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35 of the world’s best places to travel in 2017 With so much negativity in the media, the world is often portrayed as risky, dangerous. And yet as travelers we learn the same lesson over and over: Preconceived notions of places and cultures are almost always wrong. The world is, in fact, safer, more hospitable, more open and accepting than non-travelers could ever imagine. If only people everywhere could realize that on the opposite side of the globe are people not so different, so foreign, as they might believe. Let’s make 2017 the year of traveling fearlessly. These places are just starting points. The next step is taking action. We hope to see you on the road. 1. Jordan 1. Jordan Completely safe oasis isolated from the instability of the region Images: The ultimate Jordan road trip 6 reasons to visit Jordan now 20 images that show how incredible Petra really is Jordan from the air Jordan is a place of supernatural beauty. Imagine Yosemite as a desert with super luxury tented camps. That’s a bit how Wadi Rum feels. And Petra is so ancient you could use the Bible as your guidebook rather than a Lonely Planet. Beyond these obvious destinations, there’s also Al Salt, Jarash, and Amman. Travel here with an open mind, and get ready for and a hospitality that will blow away any expectations. Photo by Scott Sporleder. 2. Los Angeles 2. Los Angeles Epicenter of Southern California with quick access to nature 10 rad wilderness escapes less than an hour from LA 10 of the best spots in LA to grab a beer 9 incredibly cool places in LA you’ve never heard of 10 best beaches in Los Angeles LA has it all. The food options, historic sites, and outdoor access are enough to make you forget the 45-minute drives it takes to reach them. Your best bet (as always) is to hook up with locals (try travelstoke if you don’t know anyone there), and plan your travels around different neighborhoods. Photo by Scott Sporleder. 3. Yucatán Peninsula 3. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico No-worries area of Mexico with luxury haciendas in the middle of the jungle Exploring Mexico’s Jungles and Waterfalls 12 incredible outdoor adventures for your trip to Mexico Beyond Chichen Itzá: 5 fascinating ruins in Yucatán Peninsula Beyond Chichen Itzá are other lesser known Mayan ruins worth exploring throughout the region, along with the cenotes, as well as world-class diving (the world’s second largest coral reef after the Great Barrier Reef, is on the Carribean side of Mexico) and beaches. Of special note is Rosas y Chocolate, one of the top urban hotels in all of Mexico, pictured above. 4. Sisimiut, Greenland 4. Sisimiut, Greenland Above the Arctic Circle, and almost like dropping off the map 12 things us Greenlandics always have to explain to out-of-towners 18 images that capture the barren beauty of Greenland perfectly 20 images that prove that Greenland has the most inspiring landscapes on earth A photographic journey through remote east Greenland Sisimiut is the second-largest town in Greenland. 5,500 people live on a tiny, rocky promontory just north of the Arctic Circle. If you are lucky enough to travel to Greenland, your goal should be connecting with locals and getting invited to a kaffemik. These are celebrations such as birthdays or weddings, and guests may can come anytime you want and leave whenever they feel like it. Photo courtesy of Visit Greenland. 5. Península Valdés, Argentina 5. Península Valdés, Argentina The overlooked part of Patagonia, with stunning marine wildlife 32 things to do in Argentina before you die 5 killer camping spots in Patagonia The stark, windswept, and seldom-visited Atlantic coast of Patagonia has intense concentrations of wildlife with its epicenter at Peninsula Valdes. Each year between June and December is the Southern Right Whale migration. Throughout the year are other wildlife viewing possibilities, including Magellanic penguins, and elephant seals. Awesome family adventure. Image: Matiasso 6. Hamburg 6. Hamburg, Germany Harbor city unlike anywhere else in Germany How to get off the beaten path in Germany 9 reasons to head straight to small town Germany Hamburg is more fish than sausage and more tea than beer. It’s home to one of Germany’s oldest red-light district, the Reeperbahn, where many musicians, like the Beatles, got their start. Explore the Speicherstadt, attend the Hamburger Dom, or check out a Sankt Pauli soccer game; Hamburg’s notoriously rowdy soccer team. Image: Nick Sheerbart 7. Faroe Islands 7. Faroe Islands Otherworldly North Atlantic escape Epic video of the Faroe Islands Whale hunting in the Faroe Islands has gotten a bad rep. But here’s what social media is missing. Off in the North Atlantic somewhere between Iceland and Norway, this group of 18 islands is like a dream world: dramatic sea stacks, well-trodden hiking trails, and cosmopolitan small cities with great food scenes. The country has incredible infrastructure with most islands connected by bridge or undersea tunnel. For those islands not connected by road, there are fast ferries and subsidized helicopter transport. Photo by Stefan Klopp. 8. Auckland 8. Auckland, New Zealand Ultimate urban backpacker hub for exploring wilderness and beaches 5 next-level New Zealand itineraries for surf, snow, and camping 20 reasons New Zealand is the ultimate adventure destination 20 mind-blowing New Zealand experiences Auckland is one of the largest cities by land area in the world, with plenty of natural reserves, surf spots, and Maori cultural experiences throughout and surrounding the city. There’s also a great cafe culture. It’s a perfect base for exploring both coasts of NZ’s North Island. Photo by Rulo Luna. 9. Dominical, Costa Rica 9. Dominical, Costa Rica Surf, yoga, and natural foods paradise within easy reach 360 day-tripping in Dominical, Costa Rica 360 waterfall canyoning in Costa Rica Pura Vida: Essential Costa Rica 10 experiences you can only have in Costa Rica Out of all the places in Costa Rica that should’ve gotten overrun with mass tourism, Dominical has been spared. It remains a small, uncrowded town with a super cool expat scene and awesome restaurants. There are exceptional AirBnb properties overlooking nearby Domincalito (as well as in town). For surfing, Dominical is almost never flat. Photo: Blaze Nowara. 10.Montreal 10. Montreal, Canada Multicultural city with world-class paddling options and nightlife 14 spots that prove Montreal is as multicultural as you think it is A quick travel guide to Montreal neighbourhoods The ultimate 7-day nightlife guide to Montreal 11 must-have experiences in Montreal 2017 marks Montreal’s 375th anniversary, and the city plans to celebrate all year. Join in for a big party and some birthday cake on May 17, the official date that the city was founded on. Culturally diverse Montreal will also welcome you with free festivals, concerts, cultural activities, exhibitions, foodie events, tastings, tours, and theatrical performances. Photo: Michael Vesia. 11. Portmagee, Ireland 11. Portmagee, Ireland Coastal Irish village with access to ancient sites If you’re in Dublin here’s where to eat and drink 8 things we Irish say (and what we really mean) 15 little things you’ll miss after leaving Ireland Portmagee is both a rad little village on its own, and the departure point for Skellig Michael. Take a ferry there, hang with puffins and dolphins all day, enjoy seafood caught steps away at the family owned Moorings Guesthouse while listening to traditional Irish song and dance and lulled to sleep by the ocean. Photo by Tony Webster. 12. Belfast, Maine 12. Belfast, Maine Scenic seaport on Penobscot Bay, loaded with architectural treasures and historic districts How to have the ultimate weekend in Maine 11 beautiful images that will make you want to go to Maine The 25 funniest expressions in Maine Tasting Maine: A guide to the local food movement Belfast is known for welcoming the back-to-the-land movement of the ’70s. It gets a lot of credit for the craft beers of Marshall Wharf, Delvino’s authentic Italian food, served in an old hardware store, and the many local farmers who’ve taken the torch from those revolutionary back-to-the-landers and are fueling the city’s sustainable food movement. Photo by Bruce C. Cooper. 13. Havana 13. Havana, Cuba Rapidly transitioning nation grounded in Caribbean culture and vibrancy Americans in Cuba: Everything you need to know 10 reasons to pack your bags and go to Cuba Portraits from the streets of Havana Cuba has been among the hottest places to travel for our staff at Matador, with reports always containing two elements: 1. People have more fun there than anywhere else they’ve been in years, and 2. The wifi is the worst they’ve found anywhere (Correlation anyone?). On a recent filmmaking journey, it was noted: “Everyone here has rocking chairs. This is place where people know how to chill.” 14. New York City 14. New York City An energy unrivaled anywhere in the world Here’s how to get around NYC [Quick guide] 10 spots to hit on your first trip to New York 24 hours in New York City 11 must-have experiences in New York With so many things to do and places to see, NYC can be quite disorienting for a first-time visitor, which you should just accept as part of the experience. The quintessential walking city, stroll the Highline, Brooklyn bridge, and Riverside Park. Photo by Jaden D. 15. Franklin, Tennessee 15. Franklin, Tennessee Classic small town southern vibes and beautiful watershed 6 places in Tennessee to see before you die 14 reasons Tennessee is the most underrated state in America Your mini-guide to Tennessee slang 13 of the trippiest places in Tennessee A short drive from Nashville, Franklin has a great small town vibe with their Main Street as the site of numerous festivals and the Harpeth River (and connected trails) flowing right through town. The upcoming September Pilgrimage Festival will be in its 3rd year, and with Justin Timberlake as producer, it is going to be awesome. 16. Durango 16. Durango, Colorado Outdoor adventure hub in a region dotted with storybook towns 5 mindblowing wilderness options in Durango, Colorado 7 craft beers you have to try in Durango What not to miss on your next trip to Colorado A mini guide to Colorado slang Durango is one of the raddest towns in the US with the powerful, free-flowing Animas River running deep through the San Juan Mountains and right through the city. World class ski resort + backcountry adventures via kayaks, skis/snowboard, and great events from Snowdown in January to the La Plata County Fair in August. Photo by Avery Woodard. 17. Abu Dhabi 17. Abu Dhabi, UAE One of the best places in the world to experience Islamic culture Abu Dhabi might just be the most exciting destination in the Middle East. Here’s why. 20 images of Abu Dhabi we can’t stop looking at Abu Dhabi is 3 amazing destinations in one Abu Dhabi is a desert emirate, dotted with oasis towns, date farms, historic forts, natural reserves, mangroves, and dunes that have lured explorers throughout history. As one of the largest mosques on the planet, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque receives pilgrims from all over the world during Eid celebrations. Outside of prayer times, it’s also open to non-Muslims and has free guided tours. 18. Seattle 18. Seattle All in one foodie, art, music, and outdoor adventure destination The after-dark guide to Seattle The ultimate Seattle neighborhood guide Seattle day trips: 5 awesome itineraries out of the Emerald City 10 food experiences you need to have in Seattle before you die Seattle has been blowing up for the last two decades and continues to be one of the most interesting cultural centers in the US. But beyond the city itself, Seattle is special for its geography. Simply jump on a ferry for a day trip to the San Juan Islands or over to the Olympic Peninsula and you’re deep in coastal rainforests and mountain ranges–another world. Photo by Vincent Lock. 19. Sicily 19. Sicily, Italy The Mediterranean’s largest island, rich in archeological sites and culture Road tripping the Sicilian coast Hiking guide Mt. Etna Don’t leave Italy without checking out Taormina 20 of the most beautiful places in Italy Sicily has retained a strong sense of identity, and nowhere is it more enmeshed with the rich history than in the ancient walled neighborhood of Ortigia, in Siracusa. The high stone buildings and cobblestone streets give the sense of stepping back in time. Make sure to also hit up Mt. Etna (Europe’s tallest active volcano), Cefalù, and Taormina. Actually, just go everywhere. Photo by Scott Sporleder. 20. Varanasi 20. Varanasi, India The cultural center of North India Photo essay: Life and death in Varanasi Notes from a photographer in Varanasi According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi was founded by Lord Shiva. The city is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. It is also a city surrounded by death. The biggest tourist attraction here is to witness the cremations that take place along the banks of the Ganges. Varanasi is Photo: Arushi Saini Photography. 21. St. Petersburg 21. St. Petersburg, Russia Russia’s cultural capital 15 photographers show us the diverse beauty of Russia The historic districts of St. Petersburg comprise a UNESCO world heritage site, and the Hermitage is among the top museums in the world. Bar hop along the trendy Ruben Street and wander the massive Nevsky Prospekt main drag. Lastly, as Russia prepares to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, St. Petersburg will serve as the backdrop for the 2017 Confederations Cup Final. Photo by Victor Bergmann. 22. Quebec City 22. Quebec City, Canada Winter time in Quebec City is kinda awesome 24 hours in Quebec City 15 reasons Quebec is the most underrated province in Canada An ode to Quebec City in the snow While Canada is 150 years old in 2017, Quebec City dates back to 1608 and is like nowhere else in North America. The fortifications and French colonial stone buildings of the Old Town make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time. Photo by Julien Samson. 23. Charleston 23. Charleston, South Carolina One of the most fun party weekends in the US 19 reasons Charleston is the ultimate college town 16 things you become addicted to in Charleston 10 little things you’ll miss when you leave Charleston 6 unforgettable roadtrips through the South Take your time here in the Lowcountry. Have a meal at Hominy Grill, a sailboat ride up around Fort Sumter, spend an evening being touristy on King Street, and definitely take the short ride to Folly Beach. Sipping beers and eating seafood at Red’s Ice House overlooking the fishing boats on Shem Creek isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon either. Photo by North Charleston. 24. Montreux 24. Montreux, Switzerland The French Swiss city, surrounded by vineyards and towering alps Swiss Alps from the air This Swiss alpine slide is what you always dreamed of as a kid Belle Époque buildings overlook a long promenade along Lake Geneva, making Montreux one of the most picturesque places in the world. Every July is the Montreux Jazz Festival, which celebrated its 50th year in 2016. Photo by Karim Kanoun Photography. 25. Óbidos, Portugal 25. Óbidos, Portugal Portugal’s scenic literary powerhouse near world class-surf Portugal’s ultimate road trip Portugal’s surf culture: The Algarve 14 signs you learned to drink in Portugal Once you’ve walked the 13th century streets, filled your bag with books and your stomach with bacalhau and vinho verde, you can drive 45 minutes to Lisbon or explore the area around Óbidos. Peniche, a surf paradise, is 25km away, and there’s a natural park (Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiro) also nearby. Photo by lagrossemadame. 26. Pokhara, Nepal 26. Pokhara, Nepal Nepal’s relaxing, fresh, and super close-to-nature second city Guide for independently hiking the Annapurna Sanctuary Photo essay: Pokhara to Poon Hill on the Annapurna Circuit 10 little things you’ll miss when you leave Charleston 6 unforgettable roadtrips through the South Nepal’s second city doesn’t rival the capital Kathmandu in many respects but it’s the hands-down winner for a relaxed vibe and adventure access. The hilltop viewpoint of Sarangkot is one of the best places in the world for paragliding; there are kilometers of trails just around Fewa Lake, and if you’re out of energy, Pokhara is an ideal place to chill out. Photo: Aalok dhakal. 27. Cabo San Lucas 27. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Works all ways: place to get waves, have family fun, or as a romantic getaway 8 reasons I changed my mind about Cabo Exploring Baja Most people associate Cabo with spring break, tequila, and loud music. The scene has changed over the last few years, with the main attractions being nature wildlife, and classy upscale resorts. Photo: Ben Horton. 28. Nelson, Canada 28. Nelson, Canada The friendliest little ski town in British Columbia Best ski town in North America Powder Highway Part 1 Nelson’s history includes the settlement of the pacifist Doukhobors from Russia as well as Vietnam draft dodgers, which played no small part in its progressive values and “hippie vibes.” Nelson has a thriving music, arts, and cultural scene, and a surprising amount of cafes, bars, restaurants and locally-owned shops for a city of only 10,000 people. Photo: Carlo Alcos. 29. Altér do Chão, Brazil 29. Altér do Chão, Brazil The “Brazilian Caribbean” hidden in the Amazon jungle 9 of the most mind-blowing places in Brazil 20 funniest Brazilian expressions and how to use them This is the perfect place to explore the Amazon rainforest. You can go on day trips to see sloths, river dolphins, and other animals, and you can taste exotic fruits and food only found here there. If you go during the rainy season, Altér do Chão is super quiet, with a hippie-ish vibe. Photo by lubasi. 30. George Town, Malaysia 30. George Town, Malaysia A mind-blowing combination of Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures Quick guide to Malaysian slang 16 experiences to have in Malaysia before you die/a> Spice, herb, and fresh produce stands between colonial architecture and street art offers a sensational experience with the chatter of diverse languages, like being a walk away from India and China. Photo by Ah Wei (Lung Wei). 31. Luang Prabang, Laos 31. Luang Prabang, Laos A relaxed introduction for newcomers to Asia Border crossing guide: Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang 8 things you can only experience in Laos Luang Prabang is different from the majority of Southeast Asia because it’s very laid back and relaxed. Whether you are a backpacker or a luxury traveller, you will enjoy lazy day bars, French-inspired restaurants, and the nearby elephant sanctuaries and waterfalls. 32. Ottawa 32. Ottawa, Canada Capital of Canada, celebrating a big birthday 13 best spots in Ottawa’s music scene Ottawa: One of the world’s great art museums addicted to in Charleston Quick guide to Ottawa Ottawa is celebrating 2017 as a national sesqui-centennial. Canada’s capital has some one the Hemisphere’s best museums (the National Gallery supports a massive collection of indigenous art), green spaces, craft beer, and live music. Photo by Joel Bedford. 33. Montagu, South Africa 33. Montagu, South Africa The most under-appreciated wine valley in South Africa with world-class climbing and hiking options 5 reasons to visit South Africa now 8 epic ways to explore South Africa When people visit Cape Town, they usually head to Franshoek or Stellenbosch for wine tasting. But if they drove just an hour more, they’d discover the small-town, laid-back vibe of this area where wine-tastings are generally free, and often run by the owner of the vineyard. You’re also within minutes of some of the world’s best rock-climbing. Photo by South African Tourism. 34. Leipzig 34. Leipzig, Germany The new Berlin 5 essential tips for budget travel in Germany 15 images of our favorite places in Germany 16 things Americans learn when they visit Germany Leipzig has been referred to as the “new Berlin”, and we totally get why. Its vibrant history makes for fascinating museums, stunning architecture, the music scene is unbeatable. More than 30% of the city is covered with trees and parks. Photo by Robin Kunz for Leipzig Tourism Department. 35. Curanipe, Chile 35. Curanipe, Chile Off-the-radar surf town in Chile’s Maule Region 8 things that happen when you visit Chile 17 things you become addicted to in Chile South of Talca, Curanipe is a common hangout for surfers and a great base to escape to Buchu and other epic breaks. Curanipe faced a harsh blow during the tsunami in 2010 and a memorial stands in memory of those who lost their lives on the pier. You’ll find wheelbarrows of live crabs and traditional music and you can enjoy a pisco cola on the curb. Take time to pull up a chair and talk to the locals. View 25 comments travelstoke Be a local. Wherever you go. SUBSCRIBE Fearless travel in your inbox. Enter Your Email I'M IN! I agree to the Terms of Service FOLLOW US Join our tribe of millions. Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube SUBMIT YOUR WORK TO MATADOR! Matador's growing Creators Community is the place to connect with fellow travel journalists. MATADOR NETWORK © 2006-2017 Advertise With Us Terms of Service Privacy Policy Science #WhoaScience 21 Most Beautiful Places In The World To Visit Trevor Nace, CONTRIBUTOR Nov 27, 2015 5:53 PM 1,279,137 Collage of the most beautiful places in the world Let your mind drift to the most beautiful places in the world. Explore stunning architectural feats, a tropical paradise, and a small Scandinavian town . The 21 places below will likely fill your bucket list for many years to come and you can count yourself lucky if you are able to visit even a third of these amazing places. The beautiful places below are organized into tropical/warm, arctic/cold, and architectural. No matter where you live in the world, there are incredible places to visit and architectural sights to see. To be honest, there are thousands of places that could have made this list but hopefully this list provides some justice to those that were left off. The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. – Eleanor Roosevelt Most Beautiful Tropical/Warm Places In The World Kauai, Hawaii (Credit: Trip Advisor) Kauai, Hawaii owns the medal of the rainiest place on earth, allowing for a tropical paradise. Hike, swim, bike, and dive. Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Credit: St. Regis Bora Bora) Bora Bora is an island that once was a volcano, which has subsequently subsided and formed a barrier reef. The reef ecosystem allows for pristine clear blue water and reefs limit waves, providing a protected sanctuary. Rice terrace fields of Longsheng, China (Credit: Wikipedia) Longsheng is named after Longji, which translates to dragon’s backbone. The terrace resembles dragon scales as rice fields snake through the mountains. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe (Credit: springbokatlas.com) Victoria Falls that border Zambia and Zimbabwe is the largest waterfall in the world by total area. The falls transport an astonishing 1,088 cubic meters per second of water down an ~350-foot cliff. Amazon River, Brazil (Credit: Dailybackgrounds.com) The Amazon River is the artery for the largest rainforest in the world. It is the largest river in the world by discharge and one of the largest by length. The surrounding rainforest represents over half of the world’s remaining rainforest. Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, China (Credit: [+] The Rainbow Mountains of Zhangye Danxia, China show off weathering and erosion at its most beautiful. The dramatic colors throughout the mountain are a result of trace minerals associated within the sandstone, coloring the sand in reds, greens, and yellows. Railay, Thailand (Credit: magic4walls.com) Railay, Thailand is a magical place only accessible by boat on a small Thai peninsula . Spend your days rock climbing the limestone cliffs, exploring vast cave systems, or swimming to nearby islands. Most Beautiful Arctic/Cold Places In The World Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany (Credit: [+] Neuschwanstein, a nineteenth-century castle in southern Germany is the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. This German retreat is visited regularly during summer months as a symbol of refuge and peace. Northern Lights, Iceland (Credit: Icelandonline.com) The natural display of varying color within the arctic sky is one of Iceland’s biggest tourist sights. Unfortunately, it’s rather unpredictable so make sure you leave enough time to try a few times. Antarctica (Credit: visitworldplaces.com) Antarctica is on average the coldest, windiest, driest, and highest of the 7 continents. This desert continent is, however, home to millions of penguins of different species. Bison of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the US and likely the world. Drive through the park and encounter an array of wildlife 10′s of feet away from you. Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska (Credit: Jack Moskovita) Fjords are created by the slow erosion of mountain valleys as glaciers move down toward the sea. Tracy Arm Fjord in Alaska is home to Orcas and a rapidly disappearing environment. Torres Del Paine Patagonia, Chile (Credit: Wikipedia) Torres Del Paine in southern Patagonia is a national park that boasts beautiful mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Take the trip to southern Patagonia and you can hike the partial or full circuit around the stunning granite peaks in the backdrop of the photo above. Svalbard, Norway (Credit: nordnorge.com) The incredibly cold island of Svalbard is located within the Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Europe. Svalbard is the northernmost settlement with a permanent population in the world. Trekking through Svalbard it’s not uncommon to see polar bears, reindeer, and perhaps an Arctic fox. Most Beautiful Architectural Places In The World Temples of Bagan, Burma (Myanmar) (Credit: Quinn Ryan [+] The Temples of Bagan sit within central Burma (Myanmar) and was built as the capital of ancient Myanmar. The temples are the largest concentration of Buddhist temples, most of which dating back to the 12th and 11th centuries. Petra, Jordan (Credit: Dave Bouskill) The ancient city of Petra, Jordan is an architectural masterpiece. Built into the side of a rock cliff, Petra was carved as early as 312 BC. Petra was names a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was unknown to the western world until 1812. Machu Picchu, Peru (Credit: Mypetyak on Flickr) Hike up the Peruvian mountain ridge where Machu Picchu sits and you will see the peak of Inca civilization. This beautiful place was built in 1450 and was only occupied for ~100 years until the Spanish Conquest. Venice, Italy (Credit: Findpik.com) Venice, the city on water, is built on 118 small islands that are separated by a vast network of canals. The city was built on the Venetian Lagoon and is unlike any other city in the world. Giza Pyramids, Egypt (Credit: Dale Johnson, 500px) The Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, located in El Giza, Egypt. The pyramid was built as a tomb in 2560 BC for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. Ta Prohm, Cambodia (Credit: sovanady.com) The ancient temple of Ta Prohm was built as a Buddhist monastery and university. The temple was largely left as is, with spung (Tetrameles nudiflora) trees and moss growing throughout the architecture. Taj Mahal, India (Credit: Nedim Chaabene on Flickr) The Taj Mahal in northern India is a beautiful white marble mausoleum. The Taj Mahal is regarded as the jewel of Muslim art in India and is an often sought after location for worship and tourism. So step away from your iPhone, quit checking Facebook, and book your next adventure! Trevor Naceis a geologist, Forbes contributor, founder of Science Trends, and adventurer.Follow his journey@trevornace. Contact Trevor at trevornace[at]gmail.com Loading ... 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AdChoices Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions Contact Us Jobs At Forbes Reprints & Permissions Forbes Press Room Advertise SUBSCRIBE MENU GEAR TRAVEL FITNESS ADVENTURE CULTURE VIDEO MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE PODCAST SEARCH 7 Super-Useful Apps for Last-Minute Trips Stop browsing #vanlife photos and get out of town fast passport Graham Averill You’ve spent all week looking at #vanlife pictures at work and now you simply have to get out of town. The beach would be great, but you’ll take the mountains. Or the city. Really, anywhere but here. It’s time to let that tiny computer in your pocket do the work for you. In recent years, last-minute travel apps have become a thing, with developers aggregating data to offer flash deals on everything from flights to theater tickets. We found seven apps that will help you satisfy your spontaneous wanderlust. Get your “go” bag ready. You’re going places. Tonight. Hopper Best If: You have a specific destination in mind, but are flexible on dates. This app crunches data to figure out when you should book a flight to score the cheapest ticket. Fill in the destination and Hopper presents you with a calendar that breaks down the various price options over the next six months. I searched for JFK and found a handful of $400 round-trip flights for the following week. The app will tell you if the price is expected to rise or drop so you know if you should buy now or hold out. If you’re flying to a city with multiple airports, Hopper will even tell you if there’s a cheaper ticket at a different airport. Free; available for iPhone and Android. Fareness Best If: You just need to get out of town, quick. Fareness works similar to Hopper. Type in your home airport and where you want to go, and then the site presents you with round-trip prices for the next two months. But it works best if you’re open-minded about your destination. Let’s say you have a three-day weekend coming up. You’ll set the dates and Fareness will show you a range of options. I used my home airport as a base, and discovered I could fly to Las Vegas, San Diego, New York, DC, all for less than $500 from a midsize airport on the East Coast. Free; iPhone only. GTFO, Get the Flight Out Best If: You just got paid and you just broke up with your girlfriend. Developed by the same folks that brought you Hopper, GTFO is truly for the spontaneous. Enter your home airport and GTFO gives you the prices for a range of flights leaving from your airport tonight through tomorrow morning. We found round-trip, non-stop tickets to Miami for $176 (taxes included) that left in six hours. Free; available for iPhone and Android. Hotel Tonight Best If: You’re on a road trip but forgot to plan ahead, or are looking for a spontaneous weekend getaway. This is the app that started the same day travel revolution. With Hotel Tonight, you can book last-minute, same day hotel rooms all over the world at up to 70 percent off the typical cost of the room. We found deep discounts on a variety of hotels in a number of cities. And you can go down to the wire: you can book your room as late as 2 a.m. on the night of your arrival. Free; available for iPhone and Android. Travelzoo Best If: You’re exploring your own hometown or looking for suggestions in a new destination. This is a map-based app that shows you the travel deals that are close to you, from hotels to discounted dinner. I found a room at a new hotel I’ve been wanting to check out for $100 off the regular price in my hometown, then scrolled through the map to Atlanta and found discount symphony tickets, 50 percent off museum tickets, and $100 off a boutique hotel. You can search the week’s top deals to find deep discounts on package vacations. It even has deals right now on guided trips in our national parks. Free; Available for Apple and Android. Secret Escapes Best If: You’re just looking to get away to some place sunny. Use this site to search discounted rooms at boutique hotels around the world. Most of the deals we found were 30 percent off the regular room rate, with options everywhere from Telluride to Tortuga Bay. You can browse the flash sales, or enter specific dates or a destination to see what’s available. It feels a little bit like Groupon, with a bunch of resort options that can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. But if you’re not super spontaneous, you’ll appreciate the “Upcoming Sales” feature, which lets you know about deals that will be available in the near future. Free; requires registration; web only. Hipmunk Best If: You want to plan a complete vacation at the last minute on one app. Hipmunk combines a lot of your travel needs into one seamless package. Enter your home airport and you’ll get a list of flight deals to suggested cities. You can also enter your favorite cities and Hipmunk will alert you when a deal pops up. Hipmunk even lets you compare flights on other sites like Orbitz and Travelocity so you know you’re getting the best deal. It offers the same service with hotels, so you can search for hotel room deals and compare them with AirBnB deals for the same night. Free; Available for iPhone and Android. 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Email Address: Enter your email address SUBMIT Home Travel and transport Attractions Sightseeing passes Trips and tours Special offers What's new Theatre and football Sign In Register Help undefined Search GB-flag Enter keyword Search Official shop of the British Tourist Board Skip to content Top 10 English tourist destinations Stonehenge The top 10 English tourist attractions in 2015 include famous London sightseeing destinations, theme parks, World Heritage Sites and plenty of outdoor activities. 1. Tower of London tower-of-london The top spot goes to the Tower of London, one of the world's most famous fortresses and home to the priceless Crown Jewels. Built as a royal residence and prison nearly 1,000 years ago, there are some fascinating stories within its walls. Visitors today can take a guided tour from the famous Beefeaters, witness the centuries-old Ceremony of the Keys, which takes place daily, and learn about the Tower's more unusual ex-inhabitants - including a polar bear... Buy Tower of London tickets > Back to top 2. Westminster Abbey $name Second on the list is one of London's most picturesque sightseeing spots, Westminster Abbey – the venue of the most famous wedding of 2011! Trace the final footsteps of Kate Middleton before she became the Duchess of Cambridge, admire renowned Gothic architecture, and marvel at the Abbey's beautiful memorials to history's great kings and queens. Did you know? Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are among the 3,000 famous figures buried at Westminster Abbey. Visit Westminster Abbey > Back to top 3. Kew Gardens kew-gardens Kew Gardens is one of the world's most renowned botanical gardens, and it's easy to see why. The huge World Heritage site is a wonderland, home to millions of exotic and rare plants. Visitors can explore a treetop walkway, discover carnivorous plants and see trees like no other, such as the captivating Madagascan baobab. It's also possible to visit Kew Palace, where you can walk around a royal kitchen and a nature reserve adored by the British royal family. Visit Kew Gardens > Back to top 4. St Paul's Cathedral $name The iconic cathedral has witnessed many significant events in Britain’s history, including the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill and the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. A visit to St Paul’s Cathedral offers 1,200 years of history as well as the chance to climb the 237 steps to the top of the spectacular Dome. On your way up, you can witness the Whispering Gallery, where a whisper can be heard from 100 feet away, before admiring stunning views of London's skyline. Visit St Paul's Cathedral > Back to top 5. Chester Zoo $name Chester Zoo houses the largest Orangutan exhibit in Europe and the most extensive zoo-based butterfly house in the UK. Not only is it home to 11,000 animals - including some of the world's most endangered species - there are also 110 acres of award-winning gardens to explore. Visit a Himalayan rock garden, play some mini golf, or get your face painted like your favourite animal. Back to top 6. Windermere Boat Cruises, Bowness $name Set within the outstanding beauty of the Lake District National Park, Lake Windermere is the most popular tourist destination in Cumbria. Peaceful, wild and surrounded by misty mountains, Windermere is Britain’s largest natural lake. Its surface is dotted with boats all year round - what better way to take in the exceptional scenery than with a tranquil cruise? Back to top 7. Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo, Yorkshire $name With rides, a zoo, live entertainment and a variety of restaurants and bars, Flamingo Land is suitable for just about everyone! Over 140 species live at the zoo, including red pandas and penguins, while the theme park has rides for the whole family; a perfect two-in-one day out. Why is it called Flamingo Land? The graceful pink birds were some of the park's first inhabitants, and today it champions a successful conservation programme for them. Photo by Karen Vernon [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Back to top 8. Stonehenge $name Part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is one of Britain's most famous sightseeing spots. Believed to date from as far back as 3000BC, historians are still baffled by how the huge slabs of Stonehenge were transported. Weighing up to 50 tons each, it would’ve taken 600 men to move just one. But what is it?! No one has managed to answer that question with 100% certainty, and the mystery of the stones can certainly draw a crowd. Take a tour of Stonehenge > Back to top 9. London Zoo london-zoo Over 12,000 animals live at London Zoo, including tigers, lions, gorillas and over 100 penguins. The zoo borders London's leafy Regents Park and is known for its enigmatic lion enclosure, but there's plenty more to do and see. You can attend daily feeding sessions of tigers, penguins and llamas, to name a few, and get up close and personal with rare wildlife and beautiful butterflies in the butterfly house. Buy London Zoo tickets > Back to top 10. Drayton Manor Theme Park drayton-manor This 280 acre theme park is home to 5 rollercoasters, 7 themed lands, water rides, thrill rides and plenty more for all the family. It's the park's reputation as the perfect family theme park that has earned it a spot on the top ten. The park is located on the outskirts of Birmingham. Be sure to pay a visit if you're looking for a good old-fashioned theme park day out! See more top attractions > Back to top Categories Royal Britain History and Heritage Itineraries Sport London Family Ideas Transport Tags Exhibitions Literature Film Theatre Football Animals Events Shopping Music Harry Potter Share this Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email You might also be interested in: Tower of London Top 10 facts about the Tower of London Ravens, royal ghosts, and…polar bears?! Just a few of the more unexpected residents of the Tower Peter Smith beneath the Dome London Attraction: St Paul’s Cathedral Beneath St Pauls' iconic dome sit hundreds of years of history. Hear how it was rebuilt… four times! Why shop with us? We're official We are the official shop of the British Tourist Authority, VisitBritain Find out more Save money Many top attractions are cheaper when you buy tickets in advance from us Find out more Delivery options We ship to over 60 countries worldwide See where we ship to Get inspired Check out our itineraries and tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip See our articles More reasons to shop with us... Our customers: Generic-testimonial Thank you so much... such wonderful customer business. Always excellent business with you! Georgie Horst Texas, USA Catch up on the latest news... Articles and features Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sign up for our Newsletter Email address Email address Send Delivery information Vacancies and Internships Travel trade sales and Affiliates Sitemap Terms and Conditions Help Copyright © 2017 VisitBritain Back to top Search here... Search Menuicon Home»Meeting Planning» World Report: Global Top 15 International Meeting Cities Meeting Planning BY SMART MEETINGS STAFF ON AUGUST 18, 2017 top-international-meeting-cities Editor’s note: We published the following story in December 2013, and it was so popular with our readers that we decided to find out what’s been happening recently in these cities. We found that they remain top meetings destinations, and in some cases have become much more prominent on the world stage by boosting their efforts and adding exciting new properties. All of the original content about the cities is provided, and the updated information is highlighted below. Beijing beijing The Beijing Convention & Visitors Bureau (BCVB) was launched in 2012 by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development to help China’s capital city gain more large-scale international meetings, events and conventions. The MICE industry in China, much like the country’s economy, is fast growing and has an estimated value of $150 billion annually. Why Beijing? “Building Beijing into an unparalleled MICE city is the objective of the BCVB, which will provide support for your MICE travel, including seeking support from local government, relevant authorities, industry associations and enterprises. We will make the greatest efforts to support successful bidding and hosting of MICE tourism projects.” —Beijing Convention & Visitors Bureau Venues The China National Convention Center (CNCC) is well positioned in the heart of the city’s Olympics complex, adjacent to the 420-room CNCC Grand Hotel and next to China National Stadium, where the 2008 Summer Games opening and closing ceremonies took place. The Beijing International Convention Center is one of China’s largest meeting venues, with 50 conference halls and meeting rooms, including 823,900 sq. ft. of floor space. The 222-room Fairmont Beijing, located in the city’s central business district, features a multipurpose theater that seats 200. 2017 Update Beijing continues to strengthen its infrastructure for meetings and climb the ladder of the most popular international meetings destinations. According to the 2016 ICCA Statistical Report, compiled by the International Congress and Convention Association, Beijing hosted 113 international meetings in 2016, which ranked 15th in the world. By comparison, Beijing ranked 19th in 2015, with 95 meetings. Also, China announced this year that it would build a huge new city, Xiongan, in Hebei Province, 62 miles southwest of downtown Beijing. The city will cover 772 square miles, three times the size of New York City. Berlin berlin Germany’s capital city is a world center for culture, politics, media and science. With an economy supported by high-tech, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering and renewable energy, it’s understandable why it ranks among the elite meeting destinations in the world. Why Berlin? “Extraordinary meeting facilities and great value for money are only two of many advantages of Berlin. Europe’s most modern hotel landscape can be found here as well as unique cultural offerings. These features make Berlin a perfect MICE destination and, according to the latest ICCA statistics, one of the top three cities for association congresses worldwide. With the Berlin Convention Office of VisitBerlin, meeting planners also have competent support in organizing and staging an event in our city. Customers benefit from our years of experience, a wide network of contacts and booking blocks of hotel rooms at no charge.” —Heike Mahmoud, VisitBerlin Convention Office Venues CityCube Berlin will debut in March, serving as a temporary replacement for the International Congress Centre (ICC), which will be closed for renovation. The Cube can host 10,000, with two main floors, flexible wall partitioning, numerous conference rooms and exhibition grounds nearby. Estrel Berlin, used equally for entertainment, conventions and hotel accommodations, holds up to 6,000 people and is adjacent to a 1,125-room hotel. Waldorf Astoria Berlin, which opened in the fall of 2012, offers 232 guest rooms and nearly 3,600 sq. ft. of meeting space. 2017 Update Berlin hosted a whopping 176 international association meetings in 2016, the fourth-highest total in the world. ICC remains closed, but CityCube Berlin, which opened in May 2014, easily accommodates large groups. It features three levels, consisting of 50 halls and spaces, and a pillar-free convention hall for 5,000 people. A direct connection to Berlin ExpoCenter City makes more than 1.9 million sq. ft. available in the vicinity. Brussels brussels For the fourth consecutive year, the UIA ranks Brussels, Belgium, as the No. 1 conference destination in Europe. As the international center for political activity, Brussels experienced an 11.3 percent increase in overnight stays for business travel last year. Thanks to high-speed trains, Brussels is less than two hours from Paris, London, Amsterdam and Cologne, and three hours from Frankfurt. Why Brussels? “Brussels will continue to invest in ideas and infrastructure to ensure that it stays ahead of the field. A shining example is the European Association Summit (EAS) in May 2014, organized by VisitBrussels in collaboration with its partners. Held jointly with the European Business Summit in Brussels, the EAS provides association decision-makers and operatives with an innovative opportunity to enhance the value of their organization. Outside the conferences and corridors of EU power, Brussels has maintained its local traditions and rich heritage.” —Patrick Bontinck, VisitBrussels Venues Brussels Expo has more than 1.2 million sq. ft. of exhibition space, two auditoriums that seat 400 and 1,860, respectively, and 13 conference rooms for up to 180 people. Square-Brussels Meeting Centre offers 139,100 sq. ft. of event space and occupies the former site of the Palais des Congres. With 38,500 sq. ft. of exhibition space, a 2,100-seat auditorium and a prime location next to the Centre for Fine Arts, the Square is a popular convention site. The Hotel provides 421 guest rooms and more than 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. 2017 Update The capital of Belgium, Brussels remains a hot bed of meeting activity, having hosted 91 international meetings in 2016, good for a No. 23 ranking in the ICCA report. To better accommodate planners and tourists, in 2015 VisitBrussels put its popular catalog, Let’s Meet in Brussels, online in desktop, iPad and Android formats. It previously was available only in print. Buenos Aires buenos-aires Cosmopolitan and multifaceted, the capital of Argentina features a fascinating mix of races and cultures that help make it one of world’s most welcoming international destinations. Meeting attendees will obviously want to learn to tango and catch a soccer game. But Buenos Aires’ diverse restaurants, 700 art galleries and party-all-night vibe also contribute to memorable meeting experiences. Why Buenos Aires? “Buenos Aires is the most important cultural city in South America as well as one of the political and economic hubs of the region. With more than 3 million inhabitants, the city has experienced a dramatic growth in infrastructure in recent years, thus having an enhanced range of gastronomy, entertainment, hotel and tourism services.” —Buenos Aires Convention & Visitors Bureau Venues The Golden Center, which has hosted company events for Toyota, Volkswagen and Nestle, features several ballrooms that can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The famous Puerto Madero district is home to the four-star Melia Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center and the 224-room Hotel Madero, with 11 banquet rooms and 6,641 sq. ft. of event space. 2017 Update Buenos Aires climbed from 26th, with 82 meetings, to 17th, with 103 meetings, in the 2016 ICCA Report. An exciting new luxury property, Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences, opened in July in the Puerto Maduro section of Buenos Aires, boasting 159 rooms and suites, and 11,733 sq. ft. of meeting space. It also features Glitter, an upscale glatt kosher restaurant, and other dining options. Copenhagen copenhagen In addition to being a sophisticated, well-connected northern European center, Copenhagen, Denmark, has the ability to boost attendance among attendees seeking a fairy-tale setting. The packed city center gives attendees plenty of places to explore on foot and there’s great public transportation, reflecting the city’s leading-edge commitment to sustainability. Why Copenhagen? “We offer a broad range of meeting and hotel facilities, English-speaking professionals and a highly educated population. On top of that, we are famous for our wide selection of restaurants specializing in New Nordic Cuisine. If you want to combine business with pleasure, you will also find a world-class selection of culture and leisure opportunities from opera, ballet and concerts to sailing, hiking and swimming.” —Bettina Reventlow-Mourier, Wonderful Copenhagen Convention Bureau Venues The Green Key certified Tivoli Congress Center is the largest conference facility in central Copenhagen. It can accommodate up to 2,500 delegates in its Congress Hall and offers two auditoriums for up to 4,000 attendees. The Circus Building, built as a venue for circus performances in 1886, can be rented out for groups of up to 1,200. The 366-room Admiral Hotel, a preserved warehouse built in 1787, is situated on the waterfront across from the Copenhagen Opera House. 2017 Update Designated the European Green Capital of 2014 by the European Commission, Copenhagen has one of the world’s most ambitious climate policies: It aims to be the world’s first carbon neutral capital by 2025. It hosted 115 international meetings in 2016, the 14th-most in the world. Istanbul istanbul Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul, Turkey, served as the capital of four empires for nearly 16 centuries: Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman. Istanbul is still a world center, especially for meetings, with seven purpose-built convention centers, three exhibition centers and 94 five-star and deluxe hotels. Why Istanbul? “Our mission is to continue communicating to meeting planners that Istanbul offers unrivalled flexibility and the confidence of knowing that all facilities are new and technologically up to date. We remain committed to achieving our objective of a Top 5 ranking in the next three to five years. One of the most visited metropolises of the world, Istanbul offers a vibrant cultural life and world-class accommodations.” —Elif Balcı Fisunoglu, Istanbul Convention Visitors Bureau Venues Halic Congress Center offers five state-of-the-art auditoriums and 17 meeting and function rooms spread among four buildings. Istanbul Congress Center, which opened in 2009, features 115 meeting rooms and more than 171,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre has a 2,000-seat auditorium and 81,900 sq. ft. of exhibition space. The Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, scheduled to open in March, offers 829 guest rooms and more than 128,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Hilton is located next to the historic Bomonti Beer Factory. 2017 Update Istanbul is home to seven convention centers, three exhibition centers, and more than 217 five- and four-star hotels, with 106,000 beds. The city offers a variety of options, including top international and domestic hotel brands, at a variety of price points. It hosted 62 international meetings in 2016, No. 39 on the ICCA list. Paris paris There are so many places to hold events in the City of Light, including 1,000 venues and 600 Paris Convention Bureau business members, that it may be difficult for meeting professionals to choose. The capital of France also has daily airline connections to more than 526 cities in more than 136 countries and seven train stations linking Paris to the rest of Europe by high-speed train. Oh, and Americans love Paris. Why Paris? “Paris is regularly voted the world’s most coveted and charismatic destination by independent international surveys. The secret of Paris’ attractiveness is undoubtedly due to its capacity to surprise by offering professional infrastructures of the first order in a unique setting, combining elegance, culture, history and modernity. Outstanding heritage, art and events that are constantly updated and its romantic image attract 32 million tourists to the Paris region every year.” —Christine de Gouvion Saint Cyr, Paris Convention Bureau Venues Palais des Congres de Paris is a leading international venue, with more than 439,000 sq. ft. of space, including four auditoriums and 85 meeting rooms. The Palais Brongniart, located near the Louvre Museum, is a Greco-Roman-style building that was home to the French Stock Exchange for more than 150 years. It features two auditoriums and has reception space for up to 1,200 at legendary venues, including an old trading room. Les Yachts de Paris, the most elegant fleet of boats on the River Seine, specializes in dinner cruises. Cruising the Seine by boat gives attendees a special way to see the city. 2017 Update Paris climbed a spot to place No. 1 in the 2016 ICCA rankings, hosting 196 international meetings, compared with 186 the previous year. It continues to improve upon its lofty status: The prestigious, 124-room Hotel de Crillon-A Rosewood Hotel, located on Place de la Concorde, reopened in July after a massive, four-year refurbishment. Also, the four-star Distrikt Lazare, with 56 guest rooms, is set to open this month. Madrid madrid As the capital of Spain since the 17th century, Madrid has been a meeting center for hundreds of years. Using its rich history as a building block, the city has fully blossomed into one of the top international destinations for conventions and events. Its geographic location in the center of Spain is also a key to its role as a transportation center, emerging as the main European air hub for Latin America. Why Madrid? “The Madrid community is a region completely equipped for hosting conventions and trade shows of all kinds, situating itself among the most attractive locations for business tourism on a European as well as worldwide scale. Luxurious palaces and medieval castles blend with modern buildings, forming an excellent and varied backdrop for the celebration of all sorts of meetings and banquets.” —Joaquin Castillo Dolagaray, Tourism for the Community of Madrid Venues The Centro de Congresos Principe Felipe features a 2,200-seat auditorium and an additional 59 meeting rooms near the International Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). The 869-room Auditorium Madrid Hotel has its own convention center, with 56 meeting rooms. Palacio de Congresos de Madrid offers more than 32,000 sq. ft. of indoor exhibition space, an auditorium and 11 breakout rooms. It is located in the heart of the city next to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 2017 Update International chains, such as Hyatt, Four Seasons and Starwood; domestic operators, including RIU and VP; promoters like Cordish, and KKH and other investment funds are working on projects that will bring another 4,413 hotel rooms to Madrid. This growth is reflected in the city’s popularity as a meetings destination: It hosted 144 international meetings in 2016, the seventh-highest total in the world. London london There’s nothing like hosting the Olympics to give infrastructure a big jolt. London, England, took center stage during 2012 Summer Games and Paralympic Games. Momentum continues thanks to further investments for new accommodations, greener transportation and regenerated areas full of new attractions and venues. Why London? “Having put on one of the greatest shows ever, London proved it has what it takes to thrill the world. Added to this is London’s unrivalled heritage: your clients are invited to explore 2,000 years of dazzling living history juxtaposed with some of the greatest new buildings and attractions in the world. Please contact our convention bureau team, which will make sure you get the best out of our city and help you to create an inspirational event that your guests will never forget.” —Chris FJ Lynn, London and Partners Venues The May Fair Hotel, with more than 400 guest rooms, offers a screening room with seating for 201. Middle Temple Hall, one of the finest Elizabethan Halls in the country, offers nearly 39,000 sq. ft. of space, with room for 500 for receptions. Banqueting House was built in 1622 and is the last remaining fragment of the Palace of Whitehall. There is 6,050 sq. ft. of event space. 2017 Update Benchmark, which analyses city business data, announced this year that London now has direct air connections to 336 destinations around the world, a rise of 5.7 per cent over the previous year. Also, the U.K. government’s Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey shows that international business visits to the city grew by 34 per cent over the past five years. London also retained its No. 5 worldwide ranking, with 153 meetings, according to the ICCA survey. Seoul seoul Seoul, South Korea, made international headlines in November when city officials announced an aggressive plan to expand its meetings-industry capacity. Among the projects, a new convention center is set to open by 2018. Why Seoul? “With so many people arriving in Seoul on business, the city has selected the MICE industry as one of Seoul’s future core industries, especially because its economic benefits impact every other aspect of the business sector and economy as a whole. I am actively marketing Seoul as a MICE city through my participation in international events hosted here and look forward to continue engaging in conversations and interviews with key speakers and other visiting professionals.” —Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Venues Coex Convention and Exhibition Center, located in Gangnam, features a pillar-free ballroom with 1.95 million sq. ft. of space and 1,058-seat auditorium. SETEC offers three exhibition halls, two that can accommodate 5,000. The 434-room Conrad Seoul has wowed since opening in 2012 and the 170-room JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul is part of new plaza expected to debut this year. 2017 Update One of the world’s hottest meetings destinations, Seoul is in the midst of another busy year. UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress, the largest convention expected in South Korea this year, will be held in Coex Convention and Exhibtion Center. This event will be attended by approximately 30,000 participants, including 5,000 foreign participants from 120 countries. Seoul placed 10th, with 137 meetings, in the 2016 ICCA rankings, up three spots and 20 meetings from the previous year. Singapore singapore For those thinking about organizing a meeting or event in the city-state of Singapore, there’s no better starting point than TravelRave. The annual travel trade festival is organized by the Singapore Tourism Board and allows planners to discover new business opportunities and celebrate Asian tourism. Why Singapore? “By leveraging Singapore’s strengths as an international meetings destination in the region, we also aim to add value to partnerships with international industry players by providing key Asia-focused insights and perspectives.” —Neeta Lachmandas, Singapore Tourism Board Venues Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre is undergoing a $147 million renovation. Singapore Expo’s Max Atria, which opened in 2012, offers 136,702 sq. ft. and is the first MICE venue in Singapore to receive the Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) Green Mark Platinum status. The 367-room Park Royal on Pickering stands out for its hotel-in-a-garden concept. 2017 Update Suntec City officially reopened in October 2015 following a major enhancement project. The work included converting levels one and two of Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre for retail use. The convention center incorporated an advanced LED lighting solution into the center’s fourth level ceiling. As part of the innovative ceiling design, Martin’s LED VC-Dot 1’s allows convention center clients to add logos, messaging and graphics to their event. Singapore climbed one spot, to No. 6, in the 2016 ICCA rankings. Sydney sydney The meeting landscape in Sydney, Australia, is expected to launch into the stratosphere in late 2016, when the 50-acre Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) opens on Darling Harbour. The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will be a key component of what is being billed as an “innovation hub” designed to reflect the city’s character and energy. ICC Sydney has already secured at least four major international events. Why Sydney? “For association events, meetings in Sydney offer the chance for global thought leaders to connect and collaborate with the many diverse Australian businesses and institutions that have a reputation for creative thinking and global success. There is a real sense that Sydney is undergoing a transformation, with many new infrastructure developments offering great opportunities for future business events.” —Lyn Lewis-Smith, Business Events Sydney Venues Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island will house exhibitions and trade shows while the new convention project is under way. It has 214,000 sq. ft. of pavilion-style exhibition space. At Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Showground is a multipurpose pavilion, with 118,403 sq. ft. of space. It is near 900 hotel rooms and more than 30 restaurants. Doltone House Hyde Park has a ballroom that can accommodate 650 and is next to the five-star Sheraton on the Park Hotel. 2017 Update Sydney again placed 41st, the highest of any Australian city, in the 2016 ICCA rankings. “We’re thrilled to remain No. 1 in Australia,” said Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney (BESydney). “In calendar year 2016, Sydney delivered 61 international association meetings, driven through the strength of collaboration between BESydney, the New South Wales Government—including Destination NSW—universities, research institutes, associations, business and tourism, hospitality and retail industries.” This month, BESydney boosted its efforts to secure more health-care events by appointing Tegan Cox, who has worked in the sector for 15 years, to head its health team. Tokyo tokyo If you think Tokyo is something special now, just wait six-plus years after the city hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics and its offerings are expected to be even more spectacular. Japan’s capital city already boasts more than 96,000 hotel rooms. And there’s no extra charge for the unique “omotenashi” hospitality. Why Tokyo? “Tokyo’s multifarious convention venues cater to any size of meeting or conference. Our culinary portfolio, Japanese and international, has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. These, in combination with its dynamic combination of modern convenience and time-honored tradition, make Tokyo a uniquely compelling meeting destination. As host of the 2020 Olympic Games, the warmth of our charm glows stronger now than ever, making this the perfect time and Tokyo the perfect place to inspire each and every guest attending business events here.” —Geraint Holt, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Venues Tokyo International Forum (TIF) is the largest international conference center in the central part of the city, with a 5,012-seat theater and a 53,819-square-foot exhibition hall. Six halls have systems that can interpret up to eight languages. Tokyo Big Sight, with its landmark tower, features Japan’s largest exhibition space at 868,217 sq. ft. Happo-en, set in a garden that dates back nearly 400 years, is located close to a number of embassies and includes a hall that can accommodate up to 800 people. 2017 Update The Hoshinoya Tokyo hotel opened in mid-2016 and, according to Forbes.com, “in terms of innovation and uniqueness, it was likely the most impressive hospitality undertaking of the year [2016], worldwide.” The 17-story hotel offers a relaxed ambience with a sense of intimacy and surprise—qualities that are rooted in traditional Japanese hospitality. The meeting room consists of two walls covered by large shoji paper sliding doors and a minimalist interior design, this bright, spacious reception room conveys a sense of refinement. Located on the second floor, it is the perfect place for guests staying on different floors to gather for a workshop, conference, or event. Tokyo climbed from 28ath to 21ast in the 2016 ICCA rankings while increasing its meetings from 80 to 95. Vancouver vancouver Canada’s west coast jewel is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, sun-drenched sands and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Vancouver also features an award-winning convention center, first-class hotels and exceptional cuisine, making it a popular international meeting destination among planners and attendees for many reasons. Why Vancouver? “Vancouver is consistently voted one of the world’s most livable cities, and has received countless awards and accolades for its attraction to meeting planners and visitors worldwide. We’ve also achieved the all-important balance between accessibility to destinations worldwide, meeting spaces that can accommodate a range of attendee numbers and tastes, and year-round activity options for post-conference gatherings. It’s no wonder Vancouver is quickly becoming a central fixture on the world meetings stage.” —Dave Gazley, Tourism Vancouver Venues Vancouver Convention Centre, a two-time winner of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) award for World’s Best Convention Centre, has 466,500 sq. ft. of space. The VCC is the only LEED Platinum certified convention center in the world. Grouse Mountain Resort is accessible via a mile-long aerial tram. Once atop the property, which can accommodate up to 1,000 for dining, there are views of the city skyline, ocean and mountains. The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, currently undergoing a $12 million facelift, is one of the city’s most iconic hotels, with 556 guest rooms and 55,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. 2017 Update Rising against a backdrop of majestic mountains on Canada’s pristine Pacific coast, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver is set to debut in September with 329 guest rooms and 56,717 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 15,604-square-foot ballroom. Vancouver hosted 47 international meetings in 2016, the 55th-most in the world. Vienna vienna Austria’s largest city will cast a spell on attendees, with majestic charm of a bygone empire. Art and culture are part of Vienna’s very fabric as evident by musical prodigies such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms. Today, Vienna boasts a unique blend of imperial charm and contemporary cachet that attendees will find irresistible. Why Vienna? “Vienna has an ideal location in the center of Europe. Its compact size, accessibility, well-maintained infrastructure in terms of hotels, venues and convention centers, as well as the professionalism and enthusiasm of multilingual suppliers, make our city a perfect destination for international meetings. Furthermore, the scientific, academic and international backgrounds contribute to Vienna’s well-respected standing and reinforce its reputation as one of the world’s leading meeting destinations.” —Christian Mutschlechner, Vienna Convention Bureau Venues Austria Center Vienna is the biggest convention facility in the country, with 102,267 sq. ft. of meeting space for groups of up to 4,320 people. There is 131,332 sq. ft. of additional exhibition space in four halls, with room to seat up to 10,200. Hofburg Vienna, the former residence of The Habsburgs, provides 35 halls with 183,000 sq. ft. of space. The largest room can accommodate up to 1,300 people. Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center is one of Europe’s most modern event venues, with four large exhibition halls that provide 593,748 sq. ft. of space. The convention center offers 73,355 sq. ft. that can be divided among 18 rooms. The largest room can seat to 1,500 people. 2017 Update Vienna hosted 186 meetings in 2016, the second-highest total of any city in the world, compared with 178 in 2015. Austria Center Vienna introduced a new outdoor networking space this year. Easy-to-transport, self-inflating Fatboys—which can easily be transformed into comfortable and stylish outdoor seating—are available for guests to use. Webcubes provided by the center ensure uninterrupted internet access, meaning that participants can follow sessions streamed live from the main building and exhibition halls. Any posts made by participants taking a break from proceedings outside will reach their intended audience anywhere in the world without delay. 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Euromonitor International Blog Top 150 City Destinations: London Leads the Way Caroline Bremner 10 years ago Categories: Europe, Travel Euromonitor International is pleased to release the results of its first Top 150 City Destinations Ranking, providing insight into the the world’s leading and most dynamic cities in terms of tourist arrivals. London ranked top in Euromonitor International’s Top 150 City Destinations. The British capital received an impressive 15.6 million international visitors in 2006, far above other world capitals such as Bangkok, Paris, Singapore or New York. The 150 leading world destinations accounted for 27% of the global inbound tourism in terms of arrivals. Cities are the key driver of growth in the tourism industry, benefiting from the development of the air industry and the investment in infrastructure and iconic buildings. From Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum to Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers, the new skylines of cities attract millions of tourists to their airports and hotels, boosting the tourism industry to unprecedented levels. With China emerging as a key travel and tourism market, the prospect of city tourism cannot help but look East. Will London resist the push? London storms ahead of the pack London attracted 15.6 million international visitors in 2006 to rank first in Euromonitor International’s Top 150 City Destinations. The gap between the UK capital and other major cities increased as the presence of tourists in London’s streets increased by 13% up on 2005. Bangkok (2), Paris (3) and Singapore (4) follow London respectively, with around ten million tourists each. Hong Kong ranked 5th with 8 million, while the six-million-club included New York (6), Dubai (7) and Rome (8). In 2006, 27 cities received more than 3 million international arrivals and 67 cities over a million. Overall, these 150 cities received 237 million tourists, accounting for 27% of the world’s inbound tourism flows. The top150 cities received 6% more tourists than in 2005. Top 150 City Destinations 2006 City Ranking ‘000 tourist arrivals London 1 15,640 Bangkok 2 10,350 Paris 3 9,700 Singapore 4 9,502 Hong Kong 5 8,139 New York City 6 6,219 Dubai 7 6,120 Rome 8 6,033 Seoul 9 4,920 Barcelona 10 4,695 Dublin 11 4,469 Bahrain 12 4,418 Shanghai 13 4,315 Toronto 14 4,160 Kuala Lumpur 15 4,125 Istanbul 16 3,994 Madrid 17 3,921 Amsterdam 18 3,901 Mecca 19 3,800 Prague 20 3,702 Moscow 21 3,695 Beijing 22 3,593 Vienna 23 3,339 Taipei 24 3,280 St.Petersburg 25 3,200 Cancun 26 3,074 Macau 27 3,072 Venice 28 2,927 Warsaw 29 2,925 Mexico 30 2,823 Los Angeles 31 2,513 Guangzhou 32 2,512 Benidorm 33 2,457 Berlin 34 2,309 Rio De Janeiro 35 2,185 Budapest 36 2,043 San Francisco 37 1,993 Orlando 38 1,993 Miami 39 1,972 Munich 40 1,925 Shenzen 41 1,904 Milan 42 1,902 Sydney 43 1,852 Oahu/Honolulu 44 1,733 Cairo 45 1,720 Florence 46 1,715 Lisbon 47 1,715 Las Vegas 48 1,647 Hangzhou 49 1,562 Marrakesh 50 1,500 Tokyo 51 1,467 Abu Dhabi 52 1,459 Varadero 53 1,448 Copenhagen 54 1,375 Zurich 55 1,369 Edinburgh (GB) 56 1,338 Cape Town 57 1,323 Zhuhai 58 1,318 Suzhou 59 1,286 Seville 60 1,234 Nice 61 1,227 São Paulo 62 1,095 Washington DC 63 1,062 Chicago 64 1,062 Guilin 65 1,021 Stockholm 66 1,003 Tallinn 67 1,001 Boston 68 997 Krakow 69 992 La Havana 70 953 Salvador de Bahia 71 935 Melbourne 72 923 Manchester (GB) 73 912 Salzburg (City) 74 874 Tianjin 75 850 Nanjing 76 843 Helsinki 77 842 Xi’an 78 801 Qingdao 79 795 Xiamen 80 792 Birmingham (GB) 81 779 Glasgow (GB) 82 741 Hamburg 83 739 Lyon 84 715 Montreal 85 679 Mumbai 86 672 Dalian 87 666 San Diego 88 650 Bruges 89 641 Antwerp 90 636 Liverpool (GB) 91 625 New Delhi 92 612 Valencia 93 611 Kunming 94 607 Granada 95 606 Wuxi 96 594 Chennai 97 588 Geneva 98 577 Agra 99 560 Chongquing 100 544 Innsbruck 101 536 Oslo 102 522 Chengdu 103 508 Fortaleza 104 503 Atlanta 105 477 Houston 106 455 Bratislava 107 455 Oxford (GB) 108 449 Foz do Iguacu 109 438 Gothenburg 110 422 San Jose 111 412 Luxembourg City 112 406 Bristol (GB) 113 403 Buenos Aires 114 395 Reykjavik 115 371 Nürnberg 116 356 Naples 117 356 Buzios 118 355 Cardiff (GB) 119 355 Cambridge (GB) 120 348 Seattle 121 325 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 122 317 Florianópolis 123 314 Monaco 124 313 Leeds 125 292 Brighton/Hove 126 265 Ghent 127 261 York 128 253 Inverness 129 252 Heidelberg 130 245 Bath 131 245 Dijon 132 242 Genova 133 239 Dresden 134 227 Reims 135 226 Nottingham 136 219 Graz 137 206 Reading 138 202 Goa 139 200 Linz 140 199 Bilbao 141 198 Aberdeen 142 195 Marseille 143 180 Chester 144 173 Jerusalem 145 165 Saragossa 146 159 Tarragona 147 154 Malmö 148 131 Bregenz 149 96 Turku 150 87 World Tourism Organisation, European Cities Tourism, National Statistics, National Tourist Boards, Local Tourism & Convention Bureaux, Trade Press (local and national newspapers, The Economist, Business Travel News), Euromonitor International. Mainland China’s cities exclude visits from Hong Kong and Macao (and vice versa), but include visitors from Taiwan. Iconic buildings, newer cities Paris (3), New York (6), Rome (8), Prague (20) or Vienna (23) are all cities that have historically attracted millions of tourists and continue to do so. However, the most striking element of Euromonitor International’s Top City Destinations ranking is the dynamism of emerging destinations such as Dubai (7), Shanghai (13) and Beijing (22). Cities all across the world are reshaping their skylines in order to jump places in the race for the world’s Top Destination and tourists flock by air to visit them. In Asia, cities such as Kuala Lumpur (15), Taipei (24) or Shanghai (13), looked to the heights to revamp their skylines. Some of the world’s tallest buildings are being built on the continent. In the Middle East, Dubai (7) opened the world tallest hotel, the eye-catching Burj Al Arab Hotel in 1999. The Gulf city also created the three largest artificial islands in the world, aptly named The World, to provide the city with luxury properties, hotels and leisure centres alongside 520kms of beaches. Abu Dhabi (52) is expected to open branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums. Likewise, in North America, new iconic buildings are planned across the country. Seattle has recently commissioned a new library from the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas; while Milwaukee plans to open a new Modern Art Museum by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who also built Wisconsin’s brand new airport. All across the globe, cities flaunt their museums and eye-catching skyscrapers to woo foreign tourists. Architecture not only shows the dynamism and spirit of a city, but investing in iconic buildings has proved to be one of the major drivers of tourism in recent years. Spain, from the beach to city destination – an urban transformation One of the most impressive urban facelifts in recent years is that of Spain. The country’s tourism – which used to rely on its beaches and was showing signs of saturation – went through an intense revamp in the 1990s to overtake the US as the second most visited country in 2001. Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Games, not only transformed the city and the country, but marked the path for many other cities. The Catalan city wisely transformed its old town, invested heavily in infrastructure and developed a whole new city on the wave of the Olympics, attracting millions of tourists that continue to flock to Barcelona’s busy streets. The country also hosted that year the Universal Expo in Seville. In the late 1990s, a new branch of the Guggenheim Museum radically transformed Bilbao (141) attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world. Frank Gerhy’s building showed the world how one single building could set cities firmly on the international map. Valencia (93), with its City of Arts and Science and its brand new Opera House, both work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, expects to jump many places in the ranking in 2007, after hosting the 32nd American Cup in summer 2006. In 2008, Zaragoza (146) will host the World Expo, which will leave iconic buildings in the city, such as an impressive bridge pavillion by Pritzker awarded architect, Zaha Hadid. City tourism – an air matter Airports are the gateway to the 21st century’s cities. Without the development of airports and Low Cost Carriers (LCCs), tourists across the world would have never dreamt of affordable city breaks and weekends abroad. Nowadays, it is cheap, quick and the offer of where to go has never been wider or as attractive. European leading LCCs, easyJet and Ryanair, continue to increase their list of destinations to include North African cities such as Marrakesh (50), whose number of international tourists grew by over 30% in 2006, and expects similar growth rates in coming years. Joining the capitals’ club, including the likes of Paris, Madrid, Rome and Amsterdam, many Europeans can now opt to visit hundreds of cities such as Trieste, Malmo or Grenoble, cities that never before were accessible for most of Europeans when planning their weekends away. European cities account for 45% of the arrivals of the Top 150 Cities. However, only five European cities ranked in the Top 25 Cities in terms of air passenger numbers. This contrasts with the presence of fifteen North American cities, although only New York ranks within the top 25 most visited cities. The discrepancy reflects the fact that the US remains largely a domestic market, however this scenario could be about to change as the new “open skies” agreement between the EU and the US, signed last April, is implemented. The liberalisation of the air traffic between North America and Europe could bring up to 26 million additional passengers . In June 2006, Canada’s Zoom Airlines launched low cost flights between the two continents. Ryanair is also set to launch a transatlantic airline that could operate from Ryanair’s 23 European bases by 2010. Nevertheless, the current debate on green house gas emissions and the impact of air traffic on global warming could yet shape the outlook of air transportation. Top 25 Cities by Number of Air Passengers Airport Ranking ‘000 Passengers London 1 1 127,747 New York 2 2 106,486 Tokyo 3 3 100,785 Paris 4 4 85,349 Atlanta 5 84,846 Chicago 6 77,028 Los Angeles 7 61,041 Dallas 8 60,226 Frankfurt 9 52,810 Beijing 10 48,654 Denver 11 47,325 Las Vegas 12 46,193 Amsterdam 13 46,065 Madrid 14 45,501 Hong Kong 15 43,857 Bangkok 16 42,799 Houston 17 42,550 Phoenix 18 41,436 Detroit 19 35,972 Minneapolis 20 35,612 Singapore 21 35,033 Orlando 22 34,640 San Francisco 23 33,574 Miami 24 32,533 Philadelphia 25 31,768 Euromonitor International 1) includes Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and City Airports, 2) includes JFK, La Gaurdia and Newark Airports, 3) includes Haneda and Narita’s Airports, 4) includes Paris Charles De Gaulle-Roissy, Paris Orly and Paris Beauvais Airports Financial hubs and MICE tourism Although 80% of inbound arrivals to cities are tourists, MICE travel (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) is increasingly important for cities, not only because of the higher per capita expenditure of MICE travellers, but also because of its promotional impact. From Dubai (4) to Tallinn (64) or Valencia (84), international events have helped to set cities firmly on the map of the world’s leading destinations. Investment in convention centres, hotels and travel infrastructure cannot be judged solely in terms of MICE activity, but instead as part of an integrated tourism strategy. The globalisation of the world economy has also had a positive impact on city travel, especially with regard to global financial centres. Despite new technologies, the world financial centres of London and New York (ranked first and sixth respectively), far from dying out, have continued to attract more businesses, thus, increasing the amount of business travel to these financial clusters. Furthermore, other cities have followed suit, becoming important financial hubs. Shanghai (13), Hong Kong (5), Singapore(4) and Dubai (7) have entered the list of global financial hubs according to The Economist, alongside long-established powerhouse such as Tokyo (51), Zurich (55) or Geneva (98). Can London attract even more tourists for the 2012 Olympics? Top 10 Cities by Number of Meetings 2006 City Number of meetings Paris 1 363 Vienna 2 316 Singapore 3 298 Brussels 4 179 Geneva 5 169 Helsinki 6 140 Barcelona 7 139 London 8 118 Amsterdam 9 117 New York 10 93 Euromonitor International, ICCA London stands out as the world’s leading city, with nearly as many tourists as Paris and New York put together. Furthermore, its airports received as many passengers as Paris and Frankfurt combined in 2006. In 2012 the UK capital will host the Olympic Games but can London cope with more arrivals? Heathrow’s brand new Terminal 5, due to open in March 2008, will allow London to handle a further 30 million passengers per year , providing much needed relief to its overcrowded airports. The fact that the two leading European LCCs have their largest base in the British capital, easyJet and Ryanair, will also grant millions of tourists from all across Europe access to London within a 2hrs flight. However, it remains to be send if tourists that have discovered London in recent years will repeat their experience again as the number of routes within continental Europe expands. The additional travel time required upon arriving at one of London’s airports into Central London from any of London’s Airports, coupled with the extra hour needed to pass through stricter security checks, could make trips to London a less than pleasant experience for tourists. Kitty Ussher, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, claimed London’s airports were discouraging business executives from travelling to the UK. Even Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said that London Heathrow’s Airport shamed the capital. Nevertheless, the vibrant and dynamic cultural scene, with its theatres and museums, shopping and financial district should encourage international visitors to continue to flock to London’s many attractions. Nevertheless, London’s authorities should invest wisely if they want to capitalise on the 2012 Olympic Games. Chinese cities are set to pounce Even if London manages to cling onto the top city spot for 2012, what seems clear is that the Top 150 City Tourism ranking will change radically in the next five years as tourism in China continues to grow and the number of flights to and from China rockets. Not only Chinese cities will outperform many others destinations in the ranking, but the economic development within China will prompt an increasing number of Chinese tourists to travel abroad as disposable incomes rise. Shanghai (13) and Beijing (22) are both set to enter the Top 10 in 2008, when the latter will host the summer Olympic Games. However, in the longer term, the major impact of China will not be on the supply side, but instead on demand for city tourism. Asian capitals, such as Bangkok, Singapore and Seoul, alongside many Chinese towns, will benefit from the increasing purchasing power of the new Chinese middle classes. The future of city tourism will increasingly look eastwards in the future, as China will begin to emerge as a key player in global travel and tourism. OPTIMIZING YOUR LIFE - ONE ARTICLE AT A TIME Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest RSS Top 100 Places To Visit Before You Die 2 COMMENTS 23 DEC 2012 POSTED BY ADMIN 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars Everyone has their own personal bucket list. Some people want to visit every continent. Some people want to win an argument with the wife. Some want to own an expensive sports car or their own private jet. And yet others just want something smaller but significant in their lives. If you ever do get the chance to travel to 100 locations, here are 100 awesome places that you just HAVE to visit before you die. 1 – Los Angeles California Known as one of the party capitols of the USA, this is the home of sunshine and happiness. Of course, there are certain parts you should avoid like in any major city, but there’s more to do here than you’ll know what to do with and who knows, you might run into someone famous. 2 – Lake District, England Lake District is a beautiful and mountainous region in West England. The scenery is simply amazing 3 – Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania Do you love giant holes? Well in Tanzania, there’s a massive crater/conservative area with a breath taking view and even a lodge for people to stay in. 4 – Loch Ness, Scotland You might run into it, you never know ;) If you’ve ever been sucked into the TV show aimed at finding Ness, it’s a creature that’s believed to live in the waters of Scotland. So is it real? Or is this all one big hoax to bring in tourism? You never know until you go see for yourself. 5 – Republic of Seychelles, Africa, Indian Ocean It looks like a scene right out of a movie or from a postcard. The beaches here are absolutely breath taking and there are not too many tourists that know about this area. 6 – Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain The Balearic Islands are a formation of islands with beautiful beaches everywhere you go. This is definitely a nice spot to get away from everything. 7 – Patagonia, Argentina This is not so commonly known place for having the most dramatic and drastic landscapes on the planet. 8 – Kuantan, Malaysia Visit a mosque or enjoy the nice scenic views in the 3rd largest state in Malaysia. 9 – Nine Hells, Kyushu, Japan This is one of the largest producers of geothermal water in the world. You shouldn’t run into any demons or ghosts here, but you can enjoy a nice bath. 10 – Ring Of Fire Volcanoes, Wrangel Island, Russia It is EXACTLY what it sounds like. It’s literally a ring of volcanoes. While the idea might sound terrifying, it’s actually a sight everyone must see in person. 11 – Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm is a popular tourism spot because of the culture, the scenery and for the younger crowd, the nightlife. 12 – Bermuda, Somers Island Bermuda needs no introduction, one of the most beautiful islands and the beaches here are worth every penny. 13 – Atacama Desert, Chile Did you know, there are some parts of the Atacama Desert that haven’t even seen a single drop of rain since recording weather was possible? It’s known for the very dry mountainous regions. 14 – Ayers Rock, Uluru, Australia This landmark is one of the most famous tourist spot as far as landmarks go right next to the Grand Canyon. It stands at approximately 348 meters or (1,142 feet) high. 15 – Bali, Indonesia The primary and most popular tourist destination in Bali is Kuta (the beach). Be warned though, the Australian and American government recommending exercising “extreme caution” while traveling here due to the present dangers for any tourists here. 16 – Kazakhstan While here, be sure to check out Almaty, Astana and Tyrau (the three most popular tourism destinations). 17 – Douglas, Isle of Man 18 – Madeira, Portugal Visit the scenic mountain view of Canico or view the ocean from Frunchal. There are plenty of things to do and places to eat. 19 – Kerala Waterfalls, India As far as amazing waterfalls to look at go, this is right next to Niagra falls. This spot is also a popular picnic spot. 20 – Greek Islands, Greece There is no accurate information on just how many islands there actually are in Greece. There have been estimations as low as 1,200 and some as high as 6,000. The largest however would be Crete at 3,219 square miles. 21 – La Paz, Bolivia Bolivia is an entirely different culture than what the majority of Western countries are used to. La Paz is the second largest city in the country. 22 – Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy This is your chance to take a picture of you trying to hold the tower in place or push it back up. 23 – Bora Bora, French Polynesia Visit Mount Otemanu, ride in a Tahiti helicopter or visit the popular photo lagoon. 24 – Edinburgh, Scotland You can plan a festival viewing, hike up a volcano or visit some of the haunted attractions around the city. I would bring an extra pair of pants for this one. 25 – Puerto Rico, Carribbean There’s the Las Cascadas Waterpark, the Serralles Castle and the Dr Juan Rivera Zoo just to get you started. 26 – Seattle, Washington Ride the giant space needle, visit Pike Place market or view some of the famous art in the Seattle Art Museum. 27 – Dublin, Republic of Ireland Among the many clubs that inhabit Dublin, you should take some time to visit the Castle of Dublin while you’re here. 28 – New Orleans, Louisiana It’s not all Mardi Gras and crazy parties, there’s plenty to do including: The New Orleans Arena, The City Park, The Museum and some great grub! 29 – Key West, Florida Key West is home to some of the most blue and beautiful oceans in the world. It’s also one of the most popular golf vacation destinations as well. 30 – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia You can visit the Aquarium here or if you’re feeling lucky, head over to the Crown Casino. 31 – Outer Space, Virgin Galactic Through Virgin Galactic, you can actually book a spot to go into space. However, it’s nowhere near cheap. It starts at $20,000 and goes up to $1 million depending on the type of trip you’re looking to get. 32 – Singapore, Malay Peninsula Visit Universal Studios, the Singapore Zoo or the science center while you’re here. 33 – Easter Ireland, Chile Easter Island is one of the most mysterious places on earth. It’s famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called moai, which were created by the early Rapanui people. It’s certainly not easy to get to. But it’s well worth putting on your bucket list. 34 – Whistler, British Columbia Whistler is home to a lot of mountainous regions and parks so take in the scenic views while you’re here and try to climb a mountain before you leave. Provided you’re in great health of course and are being accompanied by a professional. 35 – Havana, Cuba There are a number of historic buildings like Morro Castle, so you’ll have plenty to do as you visit the many buildings and museums here. 36 – Grand Canyon, Arizona This is something everyone should see at least once. Walk the rim of the canyon to get a full view and the full experience. 37 – Spitsbergen, Norway While in Spitsbergen, be sure to visit some of their top restaurants – the Kroa, the Huset, and Svalbar. The Svalbard Museum is also a must-see! 38 – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa If cruises, bungee jumping, kayaking or rafting sound like something you’d like to pursue, you’re going to love Zimbabwe. 39 – Macau, China There’s the Macau tower, the Cathedral of St. Paul, historic temples and plenty of museums to keep you busy. 40 – Niagara Falls, Ontario There’s a casino resort close by, the cave of the winds and you can visit the famous rainbow bridge while here. 41 – Rome, Italy You can visit the coliseum while it’s still standing, the Sistine chapel and many other natural man-made historic buildings in the area. Also, make sure to visit the Vatican while you’re here. 42 – Paris, France Start off the day by taking the Eiffel Tower to the top, then head on over to the Disneyland Resort or maybe check out the Notre Dame. 43 – Seoul, Korea Embrace the different culture you’ll find in Korea by visiting some of the temples, take the Seoul tower for a ride and swing by the Olympic Stadium before you leave. 44 – Hong Kong, China There’s a Disneyland here as well. Also, take an aerial view of the walled city that was supposed to be a military fort originally. 45 – Darwin, Northern Territory You can visit one of the many museums that take up space here, get a great view at the Skycity or visit the Bicentennial Park. 46 – Democratic Republic of Congo 47 – Prague, Czech Republic Castles, a dancing house and plenty of culture filled attractions inhabit this area, what more could anyone want on a vacation? 48 – Goa, India Indulge into or try out water sports, get a Black Henna design or spend a night on the beach! It’s a popular attraction and many residents like to party the night away and sleep by the sea. I would be careful doing that last recommended activity. 49 – Iguazu Falls, Venezuela Venezuela is a gorgeous country and home to the world’s most famous and exotic waterfalls: Iguazu Falls. 50 – Angel Falls, Canaima National Park, Venezuela Angel Falls is well-known as being the highest water fall in the world! 51 – Perth, Western Australia Perth is Austrailia’s sunniest capital city. Here they embrace a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. Enjoy the gorgeous beaches, festivals, and nightlife. The nature and beautiful blue oceans alone are worth the visit. You can even go sandboarding on the endless snow-white sand dune in Lancelin. 52 – Northern Lights, Norway, Canada, Iceland The Northern Lights are one of the most beautiful and natural views that nature has ever created. They come around during certain seasons, so plan your vacation around those times if you plan on seeing them. 53 – Maldives Islands, Indian Ocean There are an estimated 1,990 islands here and only 800 of them are thought to be inhabited so if you feel adventurous or feel like exploring some land, this is the perfect opportunity. 54 – Krakow, Poland From scenic mountains to a salt mine, Poland has just about anything you could think of. Visit a castle, check out one of the marketplaces or just enjoy the view. 55 – New York If you’re going to New York, you have to visit Manhattan and figure out why it’s called “The City That Never Sleeps”. Check out one of the many fashion events that go on in the city as well such as The Victoria’s Secret runway or attend a Broadway show. 56 – Dead Sea, Israel There’s a historic ancient ruins site named Masada and there’s also a nature reserve by the name of “Ein Gedi Nature Reserve”. Not afraid of tight spaces? Check out the Qumran caves as well! 57 – Washington DC You have to make a visit to the White House if you visit here and see if any public tours are going on. This is also the home of the richest panhandlers. It’s been estimated that some of these panhandlers make $400 or more a day. 58 – Martinique Island 59 – Amsterdam, Netherlands Visit the Van Gogh Museum, visit the Canals, check out one of the many historical museums or indulge in a “Las Vegas” lifestyle and visit the Red Light District for adult entertainment where prostitution is completely legal. 60 – Taj Mahal, India 61 – Panama City, Republic of Panama Panama City and the beach have been a main attraction for partyers and college students for years. However, there are some family oriented restaurants and attractions to do as well. 62 – Auckland, New Zealand There’s the Auckland Zoo, the Auckland Sky Tower and the Art Gallery to help get you started in Auckland. 63 – Colombo, Sri Lanka Make sure to visit the Colombo national museum, the Dehiwala zoo and for golfers, there’s the Royal Colombo Golf Club. 64 – Republic of the Fiji Islands 65 – Petra, Ma’an Governorate 66 – Republic of Cape Verde From beautiful blue beaches to mountains and to even the sea side pool resorts, there’s a lot to discover in the Republic of Cape Verde. It’s also a chance to try out food that looks like road kill but tastes delicious! 67 – Barcelona, Spain Attend a musical event at the massive 2,400 seat theatre L’Auditori or head to Joan Miro, which is believed to be one of the greatest museums in the world. 68 – Tibet, Himalayas Some of the most scenic mountain views and hiking locations reside here. 69 – Buenos Aires, Argentina There’s the Buenos Aires Zoo, the Plaza De Mayo if you feel like taking a break and shopping and the Luna Park to name a few of the amenities and things to do. 70 – Madagascar, Malagasy Republic The national parks and forests here are home to a lot of wildlife. There’s a lakeside Safari and even a rain forest Trek that awaits you in Madagascar. 71 – Chichen Itza, Mexico While here, you HAVE to visit some of the pyramids here including the Xichen Valladolid and the Chichen Itza. 72 – Machu Pichu, Peru If you’re lucky enough to be one of the 400 restricted people a day that get to go, you need to climb the Huaynu Picchu. 73 – Las Vegas, Nevada What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas has always been the general stereotype. There are a number of attractions, events, casinos and bars in the home of gambling and hangovers. 74 – St. Tropez, French Riviera 75 – Venice, Italy Go on a boat ride, visit one of the many historical buildings in the area or just enjoy the surroundings and scenery of the country. It’s a beautiful city with amazing food! 76 – Giza, Egypt The obvious and main attraction here would be the Giza Pyramid and the Sphinx. 77 – Ulan Bator, Mongolia Stay at the Sky Resort, find out why the Flaming Cliffs are called Flaming Cliffs and visit the numerous temples while you’re here. 78 – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 79 – San Francisco, California While here, you have to visit the Golden Gate bridge and perhaps try to escape from Alcatraz Island. San Francisco is one of the classiest and cleanest places in the country. There’s the famous Golden Gate Park, the Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown just to name a small few of the things to do here. 80 – British Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands are a sailing paradise. There are more than 40 islands of crystal clear water. If you love the water as much as I do – you should definitely put the Virgin Islands on your bucket list. British Virgin Islands 81 – Toronto, Canada Toronto isn’t all toothless hockey players and Tim Horton’s, you can view the city from afar on the CN Tower, visit the amusement park Wonderland or catch a game at the Roger’s Centre.Toronto Canada 82 – Reykjavik, Iceland The Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the main attractions of this town of 120,000 people. 83 – Athens, Greece So much Greek history surrounds Athens that you’ll feel like you were a part of it once you step foot into this city. Where else can you on purpose throw your dishes on the ground? Make sure to visit as many historic structures as you can and try not to hit your foot when you throw your dishes on the ground. 84 – Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia 85 – Waikiki, Honolulu The home of the Pearl Harbor resting place and the home of the National Pacific Cemetery has a lot of sad history to it. A lot of military history and structures are here as a reminder of a terrible attack. 86 – Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra Mumbai is home to a number of caves and a number of religious temples that are popular with tourists. One of the most interesting is the Kanheri Caves. 87 – Bangkok, Thailand Visit the Grand Palace, go on a river tour, visit the Chinatown market, take a dinner cruise and indulge into the nightlife in the RCA.Bangkok 88 – Marrakech, Morocco Home to a lot of gardens and to the Koutoubia Mosque. There are plenty of palaces and tombs here to keep you busy exploring. 89 – Nuuk, Greenland 90 – Beijing (Peking), China Walk as much of the Great Wall of China as you can, visit the Forbidden City, check out the Temple of Heaven and try to go to as many historical sites and temples as possible during your stay. 91 – Juneau, Alaska Juneau is a great place for anyone who enjoys scenic views and what mother nature has to offer. Ice fields, mountains and channels, Juneau has anything a scenic lover would enjoy. 92 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates Visit the Palm islands, the Dubai mall, stay in a beach hotel or get an aerial view in a tower. Beautiful land here and beautiful ocean water. 93 – Mexico City There are various sport stadiums to catch sporting events, the national museum of anthropology and the national auditorium. 94 – Moscow, Russia Home to the most billionaires on the planet and to one of the strongest linked mafias in the world, it’s actually a lot more peaceful than some people think it is. View the Kremlin at night, visit the Red Square, visit the Moscow Zoo and much more. 95 – Tokyo Metropolis Take the Tokyo Tower, visit the Disneyland in Tokyo or visit the national Museum to learn a little more about Japan and the culture. 96 – Cape Town, South Africa Check out a sporting event at Cape Town stadium, visit the Two Ocean’s Aquarium or view the Lion’s Head mountain formation. 97 – London Home to many museums, a lot of rain, and structures that have a lot of history to them. The culture of people is entirely different and there are more strict laws than western nations. 98 – Sydney, Australia If nothing else, you have to visit the famous Opera house here. There’s also the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Bondi beach if you want to hit up some waves. 99 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Home of the famous Christ The Redeemer statue and one of the most jam packed areas with citizens, there’s a lot of crime here so it’s advised to use common sense and be careful when traveling here. 100 – Tenryū-ji bamboo forest – Kyoto The bamboo forest is a must-see if you’re visiting Japan. Share This Written by admin 2 Comments Patricia Weber 5 YEARS AGO (Reply) Well I’m hoping I’ve got lots more life to go then! I’ve only been to 21 of the places you have listed. Some of them multiple times. Beautiful post. Thanks. Elina5 YEARS AGO(Reply) ONLY 21 places? That’s not “only”… that’s a lot! I’ve been to only 5. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Fran, Grand Canyon, and New York. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Name * Email * Website Comment You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

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