Some places just stick with you. Even years later, I can remember the streets, the smells, the colors, and those little moments that somehow stay in your mind. These are the five places I’ve been lucky enough to visit that I would go back to in a heartbeat.
- Venice, Italy
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I’ve been to Venice twice now, and each time it felt like discovering a new city. I loved wandering through the narrow alleyways, finding little cafĂ©s and shops that you might completely miss if you weren’t paying attention. One afternoon, we stumbled upon a quiet piazza with a fountain and just sat there for a while, eating gelato and people watching and that remains a core memory. Venice is perfect for wandering without a plan. The gondola ride is a must-try, and it’s way more fun than I expected, and I would totally recommend visiting the Libreria Acqua Alta, a bookstore home to so many cats. And the food—I still think about it. The gnocchi at a small family-run restaurant was rich and flavorful, and the cannolis were so good I probably ate more than I should have. Staying in Venice itself made everything feel more alive. You hear the canals at night, see the city waking up in the morning, and I would totally move there if I could.Â
- Pemuteran, Bali
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During my junior year of high school, I spent a month in Pemuteran, and it remains one of the most special places I’ve ever been. The sunsets were unreal, and one of my favorite things to do became stargazing at night. Scuba diving there was also unforgettable. On one dive, I found myself surrounded by a group of sea turtles, which felt almost like a dream. In the middle of following them along the seawall, we almost lost the boat, which was terrifying in the moment but ended up being one of the funniest memories of the trip. The town itself is peaceful, and the locals are incredibly kind and welcoming. Life moves slowly there, which made it easy to just truly notice everything around me.
- Key Largo, Florida
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I recently traveled to Key Largo with UMass for my advanced scuba certification, and it was such an incredible experience. The water clarity is insane, and it’s impossible to get bored of the marine life. During our dives, we saw bull sharks, rays, turtles, and dolphins all in just one week. One night, we did a dive during a storm and a small craft advisory, which I would not recommend, but it’s definitely a story none of us will ever forget. This trip also made me realize that camping might not be my thing, but honestly looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. You can spend the morning diving with incredible wildlife and the afternoon just sitting on the beach, soaking in the view.Â
- Siros, Greece
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Siros was a short stop during my senior trip to Greece, but it quickly became my favorite place we visited. The streets are alive with performers, and the energy of the town makes you want to explore every corner. We ate tons of gelato and went window shopping along the coast. The beaches are also beautiful, with such soft sand and insanely clear water. Even though we only had a little time there, I wish we could have stayed longer.
- Aruba
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Aruba has such a special place in my heart because I got to do my open water scuba certification with my family, which made it feel more like an adventure we were all sharing. The instructors at Aqua Windies, the dive shop we went to, were so friendly and encouraging, which made me feel a lot more confident underwater than I expected. My first ever dive was something I’ll never forget, and little did I know it would end up being such a big part of my life. When I wasn’t diving, I would wander along the beaches and hunt for seashells or just sit and watch the waves crash over the sand.Â
All of these locations left a significant impression on me, whether it was exploring hidden alleyways, diving with marine life, or simply relaxing at the beach. Each destination offers unique experiences that I would eagerly revisit, and I know the memories I made in these places will continue to influence how I travel and appreciate the world.
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