20 holiday destinations the experts say not to miss

By Danae Mercer, CNN
Updated 9:55 AM EDT, Tue June 13, 2017
<strong>Wayag, Indonesia: </strong>This area is one of the most stunning spots in the country, says Michael Travers, head of marketing and communications for SeaTrek Sailing Adventures.
Wayag, Indonesia: This area is one of the most stunning spots in the country, says Michael Travers, head of marketing and communications for SeaTrek Sailing Adventures.
Courtesy Robert Koster
<strong>Egypt:</strong> Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent, recommends going to Egypt. Climb up the Cheops Pyramid in winter when there aren't many tourists, he says.
Egypt: Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent, recommends going to Egypt. Climb up the Cheops Pyramid in winter when there aren't many tourists, he says.
HALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Abanotubani, Tbilisi, Georgia:</strong> The baths in Abanotubani have thermal water that bubbles up naturally from the ground below, says freelance photojournalist Sarah Freeman. Tbilisi gets its name from the Old Georgian word "tbili," meaning warm, due to its hot, sulfurous water.
Abanotubani, Tbilisi, Georgia: The baths in Abanotubani have thermal water that bubbles up naturally from the ground below, says freelance photojournalist Sarah Freeman. Tbilisi gets its name from the Old Georgian word "tbili," meaning warm, due to its hot, sulfurous water.
Jennifer Walker
<strong>Namibia:</strong> Flying over the sand dunes in the Namib Desert in Namibia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, says Lucy Jackson, co-founder and director of Lightfoot Travel.
Namibia: Flying over the sand dunes in the Namib Desert in Namibia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, says Lucy Jackson, co-founder and director of Lightfoot Travel.
Lightfoot Travel
<strong>Northern Lights: </strong>Canada's Yukon territory is one of the best places in the world to check out the Northern Lights, as seen here on the Eagle Plains, says Hannah Tydeman-Klassen, founder and director of Curio Trips.
Northern Lights: Canada's Yukon territory is one of the best places in the world to check out the Northern Lights, as seen here on the Eagle Plains, says Hannah Tydeman-Klassen, founder and director of Curio Trips.
Canadian Tourism Commission
<strong>Minas Gerais, Brazil:</strong> This is the mining heartland of the country but there's also untouched wilderness, a flourishing art scene and it's home to the rare woolly spider monkey, says Matthew Lapolice, luxury travel manager at Absolute Travel.
Minas Gerais, Brazil: This is the mining heartland of the country but there's also untouched wilderness, a flourishing art scene and it's home to the rare woolly spider monkey, says Matthew Lapolice, luxury travel manager at Absolute Travel.
Absolute Travel
<strong>Komodo National Park, Indonesia:</strong> A view of the breathtaking Komodo Park. It has a secret cove where a pod of dolphins rest at night, says Eddie Widnall, founder of Ultimate Indonesian Yachts.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia: A view of the breathtaking Komodo Park. It has a secret cove where a pod of dolphins rest at night, says Eddie Widnall, founder of Ultimate Indonesian Yachts.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Vilanculos, Mozambique:</strong> Each day in Vilanculos, the sand bars appear when the tide goes out. Kristin Addis, CEO of Be My Travel Muse, says it's a great place to watch fishermen taking in their catch and locals playing soccer in the sand.
Vilanculos, Mozambique: Each day in Vilanculos, the sand bars appear when the tide goes out. Kristin Addis, CEO of Be My Travel Muse, says it's a great place to watch fishermen taking in their catch and locals playing soccer in the sand.
Kristin Addis
<strong>Greenland:</strong> Greenland summers are actually quite pleasant for walks, says adventure travel blogger and photographer Matthew Karsten. He also suggests spending a day walking the ice cap near Kangerlussuaq, or trekking for 10 days across Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail.
Greenland: Greenland summers are actually quite pleasant for walks, says adventure travel blogger and photographer Matthew Karsten. He also suggests spending a day walking the ice cap near Kangerlussuaq, or trekking for 10 days across Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail.
Matthew Karsten
<strong>Nosara, Costa Rica:</strong> The province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is a haven for surfers. Nosara, in particular, doesn't get too crowded, according to Karsten.
Nosara, Costa Rica: The province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is a haven for surfers. Nosara, in particular, doesn't get too crowded, according to Karsten.
Matthew Karsten
<strong>Train between Belgrade and Montenegro:</strong> The 296-mile journey between the Serbian Capital and Montenegro's Adriatic coast is one of Europe's most spectacular train rides, says train expert Mark Smith. It summits at over 3,000 feet above sea level in the breathtaking Montenegrin mountains.
Train between Belgrade and Montenegro: The 296-mile journey between the Serbian Capital and Montenegro's Adriatic coast is one of Europe's most spectacular train rides, says train expert Mark Smith. It summits at over 3,000 feet above sea level in the breathtaking Montenegrin mountains.
Mark Smith
<strong>Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka:</strong> Wilpattu allows travelers to track the elusive leopard and sloth bear in serene surroundings, says Skandha Ponniah, marketing manager for SriLankaInStyle.
Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka: Wilpattu allows travelers to track the elusive leopard and sloth bear in serene surroundings, says Skandha Ponniah, marketing manager for SriLankaInStyle.
Courtesy Kulu Safaris
<strong>San Francisco: </strong>Rent a bike and cycle along the city's spectacular waterfront stopping at Pier 39 for clam chowder before heading over the Golden Gate Bridge, suggests Will Swinburn, senior first officer at British Airways.
San Francisco: Rent a bike and cycle along the city's spectacular waterfront stopping at Pier 39 for clam chowder before heading over the Golden Gate Bridge, suggests Will Swinburn, senior first officer at British Airways.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
<strong>Jamaica: </strong>Stunning scenery and musical history make Jamaica worth a visit, says Matt Vlemmiks of Elegant Resorts. James Bond fans will want to head over to the beach at Goldeneye, where Ian Fleming lived and wrote many of the Bond novels.
Jamaica: Stunning scenery and musical history make Jamaica worth a visit, says Matt Vlemmiks of Elegant Resorts. James Bond fans will want to head over to the beach at Goldeneye, where Ian Fleming lived and wrote many of the Bond novels.
Island Outpost
<strong>Eco retreat in Kenya:</strong> Segera Retreat in Laikipia county is "a place to reflect with nature and solitude," suggests Michelle Karam, founder of Travel Junkie Diary. It's also focused on sustainability, using solar energy, recycling, and growing its own food.
Eco retreat in Kenya: Segera Retreat in Laikipia county is "a place to reflect with nature and solitude," suggests Michelle Karam, founder of Travel Junkie Diary. It's also focused on sustainability, using solar energy, recycling, and growing its own food.
Michelle Karam
<strong>Blanchisseuse Beach, Trinidad:</strong> Katelyn Smith, founder of The Remote Nomad, suggests heading to this beach in Trinidad to see baby turtles, surf, eat seafood and pick up some local slang.
Blanchisseuse Beach, Trinidad: Katelyn Smith, founder of The Remote Nomad, suggests heading to this beach in Trinidad to see baby turtles, surf, eat seafood and pick up some local slang.
Katelyn Smith
<strong>Borobudur, Java, Indonesia: </strong>For an extraordinary experience, it's impossible to beat visiting the ninth-century Buddhist monument of Borobudur, says Sophie Marchant, travel editor of LuxuryExplorer.com.
Borobudur, Java, Indonesia: For an extraordinary experience, it's impossible to beat visiting the ninth-century Buddhist monument of Borobudur, says Sophie Marchant, travel editor of LuxuryExplorer.com.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
<strong>Trek through India's Himalayas:</strong> Maxine Headley, Smith24 travel expert, suggests going to the Himalayas where days are spent adventuring and nights mean sleeping in base camps under the stars.
Trek through India's Himalayas: Maxine Headley, Smith24 travel expert, suggests going to the Himalayas where days are spent adventuring and nights mean sleeping in base camps under the stars.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Kenya's Northern Frontier:</strong> Nicky Brandon, director of sales and marketing for travel company Ker & Downey, recommends heading to Kenya's Northern Frontier for an authentic journey. Sleep under the stars at a private camp, and keep an eye out for giraffes, zebra and ostriches unique to this area of Kenya, she says.
Kenya's Northern Frontier: Nicky Brandon, director of sales and marketing for travel company Ker & Downey, recommends heading to Kenya's Northern Frontier for an authentic journey. Sleep under the stars at a private camp, and keep an eye out for giraffes, zebra and ostriches unique to this area of Kenya, she says.
Nicky Brandon
<strong>Victoria Peak, Hong Kong:</strong> People don't really think of walking in Hong Kong, but the city's great for it, says Charlie Stewart-Cox, Cathay Pacific general manager for South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Walk around Victoria Peak, where sections of the path are on the cliffside with the best views of the Hong Kong skyline.
Victoria Peak, Hong Kong: People don't really think of walking in Hong Kong, but the city's great for it, says Charlie Stewart-Cox, Cathay Pacific general manager for South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Walk around Victoria Peak, where sections of the path are on the cliffside with the best views of the Hong Kong skyline.
Cathay Pacific
Best travel spots to visit right now

Story highlights

From remote islands to city escapes, travel experts share their favorite spots

Take advantage of lesser-known destinations to avoid packs of tourists

CNN  — 

From pilots to travel photographers, train aficionados to tour guides, these globe-trotting experts have seen the world.

They share their favorite destinations, and why they think they shouldn’t be missed for your next holiday.

1. Find the isolated islands of Wayag, Indonesia

Out of all the beauty that Indonesia has to offer, Wayag is perhaps the most stunning spot, says Michael Travers, head of marketing and communications at SeaTrek Sailing Adventures.

“Wayag has hundreds of thickly forested limestone karsts and islands, resulting in sheltered bays with white sand beaches and coral reefs,” he says.

There aren’t any villages, let alone tourist accommodation, and guests can only really arrive by boat, adds Travers.

“I’d definitely recommend climbing to the lookout point on the western side of the main Wayag Bay. It’s not for the faint of heart (picture a 30-minute ascent through forest and over jagged limestone), but there are the most staggering views of paradise at the end.”

2. Visit Egypt without the crowds

“I’d highly recommend going to Egypt now,” says Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent.

“I traveled there at the end of 2015 and it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these sites with few crowds. For instance, at Abu Simbel, I was in Ramses temple and had it all to myself for a few minutes.

“As I was climbing up the narrow staircase into the center of Cheops Pyramid, there were only a few people that I had to sidestep. It’s a very different experience doing that when the crowds (and heat) are at full force,” says mKent.

3. Bathe in Tbilisi’s Abanotubani District

Move over, Istanbul. There’s a new European city brimming with East-meets-West culture and natural sulfurous waters that give Cagaloglu Baths a run for its money, according to freelance photojournalist Sarah Freeman.

“I suggest visiting the Georgian capital’s bath quarter: Tbilisi’s Abanotubani,” she says.

Situated on the south side of Metekhi Bridge, its low cupolas house baths where water bubbles from the earth at about 90 F (32 C).

“When I went, I sipped on Turkish tea and indulged in a massage by one of the mekise (masseur).”

4. Watch animals in Namibia