The stunning landscape of Normandy demands to be explored this coming year. With the 2016 Tour de France launching from the picturesque Mont-St-Michel and the Triannual Impressionist Festival taking place across the region, the area will be even more cultured than usual, and its old world architecture and charming scenery will be as captivating as ever.
This Danish archipelago is a natural northern wonderland come to life. Made up of 18 tiny islands, the Faroe area is a remote and stunning natural wonder, but it’s also connected enough to offer high-end foodie dining, unique and trendy fashion, and access to Scandi music festivals.
Fodor’s Travel named Utah their top pick for world travel in 2016, and a look at the arresting views in Zion National Park are pretty good indicators as to why. Utah’s unique landscape offers snowy mountains, sandy beaches, and everything in between, so no matter what time of year you book for, you’re bound to have the adventure of a lifetime.
04. Puerta Princesa, Philippines
Flickr: roslynyoungrosalia / Creative Commons
The untouched beauty of Puerta Princesa’s beaches are beyond description. Stunning swimming holes and tranquil beaches are the norm on the coast of the Philippines, and rumour has it the food is to die for too.
Flickr: scpgt / Creative Commons
Following the downfall of its US embargo, Cuba’s tourism industry has swelled, allowing travellers with an eye for luxury and adventure the opportunity to experience the city’s capital in an exciting period of growth. It’s no secret than Cuban food is to die for, but the country also offers stellar nightlife and gorgeous beaches.
Lithuania might not immediately come to mind for the perfect getaway, but in fact, the diverse country is incredibly underrated. The stunning architecture and history, impressive forests, beautiful beaches, and unique food are only some of what the nation has to offer, and it can all be easily accessed from Lithuania’s capitol, Vilnius, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This paragon of British history will commemorate its biggest celebrity, William Shakespeare, this year on the 400th anniversary of his death. The charming riverside city is a perfect escape from London’s busier hubs, perfectly blending Elizabethan history with a modern foodie culture and top-notch theatre from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Sicily’s Mediterranean charm and laid-back culture make it a prime holiday spot. The area has developed a reputation for its superb wine in recent years, so you can count on a good time.
09. Bavaria, Germany
Flickr: schomy / Creative Commons
Bavaria is, of course, best to visit in the autumn for Oktoberfest. Especially this year, for the 500th anniversary of Germany’s Beer Purity Law. But the stunning and historical region of Germany is a bucket-list location year round, with its gorgeous mountains and magical castles.
10. Kathmandu, Nepal
Flickr: danielsnelson / Creative Commons
Flickr: uddinm / Creative Commons
If you’re looking to travel with a conscience this year, Nepal is the best place to put your money where your mouth is. The country’s economy relies heavily on tourism (and with a stunning natural landscapes and impressive cultural centres, who could blame it?), and is now rebuilding after the devastation of last year’s earth quake.
Fez is Morocco’s oldest imperial city, and today blends old world charm with modern luxury for the ideal holiday experience. Fez el-Bali, the city’s oldest quarter, is an amazing peek into Morocco’s medieval history, and its winding and crumbling alley ways are painfully insta-worthy.
This year marks the centennial of the USA’s National Parks Services, so there’s no better time to see one of the country’s most beautiful reserves. Nestled at the top of the New England coast, Acadia is a natural escape like no other. It’s a perfect spot for outdoorsy types, but coastal towns like Camden and Portland are great places to stay for more domestic fare.
13. Taipei, Taiwan
Flickr: tsaiian / Creative Commons
2016’s World Design Capitol is the perfect alternative to pricier Tokyo and Hong Kong. The futuristic city is a treat for the eyes, andthroughout 2016, will highlight the city’s best architecture. Taipei also has a unique café culture, playing host to many eateries that feature cats and dogs for guests to befriend on the regular.
St Helena offers one of the world’s most remote island getaways. Only recently accessible by commercial plane, the island, once the site of exile for Napolean Bonaparte, is perfect for travellers who need a true and complete escape.
15. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Flickr: infernal_elf / Creative Commons
If you’re craving luxury with a bit of adventure mixed in, the capital of the United Arab Emirates offers a high-end holiday with touches of ancient history woven throughout its urban landscape. The city is home to stunning mosques, as well as outposts of some of Europe’s best museums, including the Louvre and Guggenheim.
16. Guam
Flickr: mugland / Creative Commons
For a new twist on the classic tropical paradise, head to the Wastern Pacific Beaches of Guam. This year, the island will host a stunning festival of Pacific Arts, so you can fit a bit of culture in between the sea, sand, and sun.
Flickr: jdegenhardt / Creative Commons
For the most dramatic views of your life, travel to Ecuador’s captivating capitol city of Quito, the highest-elevated capitol city in the world and the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As one of this year’s two European Capitols of Culture, San Sebastian offers a beachy contrast to its sister city, Wroclaw. Famous for its incredibly landscape and stunning beaches, not to mention its tasty tapas culture, San Sebastian is a must for a relaxing holiday.
These locations and more are features in the Fodor’s Travel 2016 Go List. See more here.
Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Discussion about this post