Maui is not quite as big as the Big Island, Lanai is not nearly as small, Oahu is not nearly as busy, and Kauai is not nearly as quiet. For many visitors to Hawaii, Maui is the ideal destination since it gives them a taste of almost everything the Aloha State has to offer, from amazing wildlife to fascinating history and culture. You may shimmy with professional hula dancers here, play golf on coastal fairways, zip line into the air, snorkel with five distinct species of sea turtles, or just relax on some of Hawaii's most famous beaches.

Maui, one of the most visited destinations in the archipelago and among Best Places to Visit in November, is situated between the Big Island and the considerably smaller Molokai (which you can explore by signing up for one of the best Maui tours). There are five distinct regions on Maui: Many tourists set up camp along the coastlines of South Maui (where the renowned Wailea Beach is located) or West Maui, where Kaanapali Beach and the Old Lahaina Luau are located.

But it's important to visit the rest of the island as well. Explore Haleakala, the biggest dormant volcano in the world, in the Upcountry, as well as the former tribal battlegrounds of Central Maui's Iao Valley State Park as you travel along the Road to Hana. And book a seat on one of Maui's top helicopter tours for a bird's-eye view of everything.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #2 in Best Hawaiian Islands
  
• #3 in World's Best Places to Visit
  
• #4 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
• #4 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #5 in Best Honeymoon Destinations
  
• #7 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in March
  
• #7 in Best Beaches in the World
  
• #9 in Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations
  
• #13 in Best Family Vacations in the USA

Country: USA

All of its stereotypes are both supported and refuted by Los Angeles. True, it's a big metropolis with incessant traffic, but it also has one of the most varied and distinctive collections of communities in the country. La-La Land is overflowing with the glitz of upscale Hollywood name brands and backdrops from movie sets, but it's also the location of world-famous art museums like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and architectural wonders like the Getty Center. LA, home to the largest visual entertainment industry in the world, gives visitors access to studios including Paramount Pictures Studios and Warner Bros. Studio, where movies are made and television shows are broadcast.

In addition, the City of Angels is home to some of the most diverse cuisines in the nation as well as numerous critically regarded eateries. Away from the redeveloped downtown, visitors may enjoy sun, sand, and surfing at the beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica while getting up close and personal with some of the city's most distinctive citizens at Venice Beach. Hiking and other outdoor activities are available in Griffith Park and the Angeles National Forest.

Despite being enormous—more than 500 square miles—and tiring to travel, Los Angeles, one of the Best Places to Visit in November, continues to draw tourists. The region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the nation, particularly between June and October when tens of thousands of visitors utilize their summer vacations to take in as many of LA's attractions as they can. But making advance plans is the key to a successful trip to Los Angeles. Choose a few locations that best meet your interests and needs, or if you want a bit more help, go on a guided tour. The only thing left to do is to keep exploring.

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #5 in Best Foodie Cities in the U.S.
  
• #5 in Best Nightlife Cities in the U.S.
  
• #10 in Best Places to Visit in California

Country: USA

Philadelphia is one of the most visited cities in the United States because of its extensive historical past. After all, Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were both ratified. Benjamin Franklin, a Renaissance man, formerly resided in this city. Philadelphia served as the nation's capital before Washington, D.C. displaced it.

Everyone can find something in Philadelphia. No matter if you're a fan of the outdoors, history, science, or just really, really enjoy cuisine, Philadelphia is sure to offer a spot that you'll love. However, the city is not mired in its illustrious history. Today's Philadelphia is home to renowned institutions, a vibrant nightlife, adored sports teams, and a bustling cuisine scene that goes beyond the clichéd cheesesteak. Uncertain about where to begin your visit? Enroll in a tour and a local will show you around.

Dreams come true in a city like Philadelphia. The original cobblestones were laid with a vision of emancipation from the Crown and freedom. In the turbulent years following the Civil War, the City of Brotherly Love championed Octavius Catto's vision of equality. Rocky's story belonged in the city of underdogs, and most recently, the Eagles dispelled all skepticism by winning the Super Bowl and returning home with a ring. The most stunning locations in Philadelphia continue to uphold the fascinating, whimsical image that has come to characterize our city. Over time, Philadelphia has transformed into a fairytale metropolis.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Pennsylvania
  
• #1 in Best Day Trips from NYC
  
• #3 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #4 in Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA

Country: USA

Many tourists only use Denver's airport and disregard the rest of the city as a starting point for a Rocky Mountain escape. However, those people are passing up: Other American cities can only dream of the combination of urban excitement and natural settings that The Mile High City offers.

We're not saying you shouldn't go hiking or skiing in the Rockies, just that you shouldn't do it without first making reservations at some of Denver's unique restaurants, seeing its museums, or trying some of its world-famous beers. You may visit the Denver that locals know and love by incorporating some of these more urban attractions into your trip. You might want to join up for one of the top Denver tours to get local insight.

Compared to residents of other major American cities, Denverites are far more relaxed back, encouraging an energetic, outdoorsy lifestyle that lives on fine cuisine and craft beer. Spend your days in the Mile High City getting to know its hiking trails, shopping streets, and brewery trails by taking the advice of the locals. Denver residents have a passion for art, culture, and food in addition to embracing the outdoors.

If Mother Nature is not your preferred travel companion, spend some time exploring Larimer Square or the Denver Art Museum before purchasing a basket of Rocky Mountain oysters from Restaurant Row in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. And if you happen to be traveling with children, there are lots of activities to keep them occupied in this area, from a top-notch zoo to the fascinating U.S. Mint branch.

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in Colorado
  
• #4 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in April
  
• #14 in Best Weekend Getaways

Country: USA

Williamsburg is relatively recent for a city with such a rich history. The city's downtown wasn't renovated until the 20th century on the Virginia Peninsula. Now you can retrace the paths that our founding fathers traveled in the past; in Williamsburg, you might even come upon those individuals walking alongside you (or at least, alongside some talented, costumed interpreters acting out their parts).

But the place isn't particularly unique. Rather, Williamsburg and neighboring places like Jamestown and Yorktown are living memorials to some of the most well-known figures in our colonial history. They all get their due: Patrick Henry, George Washington, John Smith, Pocahontas, and many others.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia
  
• #5 in Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA
  
• #5 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in May
  
• #8 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
• #9 in Best Beaches in Virginia
  
• #13 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
  
• #14 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
  
• #17 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South
  
• #17 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.

Country: USA

The Maldives is a place you've probably seen pictures of before: picture-perfect private homes soaring over vivid blue waters, powder-soft white sand beaches, and breathtaking sunsets falling beyond the horizon. The Maldives' breathtaking scenery is wonderful to behold; you can't really appreciate it unless you visit.

Couples on honeymoon seeking privacy and thrill-seekers planning scuba diving and snorkeling excursions both like visiting the island nation of the Maldives. Visitors looking for a little R&R can unwind at one of the island spas, and everyone should spend at least one day touring Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

The hotels in this area are equally amazing, ranging from overwater bungalows to underwater hotels to breathtaking resorts. There are no direct flights from the United States, so getting there and staying there involves perseverance as well as a lot of money. The Maldives are about as remote as you can get; that's only one of its many appeals. They are situated between the Arabian and Laccadive oceans, around 500 miles southwest of Sri Lanka.

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Asia
  
• #3 in Best Honeymoon Destinations
  
• #4 in Best Christmas Vacations
  
• #4 in Best Beach Honeymoon Destinations
  
• #5 in Best Beaches in the World
  
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #10 in World's Best Places to Visit
  
• #11 in Best Spring Vacations
  
• #20 in Best Island Vacations

Country: Maldives

The busy metropolis of Vancouver is just a 90-minute ferry trip away from British Columbia's main city, but it feels like a different planet. Victoria adopts a different stance from its youthful neighbor and emanates a cozier feel. This very small city, which is located on the southernmost point of Vancouver Island, cherishes traditions that are distinctly British, such as afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress and a pint at the local pub.

But that doesn't mean that only English speakers should visit this location. Despite its tendency toward nostalgia, this city draws a wide range of tourists with its superb museums that honor its Indigenous past, attractive architecture, and stunning harbor views (often interrupted by the surfacing of a whale).

But there's much more to this area than trimmed gardens and afternoon tea, so don't just stick to the (admittedly tacky) Inner Harbour. Long beaches and lush wineries are two more features of Vancouver Island. Drive to Sooke, a bustling boating and fishing community, from downtown Victoria, or travel to the Cowichan Valley to see rows of grape-laden vines. Just remember to pack your camera since even the most weary traveler will be wowed by the landscape.

• #7 in Best Places to Visit in Canada
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #11 in Best Family Vacations in Canada
  
• #18 in Best Fall Vacations

Country: Canada

It's impossible to overstate how gorgeous this area of the Andes mountains is. As far as the eye can see, there are cobalt lakes, azure glaciers, emerald trees, and turquoise skies. In fact, the views in Argentine Patagonia are so expansive that Charles Darwin famously called it "boundless." If you go to Argentina's Lake District, you'll see communities that are right up against peaks covered in snow.

Whales can be seen gliding across Peninsula Valdés' marine wildlife sanctuary if you head east. If you travel to Southern Patagonia, you'll come across glaciers that are melting and deserts that stretch into rocky estancias (cattle pastures). And, when you descend near Cape Horn's Chilean border, you'll see a broad vista stretching out to Antarctica's icy edge. The splendor of Patagonia knows no bounds.

But don't be fooled by the frontier's size; travelers can easily access all the main sights thanks to Argentina's continuously expanding infrastructure. Rugged routes lead to spectacular natural treasures like Mount Fitz Roy and Perito Moreno Glacier. Explore this stunning environment, and you'll find a vibrant area. In the Punta Tombo wildlife reserve, Magellanic penguins and albatrosses coexist as the history of the region is preserved on the cave's walls.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America
  
• #7 in Best Cheap Vacations in Central and South America
  
• #8 in Best Places to Visit in November

Country: Argentina

Tulum has developed over the past ten years into a sought-after destination for luxury vacationers, but it continues to entice budget tourists who remember when this hidden gem of Mexico's east coast was more of a quiet escape.

You'll get the chance to enjoy the city's vibrant mixology culture and nightlife once the sun goes down. However, Tulum shines brightest in the daytime. Some of the most well-preserved Mayan ruins may be seen here, with the Caribbean Sea's azure waters serving as a background to the ruins.

Other extraordinary wonders include a number of cenotes (underground tunnels filled with water) and bioreserves. Remember that Tulum's beaches are what most tourists come for? Travelers are enticed to spend their days relaxing in the sun and listening to the waves by the white sand and turquoise waters. Regardless of whether you enjoy the beach, you must visit one of Tulum's many beaches.

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
  
• #2 in Best Places to Visit in January
  
• #5 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
  
• #6 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
  
• #8 in Best Beaches in Mexico
  
• #9 in Best Places to Visit in November

Country: Mexico

Curaçao, the "C" in the ABC islands, offers historical towns, untamed fields, and lots of outdoor recreation. (The other islands that up the westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles are Aruba and Bonaire.) Willemstad, the capital and largest city of Curaçao, resembles an Old World European metropolis that has been plopped in the Caribbean. Dutch colonial structures with vibrant colors reflect pinks, yellows, and blues into the emerald St. Anna Bay. As soon as you leave the city, the scenery changes to a desert setting with spiky aloe and mesquite growing on top of aged limestone cliffs.

The beach is Curaçao's main lure, though. Beautiful beaches and coves surround the island, their azure seas gently lapping against the pristine white sand. The reefs on Curaçao are teeming with marine life and provide fantastic diving and snorkeling destinations. The semi-arid island benefits from being protected from the worst of the Atlantic storm season. You can spend the entire year outside thanks to the gentle trade winds that maintain temperatures in the mid-80s.

• #2 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations
  
• #6 in Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean
  
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in August
  
• #7 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
  
• #9 in Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
  
• #10 in Best Places to Visit in November
  
• #15 in Best Caribbean Honeymoons
  
• #15 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
• #16 in Best Winter Vacations

Country: Netherlands