Travelmath's Top 10 Places to Visit in 2016
Without a doubt, Cuba is one of the hottest places to visit in 2015. Cuba made it to several “places to visit” lists for 2016 as well. Where would you go if money were no object? Could it be paddle boarding in the quiet waters of Barbados or sipping caipirinhas in the still waters of Paraty, Brazil?
Here is Travelmath’s list of top 10 places to visit in 2016. We chose these places based on our first hand experiences and knowledge of the place. These are places that have unique features like legendary industries, geographical features, iconic buildings and outstanding cultural facilities and events.
10. Paraty, Brazil
Paraty is located in Brazil’s Costa Verde, just around a
four hour drive from Rio de Janeiro. Founded by the Portuguese in 1650, this coastal town has beautiful well-preserved historical buildings and cobblestone streets. Most of the colonial buildings have been converted into hotels, restaurants and shops. One of the unique features is during full moon of every month seawater rises from its normal levels and pours into the Historic District.
Things to do:
1. Hire a private schooner or join a guided boat tour around the bay for a day. This five-hour tour will take you to different islands and beaches. Sunbathe, dive and swim in crystal clear water in places where the only way to get there is by boat.
2. Walk on the cobblestone streets of the historic town and check out the cozy restaurants and indigenous arts and crafts.
Travel tips:
Fly to Rio de Janeiro. Join a tour or rent a car and drive to Paraty from Rio.
9. Barbados
Barbados gets the most repeat visitors in the Caribbean. This island receives over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The northeast trade winds keep the humidity lower than most of the other Caribbean islands. The people are friendly and the local dishes are amazing.
Things to do:
1. Enjoy water sports and the amazing beaches in Barbados. For calmer beaches, stay at the west coast.
2. Join the locals for a meal at Oinstins Fish Fry on Friday evenings.
For more things to do, read
5 Things to Do in Barbados.
8. Puerto Varas, Chile
Located
19 miles from El Tepual International Airport (PMC) in Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas is the gateway to many outdoor activities in the Lake District of Chile. From German colonial buildings and German-inspired cuisine to views of the surrounding snow capped volcanoes and Lake Llanquihue, you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Things to do:
1. Take a self-guided tour of the city. Walk along Lake Llanquihue and also check out the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a church built in 1915 to resemble the Black Forest of Germany.
2. Visit Frutillar, a German town
17 miles north of Puerto Varas for delicious German kuchen (cake) and visit the Museo Colonial Aleman (German Colonial Museum).
Travel tips:
Read
Top 3 Places to Visit in Lake District Chile.
7. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has plenty of affordable luxurious accommodations that need to be filled in 2016. It was named Best Places to Travel in 2015 by Travel and Leisure, and we believe it should be in our list for 2016.
Our recent trip to the island proved that Puerto Rico is hassle-free because there are no immigration papers to fill out and Americans don’t need a passport to enter Puerto Rico (just bring your driver’s license). The island is rich in history and offers plenty of dining options and specialty coffee shops.
Things to do:
1. Join one of the many walking food tours in San Juan to discover Puerto Rican food and coffee.
2. Take a coffee farm tour in mountains of Central Puerto Rico.
For more things to do read:
5 Things to Do in San Juan Puerto Rico .
Travel tips:
For the best airfare and hotel rates travel during off peak season from mid-September to mid-November.
6. Atlanta, US
Atlanta is home to CNN Center, World of Coca-Cola and site of the 1996 Summer Olympics. In recent years Atlanta has become the “Hollywood of the east coast.” According to
AJC.com, since 2008 the city has played backdrop to 140 films and TV shows.
Things to do:
1. Discover Atlanta movie tours.
2. Take one of the food walking tours in Atlanta and learn about southern food and history of Atlanta.
For more things to do, read 5 Things to Do in Atlanta https://blog.travelmath.com/5-things-to-do-in-atlanta/
Travel tips:
Use the
Fly or Drive Calculator to find out if it is more economical to fly or drive to Atlanta.
5. Lake Baikal, Siberia
Lake Baikal is located in the south east of Siberia. It is the world’s oldest and deepest lake, containing 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater reserve and is known as the “Galapagos of Russia” because of its unique fauna and flora. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. (Source:
UNESCO).
Things to do:
1. Stay in and visit Listvyanka, a popular village in Lake Baikal. Visit the local market with vendors selling smoked omul (local fish) and view the unique Baikal seal (fresh water seal) in Baikal Limnological Museum.
2. Visit Olkhorn Island, one of the most beautiful places on earth and stay at Nikita Guest House in Olkhorn Island.
Travel tips:
Irkutsk is the gateway to Lake Baikal. Flights are available from the US to Moscow, Russia. Connecting flights are available from Moscow to Irkutsk or you can take the famous Trans Siberian railway from Moscow to Irkutsk and spend a few days in the Lake Baikal area.
An alternative route would be flying into Beijing, China or Ulan Bator, Mongolia and joining the Trans Mongolian railway to Irkutsk and spending a few days in Lake Baikal before continuing your journey from Irkutsk to Moscow by train.
4. Sicily, Italy
You can take the hydrofoil from Naples to Sicily, or you can fly to Palermo, Catania or Trapani from mainland Italy. Sicily is different from mainland Italy because of its unique culture, history and cuisine. You’ll discover Greek ruins, cathedrals with Arab, Jewish, Gothic and Byzantine influences and breathtaking views.
Things to do:
1. Visit historic sites in Toarmina, Palermo, Catania, Syracuse and Trapani.
2. Enjoy sunset at Scala dei Turchi, the marlstone cliffs in Realmonte.
Travel tips:
Read
The Telegraph’s readers tips and recommendations before heading to Sicily.
3. Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart is an under-rated destination in Germany. The city is home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museum. It is a kid-friendly city with many parks like Killesberg Hill Park, Wilhema Zoo, Tripsdrill Wildlife Park, Tripsdrill Theme Park, Sensapolis Adventure Park and more.
Things to do:
1. Visit Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum.
2. Spend a day at
Killesberg Hill Park.
Travel tips:
Stuttgart Main Train Station is connected to 13 European capitals. Most flights from the United States to Frankfurt are cheaper than flights to Stuttgart. It takes only
73 minutes by train from Frankfurt airport to Stuttgart Main Train Station.
2. Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Yogyakarta (also known as Jogja) is one of the most under-rated destinations in Asia. Located only about
an hour flight from Bali and
an hour flight from Jakarta, Yogyakarta is home to Candi Prambanan (the largest historic Hindu temple in Indonesia), a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is also the gateway to Borobudur, the world’s largest ancient Buddhist shrine, also a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Things to do:
1. Visit Borobudur.
2. Visit Candi Prambanan, Kraton (palace), watch a Ramayana dance and Taman Sari (a royal water castle).
Travel tips:
Americans need an Indonesian tourist visa to visit Indonesia. Tourist visa are issued at the airport on arrival. It costs $35 per person.
1. London
Much of London is iconic and to list its landmarks would require a few pages of notes. Business Insider’s article
“New York City vs. London: Which is REALLY the best city in the world?” offers an interesting insight into both cities. London continues to be the most popular destination in the world according to
MasterCard 2015 Global Destination Cities Index. We believe it will be the same in 2016.
Things to do in London:
1. Visit the museums – British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Museum, Tower of London and more.
2. Catch a live soccer (football) game in Wembley Stadium. Take a tour of Wembley Stadium if soccer is not in season.
For more things to do, read
5 Things to Do in London
Travel tips:
Get an Oyster Card and London Pass to save time and money.
Where will you be traveling to in 2016? Let us know.
