It was a difficult task, but our editors have narrowed it down and we are ready to share with you our Top 28 Hot Destinations for 2015. Whether on or off the beaten track, these locations offer the most intriguing sights to see and interesting things to do. We cast a wide net in our criteria and covered diverse geographic areas with places we believe you will, and should be, traveling to. Is one place more important than another? Not really. It’s up to you to decide what’s important to you on your next journey. And there’s more than enough to choose from! Our selection, from almost every continent, features ever-growing and exciting metropolises to emerging locations barely on the radar.
Heading into 2015, the outlook for travel is fantastic; there are many places to discover (and rediscover) both in North America and abroad. With a strong dollar and falling fuel prices, travel will be more affordable, whether you’re driving America’s highways, flying to a far-flung destination, or heading to that pricy city you’ve been avoiding. Plus, the travel playing field has expanded with more places opening up to tourism like Myanmar and Albania. Tunisia has bumped up its hotel offerings and is evolving into the new, less crowded alternative to Morocco. North American cities such as Atlanta and Louisville are booming and offering great experiences. And we know from you that you crave new experiences in off-the-beaten-track locations, which is why La Reunion, St Helena and Myanmar made the list. They represent some of the last great discoveries. We also know that you want a repeat of your old favorites but with new experiences— hence places like London and Bangkok made the cut.
So drag down the suitcase, pick one of our Hot 28 and hit the road.
Sapporo, Japan
Capital of the northernmost island of Hokkaido and Japan’s 5th largest city (and one of the newest), Sapporo is a contrast to the rest of Japan … cool in summer and snowy in winter. Great spas, very tasty food, stunning natural beauty and skiing are just a few reasons to go there. The iconic Norbesa Noria (think the London Eye of Asia) and Sapporo TV tower both offer great views of the city. Make sure to try Sapporo beer (Japan’s first beer) and check out the amazing winter ice festival, the German Christmas Market, the Sapporo museum, and the Shiroi Koibito Park: a theme park devoted to chocolate!
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Japan, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Japan.
Baiersbronn, Germany – Black Forest
About two hours north of Basel, Switzerland and a short drive from Baden-Baden, Baiersbronn is a small municipality in the heart of Germany’s spectacular Black Forest. Germany’s culinary capital and one of the surprising culinary capitals of Europe as a whole, this little corner of the Schwartzwald boasts 8 Michelin stars and three world-class chefs. Harald Wohlfahrt in the Schwarzwaldstube Restaurant in Tonbach, Claus-Peter Lumpp in the Bareiss Restaurant in Mitteltal, and Jörg Sackmann in the Schlossberg Restaurant in Schwarzenberg, are food virtuosos par excellence. Their focus: regional specialties locally grown and produced. Beautiful spas, the stunning forest, great trails for hiking, outdoor adventures for adults and kids, and comfortable accommodations make the area a lovely spot for both foodies and multigenerational families.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Germany, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Germany.
Ireland
Ireland and Northern Ireland are ancient, brilliantly green and mystical. This island is a place of magic, music, and unparalleled beauty from elegant, classic cities with literary and musical brilliance, to the wild edge of a cliff overlooking the pounding sea. On one small parcel of land, you can be totally alone or in the center of a throbbing metropolis in a few hours. Ireland is an indoors or outdoors adventure awaiting exploration. Bring your clubs and play a round of golf. Explore the Dingle Peninsula, once thought to be the edge of the world; it’s filled with stunning places to walk and hike, ancient sites like the 6th century Riasc monastic settlement, museums, and the charming town of Dingle. Head outdoors: drive and explore the Wild Atlantic Way, 1500 miles of natural beauty and ancient wonders. Hike the Burren, a stunning weather-beaten terrain, a favorite of naturalists and photographers. Visit the iconic Giant’s Causeway with its hexagonal basalt columns rising from the sea. Settle in and enjoy the charming villages, towns, and major cities for a taste of Irish cuisine, beverages, and entertainment. Drop by the Guinness Storehouse and learn the history of the eponymous Guinness Stout. Sip Irish whiskey at a local pub. Take a Dublin Pub Crawl either literary or musical and immerse yourself in Irish culture and the country’s literary and musical history.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Ireland, check out the 2015 edition of the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Ireland.
Nicaragua
Straddling the Pacific on the west and the Caribbean on the east, Nicaragua has fabulous secluded beaches, a rich history and culture, an incredibly lush rainforest, and diverse wildlife above and below sea level. Plus, volcanic activity (old and new) delivers over-the-top adventure. This combination makes it that rare place that delivers something for everyone, from the solo traveler to multigenerational families. Within one small country, you can have multilayered experiences. The culture blends Spanish/ British/ German influences with the indigenous people to create a vibrant and unique Ibero-European/ Indian mix that plays out in music, dance, performance, lively festivals, and beautiful, well-preserved colonial architecture. Balanced with the cultural beauty is incredible, unspoiled natural beauty. To experience Nicaragua fully, arrive during a saint’s birthday (there’s one or more every month) for a week or more. The long “fiestas patronales” feature special masses, processions, dancing, carnivals, food, lots of spirits, and more. Find a place for music and dance that blends the different heritage and cultures into one. Tour a colonial city like Granada, one of the oldest cities in the Americas and extremely well preserved. Head outdoors and climb an active volcano like Volcán Concepción or “volcano board” down Cerro Negro; boat across crater lakes, zip-line through rainforest and dive pristine, uncrowded reefs; sportfish in the Pacific or Caribbean, hike into a cloud forest on Mombacho Volcano, or stay in a luxury eco-lodge and just bird watch. For more relaxed adventure, stay at a yoga and wellness spa, play golf along the Pacific Ocean, drink local rums, and sample local products and cuisine.
New Zealand
This spectacular country is civilized and cultured yet wild and adventurous; a beautiful blend of ancient Maori culture, nature at its best, and charming, cosmopolitan cities and towns. It’s an eco-tourist’s dream. Composed of the North and South Islands, New Zealand offers the traveler a stunning natural experience… endless beaches, rainforests, wildflower-filled plains, alpine terrain, hiking, wineries, volcanic cones, majestic glaciers, thermal regions, and fjords. Discover lively cities like Auckland, the largest Polynesian city on earth; Wellington, the gourmet capital; Dunedin, with its spectacular Victorian and Edwardian architecture; and the charming Alpine town of Queenstown.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in New Zealand, check out the 2015 edition of the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: New Zealand.
Namibia
Famous for high-quality diamonds, Namibia is bordered by the Atlantic on the west and Botswana on the East, Angola and Zambia in the north and South Africa to the south. It’s one of the rare places in Africa which travelers can enjoy either on a tour or a self-guided driving or walking safari. It is a place of contrasts and a photographer’s dream. A well-maintained network of roads and excellent accommodations provide access to a diverse landscape that offers adventure at your own pace. A top destination for stargazing, Namibia is a country filled with stunning natural beauty: magical red and white sand deserts, rolling dunes, remote mountains, pounding Atlantic surf, wide expanses of savannah and bush, diverse flora and fauna including “big game” and very friendly, welcoming people. Places to see: the Kalahari, the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, Bushmanland, and the Fish River Canyon Park. German influences can be found in the culture, food, and architecture.
Louisville, KY
Kentucky Derby in Louisville
If Louisville wasn’t on your travel wish list before, add it now. This vivacious, energized, culturally rich city is more than just the Derby and bourbon, although both are reason enough to venture there. Alongside fancy hats and sipping, Louisville also offers up history, art, music, sports, a hot culinary scene, outdoor adventures, shopping, and great places to stay while you explore. To fully appreciate the city, here are some highlights to get you started – if you are a Derby enthusiast, get here early and join in over 70 events during the Kentucky Derby Festival, a two-week party celebrated with loads of bourbon. The Kentucky Derby Museum and Louisville’s Whiskey Row are must visits and the Urban Bourbon Trail, a culinary jaunt through lively bars and sublime restaurants totally embraces the legendary substance. Learn how to pair bourbon with food at the Ultimate Bourbon Experience event. Hit the entertainment and nightlife scene in the Fourth Street Live! neighborhood which has great shopping, too. Explore the Mellwood Arts Center, check out the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, makers of bats for Babe, Lou, and Ted (you know who they are); stop at the Frazier History Museum and view their military and arms collection including one of George Washington’s rifles. Boxing fans should head to the Muhammad Ali Center to learn about the life of Louisville’s beloved and most famous resident. Step back in time and stroll through Old Louisville, home of the largest collection of Victorian homes and the third largest historical district in the U.S. Visit 18th century Locust Grove, sample the city’s important African-American history at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and tour Division Street School: one of the earliest schools for African Americans. Take a day trip to Dinosaur World in the Mammoth Cave National Park with 150 dinosaur replicas, exhibits, and a “kids’ dig.” And a bit of Louisville trivia: amazingly, if you lived through the 70s disco scene, 90% of the U.S. “disco balls” are manufactured here!