In the fourth and last installment of our Hot Destinations series, we’ve scoured the global map and chose singular places on different continents that stand out and have resonance. If you’re Europe bound you’ll appreciate our two suggestions, if only to savor a great glass of Alsatian wine or awesome Czech beer. And when it comes to Asia who doesn’t need an update on two of the most popular destinations there – Thailand and India? The Caribbean is a stone’s throw for many of us in the U.S. and St. Lucia has stepped up its resources both in hotel offerings and activities. And we’d be crazy to neglect our neighbors north and south, Canada and South America, with more than one stellar destination to make you think about heading somewhere that may not have been on your radar.
The following 7 destinations (plus 1+) are worth serious consideration this year.
Bangkok
The world’s most popular tourist destination city, Bangkok tops the charts for first time and repeat visitors. Once you’ve experienced Bangkok, you want more. It’s a civilized place yet it’s wild and exotic, overwhelming your senses with its non-stop action. From luxurious six -star hotels like the iconic Oriental to the city’s famous red light district and nightlife there is literally “something for everyone”. Golden temples and palaces fill the skyline – The Gran Place, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Royal Barges National Museum are musts; shopping ranges from luxury boutiques to street markets and the poetic floating markets with transport by limo or traditional tuk tuk or long boat on the Chao Phraya River. The food is glorious on all levels whether you dine at a luxury riverside hotel or hit the streets. Enhance your day with a luxurious massage at a hotel spa or in a simple temple setting.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Thailand, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide:Thailand.
St. Lucia
One goes to St. Lucia for unspoiled natural beauty, some of the most luxurious and stunning accommodations in the Caribbean, excellent cuisine and languid beaches. The island is a beautiful backdrop for a romantic getaway, a peaceful vacation or a family adventure and there is so much for everyone, all of it accessible via the island’s one winding main road. Geographically, it’s is picture perfect especially with the iconic Piton Mountains in full view from almost every vantage point. You can simply relax on a beach, venture into the unspoiled rainforest, hike in the mountains, go birding or explore the pristine underwater world. You can hike the island’s dormant volcano and then swim in a lake. Drive to the capital of Castries and tour the charming market. Or you can simply unpack and never leave the hospitality stars of St. Lucia, the extraordinarily luxe resorts of Jade Mountain and Anse Chastenet, always voted the top two Caribbean hotels by international travel magazines around the world. The setting, the décor and the amenities are over the top and stylish; all the accommodations at Jade Mountain have huge in-room pools and an open fourth wall to ponder the stunning views. Anse Chastenet, its sister hotel, is right on the beach; between the two you have access to seven world class restaurants spanning the culinary map.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in the Caribbean, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Caribbean.
Alsace, France
Alsace is the “new” Provence, imbued with a unique and appealing Franco-Germanic attitude. Charming storybook towns and villages, often over 1,000 years old, dot the countryside that meanders along the Rhine. Filled with stunning ancient timber buildings and winding streets, these charming metropolitan spots sizzle all year long; most follow Alsace’s poetic wine route. In spring, summer and fall indulge in superb wines, divine local produce and Michelin starred restaurants that spill into the streets and country roads (Alsace had the second most stars in France) for laid-back outdoor dining. Stay in a spa or hike in a park or nature reserve. In winter, it’s all about Christmas with beautiful Christmas markets in every town and village from Strasbourg to Mulhouse. Stop in Selestat, home of the first Christmas tree; Colmar for its 14th century pastel timber houses along the canal and Riquewihr, a real medieval walled town.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in France, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: France.
Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
This beautiful little 19th century village is considered the prettiest town in Ontario. Despite its small size, there is so much to do perhaps because of all the history. It makes for a perfect long weekend trip. The town’s official history began in 1781 when it was a British military site and haven for post-Revolution British loyalists. It also played a role in the War of 1812. Today, it’s a charming and friendly place with a beautiful downtown filled with elegant architecture, lovely hotels and inns, great restaurants, shops and historical sites; it’s also a good place to simply take a stroll or rent a bike and explore the famous wine country beyond. A mere 30 minutes away is the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and the famous Maid of the Mist boat that sails right into the falls. From April to November, catch a show at the Shaw Festival with productions featuring the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries spanning 1856 to 1950. At the end of your stay, if you need a more cosmopolitan experience, Toronto is only an hour away by car.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Canada, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Canada.
Kerala, India
House Boat in Kerala, India; Photo by RejiExquisitely exotic and tropical, endless beaches plus emerald green hill stations, impressive accommodations from backwater houseboats and charming guesthouses to luxury resorts to heritage properties, fabulous outdoor adventures for those who love to hike and explore and ayurvedic treatments for anyone seeking peaceful healing. Plus the benefits of excellent food, a rich culture and amazing shopping all make Kerala one of the top spots for global travelers. It is truly one of the most beautiful of India’s diverse states nestled between the Arabian Sea and the mountains. For a still “untouched” experience, try a visit to Wayanad for stunning scenery, plantations and a melodic pace to life.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in India, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India.
Natal, Brazil
Discover this “off the beaten trail” northern Brazilian city while it is still quaint and quiet. An international airport is slated to open in the next five years, opening the area to major tourism; at the moment, most visitors are Italian. The capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil’s Northeast, Natal is known for endless beaches with fabulous dunes. With its proximity to the Equator, the weather is always perfect especially if you like the beach. And as with all Brazilian cities, it’s all about the neighborhoods. You’ll find intimate areas with lovely restaurants, shops and amenities. Don’t expect world class museums or high culture which won’t matter here because the big draw is the beach and the dunes. Have a seaside adventure by renting a dune buggy, climb the dunes and go sand sledding down the back at hair-raising speed. You can also dune ski and dune boogy board; snow experiences translated to sand. You can also hire a car and drive the Coastal Highway to discover remote beaches fit for a private picnic and stop to visit Forte dos Reis Magos, a five-point star shaped old fort right on the beach; the fort houses a chapel, well, cannons and military quarters in addition to the oldest historical document in Brazil, the Marco de Touros, a stone marker from 1501. Since the word “natal” means birth, the best time to go is for Carnatal, the largest off season Carnival held yearly right before Christmas.
From the Editors at TS: For a more extensive list of the top destinations and attractions in Brazil, check out the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Brazil.
Plzen, Czech Republic
Plzen is a real city; booming industry and Pilsen beer sit comfortably alongside incredible history, high culture and learning. As the academic, business and culture center of the Czech Republic, Plzen’s origins trace back to 976AD when it became a Bohemian trade center and later in 1295 when Wenceslas II declared Plzen an official royal city. This magically creative incubator and its sister city, Mons Belgium, are the 2015 European Capitals of Culture, a yearlong celebration of the arts. Each year in Plzen’s there are over 600 cultural, art, theatrical and entertainment events plus a circus and of course there’s the beer for which Plzen is famous. Beer has been a staple for centuries, but it became big business in 1839 when the world-famous Pilsner Urquell brewery was born. A brewery tour is a must. Other things to do in Plzen include discovering the city’s exquisite Baroque Republic Square and Renaissance town hall; wander through UndergroundPlzeň and explore the passageways below the city, dating from the 14th century; take in Jewish history at the beautiful old synagogue; visit The Diocese Museum, an ancient Franciscan monastery filled with church art, frescoes and chapels; marvel at the brilliant Gothic St. Bartholomew Church that dominates the náměstí Republiky. Then relax at one of the city’s lovely cafes, perhaps with a beer.
One to Watch: St Helena (in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean)
There are numerous tiny islands clustered in the middle of the south Atlantic Ocean. One is the extraordinary St. Helena Island, a remote paradise only 47 square miles around; it is semi-tropical and majestically green, volcanic and breathtakingly rugged, filled with pristine natural beauty, an architectural time capsule with many of the original Georgian buildings and the old fort of High Knoll intact. It is also part of the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Considered one of the most remote places on earth, St. Helena is truly one of the last great island adventures, soon to open its doors to tourism.
This long inhabited island is the second oldest remaining British Overseas Territory after Bermuda. Discovered in the early 16th century, the island’s fresh water and trees made it a pleasant way station on the passage to and from the Orient. The English East India Company eventually colonized it in the mid-17th century. Perhaps the island’s most famous resident was Napoleon, exiled here by the British in 1815 and the place where he died. At this time, the only way to access St. Helena was via a week’s sail on the Royal Mail Ship St. Helena departing from Cape Town, South Africa or from Ascension Island. However, in 2016, the island’s first and only airport, underwritten by the British Government, is scheduled to open. And when it does, this remarkable place is ready for the intrepid traveler who wants to experience something remarkable. The island’s two museums include Longwood House, home to Napoleon at the end of his life and the Heritage Society in the island’s only town, Jamestown. The spectacular beauty on St. Helena can be viewed in two national parks filled with rare flora and fauna that is often unique to the island and the volcanic landscapes are absolutely stunning. Go before it is discovered.
