The pandemic is not yet over, but travelers are hoping next year will provide some breathing space.
As the year-end traditions of Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas mornings quickly approach, travel publications, such as National Geographic, are releasing their recommendations so you can plan ahead.
This year’s 2022 “must-see†recommendations – based on five categories: nature, adventure, sustainability, culture and history and family – celebrate many World Heritage sites to mark 50 years of work by the United Nations, according to the listing.
The list includes many other destinations that will make your travel urge free:
National Geographic’s “World’s Best 2022” list:
Culture
To truly understand a place, it’s important to understand its roots through food, art, and people. These cities help with just that:
- Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan, China.
- Tin Pan Alley, London.
- Hokkaido, Japan.
- Procida, Italy.
- Atlanta, Georgia.
Durability
Whether it’s witnessing a conservation success, exploring a green city, or getting creative with solutions yourself, these places offer tourism without forgetting our planet:
- Ruhr Valley, Germany.
- Parque Nacional Yasuni, Ecuador.
- Åódź, Poland.
- National Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, Oregon / Washington.
- Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique.
Nature
Experience the next big safari, get lost in the dark sky full of stars or drive along the ocean view with these choices that help you explore the unseen side of mother nature:
- Caprivi Band, Namibia.
- Northern Minnesota.
- Lake Baikal, Russia.
- Maya Forest Reserve of Belize.
- Victoria, Australia.
Adventure
Ready for the next life-changing experience? Here are a few options that let you swim with sharks, climb high mountains, and walk coast to coast:
- Seine cycle path, France.
- Costa Rica.
- Nepisiguit Mi’gmaq Trail, New Brunswick, Canada.
- Palau.
- Arapahoe Basin, Colorado.
Family
These places offer an immersive way to explore the cities, whether it is by walking in castles or by discovering the nomadic life. Your kids won’t stop having fun:
- Cruise on the Danube.
- Lycia, Turkey.
- Granada, Spain.
- Bonaire.
- East Shore, Maryland.
Where to visit in the United States
The list shows destinations in the United States. If you want to be surrounded by thousands of stars, northern Minnesota, known for its dark skies, might be the place for you.
Are you interested in rock climbing? The Arapahoe Basin in Colorado has granite cliffs that can accommodate all levels of experience. The cliffs of Rock Mountain rise from 1,200 to 13,000 feet. Mountain goats often appear and disappear during the ascent.
Santa Fe, New Mexico is another North American city that has a lot to offer. The enclave and artist community was founded in the early 17th century, offering plenty to explore for couples, families, and groups of friends.
For food and drink, National Geographic recommends Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington State. Here you will find “the largest national scenic area in the country”. The East Gorge Food Trail has “a network of farms, historic hotels, wineries, and other local experiences.”
Where to visit with your family and loved ones
Children can often become the priority during the holidays. “Discover nomadic life†and culture through experiences such as “making syrup with pomegranates, baking local pastries, milking goats or participating in the olive harvest,†in Lycia, Turkey, according to National Geographic.
Taormina, Italy offers the best of both worlds with the view of Mount Etna as the backdrop of a charming city, according to another listing from Ovation Travel Group in Forbes. Explore lava craters and learn about volcanoes. It’s ideal for families looking for a five-star stay, according to the report.
The architecturally intricate palaces and gardens with marble fountains in Granada, Spain can be captivating for families. The geometric beauty of historic buildings is “a colorful classroom for age-appropriate exploration of mathematical concepts, such as shapes, symmetry, proportions and measurements,” according to the National Geographic listing.
Are your children interested in the Middle Ages? The Danube “can seem to travel through a fairy-tale kingdom”, as you pass medieval castles and towns.
