From Angkor Wat to Havana, the travel destinations reopening soon

The people of Melbourne have spent 260 days under lockdown, but that ended this week. Locals celebrated the lifting of restrictions on October 21 by going to bars, hugging their friends and dancing in the streets.

1. Anguilla: A Lonely Planet best pick

Anguilla's Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel.

Anguilla, a Leeward Island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, this week geared up for the winter tourism season by updating its travel requirements, effective November. Changes include reducing its testing costs from $200 to $50 and removing its day four Covid-19 test requirement.

Only pre-approved, fully vaccinated visitors can enjoy its azure waters, luxury resorts, 33 public beaches and 80-degree temperatures (with exceptions made for under-18s and the pregnant).

Those stringent requirements could be worth your while: On Wednesday, Anguilla was named one of Lonely Planet’s “Best Destinations to visit in 2022,” the only Caribbean island to make the cut.

2. Australia: Residents can travel again

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Melbourne residents raise a glass to end of Covid lockdown

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Starting November 1, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will finally be able to travel out of the country without needing a special exemption.

Two of the country’s states are taking slightly different approaches to easing Covid restrictions.

For the double-jabbed majority, most of Victoria’s Covid rules will lift in November, but unvaccinated adults and older children will be left in the cold.

In New South Wales, restrictions have already eased for the vaccinated, but unvaccinated residents will have to continue to follow lockdown rules until December 1.

3. Barbados: No quarantine for the vaccinated

Dominica, for lush natural beauty: Known as the "Nature Island," Dominica is blanketed with foliage, rivers and waterfalls.

Barbados, for great cuisine and rum: Sugar cane blows in the breeze in Barbados, a reminder of the island's rich rum culture. Bajan cuisine is very tasty, too.

North and Middle Caicos, for the unspoiled Caribbean: North and Middle Caicos offer a serene retreat from the Turks and Caicos' more developed islands.

Curaçao, for "city" life: Willemstad, Curaçao's capital, offers a distinctive Euro-Caribbean experience in one of the liveliest urban centers in the Caribbean.

Saba, for a white-knuckle aviation thrill: This petite Caribbean island flies under most tourists' radar. But getting there is a thrill, as Saba is home to what's often classified as the world's shortest commercial runway.

Antigua, for diverse beaches: Antigua boasts 365 beaches -- one for every day of the year. Surely, that's enough to keep even the most ardent beachgoer endlessly occupied.

St. Barts, for over-the-top luxury: Saint Barthélemy's luxurious Eden Rock resort was renovated and rebuilt after it was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Puerto Rico, for music and dance: Bomba, plena, décima, salsa, reggaetón. They're all musical styles in Puerto Rico inextricably interwoven with distinctive dance steps.

Martinique, for the South of France in the Caribbean: In Martinique -- a hot spot for French tourists -- visitors will find a taste of Europe in the Caribbean.

9 of the top Caribbean islands

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The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados has just elected its first ever president, Sandra Mason, who will take over from Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. She’ll be sworn in on November 30, which is the 55th anniversary of Barbados becoming independent from Britain.

If you want to celebrate with the Bajans, December to April is the peak time to visit, when the weather is driest. This week, the island removed its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers as well as its mandatory second PCR test. Find out more on the website.

4. Cambodia: Reopening to international travelers

Samlor korkor: While amok is more familiar to tourists, samlor korkor has a better claim to being the true national dish of Cambodia. It has been eaten for hundreds of years and today can be found in restaurants, roadside stands and family homes.

Nom banh chok (Khmer noodles): The dish consists of fresh noodles laboriously pounded out of rice, topped with a fish-based green curry gravy made from lemongrass, fingerroot ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Fresh cucumbers, banana flower, long beans, edible flowers and wild leaves are heaped on top.

Amok: Amok is a curry made with fresh coconut milk and kroeung. Traditionally the dish was made with either fish or snails, but now you can find chicken and even vegetarian versions.

Bai sach chrouk (Pork and rice): Served early mornings on street corners all over Cambodia, bai sach chrouk, or pork and rice, is one of the simplest and most delicious dishes the country has to offer.

Kari sach moan (Chicken red curry): Less spicy than the curries of neighboring Thailand, Cambodian red curry is made using large local red chilies that are remarkably mild, making for a rich but mellow dish.

Bok trop pgnon (Pounded eggplant dip): Bok, which translates as "smashed," refers to a style of food preparation that involves pounding ingredients in a large wooden mortar. Trop pgnon are small, bitter pea eggplants, which grow wild in Cambodia.

Kha sach ko (Beef stewed in palm sugar): The word kha refers to a style of cooking in Cambodia in which palm sugar is caramelized into a sticky syrup, then used as the base of the dish. The beef version tastes marvelously complex.

Prahok ktis (Creamy prahok dip): Cooked with fresh coconut cream, palm sugar and minced pork, the pungent prahok (a mash of salty fermented fish) becomes mild enough for even nervous visitors to enjoy.

Sngor chruak sach trei (Sour fish soup): The fish is cooked in a light lemongrass broth that's seasoned with lime juice and fried garlic, making for a wholesome soup served with local herbs, including Asian basil and sawleaf coriander.

Kari saraman (Beef saraman curry): This rich coconut curry is one of Cambodia's most complicated dishes, and is redolent with spices, with star anise and cassia bark most prominent. The curry is braised with whole peanuts and is most often served with sliced baguette.

Nhoam krauch thlong (Pomelo salad): Cambodian salads often use unripe or sour fruits in place of vegetables. In this delicious and refreshing example, giant pomelo is paired with pork belly, toasted coconut and small dried shrimp and garnished with mint and fried shallots.

Tuek kroeung: One of Cambodia's best-loved foods, tuek kroeung is a thin but pungent dipping sauce made from fresh river fish and fermented fish, served with an array of fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs.

Kha trei svay kchai (Caramelized fish with green mango): Thick striped snakehead fish steaks are placed in a pot of bubbling, caramelized palm sugar, garlic, and fish sauce, plus plenty of locally grown ground black pepper.

Kangkep baob (Stuffed frogs): Grilled inside split pieces of bamboo over hot coals, Kangkep baob is like a frog sausage, rich with root spices and slightly sweetened by palm sugar.

Mi kola (Kola noodles): The Kola are an ethnic minority in Cambodia. Kola noodles are garnished with dried shrimp, hard-boiled egg slices, cucumbers, peanuts, and fresh herbs and mixed with a tangy lime-garlic-shallot dressing.

Chrok krao chhnang (Out of the pot soup): Rather than preparing it in a pot over a flame, like most Cambodian soups, for chrok krao chhnang the cook assembles the ingredients in a large bowl, then pours boiling water over them to create a broth.

Plea sach ko (Lime-marinated beef salad): More beef than salad, plea sach ko is a party dish that is served at festive occasions such as weddings, or alongside beer during a night out on the town.

Chha trop dott (Grilled eggplant with pork): This simple dish is one of Cambodia's most accessible. Eggplant is grilled over an open flame or hot coals, then topped with minced pork fried in garlic and oyster sauce.

Chaa kdam meric kchai (Fried crab with green pepper): Local crab is a specialty of the Cambodian seaside town of Kep. Its lively crab market is known for fried crab prepared with green, locally grown Kampot pepper.

Samlor m'chu kroeung sach ko (Lemongrass beef sour soup): This delicious soup is the perfect antidote to a hangover, a cold, or a rainy tropical day. It comes in two styles: plain or ktis, with coconut milk.

Maam chao (Raw fermented fish): More adventurous eaters will enjoy maam chao, a dish made with a type of raw, fermented fish known as maam.

Somlor proher (Fragrant vegetable soup): The soup's base is a lemongrass paste made with fingerroot ginger, and it can be made with any number of vegetables, usually home grown or foraged.

Ang dtray meuk (Grilled squid with Koh Kong sauce): The squid are brushed with either lime juice or fish sauce and then barbecued on wooden skewers and served with Koh Kong sauce, made from garlic, fresh chilies, fish sauce, lime juice and sugar.

Nhoam svay kchai (Green mango salad): Green mango salad is a classic whose flavors of sour fruit, salty smoked fish and sweet palm sugar form a beautifully harmonious whole.

Aluek trei ngeat (Dried fish and watermelon): In this dish, snakehead fish, abundant in the country's waterways, are salted and dried, then grilled over charcoal and served with thick chunks of sweet ripe watermelon, for a perfect sweet-and-umami contrast.

Chaa angrong sach ko (Red tree ants with beef and holy basil): The tree-dwelling red weaver ant, some barely visible and others almost an inch long, are stir-fried with ginger, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and thinly sliced beef.

Kuy teav (Noodle soup): Every country in Southeast Asia has its own version of noodle soup, and kuy teav is Cambodia's, a flavorful pork-bone-and-squid broth most often served with pork or beef, fish balls, and fried garlic.

Sngor ngam nov sach moan (Pickled lime soup with chicken): Limes are packed in salt and left to dry in the sun, or boiled briefly and soaked in salt water for several weeks or months. They give this chicken soup a unique flavor evocative of Moroccan cooking.

Num ansom (Sticky rice cakes): These sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves are so emblematic of Cambodia that in 2015 the government made a giant num ansom weighing 8,900 pounds and displayed it in front of Angkor Wat to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Trei boeng kanh chhet (Fried fish in the lake): A whole fish is deep-fried and then finished on a hotplate at the table in a coconut curry made from yellow kroeung and chilies.

30 Cambodian foods every visitor needs to try

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Pre-pandemic, Cambodia was emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations.

Vaccinated foreign tourists will soon to be able to visit once again, starting with the beach ‘n’ party spots of Sihanoukville and Koh Rong island, as well as the China-developed resort of Dara Sakor, reopening on November 30.

The country’s biggest attraction, though, is the city of Siem Reap and the legendary Buddhist temple complex of Angkor Wat. Foreign visitors will have to wait until January 2022 to explore the archaeological wonder.

5. Cuba: Welcomes tourists next month

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Cuba is vaccinating children as young as two with homegrown vaccines

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Having now vaccinated most of its population with its homegrown vaccines (which are still under review by the World Health Organisation), the Caribbean country of Cuba is preparing to open its borders and ease entry requirements by November 15, Reuters reports.

Visitors will need just proof of vaccination or a recent PCR test to enter the country, says the news agency.

6. Easter Island: Voted against reopening

There are 887 moai strewn across 63 square-mile Easter Island, and theories still abound on the purpose and process of these intimidating human-like stone figures.

One of the best places to see the stone statues of the Rapa Nui culture is at Ahu Tongariki, a platform with 15 larger-than-life moai near the coast's edge.

Eco-lodges, such as the low-slung Explora Rapa Nui, can make staying here a luxurious experience.

Easter Island isn't the spot for Michelin-starred restaurants, but seafood is delicious and affordable. One favorite is the local kana kana fish.

Witnessing the Polynesian Rapa Nui culture should be part of any visit to Easter Island.

Rano Kau on the southwestern end of the island is a massive crater with a freshwater lake and an array of vegetation.

At Ahu Akivi, the moai face the sea and look out over a village now in ruins.

Eco-lodges can arrange for hiking, diving, biking, horseback riding, spelunking and more.

Rano Raraku is one of the volcanoes that define the island's triangular figure. If it weren't for volcanic eruptions yielding basalt, obsidian, tuff and other stones, the magical moai would not exist.

Exploring remote, magical Easter Island

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The far-flung Chilean territory of Easter Island, renowned for its huge stone head statues, has been closed to visitors since the start of the pandemic – and residents want to keep it that way.

On October 24, the island’s inhabitants, most of whom are indigenous Rapa Nui, voted against reopening its borders in January 2022, reports French news agency RFI, although the final decision rests with Chilean health authorities on the mainland.

7. Iran: Borders are open again

House of Poems, Shiraz —

Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji's amazing photos of Iran are a great introduction to some of the country's rich cultural attractions. Among them is this literary institute in Shiraz, which has a reputation as a city of great poets and poems.

Ali Qapu, Isfahan —

Located on the western edge of Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan square, this six-story palace's name means "grand doorway."

Arg-e Karim Khan, Shiraz —

The 18th-century Karim Khan castle stands in the center of Shiraz. "The unique architecture, lighting and patterns presented in the Iranian baths catches the eye at first glance," says Ganji.

Borj-e Azadi, Tehran —

Built in 1971, the Azadi tower marks the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. "I like this tower for its unique architecture," says Ganji.

Badab-e Surt springs —

Located in the north of Iran, this natural spring produces water rich in salts and sulfur. "It has a reflection of the sky that adds to its charm and beauty," says Ganji.

Boroujerdi-ha House, Kashan —

This 19th-century carpet merchant's house in Kashan today serves as the base of the city's Cultural Heritage Organization.

Carpet workshop, Shiraz —

Carpet-making is one of the oldest and most important industries in Iran, says Ganji. "I tried to capture the spirit of life which exists in this workshop and its workers. Every carpet brought here to be repaired has a spirit too."

Bagh-e Dolat Abad, Yazd —

The 18th-century Dolat Abad garden follows a classic Iranian design, and has a distinctive windcatcher -- a building used to provide natural air conditioning.

Emarat-e Badgir, Tehran —

"The exclusive ornaments of this building, such as the glasses, the mirrors, and tall columns are of exceptional beauty," says Ganji.

Eram Gardens, Shiraz —

Eram owes its fame and importance to the variety of unique and rare plants in its botanical gardens. "As I walked into the gardens, the first thing I noticed was the positive energy emanating from the place due to its green and colorful surroundings," Ganji says.

Forough-Al-Mulk House, Shiraz —

Built for Qajar era Shiraz dignitary Forough-Al-Mulk, this three-story building now houses a museum.

Jameh Mosque, Yazd —

"When I entered the mosque I was amazed by the fantastic artwork in its ceiling," says Ganji. "It got my attention and when I saw that view, I wanted to photograph it."

Kordasht Bath, Julfa —

Located in the southwestern Iranian city of Julfa, this bath was originally used by royals of the Safavid dynasty and later opened to the public.

Maranjab salt lake, near Kashan —

This salt lake sits next to the Maranjab desert south of Tehran. It's actually a dried lake that only very occasionally collects water after heavy rain or snow.

Maranjab sands, near Kashan —

"This is taken on a regular day and shows what a desert is supposed to look like -- dry and hot white sands shining under the sunlight."

Maranjab snows —

"This shows a surprise view of the desert -- covered in snow," adds Ganji. "After hours of driving along a freezing snow-covered road, then hiking to reach the desert, I managed to photograph this rare moment just after sunrise."

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz —

Another Qajar era treasure, this mosque has eastern and western bedchambers. "In fall and winter when sunlight shines through the glass, it casts the bedchamber in a beautiful light," says Ganji.

Niavaran Palace, Tehran —

In the decade before the Islamic revolution, this palace served as a residential home for the shah's family and was where they met foreign guests.

Palace of Ardashir, south of Shiraz —

Third-century Persian ruler Ardashir I -- the founder of Iran's Sassanid Empire -- built this palace for himself.

Royal Palace of Cyrus, Pasargadae —

"This is a very important monument, as it is relates to one of the most famous Persian emperors," says Ganji. "The Milky Way is only visible on certain summer evenings where the sky is clear and there's no moon."

Tomb of Cyrus the Great, Pasargadae —

This tomb consists of a chamber with sloping roof built on seven stone tiers. In 336 BC, when Alexander the Great invaded Persia, Pasargadae was destroyed and the entire treasury of the palaces and tomb of Cyrus were looted.

Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid), northeast of Shiraz —

"I've always loved this historic complex because it's a reminder of one of the greatest empires of Iran and is part of our historic identity," says Ganji.

Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque), Isfahan —

"The ceiling of this place is like none other," says Ganji. "One of the most exquisite works of architecture, it's hard to look away."

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan —

A highlight of Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square, this was built during the reign of Shah Abbas I.

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble, Ardabil —

Another Safavid treasure, this place gained fame through a shrine built to Shah Ismail I's ancestor Sheikh Safi al-Din.

33 pol (Si-o-se Pol, Bridge of 33 Spans) or Allahverdi Khan Bridge, Isfahan —

This majestic structure, built under Shah Abbas I, takes its name from the archways which stretch across the water.

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bath, Kashan —

"To photograph this bath I went there several times and sat on its couches for hours," says Ganji. "I tried to choose a time when artificial lights were off and the only source of illumination was the light from holes in the ceiling."

St. Thaddeus Monastery, near Maku —

"Because of its importance for non-Muslims in Iran, I've always wanted to take a photograph worthy of this building's status to add to my collection of my historical places in Iran," says Ganji.

Tabatabaei House, Kashan —

Built for a famous Kashan merchant during the Qajar dynasty era, this house has several sections decorated with different types of art and architectural features, such as stucco and stained glass.

Timcheh, Kashan —

"All around there are shops selling rugs and historical artefacts, but the most amazing view here is this ceiling," says Ganji. "Under the ceiling there's a big pond, which I had to stand in to take this photo directly under the ceiling's center."

Tomb of Hafez, Shiraz —

"Contrary to appearances in this picture, this place is always very busy, particularly in the late afternoons and evenings. It's a popular site, with poets and poetry enthusiasts, groups of friends and young couples all coming together to recite Hafez's romantic poems."

Vakil Bath, Shiraz —

"The amazing symmetry of the architecture and its limestone embellishments make this bath one of a kind," says Ganji. "To capture this stretched panorama, I needed permits to allow me to stand in the middle of the deep bath."

Vakil Mosque, Shiraz —

"I like this mosque because of the many pillars used inside," says Ganji. "As you enter, the repetition of these pillars makes the place grand and beautiful, and gives the impression of many separate spaces. In my photo I've tried to show this repetition in the best way."

Vank Cathedral, Isafan —

"I was amazed by the golden color of the ceiling and the unique paintings all around," says Ganji. "I put my camera on the floor and tilted it upwards using a wide lens to capture this photo."

34 incredibly beautiful reasons to visit Iran

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Iran is filled with spectacular archaeological treasures, no fewer than 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and an array of beautiful mosques.

It’s also on the no-go travel advisory list for citizens of the US and the UK because of security concerns, including “risk of kidnapping and arbitrary arrest.”

For those wanting to make the journey, however, the Tehran Times reports that borders are once again open to foreign tourists. More details here.

8. Israel: Reopening to vaccinated tourists

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900-year-old crusader sword found underwater

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Israel’s Ministry of Tourism announced on Thursday that the country will welcome individually vaccinated tourists from November 1. Currently, only organized tourist groups are allowed into Israel. You can find full details here.

If you’re heading there for the scuba diving, you might just strike lucky. Earlier this month, a diver found a 900-year-old Crusader sword off the Israeli coastline.

9. New Zealand: New easing measures

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Jacinda Ardern explains why New Zealand is ending zero-Covid strategy

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Like its neighbor Australia, New Zealand is moving away from its zero-Covid strategy and preparing to reopen to the world.

Chris Hipkins, minister in charge of New Zealand’s Covid-19 response, announced on Thursday that, from November, travelers from Pacific countries including Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu will no longer need to quarantine on arrival.

For those fully vaccinated travelers from abroad who still do need to quarantine, the 14-day sojourn in a hotel will be shortened to seven days, with a plan to move to a system of home isolation for fully vaccinated arrivals later in 2022.

10. UK: Cleared its red list

London —

The UK has seen a staycation explosion during Covid-19, leaving some areas overwhelmed. There are still plenty of options though. Here are some of England's most beautiful locations:

Wasdale Valley, Cumbria —

At 978 meters, Scafell Pike isn't only the highest mountain in England, it also offers the best views of the unspoiled Wasdale Valley and Wastwater -- the deepest lake in England. On a clear day Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man can be seen from the hilltops.

Lake Windermere, Cumbria —

Windermere, 10.5 miles (17 kilometers) long and 219 feet (67 meters) deep, is England's largest lake. Part of the scenic Lake District National Park, its small cruise boats welcome more than 1.2 million visitors each year.
Lake Windermere, Lake District National Park, Cumbria

Royal Pavilion, Brighton —

The southern seaside town of Brighton has its own eccentric answer to the Taj Mahal. Built for King George IV, the 193-year-old Royal Pavilion is now open to the public as a museum. It houses an ice rink from November to January each year.

Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire —

Standing only 13 kilometers from Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire is one of England's most beautiful churches. The structure, built between 1220 and 1258, has Britain's tallest spire -- 332 steps to the top of the tower -- and Europe's oldest working clock.

Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire —

The rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales showcase stunning variety of features from waterfalls to caves to limestone pavements. Hikers can challenge themselves to the Three Peaks Walks, a trek to summit a trio of tough climbs, covering 38.6 kilometers, within 12 hours.

Minnis Bay, Kent —

Let's face it -- England isn't the most sought-after beach destination. That said, some 58 beaches around England have been awarded the internationally recognized Blue Flag, recognizing cleanliness and good facilities. With colorful beach huts, Minnis Bay (pictured) in the Kent village of Birchington-on-Sea, is one of them.

Port Isaac, Cornwall —

Port Isaac is a small scenic fishing village in the northern part of Cornwall. It's also the birthplace of Fisherman's Friends, a singing group that specializes in sea shanties -- another reason to love the place.

Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast —

Some rocks and fossils found in the Jurassic Coast, covering southern England's Dorset and East Devon, are 185 million years old. It's England's first natural World Heritage Site. Durdle Door (pictured here) is an iconic natural limestone arch on the beach.

The British Museum, London —

Founded in 1753, The British Museum was the world's first national public museum. Today, it's still easily one of the best galleries around the globe. It has a collection of eight million pieces -- only 1% of which is on display. The signature Grand Court was designed by Norman Foster and was opened in 2000.

Sutton Bank, North York Moors —

Sutton Bank is where the heather-clad North York Moors give way to gorgeous views over the pancake-flat Vale of York. It's one of the three Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the area for star-gazing.

Stourhead, Wiltshire —

With neo-classical temples, grottoes and bridges built around the lake, the 18th century Stourhead estate is a perfect example of an English landscape garden.

The Needles Rocks, Isle of Wight —

The Needles are three isolated rocks (a forth needle-shaped rock, which gave the group its name, collapsed in 1764) in a line off the coast of the Isle of Wight. One of the best ways to see them is from a chairlift in the nearby Alum Bay.

Hadrian's Wall —

Hadrian's Wall spans 135 kilometers from Maryport in the west to Tyne and Wear in the east. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built to keep tribal warriors out of the northern frontier of the ancient Roman Empire. In the picture is a section of the Roman wall near Housesteads Fort in Northumberland.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire —

Yes, they're much smaller than everyone thinks they're going to be, but they're still the best known cluster of rocks in Britain. We can't be sure if Stonehenge really was the first Ikea-style flat pack, but the prehistoric monument never ceases to surprise. Last year, some more and larger stone monuments, dubbed "Superhenge," were discovered less than three kilometers from the site.

Corby Crags, Northumberland —

Corby Crags' landscape is so stunning that it was used as a backdrop of Middle Earth in the "The Hobbit" movie poster in 2012. Corby Crags lies in Edlingham, a small village with 196 residents.

York City Wall, North Yorkshire —

At 3.4 kilometers, York has England's longest medieval city wall. The well-preserved fortification makes a picturesque two-hour trail around the heritage city.

Painswick, Cotswolds —

With rolling green fields and charming villages, Cotswolds is the largest of the 38 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Painswick (in the picture) is one of area's historic towns.

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall —

Legend says Tintagel Castle, a medieval structure on a rugged coastline of North Cornwall, is the birthplace of King Arthur. Below the castle is Tintagel Beach with emerald water and Merlin's Cave, a hiding place for infant Arthur in poet Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King."

Bath, Somerset —

The Somerset city of Bath was inscribed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It's known for its Roman baths -- the only place in England for a natural thermal spa -- and Georgian architecture.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset —

As the biggest gorge in Britain, Cheddar Gorge is home to some of the country's most dramatic cliffs and rarest animals -- like ancient Soay sheep. It's listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

St. Mawes Castle, Cornwall —

A sea fort constructed by Henry VIII in the 1540s, St. Mawes Castle offered protection to the waterway of the River Fal until it surrendered to a land attack during the English Civil War. It's regarded as the best preserved fort built by Henry VIII.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Gateshead —

The coolest bridge in England? Costing £22 million ($31.7 million), the pedestrian Gateshead Millennium Bridge connecting Newcastle and Gateshead across the River Tyne is the world's first tilting bridge, capable of leaning upwards to allow ships to navigate underneath. This website lists its tilting schedule.

Dover Castle, Kent —

This beautiful hillside castle was built by King Henry II in the 1180s. In 2015 alone, Dover Castle was featured in two TV and movie productions: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and BBC's "Wolf Hall." In the cliffs underneath the castle lie a network of secret WWII tunnels and an underground hospital.

Abbey Garden, Tresco, Isles Of Scilly —

Abbey Garden is a tropical-style paradise with plant species from more than 80 countries -- from Brazil to South Africa to Australia. The wild garden experiment began when Augustus Smith moved to and became the owner of Tresco Island, 28 miles off the coast of southwestern Cornwall in 1834. The garden has continued to expand with the help of Smith's descendants.

Haworth Moor, West Yorkshire —

Top Withins (pictured here) is a ruined site on Haworth Moor. It's said that the wild moorland inspired Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" when the Bronte sisters lived here.

Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire —

Back in the 12th century, to visitors in mid-2016. Rievaulx Abbey was one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in England. A brand new museum, a shop and a tearoom will be open to visitors in mid-2016.

Brompton Cemetery, London —

The gothic-style Brompton Cemetery on Fulham Road is one of London's most famous cemeteries. The cemetery has appeared in multiple movies including Pierce Brosnan's first Bond outing "GoldenEye." It's also the home to the mysterious tombstone of Hannah Courtoys -- read London's coolest gravestones to find out more.

Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham —

An alien spaceship? Or a deep-sea creature? This futuristic landmark is the facade of a Selfridges department store in Birmingham. The building, covered in aluminum discs, is part of the city's beloved Bullring shopping center.

Castle Combe, Wiltshire —

Considered one of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe welcomed a spark of interest from tourists after it was used as a filming location for Steven Spielberg's "War Horse" in 2011.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London —

Parts of Queen Elizabeth's official residence are open to visitors at certain times of the year and special guided tours are held occasionally.
MORE: Sneak preview as Queen opens Buckingham Palace to public

England's most beautiful destinations

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There are just seven countries left on England’s once heaving inventory of “red list” destinations – Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela – and they’re all set to be removed on November 1.

This means that anyone from any country will be able to enter England, although they will still be subject to testing requirements or quarantine, depending on their vaccination status.

Rules vary in the other UK nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can find out more in our UK Covid travel guide.

CNN’s Karla Cripps, Jack Guy, Lilit Marcus, Francesca Street and Philip Wang contributed reporting.