The New York Times Names Their 52 Places for 2017
For the 12th year in a row the New York Times has revealed their list of 52 places to go, this time for 2017.
Each year an initial list of ideas and destinations is compiled by regular contributors worldwide. After a lengthy meeting, the list is whittled down to just 52. Key to the finally curated list is the mixing of well-known destinations as well as more obscure spots, and the FAQs page says they also “aim for a geographic and thematic diversity”.
Are you curious which carefully chosen locations made the list?
Here is the NYT list of 52 places to go in 2017, along with their tagline –
52. Ryukyu Islands, Japan
The Japan you’ve never heard of.
51. South Bronx, New York
An industrial neighborhood’s revival.
50. Budapest, Hungary
A majestic European capital revels in modernity.
49. Portland, Oregon
Still cool? Actually, it’s gotten cooler.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO_VCn8ARK9/?tagged=tilikumcrossing
48. Busan, South Korea
An underrated second city becomes a design hot spot.
47. Laikipia, Kenya
Elephants, lions and fascinating rituals.
46. Sacred Valley, Peru
Celebrating food culture in Inca country.
45. Birmingham, Alabama
A new brewery was just the start.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO_dMTDj6JW/?tagged=birminghamalabama
44. Bozcaada, Turkey
A slower-paced way to see Turkey.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPC3WhhDlz9/?tagged=bozcaada
43. Langtang Region, Nepal
A crumbled town springs back.
42. Placencia, Belize
Ecotourism expands in southern Belize.
41. Istria, Croatia
New lodgings in an overlooked Adriatic region.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIUk5-pj5u3/?tagged=istriacroatia
40. Iberá Wetlands, Argentina
Reviving the world’s second-largest wetlands.
39. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Adventure and art-inspiring landscapes in the Arctic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPCwuiIAKG1/?tagged=lofoten
38. Antequera, Spain
Does Spain have its own Stonehenge?
37. Calabria, Italy
Food in Italy outside the well-traveled regions.
36. Maldives
Can an island chain be saved?
https://www.instagram.com/p/vwDu_ZCtVy/?tagged=bioluminescentmaldivesbeach
35. Ketchum, Idaho
A hideaway ski town emerges.
34. Madrid
Way beyond tapas in the Spanish capital.
33. Sedona, Arizona
Sun-soaked luxury that’s Zika-free.
32. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
An artsy enclave on the Oaxacan Coast.
31. Napa Valley, California
A new generation of openings.
30. Chiang Mai, Thailand
An avalanche of art in Thailand’s second city.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB6sRg8ljqW/?tagged=chiangmaiart
29. Northwest Puerto Rico
A new destination for surfers and foodies.
28. Athens, Greece
A post-crisis art boom in an ancient capital.
27. Gabon
Culture and wildlife without mass tourism — yet.
26. Kazakhstan
From oil state to luxury eco-destination.
25. Comporta, Portugal
The anti-Algarve, an hour from Lisbon.
24. Kingston, Jamaica
New lodging, local eats and, yes, music.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPC6515DILQ/?tagged=kingstonjamaica
23. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Painting a Midwestern city purple.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEgSXIzIrya/?tagged=minneapolisprince
22. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
A natural wonder is imperiled, but tourists can help.
21. Cyprus
A cultural and culinary renewal on a Mediterranean island.
20. Sanya, China
China’s beach destination of choice.
19. Madagascar
An island nation re-emerges as an ecotourism paradise.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO9s9k3jqHk/?tagged=madagascar
18. ÃŽle de Porquerolles, France
Plage, pétanque, pastis: parfait.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO0BO3rBjl5/?tagged=iledeporquerolles
17. Sikkim, India
A haven for spiritual seekers, soon more accessible.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNOB_fdjdol/?tagged=sikkimbuddhapark
16. Stockholm, Sweden
Scandinavia need not be a wallet-buster.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDcn42Fpf7/?tagged=stockholmsweden
15. Osaka, Japan
The ultimate Japanese feast awaits.
14. Penzance, England
A glimpse of ‘Poldark’ country.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPD0cRgAFz-/?tagged=poldark
13. Pedregal, Ecuador
A natural beauty that’s still natural — for now.
12. Greenville, South Carolina
The next Charleston?
11. Marrakesh, Morocco
Art at a legendary designer’s spiritual resting place.
10. Hamburg, Germany
A haven for architecture and design.
9. Detroit, Michigan
A comeback city set to make good on its promise.
8. Tijuana, Mexico
Trading an unsavory reputation for a great food scene.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPEbsUODJFe/?tagged=tijuanamexico
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
A total solar eclipse amid natural splendor.
6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
New ways to enjoy a gem on the Dalmatian Coast.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPEiH_ijtO2/?tagged=dubrovnik
5. Botswana
Old lions, new digs in the heart of the Okavango.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
New reasons to get close to the Matterhorn.
3. Agra, India
Beyond the Taj Mahal, new attractions beckon.
2. Atacama Desert, Chile
New ways to explore the world’s highest desert.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPEbFgtlUjI/?tagged=atacamadesert
1. Canada
A northern neighbor is a world to explore.
You can find the online list and NYT link here, which features an interactive version and 360 videos.
Some of these destinations I’ve been to and written about such as the Maldives, Osaka Japan and Athens Greece, some have been on my list for a while like Botswana, and still others intrigue me like Pedregal, Ecuador. Even though this isn’t a comprehensive list, I enjoyed reading about these carefully chosen locations as well as why the New York Times thinks it is good time to visit.
What do you think of this year’s list?
