Have you taken a resolution to see more of the world, and immerse yourself in as many different cultures as you possibly can in 2016? I know I have, and I’ve decided to share with you ten vacation destinations that are on my personal itinerary that you should absolutely not miss this year. Luckily, some of these destinations are budget-friendly.
1 Barcelona, Spain
The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region has a rich distinctive culture that sets it apart from the rest of Spain. The city is a must-see for architecture aficionados as it provides a unique exhibit of how old-world and modern architecture styles have harmoniously been blended together to provide quite a breathtaking experience.
Art-lovers will find this city to be paradise, with the city boasting around 55 art galleries and museums covering a breadth of fascinating subjects. After travelling around the city by a well-connected metro system, weary travelers are advised to enjoy a light cava with a serving of tapas, following which they can put their party hats on and hit Las Ramblas, a crowded street frequented by party-goers at night.
2 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
The crown-jewel of Brazil redefines the word laid-back.’ The city boasts sprawling white sand beaches, streets booming with soothing Samba music and most importantly the colorful all-night Carnival in February. You should also make it a point to soak in the unparalleled football culture of Brazil by visiting the largest football stadium in the world – the Maracana.
Apart from this, Rio also offers a number of rainforests, botanical gardens and mountains. And when all of this is magisterially presided over by a massive statue of no less than Jesus Christ himself, you know you cannot afford to miss this.
3 Jerusalem, Israel
Being the Holy City of 3 of the world’s most prominent religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism), Jerusalem is a labyrinthine network of streets resonating with an eclectic mix of cultures and languages that provides an almost other-worldly spiritual experience. The Old City in Jerusalem contains great tourist destinations such as The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall.
Travelers are advised to stay in East Jerusalem where it is cheaper and buzzes with vibrant street life, and to venture into West Jerusalem to experience a more modern setting filled with flashy pubs and restaurants.
4 Las Vegas, Nevada
Need I really describe why this is the greatest idea ever? Filled with brightly lit pubs, casinos, strip-clubs and other establishments where debauchery is the norm, Las Vegas is an experience to behold. Although the events of The Hangover may be taking it a little too far (trust me, you do not want to wake up to a tiger in your bathroom), Vegas provides a wide range of guilty pleasures that prove that at the end of the day, we are only human.
Aside from the obvious entertainment destinations, the city also offers a number of other tourist destinations such as aquariums, fountain shows, museums and of course, the Red Rock Canyon.
5 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
If you are an outdoorsy adventurous person who likes to camp, this is your Disneyland. Sprawling over 3000 miles of pure, untouched natural beauty such as hot water geysers, pools, waterfalls, mountains and meadows often frequented by wild animals like elks and buffalos, being in Yellowstone is literally like being on National Geographic. The Yellowstone Lake and the Mammoth Hot Springs are not to be missed.
Read also – 10 World’s Most Beautiful National Parks
6 Bora Bora Island
This small island is not known as the Pearl of the Pacific’ for nothing. Boasting beautiful beaches, dormant volcanoes at the center and surrounding green jungles, it is the ideal tropical getaway. Although a little heavy on the pockets, the resorts this island has to offer along with the chance to engage in exhilarating water-sports on the inviting waters surrounding it, make this a simply irresistible vacation destination.
7 Zurich, Switzerland
The city that boasts a simply breathtaking array of historically significant events, Zurich offers you a little bit of everything. You can choose to traverse its cobblestone streets to visit a large number of museums, admire its medieval architecture, sample some excellent wine and chocolate, or simply unwind by the crystal clear waters of Lake Zurich. Aside from a throbbing nightlife and a compulsive shopping experience, Zurich also offers stunning mountain side retreats for the skiing enthusiast.
8 London, England
London is a hotpot of different ethnicities that blend together to give it a truly distinctive flavor. Just hop on the iconic London Underground and you will be surrounded by a delectable ethnic mix of hippies, businessmen, street performers, football hooligans etc. You will never get tired of London as there is just simply so much on offer including art museums, theaters, interesting cafes, parks, high street shopping and several other iconic tourist destinations such as the Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Simply marvelous, as the British would say!
9 Gokarna, India
Known as the introverted (but no less attractive) cousin of Goa, Gokarna is a beachside paradise that contains a mixture of locals and foreigners enjoying casual conversation over some delicious flavored seafood and excellent beer, and occasionally wading into the warm waters for a refreshing dip. With beachside shacks that offer extremely affordable housing, Gokarna will not burn even the tiniest hole in your pocket.
10 Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang is the fastest growing city in Vietnam, located in the center of the country. Unlike the fast metropolitan life of the capital of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang presents a more laid-back travel experience. There are several spectacular sightseeing spots in this city such as the Marble Mountain, the Dragon Bridge (a bridge shaped like a dragon that changes colors at night), and the Lady Buddha statue by the countryside overlooking the sea.
Read also – 9 Popular Tourist Attractions Being Destroyed by Tourists
There are many other fascinating places around the world, but if you have no idea where to go, this list may be a great option. If your country or city boasts some spectacular places, please let me know in the comments. I will definitely add it to my travel bucket list. So, what is your vacation destination for 2016?
