00:00The ultimate ranking of travel destinations aims to solve a serious problem.
00:05So many places to visit, so little time.
00:08But even in a world with a trillion destinations, some manage to stand out and rise to the top.
00:14From the sleek skyscrapers of Dubai to the emerald green waters of the Bora Bora Lagoon,
00:19you're sure to find at least one vacation that piques your interest and likely several.
00:24These are the five best places to visit in the world.
00:26Which ones have you already been to? And which ones stoke your wanderlust most?
00:35Everything is bigger and better in Dubai, home to one of the world's largest shopping malls,
00:40the world's tallest tower, one of the world's largest man-made marinas and the list goes on.
00:46This Las Vegas-like urban center in the United Arab Emirates has an eclectic mix of activities
00:51for visitors to enjoy, including beaches, water parks, tons of shopping and even an indoor ski resort.
00:58Outside the skyscraper-filled city, the vast desert awaits, best enjoyed by quad biking or sandboarding.
01:05If you're short on time or you just can't decide which Hawaiian island to visit,
01:13Maui is right in the sweet spot, not too big, not too small, but just right.
01:19There are five regions to explore on Maui, including the popular West Maui and South Maui,
01:24home to some of the island's best-known attractions and beaches,
01:27as wellia beaches in South Maui, for example. But don't overlook East Maui, where you can travel along
01:33the road to Hana, or the upcountry, where you can explore the world's largest dormant volcano, Healakala.
01:44Don't write off the French-Polynesian island of Bora Bora just because of its size.
01:49Though it's a little more than two miles wide and just six miles long,
01:53Bora Bora packs in an abundance of natural beauty.
01:56To start, you won't be able to take your eyes off the island's turquoise lagoon surrounded by lush
02:02jungle. If you're looking for more than relaxation on your trip, consider hiking or booking a 4x4 tour
02:07of Mount Odemanyu, part of an extinct volcano that rises 2,400 feet above the lagoon. You can also
02:14snorkel among the coral reef of coral gardens, where you might catch a glimpse of reef sharks,
02:19eels and stingrays.
02:21Paris has all incredible cuisine, legendary landmarks and centuries of history. Those are just some of the
02:32reasons it's the second best place to visit in the world. Though you'll want to spend your time hitting
02:37up popular tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d'Orsay, you should also carve out time to
02:43explore other parts of Paris the city's 20 diverse neighborhoods, called arrondissements, for instance.
02:48Standouts include the second arrondissement, which touts covered passages in some of the city's
02:54hippest restaurants. And the romantic 18th arrondissement, with charming squares, cafes and bars,
03:00set apart from the city's more tourist-packed areas.
03:09Instead of choosing just one city or region, U.S. News selected an entire island for the coveted
03:15top spot. South Island, the larger but less populated of the two islands that make up New Zealand, earned
03:21the honor for its breathtaking scenery, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and affordable activities. They really
03:28weren't kidding about those once-in-a-lifetime activities, either. The 33-5-mile hike on Milford
03:34Sound, which is limited to 90 people at a time, is considered one of the world's best treks, with
03:40stops at Lake Tianao, suspension bridges, a mountain pass and the tallest waterfall in the country,
03:46Sutherland Falls. For a heart-pumping experience, you can jump out of a helicopter while flying over
03:51the Harris Mountains with skis on your feet. Still not satisfied? Rome Furland National Park,
03:58UNESCO World Heritage Area, and explore the Fox and France-Joseph glaciers, two of the most
04:04accessible glaciers in the world.
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