7 of the Most Inspiring Travel Destinations in 2018

January 2, 2018

We like to kick off a new year on a positive note—and few things are more exciting than planning 12 months of globetrotting. From international, Olympic-themed getaways to European cultural capitals and island idylls, here’s where to travel in 2018 if you’ve got a special hankering for adventure. Out with the old, in with the wanderlust, as we always say.

1. SOUTH KOREA: Attending the Olympics is a bucket-list dream for millions, which is why—if you're lucky enough to nab 'em—tickets to South Korea are the thing to book this winter. The Games will be held in Pyeongchang from February 9th to 25th—the first time they've been hosted in the country since 1988. Once you've had your fill of bobsledding antics and ice skating feats, venture onwards to Seoul for a further dose of culture and a stroll along the newly opened Seoul Skygarden.
2. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Make no mistake: South Korea's Games aren't the only Olympics to look forward to in 2018. This coming year, Buenos Aires will also play host to the Youth Summer Olympic Games, which will see 3,500 young athletes from around the globe come to compete. Lest sports be the only thing drawing you to the Southern Hemisphere, B.A. has plenty to appeal to creative types, too. Namely, the inaugural Art Basel Cities initiative, which will see the city's museums, galleries, and public spaces host an array of special exhibitions, talks, and other events.

Image courtesy of Mani Gatto.
3. THE LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND: Never visited England? Now you've got the perfect excuse to book a trip (beyond the fact that the country is more affordable for foreign tourists than ever). The Lake District, located in northwest England, is among the 21 new sites added to the UNESCO 2017 World Heritage list. Its history is impressive (William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter both hailed from the area), and its scenic views—think rolling green hills, charming villages, and, yup, plenty of lakes—are even more so.
4. VALLETTA, MALTA: Sure, places like Italy and France are popular Euro-trip destinations. But have you considered dropping by one of Europe's smallest countries on your next overseas adventure? In 2018, you really should: Malta doesn't only offer up golden beaches, millennia of history, and some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. Its capital city, Valletta, is also Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2018, which means a back-to-back line-up of cool film festivals, elegant baroque music celebrations, literary readings, and other events sure to thrill art lovers.
5. THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS: The Caribbean took a harsh battering from 2017's hurricane season—which is why planning a tropical jaunt is actually one of the best things globetrotters can do in 2018. Coming to the islands now, as the prime minister of St. Lucia puts it, is more important than ever if you want to support local economies and recovery efforts. A trip to Puerto Rico or a vacation in the Virgin Islands isn't only a cool experience: It's also about giving back.
6. DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA: Detroit earned one of the top spots in Lonely Planet's guide to where to travel in 2018, and for good reason: "After decades of neglect, Detroit is rolling again.” Following the slew of creative, indie businesses launching in neighborhoods like Corktown, the opening of a new arena, and the slated unveiling of several new parks and hotels downtown, vibrant and dynamic Motor City is one of the most exciting domestic destinations to hit up this year.
7. COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND: If the release of The Last Jedi is already shaping up to be one of your 2017 highlights, then make 2018 the year you follow in Rey and Luke's footsteps—and visit County Kerry in Ireland. Key scenes in both The Force Awakens and the latest film were shot in Ireland's southwest, including the rugged Skellig Islands. Next to holding an actual lightsaber, paying a visit is every would-be Jedi's dream.
1. SOUTH KOREA: Attending the Olympics is a bucket-list dream for millions, which is why—if you're lucky enough to nab 'em—tickets to South Korea are the thing to book this winter. The Games will be held in Pyeongchang from February 9th to 25th—the first time they've been hosted in the country since 1988. Once you've had your fill of bobsledding antics and ice skating feats, venture onwards to Seoul for a further dose of culture and a stroll along the newly opened Seoul Skygarden.
2. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Make no mistake: South Korea's Games aren't the only Olympics to look forward to in 2018. This coming year, Buenos Aires will also play host to the Youth Summer Olympic Games, which will see 3,500 young athletes from around the globe come to compete. Lest sports be the only thing drawing you to the Southern Hemisphere, B.A. has plenty to appeal to creative types, too. Namely, the inaugural Art Basel Cities initiative, which will see the city's museums, galleries, and public spaces host an array of special exhibitions, talks, and other events.

Image courtesy of Mani Gatto.
3. THE LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND: Never visited England? Now you've got the perfect excuse to book a trip (beyond the fact that the country is more affordable for foreign tourists than ever). The Lake District, located in northwest England, is among the 21 new sites added to the UNESCO 2017 World Heritage list. Its history is impressive (William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter both hailed from the area), and its scenic views—think rolling green hills, charming villages, and, yup, plenty of lakes—are even more so.
4. VALLETTA, MALTA: Sure, places like Italy and France are popular Euro-trip destinations. But have you considered dropping by one of Europe's smallest countries on your next overseas adventure? In 2018, you really should: Malta doesn't only offer up golden beaches, millennia of history, and some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. Its capital city, Valletta, is also Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2018, which means a back-to-back line-up of cool film festivals, elegant baroque music celebrations, literary readings, and other events sure to thrill art lovers.
5. THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS: The Caribbean took a harsh battering from 2017's hurricane season—which is why planning a tropical jaunt is actually one of the best things globetrotters can do in 2018. Coming to the islands now, as the prime minister of St. Lucia puts it, is more important than ever if you want to support local economies and recovery efforts. A trip to Puerto Rico or a vacation in the Virgin Islands isn't only a cool experience: It's also about giving back.
6. DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA: Detroit earned one of the top spots in Lonely Planet's guide to where to travel in 2018, and for good reason: "After decades of neglect, Detroit is rolling again.” Following the slew of creative, indie businesses launching in neighborhoods like Corktown, the opening of a new arena, and the slated unveiling of several new parks and hotels downtown, vibrant and dynamic Motor City is one of the most exciting domestic destinations to hit up this year.
7. COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND: If the release of The Last Jedi is already shaping up to be one of your 2017 highlights, then make 2018 the year you follow in Rey and Luke's footsteps—and visit County Kerry in Ireland. Key scenes in both The Force Awakens and the latest film were shot in Ireland's southwest, including the rugged Skellig Islands. Next to holding an actual lightsaber, paying a visit is every would-be Jedi's dream.