The 25 places you need to visit in 2018, according to the world’s top travel experts – Part 2

By Bobbie Edsor From Business Insider

Sail through the air past towering waterfalls and gleaming glacial lakes in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.Unsplash/Leila Azevedo

The more you travel, the more you realise there’s so much of the world still to discover.

In order to help you put together your 2018 travel bucket list, Business Insider asked the world’s most esteemed travel experts — from the likes of Airbnb and Lonely Planet to independent bloggers and backpacking Instagrammers — for the one destination everyone should visit in the new year.

Including three experts who simply couldn’t pick just one location, their answers have been compiled into a list of must-see places to visit in 2018.

Whether it’s a spot set to be the next big travel trend or a completely under-the-radar natural phenomenon that you need to see in your lifetime, scroll on to discover the 25 best places to visit in 2018, according to the world’s leading travel experts.

Wrap up warm and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Flickr/Marcelo Quinan/Lenny K Photography
Niamh Walsh, Chief Editor of travel search platform HolidayPirates, believes the trend will be “looking north” for travel in 2018.

“Whether it’s heading to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, Norway to see the Fjords, or simply a visit to Santa in Lapland, people are definitely eschewing the normal, sunny holiday destinations in favour of something more out-of-the-box,” Walsh said.

“Seeing the Northern Lights is something adventurous travellers will find easier to do in 2018. Until recently, it’s always been difficult and expensive to access many of the regions where they’re at their brightest and most beautiful.

“But with more airlines offering low-cost routes to Iceland, this breath-taking natural phenomenon will be much more accessible — and this extra special experience should not be missed.”

Spy on some of Chile’s most remote wildlife along the Terra do Fogo archipelago.
Sea lions and penguins on Isla de los Lobos, Terra do Fogo, Chile.Flickr/Leandro Neumann Ciuffo
“Chile is definitely a hot spot for UK travellers in 2018,” said David Warne, Product and Commercial Director of luxury and tailor-made holiday company Wexas Travel.

“In recent years, Chile’s more remote, activity-led destinations and excursions have become a key reason to consider the country for a getaway. Patagonia and Atacama are must-see destinations, especially Tierra Patagonia — a stunning hotel set on the edge of Lake Sarmiento — and Alto Atacama — known for its spectacular views for stargazing,” Warne said.

Kayak across Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Flickr/Jorge Franganillo
When it comes to jaw-dropping natural beauty, James Asquith, founder of app Holiday Swap and the youngest person to visit every country in the world, says travellers should look no further than Slovenia’s Lake Bled.

“Chances are that you recognise the picturesque Lake Bled, just not know it by name. Stunning in its own right all year round, with activities to suit all weather, Lake Bled is a must-see natural site,” Asquith said.

Learn all about the astonishing slave history at Whitney Plantation, Louisiana.
Laura Venegas/@cocovenegas
For Abi King, Writer and Founder of conscientious and luxury travel blog InsideTheTravelLab, Whitney Plantation on Louisiana’s Great River Road boasts incredible views and unbelievable historic sites relating to the historic slave trade in the Deep South of the US.

“Not only will you find the legendary hospitality of America’s Deep South, see beautiful bayous, and taste grits and gumbo, but you’ll gain insight from visiting the first museum to show life through the eyes of the people enslaved in the US,” King said.

Grab some tapas in Seville, Spain.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, Seville.Unsplash/Henrique Ferreira
Tom Hall, Editorial Director of travel expert brand Lonely Planet, is backing the Spanish city of Seville in 2018.

“Fabulous food, beautiful architecture, great weather. No wonder Lonely Planet voted Seville the top city to visit in 2018,” Hall said.

Snap stunning holiday photos while immersed in the Azores archipelago’s wildlife on Sao Miguel Island, Portugal.
A thermal spring in Ribeira Grande, Azores, Portugal.Flickr/Tim Sackton
For James McClure, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, travellers should head to the island of Sao Miguel, Portugal for an idyllic holiday destination.

“Last year, I visited The Azores and stayed in a listing on Airbnb on Sao Miguel island,” McClure said. “The countryside is a beautiful mix of New Zealand, the Peak District, and Jurassic Park.

“Volcanic lakes, forested hills, hot springs, plus beautiful old cobbled streets in the towns make up this idyllic location.”

Cruise past Norway’s Trollfjord.
Flickr/Martin De Lusenet
According to Chris Austin, Senior Vice President of luxury cruise firm Seabourn, “There’s nothing lovelier than a Scandinavian summer — especially on a cruise.

“Sail through marquee ports such as Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg. Visit hidden harbours, sheltered coves, and glide between the magnificent towering cliffs in Norway’s Trollfjord. From here, you can take part in kayaking, Zodiac cruising, and some scenic trekking experiences,” Austin said.

Feel like the only tourist in Tunis, Tunisia.
El Jem Ampitheatre, Tunisia.Pixabay/Penstones
When it comes to local hospitality, ancient landscapes, and neighbourhoods untouched by tourism, travel photographer and Passion Passport community member Zach Murphy thinks the Tunisian capital has it all.

“When I arrived, I was blown away by incredible hospitality, as well as cultural and historical sights I could have never imagined. I went to some of the most remote places in the Sahara desert and got way off the beaten path with a couple dollars and complete strangers,” Murphy said on his Instagram account.

“I drank hundreds of tiny coffees with old men on the side of the street and declined just as many cigarette offers. I walked around historical ruins in cliffs that seemed to have been deserted yesterday yet held ancient secrets to wealthy Arab kingdoms. I got lost in winding old towns where I was the only tourist. But I was never hassled, never had to haggle, and really felt like I could seamlessly fit in with the local flow of life.”

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