Sebastian Morgan

For many in the US, what it means to live your best life has changed markedly with COVID-19. With large gatherings canceled and international flights grounded, we’re all doing our utmost to lead a safe yet somewhat normal existence.

With its turquoise inlets, Medieval hilltop towns, and winding coastal roads, there’re thousands of reasons why a French Riviera road trip should be on your bucket list. Also known as the Côte d’Azur, this renowned Meditteranean region is famous for its pastel-colored resort towns, the Cannes Film Festival, and year-round good weather. Seriously, if 300 days of sun isn’t enough for you, we don’t know what is!

From its craggy Southwestern rises to its rolling New England countryside, the US is a nature lover’s paradise. This diverse swath of land delights and challenges with its forest parks, challenging mountain ascents, and coastal walking paths.

Whether you’re in it to feast on food or art, tour the rolling Tuscan countryside or the rugged Mediterranean coast, there’s a reason why Italy is everyone’s bucket trip of a lifetime. Each of the Bel Paese’s 20 regions offers its own alluring attractions, from Puglia’s enchanting fairytale villages to Florence’s fabulous Rennaissance architecture.

Striking mountain scenery, dramatic icy fjords, sacred Maori heartlands — you’ll find them all on New Zealand’s South Island. Also known by its native name, Te Waipounamu, this southern frontier is a jagged landscape of rocky extremities and plunging cerulean lakes. You could spend years exploring this thrilling natural playground. But if you’re short on a time, don’t worry. The very best of this beguiling region can be condensed into a well-planned South Island road trip.

Admittedly, it might be some time before responsible for international travel is back on the cards. Once it is though, you can be sure that the world’s top bucket list destinations—you can be sure—are going to be heaving with tourists. If you want to escape the crowds, your only shot for some real respite will likely be on the world’s most secluded beaches.

With an unparalleled variety of climates and terroirs to chose from, wine tasting in Australia outshines most other New World destinations. Concentrated in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the country, local vineyards have been thriving Down Under since the early 19th-century. Fruity, full-bodied Shirazes are the national claim to fame. But Aussie grapes are a diverse bunch, ranging from killer Cabernets to refreshing Rieslings.

In a city with as much personality as New Orleans, deciding where to stay can be a real challenge. The Crescent City is a quilt of dynamic districts and charismatic quarters, each with its own unique charm and personality. You’re going to want to base yourself centrally if you want to take full advantage of all that’s on offer. It’s surprising then that many first-timers in the city overlook Central Business District hotels. Snuggly squeezed between the French Quarter and Garden and Warehouse districts, these upscale establishments are on the doorstep of the city’s best restaurants, live music venues, and historic sites.

With the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like international travel is going to be off-limits for much of this year. It’s terrible timing because, especially with the way 2020 is shaping up, we could all do with a vacation. However, for those that are reading in Singapore, prospects aren’t quite as gloomy as you think. As the city-state brings its number of cases under control, select local hotels are offering some fantastic packages for those in need of a sweet escape. In short, its the perfect time for a staycation in Singapore.