A Greek island among the 50 places you should travel to in 2016
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a novice, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead to the places you want to check off your travel bucket list in the new year. From Iceland’s otherworldly countryside to Greece’s glamorous Spetses Island, Business Insider published the list with the top 50 destinations worth venturing to in 2016.
1.KYOTO, JAPAN
This is the second year in a row that Kyoto has been named the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure, an award based off of votes from travelers. The city is rich in history and home to many incredible temples, markets, parks, and gardens.
2.DARBY, MONTANA
Darby is home to Triple Creek Ranch, which we named the best hotel of the year. The all-inclusive luxury ranch provides guests with private cabins, exceptional food and service, and plenty of activities like snowshoeing, horseback riding, tennis, and cooking classes.
3.ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
St. Petersburg was voted the best destination in Europe in this year’s World Travel Awards. There’s an abundance of history to be learned from the city’s many ornate palaces and churches, which date back centuries.
4.SHOAL BAY VILLAGE, ANGUILLA
Anguilla has become the new “it” vacation spot for Wall Streeters. Its picture-perfect white-sand beaches are a large part of the country’s draw. Shoal Bay (pictured) is one of its most popular beaches.
5.QUEBEC CITY, CANADA
Quebec City’s claim to fame is the fact that it’s the only walled city with cobblestone streets north of Mexico. There’s a budding creative scene in the city as well as numerous festivals and fairs during the summer, thanks to the many artsy types who have settled there.
6.BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Budapest isn’t as expensive as some of its European counterparts, but it isn’t any less charming or historical. Plus, it’s home to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, which we named the best hotel in Europe this year, and it sits on the Danube River, an ideal spot for boat cruising.
7.HAVANA, CUBA
It’s been a few months since relations between Cuba and the US started to thaw, but that’s just now translating to Americans planning trips to the country. From its old colored buildings to its classic cars and cigars, Cuba is a must-see.
8.REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Iceland’s countryside has an otherworldly feel to it. The capital, Reykjavik, has a charming array of colorful rooftops and is an amazing spot for photographers to play.
9.LUXEMBOURG CITY, LUXEMBOURG
It’s easy to overlook the small, landlocked nation of Luxembourg, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a trip. The country has a startling number of stunning castles, and Luxembourg City is a picturesque juxtaposition of old and new.
10.MOUNT EVEREST, NEPAL
In order to address concerns of safety and overcrowding, officials in Nepal are considering banning amateur hikers from climbing Mount Everest. If this happens, you’ll want to take your trip to the peak sooner rather than later.
11.GIRONA, SPAIN
El Celler de Can Roca, in the quaint Spanish city of Girona, was named the best restaurant in the world this year. Complete with a river, medieval architecture, and a walled Old Quarter, this city won’t disappoint — and neither will the food at El Celler.
12. SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
Lonely Planet named Angkor Wat the world’s best tourist attraction this year. A massive complex deep in the jungles of Siem Reap, it’s actually a 700-year-old city with canals, temples, shrines, and tombs that stretch more than 154 square miles.
13. QUEENS, NEW YORK
New Yorkers may be surprised to hear that the borough of Queens was named the top US travel destination this year by Lonely Planet. Tourism has been booming recently, most likely due to Queens’ diverse culture and exploding food scene.
14. MALIBU, CALIFORNIA
Just last year Malibu was given American viticultural area status, which means it’s an officially designated wine-growing area. Malibu’s Santa Monica Mountains are beautiful and an ideal spot for the 50 growers of wine grapes who have settled there.
15. LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND
Although it may not be as well-known as other Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, or Bern, the quaint village of Lucerne is home to an incredibly well-preserved covered wooden bridge, plenty of traditional architecture, and cobblestone streets in its Altstadt (old town), as well as a crystal-clear lake.
16. SPETSES, GREECE
Experts say now is the time to go to Greece, thanks to the large number of travel deals that have sprung from the country’s debt crisis. Spetses is not as touristy as Mykonos or Santorini, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less glamorous, with horse-drawn carriages, yachts, mansions, fancy hotels, and pricey boutiques.
17. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Travel + Leisure voted Charleston the best city in America this year, and with good reason. The historical city is home to impeccably landscaped gardens, old mansions and carriage houses, and amazing waterfront views.
18. JINSHANLING, CHINA
This Chinese town is home to a section of the Great Wall, a site that visitors should try and see sooner rather than later. Close to two-thirds of the wall have been destroyed because of over-farming, natural erosion, and the selling of historic engraved bricks.
19. AZORES ISLANDS, PORTUGAL
These nine islands, found 800 miles off the coast of Portugal, have been called one of the Atlantic Ocean’s best-kept secrets. Travelers can find just about every kind of natural wonder here, from beaches to lakes to volcanic caves and waterfalls.
20. RENO, NEVADA
Reno probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when you’re thinking about vacation, but Hotels.com recently dubbed the city America’s most underrated foodie destination. It has plenty of fancy steakhouses, along with all kinds of other cuisine, like Italian, French, and Mexican. Plus the average price for a one-night stay at a Reno hotel is only $85.
See the rest of the list in Business Insider