52 Places to Go This Year

Wondering where to go this year? We’ve got some ideas for you. Actually, we’ve got 52 of them. The New York Times recently picked their top 52 destinations on the planet. Each place offers something special. And their number one destination? You’ll be surprised!

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52. Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Japan's Ryukyu Islands are well off the tourist trail but well worth the visit. From beautiful beaches to ancient temples, the Times says it's the Japan you've never heard of.

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51. South Bronx, New York

Another New York neighbourhood redefining itself, the South Bronx is full of adventurous restaurants and endless coffee options.

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50. Budapest, Hungary

The Times picked the elegant Hungarian capital for its youthful energy and a bevy of new restaurants.

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49. Portland, Oregon

The world is now aware of Portland. But the thrill isn't gone. In fact, the food scene continues to explode, and new hotels offer funky accommodation options.

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48. Busan, South Korea

A growing arts community and new galleries are transforming Korea's second-largest city into an inspiring, creative destination.

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47. Laikipia, Kenya

Laikipia, Kenya is a good choice if you want to see African wildlife. There's a huge conservancy area to explore and a wide variety of lodges to choose from.

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46. Sacred Valley, Peru

The Times picks Peru's Sacred Valley for a number of reasons: food, brand new eco-hotels and a new sleeper train, the Andean Explorer.

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45. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham has been going under a bit of a makeover. Old neighbourhoods are now attracting both artists and food lovers. New live music venues will keep you entertained.

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44. Bozcaada, Turkey

Visiting this vineyard-dotted island is like going back in time. It's Turkey as it was, far from the problems of today. If sun worshipping is your thing, you'll find a couple of nice beaches to lounge on.

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43. Langtang Region, Nepal

This part of Nepal is making a comeback after a devastating avalanche in 2015. The Times reports that new tours and attractions are focused on rebuilding tourism in the region.

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42. Placencia, Belize

Tiny Belize always does quite well on these kinds of lists. And why not? It's easily reachable, affordable and English is the official language. The Times notes that Placencia offers a variety of eco-hotels and exceptional diving.

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41. Istria, Croatia

It's not the most popular part of Croatia, which is great if you want to enjoy Istria without a crush of fellow travellers. New hotels have opened, and the food and wine scene is superb.

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40. Ibera Wetlands, Argentina

The Times notes that the huge wetland in northeastern Argentina is lightly travelled. The area is being repopulated with native species and makes for a unique eco-destination.

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39. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Calling it an 'idyllic haven for outdoor adventurers and artists,' the Times raves about the Lofoten Islands' scenery. And with its location north of the Arctic Circle, sometimes the best show is the night sky.

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38. Antequera, Spain

Located in the southern Spain, Antequera is home to ancient sites dating back 5000 years. If archaeology is your thing, this is the place for you.

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37. Calabria, Italy

Food and wine are the big attractions in Calabria. The southern Italian town may not be a top tourist destination (yet), but that doesn't make it any less worthy of your time — especially if you're a foodie.

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36. Maldives

With the oceans rising, there is concern that the Maldives may disappear altogether. That said, there are more resorts and hotels vying for your attention than ever. There's never been a better time to visit one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

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35. Ketchum, Idaho

Low-key is how the Times describes Ketchum and the Sun Valley Ski Resort. New developments have opened or are in the planning stages. After a big day on the slopes, you won't have any difficulty finding a place to unwind.

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34. Madrid, Spain

Gastronomic diversity is the order of the day in Madrid. You name it, you'll find it here. Shopping is another attraction, especially at places like the Mercado de San Miguel (pictured).

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33. Sedona, Arizona

If you're looking for a sun destination that's Zika-free, Sedona is it. Add to that renovated resorts, new vineyards and spectacular scenery and you've got the perfect holiday spot.

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32. Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido was under the radar until recently. It's a surfer's paradise and, notes the Times, home to an array of tasty new restaurants.

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31. Napa Valley, California

It's a popular destination, of course, but Napa Valley is always changing. New hotels, restaurants and the wine, all that amazing wine!

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30. Chiang Mai, Thailand

The arts scene in Chiang Mai is growing rapidly. From film to contemporary art and everything in between, it's a different way to experience Thailand.

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29. Northwest Puerto Rico

This part of Puerto Rico has turned into a magnet for surfers. But there's more than big waves. A number of new eateries have opened, making the town of Isabela a foodie destination.

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28. Athens, Greece

Despite the economic crisis, Athens still makes a memorable destination. It's more affordable than ever and so many new galleries and restaurants have popped up that it's hard to keep track of them all.

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27. Gabon

If Africa is on your bucket list, but you want to avoid the crowds, then Gabon is a great alternative. According to the Times, the politically stable country isn't easy to travel around, but the infrastructure is improving. Plus: all those cool animals!

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26. Kazakhstan

It's unlike anywhere you've ever been. Kazakhstan's flashy capital Astana is chock-a-block with fancy hotels and luxurious shops. There's a renewed focus on eco-tourism as well.

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25. Comporta, Portugal

The Times calls Comporta the anti-Algarve because it's not as flashy. There's a nature reserve to explore and interesting restaurants to sample.

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24. Kingston, Jamaica

You'll come for the music, but you'll stay for the food. And the new hotels. And the beaches…

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23. Minneapolis, Minnesota

You might think that Minneapolis is an odd choice for this list. But remember that this was Prince's home. There are many purple-themed attractions including Paisley Park, Prince's estate.

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22. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

There are a lot concerns about the long-term health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Thankfully, reports the Times, conservation efforts are paying off. It's a good time to visit, and you can even volunteer to help protect the reef.

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21. Cyprus

The divided island still has its political issues, but that hasn't stopped new galleries, hotels, and restaurants from opening up on both sides of the Green Line. The Cypriot city of Paphos is the 2017 European Capital of Culture.

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20. Sanya, China

You might not think of China as a beach destination, but Sanya certainly is. The Times raves about the white sand and clear waters and notes that Hainan Island is considered China's Hawaii.

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19. Madagascar

Madagascar is home to an incredible range of animals, most unique to the country. After some political troubles, the nation is a top destination again. There are direct flights from New York.

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18. Île de Porquerolles, France

Just off the mainland, the small island offers a wide variety of activities from bike trails to wine tasting. There are few cars, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, you'll love it here.

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17. Sikkim, India

The Times notes that Sikkim is getting an airport and new rail links. That's good, because this part of India isn't the easiest to get to. But for those that make the trek, the rewards are outstanding scenery, Buddhist culture and, of course, the food.

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16. Stockholm, Sweden

There's no denying that Scandinavia can be expensive, but you can make your vacation cash go further in Stockholm. The Times notes that many state-owned museums are now free and the currency exchange rate has improved for Canadians.

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15. Osaka, Japan

Food is front and centre in Osaka. The Times says there are 91 Michelin-starred restaurants here not to mention a 10-day international food festival.

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14. Penzance, England

Home to a huge saltwater pool, Penzance is making waves for its gastronomic fare and stunning scenery.

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13. Pedregal, Ecuador

The area south of Quito offers outdoor activities like mountain biking and horseback riding. Many people visit here on the way to or from the Galapagos Islands.

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12. Greenville, South Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is primed to become a major food destination, writes the Times. There's plenty of public art to enjoy too.

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11. Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is a vibrant, colourful destination and this fall a museum featuring the work of Yves Saint Laurent will open.

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10. Hamburg, Germany

The Elbphilharmonie concert hall opened in January and is a sonic wonder. It's just one attraction in a city overflowing with art and design.

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9. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is slowly returning to its old glory. With a new streetcar line opening later this year and attractions like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown is becoming bucket-list worthy.

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8. Tijuana, Mexico

According to the Times, Tijuana is growing as a food lover's paradise. There are new restaurants, breweries and coffee shops to check out. A new rapid transit system makes it easier to get around.

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7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

If you're looking for a good place to watch the August 21st solar eclipse, Grand Teton National Park is a natural choice due to its accessibility and lack of light pollution. Plus it's quite a beautiful spot.

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6. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a fab destination that just keeps getting better. The Times reports that a scooter-sharing program kicks off this summer, which will make it easy to get to nearby beaches. New and newly renovated hotels are offering more luxury accommodations.

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5. Botswana

If it's wildlife you want to see, Botswana makes another great African destination. You can find a safari to suit any budget.

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4. Zermatt, Switzerland

The Times reports that the Gornergrat train turns 200 this year. The cog rail train offers amazing views of the Matterhorn. New resorts offer luxurious digs.

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3. Agra, India

Yes, there's the incredible Taj Mahal. But new restaurants and galleries offer even more reason to visit the area.

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2. Atacama Desert, Chile

According to the Times, the Atacama Desert is the highest in the world. It's a fabulous spot to experience the night sky in all its glory. There are even luxury hotels that have their own big telescopes.

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1. Canada

And finally: Canada. The Times raves about our natural wonders and notes that our national parks are free this year, in honour of our 150th birthday. For Canadians, we know how special our country is. If there's a part of the country you've never been to, this is the year to do it!