For the past two years, Travel + Leisure has anointed a Destination of the Year: the country or city that we watched—and covered—with fascination as it went through irreversible changes. Our first Destination of the Year was Myanmar, an Asian nation that was going through political, religious, and cultural shifts. “Go before the place internationalizes and loses the look of old Asia that has been preserved by its harshly imposed self-isolation,” wrote Andrew Solomon in a story we published in our December 2014 issue. “Go before everyone else goes.” In 2015, we selected Cuba, a country that, at long last, was opening up to American tourism. It was sheer luck that T+L had writer Gary Shteyngart in Havana on assignment just weeks after President Obama announced the beginning of restoring relations with the country. In the ensuing months, airlines, hotels, and cruises scrambled to keep up with demand and debut new offerings. We also opened up the vote for a Readers’ Choice, and Southern hot spot Nashville won with 15.8 percent of the vote.
What destination will receive the honor for 2016? This year, our short list has a range of places, including the tiny Italian island of Ischia and America’s broad national park system, which celebrated a major birthday this year. Below, 17 Travel + Leisure editors share their choices for Destination of the Year. Vote for your favorite and check back on November 14 for who we’ve deemed the winner.
America's National Parks
This year marked the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service, so what better “place” to win Destination of the Year? Our country’s best natural wonders hosted a blitz of events to celebrate—and also in part to pull in younger and more diverse visitors. NPS’s new “Find Your Park” campaign highlights lesser-known (but equally appealing) spots around the country. There are 413 sites in total overseen by the Park Service, ranging from the .02-acre Thaddeus Kosciusko house in Philadelphia to Alaska’s 13.2 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias. Get out there! —Kathy Roberson, Copy and Research Chief
Canada
If you still think of Canada as all about moose and hockey, think again. Travelers are rediscovering the big cities: Toronto’s creative scene; Vancouver’s outdoorsy adrenaline rushes; Montreal’s highly specific festivals (from African cinema to hot-air balloons). And off the beaten path, Newfoundland chefs are rethinking Canuck cuisine, adventurers can finally cruise the Northwest Passage, and the dreamy national parks (free through 2017) prove you’re really not in Kansas anymore. Head north while the exchange rate’s good—if you-know-who gets elected, you’ll be moving there anyhow, eh? —CB Owens, Copy & Research Editor
Croatia
With fantastic food and wine, an abundance of historic sites, and bone-white beaches, Croatia has something for every traveler—and since appearing as a frequent Game of Thrones backdrop, it’s more in-demand than ever. Stroll the port cities of Dubrovnik or Split, which have all the beauty of King’s Landing without the risk of Wildfire. Just a short boat ride from Dubrovnik you’ll find the craggy cliffs and waters of Lokrum, where Qarth scenes were filmed. And the town of Sibenik has so many soaring cathedrals and medieval fortresses that you won’t even miss the Titan of Braavos statue. —Lila Battis, Associate Editor
Hawaii
You never need a reason to visit Hawaii, but there were some major new ones in 2016. Oahu now has the contemporary Surfjack hotel and its first Four Seasons, and Larry Ellison’s luxe Lanai complex (another Four Seasons) debuted as well. On December 7, the state will commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor with a series of events. Visitors have brought a piece of Hawaii home, too. Poke—the trendiest dish of the year—has permeated the mainland. But the new reason everyone was going to Hawaii this year? It’s one of few tropical North American vacation spots that still remains Zika-free. —Stephanie Wu, Senior Editor
Iceland
It's impossible to ignore the buzz Iceland has created in 2016, with its ethereal experiences (black-sand beaches, anyone?), northern lights spotting, and ultra-luxe hotels (looking at you, Ion Hotel). Every hotel or restaurant comes with a glacier view or a front-row seat to one of nature's most stunning shows. There aren't many places where you can experience such untouched landscapes—a ride through lava fields on an Icelandic horse, snorkeling between two tectonic plates, a dip in a geothermal pool. If that's not a bucket list in itself, I don't know what is. —Erika Owen, Senior Social Editor
Ischia
The popular Neapolitan novels of Elena Ferrante have sparked fresh interest in this low-key volcanic island on the Gulf of Naples. Aside from the clubgoers who ferry in from the mainland, Ischia feels little changed from the 1950s, when the series begins. It has the same rugged beauty, the same beaches with bright umbrellas, the same healing thermal springs, the same plates of pasta with the day’s fresh catch. And the seaside resort L’Albergo della Regina Isabella, which since 1956 has sat like crenellated wedding cake near the village of Lacco Ameno, remains the island’s opulent grande dame. —Jesse Ashlock, Features Director
Korea
The craze for Korean beauty products and food shows no signs of slowing down, and now travelers are making the trek to feed their obsession. But Korea is more than kimchi and skincare. Longstanding traditions, like its bathing culture, are juxtaposed with rapid innovation (this is, after all, the home of Samsung). Seoul is a growing, dynamic city (Shilla, Samsung’s hotel brand, opened two properties within the past year) and has an incredible restaurant scene. And finally, travelers are venturing out of the city and discovering mountainous towns like Gangwon for stunning foliage and temples. —Adeline Duff, Editorial Assistant
Mexico City
The rest of the world has finally caught wind that Mexico City is a capital of high design, with impressive boutique hotels and fashion labels. Annual contemporary art fairs like Material and Zona Maco bring a flurry of young artists into the distrito federal, while museums—like the striking Museo Soumaya—continue to impress visitors. There are intimate and chic new hotels (like Hotel Carlota, with its glass-walled pool) and a food scene that is so much more than tacos (it has three of the World’s Top 50 restaurants). The best part? For Americans, the exchange rate has never been better. —Melanie Lieberman, Associate Digital Editor
New Zealand
By now, the otherworldly landscapes of New Zealand’s countryside are well known (thanks largely to those jaw-dropping Lord of the Rings filming locations). But this year, its cities are grabbing some attention, with new hotels in the capital, Wellington—including a Sofitel and a renovation of the quirky Museum Art Hotel by hip Australian brand QT. Meanwhile, Auckland has new nonstop flights from San Francisco, Dubai, and Doha. Still, the wilderness is never far from visitors’ minds, and the new, super luxe Helena Bay Lodge—on the North Island’s pristine northeast coast—is set to make a big splash. —John Wogan, Contributing Editor
Orlando
The theme park capital, known to many as the most magical place on earth, suffered a horrendous homegrown terrorist attack in June. After the senseless, heartbreaking tragedy, an outpouring of love for Orlando and its LGBT community quickly filled social media channels around the globe—proving that we truly do live in a small world after all. With those dark days behind them, the citizens of the City Beautiful have rallied and are planning to make November’s Pride festival the largest in Orlando history. If you’ve never visited, it’s time to see what all the love is about. —Christopher Tkaczyk, Senior News Editor
Paris
The City of Light has proven itself ever more resilient in the aftermath of two deadly terror attacks in 2015. Old gems, such as the Ritz, have seen new life: the Parisian staple reopened in 2016 with nods to its historic past. “When I dream of afterlife in heaven,” Ernest Hemingway once wrote in a letter, “the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz.” The city’s charms lie not only in its glamorous digs but in its simple pleasures: an espresso at an outdoor café, a stroll along the Seine, a glass of red wine with lunch—small joys that remain symbols of defiance for this beloved city. —Jess McHugh, Digital Reporter
Pittsburgh
I am endorsing my hometown here, but the Pittsburgh I grew up in was immensely less cool than it is now. 2016 marks the former steel town’s bicentennial; and for 200 years old, it’s looking vibrantly young. A once-concerning post-collegiate exodus has reversed, with a 53 percent bump in the under-35 population, and it shows. A new Ace hotel, a buzzed-about food scene, and a fiercely supportive small business community are all emblematic of Pittsburgh’s revived energy—one that’s in no way a pushback against its Rust Belt roots, but is instead bent on proving the city is finally in bloom again. —Richelle Szypulski, Editorial Assistant
Portugal
While American travel to Europe has softened overall in 2016, Portugal remains an important anomaly. FourSquare reports a 22 percent bump in American activity here in 2016, and TripAdvisor has seen a lift in booking interest, thanks to new flight routes (you can now travel nonstop from eight U.S. cities) and great hotel openings. In Lisbon, debuts like the contemporary MAAT Museum and the much-anticipated Bairro do Avillez restaurant are generating buzz worldwide. Beyond the capital, there’s something for every traveler, from the beaches of Comporta to adventures on the Azores islands. —Amy Schellenbaum, Digital Editor
Rio de Janeiro
The cultural capital of Brazil has always had a sexy allure: sultry samba music, golden beaches awash in string bikinis, and a carefree lifestyle. Haters were certain the city would be crushed by the pressure of the 2016 Olympic Games, but those cariocas got the job done. Now that the TV crews have gone, Rio is back to the business of leisure. So grab a caipirinha at the Belmond Copacabana Palace or hit the rooftop pool of the Hotel Fasano. Expect exuberant displays of affection everywhere, whether you’re atop Sugarloaf Mountain (where I was proposed marriage) or in a nightclub in groovy Lapa. —Heidi Mitchell, Special Correspondent
Singapore
Aside from its world-renowned food scene (Anthony Bourdain is its most famous fan), Singapore is also home to a thriving creative community and lush green spaces. The city, which celebrated 50 years of independence last year, still has lots of news, from the recently opened National Gallery to art-themed festivals throughout the year. Visitors will find a slew of chic new hotels to stay in, like the South Beach and Patina Capitol Singapore, with its soaring ceilings and rich patterns. —Talia Avakian, Digital Reporter
Washington, D.C.
All eyes are on the capital during this election year, but thankfully, there are plenty of exciting happenings to distract from the craziness of the campaigns. June saw the reopening of the (in)famous Watergate hotel after a $125 million renovation. In September, the National Museum of African American History and Culture debuted with thousands of artifacts depicting black life in America and an incredible café. Speaking of food, D.C. has become a culinary haven. The city now has its own Michelin guide, including 12 restaurants locals head to to unwind after a long day of politics. —John Scarpinato, Editorial Assistant
