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100 trips everyone should take in their lifetime, according to the world's top travel experts

No matter how many countries you've been to, there's always somewhere new to discover.

But with so many cultures, countries, and landscapes to explore, it's hard to prioritise one dream destination over another.

Business Insider UK asked 20 top travel bloggers and writers/editors from the likes of Lonely Planet, Suitcase, and Airbnb for the top five destinations they've ever visited — or the ones that are at the top of their bucket list.

Based on their advice, we've compiled a list of must-see places across the globe that everyone should visit in their lifetime.

From off-the-beaten-track hidden gems to well-recognised yet stunning locations, prepare to get hit with some serious travel envy as you scroll on to see the 100 destinations everyone should visit in their lifetime — along with why everyone should experience each trip.

Facebook/Clem & Agathe Over The World

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See mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.

India Dowley, Digital Editor of Suitcase Magazine, told us this is the best place to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

"Climb 3,470 metres to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano that last erupted in 2002 and spend the night in a shelter overlooking the world's largest crater lake," she said.

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Pretend you're on a desert island at Motu Tiapaa in Maupiti.

"This islet in the South Pacific archipelago is as close to a desert island as you're going to get," Dowley said. "Simultaneously wild and tranquil, volcanic black rock meets powder-white beaches, beyond which, between July and October, humpback whales glide past on their annual pilgrimage from Antarctica."

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Explore the sci-fi landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey.

"Volcanic eruptions nearly four million years ago left the landscape dotted with rock structures known as fairies, leaving the region looking like something out of a Star Wars film," Dowley said. "Now scattered with underground cities and carved out cave dwellings, Cappadocia has only begun to attract visitors in recent years."

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Chill out in Levi, Finland.

Chill out in Levi, Finland.
The Ice Hotel, Finland.
Flickr/bjaglin

James Asquith, who holds the world record for being the youngest person to visit every country in the world, picked this as one of his hotspots.

"Located over 100 miles north of the Arctic circle, it gets seriously cold here," he said. "I was there when the Mercury dropped to -34 degrees centigrade, but once you acclimatise to having your breath taken away every morning, you can get busy with some truly unique activities. Ride snowmobiles and skid around on ice in go-karts, and be sure to check out the Ice Hotel."

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Have a star-gazing sleepover in Tuvalu.

"This Polynesian island nation is one of the smallest countries in the world," Asquith said.

"Only two flights a week depart from the island. After these go, the airport runway becomes a gigantic open air sleepover at night. What feels like the entire population of the country drag their mattresses out to the runway and sleep in the open as a cool nightly breeze runs across the flat land here."

FM

Try the nightlife scene in Accra, Ghana.

Try the nightlife scene in Accra, Ghana. Shutterstock/anton_ivanov

"Ghanaian people are super friendly in the cosmopolitan capital Accra," Asquith said. "The vibrant young population continue to pioneer what is cool in Africa, [and] bars set around swimming pools where waiters speed around on roller blades to serve drinks certainly make this a constantly evolving and happening city."

FM

Explore London's edgy urban scene.

Explore London's edgy urban scene.
Camden Market, London.
Shutterstock/littleny

"London's unique character of ancient pubs, edgy street art, eclectic food from around the world and, of course, Londoners themselves make London a place like no other," Houghton told Business Insider. "Hampstead Heath is a beautiful spot to take in the sheer size of the city."

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Take a road trip around Louisiana, USA.

As a travel writer and journalist, Inside The Travel Lab owner Abi King knows a thing or two about destinations. Of her first pick, she said: "Gators, grits, and gumbo. I loved the famous Southern hospitality, the heady jazz-fuelled life of New Orleans, and the silence over the beautiful landscape like the Creole Nature Trail."

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Be rendered speechless by Tsingy Rouge, Madagascar.

"Describing them as a natural rock formation barely does them justice — the rivers of sand that sparkle at their feet, the bold blue sky just visible overhead, the rocks themselves," King said. "The rock formation's rust red curves ripple like a concertina. It's indescribable."

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Cycle through the air in the cloud forests of Ecuador.

"From the earth, it is hard to see the sky; from the sky no-one can see the earth," King said. "But in the middle of those places, beneath a canopy of trees, visitors to eco-resort
Mashpi Lodge can cycle through the air, fully immersed in the impressive emerald beauty that lives beneath the treetops."

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Reach Norway's peaks, stopping off at Gjendesheim cabin.

Reach Norway's peaks, stopping off at Gjendesheim cabin. Alex Roddie

"The Jotunheimen National Park contains Norway's highest glaciated peaks," Roddie said. "On the edge of this wilderness, the DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) cabin of Gjendesheim makes a comfortable base from which to explore the mountains or kayak along the magnificent Lake Gjende."

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Backpack through Lairig Ghru's sub-arctic plateau in Scotland.

Backpack through Lairig Ghru's sub-arctic plateau in Scotland. Alex Roddie

"The Cairngorms form one of Britain's highest and most remote mountain areas — a haven for rare plants and animals and a Mecca for mountain-lovers, Roddie said. "A classic multi-day walk links Braemar with Aviemore through this glen, and is a must-do for all Scottish backpackers."

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Be one with the animal kingdom in the GalÃĄpagos Islands.

"Never have I encountered wildlife so unafraid and curious of humans," Rich said. "The GalÃĄpagos National Park has taken incredible measures to protect all forms of nature and, in doing so, we can observe birds, reptiles and marine life more than anywhere else I've been in the world."

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Take in some magic — and food and wine — in South Africa.

Take in some magic — and food and wine — in South Africa.
Stellenbosch Vineyards, Stellenbosch.
Flickr/Dave Bezaire

"From the big-little-city of Cape Town to the delicious food and wine of the Stellenbosch Winelands [and] the game reserves helping to conserve and protect the Big Five [safari animals], South Africa is a magical place that everyone should experience," Rich said.

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Immerse yourself in the culture of Moscow, Russia.

Immerse yourself in the culture of Moscow, Russia.
A Christmas Market in Moscow, Russia.
Flickr/Danila Matveev

Airbnb's General Manager for Northern Europe James McClure said of Moscow: "I love the mix of history, art and architecture here — everything from 17th century townhouses to big Soviet blocks — combined with the energy of a massive and dynamic city. Next time I visit, I'm keen to try Airbnb's Local Georgian Food Experience which explores the tasty Georgian food you can discover in Moscow's food markets."

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Get to know the different sides of Hi Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

"When I lived in Singapore, I used to travel to Ho Chi Minh City every month," McClure said. "It's a city that rewards repeat visits once you get to know the local people there. The variety amongst the different districts is really stark, plus there's narrow lanes teeming with street vendors, river life, and fantastic food and nightlife."

FM

Grab a coffee in Sydney, Australia.

Grab a coffee in Sydney, Australia.
Bronte beach, Sydney
Flickr/Eddy Milfort

"Whether you're going for an early morning surf at Bronte beach, or drinking [what is] arguably [the] world's best coffee, Sydney is overall a stunning city with access to sporting heritage and national parks very close by," McClure said. "I couldn't recommend the lifestyle highly enough."

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Visit post-earthquake Kumamoto, Japan.

"The city of Kumamoto was hit with an unfortunate series of strong earthquakes in 2016 that left the city without water and damaged the precious Kumamoto Castle," Hie said. "I visited the place a few months after but it didn't stop us from taking a rental car and exploring around the beautiful mountain surrounding this region."

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