Is the desire to book a ticket and just fly out of the country burning in your veins? There are so many countries with exciting activities and sites to explore that can help you forget your current stress. All you have to do is choose which one to visit.

Bronx Science has a diverse student body, and students travel all over the world during their breaks. After surveying a few of our student travelers, it seems the majority of students from our school feel that Italy was their favorite country to visit. Italy is the home of renowned ancient ruins, traditional cuisines ranging from crisp, golden-brown arancini to smooth, creamy gelato, as well as spectacular views. Throughout Italy, culture and dialects differ, allowing tourists to enjoy different experiences within the country. Its history can be seen from the ruins of Pompeii and the Leaning Towers of Pisa, to name a few tourist hot-spots. “Italy was my favorite country because I was able to see famous buildings through the nation’s history from antiquity to modern day,” Jayden Sinclair ’20 said. Sinclair also suggested visiting the Colosseum, Duomo di Firenze, Roman Forum, and Venice. In his opinion, these places are essential to getting the full Italian experience. There are also countless immersion tours that explore the rich culture of Italy, and visitors can receive recommendations from their tour guides. Having family in Italy can further enhance the experience. “My favorite country to visit is Italy because a lot of the relatives from my mom’s side live there,” Anika Rahman ’20 said.

“Italy was my favorite country because I was able to see famous buildings through the nation’s history from antiquity to modern day,” said Jayden Sinclair ’20.

Taiwan, home to the capital Taipei, is another alluring country to visit. Taiwan has some of the most enchanting, clear beaches as well as luxurious royal palaces, ancient ruins, and decorated temples. The convenient stores, hotels, and mouth-watering restaurants are all near each other, especially in Taipei, making it easy for visitors to try different cuisines and traverse various sites. “One of the best things about Taipei is that everything you need is in walking distance, and public transportation is far better than that of the MTA. They also have charging ports and some have printers and map guides,” Tiffany Tsai ’21 said.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica was the third most popular country among Bronx Science students. Jesse Morales ’19 went on an internship trip to Costa Rica over the summer of his junior year. The experiences he had, as well as the people he met, led him to fall in love with the country. “What Costa Rica lacks in large urban areas, it makes up for with beaches and parks with an amazing amount of biodiversity,” Morales said. He is not the only one who fell in love with this country; Audrey Hill ’20 lived there for a year when she was in the fourth grade. “Costa Rica is a growing country with developing infrastructure, but its friendly people make it a desirable place to live in and gain its raving reviews,” Hill said.

Costa Rica, Italy and Taiwan are some of the most frequently visited countries by Bronx Science students. The countries are famous for their history, their nature and, of course, their food. If you do have the desire to travel, remember that whichever country you decide to visit, the tastes, smells, sounds, and activities will be an experience to remember.