Your travel bucket list just got a whole lot longer. From dancing the samba in Rio de Janeiro to trekking mountains in Rwanda and eating some of the world’s best noodles in Vietnam, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler has gathered some of our favorite escapes across the globe that challenge and transform us.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska, was born as a railroad tent city on the shores of Ship Creek. Today, Alaska’s biggest city holds nearly half of the state’s population, but it still feels like an outpost in the vast wilderness — and that is part of its charm.
Here, it’s not unusual to see a moose wandering down the city streets, and a trip here is filled with must-do sights that allow you to explore and learn about Anchorage and its place in Alaska and in the world.
Outdoor adventurers will be thrilled: A stay in Anchorage lets you enjoy all the amenities of city life but still vault into the Alaska wilderness within about a half-hour drive. You’ll also be within easy distance of one of Alaska’s most spectacular destinations, the more than 2.4 million hectares that make up Denali National Park.
Foodies will not be disappointed, either. While in Anchorage, get a taste of some of the region’s best local ingredients at locals’ favorite restaurants.
Where to Stay: Marriott Anchorage Downtown
Rio de Janeiro
Flanked by green mountains, surrounded by the crashing blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and dotted with bright white buildings, Rio de Janeiro lays claim to one of the world’s most gorgeous urban settings, lined with epic stretches of sand.
To the east and west of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches lie little hideaway coves, secret surfer hangouts, and nearly deserted stretches of silken sand — all of them a beach lover’s dream.
Wonder why locals call this the “Marvelous City”? When you’re not gaping at the beauty before you, explore the city’s famed neighborhoods and feel Rio’s unique pulse.
One must-see spot to visit is the Porto Maravilha district, a waterfront hot spot with world class museums, street art, and dining, and an alternative if you want to spend the day outdoors without fighting crowds at the city’s beaches.
Where to Stay: JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro
Vietnam
Vietnam is filled with travel wonders. Da Nang and Nha Trang can feel a world away from Vietnam’s popular destinations like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Though both towns have been mainstays on the backpacker circuit, today they’re making a name among all kinds of travelers as two of the country’s top destinations.
In Vietnam, noodles are the thread of daily life. How they’re prepared and what they’re paired with varies greatly, and often depends on what’s local to each region of the country. Take time to explore local specialties while here.
In fact, when someone in Vietnam tells you that you are a good person, they don’t say — as they might in the West — that you have a good soul. Instead, they say that you have a good stomach. This idiom is a small testament to the deep and abiding love of food in Vietnam.
Where to Stay: Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
Rwanda
Rwanda is home to some of the most precious wildlife and ecosystems in the world. There is much wonder to behold, from Volcanoes National Park and the mountain gorillas that call it home and Albertine Rift forests in the west, and savannas, wetlands, and Akagera National Park in the east. The government, along with its local communities, doesn’t take this gift lightly.
From the banning of plastic bags to many conservation projects and even the public works holiday, held on the last Saturday of every month from 8:00 AM, known as “umuganda”, the small but mighty East African nation does everything to protect its environment and the animals living in it.
Visitors to Rwanda can discover a wealth of eco-friendly experiences and incredible sights, all while helping ensure Rwanda’s flora and fauna remain thriving.
Where to Stay: Kigali Marriott Hotel
Oman
Historic traditions, grand architecture, and inspiring landscapes make the Omani capital a traveler’s dream. Some of the most popular attractions in Oman, and some lesser-known ones that should be popular, do not have to cost a dime (or baisa, in Omani currency).
Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, is noted for its vast luxury scene. A strong currency and smaller tourist market ensure that you get more for your rial here than anywhere else in the region, so Muscat has plenty to offer luxury travelers. Beyond the typical luxury stores, find luxurious goods more specific to the city at the historic Muttrah Souq, which is filled with spices, world-renowned frankincense, ceramics, and artisan foods.
Where to Stay: JW Marriott Hotel Muscat
Crete
Gorgeous beaches, crystalline waters, fertile valleys, and traditional villages; visitors to Crete can look forward to a slower pace of life.
Locals cannot wait to share their Cretan hospitality, with their renowned olive oil, wine, and rich produce, among the best in Greece. But with its dramatic landscape — mountains, deep gorges, and caves — Crete is a playground for adventure seekers.
Locally sourced ingredients, unfussy cooking, and generations of culinary traditions help make Cretan cuisine one of the healthiest of all the Mediterranean diets. A vast coastline, largely untouched mountain ranges, and fertile plains are the backdrop for Crete’s agricultural bounty, of which olive oil has played a central role stretching back for more than 3,500 years.
And if you’re up for a side trip, the former island fortress of Spinalonga off the northeastern coast of Crete, which is now an open-air archeological site, has a distinct past and stunning views. But first, a brief history lesson is in order to understand why the island is so unique.
Where to Stay: Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection
Copenhagen
If hygge (pronounced “hyoo-ga”) could be bottled and sold, Copenhagen would be even wealthier than it already is. The distinctly Danish concept, loosely translated as “coziness,” must be experienced to be understood. And when you steal away for a weekend in Copenhagen, there’s hygge on every corner.
Is it a cozy feeling in your soul, a glowing candle on a tabletop dinner for two, a convivial moment between friends, or just a general feeling of contentment in a setting of simple pleasures? Hygge can be all that and more.
What better way to learn about hygge than from the masters themselves? Copenhagen residents are your hosts during the Meet the Danes program, which sees you heading to a Danish home for a cozy home-cooked dinner.
Prefer to be more active? Cycling is one of the most quintessentially Danish things you can do, and Copenhagen’s flat terrain, coupled with dedicated bike lanes on nearly every street, makes it a pedaling paradise.
Where to Stay: Moxy Copenhagen
Sydney
There’s no doubt that Sydney is Australia’s most geographically blessed city. The city’s most recognizable asset, its harbor, breathes life throughout the city. Add to that pristine beaches, world-class architecture, and to-die-for rock pools carved from cliffs beside the ocean, and you have a city that is made for photography and exploring.
Regardless of season, the city’s stunning outdoor hot spots offer a breath of fresh air — right in the heart of town, and there’s no shortage of places to go for a run or walk. Plus, you’ll find seemingly endless opportunities to snap photos of iconic Sydney sights.
Foodies, take note! The city’s food scene is epic: To walk down the street here is to experience a world of food in a single block — delicate parcels of dim sum stuffed with local seafood, steaming bowls of pho, gelato sundaes, za’atar-dusted flatbreads rolled around juicy lamb, and so much more.
Where to Stay: W Sydney
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