Kyoto is a gorgeous place, ranked by Travel+Leisure readers in 2015 as the best city in the world.
Looking for a fresh start for 2017? The color of the year could help.
For 2017, the Pantone Color of the Year is 15-0343—or “Greenery,” to its friends.
“Greenery bursts forth to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment,” said Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a statement. “Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.”
According to the Institute, this particular shade of green “evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew.”
So in honor of this naturally refreshing color of the year, we've curated 19 destinations where you can surround yourself in this particular tone. With the way 2016 has unfolded, a relaxing destination sounds like the perfect way to start 2017.
South Carolina
We recently named Charleston, South Carolina, the World's Best City, so why not plan a trip to see some Spanish moss on the southern live oak of the state?
Westland National Park, New Zealand
As if we ever need an excuse to daydream about a trip to New Zealand, Westland Tai Poutini National Park is “Greenery” come to life.
Iceland
Iceland has many different landscapes, so even though the country's name may not remind you of lush nature, they've got it (depending on the time of year).
If you haven't visited Iceland yet, or if you're ready to go again, watch out for cheap fares from WOW Air, which frequently offers $99 one-way flights from several U.S. cities.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has natural beauty and lots and lots and lots of activities for nature, adventure and animal lovers.
Oregon
Fly into Portland, Oregon, rent a car, and you can be at a gorgeous waterfall surrounded by greenery in less than two hours. Silver Falls State Park, pictured, is less than an hour-and-a-half drive from the city.
Nebraska
That song may have been about amber waves of grain, but the really pretty meadows in this country are green. Take Nebraska's green fields as exhibit A.
Mongolia
The Mongolian-Manchurian grassland spreads from China’s coastal hills, in the northeast, to southern Siberia's boreal forests. While the climate is harsh in the winter, in the summer the grassland is lush.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Bali
The Sacred Monkey Forest, in Bali, is a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex.
Killarney, Ireland
It should surprise no one to see Ireland more than once on this list. Greenery is to Ireland what sheep are to New Zealand. And vice versa.
Gio-ji Temple, Kyoto
Kyoto is a gorgeous place, ranked by Travel+Leisure readers in 2015 as the best city in the world.
Manú National Park, Peru
Nature, nature, nature. Peru has it and it's worth seeing at least once in your life, especially Machu Picchu.
Iguaçu National Park, Brazil
Iguaçu Falls, at the point where Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina meet, is a destination that should be on every traveler's bucket list. You can hear the falls from miles away before you actually arrive, the views are unique from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides, and there are basically always rainbows. Go there.
