Kimberly Denison, a Virtuoso travel advisor and the founder of Denison Travel, said more people are setting their sights on Sri Lanka.

The South Asian country is home to a plethora of beaches and rainforests, making it easy for travelers to explore the scenery through engaging activities like hikes or surfing sessions.

"Most people don't realize how geographically diverse Sri Lanka is and that it makes it a wonderful destination for folks who enjoy having a wide range of scenery and experiences without extensive amounts of travel in between," she told BI.

Although the Dalmatian Coast is typically top of mind in Croatia, Molly Arena, a luxury travel advisor at Fora, said to keep an eye on Istria.

The region, located on a northwest peninsula of Croatia — which also shares land with Italy and Slovenia — has everything from medieval towns to beautiful beaches to explore. However, it's perhaps best known for its offerings for foodies.

"Rising interest in culinary travel fits perfectly with Istria's offerings of truffles, olive oil, and wine," she told BI.

It's also a nice alternative to the often crowded European regions of Tuscany in Italy and Provance in France.

Bhutan, a small country bordering India and Tibet, offers adventurous activities like river rafting excursions, hot-stone baths, and hiking trails. However, Rochelle Hathaway, a travel advisor at Fora, said the destination is also known for its tranquil atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the country is its dzongs, which are fortified monasteries with intricate architecture.

Some countries charge tourists a fee to visit and access local amenities, stores, restaurants, and accommodations. That's true for Bhutan, but in recent years, the country has decreased its tax rate from $200 a day to $100 a day.

Hathaway predicts this will help to attract more tourists in the new year.

Lael Kassis, the vice president of marketing innovation and development at EF Go Ahead Tours, said she's seeing more clients booking trips to the Indonesian island of Java.

"Travelers are slowly discovering there is a lot more to Indonesia than just Bali," he told BI. "The Island of Java — filled with culture, history, and volcanoes — is just a quick trip from Bali and easy to combine when traveling."

In particular, Kassis said, the Borobudur Temple and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park are sites attracting tourists to Java.

Arena told BI that Uruguay is a hot spot for art and culture.

"There are many museums and galleries to choose from throughout the Punta del Este, Montevideo, and Colonia del Sacramento regions in Uruguay, in addition to renowned art and film festivals such as Este Arte, Montevideo Art Festival, and the José Ignacio International Film Festival," she said.

The historic quarter in Colonia del Sacramento is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond that, though, the country is also known for its beautiful beaches.

"Uruguay has one of the world's best beach resorts in José Ignacio, often likened to the Hamptons," she said.

Travelers are increasingly seeking destinations where they feel they can do and see it all. Because of that, Denison anticipates a boom in Slovenia tourism within the next year.

Slovenia is fairly small but also geographically diverse, making it easier for visitors to see a lot of the country — and its many different landscapes — in a short period of time.

"Boasting mountains, lakes, vineyards, and the Adriatic Sea all in a compact and uncrowded setting, it offers the kind of exclusive, personalized experiences that today's travelers crave," she said.

One great thing about living so close to Disney World is that I can go to the parks whenever I want, as long as reservations are available for annual passholders.

I usually visit three or four times a week because the parks bring me so much happiness.

I enjoy meeting the characters, so if I'm having a hard day and want to see Mickey Mouse or a princess, I don't have to commute very far.

Most of the friends I made during my time in the Disney College Program in 2018 now live in Florida.

Since moving, I've met with them to watch the parades, visit characters, and eat snacks in the parks.

It's nice to go to the parks, enjoy each other's company, and not feel rushed during every experience.

The creative snacks are one of my favorite parts of visiting Disney World.

I love trying the different cupcakes, brownies, and Mickey crisped-rice treats that celebrate holidays like Halloween, Christmas, and Father's Day.

I often enjoy the Mickey ice-cream sandwiches and bars, especially when the heat is unbearable.

I was born and raised in New York City, so I was taught not to make eye contact or say hello to most people when walking on the street.

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Florida was how friendly many people were, especially the staff at Disney World.

Whenever I pass by people at my apartment complex or in the parks, a wave or a "hello" is often involved.

Though this initially felt strange, I've become more comfortable interacting with strangers.

I never thought I'd be able to see Magic Kingdom's fireworks from my apartment, but now I can.

Though I don't have a complete view of the shows, I see at least a couple of magical fireworks each night.

I thought I knew what heavy rain was like living in New York, but I didn't realize how extreme tropical storms and hurricanes could be until I moved to Florida.

Although New York has been hit directly by a handful of hurricanes in the past few years, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US.

The storms in Florida can get pretty extreme. When I had to evacuate my apartment complex and ride out Hurricane Ian, my first big Florida storm, I chose to stay at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

It was a frightening experience, but I thought the park employees did a great job ensuring guests were as comfortable as possible.

Still, I try to stay on top of extreme weather warnings and upcoming storms more than ever now that I'm in Florida.

Florida is known for its high temperatures and strong sun rays, so I apply sunscreen much more often than I did in New York.

Many of the attractions and shows at the theme parks are outdoors, so if I forget my sunscreen, I get a harsh sunburn that lasts for several days.

After living in New York for about 20 years, I grew accustomed to the taste of tap water.

Since I made drinking tap water a habit, I usually bring my reusable water bottles with me when I visit the theme parks.

However, I find that Florida's tap water doesn't taste as great.

I moved to Florida with my sister but often miss my parents and family back in New York.

It's hard knowing I can't take a 40-minute train ride to see my parents on the weekends like I did in college.

It's nice when my parents do come to visit, though.

This story was originally published on January 16, 2024, and most recently updated on December 23, 2024.