Sabrina’s pick: Japan.
Japan is home to many of my interests - sushi, cherry blossoms, anime and martial arts. I've always been fascinated with many of their traditional cultural practices as well as their contemporary subcultures, so this is definitely on my list.
In an ideal world, I'll visit during sakura (cherry blossom) season, get to spend a night at a ryokan (hotel designed to simulate a traditional Japanese lifestyle), grab a hot bath at an onsen (steam bath), eat lots of sushi, check out the subcultures in Tokyo's Harajuku district, go shopping for some manga, and visit the Mori Digital Art Museum.
Photos: Banter Snaps, Sora Sagano and Thomas Marben
Farin’s pick: Prague, Czech Republic
For me, the bigger the country, the less time you get to explore its beauty, so I picked a city. I have always been fascinated to visit Prague b
ecause it has so many beautiful places to explore, eat and drink and enjoy a peaceful environment. Prague’s architecture and history are very rich and beautiful and still untouched. While walking around the city, you will see glimpses of beautiful street art. It has the famous John Lennon wall which is beautiful and interesting to visit. The Prague Castle complex and encompassing peak territory gives guests a look into the city's illustrious past. From its Bohemian beginnings to its Habsburg wonder, Prague's imperial history wakes up as you visit the numerous structures that make up this breathtaking complex. One of the best things about traveling is being able to enjoy the local food and Prague has no shortage of mouth-watering restaurants to discover. With its blend of cultural diversity, picturesque views, and history to explore, Prague is top of my travel bucket list.
Photos: Camila Waz, Fredy Martinez and Miro Polca
Proma’s pick: Countryside, England
So many things have been said and written about England that it is truly larger than life. My friends say that I have built it up so much in my head that I am bound to be disappointed when I do get there. But I doubt it. Even if I don’t see Harry and Ron’s flying car or the Queen, there is always the English countryside. Even though most tourists focus on the Big Ben, Tower of London or Buckingham Palace, it is the English countryside that draws me to that place. The English countryside has inspired generations of writers to write about its beauty and my life will be incomplete unless I see it for myself.
Photos: Jack Bassingthwaighte, Magda V and Olivier Collet
Tasfia’s pick: Santorini, Greece
Greece consists of more than 2,000 islands, and among them, Santorini is where I want to go. For many years I have dreamed of going to Santorini - and from what I have seen, it seems like the most photogenic island in the world.
Santorini – also known as Thera in Greek – is the island immortalized by poets and painters, thanks to its celebrated light, multi-coloured cliffs and picture-perfect sunsets. I’d love to visit the unique beaches that surround the island, in exotic colours of black, red and white – a product of their volcanic sand. However, the one thing that I’d definitely do when in Santorini is enroll on one of the many culinary classes that they offer and learn to make their rich and varied delicacies, such as tomato patties, sfougato, melitinia and sweet koufeto.
Photos: Jason Zeis, Πασχαλινά Μελιτίνια and Ryan Spencer
Zora’s pick: Morocco
Morocco is known for its mouthwatering cuisine, multi-faceted culture and architecture deeply influenced by their history. The traditional Moroc
can food, rich with spices and herbs, are sure to keep your tastebuds singing for a long time after you visit. What fascinates me the most, however, is the architecture.
There are monuments influenced by France and Spain, from the time they had colonized the country, while others have a touch of the Roman and Phoenician history. Many monuments, till date, stay true to the Arabic civilization that Morocco is so deeply connected to. With the diversity in culture, and a variety of landscapes to choose from -- whether it be deserts stretching as far as the eyes can see, or the Atlas Mountains covered in snow, or even wild beaches for the most memorable adventures, Morocco is sure to satisfy all my traveller dreams.
Photos: Alex Plesovskitch, Annie Spratt and Mohammed Iak
Tanita’s pick: Paris, France
French fashion, art, and architecture have always made me want to travel to Paris one day. The French have been the mecca for taste and style and high culture for centuries.
Paris is
famously known as the ‘City of lights’ because of the iconic Eiffel Tower that lights up every night at sunset. Parisian stairs and rooftops exist to afford the viewer the best vantage points of this stunning city.
Someday when I travel, I will roam around and explore the architectural highlights: Arc of Triumph, Montmartre, Palais du Luxembourg, Panthéon and Palais du Louvre. I will stroll around at the heavenly streets of The Champs-Élysées, which is home to all the luxurious French brands. When I feel exhausted I will treat myself with a cup of coffee at Ladurée or maybe outside of Café de la Paix to cozy up in the fresh air with a book. I will cap off this journey of discovery with a trip to the Musee du Louvre, and its treasure trove of art.
Photos: Fabio Roque, Patrick Langwallner and Stephen Leonardi
Ahmed’s pick: Spain
The finest beaches, exotic cuisine, vibrant music, never-ending nightlife, festivals, and might as well add amazing architecture -- Spain, my bucket list country -- has something special for everyone. It is one of Europe’s best getaways.
I would spend a day or two walking through the historic streets of Toledo then making my way to Barcelona and discover the best attractions and landmarks (which includes the largest Roman Catholic Church). Hop on a bus for a city tour. Hop off at La Rambla, and live the nightlife.
Spain has sufficient beaches and nothing can beat the calm crystal water of Playa De Ses Illetes, Formentera. It has sand beaches and is known as the Caribbean in Europe Continent. I would end my journey on a less crowded bay, in Costa Blanca, Cala Granadella, a paradise surrounded by rocks and clear water.
Photos: Biel Morro, Greta Schölderle Møller and Jannes Jacob
Saudia’s pick: Turkey
There is age old custom of hospitality in Turkey, where hosts offer visitors a choice of coffee or water. If the guest picks water, the host takes this as a signal that the guest is hungry and needs to be fed.
This little bit of trivia put Turkey squarely on my bucket list. Its geographical location which connects Asia with Europe has enriched its traditions with a fusion of cultures, which I find fascinating.
On top of my list is visiting the mausoleum of Jalal ad Din at the Mevlana Museum in Konaya, and visiting the Topkapi and Dolmabahçe palaces of the Ottoman Sultans. I want to explore every aisle of Grand Bazar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.
Photos: Fatih, Kairat Murataliev and Wei Pan
