50 Incredible Travel Destinations to Consider for2014Â |Â Viator

Where will you go in 2014? We can't plan your vacations for you, but we can certainly help younarrow your wish list of destinations with our annual Top 50 Travel Destinations list. No, we don'tpropose that you visit all 50 in a year -- although, hey, that's an admirable goal -- merely that youtake these 50 places into consideration when planning your 2014 travels.

Some of these 50 destinations have major events in 2014 that you won't want to miss. Some arecelebrating anniversaries in 2014 that make this a compelling year to visit. Some are simply placesthat you may not otherwise think of as great vacation destinations -- and we'd like to change that.

Wherever you end up this year, however, we hope you'll have a splendid time. Now, in no particularorder, we invite you to join us on a virtual tour of the Top 50 Travel Destinations for 2014.Dubrovnik, Croatia

Fans of the TV show "Game of Thrones" will recognize the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, although theymay not have believed it's a real place. The walled city that serves as the setting for King's Landing -home of the Iron Throne at the heart of the story - is no Hollywood sound stage. Dubrovnik is agenuine medieval walled city, one of the most picturesque in the world and certainly the main drawin Croatia. Even before "Game of Thrones" fans started visiting, Dubrovnik already had plenty oflures for tourists - the historic city center is surrounded by the sparkling Adriatic Sea, close toseveral sizable beaches, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, home to several interesting museums,and a bargain compared to nearby cities in Italy. More recently, Dubrovnik has become Croatia's"see and be seen" destination, raising its profile (and cost) somewhat - a trend the "Game ofThrones" will no doubt continue.

Browse Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik

Adelaide, Australia

If winter has you singing the blues head down under to the capital of South Australia, Adelaide, forwhat locals lovingly call "Mad March." In Australia, March is the first month of autumn, and it's stillplenty warm - warm enough for it to be a month of festivals (hence the nickname). The AdelaideFringe Festival runs from mid-February through mid-March (the largest arts festival in the SouthernHemisphere). The Adelaide Festival starts at the end of February and shares an end date with theFringe Festival. And WOMADelaide, the Australian version of the WOMAD Festival Peter Gabrielstarted in 1982 to celebrate music, arts, and dance, springs to life for a few days in early March.

Leeds, EnglandWe're all familiar with the merits of a trip to London - and there's never a bad time to visit England'scapital. But if you're looking for another English city to check out, one that lies in a region favoredby the English as a vacation spot, then head for Leeds in the northern county of West Yorkshire.Leeds has consistently been one of the UK's fastest-growing cities for more than five years, and itcontinues to bloom with economic and cultural development making it an even more desirable placeto live. The 2014 Tour de France will have its grand départ in Leeds, and foodies will appreciatethe fact that the four counties that make up Yorkshire now have more Michelin-starred restaurantsthan any county outside London.Hunan, ChinaIf China has been on your wish list, chances are good you've already got cities like historic Beijingand sparkling Shanghai on your dream itinerary. China is, of course, an enormous country withmuch more varied terrain than simply the big cities on the eastern coast. For another view of thisfascinating country, head for the Hunan province in the southeast. The region is increasingly easy toreach with new high-speed train access, the first few lines of the Changsha Metro set to open in2014, and direct flights into Hunan from international airports all over the world. Are you intosuperlative structures? Then you'll want to check out Hunan's Sky City skyscraper, officially theworld's tallest skyscraper (at least for the time being). Hunan province also delivers natural beauty,too, with portions of the region still going mostly ignored by visitors - including the spectacularUNESCO World Heritage listed mountains, rock formations, and verdant valleys of Wulingyuan.Flanders, Belgium

August 4, 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the invasion of Belgium by German armies. WorldWar I had broken out a week earlier when Austro-Hungarian forces had invaded Serbia, andGermany paid no attention to Belgium's neutral stance - it wanted to attack France, and that meantcrossing Belgium. Germany first invaded Liege in the French-speaking Wallonia region, but some ofthe costliest battles of World War I took place in Ypres in the region of Flanders. The In FlandersFields Museum in Ypres - the name taken from the famous poem - recently underwent a majorrenovation and expansion in preparation for the 100th anniversary, and there are remembranceceremonies in Ypres on a daily and monthly basis. This year, they take on even more significance.

Visit the World War I Battlefields in FlandersNormandy, France

While many places in Europe will be celebrating the momentous 100th anniversary of the start ofWorld War I, in 2014 the French region of Normandy is focused on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From June 5-August 21 there is a series of events scheduled to remember the peopleinvolved with D-Day and the Battle of Normandy - including an international ceremony at Sword

Beach on June 6th, the actual D-Day landings anniversary. As the official 70th anniversary site notes,this may be "the last decennial anniversary" for which there are still living witnesses. For acompletely different take on why you should visit Normandy in 2014, the region is hosting the WorldEquestrian Games from late August through early September. The highlight of the games may justbe the day-long endurance race that will take place across the beautiful Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel onAugust 28th.

Book the Normandy Battlefields Tour - American SitesScotland

Scotland wants to make 2014 the year when those of Scottish descent pay their homeland a visit.They're calling 2014 the year of Scotland Homecoming, with a series of special events, exhibits, andactivities planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland unique. It seems fitting,then, that in mid-September Scotland will be voting on whether to become independent from the UK- there will no doubt be plenty of discussion from both sides of the debate leading up to thereferendum. Not Scottish or interested in politics? Then you might be interested in the XXCommonwealth Games, which are a mini-Olympics that take place every four years betweenCommonwealth countries. In 2014, Glasgow is the host from July 23-August 3. And for those of youwho want to get out and see Scotland's natural beauty, consider a hike along the new , a trailstarting just outside Edinburgh and winding more than 45 miles along the coastline past Muir'sbirthplace of Dunbar.

Browse our Scotland toursSweden

Each year, the EuropeanUnion selects a few cities to be its "Capital of Culture" destinations - and in 2014, one of those citiesis Umeå, located in northern Sweden. This pretty university city - the largest in northern Sweden -is home to the Umeå Jazz Festival and Norrland Opera, not to mention a hotbed of heavy metal andpunk music. The kickoff events for Umeå's year-long status as European Capital of Culture areJanuary 31-February 2, with events and exhibits focused on music as well as theater, art, and dancethroughout the rest of the year. Chances are good you'll be going through Sweden's capital ofStockholm to get to or from Umeå, which is great for culture vultures - Stockholm is a city thatvalues aesthetics and design so much that there's an official "Beauty Board" to help preserve thecity's beauty. Visit in early February to experience Stockholm Design Week.Hamburg, GermanyMost music fans are familiar with the images of The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" after theyfirst arrived in New York City, 60 years ago in February, but fewer people are aware of the strongassociation the group had with the city of Hamburg years before anyone in the US knew theirnames. From 1960-1962 The Beatles played in Hamburg (in what was then West Germany) invarious clubs on a regular basis. It was in Hamburg that they all got what later became known as the"Beatle haircut," and where they honed their act enough to get noticed by US promoter BrianEpstein. Many Beatles landmarks in Hamburg still exist, including the clubs they once played, andthere's a square named after them - Beatles-Platz - with sculptures representing the group. Music isstill a big part of Hamburg's cultural scene, and you can check out local and international musiciansat venues all over the city.LatviaIf you've been hoarding your Latvian currency from your last visit to Riga, saving it for the next timeyou would visit, let this be your final warning - Latvia joined the European Union as of January 1,2014, and the deadline for exchanging your Latvian lats (the country's currency prior to this year) inLatvian banks is June 30. After that, the notes and coins are simply a souvenir. And, of course, ifyou've not been to Latvia before, let this be your invitation - in the same year that Latvia joins theEU, its capital, Riga, is one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2014. Riga will play host to anumber of cultural events, exhibits, and performances throughout the year as a result. The city isalso hosting the World Choir Games (the world's largest choir competition) in July. Whether you'revisiting Latvia for the first time or the 50th, the country is putting its finest foot forward in 2014.Zürich, Switzerland

The European Athletics Championships take place this summer in Zürich. For one week in mid-August, athletes from 50 European nations compete in 47 different track and field disciplines. TheEuropean Athletics Championships are held every two years, and since 2014 is not a SummerOlympics year the full slate of events is on the schedule in Zürich. August is a great time to visitZürich, too, with typically warm temperatures allowing you to enjoy the spectacular scenery andthe city's many attractions.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

The "Game of Thrones" story may take place in the fictional land of Westeros, but the filminglocations are quite real. Many of them are in the countryside of Northern Ireland near the capital ofBelfast. Some of the filming locations you can visit are the Cushendun Caves and Larrybane (TheStormlands), Castle Ward (Winterfell), Ballintoy Harbour and Murlough Bay (Iron Islands), and InchAbbey (The Riverlands). The haunting location for the King's Road is the difficult-to-locate DarkHedges, a tree-lined road leading to an 18th century mansion - although it's significantly easier tofind these days, with all the "Game of Thrones" fans seeking it out. Many of the "Game of Thrones"

filming locations can be visited in a day trip from Belfast, making the city an ideal home base forexploring Northern Ireland's very film-worthy scenery.

Book a Private Game of Thrones and Giants Causeway Tour from BelfastSloveniaNot many years ago, Croatia still seemed far beyond the borders of where most travelers went inEurope. Now, Croatia is becoming quite a popular vacation spot - and it's neighboring Slovenia thatcan be described as an emerging holiday destination. Of course, Europeans have known about thefantastic reasons to visit Slovenia for ages - but many of us are just coming around to the idea.Slovenia is part of the EU (which means it uses the euro currency). The country shares borders withItaly, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, has a small coastline on the Adriatic Sea, and is easy to reach. It's afairly small country, so adding Slovenia to an itinerary that includes any of its border countries couldbe an ideal way to explore it. And to top it off, Slovenia remains a relative bargain compared to manycountries in Western Europe. Read more about SloveniaVictoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

There are severalcategories for superlatives when it comes to waterfalls. Victoria Falls, which straddles the borderbetween Zambia and Zimbabwe, isn't the tallest waterfall in the world, nor is it the widest. It does,however, hold the title of "largest," since its height and width result in the largest sheet of fallingwater on earth. The sight has been drawing tourists since it was found and documented by DavidLivingstone in 1855 - both for its visual impact and the sometimes deafening roar all that waterproduces. Victoria Falls is on many a travel wish list, so here's why you should check this one off in2014: The towns that serve the falls, Livingstone in Zambia and Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, played hostto the UN General Assembly in 2013. As such, they both had massive makeovers leading up to theevent, and are better equipped than ever to host visitors. Even Zimbabwe, in the news so much inrecent decades for ludicrous-sounding inflation rates, is getting back on track - the US dollar is nowone of the main currencies accepted, so you wouldn't even need to visit the currency exchangeoffice.Shanghai, China

China's largest city, andthe one that continues to grow at an exceptional pace, is Shanghai. Many travelers are familiar withthe sparkling skyline of Hong Kong, and have favored it for years for quick stopovers in Asia.Shanghai offers the same kinds of visitor perks - shopping, attractions, great food - and as of lastyear, travelers from 51 countries no longer need a visa to visit Shanghai for 72 hours or less. Thismakes Shanghai an excellent option if you're looking for a long layover where you can explore thecity for a few days before moving on to your final destination, because as long as you're flying in andout of Shanghai's airports, you've got a 72-hour pass to see the city. Enjoy the gleaming newskyscrapers and neon lights, but don't overlook the few historic neighborhoods that remain -including some areas of the Huangpu District near the City God Temple and the former ShanghaiFrench Concession.Tokyo, Japan

There has been much talk among sports fanatics about Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup and thenthe 2016 Summer Olympics. But in late 2013, the International Olympic Committee announced the

host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics - Tokyo. Sure, 2020 may seem a long way off, but time (asthey say) flies. As Tokyo begins its initial preparations to host the world's athletes in six years, it'sstill a bustling and fascinating city to visit today. Unlike some Olympic host cities that require majorupgrades in infrastructure to support the influx of visitors the games usually draw, Tokyo is alreadyknown for its robust tourist infrastructure. With more than 13 million people calling the prefecturehome, this is a place that's quite accustomed to dealing with crowds. In 2014, you can visit Tokyowithout being slowed down by any of the inevitable pre-Olympics construction, and still enjoy theease a 21st century metropolis provides.

Read more about things to do in TokyoBhutan

Bhutan, the famously reclusive country that measures success in "Gross National Happiness," haslong been known as a tourist destination for only the wealthy and patient. With limits on the numberof visas issued per year, a minimum stay requirement, and the need to use official tour guidepartners, Bhutan has been off-limits to many would-be travelers. In recent years, however, tourismin Bhutan is getting comparatively easier - the country no longer limits the number of tourist visasissued, and there are more licensed tour operators these days.

Fraser Island, Australia

Australia is home to the world's largest sand island just off the coast of Queensland. Fraser Island isa relatively small spot in the South Pacific at only 710 square miles, but it packs quite a bit ofnatural wonder into that small space. While there are very few people who call Fraser Island hometoday, there is evidence that people have lived on the island for more than 5,000 years. It is alsocurrently home to 25+ mammal species, 350+ bird species, and 865+ plant species. There are morethan 100 lakes on Fraser Island, and a 75-mile-long stretch of beach on the eastern coast. It's anature lover's playground. Fraser Island was added to the UNESCO list of Natural World HeritageSites in 1992, and remains a popular tourist attraction for visitors to Queensland.

Check out our Fraser Island toursLaosFor travelers craving a Southeast Asia trip without the crowds that now flock to Thailand andIndonesia, however, there are other options. The tiny country of Laos, sandwiched between Vietnamand Thailand, still has French elements leftover from its colonial days, but remains a far more"authentic" Southeast Asian experience than its neighbors. Laos (officially called Lao PDR) is hometo two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Luang Prabang (a city in northern Laos) and Wat Phu (theruins of an 11th century Khmer temple complex) - and Laotians have a reputation for their relaxedlifestyles. Tourist infrastructure in Laos may not be as robust as it is in other parts of the region, butbudget-conscious travelers who want to escape the crowds shouldn't let that stop them fromexploring this beautiful country.Read why Laos is one of the cheapest countries for backpackersGallipoli, Turkey

Several countries inEurope will be marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I this year, includingEngland, France, and Belgium. The historic ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in Turkey didn't happen untilthe second year of the war, so that 100th anniversary isn't until 2015 - but since the outbreak of thewar will be taking center stage across the continent this year, we think a 2014 visit to Gallipoli willbe meaningful, too. Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand marks the date (April 25th) when Alliedtroops landed at Gallipoli, and the World War I battlefields have long been some of the main touristdraws. During the 100th anniversary commemorations, there are likely to be even more peoplevisiting World War I sites than there normally are, so plan ahead - especially if you want to be atGallipoli on April 25th.Malta

The tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta packs a lot of vacation destination punch into not verymuch space. Malta is made up of three islands, although the vast majority of visitors stick to thelargest of the three (also named Malta). Even so, you can explore several parts of the island in oneday if you're visiting on a cruise (even the hop on, hop off bus tours of Malta visit multiple cities oneach route). There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta. The most impressive are the"megalithic temples" built from 5000 B.C.E. to 700 B.C.E., making them what some say are "the

oldest free-standing monuments in the world." There are annual arts and music festivals, plenty ofhiking (particularly on the smallest island, which is mostly a nature reserve), excellent sailing anddiving opportunities, and the sort of "melting pot" culture that can only come from constantlychanging hands from one ruling nation to another. One of the top annual tourism conferences in theUK has chosen Malta as the host for its 2014 conference, which indicates the country is on the vergeof something. Why not go and find out what it is?

Browse our Malta ToursIsrael

There are few places on earth that are simultaneously more complicated and more fascinating thanIsrael. This small country contains places of historic importance to three major religions - Judaism,Islam, and Christianity - as well as historic monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites thatattract visitors from all faiths and backgrounds. Ever since the creation of the Jewish state in theyears after World War II, however, the region has also been the scene of quite a bit of unrest. Inrecent years, as the peace process between Israel and Palestine remain ongoing, tourists interestedin visiting some of the holy sites in the Palestinian Territories have begun taking advantage of anincreasing number of guided tours that combine Israel with Palestine. This is an excitingdevelopment for visitors who want to see first-hand the many significant monuments and locations inthis part of the world, but who may not be bold enough to organize a trip on their own.

Visit the Dead SeaBarcelona, Spain

Let's be honest - Barcelona is always a good bet for a holiday destination. This cosmopolitan cityboasts proximity to great beaches, excellent Catalonian cuisine, a picturesque historic city center,and iconic Gaudi masterpieces. Barcelona is even more accessible now with the newly-launchedhigh-speed rail line connecting the city with Paris in less than 6.5 hours. But what makes 2014 theyear to consider a visit to Barcelona? Sports fans may be focused on Brazil this summer for theWorld Cup, but a trip to Spain means a trip to the country that won the last World Cup - as well asthe last two European Championships. Attend an FC Barcelona match, and you'll see one of the topteams in the world playing "the beautiful game."

Pompeii, Italy

The destruction of the city of Pompeii is a familiar piece of history to most of us. Mount Vesuviuserupted in 79 A.D., covering Pompeii and neighboring Herculaneum in ash and rocks. Both cities arestill being excavated, but the far larger Pompeii is the more famous site - it's one of Italy's mostpopular attractions. The archaeological site is likely to see even more traffic in 2014, after theFebruary release of the film "Pompeii." The scenes recreating what the city looked like prior to the

volcano's eruption may well be useful to visitors who can't make heads or tails of the rubble in someparts of the site today, although a good on-site guide can help quite a bit in that regard. When youvisit Pompeii (easy to do on a day trip from Naples, the Amalfi Coast, or even Rome), don't overlooklittle Herculaneum - the site may be significantly smaller, but it's better preserved and usually seesfar fewer tourists.

Check out our Pompeii trips herePorto, PortugalPortugal is something of the forgotten country on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain taking up as muchroom as it does, so although it's in Western Europe it's routinely listed as a good spot for budgettravelers. Portugal's second-largest city, Porto, sits on the northwestern coast of the country and is aparticularly popular spot for visitors - especially those who are interested in wine. It's the regionaround Porto that is famous for its production of the fortified wine we know as port. The historic citycenter is considered one of the oldest in Europe - it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and, if twoarchitects get their way, it may be getting a new monument. They would like to move the historicMaria Pia Bridge, designed by Gustav Eiffel and no longer in use since a new rail bridge now crossesthe River Douro, into the historic city center and turn it into a monument.Browse our Porto WinetoursOman

The Sultanate of Oman curls around the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia,Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. It's only since the 1970s that Oman has been relatively opento tourists, and in recent years it's more of an emerging destination for intrepid travelers. There aretwo small parts of Oman that are separated by the UAE from the rest of the country, but once you'vearrived in the capital of Muscat you can arrange for transportation to the two exclaves if you wish.The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bahla Fort, a 13th century adobe fortress, was reopened tovisitors in late 2012 with very limited hours.

Bogotá, ColombiaIf you told friends in the 1990s that you were planning to visit Bogotá, you probably would havereceived some strange looks. Even today, people going to Colombia often hear from concernedfriends and family. Today, however, Bogotá is a different place than it was two decades ago, andtourism in Colombia is increasing exponentially. The country is a bargain for budget-mindedtravelers, and the monuments and colonial architecture in the historic center help tell a story about

a place many of us don't know enough about. In 2014, Bogotá will come alive with theaterperformances when the largest theater festival in the world opens in April - the Ibero-AmericanoTheater Festival of Bogotá takes place every two years, and attracts more than two million visitors -who enjoy more than 450 theater presentations and 150 street productions over the course of 17days.Read our Best of Bogota blogArizona, USA

The Grand Canyon is onmost travel wish lists - and it should be. But there are so many other excellent reasons to plan a visitto Arizona. The southwest state is ideal for road trips in almost any season (it can be unbearably hotin summer, though), with lots of interesting places to aim for on your map. Consider the funkycollege town of Flagstaff up in the mountains - an ideal spot for a ski trip or as a home base forexploring the Grand Canyon as well as native ruins in the area, and don't forget to check out thenight sky from the observatory. Get your aura aligned in the artsy community of Sedona - or simplyenjoy hiking through the region's stunning red rock formations. You can consult spirits of a differentkind in any of Arizona's many ghost towns (every county has some). The new Museum of the Westwill open in Scottsdale in late 2014. And fans of "Breaking Bad" can continue their road trips rightinto Albuquerque in neighboring New Mexico, a 6.5 hour drive from Phoenix.Yosemite National Park, USA

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act, making the Yosemite Valley andMariposa Grove the very first protected wilderness. This created the first state park in Californiaand set in motion the events that would lead to the creation of the National Park system in theUnited States. This year, Yosemite celebrates the 150th anniversary of that act with a series ofevents and special exhibits scheduled throughout 2014, including special ranger walks. We alsothink that visiting Yosemite - and any of the US National Parks - in 2014 is a great way to showsupport for these national treasures after they were closed during the government shut-down lastyear. No matter what your politics are, there's nothing like a trip to a National Park to inspirenational pride.

Check out our trips to YosemiteGuadeloupeThe group of French islands known as Guadeloupe have recently stepped up their efforts to luretourists from North America to their five islands. There is a new Guadeloupe Tourist Board office inNew York City, and there are new direct flights connecting Guadeloupe with Miami, San Juan, andMontreal. As eco-tourism becomes more and more high-profile, Guadeloupe is poised to cash in onthe trend, with marine reserves, several remote (and largely untouched) islands, and severalsparkling beaches that are typically free from the usual Caribbean crowds. Foodies will appreciatethe cultural mix that goes into Guadeloupe's cuisine. Clearly, Guadeloupe has extended an invitationto visit in 2014. What will your answer be?Monterey and Carmel, California, USA

Enjoy a quieter side ofCalifornian life with a visit to Monterey and Carmel. Monterey sits on a bay of the same name, and iswell-known for its fantastic aquarium, an annual jazz festival, an annual classic car show, and thehistoric Cannery Row. Carmel (formally known as Carmel-by-the-Sea) is a pretty coastal town with astrong artistic history, having been home to an artist colony since the early 1900s. Both of thesesophisticated beach towns serve as good bases from which to visit Big Sur, play golf at the famousPebble Beach, or watch the cars at Laguna Seca. And 2014 marks the 75th anniversary of thepublication of "The Grapes of Wrath," for which author John Steinbeck will be honored in his nearbyhometown of Salinas.Rocky Mountains, Canada

Canada makes a greatcandidate for a long-distance train trip - particularly on the Rocky Mountaineer tourist trains inWestern Canada. The glass-topped train cars allow you to take in the spectacular scenery of theRocky Mountains, and of course during a train trip you're free to move around as much as you like(rather than being strapped into a confining coach seat on a plane). Get there in style - and morerelaxed - with a train trip through the Canadian Rockies.Fiji

The South Pacific islandnation of Fiji is incredibly remote, and the name alone conjures up images of the kind of high-pricedover-water bungalows you might see in an article about celebrity honeymoons. Sure, Fiji can be thatversion of paradise, if you've got the vacation funds. If not, however, rest assured that Fiji canactually be relatively budget-friendly, too. There are two small chains of islands (among Fiji's morethan 300 islands), the Mamanucas and Yasawas, with resorts even bargain hunters will be pleasedabout. In addition to the multitude of activities Fiji offers on and around its beaches (including someexcellent diving in coral reefs), you can exercise your green thumb with a visit to the BotanicalGardens of Thursten in Suva, and check out one of the newest entries on the list of UNESCO WorldHeritage Sites - the historical port town of Levuka on the island of Ovalau.NamibiaWith South Africa to the south and Botswana to the east, Namibia is in good safari company - but theNamibia ranks among the least densely populated countries on earth, and less popular with touriststhan its neighbors. In Namibia, you can see zebra, antelope, baboons, wildebeest, African buffalo,elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Not only that, Namibia has a well-earned reputation for itseco-tourism efforts. Add to that the fact that the Namib Sand Sea has just been added to UNESCO'slist of World Heritage Sites, and you've got more than enough reasons to visit Namibia this year.Chicago, USA

Of all the reasons to visit Chicago, few would fault you if you went solely because you love baseball.Chicago is home to two Major League Baseball teams, and locals are sometimes defined by theirallegiance to one or the other, but only one of those teams is celebrating the 100th anniversary of itshome stadium in 2014. That's right - in 2014, Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, turns 100years old, and the Cubs have planned a series of special events in honor of that milestone. The teamwill highlight 100 great moments in Wrigley history, honor former Cubs players, and give awayspecial souvenir mementos to fans. On the actual 100th anniversary of the first game at Wrigley(then called Weeghman Park) in 1914, the team will wear a uniform that's a replica of their 1914 kit,and other replica uniforms will make appearances through the rest of the season. No matter whatthe scoreline says at the end of each game, 2014 is a winning year to be in Chicago at Wrigley Field.

Check out our Chicago activitiesAntarctica

One of the last greatfrontiers, Antarctica isn't really such a frontier anymore. With regular cruises leaving Ushuaia,Argentina these days, it's the sort of experience that really can be a "once in a lifetime" trip insteadof an impossibility. Of course, when we say "cruises," we're talking about those sturdy expeditionships that are tasked with crossing one of the roughest stretches of water on earth, so it's the veryopposite of smooth sailing. Luckily for those of you with severe seasickness, there's a relatively newfly-in option to reach Antarctica - you can fly from Tierra del Fuego to King George Island in theSouth Shetlands, and sail to Antarctica from there. You'll avoid the treacherous Drake's Passage,and cut your travel time. And in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the year when Sir Ernest Shackletonset off on his expedition to the South Pole, that sort of easy travel is even more of a marvel.South Africa

South Africa was in thenews in late 2013 with the death of legendary anti-apartheid activist and former South Africanpresident Nelson Mandela. Those interested in learning more about Mandela's legacy in SouthAfrica can do that in a more poignant and powerful way by visiting the places where Mandela lived,worked, and was exiled. One of the most moving stops on a Mandela-focused tour of South Africa isan island just off the coast of Cape Town. It was on Robben Island where Mandela spent nearly 30years in prison - you can even visit the cell where he lived. On a less somber note, Cape Town isundergoing something of a facelift at the moment, as it prepares for its status as World DesignCapital for 2014. A year's worth of special events tied to many different aspects of design are on thecalendar. Browse our South Africa toursCubaSpeculators in the travel world has had "US lifts ban on travel to Cuba" among their year-endpredictions for several years now, with the predictions getting louder after Fidel Castro steppeddown from the presidency in 2008. But the ban remains - at least for now. Of course, Americans canget around it the same way Beyonce and Jay-Z did (with a license from the Treasury Department) orrisk it by sneaking in via a third country. Don't be surprised, however, if you can soon book tourpackages to Cuba the same way you can any other island in the Caribbean. If that happens this year,book your ticket ASAP - Cuba just lifted its 50-year ban on the import of new vehicles, which willchange the 1950s time-warp scenery of the island dramatically. And, of course, if you're not a UScitizen, you've got no excuses not to book a trip to Cuba right now.Auckland, New Zealand

From the first sweeping

shot of "The Fellowship of the Ring" that we all saw back in 2001, hearts around the world were seton visiting New Zealand. The country's stunning scenery almost became a character in PeterJackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and led to the creation of a host of Tolkien-inspired tours of thefilm locations. Now that we're two films into the trilogy of "The Hobbit," also filmed in New Zealand,our collective hearts are set on seeing Middle Earth for ourselves yet again. Some of the filminglocations for "The Hobbit" are the same ones Jackson used in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, butthere are new ones as well - and many of them are included on LOTR tours in New Zealand.Auckland, the largest city in the country, is a great place to begin your Tolkien tour of New Zealand -Hobbiton is about two hours from the city center.Siem Reap, Cambodia

Once you've seen thephotos of the forest slowly taking over the temple ruins, it's hard to not want to walk among thebuildings at Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park. But even people who have Angkor Wat on their"must-see" list don't always know much about the city at its edge - Siem Reap. This town used to berelatively quiet, until the temples at Angkor were popularized as a tourist destination in the mid-19thcentury. Today, it's a bustling hub of tourist activity - which is a cause of some concern, as theAngkor site is somewhat fragile. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and UNESCOhas worked to preserve and study the ruins ever since. While in Siem Reap, don't miss a stop at theAngkor National Museum to learn more about the Khmer culture responsible for building it. And, forsomething completely different, visit in early December when the Angkor Wat International HalfMarathon runs right through the famous ruins.Nepal

Nepal was in theinternational news late last year as political demonstrations and rallies sprung up around thecountry's elections. The US State Department even issued a travel warning in early November, butthat warning expired in mid-December and the situation in Nepal has quieted back down again -which means plenty of people are planning a trip to Nepal in 2014. The mountainous country ishome to 10 of the world's highest peaks, including the tallest peak in the world at Mount Everest.2013 marked the 60th anniversary of the first official ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay and SirEdmund Hillary. In addition to climbers and adrenaline-junkies, Nepal also attracts hikers andspiritual travelers who simply want to soak up the rugged natural beauty of the country and thewarmth of its people. Check out our Nepal Trekking toursRajasthan, India

You might think first ofintensely crowded cities when you think of India, but if you head for the state of Rajasthan in thenorthwestern part of the country you'll find nature reserves, national parks, one of the world's oldestmountain range, an enormous desert, and historic hill forts. There are six forts that, collectively,make up one of the region's UNESCO World Heritage Sites - these forts were built between the 5th

and 17th centuries, and some of them are remarkably well-preserved. Other UNESCO sites inRajasthan include the Keoladeo National Park, a famous bird sanctuary, and a collection of 18thcentury astronomical buildings in Jaipur called a Jantar Mantar. Rajasthan is also home to theDilwara Temples, five 11th-13th century temples that are pilgrimage sites for Jains. And animallovers can rejoice at the two tiger sanctuaries in Rajasthan - Sariska Tiger Reserve andRanthambore National Park - where you can go on tiger safaris to see the gorgeous cats in the wild.Read more about things to do in IndiaKomodo Island, IndonesiaYou don't have to be a kid to be fascinated by monster stories, right? So if the main reason you wantto go to Komodo Island in Indonesia is to see the enormous lizards named after the island, we can'tblame you. Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on earth, can grow to 10 feet long, and can easilyoverpower large deer (one of their diet staples). There were stories of fire-breathing dragons onKomodo Island as recently as the early 20th century, when a large lizard was finally captured andanalyzed. In more recent years, the Komodo dragons have become the main reason people visit theisland (they are also found on a few other nearby Indonesian islands, too), although they've alsobeen listed as "vulnerable" by one conservation group. Komodo National Park was founded in 1980(and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991) in an effort to protect these impressivecreatures.The Kimberley, Australia

The state of WesternAustralia takes up nearly half the continent, but contains a fraction of the Australian population. Theregion known as The Kimberley in the northern part of Western Australia has a particularlyscattered population - owing partly to its rugged terrain. This region has some of the oldest evidenceof civilization in Australia, dating back more than 40,000 years, and is often called one of Australia's"last wilderness." If you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous coastline, The Kimberley's heart ismade up of deserts, gorges, red rock canyons, and rivers. The Kimberley is remote and rugged,which means it's not easy to navigate without a 4WD vehicle and a guide, but the effort of securingboth will reward intrepid tourists with scenery and stories most travelers to Australia will never see.Oaxaca, MexicoThe city of Oaxaca is an incredibly popular tourist town, but this inland capital doesn't have anybeaches to boast. Instead, Oaxaca's claim to tourist fame is its colonial architecture and well-knownfood scene. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its historic buildings, andnot far from Oaxaca is another UNESCO site at Monte Alban - the ruins of an impressive Zapoteccity dating from 500 B.C.E. Foodies have been flocking to Oaxaca for years for the region'sdistinctive mole sauces, among other things. In between meals, you can shop for local ingredients at

the city's markets - or take a cooking class in Oaxaca to learn how to make some of the famousdishes yourself.Perth, AustraliaMost of Australia is unpopulated - or so sparsely populated that it might as well be people-free. Youhave to go all the way to the west coast of the country to find the fourth-largest city of Perth, capitalof the state of Western Australia. One of the benefits of a visit to Perth is being able to enjoy bothcity and countryside essentially without leaving the city limits. From central Perth you can head eastinto the area known as The Hills - this is Perth's wine country, as well as the John Forrest NationalPark. Only a half-hour outside Perth's bustling downtown, you can be strolling between rows ofgrapes or exploring the bush environment of the park. And in April 2014 there are two particularlyAustralian reasons to visit Perth - the city will play host to both the World Vintage Rugby Carnival(for "mature" rugby players) and the World Boomerang Cup.Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

When Charles Darwinvisited the Galápagos Islands in 1835, he returned home with specimens and observations that ledto his famous "The Origin of Species." Today, nearly 180 years later, scientists have used the reptilesliving on the Galápagos Islands to add further credence to one of Darwin's assertions - that animalsliving on remote islands are more tame than their mainland cousins. Of course, this is one of themain reasons we still love to visit the Galápagos Islands - to get close to exotic animals likeGalápagos green turtles, blue-footed boobies, Galápagos penguins, albatross, and marine iguanas.Efforts have been made since the 1930s to protect the unique environment of the Galápagos, withthe creation of the Galápagos National Park in 1959 and the UNESCO World Heritage Sitedesignation in 1978. Tourism remains a threat to the ecosystem, and so it is strictly regulated -which means you'll need to plan ahead to get on one of the tours. Book a trip to the GalapagosIslandsNew York City, USA

New York is constantlychanging, offering new reasons to visit even if you've been there before. In 2014, there are somepoignant reasons to add New York City to your travel plans. One year after the devastating impact ofHurricane Sandy, both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are once again open to visitors. Thereare still some exhibits at Ellis Island that are being repaired, but most of the museum is open. Theseare just two examples of recovery more than a year after Sandy - the signs of rebuilding are all overNew York and other nearby states, and the influx of tourist dollars helps further those efforts.Another momentous opening scheduled for March 2014 is the Museum at the 9/11 Memorial. Theabove-ground portions of the memorial opened in 2011, but opening dates for the museum havebeen pushed back a few times. There's no doubt the 9/11 Museum will be a top draw for travelers in2014 and beyond.Walt Disney World, Orlando, USA

What kid (or inner child) doesn't want to go to Walt Disney World at some point? If you're the kind ofperson who wants to enjoy the amusement park but doesn't want to have to choose between aDisney vacation or a luxury trip, then take heart - starting in 2014, you don't have to make thatchoice anymore. In July, Four Seasons is opening the doors to its Resort Orlando at Walt DisneyWorld. That means you can have your cake (AKA all the Four Seasons luxury you've come to expect,including an on-site spa and a golf course) and eat it, too (AKA the resort property is right outsidethe Disney entrance). Yes, there are Disney touches at this new Four Seasons, but once ensconced inyour room or the spa or the restaurants it's easy to forget you're anywhere near the Magic Kingdom.Which, in between rides on Splash Mountain, might be just what the doctor ordered.

Get tickets to Walt Disney WorldWales

Dylan Thomas remains amuch-beloved poet in his native Wales more than sixty years after his untimely death. It's notsurprising, then, that Wales is making 2014 - 100 years after Thomas was born in Swansea - the yearof Dylan Thomas. The Dylan Thomas 100 Festival includes a slate of events to honor the late poetthat started in October 2013 and will continue throughout 2014. In Swansea, there will be a worldpremiere performance of five musical tributes to Thomas' poetry. Literature Wales is hosting a seriesof Thomas-focused literary experiences in Wales as well as the US. An opera based on Thomas'"Under Milk Wood" will be performed in Swansea in April. There is even a series of presentationsaimed at children, demonstrating the magic of Thomas' poetry to a new generation. While you're inWales, you can visit Thomas' Boathouse in Laugharne, where he lived the last four years of his life(the outbuilding where he did some of his writing is also preserved) as well as his grave in theLaugharne cemetery.- Viator Travel Team

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