The best ideas for vacation destinations are basically limitless. You can choose something based on the restrictions of your budget or the degree of over-the-top luxury you require, things to do or attractions, the season or the amount of time you have. Among the top travel ideas for budget and last minute vacation ideas is to look in your own backyard. There are fabulous attractions and things to do within a couple hours of just about wherever you live. There are many people who live in New York City have never gone to the top of the Empire State Building or visited the Statue of Liberty. Even for those on a very limited budget, these iconic attractions are accessible with some planning and saving. The great city parks of expensive places like London and Paris are free, as are many of the beaches around the world.

The very best vacation plans will concentrate on your passion, and you can find something to satisfy almost any. The best ideas for vacations if you like idyllic tropical islands might be in the Caribbean where you will find dozens of islands with everything from glitzy casinos and partying beach resorts to exclusive romantic hideaways. Your love for grand Renaissance architecture might take you to Florence or Venice in Italy. If you like archeology and ancient ruins, you might be drawn to Greece or Egypt.

The best vacation plans for those who are seeking cultural exchanges with indigenous native peoples can span the globe. Northern Thailand and Vietnam are home to the Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle, and you can book tours that hike in this area and even include home stays in local villages. You can visit the Maori people in New Zealand and the Aboriginal people of Australia within the same trip. The United States and Canada (which refers to its native people as First Nations) both have territories that are the traditional homelands of their native peoples that can be visited in Yosemite National Park, the pueblos of Arizona and New Mexico, and the Black Hills of the Dakotas—or you can visit a traditional Sami village in northern Norway. Among the top travel ideas for cultural exchange with indigenous people who still live traditionally is Africa.

The best ideas for vacations in Africa have bonuses—indigenous people who still live traditionally, extraordinary natural landscapes from snow-capped mountains to idyllic pristine beaches and lush rainforests, and dense concentrations of exotic wildlife. All of these can be found in the East Africa. You can trek through rainforests looking for mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Climb Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent, go hiking with Maasai warriors around Ngorongoro Crater, or set off on a camel trek with Samburu warriors in northern Kenya. Along the way, you can visit some of the most famous wildlife refuges in the world. And you can wrap it all up with a stay on a magnificent Indian Ocean beach in Malindi or Mombasa. These kinds of experiences are available in other African countries, from Namibia and Botswana to Zambia and Madagascar. One of the top travel ideas for this continent will include wildlife safaris and time spent in areas where you can learn about local life.

The best vacation plans should always take into account many factors. Every destination already mentioned and many more will usually have something to offer just about anyone. Las Vegas has numerous adults-only attractions—from casinos to burlesque shows—but there are also kid friendly places like Treasure Island and beautiful natural landscapes like the Grand Canyon within easy reach. Head to the country of Australia or exotic South Pacific islands if you are looking for the most luxurious and romantic honeymoon spot or looking for some of the best scuba diving in the world on the Great Barrier Reef.