travel destinations in 2022

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• BEST OF THE WORLD

25 amazing journeys for 2022

We’re ready to explore again. Here are the best adventures for the year ahead.

Ready to travel again? Our global editors picked the planet’s 25 most exciting destinations for 2022. Five categories—Nature, Adventure, Sustainability, Culture and History, and Family—frame unforgettable journeys of discovery. This year’s list celebrates a number of World Heritage sites in honor of UNESCO’s 50 years of helping to safeguard cultural and natural treasures. Although the pandemic changed when, where, and how we travel, we are eager to unleash our wanderlust—and see what wonders we’ll uncover.      

BEST PLACES TO ENJOY NATURE

Lake Baikal, Russia

Help save a natural wonder. Baikal is so vast and deep, many locals call it a sea. Covering some 12,200 square miles and with an average depth of 2,442 feet, the massive lake is a natural wonder. It’s also in serious trouble. Despite being named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, Lake Baikal has experienced ongoing pollution, the recent weakening of government protections, and new threats, such as large-scale tourism development. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature deemed the lake’s environmental World Heritage Outlook of “significant concern” in 2020.

Visitors can help safeguard the lake and its varied landscapes—including tundra, steppe, boreal forest, and virgin beaches—by volunteering with Great Baikal Trail Association , the nonprofit environmental group creating a hiking route around the lake. “Volunteering helps protect Lake Baikal nature by developing ecotourism infrastructure,” says association president Elena Chubakova.

Hiking the trail is a planet-friendly way to spot some of the 1,200 Lake Baikal plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth, such as the nerpa, the world’s only exclusively freshwater seal.   — Victoria Meleshko, National Geographic Traveler Russia

Discover the next great safari. Namibia evokes images of deserts, immense dunes, and parched mountains. But the Caprivi Strip, a narrow finger of land that juts out toward the east in the extreme north of the country, is a green, wildlife-rich territory. The presence of the Okavango, Kwando, Chobe, and Zambezi Rivers creates an ideal habitat for numerous animal species.

During the second half of the 20th century, the area was the scene of intense military activity. Remote and difficult to access, it was a prime corridor for various armed groups. After Namibia gained independence in 1990, peace—and wildlife—gradually returned.

In the eastern section of the region, Nkasa Rupara National Park is a secret jewel. A ranger station and tented lodge that opened in recent years have made it more accessible to tourism, but it’s still seldom visited. Encompassed by the Kwando-Linyanti River system to the south and by swamps and lagoons to the north, Nkasa Rupara is Namibia’s largest protected wetland. It’s described as a “mini Okavango,” as its floodwaters mirror Botswana ’s more famous Okavango Delta . The park is home to the largest population of buffalo in Namibia. Predators include lions, leopards, and hyenas, while crocodiles and hippos abound in the river.  

Mahango Game Park , in the west, includes wetlands and mopane forests. Here roam large herds of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and nearly all the antelope species of Namibia, including the elusive semiaquatic sitatunga. Go with Nat Geo: See otherworldly landscapes and seek out endangered black rhinos in Namibia. —Marco Cattaneo, National Geographic Traveler Italy

Victoria, Australia

Drive the Great Ocean Road.   Green shoots of regeneration are popping up across Australia , where the 2019-2020 bushfires burned some 72,000 square miles of land. The disasters led to the deaths of nearly three dozen people and more than a billion animals.

Playing its own role in these rejuvenation efforts, Wildlife Wonders , in Victoria’s Otways region, is a new wildlife sanctuary tucked away off the Great Ocean Road amid lush ancient forest and waterfalls. It’s the brainchild of Brian Massey, the landscape designer of New Zealand ’s Hobbiton movie set tours. Massey, along with botanists, scientists, zoologists, and environmental specialists, has crafted a sinuous wooden path that winds through the refuge and blends seamlessly into the landscape.

Visitors can set off on 75-minute guided tours of the sylvan site, wandering through thickets of eucalyptus trees and admiring the koalas, wallabies, and bandicoots that now call the sanctuary home. During a stop at the Research Base, guests can learn more about how the site provides a safe space for native species like the long-nosed potoroo, a marsupial that often falls prey to invasive predators such as foxes and cats.

All profits from Wildlife Wonders go toward the Conservation Ecology Centre , which helps to fund several vital conservation projects in the Otways, including one that studies the movement of potoroos before, during, and after planned forest fires. — Connor McGovern, National Geographic Traveller UK

Peek at tropical wildlife. The race to preserve one of the largest remaining tropical rainforests in the Americas got a big boost recently. In April 2021, a coalition of conservation partners, led by the Nature Conservancy , purchased 236,000 acres of tropical forest in northwestern Belize to create the Belize Maya Forest Reserve . Along with saving some of the most biodiverse forests in the world from denuding and development, the new protected area—which is contiguous with the neighboring Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area (RBCMA)—closes a huge gap in a vital wildlife corridor that runs from southeast Mexico through Guatemala and into Belize.

The combined reserve, which protects nearly a tenth of Belize’s land area, safeguards and connects essential habitats for an amazing variety of endemic and endangered wild things. These include the tapir, Belize’s national animal; black howler monkeys; more than 400 species of birds; and some of Central America’s largest surviving populations of jaguar. For now, ecotourism activities are based in the more established RBCMA, which has two rustic lodges and offers guided expeditions. Go with Nat Geo:   Take a private tour of the Maya ruins of Tikal, Guatemala, and the cays of Belize.  

Northern Minnesota  

Turn off the lights.   Thousands upon thousands of stars dazzle above northern Minnesota . This remote region bordering the Canadian province of Ontario has little to no light pollution, and residents are determined to keep it that way.

The Heart of the Continent Dark Sky Initiative is a cross-border effort underway to create one of the largest dark-sky destinations on the planet. Two of its biggest pieces are in Minnesota: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , the world’s largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary at more than a million acres, and neighboring Voyageurs National Park , the state’s first International Dark Sky Park. Both wild places received dark-sky certification in 2020, and Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park , which adjoins the wilderness area, earned International Dark Sky Park status in early 2021.

( Here’s how to see auroras—from the Great Lakes .)

“The preservation of darkness at places like Voyageurs National Park not only provides wondrous views and ecological benefits to wildlife,” says Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director of the nonprofit Voyageurs Conservancy . “It also allows us a window to the past; to see the skies as they were hundreds of years ago, used for navigation and storytelling by peoples like the voyageurs of the fur trade and the Indigenous Ojibwe.”

BEST PLACES FOR ADVENTURE

Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Climb the Rockies. For unparalleled views of the Continental Divide, one must climb hand over foot up North America’s highest via ferrata. Arapahoe Basin ’s “iron way”—a climbing route comprising metal rungs and cables—begins at the base of granite Rocky Mountain cliffs and ascends nearly 1,200 feet to a 13,000-foot summit.

A glance below reveals a weathered Colorado landscape dotted with green moss and pink and purple flora, and rock gardens created by the cliffs themselves, the fallen chunks varying in size from pebbles to Volkswagens. The thin air is occasionally punctuated by the shrill peep of a marmot or pika.

Even those without prior rock-climbing experience can scale the cliffs with a guide, using the metal rungs while also gripping the rock or wedging a foot into a crack for leverage. To avoid what could be a thousand-foot plunge to certain death, climbers must clip their harnesses from one cable to the next as they go. The route is entirely exposed and thunderstorms can roll in suddenly.

From the cliffs above, high-alpine mountain goats are often stoic observers, but typically disappear as travelers reach the summit. This marks the halfway point. From here, climbers must also descend, which, for via ferrata first-timers like Michael Lytle, can be the most harrowing part of the journey.

“You try not to look all the way down. The highway looks like a piece of thread from up there,” Lytle says. “The fear factor is real.”  

Swim with sharks. When you arrive here, the stamp in your passport will include the Palau Pledge , which all visitors must sign, promising that “the only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away.” The 59-word eco-pledge was drafted by and for the children of this remote western Pacific archipelago to help protect Palau’s culture and environment from the negative impacts of tourism.

Eighty percent of the nation’s waters—recognized by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project as one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet—is preserved as the Palau National Marine Sanctuary . At 183,000 square miles, the no-take sanctuary is one of the world’s largest protected marine areas, safeguarding some 700 species of coral and more than 1,300 species of fish, including a dazzling variety of sharks.

“From the air, Palau looks like paradise on earth,” says Pristine Seas founder and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala . “When you get underwater, you’re transported to a different world.”

During the 20th annual Shark Week Palau, from February 27 to March 6, 2022, divers can observe and participate in citizen science–assisted counts of numerous shark species, such as grey reef, blacktip, blue, tiger, and hammerhead. Daily dive sites are chosen for their abundant sharks and other marine life, including large aggregations of manta rays and thousands of spawning fish.  

Snorkelers can join a February or November Oceanic Society tour of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon , home to reef sharks, dugongs, giant clams, and marine lakes teeming with millions of golden jellyfish. Go with Nat Geo:   Discover the undersea wonders of Palau on this snorkel and kayak tour . — National Geographic Traveller India

Seine River, France

Cycle a new bike trail. La Seine à Vélo is a new cycling trail worthy of painter Claude Monet, whose house and famous water lilies in Giverny are on the route. But the 270-mile Paris-to-the-sea path, opened in October 2020, offers lesser known masterpieces too, such as the colorful street art that brightens the Canal Saint-Denis in Paris .

On the trail’s 15 stages, bikers pass through protected natural areas, including Normandy’s Grande Noé Bird Reserve , located along a major migratory flyway. While rolling across Normandy , they can visit the ruins of Jumièges Abbey , founded in 654, and take a Benedictine monk–led tour of Abbaye Saint-Wandrille , a centuries-old working abbey. The tearoom and gardens of Château de Bizy , a royal residence built in 1740 and inspired by Versailles , offer a respite off two wheels.

While Monet isn’t the only reason to ride the trail, pedal-pushers who love paintings should allow extra time for the Giverny Museum of Impressionism , which explores the revolutionary 19th-century art movement. — Gabriel Joseph-Dezaize, National Geographic Traveler France

New Brunswick, Canada

Tackle a backcountry trail. A turtle-shaped rock near Nepisiguit Falls, in the Canadian province of New Brunswick , carries with it a legend told by the Mi’gmaq people (also spelled Mi’kmaq). When water levels drop, the “turtle,” named Egomoqaseg, or “rock like a moving ship,” appears to be climbing up out of the river, says trail master Jason Grant, whose father-in-law, Mi’gmaq elder Gilbert Sewell, was a keeper of the story.

“Legend goes, once the turtle is completely out of the water, it will be the end of the world for the Mi’gmaq people,” says Grant. Based on his annual visits to the rock, Grant adds, Egomoqaseg has a long way to go before reaching dry ground.

The falls are a stop along a millennia-old First Nations migration route that has been developed into the longest backcountry hiking trail in the Canadian Maritimes. Running 93 miles along the Nepisiguit River, the rugged Sentier Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail follows ancient portage pathways used by the nomadic Mi’gmaq.  

The route begins at sea level at Daly Point Nature Reserve in Bathurst and ends at Bathurst Lake in Mount Carleton Provincial Park , home to 2,690-foot-tall Mount Carleton, the highest peak in the Maritimes. To promote respect for the relevance of the trail to the Mi’gmaq people, the route’s restoration, completed in 2018, included incorporating Mi’gmaq language and culture, such as teepee campsites and a turtle logo inspired by Egomoqaseg.  

Trek from sea to sea. Stretching across Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific, El Camino de Costa Rica is a 174-mile-long window into life far off the well-trod tourist path. The 16-stage hiking route primarily follows public roads as it passes through remote villages and towns, Indigenous Cabecar lands, and protected natural areas.  

It’s designed to spark economic activity in rural districts. Local families, nonprofits, and a network of micro-entrepreneurs, such as Ecomiel honey producers, the woman-owned Finca El Casquillo organic farm, and La Cabaña sustainable coffee micro-mill, provide most of the trail’s lodging, food, tours, and other hiker amenities.

Due to the trail’s remoteness and its patchwork of tourism services, Mar a Mar (Sea to Sea)—the nonprofit partnership formed in 2016 to develop, promote, and help sustain El Camino—strongly recommends hiking with a guide. Ticos a Pata , UrriTrek Costa Rica , and ViaLig Journeys are among the tour operators offering guided experiences—from single-day hikes to coast-to-coast treks with multiple river crossings and rambles through ranch lands, rainforests, cloud forests, and sugarcane plantations. Multiday itineraries typically feature optional adventures, such as a white-water rafting trip on the world-class Pacuare River rapids. — National Geographic Traveler Korea

BEST PLACES CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABILITY

Yasuní National Park, Ecuador

Fight for the forest. In recognition of the global importance of the Amazon, France is leading the fight against deforestation in eastern Ecuador ’s Yasuní National Park , designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The almost 4,000-square-mile park—home to mahogany trees, sweet guabas , anthuriums, palms, and hypnotizingly green ferns—is the first of five pilot sites in the French-funded TerrAmaz program . This four-year initiative, launched in late 2020, supports sustainable development and safeguards biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Yasuní—considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth—shelters an astonishing assortment of creatures, such as anteaters, capybaras, sloths, spider monkeys, and about 600 species of colorful birds. In the Napo and Curaray rivers flanking the park, visitors can watch for the Amazon river dolphin, an endangered and enigmatic species.

Yasuní also provides refuge for the Tagaeri and Taromenane people, Waorani Indigenous groups who live in voluntary isolation and use handcrafted canoes to travel between waterways. Tour operators such as Napo Wildlife Center offer excursions and lodging based on a sustainable ecotourism model that benefits the resident tribes. — Karen Alfaro, National Geographic Traveler Latin America

Chimanimani, Mozambique

Witness a conservation success. “Chimanimani is a timeless place, where local rainmakers still climb peaks to summon rain,” says National Geographic Explorer and photojournalist Jen Guyton , of one of Mozambique ’s newest national parks. Located on the country’s mountainous border with Zimbabwe, Chimanimani National Park , established in October 2020, is home to Mozambique’s highest peak, Mount Binga (elevation: 7,992 feet). It was once flush with elephants, lions, and other large animals whose images appear in ancient rock art created by the ancestral San people.

Poaching during decades of civil unrest decimated wildlife populations, but small numbers of elephants remain, as do at least 42 other species of mammals and a dazzling variety of plant and avian life. In the two recent biodiversity surveys alone that Guyton photographed, 475 plant species and 260 bird species were identified, along with 67 amphibian and reptile species—including one frog and one lizard thought to be new to science.

( How one of Africa’s great parks is rebounding from war .)

Sustainable tourism activities—such as birdwatching, hiking to forest waterfalls, and overnighting at the Ndzou Camp , a small community ecolodge—provide up-close views of a captivating wild place, which Guyton particularly enjoys experiencing at sunset. “With no roads for miles around, there’s total silence except for the birds, and you get a few moments of almost transcendental peace in that warm glow.”

Ruhr Valley, Germany

Get creative. Mining and steel production once dominated the densely populated Ruhr Valley , located in Germany ’s western state of North Rhine–Westphalia. Today, the region is repurposing former slag heaps (mounds of mining waste) and postapocalyptic-looking industrial sites as parks and open-air cultural spaces.  

The most famous is the World Heritage site of   Zeche Zollverein (Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex), home to an outdoor swimming pool, ice rink, and walking trails. “People visiting the Ruhr area are usually impressed by the abundance of green,” says Karola Geiss-Netthöfel, director of the Ruhr Regional Association .

Zollverein is part of the wider Emscher Landscape Park , an east-west system of green spaces and corridors covering nearly 175 square miles. Rent a bike in Essen for a car-free Ruhr Valley trip along cycling routes, many of which follow former railway tracks. Or explore on foot via the 96-mile-long Hohe Mark Steig , a trekking trail opened in 2021.  

“The trail combines nature and industrial culture in a unique way, as you pass by several industrial buildings,” says Geiss-Netthöfel. A top spot nearby: Halde Hoheward, elevation 495 feet, a mountainous slag heap made from 180 million tons of mine waste and topped with a giant sundial. — Franziska Haack, National Geographic Traveler Germany

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon/Washington

Wine and dine mindfully. The nation’s largest National Scenic Area is probably not where you think it is. It straddles the Oregon - Washington border and comprises 293,000 acres of public and private lands along the Columbia River Gorge.

With Mount Hood nearby, the area attracts more than two million visitors annually. A nonprofit alliance is helping to reduce tourist impact on local nature and culture. This collaboration has become a model for other regions building a sustainable tourism economy.

Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance initiatives include the visitor education program Ready, Set, Gorge, and the East Gorge Food Trail , a network of farms, historic hotels, wineries, and other homegrown experiences. Partnering with other local organizations and educating visitors benefits everyone, says Ali McLaughlin, owner of MountNbarreL , which offers wine-tasting bike tours and other car-free experiences.

“Having tourists who understand the importance of respecting the area they are traveling through has gone a long way toward mitigating concerns from local residents,” says McLaughlin. Go with Nat Geo: Retrace the path of Lewis and Clark’s trailblazing expedition through the Pacific Northwest.

Łódź, Poland

Spotlight a green city. Named a UNESCO City of Film in 2017 for its rich cinematic culture, Łódź , a city of nearly 700,000 in central Poland , was a major textile manufacturing center in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now Poland’s Hollywood is flipping the script on its industrial past to create a greener future.

In recent years Łódź   (pronounced woodge) has embraced new ecological technologies, such as using pre-RDF (refuse-derived fuel) and biomass energy to heat homes. In 2021, the city partnered with the European e-commerce delivery platform InPost to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and traffic in the town’s center by installing 70 parcel locker locations and electric car charging stations.

Nearly a third of Łódź is green space, ranging from new pocket parks to the 2,977-acre Łagiewnicki Forest . In the city’s old industrial areas, factories are being reborn as parks, cultural centers, residences, and retail spaces. The trendiest spot on the cultural map is OFF Piotrkowska , a buzzing art, design, dining, and club district housed in a former cotton mill.  

Another massive factory, built by the I.K. Poznański Cotton Products Company—which employed as many as 7,000 people in 1913—was reimagined as Manufaktura , an arts center and shopping mall spread across 13 historic brick buildings. Manufaktura’s Muzeum Fabryki explores the   Poznański family’s “cotton empire” and the lives of the factory workers. — Martyna Szczepanik, National Geographic Traveler Poland

BEST PLACES FOR CULTURE AND HISTORY

Jingmai Mountain, China

Taste tea. One of the oldest cultural landscapes in China is slated to become one of the country’s newest UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2022. The Ancient Tea Plantations of Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er , which collectively form the world’s largest ancient artificially cultivated tea plantation, features about 1.13 million tea trees, the oldest of which is 1,400 years old.

Located in the remote southwestern corner of China’s Yunnan Province, the region was a starting point of the legendary Ancient Tea Horse Road . This 11th-century network of routes was named for its primary purpose: trading Chinese tea for Tibetan horses (130 pounds of tea equaled the value of one horse).

( In search of the perfect cup of tea in China’s Yunnan Province .)

Today, new highways have replaced the route, but the region’s tea plantations remain, as do the four local ethnic minority groups—the Blang, Dai, Hani, and Wa people—who retain their own languages, customs, and festivals. The remote location and limited tea-tourism offerings make a guided trip the best way to experience this enduring cultural landscape. — Yi Lu, National Geographic Traveler China

Hokkaido, Japan  

Learn about an island’s roots. Most visitors to Hokkaido , Japan’s wildly scenic and northernmost main island, don’t have many opportunities to learn about the Ainu, Indigenous people from the northern region of the archipelago. But the new National Ainu Museum and Park at Upopoy, which opened in 2020, hopes to change that. It joins the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum , which opened in 1992, in teaching Japanese and international visitors about Ainu culture.

Marginalized since the late 1800s, the Ainu were granted legal protections in Japan in 2019; the country’s new Ainu Promotion Act recognizes and bans discrimination against the Ainu.  

Upopoy has a pressing three-pronged mission: promote, revitalize, and expand Ainu culture before it becomes extinct. Particularly at risk is the Ainu language, which is unrelated to Japanese or any other language, and is considered critically endangered by UNESCO. Listening to conversational Ainu and playing games to learn pronunciation are part of the new museum’s permanent exhibition.  

Visitors can also discover the timely sustainable-living lessons of the Ainu, whose spiritual beliefs are rooted in respect and gratitude for nature. After visiting Upopoy, drive 30 minutes southwest and soak in nature at Noboribetsu Onsen , Hokkaido’s premier hot springs resort which is located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park . Go with Nat Geo:   Take a voyage in the Ring of Fire aboard the National Geographic Resolution.

Procida Island, Italy

Connect with culture.   Chosen pre-pandemic, the theme of Procida’s reign as the Italian Capital of Culture 2022 — La cultura non isola (Culture does not isolate)—now seems particularly on point. The island city, located 40 minutes southwest of Naples via high-speed ferry, plans to use its year in the spotlight to illustrate the importance of culture, particularly in times of uncertainty.

“Today, ‘Culture does not isolate’ is an even stronger call to action because, for us, the island is a metaphor for modern people,” says Procida 2022 director Agostino Riitano. “We are all like islands, creating our own archipelagos where culture has to be the mortar that holds them together; this is even more true following the effects of the pandemic.”

( The pandemic couldn’t silence this Italian city of music .)

Procida 2022 plans to spread cultural programming, such as contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, and performances, over 300 days to encourage responsible travel throughout the year, and to avoid a mass influx of visitors during the summer. In the spotlight as a symbol of the inclusive theme is the island’s Palazzo d’Avalos , a Renaissance palace-turned-prison, built in 1500 and closed in 1988. Most recently associated with isolation, the former prison and its green space (where inmates raised crops, cows, and pigs) will be reborn as a cultural venue and urban park.

Atlanta, Georgia  

Meet the moment. At a time when voting rights are in contention in the United States, Atlanta is flexing its cultural and political muscle through two formidable voter empowerment organizations: The New Georgia Project and Fair Fight Action , both founded by Atlanta-based political leader and activist Stacey Abrams.

Being at the forefront of social change isn’t new, says city native Bem Joiner, cofounder of the creative agency Atlanta Influences Everything . “Atlanta’s ‘special sauce’ is its three C’s: civic, corporate, and cultural. We’re the cradle of the civil rights movement, the home of Coca-Cola, and our hip-hop culture shapes global culture. There’s no place else quite like Atlanta.”

Georgia’s largest city is also an epicenter of Black entrepreneurship, incubating businesses such as plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan and eco-conscious Sustainable Home Goods .  

Easily accessible on foot or by bike via the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail , the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood blends nightlife and dining venues, such as Biggerstaff Brewing Company and Ponce City Market , with historic highlights like the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum .

Tin Pan Alley, London

Sing along. Despite pushback from punk and rock purists, the remix of Denmark Street , former hub of the British music industry, promises to hit all the right notes. Once lined with music publishers, recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and dimly lit clubs, the tiny street, nicknamed London ’s Tin Pan Alley, helped launch the British punk rock movement and legends including David Bowie, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones.  

In recent years, the music had all but died, save for Denmark Street’s surviving guitar shops. Now this iconic slice of history is being revived as part of Outernet London, the West End’s new $1.2 billion entertainment district.

The retooled street retains pieces of its storied past: restored 17th-century building facades; the heritage-protected graffiti art of Johnny Rotten, lead singer of the Sex Pistols (who lived here); the old-school music shops (thanks to affordable, long-term leases).  

( Learn more about the unlikely rebirth of a London legend .)

It also welcomes new spaces for infusing with music. There are busker spots where street musicians can make their case for being the next Adele (who debuted at Denmark Street’s original 12 Bar Club ); a free-to-use professional-quality recording studio for up-and-coming artists; and the new Chateau Denmark hotel, spread across 16 buildings steeped in music history.

BEST PLACES FOR FAMILIES

Lycia, Turkey

Learn about nomadic life. The nomadic Yörüks,   originally from different Turkic groups that ranged from the Balkans to Iran , once roamed the plateaus of the Turkish riviera. Most of the Yörüks (literally “walkers”) have now settled down—but many of their thousand-year-old customs are alive and well.  

Located in the historical Lycia region in southwestern Anatolia , Teke Peninsula is one of the spots where Yörük culture remains strong. Teke Yörüks live a semi-nomadic life with their tents, kilim rugs, herds, shepherd dogs, and transhumant traditions, set against a mountainous, Mediterranean backdrop full of olive trees.

In recent years, tour companies have started to merge the marvels of Lycia with Yörük life. Families can trek parts of the famous Lycian Way ; visit ancient sites like Patara, Xanthos, or Letoon; and swim in crystal clear waters while spending nights in hotels, guesthouses, tents, or villagers’ own homes. But it’s the children who have the most fun, as they can experience Yörük culture by making syrup with pomegranates, cooking local pastries, milking goats, or taking part in the olive harvest.

“History, nature, and culture, they’re all here. We wanted to turn this beautiful landscape into a learning platform, but also into a playground,” says Kerem Karaerkek, the chief guide of Middle Earth Travel . “I love how the kids get excited when they step into a Yörük kitchen or when they go on a treasure hunt in ancient Lycian ruins. You can see the sense of wonder in their eyes.” — Onur Uygun, National Geographic Traveler Turkey

Granada, Spain

Marvel at geometric beauty. Built as a palace-city by 13th-century Nasrid sultans—rulers of the longest-lasting and final Muslim dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula—the Alhambra (“red fort”) is considered the Moorish architectural jewel of Europe. The almond-shaped profile of this UNESCO World Heritage site rests on a hill above Granada, one of the most picturesque cities in Spain .

But it’s the mathematical wizardry on display here that is particularly fascinating for families. Intricate mosaics, arabesques (a repetitive, stylized pattern based on a floral or vegetal design), and muqarnas   (ornamental vaulting) make the Alhambra a masterpiece of geometric beauty—and a colorful classroom for age-appropriate exploration of math concepts, such as shapes, symmetry, proportion, and measurement.

Math flows through the Alhambra’s other main design feature, water, which gives life and meaning to the whole. Water provides the refreshing spirit of the gardens and the murmur of its fountains, but is also an element of the architecture itself.

At the Palace of the Lions , one of the Alhambra’s three original royal palaces, families will marvel at the central fountain. Its elaborate design features 12 stone lions supporting a large marble basin on their backs and—thanks to the technical wonder of complex hydraulics—spitting water from their mouths. Go with Nat Geo: Discover Moorish Spain from Córdoba’s cultures to Granada’s Alhambra to Seville’s wonders. —Manuel Mateo Pérez, NG Viajes Spain

Eastern Shore, Maryland

Be transported by history. The history of the Underground Railroad flows through the waterways, wetlands, swamps, and tidal marshes of Dorchester County on Maryland ’s Eastern Shore. This is where the secret network’s most famous “conductor,” Harriet Tubman , was born enslaved, grew up, and honed the skills—such as trapping, hunting, and using stars to navigate—she used to escape to freedom in Pennsylvania . She then returned 13 times to rescue more than 70 enslaved friends and family. Her heroic story is told at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center , one of the more than 30 stops along the 125-mile Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway .

To bring Tubman’s story to life for kids, Alex Green, co-owner of Harriet Tubman Tours , suggests a kayaking adventure in the byway’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge . As a child, Tubman trapped muskrats here and worked alongside her father, a timber inspector who taught her how to move around the marshlands.

“We talk to kids about how the confidence and lessons Harriet learned inside the terrible institution of slavery drove her to accomplish incredible things,” Green says. “Harriet never gave up and she never stopped learning. That’s a lesson they can take home.” Go with Nat Geo:   Embark on a wild Chesapeake Bay escape to see waterways, watermen, and wildlife.

Danube River  

Cruise storybook lands. Boating the Danube can seem like traveling through a realm of fairy tales, with its scrolling views of castles, medieval towns, and stately palaces that help to bring European history to life. The river twists through 10 European countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine), and most Danube cruise itineraries include stops in at least four of those, with special family sailings featuring kid-friendly onshore activities.

School lessons focusing on Middle Ages feudalism take on vivid dimensions when exploring Veste Oberhaus in Passau, Germany, one of the largest surviving castle complexes in Europe. Ages-old Hungarian equestrian traditions come alive on a southern Hungarian ranch, where fearless csikós , or mounted herdsmen, ride standing upright and balancing on the backs of two galloping horses.

When off the water, look to wheels. Board Vienna ’s iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, the Riesenrad , or take a bike ride among terraced vineyards in Lower Austria’s World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape .   Go with Nat Geo:   Savor Christmas markets from Budapest to Nuremberg on this Danube cruise . — National Geographic Traveler Romania

Dive a longtime marine reserve. Dazzling sunlight, a turquoise sea, palm trees, white beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere: Bonaire checks all the boxes for an idyllic tropical destination. But compared to many other Caribbean islands, Bonaire (pop. 21,000) is quiet and still relatively wild and unspoiled. Off its coast lies one of the oldest marine reserves in the world.

The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979 and has been on the provisional UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011. The reserve encompasses 6,672 acres of coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove vegetation. Bonaire’s healthy reefs are a magnet for divers and snorkelers who can spot up to 57 species of coral and more than 350 different fish species.

Several dive schools on Bonaire participate in the Reef Renewal program , in which volunteers can grow and maintain corals in underwater nurseries, then plant them into the reef. Anyone who can dive can come and help after completing the PADI Reef Renewal Diver course.

( Read more about new efforts to save dying coral reefs . )

Accessibility is another bonus: You don’t need a liveaboard or other boat transport to start exploring. At 54 of Bonaire’s nearly 90 public dive sites, you walk from the beach or a pier straight into the water. —Barbera Bosma, National Geographic Traveler Netherlands

Written by the global editors of National Geographic Travel, with additional reporting and writing by Maryellen Kennedy Duckett, Karen Carmichael, and Shauna Farnell.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted travel. When planning a trip, be sure to research your destination and take safety precautions before, during, and after your journey. Click here for National Geographic reporting on the pandemic.

Related Topics

• ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
• NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
• CULTURAL CONSERVATION
• PEOPLE AND CULTURE
• CULTURAL TOURISM

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Where to Travel in 2022

'Tis the season to start dreaming of all the trips we want to take next year.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

And just like that, another extraordinary year nears its end. In between wrapping up the rest of 2021 with subdued holiday gatherings and quiet champagne toasts at home, the mind inevitably wanders. To what could be in 2022. To the trips we may finally get to check off that bucket list, whether it's to see the Scottish countryside from a sumptuous train fit for a royal, or to soak in the same ochre-hued New Mexico landscape that so captivated Georgia O'Keeffe for many years. Or to old haunts we just can't wait to visit again with a fresh perspective and peace of mind. Or to the fabulous new hotels ready to welcome us with superb hospitality and plush digs. These are still uncertain times, but we can dream—and tentatively plan—for the future. Below, 17 of the best destinations to put on the travel list for 2022.

Lanai, Hawaii

READ REVIEWS Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort

Napa Valley, California

Even for those who aren't diehard oenophiles, there is still plenty to do in Napa. In fact, vineyards make up only 9% of the region with the rest—including 53,000 acres that are under the care of the Napa Valley Land Trust—ripe for all manner of outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and hot springs. Brand new in Calistoga is the Four Seasons Napa Valley , which opened in November and is the first resort here to be set within a working winery. Also coming soon, in February, will be a new Auberge Resort called Stanly Ranch , where just 78 cottage suites, all equipped with outdoor terraces with fire pits, will be spread out over a 700-acre private ranch that dates back to the 19th century.

READ REVIEWS Four Seasons Napa Valley

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in the U.S., Santa Fe has rich Native American history, strong Spanish influences, and a vibrant arts scene, from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to Canyon Road, a stretch of art galleries featuring a diverse selection (think: Fernando Botero sculptures, handwoven Navajo rugs). Then, there is Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu (an hour's drive from Santa Fe), a 21,000-acre retreat that so impressed O'Keeffe, she lived there for forty years and prominently featured its landscapes in her work. A trip to the city is worth it alone just to check out its hottest new hotel, Bishop's Lodge , a legendary 150-year-old landmark that Auberge Resorts restored into a luxurious property sitting on 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest. It beautifully pays homage to the city's Southwestern heritage with activities like sunrise horseback riding and guided pueblo tours.

READ REVIEWS Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection

Members of the new pot elite , rejoice. Malta just became the first country in the European Union to legalize marijuana. Not so into the cannabis? As a picturesque archipelago that has served as a filming location for a number of period epics, from Gladiator and Troy , to Munich and Murder on the Orient Express , Malta hardly wants for scenic sights (and FOMO-inducing Instagram backdrops). And having long ago suffered through a succession of invasions—by the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, the Kingdom of Aragon, the French, and the British—the Mediterranean country has a panoply of rich history, culture, and architecture. Stay at the Xara Palace , a former 17th-century palazzo that is now a Relais & Chateaux and the only hotel located in Mdina, the medieval walled city that used to be the island's capital (until 1530) and served as the center of Maltese nobility.

READ REVIEWS The Xara Palace

New York City

After being hit hard during the pandemic in 2020, NYC has been on the rebound ever since, slowly but surely getting back to the bustling and dynamic metropolis it was in the Before Times. By February a brand new Ritz-Carlton opens in Manhattan's NoMad district—and it conveniently fills a gaping hole in the neighborhood left by the abrupt closure of the NoMad Hotel earlier this year. The Ritz will bring on a celebrity chef of its own, José Andrés, who will open an outpost of his popular DC power spot, Zaytinya, plus a high-end restaurant called the Bazaar later in the year. The 250-room hotel will also have the most coveted of NYC hotel amenities: a rooftop bar.

Queen Elizabeth celebrates her platinum jubilee in 2022, and while that may be reason enough to go to London to witness all of the official celebrations that will swirl around Buckingham Palace in June, how about paying tribute to the UK's longest reigning monarch with a pilgrimage through her beloved Scotland? It's not hard to see why she retreats to the Highlands every summer to rest at Balmoral Castle, said to be her favorite palace. But first, start in capital city Edinburgh to marvel at its eclectic mix of medieval and Georgian architecture and then check into the Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel (not to be confused with the queen's pad), for a night or two of 5-star pampering and Michelin-starred dining. Then it's up to the Scottish Highlands and the town of Braemar, which neighbors the queen's Balmoral, to stay at the the Fife Arms , a former Victorian-era coaching inn that was completely transformed by art world power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth into an absolute jewel box of a property bursting with more than 16,000 works of art. Not so confident about driving on the other side of the road? Enter: the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train that is quite possibly the most luxuriously appointed way to take in the stunning countryside.

READ REVIEWS The Balmoral

READ REVIEWS The Fife Arms

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is absolute heaven for foodies (musts: the modern twist on Southern cuisine at Husk and Fig , the unbelievably fresh oysters and seafood at 167 Raw and the Ordinary ), history buffs, and architecture nerds. It's probably also one of the most introspective cities in the South, making concerted efforts to confront its painful and complicated past (be sure to check out the South Carolina Historical Society Museum and the Gibbes Museum of Art for important lessons). Right in the heart of the city is the palatial Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel , a bastion of luxurious Southern hospitality with more than 400 rooms, all outfitted in elegant touches like mahogany beds and marble showers.

READ REVIEWS Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel

Big Sky, Montana

For a certain subset of the population, the luxury western ranch trip has become a near-obligatory rite of passage in recent years. Montage is just the latest to seize on this opportunity—on December 15, it officially opened the doors to a sprawling new resort in Big Sky, Montana, becoming the first luxury ski hotel to ever be built in this picturesque region. The location is unparalleled. Just 45 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park and surrounded by the Spanish Peaks mountain range. And the list of things to do? Endless: direct access to Big Sky resort's 5,800 acres of ski terrain and to a championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, snowshoeing, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, the list goes on.

Madrid, Spain

As far as European cities go, it's hard to beat the many charms of Madrid. The Spanish capital has it all: beautiful old world architecture, blue chip museums, amazing food, lovely parks and gardens, great shopping, a wonderful locals' vibe, and royal clout. Just as the iconic Ritz near El Retiro Park was recently converted to a Mandarin Oriental property, so too has Villa Magna, another aging grande dame in need of a refresh, courtesy of Rosewood—in October it officially reopened as the Rosewood Villa Magna . Located in the tony Salamanca neighborhood, the hotel has 154 accommodations, all designed to evoke the feel of a contemporary Spanish villa, and a signature restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jesús Sánchez.

READ REVIEWS Rosewood Villa Magna

Las Vegas, Nevada

What happens in Vegas? Well, that depends what your interests are. With best in class offerings across the board when it comes to dining, shopping, and accommodations, you have to go out of your way to have a disappointing time in the infamous city. For starters, Adele announced her Vegas residency starting in 2022—all the more reason to plan a trip. And if you really want to lean into the Las Vegas experience, book yourself at the Cosmopolitan , smack dab in the lap of luxury and heart of the strip. The hotel has a wide range of cant-be-beat restaurants to choose from including Momofuku, Scarpetta, and Blue Ribbon, as well as expansive rooms and suites designed with a contemporary infusion so there's a calm refuge from whatever hijinks may unfold.

Another great option? The European-inspired Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which offers fine dining options such as Le Cirque and the Mayfair Supper Club, and of course is situated near some of the best luxury shopping the world has to offer.

READ REVIEWS Bellagio Hotel & Casino

READ REVIEWS The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

There are numerous compelling reasons to visit Ireland, whether you're a history buff, love literature (it is the home of William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Sally Rooney after all), or are simply outdoorsy and a golf fanatic. But regardless of your interests, the island is temperate nearly all of the year—and offers unforgettable experiences from scenic drives up the coast, to picturesque national parks, and even unique opportunities to watch the Winter Solstice. However, one cannot miss trip is Adare Manor, just outside of Limerick.

The Neo-Gothic manor was once home to the Earls of Dunraven, but these days, the historic castle is a 5-star luxury resort, surrounded by charming medieval ruins, winding gardens and woodland paths that you could lose yourself on—in the best way possible. Not only are the guest rooms lavishly decorated and fitted with Georgian-era furnishings, but the resort offers a wide range of activities from falconry and golf to clay shooting and fishing.

READ REVIEWS Adare Manor

For years, travelers have flocked to the tiny island of Bermuda, and it's no wonder why. The pristine beaches are known the world over for their soft pink sand, and what's more, travel to the escape is a breeze—just a 90-minute flight from New York City. And two new hotels on the island offer the height of luxury. First there is the St. Regis Bermuda , which opened its doors to vacationers in summer 2021 and is located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can expect a hybrid of avant-garde design with local flare as well as sophisticated touches that are the hallmark of the St. Regis brand. Also on the world class property? A golf-course, a state of the art spa, and a designated children's club for families who visit.

Also new to the island is the luxury boutique hotel the Loren at Pink Beach, which is located on Tucker's Point. With just 45 rooms complete with panoramic views and a Sisley Spa, it's the perfect beachside hideaway when you want to really disappear into the sun and sand.

READ REVIEWS St. Regis Bermuda

READ REVIEWS Loren at Pink Beach

Geneva, Switzerland

On the western edge of Switzerland, surrounded by the Alps, is the serene cobblestone city of Geneva, whose views on Mont Blanc alone are worthy of a visit. While the cosmopolitan area is both home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross, the international financial hub makes for a great slow-paced getaway, or dare we say it, a fantastic breather while on a business trip.

First on your list should you visit is the Oetker Collection's latest jewel, the Woodward . Originally built in 1901, the property has been reimagined by Pierre Yves Rochon and boasts two restaurants, the Michelin-starred L'Atelier Robuchon and Le Jardin, a spa appointed by Guerlain, and breathtaking views. There's a reason why they're calling it the lakeside home of haute living.

Palm Beach, Florida

One could argue that Palm Beach is to Eastern Florida, as Cannes is the Riviera. It's been the vacation home and haunt of Swans—with a capital S— for the better part of a hundred years. And with the recent infusion of New York hotspots such as Le Bilboquet and La Goulue i n the last few years, it almost feels as though NYC has been transported to the sandy palm beaches.

Known for it's low-key ambiance and relaxed luxury, The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect place to hit pause. Not only is the property a hop, skip, and a jump from the go-to performing arts venues, but the neighboring area is replete with fantastic shopping and dining should you need a pause from the hotel's five-star spa and seven-acre private beach. It's the kind of place that once you visit, you can't help but make a plan to dash back for more.

READ REVIEWS Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Nambiti, South Africa

While travel to Southern Africa is currently off limits due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a safari in South Africa remains bucket list worthy—just don't book the trip without double-checking travel advisories.

What's worth the wait? The Homestead— the Nambiti Game Reserve's soon-to-be opened luxury safari in one of the most widely biodiverse regions in all of Africa. The Homestead's bespoke safari experiences are also created to hold conservation and sustainability at the highest importance, as made evident by the twelve suite "super luxury" eco lodge accommodations which are entirely solar-powered. Menus are designed by world-renowned chefs, and the food is made with local ingredients—all with the hope of both a positive impact on the planet and those who visit.

Lake Como, Italy

It should come as no surprise that year after year, the gliteratti heads out to the glamorous region in Northern Italy (which also recently made appearances in The Morning Show, Succession, and House of Gucci ). Between exploring the remnants of medieval villages, the opulent villas, and of course, the gorgeous lake, it's no wonder that the locale never goes out of style.

Summer is when the region really shines, and 2022 is the perfect opportunity to make an occasion of it at Villa Passalacqua . Originally built in the 18th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua (both Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill were known to visit), the stately mansion is the sister property to Grand Hotel Tremezzo , and offers only the best of luxury. Think: 24 suites designed by Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis, but with a preservation of the original structure in mind. Villa Passalacqua also offers swimming in the lake, an open-air gym in the olive grove, vintage boat trips from a private dock, farm to fork dining and gorgeous manicured gardens.

The Catskills

No, this isn't Dirty Dancing but the Borscht Belt has experienced a serious travel boom in the last two years. From new hotels and inns, to a bountiful supply of AirBnbs, the mountainous region in Southeastern New York is once again an it-destination for the Tri-State area during the summer, for leaf peeping in the fall, and even in the cold months.

Whether you're taking a quick spin around Kaaterskill Falls, heading into Hudson for some antiquing and a bite at Lil' Debs Oasis or just simply taking in everything the region has to offer with a scenic drive, you'll find your days are packed with a wide variety of fun offerings. Fan favorite stays include the Eastwind Hotel and of course Scribner's Catskill Lodge , but if you're looking to lean into the region's retro resort roots, check out Calicoon Hills .

READ REVIEWS Scribner's Catskill Lodge

READ REVIEWS Eastwind Hotel & Bar

READ REVIEWS Calicoon Hills

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country , where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.

As the deputy digital lifestyle director at Town & Country, Roxanne Adamiyatt covers fashion, beauty, wellness, design and travel. 

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Where to Go in 2022: The Most Exciting Destinations to Explore This Year

Our editors selected the top spots for your next year in travel

If 2021 was the year of diving headfirst into travel, 2022 is the year travelers will be planning their trips more thoughtfully than ever before. Endless months of rescheduled dream vacations allowed us to reflect on the reasons we love to explore and the joy and fulfillment travel brings to our lives. Now, as we navigate the many ways the world has changed in the past two years, one thing is sure: our appreciation for travel is at an all-time high. 

This year, TripSavvy’s editors compiled a list of the top destinations that intrigue and excite us. Some, like New Zealand, are reopening to tourism after extended border closures. Others, like West Virginia, have elevated their outdoor offerings to a whole new level. They all offer unique experiences that remind us why we love to travel and inspire us to start dreaming about that next life-changing trip. These are the flourishing spots that need to be on your radar right now.

Photo: Geraint Rowland Photography / Getty Images

The city of Dakar is a fascinating contradiction. It is at once a cosmopolitan and up-and-coming seaside rendezvous: locals pack its beaches at sunset with al fresco fitness classes; international workers and surfers sip cocktails infused with hibiscus tea known as "bissap" at its surf shacks; Dakar Fashion Week, founded by the designer Adama Ndiaye, known as Adama Paris, features some of the continent's edgiest couture.

But it also feels like a work-in-progress: gated mansions sit on unfinished dirt roads as construction workers pave them with cobblestones piled in horse-drawn wagons; diesel fumes salt the air from its thousands of jalopy taxis. Everything, from the leaves of acacia trees to your sneakers, is rusty with the red Saharan dust called harmattan, which blows through like a snowstorm between November and March.

Teranga is the civic motto here. It means "a sense of welcome" or "good hospitality" in Wolof, the local language of this francophone former French colony, and it is a personal philosophy for many Senegalese. And so they have welcomed creative entrepreneurs like the singer Akon, who is building Akon City, an $6 billion ultra-modern metropolis on its outskirts, that he has promised will be a real-life "Wakanda," but which locals skeptically see as a boondoggle.

Teranga drew in Kehinde Wiley, the artist. He was so charmed on a layover that he returned to establish Black Rock , a multi-disciplinary artist residence on a cliff of volcanic rock, to "galvanize growing artistic and creative energies that exist in Africa," according to his mission statement. 

But despite the energy of the new, Dakar's traditions beckon. HLM market in the eastern part of the city is a bazaar of thousands of colorful fabrics—fashion is practically a local sport here—and legions of tailors to make custom garments on the spot. On Sundays, the surfers drawn here by the classic movie "Endless Summer," which was shot here in part, clear out for sheep and goats, whom their keepers bathe in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part grooming, part spiritual practice in this predominantly Muslim country.

At nightfall, fishermen pull in white grouper (locally called "thiof"), and women grill it for picnicking couples straight on the beach; eat it with fonio, an ancient local grain that celebrity chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, an Ethiopian-American, are touting as the next quinoa. Or you can go for the more glamorous fare at Seku-Bi , a brand new boutique hotel in the city center where Naomi Campbell stays when she's in town. Either is good sustenance for clubbing, which starts ultra late here.

The city's history calls out: the bucolic Ile de Gorée, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a quick ferry ride past fishermen in brightly colored wooden skiffs off the coast. Deceptively pretty, it is where enslaved persons were stockpiled before making the deadly Middle Passage. A small portal in a cell there looks back at Senegal's shore, the last glimpse of home for kidnapped Africans, known now as "the Door of No Return." It is powerful to look through it at Dakar today. — Sarah Maslin Nir

Photo: Unsplash

While Switzerland's touristic roots primarily lie in the country's Alpine climate and landscapes, visitors would be remiss to skip the country's cosmopolitan cities—most notably Switzerland's largest city, Zurich .

Settled by Romans in 15 BC, Zurich has since transformed into a global financial center and transit hub, often a layover destination for visitors going elsewhere in the country. But next time you're passing through on your way to St. Moritz or Lucerne, slow down and take in all that's new in this easily accessible city.

Opened in September 2020, the Lindt Home of Chocolate welcomes children and adults alike to discover the magic of one of Switzerland's most significant exports. Creamy Swiss milk chocolate is the star of the show here, as visitors can gawk at a giant chocolate fountain, see the production process, and stuff their suitcases with souvenirs at the largest Lindt chocolate shop in the world.

With your sweet tooth satisfied, you could spend weeks on end immersing yourself in the arts in Zurich. Tonhalle Zurich , the city's 1,455-seat concert hall, reopened last September, and the stunning acoustics—among the best in the world—haven't disappeared. New nearby is LUX Restaurant & Bar , situated lakeside with a spacious terrace breathtaking views of the Swiss landscape. (Don't miss the spectacular Sunday brunch, where dishes like crispy duck bao and eggs benedict on a homemade bun are so good that you might be momentarily distracted from the views.)

In the industrial part of the city, art lovers have welcomed Licthalle Maag , the first permanent museum in Switzerland to show only immersive exhibitions. Viva Frida Kahlo remains on display through the end of February, with two more exhibitions planned for 2022.

And if you've been waiting to take in one of Switzerland's most important art collections, there's no better time than now. The Kunsthaus Zürich's David Chipperfield-designed extension opened in October, firmly situating the museum as one of the best in Europe. It boasts the most important impressionist collection outside of Paris, the largest dada collection in the world, and an extensive archive of native son Alberto Giacometti's works.

During your stay, shell out the Swiss francs for the Zurich Card —a travel pass that's good for either 24 or 72 hours and includes unlimited travel on the city's public transport network (including the cable car and the airport), free entrance to more than 40 museums, discounts on shopping, and extra treats in some of the city's best restaurants.

And before you depart, spend some time at the airport—Zurich has (wisely) followed in the footsteps of Singapore and other cities which have turned their airports into stand-along destinations. Riken Yamamoto's futuristic and bright Circle complex opened in November 2020, a sprawling modern development home to shopping, dining, office space, and two new Hyatt hotels.  — Laura Ratliff

Photo: John Crux Photography / Getty Images

The isthmus of Panama is a destination that travel brochures cannot do justice. It boasts over 1,400 islands and innumerable paradisiacal destinations, but perplexingly, it doesn't invite quite as much fanfare as neighboring Costa Rica and Colombia. Acquainting yourself with Panama will be easier than ever in 2022, however, with Copa Airlines' recently relaunched Panama Stopover program, allowing travelers can explore the country for up to seven days on the way to or from any of Copa's 80 destinations at no additional cost — perfect for dabbling in the year's action-packed schedule.

Panama has committed to a five-year sustainable tourism master plan and beckons purpose-driven travelers to explore all of its extraordinary biodiversity and untapped corners. In early February, the capital city hosts AdventureNEXT Latin America , highlighting the adventure experiences on offer with positive environmental and social impact. After that, water babies can pack their bags, but not plastic — as Panama was the first Central American country to ban these — and head over to the Caribbean coast for Bocas Invitacional , the first international bodyboarding competition and cultural event in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro , which kicks off on Feb. 15, 2022. The event promises Afro-Caribbean music, calypso dancing, community, and beach clean-ups. While in Bocas (as the region is affectionately called), get away from it all at Bastimentos Island's Azul Paradise , a secluded water bungalow resort with swimmable azure waters, eco cred, and an unhurried pace. From May to October, the Gulf of Chiriquí National Marine Park is the place to be for whale watching in all its turquoise glory.

All year round, once-in-a-lifetime feats await water-loving visitors to the sunny bridge of the world. Visit Panama to hike from ocean to ocean via the Camino Real, a route along which precious gold and silver were transported before the Panama Canal and Panama Railroad were built. Treat yourself to a catamaran tour of the boisterously blue San Blas Archipelago that's rumored to have one enchanting island for every day of the year. Bask under a never-ending stream (50 to be precise) of waterfalls at Santa Fe National Park in the Veraguas province. Some of the cascades are thunderous; others are meek—all are visit-worthy.

The capital, Panama City, also offers opportunities for dipping. Veracruz, the nearest sandy beach, is a mere 15-minute drive from downtown. The closest dreamboat island, Taboga, is just a 30-minute ferry ride away, and it once lent its good looks and tranquility to a then-unknown French painter by the name of Paul Gauguin. Bay-facing rooftop pools adorn Panama City's numerous skyscrapers and the old town's new developments, including Hotel La Compañía, Casco Antiguo , a living museum dating back to the 17th century. The 88-room luxury hotel swings open in March and will be the first Central American hotel to join Hyatt's Unbound Collection. Be sure also to relish the fruits of the sea while in the capital, which packs a powerful foodie punch. The toasted yuca with tuna carpaccio is just one of many lick-the-plate-great seafood dishes at Casco Antiguo's Fonda Lo Que Hay , which has a revolving menu and a no-reservations policy. — Rosie Bell

Photo: Prasit photo / Getty Images

If the popularity of BTS, “Squid Game,” and dalgona-flavored treats is anything to go by, South Korea is set to be a hot new tourist destination. And it’s well-deserved. Seoul , the capital city, has so much to offer that you could easily spend weeks exploring the city’s many delights, but the rest of the nation is just as worthy of your precious vacation time. As trite as it sounds, the offerings are so diverse there is truly something for everyone. 

Aiming to indulge in the glory that is Korean cuisine? You’ll be spoiled for choice from the moment you clear customs in Incheon . Want to visit a beloved volcanic island with some of the best tangerines you’ll taste? Jeju is waiting. Itching to get out in nature? Korea’s national parks have challenging hikes and breathtaking scenery, not to mention 21 ski resorts for winter sports lovers. Love to learn about the history and culture of a place? Beyond exploring the dozens of museums, Korea is dotted with lovingly maintained temples and palaces. When you factor in the affordable prices on food and clothes, efficient transportation system, and welcoming people, the real question is why wouldn’t you head to South Korea as soon as possible? 

The JW Marriott hotel group also has its eyes on South Korea as a top destination: the company expanded its Luxury Collection brand into the country with the opening of Josun Palace last May. Later this year, it plans to open a wellness center resort on the lush Jeju Island. (If you wanted a more traditional stay, Josun Palace takes its cues from its neighbor, Chosun Hotel , one of Korea’s first luxury hotels.)

During much of 2021, the country prepped for the return of tourism by investing in infrastructure and accessibility. At the beginning of the year, Korail debuted a brand new, eco-friendly high-speed train and launched a new route from Seoul to Andong, the birthplace of soju. The new train cuts travel time in half, giving you more time to enjoy the delights of Andong, like one of their famous open-air heritage museums or the Andong Folk Festival. 

In September 2021, the Seoul Tourism Organization expanded its accessible tour bus and van services to foreign residents and tourists. Self-guided and planned tours in vans have variable costs, while planning tours on the Danurim buses is free, taking people to major tourist hubs in Seoul. This service is only for people with disabilities, the elderly, and infants. The accessible buses and vans are just one portion of the Seoul universal tourism scheme , a multi-stage effort to make Seoul accessible for all tourists.

Though travel isn’t back in full swing just yet, South Korea is one destination that just keeps getting better and better. — Sherri Gardner

Photo: Robert Stough / Getty Images

John Denver was ahead of his time when he sang that West Virginia was "almost heaven." The state has always been revered for its rich natural beauty, but in recent years, West Virginia is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a great place to visit and live. This is especially true for remote workers who take advantage of the Ascend West Virginia program, which offers $12,000 and an outstanding year-long outdoor recreation package to relocate to the state. The timing has never been better since the first phase of the Elk River Trail opened with 37 miles of forested trails running along the Elk River in Central West Virginia. The mountain state is also home to America's newest national park, New River Gorge , with camping, fishing, white water rafting, hiking trails, and jaw-dropping views of one of the most ancient rivers on the continent. All four visitor centers, a fishing area, and many trails and vistas are wheelchair accessible.

West Virginia is also home to a growing culinary scene, including craft breweries, homegrown distilleries, and restaurants like the Vagabond Kitchen in Wheeling, focusing on modern takes on traditional Appalachian fare with dishes like smoked chicken cornbread casserole and butternut ravioli with beetroot pesto. It's comfort food at its best, with ingredients sourced from local farms and artisans. Just don't leave the state without partaking in a pepperoni roll—a local staple found at nearly every convenience store and bakery counter.

West Virginia was front and center for many of the most critical moments of the nation's history, and the state has done a remarkable job preserving that heritage. You'll' find many places steeped in lore, like John Brown's Fort at Harper's' Ferry National Park , the site of an abolitionist raid and federal standoff. It's one of the 24 restored buildings from the 19th century onsite, alongside hiking trails, jaw-dropping views, and a fascinating visitor center. The walls of the 160-year old Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston have lived through Civil War raids and barbaric medical treatments, and many believe it's haunted. A guided tour of the building is a must if you're in the area.

There is perhaps nowhere that West Virginia's past and present come together more beautifully than in the state's vibrant arts scene. There are countless studios around the state showcasing artists creating traditional Appalachian glass, pottery, and jewelry along with contemporary artists forging new rituals of their own. If you happen to be traveling along Highway I-77 through Beckley, you'll find the work of over 2,800 artists on display at Tamarack Marketplace , so be sure to leave some extra room in your suitcase.

If you're planning your visit, Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs encompasses the best that West Virginia has to offer. Surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, the views are stunning year-round. This is a historic hotel, initially founded in 1858, with an award-winning golf course, a casino, and a mineral spa. In the first quarter of 2022, another hotly anticipated hotel, The Schoolhouse , is scheduled to open in White Sulphur Springs, transforming a historic schoolhouse building into the world's first fully-accessible hotel. Each of the 30 rooms will be wheelchair accessible, because it isn't "almost heaven" until everyone is included. — Tamara Gane

Photo: Fitria Ramli / EyeEm / Getty Images

Qatar is currently the most buzzing place in the Middle East. Hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country's infrastructure has been growing at a rate that warrants several visits simply to appreciate the changes that can take part in such a short time. While it is rare that you'd look at a football stadium as a piece of architecture, some of the world's best architects have been given free rein here, and the results, such as the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah by Zaha Hadid Architects, are superb. 

Apart from the nation's football fever lies its art scene. Qatar has invested money into world-class museums more than any other Arabian country, with the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art firmly at the top, alongside incredible public art installations that stand unrivaled. From the numerous artworks from top artists such as Small Lie by KAWS and COSMOS by Jean-Michel Othoniel within Hamad International Airport to the minimalistic but breathtaking East-West West-East installation by Richard Serra with its four large steel plates standing in the middle of the desert, there is art wherever you look.

The design hub Mshereib is becoming the city's trendiest quarter, with M7 at its heart, hosting superb design exhibitions, such as Christian Dior Designer of Dreams, on view until March 31, 2022. Within the quarter's minimalist architecture lies the elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel , steps away from the cafes and art galleries, as well as Souq Waqif, the traditional souq, or marketplace, where you can shop, learn about falconry, and get up close and personal with not only Arabian thoroughbred horses but also thoroughbred camels. For a more boutique stay, head to Souq Waqif Hotel Qatar by Tivoli , spread across several townhouses for an intimate experience.

While Qatar is openly cosmopolitan, with top international restaurants, there is nothing quite like sampling the local cuisine to get a feel for a country. For lunch on the run, pop into one of the many small restaurants and juice stalls within Souq Waqif and ask for a traditional machboos rice dish. For a more sophisticated experience, head straight to Jiwan , inside the desert rose-shaped National Museum of Qatar , for delicious Qatari fusion food with a great view across the entire city.

In preparation for the anticipated influx of visitors in 2022, several new hotels are being opened to complement the city's already superb choices. In Lusail, just north of Doha City Centre, the dual-brand Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Residences coming to the open circle building this year will dominate the skyline of Lusail, alongside the city's first Rosewood Hotel Lusail , whose sleek décor is inspired by coral.

Wherever you look, Doha offers an intriguing mix of modern amenities and experiences enhanced by local culture and traditions. — Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey

Photo: Worawat Dechatiwong / Getty Images

When New Zealand's borders closed in March 2020, few Kiwis imagined they would still be closed almost two years later. Now, as the world enters a third pandemic year, New Zealand is tentatively looking to open again to international visitors, albeit in a staged, controlled manner. With more than 90 percent of adult Kiwis vaccinated, mask mandates for most public indoor settings, and vaccination mandates covering workers in many public-facing roles, when the borders open, vaccinated visitors can be confident that travel in New Zealand will be about as low-risk as possible during an ongoing pandemic.

But where to go? A logical way to plan a trip is to pick either the North Island or the South Island , as doing them both justices would take a month or longer.

With the capital ( Wellington ), the largest city ( Auckland ), and the bulk of the country's population (4 million out of 5 million), the North Island is a logical choice for travelers who want to see and do a lot in a shorter time. While many visitors fly into Auckland and travel south from there–to well-known favorites like Waitomo , Rotorua , and Wellington–in 2022, it makes sense to head north to Northland.

In an era of Covid-related closures, the Northland city of Whangarei will see the opening of a fabulous new museum in February 2022: the Hundertwasser Art Centre . The Austrian-born New Zealand artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) spent the last two decades living in the rural Bay of Islands , north of Whangarei. His plans for Whangarei's art center weren't realized in his lifetime but have been followed meticulously over the last few years. The tiled, gold-domed museum at Whangarei's Town Basin marina rivals any of his buildings in Vienna and will contain exhibits on Hundertwasser's art and the Wairau Māori Art Gallery. Previews of the on-site Aqua Restaurant and Bar give it rave reviews.

Te Waipounamu, the South Island, is the island of choice for those who prefer immersion in nature. The snow-capped Southern Alps form the island's backbone, providing the rivers, glaciers, ski fields , hiking and mountain biking trails, and incredible views. The lack of international tourists has been challenging for remote tourist-oriented towns such as Queenstown, Franz Josef , and Mt. Cook Village .

Hiking enthusiasts have an extra reason to visit the South Island in 2022: the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track in Southland/Fiordland is a step closer to becoming one of the Department of Conservation's dedicated Great Walks of New Zealand. The pandemic has led to delays, and the three-day trail may not be inaugurated into the Great Walks list until 2023-24, but it can still be hiked. Beat the crowds by getting in early in 2022.

If that sounds like hard work, some R&R in Queenstown may be preferable. With views across Lake Wakatipu and to the Remarkables range from many west-facing rooms, you don't even need to fling yourself off a bridge (bungee jumping), down a river ( rafting ) or waterfall (canyoning), or into the skies (paragliding) to experience Queenstown's best. Five-star Hulbert House Boutique Hotel offers the kind of understated luxury that many travelers love about New Zealand.

If New Zealand's been on your bucket list for years, this is the year to scratch that itch. — Elen Turner

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The Best Places to Travel in 2022

Where will 2022 take you below, you’ll find 39 destinations—from abu dhabi to alberta, canada—where your visit will really count. locals tell us what’s new, exciting, and worth the trip in the coming year..

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Where to Go Next. It feels good to write those words. After a long pause, travel is returning. Borders are reopening, families are reuniting, and deferred dreams are becoming realities. As 2022 approaches, are you eagerly and excitedly plotting out your next 12 months of trips? Or maybe you’re still just fantasizing about travel, unsure about where you’ll go next and when.

To inspire all your travel hopes and wishes, we’ve collected 39 love letters to various places, written by the people who know them best: locals. How did we decide what to spotlight? We focused on the lesser-known sides of a destination (Abu Dhabi and Taiwan); spots where your visit could really count (Turkana, Kenya, and Ten Thousand Islands, Florida); and those cities that could use a little love on the heels of 2020 and 2021 ( Chicago and Copenhagen ). As always, we tell these stories through the lens of travel as a force for good: more inclusive, conscientious, and sustainable. Cheers to a year of getting out there again. —Julia Cosgrove, editor in chief

1. Russian River Valley, California

The gods of climate change made some of their first displays of power in this slice of rural california, where there’s much to love and much to protect.

The Bay Area is still lovable in its fleece-wearing Tesla millionaire kind of way, but—local secret here—the region’s faded old river towns have long been the heart of our most quintessential Northern California-ness. The addled trappings of modern life fall away at the first quake of the aspens. What remains is a refreshingly purer iteration of the human spirit, miles from the venture-funded sleekness of San Francisco.

Here, at a lazy bend in the shimmering Russian River, a wiry man in a milk jug raft drifts past singing Puccini. Explore farther and you’ll discover a five-and-dime on Main Street in Guerneville. Join a barbecue at the Monte Rio firehouse. Feel the gentle purling of the river under your butt as your inner tube floats vaguely west, not a care in the world except not spilling that beer someone tossed you.

The Lower Russian River Valley has long inhabited a slower, more analog era that’s left room for funky charms to take root. The passage of time seemed to just sort of overlook this region—at least until now.

For the full story from Chris Colin, read The True Heart of California’s Bay Area Is in the Russian River Valley .

2. Chicago, Illinois

The windy city is roaring back from the pandemic, thanks to its entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of pride.

In the aftermath of the Great Fire, which razed more than 2,000 acres of central Chicago in 1871, leaving nearly 100,000 homeless, one resident, William D. Kerfoot, displayed a hand-painted sign that read” “all gone but wife, children and energy. I have been thinking about Kerfoot since the pandemic. But not before a full year of questioning why I still lived in Chicago when everything I loved about it—the theater, music, sports, and dining scenes, as well as the 26-mile lakefront—was closed or verboten.

As the city has been slowly reopening, I have been reminded of Kerfoot’s outlook. Jazz musicians started holding “step sessions” on neighborhood porches, encouraging residents to BYO and use virtual tip jars. They’re planning to return to porches in spring 2022. Entrepreneurs renovated an RV as Majostee Spa , a mobile nail salon making home visits. Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery , recognized the need for comfort food during the pandemic; now the baker is looking to open a shop for her famed cupcakes at O’Hare International Airport, where she can, as she puts it, “export a little bit of my African American neighborhood and inspire [people] to come to 75th Street and see everything we’re serving.”

“Chicago sees itself, since the fire, as a city able to withstand whatever,” said Shermann Dilla Thomas, a historian who offers guided city tours. “It also makes us a city that doesn’t believe in small plans. After you get a blank canvas, the sky’s the limit.”

For the full story from Elaine Glusac, read As the Pandemic (Hopefully) Wanes, Chicago Is Back and Stronger Than Ever .

3. Métis Crossing, Alberta, Canada

Alberta’s first métis cultural destination was conceived, built, and operated by métis people to tell their story—and in 2022 it’s getting a huge expansion.

I was about 12 years old when I first met my birth mother and discovered that I was Métis. I saw her several times after that, and though we never discussed why I grew up in foster care, she frequently reiterated that we were both Métis. I’ve spent years trying to figure out exactly what that meant and why it was so important.

Since the 18th century, the French word métis has described individuals in Canada with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. In Canada’s early years, French and Scottish fur traders married First Nations women of Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Cree, and other cultural backgrounds, and soon the Métis Nation was born. The Métis were known for hunting, trapping, and fur trading, and in 1982 they became one of the three groups of recognized Indigenous Peoples of Canada .

Métis Crossing , which opened in 2005 on the river lots—the riverside settlements home to the earliest settlers in this part of Alberta—is a fascinating place to learn about Métis culture, traditions, and beliefs. There’s a campground with comfortably furnished trappers’ tents, and in 2019, a large Cultural Gathering Centre was built to host educational programs. When I visited in fall 2021, I wanted a cultural experience, and I also wanted to embrace my own Indigenous roots.

For the full story from Debbie Olsen, read Discover a Side of Indigenous Canada at Métis Crossing, Newly Expanding in 2022 .

4. Portland, Jamaica

Avoid the crowds and head to a serene shoreline and the birthplace of jerk chicken.

I escaped my tiny living quarters in Long Island, New York, for rural Robins Bay in Jamaica in September 2020. On weekends, I explore. My favorite discovery is the parish of Portland on the island’s northeast coast, which—unlike Montego Bay and Ocho Rios with many tourists—offers flourishing rain forests, laid-back beaches, and a vibe of soon come, no hurry, no worries. . . .

I have a particular soft spot for Winnifred Beach, where neighbors and families go to relax. Food vendors and artists sell their wares from small shops, made from zinc and wood, and despite the lull in business during the pandemic, dancehall and reggae still boom. Nothing stops the party. If it’s Saturday, true to tradition, somebody is quite likely cooking (and sharing) chicken foot soup. Another favorite ocean retreat is Frenchman’s Cove, where flowing water from the Blue Mountains creates a dramatic canopy of tropical greenery by a white-sand beach. Further south, Reach Falls is beloved for its underwater cave, natural heart-shaped pool reminiscent of a Jacuzzi, mountain views, and lush vegetation.

For the full story from Sheryl Nance-Nash, read Find the ‘Real’ Jamaica in This Laid-Back Neighborhood .

5. Arica and Parinacota, Chile

Local textiles, llamas, and the world’s oldest mummies are among the reasons to visit northern chile..

When travelers plan trips to the desiccated salt flats and cloud-hugging lagoons of the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, most end up in the resort town of San Pedro. Yet 400 miles north lies a refreshing alternative: Chile’s Arica and Parinacota region.

The main reason to go is to explore a new UNESCO World Heritage site created in July 2021 that honors the Chinchorro culture. These hunter-gatherers crafted the world’s oldest mummies, covering their deceased with clay masks and flowing wigs some 7,000 years ago (2,000 years before the ancient Egyptians). A tourist circuit now unites 19 archaeological sites along the Pacific coast and passes six roadside Chinchorro statues designed by local artists Paola Pimentel and Johnny Vásquez. Meanwhile, the mummy museum in Azapa Valley is preparing for a multimillion-dollar revamp to be completed by 2024.

The 143-mile trip from lowland Arica to highland Parinacota follows another new tourist trail: Ruta de las Misiones. The route includes dozens of hamlets inhabited by the Aymara people, many featuring whitewashed adobe churches and handcrafted alpaca textiles from Indigenous artisans such as Julia Cañari. Putre is the largest of these villages. At an altitude of 11,500 feet, you can acclimatize here for expeditions into the volcano-studded Lauca National Park , llama-filled Las Vicuñas National Reserve , or the blindingly white Salar (salt flat) de Surire , where the hot springs come with views of pink flamingos. —Mark Johanson

6. Acadia National Park, Maine

New england’s sylvan wonderland is filled with winding trails and history lessons.

It’s easy to get away from people amid the 47,000 acres of Acadia National Park , where the jagged Maine coast cuts into the Atlantic. But no matter where you go, you’re surrounded by historical figures. The intricate carriage trails around Mount Desert Island, where much of the park is situated, were commissioned by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the early 1900s. Many of the island’s other trails were built as part of a New Deal–era Civilian Conservation Corps public works project in the 1930s.

Stone stairs that seem almost magically carved into the mountainside form parts of Homans Path, a trail named for Eliza Homans. She was a wealthy widow and longtime summer resident who, in 1908, first gifted part of the land that would become the park. The 140-acre spread Homans bequeathed includes one of Acadia’s most treacherous and rewarding hikes, the Beehive—a short but steep climb up a cliff face, with a payoff view of Sand Beach and the Atlantic coastline.

Mount Desert Island’s lake and ponds are another plus. For most of the summer, you can jump off the rocks at Echo Lake Ledges or hike to the distant parts of Long Pond, where you’ll be rewarded with crystal clear water and, often, few other swimmers in sight. —Sally Kohn

7. Houston, Texas

In 2022, space city offers distinct dining and art options that celebrate its diverse communities.

As one of the nation’s most multiethnic cities, with some 145 languages spoken, Houston is full of culinary and cultural innovation. MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s restaurant Blind Goat deliciously showcases the city’s Vietnamese community, while the local chain Tacos A Go Go represents some of the best of its Latinx options. (Be sure to try all the tacos while you’re in town: corn tacos filled with barbacoa; shrimp tacos; and migas tacos, a Tex-Mex staple made with scrambled eggs and jalapeños).

For a taste of Houston’s Black-owned restaurants, book a table at Lucille’s , where the celebrated chef Chris Williams turns out fine Southern cuisine (catfish and grits, fish fry, and liver and onions). If you’re craving comfort food, head to Breakfast Klub .

Don’t miss a trip to the Third Ward (the neighborhood where Beyoncé and Solange Knowles were raised). There you’ll find the Houston Museum of African American Culture , which recognizes the achievements of Black Americans. Another essential stop: Project Row Houses , a site encompassing five city blocks that has been serving Houston’s artists of color for three decades. It presents programming that preserves and elevates Black culture and community, regularly running exhibitions and events while supporting young people and small businesses. —Kayla Stewart

8. Charlotte, North Carolina

North carolina’s largest city is turning into an essential food destination, with tempting options across different neighborhoods.

If you asked someone a few years ago what Charlotte is known for, they might have said it’s one of the country’s biggest banking spots. But the city is fast becoming appreciated for its growing culinary scene.

Take the James Beard Award–nominated chef Greg Collier and his wife and business partner, Subrina. In 2020, the restaurateurs opened Leah & Louise , a modern-day juke joint in Charlotte’s creative hub, Camp North End . The cuisine honors their Southern roots: fried oyster sliders and slow-roasted cabbage with pork neck bisque. The pair have a special place in my heart, as they helped found Soul Food Sessions, a pop-up dinner series featuring Black chefs and mixologists.

Exciting new businesses are opening regularly. In September 2021, cocktail connoisseur Tamu Curtis opened the Cocktailery for classes and tastings in the city’s Atherton Mill retail center. In 2022, Ricky Ortiz, the Mexico-born owner of Tacos Rick-O , will expand his food empire beyond his taco truck at Hoppin’ —a self-service beer, wine, and cider spot in South End—with a new concept based on Spanish desserts in the NoDa arts and entertainment district.

“Charlotte’s not just football and finance,” Greg Collier insists. “This ain’t just the cookie-cutter, vanilla shell South . . . It’s a place full of aspirations, mind-blowing creatives, good cooking, and possibilities.” —DeAnna Taylor

9. Anguilla

One of the caribbean’s smallest islands punches above its weight.

With 33 beaches, several islands and cays, and more than 100 restaurants, Anguilla packs a lot into its 35 square miles.

Start by hopping on American Airlines’ new direct flight from Miami into Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. You’ll disembark mere minutes from any one of the island’s beaches, a string of seductive white-sand scallops lapped by blue water. On Meads Bay, check in to Tranquility Beach, a collection of 15 suites (all with kitchens) that preside over sand resembling powdered sugar and offering magnificent sunset views. Close by is the Hummingbird , a charming cottage studio that’s a perfect choice for solo travelers.

For lunch, try Ken’s BBQ in Anguilla’s capital, The Valley, where they have been cooking fall-off-the-bone tender ribs for more than 20 years. Don’t forget to finish the meal with a Johnny cake or two. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, end the day with cocktails at Four Seasons Anguilla ’s ocean-view Sunset Lounge, then continue to dinner at beachfront classic Blanchards, where you should sample the grilled Anguillian crayfish.

The next day, if cerulean seas beckon, charter a catamaran to take you from Crocus Bay to Little Bay, a compact cove you might have all to yourself. —Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

10. Bermuda

Look beyond bermuda’s pink-sand beaches and explore black history on the islands..

Famous for its blush-colored beaches and the shorts, Bermuda has long been a traveler’s dream, but this 21-square-mile archipelago nestled in the North Atlantic also offers a substantial measure of Black culture and history. In 2020, it became one of the first places in the world to honor a Black woman with a public holiday; Mary Prince Day celebrates the formerly enslaved Bermudian who became the first Black woman in England to publish her own narrative, the seminal 1831 book The History of Mary Prince .

Visitors to the islands can follow the African Diaspora Heritage Trail , which includes museums, monuments, and even a seaside cave connected to Bermuda’s Black past. For an experience that showcases both food and history, book Kristin White’s bike tour through the cobblestone streets of St. George’s , a UNESCO World Heritage site. Or on your own, walk past the candy-colored buildings of the capital city, Hamilton, and pop into the Griot bookstore , a sunlit, art-adorned space that sells works by authors of African descent. Pick up a cold-pressed elixir at the mural-covered Om Juicery (locals are partial to “Bountiful” and “Dancing”). In the reef-hugging Sandys Parish, Buna Gallery and Coffee House serves up Ethiopian brews, live music, and local art exhibits in a stylish setting. Settle in and stay awhile. —Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

11. Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico

Yucatán’s welcoming capital city offers a sensory experience on every corner.

Each evening, as the sun begins to settle into its slumber, Mérida comes to life. Nightfall offers a respite from the sweltering heat of the day. Families gather in the zócalo for cultural performances. The city’s main drag, Paseo de Montejo, is lined with tables where patrons delight in nibbles and tipples. Elderly couples salsa dance in the park as if no one is watching, and if you walk down any of the main streets in the Centro neighborhood, you’ll hear the thrums and drums of bachata beats from beyond the swinging doors of local cantinas.

Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, revels in permanent celebration, and the city invites you to do the same, to find joy in simple pleasures. It’s a place where diversity extends beyond what to do, see, and eat. LGBTQ travelers, for example, can find nightlife in Centro and spend evenings vibing to live music at Cadadía Bar Café .

Visitors to the city will quickly discover the “Mérida magic” that everyone speaks of—that inexplicable sense of happiness, peace, and community found here. It may be the deep-rooted culture and rich gastronomic heritage that draws people to the colonial city; for me, it was the Mérida magic that turned my three-month visit into home for the foreseeable future. —Colby Holiday

12. Washington, D.C.

Wander around the new waterfront and taste your way through the revitalized capital city.

Washington, D.C., is so much more than its reputation as the center of U.S. politics. It’s a welcoming, walkable city with residents and regions as culturally diverse as the international embassies that line Massachusetts Avenue. Over the past decade, the city has transformed several neighborhoods—the H Street Corridor, Brookland, NoMa, Shaw, and the LGBTQ-friendly Logan Circle. The flourishing food scene attracts locals and visitors to such neighborhood anchors as Tortino (which serves elevated Italian dishes) and the Dabney , a Michelin-starred restaurant specializing in farm-to-table American fare.

But the District’s newest star is the Wharf , where the second phase of a $2.5 billion revitalization project is expected to be completed in 2022. New additions include the 131-room Pendry hotel and a tranquil 1.5-acre green space called “The Green”. Stroll the brick walkway to take in the serene Potomac River while eating delicious confections from District Donuts or shop for clothing, jewelry, and home decor at stores like the Black-owned fashion boutique A Beautiful Closet .

At Kaliwa , order the drunken duck noodles and other Thai and Filipino dishes. Or head to chef Philippe Massoud’s new high-end Lebanese restaurant, Ilili , and try the tender braised lamb shank. Close out your night with panoramic views at the rooftop bar Whiskey Charlie . The Wharf Spiced Rum is a perfect coda to a perfect day in the district. —Kwin Mosby

13. Ten Thousand Islands, Florida

A labyrinthine world of mangroves, sandy islands, and clear skies awaits intrepid kayakers on florida’s gulf coast.

Everglades National Park —the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States—reveals only its outer edges to daytrippers. For a deeper view of a similar ecosystem, head to the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge , just south of Marco Island. Here, one of the world’s largest mangrove systems covers 230 square miles, where fresh and salt waters meet.

“We’re not a beach destination, like St. Petersburg or Daytona,” says Charles Wright, a naturalist who owns Everglades Area Tours and takes guests on kayak adventures through mangrove islands in the Gulf of Mexico. “But there are sandy barrier islands with beautiful beaches . . . from Marco Island to the mouth of the Lostmans River.

“Most people think of swamps when they think of the Everglades—of airboats, alligators, and mosquitoes,” he adds. But the Everglades are much more than that, and the Ten Thousand Islands “are kind of the untapped jewel, with dolphins, manatees, orchids and bromeliads, wading birds, raptors, and more.”

On expeditions from Chokoloskee Island, you’ll camp on deserted islands and visit Native American sites; the Calusa tribe inhabited the area as early as the 15th century. One thing you won’t really see, however, is light pollution—just the canopy of the Milky Way in the inky skies above your camp at night. —Terry Ward

14. Northern Minnesota

Once known for its mining boomtowns, the iron range has gotten a mighty makeover.

Minnesota is lauded for its lakes—more than 10,000 of them—but any local knows that its land deserves some love, too. To get better acquainted, head to northern Minnesota’s Iron Range , which has quietly debuted 250 miles of new biking trails in the past decade. The routes came about largely thanks to local cycling enthusiasts, who have worked to turn the area into a magnet for biking in nature. Tioga Recreation Area added 19 miles of mountain bike trails near the town of Cohasset in August 2019, and a trail expansion is currently underway in Cuyuna County, which already has 50 miles of rust-colored dirt paths spread over 800 acres.

One of the most recent news makers? Redhead Mountain Bike Park , which opened in June 2020 after a nearly $2 million investment, now features 25 miles of trails outside the town of Chisholm. There, you can ride cinnamon-colored paths flanked by steep cliffs that descend into an abandoned mining pit with an aqua-blue lake at the bottom. (You’d be in good company, as more than 25,000 people have ridden the popular trails since the launch.)

If you’re looking for something a little smoother, northeastern Minnesota has you covered there, too. As of press time, the paved Mesabi Trail offers more than 135 miles of biking and walking through forests and small towns. When completed, it will stretch 155 miles from the Mississippi River to the remote Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , one of the country’s most glorious natural sites. (And no, I’m not biased.) —Katherine LaGrave

15. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

This lively caribbean coastal town offers excellent surfing and beaches, plus a secret dry season.

In September 2021, Costa Rica’s new Digital Nomads law began granting visas to foreign nationals for up to two years, inspiring remote workers to live out their long-term fantasies of surf, work, ceviche, repeat. Whether you’re eyeing a semipermanent move or just a weeklong break, one place to dip your toes in is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a small coastal town on the country’s less frequented Caribbean side.

You won’t find the big brands or high-rises of Papagayo and Tamarindo here—just soft sand beaches and green macaws, and local boutiques such as Aloe Tienda for stylish handmade women’s clothing. The African influence is palpable in the Limonese Creole patois, calypso beats, and the coconut-sweetened version of rice and beans.

Another plus of Puerto Viejo: The town experiences a dry season in September and October, when most of the country is inundated with rain. Travelers who visit at this time usually luck out at such mega surf breaks as Salsa Brava. In nearby Cahuita National Park , a large coral reef hosts an array of marine life, ranging from diminutive damselfish to nurse sharks. Snorkelers can experience it in all its glory. After a few days in Puerto Viejo, you might discover it’s time to adopt the Pura Vida lifestyle and stay awhile. —Nina Kokotas Hahn

16. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A road trip through abu dhabi reveals what lies beneath the surface of this sprawling emirate.

In its 50 years of existence, the United Arab Emirates has developed at lightning speed, creating cities out of the desert with record-breaking skyscrapers, lavish hotels, and a fast pace of life. As the pandemic forced me to slow down, I rediscovered the joy of exploring the hidden sides of my home. By the time my friend Rashid Khalfan invited me to Abu Dhabi, the emirate south of Dubai that covers 26,000 miles, I was ready to explore farther afield.

Rashid, knowing my love for brutalist architecture, showed me some of his favorite buildings, which he admires as symbols of a young nation’s progress. He pointed out the Buty Al Otaiba Tower , covered in rows of hexagonal windows, and the Hamed Centre , with its diamond motif. The most handsome edifice was the Al Ibrahimi building, a circular tower with protruding balconies that resemble woven fabric, designed by the late Egyptian modernist architect Farouk El Gohary . “The older ones have more Arabic touches; the later ones from the ’80s and ’90s have more glass on their facades,” Rashid said.

I could’ve stayed longer, but the Rub’ Al-Khali—the Empty Quarter, an expanse of desert 130 miles to the south—was calling. There the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara rises like a mirage, designed to enable your desert fantasies as you ride camels, smoke fragrant shisha, and let yourself be cocooned in rhassoul clay in the hammam.

For the full story from Nicola Chilton, read A Road Trip Through Abu Dhabi Reveals Its History .

17. Luxor, Egypt

Sometimes, the most enchanting experiences can be found outdoors

Find me a treasure in Luxor, Egypt, that can’t be savored in the open air—I challenge you. In three years of wintering in this city on the banks of the Nile, about 400 miles south of Cairo, I haven’t found one. Luxor is often called an open-air museum, a place where antiquities are as common as mosques, schools, or fruit stands. A visitor could stroll the grounds of Karnak Temple —not to mention Luxor Temple , Valley of the Queens , Valley of the Kings , or the Colossi of Memnon —for days and still find obelisks to marvel at, all while breathing in fresh Sahara Desert air.

Luxor is where I met my husband, and it’s where we now live part-time (when not in Alberta, Canada), in a mud-brick house on the city’s quieter, more rural-feeling West Bank. It’s located on the edge of Medinet Habu Temple , parts of which date to 1500 B.C.E. I joke that we’re basically “glamping in the desert”—never fully inside, because the dust, the donkey braying, and the call to prayer easily find their way in through the corners of our earthen abode. No need to set an alarm clock, since the whoosh of hot-air balloons overhead stirs us awake by sunrise.

For the full story from Colleen Kinder, read Get Outside in Luxor, Egypt, to Walk Among the Kings .

18. Jinja, Uganda

This nile-side city in eastern uganda abounds with outdoor adventures.

Set along the nile river in eastern Uganda, Jinja is home to misty views marked by rapids and waterfalls, as well as roads blanketed by red dust that spools onto the skin with a vengeance. My father’s work in the petroleum industry frequently took him to Jinja, 140 miles west of my hometown, Kisumu, Kenya. As a child, I often tagged along to explore the natural wonders of the area.

On a recent visit, I based myself at the Nile Porch , a hotel with semi-tented, high-ceilinged rooms. I discovered Adrift Uganda , which offers trips along the Nile River that include Class VI rapids, and booked a trip. I was relieved when my group voted to tackle a Class III rapid called Bubugo—until I learned that it means “condolences” in the Lusoga language of Uganda.

Later that afternoon, on a less harrowing quad-biking excursion with All Terrain Adventures through nearby Kyabirwa Village, I charged past farms bursting with maize; kids ran out from the open doorways of mud-brick homes to wave hello.

The next day, as I paddled on flat waters with Kayak the Nile , observing cormorants and kingfishers while otters lazily swam past me, I was reminded of that feeling of limitless adventure that continues to lure me back. —Wendy Watta

19. Karoo, South Africa

This valley northeast of cape town reveals a less explored side of south africa’s interio.

My love affair with the Klein Karoo—a semidesert valley 200 miles from Cape Town, on the southern edges of the Karoo region—blossomed late. In part, moving far away from Cape Town to New York City allowed me to appreciate this area with fresh eyes when I returned.

The Klein Karoo contains a 215-mile stretch of Route 62 that runs parallel to the more famous Garden Route. I traveled the entire road in January 2021, and my first stop was the country’s Sanbona Wildlife Reserve at the foot of the scrubby Warmwaterberg Mountains. The terrain, with its ancient rock formations and indigenous fynbos vegetation, is the only place to see the region’s nearly extinct white lions. At Dwyka Tented Lodge , set in an amphitheater of rock, there’s peace in the deafening silence.

An hour west lies Montagu, a handsome town framed by farms and the jagged Cape Fold Mountains. One of my favorite hotels is Jonkmanshof , a guesthouse set between two restored Cape Dutch buildings. When I return to the region next, I’ll check into Stil , a monochromatic retreat with a sculpture garden that opened in 2021. I’ll also take a morning hike along the Keisie River, where weaverbirds and shrikes soar above. And I’ll follow it with a latte in the tree-shaded garden of the Barn on 62 , a coffee shop at the foot of those magical mountains. —Mary Holland

20. Turkana, Kenya

Explore the northwestern corner of kenya, where archaeological sites and the blue waters of lake turkana await.

Having lived in Kenya all my life, I never knew how rich and varied the landscapes and cultures of my own homeland could be—until I traveled to Turkana County.

This arid part of the country, often called the cradle of humankind, lies 310 miles northwest of Nairobi. Turkana is one of Kenya’s largest counties, but even with its groundbreaking archaeological finds and distinct traditions, few people visit.

During a recent trip, my first stop is Turkana’s dusty capital, Lodwar, where I head to the Mikeka market, famous for its intricate handwoven baskets made with multicolored reeds. The women who create them use the earnings to supplement their agricultural livelihoods, which are constantly threatened by drought. From Lodwar, I travel east for 45 miles until I reach the azure waters of Lake Turkana. I stop at the fishing town of Kalokol to observe anglers dry tilapia and perch and to view Namoratunga II, a 2,300-year-old ceremonial site composed of 19 stone pillars.

Next I drive 50 miles north along the lake to Nariokotome to see the discovery site of Turkana Boy , the most complete known skeleton of Homo erectus, dating back 1.6 million years. A brass replica of the hominid skeleton stands near the site where it was uncovered; the original resides in the National Museum of Kenya . But the site itself, where I can picture Turkana Boy in the very place he once inhabited, offers a powerful reminder of our ancient roots. —Harriet Akinyi

21. Ibadan, Nigeria

A three-hour train ride from lagos, this centuries-old city is rich in history, culture, and hearty cuisine..

Ibadan is the city of my youth, my mother’s youth, and that of her mother before her.

Once an epicenter of Nigerian politics, Ibadan was founded by Yoruba warriors in the 19th century. Today, it’s characterized by its seven hills, colonial buildings, and rusty corrugated roofing. Thanks to the newly modernized Nigerian Railway , my mother and I recently returned to Ibadan from Lagos on a journey that took us past thick rain forests, farmlands, and rural communities.

From the train station, our taxi dropped us at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), founded by Americans in 1967 to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Spread over 2,400 acres, the IITA headquarters includes farms, offices, and a tree-shaded, utilitarian hotel.

From there, we set off to explore the manicured grounds of the University of Ibadan —Nigeria’s first university—and wandered among the eucalyptus and teak trees at Agodi Botanical Gardens. We haggled for yams and fresh ata rodo—habanero peppers—in the Bodija market. At Amala Skye, a buka (canteen) that serves Yoruba comfort food, we fortified ourselves on green-hued ewedu, a soup made with jute leaves.

As we tasted these familiar flavors and recounted our school days, it occurred to me how much there is to explore in my home country. That thought alone brought me indescribable joy. — Mimi Aborowa

22. Negev Desert, Israel

The rocky, dune-filled landscape in the southern half of israel has just welcomed its newest retreat.

I was 13 years old when I visited Israel’s Negev Desert for the first time, and the moment I saw its primeval craters and sand-colored mountains, I was transfixed. During my residential high school program in Israel, the expansive desert offered an otherworldly, biblical antidote to my suburban London childhood.

Since moving to Tel Aviv in 2017, I try to return to the Negev whenever I need to reconnect with my carefree younger self. And this passage through time just got more comfortable, thanks to the sublime Six Senses Shaharut , a resort that opened in August 2021.

I traveled to the desert in the fall, and on arrival to the Six Senses, immediately noticed the site-specific architecture. Built from locally sourced limestone, the buildings blend into their surroundings. My suite was designed using natural stone, copper, and a teak door from an old boat. Following a perfect night of sleep, I awoke to views of the unspoiled Arava Valley through floor-to-ceiling windows. I took an aerial yoga class and then a dip in the infinity pool. Looking out at the desert that has awed me for nearly 30 years, I felt deeply inspired to walk its paths anew. —Natalie Blenford

23. Imlil, Morocco

This small village in the atlas mountains exudes a warm, laid-back hospitality.

Moving a household is always stressful. But when I relocated three years ago to Imlil, a tiny Berber village in the heart of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, my biggest worry was trying to figure out if a mule could carry a washing machine up a mountain.

I had found a house in a family compound carved into the rock of one of the high peaks that surround the main street in Imlil. A valley full of walnut and cherry trees stretches out beneath my terrace, and in the spring the landscape is drowned in pink-and-white blossoms. The day I moved in, children screeched around the communal yard, and the cow—who lives under my bedroom—vied with the chickens to make the most noise. I stepped onto the terrace as the first notes of the Muslim call to prayer rang out, bouncing off the peaks painted golden by the sun. I saw the tiny figures of hikers high on the trails.

At 5 p.m., Miriam, my new neighbor, took my hand in her warm one and led me into her house. “It’s teatime,” she said. Women and children sat on the handwoven carpets, chattering like birds.

Miriam poured the sweet mint tea. “Eat, eat!” she said as she presented a feast of hot flaky flatbreads, honey from wild bees, home-churned butter, and walnuts from the trees outside.

And it is that hospitality that makes a visit to these soaring, juniper-clad mountains so incredibly special. Here, you are not a stranger; you are a friend. —Alice Morrison

24. Copenhagen, Denmark

The green city is expanding rapidly—go now to explore its gritty, evolving liminal spaces.

Not too long ago, I took a walk through the wastelands of Copenhagen. It sounds strange to call them that, because the Danish capital, with all its modern design and hygge, is hardly known for grittiness. But this dusty expanse of mostly empty warehouses and overgrown weeds, languishing to the southwest of the lively Meatpacking District, seemed to qualify. After 20 minutes of wandering, I entered a gate and found myself in an Alice in Wonderland alternate reality. A leafy glade contained dark, rustic wooden barns. Fat heads of garlic and fire-engine-red tomatoes spilled from the door of one, the jangle of a band from another. At an outdoor table set beneath fairy lights, a young mother fed her child pieces of a sandwich.

BaneGaarden , as I learned this enchanted place is called, once housed supplies for railway construction. It was abandoned in the 1950s but has recently been transformed into a cultural center. A farm shop, a bakery, a couple of restaurants, and spaces for pop-ups and other events fill the carefully renovated barns, all of this encircled by deciduous trees. Both geographically and metaphorically, the complex seemed far from Copenhagen’s center. But I realized it wouldn’t be long before BaneGaarden was just another delightful corner of my growing city.

For the full story from Lisa Abend, read As Copenhagen Expands Rapidly, Its Future Is in Its Outskirts .

25. Turquoise Coast, Turkey

Ponder the history of western civilization as you hike along turkey’s ruin-strewn carian trail.

The Carian Trail unfolds like an outdoor museum: Ancient artifacts, pristine coves, and stone villages are linked by mule paths and old caravan routes dotted with campsites and inns. I decided to take on one new section every month, focusing on stretches I could hike in a day.

On my first outing, I walked from my home until the stone path turned to dirt and the houses gave way to coastal shrubs. I reached the first bend and looked back, considering turning around. What if I lost my way?

Instead, I followed the red-and-white way markers tattooed on boulders. I passed beekeepers tending apiaries and wild mountain goats hoofing over loose rocks. I stayed mindful of the thistles and boar tracks, marching down switchbacks lined with wild thyme and sage.

With each hike, I found myself increasingly drawn to the ruins along the route. The trail is named after the Carians, a civilization indigenous to this coastline as far back as 6000 B.C.E. I passed tombs, mausoleums, crumbling walls, and altars. I passed relics of the Persians, Byzantines, Romans, and Ottomans, all of whom left their marks.

For the full story from Jenna Scatena, read Hike Turkey’s Carian Trail, Ponder the History of Western Civilization .

26. Fontainebleau, France

Trade paris for a tranquil weekend in this forested town—once home to royalty—and its neighbor, one of the country’s most notable artists’ communities.

Like many Parisians, my husband and I soldiered through multiple COVID-19 lockdowns in the city with little access to green space. By the end of 2020, we realized we wanted to make a long-term shift to get closer to nature. So we decided to divide our time between Paris and the country, and bought a century-old stone house near a place eminently familiar to us: Fontainebleau, a town 45 miles south of Paris. For more than 15 years, we have hiked, climbed, and explored in the once-royal place, known for its vast forest and intricate sandstone architecture.

The town was built around the 12th-century Château de Fontainebleau , which was updated in the 16th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site currently undergoing another restoration. Ancient forest—54,000 acres of it—surrounds the town, encompassing boulders, hiking trails, and Barbizon , an artists’ village. In the 19th century, iconic painters such as Jules Dupré and Théodore Rousseau, inspired by the sandstone boulders and stands of deciduous trees, created the community, where they pioneered landscape realism and the pre-impressionism movement.

The artistic style remains a fixture in Barbizon, where visitors can explore a dozen museums, galleries, and studios in addition to La Folie Barbizon , an artists’ residence, inn, and restaurant specializing in organic vegetarian fare that opened in the spring of 2020. Despite the changes, the magic that captured the artists remains: Each time I step off the train from Paris, I feel lighter and more connected to the present. —Lindsey Tramuta

27. Bristol, England

In southwestern england, this progressive maritime city has grown into a proper food and beer destination.

Every time I return to Bristol, the West Country city where I spent my teenage years, it’s changed, often substantially. The trading port may wear its heritage on its sleeve—the waterfront’s imposing cranes and the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge are just two examples of Bristol’s maritime and engineering history—but it’s also a modern hub of creativity, ingenuity, and liberal thinking. Since my dad’s work took us there in the early 1990s, the city has witnessed the rise of trip hop, the street art of Banksy, a revitalized harborside and city center, and the advent of its own currency (which transitioned into digital currency in 2021). It was also named a European Green Capital in 2015. More recently, a racial reckoning saw many of the city’s establishments question and ultimately condemn Bristol’s slavetrading past.

My latest trip, in summer 2021, yielded plenty of fresh fun. Since I last visited, Bristol has turned into a bona fide food and craft beer capital, with breweries located in unusual places. The reborn (once again) harborside is now full of restaurants. I liked the hazy IPAs at Left Handed Giant , whose brewpub occupies a former sugar refinery on the riverbank. Near the central train station, visitors can try hop-forward beers in a taproom shared by brewers Newtown Park and Verdant . And at Cargo , a waterfront collection of restaurants and stores housed in shipping containers, travelers can taste everything from bao and poke to local cheese and cider. The complex is diverse, surprising, and full of flavor—just like Bristol itself. —Tim Chester

28. San Miniato, Italy

On your next trip to the bel paese, bypass the tourist-clogged tuscan cities and head for this truffle-loving hill town.

My husband was born in San Miniato, a picturesque hilltop village often overshadowed by its neighboring Tuscan cities: Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Lucca. For years we lived in Florence, but early in the pandemic, we moved back to my husband’s hometown to escape the crowds and be closer to family. I had also discovered that the town was experiencing a culinary renaissance—and for me, as a food writer and cookbook author , that sealed the deal.

San Miniato, with its fertile, tree-covered hills, has long been known for its prized white truffles, grated with abandon over plates of buttery tagliolini and celebrated every November at the local truffle fair, La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco . (The festival marked its 50th year in 2021.) In the months we’ve been here, I’ve appreciated living a five-minute walk from modern Tuscan classics: a fourth-generation butcher, Sergio Falaschi , which has the best view in town and a new casual restaurant out back; Maggese , a fine-dining spot with an emphasis on veggies; Birra e Acciughe , a tiny beer and panino joint named for its long, warm baguettes filled with butter and anchovies; and Pizza del Popolo , a new bakery that sells sourdough and vegetarian pizza a taglio, or by the slice.

The village’s delights extend beyond restaurants. Travelers can taste wines at the nearby biodynamic winery Cosimo Maria Masini , join a truffle hunt year-round, or stretch their legs on one of the walking paths of Via Francigena , the 10th-century Roman pilgrim route that cuts right through town. Whenever I walk it, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to have such abundant countryside—and food—right outside our front door. —Emiko Davies

29. Gorski Kotar & Lika, Croatia

Though travelers best know the country for its picturesque beaches, croatia’s wild interiors are also worth a special trip.

While tourists swoon over the islands and coast of Croatia, its mountainous regions, located southwest of the capital city, Zagreb, remain blissfully off the radar. In Lika and Gorski Kotar, travelers can hike beside Plitvice Lakes and visit no fewer than four of the country’s eight national parks, and spot ancient yew trees and native flowers such as Carniolan lilies.

Drawn by the remote wilderness and my own roots—my mother hails from a now-abandoned hamlet in Lika—I’ve been spending time in the area during the last several years. There, I found Jelena Pirc of Lynx & Fox , who guides day hikes into Gorski Kotar’s rugged sylvan landscapes frequented by bears, wolves, and the endangered Eurasian lynx. Pirc recommends visiting Stara Sušica’s new Large Carnivores Visitor Center , which opened in July.

Farther south in the mighty Velebit Mountains, where old-growth beech forests hide rare western capercaillie birds, the conservation nonprofit Rewilding Europe is reintroducing wild horses and bovines to the Lika Plains and building wildlife-watching hide structures to support nature-focused tourism. Accommodations range from cozy chalets and rustic lodges to the higher-end Linden Tree Retreat & Ranch , located inside the UNESCO Velebit Mountain Biosphere Reserve —even more reasons to detour inland from the Croatian coast. —Anja Mutić

30. Bundoran, Ireland

A popular seaside resort for centuries, bundoran has forged a new identity for itself: surf capital of ireland.

I never thought my quest to learn to surf would lead me to Bundoran, a coastal town in County Donegal in the northwest corner of Ireland. When I first visited in 2015, I thought I’d only be there for the three months my visa allowed. Now, I come every year, often bouncing around Europe or returning stateside while waiting for my visa to reset.

Bundoran was a popular destination long before it became the surf capital of Ireland. During Victorian times, people flocked from across the country to soak in the Thrupenny and West End (Nun’s) Pools. Today, surfers from around the world come to visit Tullan Strand or ride the breakers at the Peak, home to some of Europe’s most consistent waves.

I return to Bundoran each year, vowing that I’ll finally learn to surf. The funny part is, I never follow through. I visit instead for the craic, or good times, in local parlance. There’s still plenty to do in town without getting in the water: It’s not called Fundoran for nothing! Consider taking a hike up Benbulbin, cycling around the Gleniff Horseshoe loop , cliff jumping from the coastal crags, or simply strolling along the Rougey Cliff Walk. If you’re feeling parched afterwards, check out some of my favorite pubs and eateries, including the Phoenix Tavern , the Chasin’ Bull , and Maddens Bridge Bar & Restaurant , where you can enjoy pints while listening to traditional music. —Yolanda Evans

31. Saxony, Germany

Cycle through organic vineyards and past 18th-century castles on a wine tour in eastern germany’s most sustainable wine region.

For more than 850 years, grapes in Saxony—Germany’s easternmost wine region—have been tended and harvested by hand, the wines made painstakingly in small quantities. One of my favorite ways to taste the sustainably grown wines, which are consumed primarily within the region, is also ecofriendly: via a bike ride on the 34-mile-long Saxon Wine Route.

The route starts in the riverside town of Pirna and coils its way through terraced vineyards and historic towns such as Meißen and Radebeul along the Elbe River. In Radebeul, I like to stop at Hoflößnitz , a winery-turned-museum that makes organic wines. At the nearby 18th-century Wackerbarth Castle , visitors can stroll through gardens and goldriesling vines, a variety of grape mainly grown on the Elbe. Travelers can taste sparkling wines at Wackerbarth, the region’s oldest sparkling wine cellar, or try Saxon reds and whites at Schloss Proschwitz Vinothek in Meißen, a town also renowned for its porcelain.

While the path ends in Diesbar-Seußlitz, about nine miles from Meißen, I sometimes take a detour on my way back to Pirna via the Elbe Cycle Route . The Elbe path leads to the village of Schmilka in the Saxon Switzerland Mountains, 16 miles from Pirna. There a 17th-century mill refurbished as a bakery fills the cobblestone streets with scents of spelt sourdough and handbrot, a palm-size bread stuffed with cheese, bacon, or vegetables. Hungry cyclists will also find pâtisseries and an organic brewery in Schmilka, all of which use seasonal ingredients and minimize food waste.

My only (hard-won) advice? Don’t try to complete the entire route in one day. —Christina Ng

32. Sri Lanka

The island nation quietly comes into its own as a nature lover’s low-key paradise.

After international arrivals to Sri Lanka dwindled, the country’s tourism industry pivoted, courting residents with new outdoor offerings: Across the country, we trekked through primary rain forests, snorkeled with sea turtles, and strolled sprawling shores. Good news for international travelers—Sri Lanka’s borders are now fully open.

Born in the fishing hamlet of Weligama, Thilina Dananjaya is not new to tourism; his father opened the first guesthouse here in the 1980s. But Dananjaya, owner of Layback , a boutique hotel focused on surfing and yoga, says his perspective has changed. “Being confined to our homes made us more conscious about the luxury of spending time outdoors,” he says. As a result, Dananjaya and his team added a yoga deck, a store for women-made handicrafts, a new restaurant, and two spacious rooftop terraces.

Farther north, in the central inlands of Sri Lanka, local-run Bush Loft has set up wildlife campsites in some of the country’s most remote corners: fly camping in the grasslands of Buttala, or daily excursions to Yala National Park .

You can also go it alone and arrange your own safari. Recently, in Kaudulla National Park , I spotted a herd of Asian elephants protecting the youngest member of their group, trunks and limbs moving in tandem. Soon after, I watched yellow weaverbirds flitting in and out of their intricate woven nests, which hung from branches all around me. This, I thought—is what Sri Lanka is all about.

For the full story from Zinara Rathnayake, read Sri Lanka Has Come Into its Own as a Nature Lover’s Paradise .

33. Singapore

In a metropolis known for its squeaky-clean streets, a tale of two cities emerges.

Some Singaporeans raise an eyebrow when they learn I live with my family in Geylang. For decades, this township has been notorious as a red-light district, an incongruous aspect of Singapore’s wholesome image. But amid narrow lanes hemmed by shophouses and temples, restaurant chefs are cooking some of the tastiest regional food in Singapore. Many evenings, my wife and I land at Ăn Là Ghiền , a hot pot joint that feels straight out of Hanoi, or Dong Bei Dumpling King , where we always order the crispy pork-and-celery-filled dumplings. For a Thai fix, our go-to is Gu Thai House , curries and noodles all cooked to suitably spicy standards. Anthony Bourdain loved JB Ah Meng for white pepper crab and Sin Huat Eating House for crab bee hoon, a whole crab served with rice noodles.

Even I need a break from Geylang sometimes, though. Luckily, Kranji, with its open fields and farms, is just 30 minutes north by car. At the Kranji Marshes and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve , two nature parks form a 460-acre haven for migratory shorebirds and raptors. If I’m lucky, I might spot a crocodile at the water’s edge, or a family of macaques scampering through the branches. Here I am, in a jungle away from an urban jungle, both of which call Singapore home.

For the full story from Lester V. Ledesma, read Singapore’s Geylang Neighborhood Is Developing a New Reputation as a Foodie Hot Spot .

34. Goa, India

An indian state celebrates the old with the new.

You could say I grew up with Goa. In my youth, I visited to party with friends, lured by the Indian beach state’s notorious raves. But when I hit my thirties, I began to better appreciate Goa’s rich heritage, its Portuguese influence, and the growing number of restaurants, bars, and stores that celebrate the region’s culture and architecture.

Nowhere is all of this more apparent than in the picturesque historic quarter of the capital city, Panaji, where brightly painted homes share streets with local boutiques like Sacha’s Shop , with its superbly curated resort wear from homegrown Indian designers. Another favorite is the rainbow-shuttered restaurant António at 31 , which opened in January 2021: A throwback to Panaji’s old taverns, the menu from chef Pablo Miranda features seasonal fruit cocktails and tapas such as tender coconut stir-fry and crispy baitfish with kalchi kodi (leftover curry) dip.

In the north of Goa, the newest darling is Felix , a gallery, coworking space, and events spot that serves modern plates with a regional twist, including eggs Benedict with Goan chorizo. For a truly immersive experience, book “A Very Goan Picnic” with tour company the Local Beat . Travelers can splash around a secret waterfall straight out of The Jungle Book and then feast on a home-cooked lunch accompanied by feni (cashew or coconut liquor).

Another highlight is on the way. In the township of Bardez, the Moda Goa Museum & Research Centre , founded by the late Goan fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, will welcome visitors in early 2022 with more than 800 fashion, textile, and art objects. —Jasreen Mayal Khanna

35. Cairns, Australia

Australia’s premier great barrier reef gateway reopens, offering travelers a new way to engage with indigenous cultures.

Visitors to Cairns, a coastal city in tropical north Queensland, typically arrive on a mission: See the Great Barrier Reef. Prepandemic, nearly 3 million people would pass through annually, boarding massive catamarans laden with scuba tanks and snorkel masks, an army of tourists in pursuit of wonder.

As Australia’s borders reopen, Cairns is ready to welcome travelers again, with refreshed esplanade dining, new hotels championing sustainability, and an exciting experience celebrating the Indigenous heritage of the Great Barrier Reef.

Some 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups have a continuing connection to the world’s largest coral reef system, and in 2018, Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel launched trips led by Indigenous Sea Rangers who share cultural knowledge passed down from their ancestors. During the tours, guests listen to evocative creation stories about how the reef came to be, and learn about hunting practices, such as seasonal harvesting, that have safeguarded the reef’s biodiversity for millennia.

Visitors will be able to engage with Sea Rangers more deeply at a new pontoon base for Dreamtime’s day trips to Moore Reef. Opening in early 2022, the floating pontoon will house an on-site laboratory and underwater observatory. Activities will fuse traditional knowledge and modern science to inspire collaborative protection of the Great Barrier Reef. —Sarah Reid

36. Tokorozawa Sakura Town, Japan

A stone’s throw from tokyo, architecture and anime buffs will find a place built just for them.

In the Saitama prefecture, roughly an hour from Tokyo Station, a new “town” was born in November 2020. Dubbed Tokorozawa Sakura Town , it’s a joint venture between the city of Tokorozawa and the Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa, known for its manga and anime titles. Its main focus? Bringing Japanese pop culture to life.

Here, visitors will find two structures by influential Japanese architect Kengo Kuma : the futuristic Kadokawa Culture Museum , with a colossal exterior built using 20,000 pieces of granite, and the minimalist Musashino Reiwa shrine. A highlight inside the labyrinthine five-story museum is the Bookshelf Theater, which has 26-foot shelves and is filled with more than 50,000 books, the majority of which are related to manga and anime. (Yes, you can flip through them.) The sleek Shinto shrine, meanwhile, is guarded by two komainu—guardian lion-dogs—crafted by sculptor Yoshimasa Tsuchiya . The shrine also features an asymmetrical roof and a phoenix painted on the ceiling by Yoshitaka Amano , the renowned designer of Final Fantasy video game characters.

Since Tokorozawa Sakura Town’s inception, architecture and pop culture fans have been drawn to the cultural complex, which also has a brand-new bookstore, restaurants, and a permanent TeamLab installation of giant silver acornlike objects that glow at night amid the trees. There’s also an anime-themed 33-room hotel that hosts character parties—so go ahead, make a long weekend of it. —Yukari Sakamoto

37. Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

New zealand’s south island is rural, uncrowded, and achingly beautiful.

I grew up in the subtropics of New Zealand’s North Island, and the much more temperate, sparsely populated South Island has beckoned me throughout adulthood. Three of the South’s nine national parks are within a 90-minute drive of my current home in Nelson; and there are enough gold-sand beaches, mountains, and alpine lakes to spend a lifetime exploring. Challenge accepted.

Road-tripping is the only way to really experience the South Island’s natural beauty. Start in Nelson, a city of more than 50,000 at the top of the South Island, and drive west about an hour to the eastern entrance of Abel Tasman National Park . Many travelers opt to hike—or “tramp”— the Coast Track , a five-day, 37-mile “Great Walk,” camping in tents along the way. If you have mobility issues (or perhaps toddlers in tow), you can still get the best of the national park via boat tours from Kaiteriteri, stopping at beaches on turquoise bays.

Continue the drive over notorious Tākaka Hill—with its narrow, windy, gut-churning lanes—to Golden Bay, pausing at a lookout for panoramic Tasman Bay views. Stay overnight in a town along the way, such as Tākaka or Collingwood, and end your visit marveling at the 65-foot-high Wainui Falls and Te Waikoropupū Springs. The cold, clear springs are a sacred Māori space—a source of life, healing, and renewal for locals and travelers alike. —Elen Turner

38. Phong Nha, Vietnam

It’s easier than ever to dive deep into the gigantic caves of this unesco world heritage site.

Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park , a geologically notable site in central Vietnam, has tempted daredevils since 2013, when Son Doong , the biggest cave on the planet (large enough to hold a Boeing 747), opened for multiday tours. The Phong Nha–based company Oxalis Adventure is hoping to launch a fresh adventure in 2022 that’s set to rival the Son Doong Expedition, its flagship experience.

On the new Hang Ba tour (still in development), Oxalis guides will lead spelunkers through upwards of five caves with gigantic limestone chambers and dangling stalactites. When cavers aren’t crawling, swimming, or paddleboarding, they’ll be camping and trekking through jungles.

“I’ve been wanting to design this tour for ages,” says Howard Limbert, who led the expedition team that discovered the caves in the early 1990s. Back then, it took 15 hours to reach the cave cluster from Phong Nha village. Thanks to a new road, it may only take five to six hours.

Limbert says that collective efforts to protect the caves (his team has mapped more than 500 in Vietnam) and hire people from the community have reduced the rate of illegal logging and instilled conservationist attitudes. Phong Nha-Ke Bang can serve as a model for other protected areas in Vietnam, Limbert says, including the newly recognized biosphere reserves Nui Chua and Kon Ha Nung. —Joshua Zukas

Together, a new band of chefs and cultural activists is showcasing real Taiwanese food

Taiwanese fare has long been considered a subset of the food of China. But diplomatic contact between China and the contested island nation ceased in 2016, and tensions have continued to climb. One of the by-products: Across Taiwan, many chefs are reviving a distinct national cuisine.

“A lot of people think Taiwanese food is beef noodle soup and xiao long bao [soup dumplings],” says Huang Teng-Wei, co-owner of Siang Kháu Lū , a boutique cooking school that opened in 2019 in Taoyuan, southwest of Taipei. “But in fact, all these dishes came after 1950 with the Chinese immigrants.” Traditional Taiwanese cuisine tends to revolve around root vegetables (like sweet potato and taro) and rice, with dishes such as savory rice puddings flavored with pork. He and his wife, Chou Pei-Yi, are particularly focused on reviving kueh, an old-school rice pastry that was used for centuries as a temple offering to the gods.

Other chefs are celebrating native Taiwanese ingredients. At Akame , a glitzy eatery that has been open since 2015 in Pingtung county, on Taiwan’s southernmost tip, the Indigenous chef Alex Peng uses pine needles and local sumac to flavor meat. Meanwhile, André Chiang—who helms Taipei’s fine-dining tour de force Raw —is committed to using Taiwanese ingredients from regional producers and highlighting Taiwan’s micro-seasons. Menu items might include roasted sliced duck graced with a sheet of seaweed, or a trio of local rice (fermented, purple, and toasted) alongside creamy panna cotta. Chiang’s side gig? Creating an encyclopedia of Taiwanese cooking techniques, ingredients, and food history so that the national cuisine becomes more recognized. —Clarissa Wei

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12 Once-in-a-lifetime Trips to Book for 2022

The inspiration you need to start planning an epic return to international travel.

Looking ahead to 2022, one thing seems clear: It is the year of the bucket-list vacation. After a year and a half of canceled plans, topped with a hefty dose of emotional recovery , we are unleashing our wildest, most over-the-top travel dreams on the year 2022.

Even in the throes of a pandemic, the hospitality industry never stopped creating, and as a result, there is so much opportunity to see something new in your dream destination. Whether you're called to the crystal clear waters lining Sardinia or the revelatory Kyoto culinary scene , we invite you to plan your 2022 travel with these 12 bucket-list trips.

Napa Valley, California

Napa is simultaneously a once-in-a-lifetime trip and a destination you'll want to return to every year. After struggling through the pandemic and a heartbreaking string of wildfires, Napa has rebuilt — and its resilience is on full display at the hotels, restaurants, and wineries in the area. Start your over-the-top Napa vacation at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection in Calistoga, California. Calistoga is known for an eclectic mix of off-the-beaten-path wineries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection just went through an elaborate renovation , and the dog-friendly property now has new multi-room suites; a brand-new restaurant, Picobar, from its impressive culinary team; and a stunning, reimagined pool area. On your 2022 trip to Calistoga, you'll also find the highly anticipated Four Seasons Napa Valley — the brand's first foray in Northern California wine country — where you can un(wine)d and dine in the lap of luxury.

Paterson, South Africa

For a South African safari unlike any other, stray from the classic Kruger National Park trip to instead seek out a private game reserve, which makes the wildlife experience more intimate and deeply impactful. Shamwari Private Game Reserve , in Paterson, South Africa, offers two daily game drives, bringing guests in search of the Big Five (black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffalo). These animals are actually native to the land Shamwari Private Game Reserve sits on. As a casualty of colonization, the animals left the area, but were ethically reintroduced when the private reserve was established in 1990. Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to eight luxury lodges — and only the guests of each lodge are allowed to safari here. The newest lodge, Sindile, is five-star glamping at its finest — the rooms offer plunge pools and views of the plains where you can see giraffes grazing from your sprawling balcony.

Loire Valley, France

An hour-long train ride whisks you out of Paris to the northern edge of Pays de la Loire, where you'll find a château that was once under the ownership of an actual baron and baroness. Hotel Château du Grand Lucé opened to the public in 2019, but the property dates back to 1760 and is littered with statues given to the estate of Louis XV. Nothing says bucket list quite like staying in an actual French château that formerly housed royalty. While the Loire Valley is known for its wineries, this trip is all about the château life, biking through and picnicking in the flower-filled Jardin Exotique , and exploring the ever-quaint surrounding town of Grand Lucé.

Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica

While others may be tempted by beachside resorts in Costa Rica, avoid the crowded tourist hot spots and escape to Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica. With more than 150 acres of pristine natural landscape, you'll have plenty to explore, including a coffee farm, remote tribal village, and lush rainforest. Hacienda AltaGracia , a new resort from the Auberge Resorts Collection, is your gateway to paradise and opens late 2021. Take it all in the caballista way, riding on horseback and enjoying your desayuno by the river each morning. Feeling even more adventurous? Leave the grounds altogether and hop onto one of the resort's ultralight flights to get a birds-eye view of all the rainforested area has to offer.

Sardinia, Italy

Perhaps the most coveted beach destination in Italy (and certainly the most star-studded), Sardinia is home to mesmerizing white sand beaches with glistening turquoise waters and an abundance of luxury resorts perfect for a triumphant return to travel. Baglioni Resort Sardinia just opened in June 2021 and is set on a beautiful marine reserve, while Hotel Pitrizza offers next-level villas that ensure serenity and privacy. Finally, make sure to look into Hotel Cala di Volpe for a classic luxury see-and-be-seen experience on Costa Smeralda — the property is newly renovated and home to chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's renowned restaurant, Matsuhisa .

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is emerging as an iconic Asian city destination, and one of the most necessary stops on a trip to Japan. Their luxury hotel scene continues to surge, as does the city's culinary prowess, as more and more visitors realize how simple it is to tack a trip to Kyoto onto their Tokyo itinerary. To bring your trip to true bucket-list levels, the new FUFU Kyoto offers a wildly luxurious take on the classic Japanese ryokan . FUFU is home to exceptional hot springs baths ( onsen ) and, in true Kyoto fashion, a restaurant that sources local ingredients and prepares traditional Japanese dishes with contemporary flair. Continue your exploration of Kyoto by diving into Kaiseki (high-end Japanese dining) culture at restaurants like Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama .

Taghazout Bay, Morocco

Exploring Morocco on a multi-stop trip — visiting Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and more colorful, souk-filled destinations — is an aspiration for plenty of global travelers. But travelers shouldn't miss south Morocco, where, 200 miles south of Marrakech near Agadir, you'll find Taghazout Bay, a fishing village turned luxury enclave right on the Moroccan coast. For the new hot spot to book, Fairmont Taghazout Bay just opened in July 2021 with a number of superfluous beach villas and ocean-facing suites. At the new hotel, you'll experience an exemplary display of Middle Eastern and African hospitality, beautifully landscaped pools and grounds, and an exquisite stretch of the north African Atlantic coast.

Turks and Caicos

For those whose travel aspirations involve white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, Turks and Caicos is the pinnacle of Caribbean dream destinations. From the idyllic shores of Grace Bay to the private islands, like Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos offers some of the most lavish experiences in the Caribbean Sea. One of the must-book trips of 2022 will undoubtedly be The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos — the hotel just debuted in June 2021 with ocean view suites, Club Level perks, two pools, and a spa, among other island offerings.

Sedona, Arizona

Immerse yourself in the healing culture of Sedona in 2022 and let the serenity of undiscovered hiking trails and the natural beauty of the red rocks feed your soul. At Enchantment Resort , the newly opened Trail House connects you with guides who will curate the exact outdoor experience you need — whether that's learning to mountain bike in order to conquer your fear of heights, or take a guided hike through the legendary Sedona energy vortexes. And for a brand-new luxury experience that honors the magnificent Sedona landscape, look into Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel , opening in Dec. 2021, where each free-standing atrium suite offers panoramic views of the red rocks and a private rooftop with a fire pit.

The Maldives is certainly a bucket-list escape, and a perfect early 2022 trip when you want out of the East Coast cold. Maldivian vacation culture revolves around the one island, one hotel concept — and is there anything more luxurious than feeling like you're on your own private island? For your holiday in the sun, venture to the new Patina Maldives , by Capella Hotel, Group known for their luxury properties in Asia. Designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, the 90-villa resort is spread between multiple private islands with a chic beach club and numerous fine dining options — all a 45-minute boat ride from the main airport.

London, United Kingdom

Londontown is officially open — that means the pubs are in full swing, the museums are back with new exhibits, and the sought-after restaurant reservations are once again nearly impossible to book. If you're looking for an upscale return to London, Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts , is new on the Mayfair luxury hotel scene. They reopened after a complete overhaul just before the pandemic, and now boast over-the-top suites perfect for your once-in-a-lifetime return to travel. Your time here will consist of walks around the charming neighborhood — Mayfair is widely known as the Beverly Hills of London — and sumptuous high tea at the hotel. Looking for more phenomenal U.K. culture? Take in a broadway show — "Hamilton" runs in London until Feb. 2022 — or travel to London in July for Wimbledon.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The Jackson Hole vibe isn't just see and be seen — it's ski and be skiin'. The luxury lifestyle in Jackson Hole keeps getting better, and this coming winter, it has all the makings of a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. First, fly to Jackson Hole with newly launched seasonal flights from Aero , one of the newer semi-private jet companies offering travelers an opportunity to get in on that seemingly unattainable PJ life. Then, treat yourself to the pinnacle of American luxury skiing: a weekend at Amangani , where the snowcapped Wyoming scenery of Glacier National Park meets the idyllic infinity pool that fuels your Instagram dreams.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

9 Best Places To Travel In 2022 According To Experts

• Destinations
• Industry Insider
• News and Tips

Forecasting travel trends is an annual tradition for us here at TravelAwaits , but as we all know, 2020 travel didn’t go as predicted . In 2021, we didn’t even bother gazing into our crystal ball. As travel starts to open back up in 2022, though, we reached back out to tour operators to find out where they are planning on going this year.

Not only did they share their upcoming adventures, but they also let us in on the travel trends that are emerging for this year. Global guided vacation company Trafalgar , for instance, reports that summer 2022 is going to be a big one, as travelers are already filling their vacation calendars predominantly in May/June 2022.

Meanwhile, Intrepid Travel has seen a 144 percent increase in customers booking domestic trips in the U.S. and the UK vs. 2019, prior to the pandemic. The company expects domestic travel will be popular in all regions in 2022, as different COVID variants continue to cause uncertainty with international travel, as we’ve seen most recently with the Omicron variant causing swift border closures and new travel restrictions. While flexibility with travel plans will be key, Intrepid asserts that travelers will continue to opt for more adventures within their home borders to avoid these headaches. Time will tell!

From far-flung locales to domestic destinations, here’s where tour operators plan to travel in 2022.

Bali, Indonesia

“I’m headed to Bali as soon as I can,” says Steve Lima, the Marketing Director for G Adventures . “We all could use a little wellness in 2022, and Bali is a great place to recharge, relax, and also get active. My plan is to hit the beaches first, then travel north to some of the less touristy parts of the island. Perhaps hike up to Mount Batur, and of course cycle through the incredibly calming and linear rice paddies in Ubud . Bali is exercise for the body and mind, and hopefully will leave me recharged and ready for whatever 2022 throws my way!”

Tom Armstrong from tour company Tauck says 2022 offers a fantastic opportunity for the slightly more intrepid traveler to experience the wonders of Europe before the crowds return en masse.

According to our recent State of Travel survey , Italy was the number one international destination that our readers want to visit in 2022. Trafalgar’s top 15 trips for 2022 thus far are all European itineraries, with the 13-day Best of Italy tour taking the number 1 spot. Armstrong says Italy is one of Tauck’s most popular destinations in Europe, and this year presents a wonderful chance to explore it.

For an in-depth Italian experience, spend two weeks touring Naples , Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast , Rome , Umbria, Tuscany, Cinque Terre , Florence , and Venice on Tauck’s Classic Italy tour. If you don’t have two whole weeks to spend in Italy, try A Week In… Venice, Florence & Rome , a shorter tour that explores three iconic Italian cities. Both tours feature exclusive experiences, including an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel sans crowds.

Spain And Portugal

Armstrong tells us “this will be a great year to visit Spain and Portugal — two of Europe’s rising stars!” Spend a week in Spain , a week in Portugal , or explore them both on Tauk’s Spain and Portugal tour .

“My wife and I did a Tauck river cruise on the Rhine a few years ago, and it was without a doubt one of the very best vacations we’d ever experienced,” says Armstrong. “We’re still in the discussion phase, but we’re really hoping to do a river cruise on either the Danube or the Douro this year. Both rivers offer incredible culture and amazing scenery. However, Tauck just launched our brand-new  MS Andorinha  riverboat on the Douro last August, so that may tip the scales a bit toward Portugal! Either way, we’re huge fans of river cruising, and we know we’re in for a wonderful trip.”

Armstrong suggests the Northern Spain, The Rioja Valley, and Madrid tour. This popular itinerary spends two weeks traveling from Barcelona across northern Spain, exploring Montserrat, Cardona, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao , Leon, Santiago de Compostela, and more before concluding in Madrid .

Ireland And The UK

According to Trafalgar, travelers are using their vacation days to book trips that are longer than a standard week-long getaway to really immerse themselves in the destinations. At 15 days and 10 days respectively, Best of Ireland & Scotland and Britain & Ireland Highlights are two of the company’s top-booked tours.

“My first trip this year will be to Ireland to celebrate a milestone birthday with my two childhood best friends who are also celebrating the same big birthday this year,” Trafalgar’s president, Melissa DaSilva, divulges. “We’ll be visiting Dublin, Galway, and beautiful Ashford Castle. I can’t wait to travel again, but especially to share it with my friends who I have not seen since the pandemic started, as our last two trips have been canceled due to lockdowns and restrictions,” she says.

“This year my goal is to soak up the beauty of this world with wildlife and nature,” Heidi Durflinger, president of EF Go Ahead Tours , tells us. “I’d like to return to Kenya. The connection to nature is surreal, and you’ll leave feeling renewed and refreshed.”

For some inspiration, refer to Sarah Kingdom’s Ultimate Guide To Planning Your First African Safari.

“There’s a great energy emerging … a resolve to make the leap, chase your passions, and take action on your ‘someday’ plans,” says Steve Born, CMO of the Globus family of brands. “And taking that dream trip to the place you always wanted to visit captures that spirit and has inspired me. Next month, I am heading to Jordan on a Jordan Escape trip along with my fellow Globus guests, hosting an amazing group of social media influencers to share the experience and spread the word about this spirit and this amazing destination.”

The week-long guided tour of Jordan begins in one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, the capital city of Amman, and ends at the Dead Sea, one of the lowest spots on Earth. Highlights include exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra (one of the New 7 Wonders of the World), sipping tea in a real Bedouin tent, and driving across Wadi Rum ‘s incredible desert landscape.

Pacific Northwest

Within the past year and a half, Intrepid Travel has added nearly 200 new tours around the world built specifically with domestic audiences in mind. This goes along with another of Intrepid Travel 2022’s goals: reducing the carbon output of its trips. For example, this year, the carbon-neutral tour operator is expected to remove more than 3,000 individual flights from its itineraries where there is a better land-based alternative.

Kicking off in June of this year, Intrepid Travel’s six-day Portland to San Francisco Discovery journey encompasses several of the 2022 travel trends it has identified. This foodie-friendly tour runs between two cities that boast outstanding culinary scenes. Share a river-to-table meal with the First Nations people of Warm Springs. The picnic lunch experience serves up Indigenous culture preservation, acknowledging the role salmon played in tribal history and answering the trend of businesses embedding purpose within their offerings. According to Intrepid, the majority of its top-selling trips contain “purpose-led” experiences like this — activities that directly support environmental or wildlife conservation, preserve minority indigenous culture, or support marginalized social groups.

Other highlights of Intrepid’s Pacific Northwest tour include the tactile treat of shucking oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co., a visit to Crater Lake National Park to see the deepest lake in the U.S., and a stop at Muir Woods National Monument to hang out with the tallest living things in the world. The latter two experiences are in line with another 2022 travel trend according to the company — the great outdoors.

Did we miss one of your favorite destinations? Nominate it below!

“With COVID as our new reality,” Intrepid shared, “many travelers are opting for trips that allow them to soak in fresh air away from the crowds, while also staying active and on their feet — a far cry from their homes and computer screens that have become the norm as careers and home life blur in this new world dominated by remote work.”

Feeling inspired? Reach out to our travel advisors Carie Skerritt and Bill Sharo of Dream Vacations to talk about where 2022 could take you!

Laura Ray has lived in Atlanta, the Bay Area, SoCal, and Austin. After moving from Texas, she and her husband rambled about the Midwest in a camper for a couple of years before finally settling on 35 acres in their home state of Kentucky. When she isn't clacking around on the keyboard (cat in lap), you can find her practicing yoga, gardening, or playing the ukulele. This travel-lover's favorite destinations include Italy, the Greek isles, and Kentucky Lake.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

8 Places to Travel in 2022

By Elise Taylor

Where are the best places to travel in 2022? That’s the question Vogue posed to a set of hospitality experts, and their answers are quite literally all over the place. Some are classic destinations that have buzzy new hotel openings, others are emerging areas on the cusp of becoming trending tourist attractions. ( Black Tomato —a tour operator known for providing over-the-top, once-in-a-life trips —is keeping an eye on Romania.)

Below, 8 ideas on where to go in 2022, from an under-radar-Caribbean island, to a vibrant Mexican city, to the top of the globe.

Merida, Mexico

“Merida, Mexico still manages to fly under the radar, despite its proximity to incredible Mayan ruins and neon-blue cenotes. Plus, it has a unique culinary scene that runs the gamut from perfectly fried street cart churros to haute takes on traditional dishes by chefs like Pedro Evia, whose restaurant Kuuk is a critical darling. Look around for some excellent lodging options, including rooms in sprawling historic haciendas and sleek little city apartments.” -Laura Motta, Senior Director of Content at Lonely Planet

“We’ve long admired the gorgeous Caribbean island of Grenada for its under-the-radar appeal with powdery shores and sensorial stimulation on arrival, where the sweet air smells of sea salt, nutmeg, and mace. But now more than ever before, the massive popularity of the Caribbean makes Grenada primed to be the ‘in-the-know’ place to visit, with so much more to do than a ‘fly and flop’ on the beach. To boot, it’s an easy 4 hour and 30-minute direct flight from NYC. Miles of unfettered beaches juxtaposes with rich, virgin rainforests that are ripe for intrepid experiences and opportunities to give back.” -* Black Tomato*

Easter Island

“Due to its small, remote location, Easter Island has been closed off for most of COVID. As of now, the plan is to reopen to visitors in February. 2022 also marks the 300th anniversary of when the island was first “discovered” by Europeans (1722). Nayara Hangaroa is the perfect home base to explore the island—from guided hikes to Taharoa to ATVing solo around the island, to seeing secret caves and remote beaches, to catching sunrise over the moai.” -Misty Belles, Managing Director, Virtuoso

Bethlen Estates in Romania.

By Emma Specter

By Christian Allaire

“Home to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (in actuality, Vlad the Impaler), Transylvania is steeped in an extraordinarily rich history and this year, Romania welcomes its ninth UNESCO WorldHeritage site, the Roșia Montană Mining Landscape. The area has seen a recent uptick in interest from clients and Romania is in fact the most bio-geographically diverse country in the EU, and one of the best places in Europe to go wildlife watching, for those in the know.

Newly opened Bethlen Estates , a vividly reanimated, luxurious ancestral manor house, is where to stay. The brainchild and vision of Gladys and Nikolaus Bethlen, the wife and son of the late Count Miklos Bethlen, they have made it their life’s work to keep their ancestral ties alive and help preserve the region’s unbelievably important biodiversity.” -Black Tomato

“I do think Antarctica is going to be a place to go in 2022. There are new and interesting ways to explore the White Continent: Ponant and its new ship , Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge cruise that bypasses the Drake Passage, and White Desert for the land experience. There is an untouched purity to the destination that makes it feel worlds apart from the rest of life, let alone a global pandemic, making travelers want to make the journey.” -Misty Belles, Managing Director, Virtuoso

Napa Valley

“The hotel scene in Napa Valley is heating up. Stanly Ranch , an Auberge Collection Resort, will make its debut on the historic Stanly Ranch Winery estate, a 700-acre private ranch that dates to the 19th century, in Spring 2022. This is on the heels of other openings like Napa Valley's first Four Seasons . Meadowood recently re-opened their doors and there's been a handful of big renovations at properties like Solage and Poetry Inn .” - Misty Belles

Okavango Delta, Botswana

“We’re seeing a huge increase in clients booking epic 2022 trips to Botswana , marking safari’s great return in a truly bucket-list locale. Botswana is the ultimate safari destination, an ideal place to tap into a more slow, deliberate pace of travel and perfect for multi-generational families too. Kick off the adventure in the fabulous Okavango Delta, which just welcomed the stunning new Xigera Safari Lodge , and make your way to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for unbelievable day and night game drives, encountering remarkable wildlife that inhabit this seemingly barren landscape.” -Black Tomato

Paris is also pulling visitors back into its fully vaccinated restaurants and museums, with a stay at LVMH’s new gem Cheval Blanc a must. -Misty Belles

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22 Exceptional Destinations to Travel to in 2022 (Plus, What to Do While You’re There)

15 December, 2021

Two years of next to no travel have left plenty of space for our wanderlust to run wild. Whether you’re craving an Eden-like island to go off-grid, under-touristed towns to explore in peace, or transcendently beautiful valleys to sip and sample your way through, we’ve got travel (restrictions permitting) in 2022 covered.

A fter After a long two years of little to no travel, we can’t help but be optimistic for the year ahead. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in this period of lockdowns and last-minute cancellations that sentiment rings true. This coming year, gone is the tick-the-box itinerary. Instead, we hope to travel slower, for longer and to see more while we’re there. Below are the destinations we’re dreaming of wandering, swimming, skiing, and (of course) eating in come 2022. Some are cities, while others are idyllic islands where the desert sands meet the sea. All are wildly beautiful and rich in culture. We’re quietly hopeful that this year, we just might get there.

Top trips on our radar for 2022

Shimmering turquoise water. Dense forests of emerald pines. White pebbles that glisten like pearls on the beach… The colours of Dugi Otok , an island of the Zadar Archipelago, off the Dalmatian coast, are intense. But the intensity ends there; this little-known gem is all about delighting in deep chill. Translating to “long island”, this skinny sliver of green in the Adriatic is a beach lover’s paradise. We’re partial to pristine Sakarun Beach for its hidden coves, and the fertile spaces of the island, taken up with olive groves and plenty of scraggly wild rosemary and fennel. Fly into Zadar, hop on a ferry to the island, and be sure to rent a car.

Cork bottles the best of Ireland’s outrageous natural beauty, ancient culture, and hearty food into one relatively small county with spirit in spades. So, where to go once you’re there? Fly into Cork city and hit the English Market for a taster of the gastronomic variety this county has to offer. Think fresher-than-fresh shellfish, locally produced cheeses, cold cuts and vegetables in every shape and size. From there, your food odyssey should continue to the iconic Ballymaloe House hotel, where the Allen family – essentially the first family of Irish food – operate a legendary hotel and cookery school. Pastry chef JR Lyall’s dessert trolley is as famous as the lazy, courses-long Sunday lunches. A walk (and a swim, if you’re brave) on Ballycotton Beach is a bracing remedy to the inevitable carb coma that follows. Further west lie the storied beach towns of Schull and Ballydehob. Stop the car, settle into a local pub for the best Guinness of your life, and let the storytelling and live music ensue.

While Tokyo might be the typical first stop on a Japan itinerary; we’re trading the bright lights of that famously too-big city for Kyushu. This subtropical island, renowned for its volcanoes, natural hot springs, beautiful beaches, and onsens, is two hours from Tokyo. (For the inside scoop on this slice of Japanese paradise, listen to our interview with Walk Japan CEO Paul Christie, a Kyushu resident, on The Upgrade podcast.) The beauty of this southwestern island lies in its four-seasons suitability for visiting tourists. In winter, hiking, skiing, and skating are abundant, while summertime brings the opportunity to scuba dive and snorkel off the island’s many pristine beaches. Stay at one of the many authentic little inns that pepper Kyushu’s mountain towns, explore pottery culture in Saga, and don’t miss the numerous historical sites in Nagasaki.

Consider Antiparos, the quieter, more charming Cycladic Island sister to nearby Paros. The island, reached by flying into Paros and hopping on a seven-minute ferry across a glassy blue bay, is small enough to cover by car in a day. But ideally you should stay at Athanasia Comninos’s idyllic new boutique hotel , The Rooster, overlooking Livadia Bay and where the flamingo-pink sunsets are otherworldly. Each of the 16 villas comes with a pool, and the views are as outstanding as the food. The pace is slow here, and the people are refreshingly warm. Charter one of the local boats for an affordable spin around Antiparos’s rocky coastline, snack on freshly caught octopus, and snooze an afternoon away on a secret black sand beach only the fishermen know of. Don’t miss a tour of archaeological site Despotiko (beware of the goats) and platters of fried anchovies at local favourite Captain Pipinos. Lastly, Greek rosé? A revelation.

Todos Santos

Los Cabos is considered the Baja Peninsula’s centre of gravity, but we would argue that laid-back surfer haven Todos Santos – an hour’s drive north – is where it’s at. This little town, designated a Pueblo Mágico in recognition of its immense natural beauty, has grown in popularity over the last few years for its authentic Mexican feel and roster of unique hotels. The bougainvillaea-strewn streets straddle the old and the new with aplomb-sip a flat white at Taller 17 and watch pick-up trucks packed with goats, locals selling handmade pottery and crafts, and crowds of surfers roll by. Hotel San Cristobal , with its psychedelic textiles, quirky-cool interiors, and spicy margaritas, is our easy favourite for supper by the sea. The newer brutalist-inspired Paradero , nestled in a palm grove, is a wellness destination in and of itself, though the hotel’s positioning near the beach, the town, and surrounding desert lands doesn’t hurt.

Chumbe Island

Disclaimer: Chumbe Island is not the easiest to get to. However, it’s more than worth it for those willing to catch the boat from Mbweni, (or hotfoot it to Zanzibar’s old Stone Town neighbourhood and find a willing fisherman). The island and coral park are a conservation success story, thanks to the privately protected marine area that surrounds it. A shore-to-reef fishing ban, formalised 1998, has spurred significant regeneration here. (And, yes, the snorkelling is stunning.) A few steps inland, sand gives way to a thick canopy of rare coral rug jungle, an ecosystem that survives on waterless ground and feeds on dew. But before the sand merges into the jungle, you’ll find seven rustic beach cottages – their roofs shaped like billowing sails – along the shoreline. These plastic-free dwellings are the only tourist accommodation on Chumbe. Days on the island drift by in a haze of swimming, fragrant curries and daydreaming on the beach, before the boat takes you back to mainland Tanzania.

Lake Baikal

Being the deepest and oldest lake in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage listing, the fact it’s under threat from pollution and nearby industrial development are reasons enough to go and marvel at this wonder now. Lake Baikal is home to 20 per cent of the globe’s unfrozen freshwater supply, the world’s only freshwater seals, and more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna. Additionally, the lake’s glassy waters freeze to the point that it becomes a highway for sleighs and skaters throughout the long winter months. While you can reach the lake and the islands held within it (we recommend Olkhon) via the Trans-Siberian express , it’s also possible to fly into Ulan-Ude and jump on a ferry, weather permitting.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Central African Republic

We first got wind of these Eden-like islands a few years ago when two intrepid friends made the pilgrimage to the Gulf of Guinea on Africa’s western coast. Rumoured to produce some of the best chocolate and coffee in the world, the islands are bursting with dense rainforest, lush cocoa and coffee plantations alongside powder-white beaches and crystalline waters. Rich volcanic soil fuels the biodiversity unique to the islands, while the untamed landscape adds to the otherworldly atmosphere. But enough of geography; where to stay and what to do while you’re there? South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth has invested heavily in the island, including in two beautiful hotels: Sundy Praia, a tented camp on the island’s northwest coast, and Roça Sundy , a restored plantation home. And while slow days reading on the beach, eyes peeled for the four rare turtle species local to the island, might feel like doing nothing, the profound peace that descends is really something.

Soča Valley

The most captivating episode of Netflix smash hit Chef’s Table sits within season two. Slovenian chef Ana Roš and her sommelier husband Valter shepherd us through the versatility of local Tolmin cheese, the harsh realities of running a restaurant, and the dramatic splendour of the Soča Valley in which they live. The valley hugs around the thrashing, rippling emerald river that gives the area its name. The water is filled with Soča trout, a famous fish that draws anglers from all over the world. A trip here is all about embracing the great outdoors. Hike the green hills, raft down the river, swim among the waterfalls, sample Slovenia’s crisp natural wines, and, if you can, eat a meal at Ana’s restaurant, Hiša Franko .

Port cities have a distinct brand of whimsy. Times gone by are as etched into the street names as they are in the cuisine, while hints of the times to come can be found in the vessels that fill the harbour and in the people that occupy them. We featured Galle , a former Dutch trading port in southwestern Sri Lanka , in our latest SUITCASE issue, Celebration , for this very reason. The architecture alone of this UNESCO World Heritage site astounds. We fell hard for the clean lines, pressed-tin ceilings and mango-laden courtyard of the Fort Bazaar hotel in the old town. To shop and eat, head to Pedlar Street and don’t miss the textiles at Barefoot and smooth espresso at Dumplings Café. Order our December issue now for more intel on this fortified port city.

Switzerland

Switzerland is synonymous with skiing, but there’s just as much fun and fabulous food to be had in her many tidy towns and function-forward cities. Zug, a lakeside city in central Switzerland, looks like a Christmas card. Gothic spires and narrow cobbled lanes sit alongside the headquarters of global conglomerates, lending an international air to this traditional-looking town. We love sampling Swiss treats at the Saturday market in Landsgemeindeplatz , soaking up the splendour of the stalactites in Höllgrotten Baar, and easy zips across the lake to visit nearby villages. If you’re a great outdoors-loving traveller, this outrageously gorgeous area – bursting with great hikes and viewpoints – is for you.

Santa Ynez Valley

United States

Napa might be North America’s best-known wine region, but areas like Oregon and Vermont are catching up. Within the Golden State, we’re gasping to get to the lesser-known wineries tucked inside the Santa Ynez Valley. Consider Los Alamos – soon to be the next Marfa , for anyone asking – your home base. Check into the Alamo Motel (the revamped boutique motel of road-trip dreams) and be sure to sample the sourdough at Bob’s Well Bread Bakery and sandwiches at Bell Street Farm. For those heading to nearby Los Olivos, make a beeline to Hotel Ynez and do dinner at Bar Le Côté . Back to the wine: book tastings at Sonja Magdevski’s Casa Dumetz Wines , Frequency Wines , and hit the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail to start. As for the rest, ditch your itinerary, listen to the locals, and figure out new finds perfect for you as you go.

Images of Socotra have us spellbound. This little island, 250 miles off the coast of Yemen, is one where the powdery desert sands meet the Arabian sea. There’s a Jurassic Park quality to the spindly dragon blood trees and prehistoric rock formations that articulate Socotra’s hilly surface. It’s rumoured that the fragrant frankincense that perfumed the temples of ancient Greece and Egypt grew here. The biodiversity is staggering. Due to minimal tourist infrastructure, we recommend contracting the services of experienced operators who know the island, like Mercedes Bailey of Frankly Bailey , or getting in touch with Welcome to Socotra to plan a trip. Be prepared to camp by sapphire lagoons, swim in iridescent waters, snorkel, hike, and feast on the freshest fish you’ll ever taste.

Lake Victoria

The cultural scene that quietly simmers along the banks of Uganda’s Lake Victoria is something of a hidden gem. An annual music and arts festival hits the shores of Bulago Island every Easter. Workshops, live performances, and installations fill event space and hotel One Minute South -named for its proximity to the equator. The hiking, fishing, swimming and watersports are first rate. And the flavours… Ripe mangoes pulled off nearby trees, crunchy cassava chips doused in punchy chili sauce, slow-cooked bananas and, of course, grilled fish stay with you long after you leave.

Closer to home, Valencia provides the sunny weekend getaway we all crave after Christmas. This southeastern Spanish city is all about ease, hot all summer and delightfully warm for most of the winter. Check into One Shot Mercat 09 or hunt down one of the many affordable rentals that line the beach promenade like Barracart Apartments . And then spend your days alternating between perfect pans of seafood paella, biking around the city, and spending next-to-no time in line at Valencia’s many museums. To eat, we recommend running to La Sastrería for shellfish, Canalla Bistro for Galician specialities, and Navarro – a place so renowned for its paella you need to book a day in advance to guarantee the freshest ingredients straight from the Central Market.

Los Angeles

Most out-of-towners beeline straight to the City of Angels’ famed west side neighbourhoods of Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice Beach . We’re going to go rogue here and suggest trading west for east and planting yourself in the creative communities of Echo Park, Silver Lake, and Highland Park. Check into the Cara Hotel or, for walkability unknown to this car-obsessed city, the Silver Lake Pool & Inn . From there, it really is all swaying palm trees, outrageously good tacos, and crystals aplenty. Get lost in the hills – filled with mid-century modern homes – that dip and soar around the reservoir before digging into bivalves and small-grower champagne at L + E Oyster Bar . Walk the length of Sunset Boulevard, starting with brunch at Café Stella and finishing with natural wine and grilled cheeses at Echo Park’s Bar Bandini . Hike Griffith Park. Drive 20 minutes further east to Highland Park for pizza at Triple Beam and supplies at Cookbook Market . We could go on… But we won’t. You’re an east sider now.

United Kingdom

Stirling, the city coined “the gateway to the Highlands ” has us hooked. The city’s medieval castle – and the site of much of Scotland’s turbulent history – sits atop a craggy basalt hill visible for what feels like miles. And while any visit to Stirling should start here, there is so much more to see and do both in the city and in the surrounding lochs and lush countryside. Check into one of the many outrageously cosy country hotels just outside the city. We like low-key Powis House or, for a splurge, Cromlix (recently refurbished by none other than tennis pro Andy Murray). From there you could try foraging in Tay Forest Park, whisky tasting at one of the many renowned distilleries that dot the area, and even freediving in one the nearby lochs. Within the city, we love the vegan spreads at Friend of Mine . For properly pulled pints and stellar fish and chips try The Birds and the Bees , followed by a long walk through Stirling’s streets.

Long considered a stopover city on your way to the white sandy beaches that hug the city’s northern and southern extremities, Brisbane is ready to step into the spotlight. This smaller sibling to Melbourne and Sydney is brimming with subtropical architecture and flat whites worth flying for. Laneways like Ada Lane, Fish Lane (don’t miss a meal at Maker ), and Bakery Lane are lined with restaurants, moody bars, cafés and galleries. Architecturally, Brisbane’s glass-and-steel skyline is an exciting one. Stop by the State Library of Queensland designed by Donovan Hill and Peddle Thorpe Architects, the A W N Pugin-designed St Stephen’s Chapel and the Queensland Cultural Precinct. To stay, we love the rooftop pool and art deco lines at the Crystalbrook Vincent and the bar at the Calile . After a few days exploring the urban regeneration defining Brisbane today by bike – and sipping those flat whites at Florence café in Camp Hill – catch a water taxi to Stradbroke . This near-untouched island lies 30 kilometres off the Brisbane coast and is the perfect beachy antidote to a city stay. For an insider’s look at this magnificent city, order a copy of our latest issue, Celebration .

Okavango Delta

Botswana boasts the best game-viewing in the world. However, thanks to the government’s high spend low-footprint tourism model, experiencing this conservation success story can cost a pretty penny. And it’s worth it. The industry’s most experienced operators like Wilderness Safaris , Desert & Delta and Roar Africa operate throughout this carefully protected region. You’ll fly into Maun, a dusty bush town bustling with tour operators, guides and wildlife photographers and from there, hop on a Cessna and zip north to Qorokwe, Moremi or perhaps Vumbura Plains. Despite all being part of one gigantic inland delta, each conservation area feels entirely distinct. Qorokwe, permeated by the earthy scent of wild sagebrush, looks exactly as you would expect with sweeping plains of swaying grasses, gnarled acacia trees heaving with monkeys, and a seemingly endless horizon. Further north, Linyanti is drier and as dense with trees as it is narrow waterways packed with hippos and – beneath the surface – crocodiles. Get planning now; these in-demand lodges fill fast, many with a year-long waitlist. But, like we said, it’s worth it.

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein , a Belle Époque wonderland that wouldn’t look amiss in a Wes Anderson film, lies south of Salzburg. A spa-and-ski town beloved by Europe’s royals way back when, nowadays Bad Gastein is known for its steep slopes, magnificent waterfall, and, come summer, stellar hiking. To stay, Alpenlofts , with its minimalist wall-to-wall wood and expansive terraces, is solid for a crowd. The 1920s-era Haus Hirt is similarly low key but comfortable with an Aveda spa to unwind in after a day of long runs. Food-wise, the tastiest dining spots are mostly inside Bad Gastein’s hotels, and we would add the restaurant and terrace at Hotel Miramonte to that list. Don’t leave without gliding up, up and up higher on a gondola to Europe’s highest suspension bridge, Stubnerkogel, or, for those who can’t bear heights, a snowy sleigh ride delivers.

Tuscany is heavily touristed. Yet beyond cities like Florence and Siena, much of Italy’s most famous region is little known – from Lunigiana’s dense, truffle-filled forests to Maremma’s medieval hill towns and the countless agriturismi (working vineyards and farms with low-key accommodation) speckled everywhere in between. We heartily recommend Querceto di Castellina to sip organic, natural wine and sleep in 15th-century accommodation with dreamy views to boot. In the Val d’Orcia, don’t miss the lemon tagliatelle at La Bandita Townhouse or the views of the area’s patchwork mustard and emerald hills at Podere il Casale . Under-the radar wineries like Ampeleia, just below Roccatederighi (an ancient stone village built atop a cliff), tiny Podere Casaccia , just outside Florence, and even tinier Castel del Piano , just beyond Pisa, vinify grapes with as little intervention as possible. We suggest reserving five days, renting a car, and hitting the road with our recommendations as your loose guide.

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Industry Insiders Share the Top Travel Destinations for 2022

From artistic towns in Mexico to hidden gems in the Mediterranean.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Veranda editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

We've asked the team at luxury travel advisory brand Essentialist , Brandon Berkson of Hotels Above Par and HAP Concierge , as well as popular travel photographer Ana Linares about where to travel in the new year. Our editors are also sharing the locales they are dreaming of visiting this year—and invite you to join us. Whether you're looking for a laid-back getaway , trip to a buzzy city, or an immersive experience in a new-to-you city, our industry insiders have some brilliant inspiration to offer as you plan your 2022 travels.

Just remember that it's as important as ever to stay up-to-date with the latest travel restrictions, both domestically and internationally, to ensure you'll have the best trip possible and stay safe. Working with a travel advisor , such as the teams at Essentialist or HAP Concierge, will reduce stress and even help you create a fabulous plan B just in case.

The History and Culture of Budapest

Instagram's wanderlust darling Ana Linares says she's dreaming of visiting Budapest in 2022. Hungary's capital city is the ninth largest city in the European Union and bursting with breathtaking architecture, unique cultural offerings, and centuries of history to discover.

There's something for everyone in this charming city, from spectacular thermal baths to memorable musical performances to fabulous art destinations. And you won't want to miss staying in one of Budapest's jaw-dropping luxury hotels, such as Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest and Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest . It won't take long to understand why the city is nicknamed "Paris of the East."

Immersive Journeys in Japan

Japan continues to grow in popularity as a top destination for experiencing well-rounded getaways that will leave one feeling refreshed and inspired. According to the team at Essentialist, Japan is a must-visit destination in 2022 for its incredible variety of nature, culture, history and of course food.

The team specifically recommends Hokkaido for incredible skiing, Kyoto for its culture and traditions, and Naoshima in Southern Japan for art lovers. Consider booking a portion of your stay at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn that honors the country's lifestyle and hospitality. Zaborin in Hokkaido and Aman Resorts' Amanemu are some of the country's most luxurious takes on these accommodations.

Paris, Anew

When are we not dreaming about our next trip to Paris? Editor in Chief Steele Marcoux says the city is her top destination for 2022 for five major reasons. First, the Hôtel de la Marine has just reopened after a four-year renovation while the Musée Carnavalet has also recently reopened after a five-year restoration. We can't wait to catch Musée Nissim de Camondo 's major exhibition of the work of Edmund de Waal and finally check out the highly anticipated Bourse de Commerce that has been transformed by Francois Pinault. We also can't wait to discover French artist and designer Marin Montagut's new shop near the Luxembourg Gardens.

Check out our guide to the best hotels and restaurants in Paris or join us this spring for an unforgettable week of exclusive experiences.

The Artistic Side of Mexico

Brandon Berkson says that he's anticipating Mexico to be one of 2022's hottest travel destinations, but not the Mexico of spring break's past. "Our southern neighbor was an idyllic destination for Americans this past year, being that it didn’t have the overwhelming restrictions countries overseas had in place," says Berkson. "With the volatility of restrictions and the omicron variant, Mexico, in my opinion, will again be a big vacation spot for Americans in 2022."

While he says Cabo San Lucas and Cancún will always be top spots for travel in Mexico, Berkson advises checking out some overshadowed cities like Oaxaca de Juarez and the increasingly popular San Miguel de Allende to discover another side of Mexico. "They pulsate with culture and ooze authenticity; a stray away from the overly-commercialized feel of Cabo and Cancun, they are a great way to delve into the heart of Mexico. Plus, San Miguel de Allende’s boutique hotel scene is unrivaled." His picks: Hotel Matilda and Casa Hoyos . We also love Laura Kirar's Mesón Hidalgo .

The Organic Beauty of the Andes

Nature-centric getaways will still be at the forefront of our 2022 travel plans, according to the Essentialist team of luxury travel advisors. Essentialist suggests visiting Patagonia for its alpine lakes, monumental glaciers and charming villages. With top skiing in the winter months and horse treks in the warmer season, both sides of the border offer incredible landscapes, delicious local wines and plenty of choices for carnivores alike. What more could you ask for?

The team also suggests checking out the Argentinian side of the Andes where you'll find neoclassical cities, monstrous glaciers, and more fabulous food and drink. We suggest visiting Mendoza, Salta, and El Calafate for unique tastes of this gorgeous country.

The Quieter Side of California

For those seeking a domestic getaway that feels worlds' away, our editors are looking to California in 2022. However, our itineraries aren't for L.A. or San Francisco this year, though we do adore these design-centric cities. Places with more opportunities to experience nature while enjoying plenty of luxurious amenities such as Santa Barbara, Napa, Sonoma, Palm Springs, and the Central Coast are what we have in mind.

It won't take long to discover why Santa Barbara is affectionately known as "the American Riviera," and it's a perfect destination for those dreaming of the South of France but don't want to leave the U.S. Napa and Sonoma feel reminiscent of Italy's wine country for those dreaming of Tuscany, while Palm Springs offers a one-of-a-kind desert wonderland . And we anticipate the Central Coast to become ever more popular with its burgeoning culinary scene, stunning natural beauty, and up-and-coming wine culture.

Sound intriguing? Join us in exploring the most inspiring gardens of The Golden State this fall . We'll be traversing Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Pasadena and discovering the splendor of these fabulous locales.

Portugal's Magnificent Azores

Portugal is emerging as a top wine and travel destination, but the breathtaking Azores islands are still relatively free from tourist traps and long lines. The team at Essentialist says the Azores have emerged as a fantastic alternative or add-on to mainland Portugal travel. "With a quickly developing hotel and restaurant scene and a growing reputation as the Hawaii of the East, this trending locations is top on Essentialist’s list for the new year," notes a representative from the brand.

The Azores have become a top surf destination, as there are premium waves virtually year-round and the islands also produce some pretty great wine. Plus, you simply can't beat the views, from the lush, hydrangea-lined roads to the spectacular Mediterranean waters.

Alluring India

Ana Linares says she hopes to return to India for the first time since the pandemic. She says it's possibly the most special place she's ever visited, and it certainly offers plenty of fodder for a travel photographer. A favorite city of our team (and designers alike) is Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Home to 11 royal palaces, stunning courtyards and gardens, and one of the country's most luxurious hotels: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur . There are also a variety of five-star wellness spas, such as Ananda and The Postcard Velha . And of course, if you're looking to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of cities that put Manhattan to shame, like Mumbai, or Dehli.

Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light , and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.

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The Top 22 Places to Travel for Spring, Summer and Fall 2022

By Laura Itzkowitz

International travel has taken a hit these past two years. But nonetheless, our annual list of the top travel destinations is back and better than ever. As always, our aim is to highlight places that offer exciting reasons for architecture and design lovers to visit during the rest of 2022, from major museum openings to burgeoning trends worth checking out. We surveyed experts and gathered intel on the most exciting cultural attractions for international travel around the world, from a new Frank Lloyd Wright road trip to a James Turrell Skyspace in Uruguay. Read on for our picks for our top picks and be sure to get planning.

Valencia, Spain

This port city on Spain’s southeastern coast has been named the World Design Capital for 2022 thanks to its longstanding legacy of design and innovative public policy. With the distinction comes a year’s worth of public programming celebrating design and its ability to improve the lives of the city’s inhabitants. If you go, be sure to check out the Turia Gardens, one of Spain’s largest urban parks.

This under-the-radar island off the coast of Naples is joining Capri and Ischia as a must-visit destination next year thanks to its nomination as Italy’s 2022 Cultural Capital. It’s the first time an island has ever received the distinction, and the award comes with one million euros, which will be used for 44 projects involving 240 artists. All Street Napoli, a new tour company by Annie Ojile and Alexandra Lawrence—two Americans living in Italy—can organize day trips to the island from Naples.

Inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic property in Buffalo, New York. 

Nine historic sites designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in western New York and western Pennsylvania have banded together to form the Great Wright Road Trip, starting in Buffalo. Five of the sites are in and around Buffalo, including the Martin House and Graycliff Estate, which completed a decades-long renovation just before the pandemic. A major expansion of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery for modern and contemporary art, and a $2 million renovation and expansion of the historic Colored Musicians Club provide two more reasons to go.

A view over the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. 

By Rachel Davies

By Katherine McLaughlin

By Annabelle Dufraigne

Galataport —a $1.7 billion development on the shores of the Bosphorus—is set to transform Istanbul’s waterfront neighborhood of Karaköy. In addition to a massive cruise port (part of which will be the world’s first underground cruise terminal), the development will include a new home for the Istanbul Modern Museum, designed by Renzo Piano, and will open the promenade to the public for the first time in around 200 years. In addition to the new buildings, many old warehouses are being transformed into shops, restaurants, and Peninsula Hotels will open a luxurious new property in three heritage buildings.

The cityscape of Oslo.

When Oslo’s National Museum moves into its new building near City Hall next year, it will become the largest cultural center in the Nordic countries. The museum will be able to display 5,000 works—twice as many as it could in the past—in the new collection exhibition and will have a massive new Light Hall at the top of the building, which will be dedicated to rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The Norwegian capital is also getting an epic new hotel called Sommero in the headquarters of Oslo’s original electrical company. 

Overlooking the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

If you haven’t been to the City of Lights in a while, there are plenty of new reasons to go. The highly anticipated Pinault Collection in the Bourse de Commerce finally opened, the Musée Carnavalet dedicated to the city’s history has undergone a major renovation, and there are fabulous new places to stay, like ultra-luxe Le Cheval Blanc inside the reborn Art Nouveau department store complex La Samaritaine , the just-opened Bulgari Hotel , and the soon-to-open property Le Grand Mazarin by Maisons Pariente . Add on a night at Airelles Le Grand Contrôle at Versailles for a stay fit for royalty.

Charleston’s iconic coastline.

Charleston, South Carolina

The Holy City will soon be home to the International African American Museum, which aims to grapple with the history of slavery in the U.S. and explore connections across the African diaspora. In particular, the African Ancestors Memorial Garden will provide a place for quiet contemplation on the original shoreline where many enslaved Africans first set foot in America. The city is also getting a beautifully designed hotel called The Pinch in two Victorian-era buildings.

A view onto the historic city of Zürich.

Art and design lovers have a new reason to visit Zürich in 2022. A newly completed expansion by David Chipperfield has made the Kunsthaus Zürich the largest art museum in Switzerland. Known for its collection of French Impressionist works, the museum is placing a larger emphasis on modern and contemporary art, with the new Chipperfield building focused on art from 1960 to the present. It also houses a new design store, garden, and bar. 

Grumeti, in Tanzania, is one of East Africa’s best-known safari destinations.

Grumeti, Tanzania

One of East Africa’s best safari destinations is getting an upgrade courtesy of two redesigned lodges and camps. Singita’s Sabora Tented Camp recently underwent a redesign, transforming its design from Hemingway-esque to streamlined and modern. And renowned operator AndBeyond is in the midst of rebuilding their Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge following a devastating flood. Expect spacious accommodations with plunge pools, a state-of-the-art gym, and a renewed emphasis on sustainability. 

The colorful coast of Denmark’s capital.

There’s never a bad time to visit Copenhagen, but 2022 will be especially good. Following a two-year renovation, the Design Museum Denmark will reopen with new exhibition spaces and a restoration of the iconic tiles in the basement floor. There will also be a new interactive museum of communication called Enigma located in the former Post & Telegraph Museum. Stay at Villa Copenhagen, which opened this year in the century-old Post & Telegraph Head Office, or one of the city’s upcoming hotels, like 25Hours Indre By, in a former university.

Overlooking the Hong Kong skyline.

Hong Kong has long been one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, and now it’s got a new reason to go. After many delays, Hong Kong’s long-awaited M+ museum of visual culture has finally opened in an eye-catching building by Herzog & de Meuron on the waterfront of Kowloon. It’s part of the larger West Kowloon Cultural District, which includes the soon-to-open Hong Kong Palace Museum dedicated to Chinese art and culture. 

The British Virgin Islands are a tropical, dreamy getaway.

British Virgin Islands

A slew of new and renovated resorts is upping the ante on the British Virgin Islands. The most luxurious is undoubtedly Moskito Island , Richard Branson’s new private island resort comprising 10 estates, 3 of which are available to rent. But that’s not all: The storied Bitter End Yacht Club has undergone a total rebuild, complete with a new nautical village; Saba Rock is back after a complete reconstruction; and Oil Nut Bay’s new Marina Village boasts luxurious villas to rent and purchase on Virgin Gorda. 

The Toronto skyline at sunset. 

The U.S.-Canada border finally reopened this summer, allowing Americans to once again visit our neighbors to the north, and, next year, Toronto will have even more exciting places to stay. There’s the just-opened eco-chic 1 Hotel Toronto designed by AD100 alum Rockwell Group, plus Canada’s first Ace Hotel , the W Toronto , and the renovated Park Hyatt Toronto .

Valletta, Malta’s capital. 

If you haven’t been to the capital of this Mediterranean island nation near Sicily, which was crowned European Capital of Culture in 2018, you have plenty of reasons to go. First and foremost: the opening of the Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS), an ambitious project involving AD100 designer Francis Sultana. The island is also home to exciting new hotels like Iniala Harbour House, which opened this year with 23 suites set in four Maltese houses, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. 

Outside of James Turrell’s new Skyspace in Uruguay.

José Ignacio, Uruguay

It’s not every day that a new skyspace by James Turrell comes along. In fact, when one does, it’s a pretty momentous occasion. So, Ta Khut, Turrell’s first freestanding skyspace in South America, is worth celebrating. It just debuted on the grounds of the new Posada Ayana boutique hotel in José Ignacio, a Hamptons-esque beach town frequented by elite Argentines and international travelers. There’s also a luxurious new hotel called Luz and a new restaurant called Chiringuito by famed chef Francis Mallmann, whose nearby Restaurant Garzón is also worth a visit.

Double-decker buses rushing by in London.

Four words: Wes Anderson–designed train. That’s right, the filmmaker beloved for his quirky and exacting aesthetic recently teamed up with Belmond to design their British Pullman Train, which departs from London’s Victoria Station and takes voyagers on scenic day journeys through the countryside. Before (or after) the ride, spend a few days museum-hopping and check into one of the city’s posh new hotels , like the NoMad London designed by AD100 firm Roman and Williams, the Mayfair Townhouse , and the Londoner , designed by Yabu Pushelburg.

The scenic Hollywood hills in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has finally opened, meaning cinephiles have a new, must-visit museum to check out in L.A. Early next year, a new boutique hotel called Short Stories will open nearby, with a contemporary California aesthetic and a destination restaurant run by an acclaimed local chef. Other fabulous new hotels include Cara and Downtown L.A. Proper by AD100 alum Kelly Wearstler.

The dreamy Maldives islands.

The Maldives

A dream destination at any time, the Maldives emerged as a COVID-safe haven this year, and its upswing is only continuing. This year saw the debut of the Fari Islands archipelago, home to the Fari Marina Village, Fari Beach club, a James Turell Skyspace, and three resorts. So far, Patina (the new brand by Capella Hotel Group) and the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands have opened. A Capella resort designed by André Fu and Kengo Kuma is coming up in 2023. 

The infamous Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Last month, Cambodia finally announced a reopening of its borders to international travelers without quarantine as long as they have been fully vaccinated. Estimates put the country’s vaccination rate between 80–88%. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat and the other temples in the surrounding complex before the crowds return. Check into FCC Angkor by Avani , which opened shortly before the pandemic took hold with a retro tropical modernist design in the former headquarters of Siem Reap’s Foreign Correspondents Club.

An archeological tomb site in Saudi Arabia.

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

An ambitious master plan aimed at revitalizing this once-forgotten place in the northwestern desert of Saudi Arabia is beginning to bear fruit. The main reason to go is to discover Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered the sister site to Petra, which was once the principal southern city of the ancient Nabateans. This year, AlUla’s storied Old Town was reopened to visitors after an extensive restoration with a new open-air market, four restaurants, and an entertainment area, while Habitas AlUla opened as the first of three luxury resorts coming to the area. With a focus on wellness, culture, and sustainability, the resort features an organic design inspired by the desert surroundings.

An aerial view of the luxurious Burj al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

The pandemic delayed the long-awaited Expo 2020 Dubai , but it’s currently on until March 2022. There are 192 country pavilions, 200+ restaurants, and 60+ daily shows to take in, plus theme weeks addressing global challenges such as travel and connectivity, and health and wellness. Also this year, the world’s largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai , debuted with experiences like dinner or drinks with a private bartender. 

The Denver skyline.

The Mile-High City is in the midst of an art and design renaissance , and there’s never been a better time to go. Abandoned warehouses have been transformed into cultural spaces, and new hotels are popping up all over the city. This year, cult museum Meow Wolf opened the psychedelic Convergence Station, and the Clayton Members Club & Hotel opened with a stylish design by AvroKO and an elevated arts program by Nine Dot Arts. These are just the latest in a slew of openings, including the Ramble Hotel with dining and drinking establishments by the team behind New York’s famed Death & Co.

By Alia Akkam

By Charlotte Collins

By Katie Schultz

By Hannah Martin

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The 23 Best Places to Go in 2023

By CNT Editors

This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2023—find more travel inspiration here .

In any given year, the exercise of assembling a definitive list of the best places to travel is both exciting and daunting. After all, we’re never short on inspiring places and experiences we hope to cross off. And so, every fall, when we convene to start the process of creating this list, we do so with great care, enlisting our extensively traveled network of writers from around the world—and for the first time this year, editors from other  Condé Nast Traveler markets—to pitch, endorse, defend, and eventually align on the places we believe that you, as our readers, will most want to travel to over the next 12 months.

Our 23 best places to travel in 2023 is a mix of old favorites worth visiting anew, and lesser-trammeled, even once-forbidden, regions ready to welcome travelers—yet they are all unified by highly anticipated new offerings and evolutions. There’s something here for every kind of traveler, whether you seek extraordinary excursions through ancient rainforests, a blossoming terroir-driven culinary scene, or dazzling cultural calendars packed with world-class music and rare art exhibits. We also believe that there’s more that binds than separates these places: an opportunity for richer engagement with local communities, slower travel, and more meaningful—and joyful—human connection. What could better speak to what we hope for in the year ahead?

Here are the 23 destinations—vetted by  Condé Nast Traveler editors from the U.S. U.K. , Spain , and India —to plan your 2023 travels around. Let them guide your next adventure. —Arati Menon and Megan Spurrell

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Places to Go in 2023

Auckland, new zealand.

Go for: Cultural and sporting events, new hotels, improved flight connectivity

Auckland will be one of nine cities to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023. 

In June 2023, Qantas will begin running non-stop flights from New York City to Auckland. 

Widely praised for its containment of COVID-19, New Zealand held out until September of this year to finally eliminate travel restrictions introduced during the pandemic. Needless to say, the island nation is mightily gearing up for the throngs of foreign visitors anticipated in the coming year, especially in the city of Auckland .

Air connectivity with the U.S. has never been stronger. Nonstop flights are currently running from six American cities; the world’s fourth-longest leg, Air New Zealand’s nearly-17-hour flagship from New York City, debuted in September. Australian carrier Qantas has also announced its own direct flight to New York City, coming in June 2023.

Meanwhile, Auckland’s jam-packed events calendar seems to be making up for lost time. After a three-year hiatus, the popular Lantern Festival will be held in February 2023 to celebrate Chinese New Year. Pasifika , the largest Pacific Island cultural festival in the world, is returning in March 2023 after a two-year pause. And, in July, the quadrennial FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will swing down under to nine host cities across New Zealand and Australia, with Auckland’s games held in Eden Park.

Aside from Auckland’s newest attractions that outsiders have yet to experience—like the $350M eco-sensitive Te Wānanga waterfront development on Quay Street—three years’ worth of flashy hotel openings also await. There’s the Park Hyatt , QT Auckland , the charming Hotel Fitzroy , and Hotel Britomart , New Zealand’s only 5-Green-Star certified hotel. Stays in the city pair perfectly with newcomers in Auckland’s rural periphery, like the Scandi-inspired Parohe Island Retreat and golf-centric Te Arai . Should you journey further into Aotearoa, new multi-day tours by luxury rail operator Great Journeys depart from Auckland Rail Station. From the looks of it, 2023 will—finally—give Auckland its time to shine. —Paul Jebara

British Columbia, Canada

Go for: New Indigenous-led experiences and wilderness lodges

The newly opened Klahoose Wilderness Resort invites guests to learn about Klahoose First Nation Culture—and experience fantastic wildlife viewing—in British Columbia's remote Desolation Sound. 

The province of British Columbia is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, from the Rockies to the storm-battered islands of Haida Gwaii , and new Indigenous-led experiences are connecting travelers to the cultures most closely tied to the land. At Haida-owned and -operated Haida House —which launched its new longhouse-style oceanfront cabins in May 2022—guests will explore Haida Gwaii while learning about the Haida worldview of Yah’guudang, meaning “respect for all living things and the interdependence that binds us.” Haida House guests will visit the islands’ ancestral village sites—including The Village of Queen Charlotte, which was recently restored to its Indigenous name of Daajing Giids, in an unprecedented move.

Further east, in the interior Chilcotin region of B.C., Indigenous-owned and -operated Nemiah Valley Lodge will open for its first full season next June. The lodge marks the first tourism venture on Tsilhqot’in title lands after a landmark ruling awarded the First Nation rights to their traditional territory. In 2023, they’re adding a sweat lodge experience and kayaking on Chilko Lake—Canada’s highest-elevation freshwater lake—led by Tsilhqot’in cultural ambassadors from the local Xeni Gwet’in community.

Back on the coast, Klahoose Wilderness Resort is also new on the scene, with a focus on Klahoose First Nation culture and wildlife viewing in remote Desolation Sound. There’s also Tofino Wilderness Resort  in Quait Bay on Vancouver Island , which will open under Ahousaht First Nation ownership in 2023. But Indigenous culture will also make its mark in the bustling heart of British Columbia: Salmon n’ Bannock , Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant, is opening Salmon n’ Bannock on the Fly at the Vancouver airport, the first Indigenous restaurant in a Canadian airport—and a welcome way to bookend a trip to the region. —Chloe Berge

Central California Coast, U.S.A.

Go for: New wine country stays, standout tasting rooms and restaurants

New accommodations like The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, are making the central California coast one of the state's hippest food-and-wine-focused getaways—and there's even more to come in 2023. 

A patchwork of laid-back beach towns , trail-laced redwood forests, and vineyards producing standout Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, the Central Coast has been on our radar for a while now. Yet, all at once, it seems the region’s lesser-known destinations are taking on cooler second lives. In the Santa Ynez Valley , cowboy towns like Los Alamos and Los Olivos float on the same intriguing whispers that Joshua Tree did a decade ago (known, but not too known). The valley has emerged as the hippest new getaway for Angelinos, with its mix of funky tasting rooms like disco ball-decorated Future Perfect Wines , casually chic restaurants such as seafood tavern Bar Le Côte , and new accommodations, most notably the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern . Auberge Resorts Collection recently resurrected the latter, a beloved 19 th century landmark with a cabana-lined pool, a spa curated by New York City’s cult outfit The Well , and four restaurants, including a smokehouse that juxtaposes open-fire cooking and Shanghainese flavors. One hour north, Paso Robles , has finally shed its serious oenophiles-only image. Tin City , an approachable collection of wineries and breweries set within an industrial market, feels reminiscent of Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone , and boasts San Luis Obispo County’s only Michelin-decorated restaurant, Six Test Kitchen . Next year, the revival whizzes at Nomada Group will reopen two historic hotels—Farmhouse Motel, a 1940s spot downtown, and River Lodge, set at the entrance of Route 46 minutes from top wineries. They’ve even made the unassuming frontier town of Pozo, 30 minutes from downtown, Insta-cool by recently reviving the Saloon , where Willie Nelson once played, and adding airstreams and glamping tents as crash pads. —Jen Murphy

Go for: One-of-a-kind archaeological museums, waterfront resorts, cruises

The much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, pegged to be the world's largest archaeological museum, is set to finally open in 2023 with all objects excavated from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

A far more hopeful period is afoot in Egypt after a decade of upheaval catalyzed by the Arab Spring. This year marked the centennial of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb—and in November 2022, Egypt hosted the United Nations Climate Summit, COP 27.

Long-laid plans will finally come to fruition in the year ahead, with many high-profile projects, including the much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, set to open at last. Pegged to be the world’s largest archaeological museum, the space—slated for a 2023 opening—will contain priceless items, including all objects excavated from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Further touristic draws, Egyptology-wise, stem from the exciting return of certain artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art , as well as the relocation of the nation’s vast collection of royal mummies to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo .

Grander transformations are afoot, with new infrastructure—and a new capital—rapidly taking shape. A development not without its controversies, Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, to the east of Cairo, will replace the current one as the country's governmental center, boasting Africa’s tallest tower and the 22-mile-long Green River Park, designed to look like the Nile River . On that note: Viking River Cruises have expanded their fleet yet again, with the Viking Aton due to launch in August 2023, sailing their popular  Pharaohs & Pyramids  itinerary. Meanwhile, the opening of eco-resort The Chedi El Gouna on the Red Sea is penciled in for December 2022—yet another reason for a multi-stop journey through Egypt. —Gilly Hopper

Galilee, Israel

Go for: Charming boutique hotels, vineyards, improved connectivity

Pereh Mountain Resort is one of several new boutique hotels to have recently opened in this part of Israel, drawing international tourists to the rural food and wine destination. 

Perched atop a hill and surrounded by olive groves and orchards, the Pereh Mountain Resort underscores why Galilee has earned its nickname as the Tuscany of Israel. 

For decades, food and wine aficionados from Tel Aviv have been making the windy drive north to Israel’s Galilee region, where the landscape unfolds into lush green hills and valleys. For locals, this fertile corner filled with fruit farms, organic dairies, and family-run wineries, has long been revered as Israel’s own Tuscany.

And now, international tourists are discovering the region’s bounty as well: A flurry of new boutique hotels have opened over the past year, including the Pereh Mountain Resort , perched atop a hill and surrounded by olive groves and orchards; and the Galei Kinneret , reborn with a kitchen led by celebrity chef Assaf Granit. At The Farmhouse , which also opened in 2021, guests sleep among vineyards, and after Watsu pool therapy and jeep tours, are invited to pair local wines with artisanal cheeses and local produce. Tiberias, the Galilee’s largest city, is also set for a facelift with a new promenade along the same shores where Jesus is said to have walked on water—and new direct flights to Israel from Atlanta (Delta; starting in May) and Miami (American; beginning in October) will make access in 2023 easier than ever. —Debra Kamin

Go for: City hotspots, island getaways, and dazzling safari lodges

Take advantage of new openings in Nairobi and the Lamu archipelago, then check in to Angama Amboseli, a new lodge in Amboseli National Park opening in November 2023. 

​​ Kenya has long been a big draw for safari travelers, but there’s much more to see beyond the Masai Mara—and there are compelling new reasons to crisscross the country. While Nairobi was often relegated to one-night layovers en route to the bush, innovative new hotel concepts like The Social House Nairobi , which opened just before the pandemic, are beckoning visitors to linger awhile. The 83 sleek rooms are brimming with local products, like Kenyan coffee and toiletries, and the four restaurants and café are hot spots for Nairobi’s creative set to converge. Nairobi’s restaurant scene is also thriving, with creative kitchens like the farm-to-table Cultiva , the brainchild of Ecuadorian chef Ariel Moscardi, who fell in love with Nairobi during a short visit; he’s now at work on an experimental chef’s-table offshoot called Aya set to open next year. Plus, on the heels of opening her home to guests as the art-filled Eden Nairobi in 2021, designer Anna Trzebinski has now set her sights on the coast. She’s taken over three apartments in the beguiling island archipelago of Lamu , filled them with furniture and decor she designed, and will unveil them as Jannah Shela in 2023. With gorgeous indoor-outdoor spaces and a rooftop bar with the best views in Lamu, this is a chic hideaway for a new wave of travelers—both Kenyan and international. For those who can’t get enough of Angama Mara ’s dazzling details, the November 2023 opening of Angama Amboseli brings its contemporary African design to Amboseli National Park further south, where 10 tented suites come with sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro . — Sarah Khan

Loire Valley, France

Go for: New hotels and restaurants in historic châteaux, luxury train journeys

Gatronomic getaways like Fleur de Loire, opened last July, are proving that the Loire Valley has more to offer than historical châteaux (though there are plenty of those). 

Fleur de Loire from Michelin-star chef Christophe Hay has two restaurants, a pastry shop, and a 2.5-acre garden from which his ingredients are sourced. 

The Loire Valley has always banked on its abundance of royal châteaux and lush landscapes to draw in travelers. But it wasn’t until very recently, thanks to the initiative of hoteliers, creatives, and chefs, that the region sought to go beyond its picturesque historical marvels to establish new reasons to visit.

That effort began in 2020, with the gastronomic and nature-inspired getaways offered at Loire Valley Lodges and Les Sources de Cheverny , and has shown no signs of stopping. Raising the bar in a big way has been Fleur de Loire , double Michelin-star chef Christophe Hay’s fine-dining-led hotel in Blois, overlooking the Loire River, which opened last July. Hay restored a former 17th-century hospice to set up two restaurants, a pastry shop, a Sisley spa, 44 elegantly appointed rooms, and a 2.5-acre garden which supplies all of the produce for his cooking.

Yet there is also novelty for those who can’t shake the urge to sleep within the majestic confines of a castle. The Château Louise de La Vallière is a new 5-star Relais & Châteaux offering in forestland tucked between Tours and Amboise, open as of October 2022. Occupying a 16th-century château set within a 47-acre park that served as the first holiday residence of Louise de la Vallière, the first official mistress of Louis XIV, the 20-room property has been restored and redesigned by Jacques Garcia to its centuries-old glory: it approximates the style and customs of the era, down to the period dress sported by staff, in addition to original paintings, tapestries, decorative pieces, and even mealtime rituals.

It makes for a suitable home base to visit the Royal Château of Amboise in 2023 when the Saint-Hubert chapel, the resting place of Leonardo De Vinci, reopens after nearly two years of renovations. The Château will also host a new, year-long exhibition dedicated to Louis XI on the 600th anniversary of his birth.

But the newest way to make a stopover arrives next summer with the inaugural Le Grand Tour experience from Puy du Fou. The six-day luxury train journey spans a more than 2,000-mile tour of France in a Belle Epoque carriage, bringing guests to Chenonceau for a night, with private visits to the namesake château. —Lindsey Tramuta

Marrakech, Morocco

Go for: New riads in the city, desert stays, art and design exhibits

In addition to buzzy new hotel openings in central Marrakech, the Burning Man–inspired Habitas Agafay has just begun welcoming visitors to the Agafay Desert, a mere 45-minute drive from the city's medina. 

Marrakech has a dizzying energy that pulls you in, spins you around, and leaves you wanting more. All good reasons to make sure you have a soothing home for the night—and you will, thanks to a handful of exciting openings. Dreamy riad El Fenn has just added ten new rooms in the hotel’s signature style, mixing intricate artisanal details, bold colors, and striking contemporary art. On the other side of the medina, two new spots are coming this spring. Firstly, Rosemary , a bijou new riad with a calming courtyard and sunny rooftop, from Laurence Leenaert, the designer behind the LRNCE brand of ceramics and textiles. In the leafy Hivernage neighborhood, home to some of the city’s best nightlife, a new Nobu hotel will breathe new life into the former Pearl Hotel. Out in the Agafay Desert, a 45-minute drive from the medina, Habitas has just opened the Burning Man–inspired Caravan Agafay . Don’t go expecting rolling Sahara-style dunes—the stone desert here looks more lunar than sandy—but do expect boho tents, swimming pools, moon gazing, and plenty more. 

Marrakech itself continues to be a magnet for artists and designers: The new Monde des Arts de la Parure showcases 3,000 pieces of jewelry, ornaments, and textiles from more than 50 countries in a three-story wood-and-brick space lit by a dramatic octagonal skylight. At the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), Malagasy artist Joël Andrianomearisoa’s “Our Land Just Like A Dream” explores traditional Moroccan creative knowledge, filling the museum’s spaces with works made exclusively in Marrakech through July 2023. —Nicola Chilton

Melides, Portugal

Go for: Lesser-known beaches, design-forward stays

The Manuel Aires Mateus-designed Pa.te.os has just opened in Melides, with four discreet houses that blend into 80 acres of Mediterranean landscape. 

Comporta’s lesser-known sister has been quietly simmering for some time now, but 2023 is set to become the year Melides emerges as the Portuguese beach spot to know. Its alluring landscape of white-sand beaches, pine forests, and rice fields will soon welcome exciting new properties, including Christian Louboutin’s much-awaited Vermelho this coming spring. The designer discovered the charm of Melides early—he’s been visiting for 10 years to design his winter collections, even naming one of his shoe lines Melides—and the boutique property will celebrate Portuguese artisanship and design traditions.

And there are others: Spatia —the Comporta resort frequented by travelers looking for minimalist design and quiet respite—will open a second hotel in Melides in 2023, while Umay’s otherworldly villas, inspired by the geometry of seashells, will follow in 2024. Also new to the area is the recently opened Pa. te .os , consisting of four discreet houses on 80 hectares of land, designed by famed Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus to blend into the Mediterranean landscape.

Hotels aside, other 2022 openings like the Melides Pottery Museum, which celebrates Portugal’s rich ceramic history, and beach-front restaurants like À Toa on Praia de Melides , add to the excitement around this buzzy destination. —Abigail Malbon

Memphis, Tennessee

Go for: New public spaces, restaurants and hotels that highlight the city's heritage

The Memphian Hotel is an eye-catching marker of the city's hotel boom—it's just one of eight new properties opened in 2022. 

The Memphian Hotel shines a light on the city's heritage through design and cuisine, much like the city's coolest new restaurants.

Nashville claims a lot of national buzz, but the city of Memphis has been quietly reshaping itself to be the hottest destination in Tennessee. Over the past decade, its downtown has invested billions in revitalization projects—and now, visitors can begin reaping the benefits.

An upgraded Tom Lee Park will open downtown in 2023, and in time for Memphis in May , a month-long festival celebrating the city’s culture with the famed Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. The $60 million transformation will add new pavilions, meditative paths, riverfront seating, sound gardens, and the Canopy Walk connecting the park to downtown—all a fitting tribute to the park’s heroic namesake, a Black Memphian who, nearly a century ago, rescued passengers from a sinking steamboat on the Mississippi River. Next up: The Walk on Union , said to be the largest new mixed-use development in the Southeast, will play host to retail businesses, green spaces, and two new Hilton hotels as it opens in phases over the next few years.

Memphis is experiencing a hotel boom, with eight new properties in 2022 and more on the way. Recently opened are the funky  The Memphian and Hyatt's first  Caption concept, both of which shine a light on the city’s heritage through design and cuisine, much like the latest crop of Memphis restaurants. Barbecue still reigns, but the city’s trendiest spots are lightening things up: Raw Girls now has two brick-and-mortar smoothie and juice bars, Food Network star chef Tamra Patterson will open a new vegetarian spot in 2023, and craft cocktail bar Cameo , opened this year, serves up sophisticated mocktails. —Kelsey Ogletree

Mendoza, Argentina

Go for: Women-led food experiences, new lodges on iconic vineyards

At the foot of the majestic Andes, a crop of stylish new restaurants and hotels—many spearheaded by women—are giving travelers a new reason to raise a glass in Argentina's wine capital. 

Toasting with Malbec in front of the majestic Andes is how people celebrate in Mendoza , and a slew of stylish restaurant and hotel openings—many of which are spearheaded by women—provides ever more reason to raise a glass in Argentina’s Great Wine Capital (it is just 90 minutes by plane from Buenos Aires , after all).

Mendoza’s new bodega wining and dining experiences are many. There’s chef Patricia Courtois’s 5 Suelos at Durigutti Family Winemakers (opened April 2022), sommelier Camila Cerezo Pawlak’s Ruda restaurant in Tupungato Winelands (January 2022), and Catena Zapata’s opulent Angélica named for the family matriarch (November 2022).

Zonda at Bodega Lagarde—an organic, B-Corp certified winery that marks its 125th anniversary in 2023—stands out, however, for showcasing the best of Mendoza, from fantastic vintages down to its hard-carved teaspoons. Owner Sofia Pescarmona shares her family’s terroir with guests, who gather herbs and veggies and get a little messy making empanadas during Zonda’s immersive garden-to-table experience. Efforts are rewarded with a nine-course regional tasting menu paired with Lagarde wines, including the refreshing Proyecto Hermanas White Blend that Sofia makes with sister Lucila.

Plus, the latest venture of Susana Balbo—Argentina’s trailblazing female oenologist who helms her namesake winery—saw her lovingly refurbish a mansion with daughter Ana Lovaglio, unveiling it as the seven-suite SB Winemaker’s Lodge & Spa in April 2022; chef Flavia Amad Di Leo runs both the bodega and the hotel’s restaurants. Invigorated by in-room massages and asado by the pool, adventurous guests can then hire the lodge’s VisionAir seaplane, Argentina’s only such aircraft, and explore hidden corners of the world’s eighth-largest country. —Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Mustang, Nepal

Go for: Luxury mountain retreats, rare experiences in a remote destination

From design virtuoso Bill Bensley, the all-inclusive Shinta Mani, set in the remote, once-forbidden region of Mustang, is arguably Asia's most anticipated hotel opening of 2023. 

For decades, Nepal has been the Himalayan destination of choice for backpackers and trekkers drawn to its deep-rooted spirituality, endless adventure offerings, and those sky-piercing peaks. This hasn’t been the case for many luxury-minded travelers, though, who often chose neighboring Bhutan for its superior clutch of upscale mountain lodges. That will change in 2023 as Nepal unveils a wave of first-rate boutique accommodations and experiences.

Much of this shift is courtesy the recent update of Mountain Lodges of Nepal , a family-owned collection of deluxe accommodations scattered around the ultra-scenic Annapurna and Everest regions. By the end of 2023, they will introduce 15 premium, intimate lodges—a mixture of refurbished sites and new builds combining tradition (stone walls and colorful cultural motifs) with modernity (like dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows)—while offering multi-day treks, wild honey hunting, and helicopter rides to a Mount Everest-facing Champagne breakfast.

Come 2023, the 29-suite Shinta Mani Mustang, a Bensley Collection , arguably Asia’s most anticipated hotel opening, will open in the remote, once-forbidden ancient kingdom region of Mustang. Spearheaded by design virtuoso Bill Bensley, the all-inclusive mountain retreat brings together Tibetan design (incorporating upcycled materials), traditional wellness programs, unique experiences—like guided explorations of the mysterious, ancient “sky caves”—and unparalleled access to one of the Himalaya’s last frontiers. —Travis Levius

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Go for: Old-meets-new food and drink experiences, eco-stays

Ancestral earthen oven cooking known as pachamanca is offered to guests at El Albergue Ollantaytambo, part of the region's growing effort to showcase Andean food and drink traditions to a wider audience. 

The 100-year-old El Albergue Ollantaytambo also functions as a quintessential home base for travelers in the Sacred Valley, proving the village of Ollantaytambo is more than a pit stop en route to Machu Picchu.

Ollantaytambo is best known for its archeological site, a hillside Incan fortress that draws travelers off the train to Machu Picchu. But of late, the village has also become a terroir-driven culinary epicenter in the Sacred Valley, with local entrepreneurs placing a new era of the Andean food and drink traditions on the world stage. Taste herbaceous high-elevation rums, or infuse your own, at Destilería Andina ; sip Andean coffee, or roast souvenir beans, at Cafe Mayu ; and sample craft beer flavored with local fruit at Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado . Old and new continue to meet, through farm-to-table fare paired with creative cocktails at Chuncho ; meanwhile, tradition takes precedence with ancestral earthen oven pachamanca cooking in El Albergue Ollantaytambo ’s farm tour meals. And look for Destilería Andina’s new location with a full-service bar, opening in mid-2023, near Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado.

Don’t make the mistake of hopping on the train after a meal, either—unique hotels further the case for staying the night. The 100-year-old El Albergue Ollantaytambo is a classic home base, but you can also pamper yourself at the Qolqas Eco Lodge (spa included), or sleep perched in a mountainside capsule with valley views at Skylodge Adventure Suites . The latter opened in 2013, but the brand’s new Starlodge Adventure Suites and onsen are 2022 additions.

Plan your trip around cultural moments for the full experience: The Señor de Choquekillka festival, 50 days after Easter, honors the village’s patron saint with food, music, and dance; locals celebrate the winter solstice in June; and the entire village revels during Ollantaytambo’s anniversary every October. —Nico Vera

Queensland, Australia

Go for: Indigenous-led experiences, swanky new hotels

Queensland has returned thousands of acres to Indigenous groups over the last two years, a shift that has yielded special new experiences for travelers. 

New Indigenous-owned and -run experiences include moonlit spearfishing in Daintree National Park, alongside Eastern Kuku Yalanji guides, and Torres Strait Islander-led day trips from Cairns.

Australia is making an effort to return land to its native people, and Queensland has been leading the way, with thousands of acres going back to Indigenous groups over the last two years. For travelers, this shift is yielding new experiences guided by the insight of the original stewards of the land.

The ancient rainforest of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Daintree National Park was part of a parcel returned in 2021, and now the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people are managing the national park alongside the state government. At the newly opened Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre , an ecotourism hub operated by mostly Indigenous staff, visitors walk the land with traditional custodians as guides; Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours include night walking, crabbing, and spearfishing under the moon; and on Walkabout Cultural Adventures , Indigenous plants and medicines are highlighted on guided rainforest excursions.

Further north, lands near the Torres Strait Islands—there are at least 274 in the strait between Australia and New Guinea—were returned to Torres Strait Islanders of Aboriginal, Melanesian, and Australian background last year. Now, local Indigenous entrepreneurs have launched companies like Strait Experience , which offers a first-of-its-kind day trip to the islands from Cairns, making the destination more accessible than ever.

Bookend your adventures with a night in any of the chic hotels and resorts set to call Queensland home in 2023, including the Mondrian Gold Coast and the Ritz-Carlton Brisbane, part of the Queens’ Wharf project that is transforming the river’s edge. These join a new luxury hotel faction including The Langham Gold Coast and Dorsett Gold Coast , both of which opened last summer.

Lastly, don’t skip a visit to Queensland’s capital: Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host eight games in July and August for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Good thing getting to Queensland is easier than ever, thanks to three weekly nonstop flights between San Francisco and Brisbane, added by United Airlines in October 2022. —Devorah Lev-Tov

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Go for: Landmark art and architecture events, atmospheric new hotels

The Sharjah Biennial opens in February to celebrate its 30th anniversary, with works from more than 150 artists from 70 countries (above, an installation at the 2017 event, by Joe Namy).

While it might seem like Dubai continues to monopolize much of the U.A.E.’s glitz and buzz, neighboring Sharjah has been quietly asserting itself as the cultural capital of the Emirates. On the heels of striking new galleries from the Sharjah Arts Foundation and architectural marvels like the Foster + Partners–designed House of Wisdom library, the Sharjah Biennial opens in February, on its 30th anniversary, with works from more than 150 artists from 70 countries. Also on deck is the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, curated by Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo in collaboration with visionaries like India’s Rahul Mehrotra and Brazil’s Paulo Tavares. The most atmospheric place to stay in Sharjah is the Chedi Al Bait , a tangle of 53 rooms and eight suites spread across a series of ocher courtyards in the historic district. This year, it gets a refresh with the addition of a 12-room boutique wing built in a 100-year-old family home. There are plush new ways to explore the less-explored emirate’s natural splendors as well. Lux Resorts and Hotels, known for its swanky digs in Mauritius , the Maldives , and China , is making its Middle Eastern debut with two new retreats in Sharjah coming in 2023: Lux Al Jabal is a beach escape overlooking an untouched stretch of the Gulf of Oman, while Lux Al Bridi will be a safari camp brimming with wildlife in the sprawling Al Bridi Nature Reserve. —Sarah Khan

Srinagar, India

Go for: New infrastructure for easier road tripping, elevated nature retreats

Srinagar, an alluring and once hard-to-visit destination in the Kashmir Valley, is opening up to travelers in a big way in 2023, with new roadways making it easier than ever to get in and around. 

In the heart of the Kashmir Valley, the gem of Srinagar—with its winding waterways and colorful houseboats—is equally alluring and challenging to plan a visit to. Yet the destination seems to be shifting gears, with the government greenlighting development projects that will benefit travelers.

Srinagar has some vibrant new openings:  Karan Mahal , a swanky, intimate stay in the historic residence of Kashmir’s former rulers and amid nearly 60 acres of orchards and woods, launched last year, while  Qayaam Gah , a stylish, Sufi-inspired nature retreat in the Zabarwan Hills, with unfettered bird’s-eye views of Dal Lake, opened this summer. Additionally, Indian Hotels Company Limited (also behind the Taj Hotels) will bring its affordable brand, Ginger Hotels , to Srinagar in the first half of 2023.

The capital is also about to get a boost in accessibility, with a spate of highways and tunnels planned to open in 2023 that will, among other connections, make it easier to drive from Kashmir—across breathtaking landscapes—to neighboring Ladakh, even in winter. Other side trips that will be easier to reach, thanks to the new infrastructure: Sonamarg (which translates to “golden meadow”), a stunning hill station that is poised for substantial tourism development in the years to come, and Pahalgam, an idyllic getaway that has long drawn travelers to its pastoral charms. The latter will see, in early 2023, the opening of  Shepherd’s Barn , a cottage stay by Ramneek Kaur (whose family owns the Bollywood-favorite  Pahalgam Hotel ), which will add rooms to an existing program of craft tours and local activities under the auspices of the Shepherd Crafts Cultural Centre. With so much change underfoot, there is no better time to experience the area— and before everyone else starts to do the same. —Saumya Ancheri

Go for: The performing arts center, two years' worth of hotel and restaurant openings

After a decade of construction, the Taipei Performing Arts Center has finally opened—just as the country has begun welcoming international visitors again. 

Elegant towering teahouses, otherworldly landscapes, and culinary excellence have long tempted travelers to Taiwan . Now, after more than two years, the island nation has reopened its borders to international visitors—and there’s quite a bit to catch up on.

One decade of construction later, the Taipei Performing Arts Center is finally open, with three performance spaces housed within sleek geometric buildings. A few kilometers south, the stylish Hotel Resonance Taipei recently unbolted its doors with 175 fresh guest rooms, offering sweeping city views and sleek modern interiors. Just before borders closed, the Taipei location of The Place hotel—equal parts polished and relaxing, with a teahouse in its lobby—opened in Nangang, and a design-forward branch of the Kimpton set down roots in the Da’An District. There’s even more to come, with the Sotetsu Grand Fresa Taipei Ximen slated to open in 2023 in the bustling Ximending, which was just named one of the “51 Coolest Neighborhoods In The World” by Time Out. Plan your meals around any of the five restaurants that earned Michelin stars in 2022: Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature, Holt, Yu Kapo, Paris 1930 de Hideki Takayama, and Sushiyoshi.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan, has been attracting travelers who hop on the high-speed rail, headed for one of the 44 restaurants that earned Tainan its addition to the 2022 Michelin Guide . Also making it worth the trip: Anping Tree House, an abandoned warehouse that has been swallowed by banyan trees; the colorful and artsy Shennong Street; and when you’re ready for a nap, Mao House , a chic bed and breakfast that stands in stark contrast to its architecturally staid neighbors. —Ella Quittner

Turks and Caicos

Go for: Easier access to remote islands, cruise upgrades, sleek resorts

Big-deal infrastructure enhancements are making it easier to reach Turks and Caicos’ less frequented outer islands, changing what it means to have an exclusive experience in the archipelago.

The exquisite white sands and blue waters of Grace Bay Beach have long been the coveted endgame for visitors to Turks and Caicos . Lately, though, a wave of new hotels and developments in more remote parts of the island chain are changing what it means to have an exclusive experience here. 

Leading the way, the 46-unit Rock House opened this past May, with its sleek Mediterranean style (a departure from the archipelago’s traditional colonial aesthetic), private plunge pools, and sustainability efforts that preserve native foliage and limestone. But Rock House’s real magic is undeniably in its location: a clifftop perch above a secluded beach on Grace Bay’s north shore, where you can while away your days snorkeling in a protected marine sanctuary. More properties slated to come in 2023 include the 31-acre South Bank Turks & Caicos , a residential resort and marina, opening in March, at the top of Long Bay Beach with 18 waterfront villas and a five-acre swimming lagoon. The Strand Turks & Caicos will follow later in 2023, 20 minutes south of Grace Bay, with oceanfront residences and what feels like its own peninsula on Cooper Jack Bay.

Big-deal infrastructure enhancements are also making it easier to reach Turks and Caicos’ less frequented outer islands. On Grand Turks, a $25 million dock extension is set to welcome larger cruise ships in 2023. And on tiny South Caicos, a significant upgrade to the single-runway South Caicos Airport is scheduled for completion in June, meaning improved access to the least populated of the islands—like the uber-luxe Sailrock Resort , a favorite of celebs like Justin Bieber and Regina King. —Nina Kokotas Hahn

Go for: A revived cultural calendar, dazzling new hotels

In 2023, Vienna will welcome the return of the Viennese ball season after a two-year hiatus. 

Vienna has long been a European capital of groundbreaking art and music, and in 2023 the city has several landmark anniversaries on its cultural calendar.

After a two-year hiatus, the 2023 Viennese ball season promises lush nights of live orchestral music and dancing in black-tie. Two of the year’s sparkliest, the Vienna Opera Ball and the Vienna Philharmonic Ball, are also marking their 65th and 80th anniversaries, respectively. The latter is returning  on January 19 with performances by the legendary orchestra. Meanwhile, the Opera Ball, to be held  on February 16 , will host dancing “Under the Sign of Solidarity”—the night’s theme—in collaboration with  Österreich hilft Österreich (Austria Helps Austria) to fundraise for those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Belvedere, home to Gustav Klimt’s famous  The Kiss , is celebrating 300 years since its completion with a year-long exhibition, “ The Belvedere: 300 Years a Place of Art ,” paying homage to the museum’s impact on Viennese art history. Also not to be missed in 2023: “ Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse… ,” a collaborative exhibit by the Belvedere and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, showcasing the prominent artists who influenced the master of Viennese Modernism.

Kick your feet up at Vienna’s chic new hotels. The  Rosewood Vienna , which opened in 2022, will welcome its first full year of guests with the new Asaya Spa. Then, in late 2023, The Hoxton is set to open a 196-room hotel featuring an events auditorium (a first for the hotel brand) honoring Vienna’s legacy as a hub for live entertainment and culture. —Matt Ortile

Go for: Locavore food experiences, forest hotels and saunas

In lush Wales, a foodie renaissance is taking place—drawing travelers to terroir-driven restaurants, distilleries, and revived pubs in untrammeled areas. 

A Welsh foodie renaissance has, admittedly, taken a while to arrive. But a new generation of chefs are digging into their terroir and emerging with handfuls of truffles, scallops, and cheeses, from James Sommerin’s Home restaurant in Penarth, to SY23 in seaside Aberystwyth, headed by Great British Menu finalist Nathan Davies. There’s also been the rise of hard-to-reach destination restaurants determinedly doing their own thing, such as Annwn in deepest Pembrokeshire, where Matt Powell forages most of his ingredients from the shoreline (the project is currently on hold as it relocates), and Gareth Ward’s Ynyshir in the Dyfi Valley , which was just awarded a second Michelin star. Ward’s empire will grow in 2023 with the opening of eight-seat Gwen—named after his mother—with sourdough pizzas on the menu. Paternoster Farm , meanwhile, set in a former Pembroke cowshed, is doing wondrous things with Porthilly oysters, Welsh Mountain lamb, and sea beet—with its Five Mile Feasts, a special menu, gathering up all sorts of local treasures. 

In Cardigan, the Albion Aberteifi —certainly the coolest hotel to arrive in Wales in years—is set to open a Scandi-Japanese restaurant on the river bank in 2023, along with a woodland onsen and spa. Wales seems to be turning into a hub for the UK’s thriving outdoor sauna scene: Snowdonia-based Heartwood Saunas is launching a new forest project this December, where groups of up to 10 can use a wood-fired sauna before jumping in the pools of the River Dulas (or head to the yoga deck), all while surrounded by old oak trees and natural pools. In Carmarthenshire, the seven-mile stretch of Pendine Sands is enjoying a revival. Caban hotel is opening in the spring alongside the Museum of Speed , which celebrates the many land-speed records made on the beach—including one by actor Idris Elba in a Bentley Continental GT. Reducing the speed a notch, a new slow-travel route of roads and walking paths, The Wild Drovers’ Way , unfurls over 180 miles from the foothills of the Cambrians into the Brecon Beacons—a lovely way to appreciate some of Wales’ rural highlights.

If you need somewhere to toast all this, you could head to Swansea, where Penderyn will open its new whisky-distillery experience in March, while in Cardiff, the St Fagans Museum of National History has been rebuilding the iconic Vulcan pub (beloved of Manic Street Preachers) on its grounds, set to open in 2024. Lechyd da! —Rick Jordan

Western Japan

Go for: Expedition cruises in the Seto Inland Sea, new onsen experiences

Luxury small ship company Ponant will launch a first-ever expedition cruise from Osaka in 2023, exploring old feudal towns and traditional fishing villages on Japan's oldest sea route. 

New luxury openings and a world’s-first expedition cruise are among a plethora of reasons to head for western Japan in 2023. In the Seto Inland Sea, which separates Japan’s main island of Honshu from the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, luxury small-ship company Ponant has announced a first-ever expedition cruise from Osaka in 2023, which will sail along Japan’s oldest sea route. Exploring old feudal towns and traditional fishing villages on the coast of Honshu, as well as Inland Sea islands such as Inujima—once a copper mining hub and now one of the famous contemporary “Art Islands”—the 264-guest Le Soléal will chart a seven-night course towards the Sea of Japan, starting in May 2023. Also in the Seto Inland Sea, in a forest on Awaji Island, wellness retreat Zenbo Seinei just opened its doors. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Shigeru Ban, it features a 21-meter-long gallery for zazen meditation and a restaurant celebrating Japan’s culture of fermented foods.

On Kyushu island , the new Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen now conveniently connects cosmopolitan Nagasaki to Japan’s vast bullet train network. Good thing, as there’s a new Ritz-Carlton coming in the summer of 2023 to the vibrant, gateway city of Fukuoka ; and in the hot-spring town of Yufuin, Kengo Kuma—the architect behind the Japan National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 games—has completed a new gallery at Comico Art Museum to house works by Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and Hiroshi Sugimoto, among others, as well as two exclusive-use “Art Houses” with private onsen baths. Nearby, Kuma has also created the gorgeous KAI Yufuin , a contemporary onsen ryokan with views of Mount Yufu and enveloped in rice terraces whose beauty changes with the seasons. —Kate Crockett

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Go for: Design-forward boutique hotels amid the region's jungle and waterways

The Yucatán Peninsula is already an easy-to-love destination—its food heritage just one of the reasons to visit—but a boom of design-forward stays are upping the ante. 

Just outside of Mérida, above, travelers will find the new Galopina, a five-bedroom, family-run guesthouse from Mexican owners Elisa Navarrete and Guillaume Galopin.

With a boom of design-forward stays opening their doors—in an already easy-to-love destination marked by verdant jungle and brilliant waterways—the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico’s southeastern bounds is poised to be one of the most enticing areas to visit this year.

The 22-bungalow Boca de Agua is set to open in April in Bacalar , with suites designed by architect Frida Escobedo, who was recently tapped for the forthcoming contemporary art wing at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City . North of Bacalar, tucked within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is Casa Chablé , which will open in December 2022 with 10 rooms and bungalows. Guests take a 40-minute boat ride through lush mangrove forests, to arrive at the resort’s 12 acres of tropical jungle fronted by white-sand beaches. Plus, situated in the tranquil Xpu-ha cove, between the two bustling towns of Tulum and Playa del Carmen, the ultra-luxurious boutique property Hotel Esencia opened in November as one of the most refined offerings in Riviera Maya: the Esencia Mansion, a four-bedroom private hideaway with its own speakeasy, cinema, and rooftop infinity pool. And just outside of Mérida is the new Galopina , a five-bedroom, family-run guesthouse from Mexican owners Elisa Navarrete and Guillaume Galopin. After a stint in Paris , they returned to their home country and created their dream homestead in the jungle with miles of trails, organic gardens, and guest rooms offering meditative terraces. In May 2023, Maroma, A Belmond Hotel , will reopen on the Riviera Maya with 10 new waterfront suites, a culinary program overseen by chef Daniel Camacho, and a new look that will showcase Mayan culture and design with work by local artisans. —Michaela Trimble

Zamora, Spain

Go for: Romanesque architecture, dazzling lakes, and improved access from Madrid

Zamora, which is known for having the most Romanesque architecture in Europe, is becoming a European World Heritage Site in 2023—perfect timing, as a new high-speed train from Madrid makes it easier to reach than ever. 

Few know—even in Spain —that Zamora is the city with the most Romanesque architecture in Europe, but it was reason enough for UNESCO to make Zamora a European World Heritage Site for 2023. Additionally, its proximity to Madrid —an hour away thanks to a new high-speed AVE train, inaugurated just a year ago—put this underrated town high on our must-visit list.

But there is more to Zamora, such as its enormous modernist legacy and its Lagunas de Villafáfila, a collection of lakes that are home to thousands of migratory birds each season. There’s even more to see, scattered throughout the province: Lake Sanabria is the largest glacial lake in the Iberian Peninsula, and just a few miles away, Puebla de Sanabria is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Towards the east you will find Toro, the epicenter of bold red wines—and home to critically acclaimed winery Numanthia that’s credited with putting the wine region on the map. Not far away, in the heart of Tierra de Campos, snag a table at Lera , which got its Michelin star in 2022, and is a favorite among wild game enthusiasts.

Finally, to the south, Arribes del Duero shows that Zamora province has it all—even fjords. Beautiful crags and cliffs mark the border with Portugal in a natural park that has become a center for viticulture and attracts reputed international winemakers. Olive, citrus, and other fruit trees, artisanal ceramics, and stunning natural beauty turn this secluded corner into a Mediterranean paradise. Consider the luxurious Hacienda Zorita Natural Reserve , and the Castillo de Buen Amor (refurbished in 2021) in Salamanca, just a 30-minute drive away, the perfect setting for your quaint Zamora escape. —David Moralejo

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Kyoto Wants You Back, but It Has Some Polite Suggestions

The city, one of Japan’s most-visited before the pandemic, desperately needs tourism’s money, but it would like to avoid the excesses of Instagram-driven itineraries.

Before the pandemic, Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple was as famous for its congestion as for its sublime architecture and spectacular view of the city below. Credit... Andrew Faulk for The New York Times

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By Ben Dooley and Hisako Ueno

• Published Sept. 25, 2022 Updated Sept. 28, 2022

In the months before March 2020, the food sellers in Kyoto’s Nishiki market often wished for an end to the seemingly endless stream of photo-hungry visitors from abroad who always seemed to be underfoot.

“We weren’t used to foreign tourists,” said Nobuyuki Hatsuda, who leads a business alliance promoting the shopping street in the city center, where vendors sell a dizzying array of traditional Japanese foods, carefully displayed and attractively packaged.

Nishiki has long been a working market, and the parade of visitors — rifling through the meticulously arranged merchandise, haggling with frazzled shopkeepers and blocking storefronts with their luggage — interfered with the flow of daily business, driving away locals who had long done their shopping on the street.

But then the pandemic hit. The tourists — along with their money — evaporated, and sellers had a change of heart, said Mr. Hatsuda, who sells kamaboko, a fish cake often formed into delicate pink and white loaves.

“We realized that we can’t choose our customers,” he said.

Other than China, Japan had maintained the strictest border controls of any major economy. Since the start of 2021, fewer than 800,000 foreign visitors have set foot in the country. As other countries began welcoming tourists back in numbers close to their prepandemic highs, Japan let only a trickle of travelers in. The country eased restrictions on trips for business and study in the spring, but as of September, it was still limiting tourism to travelers on package tours who were willing to negotiate a labyrinth of red tape.

That will soon change, however. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last week that the country would further ease border controls in October, eliminating a cap on daily entries and allowing tourists to travel independently. (Even after normal travel resumes, however, Chinese visitors, who accounted for more than 30 percent of inbound traffic in 2019, are unlikely to return in large numbers until Beijing relaxes its strict Covid Zero policy.)

As tourism slowly returns, Kyoto, like other famous tourist destinations worldwide, is grappling with how to accommodate the crowds without sacrificing quality of life for those who call the ancient capital home.

In the absence of a clear solution, Kyoto’s government is betting on a change of perspective: After years of promoting “omotenashi” — a Japanese word for meticulous hospitality — it’s trying to take more time for self-care.

“Kyoto isn’t a tourist city, it’s a city that values tourism,” Daisaku Kadokawa, the city’s mayor, said during a recent interview at its city hall, where he wore the formal kimono that has become a trademark during his almost 15 years in office.

Growing popularity

Kyoto is home to several globally known companies, like Nintendo and Kyocera, and has produced more Nobel Prize winners in the sciences than any other city in Japan. But in the years leading up to the pandemic, it had become dependent on the flood of tourists that bumped, clattered and pushed through its streets.

Kyoto had always been a popular destination for domestic travelers. Before Japan opened to the world in 1851, pilgrims trekked from around the country to visit its more than 2,000 temples and shrines. Spared from the ravages of World War II, it later became something close to a living museum, a popular destination for school trips and people hoping for a glimpse of the country’s history and tradition.

No one comes to Kyoto looking for a party. Visitors are seeking a particular vision of Japan, one that is found in the koi ponds of meticulously kept temple gardens; the smell of roasting brown tea, known as hojicha, that wafts from the door of ancient storefronts; and the clatter of a geisha’s wooden sandals down a cobbled alleyway.

In the years before the 2020 summer Olympics, however, the realities of the modern travel industry had begun to compromise the city’s anachronistic charms. Japan launched an all-out effort to promote inbound tourism, and Kyoto experienced a surge in popularity among foreign visitors.

Starting from a base of around 10 million in 2013, the number of foreign visitors had more than tripled by the pandemic’s start, according to government data . Nearly a third of them traveled to Kyoto, where the tourism industry employed one of every five workers. Taxes from the sector comprised nearly 13 percent of the city’s revenue.

But locals quickly became fed up with what they called “tourism pollution.” Suitcases jammed the aisles of city buses. Eager visitors harassed geisha’s apprentices, maiko, for photographs on their way to work. And lost tourists stumbled into people’s homes while searching for their Airbnb.

Social media, especially, shaped tourism in the city. And not for the better.

Masutami Kawaguchi, who offers private English tours of the city, said that — before the pandemic — his clients’ itineraries were almost entirely determined by Instagram. Tourism became laser-focused on the city’s famously picturesque areas, with people getting off the train at Kyoto Station and then rushing to the two or three best photo spots — the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, the orange gates winding up the mountain behind Fushimi Inari shrine and the golden pavilion at Kinkakuji temple — creating traffic jams and massive crowding in the surrounding areas.

Kyoto’s famously polite residents began to express their displeasure with uncharacteristic bluntness.

In Nishiki, signs popped up among the stalls admonishing tourists not to eat while walking, a pet peeve in Japan. Neighborhood shoppers, tired of the crowding and commotion, began going to supermarkets, and some long-established sellers closed.

Even Buddhist monks lost their cool.

In autumn and spring, when the streets became clogged with tourists gawping at pyrotechnic bursts of maple leaves and cherry blossoms, “people couldn’t even leave their houses. The city was barely livable,” said Kojo Nagasawa, the secretary general of the Kyoto Buddhist Federation, which includes three of the city’s most famous temples.

The group has long called for moderation in Kyoto’s economic development. In 1991, it took out a full-page ad in The Times opposing the construction of new, high-rise hotels, which it said would destroy the city’s unique character.

“Before we knew it, the economy was nothing but tourism,” Mr. Nagasawa said. “The city didn’t know when enough was enough.”

Looking to curb some of the worst problems, in 2018 the city cracked down on investors who were snatching up traditional houses in residential neighborhoods and converting them into Airbnb rentals.

The pandemic’s damage

In the spring of 2020, Japan slammed its borders shut. The fire hose of foreign money turned off, and Kyoto, which had long struggled with financial problems, found itself on the verge of bankruptcy.

The city got a taste of life without tourists, and the combination of the coronavirus and red ink was “a double punch,” Mr. Kadokawa, the mayor, said.

At the beginning of the pandemic, “people in the city were saying, ‘We’ve returned to the old Kyoto, isn’t that great?’” said Toshinori Tsuchihashi, the director of the city’s tourism department.

But, as the economic damage mounted, residents “have come to recognize tourism’s importance.”

Many businesses have yet to recover. Before the pandemic, it was nearly impossible to get a reservation at one of the many restaurants lining Pontocho, an atmospheric alleyway running parallel to the Kamo River in Kyoto’s city center. But on a recent weekend night, “for lease” signs hung in darkened shop windows, and many of the terraces looking out on the water sat unused.

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto , a luxury Western-style hotel, opened in late 2020 and has operated well below capacity for most of the pandemic, according to Manabu Kusui, the general manager.

As tourists begin returning to Kyoto, the hotel hopes to differentiate itself by providing guests with exclusive experiences it has negotiated with some of Kyoto’s beautiful but less trafficked destinations. One of the first is a private tour of Nijo Castle, the residence of Japan’s first shogun of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu, conveniently located next to the hotel.

It’s a style of tourism the city is trying to promote as part of its new strategic plan to address prepandemic crowding.

But Mr. Kusui knows that people come to Kyoto with a certain itinerary in mind, and “we can’t tell them not to go to some place like Kiyomizu Temple,” he said, referring to the famous Buddhist temple perched on a mountain face on Kyoto’s east side.

Some polite suggestions

With no legal options for instituting hard limits on visitors, the government hopes to dilute traffic so it is less concentrated in the same times and places. Planners are also discussing how to fix problems, like crowded city buses, that aggravate residents. So far, however, the initiatives mostly consist of soft measures like trying to educate visitors in Kyoto’s traditional “morals” and hoping for the best.

In that spirit, Nishiki market has decided it will try to encourage tourists instead of admonishing them, exchanging its list of “don’ts” for a list of “pleases.” Visitors who scan a large QR code at the entrance are presented with a list of suggestions for enjoying the market and rewarded with free Wi-Fi for reading it.

At the same time, many in the city are trying to improve the experience for tourists and residents alike by reimagining Kyoto’s overall approach to the industry.

Kiyomizu Temple is among the institutions that have taken up the gauntlet, trying to promote a new kind of tourism that encourages tourists to think of the city as a place to live, not a theme park.

Before the pandemic, the temple was as famous for its congestion as for its sublime architecture and its spectacular view of the city below. In high season, pushing through the crowds clogging the temple’s graceful walkways had become an enervating and dispiriting ordeal that few locals would willingly undergo.

When Covid hit, the temple's abbot, Seigen Mori, was already experimenting with ways to allow visitors to experience it as it was intended — as a tranquil place of worship — but with limited success.

The last two and a half years, however, have given him an opportunity to “press reset,” he said, and explore different ways of interacting with visitors. In recent months he has begun opening the temple at night to small groups, taking the time to personally lead them in prayer and conversation.

Seeing the temple at night fundamentally transforms visitors’ relationship with the space, he believes, as the disorienting press of the usual crowds is replaced with the chirr of cicadas, the rich aroma of incense and the soft flicker of shadows on ancient statuary.

Mr. Mori is eager to welcome guests from abroad, he said, as long as they understand that the experience is focused on contemplation.

Kyoto is anticipating the inevitable return of those guests with a mix of longing and apprehension, said Takeshi Otsuki, a general manager at Japanese travel giant JTB.

“We’re hoping the number of visitors increases gradually, and we have a soft landing,” Mr. Otsuki said.

Some in the city are eager to greet the new tourists.

Fuminari Shinbo is part of a group of retirees who began training ahead of the Tokyo Olympics to give English tours to visitors coming to Kyoto, devoting hours to memorizing English dialogues they never had the chance to use.

In late August, about 20 of the volunteers eagerly gathered in front of Fushimi Inari, a shrine that has become Kyoto’s most popular tourist destination, for a dry run.

Clothed in bright blue bibs with white lettering advertising free help for English-speaking tourists, they introduced the shrine’s most famous feature, a corridor of nearly a thousand bright orange gates that have provided a vibrant punch of color to countless vacation photos.

When the tour was over, Mr. Shinbo said he was excited that he would finally be able to put his hard work to good use.

So far, he said, “I’ve only been able to practice on my grandson.”

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

An earlier version of this article misidentified Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the first shogun of the Edo period. He was not the first shogun of Japan. The error was repeated in a photo caption.

An earlier version of this article spelled the name of a tourist site popular on Instagram incorrectly. It is the golden pavilion at Kinkakuji temple, not at Kinkauji temple.

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Ben Dooley reports on Japan’s business and economy, with a special interest in social issues and the intersections between business and politics. More about Ben Dooley

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17 Top Colorado Ski Resorts

Experience world-class winter sports across the Centennial State.

Courtesy of Vail Resorts

Expect spectacular powder days and stunning mountain views on your next Colorado ski trip.

When you think of Colorado , sparkling ski slopes and epic terrain parks might come to mind. The Centennial State is known for its world-class ski resorts , from picturesque Telluride to the quintessential ski town of Steamboat Springs . You don't have to hit the slopes to enjoy all that a Colorado ski resort has to offer, either: Many ski resorts include luxurious ski-in/ski-out lodging options, bars and restaurants perfect for an après-ski, and fun family-friendly activities like snowmobiling and dog-sledding.

Before planning your Colorado ski resort vacation, you'll need to identify your experience level and determine which passes or tickets to buy. Pass options include the Ikon Pass, Epic Pass and Passport Ski Program. Learn about the pass prices and more in the planning section below .

(Note: Some of the following Colorado ski resorts and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including requirements for proof of vaccination, capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with your chosen establishment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before your visit.)

The Top Colorado Ski Resorts

The best colorado ski resorts for beginners, the best colorado ski resorts for advanced skiers, the best colorado ski resorts for families, steamboat resort: steamboat springs.

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Located about 160 miles northwest of Denver , Steamboat Resort boasts nearly 3,000 acres of permitted terrain, 17 lifts and 170 named trails, of which 14% are beginner slopes and 42% intermediate. The resort has an annual snowfall of 314 inches, giving skiers and snowboarders plenty of opportunity for powder days. With terrain parks, private and group ski and snowboard lessons, and adaptive programs for those with disabilities, Steamboat makes skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels feel at home. The resort is also working to champion diversity through its Steamboat Ski Resort Scholarship, a $2,500 scholarship for people of color studying resort management, ski area operations, tourism or hospitality.

As a full ski town – in fact, it's nicknamed "Ski Town USA" – Steamboat offers a variety of restaurants, activities and lodging. After a day spent hitting the slopes, relax at Routtie's Barbecue for an après-ski. When you're in need of a ski break, take up snowmobiling or a cozy sleigh ride. If you're staying in town, consider the elegant Steamboat Grand , where guests praise the plethora of amenities including hot tubs and a gym. Lodgers also appreciate that the gondola is only a short walk away from the hotel.

Howelson Hill, known as the oldest operating ski area in North America, is also owned and operated by Steamboat Springs. Though this ski destination is small, with only four lifts and 17 alpine trails, its history is powerful: Howelson Hill has provided training grounds for more than 100 Olympians and is home to one of the largest natural ski jumping complexes in North America. Today, it's one of the most affordable ski resorts in Colorado, and it even offers free skiing on Sundays.

Passes: Ikon, Ski Passport Program Address: 2305 Mount Werner Circle, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

[See more of Steamboat Springs: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Copper Mountain Resort: Frisco

Less than 80 miles west of Denver, Copper Mountain is home to about 2,500 skiable acres and 24 chair lifts. Of the 140 marked trails at Copper, 21% are at the beginner level and 25% are intermediate, making this ski resort a great choice for beginners. The resort also sees an average annual snowfall of 305 inches. Once you're finished skiing, you can enjoy other winter activities like ice skating, snow tubing and riding Copper's alpine coaster.

If you're looking to enjoy a few days of mountain adventures, Copper includes three villages – East, Center and West – for lodging. Consider booking a stay in the West Village for easy access to beginner terrain.

Passes: Ikon, Ski Passport Program Address: 209 Ten Mile Circle, Frisco, CO 80443

Eldora Mountain Resort: Nederland

Courtesy of Eldora Mountain Resort

Located around 20 miles from Boulder , Eldora is the perfect ski destination for University of Colorado Boulder students looking to learn a new sport. Students can even receive a discount on tickets, as well as use their free RTD bus pass to get to the mountain. Eldora is home to 10 lifts – including two magic carpets for beginners – and 680 skiable acres for all ages and skill levels to enjoy. With green and blue runs accounting for more than 60% of the park, resortgoers learning how to ski or snowboard will find plenty of opportunity to safely practice. More advanced skiers can still enjoy a variety of difficult terrain, such as a number of double black runs and eight terrain parks featuring box, rails, jumps and more.

Eldora does not have on-site lodging, but nearby Boulder is home to a number of impressive hotels . Recent guests of Hotel Boulderado admire its rich history and enjoy its restaurants and bar options, as well as its proximity to the attractions of downtown Boulder .

Passes: Ikon, Ski Passport Program Address: 2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland, CO 80466

Beaver Creek Resort: Beaver Creek

At Beaver Creek Resort – just over 10 miles from Vail – visitors will experience 167 trails over more than 2,000 skiable acres, 24 lifts and 325 inches of average annual snowfall. If you've never skied before, sign up for group or private lessons through the resort's ski school. Or, spend the day at Haymeadow Park, where you'll have access to magic carpets as well as a beginner gondola and lift; you can also celebrate your learning with an ice cream stop at The Parlour. Once you've learned the basics, head to McCoy Park and tackle its 17 runs – most of which are green. Consider enrolling the kids in the BEAVO Development Program, a multiday youth ski and snowboard program that fosters an inclusive learning environment for skill development.

After a day on the mountain, visitors can explore the village of Beaver Creek's shops and restaurants. Book a stay at The Osprey for an outdoor pool and hot tub, ski valet, quick access to the village and more. For a more private stay, consider Trapper's Cabin, which sits among aspens at 9,500 feet of elevation.

Passes: Epic Address: 210 Beaver Creek Plaza, Beaver Creek, CO 81620

Powderhorn Mountain Resort: Mesa

Skiers and snowboarders can explore 1,600 acres of skiable terrain – 70% of which is beginner or intermediate – at Powderhorn. The resort is also home to two terrain parks and world-class Nordic skiing, as the Grand Mesa (the northern edge of which Powderhorn sits) is the world's largest flat-top mountain. If you're new to the slopes, Powderhorn offers private and group ski and snowboard lessons, as well as children's multiweek programs. Resortgoers who have never skied or snowboarded before are eligible for the Bob Beverly Program, where participants can learn to ski for free.

To get to Powderhorn, expect a 230-mile drive west from Denver or fly in to the Grand Junction Regional Airport. You can lodge in the nearby towns of Mesa, Palisade or Grand Junction, or stay in the rental Tiny Homes at Powderhorn. Guests love the location close to the ski lift but warn that the Wi-Fi isn't up to par.

Passes: Ski Passport Program Address: 48338 Powderhorn Road, Mesa, CO 81643

Telluride Ski Resort: Telluride

Telluride , a stunning ski town and one of the state's best places to visit , is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway in Colorado . Telluride Ski Resort boasts more than 2,000 skiable acres and 19 total lifts, half of which are high-speed. Of the 148 trails, 41% are for advanced and expert skiers. With terrain parks, peaks to climb up and ski down, and Nordic trails, travelers will find plenty of challenges at Telluride Ski Resort. You can also try your hand at a number of other winter activities in Telluride including snowshoeing, dog-sledding, helicopter skiing, ice skating, ice climbing and more. Book your tickets for the end of February to enjoy Telluride Gay Ski Week, an inclusive celebration for LGBTQ skiers and snowboarders.

After you've worked up a sweat on the slopes, grab an après-ski either in Mountain Village or down in the town of Telluride. On the mountain, skiers can enjoy American or French cuisine at Allred's Restaurant or Bon Vivant. Head into town for pizza at Brown Dog Pizza. One top lodging option is The Peaks Resort & Spa, where guests love the stunning views and appreciate the excellent service.

Passes: Epic (limited to seven days), Ski Passport Program Address: 565 Mountain Village Blvd., Telluride, CO 81435

[See more of Telluride: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Keystone Resort: Keystone

With 49% of its 130 trails being classed as advanced or expert and only 12% as beginner, Keystone is definitely the Colorado ski resort for those seeking more difficult terrain. Keystone Resort features 20 lifts, more than 3,000 skiable acres and 235 inches of annual snowfall on average. Explore three peaks and hike-to terrain for an extra workout. If you're a beginner, don't worry: Keystone still offers child and adult ski and snowboard lessons, as well as multiweek programs. The ski resort also partners with Keystone Adaptive Center to provide instruction for skiers and snowboarders with disabilities.

Stay at the Lone Eagle for ski-in/ski-out availability or at the Keystone Lodge & Spa for spa treatments, in-room dining, private ski shuttle transportation and more. Recent guests at the Keystone Lodge & Spa appreciated the many amenities, but some warn that the property is a bit outdated.

Passes: Epic Address: 100 Dercum Square, Keystone, CO 80435

Winter Park Resort: Winter Park

Courtesy of Winter Park Resort

Opened in 1940, Winter Park Resort is the longest continually operated ski resort in Colorado. The resort receives an average of 345 inches of snow every year for epic powder days; it features 166 trails and 23 lifts over more than 3,000 skiable acres. Only 8% of the terrain is beginner-friendly, with another 18% intermediate, 19% advanced, 52% most difficult and even 3% "expert only." But don't worry if you're not ready for the more challenging runs: Winter Park comprises seven territories, and the Winter Park Territory gives access to the Ski + Ride School. Other territories include Parsenn Bowl, where you can see the top of Longs Peak ; Terrain Park, which features an 18-foot superpipe; and Mary Jane, the perfect place for practicing mogul runs.

Other Winter Park activities include snowshoe tours, snowcat tours, ski bike tours and tubing. There are more than 20 lodges available in the Base Village and the town of Winter Park, one of which is the highly rated Iron Horse Resort. Lodgers commend the ski-in/ski-out availability, though some caution that beginners may not be able to handle the skiing needed to get back to the lodge.

Passes: Ikon, Ski Passport Program Address: 85 Parsenn Road, Winter Park, CO 80482

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area: Dillon

Ian Zinner | Courtesy of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Arapahoe Resort is perhaps best known for the length of its ski and ride season, which is the longest in Colorado. In fact, A-Basin (or A-Bay) often stays open from October through June. The resort was even open for skiing on the Fourth of July seven times, the most recent of which was in 2019. The latest it has ever stayed open was Aug. 10 in 1995.

Arapahoe Basin includes nearly 150 trails over more than 1,400 skiable acres, with 49% black diamond runs and 24% double black diamonds. Only 7% of runs are beginner-friendly, so this ski resort isn't for the faint of heart. If the skiing and snowboarding is a bit too challenging, consider taking a snowshoe tour instead. When visiting in the summer, don't forget to attempt North America's highest via ferrata, a guided-only climb that reaches 13,000 feet. A-Basin does not offer onsite lodging, but Breckenridge hotels are only 20 miles away.

Passes: Ikon (limited to seven days), Ski Passport Program Address: 28194 U.S. Route 6, Dillon, CO 80435

Vail Mountain Resort: Vail

Jeff Andrew | Courtesy of Vail Resorts

With more than 5,300 skiable acres, Vail Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado. Over half the terrain is designed for advanced and expert skiers, so you'll have plenty of access to challenging terrain parks, bowls, basins and peaks. If you're a beginner, take advantage of ski and snowboarding lessons available; the Vail Nordic School offers snowshoe, cross-country ski and backcountry ski lessons for all skill levels if you want a change of pace.

Vail Mountain Resort is also host to the 2023 National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit, where thousands of people of color from across the country gather to enjoy skiing together. NBS works to support athletes of color in winter sports.

In the town of Vail, explore a variety of shopping and dining . Lodge at The Arrabelle at Vail Square , one of the ski resort's signature properties, for luxurious accommodations and amenities. Recent visitors appreciate the friendly staff and excellent service, as well as the location (only a short walk from the village).

Passes: Epic Address: Vail, CO 81657

[See more of Vail: Things to Do | Hotels | Resorts | When to Visit | Photos ]

Silverton Mountain: Silverton

Courtesy of Silverton Mountain

Silverton Mountain offers a unique ski experience, in that there is only one chairlift but nearly 27,000 acres of skiable terrain. This ski destination is truly for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders; in fact, 0% of the terrain is classed as beginner- or intermediate-friendly. Silverton Mountain is the steepest ski area in North America with the easiest run at a 35-degree slope. The resort boasts more than 400 inches of annual snowfall on average and caps the number of unguided skiers at 475 a day, meaning you'll have plenty of access to fresh powder. In fact, the mountain regularly sees less than 80 skiers per day.

If you're not an expert but you're in the area, don't worry; the town of Silverton won't let you down. Try your hand at guided rock, ice or alpine climbing, or you can touch up your safety skills with an avalanche course. Travelers can enjoy tasty breakfast burritos, artisan pizzas and local craft beer at a variety of eateries and breweries. Consider booking a stay at the highly rated Villa Dallavalle Historic Inn, where recent visitors praised the homemade breakfast and hot tubs.

Passes: None listed in this article are applicable. Address: 6226 state Highway 110, Silverton, CO 81433

Aspen Snowmass: Aspen, Snowmass Village

Dan Bayer | Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass

Explore four mountains – Aspen Mountain , Aspen Highlands , Buttermilk and Snowmass – and two ski towns on your Aspen Snowmass ski trip. With approximately 5,500 skiable acres in total, Aspen Snowmass has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, other family-friendly activities include tubing, snow biking, snowshoeing and riding the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, which can reach up to 28 mph. While the kids are taking ski or snowboarding lessons, adults can always enjoy a small romantic getaway by taking a snowcat up Aspen Highlands for dinner at the Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro or Lynn Britt Cabin.

Aspen Snowmass works to include and support a variety of causes within the community, including racial justice, sustainability and support for LGBTQ communities through the annual Gay Ski Week. Another well-known Aspen event is the X Games, where the world's top athletes compete in 14 disciplines including Snowboard SuperPipe and Big Air. The event is free to attend.

Explore condominiums, ski-in/ski-out options, pet-friendly properties and vacation homes at the Aspen Snowmass lodging website . Top-rated hotels include Aspen's The Little Nell – where guests rave about the cuisine and service – and Viceroy Snowmass , which recent lodgers recommend for those seeking a quieter and more laid-back environment than downtown Aspen.

Passes: Ikon (limited to seven days), Ski Passport Program Address: 601 E. Dean St., Aspen, CO 81611 (Aspen Mountain); 120 Lower Carriage Way, Snowmass Village, CO 81615 (Snowmass)

[See more of Aspen: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Crested Butte Mountain Resort: Crested Butte

Though Crested Butte lies about 200 miles southwest of Denver, the drive (or flight to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport) is well worth it. The ski town and resort offers a stunning mountain escape perfect for a family vacation . On the mountain, visitors will find 236 inches of average annual snowfall, two terrain parks and 121 trails – 14% beginner, about 50% intermediate or advanced, and 37% expert – over more than 1,500 skiable acres. Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers a selection of child, teen, adult and private lessons so everyone in the family can feel their best on the slopes.

Crested Butte is truly a ski town, with no traffic lights, chain stores or high-rise buildings. Partake in a variety of dining and shopping options when you've finished skiing for the day, or explore the 1.7 million acres of the surrounding national forest through hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Travelers can stay at the Grand Lodge Hotel and Suites for spacious suites and oversized hotel rooms (some of which are pet-friendly) or lodge at The Plaza in a unique condominium setting.

Passes: Epic Address: 12 Snowmass Road, Crested Butte, CO 81225

Breckenridge Ski Resort: Breckenridge

Brent Clark | Courtesy of Breckenridge Ski Resort

Head to this destination in Colorado for not only top-notch skiing but also restaurants, breweries and other winter activities. Explore 187 trails and just under 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, half of which consists of groomed trails. Of the 35 lifts, 11 are magic carpets for beginners. Consider participating in one of the signature programs at Breckenridge Ski Resort , such as Women's Camp or Breck Belles, which are designed by women for women; seasonal youth programs for children of all ages; and adaptive programs for individuals with disabilities.

The town of Breckenridge offers a plethora of dining , shopping and spa options. Winter activities for the whole family include snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog-sledding, and don't forget to buy your tickets for the International Snow Sculpture Championships. For an overnight stay, travelers might consider booking a room at The Lodge at Breckenridge. Recent visitors praised the spacious rooms and appreciated that pets were welcome.

Passes: Epic Address: 1599 Ski Hill Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424

[See more of Breckenridge: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Cooper Hill Ski Area: Leadville

Not to be confused with Copper, Cooper is located near Leadville – the highest incorporated city in North America – about 100 miles from Denver. Cooper is one of the smaller ski resorts in Colorado, with less than 500 skiable acres, five lifts and 64 trails, but don't let its size deter you: The resort is perfect for a family weekend getaway . Cooper Hill Ski Area boasts few lift lines and plenty of powder days, with 260 inches of annual snowfall on average and a unique philosophy of not over-grooming terrain. Plus, if you want more to explore, Cooper offers snowcat skiing tours on Chicago Ridge, giving you 2,600 more acres for cold weather adventures.

If you're a beginner, Cooper's Ski School hosts private and semiprivate ski and snowboard lessons for all ages. Families can even take lessons together at a discounted rate. Even more, Cooper boasts the longest magic carpet in Colorado. There are no lodging options at the resort itself, but Leadville offers plenty of hotels, inns, bed-and-breakfasts and more. For a unique experience, book a stay at Tiny House Leadville. Recent lodgers love the comfort and coziness of a tiny house, but some warn about poor Wi-Fi.

Passes: Ski Passport Program Address: 232 County Road 29, Leadville, CO 80461

Loveland Ski Area: Dillon

Courtesy of Loveland Ski Area

Family-owned and -operated Loveland Ski Area, located about 55 miles west of Denver, features 1,800 skiable acres, nine lifts and free snowcat skiing along the Continental Divide. You'll be treated to plenty of powder days as the resort receives a yearly average of 422 inches of snowfall, the most of any Front Range or Summit County resort. What's more, Loveland is the first ski area on the Interstate 70 corridor – so you won't have to sit in the traffic as long as with other ski resorts.

The resort comprises two ski areas: Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley. Loveland Basin is the main area, featuring terrain for all ages and skill levels as well a variety of family-friendly events. At Loveland Valley, a separate area just for beginners, you won't have to worry about running into more advanced skiers and snowboarders. Loveland Valley is also home to Loveland's Ski & Ride School. Though on-site lodging is not available at Loveland, nearby Georgetown, Silver Plume and Idaho Springs offer plenty of options.

Passes: Ski Passport Program Address: I-70, Dillon, CO 80435

Wolf Creek Ski Area: Pagosa Springs

Located in Pagosa Springs about 230 miles southwest of Colorado Springs , Wolf Creek Ski Area boasts the most snow in Colorado with 430 inches of annual snowfall. The resort's 1,600 skiable acres and fairly even distribution of difficulty – 20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 25% advanced and 20% expert – mean Wolf Creek's slopes can be enjoyed by every skill level. If you're new to skiing or snowboarding, consider taking a Wolf Creek professional group or private lesson. Book an overnight stay at The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs for your family getaway. Recent guests recommend soaking in the springs after a long day skiing and praise the friendly staff.

Passes: None listed in this article are applicable. Address: E. Highway 160 E., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Planning Your Colorado Ski Resort Vacation

Before planning your next Colorado ski trip, you'll need to identify your experience level and determine which passes or tickets to buy.

Experience level

The difficulty of a ski run is often classed by color: Green runs are wide and easy, blue runs are slightly steeper and moderately difficult, black diamonds are steep and difficult, and double black diamonds are very steep and very difficult. If you're just starting to learn, you'll be spending most of your time on bunny hills – ski areas set aside for beginners – and conveyer belts (often called "magic carpets") before progressing to greens and perhaps a blue run or two.

There are a variety of pass and ticket options for every Colorado ski resort. Check each resort's website for season passes; day, multiday or family tickets; and discounts or free day options at partner resorts.

If you'd like access to multiple ski resorts across the state as well several other countries (including Canada , Australia , Switzerland and more), consider purchasing either the Ikon Pass or the Epic Pass. And, if you have a child in grades three through six, don't forget to check out the Ski Passport Program.

• Ikon Pass: At $1,179 for adult skiers and snowboarders of the 2022-23 season, the Ikon Pass includes access to more than 50 ski destinations, including six Colorado resorts; Boyne Mountain, a top Michigan ski resort ; Windham Mountain, a top New York ski resort ; and even Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in the stunning French Alps . The pass also includes lift ticket discounts for friends and family, lodging deals and more. Check the Ikon Pass website for pass prices for kids and young adults, and pay only $839 for the Ikon pass if you're a college student, nurse or military member.
• Epic Pass: The Epic Pass, $879 for adults in the 2022-23 season, grants access to more than 60 ski resorts across the state, country and world, such as Arlberg, Austria ; Verbier 4 Vallées, Switzerland; and Hakuba Valley, Japan . The pass also includes discounts on food, lodging, lessons, rentals and more, as well as discounted tickets to share with friends or family. Visit the Epic Pass website for the full list of pass options, including the full Epic Pass, one- to seven-day passes, regional passes and child passes.
• Ski Passport Program: Available for third to sixth graders, the Ski Passport Program gives access to 20 ski areas – with four days at each participating resort – for only $59. Check the website for blackout dates and other helpful information.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Lakes in Colorado
• The Top Places for Camping in Colorado
• The Top Zip Lines in Colorado
• The Top Whitewater Rafting in Colorado
• The Top Restaurants in Colorado Springs
• The Top Ski Resorts in Montana

Tags: Travel , Colorado Vacations , U.S. West Vacations , US Vacations , Skiing

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Solo and Secure: A woman’s guide to safe solo travel across the globe

Travel Travel Inspiration Solo Travel Best Solo Travel Destinations For Women

Solo travel for women has become increasingly popular in the recent decade. Despite the increase in solo travel, the challenges of a woman traveling alone continue to persist worldwide! Women face safety concerns, societal expectations, and cultural barriers that can impact their solo travel experiences. However, empowerment movements and increased awareness about female solo travel have led to more resources, support networks, and opportunities for women to explore the world independently with confidence.

The world’s tourism industry has developed quite a bit over the last few decades and there are more places to explore now than there ever was. There are a good number of countries that are safe for women travelers!

Check out the best solo female travel destinations to explore!

16 Safe Female Solo Travel Destinations

Approx budget : around us$150 per day safety index : 6.7.

Finland, home to the midnight sun and the Northern Lights is a must-see for all travelers. The Scandinavian nation is also an ideal option for sustainable travelers looking to make a conscious shift towards green travel. Finland is considered to be among the safest places to visit in the world and hence an obvious choice for female solo travelers.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Suomenlinna Fortress, Rovaniemi, Helsinki Churches Hot tip : Take advantage of Finland’s excellent public transport to save some bucks.

Approx budget : around us$100 per day safety meter : 6.5.

Whether you’re wandering the picturesque streets of Reykjavik, chasing the northern lights, or driving the famous Ring Road, you’ll never feel unsafe in Iceland. This small island nation off-mainland Europe is known for being a great host to travelers from all around the world, especially first time female solo travelers.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Bathing in the Blue Lagoon, exploring Reykjavik, driving the Golden Circle route. Hot tip : Most Icelandic people can speak English, so talk to the locals to experience the best of Iceland.

3. new zealand, approx budget : around us$130 per day safety meter : 6.3.

New Zealand is one of the few places on the planet that is both quirky and mystical. It is the adventure travel capital of the world, with spectacular mountain ranges and infinite landscapes to explore. It makes for an excellent choice for solitary female travelers, especially those who have an adventure streak!

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Exploring South Island in a solo vehicle, Kayaking on Lake Rotoiti, Hiking the Fiordland National Park. Hot tip : Plan a long trip to New Zealand, a minimum of 2-3 weeks. This country deserves to be savoured slowly.

Approx budget : around us$140 per day safety meter : 6.1.

Spain is one of the best options for first-time solo female travelers to visit. It is easy to get around, has an excellent tourism infrastructure, and has consistently ranked as the world's second most visited country. You’ll likely meet a lot of other solo travelers, both men and women; and what better way to make friends while solo tripping?!

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Exploring Prado Museum in Madrid, witnessing Gaudi’s architecture on foot in Barcelona, gorge on the best of Spanish gastronomy in San Sebastian. Hot tip : If you live in Europe, hop on a low-cost flight and begin your visit to Spain from Barcelona and then make your way around the rest of the country.

Approx budget : around us$150 per day safety meter : 6.1.

Canada has a diverse terrain, including centuries-old woods, snow-capped mountains, rural areas, and lakes. Its untouched wilderness is breathtakingly refreshing and is a true haven for solo female travelers looking for a break from monotony . The cities are a stark vibrant contrast with a distinct charm and multicultural flavor. Head here for the best of both worlds.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Visiting the winter wonderland of Banff, exploring Killarney Provincial Park, basking in the glory of Sunshine Coast. Hot tip : Squeeze in a music festival on your Canada itinerary. It’s intoxicatingly good!

Approx budget : around us$140 per day safety meter : 6.2.

In Japan, millennia-old customs marry cutting-edge technology. For solo female travelers who like a mix of history with modernity, there’s no better place on earth than Japan. Make sure to add Tokyo, a mega-city widely regarded as the cleanest and most well-organized in the world. And there is Osaka, a fascinating city with an assorted range of activities, from Universal Studios to the Harukas Observatory.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Going to the International Manga Museum in Kyoto, Taking part in Origami workshops, exploring the Castle town of Matsumoto. Hot tip : Pub crawling in Japan is a fun experience, but inquire about transport and train timings before you make plans.

7. switzerland, approx budget : around us$220 per day safety meter : 6.4.

Switzerland needs no introduction. It is a country rich in cultural diversity with stunning attractions and urban vistas that give way to stunning natural landscapes. In addition, it has a very clean record when it comes to crime and misdemeanors - one of the reasons it tops the solo female travel destination list.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Touring Lausanne and discovering its medieval heritage, taking a helicopter ride to Jungfraujoch, beholding the scenic beauty of Rhine Falls. Hot tip : Bring a pocket translator if you are planning to cover all regions of Switzerland.

Approx budget : around us$135 per day safety meter : 5.7.

Brimming with historic monuments, superb infrastructure, and a variety of other tourist attractions - this nation is a true gem. Be it roaming the bizarre lanes of Brussels or walking the cobbled streets of Bruges, there’s never a dearth of things to do here.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers :Visiting the wilderness of Dinant, shopping at Kortrijk, getting tipsy on half-en-half (a heady mix of white wine and champagne). Hot tip : Don’t forget to visit the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde to learn all about Belgian history.

Approx budget : around us$135 per day safety meter : 6.2.

Austria is a near-perfect nation for female solo travel. They claim that troubles vanish in the country, which must be because Austrians have one of the highest standards of living in Europe. Furthermore, the country boasts some incredibly breathtaking scenery - from snow-capped mountain peaks to lush green forests, and crystal-clear waters.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers :Visiting the countryside of Salzkammergut, exploring the Barque city of Salzburg, attending a festival in Carinthia. Hot tip : If you have an international license, hire a car and go on a road trip around Austria. It is one of the most underrated road trips, but worth every penny!

Approx budget : around us$100 per day safety meter : 4.3.

Touring Turkey on your own may be thrilling, but a tad bit intimidating, particularly if it is your maiden visit. If there is one thing traveling alone in Turkey teaches you, it is to mingle with the locals. Just about all of Istanbul, from the Grand Bazaar to the Galata District is a treat for a daring enough female solo traveler.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers :Sign up for a cooking workshop, explore the Prince Island for a full day, bargaining in the local bazaars of Istanbul. Hot tip : Use the Bitaksi app for cheap and reliable cab rides around Istanbul.

11. thailand, approx budget : around us$100 per day safety meter : 4.8.

Thailand is widely regarded as one of the greatest solo travel locations. It is a very tourist-friendly country, with tourism accounting for 20% of GDP, low levels of harassment and assault, high levels of safety, and very friendly locals. It is also one of the most attractive backpacking destinations in the world and makes for the perfect choice if you’re looking for a budget female solo travel destination.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers :Day tripping to Khao Yai National Park, experiencing the seclusion of Hua Hin, visiting Khaosan Road in Bangkok. Hot tip : Avoid public boat ferries as they can often be unsanitary and overcrowded.

12. galápagos, approx budget : around us$120 per day safety meter : 4.0.

The Galapagos Islands are among the few places on the earth that are still “off the beaten path,” making it an ideal destination for female solo travellers who are yearning to go somewhere truly unique and unspoiled. The fact that visits to the Galapagos are strictly regulated contributes to its purity.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Exploring the San Cristobal Island, encountering free roaming wildlife on the island, snorkeling with Sea Lions at Playa Mann. Hot tip : Try their unique local coffee in any of the neighborhood cafes.

13. french polynesia, approx budget : around us$150 per day safety meter : 5.0.

French Polynesia consists of 118 islands covering a total area of 6,400 square kilometers. It is one of the most popular female solo tourist destinations in the Pacific. The most popular islands are Tahiti and Bora Bora, an expensive affair but ideal for those looking for their first solo travel to be truly special. The region has some of the most spectacular dives in the world thanks to its rich marine life.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Jet Skiing in Bora Bora, going on a helicopter flight in Le Taha’a, experiencing the cultural blend in Rangiroa. Hot tip : Pack light when you are island hopping in French Polynesia.

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Approx Budget : Around US$250 per day Safety Meter : 5.6

Hawaii is an incredible island-country that should be on everyone's bucket list. It draws women seeking transformational travel, as well as surfers, wildlife lovers, and volcano enthusiasts. The islands have a lot of historical significance apart from being awe-inspiringly beautiful. Although crime is nearly non-existent, we’d recommend female solo travelers to be vigilant.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : JSnuba Maui, surfing in Oahu, hiking along the Kalalau trail. Hot tip : Visit the smallest Hawaiian island of Molokai for its sea cliffs, scenic trails, and secluded beaches.

15. sri lanka, approx budget : around us$70 per day safety meter : 5.4.

Because Sri Lankan culture is predominantly Buddhist, women traveling alone will find the nation to be very hospitable and safe. If you are a female solo traveler in Sri Lanka, keep in mind that some locations may require you to dress conservatively. Locals are courteous and considerate so feel free to chummy up.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : A tuk-tuk safari of Arugam Bay, going on a scenic train ride in Nuwara Eliya, experiencing the mesmerizing landscape of Adam’s Peak, climbing the Sigiriya. Hot tip : Be sure to respect local traditions and residents when in Sri Lanka.

16. indonesia, approx budget : around us$90 per day safety meter : 5.4.

Indonesia, particularly Bali, is a popular location for female solo travelers. Because of the low cost of living, friendly locals, and generally safe atmosphere, the Island of Gods boasts a huge number of expats who have chosen to make it their home. If you’re looking to become a digital nomad, Bali is a great place to test the waters.

Recommended experiences for solo female travelers : Witnessing the gorgeous sunset at Ratu Boko, shopping at Beringharjo for batik, clothes, and local souvenirs, exploring the majestical Yogyakarta Palace. Hot tip : Rent a scooter and explore the local communities in Indonesia to know more about this fascinating country.

4 things to consider when choosing a country for female solo travel.

The unfortunate truth about the world we live in is that not all places inspire the feeling of carefreeness in women. Consequently, women traveling alone are far more concerned about their safety, so when picking a place to solo travel to, start with nations that have a high safety record and gender equality.

Tourist-friendly countries are easy to explore on your own. They have a steady influx of visitors, a well-developed tourism infrastructure, make it easier to meet fellow tourists, offer more options for day trips, tours, hostels, and other accommodations, and have a more tourist-friendly culture with more English-speaking establishments.

Connectivity

When picking a place to visit on your own, you must weigh the options available for solo transportation. Not all places are conducive to rented vehicles or availing public transport on your own. Also look at thescope for internet and mobile connectivity so that you can remain in touch with your family and friends back home.

Affordability

It’s no surprise that vacationing alone is an expensive affair. Because the expense of a solo trip increases due to single supplements and the greater cost of not having a travel companion, several of the top locations for first-time solo female travelers are countries that are perceived as more economical.

Tips for female solo travelers

• Know why you want to travel solo: The “where” of a traveling plan is often intrinsically related to the “why.” Knowing the latter will help you plan your trip better.
• Be open to impromptu opportunities: It’s easy to go overboard with planning every detail of your trip. Build in some time to accommodate unforeseen opportunities.
• Rest well the first night: Be prepared to rest well for the first night because that will decide how the rest of your trip progresses.
• Take only what is necessary: A solo trip will not be quite as liberating with multiple large pieces of luggage.
• Be careful about sharing your trip information: Everyone you meet on your trip will not have your best interest in mind. Be careful with whom you share your travel and accommodation information.
• Keep your documents safe: Losing your identification and other documents can derail your entire trip. Ensure they are well-protected.
• Find company when dining: There are several ways to grab a meal with strangers and locals when on a solo trip. Look for cooking classes and themed dinners in the area.
• Sort out your tech requirements beforehand: In this day and age, it’s difficult to move about without technology. Check that you have the right adaptors, sim cards, chargers, and other essentials before leaving. Also pick a good local sim that gives you connectivity throughout your trip.
• Meet fellow female solo travelers: Female solo travelers are everywhere. Look for hostels and online forums that can foster these meet-ups.
• Maintain a journal of your trip: Taking a trip on your own can expose unexplored emotions and aspects of your personality. It is a healthy practice to maintain a journal and process everything. After the trip is over, you can even relive the experience by merely opening the journal.

Note: The Safety Index mentioned is a combination of the WEF Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report and country popularity index among female travelers

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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11 Cheap Places to Travel on the US Dollar

It’s never been easier to travel with almost no money . While post-COVID “revenge travel” has driven up prices in the short term, those are already starting to drop back down to pre-pandemic levels. And, with the spread of the sharing economy, plentiful cheap flights , and access to budget accommodation, getting away has never been more affordable.

If you’re an American, the strong dollar has made many places very cheap (or at least cheaper) to visit. While that’s not great for other folks, it is good for us Americans, as we’re getting the best exchange rates we’ve had in years. And although absolute prices are up, you’re still getting a ton of value right now.

While there are lots of great destination options, I wanted to list a few of my favorites. These are places I think are the most interesting, fun, and easy to get to, and offer excellent value for your money.

For a quick list, here’s a look at some of my favorite destinations where the US dollar does a long way (or longer than it used to):

Want more information? Here’s my full breakdown of 11 cheap places to travel on the US dollar:

Table of Contents

1. Costa Rica

5. argentina, 6. south africa, 7. cambodia, 8. south korea, 10. the united kingdom, 11. everywhere.

Costa Rica is my favorite Central American country. Though it’s one of the most expensive in the region, your money will still go far here. It also strikes a balance between budget-friendly and safe , while still offering plenty of amazing sights and activities.

In this magical place, there is a ton to see and do . You’ll find cloud forests, endangered turtles, incredible surfing, towering volcanos, epic white-water rafting , fantastic nature preserves, deep-sea diving, and some of the happiest and nicest people around.

And on the budget travel side, you’ll only need about $50 USD per day, if you use hostels and buses and cook your own food; you’ll also be able to do a few budget activities, like snorkeling or hiking trips. As a bonus, flights from the US are also very cheap. If you’re flexible, you can find round-trip flights for under $250 USD.

On a mid-range budget of $125 USD per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, eat out for all your meals, take the occasional taxi to get around, enjoy more nights out, and do more paid activities (like guided tours, surf lessons, and museum visits). In short, you won’t want for anything on this budget.

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to traveling Costa Rica !  

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in an already budget-friendly region. If you budgeted $25-30 USD per day, you would want for little. Hostels are just a few bucks a day, and you can get delicious street food for as little as $1 USD. (You can visit the country comfortably quite comfortably for $50-75 USD per day if you’re looking for more luxury.)

Be sure to spend some time in the hectic capital of Hanoi , and visit HaLong Bay when you’re in the north.

In the south, don’t miss the Chu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City (tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war with the US). They offer an eye-opening look at the conflict.

For some adventurous activities, like canyoning and cliff jumping, head to Da Lat. If you’re looking for beaches, Nha Trang and Mui Ne should be at the top of your list!

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to traveling Vietnam !  

Not only is Romania an underrated destination in Europe , but it’s also a budget-friendly one. Bucharest is a modern, up-and-coming capital, and the entire Transylvania region is breathtaking. Brasov, my favorite city there, offers lots of history ( including the infamous Bran Castle, known as “Dracula’s Castle” ). Transportation is cheap, and both ridesharing and hitchhiking are common. It’s a huge country, too so you can easily spend a few weeks and still just scratch the surface. In fact, I love it so much that I used to run tours there!

Backpackers can comfortably enjoy their time here for as little as $35-40 USD per day, which is a steal in Europe. And if you want to splurge and stay in hotels, eat out more, and enjoy a few drinks, you can easily do that for under $100 USD per day (or less).

Now that Romania is a (partially) part of the Schengen Area and there are no border checks via sea or air, I suspect the country will become more popular. That means more people and higher prices, so don’t wait to visit!

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to Romania !  

While India has always been a cheap country, with the US dollar doing so well, it’s even cheaper! You can get by on as little as $25-30 USD per day — often less! Mouthwatering meals can be found for under $2 USD, and accommodation is just $5-10 USD per night, depending on where you are.

Even if you go for mid-range accommodation and food, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $50 USD per day unless you’re staying at fancy resorts — and even they are quite affordable! While flights to India can be expensive, once you arrive, everything is a bargain.

Be sure not to miss the epic Taj Mahal , the laid-back beaches of Goa, the holy city of Varanasi , and sweeping metropolises like New Delhi and Mumbai.

Learn more and plan your trip with my list of the best things to see and do in India !  

Argentina is brimming with history, culture, wine, football, and outdoor wonders like Patagonia . It’s one of my favorite countries in South America. Its capital, Buenos Aires, is considered one of the liveliest cities in the world. (Most people speak English, which makes it easier to get around.) I’ve never drunk so much wine or eaten as much steak as I did here (which blew my budget, but it was worth it!).

The only problem is the rampant inflation, so prices are always in flux (especially now that their current leader is making some sweeping changes). But even with that, you can still get by on around $40-50 USD per day by staying in hostels and sticking to cheap and free activities like museum visits, hiking, and free walking tours.

Patagonia is the main draw here, offering stunning landscapes and world-class hiking. Nature lovers will also want to visit Iguazú Falls , the largest waterfall system in the world! And while guided hikes cost upwards of $450 USD for a multiday trek, that’s still super cheap considering it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m not a big hiker or camper but even I thought it was amazing!

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to Argentina !  

Safaris, wineries, mountains, and an endless coastline that is perfect for road trips. That’s South Africa. As a backpacker or budget traveler, this country is an amazing destination to visit as there are a lot of work opportunities as well as plenty of adventurous activities (and some great hiking) to keep you busy.

While it’s true that South Africa struggles with corruption and petty crime , it has a booming tourism industry and a growing backpacker and digital nomad scene. It’s an amazing place to road trip too.

With $50-60 USD per day, you’ll be able to enjoy the amazing beaches and laid-back lifestyle that makes South Africa so appealing. While there are definitely cheaper places on the continent, you’ll get a lot of value here.

Don’t miss hiking up Table Mountain or visiting the penguins when you’re in Cape Town . And if you’re looking for a world-class safari experience, head to Kruger National Park!

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to South Africa !

Cambodia is one of my favorite countries in the world. The people are so incredibly welcoming, and even after a long absence between visits , I still found it to be one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia: affordable, friendly, and safe.

Prices have increased a little over the years, but not by much (it’s still cheaper than Thailand). Backpackers can easily get by for $45-50 USD or less per day. Street food is cheap and delicious (Phnom Penh is an amazing foodie city), and hostels cost under $10 USD per night. You can travel across much of the country via bus for $20 USD too.

Plus, Angkor Wat is one of the most amazing historical sites in the world. It’s $37 USD to enter, but it’s a Wonder of the World and should not be skipped (a three-day pas is $62 USD, and I do suggest spending more than one day here).

Be sure to  also visit the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh for a sobering look at the country’s violent past. It’s heavy but necessary.

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to Cambodia !  

I don’t know why most people don’t talk about it, but if you want a cheap East Asian country with stunning countryside, South Korea is it. The country offers a lot of value!

When I went to South Korea a few years ago, I was stunned by how cheap everything was. Sure, it’s not as inexpensive as Southeast Asia , but compared to Japan or Europe, it’s quite affordable. With the South Korean won  at 1,309 KRW per USD and most everything costing only a few thousand won , I can’t imagine busting your budget here (unless you’re a huge foodie, because the cuisine here is delicious).

You can pick up bottles of beer at 7-11 for a couple of dollars. Hostels in Seoul start around $16 USD per night (hotel rooms start at $25 USD per night). Backpackers can get by for only $60-75 USD here.

Be sure to indulge in Seoul’s culinary scene while you’re here, and visit the Gyeongbukgung Palace (it’s the most stunning royal palace in Seoul). For a more luxurious getaway, head to Jeju Island for beaches and some fun in the sun. And if you want to learn about the country’s temultuous relationship with North Korea, take a guided tour of the DMZ .

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to South Korea !  

I confess, I was late to the party on Mexico . While I had visited some of the touristy areas, it wasn’t until recently that I finally explored beyond the resorts. And I loved every minute.

Mexico City is a world-class metropolis with amazing food and nightlife, Oaxaca has incredible historic sites and an abundance of delicious eateries (and all the mezcal you can drink), and the Yucatán Peninsula is perfect for road trips and swimming in secluded cenotes (sinkholes).

While the country gets a bad rap in the US (thanks to overzealous media coverage), it’s actually much safer (and cheaper) than people think. Travelers can get by on as little as $50 USD per day ($100-120 USD if you want hotels and not hostels), and flights from the US are often just $200 USD round-trip.

In short, it’s a great option for US travelers who are short on time but still want to explore somewhere fun, sunny, and cheap.

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to Mexico !  

In years past, the British pound (GBP) has been worth up to double the US dollar. That’s not the case anymore. Still struggling post-Brexit, it’s now worth just 20-30% more than the dollar. So, while the UK isn’t exactly a cheap place to visit, the weakened pound and strong dollar mean that now you’ll get a lot more value compared to years past. Backpackers can get around for as little as $75 USD per day by sticking to hostels, free museums, and cheap pub food. There’s tons of free things to do in London so you don’t have to break the bank here.

If you do want to splash out, skip-the-line tickets of the Tower of London are a must.

Learn more and plan your trip with my in-depth guide to England and Scotland !  

A strong US dollar makes traveling the world much cheaper than it would be otherwise — especially if you want to head to Europe and visit some “traditionally expensive” destinations. And while a strong dollar doesn’t mean “free,” it can definitely help you travel longer or in more luxury.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity while you can. Because who knows how long the strong dollar will last?

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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More From Forbes

The 22 best places to travel in the u.s. in 2022.

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What’s on your travel list for 2022? For the past two years, with many borders closed around the globe, Americans have been rediscovering destinations in our own backyard. As a result, domestic travel has never been stronger—or more exciting. According to recent data from Destination Analysts , 87.2% of Americans are planning a vacation in the next 12 months. “While the road to full recovery may be longer than we would like, we are already looking far beyond the pandemic to a brighter, more globally competitive, sustainable, diverse and innovative future for the whole of the U.S. travel industry,” says Tori Emerson Barnes , executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the U.S. Travel Association.

Note: This story is from 2022. To read about the best places to travel right now, see “The Best Places To Travel In The U.S. In 2023, According To The Experts”

Every year, I round up the best places to visit in the U.S. and around the world. This year, in honor of Women’s History Month in March, I tapped into leading women travel experts and influencers to find out the best places to travel in America in 2022. I also opened my own little black book to give a sneak peek at the destinations that I’m most excited about. The picks are vast, from buzzing cities to mountain getaways to some up-and-coming locations that you might not know—but that you’ll want to put on your own travel wish list.

Timbers Kauai at Hokuala on Kauai, one of the top places to go in 2022.

For those of you who want to explore beyond the U.S., check out “The 22 Best Places To Travel Around The World In 2022,” where travel experts select the year’s most compelling destinations, from Europe to Africa and beyond.

And a note: Travel in the U.S. is still in a state of flux. So if you’re planning a trip anywhere these days, you should check travel restrictions for the destination you are hoping to visit and consider warnings from the CDC .

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid-19 travel insurance plans, the best places to travel in the u.s. in 2022.

Biking in Alaska—one of the best places to travel in the U.S. in 2022.

Where: Alaska

Chosen By: Laura Cole, Top Chef season 15 alum, three-time nominee for a James Beard Best Chef Northwest award and owner of 229 Parks in Denali National Park.

Why: Alaska has always been popular as a cruising destination, but 2022 is the year to get out and explore on land. “Travel throughout the state is allowing people like myself to explore Alaska through the lens of both adventure and food, enjoying fishing, farming and foraging,” says Cole.

Luxury lodges with new year-round experiences include Tordrillo Mountain Lodge on Judd Lake, Eagle’s Nest by Third Edge Heli overlooking the Knik Arm in Wasilla and Sheldon Chalet in Denali National Park, as well as luxury tour operators like Pelorus offering experiences to see rare wildlife and wonderful landscapes in remote Alaska.

“I highly recommend visiting Sheldon Chalet in 2022 as they now offer ice cavern exploration in Denali National Park and you can see the aurora from the comfort of your bed from September through April,” says Cole. “It is a truly unique and life-altering place that connects the awe and scope of Denali and the extreme of the range; fosters a connection to natural splendor, engineering and architecture; and allows visitors to indulge through food, wine, hospitality and Alaska history.”

In other exciting Alaska news: This May will see the release of Sanctity of Space , a new movie that will share the adventures of alpinists Renan Ozturk and Freddie Wilkinson as they explore the Moose’s Tooth and the history and wonders of Denali National Park, giving a great perspective on the last frontier.

Mia Herman in Los Olivos, a town in the Santa Ynez Valley—one of the best places to travel in 2022.

Where to Go: Santa Ynez Valley, California

Chosen By: A self-described “California girl making her way around the world,” Mia Herman is a writer, traveler, eater, drinker and part-time flight attendant. Follow along on her journey at @travelwithmia or travelwithmia.com .

Why : Made famous by the movie Sideways , the Santa Ynez Valley is the buzzing wine region for 2022. It’s best known for the Danish-themed village of Solvang, but there are also plenty of other small towns connected by rural roads, sprawling farms and vineyards—all just two hours north of Los Angeles. “The Santa Ynez Valley feels like classic California wine country, but with a more laid-back, approachable vibe,” says Herman. “It’s less crowded than the other wine regions and still feels like an undiscovered secret, making it the perfect go-to for new wine enthusiasts and devoted wine lovers alike.”

Besides the wine, the food here is spectacular. “Many chefs moved to the area in recent years, and this influx of diverse artistry coupled with the chef-inspired local agriculture allows the Santa Ynez Valley to rival any metropolitan city,” says Herman, who calls the smoked brisket sammie at Industrial Eats in Buellton a “don’t miss.” Other essential stops: Casa Dumetz Wines , Babi’s Beer Emporium and (dim)SAMA in Los Alamos, “which is worth the trip in and of itself.”

Where to go when it’s time to put your feet up? “At Hotel Ynez , you’re in the middle of it all (minutes from Solvang), but you’re tucked away in your own little oasis with a rustic outdoor pavilion, fire pits and a private patio with a hammock,” says Herman. Coming soon: The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection , opening this spring in an 1880’s stagecoach stop in Los Olivos. The historic site is being reimagined with a modern farmhouse design set amid acres of old-growth palm trees.

The new Sensei Porcupine Creek in Palm Springs.

Where to Go: Palm Springs, California

Chosen By: Melissa Curtin is a freelance travel and food writer who madly loves California. She is the founder of LaLaScoop.com . Follow her adventures at @lalascoop

Why: Long revered as California’s resort oasis and a hub for arts and design, Greater Palm Springs is the desert hot spot for 2022. “I adore Palm Springs for the peace and quiet, the nonstop fun you can easily seek out and the perpetual sunshine,” says Curtin. “Palm Springs feels like a small community, but has the culture and vibrancy of a large city. There is always something new to discover.”

In 2022, Greater Palm Springs will welcome a number of new hotels and resorts. “I’m super excited about several new properties coming to the desert this year like the 14-room Azure Sky and Hotel ZOSO ’s revamped design and refresh, with a new food and beverage program.” Also on the horizon: Sensei Porcupine Creek , Hermann Bungalows and The Paloma Resort, each offering their own unique vibes, from ultra-luxe to wellness-minded.

From Coachella to the BNP Paribas Open, world-renowned events are also coming back on the scene and better than ever. “ Modernism Week has expanded to offer more special programming and exclusive tours and events by extending dates to other months like May 12-15 this year,” says Curtin. “Plus, a new Modernism Museum highlighting the best of the modernist era from the 50s to the early 70s is coming soon as an inspirational modernist hub.”

Additionally, in late 2022, the new Coachella Valley Arena will open, serving as the future home of the Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL), residencies and major concerts. Another exciting arrival: “Soon surfing in the desert will be possible as the Palm Springs Surf Club arrives—designed by surfers for surfers,” says Curtin.

Exploring the peaks of Aspen in ASPENX gear.

Where to Go: Aspen, Colorado

Chosen By: Katie Jackson has somehow made a living as a full-time travel writer since 2015 when an African safari turned into seven years of living out of a suitcase. In between trips, she can be found recuperating in Montana. She shares her adventures, and misadventures, on IG @katietalkstravel .

Why: Aspen has always been on the map but, from a celebratory standpoint, 2022 is special as Aspen Snowmass turns 75 years old. New this year is ASPENX —a performance product line by artist and innovator Paula Crown (the Crown family owns Aspen Snowmass). Visitors can rent ASPENX equipment and partake in its unique experiences like a chef’s table, full-moon tour, stargazing and even a “snow beach bash.”

“What I love about Aspen is it’s a four-season destination,” says Jackson. “I can visit any time of the year and still feel like I’m experiencing the best it has to offer.” While it’s easy to spend your entire time in Aspen browsing in art galleries and boutiques that attract international shoppers, it seems sacrilegious not to take advantage of the area’s world-class outdoor pursuits. In addition to skiing, this alpine escape offers hiking terrain for all abilities and some of the best leaf peeping west of the Mississippi. Cyclists also flock here to pedal up nearby Independence Pass.

“If I could pull an Eloise and move into any hotel it would be The Little Nell ,” says Jackson. “I’ve seen many a minibar and few can top its impressive fridge and cabinet filled with specialty drinks and snacks—all included in the nightly rate.” She also enjoys crashing at the historic Hotel Jerome , where she camps out at J-Bar and people watches. “You never know which celeb will wander in. Of course, no sighting excites me as much as the hotel’s resident Bernese Mountain Dog/mascot named Rocky.”

Another option for accommodations in 2022: a new collection of chalets recently unveiled by onefinestay , where guests receive 24/7 support from a dedicated concierge team that can arrange everything from winter warmers and aprés-ski nibbles to grocery delivery and ski lessons for the children, as well as tailored getaways with adrenaline-pumping experiences such as heli-skiing or dog-sledding in Snowmass.

Taria Pritchett in Wilmington, Delaware, one of the top places to travel in 2022

Where to Go: Wilmington, Delaware

Chosen By: A self-proclaimed foodie from Wilmington, Taria Pritchett is a pasta lover and local influencer. Follow her adventures @wilmdegirl.

Why: “Wilmington has the charm of a big city with local favorites that make people feel at home,” says Pritchett. Hometown to President Joe Biden, Greater Wilmington is known for its many gorgeous public gardens; Nemours Gardens & Mansion resembles Versailles in France.

Wilmington’s Riverfront offers breathtaking views, a riverwalk, many restaurants, new hotels, a contemporary art museum, mini golf, a beer garden and tiki boat cruises along the Christina River. The boat sails past Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park , named to honor Harriet Tubman, who traveled along the Underground Railroad in Wilmington, and a local abolitionist named Thomas Garrett, who assisted her multiple times. The Riverfront buzzes with excitement when Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball season is in full swing.

The city’s food scene has emerged as one of the hottest on the East Coast. Bardea and The House of William & Merry’s chefs have been nominated as “Best Chef'' semifinalists by the James Beard Foundation this year. Bardea Steak is one of the most highly anticipated openings. One bustling spot that offers a trifecta of goodness is Miller Road Station, home to Italian favorite La Pizzeria Metro , Wilmington Brewworks and Sleeping Bird Coffee . Other local favorites that shouldn’t be missed are the comedy lounge House of Laffs ; New Orleans-style dishes and duck-pin bowling at Wilma’s ; flat white coffees at Milk & Honey Coffeehouse ; and a revived French brasserie at Le Cavalier , housed in the historically iconic Hotel DuPont .

Downtown Fort Myers.

Where to Go: Fort Myers & Sanibel Island, Florida

Chosen By: Chloe Caldwell, senior travel writer for UPROXX , social media coordinator @uproxxlife and freelance copywriter. Follow her on Instagram/Twitter: @chloeicaldwell

Why: “Fort Myers totally surprised me,” says Caldwell. “While it may be lesser known than some other Florida hotspots like Miami or Tampa, there’s still so much to see and do. Aside from the endless sunshine, beautiful beaches (make sure to visit Sanibel Island) and fresh seafood, it’s the unique selection of activities that stood out to me.”

In Downtown Fort Myers , history meets the modern era. A hidden gem along the Gulf Coast, the area is best known for the pristine beaches and wildlife found along its barrier islands, the downtown River District and brick-paved streets lined with Art Deco buildings that preserve the city’s history, while a mix of galleries, micro-breweries and local eateries offer endless opportunities for visitors to explore.

"Sports enthusiasts can catch a spring training game at JetBlue Park , beer lovers can hit up the variety of local breweries and history buffs can tour Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's old digs ,” says Caldwell. “There’s truly something for everyone.” This is especially a great year for West Coast travelers to visit the destination, as United Airlines has launched nonstop daily flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The new service will be running seasonally through May 5, 2022.

Disney World's Cinderella Castle, transformed for the resort's 50th anniversary.

Where to Go: Orlando, Florida

Chosen By: Laura Begley Bloom, travel expert and author of this column.

Why: It’s a banner year for Orlando, and big credit goes to Walt Disney World Resort. For the past 50 years, The Most Magical Place On Earth has been enchanting generations of travelers with its special brand of happiness. So Disney World’s 50th anniversary event—dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” —couldn’t come at a better moment. You’ll find special touches big and small, from 50th anniversary branded Keurig coffee pods in hotel rooms to pop-up parades in the parks to new rides like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (a reimagining of Paris inspired by the film) and a Guardians of the Galaxy coaster coming to Epcot this summer.

In the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle has never been more dazzling, thanks to a 50th anniversary refresh that includes gold bunting and other enhancements inspired by the art of Disney legend Mary Blair. Cinderella Castle is also the backdrop for the new “Disney Enchantment” fireworks and lighting projection show (just one of many new shows in honor of the big celebration).

There are also exciting new restaurants, from La Crêperie de Paris in Epcot to Steakhouse 71 , a sophisticated steak spot at the Contemporary Resort (tip: It’s an ideal place to eat, just a short Monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom). On the hotel front, the big news is Star Wars : Galactic Starcruiser , which welcomes guests for immersive, all-inclusive two-night adventures that include secret missions, character bonding and intergalactic cuisine. It’s like being in a galaxy far, far away.

Beyond Disney World, there’s lots of news in Orlando itself, including the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park at Legoland, Steinmetz Hall (an acoustically perfect theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts), ette Hotel Orlando (a wellness property with culinary experiences in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Akira Back) and Art² (an urban park featuring a two-story shipping container).

The Boca Raton in Florida.

Where to Go: The Palm Beaches, Florida

Chosen By: Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Atlanta-based freelance journalist, editor and author. Follow her on her website or on Instagram: @jenniferbfranklin .

Why: “The Palm Beaches surprised me in the best possible way,” says Franklin. “I’ve had the pleasure of visiting twice in the last year for assignments, once in Palm Beach and once in Boca Raton. Part of the joy of the destination is that each town within The Palm Beaches has its own flavor and personality, and there are plenty of properties that let you tailor your stay however you want. Plus, it’s hard to complain about the tropical weather and seemingly endless miles of beaches to enjoy.”

“If you’re looking for a resort with so much to explore that you’ll never need to venture off-property, it's hard to do better than The Boca Raton (in Boca Raton, naturally),” says Franklin. Originally built by architecture visionary Addison Misner in 1926, the resort now comprises five distinct hotels totaling more than 1,000 rooms. “Now under new management, the upgrades are evident, from restoring the Cloister back to its original coastal white to bringing on new restaurant partners. Speaking of dining, don’t miss Major Food Group’s The Flamingo Grill (Instagram heaven with waiters in pink dinner jackets and dishes such as Caesar salad and bananas foster prepared tableside) and Sadelle’s, of NYC brunch fame,” says Franklin. Spend the day on the wide beach or in a private cabana in the newly renovated Harborside Pool Club, not to mention miles of golf courses and the 50,000-square-foot Spa Palmera, with 44 treatment rooms designed by Colin Cowie.

“To stay in the thick of things on Palm Beach itself, I wholeheartedly recommend White Elephant Palm Beach ,” says Franklin. The new art-filled 13-room, 19-suite Mediterranean revival property was originally the Bradley Park Hotel, built in 1924 but got a top-to-bottom renovation in 2020. “Positioned conveniently downtown, you can be at all of the best Worth Avenue shops in a few minutes. Some of my favorites, aside from every A-list designer you can imagine, include il Sandalo of Capri, Blesk Jewelry and Coastal Girls ,” says Franklin. “The hotel will set you up with chairs, umbrellas and towels at the nearby beach, and they’ll even bring you anything you want from the hotel’s menu—the service is to die for.”

Other things not to miss: Have a drink poolside at Swifty’s delightfully retro (and pink!) The Colony hotel , visit the sprawling 75-room Henry Morrison Flagler Museum for a glimpse at the area’s Gilded Age roots and spring for a meal at HMF (named for Flagler) at The Breakers. “You won’t be disappointed,” says Franklin.

Where to Go: Kauai, Hawaii

Chosen By: A Dallas-based travel blogger, Jasmine Alley is a nature-obsessed wanderer and photographer (she’s a sucker for a great view). See her travel adventures and recommendations at jasminealley.com or @jasminealley .

Why: With Hawaii recently dropping restrictions related to its Safe Travels program, travelers are officially welcomed back to the idyllic island chain, with Kauai rising as a standout destination for those looking for a strong dose of authentic Hawaiian culture while escaping the typical crowds of its sister islands. Affectionately known as “The Garden Island,” much of Kauai is a pristine emerald escape, and according to Alley, it’s “a lush paradise great for both adventure-seekers and those looking to simply relax.”

The breathtaking landscapes—from mountains and canyons to lapping azure beaches—offer something for everyone. “For those Jurassic Park-esque views that Kauai is known for, you’ll want to see the rugged Napali Coast. There are three main ways to see it: a boat tour, helicopter tour (we loved the Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure with Island Helicopters) or hike,” says Alley. “You’ll need to reserve a day pass to hike the Kalalau Trail, located at Haena State Park at the end of the road up north.”

Craving a beach day? Check out Hanalei Bay. “Located on the North Shore, it offers the perfect mix of dramatic mountain views, lush palm trees and gorgeous sand lining the crescent-shaped bay,” says Alley. “Drive a bit further north and you’ll reach Tunnels Beach, a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.”

As for lodgings, Alley recommends staying in a central location like Kapa’a or Lihue. “If you’re looking for luxury, Timbers Kauai at Hokuala is an incredible oceanfront property,” says Alley. “Even if you don’t stay there, their restaurant, Hualani’s , is a must, serving up a fresh menu with local ingredients from their on-site organic farm, Hōkūala. To this day, their Hanalei Bae cocktail is the best cocktail I’ve ever had. And I highly recommend the Banana Lumpia for dessert.”

In terms of culinary offerings, Alley advises both beloved and under-the-radar locales along the north shore: “While in Hanalei, don’t miss out on some great North Shore food spots. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Holey Grail donuts (made from Hawaiian-grown taro root), Wishing Well Shave Ice (their organic, housemade coconut flavor pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top) or Nourish Hanalei (a tiny orange hut that serves acai bowls and smoothies with arguably the best views over Hanalei).”

Twin Falls, Idaho—one of the top places to go in 2022.

Where to Go: Idaho

Chosen By: Emily Mandagie, a Pacific Northwest-based travel writer and photographer behind the site “The Mandagies.” Follow her on Instagram .

Why: This is a big year for Idaho. “It often gets overshadowed by its epic neighbors to the west, but Idaho is very much worth its own adventure, too,” says Mandagie. “From high desert terrain to ancient cedar groves (yes, these exist outside of the Redwoods), to epic backpacking and rafting trips, there’s something for everyone.”

For your own private Idaho, you’ll find more options than ever to get off the grid in secluded mountain settings. Sun Valley Trekking wilderness yurts is an amazing way to get into the backcountry but with luxuries like a wood-fired sauna. If that’s too extreme, the Crystal Peak Lookout is a fire lookout tower stay, accessed via a vintage snowcat (as a small add-on to the Airbnb’s winter price). “For an iconic mountain experience, plan a weekend backpacking trip in the Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley. After 10+ miles on the trail, venture out to one of many natural Idaho hot springs and soak away your sore muscles,” says Mandagie.

Need even more space and privacy? There’s a new option to book an entire ski resort to yourself for a day with Soldier Mountain’s My Mountain package. Speaking of skiing, Schweitzer Mountain Resort (with some of the best powder in the Northwest) has welcomed the modern Humbird Hotel, while independently-owned Tamarack Resort has new snowmaking capabilities and a brand-new spa aimed at helping guests recover from big days on the slopes.

“Looking for warmer weather? Southern Idaho boasts high-desert terrain mixed with roaring waterfalls in every direction,” says Mandagie. “Spend a few days in Twin Falls to explore more than 10 waterfalls right in the vicinity. Shoshone Falls is the most iconic, followed by Perrine Coulee Falls and Pillar Falls, to name a few. The Perrine Memorial Bridge is also a famous spot for base jumping .”

Other developments: Boise has a Basque history and 2022 marks the return of a huge cultural festival, Jaialdi . Outside of the festival, Boise’s Basque scene can be enjoyed at newcomer restaurant Ansots , which is making its own Basque sausages and bacon from family recipes.

A bird's-eye view of Bloomington, Indiana.

Where to Go: Bloomington, Indiana

Why: A must-stop on any Midwest road trip and one of the best small towns in the U.S., this Hoosier city should be on your radar for 2022, thanks to its buzzing cuisine and rich culture.

Turkish, Tibetan, Venezuelan, Burmese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, French, Japanese—if you can find it on a globe, you can find that food in Bloomington. Big culinary news includes The Elm , a new restaurant serving up spice profiles from the Mediterranean and North Africa, plus Small Favors Bar , a new farm-to-fork restaurant with a goal to source ingredients from farmers within a 50-mile radius. The city is also home to one of the Midwest’s best Tibetan restaurants, Anyetsang’s Little Tibet (operated by a Tibetan refugee and former monk), and Oliver Winery, Indiana’s largest and oldest winery, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

On the culture front, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University recently completed a three-year, $30 million renovation that added another permanent gallery to the I.M. Pei-designed museum. Explore the country’s only Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center with self-guided walking tours, meditation classes and a stay in an onsite yurt (no TVs or electronics). Other big news: Bloomington’s first park, Cascades Park, and the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater both celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2022.

Louisville, Kentucky's downtown skyline on the Ohio River.

Where to Go: Louisville, Kentucky

Chosen By: Kay Kingsman, travel writer and blogger at The Awkward Traveller .

Why: “Picture your favorite getaway destination, now subtract the crowds,” says Kingsman. Louisville has plenty of charm and relaxation along with attractions to please a variety of travelers. “Sports fans will enjoy the Slugger Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center , history buffs can see the meeting spot of Lewis and Clark (and York) and there are tons of unique boutique shops down on Market Street for those who like to shop and support locals,” says Kingsman.

Other essential new stops include The Black Heritage Tour Collection , which celebrates its second year with programming and exhibits showcasing African American contributions to the city’s history and culture, and the new Roots 101 African American Museum , which calls itself a “healing place” where visitors can come and experience art, music, artifacts and education.

Louisville’s real showstopper is the food, especially the mom-and-pop establishments. “Definitely check out Yummy Pollo , The Black Italian , SuperChefs and Mack Bros BBQ —you gotta try the BBQ,” says Kingsman. Other new entries include Ashlee Northington’s Happy Belly Bistro , which started as a food truck, and is now serving her rotating menu of fusion foods as a permanent kiosk inside Ten20 Craft Brewery . The Urban Bourbon Trail added Brough Brothers , the first Black-owned distillery in Kentucky, along with The Craftery , its first DIY bar.

When it comes to places to stay, downtown’s new Grady Hotel has a décor that pays homage to one of the 1883 building’s original tenants, the Swann-Abram Hat Co., designer of world-famous Kentucky Derby hats. After an $80 million renovation, the city’s only waterfront hotel, the Galt House , is open once again and features Swizzle Dinner & Drinks , a revolving restaurant with spectacular Ohio River views. Kingsman is also a fan of the 21c Museum Hotel : “It’s walking distance to the nearest bourbon tasting room.”

The fun doesn't have to stop at the city limit. An hour outside of Louisville is Mammoth Cave National Park , the longest known cave system in the world. Over the past year, the National Park Service has implemented an updated tour reservation system for a more organized visit. “The National Park sometimes sells out weeks in advance, so you can also check out a few of the nearby caves like the American Cave Museum that have same-day tours and have also expanded their cave routes to provide visitors with new experiences,” says Kingsman.

Sunset over Lake Charles.

Where to Go: Lake Charles, Louisiana

Chosen By: Danielle Granger Nava, creator of DanielleNava.com , the Front Porch Series and social media accounts for the Charpentier Historic District in Lake Charles. Follow her on Instagram .

Why: After 18 months of recovery from back-to-back hurricanes, Lake Charles, Louisiana is ready to welcome back visitors and show them what they’ve been missing. Known for its juxtaposition of luxury and the great outdoors, Lake Charles has a blend of cultures, music, cuisine and traditions that make this southwest corner of the state a must-visit when traveling along Interstate 10 between Houston and New Orleans.

The area boasts two side-by-side gaming resorts— L’Auberge Casino Resort and Golden Nugget —each with a wide array of dining selections, entertainment options, lazy rivers with swim-up bars, golf and spa facilities. Along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road , you’ll find alligators, nature’s bounty and gorgeous Gulf beaches.

“If you’re looking for the ultimate Louisiana experience, then do not sleep on Lake Charles. You can start your day spotting the wildlife down in Cameron and then come downtown for amazing food—I highly recommend the boudin quesadillas at Tia Juanitas —and end your night with some music, cocktails and a great sunset view at the casinos,” says Nava. “At some point you might want to consider getting a daiquiri to-go, just to complete the experience.”

The arts community is strong, too, thanks to all the Cajun and Creole influences and cuisine here is an attraction in and of itself, from the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail to the Crying Eagle Brewing Company (complete with a beer garden and an outdoor stage) to jazz brunches with over-the-top Bloody Marys. “The best part about living downtown is being able to walk to all the festivals we have. One day it’s all the free gumbo your stomach can handle and then the next weekend it’s live music at our open-air theater,” says Nava. “It never stops.”

The backside of the entrance sign mounted to a building roofline outside of the MassMOCA art museum ... [+] in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Where to Go: North Adams, Massachusetts

Chosen By: Melissa Klurman —travel expert and contributor at Reader’s Digest , The Points Guy and Travel Awaits .

Why: “I fell in love with this art-infused town in the Berkshires when I first visited MASS MoCA ,” says Klurman. “This contemporary arts center is home to both visual and performing arts and sports massive installations in the roomy former Sprague Electric Company Plant (think an entire building devoted just to wall-size Sol deWitt murals and whole rooms devoted to Jenny Holzer, Louis Bourgeois and James Turrell).” With 28 buildings spread over 16 acres, there’s an enormous amount to see and experience—and eat, too. On the premises are food trucks, an ice cream and coffee shop and a craft brewery. “And after a long pandemic hiatus, 2022 brings the return of the live summer shows that the museum complex is known for,” says Klurman. “First up: Memorial Day’s Solid Sound Festival headlined by Wilco, featuring multiple stages and several days of live music.”

The best spot to stay in North Adams is Porches Inn , a series of mill worker houses transformed into a boutique hotel bed and breakfast. “Each room is cozy and unique—and yes, there are plenty of porches (with views of MASS MoCA) where you can sit and rock, plus there’s a nicely landscaped pool out back,” says Klurman. New for 2022, Porches’s owners have transformed an old Main Street hotel into the hip and affordable Hotel Downstreet, just around the corner from the arts center. It’s scheduled to open its doors in April.

The skyline of Jackson, Mississippi.

Where to Go: Jackson, Mississippi

Chosen By: Kristin Luna, Tennessee-based journalist. Follow her on Camels & Chocolate .

Why: Celebrating 200 years of history, Jackson has earned a reputation for being the “City with Soul.” As this year marks its bicentennial, visitors are making the pilgrimage to this vibrant community to experience its culture, thriving arts scene, annual events and exciting dining destinations. “Jackson is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the South’s universal appeal thanks to being a cultural region that's both approachable and affordable, in addition to being central to the majority of the U.S. population,” says Luna.

From its early beginnings where First American settlements dominated the landscape to its social justice initiatives during the Civil Rights Movement, every street has a story waiting to be revealed. History buffs will find that they’re in their element as they explore the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. “The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, in particular, is a must-visit for those wanting to learn more about Black history from the slave trade up to the present—the majority of Jackson's population is Black, and the city is on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail and the Mississippi Freedom Trail,” says Luna. “Jackson is also a hub for creative entrepreneurs with a burgeoning public arts scene driven by the untapped talent of such visual artists as Reshonda Perryman and Birdcap.”

With an array of yearlong events that reflects Jackson’s past while embracing its future, visitors will gain a better understanding of the people and events that have shaped this city. Exhibitions, such as “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration ,” showcases the works of 13 renowned African American artists while examining the deep impact of the Great Migration. Jackson’s public art installations add to the city’s streetscape, giving passersby a reason to pause and appreciate the works before them. And epicureans can tantalize their taste buds at some of the city’s most notable restaurants, including Walker’s Drive-In , Lou’s Full-Serv and the Pig & Pint .

Overlooking the Catskills.

Where to Go: The Catskills, New York

Chosen By: Tyler Wetherall is a journalist, screenwriter, teacher and author.

Why: “The Catskills is stunning. It has waterfalls, forests, and the lot, and that’s why tourists have visited in droves—especially artists—for well over a hundred years,” says Wetherall. “Just try to visit in fall and not feel in awe.” A period of economic decline, however, followed the demise of Borscht Belt-era resorts, leaving main streets across the region boarded up. In a familiar story, the last two decades have seen proactive creative folk buying up properties and transforming them into local business ventures across all four counties ( Ulster , Sullivan , Delaware and Greene )—going into overdrive these last two years, as city dwellers flocked upstate. Now those once-boarded up main streets in towns like Livingston Manor, Kingston and Windham are thriving, dotted with new independent shops, restaurants, breweries and bars, becoming destinations in their own right.

“So much of this change has been driven by people relocating to the Catskills with a vision, as well as the gumption and resources to enact it,” says Wetherall. Just look at the cluster of design-forward hotels that have opened in recent years: Urban Cowboy , Eastwind Hotel & Bar , Hutton Brickyards and and revitalized Glen Falls House , with more to come in 2022 like AutoCamp Catskills ’ newest airstreams, Wylder Windham , luxurious Chatwal Lodge and Wildflower Farms . A collection of new restaurants, breweries and tasting experiences are found at the sweet Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery , picturesque Hudson House Distillery , Southeast Asian-inspired Good Night , unassuming yet eclectic Hollow and massive TAP New York Craft Beer & Food Festival at Bethel Woods.

The natural beauty, of course, remains—thankfully protected and even more easily accessible with the recently completed Empire State Trail , the ever-evolving fly-fishing scene and updated rail trails like Ashokan . Best of all: You can road trip through the region, hopping from one great town to the next.

Writer Cathy Carroll on the grounds of the Minam River Lodge in Eastern Oregon's Wallowa Mountains.

Where to Go: Central Oregon

Chosen By: Cathy Carroll, Bend-based journalist and managing editor of Statehood Media ’s 1859-Oregon’s Magazine and 1889-Washington’s Magazine . Follow her on Instagram to soak up the best of a broadened horizon (@cathycarroll21).

Why : “Like a mountain man who’s gotten in touch with his feelings, Bend has come of age with trending new microbreweries, hotels, spas and boutiques,” says Carroll. Add in some of America’s best landscapes and this area will make your heart pound year-round. “ Mt. Bachelor is known for its powder wow factor with one of the country’s longest ski seasons,” says Carroll. “In summer, it rolls out a green carpet for hiking, downhill mountain biking, paddling impossibly clear lakes, ziplining and a chairlift ride to one of the best dining experiences at nearly 7,000 feet.”

According to Carroll, that’s just the tip of the (dormant) volcano when it comes to adventures. “Climb or meander amid Smith Rock State Park ’s towering spires. Paddle through Bend on the Deschutes River and hop out on the banks of the Old Mill District to hit the shops, dine and hear national acts at outdoor concerts. Get up close to magnificent raptors at the nationally acclaimed High Desert Museum ,” says Carroll.

Where to stay? “Hop on a snowcat for an idyllic winter’s night at Elk Lake Resort or spend a summer’s day boating and swimming through the reflection of snowcapped mountains,” says Carroll. You can also gather the extended family in a mountain-chic home at Tetherow or Brasada Ranch . “Or soak up vintage camp vibes right in Bend at the new Campfire Hotel ,” says Carroll. “Hang at the fire pit, strum a locally made Breedlove guitar and sip local spirits after a swim or soak in the saltwater pool and hot tub.”

Downtown Houston at nighttime.

Where to Go: Houston, Texas

Chosen By: Mariana Cano is a bilingual lifestyle, travel and parenting blogger at yomariana.com and podcaster at Ciudad H . She was born and raised in Mexico City, has lived in Houston for the past 17 years and travels the world with her family of five. Follow her on Instagram @yomarianablog .

Why: “As one of the most diverse cities in the United States, Houston boasts an exciting mix of cultures, food, art, sport and green space to explore,” says Cano. “The city’s harmonizing diversity is what makes ‘H-town’ truly unique.”

In 2022, foodies from near and far will find paradise in Houston’s vast culinary scene. “The famous culinary show, Top Chef , recently named Houston as one of the top gastronomic cities in the country,” says Cano. “From an intimate Asian dining experience meticulously curated at Hidden Omakase to a majestic food-centric journey through India at Mussafer , or an authentic Oaxaqueñan mole flight at Xochi to a cosmopolitan design escapade with exquisite, reinvented paellas at MAD , Houston transports food lovers to faraway countries with one instantaneous bite.”

For art enthusiasts, Houston’s new Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts has created a buzz with its masterful architectural design and one of the world’s largest Latin-American art collections. “ The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel are also must-visit art destinations,” says Cano. “Compelling social spaces like downtown’s POST , a renovated post office transformed into a multi-use complex, offers Houstonians and visitors a place to co-work, enjoy cultural events, grab a bite from the expansive food hall or listen to live music at the brand-new 713 Music Hall .”

The Virginia Beach boardwalk.

Where to Go: Virginia Beach

Chosen By: Robin Catalano , a travel writer who specializes in coastal and waterfront experiences.

Why: Stretching for 35 miles along the Atlantic coast, Virginia Beach is easygoing and eclectic, with attractions to satisfy travelers of all ages. “Picturesque beaches, outstanding outdoor recreation, growing arts and food scenes—all within a few hours’ flight from most of the United States,” says Catalano.

Pick up the Get Outdoors Pass for discounted admission to whale watching, dolphin kayaking tours, nature preserves and more. Watch 17 sailing teams glide for glory in the Worrell 1000, a 1,000-mile catamaran race that returns to Virginia Beach in May. Or ride the waves in the East Coast Surfing Championship , the world’s longest-running competition, in August.

Back on land, the small yet mighty Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art will host a solo exhibition by renowned sculptor and architect Maya Lin. Meanwhile, the flourishing ViBe Creative District is home to vibrant public art, open studios and shops. In October, nearly 200 artists take over the city’s iconic Boardwalk for the three-day, juried Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show .

In a city with more than 250 restaurants, it’s easy to find a palate-pleasing option. “I’m looking forward to the June debut of Waterman Spirits Distillery, from Waterman’s Surfside Grill , originator of Virginia Beach’s signature drink, the Orange Crush ,” says Catalano. Other new food and drink venues include the Shipyard at 17th Street Craft Brewery and pizza crafter the Mellow Mushroom .

Among the many waterfront hotels, the newly remodeled Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel offers family- and pet-friendly accommodations mere steps from the sand and sea.

A Walla Walla landscape in Washington state.

Where to Go: Walla Walla, Washington

Why: When you say “Washington State,” people immediately think of Seattle—but that’s not the only place worth visiting. “On the drier, sunnier side of the Cascades is Walla Walla , the town so nice they named it twice,” says Herman. “The perfect mix of rural-chic and classic Americana, Walla Walla is known as the capital of Washington wine country.” Home to more than 120 wineries, Walla Walla has been named “America’s Best Wine Region” two years in a row by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

This small town is bursting with historical and cultural sites, art galleries, artisan shops and farm-to-table dining that highlights the region’s agricultural roots including the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion. “One of the best places to eat is TMACS , a pioneer of the culinary renaissance in Walla Walla that’s famous for its locally-inspired dishes,” says Herman. And don’t miss a stop at Walla Walla Bread Company , but be sure to bring your appetite. “The portions are large and the flavors are abundant,” says Herman. “Go for traditional bacon and egg breakfast or opt for one of their incredible pastries made by co-owner and recent Food Network Best Baker in America contestant, Michele Pompei.”

When it comes to accommodations, look no further than Eritage Resort with 10 sleek bungalows. “It’s located amidst rolling vineyards just minutes from downtown, but it feels like you’re worlds away,” says Herman. For something grander, try Yellowhawk . “This rustic, luxury resort sits on 84 acres and features farm-style dining, an array of sparkling wines, a pool with cabanas, waterfalls and lush gardens,” says Herman.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

Where to Go: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Why: The holy grail of astronomy, indoor glamping, a pair of giraffes, Dungeons and Dragons—there’s a lot going on in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

The big news here is Yerkes Observatory—the birthplace of modern astrophysics and home to the world’s largest refracting telescope—which reopens for public tours this year. The 50-acre campus, designed by landscape architect pioneer Frederick Law Olmsted, is also being restored to its original plan as part of the “Olmsted 200” campaign to honor the bicentennial of his birth. “Most people visit Geneva Lake for a vacation, but astronomers know of it as an extraordinary place to work,” says Mary Bergin , whose upcoming book, Small Town Wisconsin: Fun, Surprising and Exceptional Road Trips (Globe Pequot Press), includes Yerkes Observatory.

After a day of seeing stars, check out Grand Geneva Resort & Spa , with award-winning dining, two championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding, scooter rentals, hiking trails, a WELL Spa + Salon, state-of-the-art fitness center, award-winning dining and an on-site waterpark at sister resort Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark . Another exciting new place to stay: The Main Street Loft by Keefe Vacation Rental s, an indoor glamping experience.

Other big news in Lake Geneva: For Fans of Dungeons & Dragons, The Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum is now open in the original 1976 home of TSR, the founding company of the famous role-playing game. And at the family-owned Safari Lake Geneva , two giraffes have been added to its animal menagerie.

Shadows at Crested Pool, Upper Geyser Basin.

Where to Go: Wyoming

Why: Yellowstone National Park , the Cowboy State’s unofficial crown jewel, turns 150 years old in 2022. This summer, visitors can be the first to see the new Teepee Village, courtesy of a partnership with several Tribal Nations, which will be at the Roosevelt Arch July to August. In August, Old Faithful will be the site of the Yellowstone Historic Vehicles Display, showcasing all the vehicles people have used to see the park since it was founded in 1872.

Summer is peak season, so book your accommodations ASAP. Yellowstone’s accommodations —some of the most iconic examples of “parkitecture”—include Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, Old Faithful Inn and Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins. Neighboring Grand Teton National Park also belongs on every national park bucket list. To visit both parks on the same trip, make Jackson Hole your home base.

“Last July, my dad and I had a blast staying at Snow King Resort in downtown Jackson,” recalls Jackson. “We rode its popular Cowboy Coaster down the mountain—I’ve never seen my 66-year-old father laugh so hard—and I can’t wait to return in August when Snow King debuts its new 9,000-square-foot spa.”

In addition to national parks, Wyoming has Cheyenne —famous for its Frontier Days (July 22-31) which claims to be the largest outdoor rodeo in the world—and Cody , home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West , which boasts five world-class museums under one roof. In Cody, Jackson recommends staying at the historic Chamberlin Inn . “As a writer, one of my fondest memories is the time I got to spend the night in the Hemingway room—where Ernest Hemingway stayed during his visit to Cody.”

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The top 10 destinations to travel in May 2024

Editor’s update: This article was originally published in September 2019 and updated in July 2023.

Picking your next destination isn’t easy, but there’s a better way than spinning a big globe, closing your eyes and slamming your finger down (it’ll probably end up in the middle of the Atlantic, and wifi there is patchy, to say the least). Introducing our ultimate month-by-month destination guide : your no-fuss list of places to go, things to see and good weather to chase around the world.

Today we’re looking at where to travel in May, a balmy, sunshine-in-a-bowl sort of month, particularly for the northern hemisphere. Europe wakes up from its winter slumber, tables and vino glasses start appearing on cobbled sidewalks, beaches in the Caribbean and the Med begin to buzz, and the world puts its metaphorical feet up with a good John Grisham novel. Here’s where you should be looking for that perfect May getaway.

Top 10 destinations to travel in May

• Everest Base Camp Trek – 15 days 
• Annapurna Explorer – 15 days 
• Chitwan Extension – 4 days 

Read more: What to know before trekking Everest Base Camp

Feeling inspired?

• Athens to Santorini – 8 days
• Sail Greece: Santorini to Mykonos – 8 days

Read more: 9 Greek beaches that should be on your bucket list

Head into Tuscany for tranquil cellar door pitstops, visit Florence for the annual Festa del Grillo in Cascine Park (vendors basically unleash a horde of crickets on the city), or snack on in-season fava beans, tomatoes and strawberries at a Monti street café in Rome.

• Best of Italy – 15 days 
• Explore Southern Italy – 10 days 
• Italy Real Food Adventure – 8 days

Read more: 6 Italian cities to visit before everyone else does

4. The United States

Okay, the United States is a big place. So let’s narrow it down. If you happen to be passing through the Appalachians (and want to brave the trackside crowds), you should consider visiting the Kentucky Derby. May is also a great time to visit the Grand Canyon as the winter snow has usually cleared, the weather’s warming up and the summer hordes haven’t yet clogged all the viewing platforms. Plus, the North Rim reopens mid-May for the spring/summer season (it closes for most of winter) – always an exciting time. Weather-wise though, it’s hard to beat the north-east: Cape Cod, Pittsburgh and New England in general are all coming into bloom.

• Western USA National Parks Loop – 5 days
• Real LA to San Francisco – 11 days
• Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans – 6 days

Our pick? The Festival of the Roses at Kelaa-des-Mgouna, a desert town that’s home to the country’s famous rose water industry. Over 700 tonnes of petals will be harvested from the valleys during this time, and locals celebrate with traditional dancing, singing and (our favourite) eating. If rose water’s your thing, there’s no better place to be.

• Best of Morocco – 15 days 
• Morocco Encompassed – 17 days
• Morocco: Hike & Bike – 9 days

Read more: 10 experiences every traveller should have in Morocco

7. Australia

• Broome to Perth Overland – 10 days
• Queensland Daintree Explorer – 5 days
• Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure – 4 days

8. Czech Republic

For those who like to chase their culture with a good brew, there’s also the Czech Beer Festival – a 17-day celebration that takes place at over 70 local breweries, not to mention a stomach-expanding feast of local Czech food courtesy of the country’s hottest chefs. Trust us, you’ll never want to leave.

• Highlights of Central Europe – 9 days 
• Best of Central Europe – 15 days
• Cycle Prague to Vienna – 8 days

We recommend a little out-of-the-way spot like Castelldefels (great tapas, fewer crowds). The weather usually hovers around the mid-20s (°C) or high 70s (°F). Hit up a good rooftop bar in the Gothic Quarter, order a ruby pitcher of sangria and let the evening unfold. If you’ve got your dancing shoes on, make sure to check out the Ciutat Flamenco Festival held in the Mercat de les Flors.

• Best of Spain – 15 days
• Walk the Camino de Santiago – 7 days
• Explore Spain & Portugal – 15 days

Read more: Our guide to 7 days in Spain

Temperatures in the mountains can drop to around 10°C (50°F) after sunset, so pack a few layers to keep you warm at night. For something really special, check out the Qoyllur Rit’I, a massive indigenous pilgrimage to the peak of Mt Ausangate near Cusco. Thousands of locals attempt the climb, some carrying blocks of ice down on their backs).

• Inca Trail Express – 7 days
• Sacred Land of the Incas – 15 days
• Premium Peru – 9 days

Read more: Why visit Northern Peru

Not looking to travel in May? No worries. Check out our other monthly travel guides:

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid has been leading small group adventures for over 30 years. We’re a certified B Corp, which means we want to be the best travel company not just in the world, but for the world. To create positive change through the joy of travel. You can read our latest adventures right here.

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Pride 2024: 12 most LGBTIQ+-friendly cities in the world

May 21, 2024 • 11 min read

An elite crop of cities – including Sydney – unfurl their Pride flags like nowhere else © Roni Bintang / Getty Images

Everybody say, “Love!”

We’re headed around the world in pursuit of exciting cities that embrace the LGBTIQ+ community with open arms (not to mention sequins and confetti). These are the kinds of places that understand that life is meant for celebrating – whether through rowdy drag shows that thrill with sass, joyous street parties that bring out crowds of thousands or thumping dance clubs that party on till sunrise.  

Follow us to some of the most progressive, inclusive and accepting destinations around the world. Places where you can truly show your spirit of pride.

1. London, United Kingdom

Pride 2024:  The biggest Pride celebration in the UK, and one of the largest in the world,  London Pride  takes place this year on June 29.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Soho  in London ’s West End  has historically been the city’s epicenter of queer life. To this day, it remains a hub of the city's LGBTIQ+ bars, shops and clubs.

London has been a most prominent center of queer culture for hundreds of years , dating all the way back to the city’s 18th-century “Molly Houses,” meeting places for LGBTIQ+ people. London remains a massively queer city and is known for a brimming underground scene that can be found at rotating parties, such as those put on by  Cybil’s House .

A must-visit for any LGBTIQ+ traveler is the  Admiral Duncan , a gay pub in Soho that was the site of a bombing perpetrated by a homophobic neo-Nazi in 1999. In the aftermath of the tragedy, it became a site of resistance and resilience – and remains so to this day.

Learn about London’s queer history on this walking tour

2. Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA

Pride 2025:   Provincetown’s 7th annual Pride  celebration takes place from May 31 to June 2, with a diverse lineup of events, from the town’s famous parade to a comedy showcase, 5k race, yoga sessions and more.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: The entire town!  Provincetown is a flourishing place for queer life. Located at the easternmost tip of Cape Cod , P-town has been a summer escape for the LGBTIQ+ community for over 60 years. From riotous parties at  A-House  to (technically illegal) nude sunbathing at  Herring Cove Beach , there’s no shortage of fun to be had here. Plan your visit to align with one of the town’s many queer festivals, including Bear Week , Girl Splash , TransWeek and more.

14 ways to enjoy all Provincetown has to offer

3. Auckland, New Zealand

Pride 2024 : Being in the southern hemisphere, Auckland  held its  Pride celebration  in the month February. But it’s not too early to plan a trip for 2025! 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Karangahape Road – or “K Road” to locals – is where you'll find most of Auckland’s LGBTIQ+ nightlife. Many Aucklanders make a night of it by starting at  The Eagle , a local, unpretentious watering hole that welcomes all comers from the LGBTIQ+ community. Next is an inevitable stop at  Family Bar , located conveniently across the street, which has more of a club vibe, complete with bustling dance floor and weekly drag shows.

New Zealand has long been known as a friendly and welcoming country, with robust anti-discrimination laws and legalized same-sex marriage since 2013. Since then, the nation as a whole, and especially its major cities like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch , have become known as some of the most LGBTIQ-friendly places anywhere in the world.

These are Auckland’s best neighborhoods

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pride 2024:  Puerto Vallarta Pride  takes place from May 20–26  May, and is one of Mexico ’s biggest Pride celebrations, drawing a fun mix of locals and visitors. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Emiliano Zapata (also called Old Town) is where you’ll find the vast majority of Puerto Vallarta ’s queer nightlife. But the entire city is an LGBTIQ+ vacation magnet, so it’s virtually impossible to find any section of town that isn’t welcoming.

Throughout the years, Mexico has become more and more LGBTIQ-friendly, and the oceanfront resort town of Puerto Vallarta is one of the nation’s most progressive cities. All the big-brand resorts are LGBTIQ-inclusive, and there are even LGBTIQ-exclusive hotels, like the  Almar Resort . For socializing and meeting other members of the community , the options are endless. From the beachy, indoor/outdoor  Mr Flamingo , to the comic book–inspired  Blondies Loft + Slushbar  and the sleek and trendy  La Noche , there’s no shortage of places to find fun. And that’s not to mention all  the fantastic beaches , with Playa de los Muertos  known as PV’s “gay beach.”

Alluring day trips from Puerto Vallarta

5. Barcelona, Spain

Pride 2024: July 18–21.  Barcelona Pride ’s official 2024 lineup and event details are still to come.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  In the heart of Barcelona ,  L’Eixample  is one of the biggest LGBTIQ+ boroughs in all of Europe. (It’s even been lovingly given the nickname “Gaixample,”) Here, you’ll find LGBTIQ-owned beauty salons, bookshops, saunas, cafes, bars, restaurants, sex shops and everything in between.  

Spain has long been at the forefront of LGBTIQ+ rights. The nation legalized same-sex marriage back in 2005 and has since enacted numerous laws that ensure equality and protection for the queer community, including those who are nonbinary and trans.  Platja de la Mar Bella  is Barcelona’s premier gay beach – and it also happens to be clothing-optional, with most beachgoers baring it all. Among the numerous other LGBTIQ+ hotspots,  Arena Classic  is a popular lesbian bar that’s a staple to the local community, while Warhol-inspired club  Candy Darling  sees partygoers dance nightly until the early hours of morning, and sometimes until after the sun comes up. This is Spain, after all.

20 free things to do in Barcelona

6. New York City, New York, USA

Pride 2024:  One of the largest Pride celebrations on the planet,  NYC Pride  kicks into high gear toward the end of June, culminating in the annual Pride March on June 30, which draws up to 2 million revelers. If that’s not enough, kick off the month with Queens Pride  in Jackson Heights, a fabulous parade and street party that takes place in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  No LGBTIQ+ visit to New York City would be complete without stop in the West Village . It’s here that the Stonewall uprising took place during the summer of 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn  and began arresting patrons and bartenders. When these LGBTIQ+ folks fought back, the modern gay rights movement was born.

New York has a deep history and profound connection to the LGBTIQ+ community – both painful (this was the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis) and joyous ( Harlem  gifted the world ball culture). No queer traveler here can fail to feel it. 

These days, LGBTIQ+ folks tend to turn up in Hell’s Kitchen, on the west side of Manhattan, whose main drags of Ninth and Tenth Aves are packed with LGBTIQ-owned restaurants, barbershops, cafes and bars (denoted by frequent rainbow flags). Go-to HK nightlife spots include the wildly popular  Industry  bar; and the campy, country-themed  Flaming Saddles Saloon , where short-shorts-wearing bartenders frequently two-step on the bar.

Drag legend Lady Bunny has a few tips for savoring the West Village

7. Berlin, Germany

Pride 2024:  The culmination of  Berlin ’s month of Pride festivities (which kick off on June 28) is  Christopher Street Day  on July 27.  Germany ’s largest Pride celebration, the annual festival is named in honor of the Manhattan street where the historic Stonewall Inn is located.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  The heart of Berlin’s LGBTIQ+ scene is in Schöneberg , which has had gay and lesbian bars since the 1920s, making it one of the oldest gay boroughs on the planet.

Berlin has a fascinating LBGTIQ+ history. In the ’20s and ’30s, queer culture flourished in the city, before being almost completely eradicated by the Nazis during World War II. After the war, the community was forced to rbuild from the ground up, ultimately creating the buzzing and beautiful scene of today.   

Berlin is famous for being a city where people stay out clubbing until the sun rises at institutions like  GMF  or Berghain (good luck getting in). But Berlin has so much more than dance floors. Its  Gay Hostel  is a unique lodging opportunity that’s only available to LGBTIQ+ people under the age of 38, creating a safe space where you’re bound to meet some new friends. The city is also home to the  Schwules Museum , one of the only museums in the entire world dedicated to researching and preserving the history of LGBTIQ+ cultures around the world.

Berlin’s new era of club culture

8. Sydney, Australia 

Pride 2024: Taking advantage of southern-hemisphere summer, Sydney’s annual Pride extravaganza is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras , which took place in February. Mark your calendars now: the next edition runs from February 14 to March 2, 2025. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  The heart of gay Sydney is  Darlinghurst , which is conveniently located near Sydney’s central business district and is easily accessible by the city’s mass-transit system.

Australia has long been a welcoming place for the queer community, with Sydney in particular earning a global reputation for its inclusivity. Not only does the city have excellent LGBTIQ+ nightlife – such as the expansive, three-story  Stonewall Hotel  – but it also has a rich cultural scene that celebrates LGBTIQ+ art and history. The Darlinghurst Bookshop  has been selling queer books, magazines and films since the ’80s, and the city hosts the yearly  Queer Screen  film festival.

Visit all of Sydney’s best beaches

9. Toronto, Canada

Pride 2024:   Toronto ’s  Pride celebration  consists of a parade, parties and a popular street fair from June 28–30, offering a more laid-back and kid-friendly Pride experience.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Queen St has been Toronto’s main LGBTIQ+ stretch for decades. (You might recognize it as the filming location of the US version of the groundbreaking drama  Queer as Folk .)

Canada  as a whole is known for being welcoming and is considered one of the friendliest places on the planet. Church St’s oldest LGBTIQ+ establishment, Woody’s  dates to 1989, and remains one a staple of Toronto’s queer culture. For something you can only find in Toronto, visit the  Buddies in Bad Times  theater, a queer performance space and cabaret that transforms into a nightclub on non-show nights.

Toronto’s 5 best independent shops

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pride 2024: July 27–August 4.  Amsterdam Pride  is one of the world’s more unique celebrations, since its parade takes place on boats floating along the city’s famous canals.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: While you’ll find LGBTIQ+ venues throughout this famously progressive city , much action is centered within the Reguliersdwarsstraat neighborhood , located in the center of town.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, in 2001 and, has remained one of the most LGBTIQ-inclusive countries on the planet thanks to its numerous anti-discrimination laws and policies that protect civil rights for the queer community.

First opened by flamboyant lesbian impresario Bet van Beeran in 1927,  Cafe ’t Mandje  remains a staple of the city’s queer scene, with its eclectic interior and friendly crowd. If late-night adventures are more your style, check out  EXIT Café , a thumping LGBTIQ+ bar that welcomes all comers and allies. Best of all, EXIT is open later than most bars in the city, making it perfect for night owls and those looking for an epic night on the town. First-time visitors should stop in at the  Pink Point , a dedicated LGBTIQ+ information booth that provides travelers with tips, recommendations and information on all things queer in the city.

All you need to know before heading to Amsterdam

11. Palm Springs, California, USA

Pride 2024:  Thanks to the city’s year-round warm weather,  Palm Springs Pride  takes place much later than most, this year from October 31 to November 3.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  All of Palm Springs is an LGBTIQ-centric neighborhood. In fact, Palm Springs has such a queer presence that even adjacent towns like Cathedral City and Palm Desert have drawn growing LGBTIQ+ populations, and have holding their own, discrete Pride celebrations .

During Hollywood’s heyday, actors, actresses, directors, producers and agents escaped to Palm Springs ro relax and let their hair down. Heavily represented among these visitors, the legend has it, was a heavy contingent of LBGTIQ+ artists, in search of privacy and discretion. This vibe still exists in this desert town to this day, with  numerous LGBTIQ+ resorts  dotting the town, many of them clothing-optional. For a bit of the city’s famed nightlife, be sure to check out longstanding staples like  Chill Bar  and  Hunters .

Top things to do in Palm Springs

12. Tel Aviv, Israel 

Pride 2024:   Tel Aviv Pride , taking place this year on Friday June 7, is a celebration beloved by Israelis and international visitors. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: While sophisticated  Tel Aviv doesn’t have a specific “gayborhood,” the entire city is LGBTIQ-friendly. In fact, in 2016 the  Boston Globe  reported that a full quarter of the city’s population identifies as LGBTIQ+ – making it truly one of the gayest places on Earth.

While much of Israel remains socially traditional, with gay marriage not legally recognized in the country, Tel Aviv does things differently. Look no further than  Hilton Beach , a hub for the LGBTIQ+ community (you’ll see many deeply bronzed, Speedo-wearing boys on parade). One of the city’s most popular locales for queer people and their allies is  Shpagat , a club that draws a great mix of locals and tourists, ensuring that you’ll always be meeting someone new.

Fabulous rooftop bars in Tel Aviv

This article was first published Oct 8, 2019 and updated May 21, 2024.

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