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From the moment I arrived in Costa Rica, I fell in love. This beautiful slice of diverse Latin American paradise has it all. From volcanoes to lakes, beaches to jungles, surfing the waves of the Pacific to sailing the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, Costa Rica will leave you craving more of that Pura Vida spirit.
And it’s not just the scenery that makes Costa Rica special. Oh no. There is so much to do there from ATV’ing to surfing, zip lining to jet skiing, snorkelling to deep sea fishing, diving to boat cruising, volcano hiking to white water rafting, coffee tasting to soaking in the natural hot springs, sunbaking to dancing, and of course dining and drinking, Costa Rica will steal a little piece of your heart and is a place you will never forget.
#2 Portugal
Portugal is a gorgeous coastal country in south-western Europe that has everything you could want in an European trip.
Boasting lush mountains, golden sandy beaches lining the Atlantic, ancient grottos, beautiful cities full of gothic cathedrals, old castles, and majestic monasteries, and the food. Oh, the food!
From dining and drinking to exploring and relaxing, Portugal is a definite must-see for anyone who is planning a trip to Europe. And being that it is one of the cheapest countries in the EU, it shouldn’t drain your bank account. Just do me a favour and make sure you order the Champagne Sangria!
#3 Thailand
If you are craving a relaxed tropical vacation, forget the Caribbean and book yourself a trip to Thailand. And not just anywhere in Thailand, a definite highlight of Thailand is a tiny island close to the Gulf of Thailand called Koh Tao.
The minute you step off the ferry onto Koh Tao, you relax. From the laid back lifestyle to the beaches, the crystal clear turquoise waters to the $10 1 hour massages, 2 for 1 happy hour to the locals who are happy to negotiate prices on nearly everything, Koh Tao is a little slice of south-east Asian paradise where you can vacation like a celebrity for a fraction of the cost.
And while the island is a perfect place to relax you can also go scuba diving, cliff jumping, boat cruising, zip lining, hiking, rock climbing, snorkelling, temple exploring, dancing, and dine on some of the freshest seafood right on the beach while being entertained by some seriously talented fire twirlers.
Not bad for a place where you can vacation like a rockstar for around $100 a day!
#4 China
If a laid back beach lifestyle doesn’t interest you and you would prefer to really shake things up, take yourself out of your comfort zone, and experience a whole new culture, then book yourself a trip to China.
When I first arrived in China I did the typical touristy things like The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, and snack street amongst others, but the moment I drove into a little mountain town in central China called Yangshuo, my heart skipped a beat.
This little town is surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of limestone mountains dating back over 200 million years, is impossibly green, split up by gorgeous rivers, and best of all is incredibly cheap.
Now while rural China might not be for everyone, I mean besides the food there is the bathroom situation that takes a whole lot of getting used to, if you have an open mind and a keen sense of adventure, this little town will easily make it to the top of your ‘wow’ list.
From bamboo rafting down the Li River to biking through mountain-lined back roads, Yangshuo is a place to for the fearless traveler who doesn’t get irritated by the language barrier and is willing to experience a whole new culture.
Besides, when you step out of your comfort zone is when you learn the most about yourself.
#5 New Zealand
I cannot say enough about New Zealand, and specifically, the South Island of New Zealand. And while I never understood why it was called God’s Country, the minute I stepped off the plane it all made sense.
From soaring mountains to glacier lakes that are the bluest of blue, fresh waterfalls to mountaintop glaciers, hot springs to some of the friendliest people you could meet while traveling, the South Island of New Zealand is a tiny island at the bottom of the world you should visit if you want to experience a little bit of everything.
Hell, I even bungy jumped while I was there!
But it’s not just the scenery and the bungy jumping that will stand out, the South Island is an adventure-seekers paradise.
On one tiny little island you can sky dive, wine tour, ski, snowboard, white water raft, take a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier, jet boat, surf, fish, kayak, boat cruise, mountain bike, horseback ride, ATV, and visit all the best spots that were used in The Lord Of The Rings. And all on one glorious little island that has more sheep than people.
No matter where you choose to go, just go. Gain a fresh new perspective, learn a bit about yourself, meet new friends, and experience some of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. After all, life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Vanessa is a skincare blogging babe whose work can be found on various websites around cyberland where she gives readers information on how to buy-lifecell as well as various other skincare brands. The best part about her job? She has awesome skin!]]>
