After years of travelling, hundreds of flights, thousands of hotel stays and enough airport coffees to fund a small nation, people often ask me the same question:
“If you could go anywhere tomorrow, where would you choose?”
It’s a surprisingly difficult question.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit some incredible places around the world, yet there are certain destinations that continue to pull me back. Places that linger in your mind long after you’ve returned home.
Some have spectacular beaches. Others offer unforgettable food, remarkable scenery or simply an atmosphere that feels impossible to replicate elsewhere.
So, if someone handed me a suitcase and a boarding pass tomorrow morning, these are the destinations I’d happily return to without a second thought.
1. Helengeli, Maldives
The Maldives feels like somebody accidentally turned a desktop wallpaper into a real country.
Turquoise lagoons, impossibly white beaches and sunsets that seem determined to outdo themselves every evening.
My stay at OBLU NATURE Helengeli remains one of my favourite island escapes. As a Master Diver, the diving was naturally a major attraction. Sharks, rays, turtles and thriving reefs ensured every dive felt like an adventure.
Above the water, life slowed to a blissful pace.
The only real challenge was deciding whether to spend the afternoon snorkelling, diving or enjoying a cocktail while pretending I wasn’t about to order another one.
2. New York City, USA
There is nowhere quite like New York.
The city somehow manages to feel chaotic, exciting, exhausting and inspiring all at the same time.
During my stay at The Knickerbocker, I found myself constantly looking upwards. The architecture, the skyline and the energy of the city are simply intoxicating.
One of my favourite experiences remains enjoying rooftop drinks while watching Manhattan come alive after dark.
It’s a city that rewards curiosity.
Turn any corner and you’ll find another incredible restaurant, hidden bar or iconic landmark.
Bring comfortable shoes.
You’ll need them.
3. Ciutadella, Menorca
If Mallorca is the energetic older sibling, Menorca is the relaxed one who has absolutely no interest in impressing anyone.
And that’s exactly why I love it.
Ciutadella combines beautiful architecture, charming streets, exceptional restaurants and a laid-back atmosphere that immediately encourages you to slow down.
Evenings often begin with a stroll around the harbour and somehow end several hours later over seafood, local wine and the kind of conversations that only happen when nobody is checking the time.
Throw in Meliá Cala Galdana, hidden coves and some of the best sunsets in Europe, and it’s easy to understand why I keep returning.
4. Sóller, Mallorca
Mallorca has my heart.
Specifically, the beautiful corner of the island surrounding Sóller.
The journey itself is part of the experience, winding through mountains before arriving in a valley filled with orange groves, olive trees and traditional stone buildings.
The surrounding countryside produces exceptional olive oil, local wines and enough incredible food to test the strongest willpower.
Thankfully, I stopped trying to resist years ago.
From the historic tram to Port de Sóller’s waterfront restaurants, every visit reminds me why Mallorca remains one of Europe’s finest destinations.
5. Belle Mare, Mauritius
Mauritius is one of those destinations that somehow manages to exceed expectations.
The beaches are spectacular, the people are wonderfully welcoming and the food reflects a fascinating blend of cultures.
My stays at Constance Belle Mare Plage introduced me to a side of Mauritius that combines luxury with genuine warmth.
Days were often divided between the beach, diving, long lunches and convincing myself that another bottle of chilled wine was entirely necessary for hydration purposes.
Scientifically speaking, I remain unconvinced either way.
6. Sennen Cove, Cornwall
Not every favourite destination requires a passport.
Sennen Cove remains one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Britain.
On a sunny day, the water can look remarkably Mediterranean.
On a less sunny day, it looks very British indeed.
The beaches are stunning, the coastal walks are spectacular and there is something wonderfully therapeutic about standing at the edge of the Atlantic watching waves roll towards shore.
The seafood isn’t bad either.
7. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is one of the few cities where simply walking around feels like an activity.
The castle dominates the skyline, the Royal Mile is packed with history and every narrow alley seems to hide another story.
Add excellent restaurants, cosy whisky bars and some of the friendliest people you’ll encounter anywhere in the UK, and it’s easy to see the appeal.
Few cities combine history and atmosphere as successfully as Edinburgh.
Just pack a jacket.
Even when the forecast looks optimistic.
8. Kraków, Poland
Kraków surprised me.
Beautiful architecture, fascinating history, excellent food and remarkably good value combine to create one of Europe’s most underrated city breaks.
The Old Town is stunning, while evenings can easily disappear amongst traditional restaurants and lively bars.
I arrived expecting a pleasant weekend.
I left wondering why more people aren’t talking about it.
It’s a city that deserves far more attention than it receives.
9. Portofino, Italy
If Italy were to design a postcard, it would probably look like Portofino.
Colourful buildings tumble down towards a harbour filled with elegant yachts, while restaurants spill out onto terraces overlooking the water.
The seafood is outstanding.
The wine flows freely.
And every view feels like it belongs on the cover of a travel magazine.
It’s not the cheapest destination in the world.
But occasionally life’s too short to worry about that while enjoying fresh pasta and a glass of Ligurian wine beside the Mediterranean.
10. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona somehow manages to offer everything.
Beaches.
Architecture.
Food.
Nightlife.
Culture.
And rooftop bars.
Particularly rooftop bars.
One of my favourite memories remains enjoying drinks at the rooftop terrace of Hotel Victoria, gazing towards the skyline while the magnificent Sagrada Família dominates the horizon.
The city itself feels endlessly energetic.
Spend your mornings exploring Gaudí’s masterpieces, your afternoons on the beach and your evenings hopping between tapas bars while convincing yourself that ordering “just one more plate” is perfectly reasonable.
It rarely is.
But that has never stopped me.
Final Thoughts
Travel has introduced me to countless destinations over the years, each leaving its own unique mark.
Yet these ten places continue to stand apart.
Perhaps it’s the food.
Perhaps it’s the wine.
Perhaps it’s the people, the hotels, the beaches or the memories attached to them.
More likely, it’s a combination of all of the above.
What I do know is this:
If someone offered me a plane ticket tomorrow, I’d happily return to every single one.
Preferably with an empty suitcase, a healthy appetite and absolutely no intention of counting how many glasses of wine I consume along the way (By glasses we all know I mean bottles)
After all, some traditions are worth maintaining.
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