One of the top goals for any person starting a new year fresh is to see the world more. Whether it is learning a new language or culture or just taking in the breath of something made by nature or man, the world is our playground. Here is a list of the top 30 places to visit in 2016.
Consider going with a friend or partner or just take that solo trip and meet a vast array of new people. Either way, be sure to keep an open-mind to the wonderful possibilities that may happen when you travel outside away from your home.
The list of places is below the photo gallery but try your best to figure out which destination is chosen.
1) London
The English writer Samuel Johnson famously said, “You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” More than two centuries have passed since Johnson’s era, but his words still ring true. Life in London is invigorating, and travelers find that one visit is not enough.
2) Bora Bora
The small island of Bora Bora overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon. In fact, author James Michener, who wrote “Tales of the South Pacific,” called Bora Bora “the most beautiful island in the world.” The 18th-century British explorer James Cook even coined it as the “pearl of the Pacific .
3) Barcelona
Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre. From the tree-lined Las Ramblas to the narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic; from the beachside nightclubs to the city’s dozens of sacred churches and cathedrals, this city by the sea seems to attract all types
4) Paris
Known as the City of Light, Paris is aglow with the Eiffel Tower’s spectacular light show every evening. The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well.
5) Sydney
Picture an easygoing seaside town: There are surfers riding the waves and beach bums lazing on the sands. Add to this landscape a horizon jagged with skyscrapers and iconic landmarks like an out-of-this-world opera house and a famously stunning bridge.
6) New York City
The Big Apple blends big-city splendor with small-town charm. Amid Gotham’s iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers, you’ll experience a vibrant culture permeating each of the city’s distinctive neighborhoods and boroughs.
7) Maui
Maui is not nearly as large as the Big Island, nor is it as small as Lanai, as bustling as Oahu or as quiet as Kauai. For many Hawaii vacationers, Maui is just right — offering a taste of just about everything the Aloha State has to offer, from impressive wildlife to intriguing history and culture.
8) Rio de Janeiro
Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), this glimmering Brazilian metropolis has certainly earned its title. Resting at the mouth of a bay harbor, the city is lined with white-sand beaches, lush rainforests and surrounded by staggered green mountains. Rio de Janeiro boasts dramatic views from nearly every angle.
9) Cape Town
If Cape Town was a person, it would be that Hollywood starlet we all secretly envy. The Mother City is unlike any other destination in Africa.
10) San Francisco
San Francisco draws those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine and a zeal for adventure. It’s really not surprising that songwriter Tony Bennett left his heart here.
11) Maldives
A private villa stands over crystal blue water; days finish with orange sunsets that make you hungry for local citrus; gourmet room service and a masseuse are on call to avoid any unnecessary trips from your porch; and the only thing to make you want to leave is the breathtaking coral reef and underwater creatures that demand a scuba session for a proper introduction. This is the Maldives.
12) Prague
Prague now attracts more tourists than ever. But its picturesque downtown veils both a dark legacy and a resilient past; in its 1,100 years, Prague has withstood numerous overthrows, invasions, fires and floods.
13) Yellowstone
Yellowstone is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs; verdant forests weave past expansive meadows; and volatile geysers launch streams of steaming water toward the sky.
14) Bahamas
The Bahamian islands lure millions of visitors to their white-washed shores, duty-free shops, fishing and scuba diving excursions and luxurious accommodations each year.
15) Vancouver
Vancouver is a young city. But what it lacks in history it compensates for in scenery. Surrounded by mountains and beaches, Vancouver is both an urban and a natural playground: Its chic atmosphere, high-fashion boutiques and fondness for health-conscious eating have earned it the nickname “Hollywood North.”
16) Washington D.C.
With its marbled monuments and high-profile politicos, Washington, D.C., has long been saddled with a reputation as a stuffy government-driven town.
17) U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands are “America’s Caribbean Paradise” — the place to see moko jumbies dance at a Carnival parade, hear the lilting patois of a Creole dialect or smell the spices in a saltfish pate.
18) Zurich
Zürich is set on the banks of both a river and a lake, with the snow-topped Swiss Alps rising in the background. Clean cobblestone streets hug a hilly terrain and medieval church spires reach heavenward.
19) Budapest
Welcome to Budapest. To put it simply, if you have not been here, it is time you make plans to do so. This city appeals to many; you can step out of a thermal baths and right into a nightclubs.
20) Las Vegas
Sin City, America’s Playground, the Entertainment Capital of the World are all worthy names for this Nevada hotspot. Think of Vegas as a theme park rather than a city — it can awe as much as it can overwhelm, and that’s part of the appeal.
21) Hong Kong
Hong Kong is surrounded by questions: “Is it part of China or not?” “Is it one island or two?” “Is it English-speaking or Mandarin-speaking?” And foreigners have a good reason to ask them. This territory, made of multiple islands, returned to China’s possession in 1997 after more than a hundred years of British occupation.
22) Crete
If there was one word to describe the Greek island of Crete, it would be “diverse.” Sandy beaches hide among soaring mountains, palm tree forests grow in the middle of sprawling plains, bustling modern cities share coastlines with centuries-old structures.
23) Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen has carved its own Euro-chic niche along the Yucatán Peninsula. Sophisticated expats and vacationing Europeans relax at the beachside lounges, upholding this small enclave’s budding reputation as the place in Quintana Roo to see and be seen.
24) Puerto Rico
Determining Puerto Rico’s charm is a no-brainer. Less than a three-hour flight from Miami, this island is a U.S. territory.
25) Jerusalem
Jerusalem is suspended between many different crosshairs. First and foremost, it serves as the Holy City for the three primary western religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Where do you have your sights set for 2016? Sound off below.