The List

Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

The List

The best destinations in the world

This list is based on a composite score of best destinations, based on these categories: number of highly reviewed attractions, safety, and cultural/historical significance (See about for details.)

  1. 1. Italy

    Highlights: Rome, Vatican City and Florence

  2. 2. Australia

    Highlights: Sydney and Uluru

  3. 3. Greece

    Highlights: Athens, Santorini and Crete

  4. 4. Japan

    Highlights: Tokyo and Kyoto

  5. 5. United Kingdom

    Highlights: London, Wiltshire, and Edinburgh

  6. 6. France

    Highlights: Paris

  7. 7. New York, United States

    Highlights: New York City and Niagara Falls

  8. 8. Spain

    Highlights: Barcelona and Madrid

  9. 9. Florida, United States

    Highlights: Orlando, Miami and Key West

  10. 10. California, United States

    Highlights: Yosemite National Park, Los Angeles and San Diego

  11. 11. New Zealand

    Highlights: Rotorua and Fiordland National Park

  12. 12. Hawaii, United States

    Highlights: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Honolulu

  13. 13. Ireland

    Highlights: Dublin

  14. 14. Switzerland

    Highlights: Zurich and the Swiss Alps

  15. 15. Portugal

    Highlights: Lisbon and Porto

  16. 16. Arizona, United States

    Highlights: Grand Canyon National Park and Coconino National Forest

  17. 17. Nevada, United States

    Highlights: Las Vegas

  18. 18. Washington D.C., United States

    Highlights: National Mall

  19. 19. Tennessee, United States

    Highlights: Nashville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  20. 20. Alaska, United States

    Highlights: Juneau and Denali National Park and Preserve

  21. 21. Alberta, Canada

    Highlights: Banff National Park

  22. 22. The Netherlands

    Highlights: Amsterdam and Keukenhof

  23. 23. Croatia

    Highlights: Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes National Park and Split

  24. 24. Malta

    Highlights: Valletta

  25. 25. Wyoming, United States

    Highlights: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park

  26. 26. Germany

    Highlights: Berlin and Munich

  27. 27. Austria

    Highlights: Vienna

  28. 28. Quebec, Canada

    Highlights: Montreal

  29. 29. Illinois, United States

    Highlights: Chicago

  30. 30. British Columbia, Canada

    Highlights: Vancouver and Whistler

  31. 31. South Korea

    Highlights: Seoul

  32. 32. Belgium

    Highlights: Brussels

  33. 33. Maine, United States

    Highlights: Portland and Acadia National Park

  34. 34. Iceland

    Highlights: Reykjavík and Vatnajökull National Park

  35. 35. Norway

    Highlights: Oslo

  36. 36. New Mexico, United States

    Highlights: Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos

  37. 37. Louisiana, United States

    Highlights: New Orleans

  38. 38. Washington, United States

    Highlights: Seattle and Olympic National Park

  39. 39. Denmark

    Highlights: Copenhagen

  40. 40. Ontario, Canada

    Highlights: Toronto and Niagara Falls

  41. 41. Colorado, United States

    Highlights: Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park

  42. 42. Sweden

    Highlights: Stockholm

  43. 43. Georgia, United States

    Highlights: Atlanta and Savannah

  44. 44. South Carolina, United States

    Highlights: Charleston, Congaree National Park and Hilton Head Island

  45. 45. Massachusetts, United States

    Highlights: Boston

  46. 46. Utah, United States

    Highlights: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park

  47. 47. Poland

    Highlights: Warsaw and Kraków

  48. 48. Texas, United States

    Highlights: Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin

  49. 49. Hungary

    Highlights: Budapest

  50. 50. Cayman Islands

    Highlights: Grand Cayman

  51. 51. Czech Republic

    Highlights: Prague

  52. 52. Slovenia

    Highlights: Bled

  53. 53. Estonia

    Highlights: Tallinn

  54. 54. Pennsylvania, United States

    Highlights: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh

  55. 55. Oregon, United States

    Highlights: Portland and Columbia River Gorge

  56. 56. Montana, United States

    Highlights: Glacier National Park

  57. 57. Finland

    Highlights: Helsinki

  58. 58. New Jersey, United States

    Highlights: Cape May

  59. 59. North Carolina, United States

    Highlights: Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  60. 60. Virginia, United States

    Highlights: Shenandoah National Park and Jamestown

  61. 61. Luxembourg

    Highlights: Luxembourg City

  62. 62. Lithuania

    Highlights: Vilnius

  63. 63. Rhode Island, United States

    Highlights: Newport and Providence

  64. 64. Missouri, United States

    Highlights: St. Louis and Branson

  65. 65. Maryland, United States

    Highlights: Baltimore and Ocean City

  66. 66. Nova Scotia, Canada

    Highlights: Halifax

  67. 67. Delaware, United States

    Highlights: Rehoboth Beach

  68. 68. Michigan, United States

    Highlights: Detroit and Mackinac Island

  69. 69. Idaho, United States

    Highlights: Boise and Coeur d'Alene

  70. 70. Wisconsin, United States

    Highlights: Milwaukee

  71. 71. Connecticut, United States

    Highlights: Mystic

  72. 72. Minnesota, United States

    Highlights: Minneapolis and Gooseberry Falls State Park