5 Destinations You Absolutely Need on Your Bucket List

Not every trip is meant to do the same thing for you. Sometimes you just need stillness and an ocean view, sometimes you want to hike until your legs ache, and sometimes you want a city whose streets completely swallow you up. That's why these aren't five random "dream destinations" — they're five destinations with very different purposes, character and budgets, one for every travel mood.

Maldives – For Pure Relaxation and Romance

Purpose: Relaxation, nature (underwater world), romance/honeymoon

Budget: High (resort islands) to mid-range (local islands)

The Maldives are the epitome of switching off: overwater bungalows, crystal-clear water right off your terrace, and underwater worlds for snorkeling and diving that rank among the most species-rich on earth. Flight time from Zurich runs around 10 to 12 hours depending on the airline and route, usually with one stopover.

What many people don't know: you don't necessarily have to book the classic all-inclusive resort at several thousand francs a night. On the so-called "local islands," there are now much more affordable guesthouses that offer almost the same dream-beach feeling — ideal if you want that Maldives feeling on a smaller budget too. Best time to visit: November to April, during the dry season. I did go in September, though and I didn’t notice much of the rainy season, and at that time of year there were significantly fewer tourists and the deals were much better.

Argentina – For Adventure, Nature and Culture in One Country

Purpose: Nature, adventure, culture

Budget: Mid to high (long-haul flight is expensive, but on the ground often cheaper than expected thanks to the exchange rate)

No other country on this list offers as much contrast: tango and steakhouses in Buenos Aires, thundering water masses at the Iguazú Falls, hiking and glaciers in Patagonia, vineyards around Mendoza. That's exactly what makes planning a trip here demanding — the best time to visit depends heavily on the region. April to October suits Salta and Iguazú, the lake district around Bariloche is loveliest between December and February, and Buenos Aires works practically year-round. Mendoza's grape harvest season between January and March is an extra highlight for food and wine lovers.

For Argentina, it's worth building a route that deliberately combines just two or three regions instead of trying to see everything at once — the country is simply too big for that. Personally, I didn’t notice much of the South American crime scene while I was there. I found Argentina—especially the area around Buenos Aires—to be quite safe. However, I was also accompanied by a local.

Menorca – For Anyone Who Wants the Balearics Without the Crowds

Purpose: Relaxation, nature, family holiday, girls' or guys' trip

Budget: Affordable to mid-range, especially in the shoulder season

Menorca is the quieter sister of Mallorca and Ibiza: a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with more than 70 hidden coves, prehistoric Talayotic ruins, and the 185-kilometer coastal hiking trail Camí de Cavalls. Instead of beach clubs and party tourism, the focus here is on nature, food and slowing down. The flight from Zurich takes only around two hours, which also makes Menorca attractive for a long weekend. This beautiful restaurant on the picture is called "Ivette" and lies directly at the Cala Morell.

The best time to visit is May to October, though I personally recommend June and September: warm water, pleasant temperatures, but noticeably fewer crowds and lower prices than in peak summer.

Sri Lanka – For Culture, Nature and Beach in One Trip

Purpose: Culture, nature, a bit of beach on the side

Budget: Affordable

Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations if you want as much variety as possible in two to three weeks without blowing your budget: Sigiriya's Lion Rock and the Dambulla cave temples with over 150 Buddha statues in the so-called Cultural Triangle, endless tea plantations and the famous train ride between Ella and Kandy, whale watching in Mirissa, and elephants in the wild.

As a rough guide for a comfortable budget-travel budget, you can expect around 30 to 35 euros per person per day for accommodation, food and local transport. The best time to visit the south, west and highlands is December to March, when it's dry season there.

Marrakesh – For an Intense Culture Trip With a Short Flight

Purpose: Culture, city trip

Budget: Affordable

Marrakesh is my tip if you're short on time but craving maximum sensory impressions: the nonstop flight from Zurich takes only around 3.5 hours, and just three to four days are enough to experience the city — the souks and the bustling Djemaa el-Fna square, the Bahia Palace with its 160 rooms, the botanical Jardin Majorelle, and the Koutoubia Mosque. Marrakesh can also easily be extended with a trip into the Atlas Mountains or the desert. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when it's warm during the day but not yet too hot — in summer, the thermometer climbs up to 40 degrees. That said, I wouldn’t recommend traveling there alone as a woman or with just a few friends. Men can be quite “pushy.” So it’s better to travel to Marrakesh with a male companion or in a group.

My Takeaway

Five destinations, five completely different reasons to travel: the Maldives for pure relaxation, Argentina for anyone who wants to combine adventure and culture, Menorca for a calm, short break, Sri Lanka for maximum variety on a small budget, and Marrakesh for an intense culture trip over a long weekend. Which one is right for you depends less on the destination itself and more on what you're looking for right now — and that's exactly what I talk through with you before I plan your route.