10 Destinations On The Rise
- Publish Date
- Wednesday, 18 June 2014, 12:00AM
Want to plan a trip somewhere off the beaten path but still figuring out where to go?
Take a look at TripAdvisor’s new Travelers’ ChoiceAwards for Destinations on the Rise. The spots were selected based on data collected from millions of TripAdvisor users, that have seen the "greatest increase in positive traveler feedback and traveler interest".
1. Havana, Cuba
Once a magnet for Americans who wanted a quick weekend getaway, recently, Havana has been experiencing a cultural renaissance, as the city shakes off the cobwebs and pours resources into resorts and hotels. Soak up some history while you soak up the tropical sun, strolling amid the colonial-era sights of Old Havana. Whether you prefer to hot-step it in a salsa club, tour a cigar factory or sip a mojito in one of Hemingway’s haunts, energy buzzes in and around Havana’s historic city centre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
La Fortuna de San Carlos is at the center of an array of geological wonders. The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-meter cliff. The Tabacon Hot Springs are a relaxing intermission in the midst of the various spectacles, and the Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a blissful end to any day's excursion.
3. Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is mystical and magical place, a trove of ancient structures that are enveloped in folklore. Ancient Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of the city, home to the legendary Kasthamandap temple, courtyards, fountains and the old royal palace. Kathmandu is a terrific base for various Nepalese adventures and Himalayan treks. For a more spiritual journey, visit a peaceful yoga or meditation centre.
4. Jerusalem, Israel
Religious pilgrims have been travelling to Jerusalem for centuries, yet you don’t have to share their zeal in order to appreciate this city’s profound cultural and historical significance. Plan on seeing the major sights, but also leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered place.
5. Cusco, Peru
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, majestic Cusco still reigns supreme. The city is a layer of eras and cultures, as indigenous features blend with colonial architecture and modern nightlife. Explore ancient ruins and towering cathedrals, marvel at colorful wares in local markets or take a break from it all with a relaxing massage. Outside the city, whitewater rafting, mountain biking or a visit to the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary will get your heart pumping in more ways than one.
6. Ambergris Caye, Belize Cayes
Ambergris Caye hovers in a holiday sweet spot: just enough amenities to make it exciting, but not so overdeveloped that you’re tripping over flip-flopped tourists. A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads. Reef divers drool over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole, a 400-feet deep circle of limestone that teems with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp and stalactites.
7. Sapporo, Japan
Probably best known for its eponymous beer, Sapporo—the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island—has maintained the youthful and open atmosphere of the 1972 Olympic Winter Games, drawing international visitors for its annual Snow Festival and its world-famous ramen. Those seeking out the full diversity of Japanese cuisine will want to visit, a city with a ramen-inspired theme park is one that embraces foodies.
8. Hanoi, Vietnam
The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon", but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.
9. Corralejo, Spain
What’s more peaceful than a wood and stone windmill, spinning on the seashore? Corralejo’s distinctive beaches are perfect for a tranquil, restorative getaway. Corralejo is part of Fuerteventura, a volcanic island, and its strong winds are good for more than just keeping the windmills busy. The kitesurfing and windsurfing are fantastic. Ferry over to Lobos Island for a day of exploring local flora and fauna, and be sure to scale the old lighthouse for some spectacular views.
10. Fortaleza, Brazil
Beaches are the top draw in this sunny, rapidly developing city. Stalls at the Mercado Central or Feirinha Beira Mar brim with local handicrafts, ranging from ceramics to lacework and leather goods. The Dutch-built Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in the city center, constructed in 1649, marks the spot where Fortaleza originated.
- TripAdvisor
Take a look at TripAdvisor’s new Travelers’ ChoiceAwards for Destinations on the Rise. The spots were selected based on data collected from millions of TripAdvisor users, that have seen the "greatest increase in positive traveler feedback and traveler interest".
1. Havana, Cuba
Once a magnet for Americans who wanted a quick weekend getaway, recently, Havana has been experiencing a cultural renaissance, as the city shakes off the cobwebs and pours resources into resorts and hotels. Soak up some history while you soak up the tropical sun, strolling amid the colonial-era sights of Old Havana. Whether you prefer to hot-step it in a salsa club, tour a cigar factory or sip a mojito in one of Hemingway’s haunts, energy buzzes in and around Havana’s historic city centre, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
La Fortuna de San Carlos is at the center of an array of geological wonders. The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-meter cliff. The Tabacon Hot Springs are a relaxing intermission in the midst of the various spectacles, and the Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a blissful end to any day's excursion.
3. Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is mystical and magical place, a trove of ancient structures that are enveloped in folklore. Ancient Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of the city, home to the legendary Kasthamandap temple, courtyards, fountains and the old royal palace. Kathmandu is a terrific base for various Nepalese adventures and Himalayan treks. For a more spiritual journey, visit a peaceful yoga or meditation centre.
4. Jerusalem, Israel
Religious pilgrims have been travelling to Jerusalem for centuries, yet you don’t have to share their zeal in order to appreciate this city’s profound cultural and historical significance. Plan on seeing the major sights, but also leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered place.
5. Cusco, Peru
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, majestic Cusco still reigns supreme. The city is a layer of eras and cultures, as indigenous features blend with colonial architecture and modern nightlife. Explore ancient ruins and towering cathedrals, marvel at colorful wares in local markets or take a break from it all with a relaxing massage. Outside the city, whitewater rafting, mountain biking or a visit to the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary will get your heart pumping in more ways than one.
6. Ambergris Caye, Belize Cayes
Ambergris Caye hovers in a holiday sweet spot: just enough amenities to make it exciting, but not so overdeveloped that you’re tripping over flip-flopped tourists. A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads. Reef divers drool over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole, a 400-feet deep circle of limestone that teems with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp and stalactites.
7. Sapporo, Japan
Probably best known for its eponymous beer, Sapporo—the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island—has maintained the youthful and open atmosphere of the 1972 Olympic Winter Games, drawing international visitors for its annual Snow Festival and its world-famous ramen. Those seeking out the full diversity of Japanese cuisine will want to visit, a city with a ramen-inspired theme park is one that embraces foodies.
8. Hanoi, Vietnam
The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon", but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.
9. Corralejo, Spain
What’s more peaceful than a wood and stone windmill, spinning on the seashore? Corralejo’s distinctive beaches are perfect for a tranquil, restorative getaway. Corralejo is part of Fuerteventura, a volcanic island, and its strong winds are good for more than just keeping the windmills busy. The kitesurfing and windsurfing are fantastic. Ferry over to Lobos Island for a day of exploring local flora and fauna, and be sure to scale the old lighthouse for some spectacular views.
10. Fortaleza, Brazil
Beaches are the top draw in this sunny, rapidly developing city. Stalls at the Mercado Central or Feirinha Beira Mar brim with local handicrafts, ranging from ceramics to lacework and leather goods. The Dutch-built Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in the city center, constructed in 1649, marks the spot where Fortaleza originated.
- TripAdvisor
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