TOP TEN 2018 DESTINATIONS FOR TRAVEL FUN
2018 is right around the corner. So you likely have your yearly New Year’s resolution to lose weight. But you probably have travel high up on your list too. But, with millions of new locations to discover, where do you start? Here are the Top Ten Must Visit Destinations to party, Indulge your inner foodie, or get back in touch with nature.
GET HIGH WITH BIODIVERSITY-KEKE XILI, THE TIBETAN PLATEAU CHINA
The Tibetan Plateau in China has become a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s the highest plateau in the world, often considered as the world’s “Third Pole”. It’s 14,750 feet above sea level. There are striking landscapes that blend alpine mountains and rolling steppe systems. Keke Xili has nurtured a unique biodiversity. During the summer months, witness the migration of the endangered Tibetan Antelope. With the addition of a new bullet train route this high, remote region is now even more accessible for travelers.
FIVE STAR LUXRY AMONGST THE RUINS-MEXICO: PUEBLA, MEXICO CITY AND THE YUCATAN DESTINATIONS
Mexico City has been honored as World Design Capital for 2018. There’s the Monarch butterfly migration along with a tour Chichén Itzá Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. Puebla is an emerging cultural gem Southeast of Mexico City. But especially with the recent opening of the Rosewood Puebla and the new five-star Cartesiano Hotel that’s opening pre-2018.
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ESCAPE THE CROWDS ON THIS FINAL FRONTIER-AYSEN, CHILEAN PATAGONIA
Nowhere is quite so adventurous, and untouched, as Aysen, Northern Patagonia’s final frontier. This remote land of vast glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and jagged fjords is sparsely populated- a perfect place to disconnect from the world and revel in the splendid isolation that it’s awe-inspiring and otherworldly. Escape the crowds of Torres del Paine and stay in a local boutique, locally-owned accommodation.
TASMANIA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA MAKE TOP TEN DESTINATIONS
Want the epitome of remote, rugged wilderness, punctuated by a thriving arts scene, hip foodie haunts and flavor-packed wines rivaling those of the mainland? Well, look no further than the Hobart region. Newly opened Macq 01 Hotel offers a chic place stay and countless galleries (such as The Mona) position Tasmania as an exciting destination in its own right. So for adventurous travelers, stay at Truffle Lodge, a newly opened luxury wilderness camp on the banks of the Derwent River. In Western Australia, sleep overnight on a yacht in Ningaloo reef and dive with whale sharks at dawn. With Qantas launching new flight routes from London to Perth and flights from Houston to Sydney there’s never been a more convenient way to explore Australia. These are musts on the Top Ten list.
WILDLIFE AND PRISTINE BEACH RETREAT-MALAWI
While 2017 saw the completion of the ground-breaking #500Elephants project – the largest elephant translocation in human history to Malawi’s Nkhotakota Reserve, 2018 sees the return of Lake Malawi’s ‘Lake of Stars.’ It’s a unique festival that celebrates music, arts and culture. Malawi offers sprawling, wildlife-rich national parks. But they make for the perfect safari away from the crowds. While the vast expanse of Lake Malawi is the perfect beach retreat with its endless white-sand coastlines and crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling.
THE JET-SET NEW IBIZA-COMPORTA, PORTUGAL
In Summer 2018, the jet-set crowd shifts focus from the glitz of Ibiza and are heading to Comporta, a small cluster of villages on Portugal’s Troia Peninsula. It’s a sleepy yet sophisticated enclave, primed for summer escapes: unassuming white-washed villages of cobbled streets and terracotta roofs add to the relaxed vibe, yet stepping inside any one of the small boutiques. Beaches are beautifully soft and sandy. But they are also refreshingly quiet, bordered by rolling sand dunes and vibrant rice fields lined by cork trees. So they are perfect for leisurely exploration, especially on horseback. Stay at the Sublime, a tranquil estate with 14 beautiful rooms and villas.
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HOMEGROWN LUXURY-NEW MEXICO, USA
Have your mind blown by the sprawling landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert and beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Horseback ride across the ranch, hot air balloon above grazing wildlife and hike to mighty peaks-there is an adventure waiting for you. So you can enjoy home-grown escapism at luxury lodges amid mesmerizing landscapes.
WILDLIFE EXPLORATION-UGANDA
From gorilla treks that rival neighboring Rwanda, to chimpanzee exploration in Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda offers a combination of endemic species and old favorites. Uganda offers more untapped experiences at a much more affordable rate. Especially since the recent 100% increase in Rwandan permit prices.
EXPERIENCE THE UNFORGETTABLE-EMILIA ROMAGNA, ITALY
Wagner, Rossini, Mozart all introduced their works in this place of unforgettable experiences. This destination is host to the oldest university in the western world and offers some of Italy’s most celebrated culinary traditions. Eataly World is Bologna’s new “foodie theme park” and hosts cutting-edge culinary workshops with a focus on eco-responsibility.
BOLIVIA MAKES THE TOP TEN DESTINATIONS
World-renowned Noma co-founder, Claus Meyer, to set up the Bolivian capital haute-cuisine offering, Gustu. This will help to turn the neighborhood into a hotbed of culinary talent. The wild adventures continue with a cable car up to El Alto at 13,500 feet. This offers a bird’s eye view into how far La Paz has come. But also forays into the barely developed National Park and an Indigenous Territories. In the Sub-Andean strip of the tropical Andes between Peru and Bolivia go on jungle treks and luxury wilderness experiences to visit pristine environments where few have traveled before.
