2015 travel forecast: The big list of lists
Travel trends in 2015 for US citizens: The big story is legal travel to Cuba. But don’t rush there just yet if you want to travel freely – your itinerary will be limited – and only allowed through State Department-licensed agencies.
Structured tours called people-to-people interactions encourage experiences that bring Americans and Cubans together. Moseying to the beach, doing some scuba diving or wandering off-the-beaten-path remains verboten unless you enter illegally through another country, which may cause other problems at this time. But we wait in hope to see this country before it succumbs to a full blown resort-and-chain-store haven.
Besides Cuba, the top locations for 2015 are Singapore (celebrating its 50th year of independence), Japan (depreciation of the yen), Oman (desert, beaches, green valleys, souks), Romania (castle-hopping), Uruguay (regional wines and whale migration) and close to home, the beautiful Hudson Highlands in NY State. Asia and South America are red-hot places to go this year. The rest of the locations span the globe.
Trends in how we travel: DIY travel is the new norm in favor of pre-packaged tours, in addition to the pairing of natives and locals for meals, and ethical travel (being aware of our impact on the environment) also figure prominently.
We’re off!
The New York Times BIG list of 52 places, is well, all over the map. Here are the top 20 places, some familiar but ready for rediscovery, and others alien, and waiting to be explored.
- Burgundy, France
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Durban, South Africa
- Elqui Valley, Chile
- Faroe Islands
- Macedonia
- Lower Manhattan, New York, NY USA
- MedellÃn, Colombia
- Milan, Italy
- The North Coast of Peru
- Oman
- Orlando, Florida USA
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA
- Singapore
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Yellowstone National Park
- Zimbabwe
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Condé Nast Traveler editors’ suggest 15 different, beyond-the-classic places in which to luxuriate in 2015.
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Berlin, Germany
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Cuba
- Guangzhou, China
- Helsinki, Finland
- Houston, Texas USA
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Milford Sound, New Zealand
- Myanmar
- Nassau, The Bahamas
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA
- Rwanda
- Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
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National Geographic Traveler highlights 20 go-now locations that, in their words, will send you packing. From sea to sky, adventure is on the agenda.
- Corsica
- Choquequirao, Peru
- Esteros del Iberá, Argentina
- Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
- Hyderabad, India
- Koyasan, Japan
- MaramureÈ™, Romania
- MedellÃn, Colombia
- Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar
- Mont St. Michel, France
- Mornington Peninsula, Australia
- National Mall, Washington, DC USA
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA
- Port Antonio, Jamaica
- The Presidio, San Francisco, USA
- Sark, Channel Islands
- Sea Islands, South Carolina USA
- Taiwan
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Readers’ Choice Winner: Faroe Islands
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Travel + Leisure’s list of 50 places to go in 2015 has been shortened to 10, but you’ll want to see them all because … “These are the places changing the travel map.†What are you waiting for?
- Catskills, New York, USA
- Chengdu, China
- Fez, Morocco
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Milan, Italy
- Oman
- Prince Edward County, Canada
- Puerto Plata, D.R.
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Wasatch Mountains, Utah USA
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The Rough Guides’ picks for top countries to visit in 2015 is skimpy on words. The stunning imagery envelopes the future traveler in its beauty. I’m inspired, sign me up for any or all destinations.
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Egypt
- Greece
- Haiti
- Iran
- Malaysia
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Zambia
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Fodor’s Go List has a little something for everyone. The 25 don’t-miss spots include emerging hot spots and value destinations. There’s grand or sedate in every price range and length. Take off.
- The Arctic
- Barbados
- Bourbon Country and Louisville, Kentucky USA
- Cleveland, Ohio USA
- The Florida Panhandle, USA
- Guadalupe Valley, Mexico
- Guatemala
- The Hudson Valley and the Catskills, New York USA
- Iceland
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming USA
- Melbourne, Australia
- Newfoundland, Canada
- Namibia
- Norway
- Oman
- Paris
- Patagonia, Chile
- Piedmont, Italy
- Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Punta del Este, Uruguay
- Romania
- The Silk Road, China
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Vietnam
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For the Lonely Planet’s Budget Traveler, economy doesn’t have to mean sacrifice. Here are the best places to go to get the best bang for your buck, or pow for your pound in 2015.
- Bali
- Portugal
- Romania
- Samoa
- Shanghai
- South Africa
- Uruguay
- Taiwan
- Tunisia
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Travel bloggers, those lucky many who live and breath travel 24/7, picked a wide range of travel locations. They’re all desirable, but yay for the Scottish Highlands – one of my favorite places.
- All Over Europe
- Barbados
- Cambodia
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Cascais, Portugal
- The Caucasus
- Chengdu, China
- Guatemala
- Hudson Valley, New York USA
- Istanbul to Beijing and beyond (Marco Polo route)
- Korea
- Koh Wai, Thailand
- Krabi, Thailand
- The Maldives
- Mons, Belgium
- Mount Everest, Nepal
- Nozawa Onsen, Japan
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
- Scotland’s Highlands
- Sri Lanka
- Umbria, Italy
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Eco travelers – check out what five experts on ecotourism have to say about these top destinations offering responsible, sustainable culture.
- Barbados
- Cape Verde, Africa
- Gwaii Haanas, British Columbia
- Iceland
- Kaikora, New Zealand
- Kelmtu, British Columbia
- Ladakh, India
- Northeast Kingdom, Vermont
- Norwegian Fjords
- Palau
- Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales
- Samoa
- Sierra Gorda, Mexico
- Tortuguero, Costa Rica
- Uruguay
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Interest appears to be waning in space travel. Last year, with Virgin Galactic so close to blast-off, that horrific crash sidelined the fleet for an unknown amount of time. With so many delays, people are looking elsewhere for the ultimate adventure.
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And finally, for those of us who love off-the-beaten-path travel, this photo essay includes stunning images and destinations. Deception Island, Antarctica is way off and way cool and on my to-see list.
- Pipiwai Trail, Maui
- Kingsmere Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Chobe River, Namibia/Botswana
- Crespi d’Adda, Italy
- Deception Island, Antarctica
- Hamelin Pool, Western Australia
- Taroko Gorge, Taiwan
- Overberg, South Africa
- Passau, Germany
- Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta Canada
Have your passport at the ready. What’s your first stop?