start exploring in the capital city of Tbilisi, where you can wander for days in the Old Town and sample the best of Georgian cuisine. Feast on khachapuri and order small plates of stewed eggplants, tomatoes, and mushrooms, all while enjoying Georgia's selection of local wine.

Georgia may be an ideal travel spot if you’re a digital nomad, since it offers a one-year visa for remote workers. Canadian passport holders can currently stay in Georgia visa-free as a tourist for up to 365 days.

For outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers, add New Zealand to your travel bucket list to enjoy all the outdoor activities and fun you can handle. Go sand-boarding down giant dunes, hiking on glaciers, skiing in the mountains, or skydiving over the incredible landscapes. True to its adrenaline-heavy reputation, New Zealand is even home to the world’s first commercial bungee jump.

New Zealand's landscapes are easily recognizable from the Lord of the Rings films, and a road trip through the South Island lets you explore this magical place with slightly more ease than the hobbits. The South Island offers some of the most picturesque views, with the towering peaks of the southern Alps, temperate rainforests, and dramatic fjords. Start off your trip by whale-watching in Kaikoura and make your way down to Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of New Zealand.

To see the natural wonder of Iceberg Alley, head to the most easterly point in North America, at Newfoundland and Labrador in Atlantic Canada. Every spring, thousands of icebergs make their way across the ocean from Greenland and end up in what's known as Iceberg Alley in Newfoundland. Icebergs often get stuck in the bays of small communities across the island, attracting tourists from all over the world.

You can spot icebergs from shore, but signing up for a guided boat tour or even renting a kayak lets you get a closer look at these frozen behemoths. Some of the best places to look for icebergs in Newfoundland are the Bonavista Peninsula, St Anthony, Twillingate, and Fogo Island.

While the Caribbean is often associated with laid-back vibes and white-sand beaches, the island of Dominica is an entirely unique experience in the region. If swimming in a different waterfall every day sounds like your type of trip, add Dominica to your travel destination bucket list — there’s a river for every day of the year here.

Dominica has nine volcanoes on the island, making it one of the most concentrated areas for geothermal activity. Hike to Boiling Lake in the Valley of Desolation to see the world's second-largest boiling lake, go diving at Champagne Reef among the bubbles rising from vents on the ocean floor, or relax in natural hot springs within the lush jungle at Wotten Waven. Since there are fewer tourists than on nearby islands, you can expect an excellent vacation without the crowds.

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