Looking for inspiration for your next holiday? With some of the old standby destinations still dealing with everything from hurricane or earthquake damage to water crises, it may be time to look towards places you haven’t thought of before. To get you started, check out these up and coming spots for 2018.
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1. Ishigaki, Japan
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.
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2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
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.
And if you love medieval buildings, don't miss the most inspiring ancient places you can visit around the planet.
And if you love medieval buildings, don't miss the most inspiring ancient places you can visit around the planet.
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3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
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.
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4. Brisbane, Australia
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.
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5. Dakar, Senegal
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.
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6. Trinidad, Cuba
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.
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7. Greenville, South Carolina
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.
Here are more US cities you never thought to visit but totally should.
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8. Halifax, Nova Scotia
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.
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9. San Jose, Costa Rica
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.
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10. Lima, Peru
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.
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11. Valletta, Malta
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.
You may also like these photos of 20 little known UNESCO world heritage sites.
You may also like these photos of 20 little known UNESCO world heritage sites.
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12. Sao Miguel Island, Portugal
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.
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13. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
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.
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14. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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.
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15. Bogota, Colombia
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.
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16. Waco, Texas
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.
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17. Eastend, Saskatchewan
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.
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18. Tulum, Mexico
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.
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19. Guanajuato, Mexico
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.
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20. Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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.
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