Up and Coming Destinations Every Canadian Needs on Their Radar in 2018

The main island in the Yaeyama Archipelago, Ishigaki has a distinctly different culture from that of the Japanese mainland. With its semi-tropical climate crystal-clear waters, Ishigaki Island is a Zika-free beach destination offering superb snorkelling, diving and other water sports.

As Croatia becomes increasingly crowded, Ljubljana is increasingly becoming a top Balkan destination to visit. The Slovenian capital boasts everything from Roman ruins to trendy cafes housed in medieval buildings.

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You can only visit Antelope Canyon on a guided tour, preferably through one of the local Navajo-owned travel companies. However, you’ll quickly see why this slot canyon is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.

While many visitors to Australia stick to the big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, more are discovering Queensland’s capital Brisbane. A gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and some lovely secret beach gems, vibrant Brisbane is also a destination in its own right.

Dakar is known for the historic slavery sites of Goree Island, its vibrant music scene and nearby Lake Retba, one of the strangest lakes in the world. However, more and more people are now also discovering the city as a beach destination.

While most visitors to Cuba still flock to Havana or the country’s all-inclusive beach resorts, the secret is out that you should head to Trinidad for its Spanish colonial architecture. With tobacco processing the main industry here, the city is also the best place to buy Cuban cigars, one of the world’s most popular souvenirs.

Greenville is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and hosts a wide variety of festivals throughout the year. Like more famous Charleston, Greenville is a food destination and is increasingly becoming known for its craft-beer scene.

Here are more US cities you never thought to visit but totally should.

Halifax is one of Canada’s most beautiful cities and an increasingly popular travel destination. Reasons to visit include the architecture, historic sites like Citadel Hill, a vibrant nightlife and festivals for every taste.

Savvy travellers are discovering that you’re missing out if you just use San Jose as a stopping-off point for getting to Costa Rica’s famed ecotourism destinations. The city may seem chaotic at first but if you take the time to explore, you’ll find a quirky, offbeat charm. It’s safer than you’d think too, as long as you remember not to do the most dangerous things you can do while travelling.

Instead of using Lima for simply catching your connection to the Valley of the Incas, join those in the know and spend some time in the Peruvian capital’s diverse neighbourhoods. It’s food heaven and full of quirky sights. Getting here may take some time but there are plenty of ways to drive away boredom during your flight.

UNESCO’s European capital of Culture for 2018 used to be a lesser-known Mediterranean tourist destination but in recent years has seen record numbers of visitors. The Baroque architecture and breathtaking views obviously have something to do with this but Valletta was firmly placed on the map after it became one of the main filming locations for Game of Thrones.

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The Azores are one of those offbeat destinations you just have to visit and Sao Miguel is the archipelago’s largest island. “The Green Island” offers excellent hiking and ocean views and after an active day you can soak your weary muscles in one of the many hot springs.

The islands may take some effort to get to but intrepid travellers are increasingly making the trip to the Haida Gwaii archipelago. There are many great reasons to visit, from outdoor activities to art galleries and Haida culture.

Mostar is home to the Stari Most, a gorgeous 16th century Ottoman bridge that had to be rebuilt after it was destroyed during the Bosnian War, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the city is also a popular cultural hotspot and renowned for its beautiful setting and if you want to stay longer, Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the cheapest countries to live in.

Cartagena may be one of the most popular cheap and warm destinations to escape to but Bogota is now fast joining Medellín as a Colombian must-see city. A fascinating mix of grit and urban chic, the sprawling city has such a vast network of bicycle paths that pedalling is the best – and greenest – way to explore.

For many years known mainly as the site of the infamous stand-off between the Branch Davidian cult and federal agents, Waco is now seeing a surge in tourism for other reasons. These include Cameron Park, the Waco Suspension Bridge and museums like the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and the Dr. Pepper Museum.

As not only Canadians but also international visitors are discovering Canada’s lesser-known destinations, regions like the Prairies are becoming more popular for epic Canadian road trips. Eastend is a gateway to a number of national and provincial parks but is also home to the T.rex Discovery Centre.

Since the rich and famous discovered it, the secret is out that Tulum makes the perfect, if a little New Age-y, Mayan Riviera alternative to overdeveloped Cancun. This laid-back town is known for its Mayan ruins overlooking spectacular white sand beaches.

The city of Guanajuato in central Mexico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historic mines. However, if creepy tourist attractions are your thing, the Mummies of Guanajuato are a must-see.

The largest of the islands in the Grenadines, Bequia is popular with boaters and honeymooners alike. It’s a scuba-diving hotspot and boasts excellent, uncrowded beaches.