Travel

Must-Visit Destinations in 2017

With summer looming and your Instagram feed slowly filling up with images of your friends and family roaming enviable locations, now is the time to feed your wanderlust and book a deserved trip to one of 2017’s must-visit destinations. Make this your year for adventure by venturing somewhere far-flung – from the South American gem to the Japanese city that’s giving Tokyo a run for its money.

Cape Town, South Africa

pod camps bay

Cape Town has always been up there as a must-visit destination, with its unique blend of mountains, culturally-rich city, unspoilt beaches, sprawling vineyards and laid-back attitude. It’s starting to gain a real reputation for its art and design too, with 2017 seeing the new Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art opening up at the V&A Waterfront. Go in February for the best weather and stay at POD, a boutique hotel on the edge of the vibrant Camps Bay.

Kanazawa, Japan

beniya mukayu

Sitting in central Japan, Kanazawa is just 2 ½ hours from Tokyo by train and is one of the best places in the country for Japanese history and culture. With sympathetically preserved samurai and geisha districts and impressive garden Kenroku-en, Kanazawa gives a real taste of authentic Japan without being stuck in the past. Stay at Beniya Mukayu for understated relaxation – think free yoga classes every morning and a private onsen.

La Paz, Bolivia

atix la paz

With improved public transport, a new crop of fine-dining restaurants and a growing contemporary art scene, La Paz has moved on from a backpacker’s paradise to one of South America’s must-visit cities. Stay at Atix, Bolivia’s first Design Hotel, for local artwork on the walls, contemporary gastronomy and a rooftop bar with the best views across the city.

Lima, Peru

lima

Full of history, art, sophistication and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, Lima should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s the food though that makes this city really special, with its melting pot of cultures and enterprising young chefs giving local cuisine a whole new lease of life. Stay at Hotel B for a stylish blend of traditional Peru and modern culture.

Mérida, Mexico

rosas xocolae

Situated on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida has culture in bounds – so much so that it’s been named the American Capital of Culture. Throughout 2017 there’ll be a whole host of events, with live music, art, dance and an emerging culinary scene, plus it’s full of colonial history and impressive architecture. Stay at Rosas & Xocolate, where old-world charm meets a contemporary, cosmopolitan spirit.