Dreaming of a tropical island getaway, or in fact any getaway at all? Travel may be on hold for a while, but that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking of holiday destinations altogether. Tripadvisor has released a list of trending global travel destinations that have been showing the biggest recent increase in people bookmarking them for future trips. We take a look at a few of them to add to our travel bucket list for the future!
Guadeloupe
Set in the South Caribbean, this French archipelago consists of five islands: Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade. They’re less than an hour’s ferry ride apart – perfect for island hopping! You’ll soon discover why the native Arawak people referred to their home as Karukera, “Island of Beautiful Waters”.
Matera, Italy
History buffs will love this holiday destination! Located in the remote region of Basilicata in Southern Italy, Matera is known for Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning series of cave dwellings. People have occupied these homes for 9,000 years, and continue to do so today.
Natal, Brazil
Located in the country’s northeast, Natal is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte. Known as “Cidade do Sol”, or City of the Sun, it’s home to the world’s largest cashew tree. This giant has a circumference of – wait for it – 500 metres, and was said to have been planted in the 1880s by a fisherman.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
This American mountain town comes in at number five on the global travel wishlist. It’s a great base for visiting the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While there, you’ve got to visit the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America; not only is it well over 200 metres long, but it has glass panels in one section for seeing the ground far below.
Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands
This Caribbean paradise famous for its gorgeous beaches is one for the beach holiday travel bucket list. Its port city of Charlotte Amalie is a great base to explore the surrounding islands. Magens Bay is the island’s most popular beach, with white sand and plenty of water sports to enjoy. St Thomas has a population of around 50,000 – approximately half the total of the Virgin Islands.
Göreme, Turkey
This small town in Cappadocia is carved into volcanic rock and is known for its moonlike landscape and fairy chimneys. Must-sees include Göreme National Park and Pigeon Valley. There are more than 25 registered companies offering hot-air ballooning adventures here, and the area is known for iconic images of a sky filled with balloons.
Chengdu, China
The capital of Sichuan Province is famous for two things: pandas and peppercorns! You can see the black-and-white beasts up close at the Chengdu Panda Base, and you can try the region’s famously spicy food at countless restaurants. Don’t miss Huanglong or Yellow Dragon National Park, with its terraced rock pools in stunning hues.
Like this? Read more in our Travel section.
This article first appeared in the April 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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