Going global: 5 ideal destinations for a first trip abroad

Key takeaways

• International travel can change your life. The first trip abroad may feel daunting, but choosing the right destination takes the stress out of exploring.
• Choose ease over intimidation. Picking a destination with little to no language barrier makes getting around easier and helps you build confidence as a global traveler.
• Safety helps to create a sense of security. Safe destinations with low crime rates and excellent transportation systems may allow you to explore freely with less worry.
• Here’s the ultimate starter list: England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belize and Quebec, Canada, each provide a perfect balance of world-class adventure and ease of travel.

More wonder, less stress: How to choose a perfect destination

Well before you apply for a passport, your first international trip will probably begin with a vision. Perhaps you’re floating in a turquoise sea above a coral reef, winding through the cobblestone streets of a European city or coming face-to-face with a work of art you’ve only seen online.

Anything is possible with a little planning. And for first-time international travelers, one of the keys to a successful trip is picking the right destination.

Your first foray into the wider world should be life-changing and memorable — for all the right reasons. That means choosing a country that feels a little more doable. A well-developed transportation system, for example, will minimize stress and friction. Somewhere you feel safe is paramount, especially if you plan to strike out on your own.

Here are five magical destinations that hit the mark. Start here and you’ll go from first-time world traveler to globe trotter in no time.

Great transport makes exploring Great Britain a cinch

The hardest thing about visiting England may be deciding what to do once you fly across the Atlantic. With its classic red buses, countryside castles, world-class museums and pubs aplenty, England brims with possibilities. Luckily, travel is a breeze thanks to an excellent transportation network both in and around London.

London: Double-decker buses, palaces and proper tea

A pulsing, cosmopolitan city of around 10 million people, London calls with bucket-list landmarks like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. London is bustling, but the London Underground and the city’s fleet of hop-on, hop-off double-decker buses keep both locals and tourists moving with ease.

Lose yourself (in a good way) by roaming the 140 galleries of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where 5,000 years of human creativity are housed in a building that’s itself a Victorian architectural gem. Or experience London’s quieter side by drifting north to the hilly Hampstead neighborhood, where you can wander through brick alleyways or discover quintessentially British pubs.

Spend an afternoon indulging in a proper English tea experience at places like The Wolseley, where the silver teapots clink and tiered trays arrive with ceremony. Pro tip: Skip lunch to make room for mouthwatering rounds of delicate finger sandwiches, sweet petit fours and warm scones with jam and rich clotted cream.

Bath: A spa town soaked in history

Like the upper crust who ventured from London to the countryside, so should you. In the historic spa city of Bath, about 90 minutes from London by train, honey-colored stone buildings glow in the afternoon light. They’ve served as romantic backdrops to many period dramas, including “Bridgerton.”

A visit to the ancient spa complex, built by the Romans and revived by the Victorians, is a must. The site is still fed by thermal waters, which infuse the misty air with a sulfuric, earthy scent. You can’t soak in the original pools, but you can book time to bask in the warm waters of the multi-floored Thermae Bath Spa, where a glass-enclosed rooftop pool affords prime village views.

Heartwarming hospitality makes Ireland a welcoming destination

Ireland deserves its nickname, the Emerald Isle. When the sun breaks over the rolling hills, the countryside sparkles like a jewel. The dreamlike landscape is what first draws travelers, but it’s the people who turn them into repeat visitors. The Irish are famously hospitable. In fact, getting lost is lucky: Ask a friendly Irelander for directions, and you may receive an invitation for a pint at a secret local haunt.

Dublin: Medieval churches, lively pubs and a future made of glass

Nearly 40% of Ireland’s population lives in and around Dublin, but the city’s cobblestone streets, low-rise architecture and towering medieval churches give it a village feel. Dublin is very walkable, and you can easily wander among its many city center attractions.

Find respite from the digital age at Trinity College, founded in 1592. Here the aptly named Old Library houses some 200,000 physical books, including the Book of Kells, one of the world’s most famous medieval manuscripts. Rejoin the present day with a velvety pint of Guinness and the foot-stomping rhythm of traditional Irish music at places like the Cobblestone. Finally, step into the future with a walk over Samuel Beckett Bridge, a modern architectural marvel designed to look like an Irish harp, and among the gleaming glass towers of the Docklands, Dublin’s tech hub.

County Kerry: Scenic drives, wild nature and trad music

If Dublin is Ireland’s historic heart, County Kerry is its wild soul. Here you’ll find majestic mountains, jagged coastlines and a deep-rooted Gaelic culture. The tourist hub of Killarney makes a good jumping-off point to Killarney National Park. Keep an eye out for native red deer while you explore the park’s interconnected lakes or take in the dramatic Torc Waterfall.

Or you can opt to make your base in the smaller Dingle Town, a mecca for music lovers famed for its high concentration of inviting Irish pubs. If you’re feeling brave, rent a car and embark on Slea Head Drive, an approximately 30-mile loop that winds along the coastline past plunging cliffs, ancient beehive huts and hideaway beaches. It sounds harrowing, but everyone goes slow because they must: The narrow roads are often shared with wandering sheep.

The Netherlands is safe, modern and moves at a pedal’s pace

One of the safest travel destinations in the world, the Netherlands is ideal for first-time travelers to Europe. The Netherlands is thoroughly modern but moves at a slower pace, perhaps because it’s home to more bicycles than people. And given that it’s about the size of Maryland, you could cover the entire country in a single trip.

Amsterdam: Canals, markets and art

Centuries of Dutch history and a vibrant, modern spirit flow together in Amsterdam. Called the Venice of the North, Amsterdam is laced with 165 winding canals and more than 1,500 bridges. Rent a small electric boat and immerse yourself in the Canal District’s watery world. On land, bikers weave through streets like two-wheeled schools of fish. For the ultimate local experience, rent a bike and join in.

Once you’ve pedaled up an appetite, explore the hundreds of stalls at Albert Cuyp Market. Follow the scent of caramel in the air to find vendors pressing fresh stroopwafels. Amsterdam also has plenty to do indoors. Fall into the swirling colors of the Van Gogh Museum, or find quiet reflection at the Anne Frank House, an experience that takes place in the actual building where Frank and her family hid for more than two years during World War II.

The Dutch countryside and beyond: Tulips, windmills and more

Just beyond the bustle of Amsterdam, you’ll find a soul-stirring expanse of sprawling fields threaded with canals and waterways. Between later March and mid-May, the tulip fields of Keukenhof burst forth in a riot of color thanks to more than 7 million bulbs.

Farther south, the wind shifts and the landscape quiets at Kinderdijk. The 19 iconic windmills here date to the 18th century — and their massive sails still turn today. This working landscape demonstrates how the Dutch have managed to live under sea level for centuries.

Where are world’s most welcoming French cities? Canada

If you want old-world charm and European joie de vivre without the jet lag or plug adapters, Montreal and Quebec City may be your perfect trip. The French influences make the area feel distinctly European — from cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture to café culture, boutique-lined promenades and storybook public squares that wouldn’t feel out of place in Paris.

Quebec City: French vibes, falls and Finnish spas

Quebec City feels like a vibrant piece of European history preserved in North America. Start your explorations on the Rue du Petit-Champlain where artisan boutiques give it the feel of a French village from the 1600s. From here, hop aboard the Old Quebec Funicular, a glass-enclosed cable railway that links the Lower Town to the Upper City in just minutes. Or feel history beneath your feet and make the climb yourself via Breakneck Stairs, a steep wooden staircase that’s been connecting the two levels since the 17th century.

Just outside the city, the dramatic Montmorency Falls is a thundering white veil taller than Niagara. A suspension bridge hung between the sky and the depths lets you feel the spray firsthand. Ride the ferry across the St. Lawrence River for sweeping views of the skyline and the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a grand castle-like hotel that defines the city’s silhouette.

Montreal: A thriving metropolis above and underground

Montreal is a global metropolis that somehow manages to feel both cosmopolitan and charmingly timeworn. Above ground, Old Montreal pulls you into another century with cobblestone streets, 17th-century stone facades and the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica, a Gothic Revival masterpiece that invites you to step inside and gaze upward.

Below ground is another world. Here, the city’s easy-to-use Metro system hums along, and locals roam the RÉSO — a climate-controlled maze of shops, restaurants and walkways that keeps the city moving no matter the forecast.

And then there’s the food. Montreal’s legendary bagel rivalry between St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel has been going strong for decades. Both serve up the city’s signature wood-fired, honey-boiled bagels 24/7. Try both and pick your favorite.

Belize: Beautiful beaches, lush jungles, ancient ruins — and English

With 240 miles of Caribbean coastline, ancient Mayan ruins, thundering waterfalls and dense jungle, Belize draws both beach lovers and adventure seekers. English is the country’s official language — a major plus for first-time international travelers navigating Central America.

Many visitors split their time between the inland Cayo District, known for its caves and archaeological sites, and the laid-back cayes, where coral reefs and turquoise waters await. In Belize, it’s easy to pair rainforest exploration with island relaxation — no trade-offs required.

Belize by water: Coral, cayes and crystal-clear water

Crystal-clear, sun-warmed turquoise waters offer a submarine seascape of reefs, atolls and coastal lagoons, thanks to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. Experience real island vibes on Caye Caulker, where streets are made of sand and accommodations lean more cabana than resort.

From this base, book a snorkeling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected channel flooded with swaying coral and darting schools of colorful fish. Tours usually include a chance to snorkel Shark Ray Alley, a shallow area where nurse sharks and stingrays gather. Fear not: Nurse sharks are so gentle they’re nicknamed “the puppies of the sea.”

Also worth a trip is a flight over the Great Blue Hole, a mind-bending ocean sinkhole that forms a perfect midnight-blue circle surrounded by vibrant reef. Located 44 miles offshore, it’s Belize’s most iconic natural formation.

The Cayo District: Caves, Mayan ruins and jungle adventure

Near the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio in the Cayo District is the lush, green adventure capital of Belize. Exploring ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) is a must. You’ll hike through a jungle echoing with the roars of howler monkeys, swim through the cool waters of the cave and enter the Cathedral, an upper cave chamber with more than 1,400 Mayan artifacts and thousand-year-old skeletons preserved and calcified into the cave floor.

Belize teems with Mayan ruins, and among the best are those at Xunantunich, accessed by a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River. Climb the 130-foot El Castillo pyramid here for a 360-degree view across the canopy. Keep the adventure going with cave tubing at Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve. Here you’ll float through ancient limestone cave systems while your guide regales you with stories of Mayan history.

Explore more of the world with Citi Travel®

After a memorable trip, you’ll probably want to make sure your first international journey isn’t your last. When you book through Citi Travel, you’ll be able to earn points on your bookings and use those points on travel rewards. Become a Citi^® cardmember today or log in to your account to find your next adventure.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.

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