Leanna Vinokur

Australia! If you are looking for a unique escape, this is it. Some of the most exotic wildlife is in the middle of Sydney city center, the freshest food you can have, and the people! So warm, always ready to jump in to help you out and offer friendly hugs. I never knew finding the kangaroos and koalas in Australia could be as simple as visiting the zoo in the city center right across from the pier. I never would have thought architecture would become a statement of art to me. Yes, it’s famous. Yes, in other places I was wowed by temples and artwork in museums, but the Opera House really resonated with me. It felt towering and beautiful, and made me really appreciate all the wonders that fill our world. The food tastes animated, even though it’s the realest food I’ve tried through the six continents. It feels like it came out of an AI machine and was produced in that millisecond for you to try. Just something out of this world, for real.

I was born and raised in New York. No matter the chaos and flavors in other countries, you just can’t beat the entertainment, dining establishments, commotion, and convenience. If you want to experience hustle and bustle, this icon is the place to be!

I have seen multiple beaches per continent. I have been to remote areas around the world. Some are absolutely breathtaking. This? Simply cannot be expressed enough as the best of the best on our planet. There is truly nothing out there that beats the pure clarity and the island’s healing powers. If you cross one travel destination off of your bucket list, make sure it's Bora Bora.

This is a true winter wonderland. All of the arctic countries are breathtaking, but nothing feels as close as Lapland Finland does during the winter. It’s cozy, full of experiences, and just your home away from home when it’s the holidays!

Iceland is another planet, period. It’s the best winter escape you can ever immerse yourself in. Learning about mythical creatures in a cozy office with your favorite grandpa, swimming in a volcanic natural pool plus skin care under pitch black skies, and having a black beach covered in “diamonds” with a glacier pool across the street? Yeah, it’s a one-of-a-kind place, and that’s an understatement to describe its magic.

Thailand is a country that has everything you can dream of and will be shown to you with smiles and bows. Emerald beaches? Phi Phi Islands. Markets and themed cafes? Bangkok. The most gorgeous temples in the world? Chiang Rai. Spas? Phuket. Retreats and wellness? Any of the Kohs (islands). It’s just a place that welcomes anyone and everything!

I was speechless throughout my time in Cape Town. Serenity is the only word to describe it. Some of the most dramatic ocean hues, mountains, and landscapes I have ever seen. You know a place is out of this world when you can feel and identify fresh air—that first breath was everything. I am in love! In Johannesburg, it was so cool to see cultural parades happening randomly on the streets and such an enriched history all around.

Brazil was the first country where I understood what a society looks like when people are full of energy. It is not just colorful and cute like Puerto Rico—the people here embrace life. It’s filled with a wonder of the world and wonder of nature, beauty no matter where you look, and, in my opinion, the best food in South America. I CANNOT wait to go back one day, filling my trip with festivals, nature, and dupes for other countries. You simply just can’t go wrong here!

Visiting Costa Rica was the first time my breath was taken away because of nature. I couldn’t believe I had the chance to drift into a beautiful night’s rest with my room facing the jungle, and I felt that I was truly immersed into pure nature but at the same time somehow got luxury treatment on top of it? A pure dream! Exploring off-the-beaten-path jungles and beaches was so rewarding. From sloths waving hello from the treetops to monkeys guarding my purse (yes guarding, not stealing) to hermit crabs popping up to flying out of a garage instead of a full-blown airport to trying starfruit juice, it was a place of pure adventure and a gem in the Americas.