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1. What Cultural Riches Can Be Found in Alexandria, Virginia?
Alexandria, Virginia offers postcard-perfect cobblestone streets and access to wineries. The city effectively confronts its history, grappling with the legacy of the Confederacy, as destinations across the American South do the same. Founded as a tobacco port in 1749, Alexandria was the site of the country’s largest domestic slave trade. Visit the Freedom House Museum, with three new exhibitions honoring those forcibly brought here, and the African American Heritage Trail, which encompasses nearly 200 years of history at 11 stops.
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2. What Ancient Wonders Await in Cairo and Along the Nile?
Cairo offers the Grand Egyptian Museum, near the Great Pyramids of Giza. It features over 1 million square feet of exhibition space, including a 40-foot-high statue of Ramses II. New luxurious ships sail the Nile, like the Viking Osiris and the opulent Sphinx from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. A Mandarin Oriental is slated for downtown Cairo in 2024, and a Four Seasons Hotel Luxor is scheduled to debut in 2025.
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3. What is “City” and Where Can You Find It in Nevada?
Basin and Range National Monument, north of Las Vegas, offers hiking, climbing, camping, and cycling. The main draw is “City,” the largest contemporary artwork in the world, which opened to visitors in September 2022. Made from dirt, rock, and concrete, the open-air sculpture was more than 50 years in the making.
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4. What Makes Havana, Cuba a Compelling Cultural Destination?
Havana, Cuba is now easier to visit due to relaxed restrictions on travel to the island. Americans can go as part of a group tour or visit individually on a “support for the Cuban people” license. This requires a full-time schedule of activities that support the Cuban people.
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5. What is Tangier, Morocco Known For?
Tangier, Morocco attracts bohemian expats, including beat-generation writers Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs. The opening of Villa Mabrouka, British designer Jasper Conran’s second Moroccan property, is a must see, with views over the Bay of Tangier. New spots include the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier.
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6. What Attractions Does the Lakes Region in Turkey Offer?
The Lakes Region in Turkey offers an inland part of southwestern Anatolia, with Isparta, a center of rose and lavender production, and the ancient hilltop city of Sagalassos. Its series of tectonic lakes were created by ancient earthquakes, and there are many ancient Greek and Roman archaeological sites.
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7. What Changes and Developments Are Taking Place in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom is undergoing a period of transition, but its historic cities offer hotels mixing stately grandeur and affable service. The Gleneagles Townhouse opened in Edinburgh, and London welcomes the Peninsula London. Glasgow’s Burrell Collection and the Manchester Museum have been upgraded, and Manchester’s new cultural center, The Factory, pays tribute to the record label behind ’80s rock bands the Happy Mondays and New Order.
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8. Why Should You Visit Venice, Italy in 2023?
Venice, Italy, made headlines for its day-trip entrance fee, which takes effect in January 2023. The Venice Architecture Biennale runs May 20 to Nov. 26, 2023, and architecture lovers will also want to visit the Procuratie Vecchie. Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient Express will unveil two newly restored carriages from the 1920s and ‘30s in June.
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9. What Culinary Experiences Can Be Found in Athens, Greece?
Athens, Greece deserves a closer look, with the Athens Riviera seeing a surge of development. The Four Seasons Astir Palace has a private beach and two spaces designed by Swedish architect Martin Brudnizki. One&Only Aesthesis will open in the spring of 2023. In central Athens, the Xenodocheio Milos hotel brings a bit of cosmopolitan verve, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus will bring back a full schedule of shows in 2023.
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10. How Has Central Florida Evolved as a Tourist Destination?
Central Florida is worth a closer look, thanks to its ever-growing hospitality scene. Orlando and Tampa recently won a combined 14 Michelin accolades in 2022, when the guidebook publisher released its first-ever guide to Florida restaurants. Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a two-night adventure. The Edition Hotel just opened with a sprawling rooftop pool club and restaurant.
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11. What Wine Region is Located in the Jura, France?
The Jura, France, produces big wines, but only a tiny fraction of those bottles ever make it to the U.S. The Jura also boasts a comté cheese trail that connects no fewer than 150 fromageries and dairy farms. Hiking in the Jura Mountains and to the Hérisson waterfalls is enticing.
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12. Why Should You Visit San Luis Obispo County, California Now?
San Luis Obispo County, California is a draw in its own right. SLO’s seven cities, including Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo, are all buzzing, and the area just earned official American Viticulture Area (AVA) recognition in 2022, thanks to more than 200 wineries. Two new Nomada Hotel Group properties opening in 2023 will welcome the inevitable influx of oenophiles.
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13. What Makes Victoria, Australia an Appealing Destination?
Victoria, Australia, has reopened, and this southern state is appealing, thanks to hot springs resorts. Alba Thermal Springs and Spa on the Mornington Peninsula opened in September 2022, and Metung Hot Springs in East Gippsland is set to follow in late 2022. Out on the Mornington Peninsula, the InterContinental Sorrento began accepting reservations this past August 2022. Melbourne is expecting new openings, including the Hotel Vera Ballarat and the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne.
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14. Why Should You Visit Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023?
Copenhagen will highlight its prowess with all things design, as the official UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Venues across Copenhagen will host events and visitors for a look at the future of the urban environment. New places to stay in the city deliver a signature blend of modernism and hygge.
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15. What Cultural and Entertainment Venues Can You Explore in Houston, Texas?
The Kinder Building, the latest addition to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, cemented the city’s spot among international arts destinations. The recent reopening of the Rothko Chapel has only reinforced that reputation. Opening next year, the JMK5 Arena will transform a disused racetrack into a 12,500-seat concert stadium. The Houston Zoo is undergoing an expansion that will include a Galápagos Islands–themed exhibit, and the Houston Botanic Gardens features 132 acres of diverse ecosystems.
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16. How Has Madrid, Spain Been Transforming into a Popular Travel Destination?
Madrid, Spain, may finally be shaking off its reputation as the country’s somewhat stuffy business hub. A flurry of tony hotel openings throughout the city has helped, bringing plenty of personality to what had been a staid scene. An already electric food scene has only gotten better with new offerings representing everything from Middle Eastern falafel and Argentinian asado to Spanish-Indian fusion and globally inflected vegan fare.
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17. What New Developments Are Fueling Nashville’s Tourism Renaissance?
Nashville’s tourism renaissance is being fueled by just-opened hotels, including a Conrad, 1 Hotel, and a Soho House. The newly redesigned Hermitage Hotel now has the first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant in the South. The Fifth + Broadway complex has new outposts of old favorites.
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18. What Are Some Must-See Cultural Destinations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh is working on new cultural destinations, including the Moonshot Museum, which opened in October 2022. The Carnegie Museum of Art is hosting its 58th Carnegie International Exhibition. The childhood home of playwright August Wilson has been restored and turned into a museum, and the city has new hotels and bars drawing crowds.
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19. What Infrastructure and Cultural Projects are Enhancing San Francisco?
San Francisco is working to make it a better place to live and a more compelling destination to visit. The new Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco is completely free, and the Presidio of San Francisco recently gained 14 acres with the opening of the Presidio Tunnel Tops. Another massive community-led park and mixed-use development is underway in India Basin.
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20. How is Seoul, South Korea Evolving as a Cultural and Travel Hotspot?
Seoul’s arts scene is buzzing, thanks to new venues such as Konig Gallery and the announcement from Seoul Museum of Art that three new wings will launch by 2024. The destination has seen a number of new hotels open, including the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul and Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel.
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21. Why Should You Consider a Cruise to Cape Verde, the Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau?
West Africa remains unfamiliar to many, but Hurtigruten Expeditions aims to launch West Africa Archipelago cruises in November 2023. These two-week trips will stop in ports in four countries, with visits to historically important sites including Gorée Island, wildlife-watching forays, and adventures such as scaling volcanoes and scrambling across lava fields.
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22. What Coastal Adventures Await in Coastal Ecuador?
Many travelers know the historic capital city of Quito and the incredibly biodiverse Galápagos Islands, but now’s the time to visit Ecuador’s stunning Pacific coastline. From surf towns like Montañita to the preserved beaches and cloud forest of Machalilla National Park, coastal Ecuador is packed with outdoor adventures and stunning scenery. Kontiki Expeditions unlocks the region with eight-day yacht cruises.
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23. What is Unique About a Journey Aboard the Explora I?
The vessel Explora I is slated to hit the water in July 2023, with trips in the Mediterranean. It has 18 restaurants and bars and a massive spa, among other luxuries. When it debuts, Explora I will have the most space per passenger of any vessel anywhere.
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24. What Natural Beauty Can You Find in Greenland?
Greenland may not have penguins, but it does promise plenty of beautiful landscapes and seemingly endless horizons. The newly christened National Geographic Resolution will sail the Eastern shore of Greenland in June 2023. Ponant has a dozen distinct itineraries scheduled for 2023, and the brand-new Seabourn Venture, the line’s first expedition ship, will also be there in 2023.
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25. What Unique Experiences Does Hvar, Croatia Offer?
Hvar, Croatia calls itself the sunniest in Croatia, with cycling and kayak trips to secluded beaches. At night, the clear skies make for incredible stargazing, and the town of Velo Grablje’s 14th-century charm peaks in July, when the lavender festival blooms with food, drink, and family-friendly activities.
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26. How Can You Witness the Path of Totality During a Solar Eclipse?
A total solar eclipse, in which the moon blocks the sun and plunges the Earth into momentary darkness, is a “relatively common” phenomenon. The upcoming path of totality will cross the Indian Ocean, graze Western Australia, then sweep across Indonesia and East Timor into the Pacific. The best way to catch the show will be to board a ship, such as the 188-passenger Le Lapérouse.
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27. What Makes Andorra a Promising Ski Destination?
Andorra could soon turn into one of the world’s biggest ski destinations. The mountainous country has long been known for its reliable December-to-April conditions. Now, three Andorra ski areas have been added to the Ikon Pass.
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28. What Activities and Accommodations Can You Enjoy in Asheville, North Carolina?
Asheville, North Carolina offers year-round outdoor activities, sophisticated dining, and easy access. New places to stay include Wrong Way River Lodge and AutoCamp Asheville. Downtown, the new Restoration Hotel promises a properly plush stay, and Asheville’s food scene has fresh energy from S&W Market.
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29. What Natural Wonders and Adventure Opportunities Can You Discover in Aysén, Chile?
Chile’s Aysén region lies between Torres del Paine National Park and the Lake District, with a captivating landscape of hanging glaciers, magnificent fjords, pristine lakes, and jagged peaks. Several outfitters and organizations are developing more itineraries and ecotourism routes for the non-mountain-scaling adventure traveler, with less-daunting activities like kayaking, hiking, and biking.
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30. What Cultural and Culinary Delights Await in the Hudson Valley, New York?
The Hudson Valley’s transition from quasi-rustic to quietly glam marks a new and intriguing chapter. Next summer, The Ranch Hudson Valley, an offshoot of the West Coast’s rigorous retreat The Ranch Malibu, will open on a grand estate. The region’s reputation for top-notch cuisine continues, and in Catskill, Foreland is a self-billed kunsthalle that extends across three 19th-century mills.
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31. Why is Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia a Top Safari Destination?
Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Leora Rothschild’s favorite destinations anywhere. Having a safari on a river adds a dynamic element, and one of its newest lodges, the luxurious eight-suite Lolebezi, opened inside the park and on the banks of the river this past June.
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32. What Outdoor Thrills Can You Experience on Prince Edward Island, Canada?
Prince Edward Island might get overlooked, but this tiny island packs a punch. Here, you’ll find rugged cliffs, red-sand beaches, and a surprisingly robust golf scene. Perhaps the biggest draw for adventurous travelers right now is the Island Walk, a 435-mile trail that opened in 2021, tracing the entire coastline.
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33. How is Tanzania Modernizing and What New Tourism Offerings are Available?
When high-speed internet was installed at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, it was just the latest example of the new era dawning in Tanzania. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is devoted to strengthening infrastructure, women’s businesses, education, health care, and sustainable travel. This summer, the Usangu Expedition Camp in Ruaha National Park opened.
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34. Why Should You Discover Uttar Pradesh, India on Your Next Trip?
India is now under control thanks to vaccination programs, and 2023 is primed to be the year visitors return. Uttar Pradesh is home to the Taj Mahal and the Ganges River ghats of Varanasi. New draws include Vana, a wellness retreat in the Himalayan foothills of Dehradun.
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35. What Makes Bermuda an Ideal Beach Getaway for East Coasters?
Bermuda will become even easier to get to in 2023. American Airlines resumed flights to the island from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International. Travelers are greeted in a new $400-million terminal. Bermuda’s resort stock is also on the rise.
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36. What New Offerings and Adventures Await in the Cayman Islands?
It just keeps getting easier to visit the Caymans. Cayman Airways flies nonstop from Los Angeles International to Grand Cayman, the first direct route from the West Coast to the British territory. Visitors will find new offerings along Seven Mile Beach, on Grand Cayman’s west shore.
