I love to travel, but unfortunately, it’s expensive – and as a full-time student, I don’t have the time to explore everywhere! But if there were no cost or time barriers, and I could visit wherever I wanted, here are my top destinations I would love to see.

Antelope Canyon

Nestled within the desert Southwest, Antelope Canyon is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and otherworldly places in America. If anywhere on this list is on my true “bucket list” of places to visit in my lifetime, this is it. Especially since the American West exploded in popularity as a vacation destinaiton on social media in the past several years, I’ve kept seeing pictures like the one above and I just know the raw beauty of this place would be magnified so many times in person.

Dry Tortugas National Park

One of the lesser-known and lesser-visited U.S. national parks, Dry Tortugas has my heart for its crystal-clear waters, sunny weather, and the more secluded feel of its beaches. Located just outside Key West, Florida, visitors can take a ferry or seaplane to explore the ruins of an old fort, swim or relax at the beach, and even go snorkeling. Over 99% of the park’s dedicated space is actually ocean, home to one of Florida’s most biodiverse marine areas.

(Source: National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm)

Maldives

Here’s the most unrealistic – but daydream-worthy – location on this list: an all-inclusive resort with villas built over the bluest water, with slides that take you right from your vacation rental to to the sea. Such resorts are popular throughout the Maldives, an island chain in the Indian Ocean known for over-the-top and utterly beautiful vacations. I love the beach, so I would enjoy anything here. But more specifically, I want to have a slide in my hotel room!