Travel begins with a feeling, that quiet pull toward something new. It might be the thrill of discovery, a yearning to try on another way of life for a while, or simply to step off the daily treadmill and rest. Every destination holds a promise. It’s why we travel.
Travel is more than itineraries and selfies. It’s shaped by emotion and meaning. Everyone has their own reason for setting out on a new adventure and every city holds a unique appeal. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exciting nightlife, the best food or a place to venture into the past, you can find it through travel. Here are 14 places that capture those motivations—and what makes each one unforgettable.
Germany’s capital has an endless capacity for reinvention. On the front lines of history for much of the 20th century, Berlin is still shaped by the wall that once divided it. Everything from architecture to traffic signals still change as you move between east and west. But today, the last remnant of the wall is the East Side Gallery, a 1,300-metre-long open air art installation. And Checkpoint Charlie, once the epicentre of the Cold War, is a place to pose for tourist photos on a busy shopping street. Today’s Berlin is a city of cafes and galleries. It lives in multi-cultural, creative neighbourhoods like Kreuzberg and nearby Friedrichshain, renowned for its nightlife. In the early 2000s, its mayor famously called the city “poor but sexy.” Berlin is no longer poor, but it still defies convention.
Must try: Currywurst. This combination of bratwurst and curried ketchup is practically German’s national dish.
Fly to Berlin with Air Transat.
Bogotá is alive with creativity and heritage. The Plaza de Bolivar is the main square and a suitably spectacular tribute to the South American freedom fighter. But it’s the vibrant La Candelaria district, the city’s oldest quarter, that really brims with life. Here, historic streets are splashed with colour and dotted with spectacular churches. The neighbourhood is a place of food and creative energy where you can lose yourself for hours in music or craft markets that are filled with Colombian design and tradition.
Must try: Take a cable car to the top of Monserrate for spectacular views over the city..
Fly to Bogotá with Air Canada, Avianca
Calgary is a winter playground. Nestled at the point where the wide-open Albertan prairie meets the towering Rocky Mountains, the city is a gateway to Banff and other top-flight skiing areas. But Calgary itself offers plenty of ways to get outside and reset in the Canadian winter. Hit the slopes at Canada Olympic Park, ideal for families and beginners looking to ski or snowboard. Explore scenic cross-country ski and snowshoe trails in many of the city’s green spaces, including Prince’s Island Park in downtown. And when it’s time to warm up, there are several charming cafes in the Inglewood neighbourhood where you can defrost over cocoa.
Try something new: Calgary pushes boundaries with winter activities. For a unique experience, rent a specially designed bike that can be ridden on ice at Bowness Park. Or check out Crokicurl, a quirky mash-up of Crokinole and curling, played on three dedicated outdoor rinks.
Fly to Calgary with Air Canada, Flair, Porter, WestJet
Casablanca blends old-world elegance with modern ease. It’s stunning Hasan II mosque, perched on the coast, seems to rise out of the Atlantic, while its Old Medina district is a labyrinth of narrow streets and traditional market stalls. Meanwhile contemporary cafés, oceanfront promenades and palm-lined boulevards give Morocco’s largest city a cosmopolitan energy and a fresh, forward feel. To borrow a phrase from the 1942 movie, a visit to Casablanca might just be the start of a beautiful friendship with the city.
Must do: Visit the Central Market for a taste of Moroccan cuisine and culture.
Fly to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc
Denmark’s capital is the spiritual home of Scandinavian minimalism and eschews the chaotic energy of many large cities. From the neatly painted houses along the waterfront to the extensive cycling infrastructure, everything here feels intentional and organized. It’s a design geek’s dream. Scandi chic gleams through the countless storefronts and every corner has a social-media-ready coffee house where you can while away an afternoon. Copenhagen is the current UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, and its skyline is dotted with iconic buildings, many of which can be seen by cycle on the 13-kilometre Harbor Ring route.
Don't miss: Copenhagen’s renowned coffee houses. April Coffee is considered one of the best and requires reservations for its tasting flight.
Fly to Copenhagen with Air Canada, SAS
Some cities never sleep. Hong Kong never even takes a nap. The fourth-densest urban area on Earth, Hong Kong’s narrow streets bustle with locals and tourists around the clock. After dark, the city’s forest of skyscrapers erupts in neon, creating spectacular views from Victoria Peak or the Star Ferry crossing the iconic harbour. Chefs at the Temple Street Night Market sling sliders, dim sum and snake soup to hungry diners late into the evening, when the city’s countless bars and clubs really get going. But for those in search of some tranquility, Hong Kong also offers escapes, including visiting the Tian Tan Buddha statue spectacularly perched in the mountains of Lantau Island.
Step up: Hong Kong has the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, running for more than 800 metres.
Fly to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific
In Lima, food is identity. Peru’s capital is an epicentre of foodie culture where ceviche is not just a dish but an icon. Explore seafood markets packed with fresh ingredients, dine on the cutting edge of cuisine at one of the upscale restaurants in Miraflores or try criollo, Peru’s traditional cuisine, at one of the countless neighbourhood eateries. And when your stomach is full, the city has plenty of other attractions, including the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana, a spectacular pre-Incan pyramid.
Walk off the food: The Miraflores boardwalk stretches for 9 kilometres along beaches and cliffs beside the Pacific.
Fly to Lima with Air Canada, Air Transat
Lisbon lingers in the memory like the soulful strains of fado hanging in the nighttime air. One of Europe’s oldest cities and once one of its wealthiest, Lisbon is a place sketched by its past and drawn in dazzling colour and light. From the ramparts of the dramatic Sao Jorge Castle, a sea of red roofed buildings stretches out to the ocean in the distance. Ornate azulejos tiles decorate countless walls and turn humdrum walkways into works of art, while picturesque yellow cable cars trundle through the narrow streets. From the Belém Tower jutting out into the Atlantic to the winding alleyways of the city’s historic centre, Lisbon is a place where memories are formed at every turn.
Don't leave without: Trying Lisbon’s famous pastéis de nata pastries. The Belém neighbourhood is particularly renowned for them.
Fly to Lisbon with Air Canada, Air Transat, TAP
Everyone knows London’s landmarks. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye. But Britain’s capital is a cultural melting pot that rewards those who venture further. Dart down a narrow alley in Soho and you might happen upon a charming pub where locals and their drinks spill onto the streets. Head to Shoreditch to soak in an open-air gallery of street art. Relax in a canal side café in Little Venice, head to Brick Lane to feast in its countless curry houses or Brixton for a taste of the Caribbean. The 18th-century writer Samuel Johnson best summed up the city’s diverse charms: “When you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.”
Myth buster: Despite its reputation, London receives less rainfall than New York or Sydney.
Fly to London with Air Canada, Air Transat, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
Memories are long in Mexico City. The oldest capital in the Americas, it traces its roots back to the 14th century and history is woven into the fabric of the modern metropolis. Wander through the streets of the historic centre and encounter spectacular buildings such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which gazes over the vast central square. Or head to the Blue House to see the home and belongings of artist Frida Kahlo preserved in every detail. And when you’re tired of walking, you can explore the city’s history by boat. Colourful gondolas ply the waterways of Xochimilco, the canal system built by the Aztecs.
Day trip: Head to nearby Teotihuacan to explore ancient ruins including the enormous Pyramid of the Sun, believed to have been built nearly two millennia ago.
Fly to Mexico City with Aeromexico Air Canada, Flair
Nassau feels effortless. The capital of the Bahamas is blessed by shallow turquoise waters that invite long, lazy, uncomplicated beach days. Cable Beach is one of the island’s finest. This 4-kilometre stretch of white sand and crystal clear water is lined with upscale resorts and is a favoured place for water sports. In Nassau, the day shapes itself—no rush, no rigid plans—just the simple rhythm of sun and fun.
Side trip: Visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum to discover the city’s past associations with maritime skullduggery.
Fly to Nassau with Air Canada, Porter, WestJet
Rio de Janeiro dazzles with iconic sights and natural beauty. The city’s crown jewel, Christ the Redeemer, towers over Corcovado Mountain. Nearby, Sugarloaf Mountain delivers another breathtaking panorama via its famous cable car. Along the coast, Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches pulse with energy, perfect for sunbathing or people-watching. For sports fans, Maracanã Stadium is a shrine to Brazilian football. With its mix of culture, rhythm and scenery, Rio truly earns its title as the “Marvelous City.”
Do it for the ’gram: Selarón Steps. Thousands of colourful tiles make a stunning backdrop.
Fly to Rio with Air Canada, Air Transat
Seoul feels like a glimpse into the future. This is a city of bold architecture, where its tallest building, the Lotte Tower, seems to reach for the sky like a rocket ship. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, with its dramatically curving architecture, feels like stepping onto the set of a sci-fi movie, and signals that this city is always on the move. Meanwhile, head to the vibrant Hongdae district, which hums with fashion-forward energy, indie music and art to discover what’s next in Korean pop culture. Seoul is always one step ahead, so be prepared to keep up.
For adrenaline junkies: You can walk across an outdoor bridge on the Lotte Tower, 541 metres in the air.
Fly to Seoul with Air Canada, Korean Air
In Vancouver, the West Coast wellness lifestyle is woven into the city’s rhythm. From the waves and open skies of English Bay to the forested trails of Stanley Park Vancouver is a place where nature and city meet. And with its mild winters, you can enjoy outdoors throughout the year. Vancouver itself has plenty to explore. Its famous market at Granville Island is a foodie’s paradise and its Gastown quarter is filled with cobbled streets, independent boutiques and even a famous steam clock.
Hidden gem: The Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC. This Japanese-style garden is serene at any time of year.
Fly to Vancouver with Air Canada, Flair, Porter, WestJet
