Best Places to Travel in 2014
On Nicaraguaās Little Corn Island, the fresh lobster is cheap; the hammocks plentiful; and the pace slow. Factor in a new hotel and spa with 16 oceanfront cabanas, and vacationing here is more blissful than ever.
Related: Best Places to Travel in 2015
Itās just one of the places that will appeal to travelers seeking whatās new and notable in 2014. They remind us that there are still discoveries to be made, even in seemingly familiar destinationsāand that with travel, too, timing is everything.
Consider Iceland, where NASA expects the northern lights to reach the vibrant peak of an 11-year solar cycle in December 2014. For prime views, book a stay at the Ion Hotel, where the bar has dimmable lights and wraparound windows, or a small-group tour with storm chaser George Kourounis that includes volcano hikes and glacier treks.
Culture seekers, meanwhile, will be drawn to Cape Town, which has more than 450 events in the works as part of its World Design Capital designation in 2014, along with hip boutiques and forward-thinking restaurants. StumbleUpon revealed that Cape Town is one of the top 10 destinations generating interest among its community of 30 million users.
Related: Best Vacation Spots
Palermo, Sicily, is another destination capturing the collective imagination. TripAdvisor has noticed a recent uptick in searches and positive feedbackāand weāve noticed compelling reasons to visit, like a surprisingly sophisticated wine scene and affordable independent hotels.
Of course, you donāt need to cross international borders to find a worthy vacation spot for the New Year. Enterprising chefs have congregated right in Nashville, where you can hop from Germantownās Rolf and Daughters to Josephine, a new farm-to-table spot in the emerging 12South neighborhood.
Find out the rest of our picks for the best places to travel in 2014āand share your to-visit list in the comments below.
1 of 25
Cape Town, South Africa
Thereās never been a better time to visit Cape Town thanks to a proliferation of edgy boutiques, independent galleries, and forward-thinking restaurants like Test KitchenĀ by Neighbourgoods Market, where biltong (cured meat) is topped with plum-cured foie gras. And the buzz is spreading: StumbleUpon noticed that Cape Town is one of the top 10 destinations generating interest among its community of 30 million users. The city has been designed the World Design Capital for 2014, with more than 450 events in the works. Itās also an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Nelson Mandela with a visit to Robben Island, where he spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
1 of 25
2 of 25
Uruguay
New hotels beckon travelers to two up-and-coming destinations. The beach town of Jose Ignacio attracts a high-wattage crowd that has included Shakira and Jason Wu, yet āthe vibe here is not so precious: everyone is so low-key and relaxed,ā says insider Carrie Vik, who just opened her third hotel in the area: the 11-bungalow Bahia Vik, tucked among the dunes of Mansa Beach. āI love to horseback ride along the sand, or bicycle up to Laguna Garzon and watch the kite surfers, she adds.ā Return in time to catch the spectacular sunset over caipiroskas at La Huella, Playa Bravaās iconic seaside restaurant. To the west, the boutique wineries and farm-to-table dining have made the Carmelo region a go-to weekend getaway for stylish Argentines. Casa Chic raises the cool quotient with its 20 rooms set on 250 acres of untouched forest and a showstopping pool overlooking the RĆo de la Plata. āShane Mitchell, Paola Singer
2 of 25
3 of 25
Warsaw
Affordable, rich in culture and history, and filled with emerging creative energy. Stay at the refurbished Hotel Bristol. (Coming in 2016: a Raffles hotel.) Donāt miss the expanded contemporary art gallery at the National Museum and the new Museum of the History of the Polish Jews.
3 of 25
4 of 25
Iceland
The proximity of theĀ Ion Hotel, designed by California-based studio Minarc,Ā to Thingvellir National Park means you can fish on Icelandās largest natural lakeāthen let the hotelās chef cook your catch. The bar has dimmable lights and wraparound windows for aurora borealis viewingāand 2014 promises to be spectacular. According to NASA, the Northern Lights will reach the peak of an 11-year solar cycle in December 2014. Storm chaser George Kourounis will lead travelers on an eight-day Kensington Tours itinerary that includes volcano hikes, glacier treks, and zodiac safaris. āLindsey Olander
4 of 25
5 of 25
Pangulasian Island, Philippines
In the Palawan archipelago, an hourās flight from Manila, the tiny private island of Pangulasian is home to the newest and most luxurious entry in the respected El Nido Resorts collection. Forty-two airy, thatched-roof villas are just steps from a ribbon of soft white sand. Behind you lies a thrumming canopy of green. And before you is limpid blue Bacuit Bay, where outriggers ply the glasslike waters. The bay is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve; swim just 20 yards out and youāll be floating with turtles and parrot fish above a pristine coral reef. Or kayak to one of several nearby islands and claim your own sun-drenched empty shore. Back at the resort, fresh coconuts await (watch staffers climb 30-foot trees to retrieve them) along with traditional hilot massages at the spa, for all of $35 an hour. Pangulasian was spared by recent Typhoon Haiyan, and the country could use your tourist dollars more than ever. āPeter Jon Lindberg
5 of 25
6 of 25
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
All eyes are on the host of this yearās World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, where a citywide rejuvenation effort has infused Rioās neighborhoods with newfound energy. Once-derelict Lapa, for instance, now reverberates far into the night with sambaās percussive beat at venues like Carioca da Gema. And the artsy district of Botafogoāwith views of Sugarloaf Mountaināhas also become a gastronomic hub. āMy go-to place for modern Brazilian cuisine is Iraja Gastro, run by chef Pedro de Artagao; get the pirarucu fish with sautĆ©ed banana,ā says furniture designer Sergio Rodrigues, whose studio is found in Botafogo. āColin Barraclough
6 of 25
7 of 25
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
The fresh lobster is cheap; the hammocks, plentiful; the pace, blissfully slow. This snack-bite-size island (itās just over one square mile) located 56 miles off Nicaraguaās coast is easily walkable or bikeable by trail, making it a breeze to get to snorkeling beaches such as Cocal. The new Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa offers 16 ocean-facing cabanas sandwiched between two stretches of sand, and a.m. yoga sessions...if youāre up. āJason Harper
7 of 25
8 of 25
Kerala, India
According to Jonny Bealby of tour operator Wild Frontiers, the new houseboat Lotus brings an added level of comfort to the backwaters of Malabar in northern Keralaāand not just because of the air-conditioning. The two guest rooms have handmade teak furniture and private verandas for your journey. If you prefer to explore by car, head five hours south from Kochi to Kovalem, a fishermanās beach fringed with coconut groves. Or, head east to the mountainous area of Munnar, studded with tea plantations, including Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, one of the worldās highest. Wherever you roam, you can stretch your dollars farther as the rupee has fallen in value.
8 of 25
9 of 25
Miami, Florida
Miami feels more and more like a world-class city, thanks to a revitalized urban core, neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and a new clutch of innovative restaurants and hotels. The Metropolitan by Como debuts in January 2014, but for now, resident restaurateur Jose Mendin, founder of the cityās PubBelly group of eateries, is loyal to the SLS and The Standard. āA lot of locals have memberships at The Standard,ā he says. āWe use the spa and hang out at the pool.ā After hours, youāre likely to find him at Radio. āIt started as a popup, and now itās becoming one of the cityās hottest bars,ā he says. For a late-night snack, Mendin heads to La Sandwicherie. āTheyāre famous for the Italian dressing that they give you with your sandwichāchefs come here to scarf down baguettes at 2am.ā For more insider tips, read T+Lās Miami Decoder. āHeidi Mitchell
9 of 25
10 of 25
Nashville
Enterprising chefs are the new country-music stars, bringing refined yet unfussy restaurants to emerging neighborhoods. Try Germantownās Rolf & Daughters; Josephine, a new farm-to-table-style spot in the 12South area; and Pinewood Social, with a menu by local star Josh Habiger.
10 of 25
11 of 25
Meads Bay, Anguilla
Facing west, 1 1/2-mile-long Meads Bay is ringed by some of the islandās best casual restaurants. Simply brush the sand from your bare feet before entering Straw Hat to order the grilled local crawfish with sweet plantains. On a panoramic bluff above the bay, Malliouhana is getting a glamorous top-to-bottom makeover from Auberge Resorts, with a new sunset bar, tiered pool, and intimate spa; the 55-room classic reopens this spring. Weāll see if it lures stars away from the nearby Viceroy, a high-profile hit with its Kelly Wearstlerādesigned rooms. āShane Mitchell
11 of 25
12 of 25
Sochi, Russia
Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Sochi
Excursion: Long before this city was chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, the region was a favorite retreat of Joseph Stalin. Tour the dictatorās austere 1937 dacha, still filled with his personal possessions. The day ends in the 30-acre subtropical Dendrary Botanical Garden (mind the roaming ostriches!).
Voyage: Celebrity Constellation, to and from Istanbul. October 14; 11 nights from $2,499. āJane Wooldridge
12 of 25
13 of 25
Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Pro riders arrive in this town along the Oaxacan coast and make a beeline for Playa Zicatela, a.k.a. the Mexican Pipeline. But Playa Carrizalillo, a quiet cove accessible via a 150-step stairway, has waters gentle enough for the rest of us; take a dip, snorkel, then down oysters from one of the handful of beach shacks. In recent years, Puerto (as the locals call it) has been upping its hip factor: case in point, the just-opened Hotel Escondido, a 16-room, oceanfront oasis from the cult-favorite Grupo Habita brand. āJeff Spurrier
13 of 25
14 of 25
Burma
Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Rangoon, Burma
Excursion: This two-day Temples of Burma jaunt is worth the quick flight to Pagan: youāll see a few of the 2,000 pagodas and temples from a traditional horse cart, with stops at a lacquerware workshop. Includes an overnight stay in a local hotel.
Voyage: Seabourn Odyssey, to and from Singapore. November 9; 14 nights from $6,999. āJane Wooldridge
14 of 25
15 of 25
Palermo, Italy
While Sicilyās allure is undeniable, its capital is less universally loved. But TripAdvisorānoticing an uptick in searches and positive feedbackāhas recognized Palermo as a European destination on the rise in 2014. Here are five compelling reasons to visit. 1) Wine tasting is surprisingly sophisticated. Try Vinoveritas (39-091/609-0653) for some 3,000 Italian and international pours and a tasty aperitivo spread. 2) Youāll find some of Italyās best street food at joyfully chaotic markets Ballarò, Il Capo, and the legendary Vucciria. 3) Its western suburb of Mondello is one of Sicilyās most idyllic seaside villages and the location of Alle Terrazze, perhaps the areaās best seafood restaurant. 4) Low-key, independent hotels are the rule, not the exception. Our favorite, BB22, makes a fine art of understated intimacy, with its glassed-in terrace and seven high-ceilinged rooms. 5) Thereās art worth seeing thatās not 500-plus years old. At GAM, 19th- and 20th-century Italian masters are mixed with high-profile living artists. And dealer Francesco Pantaleoneāformerly of Gagosian in New Yorkāis bringing international bona fides to the local scene. āMaria Shollenbarger
15 of 25
16 of 25
Zimbabwe
An expanded international airport across the border in Livingston, Zambia, is making the Victoria Falls region more accessible. Experience it by staying at the freshly renovated Victoria Falls Hotel. Visit Hwange National Park and Mana Pools with Wilderness Safaris or African Bush Camps.
16 of 25
17 of 25
California Wine Country
Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: San Francisco
Excursion: Take a three-hour ride through Napa Valley on a restored 1915 traināpassing wineries such as Far Niente (established in 1885), Robert Mondavi, and Opus One. Bonus: thanks to a conductor turned designated driver, feel free to enjoy the tasting bar, replete with some 50 local bottles at any given time.
Voyage: Azamara Quest, from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. February 10; eight nights from $1,499. āJane Wooldridge
17 of 25
18 of 25
Tetiaroa, French Polynesia
Just 30 miles northeast of Tahiti, the atoll of Tetiaroa has 12 motus (islets) so gorgeous they were once a retreat for Polynesian royalty. And then came Hollywood: Marlon Brando filmed Mutiny on the Bounty there in the 1960ās, fell in love, and bought every last bit of sand. Privacy is still the priority on 193-acre Onetahi, one of those pristine motus, which is now the setting for the Brando resort (all-inclusive; three-night minimum), slated to open July 1. In keeping with the actorās wishes, the 35-villa property will also focus on conservation, with an EcoStation, sustainable energy systems, and an organic orchard. Charter a sailboat to explore the three-mile-wide lagoonāthen strand yourselves for a few hours on one of the 11 uninhabited islets. āShane Mitchell
18 of 25
19 of 25
Santa Marta, Colombia
Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Santa Marta, Colombia
Excursion: In Colombiaās oldest city, youāll see artifacts of the Kogi and Arhuaco peoples in the Gold Museumāand tour the final home of 19th-century liberator Simón BolĆvar.
Voyage: Oceaniaās Regatta, from Miami to Los Angeles. December 5; 15 nights from $3,499. āJane Wooldridge
19 of 25
20 of 25
Lombok, Indonesia
Up-and-Coming Cruise Port: Lombok, Indonesia
Excursion: Visit villages on this artsy island to see locals dye fabrics using ikat techniques and mold decorative pots, then stop at the Sayang Sayang art market to shop for intricate rattan baskets and wooden boxes inlaid with pearl and filigree panels.
Voyage: Crystal Symphony, from Sydney to Bali. February 16; 12 nights from $4,055. āJane Wooldridge
20 of 25
21 of 25
Palm Springs, CA
An antidote to Palm Springsā retro resorts, the Sparrows Hotel, set in a former 1950ās motor lodge, emits a hip-summer-camp vibe, with reclaimed-redwood walls and concrete floors. Consider it an Ace Hotel gone country: all 20 rooms have rancho-rustic furniture and vintage Swiss Army blankets; some come with horse-trough bathtubs. Despite a no-kids policy, youthful diversions aboundāincluding a horseshoe pitch, splashy saltwater pool, and tennis court with old-timey wooden rackets. āDavid A. Keeps
21 of 25
22 of 25
Helsinki, Finland
Finlandās thoughtful aesthetic tradition is influencing Helsinkiās recent wave of innovative thinkers and avant-garde landmarks. In May 2013, Kulttuurisauna, the first public sauna to open in decades, made its debut on the Helsinki waterfront. With a minimized carbon footprint and sturdy tree-trunk columns, the building is a spare, primitive temple to communal bathing. Finland hasnāt received the amount of attention that Denmark and Sweden have for New Nordic Cuisine, yet Helsinkiās chefs and foragers are every bit as active and adventurous. Splurge on the multicourse ājourneyā with wine pairings and prepare for fresh, seasonal dishes such as cauliflower with Finnish caviar, lamb with beetroot, and organic licorice with white chocolate and black currants at Olo. āHeather Smith MacIsaac
22 of 25
23 of 25
Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Youāll be pleased to meet Amanoāi, the first Vietnam property from Amanresorts, which opened in September 2013 60 miles south of Nha Trang. Imagine the scene: itās just before lunchtime, and youāre returning from the spa, where you were swathed in lavender and sandalwood beside a lotus pond. Walking back to your tile-roofed pavilion, youāve paused to consider two things: a quick cooling dip, and, well, that view. You wonder if this rugged green-on-granite coastline, with its tiny islets and hidden-cove beaches, was half as mesmerizing before Amanoāi arrived to frame it with elegant symmetry. Itās been days since you were truly āindoorsāālast night you slept with the windows open. And now your afternoon consists of a few simple choices: Shrimp or squid? Pool or beach? A breeze lifts the brim of your hat, and you close your eyes and smile. āPeter Jon Lindberg
23 of 25
24 of 25
Mokapu Beach, Maui, Hawaii
The property off Mokapuās dazzling, 4 1/2-mile stretch of golden sand lay shuttered for years: enter the Andaz Maui at Wailea, which has revitalized this 15-acre spot. From the sand garden in the open-air lobby to the whitewashed guest rooms, the design sensibility is modern-luxe Hawaiian beach house. What to do? Along with stand-up paddleboarding, thereās lounging by the four-tiered pool and sharing sushi at the on-site Morimoto Maui. Hanging loose never felt so chic. āGail Simmons
24 of 25
25 of 25
Dominica, Caribbean
Long a secret Caribbean refuge for sunseekers and soul-searchers, Dominica has an astonishing purity and variety of landscapes: volcanoes, deep gorges, rivers and waterfalls, and the worldās second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. Nearly half of Dominica is rain forest, and about a third is national parkland. For the adventure-inclined, thereās just so much here. Yet for the average Caribbean tourist, remarkably little: no all-inclusives, no Margaritavilles, not even a gift shop at the airport. Small hotels and guesthouses havenāt kept up with nearby St. Lucia and Barbados. Factor in the difficulty of getting here (the islandās airstrip accommodates mostly prop planes, with no nonstop flights from the U.S.), and you see why Dominica has been an outlier, until recently. The island finally has a world-class resort to match its natural assets: Secret Bay, on a promontory between two beaches with cliff-top villas. Itās one of our favorite secret Caribbean hotels. āPeter Jon Lindberg