New Year, New Travel

It seems that each New Year brings with it new and exciting travel destinations. Some are emerging prospects brought about by improved economic and political relations, others are old favorites that have captured our hearts and continue to draw us back time and time again. While we take a look at 5 of 2016's hottest prospects for travel, consider the areas that may be ideal for your next trip!

Not a typical vacation spot for most, Botswana is quickly becoming a magnet for those who are in search of a new travel experience in a country that prides itself on protecting its natural riches. Celebrating its 50th year of independence in 2016, the invigoratingly wild country has struck a perfect balance between increasing economic stability and awe-inspiring untouched beauty.

Japan is another destination that can evoke distinct feelings of being in an otherworldly atmosphere. The juxtaposition of the ancient with the bustling electricity of modernity makes this country an exotic travel favorite year after year. Whether you spend time in the ever-expanding cityscape or retreat to the meditative beauty of the countryside, you are sure to have the cultural experience of a lifetime.

And sometimes, as the saying goes, there’s no place like home! Celebrate the centennial of the U.S. National Park service with a trip around the good old USA, home to a well-preserved 340,000 square kilometers of national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, Badlands, Zion, and so much more. Outdoorsy folk can lace up their boots and rejoice in the unspoiled terrain of America’s backyard on hikes, bike rides, horseback, mountain climbing, or just plain jaw-dropping sightseeing.

If you are looking for the unexpected and want a trip that is fraught with a sense of adventure, consider a trip to Iceland, whose volcanic landscapes, expansive glaciers, rolling fields, craggy buttes, and pristine beauty has inspired books and movie cinematography alike. Explore ice caves, cycle through the highlands, horseback ride on the unique Icelandic breed, and so much more! For more relaxed pursuits, Iceland doesn't disappoint! Ample geothermal energy is a local natural wonder, and provides unparalleled public bathing opportunities, and the puffin and whale population make for some great nature observation.

Finally, you can expect the unexpected on a trip to Cuba, a country simultaneously rooted in the past and pressing ever onward towards the future. Here you can find an eclectic mix of music, architecture, food, language, and art inspired by Africa, Spain, Haiti, Jamaica, France, and even China. Although the beaches are a huge draw, there are also lush mountain coffee plantations, vast wetlands, verdant valleys, and so many cities and towns steeped in history and pulsating with energy that it's impossible not to feel the magic.

Getting you safely and comfortably to your destination is your Cruise Planners Travel Expert's specialty. If any of these locations pique your interest, pick up the phone and leave the planning to us!