The Wanderlust 100

The Wanderlust 100 isn’t built on postcard views or travel hashtags. These spots tug at your sense of “wait… what?” and don’t let go. You might leave with a sunburn, a story, or a very specific soup obsession—but bored? Not a chance.

Dune Buggy And Sandboarding, Huacachina, Peru

Once a retreat for Lima’s elite, Huacachina is South America’s only natural desert oasis. Its lagoon nearly vanished but was restored with pumped water to preserve the site. Today, visitors come for fast-paced dune buggy rides and sandboarding down towering dunes—some as high as 500 meters. Stick around for sunset; the golden light needs no filter.

Mars Base 1 Camp, Gobi Desert, China

Mars Base 1 Camp in the Gobi Desert features a Mars simulation experience. Once aimed at teenagers, the program now lets participants suit up, tour mock spacecraft, and sleep in astronaut-style pods. The camp also provides survival training, such as resource management, which presents insight into surviving on Mars.

The Merry Cemetery, Sapanta, Romania

In Sapanta, Romania, the Merry Cemetery stands out with its vibrant painted crosses and playful tombstone inscriptions. Each grave features a colorful tribute, with poems or stories humorously capturing the dearly departed’s essence. This cemetery serves as a unique cultural site, showcasing a lively approach to mourning, unlike more somber traditions.

International Friendship Exhibition Hall, North Korea

The International Friendship Exhibition Hall in Mount Myohyang displays over 100,000 gifts from world leaders to the Kim family, including a crocodile-skin briefcase from Fidel Castro, a limousine from Stalin, and a Michael Jordan basketball. The collection offers a curated look at North Korea’s diplomatic international relationships over the decades.

Night Snorkeling, Goat Island, New Zealand

Located in the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, Goat Island features a unique night snorkeling experience. Guided by experts, visitors explore underwater canyons and reefs, encountering nocturnal marine life such as glowing plankton and hidden fish species. Conservation programs here also protect these local ecosystems and promote sustainable marine tourism.

Le Sentier Du Littoral, Cap D’Antibes, France

This coastal path winds along the rocky edge of Cap d’Antibes, offering sweeping views, quiet beaches, and crumbling sea walls. Hikers pass the 17th-century Tour de la Revere and curve through cliffs that drop into turquoise water. It’s not strenuous, but bring good shoes—the stone gets slick, and the views will slow you down anyway.

Mountain Huts, Andorra

Dotting the Pyrenees, these rustic huts give hikers and skiers a place to rest without leaving the mountains. Some offer hot meals and staff; others are simple shelters with a wood stove and bunk beds. Whether you’re trekking in summer or snowshoeing in winter, they keep you close to the peaks and far from the crowds.

White Bean Soup At Marmalade, Puerto Rico

Don’t let the name fool you—Marmalade isn’t sweet; it’s bold. The white bean soup is the showstopper: creamy navy beans, roasted garlic, chive oil, and a hit of truffle that somehow works in 90°F heat. The wine list leans local but spans global, pairing confidently with the menu’s fine-dining take on island flavors.

Wine Tasting At Folktale Winery, California

At Folktale Winery, guests can enjoy wine tastings paired with locally sourced small bites, such as artisanal cheeses and fresh olives, while overlooking scenic vineyards. The winery stands out for its unique practice of combining fine wine with artistic experiences, hosting intimate events like live music performances and vineyard yoga, all in a sustainable setting.

Margaret Atwood Book Retreat, Pelee Island, Canada

Held on quiet Pelee Island, this writing retreat offers workshops guided by published authors and inspired by Margaret Atwood’s legacy. Atwood doesn’t regularly attend, but participants write and revise in a focused setting surrounded by woods, water, and few distractions.

Allezboo Beach Resort And Spa, Vietnam

Allezboo Beach Resort and Spa, just a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, stands out for its peaceful, private beach setting away from crowded tourist spots. The resort’s unique feature is its synchronized four-hand massage, which provides a distinct rhythmic relaxation experience.

Sauna At Helsinki Airport, Finland

Helsinki Airport’s Finnair Platinum Wing features a traditional Finnish sauna, one of the few found in airport lounges worldwide. Constructed with darkened aspen wood, it includes a cooling area with organic skincare amenities, reflecting Finland’s deep-rooted wellness tradition. Access is complimentary for Finnair Plus Platinum and Oneworld Emerald members.

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima balances remembrance with renewal. The Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome reflect a painful history, while Hiroshima Castle showcases traditional architecture. Just offshore, Miyajima Island offers forested trails, wild deer, and the iconic Itsukushima Shrine. Visitors come to reflect—and stay for the calm, dignified energy that remains.

Ninety Mile Beach, North Island, New Zealand

More than a theme park, Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s hometown tribute—big on heart, music, and mountain pride. Between roller coasters and craft shops, you’ll find gospel shows, family recipes, and nods to her life at every turn. It’s joyful, unapologetically Southern, and exactly the kind of place Dolly would build.