Now that the holidays have come to a close, and the weather in Puyallup is as dreary as ever, the need for a vacation begins to become more of a want than a need. Although our days are getting longer, the weather still makes it hard to get excited about being out in Washington. We live in a very beautiful state but sometimes it is just nice to get away. So with all the places to travel in the world, where are the It places to go in 2016? There are many factors that go into deciding which new places should be considered the top places to travel for that year. Some of the factors considered are affordability, new emerging hot spots that are under the radar, a variety of one-of-a-kind attractions and iconic sights, or what places are travel specialists asking to go to this year? The hottest places to travel this year aren’t all of the international variety, there are places that make the It list that are closer to home. The following list complied is determined based on those following factors and are the hottest places to visit in the upcoming year. Make sure to contact your local travel agent in the Puyallup area to plan your next get-away to one of these fun and exciting locations.
When traveling overseas, a majority of people focus on traveling to Europe. Europe is filled with history and delicious food but why not go farther back in history to the cradle of civilization. Jerusalem is one of the top places to visit in the upcoming year. The Holy City has deep ties to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and has always been a must visit for people with faith due to the abundance of religious sites in the old city. However, in this upcoming year, Jerusalem is going to be the next place to visit due to the mixture of the modern life and the ancient life in the city. You can find delicious food from street vendors throughout the city.
Some of the best places to travel are often overlooked because they are located in the United States and are not considered exotic enough. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that is very affordable to visit and offers tons of beautiful beaches, history, a vibrant nightlife, and the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. Flights there are affordable and there are also affordable beachfront hotels to stay at during your trip.
When most people look to go to Europe, they often overlook Eastern Europe. The capital of Zagreb in Croatia, is often skipped due to it being overshadowed by other Adriatic Coast destinations. The last year saw lots of openings from museums, shops and restaurants. Zagreb is slowly becoming a culinary contender in the very competitive European culinary scene. The city is also planning on building a brand new passenger terminal at the Zagreb airport. This gorgeous city boosts beautiful architecture and so many picturesque moments.
Most people associate Detroit, Michigan with the economic crisis. The city was hit very hard during those years and fell into a state of disarray. However, due to monumental efforts on the city’s part, Detroit is being revitalized as a tourist destination. Gorgeous hotels are being built and renovated, the West Riverfront Park and the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center are huge attractions, and almost 100 new restaurants have been opened to help build the culinary scene. Major retailers are also taking interest in the fashion scene there and opening up doors in the city.
Asia has always been considered to be one of the most exotic locations to visit. This can intimidate some travelers but for those looking for a far flung locale that is exotic yet under the radar, Taipei, Taiwan is the perfect getaway. Taipei has been quietly becoming one of the most compelling Asian cities due to its easy to use public transportation system, their delicious food scene that includes street food vendors and fine-dining restaurants, and their exploding art scene. The city has been named the World Design Capital for 2016, and the construction on the Taipei Performing Arts Centre by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), a complex with three theaters, should be completed this year and will help bring the city to the next level in the art scene.
For people looking for a remote tropical escape they need to look no further than Bocos del Toro, on the Isthmus of Panama. Home to beautiful tropical rain forests, coral reefs filled with gorgeous sea life, and quiet stunning beaches. This archipelago is made up of nine islands and hundreds of cays and islets. Bocas del Toro is an hour fight from Panama City and is more of an adventure destination and not a luxury one but it is a charming destination nonetheless. This out of the way destination provides a quite escape off the beaten path.
Toronto has long been in the shadow of Montreal and Vancouver when it comes to cities to visit in Canada. One of the major factors in the upswing in visitors is because of the Toronto’s new and improved waterfront and the lively nightlife of the Junction Neighborhood. Toronto has been ambitiously working on their urban revitalization by adding bikes and pedestrian paths and new streetcars. The Toronto Film Festival also has a huge draw of tourists every September. The new express train is a breeze to take from the airport to the city.
Galle, Sri Lanke was once a major stop along the Spice Route and is only hour long drive from Colombo. The picturesque drive to the city along with the gorgeous beachside setting make it well worth the visit. Galle is home to a 17th century fort that is a UNESCO heritage site and a Moorish bazaar that has merchants selling gorgeous gems and jewelry. It feels like a step back in time. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants that are both beachside and in the city. During the month of January the city also hosts its famous Galle Literary Festival that fills the city with poetry and live performances.
Frankfurt, Germany has always had the reputation as being a more modern city filled with bankers and contemporary buildings. Much of country is filled with beautiful historical sites like Neuschwanstein Castle in Munich or the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. For travelers looking to spend some time in Modern Germany, Frankfurt is the city to visit. With new restaurants popping up all over the city, Frankfurt has started to gain the reputation as a contemporary culinary city. The hotels are sleek and modern and provide a glimpse into where modern Europe is headed when it comes to design and style.
Last but not least, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most affordable and exciting cities to visit in the world. It is a bustling, active city that has an amazing juxtaposition between the old and the new. The city is filled with old temples and sleek and chic shopping malls. The city still boasts the French architecture from its years as Saigon and a visit to the War Remnants Museum walks the visitor through war through the eyes of the Vietnamese people. The city has so many different kinds of offerings that range from culture to history to a culinary adventure that make it a must visit for 2016.
The theme for travel in 2016 is to explore off the beaten path. There are so many exciting places in the world that are hidden gems and 2016 is the chance to get out and explore those places. This list represents the best of those under the radar cities that one should visit in the upcoming year. If you have been to a place that you feel should have made our list, send us a tweet at Puyallup.com. Make sure to contact your local Puyallup travel agent to help you find the best deal on an exciting trip today!