Editor-at-Large Ignacio Maza chooses his top 12 destinations across the world.

This is my happy place. I’ve been here many times and can’t wait to go back, so I’m excited that it’s now closer than ever with nonstop air service from Miami to Tortola’s Beef Island airport. The BVI’s top-notch beaches are delightful. My favorites: Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke, and the stunning granite boulders and sapphire waters of The Baths in Virgin Gorda’s west end. I also love exploring the remote and unspoiled Anegada Island, with endless miles of white sand and casual beachside restaurants. For a window into the islands’ past, visit the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum in Tortola. And if you’re looking for the ultimate BVI hideaway, you’ll find it on Moskito Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private resort—barefoot luxury at its finest.

Credit FR © Loïc Romer – Tourism Montreal

The world’s second-largest francophone city and the famed home of Cirque du Soleil, Montréal is a hub for creatives, tech startups, and fine dining. I enjoy wandering through Old Montreal, soaking up the rich past and marveling at how it merges with the present. One perfect example of this is the immersive AURA Experience at Notre-Dame Basilica—a spectacular laser show that beautifully illuminates the landmark 1683 church. Also not to miss: the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the world’s largest jazz gathering held every June, featuring more than 400 concerts and events. The 2025 program will honor native son Oscar Peterson. Be sure to explore the charming Plateau and Westmount neighborhoods that are lined with quaint cafés and stylish shops, and take in the bold architecture of Expo 67 while you bike, jog, or kayak through the city’s great parks and canals. Wintertime is just as magical, when the city transforms into a snowy wonderland with ice skating, maple sugar shacks, toboggan riding, and cozy pubs.

Nicknamed the “land of a million elephants,” Laos is a landlocked and unspoiled country that, to me, still feels undiscovered. It’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking a slower pace and truly authentic experiences. Begin your itinerary in Vientiane, one of Asia’s smallest capitals, and explore temples, markets, and flavorful Laotian dishes, like khao niew (sticky rice) and larb (spicy meat or fish with greens and herbs). Make time to sail the upper Mekong, where you’ll visit sleepy villages and marvel at the endless rice fields and beautiful landscapes. Laos’ star attraction is the town of Luang Prabang, the former home of Laotian Kings and a rich blend of cultural and religious heritage. This UNESCO World Heritage city offers remarkable and well-preserved temples, shrines, and French colonial architecture.

Marrakech is very near and dear to my heart. Few places in the world have the allure and magic of this imperial city, and after a recent visit, I found it more stunning than ever. (It’s now been fully restored and recovered after the 2023 earthquake in the Atlas Mountains.) I love to spend the day wandering through the Medina’s alleys in search of spices, antiques, and handcrafts, followed by a rooftop riad meal with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains. A relaxing hammam treatment is a must, as is a visit to a secret garden—my favorite is the Majorelle Gardens. If you’d like to discover the exquisite Islamic architecture of Marrakech’s golden era, the Madrasa Ben Youssef and the Saadian Tombs are the best of the best. And if you’re hoping to stay in splendor, the legendary La Mamounia is a favorite and just turned 100 years old in 2023. More good news? United Airlines has introduced new nonstop flights from Newark to Marrakech.

With thousands of archaeological sites, the intrigue of Perú goes well beyond Machu Picchu. Trek to the mysterious Inca citadel of Choquequirao, or take in the massive fortress of Kuélap, now accessible via cable car. And soon there will be a new way to explore the globe’s largest rainforest—on the new Pure Amazon luxury riverboat, debuting this summer. For an unforgettable rail journey, board Belmond’s Andean Explorer, South America’s most stylish train that runs between Arequipa and Cusco. Among Perú’s countless natural wonders, one of my favorites is the dramatic Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. I like to stay at the new Puqio, Perú’s premier tented camp on the canyon’s edge, where you’ll also discover great hikes, views of soaring condors, and breathtaking vistas.

The Kraton Palace and Ujung Water Palace have been the home of Yogyakarta’s royal family since 1755. As the last sultanate within a republic, the city holds fast to its cultural tradition as a hub of art, dance, poetry, and Wayang puppetry. Yogyakarta is the perfect base camp to visit the spectacular Borobudur temple (the largest Buddhist structure in the world), as well as Prambanan, the impressive 10th century Hindu complex with more than 200 temples. If you’re an adventurous traveler, you’ll want to hike to the top of Indonesia’s active volcano of Mount Merapi at sunrise for unforgettable views. Stay in style at the magnificent Amanjiwo, the ultimate luxury resort, overlooking Borobudur.

I lived in Buenos Aires as a child, so I have a real soft spot for this magical city that buzzes with irrepressible energy, day and night. Considered South America’s capital of culture, there are so many amazing ways to take in the city. One of my favorite places is El Ateneo Grand Splendid. Housed in a former theater, it’s the most beautiful bookstore—my nirvana! The renowned Teatro Colón opera house should also be on your list. Every time I visit, I’m in awe of its ornate interiors. From the opera house, I like to continue on to the Colón Fábrica museum, where Teatro Colón’s sets and costumes are stored and displayed. For dining, Don Julio is the best steakhouse in Argentina. Be sure to order the delicious empanadas and alfajores. And Salón 1923, atop the stately Palacio Barolo, is the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the city. If you travel about 20 miles north, you’ll discover El Tigre—a great area to unwind on a cruise through the Paraná Delta, or to spend a day at an estancia, Argentina’s authentic country estates.

Berlin is a vibrant city that continually reinvents itself. On May 8, it will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a special public holiday. Germany’s cultural powerhouse is home to more than 150 museums—from world-class art collections at Museum Island to the DDR Museum to the German Spy Museum. Berlin is also considered the operatic capital of the world, with more performances than anywhere else. One of my favorite places to spend time in the city is at the decommissioned Tempelhof Airport, where the Berlin Airlift took place in 1948. It’s now a wonderful park called Tempelhofer Feld, where you can bike and roller skate on the old runways. I also enjoy the bohemian Neukölln neighborhood, hunting for bargains at the Mauerpark flea market, and escaping the city bustle at the expansive Tiergarten Park. Be sure to visit the grand palaces and monuments in nearby Potsdam, Germany’s answer to Versailles.

Australia’s second-smallest state packs a punch, with world-class culture, renowned sporting events, outstanding culinary options, and glorious nature reserves. This year, Melbourne welcomed the annual Australian Open, and will host the Australian Grand Prix, and the Australian Football League. Food and wine enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with top-notch vineyards and superb dining venues in the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. Victoria’s best-known road trip is the Great Ocean Road and its offshore Twelve Apostles limestone stacks, while further beyond, the Grampians National Park beckons. This natural wonderland of waterfalls and impressive vistas is the place to go for fantastic hiking, canoeing, and marvelous examples of Aboriginal rock art.

The size of Texas, this unique and wild country is home to vast deserts and the largest population of wild elephants in Africa. In the North is the Okavango Delta, the biggest inland delta in the world, and home to a wildlife wonderland and some of Africa’s finest adventure lodges. Only in Botswana can you experience safari by Land Rover, on horseback, on foot, or floating on a mokoro, a traditional canoe. For a stark contrast, visit the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This otherworldly landscape of infinite white is home to desert-adapted wildlife and the San peoples, resourceful custodians of the region for more than 20,000 years.

There are so many hidden gems to experience in Switzerland that go well beyond Zurich and Lucerne. To step into the past, visit traditional, quintessentially Swiss villages like Lauterbrunnen and Grimentz. Meanwhile, Lausanne and its medieval old city and Olympic Museum should definitely be on your list, as should the nearby Lavaux region, where some of the finest vintages in Europe are grown. And don’t miss the Vallée de Joux, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking for three centuries and home to luxury brands including Jaeger-LeCoultre. For rail travel, instead of the Glacier Express, I recommend the Gotthard Panorama Express, which crosses Switzerland through the Alps to the enchanting Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It truly feels like another world!

With Fiji Airways’ new nonstop service from Dallas, this tropical paradise feels much closer. While it’s celebrated for its splendid beaches and dreamy resorts, there’s also so much adventure to be discovered throughout the hundreds of islands. The region is justly famous for superb diving and snorkeling—especially in the vibrant Astrolabe Reef—and for a shot of adrenalin, raft the Navua River Canyon, safari on the Sigatoka River, or hike up Mount Tomanivi for the best views in the island nation. Most of all, it’s the warmth of the Fijian people that will touch your heart, especially during a festive Meke, a long tradition that combines dancing and storytelling.