10 Incredible Locations That Will Capture Your Imagination

The weather may be getting colder, but even as the temperature dips, you can still imagine yourself being somewhere warm and beautiful. Here are 10 incredible travel destinations that will get your imagination working.

1. BORA BORA

You know when you see those jaw-dropping photos of an impossibly blue ocean dotted with thatched-roof overwater bungalows and think, “Take me there!”? Chances are good that the dream-like place you’re seeing is Bora Bora, where total relaxation is always the first thing on the daily agenda. Imagine yourself there, and you’ll feel warmer before you know it.

2. MALDIVES

Also getting in on that overwater bungalow action is the Maldives, a collection of 26 ring-shaped atolls that make visitors feel like they’re on their very own private island in the Indian Ocean. It boasts one especially cool feature: tiny aquatic creatures that glow at night. Take a walk along Reethi Beach under the moonlight and you’re likely to see some of these critters washed ashore, creating a glittery blue walkway on the beach that will illuminate your path, stimulating your imagination to dream of different worlds.

3. SALAR DE UYUNI, BOLIVIA

The stunning white surface of Bolivia’s salt flat is a sight to behold. In addition to the beauty of the salt itself and the local wildlife—like the beautiful pink flamingos, which flock to the area—visitors can also visit hotels made out of salt, a tribute to the salt flats fueling the imaginations of its human inhabitants.

4. KAUAI, HAWAII

Hawaii’s oldest island might also be its most adventurous. From its towering cliffs to its gushing waterfalls, the imaginations of travelers who are itching for an adventure can be fully realized by this Aloha State treasure—whether it be from up high in a helicopter, waterside via boat, cruising along on a zipline, or strapping on your comfiest shoes and taking a hike.

5. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

From malls to skyscrapers to indoor amusement parks, the United Arab Emirates’s largest populous city relies heavily on imagination to ensure it has created something unique for everyone. The city lays claim to being home to many of the world’s “biggest” things. There’s a “wow!” moment everywhere you turn, which explains why it has captured visitors’ imaginations and become one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

6. MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

With its white sand beaches, clear waters, swaying palm trees, and near-perfect year-round weather, it’s hardly surprising that Miami Beach is one of the world’s most photographed places on social media. But even if the beach is not your thing, the city’s 24/7 nightlife will ensure that, no matter how much time you spend there, there’s always something else to see and do.

7. NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

When winter arrives in America, summer is just hitting New Zealand. If you're looking for something even hotter, North Island's natural Champagne Pool can reach temperatures of a piping 167 degrees (it gets its bubbly name from the carbon dioxide that's constantly being released into the water). Though not suitable for sipping or swimming, the steaming body of water is a delicious drink for the eyes.

8. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

The flight to Sydney may be long, but the sheer variety of what the city and its surrounding areas have to offer makes it more like five trips in one. From the thriving cultural life of downtown Sydney to the laidback vibe of Bondi Beach, where surfers are always looking for that perfect wave and locals consider a dip in one of the area’s rock pools a daily ritual, it’s no wonder daydreaming travelers around the world imagine themselves enjoying the Land Down Under.

9. SANTORINI, GREECE

Santorini in the Greek Isles has long been one of Greece’s most popular destinations—and it’s easy to see why. With its dramatic ocean views, classic Greek architecture, and famous black pebble beach, it’s a photo-happy traveler’s dream. Just make sure to take your eyes away from your camera long enough to indulge in the local food scene, which includes a handful of wonderful wineries.

10. HAMILTON, BERMUDA

If you’re tired of white sand beaches, and a black pebble one isn’t of much interest to you, how about a pink sand beach? That’s just one of the unique sights you’ll spot in Bermuda, which is also home to the Crystal Caves: an awe-inspiring underwater labyrinth of Ice Age-formed crystals that was discovered by teens in the early 1900s.