5 Travel Destinations True Adventure Lovers cannot Afford to Miss

In 2016, a lot of savvy travelers flocked to Rio for the Olympics, Cuba and America’s national parks, to celebrate the 100th birthday of the natural wonders in their own backyards. In 2017, we’re expecting to see hot spots like Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Oman remain popular, but travelers will venture off the beaten path, beyond each country’s tried-and-true holiday escapes. Remote parts of the world will become more accessible than ever, thanks to new heli-skiing operations in the mountains of Georgia and a new walking trail that crosses the length of Jordan. Also, Malaysia’s beaches are primed to become the new alternative to island getaways in Vietnam and Thailand, and there’s a Caribbean destination with just as much culture as Cuba, minus the crowds.

You’ll definitely want to get your passport ready to experience a fresh take on the African safari in Madagascar and the new capital of Nordic cool in Europe, and for something close to home but innovative, there’s a U.S. mountain town you’ll want to experience now, before the secret’s out and enthusiastic travelers crowd the marvel.

Georgia

Georgia (the country, not the state) has gotten buzz in recent years for its surprisingly great wine scene. But a stellar bottle of vino is just one reason to visit. The capital, Tbilisi, with its young, creative class and Brooklyn-esque undertones, has emerged as a hub of cool. The super design-y Rooms Hotelshould be your base for exploring the city’s exciting art, music, and food scenes. Bassiani, a favorite local music venue, brings in the best electronic music performers from around the globe, while Fabrika, a Soviet-era sewing factory turned multiuse cultural space, highlights Tbilisi’s urban artists.

Georgian food has begun to come into its own right, due to innovative restaurants like Le Montrachet, a neo-bistro run by former French Laundry alum Francesco Manalo. And thanks to a new partnership between Rooms Hotel and Kazbegi Helicopters, Georgia is primed to become a new winter playground for hard-core skiers and snowboarders looking to access untouched terrain in the Caucasus Mountains.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Thailand and Vietnam have traditionally stolen the spotlight in Southeast Asia, even though Malaysia’s cuisine, art, architecture, and beaches are just as fantastic. Langkawi, an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast, is about to put the country on the travel map.

The St. Regis opened the country’s first all-suite resort here, complete with a Bill Bensley–designed restaurant and the largest swimmable lagoon on the island. Next summer, the Ritz-Carlton is scheduled to open a 90-room, 30-villa property with a destination spa that will rival even Thailand’s famous wellness retreats.

Madagascar

The Big Five aren’t the only wildlife worth seeing in Africa. About 75 percent of the species found in Madagascar live nowhere else on the planet, making the island Africa’s version of the Galapagos. Next year’s opening of Miavana on the island of Nosy Ankao finally gives the country its first plush base for exploring the wildlife and wilds.

The conservation-minded property will reinvent the traditional safari experience, offering lemur treks on land and “blue safaris” in the surrounding marine preserve. More adventurous types can island-hop the Nosy Be Archipelago on a seven-night cruise with the Sailing Collective. Stops include epic dive sites; traditional villages; lemur colonies; and dreamy, empty beaches.

Sri Lanka

We’ve been calling Sri Lanka the next It destination for the past five years, however, tourists have always flocked to the coast (and with good reason). Sun and surf will remain a big draw, especially with new beach retreats, like the recently opened KK Beach on the south coast near Galle.

But in 2017, we’ll also see Sri Lanka emerge as the next hot wellness escape, ranking up there with India, California, and Thailand, thanks to forward-thinking retreats like Santani and Tri. The country’s wildlife and interiors will also become a draw, particularly when Resplendent Ceylon’s Wild Coast Tented Lodge opens at the edge of Yala National Park next October.

Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus has never gotten the hype of Nordic cool cities like Copenhagen or Stockholm, but Denmark’s second largest city is primed to be the new Nordic star. Crowned the European Capital of Culture and Region of Gastronomy in 2017 (the first time that one city has held both titles), Aarhus will have the stage to show off its riches: restaurants, museums, and galleries; some of Denmark’s best beaches; and Mols Bjerge, one of Denmark’s four national parks, is just a short drive away.

Be sure to have Hærværk, Substans, Såårt, and Frederikshøj on your restaurant cheat sheet. The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum has a stellar collection, plus a seriously great new restaurant that also affords some of the best city views. When it opens in the summer of 2017, Carmel, a 1920s-inspired boutique hotel, will be the city’s coolest new base.

Want to tell about some more places which might be the ultimate hotspots for travellers; Share in the comments below. Happy travelling!