The United States is an enormous country characterized by breathtaking cultural and ecological diversity. For such a young nation, it has an exceedingly rich history as well. Nevertheless, it occupies just 3 percent of the planet’s total land area. If you’re planning a big trip in the near future, keep the remaining 97 percent in mind and use this list of the best places to visit around the world as your guide.
Turkey
One of the wealthiest and most vibrant countries in western Asia, Turkey enjoys a history that stretches back for thousands of years. The country’s geography informs much of this history: Its unique location at the border between Europe and Asia have made it a crucial nexus of international trade and encouraged the blending of Eastern and Western cultures there.
Home to over 10 million people, Istanbul is Turkey’s cultural capital and by far the largest city in the world to straddle two continents. It is a popular destination for Mediterranean cruise ships as well as overland travelers touring nearby Greece. They have a good reason to stop by: The city boasts a wealth of architecture and artifacts accumulated during its centuries-long tenure as the capital of both Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire. These include the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Haggia Sophia mosque-turned-museum.
Thailand
Aside from China, Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most powerful economy. The country sits in a favorable location at the intersection of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and continues to attract millions of immigrants from neighboring states. With a seemingly endless coastline and a tropical climate mitigated by ocean breezes, Thailand is a year-round tourist destination.
Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax on a broad, sandy beach or experience Bangkok’s cosmopolitan Khaosan Road nightlife scene, you’ll be impressed by Thailand’s assets. Like many Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has a rich, multicultural history despite its relatively homogeneous demographic makeup. In Bangkok, the old Buddhist temples of Wat Pho and Arun Wat boast intricate ornamentation that rivals the sophistication of the tapestries and glasswork found in Europe’s most impressive cathedrals.
Guatemala
The heartland of the ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala is among Central America’s hottest tourist destinations. According to the Global Property Marketwatch, a service of Live and Invest Overseas, it’s also a great place to buy land. The old colonial towns that coexist alongside native ruins, most notably the legendary Tikal complex near Santa Elena, have plenty of affordable properties available to tourists enamored with Guatemala’s laid-back lifestyle.
Guatemala also has tremendous natural assets. With beachfront real estate on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it’s as well-known destination for sun-seekers looking to escape the crowds found in places like Acapulco and Cozumel. If you’re feeling up to the task, head to colonial Antigua and prepare to climb the imposing Volcan de Agua.
Chile
Another Latin American country that often gets lost in the shuffle, Chile is anything but second-rate. Characterized by subtropical highlands in the north, barren ice fields in the south, and imposing mountain ranges throughout, the country is a top destination for adventure-seekers and laid-back tourist types alike. Along Chile’s eastern border with Argentina, the towering Andes provide countless climbing, skiing and sightseeing opportunities.
Meanwhile, the central region near Santiago boasts a mild Mediterranean climate that’s picture-perfect for growing wine grapes. In recent years, Chile has built its wine-export business rapidly and fostered a growing tourist industry around the production and sale of its signature red wines. If you have some extra time, be sure to visit Easter Island, a mid-Pacific outpost whose mysterious former inhabitants left behind an array of enormous busts carved from local rock. Easter Island itself is often cited as one of the best places to visit around the world.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, high culture or simple relaxation, these four beautiful countries have what you crave. Of course, this guide is just a starting point. Be mindful of your own needs and preferences as you research your destination options further and start planning your trip to one or more of the best places to visit around the world.