Nothing beats the rush you get waiting on the tarmac for your flight overseas to roll down the runway. There’s the excitement of the unknown, the jitters that come with taking on something new, and the anticipation of what’s to come. It is something we have all yearned for over the past two years.
Whether you’ve already begun to stretch your travel wings or have yet to take your passport for a spin, taking your first big trip is a rite of passage both life-changing and nerve-inducing. You can’t predict what is going to happen once you touch down, but you can ensure a softer landing by choosing the right place to begin your adventure.
Before planning your trip, make sure to check for the latest updates on the pandemic and always review travel restrictions and requirements for your destination. Here are some of our favorite countries for first-time travelers in 2022 and beyond.
Thailand
Choose: If you want a mix of culture, beach life, wilderness, and cuisine.
You’ll most likely land in Bangkok, and the zing of Thailand’s capital is just a taste of what the country has in store for you. Stroll the frenzied streets of Khao San Road, eat your body weight in pad Thai, and explore Bangkok’s myriad magnificent temples; then head north for jungle adventures or south for brilliant beaches on paradise isles.
Thailand has a well-established tourism infrastructure making it easy to navigate, yet offers a strong dose of adventure; perfect for first-timers looking for a change of culture with a safety net.
Where to go next: Cambodia is a great next stop after tackling Thailand. It offers plenty of those Southeast Asian draws – breathtaking temples, stunning landscapes, lip-smacking cuisine – but with a more off-the-beaten-track feel.
Canada
Choose: If you want a lot of variety on one trip.
Canadians are renowned for being a friendly bunch – don’t be shy, strike up a conversation, and you might scoop up some insider tips from the locals along the way. Being such an enormous country, Canada offers a vast range of travel experiences: spot wildlife such as bears, bison, elk, and moose in Alberta; catch the Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories; soak up a blend of North American and European city culture in Québec. Best of all, if you want to experience everything Canada has to offer all you need is time, as domestic flight, train, and bus connections are plentiful and frequent.
Where to go next: With mountain ranges, desert-scapes, bustling cities, and cool coastal towns, the USA is the perfect one-stop-shop for a new traveler.
Portugal
Choose: As a great entry point for a trip to the European continent.
Portugal is easy to get around and relatively less-traveled in comparison to its neighbors, meaning fewer tourists and shorter lines for top attractions.
Capital city Lisbon and rising star Porto are attracting an increasing number of visitors so you’ll find plenty of like-minded travelers here. Start your Portuguese journey in one of these hubs for a taste of quintessential European city life, then head into the countryside for a slower pace and some off-the-beaten-track adventures.
Where to go next: Malta is another European gem perfect for new travelers. It’s laid-back and compact, making exploration a breeze. Plus, if you come outside of the summer season, you’ll still find beautiful balmy weather without the crowds.
Fiji
Choose: If you’re looking for that paradise Pacific island getaway
Fiji resorts offer a plethora of options for every type of holidaymaker with couples, families, and even solo travelers on a budget well catered for. Resorts are a great way to ease into island life, and many offer the opportunity to experience the cultural aspects of Fijian life through song and dance performances. For your fix of wildlife and nature, you need to get in the water – the coral and sea life is astounding.
Where to go next: Cool and breezy Costa Rica has beautiful beaches and resorts as well as plenty of options for backpackers – and no one leaves without rave reviews of the local wildlife.
Philippines
Choose: If you are a sun worshipper in search of the perfect beach
Tourism is on the road to recovery in the Philippines after COVID-19 closures and December’s devastating Super-typhoon Rai. The Southeast Asian archipelago of 700 islands offers world-class surf spots, UNESCO World Heritage sites, under-the-radar tropical beaches, and arguably one of the best beaches in the world in Boracay, which, after closing in 2018 due to overtourism issues, is back with a new sustainable approach to tourism.
Where to go next: Oman is another otherworldly destination. And while it offers a completely different vibe, it’s still a good place for travelers looking for a mix of easy exploration and exciting new experiences.
New Zealand
Choose: If you want an epic adventure, whether mellow or action packed
New Zealand is reopening to visitors after a long period in isolation. A pocket rocket of all things travel, it offers an unbeatable array of activities for foodies, culture lovers, and thrill-seekers. And thanks to its relatively compact size and brilliant transport links, you can be hiking in spectacular wilderness one moment, hop in a car and be quaffing wines at a local cellar a few hours later, and then be visiting some of the Lord of the Rings film set locations the morning after. New Zealand is a popular stop on the Southern Hemisphere traveler’s trail, so you’ll find plenty of other travelers should you find yourself in need of skydiving, stargazing, or oyster-tasting buddy.
Where to go next: New Zealand will have left an impression, so the next stop will need to pack one hell of a punch. With jaw-dropping landscapes, sizzling steaks, wine-tasting, tango classes, and dance-till-dawn nightlife, Argentina delivers. It may take considerably longer to get from A to B, but once you get the hang of the transport system, you’ll be spoilt for epic experiences.
This article was first published Nov 24, 2017 and updated Feb 18, 2022.
