5 Top Travel Destinations for Millennials to Visit

Cambodia offers gorgeous beaches, but its distance from the U.S meant it didn’t make this list. – Courtesy photo / Wikirictor (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Who doesn’t like travelling? A chance to visit new places, experience a different culture and generally broaden your horizons. Sure, the actual act of travelling itself is not much fun, but once you’ve arrived at your destination, there’s just something truly special about being in a whole new place that’s ready to be explored at your disposal. No work. No responsibilities. Just enjoyment and new adventures.

That is, of course, if the right destination is selected. For millennials, that could prove to be difficult. Budgets, professional working life and the pressure of needing to go somewhere that will provide those Instagram-worthy shots to plaster all over social media are all potential obstacles between you and booking that perfect trip away.

So here are a few top travel destinations that are ideal for millennials.

1. Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest U.S state, gaining statehood in 1959. – Courtesy photo / Donepicr (CC BY 2.0)

Although still a U.S. state, Hawaii is rather far away from mainland U.S., with nearly 2,500 miles between L.A. and the archipelago. That is perhaps, what is attractive about visiting the tiny islands. They’re close enough to home in the sense that they are literally still the U.S., yet the geographical distance ensures Hawaii feels like an entirely separate country with a unique identity, culture and climate.

In terms of getting to Hawaii to enjoy its luscious, white beaches, volcanoes and relaxed way of life, it is fairly simple. Direct flights go from LAX frequently, and depending on the time of year can cost around $200 one way.

2. Cuba

One of the colorful streets of Havana. – Courtesy photo / Pedro Szekely (CC BY-SA 2.0) 

Cuba is similarly close to home, but whereas Hawaii was literally a part of the U.S., Cuba is its own independent entity and yet still just a stone’s throw away from Florida. By stone’s throw, it’s around 200 miles, but all things relative that’s pretty close.
The Spanish-speaking Caribbean island boasts colorful (literally) architecture, a rich history of agricultural produce and of course a stunning coastline. It’s definitely worth a visit, with an entirely different culture available so close to the U.S.

3. The Bahamas

The Atlantis Paradise Resort costs around $25,000 a night. – Courtesy photo / DrumGuy8800 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Bahamas sees over 6 million tourists visit each year, and it is very easy to see why. If you’re after diversity, this is not the destination for you. However, if you simply want some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and something as close to paradise as you can get, the Bahamas is the place.

As well as beaches, it’s home to an array of luxury hotels, none more stunning than Atlantis Paradise Resort on Paradise Island, just off the capital Nassau. Flight time of course depends on exactly which island in the Bahamas you choose to visit, but you’ll be looking at a flight time of around seven hours.

4. London

London attracts over 20 million tourists each year. – Courtesy photo / David Iliff (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Whilst the Bahamas, Cuba and Hawaii can all promise tropical weather, heat and or sun most of the time, London certainly cannot guarantee any of those things. Luckily, few visit the English capital to top up their tans. Instead, it’s home to some of the most well-known landmarks in the world and additionally offers a plethora of quality shops where hours, if not days, could be spent browsing through the aisles. Another must is to visit one of the thousands of iconic pubs in the city, all of which come with a unique history.

This is the longest journey and most expensive destination on this list to get to. But the 10-hour flight and few hundred odd dollars it will cost you will be quickly forgotten after spending a week in one of Europe’s top and most diverse cities. You’ll experience a range of different cultures, from the exceptionally classy and affluent to the more alternative and hipster vibe. There’s almost too much to do, you’ll never want to leave. London is one of those iconic places that simply everyone must visit at some point in their lives, and millennials will certainly get the most out of the city.

5. Toronto

The CN Tower, Toronto’s trademark landmark, stands at 553 meters tall. – Courtesy photo / John Vetterli (CC BY-SA 2.0)

We have a love-hate relationship with our northern neighbors, but as much as we may not love to admit it, Canada is a beautiful place. Vancouver, Quebec City and Burlington could have all been on the list, but Toronto is the destination for millennials.

It’s a vibrant and busy city that offers diversity and multiculturalism on a great scale. With an array of museums, festivals and art galleries, Toronto is a Disneyland for all of those more-cultured travelers. The city also has a wealth of exquisite restaurants that challenges even the best of cuisines across the world. At around a four and a half-hour flight time at a cost of barely $200 one way, this is an ideal destination to visit.

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