Friday, August 25, 2017

The 17 Best Places to Travel in 2017

From Africa and Asia's hottest beachfronts to the most underrated U.S. cities...

 In 2017, you're going to need your passport–and your sense of adventure. Our top destinations to visit this year will have you heading out on safari, exploring historic Eastern Europe and South America, tapping into Scandinavia's natural wonders, sunbathing on the beaches of Asia and Africa and discovering hidden gems both at home and abroad. We tapped our bucket lists, insider knowledge and industry experts for the 17 destinations to have on your radar when planning this year's getaways, adventures and retreats. Here, the best places to escape to in 2017. Ready, set, jet.

 

1 New Zealand
 
There is far more to New Zealand than the set of Lord of the Rings. Yes, the landscape is beautiful—the beaches are pristine, the mountains are dramatic, the countryside is idyllic—but it's the food, wine, under-the-radar shopping, and quirky culture that keeps repeat visitors (and locals) coming back for more. We highly recommend spending a week in the spring traveling down the country's truly magical wine trail. Starting in Napier, you can either drive yourself or take a tour down the North Island before crossing the Cook Straight on a car ferry to Picton, where you'll pass through the famous Marlborough Sounds to end in Blenheim.
If you're a nature lover, The Queen Charlotte Trackis one of New Zealand's best hiking spots. For those who don't like camping, there is a variety of luxury accommodationand dining available along the track, complete with water transport services that will transfer your luggage each day. For skiing, head straight to the South Island and marvel at the mountains in Queenstown and Wanaka. Cosmopolitans and country-lovers alike will adore Auckland. While there, shop Karangahape Road (K' Road to locals and those in the know), Grey Lynn and Ponsonby.
Where to Stay: Many of the wineries have accommodation on site—we recommend [link href="https://www.blackbarn.com/retreats" target="_blank" 0="data-tracking-id="recirc-text-link"" link_updater_label="external"]Black Barn Luxury Retreats and Craggy Range Vineyard Cottages in the Hawkes Bay area, Vynfields in Martinborough, and French Fields in Marlborough. If you're on the Queen Charlotte Track, don't miss staying at the Bay of Many Coves, only accessible by boat or walking the track. While skiing, we recommend a stay at Matakauri Lodge. Simply love finding unique places to stay? Take your pick from Treetops Lodge and Estate, The Boatshed on Waiheke Island, Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses, or Minaret Station. While in Auckland, stay at Hotel DeBrett or choose an interesting AirBnb just outside the city. In Wellington, try Ohtel and take in the harbor views and world-renowned museums, like Te Papa, before shopping and eating along Cuba Street.
When to Go: The time of year you visit (June-September is winter; December-February is summer) will determine the kind of trip you take, so think ahead to what excites you most. – Olivia Fleming, BAZAAR.com Senior Features Editor

2 Canada
You may have jokingly (or perhaps, literally) considered a move here as of late–but as it turns out, there are many reasons to escape to the Great White North. The country celebrates its 150th birthday this year, and is full of exciting perks as a result. Montréal (which turns 375 this year) is flexing its muscles as one of the world's most exciting culinary scenes, influenced by its European roots and infused with flavors from its diverse, multi-cultural population. Don't miss out on a visit to Le Filet or Les 400 Coups while you're in town, and look out for Marconi and Joël Robuchon's new Canadian outpost that are both set to open this year. If you're more of a nature lover, head to Banff for one of the most epic bike trails you'll ever ride. Before you venture out, be sure to pick up a Discovery Pass, which gives visitors free access to any of the vast country's national parks (there are over 200 of them!) including Banff and Prince Edward Island. If it's art you're after, Toronto's Museum of Contemporary Art will open the doors to its expanded location this year, along with the unveiling of The Bentway, their answer to Manhattan's High Line.
Where to Stay: Fairmont boasts 18 hotels across the country with one soon to open in Montréal, and each is more impressive than the next. Montréal is home to a Ritz Carlton as well as Hotel Le St. James and the St. Paul Hotel, which are both boutique in size, but the former boasts a grander feel while the latter is sleek and contemporary. In Toronto, the Park Hyatt, Four Seasons and Shangri-La are pretty much foolproof.
When to Go: Summertime promises the best climate to comfortably explore and enjoy the outdoors. Fall's vibrant colors will amaze you, and its balmy temperatures may be your preference for hiking and biking. Early September is for art lovers–that's when the Toronto International Film Festival takes place. The dead of winter and springtime will likely be too cold for most, but those who are open to braving borderline negative temperatures will no doubt enjoy cozying up in Montréal's chicest dining spots and cocktail lounges.

3 Finland 
 Finland is an astounding natural beauty. Explore its snow-covered landscape in the winter and marvel at the Northern Lights, great lake views and its green forestry in the summer. With tourism initiatives (like FinRelax) aimed at getting you to chill out and unwind in its lush landscapes, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the country's jaw-dropping natural wonders and refreshing saunas. Beauty fiends will love this country's obsession with health and wellness–trust us, the Finnish sense of calm could rival Indonesian zen. If you are looking to tour Helsinki (as you should, it's marvelous) this is the year to do it; Finland celebrates 100 years of independence on December 6th and the capital city will be partying all year long. Take a day to enjoy its unique costal geography punctuated by glistening bays and sharp inlets. A visit here places you right in the heart of Scandinavia, which means quick, easy visits to bustling neighboring must-sees like Stockholm and Oslo. Not yet as popular as its cohorts (but its place on many a must-visit list will change that soon), Finland benefits from far fewer crowds but just as many delights.
Where to Stay: Stay at the friendly HavsVidden hotel–you won't be disappointed with the incredible Baltic Sea views at this stylish and chic eco-friendly property. While there, you can sail down from various Scandi seaports or board a super short flight from Stockholm or Helsinki into Mariehamn, where you'll be driven a scenic 45 minutes up to HavsVidden, just off the Havsviddsvägen trail. Bursting with open-air activities both on and off shore, the HavsVidden is prepared for everything from incredible wreck-diving to unforgettable wildlife and nature experiences. If you're planning a visit in summertime, book a room at the buzzy St. George, which plans to open in Helsinki this year, or at its sister property Hotel Lilla Roberts.
When to Go: Depends on what you're into, this country has something to offer year-round. – Tom Marchant, Founder of Black Tomato
 
4 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  
 
We've gone as far as to dub the 'Burgh America's Most Underrated City–and for good reason. It's not the first thing you think of when dreaming of a weekend getaway, innovative food scene or art hub, but it delivers on all accounts in droves. If it's an arts and culture scene you're after, you're in luck. Pittsburgh is the birthplace of Andy Warhol, and the Andy Warhol Museum features the largest collection of his work. Foodies will likely not be able to get through this city in one weekend, but highlights include Umami, an unexpected Izakaya spot in Lawrenceville, located right near Pittsburgh culinary star Justin Severino's Cure and Morcilla. In downtown Pittsburgh, Mexican hotspot täkō, and new-American standouts like Meat & Potatoes and Butcher and The Rye are also highlights. To work off your one-too-many bites, walk and shop around Shadyside, where Pittsburgh's designer boutique, Choices and top-notch vintage shops like Eons and Hey Betty! are located.
Where to Stay: Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh's downtown area is our go-to, and reliable considering it bears the Kimpton name. If you're on the hunt for something a little more indie, the Ace Hotel in East Liberty based out of a landmark building that once was a YMCA (its gymnasium is just as it was back in the day) fits the bill and has a chic restaurant and a Stumptown-brewing coffee shop on its ground floor.
When to Go: Spring, summer and fall are the best times to spend a long weekend in town, and the warmer months offer options to frequent the city's rooftop bars and biergartens. Winter here, like most of the East Coast, is brutal.
There's a renaissance happening in Portugal, a land made famous by explorers–and modern-day, well-heeled travelers are taking notice. Despite its cultural riches, Portugal never reached the same level of tourism popularity that its neighbor Spain has enjoyed for decades. But the westernmost country of continental Europe has everything a traveler could want: great food, fabulous art, robust history, sensational wine and a bustling contemporary culture scene that's reshaping the country's international reputation as a hotbed for creativity. Highlights of time in Portugal include exploring the cities of Lisbon and Porto, which beautifully marry their ancient histories and contemporary cultures; the lush, vineyard-filled Douro Valley; the fairytale town of Sintra and the pristine, rugged beaches of Comporta.
Where to Stay: The Six Senses Douro Valley is a game-changer of a hotel for the entire country and staying there is worth a special trip to Portugal.
When to Go: Portugal, like all of Europe, is ideal in shoulder seasons. But it is truly great all year round–it's pleasant in winter and the summer is great for exploring the beaches of the Algarve region. Fall is gorgeous for vineyard hopping, and spring, like any European city, is absolutely lovely. Melissa Biggs Bradley, CEO & Founder of Indagare.

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