After the turmoil the world has witnessed, travel got more challenging than ever before – borders got optimistically open only to slam shut again, visas and passports are now followed with piles of paperwork, travel planning and rules became a complexity of their own. However, one lesson the pandemic is teaching us – exploring the world is a privilege and should be appreciated to the fullest. After the turmoil travel got more challenging than ever before. From far-flung stations to hometown favorites, here Traveler’s Guide in 2022.
Still, amid the darkness the last few years have brought us, for those with a wanderlust heart there are some glimmers of hope – as 2022 has started, hospitality is finding new ways to keep the business alive and you can finally get ready to cross new dream destinations off your list and turn those vacations you fantasized about into reality. From far-flung stations to hometown favorites, here are the best places to visit in 2022.
Golden Circle Route, Iceland
Also known as the Golden triangle, Iceland’s 300 kilometers long Golden Circle route will make your pupils dilate in pleasure and surprise. Gushing geysers, beautiful waterfalls, and a path between two tectonic plates are what this route is made of. It is ideal for road tripping and camping and can be a great opportunity for those kinds of adventurers who are thinking of finally making sprinter van conversions they waited a long time for.
While road-tripping, you will see Þingvelir (Thingvelir) National Park, the only site in Iceland on the UNESCO World Heritage list, with the largest natural lake – Lake Þingvallavatn – residing in the south.
Then, you will stroll down to one of the best-known geological phenomena on the mainland and one of the most popular tourist stops in Iceland – The Geyser Geothermal Area. Believed to be roughly 3 km² in size, you will see boiling mud pits, exploding geysers, and enchanting Strokkur spouting water 30 meters into the air.
Your final stop will be Gullfoss Waterfall, also known as Golden Falls, a scenery the whole route was named for. Just two hours away from the capital, the country’s most beloved and iconic waterfalls placed in the Hvítá river canyon in the Southwest will give you one of the most stunning experiences in life. Formed by strong glacial floods at the end of the last ice age, this two-cascade waterfall truly is a wonder of nature.
Burgundy, France
The region where Burgundy wine is made, but it’s not the only reason the area is worth visiting. Just imagine rolling hills draped in vineyards turning into picturesque villages, standing there in their medieval charms, and you’ll start to picture Burgundy and the grace it comes with.
This is also a place where gastronomy and history make a delightful union. Wine routes will take you down the path of one of the most famous wine types, letting you sneak a peek through the best-known wine-growing areas of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Chablis. While medieval castles and renaissance chateaux like Ancy-le-Franc, Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, or Sully will make you believe you just landed in an old fairy tale. This is why we consider Burgundy one of the most romantic places on earth.
Abruzzo, Italy
For most people, visiting Italy is one of the must-dos in their lives. But unlike well-known places like Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence, the Abruzzo region has been unfairly overlooked, despite its untainted villages, miraculous sceneries, and unique Trabocchi Coast. And for those who are into revealing the country’s hidden gems, Abruzzo should definitely be one of the places to be found on the Italian road-trip list, and for many reasons.
First of all, pasta. Made with the ‘chitarra’, a rectangular wooden frame with parallel wires, this square spaghetti Abruzzo is characteristic for, combined with a spicy tomato sauce or Abruzzese pesto, will make your mouth water like Homer’s.
Then, the Dolomites, poppy hills, dramatic peaks, national parks, numerous lakes, bears, wolves, eagles, untouched medieval towns, and villages on the hillsides and mountain slopes will make you once again fall in love with all the beauties this planet has to offer.
Yosemite, California
A true paradise for the outdoorsy traveler. Placed on the 3,107 square kilometers of protected area in the northern California Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is definitely one of the places you will keep close to your heart your whole life.
The first time you see the giant Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Fall, the famous Half Dome, El Capitan, Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and the favorite Tunnel View, you will be thankful for making a decision to stray into these areas.
And the blooming wildlife will only add to that feeling – spotting woodpeckers, lizards, owls, mule deer, bears, and wolfs, and having squirrels at your fingertips is a standard thing here, as the park is a delightful home to more than 400 animal species.
Edinburgh, Scotland
A compact hilly capital, Edinburgh is truly unique among the cities. Draped in medieval elements of the Old Town, with a pinch of modern architecture, followed by beautiful sceneries, ‘Dunedin’ has a one-of-a-kind vibe and represents Scotland’s true societal gem.
One of the main tourist stops is definitely Edinburgh Castle, sitting atop a tall rock, it is visible from most parts of the city. Standing tall, this ‘key to the city’ has been used since the 2nd century as a perfect defensive location.
The next thing you would want to visit is the famous Arthur’s Seat, perfect for the outdoors enthusiasts. This dormant volcano represents one of Edinburgh’s highest peaks where you can get a chance to see breathtaking city views.
Not to mention Mary King’s Close, Royal Botanic Garden, Greyfriars Kirk, Holyrood Abbey, Museum of Edinburgh, Dean Village, and many other city’s hidden spots.
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
New Zealand, Aotearoa, or ‘the land of the long white cloud’, is widely known as the Earth’s special spot. No wonder why it was a destination where many famous movies like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies or Hunt for the Wilder People were filmed.
Mount Cook National park is one of the most popular destinations in the area (on the South Island of New Zealand to be precise), and, once you get there, you will easily see why. The huge park spans 722 square kilometers, and it’s home to the 8 largest glaciers in the country. On top of that, Aoraki is the highest mountain sitting at an altitude of 3,724 meters.
When visiting, you will get the chance to enjoy many activities like hiking on The Hooker Valley track; visiting the Muller Hut, one of the most popular huts in the country; walking to Muller Lake; visiting Tasman Lake, where you can enjoy glacier kayaking; taking a scenic helicopter ride, and the list goes on… This is why Mount Cook National Park, along with New Zealand is always on our top-recommended tourist destinations list.
Those with a wandering heart and a love for discovery know that traveling is a unique kind of passion where you get to not only meet new cultures and see beautiful scenery, but also expand your experience, and if planned in the right way, 2022 can make sure to bring your wildest travel dreams into reality.
