Picking a travel destination can be as tough as picking a dessert from a menu – everything looks great! With so many incredible places around the world, it can be challenging to determine where to go and what to see.
How do I choose my next destination? For domestic trips, I am on a quest to explore all 50 states, so I generally select a state I have not visited. With international trips, I have a tougher time since I currently have a bucket list with over 50 destinations and experiences. I honestly spend days going through the list, selecting a place, and then changing my mind several times before finally choosing the next destination!
Travel Resources to Inspire
Yearning to travel but not sure where to go? Trying to put together a bucket list and need ideas? Then check out these guides to get a glimpse of some fantastic places from around the world!
🌍 Rick Steves’ Europe: When it comes to European travel, Rick Steves is considered one of the best sources of information. For over 30 years, public television has aired the series Rick Steves’ Europe, and today, the company’s social media sites are filled with thousands of videos, pictures, and helpful webinars.
Sites ⬇️
Rick Steves’ Europe’s website and YouTube channel.
🌍 Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet has a playlist on its YouTube channel featuring 140 destination guides. These short videos offer a glimpse of various countries and cities, and once you’ve watched all 140, your travel bucket list will be overflowing!!
🌍 Go Traveler: This YouTube channel is a hodgepodge of travel videos from various shows that have been featured on public television.
🌍 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The World Heritage List now includes over 1,000 cultural and natural sites of significant heritage. This is a fantastic resource for building a travel bucket list!
Two other excellent online sources I visit for inspiration are National Geographic Expeditions and Smithsonian Journeys. These websites not only showcase pictures and videos, but the tours these companies offer can provide great itinerary ideas.
💻Social Media: Travelers can also use social media platforms as a source of good, free information. I am currently a member of “Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip“, “Visit All 50 States!“, and “US National Park Travel“. These groups are filled with wonderful posts of travelers sharing trip ideas, itineraries, helpful tips, and amazing pictures. For my European trips, I have been using the “Rick Steves’ Europe Group” as a source of ideas and information.
🏫 Local Library & Bookstores: One excellent, and sometimes overlooked, resource is libraries and bookstores. The great news is that many local libraries have an incredible amount of travel books, e-books, maps, and DVDs that people can borrow. You can also check out a used bookstore, as many sell guidebooks and maps for a few dollars.
A favorite childhood memory of mine is going to the library and renting travel VHS tapes!
And of course, you have my website, Wandering the World Without Worries! Here, I share pictures, videos, maps, and travel tips to fuel your wanderlust and inspire you with ideas for wonderful places to explore. ✈️🌍🧳
Safety Comes First
When picking a destination, one needs to prioritize safety. Not all destinations are safe, and while a place may be on your bucket list, your well-being matters more!
If you need guidance on determining whether a destination is safe, the US Department of State provides a comprehensive profile of each country or region, including its current safety level.
Fellow adventurers ~ Where will your next adventure take you? Drop your favorite travel planning tips or websites in the comments so we can inspire each other!⬇️
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