The TravelSquire editors recently organized their picks for the top 28 destinations for the upcoming year in travel. The list includes every continent and there is something for every travel style. You’ll find the complete list here, Part 1, Top Urban Destinations here, Part 2, Top Cities plus Culture here, and Part 3, Top Adventure Destinations here.
Last we focus on our picks for “New on Your Radar” destinations. We’ve got 7, bringing you a variety of cultural and culinary experiences: The Baltics; Bordeaux and Basque Country, France; Colombia; Guatemala; New Mexico; Thuringia; and Ticino, Switzerland. Here’s why they made the list.
The Baltics
From dense forests and deep blue lakes to cities rich in history, architecture and culture, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have an abundance of experiences to discover. These three countries often coveted by neighboring super powers have risen above a turbulent history to shine as the stars of the Baltic Sea.
In Estonia, Tallinn is often a favorite port of call for cruise ships and it’s no wonder with its preserved medieval and Hanseatic origins which have earned it UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status. Still, many parts of Estonia remain relatively undiscovered. Did you know there are over 1500 islands surrounding Estonia? Saaremaa – once the home of Baltic Sea pirates – is the only place in Estonia that can claim Viking history. And women rule on the island of Kihnu where the men have gone to sea to fish for centuries leaving the women to run the island and protect its cultural heritage.
The cities of Latvia seamlessly blend historic and modern life. Located adjacent to Gauja National Park, Cesis is surrounded by natural beauty. The centerpiece of the city is the Cesis Castle complex, which consists of the ruins of an original 13th-century Livonian castle and an adjoining newer 18th-century castle. One of the oldest monuments to medieval architecture in Latvia, St. John’s Church, dominates the center of the Cesis Old Town. Nearby, the Vidzeme Concert Hall is one of Latvia’s most contemporary cultural centers. Latvia’s capital, Riga, is a thriving multi-cultural city with a selection of markets to make your inner foodie swoon.
In Lithuania, the Curonian Spit – a long stretch of windblown sand dunes surrounded by the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea – is just one example of the bounty of nature awaiting visitors. Ideal for fishing, swimming and biking, this national park is also home to the Lithuanian Sea Museum and the most unusual Raganu Kalnas – folk art sculptures of wooden witches, demons and other mystical creatures. Meanwhile, the country’s capital, Vilnius, serves up an ample dose of urban excitement against a backdrop of baroque churches and cobblestone streets.
Bordeaux and Basque Country, France
If you’re a wine lover like the Squire, then France’s Bordeaux and Basque Country are destinations with your name on it. Located in the southwest of France, Bordeaux is home to more than 100,000 vineyards. The city is also home to the recently opened La Cité du Vin where wine comes to life through a multitude of immersive exhibits. France’s new LGV Sud-Ouest train line (expected to be completed in mid-2017) will connect Bordeaux with Europe’s high-speed train network reducing the travel time from Paris to just two hours … getting you to your wine much faster.
Located at the foothills of the Pyrenees at the edge of the Bay of Biscay, Basque Country provides a French experience like none other. The region spans the French and Spanish border and historically, much of its past is as an independent nation. Surfers are drawn to the sweeping beaches of the region’s resort town of Biarritz but you’ll also find fishing ports along the coastline and sleepy villages tucked into the neighboring hills.
Colombia
There was a time not too long ago when Colombia was considered a dangerous place—a destination only the bravest adventurers would venture to discover. But with the recent signing of a peace deal between the government and Farc rebels which ended the longest-running war in the Western Hemisphere, things have vastly improved. Craft breweries, boutique hotels and new restaurants are popping up throughout the country. In the colonial city of Zipaquirá, an underground salt cathedral formed from subterranean salt deposits is a pilgrimage site for many Catholics and a popular attraction for all visitors.
Colombia offers a vibrant mix of culture, food and nature and now is the time to discover it… before everyone else does. Also, Colombia is expecting a visit from the Pope in 2017—the country’s first Papal visit in 30 years. If the Pope can visit, so can you.
Guatemala
Colonial towns, ancient Mayan ruins, stunning natural attractions and colorful markets are abundant in Guatemala. But unlike other destinations in Central and South America, Guatemala is relatively undiscovered by tourists. That makes it an ideal destination for exploring and immersing yourself in local culture.
A particularly intriguing region lies along Guatemala’s Rio Dulce where life centers around the river. Fishermen cast their nets from wooden dugout canoes, Mayan women scrub laundry on washboards at the river’s edge, birds tiptoe across lily pads blanketing the calm waters and hot waterfalls spill into cool springs. Accessible only by boat, the town of Livingston is the center of Garifuna culture and the place to check out the nightly drumming sessions. Up the river a bit, Fronteras’ bustling morning market brings out vendors of every type hawking their wares as Guatemalan cowboys saunter into town for a boot shine.
Photo by Judy Gallagher
New Mexico
You might be surprised to learn that New Mexico is the only state that is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chaco Canyon, Taos Pueblo and Carlsbad Caverns. It’s also a state with an unexpected Spanish history and influence that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the International Flamenco Festival in 2017.
Enticing culinary trails like the Breakfast Burrito Byway and the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail will introduce you to New Mexico’s culinary staple—the spicy chile. There are also numerous opportunities to experience the Native American culture from a pueblo cooking class at Okhay Owingeh to sampling pueblo cuisine, exploring Gallup’s Native art and Native-influenced spa treatments.
Thuringia, Germany
Home to charming medieval towns, lush forests and a wealth of historical artifacts, the state of Thuringia is the heart of Germany. It was also the heart of Martin Luther’s journey. It was in Thuringia after a frightening encounter with a storm outside the gates of Erfurt, that Luther vowed to become a monk. So as all of Germany celebrates the 500th year anniversary of the Reformation, Thuringia will be celebrating too. Numerous events including exhibitions, concerts, art concepts, lectures, conferences, cantata services and pilgrimages along the Luther Trail are planned for 2017.
Ticino, Switzerland
Thoughts of Switzerland conjure up images of the snow-capped Alps, bell-wearing cows and verdant countryside vistas dotted with Alpine villages. We don’t typically think of Vespas scooting along promenades lined with palm and fig trees, restaurants serving traditional pasta dishes and Italian gelato or piazzas surrounded by Renaissance-era buildings. But this IS Switzerland—at least in the canton of Ticino. Located on the southern side of the Alps and sharing a border with Italy, Ticino has all the refinement found elsewhere in Switzerland, but with an added Italian flare and more sunshine. It’s a land of culture with music, art, performances, and festivals like the Locarno International Film Festival. And it comes with spectacular mountain vistas and sparkling mirrored lakes.