12 best places to travel when you don’t know where to go

travel

26 Oct

It happens to even the most eager travellers. You feel the pull to go somewhere, yet nothing feels right. You scroll through flight deals, stare at maps… and somehow end up staying put.

Travel can be a way to reconnect with yourself. Even without a clear plan, even if you’re alone, travelling can broaden your perspective and quietly heal you.

To help you plan your next adventure, here are some of the best places to visit if you don’t know where to travel right now.

In this collection of destinations, you’ll find countries that suit different moods and needs. Enough to give you a small nudge.

Not everyone can hop between countries easily (I can’t either). Think of these places as inspiration. You might find similar experiences closer to home – Malaysia is my base, so I’ve noted local or nearby alternatives that capture a similar feeling.

Destinations to inspire you when you don’t know where to travel next

Japan

Visit Japan for… its sense of order in the cities, serenity in the towns, and the respect that runs through everyday life.

Japan is a place where things run smoothly – trains arrive on time, streets are spotless, and even simple tasks are done with care. There’s something steadying about that kind of order, especially if you’ve been feeling scattered or overstimulated.

It’s a good destination when you want a change without chaos, or when you’re drawn to simple routines that quietly make sense. From Kyoto’s temples to Tokyo’s izakayas, Japan offers calm within movement.

Closer to home: At Zen by Stellar glamping resort in Cameron Highlands, Japanese-inspired design and garden views offer a small taste of that same peace and harmony.

Vietnam

Visit Vietnam for… vibrant cities, peaceful countryside, and food that always feels made from the heart – even if not every dish suits your palate.

It’s a country still developing, but that’s part of its charm. Scooters weave through traffic, street vendors call out from every corner, and locals gather for coffee at low plastic stools by the road. Yet outside the cities, the pace softens. Rice terraces in Sapa, limestone cliffs in Ha Long Bay, and beaches along Da Nang offer quiet breaks from the noise.

Vietnam is ideal if you enjoy movement, colour, and variety – a country that feels alive from morning markets to lantern-lit nights in Hoi An.

Closer to home: For a smaller dose of that same energy, explore Penang’s and Melaka’s food streets – both UNESCO-listed cities that echo Vietnam’s mix of history, flavour, and charm – or wander through Ipoh’s heritage lane.

China

Visit China for… history, landscape, and tradition. It’s one of the few places where ancient dynasties, sacred mountains, and megacities all exist within the same journey.

Beijing carries the weight of the past through the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, while Shanghai feels like a glimpse into the future with its skyline and creative districts. Beyond the cities, the countryside has misty karst peaks in Guilin, towering sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie, and old water towns that seem paused in time.

China is best for travellers who are drawn to depth – those who enjoy discovering cultures where food, language, and customs shift from one region to another.

Closer to home: Kulai Putuo Village in Johor offer a glimpse of old Chinese charm, with temples, murals, and mountain scenery. Another option is Little Guilin in Singapore.

India

Visit India for… its vibrant mix of people, faiths, and flavours, where sacred rituals, street food, and everyday chaos blend into daily life.

In a single trip, you could move from the chaos of Mumbai to the calm of the Himalayas, from Delhi’s bustle to Goa’s beaches. Every state feels like a different country, each with its own language, cuisine, and rhythm.

India is best experienced with an Indian friend who can help you see beyond first impressions and travel safely. When I visited, I couldn’t imagine navigating Mumbai’s train system or figuring out safe foods without their guidance.

Closer to home: Just as most cities have a Chinatown, many also have a Little India.

Switzerland

Visit Switzerland for… its postcard-perfect landscapes it almost feels unreal. Snow-capped peaks, mirrorlike lakes, and mountain trains that glide through villages – everything seems designed for peace of mind.

This is a country where you can slow down without feeling unproductive: take long walks by Lake Geneva, ride a panoramic train through the Alps, or wander quiet old towns like Brienz and Lucerne.

I included Switzerland partly because one of my favourite bloggers once lived there and wrote beautifully about it.

Closer to home: Kundasang in Sabah, with cool air, rolling hills, and misty mornings (just without the snow).

France

Visit France for… romance, where culture, food, and art are part of everyday life. Think morning croissants at a corner cafe, and slow afternoons spent in museums or local markets.

Paris draws dreamers with its galleries and boulevards, but beyond the capital, there’s lavender fields in Provence, vineyards in Bordeaux, seaside towns in Normandy. France teaches you to enjoy life in small, deliberate moments – a cup of coffee, a window view, a walk after rain. It’s what the French call joie de vivre.

Closer to home: Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi captures a hint of that French charm, with pastel buildings, cobbled walkways, and refreshing mountain air.

Italy

Visit Italy for… its history, art, and passion – and of course, for the food. Remember Eat Pray Love? Italy is the eat.

From the ancient ruins of Rome to the Renaissance masterpieces of Florence, every corner feels like a lesson in living fully. Wander through cobblestone streets, linger over pasta in a sunlit piazza, and let the rhythm of daily life remind you that pleasure is an art form here.

Closer to home: There’s really no place in Malaysia quite like Italy, but Ciao Ristorante in Kuala Lumpur might be the next best thing – authentic Italian dining.

Iceland

Visit Iceland for… the kind of solitude that feels like a gift. Vast lava fields stretch into the horizon, waterfalls roar beside empty roads, and black sand beaches wait with only your footprints in sight. This is the land of fire and ice – raw, wild, and breathtakingly open.

Drive the Golden Circle, soak in the Blue Lagoon, or hike the mossy trails of Landmannalaugar. Even in Reykjavik, the capital, it’s one of the world’s most laid-back cities.

Here, isolation feels less like distance and more like a rare kind of freedom – the luxury of being completely, beautifully alone.

New Zealand

Visit New Zealand for… its breathtaking landscapes of mirror-still lakes, rolling green hills, and snow-tipped peaks straight out of a movie. The country’s natural beauty feels both grand and grounding – wild enough to stir your sense of wonder.

Explore the fjords of Milford Sound, the geothermal valleys of Rotorua, or take a scenic drive through South Island’s mountain passes, where every turn opens up to untouched landscapes.

When I worked on cruise ships, one of our vessels sailed Australia and New Zealand routes for five months. I wasn’t assigned there, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who were.

Closer to home: Desa Dairy Farm in Kundasang, Sabah, often called the “Little New Zealand of Malaysia”, offers rolling pastures, cool air, and cows grazing against the backdrop of Mount Kinabalu.

Australia

Visit Australia for… easy blend of city life, beaches, and wild open spaces. Technically both a continent and the world’s largest island, it’s home to world-class cities, sweeping beaches, vast deserts, and lush rainforests.

From Sydney’s harbour and coastal walks to Melbourne’s creative laneways and cafe scene, life here moves with a sunny, laid-back rhythm. Beyond the cities, you’ll find the Great Barrier Reef, the red sands of the Outback, and lush rainforests filled with unique wildlife.

Closer to home: Sipadan Island’s marine life might be the closest thing to experiencing the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonder.

Canada

Visit Canada for… its maple forests, vast wilderness, and shimmering freshwater lakes. It’s also one of the most welcoming countries, ranked among the friendliest in the world.

From the turquoise lakes of Banff and Jasper to the coastal charm of Vancouver and the French-inspired streets of Montreal, Canada feels made for exploration. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while summer invites hiking and camping beneath endless skies.

One of my former cabin mates from the ship resigned to continue her studies in Canada, and I could see why – it’s the kind of place where nature and opportunity feel equally abundant.

South Africa

Visit South Africa for… its incredible wildlife and diverse scenery. It’s one of the world’s top destinations for safari experiences, where you can spot the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo – roaming the savannah.

Cape Town, a city that feels both adventurous and creative, sits beneath the iconic Table Mountain, while Johannesburg stands as the country’s largest and wealthiest hub. Drive along the Garden Route and you’ll see why South Africa is often called “a world in one country” – mountains, coasts, deserts, and forests all within reach.

Happy exploring!