Top 10 Dream Vacation Spots to Travel in 2023-24

When you finally get some time off, you deserve to plan an amazing vacation that takes you and your loved ones to amazing sites. The world is a big place with many unique dream vacation spots that you can try in 2023-24. These include spots right in your home country or even legendary dream places to travel throughout Europe, Asia, and almost every other continent. 

In this blog, we’re going to break down 10 amazing places to vacation that will change your life forever. We’ll discuss its general location and climate, the best time to visit the area, top attractions that might appeal to you, an approximate budget to consider, languages spoken in the area, visa needs, safety concerns, and what currency you’ll need when traveling there. 

We’ll also make sure to discuss things like food in the area, potential accommodations, transportation options, and cultural elements to consider. Each section also gets some tips that will make traveling to each area easier. The goal of each of our mini-reviews is to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of each area before you visit them. 

So, if you’re interested in learning about dream places to travel and want to know about the world’s best dream vacation spots, read on to learn more. Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, a partner, or a family, you should find a great place to visit. We promise that our list will give you the information that you need to make an informed and intelligent decision. 

Our Methodology for Selecting the Best Vacation Spots

When choosing the dream vacation spots on this list, we took our criteria very carefully. We didn’t just randomly choose locations and hope for the best. Instead, we carefully checked out each of the dream places to travel on this list and did careful research that highlighted what makes each area unique. This process was more advanced than you might think. 

First, we checked out multiple listicle-type articles to see what people were saying about the best places to travel in 2023-24. Once we found about 30-40, we carefully investigated each with official government sites, travel reviews, and traveler statements and narrowed our options down to 10 amazing dream vacation spots that we know you’re going to love. 

Don’t worry; we link to many of the articles we used in our research to ensure that you understand each site. Furthermore, we focused heavily on factors that we knew would impact dream places to travel, such as safety and potential language barriers, to ensure that you found a great spot. In fact, concerns about crime caused us to leave some popular sites off this list. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the most popular travel sites in 2023-24 to help you prepare for their unique benefits. Make sure that you talk with your family or travel partner about each of these options to narrow down your choice to one that makes sense for everybody. In this way, you can avoid disappointing that picky person in your life who never seems satisfied.

Here’s the List of Dream Places to Travel 

We’re excited to share these amazing dream vacation spots and think that you’ll love what we have to offer. You’ll notice right away that we did a lot of research to improve this article, so feel free to dig right in, check out the included links for more context, and read to the end to discover the best place to travel in 2023-24 solo or with friends, family members, or your partner.

10. Easter Island 

Quick Glance

• Location: Southeastern Pacific Ocean Island in the Polynesian Triangle
• Climate: Tropical Rainforest (Temps between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: Between January and March (Southern Hemisphere summer)
• Top Attractions: Legendary Easter Island statutes, Anakena Beach, Orongo
• Budget: About $84 per day, depending on your plane ticket costs
• Language: Spanish, Rapa Nui, English (unofficial and often not fluent)
• Visa: Round-trip tickets, reservation for accommodations, valid passports, unique entry form
• Safety: Low Risk (Minimal crime, some risk of disease infestation)
• Currency: Peso ($1 = 939.45 Chilean Peso)

Overview

Easter Island is one of the most underrated places to travel in the world, but has recently seen an upsurge in people checking out the area. Its mysterious statues, beautiful destinations, and fairly compact size (just 10 miles wide!) make it a fun and quick vacation destination. Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it’s isolated, interesting, and well worth a visit. 

Originally settled between 300-800 CE (scientists are still not certain), Easter Island has an amazing combination of rural and urban environments, including its many beautiful beaches, surfing destinations, traditional dances, horseback riding destinations, and amazing food. Easter Island cuisine focuses heavily on seafood, making it a great destination for foodies. 

The culture here is very friendly, and crime is rare in tourist-rich areas. Do keep your belongings within hand’s reach to avoid potential pickpocket risks. Accommodations are mostly focused on Hanga Roa, the biggest (i.e., only) city on Easter Island, while car rentals and taxis are available for visitors, though many people just go by foot in Hanga Roa and get around just fine.

Tips for Visiting Easter Island

• Know that the statues are spread around the island and have different facets
• Try ceviche and other seafoods because they typically cost less than other meals
• Book for only 3-4 days: a full week is too much for this small island 
• Ignore pre-booked tours because you can explore the island yourself easily

9. Las Vegas

Quick Glance

• Location: Nevada in Clark County
• Climate: Hot (Typically between 59-104 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to November (Avoids the hottest periods)
• Top Attractions: The Strip, Freemont Street Experience, Helicopter rides, Bellagio Resort
• Budget: $75-390 per day, depending on your experience
• Language: English, Spanish, Some Native tongues
• Visa: None for American citizens, varies based on your origin country
• Safety: Concerning Risk (Typically outside The Strip and Downtown)
• Currency: US Dollar (with exchange areas available throughout)

Overview

Las Vegas is often among the top dream vacation spots for people who love to gamble. However, Las Vegas is more than casinos and features amazing entertainment options, cool sports, and even outdoor experiences. The biggest concern here is the heat and the potential risk of crime due to intoxicated visitors. Stay away from bars, and you should be fine here. 

Las Vegas history is rather complex and includes railroads, mafia influences, struggles during World War II, and a surge in tourism thanks to legalized gambling. That said, it’s still a great place to visit for people who love spectacle, as Vegas has amazing shows, like Cirque de Soleil and the Blue Man Group, as well as amazing Mexican- and Cuban-inspired foods you’ll love. 

Accommodations include everything from hotels to Airbnb rentals, meaning it should be easy for you to find something that suits you. We strongly suggest staying on The Strip to centralize your trip and make transportation easier. Public transportation includes taxis, the monorail, rental cars, limos, rideshare options, and even buses that should provide you with safe travel.

Tips for Visiting Las Vegas

• Hire a limo driver if you have the budget to improve your travel 
• Avoid betting on games you’ve never played: you’re going to lose
• Tip well to get suggestions and advice from residents
• Expect to book most events months in advance: tickets are in high demand
• Enjoy a fourth meal late at night while exploring for the full Vegas experience

8. South Dakota

Quick Glance

• Location: Northwest of the United States just west of the Mississippi Valley Region
• Climate: Mild (Between 15-79 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: May to September (avoids the extreme winter season)
• Top Attractions: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Badlands
• Budget: $166-$338 per day for four people
• Language: English, Spanish, German, Native American tongues
• Visa: Passports and updated travel visas for non-American residents
• Safety: Very Safe (some danger of car crashes in busy areas)
• Currency: US Dollar

Overview

Now, when you think of dream vacation spots, you probably don’t have South Dakota high on your list. However, this region has an amazing history of Native American civilization, beautiful monuments to history, and gorgeous landscapes. It’s also increasing in population in recent years and should provide you with a diverse array of cool and exciting things to do. 

In fact, we chose South Dakota not just because of its beautiful landscapes and cool attractions but because it’s still something of a hidden treasure. Where else can you do things like visit Mount Rushmore, see the epic Crazy Horse Memorial, the intriguing Corn Palace, and the Black Hills National Forest? Best of all, South Dakota is a pretty safe place to visit in the right season.

Popular South Dakota foods include bierocks, pheasant and walleye, chislic, and kuchen. Public transportation includes buses, taxis, and ridesharing, though traveling throughout the whole state will require renting a car (trust us on this one). As for accommodations, we strongly suggest renting a cabin or resort, as there are many beautiful places in this fantastic state.

Tips for Visiting South Dakota

• Plan at least 1-2 weeks when visiting South Dakota to see everything 
• Give yourself time to check out the many hiking trails in the state 
• Only come during the winter if you love snow and cold (skiing and snowboarding here are amazing)
• Expect to pay over the national average in gas due to delivery costs (budget accordingly).
• Plan Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse on the same day (they’re very close and don’t take long)

7. Nova Scotia

Quick Glance

• Location: A Canadian province on the eastern seaboard of North America
• Climate: Cold (As low as 21 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees)
• Best Time to Visit: July and August (summer when the temperatures are best)
• Top Attractions: Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia Day Tour, Alexander Graham Bell Site
• Budget: $112 per day with $32 on meals and $17 on transportation
• Language: English, French, Scottish, Mi’kmaq
• Visa: Travel visas and passports for non-Canadian residents
• Safety: Low Risk (low population and minimal crime dangers)
• Currency: Canadian Dollar (American currency is accepted by some businesses) ($1 =1.37 CAD)

Overview

Nova Scotia is slowly getting higher on lists for dream vacation spots due to its natural beauty and amazing fishing. It’s also not overly busy because it’s still something of a secret treasure in Canada. Everyone wants to go to Ontario, and few want to travel to Nova Scotia. As a result, it’s one of the dream places to travel if you want to relax in beautiful isolation.

Spots to check out include Cabot Trail, Peggy’s Cove, Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton Highlands, Halifax Citadel, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. As for cuisine, expect amazing seafood like lobster, as well as dishes like clam chowder, delicious pasta dishes, and even poutine. Canada provides a broad array of amazing meals that provide cool dining options.

Nova Scotian hotels include amazing amenities like beach-side rooms, pools, free breakfasts, and much more. Airbnb destinations are also available that can save you good money. Public transportation includes transit shuttles and buses that can get you around the province quickly and ensure that you get where you need to go quickly and efficiently.

Tips for Visiting Nova Scotia

• Check out couch-surfing sites to find a local where you can stay 
• Consider camping at one of the many amazing sites in the province
• Find a Maritime Bus schedule to ensure you can get around fluently
• Watch out for ticks, as Lyme disease is common in this region 
• Book any fishing licenses ahead of time to avoid problems

6. Dresden

Quick Glance

• Location: Germany (specifically the eastern section)
• Climate: Mild (between 34 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: May to October (great temperatures and minimal excessive rain)
• Top Attractions: Frauenkirche, Royal Palace and Museums, Zwiger and Old Masters
• Budget: $143 per day with about $33 on meals and $11 on transportation
• Language: German, French, Italian, English
• Visa: Standard travel visa and passport for non-European Union visitors
• Safety: Minimal Risk (minor pickpocketing and theft dangers)
• Currency: Euro ($1 = 0.949216 Euro)

Overview

Dresden is one of those dream vacation spots that you can’t believe you never tried out until you get there. As the third-largest city in Germany, this eastern town has a long history filled with triumph and tragedy. During the Cold War, it struggled under Eastern German rule but has since become a beacon of democracy and tourism since the fall of communism. 

Furthermore, Dresden is a big foodie capital and home to some of Germany’s best cuisine. Try dishes like fettbemme, sauerkraut, potato soup, and other amazingly rich meals. Many of America’s classic cuisine comes directly from this tradition. Attractions you need to see include Canaletto’s View, the Royal Palace, and (if you love music) the Dresden City Festival. 

Dresden has a diverse array of public transportation options, such as buses, trains, taxis, and ridesharing, that you can try out if you like. These should get you around the city without much hassle. Accommodations include hostels, hotels, and even apartments you can rent downtown!

Tips for Visiting Dresden

• Book a trip on the river to get an amazing video of the city by boat 
• Try to order your bus tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting
• Buy 24-hour tram tickets to cut down on your travel expenses
• Budget at least $5-6 per 24-hour tram ticket to get around the city quicker
• Practice riding bikes before visiting to build up your leg muscles

5. Maui

Quick Glance

• Location: The Pacific Ocean as part of the Hawaiian Islands
• Climate: Tropical Climate (58 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: April to May and August to October (avoids excessive heat)
• Top Attractions: Haleakala National Park, Road to Hana, Ka’anapali Beach, Maui Snorkeling 
• Budget: $275 per day (due to high food, lodging, and transportation costs)
• Language: English, Spanish, French, Italian, multiple Native tongues
• Visa: Standard travel visa for non-American residents
• Safety: Moderate Risk (insects, recovery from fire, minor crimes)
• Currency: US Dollar

Overview

Maui has been populated since at least 450 AD and has a lengthy history of invasions, wars, consolidation, and finally, American statehood. Its recent tragic fires have limited travel there for many, but large parts of the island are opening up and should be available by 2024. Great cuisine here includes loco moco, poke, Baja fish tacos, and traditional noodle meals.

While you’re here, you can go snorkeling along the beach, take a quick trip to Oahu to check out its sites, take some surfing lessons, check out a luau, go on a helicopter ride, visit the beautiful Molokini Crater, check out turtles around Turtle Town, and visit the Maui Ocean Center. These destinations should give you and your family something fun to do while you’re in Hawaii.

While Maui accommodations may still be a little limited as the island recovers from the fire, there are several options available throughout the island, including hotels, cabin rentals, and much more. Getting around is fairly easy thanks to the Maui Bus Public Transit system, which includes 14 different bus routes that take you around the island to its sights.

Tips for Visiting Maui

• Bring bug spray to avoid potential bites and infections 
• Know the tide schedule to avoid going out at the wrong time
• Respect residents who are still mourning the recent fires 
• Pay attention to any areas where the island might be unavailable
• Note that natural trails have strict rules against taking anything with you and you migh get fined if you do take anything

4. Tokyo

Quick Glance

• Location: Japan as the biggest city in the nation
• Climate: Moderate (45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: March to April and September to November (avoids heat, showcases fall colors)
• Top Attractions: Tokyo National Museum, Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Edo-Tokyo Museum
• Budget: $140 per day, which might be surprisingly low to some
• Language: Japanese, English (rarer in areas with older citizens)
• Visa: Valid travel visa and passport
• Safety: Mild Risk (some petty crimes, like theft)
• Currency: Yen and its many variations ($1 = 149.533 JPY)

Overview

Tokyo should be one of anyone’s dream vacation spots thanks to its rich history (thousands of years of occupation!), amazing natural beauty outside the city, and fascinating sights and sounds in the city itself. Japan’s history has gone through many unique cycles, and Tokyo is at the center of its amazing post-World War II economic boom and is still great when choosing dream places to travel. 

Visiting Tokyo is like stepping into a futuristic world for many, and it includes many amazing attractions. For example, you can visit Mt. Takeo, Takeshita Street, Kabukiza Theater, Shinjuku Golden Gai, Tokyo Tower, and Ueno Park. Try out delicious traditional dishes like sushi, tempura, yakitori, kaiseki, and tsukemono pickles while staying in Tokyo.

Tokyo has many hotels and hostels where you can stay, but be prepared for a very small amount of room. Tokyo is a densely populated city, and these accommodations aren’t going to be very luxurious, even when they cost good money. That’s just how it goes in Japan. Thankfully, there are many train lines and buses in the city you can use to get where you need to go anfd avoid long walks.

Tips for Traveling in Tokyo

• Only get the Japan Rail Pass if you plan on exploring other Japanese cities to cut down on your expenses
• Find American-friendly areas where people likely speak English to make your experience more enjoyable
• Keep your debit and credit cards in your room: Tokyo (and Japan) prefers cash and may not accept American cards
• Make sure you check your train stations properly: there are at least five with the word Shinjuku, so avoid getting confused
• Avoid overpacking by washing your clothes while you stay: most accommodations should have modern laundry facilities
• Hit long lines when checking out restaurants and attractions: long lines = quality in Japan

3. Rome

Quick Glance

• Location: Italy (right in the center of the peninsula for easier access and transportation)
• Climate: Mostly Warm (38 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: September to November or April to May (smaller crowds, milder weather)
• Top Attractions: Colosseum, Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain
• Budget: $93 per day (depending on your trip)
• Language: Italian, French, Greek, German, Albanian, English, Catalan
• Visa: Short-stay visa (C-type visa) and passport
• Safety: Modern Risk (mostly petty crimes and rare violence)
• Currency: Euro (like in most of Europe) ($1 = 0.949216 Euro)

Overview

Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world and was once the center of a sprawling empire that was the largest and most advanced in Europe. As a result, it’s an amazing place to visit if you’re into history because there are buildings that are over 2,000 years old that you can check out. It’s also a great destination if you’re Catholic due to the presence of Vatican City.

Vatican City is a great option even if you’re not religious because it’s literally an independent country right in Rome. However, foodies will love checking out legitimate Italian cuisine such as gnocchi, spaghetti, and abbacchio. Between visits to shopping areas, the Colosseum, and St. Peter’s Basilica, you can enjoy these fantastic foods from amazing restaurants that serve real, authentic, Italian cuisine.

Public transportation options include subway stations, buses, six tram lines, multiple taxis, and urban railways that should make it easier for you to get around Rome without having to drive yourself. The buses are particularly nice, though usually busy. Accommodations include amazing hotels and resorts, as well as Airbnb options that will save you money.

Tips for Visiting Rome

• Order coffee and non-alcoholic drinks at the bar: that’s just how it’s done in Italy
• Don’t order a cappuccino after noon to avoid a major faux paus
• Book ahead of time when visiting Vatican City to ensure that you get a spot
• Always buy bus tickets ahead of time: you’ll thank us later
• Some museums and businesses close on Mondays and Sundays
• Keep cash on you at all times and keep it stored safely and away from pickpockets

2. Puerto Rico

Quick Glance

• Location: On an archipelago between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean
• Climate: Tropical Climate (70-100 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: April to June (After the winter season and before the rainy season)
• Top Attractions: Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, Old San Juan, El Morro, Flamenco Beach
• Budget: $218 per day for meals, transportation, and accommodations
• Language: Spanish first and English second, followed by French, German, Italian, Haitian, etc.
• Visa: Vaccination forms, travel declaration form, and a valid passport for non-American visitors
• Safety: Moderate Risk (some dangers when walking at night or in high-crime areas)
• Currency: US Dollar 

Overview

Puerto Rico is a beautiful series of islands that make it nearly the top of our dream vacation spots list. Originally part of the Spanish Empire, it was eventually signed over to America, where it expanded and became more modern in the last century. This rich history and combination of beautiful landscapes and amazing destinations make it one of the best dream places to travel. 

If you’re a foodie, you need to try traditional dishes like mofongo, tostones, amarillos, lecho asado, and arroz y habichuelas. These dishes use traditional Spanish ideas and rich meat and vegetables grown right on the islands! Great attractions include any Old San Juan walking tour, food tours, Flamenco Beach, El Yunque rainforest, and the San Juan National Historic Site.

To get the most out of your visit, try booking at places like Montana Beach Resort, as they put you right on the beach and give you a beautiful view. However, it’s important to remember that Puerto Rico has a pretty diverse range of hotels and multiple public transportation options. These include a bus and metro system, bike rental, car rental, and taxis that can help you get around the islands.

Tips for Visiting Puerto Rico 

• Avoid the hurricane season (June to November) to stay safe from these damaging storms
• Bring bug repellent (there are many pests in Puerto Rico that could make life uncomfortable)
• Check out Old San Juan if you’re planning a short trip to avoid overspending
• Consider booking a Puerto Rico visit as part of a cruise to streamline your experience
• Pack an umbrella, as it rains here a lot, even outside the rainy season 
• Car rental is a smart option for getting around the islands that make up Puerto Rico
• Don’t forget to check out every island to get the full Puerto Rican experience

1. Paris 

Quick Glance

• Location: France (itself a great place to explore)
• Climate: Mild (Temperatures between 35-78 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Best Time to Visit: June to October, excluding August (Northern Hemisphere summer and fall)
• Top Attractions: Eiffel Tower, The Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.
• Budget: $369 per day (accommodation, transportation, food, and activities)
• Language: French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, English
• Visa: France visa application, passport-style photos, valid passport, visa copies, etc.
• Safety: Somewhat Concerning Risk (minor theft crimes and occasional violence)
• Currency: Euro (common throughout most of Europe, including in Paris and France) ($1 = 0.949216 Euro)

Overview

Paris has likely been occupied for thousands of years in one form or another and was a huge Roman settlement by 52 BC. Since then, it has been the center of many revolutionary moments in European history and is so filled with history, amazing activities, and unique food that it’s easily the best place to visit in the world, even if it does have a slightly high crime rate.

In spite of some risk of petty theft, Paris is still worth visiting for the chance to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, Ile de la Cite, Pont Neuf, and amazing food options. Foods you have to eat in Paris include delicious French bread, cheese, wine, croques, crepes, duck, escargot, and frog legs. After all, it’s Paris: live a little!

There should be hundreds of accommodation options in Paris, including hostels and hotels, as well as cabins you can rent in more rural areas. Are Parisians rude, as the cliche states? Not as long as you treat the residents (particularly service people) with respect. Paris also has multiple public transportation options like the Paris Metro, tramways systems, and buses you can use.

Tips for Visiting Paris 

• Book a week or more: you’ll need that time to check out everything
• Expect to wait an hour or more when visiting the Eiffel Tower
• Book restaurant reservations for between 7-9 pm: Paris eats late
• Avoid going in August: many businesses close for that month
• Practice your French before you go to avoid confusion