Everyone should have a bucket list and on that list there should be some amazing holiday destinations you’d love to visit. But how do you decide what locations will make your list? The world has so much to offer – you’ve got to choose your favourites, based on what you love doing. To help, we’ve picked five destinations we don’t think you’ll be expecting. Hopefully, some will make your bucket list. Check them out:

• Isles of Scilly

An archipelago off the Cornish coast, in southwest England, the Isles of Scilly are covered in beautiful heathland, and lined with sandy beaches. 2,200 people are lucky enough to call this place home on the five inhabited islands – St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher and St. Agnes. But there are countless uninhabited ones to explore.

Whatever the season, there are wildlife and habitats flourishing. You can go on several different boat excursions to see as much as possible. Out on the water, it’s more than likely you’ll be watched by the many curious eyes of Atlantic grey seals (who is watching who?), see puffins and maybe even dolphins, according to the official tourist board. It’s a little spot of the world relatively untouched by tourism.

• Japan

When you think of Japan, skiing probably isn’t your first thought. But there are some popular spots including Niseko, Hakuba and Nagano. But the place worth adding to your bucket list is Appi. It’s only got 21 trails and a few of the mod-cons you’d expect in a fancy ski resort. But, if you’re looking for a foreign experience, seasoned travellers say it’s the place to go. If you’re a keen skier, head there before everyone realises how good the snow is.

• Chicago

When it comes to US cities, New York is probably on more people’s bucket list than Chicago. But if you love great food, craft beer, a spectacular skyline, impressive shopping, live music and theatre performances, galleries, and much more, you should consider visiting Chicago.

Something you probably didn’t know about Chicago is it’s also a beach vacation. In the summer, the lakefront’s 26 sandy beaches are buzzing. In these epic reasons to visit the city, they suggest dipping your toes into the cool blue waters of Lake Michigan, kicking back with a cool beverage at Montrose Beach, and playing volleyball at lively North Avenue Beach. If you’ve got kids, let them run wild at 31st Street Beach or soak up the sun at peaceful 63rd Street Beach.

• Istanbul

City breaks offer great holiday opportunities – few of which are more impressive than the chance to see two continents in one city in Istanbul. Visiting Turkey’s largest city allows you to visit Europe and Asia in one trip. But in addition to that claim, you get to have a traditional Turkish bath, visit the Blue Mosque or take a ride on the Bosphorus strait.

• Tristan da Cunha

Last up, we’ve got a destination that’s sure to give you some bragging rights. As the world’s most remote destination, it can only be reached by a week-long boat trip from South Africa. Or, if you’re lucky, a couple of cruise ships pass by every year.

Unsurprisingly, there’s pretty much no tourism infrastructure – including no hotels, so you’ll have to fully immerse yourself in local life. But, as this video of a day on the island will show you, meeting the locals is one of the best things about visiting.

Where destinations do you hope to visit? Share your bucket list places with us.

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This was a guest post written by Isabel Leong from belaroundtheworld.com