We’ve just announced our top destinations for the upcoming year in travel. The list is divided into 4 segments and includes something for every travel style – from urban destinations, to cultural and foodie hotspots, to places ripe for exploration and adventure and others that are maybe new on your radar. You’ll find the complete list here.
Our first focus is on seven thriving urban destinations: Philadelphia, Detroit, Dundee, Seattle, Prague, Mexico City and Marseilles. Here’s why they are our top picks for 2018.
Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love has some new experiences on the horizon so you can fall in love with it all over again. Adding to the many attractions that are steeped in history, this massive yet compact metropolis is showcasing new green spaces and a stunning new skyscraper.
Rail Park—the city’s first elevated park—will run for three miles along the former Reading Viaduct. Much like New York City’s High Line, Rail Park will become a planted, permanent greenway. In spring, the fully restored LOVE Park will reopen with modern fountains and lighting, newly planted lawns and gardens, and a refurbished mid-century modern Welcome Center.
Rising 60 stories above Center City, the new Comcast Technology Center will be home to the landmark Four Seasons Philadelphia. Occupying floors 48 to 60, the hotel will offer sleekly minimalist designed lodging, 360-degree views, the Four Seasons exceptional level of luxury and restaurants by Chefs Greg Vernick and Jean-George Vongerichten.
Detroit
From Henry Ford to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, Detroit has long been a city of innovative visionaries. The city has seen more than its share of troubles for decades, but the spirit of ingenuity has returned with an influx of entrepreneurs, artists and inventive chefs. Vacant lots and abandoned buildings are finding new life as urban farms, cafes and museums. The street art scene is exploding with Murals at the Market being the latest addition. Located in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market, the murals have provided a creative platform that inspires and encourages community engagement using public art as a vessel.
Another sign of the rebirth is the new Q Line streetcar. With its 12 shiny new stations, it runs along Woodward Avenue through gentrified Midtown all the way to the river passing new sports venues along the way. Detroit is a true comeback city—and who doesn’t love watching the underdog climb back to the top?
Dundee
Located on Scotland’s eastern coast at the mouth of the River Tay, Dundee enjoys more sunshine that anywhere else in Scotland. The city is also enjoying a waterfront regeneration which has brought even more life to an already vibrant community. At the heart of it is a truly impressive addition—the V&A Museum of Design Dundee. Opening in 2018, the museum will be the first of its kind in Scotland and the only V&A Museum outside of London. V&A Dundee will provide a platform for presenting the untold story of Scotland’s design achievements.
Dundee presents a wealth of culinary options, too, ranging from cultured cafes doubling as art and design boutiques to Michelin starred fine dining to pop-up street food markets. Dundee’s spirits are alive and well with the opening of 71 Brewing offering Dundonian Pilsner made with the area’s soft water. And the new gin distillery, Verdant Spirits, brings Verdant Gin—the Scottish Gin of the Year 2017—to the table. Cheers!
Seattle
With a 100-million-dollar facelift in the works, the iconic Seattle Space Needle is going to be a hot attraction in this Northwest gem with its unrivaled panoramic views of the city and beyond. Nearby the Museum of Pop Culture’s exhibits showcase a year-round collection of manuscripts, stage-dress and musical instruments from Seattle icons, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. If sci-fi is your thing, be sure to take a look downstairs.
Seattle’s waters have an abundance of marine life bringing much to the dining table. Head to Pikes Place Market for fresh salmon or check out fine dining options throughout the city. Sushi is perhaps the best way to sample the bounty of seafood and Chef Kotaro Kumita of Wataru does it right. Personalize your stay in luxury accommodations at the Edgewater Hotel. Famous for the Beatles having fished off the balcony in what is now The Beatles Suite, the Edgewater is Seattle’s only waterfront hotel. Choose from rooms with a view of Puget Sound or Seattle’s sparkling skyline.
Prague
Situated on the Vlatava River with a cityscape boasting over 100 spires, Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Tourists flock to the city center to see the gothic cathedral, Prague Castle and the medieval Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. But there are two faces to Prague—and to get a look at the second face you’ll have to pull yourself away from the splendor of the city center.
Prague’s intriguing neighborhoods have shaken off an industrial past to emerge as the city’s flip side. In Holešovice, revamped factories have transformed into techno clubs and experimental theaters. Former slaughter houses by the river have become open air markets selling everything from Asian street food to indie fashion and regional produce.
The once drab Karlín district wedged between the River Vltava and Vitkov Hill acquired a new lease on life after the devastating flood in 2002. Former factories and Art Nouveau buildings house trendy wine bars, global eateries and indie galleries. Catch a musical at the ornate Karlín Musical Theatre or international bands at the modern Forum Karlín. Traditional pubs are still abundant and beer is still king, but a burgeoning craft coffee scene is taking the city by storm in every district.
Mexico City
Despite having recently suffered an earthquake, Mexico City is back and beckoning you to explore. With its multi-layered history there’s plenty of old world charm. It’s in the architectural splendor of the Spanish Colonial cathedrals, the intriguing museums and the stunning murals of the inner walls of the Palacio de Bellas Artes adorned with the works of Rufino Tamayo, Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. But that old world charm is accompanied by plenty of cosmopolitan spice.
The culinary scene is exploding with innovative chefs fusing traditional cuisines with modern cooking techniques earning Mexico City a well-deserved spot on the top foodie destination list. And when the sun goes down, the nightlife lights up. Whether you imbibe in a traditional cantina or seek out the latest cutting edge bars and clubs, this mega-metropolis has everything you need for a good time—all night long.
Marseilles
For more than 26 centuries, ships have docked at Marseilles Vieux Port. A stroll down the legendary Canebière past its fish market and famous ferry-boat exposes the layers of history. France’s second largest city previously only favored for bouillabaisse, pétanque and soccer has stepped up to claim its rightful place among the great cities of France.
Marseilles’ allure has expanded to include architectural masterpieces and museums displaying equally masterful exhibits. A fine example is the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM): the first national museum to be designated outside of Paris.
There is gastronomic excitement in nearly every corner of town. Recently transformed, the city’s main harbor and marina is lined with shops and cafes and is the site of the Ombrière, a large mirrored sunshade and events pavilion. Time a sunset stroll to the Jardin du Pharo, perched at the edge of the peninsula along the southern side of the Vieux Port. And, don’t forget to bring wine to toast the view!