Imagine it or not, this principally undiscovered continent is getting busy. This yr, a document 82 passenger ships will go to the coldest, darkest, windiest, highest, driest place on earth. Most of these will journey the comparatively brief distance from the tip of South America throughout the famously tumultuous Drake Passage, then hint the snow-laden, mountainous great thing about the Antarctic Peninsula. The pure wonders alone are well worth the journey. The wildlife: from lovely gentoo, chinstrap, and Adele penguins mating and molting, to huge, otherworldly elephant seals jousting on the seashore. Even the ice is fascinating, with blue glaciers cracking and tabular icebergs as massive as a soccer subject floating by. Simply make certain to return see all of it, earlier than issues get too crowded.
Ilulissat, Greenland
Greenland has lengthy been terra incognita for many vacationers, a frozen land of ice and snow that only a few had been lucky sufficient to identify off the wing tip of their trans-Atlantic flight. However this territory, a protectorate of Denmark, is welcoming an increasing number of guests, most of whom arrive on expedition cruise ships. Sail by means of fjord techniques lined with hovering, snow-capped mountains that stretch a whole lot of miles. Go to tiny villages the place the locals are nonetheless unjaded and very happy to welcome you. If you happen to’re fortunate, you’ll be on a ship the place you’ll be able to chopper to the ice sheet, which covers four-fifths of Greenland’s floor—greater than 660,000 sq. miles. And Ilulissat is a must-visit. Sitting greater than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, its identify actually means “iceberg” within the native indigenous language. Right here, an extremely productive glacier runs 25 miles and calves 20 billion tons of bergs yearly.
Set on the northwestern fringe of Athens, this small metropolis is near lots of Greece’s best points of interest: the Acropolis, only a few minutes away, the vineyards and olive groves of the Peloponnese Peninsula to the south, plus historic historical past in Sparta and Corinth. However this yr, Elefsina (or Eleusis, to the Greeks) provides loads of causes to remain proper on the town. The historical past right here is deep, greater than 4,000 years of it. House to wealthy ruins and an archaeological museum, it was certainly one of 5 holy cities of antiquity. Extra just lately, Elefsina has hung out and assets resurrecting its derelict industrial amenities into trendy points of interest—for instance, it has hosted the annual Aeschylia theater competition, holding performances in a former manufacturing facility. As certainly one of Europe’s capitals of tradition for 2023, the town shall be placing on a lot of thrilling occasions, from the unusual to the chic, together with cultural and culinary points of interest, concert events, and non permanent artwork displays.
Later than most nations, Japan simply absolutely reopened to guests in October 2022. Now not off-limits, vacationers are once more free to discover its many points of interest, from well-known favorites just like the temples in Kyoto, to extra under-the-radar locations like Yokohama. Finest often known as Tokyo’s port, it was one of many first locations within the nation to reopen to overseas commerce in 1859 and rapidly grew to become certainly one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities, residence to its first day by day newspaper, avenue lamps, and railway station. This coming yr, the town will host a few of Japan’s coolest festivals, together with the Spring Pageant, the biggest occasion celebrating Chinese language New 12 months in Japan. Come and expertise every part this metropolis has to supply, from the Purple Brick Warehouse—a former industrial facility that’s now residence to inexperienced areas, waterfront retailers, and eating places—to the hovering Ferris wheel at Cosmo World, which was as soon as the tallest on earth.
Altering Caye Caulker, Belize
A tiny nation in Central America, Belize is ready to endure some massive modifications, with a lot of new luxurious inns opening within the coming months and years. It’s greatest to see this tropical shoreline at its sleepiest—and for that, one of the best of one of the best is Caye Caulker. A small island alongside the Meso-American Reef (the biggest coral reef within the Western Hemisphere), its official slogan is “go gradual.” So come, chill on the water, and seize some grilled fish—proper off the road—for lunch. Then, feed the rays that are available in each day at sundown and settle in for a cocktail at one of many many seashore bars. The Lazy Lizard, which sits proper on The Break up—a channel torn by Hurricane Hattie in 1961—is at all times a well-liked gathering place.
As soon as recognized for glitz and glamor, this nook of Queensland was frequented solely for its seashores, casinos, and rollicking bars. And, in fact, the waves at Surfers Paradise. However these days, issues listed here are altering, with folks in search of—and discovering—extra refined points of interest, particularly in established communities on the southern fringe of city, like Burleigh Heads. Assist make your individual surfboard at S-Lab, the place they’ll even mail you the ultimate product. Take a meals and wine tour, or hop between craft breweries. Or simply take pleasure in some spirits—and possibly a haircut—at Grandad Jack’s. Named for the founder’s barber grandfather, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a $5 trim right here whereas sipping some fantastic, handmade whiskey, rum, and vodka (however most likely, not ).
America’s fourth-largest metropolis was as soon as recognized primarily for its warmth, humidity, and Astroturf. However a lot of new developments are remodeling this big metropolis. Lengthy a spot the place folks spent their time in air-conditioned malls and different sprawling, suburban areas, in the previous few years the town core has begun remodeling—and is price a go to. Begin alongside the brand new Avenida Plaza, which inspires you to walk by means of inexperienced house, retailers, and a few 20 eating places. Cease for a pint at eighth Surprise Brewery within the previously forlorn, industrial jap reaches of downtown. Then, if you happen to can, discover your solution to the speakeasy on the 4 Seasons, a secret house that serves up a few of the greatest tequila on the town.
Joburg or “Jozie” to the locals, this metropolis has seen some arduous instances. And few nations have been locked down as firmly as South Africa. However now is an ideal time to go to the nation’s greatest city heart. Take a tour of nationwide hero Nelson Mandela’s former residence in Soweto, the place he lived as a younger married man filled with desires, hope, and dedication. Bishop Desmond Tutu lived proper close by, simply down Vilakazi Road, making it the one avenue on earth that was residence to 2 Nobel prize winners. Take a culinary strolling tour with JoBurg 360, which swings by means of funky cafes and makers in fashionable Maboneng and Jeppestown earlier than ending with a rooftop cocktail. Or simply sit by the resort pool—it’s now virtually the center of summer season within the Southern Hemisphere, and the sultry local weather right here is ideal for a soothing afternoon within the solar.
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Toronto-based author Tim Johnson is at all times touring in the hunt for the following nice story. Having visited 140 nations throughout all seven continents, he’s tracked lions on foot in Botswana, dug for dinosaur bones in Mongolia, and walked amongst a half-million penguins on South Georgia Island. He contributes to a few of North America’s largest publications, together with CNN Journey, Bloomberg, and The Globe and Mail.
