It's the beginning of 2018 and you already know what it means, "New year, new me!" But how about «New year, new places»? Yes, the growth and personal development is not only given in the gym or after a cleaning based on juices, also in travel.
And although the world is full of incredible places to visit, here are the best places to travel in 2018:
Petra, Jordan
The Middle East is full of wonders, and Jordan is no exception. You can float without exerting yourself in the Dead Sea or make a getaway to the desert and visit the Wadi Rum, although Jordan is best known for its architectural masterpiece: Petra. Built on a rock wall, this UNESCO World Heritage site was carved in 312 AD and rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss traveler. If you like history and archeology, Petra should be at the top of your travel list for 2018.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Off the Queensland coast of Australia are the more than 1400 miles (2253 kilometers) of the largest coral reef system on the planet. It is obvious that this should be on your list of must-sees. Known as the Blue Outback, this World Heritage Site has thousands of species of fish and mollusks, hundreds of species of birds, sharks, rays and dozens of species of dolphins, whales and porpoises. I feel overwhelmed writing this. Can you imagine what it would be like to see it in person? If you do not know how to dive, do not worry! The surface diving is enough to enjoy one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA UU
Kauai takes the medal to the rainiest place on earth. And although the rain is not the best for curled hair, so many precipitations make it a tropical paradise. Think of walking routes through spectacular sites, indigo blue pools, beautiful bike rides and fascinating dives in colorful coral reef ecosystems. For me, and also for the Huffington Post , the best hiking trail in Hawaii is the Awaawapuhi Trail on Kauai. The route passes over huge cliffs on the Pacific Ocean, with one of the most impressive views that can be found.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
If you go to Victoria Falls, you will visit two countries for the price of one. Known as the "smoke that thunders", this magnificent fall of water separates Zambia from Zimbabwe and, although it is not the highest or widest cataract on the planet, the combination of the two dimensions makes it the largest in the world. Supposedly, the Zimbabwean side is prettier, but why not check it from both sides and decide for yourself? If you are hunting for emotions, go to the Victoria Falls Bridge, you can cross it in a zip line, bungee jumping from it or swing over the Zambezi River. You only live once, right?
Zhangye Danxia, China
When you think of China , you usually think of the Great Wall and the giant pandas, but that is because you have not heard of the Rainbow Mountains. While weathering and erosion generally tend to be quite slow and boring issues, in this case they have created gorgeous strips of colors on the slopes of the Zhangye Danxia Mountains. And although it is not that you are going to find there with unicorns, seeing mountains of red, green and yellow colors is already quite impressive.
Yosemite National Park, California, USA UU
When people think of California, they always tend to think of sunny beaches bordered by palm trees and full of celebrities. I understand, the lifestyle of sunny California is fantastic, but I assure you, if you dare to look beyond that scenario and climb the Sierra Nevada mountain range, you will see a California you never imagined. One of those places is the Yosemite National Park. Bounded by granite rock skyscrapers, whispering waterfalls and endless forests, Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbers, hikers and campers. The North Face brand, which was founded in San Francisco, has based its logo on the famous outline of the Half Dome of Yosemite. With hundreds of hikes and climbs to choose from, the park not only has routes for all levels, it is also incredibly photogenic. Take a look at #yosemite on Instagram to get an idea of the beauty of the park.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
I admit that I am an enthusiast of nature and hiking, so I have to add another national park. But hey, it's 2018, right? Surely, one of your resolutions for the new year is to get fit, so here you are, you will thank me later. Anyway, you should know that, in the Magallanes region of Chilean Patagonia, you will find more sheep than people, emerald green valleys, vigorous rivers, crystalline lakes and a world of ice in the form of glaciers and icebergs; it is wonderful. It is also a hard, implacable land, and it is considered to be one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. That's why I recommend you schedule your visit for January or February. At any other time of the year the weather is probably too cold, wet, windy and, in general, miserable to make it fun.
Rome Italy
Although many people consider that Paris is the "City of Love", I prefer to think that it is Rome, because if the letters of the word Rome are read back, "Love" is read. Apart from that, can there be something more epic than being known as the Eternal City? It is not only one of the oldest cities in Europe, but it is also considered the cradle of Western civilization. There is so much history here! The Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain (one of my favorite places, the Plaza de España, the Colosseum, and the Vatican.) In just a few hours, you can see some of the most iconic architectural sites in the world and, after visiting the Vatican, you can go back home presuming to have been in the smallest country in the world, and all that without mentioning the delicious gelatos and carbohydrates that you will eat along the way.
Costa Rica
There is no better way to try to sleep than with a herd of howler monkeys to your window. But hey, sleeping is not the main reason to travel to Costa Rica, right? You can surf in the surf breaks of Tamarindo, point of reference for surfers, zip-line through the humid forests of Arenal and tour the dense jungles of Corcovado National Park; the action never ends in Costa Rica. With an incredible natural biodiversity, hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, surfing and beaches, Costa Rica is on the list of the 10 best places to visit in 2018 for many reasons, but most of all because of Costa Rica's national motto , «Pure life», a way of life that drives the Costa Rican people. It is used as a greeting and farewell, and refers to a lifestyle that values people and things that really matter. With that in mind, surely a couple of weeks living in the Costa Rican style would do us all a lot of good.
Mauricio
As I write this, slush is falling outside, so it is likely that this will influence my desire to go to warm tropical places, but, in fact, it is not valued as it is due to Mauricio. Often overshadowed by the Seychelles and Maldives, the beauty of Mauritius is indescribable. With magnificent white sand beaches, fantastic places to surf and dive, and sunsets that will totally surprise you, Mauritius is a truly magical place. And African sunsets are famous for something. To the south, you will find great places to do kite surfing and hiking. Mauricio was also very influenced by the British, so do not get confused when you see yourself driving on the left. I mention this because I recommend renting a car to get away from the coast and go inland, where you can enjoy meals that are 25 times cheaper and 10 000 times more authentic and delicious. What more could you want?
Greetings to the new year and happy trips!
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