The Best of Travel Compilation List for 2018
“Best of” travel lists are great – but also limited. With any list there are always places that are idiosyncratic at best and make you wonder about a payoff from a tourism bureau at the worst. As a result, every year I create a giant master list and see what places come up multiple times – the places The Powers that Be really think you should visit. Some places are obvious. Some are more surprising, and a few are even repeats from 2017. So without further ado, here are the greatest hits of 2018 travel.
New Orleans, LA
As if any one actually needed a reason to visit - New Orleans celebrates its 300th birthday in 2018, leading CNN, the NYT, and Travel & Leisure all to recommend you visit the Big Easy this year. The already famous Mardi Gras and Jazz Festival are certain to be on overdrive this year. If you’re less interested in festivals with big crowds, there is more than enough food, drink, and music any time of the year. Regardless of when, 2018 is the year to visit.
Malta
Malta, a small Mediterranean island country, is one of Lonely Planet’s and CNN’s top choices for 2018. Like much of the Mediterranean, Malta boasts everything from Greek ruins to 17th century fortifications. In addition, the capital city Valletta, a Travel & Leisure pick, is one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture this year. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is planning hundreds of events during 2018. For a country at the cross-roads of the best of Mediterranean history, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place, or at least a better place that has yet to be overrun.
Jordan
Long one of the most stable countries in the frequently-volatile Middle East, Jordan is one of Travel & Leisure’s top choices for 2018. The archeological site of Petra has long been a draw for tourists, but there are other sites for aspiring Indiana Joneses. Wadi Rum has tens of thousands of rock drawings tracing the development of an early alphabet, and there are ancient Roman ruins in Jerash. National Geographic recommends the 400-mile long Jordan Trail, a hiking path across the country that takes you along everything from desert canyons to the Red Sea shoreline.
Chile
Chile is a country of extremes, with Patagonia on one end and the Atacama Desert on the other. It is also a nation with an eye on the future, aiming to be one of the first South American nations to join the developed world. Lonely Planet’s top country to visit in 2018, Chile also celebrates 200 years of independence from Spain this year. If you need to narrow down a place to visit in the very long, skinny country, National Geographic recommends the trendy capital city Santiago while the NYT suggests the Route of Parks in Patagonia. Regardless of where you go, raise a pisco sour to Chile as you visit and celebrate its heritage and its future.
Ireland
The Emerald Isle, with its castles, natural beauty, and, of course, whiskey, is another one of the top destinations of 2018. Travel & Leisure recommends craft distilleries across the island, such as on County Wicklow and County Meath. New distilleries are also popping up in Dublin, one of National Geographic’s recommendations. If whiskey isn’t your thing, Dublin, especially with its newly expanded metro system has plenty to offer. Finally, Lonely Planet recommends the city of Belfast, and coastal Northern Ireland, with the iconic Giant’s Causeway.
Slovenia
Even if it is the birthplace of Melania Trump, Slovenia has a lot going for it, as both Travel & Leisure and Lonely Planet recommend the small country as one of its top choices for tourists in 2018. Ljubljana, the capital city, has been getting buzz from travelers for a few years now, but even outside of the capital winemakers and chefs alike across the country are garnering notice. Lonely Planet focuses on the Julian Alps, all the benefits of the Swiss Alps but half the crowds and a fraction of the price.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has been improving its appeal to tourism over the last several years, particularly along the River Walk, and just in time. The city turns 300 in 2018 and is one of the top travel choices for Travel & Leisure and National Geographic. To celebrate its birthday, the city will have hundreds of artistic and cultural events over the year. In addition, it will be unveiling new parks, and as has expanded or improved old ones. The city also boasts the first UNESCO site in Texas – its five Spanish missions.
South Korea
Hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics is reason enough for the NYT, Travel & Leisure, CNN, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet to all recommend a trip to South Korea this year. But if you need more Seoraksan National Park offers Buddhist temples, and the eastern coast in the Gangwon Province, has rafting, hiking and beach resorts. Even if you aren’t into skiing or figure skating, it’s worth a trip.
La Paz, Bolivia
Lonely Planet and the NYTs both recommend the Bolivian city La Paz as one of their top picks for 2018. In addition to an expanded aerial cable car transit system, the city is experiencing a emerging culinary scene, with everything from upscale dining options to coffee shops and bars focusing on Bolivian products. Located in the Altiplano the city is also close to the pre-Columbian ruins at Tiwanaku and Lake Titicaca.
New Zealand
While you might not get to hang out with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf - I’m sad that’s not a real option too - New Zealand still had plenty of reasons you should visit in 2018. One of Lonely Planet’s top countries to visit this year, with Great Walks encouraging visitors to appreciate the country’s natural beauty outside of a TV screen, and a world-renowned wine scene. The NYT suggests you should visit Rotorua, on the North Island. Rotorua will be celebrating its first Mudtopia Festival in 2018, and is also home to the Redwood Treewalk, an elevated trail through a redwood grove.
Aeolian Islands, Italy
The Aeolian Islands, just north of Sicily, Italy are one of the top recommendations for 2018. Off-the-beaten track islands in the Mediterranean are difficult to find, and Lonely Planet recommends you visit the area now, before that changes. Travel & Leisure recommends the island of Salina, which, it assures its readers, has yet to be overflowing with celebrities or the luxury yacht crowd and remains large unspoiled – for now.
Zambia
The reported birthplace of the “walking safari,” Zambia is one of Travel & Leisure’s top destinations for 2018. The nation in southern Africa is emerging as a known safari destination. If you aren’t sure where to go, the NYT recommends Liuwa National Park, the location of the second-largest wildebeest migration and home to more than 300 bird species. The park also boasts its first permanent camp, which overlooks a watering hole.
Georgia
The country in the southern Caucus mountains, not the US state, is one of Lonely Planet’s top locations for 2018. A country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia has been independent since the fall of the Soviet Union or the Russian Revolution, depending on your perspective. The country is building on its proud culinary and wine-making traditions these days. In addition, National Geographic recommends the capital Tbilisi, and its varied architectural heritage for visitors.
Estonia
The Baltic country Estonia, and its capital city Tallinn, are, respectively, two of the NYT and Lonely Planet’s top destinations for 2018. Estonia has a UNESCO-listed Old Town is considered by Lonely Planet as one of the best in Eastern Europe. The Estonian National Museum, located in the city of Tartu, recently reopened. Tallinn meets all the current hipster requirements, including restaurants taking new twists on Estonian cuisine, and a growing craft beer scene, but at an affordable price – at least for now.
Luang Prabang, Laos
Laos might be overshadowed by its neighbors Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, but that hasn’t stopped the NYT and Travel & Leisure to list the Laotian city of Luang Prabang as one of their top picks for 2018. The UNESCO-listed city has Buddhist temples, French-colonial architecture, and natural beauty from the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Luang Prabang is now better connected to the region via air, and while backpackers have always found plenty of accommodation there, there are also new luxury options as well.
Baja California, Mexico
2018 is the year to fly to California’s southern cousin, Baja California, Mexico. Lonely Planet recommends the entire peninsula, particularly the emerging wine region in the Valle de Guadeloupe, Baja’s version of Napa. Travel & Leisure and the NYT recommend the peninsula’s southern tip, where the trendy destination of Los Cabos, which boasts beaches, nightclubs, and top-notch restaurants. If you want to escape some of the tourists, there is the East Cape, with kitesurfing and farms.
Portugal
Portugal, one of Lonely Planet’s top countries to visit in 2018, and Lisbon, its capital city and a top pick by CNN, have emerged in recent years as the historic, beautiful, yet budget-friendly destination in Europe. From the Duoro Valley’s vineyards, to the fairy-tale castles of Sintra, to Algarve’s beaches, the small country hits above its weight in sites. The foodie scene across the country is also exploding, with 28 Michelin-starred restaurants complimenting its already famous custard tarts and port wine.
Essaouira, Morocco
Morocco is probably already on many a person’s bucklist already. But for 2018, CNN and the Lonely Planet suggest looking beyond Marrakesh and Casablanca, to Essaouira. The city is on the country’s Atlantic coast, and is a prime spot for surfing and windsurfing. It also boasts a number of other charms one expects from Morocco, such centuries-old fortifications, and an old medina.
Oslo, Norway
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is increasing its appeal in 2018, making both Lonely Planet and the NYT list it this year. The city is easier than ever to reach as it recently expanded its airport, and once in town, you can enjoy the city’s waterfront promenade and Opera House. Norway’s king and queen – yes, the “socialist haven” has a monarchy – celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2018, with the accompanying pageantry.
China
It seems like cheating to list China as it is one of the largest and populous countries in the world with several thousand years of history and world-class cuisine. But Lonely Planet listed China as one of its top countries to visit in 2018, and everyone agreed. To narrow it down, Travel & Leisure suggests the modern metropolis of Shanghai. Lonely Planet recommends the sandstone canyon in Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province and the NYT suggests heading to Gansu Province for the rainbow-striped mountains and to see parts of the historic Silk Road. Or you could visit the ethnically-diverse province of Yunnan. Where ever you go, it will be a trip you will remember.
Seville, Spain
Not just the name of a Rossini opera, or, more importantly, a Bugs Bunny cartoon, Seville, Spain is one of the NYT and Lonely Planet’s top choices to visit in 2018. The city is on the path to reclaiming its artistic history, with exhibitions and symposiums celebrating the 400th anniversary of hometown painter Bartolome Esteban Murillo. The city has also recently opened the Palacio de las Duenas to the public. Lest you think the city is only looking backwards, it is also hosting the European Film Awards in 2018.
Mauritius
An island nation in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is one of Lonely Planet and Travel & Leisure’s top choices for 2018. Not far off the coast of Madagascar, Mauritius boasts coral reefs for divers, beach resorts, and lagoons. The nation also celebrates 50 years of independence this year. As an added incentive, airlines have increased their services from Europe, making it more accessible.
Serbia
Every year it seems there is the new hot place to visit in the Balkans. This year, its Serbia and its capital Belgrade, which were top picks by the NYT and CNN for 2018. Belgrade is emerging as a European party city. For a unique Serbian party, stop by in the summer for parties on splavovi (houseboats). If that’s not your scene, former industrial buildings in the city are being transformed into art galleries. Outside of Belgrade, CNN recommends checking out the country’s natural beauty in its national parks, such as Kapaonik or Zlatibor.
Rwanda
For the second year in a row, CNN has listed the African country of Rwanda as one of its top places to visit, and is joined by the NYT, which recommends the capital city of Kigali. A major safari destination, Rwanda is home to endangered mountain gorillas, as well as the “Big Five” of wild animals, including black rhinos. The country has taken conservation efforts beyond the national parks, and has a nation-wide ban on plastic bags.
Fiji
In 2018, Fiji is more than just overpriced water. Both Travel & Leisure and the NYT recommend this South Pacific country as one of the top destinations of the year. Beyond the resorts and beaches, Fiji also has one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, and is upping its conservation game with restoration projects for mangroves, coral nurseries, and banning single-use plastics. Getting there has also gotten easier, with direct flights from San Francisco.
Colombia
One of the top travel choices in 2017 as well, post-war Colombia is a current tourist hotspot. The NYT recommends the city of Bogota for travelers, which has an emerging food scene. Both the Times and Travel & Leisure also suggest you visit Colombia’s Pacific Coast. Previously a no-go area, the region has a rainforests and beaches, and it now connected via commercial flights to Colombia’s major cities, such as Medallin and Bogota.
