Warning: These Dream Vacations May Cause You to Quit Your Job
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Bookmark This for When You Win the Lottery (or Just Really Need a Break)
We all have that one Google Doc titled “Dream Vacay Spots” (don’t lie, yours is color-coded). It’s where fantasies of floating breakfasts in Bali meet daydreams of snow-dusted mountains in Patagonia. These aren’t your average getaways—they’re bucket-list-level escapes, the kind of trips that live rent-free in your head and light up your group chats with “someday…”
Well, why not make “someday” a little more someday soon?
Whether you’re itching for overwater bungalow luxury, temple-hopping through history, or just want to sip espresso with a view so good it should be illegal—this list has you covered. These are 10 dream vacations around the world that are gorgeous, soul-stirring, and entirely worthy of your PTO.
Pack your imagination (and maybe your passport)—we’re going global.
Santorini, Greece
Why it’s a dream:
Because it looks fake in the best possible way. Whitewashed buildings spill down volcanic cliffs, blue domes match the sea, and the sunsets? Outrageous. Santorini is the kind of place that doesn’t just whisper romance—it shouts it with a bottle of wine and a bougainvillea backdrop. Whether you’re honeymooning, solo-tripping, or just here for the aesthetic, Santorini serves main character energy with a side of tzatziki.
What to do:
- Watch the sunset in Oia (with about a thousand other people and zero regrets)
- Sail around the caldera and swim in volcanic hot springs
- Wander through Pyrgos or Imerovigli for quieter charm and panoramic views
- Pair every meal with local wine and thank yourself later
Dream place to stay:
Canaves Oia Suites – All-white luxury carved into cliffs, with private plunge pools and unobstructed sea views. Basically the Instagram dream made real.
Kyoto, Japan
Why it’s a dream:
If Tokyo is the bold, buzzing sibling, Kyoto is the graceful, quietly iconic one. Think ancient temples tucked into forested hills, streets lined with wooden teahouses, and the occasional geisha sighting that makes your jaw drop. It’s where time seems to pause—just long enough for you to sip matcha, admire a thousand-year-old shrine, and contemplate whether you’re actually in a Studio Ghibli film.
What to do:
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine and walk through thousands of orange torii gates
- Time your trip with cherry blossom season or the fiery colors of fall
- Stroll the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at sunrise—yes, it’s worth the early wake-up
- Indulge in a traditional kaiseki dinner that’s basically edible art
Dream place to stay:
Hoshinoya Kyoto – A luxe riverside retreat accessible only by boat, where tatami mats meet five-star service. Quiet, magical, and totally extra—in the best way.
Banff, Canada
Why it’s a dream:
Because Mother Nature went way over the top here—and we’re not mad about it. Banff is like a desktop wallpaper that came to life: glacial lakes so blue they look Photoshopped, towering mountain peaks, and cozy lodges that smell like pine and hot chocolate. It’s perfect for adventurers, nature lovers, or anyone who wants to feel small (in a good way) while standing next to a glacier.
What to do:
- Canoe across Lake Louise like you’re starring in a rugged romance novel
- Hike to alpine tea houses and pretend you’re very outdoorsy (no judgment if you just take photos)
- Hit the slopes in winter, or road trip the Icefields Parkway in summer—no wrong choice here
- Soak in Banff Upper Hot Springs after a long day of pretending you’re not winded from hiking
Where to stay:
Fairmont Banff Springs – A castle in the Rockies with serious old-world charm and that “I’ve made it” energy.
Cape Town, South Africa
Why it’s a dream:
Cape Town is what happens when a city gets all the best stuff: epic scenery, wild coastlines, vineyard day trips, and a cultural heartbeat that keeps things interesting. One minute you’re hiking Table Mountain, the next you’re sipping wine with penguins (yes, actual penguins) on the beach. It’s edgy, gorgeous, and impossible to do in just one trip—which is fine, because you’ll want to come back anyway.
What to do:
- Take the cable car (or hike, if you’re ambitious) up Table Mountain for those iconic panoramic views
- Wander colorful Bo-Kaap, then dive into Cape Malay cuisine
- Day trip to the Cape of Good Hope or Stellenbosch wine country—both ridiculously scenic
- Catch golden hour at Camps Bay and toast to your excellent life choices
Where to stay:
The Silo Hotel – Set in a converted grain silo with floor-to-ceiling windows, rooftop cocktails, and views that will ruin you for other views.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Why it’s a dream:
It’s like someone designed a coastal paradise and then dipped it in limoncello. The Amalfi Coast is pure Mediterranean magic—cliffside villages cascading into the sea, winding roads that make your heart race (and not just from the view), and enough pasta to ruin your jeans in the best possible way. It’s dramatic, delicious, and drop-dead gorgeous—basically a vacation that flirts with you nonstop.
What to do:
- Get lost in Positano’s pastel alleyways, stopping only for gelato and shoe shopping
- Cruise the coastline on a vintage boat like a 1950s movie star
- Hike the Path of the Gods if you’re feeling virtuous—or just watch others do it from a beach lounger
- Sip wine at sunset with a sea view, because of course you will
Where to stay:
Le Sirenuse – Elegant, iconic, and dripping with coastal glamour. Expect tiled floors, white linens, and views you’ll dream about forever.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Why it’s a dream:
It’s basically the definition of “pinch-me” paradise. Bora Bora doesn’t do subtle—it’s all about surreal turquoise lagoons, towering jungle-cloaked peaks, and overwater bungalows so luxurious you’ll forget your own last name. It’s the kind of place where time slows, your phone stays face-down, and you genuinely consider quitting your job to become a barefoot bartender. (We support this.)
What to do:
- Snorkel with manta rays and reef sharks in water so clear it feels illegal
- Kayak or paddleboard straight from your bungalow’s private deck
- Indulge in a Polynesian spa treatment that smells like coconut and dreams
- Take a sunset catamaran cruise and try not to propose to someone
Where to stay:
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Overwater bungalows with glass floor panels, private plunge pools, and Mount Otemanu views that don’t even look real.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Why it’s a dream:
If you’ve ever wanted to throw yourself off a perfectly good bridge, Queenstown is where you’ll do it—with style. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the dramatic Southern Alps, this is the ultimate dream trip for thrill-seekers, nature-lovers, and anyone secretly hoping they’ll be cast in a Lord of the Rings reboot. Equal parts peaceful and pulse-racing.
What to do:
- Go bungee jumping, jet boating, or skydiving—whatever gets your heart rate up
- Hike the Ben Lomond Track for top-tier mountain views
- Sip your way through Central Otago’s award-winning pinot noir vineyards
- Take a day trip to Milford Sound for jaw-dropping fjord vibes and waterfall photo ops
Where to stay:
Rosewood Matakauri – A ridiculously cozy luxury lodge with lakefront views, crackling fireplaces, and a “let’s never leave” atmosphere.
Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan
Why it’s a dream:
Petra isn’t just a bucket-list destination—it’s a full-blown epic experience. You’ll walk through a narrow red-rock canyon only to emerge in front of the ancient Treasury like you’re starring in your own Indiana Jones sequel. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Wadi Rum comes along with its Martian landscapes, sand dunes, and stargazing so good it makes your soul feel tiny (in the best way). Jordan is mysterious, magical, and full of moments that make your jaw drop—and then stay there.
What to do:
- Explore Petra’s ancient rock-carved wonders (get there early to beat the crowds and heat)
- Take a sunset camel ride through Wadi Rum’s surreal desertscape
- Sleep in a luxury Bedouin-style tent under a billion stars
- Float in the Dead Sea and pretend you’re doing it for the minerals
Where to stay:
Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (Wadi Rum) – A dreamy glamping experience with mirror-domed tents and five-star vibes in the middle of the desert.
Marrakech, Morocco
Why it’s a dream:
Marrakech is like diving headfirst into a kaleidoscope—colorful, chaotic, and completely intoxicating. It’s a sensory playground where the scent of orange blossoms wafts through maze-like souks, the sound of street musicians echoes off ancient walls, and design inspiration waits around literally every corner. From ornate riads to desert adventures, Marrakech is for travelers who like their vacations with a little mystery and a lot of flair.
What to do:
- Get blissfully lost in the Medina, then bargain for treasures you didn’t know you needed
- Visit Jardin Majorelle and channel your inner Yves Saint Laurent
- Book a hammam spa day and emerge smooth, shiny, and mildly dazed
- Take a day trip to the Agafay Desert for camel rides and mint tea with a view
Where to stay:
La Mamounia – A historic, opulent riad-turned-palace with mosaic-tiled everything, candlelit courtyards, and a level of glamor that would make Gatsby blush.
Serengeti, Tanzania
Why it’s a dream:
The Serengeti isn’t just a place—it’s a bucket-list moment wrapped in golden savannas and roaring lions. Home to the Great Migration (think: millions of wildebeest and zebra stampeding across the plains like they’ve got somewhere very important to be), this legendary park is the ultimate safari fantasy. Picture yourself sipping coffee as elephants stroll by your tent or watching a pride of lions nap under an acacia tree. It’s wild, raw, and completely unforgettable.
What to do:
- Catch the Great Migration (timing is everything—usually June through October)
- Take sunrise game drives to spot the Big Five before breakfast
- Go on a hot air balloon safari and float above herds of giraffes and gazelles
- Visit a local Maasai village for cultural connection and context
Where to stay:
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti – All the luxe amenities (hello, infinity pool overlooking a watering hole) smack in the middle of lion territory.
Final Thoughts: Ready to Book That Dream Trip Yet?
Whether you’re craving coastal cliffs in Italy, glacier-fed lakes in Canada, or sand dunes under a starlit sky in Jordan, these dream vacations are the kind that stick with you. The kind you tell stories about for years, post about incessantly (no judgment), and maybe even change your life a little bit.
So whether you’re planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip or just daydreaming during your lunch break (hey, we’ve all been there), let this list be your excuse to start plotting. Because bucket lists don’t check themselves off—and frankly, that overwater bungalow in Bora Bora isn’t going to enjoy itself.
Ready, jet set, go.
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