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After traveling to over 40 countries, there are a few places that I’m not in a rush to return to.
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Although I loved traveling to Venice, I’d rather explore different places in Italy next time.
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I also thought Phuket was gorgeous, but would prefer other options for a beach vacation in Thailand.
When traveling, I always try to approach each destination with an open mind and a desire to experience the culture, meet the locals, see the guidebook recommendations, and get off the beaten path whenever possible.
More and more people are choosing to travel in 2024 — a record number of about 15.9 million Americans have already traveled internationally in the first quarter of the year — and I’m on the same page.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit more than 40 countries and have traveled to six of the seven continents. Although I’d love to revisit some of my favorite places that have made an indelible impact on me, not all destinations have left me with the same desire to return.
Of the places I’ve visited so far, these are the ones I probably won’t return to.
I loved Los Angeles, but one visit was enough.
Growing up in Australia, I dreamed of visiting Hollywood — the place where so many movies are made. When I was 14, my mom said she was taking me to Los Angeles, and I thought I was the luckiest kid on the planet.
Beforehand, we spent a few weeks road-tripping around Mexico, checking out the Mayan ruins, eating local cuisine, and going to dance parties on the beach. When we arrived in Los Angeles, it didn’t have the same allure as Mexico did for me.
We had a wonderful time exploring the movie studios, walking along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and driving by celebrity homes. But once I’d seen LA, I didn’t feel the need to go back.
I actually did end up returning with my husband when we were in our 20s, as he was keen to tick off those experiences, too. But he felt the same way I did — there are other places we’d rather revisit.
Monaco was glitzy and glamorous, but it just wasn’t my kind of place.
When we were in southern France, we decided to take a day trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco. My husband was desperate to see the Monaco Grand Prix, so I spent the day exploring the city with his mom while he and his dad checked out the Formula 1 race.
Walking around Monte Carlo, we were blown away by the opulence, which isn’t surprising, considering it’s ranked one of the top cities in the world on a wealth-per-capita basis. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many luxurious yachts or flashy cars.
The gardens were perfectly manicured and the streets were spotlessly clean. However, it just wasn’t my kind of destination.
We were constantly surrounded by wealth but I prefer visiting places where I can interact with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
I’m glad I’ve seen Venice, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Venice is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. Built on a group of islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, there really is nowhere else like it in the world. The absence of cars gives it a particular charm, and it almost feels like the buildings are floating on water.
I traveled to Venice on a European vacation with my now husband when I was 23 years old. We splurged on a gondola ride through the canals and marveled at the Renaissance and Gothic architecture. In Piazza San Marco, we bought an overpriced ice cream and checked out St Mark’s Basilica.
Venice is definitely worth putting on your bucket list, especially considering it’s predicted to sink as soon as 2100. However, it’s probably not the kind of place I’d visit multiple times because I found it to be crowded and expensive.
If I go back to Italy, there are other places I’d like to see, such as Lake Como.
Phuket is beautiful, but I’d rather explore other areas of Thailand.
Phuket is home to some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, seaside resorts, restaurants, and bars, making it somewhat of a tourist hot spot.
When I was 17, my parents took me there for a weeklong vacation, and we stayed in a resort in Patong. Although it was fun swimming in the resort pool and parasailing around the bay, I didn’t leave wanting to return.
On return trips to Thailand, I’ve found other places I’ve enjoyed more. For example, I loved Krabi, a province in southern Thailand known for its limestone cliffs and sandy beaches. It was less crowded than Phuket and, in my opinion, much prettier.
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