TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Explore my honest travel guides from around the world, including Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, India, the Netherlands, Italy, Iceland, Mauritius, South Africa, Hawaii, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and more. Each destination guide includes real travel tips, personal experiences, vlogs, itineraries, food, culture, things to do, and the kind of understanding you only get after actually going there.

Explore By Region

Choose Your Destination

Two girls sitting on the corner of a street in Izamal Mexico, where all the buildings are yellow.

Each destination chapter collects everything I’ve made for that place: detailed travel blogs, destination guides, road trip routes, island itineraries, city guides, activity recommendations, travel costs, practical tips, and honest personal experiences from the places I’ve visited. Some chapters are already full, others will grow as I publish more. Below are a few of my favorite trips to start with.

Carlijn de Jong standing in a lagoon below green mountains in Kauai Hawaii
Hawaii

Kauai Camping Guide, Hawaii

Explore Hawaii
Icelandic horses standing in a mountain valley during an Iceland road trip
Iceland

Iceland Travel Guide

Explore Iceland
Carlijn de Jong standing at Shibuya Crossing surrounded by neon signs in Tokyo Japan
Japan

Travel Guide Tokyo, Japan

Explore Japan

Asia is one of the most exciting regions to travel through because every country feels completely different. From tropical islands in Indonesia and Thailand to neon cities in Japan, street food in Vietnam, temples, rice terraces, luxury resorts, and family-friendly island trips, there is a destination for almost every kind of traveler. Use this Asia travel guide to compare where to go, what each country is best for, how much time you need, and which travel style fits you best, whether you’re looking for beaches, culture, food, adventure, family travel, solo travel, or a trip with a little bit of everything.

Aerial view of Padar Island and turquoise bays in Komodo National Park Indonesia

Indonesia is one of those countries that feels impossible to summarize, which is probably fair considering it’s made up of thousands of islands. Every place has its own rhythm, landscape, culture, food, and level of beautiful chaos. One trip can take you from Bali’s rice fields, temples, waterfalls, and beach towns to Java’s volcanoes and historic cities, Lombok’s wild coastline, the quiet Gili Islands, Sumba’s raw road trip landscapes, and the unreal waters of Komodo National Park.

I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Indonesia, from living in Bali and traveling through Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Amed, Munduk, Sidemen, Menjangan, Sanur, and Nusa Penida, to road tripping across Java, snorkeling in Karimunjawa, island hopping around Lombok and the Gilis, and spending a full week on a boat in Komodo with diving, snorkeling, hiking, Komodo dragons, private island dinners, and some of the clearest blue water I’ve ever seen. Indonesia is not just a destination you “visit.” It’s the kind of country you keep coming back to, because every island feels like a completely different story.

Carlijn smiling at Mount Bromo sunrise with volcanic crater views in East Java, Indonesia
Carlijn drinking a coconut at a rice terrace café in Ubud, Bali
Two people fishing on a local wooden boat during an Indonesia island-hopping trip
Carlijn sitting on a Komodo liveaboard boat in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur skyline with the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the easiest and most underrated countries to travel through in Southeast Asia, especially if you want culture, food, city life, islands, jungle, and a little bit of everything without things feeling too complicated. Kuala Lumpur gives you skyline views, street food, temples, markets, rooftop bars, and a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian culture all happening on the same street. It’s modern, busy, affordable, and a great first stop if you want a softer landing into Asia without losing the chaos completely.

What makes Malaysia interesting is how varied it is. You can go from city towers and shopping malls to rainforest, tea plantations, beaches, wildlife, colonial towns, and some of the best food in the region. Whether you’re exploring Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Borneo, or the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia feels practical, flavorful, multicultural, and surprisingly easy to love.

Carlijn at a rooftop bar overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur Tower rising above the city skyline in Malaysia
Carlijn crossing a busy street in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Merdeka 118 skyscraper and Kuala Lumpur city skyline at sunset
Busy street in Bangkok Chinatown with tuk-tuks, signs, and traffic in Thailand

Thailand is one of those countries that somehow manages to be easy, chaotic, beautiful, delicious, and completely overwhelming all at once. From the golden temples, street food, rooftop bars, and tuk-tuk madness of Bangkok to the tropical islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao, Thailand is made for travelers who want variety without everything feeling difficult. One day you’re eating noodles on a plastic chair in a busy night market, the next you’re snorkeling in clear water, watching a Muay Thai fight, or standing inside a temple wondering how something can be this detailed and this peaceful at the same time.

I’ve explored Thailand in different ways over the years, from young backpacker chaos to slower island trips and city adventures with a camera in hand. It’s a country that pulls you in with its food, culture, beaches, temples, warm people, and constant energy. Yes, it’s popular. Yes, it can be touristy. But Thailand still knows how to surprise you, especially when you move beyond the obvious stops and let the country be a little messy, magical, and wonderfully alive.

Carlijn sitting with pigs on the beach at Pig Island near Koh Samui, Thailand
Busy Bangkok Chinatown street with tuk-tuks, signs, and traffic
Carlijn at a rooftop bar overlooking Bangkok city skyline
Quiet beach in Koh Samui with boats and mountain views in Thailand
Mount Fuji framed by cherry blossoms near Lake Kawaguchi in Japan

Japan is one of the most fascinating countries I’ve ever visited because it feels peaceful, intense, futuristic, traditional, organized, and completely overwhelming all at the same time. Tokyo alone can take over your brain in the best way, with neon streets, tiny restaurants, temples, fashion, quiet gardens, food markets, and neighborhoods that each feel like a different universe. Then you have Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Fuji, old towns, shrines, onsen, bullet trains, and food so good it becomes a personality trait.

Japan is perfect for travelers who love details. Everything feels thoughtful, from the way food is served to how trains run, how people queue, and how old traditions still exist inside some of the most modern cities in the world. It’s not always the easiest country to understand immediately, but that’s part of what makes it so addictive. Japan makes you curious, slightly confused, deeply impressed, and already planning when you can go back.

Carlijn standing at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo with bright city lights
Carlijn walking through a narrow Tokyo street with Japanese signs and lanterns
Carlijn smiling in a lively Japanese city street at night
Carlijn walking through Akihabara with colorful signs and shops in Tokyo
Limestone karst islands and turquoise water in Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most intense and unforgettable countries to travel through in Southeast Asia. It’s loud, beautiful, layered, delicious, and full of contrast, from the scooter-filled streets of Hanoi to the rice terraces of Sapa, the limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay, the beaches around Da Nang, and the tiny street food stalls where some of the best meals cost almost nothing. Vietnam is not a destination that gently introduces itself. It throws you straight into the movement, the smells, the noise, the coffee, the history, and the kind of travel moments you keep talking about years later.

What makes Vietnam so special is how alive it feels. You can sit on a tiny plastic stool with a bowl of pho, drink strong Vietnamese coffee on a busy corner, ride through mountain villages, cruise past dramatic karst islands, explore old towns, markets, temples, and local neighborhoods, and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. It’s a country for travelers who want food, culture, scenery, history, and a little bit of beautiful chaos in the same trip.

Carlijn looking over the mountains from a café in Sapa, Vietnam
Carlijn sitting on Hanoi Train Street at night in Vietnam
Young girl carrying a baby in the mountain villages of Sapa, Vietnam
Carlijn looking out over Ha Long Bay from a boat in Vietnam
The Taj Mahal in Agra India with gardens and reflecting pool

India is not a destination you casually “tick off.” It’s huge, intense, colorful, emotional, beautiful, frustrating, spiritual, loud, and completely unforgettable. One trip can take you from palaces and forts to temples, desert landscapes, mountain villages, chaotic markets, beaches, wildlife, old cities, train journeys, and food that changes completely from one region to the next. India doesn’t really do subtle, and that’s exactly why it stays with you.

This is a country for travelers who want to feel something, not just see pretty places. Whether you’re drawn to Rajasthan’s royal cities, Kerala’s backwaters, Goa’s beaches, the Himalayas, Varanasi, Mumbai, Delhi, or the Taj Mahal, India hits every sense at once. It can be overwhelming, but it can also be incredibly rewarding if you give it time, patience, and an open mind.

Carlijn covered in colorful powder during Holi festival in India
Carlijn inside an ornate palace room in Jaipur, India
Carlijn standing outside a pink historic palace building in Jaipur
Carlijn and her twinsister Cara posing at the colorful Patrika Gate in Jaipur, India
Marina Bay Sands and Singapore skyline reflected in the water at sunset

Singapore is one of the easiest cities in Asia to explore, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. It’s clean, futuristic, tropical, organized, and full of little cultural layers if you actually slow down and look. One moment you’re walking through glassy skyline views and giant indoor gardens, the next you’re eating at a hawker center, wandering through Little India, exploring Kampong Glam, or watching the city light up around Marina Bay.

What makes Singapore interesting is the contrast. It’s polished, but not empty. Modern, but still full of culture. Easy to navigate, but packed with neighborhoods that each feel completely different. Whether you’re visiting Jewel Changi, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street, or one of the city’s many food courts, Singapore is a great destination for travelers who want a city trip that feels safe, efficient, beautiful, and surprisingly flavorful.

Carlijn overlooking the Singapore skyline from a rooftop bar at sunset
Gardens by the Bay light show with Supertree Grove illuminated at night in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands hotel and waterfront in Singapore
Aerial view over Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, and Singapore harbor with boats in the distance
Aerial view of a tropical sandbar and turquoise water in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the best countries in Asia for island hopping, beaches, turquoise lagoons, waterfalls, boat trips, snorkeling, diving, and proper tropical adventure. With thousands of islands, it’s the kind of destination where the water really is that blue and the boat days can feel almost unfairly beautiful. Places like Palawan, El Nido, Coron, Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, and Boracay all offer a different version of paradise, from limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons to surf towns, jungle waterfalls, and white-sand beaches.

What makes the Philippines special is the mix of natural beauty and warmth. It’s not always the easiest country to move around because island travel takes planning, but the reward is huge: reef life, sunsets, local villages, beach barbecues, friendly people, and landscapes that look like someone edited reality a bit too aggressively. If you want a trip built around islands, ocean, adventure, and salty hair, the Philippines is very hard to beat.

Local fisherman on a small boat in turquoise water in the Philippines
Island-hopping boat with travelers in clear blue water in the Philippines
Two women walking on a beach during a Philippines island-hopping trip
Limestone cliffs and turquoise water in Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Colorful traditional Korean palace roof detail in South Korea

South Korea is a brilliant destination if you love city energy, food, culture, fashion, cafes, history, and a travel experience that feels both modern and deeply traditional. Seoul is the obvious starting point, with palaces, temples, street food, shopping districts, rooftop views, design stores, beauty culture, nightlife, and cafes that look like someone spent three years styling one cup of coffee. It’s fast, stylish, and full of little contrasts.

But South Korea is more than just Seoul. You can explore traditional villages, mountain hikes, coastal cities, markets, temples, islands, and local food scenes that go far beyond Korean barbecue, although obviously we respect the barbecue. It’s a great country for travelers who want culture, city life, aesthetics, history, and that very satisfying mix of old and new in one trip.

Carlijn holding a child near a waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea
Visitors wearing hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul
Carlijn exploring a busy Korean food market in South Korea
Korean barbecue table with side dishes, grill, and local food

Europe is one of the easiest regions to travel through if you want culture, food, history, city breaks, road trips, beaches, mountains, and completely different countries within short travel distances. You can go from canals and museums in the Netherlands to ancient streets in Italy, dramatic landscapes in Iceland, small villages, coastlines, castles, train routes, and some of the best food-focused travel in the world.

Use this Europe travel guide to compare destinations, plan city breaks, build longer travel routes, and find places that match your style. Some trips are best for art, architecture, and café culture, while others are better for road trips, nature, hiking, beaches, or slow travel with good food and no need to rush every five minutes.

Carlijn smiling in front of colorful canal houses in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Netherlands is often reduced to Amsterdam, canals, tulips, and bicycles, but there is much more to the country than one postcard-perfect city. Amsterdam is a beautiful place to start, with its canal houses, museums, cafés, vintage shops, markets, and neighborhoods that are easy to explore on foot or by bike. But if you have more time, it is worth going beyond the capital to places like Haarlem, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Giethoorn, the tulip fields, the Dutch coast, and smaller historic towns that show a quieter side of the country.

What makes the Netherlands easy to travel through is how compact and well connected it is. You can visit world-class museums, cycle along canals, try local foods like haring with onions, stroopwafels, bitterballen, poffertjes, Dutch cheese, kibbeling, and fresh fries with mayonnaise, then take a short train ride to another city that feels completely different. It is a great destination for travelers who want city breaks, culture, architecture, local food, cycling routes, day trips, flower fields, beach towns, and practical Europe travel without needing a complicated itinerary.

Carlijn having a drink by the canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Carlijn standing in a pink tulip flower field in the North of Netherlands
Historic canal house in Amsterdam with blue sky above
Carlijn standing under purple wisteria flowers in Amsterdam
Snowy mountain landscape during an Iceland road trip

Iceland is one of the best destinations in the world for travelers who love nature, road trips, photography, and landscapes that feel completely different from anywhere else. You can explore waterfalls like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, black sand beaches near Vík, glaciers, lava fields, hot springs, volcanoes, dramatic cliffs, and small towns surrounded by open space. Reykjavik is a good starting point, but the real beauty of Iceland usually begins once you get on the road.

An Iceland travel guide is especially useful if you want to plan a road trip properly, because distances, weather, seasons, and daylight hours all matter. The Golden Circle is great for a shorter visit, while the South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, glacier lagoon, and Ring Road are better for travelers with more time. Try local foods like Icelandic lamb, fresh fish, rye bread, skyr, hot dogs from a classic Reykjavik stand, and, if you are curious enough, fermented shark. Iceland is not a cheap destination, but it is perfect for travelers who want waterfalls, hiking, hot pools, horses, wild coastlines, northern lights, midnight sun, and a trip built around nature.

Waterfall and green mountains on a road trip through Iceland
Northern lights glowing over the black sand beach in Iceland
Geyser erupting into the sky in Iceland
Geothermal rocks and steaming blue water in Iceland
Rocky beach with clear turquoise water in Puglia Italy

Italy is one of the easiest countries to fall in love with because every region feels like its own little world. You can start in Rome with ancient ruins, piazzas, churches, espresso bars, and neighborhoods like Trastevere and Monti, then continue to Florence for art and Tuscan food, Venice for canals and old-world atmosphere, Naples for pizza, or the Amalfi Coast for sea views, lemon groves, and dramatic coastal roads. Italy is a dream destination for travelers who want history, culture, food, architecture, romance, and beautiful city walks.

What makes Italy so good for travel is how much variety you can fit into one trip. You can try local dishes like carbonara in Rome, bistecca alla fiorentina in Florence, fresh seafood along the coast, arancini in Sicily, gelato pretty much everywhere, and aperitivo before dinner. Beyond the famous cities, places like Tuscany, Puglia, Lake Como, the Dolomites, Bologna, Verona, Sicily, and Sardinia all offer a different version of Italy. It is perfect for city breaks, road trips, food trips, beach holidays, cultural travel, and slow travel where the best moments often happen between one meal and the next.

Carlijn watching sunset over the Italian countryside
Carlijn walking near the Pantheon in Rome, Italy
Carlijn sitting by the Trevi Fountain in Rome
Carlijn skiing in the Dolomites mountains in Italy

Africa is far too big and diverse to treat as one simple travel category, but the countries featured here are a good starting point if you want island travel, wildlife, coastlines, mountains, culture, food, and landscapes that feel completely different from one another. From the beaches and volcanic scenery of Mauritius to the mountains, wine regions, cities, and safari routes of South Africa, this section is for trips with a little more depth than just “nice hotel, nice view, done.”

Use this Africa travel guide to compare destinations for beach holidays, road trips, wildlife experiences, luxury stays, nature, culture, and food. Some places are better for relaxing, others are made for adventure, and the best trips usually give you a mix of both.

Tropical beach with palm trees and lagoon in Mauritius. Hotel Lux le Grand Gaube

Mauritius is often seen as a honeymoon island, but it is much more interesting than just beaches and luxury resorts. Yes, the water is turquoise, the beaches are beautiful, and the hotels can be incredible, but the island also has mountains, waterfalls, temples, markets, hiking trails, fishing villages, boat trips, and a culture shaped by Indian, Creole, Chinese, French, and African influences. It is a great destination for travelers who want a tropical island holiday with more to do than sit still for a week.

A Mauritius travel guide should include places like Le Morne, Chamarel, Black River Gorges National Park, Grand Baie, Port Louis, Île aux Cerfs, Flic en Flac, and the wild southern coast. You can hike, snorkel, take a catamaran trip, visit waterfalls, explore local markets, and try food like dholl puri, gateaux piments, mine frit, rougaille, fresh seafood, and tropical fruit from the roadside. Mauritius works well for couples, families, solo travelers, luxury stays, road trips, beach days, and travelers who want nature, culture, and island life in one trip.

Carlijn relaxing on a tropical beach in Mauritius
Carlijn on a boat with Le Morne mountain in the background
Carlijn walking on a luxury beach resort in Mauritius
Carlijn standing under palm trees at a Mauritius beach resort
Lion’s Head and beach views in Cape Town South Africa

South Africa is one of the most diverse travel destinations in the world, especially if you like combining cities, nature, wildlife, food, wine, and road trips. Cape Town is the obvious place to start, with Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Camps Bay, Clifton, the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, local markets, and some of the most beautiful coastal drives you can imagine. From there, you can visit the Cape Winelands, drive the Garden Route, explore the coast, go whale watching, see penguins at Boulders Beach, or plan a safari in places like Kruger National Park or private game reserves.

What makes South Africa special is how much contrast there is in one country. You can hike in the morning, taste wine in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek in the afternoon, and eat fresh seafood or Cape Malay food in the evening. Try local dishes like bobotie, biltong, boerewors, bunny chow, malva pudding, and a proper braai if you get the chance. South Africa is perfect for travelers who want adventure, wildlife, beaches, mountains, city life, culture, wine, and scenic road trips. It is not always the simplest destination, but it is rich, layered, and worth taking your time with.

Carlijn relaxing by the pool in winecountry in South Africa
Carlijn standing at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, South Africa
Elephants seen on safari in South Africa
Carlijn at a sunset dinner overlooking the ocean in Cape Town

North America is a brilliant region for road trips, national parks, city breaks, beaches, food travel, wine regions, and outdoor adventure. The countries and places featured here cover a wide range of travel styles, from tropical island trips in Hawaii to long desert road trips across the American Southwest. It is a region where you can build a trip around cities, coastlines, national parks, surf towns, small towns, or wide-open landscapes.

Use this North America travel guide to compare destination ideas, road trip routes, island escapes, city stops, food experiences, and outdoor adventures. Some trips need a car, some work better as city breaks, and some are best when you leave enough room in the itinerary for random stops along the way.

Aerial view of green mountains and turquoise coastline in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of those destinations where every island has its own personality, which is why planning a Hawaii trip can feel both exciting and slightly overwhelming. Oahu has Honolulu, Waikiki, surf culture, food trucks, Pearl Harbor, hikes, and the North Shore. Kauai feels greener and quieter, with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, beaches, and camping options. Maui is known for beaches, the Road to Hana, Haleakalā, snorkeling, and resort stays, while the Big Island has volcanoes, black sand beaches, waterfalls, coffee farms, and landscapes that feel much more raw.

A good Hawaii travel guide should help you choose the right island for your travel style. If you want city energy and easy logistics, Oahu is a good start. If you want nature, hiking, and a slower pace, Kauai is incredible. If you want beaches, scenic drives, and comfortable hotels, Maui is popular for a reason. If you want volcanoes, space, and adventure, the Big Island is worth considering. Try local foods like poke, shave ice, malasadas, plate lunch, loco moco, fresh pineapple, Kona coffee, and garlic shrimp from a food truck. Hawaii is not cheap, but it is ideal for travelers who want beaches, hiking, road trips, snorkeling, surf culture, local food, and outdoor adventure.

Carlijn holding coconuts at a local fruit stand in Kauai, Hawaii
Carlijn swimming in clear water with green mountains behind her in Kauai, Hawaii
Carlijn walking by lush mountains and a lake in Oahu, Hawaii
View from a beach tent looking out at the ocean in Hawaii
Route 66 road through the desert during a USA road trip
Australia image	Aerial view of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour in Australia
New Zealand image	Scenic road through mountains during a New Zealand road trip

The USA is too big to treat as one simple destination, which is why it works best in chapters. You can plan a city trip to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, or New Orleans, or go completely the other way and build a road trip around national parks, deserts, coastlines, small towns, and wide-open landscapes. The American Southwest is one of the best road trip regions, with places like Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Las Vegas, Route 66, White Sands, and Joshua Tree all offering something different.

A USA travel guide is useful because the country is huge, distances are long, and every region has its own rhythm. California is great for coastlines, wine country, national parks, and city stops. Utah and Arizona are perfect for red rock landscapes and outdoor adventure. Florida works well for beaches, theme parks, and road trips through the Keys. New York gives you city energy, food, museums, and neighborhoods you can explore for days. Try regional foods like tacos in California, barbecue in Texas, lobster rolls in New England, bagels in New York, beignets in New Orleans, and wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma. The USA is perfect for road trips, national parks, city breaks, food travel, wine regions, desert landscapes, and travelers who want variety without crossing borders.

Carlijn laughing on a countryside road trip in the United States
Carlijn standing under a vintage DC-10 airplane in the USA
Carlijn walking near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco during a misty morning.
Monument Valley desert landscape with horseback rider in the USA

Oceania is made for travelers who love space, nature, wildlife, coastlines, road trips, beaches, and outdoor adventure. Australia and New Zealand are both big trip destinations, but they feel very different. Australia brings huge distances, warm cities, surf towns, coral reefs, wildlife, beaches, deserts, and long coastal routes. New Zealand feels more compact, but it is packed with mountains, lakes, fjords, scenic roads, hikes, and landscapes that are best explored slowly.

Use this Oceania travel guide to compare where to go, how much time you need, and which country fits your travel style best. Australia is great for beaches, reefs, wildlife, cities, and long road trips. New Zealand is perfect for hiking, campervan travel, mountain scenery, lakes, and road trips where every drive becomes part of the experience.

Aerial view of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour in Australia

Australia is a huge country, so the first rule is simple: do not try to see everything in one trip unless you have a lot of time and an excellent tolerance for long distances. Most travelers start with places like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Cairns, Perth, or Adelaide, then build a route around beaches, wildlife, road trips, islands, rainforests, reefs, or the Outback. Sydney gives you the Opera House, Bondi Beach, coastal walks, and city views, while Melbourne is known for food, coffee, street art, and creative neighborhoods.

What makes Australia exciting is the mix of easy city travel and big outdoor adventure. You can snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, road trip the Great Ocean Road, visit the Whitsundays, explore Tasmania, see Uluru, spot kangaroos and koalas, or spend days hopping between beaches and surf towns. Try local favorites like meat pies, fish and chips by the beach, lamingtons, Tim Tams, flat whites, fresh seafood, and a proper Aussie barbecue. Australia is perfect for travelers who want beaches, wildlife, road trips, diving, hiking, city life, national parks, and longer adventures where you accept that everything is farther away than it looks on the map.

Kangaroo with joey in natural bushland in Australia
Melbourne skyline with bridge and city buildings in Australia
Red dirt road through the Australian outback with eucalyptus trees
Melbourne city skyline at sunset in Australia
Scenic road through mountains during a New Zealand road trip

New Zealand is one of the best road trip destinations in the world, especially for travelers who love mountains, lakes, hiking, wild beaches, waterfalls, scenic drives, and outdoor adventure. The North Island has Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, geothermal areas, volcanoes, beaches, glowworm caves, Hobbiton, and Māori culture. The South Island is more dramatic, with Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, glaciers, fjords, mountain roads, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

A New Zealand travel guide is especially helpful because the country looks small on a map, but you will want more time than you think. Road tripping by car or campervan is one of the best ways to explore, especially if you want to stop for viewpoints, short hikes, lakes, local cafés, and small towns along the way. Try local foods like meat pies, fish and chips, green-lipped mussels, pavlova, hokey pokey ice cream, Manuka honey, and wine from regions like Marlborough or Central Otago. New Zealand is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, photographers, campervan travelers, families, couples, and anyone who wants a trip built around landscapes rather than big-city chaos.

Winding road through a mountain valley with snowy peaks in New Zealand
Bright blue lake surrounded by forest and mountains in New Zealand
Lupin flowers blooming beside a lake at sunset in New Zealand
Scenic mountain road through golden hills in New Zealand
Black and white portrait of Carlijn de Jong for travel creator collaborations and brand partnerships
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