10 Top places to visit in 2022
After a challenging 2020 and 2021, let’s hope that travel will be back with a bang in 2022 and we all can start exploring again. From major events taking place, to new travel routes to beautiful places, there are many reasons to get excited about traveling and create your holiday wish list.
Many events are happening this year that are worth adding to your calendar. And all of them are at beautiful places that you can visit in 2022.
If you are a soccer fan, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will put the Middle Eastern country under the spotlight. Qatar was Jelena’s home for quite some time. The ultra-modern architecture influenced by Islamic design and thriving arts and culture scene is worth checking out. (Stay tuned for a full guide for Qatar!)
If you are looking for events supporting sustainability, this year, Netherlands will host the Floriade Expo. The fascinating floral exhibition is once in a decade attraction.
For the beach-lovers, the Greek islands offer unique culture, nature, dramatic coastlines, luxury hotels, experiences, gastronomy and nightlife.
If you’re looking for a cheaper destination, but still amazing city break, a new European capital of culture with tree-lined promenades and historic architecture are worth the low-cost flight.
Check out some of our top picks for the best destinations to visit in 2022.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
In March 2022, America’s first and oldest national park celebrates its 150th anniversary, giving us a reason to go beyond the USA’s cities and explore the country’s natural beauty. As Yellowstone National Park turns 150, this is your opportunity to celebrate its epic sights, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Part of the Great American West region, Yellowstone covers 3,500 square miles of wilderness and officials have pledged to use its 150th anniversary as an opportunity to work closer with the 27 tribes whose connections to the land go back thousands of years. America is home to 63 national parks, including Canyonlands, Arches and Zion.
Almere, Netherlands
If you’ve never visited the Netherlands, 2022 is the year to plan that trip. The Floriade floral spectacle takes place with its timely eco-theme of growing green cities. The Floriade Expo happens every ten years for six months, from April to October, and will bring an array of unique and fascinating exhibitions to Almere, near Amsterdam. Almere is located approximately 30 min from Amsterdam (~32km), so you can plan to visit both cities. Â
Â
The focus will be on sustainable city living for the future. You can expect inspiring gardens, workshops and exhibitions mixed with striking attractions and tasting sessions. The 150-acre site is also where 300 eco-homes have been built, with plans for the area to be turned into a green residential neighborhood of 660 homes. If you are after sustainable-focused holiday destination, the Netherlands is the place worth considering.
The Floriade Expo start 14 April and tickets are already available for purchase.
3. Kaunas, Lithuania
The Lithuanian city of Kaunas, along with Novi Sad in Serbia, is the European Capital of Culture for 2022.
The city combines tree-lined promenades and historic architecture with contemporary street art and high-class dining. As Lithuania’s second largest city, Kaunas offers a unique take on art deco design, fairy tale attractions like Kaunas Castle and Pažaislis Monastery and Modernist architecture to browse.
Azores, Portugal
Explore the heavenly Azores islands which are often compared to Hawaii and New Zealand without the long-haul journey.
The Portuguese islands and their amazing nature scenery offer a unique take on gastronomy, old-world wines, interesting flora and incredible crater lakes. Senhora da Rosa is a new boutique hotel in Ponta Delgada, with garden views and swimming pools, that’s worth checking out.
Egypt
2022 is a big year for Egypt. The country will mark 100 years of independence from the United Kingdom and historians will celebrate 100 years since the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. By the end of the year, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum will also open its doors.
In addition, February will see the latest big-screen adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, open in cinemas. If you’ve always wanted to explore the ancient wonders of Egypt, 2022 is the year.
Jamaica
The most celebrated film release of 2021, No Time to Die took us back to the cinema as the latest instalment from the James Bond franchise. While we were transported to various locations, from Italian city Matera to the Scottish Cairngorms, it was the scenes shot in Jamaica that gave us wanderlust that we see lasting well into 2022.
Port Antonio was used to shoot the scenes featuring Bond’s villa, but there’s beauty found around the island, whether you’re staying in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay.
Birmingham, England
Birmingham will be the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. From 28 July to 8 August, Birmingham will welcome 19 different sports to various venues across the city. During a visit to England’s second city, there’s plenty to entertain you alongside the archery and tennis. Birmingham is becoming a serious gastronomic destination, collecting Michelin stars (it now has five) and featuring on various ‘best UK restaurant’ lists.
Opheem, Purnell’s and Harborne Kitchen are some of the finest places to dine, while the world-famous Balti Triangle area should be on your list for feasting on a memorable curry. New hotels to check into this year include the impressive Grand Hotel, a landmark that underwent a £45 million restoration and refurbishment. While in Birmingham, be sure to check out the canal quarter, admire nature at the Botanical Gardens and soak up the creative scene of The Custard Factory, too.
Greek Islands
While the Greek islands opened up for summer 2021 holidays, we’re looking forward to fully recharging here in 2022. Greek islands offer unique culture, nature, dramatic coastlines, luxury hotels, experiences, gastronomy and nightlife. Here is a list of just a few:
Â
*Milos – Best for a photogenic and dramatic coastline
*Santorini – Best for honeymooners and first-timers
*Kefalonia – Best for laidback family holidays
*Corfu – Best for character and lush landscapes
*Mykonos – Best for decadent parties and five-star hotels
*Crete – Best for stark mystique and show stopping villas
*Naxos – Best for endless sandy beaches
*Zakynthos – Best for seaside with toddlers or teens
*Rhodes – Best for travelling back in time
*Skiathos – Best for flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book
*Lefkada – best for sailors, surfers, and superstar beaches
Japan
Japan is a dream holiday destination that should be on your list every year, not just in 2022. This year, however, it’s time to go beyond Tokyo and explore the country’s rural side. Japan’s newest bullet train route, Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, is set to open between Nagasaki and Saga in fall 2022. This will speed up Nagasaki connections from the current Kyushu bullet train line that comes into Fukuoka from Tokyo.
The trains themselves will be called kamome meaning ‘seagull,’ following the popularity of lockdown video game franchise, Ghost of Tsushima, which is set on the stunning archipelagos surrounding the city of Nagasaki. Over the next decade, there will also be new bullet train lines joining Tokyo directly to traditional Fukui, snowy Sapporo and passing through the Nakasendo walking trails of the Kiso Valley. Japan is set to be one of the biggest rail holiday destinations of the future.
Qatar
Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the first ever World Cup in the Arab, from 21 November to 18 December.
The Middle Eastern country is known for its dizzying skyscrapers, amazing dining and luxury hotels, but there’s fascinating Arab culture to explore for those looking to combine a sporting holiday with seeing the sights.
A destination that blends culture and modernity, Qatar is home to scenic sandy beaches, adrenalin-fueling water sports, phenomenal architecture, and awe-inspiring museums. Make it a luxury trip by checking into a five-star hotel, like the Mandarin Oriental, Doha or the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, and don’t miss a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif, as well as a sunrise trip to the desert.
Â
Have you made travel plans for 2022? What are your picks for holiday destinations this year? Let us know in the comments section.Â
