Someone rightly said, “Travelling- it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
-Anonymous
No matter how busy they are, travellers always have wanderlust on their minds. The thirst to escape the monotony of city life and to discover new horizons every day, the feeling itself is so refreshing. Everyone has a bucket list, where they jot down all the cities they want to go to. But when it comes to narrowing it down to one, it becomes difficult, isn’t it? So how to decide where to next? To make it easy, below, we have enlisted the top 10 best places in the world to visit in 2021. From vivid landscapes to finger-licking food, each city is one-of-a-kind. So ditch those conventional destinations and explore the hidden marvels of the world. Let your memory be your travel bag.
Lisbon, Portugal
Gentle waves of the River Tagus kiss the sandy coast as seven gigantic hills overlook the sunny capital of Portugal. The second oldest capital city of Europe after Athens, Lisbon, is visited by travellers who wish to experience the serenity of ancient ruins along with the liveliness of city life. When it comes to being a holiday destination, Lisbon has it all. The little hamlet of Cape Roca overlooking the sea, a tram ride up the painted streets of Elevador da Bica, the romantic town of Sintra, the painted walkway of Calçada Portuguesa, the bustling Casino Estoril and the tempting delicacies of Portuguese gastronomy make this city a haven for travellers.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Fringed by snow-covered the Atlas Mountains on one side and the great Sahara Desert on the other, Marrakesh is known as the Red City of Morocco. Once an extensive trading hub, this city is now a modern economic centre and attracts a lot of visitors every year. The traditional aura of this city encapsulates anyone who walks through its lanes. Djemaa El Fna is the main square and hence the liveliest spot of the town. The Italian marble floors and intricate wooden ceilings of the Bahia Palace is a treat for architecture admirers. You can admire the plump cactuses and bamboo trees in Jardin Majorelle, or experience authentic steam baths called Hammams. The list never ends.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Preserving their historical architectural buildings and serving aromatic dishes from traditional Vietnamese gourmet, the capital city of Hanoi is one of the less explored beauties of the world. The city boasts of its rich culture that is an amalgam of French, Chinese, and Southeast Asian roots. Fascinating Pagodas are a common sight here. History lovers take delight in visiting the numerous museums located in the entire city, Ho Chi Minh museum being the most popular one. The tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake witnesses seafood lovers flocking the restaurants in their vicinity.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
With an aura of ancient times and marvellous temples in its territory, Siem Reap is the picturesque capital city of Cambodia. Every year, this provincial city hosts pilgrims coming to pay their homage at the fascinating temples of Angkor. Be it the engraved faces in stones in the Bayon Temple, or the legendary ruins of Angkor Thom, there are plenty of heritage sites acting as magnets for explorers. Just like the fine architecture, the cuisine and local markets of Siem Reap are equally charismatic and popular. You can also catch skilled acrobats and gymnasts performing daring acts in Phare, the Cambodian Circus.
Jamaica
Enjoy the island life, find solace in evergreen rainforests, and run barefoot on the sandy beaches of Jamaican city. Nestled peacefully in the Carribean Sea, this island country is an adventurer’s paradise. Turquoise waters of the sea hide multicoloured reefs beneath its surface, which is why its a popular site for diving and snorkelling. You can watch dolphins jump and get close up with sharks and sea creatures at the marine park of Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios. Music lovers can visit the legend Bob Marley’s museum to get a peek at his personal life.
Tokyo, Japan
Konnichiwa! Welcome to the ravishing city of Japan, Tokyo. One trip is never enough to truly discover all the gems in the treasure of this Japanese city. From skyscrapers to wooden houses, from irresistible sushi to jazzy bars, Tokoyo is a blend of modern and culture. Each experience in Tokyo is one-of-a-kind and completely contrasting from the other. Shopaholics can attack the Harajuku and Tsukiji markets. You can experience the lively nightlife of Shinjuku, or picnic under the pink cherry blossoms of Yoyogi-Koen. When in Japan, watching sumo is like a custom, and the best place to do this is to visit Ryōgoku Kokugikan, the largest sumo stadium in the country. Don’t forget to visit the dormant snowcapped volcano Mount Fuji.
Crete, Greece
Largest in the angelic archipelago of Greece is the breathtaking island of Crete. Standing on the pearly white sand of its coast, you will be surrounded by azure blue waters as far as your eyes can see. No amount of words can do justice to the beauty of its landscape. Not only it has the most romantic beaches, but it also encompasses the gigantic White Mountains. You can unravel the life of the Bronze Age people in the Palace of Knossos, or hike in the Samaria canyon, or wander through the lanes of Hania, or relax under the shade of palm trees lining the Moni Preveli Beach.
Hurghada, Egypt
Lying on the edge of Egypt, the city of Hurghada is a total contrast to the land of Pharaohs. With white sand beaches outlining the sea coast, Hurghada is promising entertaining beach life and is perfect for romantic getaways. The colossal coral reefs lying underneath the sea are the prime reason for numerous snorkelling and diving sites throughout the city. One such site is on Giftun Island. For diving amidst wrecks and other treasures of the sea, you can visit the Straits of Gubal. Another fascinating experience is camping in the desert and watching the night sky with the Astronomical Nights tour.
Leh-Ladakh, India
Situated in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, the sublime vistas and pulchritudinous beauty of Leh-Ladakh will want to visit this place over and over again. At least a week is required to completely explore all the attractions. You can start by visiting Tiger Hill, a strategic peak that lies in the Drass Valley, and connects Siachen to Leh. Set atop a hill is Lamayuru Tibetan Monastery, locally known as Tharpa Ling, or the ‘place of freedom.’ This monastery is common place for worship and houses close to 200 monks. People are also attracted by the mysterious Magnet Hill, a place where your vehicle moves even the engines off. And then there is Pangong Tso, the world’s highest saltwater lake stretching up to 160 km, with half its part shared with China.
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is a city of beaches, art galleries, and museums. There is a huge port city named Jaffa Arab located close to Tel Aviv, where people visit the old flea markets. Another old port area named Namal is also a famous tourist attraction in this city. However, the hallmark of the city remains Neve Tzedek Quarter and Dizengoff Circle.
