it seems like every year people are looking for more and more adventure. iceland? so 2009. prague? didn’t you go in 2005? faroe islands? better do it in 2016 before everyone else has! (faroe islands was actually on the 2015 list…)
but seriously, dear readers, lonely planet has already posted their predictions as to where the majority of travelers will head off to in 2016. as always, these range from far-flung reaches of the planet to locations easily accessible to north americans and europeans. read on for the top ten place you’ll want to visit in 2016!
cuba
anyone and everyone is looking to hit cuba within the next year or so, before the big tourism boom hits. you should absolutely make this your top 2016 destination. from the crumbing streets of havana to the gorgeous valle de vinales and the mountainous region of trinidad, cuba has it all for the exploratory traveler. if you’re unsure of what to do once you get to havana, i recently wrote a post on cuba so definitely check that out for more details on where – exactly – to go. currently, americans can still only visit as part of an educational or people-to-people exchange.
kauai, hawaii
just looking at pictures of kauai makes me want to go there straightaway. the lush forests of hawaii’s oldest island are the backdrop to jurassic park and raiders of the lost ark, for two. take a helicopter ride to really get a good feel for the scale of the mountains here. lonely planet lists the entire archipelago as a must-see destination, but if you’re going to have to pick one, then kauai is where to go before it gets crowded.
botswana
listed as lonely planet’s top country to visit next year, botswana recently celebrated 50 years of independence. it’s also managed to balance steady economic growth with steady tourism growth, leading it to become the most stable of african countries. 17% of the country is dedicated to national parks and reserves, with the okavango delta becoming the 1000th unesco world heritage site. a unique combination of river deltas + desert gives botswana its impressive landscape and wildlife. lonely planet says go, now.
greenland
trying to catch a glimpse of the northern lights next year? head to greenland in january or next winter for a look at the celestial phenomenon. another top destination for greenland travelers is the ilulissat ice fjord. it’s a unesco world heritage site and the sight of icebergs the size of large buildings is enough to make anyone wonder how big those glaciers are, exactly. the capital of greenland is nuuk, which boasts the national museum in a converted warehouse. read more about what to do in greenland here. (and if you are really adventurous, take a cruise from svalbard > greenland > iceland. just sayin.)
palau
this tiny archipelago in the middle of the western pacific ocean is hitting the must-see lists for the first time. made up of around 200-250 small islands, palau offers pristine beaches, lush forests and a collection of interesting historical sites. it’s also the place to go for diving and snorkeling, so if you’re keen to spend time exploring coral reefs and shipwrecks, palau is your spot – it’s known as the underwater serengeti, seriously. check out lonely planet’s info on palau or read about their new ocean reserve.
riviera nayarit, mexico
a relatively unspoiled region on the pacific coast of mexico, the riviera nayarit is still unknown except to the most savvy. from the surfing mecca of sayulita to the sleepy colonial town of san blas to the luxury resorts at punta mita, there’s something for everyone, including families, along this stretch of coastline. there’s also, thankfully, an absence of the party-crazed crowds that seem to penetrate every corner of mexico, but that won’t last much longer though, so head there soon.
uruguay
sandwiched between brasil and argentina on the eastern south american coast, uruguay is expected to welcome over three million visitors next year. it’s progressive and also boasts a charming capital city – montevideo. it makes the list for reasons similar to botswana: steady growth, both economic and touristic, safe cities, and unique experiences outside of the city. head to uruguay now, before tourism peaks, presumably sometime in 2017.
nashville, tennessee
the music city made the list not just because it’s the heart and soul of the music scene in the states. it’s also experiencing a huge boom in the arts and food scenes. new galleries are popping up, there are new breweries and coffee roasteries, and young people are moving in at an unprecedented rate. head to nashville to experience a booming southern city full of charm and life.
the balkan
the balkan states, a region on the southeastern edge of central europe, is comprised of montenegro, albania, romania, croatia, serbia, bosnia & herzegovina, and greece. kotor, montenegro has made lonely planet’s list of best cities to visit in 2016, while transylvania made lonely planet’s list of best regions. look for ruined castles high on a desolate hill, cobblestoned streets with cafes spilling out across them, stunning architecture, and the postcard-perfect turquoise seas.
waiheke island, new zealand
just north of auckland is waiheke island, the second largest island in the hauraki gulf, and home to lush vineyards and a vibrant local art scene. waiheke is only 35 minutes, by ferry, from auckland so it makes the perfect day outing from the capital, or you can stay longer in a luxurious lodge, bach or b&b. as more and more new zealand wines hit global shelves, waiheke will become a hot destination in the worldwide wine tours. check it out now before the crowds.
resources:
business insider
lonely planet: countries
lonely planet: cities
lonely planet: regions
pure wow: 7 hottest destinations
stuff nz: best places to travel in 2016
you might also like:
travel trends: the poshtel
travel trends: cuba
travel tips: what to do before leaving on an international trip