2015 was an epic year of travel for me and as I look ahead to 2016, I can only hope that the adventures continue. That being said, I've put together some of my favorite travel adventures to inspire you with these 16 places to visit in 2016.
16 Places to Visit in 2016
Italy
Because of its size, Italy is one of the best places to visit if you're looking to get a lot of bang for your buck. It's most popular historical cities, like Venice, Milan, Rome, and Verona, are all easily accessible through a user-friendly train network - making it possible to experience everything in one trip! Turn it into a foodie trip and eat your way through the country-side sampling the unique spin that Venice, Milan and Verona place on risotto, and put yourself into a carb coma on pasta dishes in Rome. Then there is always Gelato, Tiramisu, and Prosciutto to round out your culinary experience. The food scene in Italy is an art only to be rivaled by the architecture you will experience along the way.
There are givens like The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, The Pantheon, The Colosseum, and of course, Mount Vesuvius. But the country is also home to a few lesser known gems such as Ancient Herculaneaum.
Barcelona
With it's shopping, food and wine, achritecture and history it's no wonder that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe. A few "must do" experiences include:
- a tapas style dinner
- the Picasso Museum
- Viewing the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo and Park Guell
- The beaches
- Hit the shops for designers like Zara/Mango.
With it's mild climate year round there really isn't a bad time to visit in 2016.
Curacao
Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island, known for its beaches tucked into coves and its expansive coral reefs rich with marine life. Of course it's a prime destination for those who love to snorkel and scuba dive. If relaxing with a good book is more your speed meander down to Big K'nip beach for gorgeous views and relaxation. In addition to it's superb diving and beautiful beaches, you would be hard pressed to find a bad meal in Curacao, but I highly recommend stopping by the Gouverneur for a cocktail and a meal.
Switzerland
Switzerland is the place to escape to when you need to breathe in fresh crisp air and lose yourself in something splended. The Alps are the perfect place to lose yourself while indulging in some delicious Swiss choclates, taking in iconic cities like Montreux, Zermatt, and Interlaken are must when you visit Switzerland.
Photo Source: HolidayMe.com
Take a train ride to Jungfraujoch, which boast some of the most incredible panoramic sights the country has to offer on it's journey to the highest railway station of Europe. And of course, Switzerland holidays also boasts the Ice Palace and Sphinx Terraces - both of which offer views of Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. It all adds up to a memorable place to visit in 2016.
Barbados
Barbados is the perfect escape for anyone looking for fun and relaxation. Barbados has it all beach resorts, an exciting nightlife, sculpted gardens, and miles of prime surfing beaches on the east coast.
Key West
No passport, no foreign currency needed and accessiblitiy by land, water or air make Key West a prime travel destination for Americans. Plus, it has a little something for everyone including dolphin encounters, diving and snorkeling at Ft. Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas, sunsets on Mallory Square, and boating to cover aquatic activities. On land you will find museums, art galleries, theaters and a smorgasbord of seafood dishes featuring catch of the day fish along Duval street.
New York City
There is no way to take in all of the vast experiences the Big Apple offers in just one visit. Instead of trying to eat, see and do it all try these on your first visit and they will leave you coming back for more.
- Times Square
- The High Line: New Yorkers love 1.45-mile-long High Line, a park that stretches from theMeatpacking District through Chelsea on a previously derelict, elevated railway track. It offers garden views, water features, and cool contemporary architecture.
- John's Pizzeria: Not only does this place have incredible brick oven pizza, it's housed inside of a historic Church featuring gorgeous cathedral ceilings, stained glass domes and murials on the wall.
- Central Park: So much more than 843 acres of grass and trees; Central Park offers a vintage carosel, a Boathouse Cafe with a view, a zoo, and a reservoir.
- A Broadway Show
- Statue of Liberty
San Francisco
It's shocking to think San Francisco lies within a compact area of 49 square miles with it's very many things to do. From Alcatraz to pocket gardens, unusual museums, 5 star restaurants, ecletic shops and iconic street cars San Francisco attracts millions of tourist each year taking in the like of the iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Chinese New Year Parade and it's endless possibilities of exploration.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park lies within California's famed Sierra Nevada mountains and is famed for it's giant, ancient sequoias and granite cliffs. However, Yosemite is also home to shops, reastaurants, museums and Ansel Adams Gallery (featuring prints of the photographer's black and white landscapes of the SMokey Mountains). is set within California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoias, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, offering prints of the photographer’s renowned black-and-white landscapes of the area.
Smokey Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The park is world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life as much as it's ancient mountains home to remnants of Sourthern Appalachian mountain culture.
In addition to it's incredible views, their are numerous things to see and do in the park including:
- Auto Tours
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Waterfalls
- Touring Historic Buildings
- and Ranger-led Programs
It's no surprise it's America's most visited national park!
St Kitts
Known for it's rainforest, mnoutains and beaches of white, gray and black sands St. Kitts is one of two Carribeans islands comprising the nations of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the west indies. St Kitts offers gorgeous beaches, hiking trails, ziplining, Brimstone Fort (a World UNESCO site), farmers markets and more making it the perfect place for a laid back vacation in 2016.
Andros Island, Bahamas
Andros Island is an archipelago within the Bahamas, the largest of the 26 inhabited Bahamian Islands though it is the most sparsely developed. Here you will find the world's 3rd largest fringin barrier reef, deep blue holes, the Tongue of the Ocean (a mile-deep abyss teeming with vibrant marine life) and mile after mile of beautiful beaches. Whether you're looking for a bonefishing adventure, prime snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, diving, kayaking or exploring flora and fauna Andros Island delivers.
Seattle
In 2015, the population of Washington topped 7 million with Seattle seeing a tremendous amount of that nearly 2% growth. So what's driving people to Seattle? This booming city offers Pike Place Market (the oldest farmers market in the U.S. and site of the first Starbucks), a diverse art scene including the Seattle Art Museum, Islands a short distance from its coast, a Wine scenery rated some of the best in the world, nature, zoos and more. It's no wonder that people are flocking to Seattle and earning it a spot on our must visit places for 2016.
Alaska
With it's vast wilderness and sparse population Alaska may just be America's last frontier. However it's this same diverse terrain of mountains, forest and abundant wildlife that make it a destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, mushing, mountain biking, fishing and kayaking. If you're looking for a truly adventerous vacation in 2016 Alaska should be on your list.
Austin
In the last few years Austin's food and art scene have really blown up along side the growing size and sophistication of the city. No longer simply known as the capital of Texas, Austin is making a name for itself as a foodie hot spot featuring restaurants such as Franklin BBQ, Bullfight and Emmer & Rye to name a few.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is composed of 3 islands in the western Caribbean Sea. Each island is home to a unique experience. The largest island, Grand Cayman, is known for its beach resorts, scuba diving and snorkelling sites. While Cayman Brac is popular for deep-sea fishing of tuna, marlin and barracuda. Lastly, the smallest island of Little Cayman is home to diverse wildlife, from rock iguanas to red-footed boobies.
So, where will you be traveling to in 2016?
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