TOP 5 PLACES TO TRAVEL TO IN 2022
2022 is the year to get back out there and make your dream adventures a reality, from far-flung destinations to old favourites.
ANTARCTICA
Photo by Henrique Setim
Antarctica is a freezing, windy continent with no permanent inhabitants due to its harsh climate and isolation. It is one of the world's true wildernesses, with a stunning landscape and diverse species. It also has cutting-edge science, unparalleled international collaboration, and a burgeoning tourist population.
Go Kayaking
A good day of paddling around on a calm sea, surrounded by beautiful scenery and excellent people, is hard to beat. Kayaking is always an incredible experience, whether it's in the Galapagos Islands or along a European shoreline. If you're looking for something new, venture to the polar regions, where kayaking in Antarctica is by far the best option. Venture off into lonely coves in a dry suit and cold-water kayaks for the most up-close interactions with marine life possible. Watching a humpback whale breach right close to your kayak will take your breath away — it's one of the nicest things to see in Antarctica!
Climb Antarctica’s Tallest Mountain
If you're attempting to scale all seven of the world's summits, Mount Vinson in Antarctica is by far the most hardest (in terms of logistics). This 4897m mountain is hard for the faint of heart, and months of training are required before even attempting it. If the weather and your body agree, a full excursion will take at least 2 weeks, but this is a trip you'll never forget.
Whale Watching
Seeing massive pods of whales up close at any time of day is one of the most wonderful experiences in Antarctica. Humpback whales, orcas, minkes, blue, sei, sperm, fin, and right whales are the most common whale species found in Antarctica. One of the coolest things to do in Antarctica is to see some of the world's largest beasts against a backdrop of snowy peaks and icebergs.
New Orleans
Photo by Rosie Kerr
New Orleans is a city that enjoys staying up late. The city that gave birth to jazz and drinks, as well as hosting Mardi Gras every year, is anything but sleepy. While music is the native language at all hours of the day and night, there are opportunities to listen to and dance to live music and see cabaret shows in every nook and cranny of New Orleans after nightfall. The city comes alive at night, with an alluring syncopated beat that continues long after the sun has set.
BOURBON STREET BARS
New Orleans' famed entertainment strip has always been bustling with opportunities, basking in the light of seemingly infinite glowing, glittering signs. Bourbon Street is much more than a bar crawl. It is known for its "everything goes" mentality. On every corner, there's entertainment of all kinds, urging tourists to dance, sing, join in the fun, and have a good time.
However, if you look behind the street party, you'll uncover a rich history. Some of the country's oldest pubs welcome patrons 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
JAZZ CLUBS
New Orleans was not only the birthplace of jazz, but it was also where it grew up. Every night of the week, what has been dubbed "America's only original art form" comes to life in the streets and clubs of New Orleans. Jazz, like New Orleans, is always changing, always growing into something new and fascinating. Jazz is alive and well. It will also make you feel that way. In the French Quarter, the Marigny, the Treme, uptown on Oak Street, and on St. Claude Avenue, great jazz can be heard. There's something for every ear, every day of the week, from classic jazz to acid jazz. Come in and experience it for yourself.
New Orleans Museum of Art
The New Orleans Museum of Art, or NOMA, is New Orleans' oldest fine arts institution and one of the best art museums in the South, with a permanent collection of over 40,000 artefacts. NOMA offers a little something for everyone and anybody seeking inspiration and enjoyment through art and culture. It is known for its outstanding strengths in French and American art, photography, glass, African and Japanese works, as well as rotating exhibits.
Serbia
Photo by Nikola Cirkovic
Because of the impact of their surrounding neighbours, landlocked countries frequently have a diverse range of landscapes and sights to explore. They also have a diverse range of cultures. Serbia, for example, is one of the top locations in the Balkans to visit.
Discover History at Lepenski Vir
This is a notable archaeological site located adjacent to the Danube in the equally stunning Derdap Gorge. Numerous artefacts dating from 6500 to 5500 BC have been discovered here, and the central half is likely to have been a former ritual site with many other locations of interest to examine.
Shopping in Belgrade
You can't deny it, while tourism and nature are great, we all need a little retail therapy now and then, and in Serbia, your best bet is without a doubt Belgrade, the capital. You can take a few keepsakes back home with you thanks to the abundance of High Street shops, many of which will be familiar to you, as well as smaller local stores.
Open Air Museum in Zlatibor
The Sirogojno Open Air Museum is a fantastic opportunity to learn about country living in the nineteenth century while also getting some fresh air! Explore the museum and the wooden cottages that make up the scenery while strolling around the hillside backdrop.
Rapa Nui
Photo by Thomas Griggs
Polynesia, has long been cloaked in mystery. For decades, the appeal of this volcanic island, the world's most isolated inhabited site, has drawn tourists eager to see the breathtaking scenery and unique monuments. Rapa Nui is also known as Easter Island in English and Isla de Pascua in Spanish. It is well renowned for its iconic heads, which are technically known as moai (pronounced mo-eye).
Rent A Car To Explore The Island
There's nothing like having the freedom to go at your own leisure and return to your favourite areas. Get up early and head out to Ahu Tongariki to catch the sunrise, then rest for an hour on the beach if you wish. Take a few different routes and see where you end up.
A car can be the most vital tool you have in order to stop at any of the wonderful lookouts strewn over the island, especially if you're interested in taking photos. You can rent bicycles, ATVs, or dirt bikes if you don't want to drive a car.
Swim at Anakena Beach
While the majority of Rapa Nui's shoreline is rocky due to the island's volcanic makeup, there are two spots where you may enjoy white beach and turquoise waters as magnificent as any in the Pacific! On a beautiful day, Ovahe Beach is a nice site to visit, but Anakena Beach is the actual crown treasure! Anakena Beach will make you imagine you've arrived in a tropical paradise straight out of a movie. And, let's face it, you've already done so.
Go Stargazing At Night
Rapa Nui's remote location makes it one of the most incredible spots to view the night sky. When the sun goes down, the stars shine brightly!
If you've grown up in a city or don't go out into nature very frequently, the brightness and clarity of the sky on Easter Island will astound you!
The nicest part is that to see the Milky Way, you don't even have to leave your hotel. If you're on the island during a new moon, the lights from Hanga Roa have only a minor effect on the sky, so you can see everything from right in town.
Sicily
With notable historical monuments including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Taormina's Roman theatre, and the Baroque cities of Noto, Ragusa, and Modica. Natural diversity, includes volcanoes (Etna, Stromboli, and Vulcano), islands, beaches, and wonderful nature reserves such as Zingaro. You will undoubtedly enjoy your stay, not least because of the delicious Italian cuisine.
Explore Palermo
The island's capital is more than 2,700 years old, with plenty of culture and architecture to show for it. It's a beautiful city to roam around and ideal for a weekend vacation, thanks to its history and street food. Some of the best things to do in Sicily include seeing a show at the Teatro Massimo while seeing Palermo and visiting the markets for street food or a night out! The gorgeous beach of Mondello is located just outside of the city and is well worth a visit.
street food tour
Sicily is known for its street cuisine, and what better way to try it all than with a local? A street food tour is one of the best things to do in Sicily if you enjoy eating.
Street food excursions are undoubtedly available in Palermo and Catania, the island's two largest cities, but they may also be available elsewhere. Panelle, arancine, cannoli, granita, and more are all worth trying!
Go island hopping
Try the Aegadian Islands, a group of five hilly islands off the west coast noted for their excellent weather all year and delectable, fresh seafood (which, fortunately, is available throughout the South of Italy!).