NEW YORK CITY
The Fodor's Travel 2014 Go List, just announced, highlights 25 can't-miss places that should be on everyone's travel radar for the coming year.
Curated by a team of Fodor's Travel experts, the list incorporates everything from emerging destinations and new hot spots to noteworthy events and great values around the world.
"Each year, the Fodor's editorial team scours the globe for up and coming, fresh destinations and experiences to recommend to our readers," Arabella Bowen, editor in chief of Fodor's Travel, said. "Our goal with the Go List is to inspire travelers to have a year filled with unforgettable trips, both in the U.S. and across the globe."
To select the 2014 Go List, Fodor's editorial team began with an initial list of dozens of global travel spots, narrowing them down to the top 25 after much heated internal debate. The end result highlights travel destinations sure to suit every taste, trip length, and budget.
Events
Next year is the time to visit these destinations for noteworthy special events.
• Brazil: Expect an all-out party when the World Cup returns to this soccer-crazed country--hundreds of thousands of visitors will descend for the event, looking to cheer on their national teams in twelve host cities. More than 150 new hotels have opened in preparation, and the foodie scene continues to boom. In between matches, trek through the Amazon rain forest, ride into Iguaçu's raging waterfalls, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon on Rio's stylish beaches.
• Scotland: Scotland invites everyone with Scottish roots to come experience its rich culture for 2014's Homecoming, including a yearlong calendar of activities from caber tossing at the Highland Games, to a reenactment of the medieval Battle of Bannockburn, and music, theater, and dance festivals. Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games in July, and the Ryder Cup returns to the home of golf at Gleneagles in September.
• Antarctica: Antarctica's stark and sometimes dangerous beauty and engaging wildlife make it one of Earth's last untamed frontiers-and irresistible to explorers and travelers. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton's dramatic Imperial Trans-Antarctic Exploration, making 2014 the perfect time to consider an Antarctic cruise. Climate change is altering the continent, and this journey of a lifetime is a unique way to appreciate Earth's fragility.
Additional noteworthy events on the Fodor's 2014 Go List include: the 150th anniversary of Yosemite National Park's Land Grant and commemorations of the 100th anniversary of World War I in Belgium.
Emerging Hotspots
Fodor's editors are always looking for the next big destination-discover these spots in 2014.
• Cartagena, Colombia: After years of caution, tourists are now flocking to this stunning, historic walled city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, which is experiencing a renaissance thanks to a cleaned up and stabilized economy. Direct flights from the East Coast and a boom of new luxury hotels make the trip easier than ever, and there's plenty to explore, from art galleries featuring work by local and international artists, to restaurants serving the freshest seafood, and salsa dancing till the wee hours.
• Ethiopia: Ethiopia is a cultural and historical treasure chest just waiting to be explored, complete with 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Convenient and affordable flights connect its capital city, Addis Ababa, to the famous churches of Lalibela (dubbed "the second Jerusalem"), the colorful Lake Tana Monasteries and extraordinary Blue Nile Falls.
• Bhutan: This tranquil kingdom in the Himalayas was closed off from the world for decades, only allowing tourism since 1974, but those travelers willing to go the extra mile are rewarded with a traditional Buddhist society that has also embraced modern luxury and high style. Only two airlines are allowed to fly here, so the country remains difficult to reach, and that exclusivity is part of its allure.
Additional emerging hotspots on the Fodor's 2014 Go List include: Chengdu, China; Bolivia and Kerala, India.
Value Destinations
These destinations are great choices for travelers on a budget, offering great experiences with a wallet-friendly price tag.
• Chicago, Illinois: 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field, but the festivities aren't the only reason to visit next year. Chicago's star continues to rise thanks to culinary hotspots like Next and Alinea, exclusive bars like The Aviary, boutiques like Ikram (a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama), and the nation's largest bike share program.
• Douro, Portugal: One of the world's oldest wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Douro Valley remains one of Europe's lesser-explored gems, but that may change soon. Recent awards for the country's wines, especially the affordably-priced, deep, rich Douro reds and effervescent vinho verdes, have spurred renewed interest in the region. In addition to wine tasting, explore Porto, Portugal's famed second city perched on the ocean's edge.
• Vienna, Austria: This classic European city mixes impressive history with modern attractions, rich arts culture, and vibrant wine scene. Visit the new pedestrian "Golden Quarter," opening in 2014, watch a performance of dancing horses at the Spanish Riding School, the world's oldest equestrian academy, or sip on a glass of Viennese wine to experience why Vienna claims to be Europe's hottest wine scene.
Other value destinations on the Fodor's 2014 Go List that won't break the bank include: the Jersey Shore, the Greek Islands and Colorado.
Buzzy Sights
Seasoned travelers can't stop talking about these exciting locales.
• Detroit, Michigan: A hip, new, culturally and design savvy Detroit is emerging, filled with microbreweries, coffee shops, organic bakeries, guerilla farming, forward-fashion boutiques, and funky cocktail spots. Art is a big draw, as talk continues about whether the world-class Detroit Institute of Arts may have to sell off important works. Check out the many new gallery spaces for more avant-garde work, or the Heidelberg Project, a blocks-long outdoor art project where the houses are masterpieces.
• Hvar, Croatia: Forget the French Riviera; this sunny island on Croatia's Dalmatian coast is the new hot spot for beach lovers and yachting revelers. Located along the route of Croatia's trendy Yacht Week--a 7-day tour of coastal locales in a fleet packed with young travelers from around the world-Hvar has cemented its status as a partier's paradise.
• Tokyo, Japan: This brilliant Japanese city now has the most Michelin 3-star restaurants of any city in the world-foodies should book their tickets now and be sure to make a reservation at Sukiyabashi Jiro, home to the world's first 3 Michelin star sushi chef, Jiro Ono. Visit this bustling metropolis, host of the 2020 Olympic Games, before the sporting madness hits to fully enjoy the city's unique pop culture and history.
Additional buzz-worthy destinations on the Fodor's 2014 Go List include: British Columbia, Canada; Riga, Latvia; Nashville, Tennessee; Corsica, France and South Africa.
View the full Fodor's 2014 Go List in slideshow form on the travel guide's website.
