17 Places to Travel in 2017

Putting together our annual best places to travel list takes us months. We travel far and wide in search of the best of the best: the most incredible destinations, to die for food, bucket list worthy activities and, of course, wine so good you’ll remember every last drop. It’s tough to narrow down all the world’s possibilities, but between places we’ve personally experienced and staying on top of  travel trends like the world’s best hotel opening and celebrations, we’ve narrowed down this year’s list to these 17 places to travel in 2017:

1. Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux made our list for the 16 best places to travel in 2016 and that was before we moved to the Port of the Moon and fell even more in love with France’s Sleeping Beauty. Even Lonely Planet and the LA Times agree with us and named Bordeaux the world’s best city to visit in 2017.

A beautiful city the reminds us of Paris on a much smaller scale, Bordeaux has a lot to offer for just about any kind of traveler. Of course, it’s the gateway to a world class wine region. But with the Pyrenees a short drive away, there’s plenty of skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Gourmands will love Bordeaux’s foodie scene with some of the world’s best chef’s opening restaurants as well as up-and-comers creating exciting dishes that mix Bordelaise classics with modern techniques. And beach lovers will adore Cap Ferret and  Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune de Pyla.

Bordeaux truly offers the perfect recipe for wine, culture and adventure. No wonder it’s our top pick.

Travel Tips

When to go: Bordeaux enjoys mild winter temperatures and hot, sunny summers. A steady stream of visitors enjoy the city all year long and with a calendar full of events, there’s never a bad time to visit. For wine tourism, July and August are the best months for châteaux to welcome visitors.

How to get around: The city of Bordeaux has an excellent public transportation system and the railway station links it with many French destinations. SNCF is adding a high-speed train service that will Paris with Bordeaux  in just 2 hours as of July 2017. With options to arrive in Bordeaux by 9am and stay as late as 9pm, you can even add a day trip to your Parisian holiday.

Where to stay: If you dropped a pin in the very center of Bordeaux, Intercontinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel {review} would sit on that very spot. With a tram stop outside the hotel’s doors and it’s location in the heart of the city, all of Bordeaux is at your doorstep. It’s also home to two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, Michelin starred Le Pressoir d’Argent and Bistro Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay  The hotel also has a three-level spa, a panoramic rooftop jacuzzi and the only hotel swimming pool we’ve found inside the historic city.

Insider Tip: La Cité du Vin, which has been touted as France’s wine theme park, opened in 2016. Not only is it a fantastic interactive wine experience museum, but there is a calendar of events from the monthly Ciné Gourmand to various wine knowledge courses. Find all of our insider tips in our new Bordeaux trip planning resource page.

2. Deep Water Cay, Bahamas

We’re suckers for a fabulous beach destination and after two trips just a few months apart cay hopping around The Bahamas, it’s one of our new favorite places on earth. With crystal clear water, healthy coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and sugar sand beaches that can be reached in just a few hours from the East Coast, we really don’t know why it took us so long to visit The Bahamas.

The Bahamas, which quite literally means shallow waters, is also one of the best places in the world to complete a dive certification course. The conditions are idyllic and The Bahamas has many reputable dive instructors.

And when you’re not diving, The Bahamas offers fantastic beaches, a variety of activities from fishing to swimming with pigs, the world’s third largest reef system and the world’s deepest blue hole. Add in the gorgeous weather and all the conch you can eat, what’s not to love?

Travel Tips

When to go: Hurricane season in The Bahamas is officially from June – November, and with more intense storms over the last few years you might want to avoid travel to The Bahamas during these months.

How to get around: The Bahamas isn’t the easiest country to island hop around in, though depending on the island you choose to base yourself on, there are options to travel around by flights or ferries. We particularly like Abaco because it is relatively easy to hop around to several islands and cays like Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay with ferries that run multiple times daily.

Where to stay: Deep Water Cay {review} is a fabulous private island resort off the end of Abaco. It’s got a boutique feel, more like you’re coming to stay with friends and is a world-class bone fishing lodge with a list of guests that return year after year. Even if you’re not in to fishing, there’s a lot to do. We completed our open water dive certifications and had a fantastic week diving and enjoying all that the Abacos have to offer.

Insider Tip: You can taste the original Goombay Smash at the Blue Bee Bar in the historical village of New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay, where it was invented by the proprietor, Miss Emily, in the 1960’s.

 

Montréal le soir // MTL at night #MTL #montreal #mtlmoments photo par/by @raym0ndma

A photo posted by Tourisme Montréal (@montreal) on Nov 21, 2016 at 8:04pm PST

3. Montreal, Canada

Montreal is a city where North American meets Europe, which isn’t too surprising since it was founded by Frenchman Jacques Cartier and ruled by both the French and British throughout its history. The City of Saints celebrates its 375th anniversary in 2017, officially on May 17th, all year long with a calendar full of events. From pop-up art events to the carnival that will take place in each of Montreal’s 19 boroughs, there are more than 200 events happening over the 375 day long celebration. The most lavish is the $39.5-million plan to light the Jacques-Cartier Bridge with 2800 lights that change colors with the seasons, which you can see inaugurated on May 17th.

Travel Tips

When to go: There are more than 200 events going on over the 375 day long celebration of Montreal, which already kicked off in December 2016. Winter lovers will enjoy skiing on Mont Royal and Igloofest, where you can warm up from the cold with dancing to electronic music under the stars at Montreal’s Old Port. Or head there in summer to enjoy the city’s many outdoor events like the summer Jazz Fest.

How to get around: Montreal is compact enough that you can get around the city on foot and there’s even an underground pedestrian network full of shops and sites, perfect for getting around in winter when you just don’t want to head out in to the cold. There are also 350 kilometers of bike paths and you can easily get a bike from one of the 360 BIXI stations, Montreal’s bike sharing system.

Where to stay: The Omni Mont-Royal {review} is the luxury hotel brand’s flagship property and Celine Dion opted to have her lavish wedding reception there. The location in the heart of downtown is convenient to public transportation and within a short walk of Old Montreal.

Insider Tip: Montreal is Canada’s foodie capital and the foodie scene influenced by its multi-ethnic population. You can find everything from French bistros to some of the best bagels in the world. One surprising find you won’t want to miss is the Moroccan cuisine served in a nomad tent at La Khaima. 

4. Marrakech, Morocco

Paris, New York City and Milan top fashionistas must-visit lists year after year for the fabulous fashion shows and top designer boutiques. While it might sound odd to include Marrakech, which for most people that don’t know much about it illicit visions of an unsafe and gritty destination, the vibrant colors of the souks and traditional Moroccan attire inspired the legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent. He fell so in love with Marrakech after his first visit in 1966, that countless collections over the years would feature Moroccan influence and YSL would even buy three houses in Marrakech, adopting it as his second home.

To honor the late designer and his love for Marrakech, the YSL Museum is opening in late 2017 in Marrakech near Jardin Majorelle. It will comprise over 5000 clothing items from his collections, 15,000 haute couture accessories and countless sketches.

Travel Tips

When to go: Marrakech experiences mild winters, making it a lovely time to visit and admire the juxtaposition of the Red City with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. You may want to avoid July and August; these Marrakech’s hottest months.

How to get around: Taxis are inexpensive and you can practice your negotiation skills for a fare that you think is fair. The Medina is much bigger than you might expect, but it’s narrow walled roads aren’t suitable for cars. Get around on foot or hire a tuk tuk, which are run by disabled men to give them a job. You can also take a side car motorcycle tour of the Medina and get insider tips about what to see and do and which neighborhoods to visit. 

Where to stay: The Mandarin Oriental Marrakech {review} opened just over a year ago and the chic property incorporates Berber design with the luxury touches the brand is known for. Just leave time in your itinerary to enjoy your private pool at your riad-style pool villa.

Insider Tip: Amanda, a local and tour guide in Marrakech, says: “Don’t avoid the street food! Look for places where there are lots of Moroccans and give it a try. Expect many people won’t speak English but with a little body language you’ll be understood. Be on the lookout for small stalls with boiling oil. Order kringo: they’re small sweets like a doughnut that are best hot and fresh out of the fryer. Expect to pay no more than 5dh for a small cone of them.” Find more of Amanda’s tips on Maroc Mama.

5. Negev, Israel

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are on every traveler to Israel’s must-visit list. But our own bucket-list trip to Israel included some time for adventure in the Negev Desert. This is the most undeveloped part of Israel, though you can still find bits of luxury for the more discerning adventure traveler.

From discovering the ancient vineyards of the Nabataeans on the Negev Wine Route to rappelling the 1000 foot Makhtesh Ramon, the Negev will surprise you with the diversity is this place that is practically uninhabitable.

Travel Tips

When to go: Especially when visiting Israel’s desert, you want to avoid travel in the hottest months. The hot season lasts from the end of May through the beginning of September when the average temperature regularly reaches over 93°F (34°C).

How to get around: It’s best to rent a car to explore the Negev Desert and then once there, book a jeep tour to explore the Negev’s crater. Mountain biking is also popular and is a great way to explore the Negev Wine Route. 

Where to stay: The Beresheet Hotel is the most exclusive hotel in all of Israel. It’s set right on the cliffs looking in to the Ramon Crater and all of the rooms have either a view of the crater or of the desert. A dip in infinity pool will be heavenly after a day of exploring the desert.

Insider Tip: Israelis don’t just produce wine. Don’t miss out on trying arak, an alcoholic spirit distilled from the leftover pulp, skins, stems and juice from winemaking. Anise seeds are then added for flavor before another distillation and it’s often served in a cocktail.

6. Coron, Palawan, Philippines

The Philippines are definitely having a moment. Travel + Leisure recently named three Filipino islands in their 10 best islands in the world. After spending two weeks exploring Coron in the province of Palawan late this past fall, we can definitely see why it made Travel + Leisure’s cut.

Coron comprises several islands and unlike hectic Manila, Coron is relatively undeveloped. The cerulean waters are filled with coral reef systems and many WWII shipwrecks home to colorful reef fish, making it a perfect dive location no matter your dive skill level.

Travel Tips

When to go: The Philippines has endured some of the strongest typhoons in their recorded history in recent years. We endured two while traveling in the Philippines in November. Not only can you get caught in a disastrous typhoon, it’s the rainy season and dive visibility is typically reduced. If diving is on your agenda, visibility is best from January through March.

How to get around: There are regular flights to Coron from Manila. Once there, most hotels offer an airport shuttle. If you’re staying in Coron Town, tricycles are a popular way to get around and inexpensive. Resorts organize tours exploring the islands that comprise Coron and dive excursions. 

Where to stay: The Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa {review} is a paradise on earth. The resort is located on an otherwise uninhabited island about a 40-minute speed boat ride from Coron Town. All the rooms are individual bungalows and have views of the beaches and water surrounding the island tip.

Insider Tip: Negotiate a tricycle to take you to Maquinit Springs round trip. It’s located about 30 minutes outside of Coron Town and the hot spring is fed by an underground volcano. You can rejuvenate tired muscles in the healing waters. A tricycle will take you round trip and wait for you at the springs for around 350 PHP (about $7 US).

7. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

I grew up about two hours from Pittsburgh, and honestly, there wasn’t much reason to go to Steel City during the 1980s. Pittsburgh has since shed its industrial identity and taken on a new, hip one. Up and coming chefs are opening trendy eateries, Andy Warhol left his mark and a burgeoning art scene and even adventure lovers like us can find ways to get outdoors with activities like kayaking on the Allegheny River.

Of course, sports fans can find a sport to cheer on just about all year long between the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins all calling the city home.

Travel Tips

When to go: We never pass up the opportunity for some classic American fun at a baseball game, so our pick would be to visit Pittsburgh when we can catch a game at PNC Park. Summer is also a great time to get out and enjoy Pennsylvania outdoors, because, honestly, winters can be rough there.

How to get around: Pittsburgh can definitely be visited without a car. There’s a good public transportation system with buses, lightrail and the incline to get about the city and it’s a very walkable city to explore. Amtrak arrives right in the heart of the city, making it a travel alternative to flying.

Where to stay: Hotel Monaco is housed in a gorgeous 1903 building and the boutique hotel’s bold decor to a perfect compliment to Pittsburgh’s hip scene. The location is in the heart of downtown, making it easy to explore many of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. Perhaps my favorite feature is the complimentary happy hour where guests can enjoy a glass of wine each evening. And in summer, you can also enjoy their rooftop beer garden.

Insider Tip: Visit Pittsburgh’s Strip District, where you’ll find only unique eateries mostly opened up by immigrants back in the day when they could feed the steel workers. Find the best pepperoni roll at Sunseri, delicious pierogi at S&D Polish Deli and Pittsburgh’s famous french fry sandwich at the original Primanti Bros. Or just eat your way through the neighborhood with a ‘Burgh Food Tour.

8. Helsinki, Finland

Finland is celebrating 100 years of independence, officially on December 6, 2017, with a year-long calendar full of events. The theme for the year-long is “Together” and there will be over 2000 different events to commemorate the anniversary.

Aside from all the jubilee activities going on, sauna culture is huge in Finland and Helsinki has a brand new public sauna facility. Löyly is the essence of contemporary Finnish design and should be on your itinerary when visiting. Sauna is so important there’s even two National Sauna Days in Finland each year and some of the city’s unique private saunas open up their doors to the public.

Travel Tips

When to go: It might not be everyone’s pick, but we love exploring Helsinki in winter. The city is charming during the holidays with its Christmas markets. And you can easily hop a flight up to the Arctic Circle for some winter adventures and Northern Lights viewing.

How to get around: Like many European cities, Helsinki has an excellent public transportation systems with buses and trams. Bicycles are a popular way to get around and you’ll even seen people riding fat bikes in winter. Helsinki is compact enough that its easily explored on foot as well. 

Where to stay: Hotel Glo Kluuvi is a chic Finnish design hotel in the heart of the city center and where we always stay when visiting the Finnish Capital. It’s close to taxis and trams and just 500 meters from the central railway station. The hotel even offers bicycles in spring and summer for guests.

Insider Tip: Take the  Tallink MS Superstar ferry over to Tallinn in just 2 hours from Helsinki to explore Estonia’s charming capital for the day.

9. Glacier Country, Montana, USA

Montana might not be top of mind of the must visit spots in the US, but after our trip to Montana’s Glacier Country we think it should be. The 1 million acre Glacier National Park is home to the intact ecosystems in the lower 48 States. There’s year round outdoor activities, the scenery is take-your-breath-away stunning and the towns are chock full of small town charm.

Most surprising, Montana’s small towns have some seriously good eats. It’s a good thing there are 1127 kilometers of hiking trails in Glacier National Park alone, because between the cheese topped elk chili, world’s best pies and 12-course dinners put on by James Beard chefs, you’ll need to either buy bigger pants or work off the incredible food.

Travel Tips

When to go: Summer is an excellent time for exploring the hiking trails of Glacier National Park. But consider a winter visit. Whitefish offers affordable skiing, you can go on horse drawn sleigh rides at dude ranches and dog sledding in Bigfork. And the Northern Lights have even been known to make an appearance.

How to get around: Though Amtrak does arrive regularly in Whitefish, you’ll really want a car to properly explore all that Montana’s Glacier Country has to offer. 

Where to stay: You’ll likely arrive in Missoula, which is definitely worth sticking around and exploring for a few days. Stay at the Doubletree by Hilton, which is convenient to downtown Missoula. Kalispell makes a great base for exploring the area and Red Lion Hotel is a great choice convenient to downtown. If you’re looking for an excellent ski-in ski-out hotel in Whitefish, the Kandahar Lodge is cozy.

Insider Tip: Stop by Mrs. Wonderful’s Marmalade Cafe in Polson for oh-my-gawd good chili. She also has freshly made baked goods for sale that you’ll definitely want to grab a few of for on-the-go.

10. Lombardy, Italy

Just about every traveler to Italy heads to Rome, Florence and Venice. But Milan, in Lombardy, is one of the most affordable cities to arrive in on international flights. Don’t hop a train out of the region; Lombardy is home to some Italy’s most beautiful lakes like Como and and the lesser known Maggiore.

This region is so beautiful it inspired Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms, is home to the world’s oldest cheese and has a variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast from hiking to dog sledding. Skip the crowds at Rome’s Sistine Chapel and head to Milan to see the Last Supper, forgo the Disney-like gondola ride in Venice for boating around Lago Maggiore and leave the Tuscan wines to discover sparkling Franciacorta.

Travel Tips

When to go: Spring and summer are our favorite times of the year to discover Lombardy. When it’s oppressively hot in Italy’s cities in summer, the mountains are cooler and it’s a fantastic time to be out on the lakes.

How to get around: Lombardy is quite well connected with a train system. Milan, Bergamo, Varenna (Como), Stresa and many other destinations in Lombardy can all easily be reached by train. 

Where to stay: Milan is an excellent base for exploring the region. Stay at the chic Baglioni Hotel Carlton, close to attractions like the Le Scala Theater and Duomo. In Stresa you can stay at the very hotel Hemingway did while he was recovering and writing, Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. Or have the ultimate romantic escape at Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como.

Insider Tip: Apertivo is a mostly Northern Italy custom and Milan is one of the best places to experience it. Head to the Naviglio Grande to hop around from chic canal side bars for a Spritz and small nibbles. Check our guide for where to eat and drink in Milan for our favorite spots.

11. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is urban jungle with a popular of about 10 million people. For someone that craves the outdoors and feels there’s no better place to be than hiking on a mountain or skiing down one, it’s not really surprising that Tim isn’t loving his time living there.

The capital recognizes it needs to step back from the architectural wonders and refocus on the natural ones. Seoul has already replaced an elevated highway with an urban stream and an arboretum will be created later this year when an urban overpass is replanted with local plant species.

These are just some of the projects as Seoul gears up for visitors for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, just 80 miles east of the city.

Travel Tips

When to go: March through May is a lovely time to visit, which is also during the cherry blossom season then  tunnels of pink blossoms are created from the flowering trees.

How to get around: Driving in Seoul is a nightmare. Use the public transportation to get out and about the city. 

Where to stay: Lotte is a Korean brand we were introduced to in Moscow and the Lotte Hotel Seoul is the brand’s flagship hotel. It’s a destination in and of itself in Seoul with a department store, 10 restaurant and dining options and a prime location in the city. 

Insider Tip: People are fanatical about karaoke in South Korea, so don’t miss out on this quintessential Seoul experience.

12. Egypt

Egypt might be a surprising addition to this list and we bet you’re wondering if we’ve lost our minds. Egypt has definitely had it’s share of bad luck over the last couple of years between the Arab Spring and sporadic ongoing terrorist attacks, yet we wouldn’t hesitate to visit Egypt.

You definitely need to take precautions like registering with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and staying in well-known brand hotels that take guest security seriously. Minimize risks by flying domestically within the country instead of traveling around overland.

All that said, many Egyptians depend on tourism for their livelihood and the country had definitely been down and out for a while. Popular tourist sites like the Pyramids of Giza and Luxor are nearly empty. And in those aspects, there’s never been a better time to go and show our solidarity with our tourism dollars.

Travel Tips

When to go: The summer months can be extremely hot, so the best times to visit are from September through April.

How to get around: Though the risk to travelers is low, it’s currently best to travel between destinations in Egypt on domestic flights if you choose to travel independently or book a tour like a Viking River Cruise.

Where to stay: Intercontinental Cairo, one of our preferred and trusted global hotel brands, is our pick for Egypt’s capital city. With a rooftop pool, Nile views and a location close to the Egyptian Museum, the Intercontinental Cairo offers modern luxury in the heart of the city.

Insider Tip: Ask your hotel to arrange taxis for you to avoid being ripped off.

13. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam makes for a great city break and Eurostar is adding its first direct route to Amsterdam in late 2017. Take an inexpensive flight on Norwegian to the UK and hop on the train to Amsterdam on mainland Europe.

Aside from it being easier than ever to get to Amsterdam, there’s never a dull moment in the Venice of the North. There’s a calendar full of events from Amsterdam Fashion Week to open-air fun at Amsterdam’s biggest party, King’s Day. We bet you didn’t know that Amsterdam has much culture per capita than any place else on earth. Now, who’s ready to hop on the train and soak it up?

Travel Tips

When to go: April is a great time to visit Amsterdam. The famous tulip fields are in bloom and there aren’t as many tourists as European destination see come summertime.

How to get around: Amsterdam has a world-class public transportation system with metros, buses, trams, ferries and trains. Of course, the absolute best way to get around is on bicycle. You’ll feel left out if you’re not on a bicycle!

Where to stay: The Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam is just on the edge of the canal belt, providing a central yet quiet location. And everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Michael Jackson have stayed there, yet the hotel doesn’t feel pretentious. It’s a welcoming space where we always feel comfortable.

Insider Tip: Discover some of the best bites in Amsterdam on an Eating Amsterdam Food Tour.

14. Rwanda

Going on safari in Tanzania was hands-down, without-a-doubt the best trip we’ve ever been on. And as much as we adored Tanzania, we’re itching to see more of sub-Saharan Africa.

More than half of the 800 or so mountain gorillas left in East Africa living in the foothills of the Virungas mountains that  stretch across Rwanda, the Condo and Uganda. As much as I’ve love to visit the congo, especially after reading Michael Crichton‘s Congo as a teenager, Rwanda is the safest choice of the three countries to visit.

Trekking to see the gorillas is no walk in the park and the luxurious Bisate Lodge, set to open in June on the edge of Rwanda’s renowned Volcanoes National Park, sounds like the perfect bit of comfort at the end of a day when you’re muddy, soaked in sweat and aching all over from the treks.

Travel Tips

When to go: Gorilla trekking can be a year round activity, but the best times to visit Rwanda are during the short dry season from December through February and the long dry season from June to September for the best hiking conditions and lowest malaria risk.

How to get around: Book a guided safari or with a lodge like Bisate Lodge where you can arrange wilderness activites like gorilla treks, golden monkey treks and guided hiking in Volcanoes National Park.

Where to stay: The Bisate Lodge will be a private and exclusive lodge with just six villas. It’s set close to the park headquarters where daily departures for the gorilla treks take place and the lodge’s existence will fund conservation projects, including reforestation. So you can feel good about your stay giving back.

Insider Tip: You must have six months validity left on your passport and supply proof of a yellow fever vaccination for entry to Rwanda. Make sure you also travel with U.S. dollars printed after 2006.

15. UK

The UK has a couple of things going for it, in particular for American travelers. Brexit means it’s never been cheaper for Americans to visit with the 1£ = $1.23 US (at the time of publishing). And with Norwegian adding as many as 21 flights per week from Stewart International Airport (about 60 miles from New York City) to Scotland, Ireland and England for as little as $69 each way, there’s basically no excuse not to visit the UK.

And while we love London, be sure to explore more of what the UK has to offer. We’ve only dipped our toe in with a trip to Norfolk, but we’re also looking forward to exploring Wales, more of England and Scotland in 2017.

Travel Tips

When to go: For the most part summer, from May through September, is warm and fairly dry. The temperatures are much more comfortable than in popular Western Europe countries like Italy, making it a great time to head to the UK.

How to get around: The UK’s cities are well serviced by public transportation, but consider renting a car and giving driving on the wrong side of the road a go to explore more of the UK’s natural attractions. 

Where to stay: The White Horse is a romantic seaside inn that we really enjoy on Brancaster Beach in Norfolk. A castle stay, like the Fonab Castle Hotel in Scotland, is always a bucket list stay.

Insider Tip: Start planning now to ring in 2018 at Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s one of the best New Year’s Eve parties to be at in the world.

16. Madagascar

Madagascar has long been on our bucket list, but always staying true to our preferred travel style with a bit of luxury at the end of each adventure filled day, the promise of lemurs and wildlife found no where else on earth hasn’t quite yet won out over the rough and tumble backpacker culture.

Make that former backpacker culture. Some luxury resorts have begun opening up and April 2017 will see the opening of Miavana, Madagascar’s most well-appointed luxury resort yet. Combining gorgeous dive locations with lemur trekking sounds like an excellent and not-so-typical safari experience.

Travel Tips

When to go: The best time to visit is during the dry seasons from April through October.

How to get around: Madagascar is a huge island and with really bad roads, it can take a long time to get around. There are local buses that go just about everywhere, but they can be hot and uncomfortable. It’s best to travel around with a tour operator for the best experience.

Where to stay: Located on the private Nosy Anko island, Miavana will open in April 2017. The resort has 14 villas and promises bucket list experiences like helicopter trips to Ankarana National Park for lemur-spotting and incredible diving in the archipelago.

Insider Tip: Never drink the tap water in Madagascar and avoid having ice in drinks because the ice may not be made from bottled water. Be sure to also use bottled water to brush your teeth.

17. Honolulu, Hawaii

Hawaii isn’t all just beaches and hanging ten. Honolulu is hosting the Honolulu Biennial 2017 and Vanity Fair has called it the must-attend event of the year.

There’s not a single art museum in Hawaii dedicated to contemporary art, so the Biennial is a key event to highlight both local artists and bring in international ones. More than 30 artists feature works focused on the challenges and culture of the Pacific like Hawaii based artist Jane Chang Mi’s project that explores the bombing, ecology and history of Pearl Harbor.

Travel Tips

When to go: The Honolulu Biennial opens March 8 and runs through May 8, 2017. It’s a great time to visit Hawaii and combine a little culture with water adventures like surf lessons and snorkeling or diving.

How to get around: There is a local bus system called TheBus that mostly services Honolulu and Waikiki, with lines going out to every major town on the island, and tourists can purchase a 4-day unlimited ride card called Oahu Discover Passport for $20. Though most visitors rent a car to be able to explore further afield easily, like Oahu’s Hanauma Bay.

Where to stay: The boutique Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club opened in 2016. The laid back Hawaiian feel of the hotel coupled with experiences like open air movie premiers and the location in Waikiki have this new hotel on our radar for our next visit to Hawaii.

Insider Tip: Spend at least an afternoon at Kailua. The half-mile long white sand beach is a local favorite. And grab lunch at Buzz’s Original Steakhouse for the best BLT salad you’ll ever have. It was so good we went back. Twice.

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