With the countless number of lockdowns that all of us have had to go through ever since the Covid hit, we sort of owe it to ourselves to take a relaxing trip somewhere abroad. More so now that people are getting vaccinated and countries are easing their travel restrictions slowly but steadily.
So here are the top 5 destinations for 2022, which we think would be a good addition to your travel bucket list for the New Year!
Kyoto, Japan
If you want to experience a trip filled with ancient Japanese culture and sceneries, Kyoto is the place you want to be! Kyoto is the heart of Japan and its rich culture dates way back to 1868.
One of the greatest attractions is Kyoto is its magical cherry blossom trees during the month of spring and autumn. This utopia of blooming pink flowers is one of the things that you cannot miss out on if you are ever in Kyoto.
Apart from the cherry blossoms, you can also enjoy the temples in Kyoto. In case you are looking for temples that are not as crowded, then you should certainly visit the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. Although you may have to walk a little to get a sight of this beautiful temple, we can assure you that the experience is absolutely worth it, especially if you were looking for something more serene.
What’s more, the temple is surrounded by 1200 sculptures of the rakan, made out of stone. Every rakan has a unique facial expression which is pretty fun to look at.
Other temples that you might want to check out include the following – Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, and Ginkaku-ji Temple, etc.
However, do not forget to visit the Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari shrine and take a walk through The Philosopher’s Path.
Istanbul, Turkey
Considered as one of the world’s greatest metropolises, Istanbul is a real sight for sore eyes. The very first tourist attraction of Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia mosque, which was a statement structure built for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian who wanted the entire world to marvel at this architectural wonder.
Another architectural structure that you may want to check out is the TopKapi Palace, which was built in the 15th century by Mehmet the Conqueror. If you visit the place, you will without a seconds thought be amazed by the Islamic art at display on the compound.
The Blue Mosque may also be worth visiting since it is considered one of the greatest architectural gifts to have been bestowed upon Istanbul by Sultan Ahmet. The structure was built during 1609-1616 and has a total of 6 minarets.
Other things that you may want to check out while in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar, and Dolmabahce Palace, etc.
Barbados, Caribbean Sea
If you like enormous golf courses, sporting events and historic architectural homes, then spending a couple of days in Barbados can be an ideal vacation for you. With a bunch of beaches and bay’s to look at, the Barbados island is also well known for various water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, etc.
You will also find historic homes and buildings like St.Nicholas Abbey which is known for being a rum distillery. Inside it, you will find various antique pieces that you will not be able to see elsewhere.
Visiting the Hunte’s Garden can also be refreshing for the soul and the eyes as it is home to a variety of plants, flowers, trees, hummingbirds and monkeys.
Vilnius, Lithuania
If you didn’t already know, Vilnius is a UNESCO certified World Heritage Site. For those of you who want to walk through medieval churches and cobblestone streets, Vilnius will serve as a powerhouse made in paradise for you.
One of the coolest things about Vilnius is that you can visit the KGB cells which generally attract a lot of tourists all around the year. Not to mention, you can also try out the Hales food market, Diaspora Art Museum, Three Crosses Monument, Bernardine Church Complex etc.
Jaipur, India
India is one of the most culturally diverse countries that the Asian continent has to offer. If you want to see large water bodies, deserts, mountains, snow and forests, all at the same time, then India should definitely be on top of your travel bucket list.
However, with so many states to choose from, it can be quite difficult to stick to one. So, if you are a fan of intricate designs of forts and palaces built for the Kings, culture and art, then Jaipur should be your first stop at Rajasthan.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, also known as the ‘Land of Kings.’ Every year, Jaipur attracts plenty of tourists due to its geographical, architectural and cultural richness. The city is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills on three sides.
Also known as the pink city because of the pink hues of the old buildings, Jaipur is home to some of the greatest architectural wonders that the world has ever seen.
If you are planning to take a trip to Jaipur, the very first place you should be visiting is the Hawa Mahal, also known as the palace of windows. This structure has elaborate designs on its windows and is structured in such a way that gushes of wind can be felt throughout the day. It was built for ladies to be able to spectate commoners going about with their lives.
Other palaces and forts that you can check out at Jaipur include the Rambagh Palace, City Palace, Samode Palace, Amer Palace, Hari Mahal Palace, Rajmahal Palace, Jal Mahal etc.
Conclusion
There are plenty of other places that you can visit if you have had the opportunity of visiting the ones listed above already. Barcelona, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, the Swiss Alps and Edinburgh might be worth checking out if you are inclined towards visiting the UK or other European countries.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash