Five top travel destinations to visit in 2017
From a surprising gem in the Middle East to a Germany city with new street cred, these are the holiday spots you'll never forget
Chile
"If Brazil owned South American travel last year, Chile takes over for 2017," says Telegraph Travel.
The long, thin slice of land running down South America's west coast is evolving into the "most desirable adventure tourism destination" - British Airways launched its first ever direct flight there this year. From the heat of the desert to the subpolar islands, dense rainforests to power-blue lagoons, Chile offers holidaymakers a challenge that is hugely rewarded. Meanwhile, culture vultures can enjoy fine dining and stay in boutique hotels in the capital Santiago, which is taking over as the continent's coolest city.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Canada
Could it be the Justin Trudeau effect? Lonely Planet says 2017 will see Canada inundated with "international gatecrashers" as it celebrates 150 years since confederation. Events are taking place throughout the year and visitors are being offered free entry to the country's 47 parks and 168 historic sites. Head to Vancouver and Toronto for a relaxed city experience, or escape into the great outdoors - there's an abundance of it out there.
The weak Canadian dollar also means you'll get more bang for your buck if you wish to indulge in the country's highly underrated food and wines.
Cambodia
There must be something about the letter 'c' this year, because Conde Nast Traveller recommends not just Chile and Canada, but also Cambodia.
Angkor Wat is "one of the world's eternally great wonders which far exceeds all the hype", it says, but Cambodia's southern coast is also gaining a reputation as one of south-east Asia's hottest beach destinations. The tiny, ivory-sand islands dotting the coast are pristine and mellow and the people are sweet and welcoming.
It has been on the backpacker trail for decades, but a smattering of top end hotels have now opened up to embrace all tastes.
Oman
Oman, says Vogue, is the "Middle East's ultimate holiday escape". While its neighbours may be doused in bling, Oman's vast desert, pristine coast and rugged mountains offer incredible natural beauty.
Make it top of your travel list, says Telegraph Travel, and discover a country combining mystique and modernity. You can explore the rich heritage and ancient culture in towns where friends sit chatting over coffee and dates, then hire a car and go dune-bashing, camel trekking and camping under the starry night sky of the Wahiba Sands.
Germany
"Forget Berlin," says the London Evening Standard,"Hamburg is fast becoming Germany's coolest city break destination.
Design lovers will have plenty to visit, from Zaha Hadid's promenade along the Elbe river to the 19th-century Warehouse District, which became a Unesco World Heritage site in 2015. There's also the Herzog & de Meuron designed Elbphilharmonie concert hall, a 360ft-tall glass structure on top of an old warehouse which was completed this year, or you can head to hipWilhelmsburg for Hamburg's equivalent to Hackney.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How could escalation in the Middle East affect the global economy?
Today's Big Question Oil prices have already risen but wider conflict could see supply chains disrupted more broadly
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Helene's death toll surpasses 200'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pig butchering: one of the world's fastest growing scams
In The Spotlight Beijing is cracking down on the crypto con but this has only pushed it worldwide
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listings
Speed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
By Mike Starling Published
-
House of the Dragon: what to expect from the Game of Thrones prequel
Speed Read Ten-part series, set 200 years before GoT, will show the incestuous decline of Targaryen
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
One in 20 young Americans identify as trans or non-binary
Speed Read New research suggests that 44% of US adults know someone who is transgender
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Turner Prize 2022: a ‘vintage’ shortlist?
Speed Read All four artists look towards ‘growth, revival and reinvention’ in their work
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What’s on TV this Christmas? The best holiday television
Speed Read From films and documentaries to musicals for all the family
By The Week Staff Published
-
Coco vision: up close to Chanel opticals
Speed Read Parisian luxury house adds opticals to digital offering
By The Week Staff Published
-
Abba returns: how the Swedish supergroup and their ‘Abba-tars’ are taking a chance on a reunion
Speed Read From next May, digital avatars of the foursome will be performing concerts in east London
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Turning down her smut setting’: how Nigella Lawson is cleaning up her recipes
Speed Read Last week, the TV cook announced she was axing the word ‘slut’ from her recipe for Slut Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly
By The Week Staff Published