40 Trips Every Woman Should Take Before She Dies

An Emory University study found that children who knew more about their family history expressed higher levels of self-assurance and were better able to handle stress, and the same can be said for adults. "Family stories provide a sense of identity through time," one of the researchers wrote. Talk to your relatives, do some research online, or get your DNA tested, so that you know exactly where to go.

From Napa to Sonoma, Paso Robles, Temecula Valley, and beyond, California's wine regions are famous for producing tasty vino in a gorgeous setting. With 637,000 acres devoted to growing wine grapes, you can make a whole vacay of nothing but visiting vineyards—whether you prefer a high-end tasting experience or a laidback chat with a winemaker, Cali has it all.

Easy last-minute destinations include Kansas City, Missouri (filled with things to do, and equal amounts of Midwestern friendliness), New Orleans, Louisiana (it boasts tons of hotels and restaurants, so you won't have to book your reservations months in advance), and Washington, D.C. (with several major airports in the area, chances are good you can score a last-minute airfare deal there). Use GoLastMinute.com to book a flight from home, or dare to head to the airport to see what's available.

Every woman needs to experience an epic unaccompanied journey at least once in her lifetime. Iceland offers gorgeous locales, like the stress-busting geothermal spa Blue Lagoon, and is known as a safe location for solo travel. The country is women-friendly, too, garnering worldwide acclaim for its gender parity.

Spending quality time with your best friends is important for your happiness and health. Might we suggest Nashville, Tennessee for your next girls' trip? It's become ground zero for bachelorette bashes, due in part to the honky-tonks located along Broadway and throughout Music City.

Traveling by train is often cheaper than flying, and you can cover a large amount of ground. Sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery—all from the comfort of a sightseeing carriage covered in floor-to-ceiling windows. We recommend the Rockies to the Red Rocks trip, a gorgeous journey from Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado, or equally-breathtaking Canadian routes from Vancouver to BANFF and Vancouver to Jasper.

Unplug and unwind in Hawaii on one of the state's secluded beaches, where the sun warms your skin and the sound of the sea will ease your mind. You might find yourself completely alone at Polihua Beach on the northwest tip of Lanai, but be aware that strong currents make the ocean unsafe for swimmers. For more welcoming waters, try Oahu and Secret Beach in Kauai.

If you're a serious foodie, consider a trip to Italy. You can eat your way across the country, sampling local specialties: Nosh on pizza in Naples, meatballs in Sicily, and pasta with Bolognese sauce in—you guessed it—Bologna. Rome is where you'll want to order rigatoni carbonara.

Snorkeling, diving, biking, zip-lining, and surfing are some of the best ways to explore America's natural wonders. For an exercise-oriented vacation, hit the slopes in Colorado, heralded for its powdery mountains and upscale resorts in Aspen and Vail.

Niagara Falls is a series of three falls, the largest of which stretches more than 2,500 feet across and plummets nearly 170 feet down. See it up close and personal on the Maid of the Mist boat ride, a tourist favorite.

In just a week, you can broaden your horizons and use your skills to help others—what could be better than that? Check out Habitat for Humanity to learn how you can get involved, or look into everything from gorilla conservation in Uganda to building bridges in Cuba with Discover Corps.

There's something about hitting the open road that's good for the soul, giving you time to reflect, recharge, and renew. Try motoring down to L.A. from San Fran on the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1. The roughly-400-mile journey encompasses two of the country's coolest cities, plus stunning vistas like the cliffs around Big Sur. Attractions along the way include the showstopping Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon.

Does days of massages, facials, and body wraps at a top spa sound like a dream vacation? Sedona, Arizona offers it all in a serene setting. Don't miss its purported vortexes (spots where energy from other dimensions enter and exit the earth), which have attracted healers and those seeking enlightenment for ages. A thriving spa industry has blossomed in the area to cater to visitors, and it's worth traveling across the country to experience it.

New York City celebrates the happiest season in grand fashion, as it becomes a wonderland of twinkly lights, department store Santas, and the holly-jolly Rockefeller Christmas Tree by late November. If you celebrate Christmas, you owe it to yourself and your family to make it to the Big Apple for the city's spectacular celebration.

If you've long dreamed of a getaway to the City of Lights, you're not alone: Many lists of the top cities in the world to visit rank Paris at number one. Known for cultural institutions like the Louvre Museum and architectural marvels such as the Eiffel Tower, not to mention its top-notch gastronomy, it's easy to see why the deeply-romantic Paris is a bucket-list destination.

Texas Hill Country is renowned for its stunning wildflowers, such as the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush that bloom in profusion come springtime. Get a heaping dose of their beauty in places like Burnet, which hosts the Bluebonnet Festival the second weekend in April. Or hop aboard a helicopter and take it all in from the sky.

The Overseas Highway runs over ocean and island for more than 100 miles, leading from the Sunshine State's mainland down to legendary party town Key West. Epic snorkeling and diving opportunities abound, as well as chances for more leisurely pleasures in places like the village of Islamorada. This is one island-hopping road trip that's got it all.

You don't have to bust your budget by buying everything you see, because even just window shopping in Minnesota's Mall of America—the largest retail complex in the U.S.—is a feast for the senses. Alternately, Houston's shopping opportunities are as super-sized as anything in Texas.

You don't have to follow a certain religion to love spending time in churches and cathedrals—there's the breathtaking architecture to admire, and the sense of stillness that comes in a place of worship. New York City is home to St. Patrick's Cathedral and St. John the Divine, which calls itself the largest cathedral in the world. Washington National Cathedral in D.C., and New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral are also among the country's most significant sacred architecture.

Perhaps the best way to see the 49th state, Alaskan cruises let you explore the rough and rugged Last Frontier in comfort. While routes vary, adventures often include sailing alongside icebergs and glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, spotting wildlife such as bears and whales, and even going ashore for activities like dog-sledding.