The Perfect Vacations for Every Type of Traveler

One of the top questions I get from friends and family is where can they go for a vacation? I always struggle to answer this question because there are so many factors involved! What type of traveler are you? Do you prefer the beach or adventure or city life? What is your budget? Do you have a passport? As you can see, it’s not a simple answer! On top of that, there are literally a million places in the world that could be a perfect fit for someone- it’s really hard to narrow it down. But I thought I’d give it a try! Fair warning- while I’ve done extensive research on these locations, I haven’t been to some of them so if you end up going to anywhere of these spots, let me know your experiences!

The Domestic Traveler

This is a pretty popular stipulation I hear these days, especially with all the scary issues going on overseas. Many people just want to stay in the U.S where everything is comfortable for them and language barriers and lack of a passport aren’t an issue. Traveling within the U.S saves tons of money as well and to be honest, America has some amazing vacation destinations that are often overlooked for the flashier international tourist spots. For the Domestic Traveler, I would recommend Portland, Maine or Asheville, North Carolina. My best friend and I took a girlcation to Portland, Maine (not to be confused with Portland, Oregon!) two years ago during Memorial Day Weekend and fell in love with the cute New England coastal town. In Maine, you can photograph all kinds of dreamy lighthouses, eat lobster rolls to your hearts content, and explore the beautiful outdoors all you want. Some of the highlights from our trip was taking a sunset cruise and seeing private islands and tasting the famous brown sugar lobster roll. I haven’t been to Asheville yet (although fingers crossed I’ll be able to go in March!), but I’ve heard its hipster vibe mixed in with its bounty of breweries and gorgeous fall leaves has made it one of the most sought after vacation towns.

The Weekend Warrior

Where are my people at? I love weekend travel- it’s a great way for the full time professional to take advantage of those precious two freebie days and explore somewhere nearby. The downside of being a Weekend Traveler is if you’re planning to fly, it can mean more expensive flights since you’ll be flying out Friday night and back in Sunday night (the two most expensive travel days). Cities that are accessible by public transportation or car are the best options. When I was in New York, I went to Wilmington, Delaware and had a blast. I went on a walking tour at the gigantic duPont estate, strolled around Winterthur Mansion and Garden, drank a snickers latte at a local coffee shop called Brew Haha, and ate a delicious brunch at Scrumptious. Wilmington is a 2 hour drive from NYC so making it into a day trip is even possible. Don’t forget to take advantage of its lack of taxes on electronics and get that new iPhone 11! Now that I’m in Texas again, I love driving to Austin on the weekends and soaking in the young college life, the beautiful outdoors, and tasting the delicious barbecue. On my most recent trip, we visited a local pumpkin patch at St Luke’s United Methodist Church and waited an hour in line for mouthwatering meat from La Barbecue (featured on Jimmy Kimmel!). Austin is filled with a nice variety of activities for everyone- hiking, wineries, history, nightlife- you name it and the Texas capitol has it!

The City Slicker

I’m a city girl myself so I completely relate to the desire to experience other big cities. And what former New Yorker would I be if I didn’t recommend New York City? NYC is probably the busiest city in America and in my opinion, one of the best. There really is no other city like it in the U.S. With convenient public transportation and a good pair of walking shoes, you’ll be able to explore every nook and cranny of this bustling city. I love taking in a Broadway musical (Hugh Jackman is returning to Broadway and starring in the Music Man starting September 2020), eating a giant cheesy slice of pizza at Artichoke Bastille’ after watching a comedy show at Comedy Cellar, or taking a walk through Central Park. There’s always one time events going on throughout the city from Open House New York weekend (always in October) to a Kpop concert to a pop up art installation. New York is definitely one of those cities you’ll have to visit again and again to get your fill! London and Shanghai are also great choices for a big city vacation. I’ve been to London twice now and fallen in love with the buttery scones served as part of afternoon tea, bright red double decker buses, and how British everything is. It is also really cheap and convenient to use London’s various trains to visit other amazing cities in the U.K. As for Shanghai, the city has really become tourist friendly over the years and many signs are now in Chinese and English so getting around is relatively easy. Spend your time searching for the juiciest soup dumplings, haggling for that bargain souvenir, or taking pictures on the Bund.

The Beach Bum

I’m not much of a beach vacationer myself, but Bermuda has some of the best beaches I’ve been to. Plus, it is only a 2 hour flight from several East Coast cities making it a convenient vacation destination. Beware that although flights here may be cheap, literally everything else is EXPENSIVE. I would recommend getting a resort room and splitting it with friends- this way you’ll be in a comfortable environment and have access to the resort’s private beaches and activities. I visited Bermuda for my 26th birthday and thoroughly enjoyed swimming in a cave at Grotto Bay Resort and lying on the pink sandy beaches.

The Adventure Seeker

I love adventure and trying out new things. Hawaii sounds like it would be a beach bum vacation, but due to its varied terrain many cool activities take place here. I experienced the shark cages for the first time and it was eye opening to be able to see sharks up close and be in the “open” water. Some of my friends also rented ATVs and explored the mountain where Jurassic Park was filmed. Costa Rica is another adventurous destination as there are so many tour options for white water rafting, hiking, zip lining, kayaking, waterfall rappelling, etc…

The Budget Conscious

Looking to have fun, but not break the bank? Madrid is surprisingly a very affordable international city. Flights here average $400 from New York City during off season and there are many deals at restaurants where you buy a glass of sangria and they provide tapas for free. Who doesn’t say yes to free food? I was also able to find a centrally located hostel room for $86 for 3 days- such a steal! Being centrally located is key because you’ll be able to simply walk around without having to worry about figuring out public transportation or spending money on an Uber. A well budgeted trip is usually one that has been thoroughly researched so finding deals on the activities you most want to do is a must. I really wanted to visit the famous Prado Art Museum for its 200th anniversary and discovered that entrance to the Museum was free after 5pm on Saturdays- $18 saved! Walking around Bueno Vista Park in the early morning while soaking in the fresh air and beauty of Madrid didn’t cost me anything, but was one of the highlights of my trip!.

The International Traveler

Seoul, South Korea has come into the spotlight lately with the rising popularity of Kpop music and Korean dramas as well as the deliciousness of Korean bbq and fried chicken. It is also English friendly as many signs (including the subway) are in English and many restaurants have either English menus or waiters who can easily converse in the language. The city is also extremely easy to navigate- I managed to tour everywhere without an iPhone or data (yes this was before the time of unlimited international data). With cafes everywhere you look, 4 historical castles ready for touring, unique street markets, and a clean convenient public transportation system, I think Seoul is the perfect international destination.

The Honeymooner

I haven’t been on a honeymoon yet, so I’m definitely no expert on this topic. But, if it was my honeymoon my first choice would be the Maldives. Its a little hard to get to because once you land on the main island where the international airport is located, its almost guaranteed that you’ll have to spend another $500 taking a smaller plane out to the resorts on the more scenic islands. But I’ve heard that the clear waters and lack of crowds makes it worth it. And who wouldn’t want to relax in a luxurious resort?

The Girl Gang

I love a good girls trip. Whether it be for a bachelorette or a birthday celebration or just because, its just so much fun to spend some quality time with your girls. In January, my friends and I went to Nashville, Tennessee and had a blast stuffing our stomachs with Hattie B’s hot chicken, walking down Broadway and popping into local bars, touring the Grand Ole Opry, and listening to live music at The Listening Room. If you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway with your girls or maybe you’re looking for the perfect place to celebrate your best friend’s engagement, I highly recommend Nashville!

The Solo Traveler

Solo travel, especially female solo travel, has become a trend these days as well as a sign of independence. It definitely takes courage and guts to go somewhere foreign by yourself and not only navigate around alone, but also plan a whole itinerary for yourself. While solo travel isn’t too common in America (I’ve realized since moving to Houston there’s sort of a stigma against eating alone…), its so widespread across Europe. Its not surprising to find people dining alone or trekking across the continent by themselves. My first solo trip was to Vienna, Austria and although I only took a 4 hour bus ride from Prague (where my sister was studying) to get there, I was still so proud of myself for completing the 4 day trip alone. Safety is obviously the biggest concern when it comes to solo travel and I have to say that not once did I feel unsafe walking around in Vienna alone. Vienna is also a great launching pad to head to Salzburg or Bratislava for a day trip. There’s the beautiful Schoenbrunn palace, the interesting Spanish Riding School, and the bustling Graben shopping street all ready to be explored. Alone!

The Foodie

I realize that Los Angeles is usually known for its wealth of celebrities and all things Hollywood, but there are actually lots of fun delicious food options there. Especially if you love Asian food like me! Smorgasburg also takes place here every Sunday throughout the year (unlike New York’s Smorgasburg which ends once summer is over). While its overly crowded and can be extremely hot under the beating LA sun, the food options (and lines) here are insane. I loved Sip Matcha (made with real green tea leaves from Japan) and the famous White Rabbit ice cream from Wanderlust Creamery. Besides Smorgasburg, LA has a buzzing Koreatown filled with heavenly Korean bbq and other delicious Korean snacks. My favorite restaurant is called Yellow House and has a spacious airy patio out back, ideal for enjoying that spicy rice cake. Wander around LA and its surrounding neighborhoods and you’ll discover that there is so much more to eat than you have the time (and stomach space) for!

The Instagram Gal

I’m sure everyone has noticed the hundred of gorgeous photos of Santorini, Greece that has popped up in recent years. If you’re looking for a vacation filled with beautiful sunsets and scenery perfect for picture taking, then I think Santorini is the ideal vacation spot for you. No matter where you look, there’s a flawless photo opportunity and an epic photo in the making. I’ve never seen an ugly photo of Santorini! My friends tell me that getting a hotel room with a view and a balcony is the best way to clinch those solo photo shots. You won’t even need to leave the privacy of your abode!

The Museum Buff

If visiting and perusing museums is more your speed, Paris, France, is probably the city that has the most museums per mile. There are museums for everything and churches with museums located inside them everywhere. The most obvious stop is the Louvre where the Mona Lisa resides, however, hidden gems such as the Louis Vuitton Museum also exist and are waiting to be perused. Personally, I loved touring the Paris Opera House (even if its not a typical museum) because the guides have a wealth of knowledge and incorporate Paris history into the building’s history. Washington DC is another city that has many museums- and the bonus part is that most museums here are free! I highly recommend the recently opened National Museum of African American History and Culture (although it can be kind of difficult to get tickets) as its filled with information on African Americans in the U.S. There’s a section on African American athletes and musicians as well as a whole basement worth of history on slavery. Harriet Tubman’s shawl is also on display here.

The Nature Lover

Banff National Park in Canada is beyond beautiful. It is so beautiful that words (aside from the word beautiful) can’t even describe it. Filled with adventurous hikes, big gorgeous lakes, and tons of cozy cabins, Banff is truly every nature lovers dream vacation. I wrote a whole post about my 10 days here that you can check out!

The Family Pack

Disneyworld is obviously the most popular answer when it comes to family vacations, but will it really be fun when you’re there again for the millionth time? Instead, I would recommend Tokyo, Japan. Filled with delicious food, Pokemon themed items, glamorous shopping, and beautiful historical sites, Tokyo really has something for everyone in your family regardless of their age. Bonus- there are two Disney theme parks here! And these Disney Parks really give Disneyworld Orlando a run for their money. DisneySea is one of its kind and Disneyland Tokyo has unique snacks and traditions only found in Japan. In my opinion, Tokyo is the most tourist friendly international city because its citizens are so polite and helpful- if you’re confused with directions stop anyone on the street (even a taxi driver) and they will be able to help you find your way. Although, its rare that you’ll even get lost in the first place because everything is well labeled in English and their public transportation is efficient and clean. Be sure to sample the matcha tea, order ramen from a vending machine, and take the little ones to the Monster Cafe in Harajuku!

The Party Animal

Las Vegas would probably be the most obvious choice for the Party Animal, but because I like out of the box vacations, I would suggest Thailand (um ever heard of the Full Moon party?) and Ibiza. I’m probably the opposite of the Party Animal, so I haven’t made it out to either destination yet although I would love to go, but I’ve heard that both have an amazing nightlife.

Hope you enjoyed my vacation suggestions! As always, feel free to reach out with any more travel questions or comments!