Skip to main content

Places around the world that are popular with tourists


Wadi Rum, a desert preserve in the South of Jordan. It’s beautiful. My wife and I visited Jordan this summer and spent the night in Wadi Rum with a Bedouin guide and his son. It was a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it. Never in my life have I seen so many stars or such a beautiful sunset.

Thinking of a location that’s worth the hype, over the years, I have slowly fallen in love with the urban jungle of New York City. Initially, I had my doubts and struggled to understand why people raved on about it, but as I came back time and time again, I found there’s so much going on all the time that you would be hard-pressed to not find something that grabs your interest.

Key West, Florida. It’s just so beautiful, serene, and out in the middle of basically nowhere. The trip there is pretty neat as well. Once you get past the mess of Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, you get to the Overseas highway, over 100 miles long to Key West, island after island.

The best cities to visit are often home to some of the world's most iconic sites and are found around the globe, from Asia and Europe to the Middle East and the Americas. For travelers hoping to find inspiration for their next trip, here is a list of some of the top cities in the world to visit.

With all the potential destinations you can visit in the world, you have to wonder which ones are really worth the trip. After all, traveling means a lot of money and time spent, and you definitely want it to be worth it — and you definitely don't want to go somewhere that's full of tourist traps.

With all the potential destinations you can visit in the world, you have to wonder which ones are really worth the trip. After all, traveling means a lot of money and time spent, and you definitely want it to be worth it — and you definitely don’t want to go somewhere that’s full oftourist traps.

I would recommend Paris. 10/10. The best part about the Eiffel Tower is standing underneath it. Also, go during mid/late January. The weather is cool and crisp and you don’t need a lot of layers to stay warm. Granted, I’ve been to Paris a lot (my friend live there), but the best places to see besides the tower is Notre Dame, La Musee de L’Armee, and all the small restaurants you’ll find in Mont Marte.

Ah...Norway. For any adventurers out there...this might be the perfect place for you. Hiking, skiing, fisherman cabins, waterfalls...even Polar Bears! Experience it all in Norway. Enjoy walking the coastal towns and eating a plate of fish and chips to warm your belly. Later, head out to the mountains to experience the northern lights dance across the sky. Norway, you have captured so many hearts and now we know why!

One destination that for the longest time had my Instagram feed filled with beautiful images was definitely Portugal. Lisbon, in particular, looked especially impressive with its ornate tiled buildings, charming yellow trams, and picturesque hilly cobblestone streets. Stories of it being a relatively inexpensive European destination to travel to also made it even more enticing and quickly bumped it up to the top of my list of ‘places I wanted to go’.

As strange as it sounds, Disney World. I went there last year with my girlfriend and we had the time of our lives. It really didn’t sink in until our last night; we stayed until the park closed that night and walking back from the castle down the main street, all to the instrumental from wish upon a star playing… it really was a place of dreams and magic.

places around the world that are popular with expatriates.

New York City, United StatesThe US ranked fifth overall on the list of best countries for expats, thanks in part to its citizens’ friendliness and the abundance of entertainment options. Most expats reported finding plenty of career opportunities and felt they were able to fit in easily. And New York City – with its diverse population and countless cultural opportunities – is a big draw.

Ireland. People were beyond friendly and it was like a jolly celebration complete with traditional Irish music every night. The party atmosphere is so different — less sketchy dudes hanging around and people being friendly to actually be friendly. It was wonderful.

Any city folk out there? This next location is right up your alley! If you’re looking for something that is busy, quick and always alive, it’s time to visit Hong Kong! Hong Kong has the best view of skyscrapers, the best parks and some irresistible food. Have you ever had dimsum? Well, you’ll definitely want “sum” when you go. And for those that aren’t huge on city living, don’t worry. They have mountains and gorgeous hikes too. Just make sure you get dimsum.

Tuscany appears as the preferred region of Italy for U.S. expats. “If you can afford it, you can settle in the hills halfway between Siena and Florence and live with movie stars, great business leaders and famous singers,” says EBD. “For three to five times cheaper, you can also find your little piece of paradise in other small authentic Tuscan villages like Lucca, Pitigliano or Pistoia.”

If the idea of living on a tropical island with an idyllic climate, friendly locals, a thriving expat scene, and an affordable lifestyle appeals to you, consider a trip to Bali. It’s a beautiful place that has been welcoming western tourists to its sun-drenched shores for nearly a century.

Sunny Spain is always a convincing choice for those who wish to live a sophisticated working life or retirement amongst passionate and tolerant locals. For starters, Spain has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, so you can find both affordable housing and quality bottles of Rioja costing only a few euros. Spain also has great public healthcare (and health care reimbursements), international schools, and self-employment visas that appeal to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and digital nomads. You can gravitate towards one of the big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Seville, or consider a slower pace on one of two archipelagos in the Mediterranean (Balearic) or Atlantic (Canaries). Then there's Andalusia's stunning citrus coast with Moorish history and architecture, beautiful beaches, and English-speaking expat communities. Gay expats will want to consider open-minded Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, with over 30 museums—the highest concentration of museums per square mile in Europe.

While an affordable location can mean more pocket money for leisure activities, it can also ensure peace of mind knowing you are financially secure and can live comfortably on a modest retirement fund. Below you’ll find the most affordable expat havens we’ve found, places where your dollars will get you further than in the U.S.

Based on various criteria including the presence of an international school, quality of life, health care system, internet connection, proximity to airports with international flights, cost of living, active expat community and low crime rate, the Best European Destinations (EBD) organization has revealed its rankings for the top European places for American expats to live, invest, retire and create new projects.

Cities like Lisbon and Porto are cultural hot spots, with enough museums, concert halls, and trendy cafes to last a lifetime. But there are tons of other charming towns and natural wonderlands a quick train ride away—think the vineyards of the Douro Valley, the rocky beaches of the Algarve, and the large English-speaking expat community of Cascais.

The trendsetting country due west of Spain continues to attract young expats, particularly entrepreneurs, given its cost of living and welcoming business incentives that help stretch your hard-earned dollars. Lisbon is usually the first choice, but also consider Porto, buzzing with creative energy as a manufacturing and textile hub. On a day off, take advantage of the city's hilly, cobbled streets with cool cafes, historic churches, and port distilleries. You can also ride your bike to a string of beaches, or take a boat ride through the Douro Valley, the oldest wine region in Europe.

places around the world that are popular with businesses.

Do you want to settle in Europe, for a few months, a year or the rest of your life but you don't have the energy or the time to learn a new language? Then, the U.K. is for you. While some cities like London, Manchester or Birmingham, are perfect for finding a job in a large company, others like Brighton are made for free thinkers, start-ups, digital nomads and artists.

Last but not least of our German locations, is the city of Frankfurt. Home to strong German finance and IT sectors, Frankfurt is a very attractive place to settle if you’re wanting to find work. The multinational atmosphere of Frankfurt means that there are many bilingual corporations and employers here, making it an extremely welcoming place for non-German speakers and those wishing to remain in the city.

France offers many advantages to young entrepreneurs, allowing to set up a business with less administrative paperwork than in other European countries. Brest and its region, a territory which also bears the name of "Brest - Terres Océanes," is particularly open-minded and attractive with destinations such as Brest, Crozon, Plouguerneau, Brignogan, Le Conquet, Plougonvelin, Plouguerneau, Lanildut or Plouarzel.

Top destination for digital nomads and executives wishing to work in large companies, Berlin is also suitable for those who want to set up their own business, be it traditional or alternative. “It’s worth learning some German basics, especially if you want to start your own business,” EBD recommends.

This booming economy also makes Berlin a desirable place to settle and work, with good working conditions and some of the highest salaries in the world. Not only is Berlin one of the best cities in Europe to find work, but it’s also one of the best for enjoying yourself. An excellent nightlife scene full of vigor and life famously precedes Berlin’s reputation, and it lives up to this in every sense.

Large multinational companies have also set up home in Cambridge, including Huawei and Microsoft Research – adding to the many employment opportunities here. Cambridge location also means it is only a short train journey to other major cities such as London and Norwich.

For a more one-of-a-kind look, visit some of the famous shopping streets of Amsterdam where you can find local designer boutiques. If you are looking for a bargain, the aforementioned local markets can be great places to start. There you will be able to find both new and used furniture as well as vintage statement pieces for your interior.

Noord (North)—While this neighborhood might seem a little cut off from the buzz of Amsterdam, ferries and metro make the area easily accessible. Urban architecture, private houses, and plenty of nature make it the perfect place for anyone who is looking for tranquility in the big city.

As one of the biggest financial sectors in Germany, Frankfurt has built up its city to become one of the most modern and appealing to those who love modernity. Though there is plenty of modern cityscapes, there is also a fair share of cultural and historical attractions too.

Set in a palazzo in the center of ancient Rome, just blocks away from the Fontana di Trevi, the new Six Sensesis the brand’s first property in Italy and will have an emphasis on wellness and sustainability, from local, seasonal food to interiors from designer Patricia Urquiola. One of the highlights is the rooftop terrace, showcasing 360-degree views of Rome.