People love to eat and drink well when they travel. That’s a fact. But what transforms a meal into an unforgettable experience is so much more than just gobbling down a delicious dish. In the second season of her PBS series, “Places to Love,” Samantha Brown travels to 27 destinations from Hong Kong, China to Freiburg, Germany.

Solo travel can be intimidating, but with the right research and inspired mindset, it can transform both who you are and how you look at the world. Whether you’re ready to go on an adventure completely alone or are in search of the right tour operator to guide your trip, here are 25 bucket list destinations around the globe that are begging to be explored this year.

Few destinations offer as much of an immersive experience into the rich heritage of First Nations culture as does Vancouver, Canada. While Vancouver is well-known for its friendly citizens, diversity, extensive art scene, a variety of restaurants and incredible coastal scenery, which includes lush rainforest and mountainous terrain, it’s also the traditional homeland to the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil Waututh and Coastal Salish peoples.

When’s the last time you dined in Long Beach? From Mexican, Cambodian and French to vegan and barbecue, you can find nearly every cuisine under the Californian sun in this diverse coastal city. Thanks to its array of multicultural influences, local California classics such as fresh seafood never get old. With an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and hometown pride for locally owned businesses, Long Beach has an under-the-radar culinary scene waiting to be explored. Check out this roundup o

Itching to get away for the holidays? Well, lucky for you, December is a great time to plan a trip as many airlines, hotels, and tour operators are offering can’t-miss deals for those in search of a vacation abroad. While it is the holiday season and Santa can be seen making his rounds, you don’t need to travel just to winter wonderlands.

From brunching with Santa and making gingerbread houses to ice skating and shopping at holiday markets, how can you not get excited about the upcoming holiday season? Whether you’re looking for adventure or a more traditional way of toasting Christmas with the Clauses, there are plenty of options for those wanting to celebrate abroad. Here’s our round up of the most festive, diverse and spirited holiday offerings worldwide.

The second annual Taste of sbe is in full swing. Known for restaurant brands such as Katsuya, Umami Burger, Cleo and The Bazaar; nightlife spots such as Hyde, Skybar and Doheny Room; and hotels such as The Redbury, SLS Hotels, Delano and the Mondrian, lifestyle hospitality company sbe is bringing together a team of seven international celebrity chefs for three weekends of interactive culinary events and world-class collaborations this fall.

For a seaside escape that combines the beauty of the Emerald Coast's sparkling waters and the wind-swept sand dunes and expansive maritime forest adjacent to it, head to Destin, Fla. While driving across the Choctawhatchee Bay en route to a fam trip at the Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, I was taken aback by this region's diverse landscape.

Who doesn’t love a good party? While most of us are aware of the bead throwing, King Cake-eating traditions of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the outrageously vibrant costumes and “wining” of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, Carnival is a tradition that spreads throughout the world. From the energetic, tropical vibes of Crop Over in Barbados to the satirical floats of the Carnival in Cologne here’s our round-up of the world's best and biggest carnival celebrations.

Franciacorta, located in the Northern part of the country, is best known for its namesake sparkling wine, Franciacorta. This sparkling wine is handcrafted in the “metodo classico,” or traditional method of re-fermentation and aging in one bottle, the same method used in that other sparkling wine destination, Champagne. That said, Franciacorta is held to even stricter standards than the bubbly there.

While making money and earning a steady income are important factors in life, what’s the point of it all if you aren't actually enjoying it? Welcome to the world of millennial travel. The newest demographic taking over the world of travel values once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Instagramable moments and living with no regrets.

For those who love a good scare, visiting the scariest haunted houses might not be enough of a fright. If you’ve ever wanted to stay overnight in a haunted hotel or mansion so you have the chance to experience an authentic supernatural occurrence, Airbnb might have just the listings for you this Halloween. While we can’t guarantee that things will go bump in the night, these Airbnb options have spooky backstories and that are sure to make you believe in ghosts. Described as an “authentic Class

Currently UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, preserves 1092 World Heritage sites in 167 countries. In efforts to safeguard the common cultural heritage of humanity, UNESCO selects landmarks and areas that possess cultural, historical, scientific or other important attributes and ensures their protection.

Latin American cuisine is full of robust flavor and spices. Traditional dishes are steeped in culture and heritage, with many of the best recipes handed down from generation to generation. For travelers looking to experience the culture of a destination through their taste buds, and possibly hoping to step up their own cooking skills in the process, here’s a roundup of some of the most hands-on culinary experiences to be had in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Think Halloween is just for kids? Guess again! From real-life murder mystery dinner parties and ghost hunts in abandoned graveyards to overnight stays in haunted hotels and even an extravagant Harry Potter themed shebang in a country estate, the options to get your thrill on are terrifyingly exciting. Read on to find out which options for a ghoulishly good getaway is best for you!

Think October is all about Halloween, fall foliage and apple picking? Guess again! Around the world, major events catering to a huge variety of interests are taking place, which gives you the perfect reason to travel. From food-centric events and art exhibits to centuries-old festivals and light shows, check out this roundup of the most exciting and diverse events at home and abroad that are worth traveling to next month.

No matter how you choose to eat them, apples make for a tasty snack. Luckily, different places around the world each have a special way of incorporating apples into treats. From beautiful rose-shaped treats to boozy cakes, here are 20 delicious apple desserts from around the world.

Most Americans know little about the Setouchi region of Japan. Prior to my fam trip hosted by the Setouchi Tourism Authority, I didn't know much, either. However, it's precisely because it's not as inundated with foreigners as other parts of Japan that visitors have the opportunity to engage with authentic Japanese culture.

Haven’t heard of Saskatoon? Most people haven’t. Located about 300 miles north of Montana, it’s quickly rising in popularity thanks to landing the number 18 spot on the New York Times 52 Places to Go in 2018 list. In addition to the opening of the Remai Modern, the recently opened modern museum that’s put this obscure Canadian destination on the art map thanks to its impressive Picasso linocut collection, Saskatoon has a burgeoning culinary and craft drink scene.

Crop Over, the annual harvest festival celebrating the end of a successful sugar cane season in Barbados, has been around for a long time. But we can thank Bajan queen of fashion, Rihanna, for bringing it to a wider audience than ever before. For six weeks, Crop Over festivities take over Barbados. From Caribbean music, parades, and fêtes that rage on all day and all night (when one party stops, another one starts) to Bajan food fairs and sprawling arts and crafts markets, the rum-fueled fest is a partying marathon of epic proportions.