The best holiday destinations in 2017
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With another exciting year in travel ahead, we’ve picked out 15 destinations that we think will be popular in 2017 – only time will tell if our predictions are correct!
Whether you’re after the value of a package holiday, a new city to explore or a once-in-a-life time adventure, our list should have you covered.
Package holidaymakers
Spain
Spain has been smashing records for tourism recently and 2017 looks like it will be no exception.
Close to home, safe and reliable, Brits look set to flock to Spain in droves next year in search of brilliant beach resorts, exciting cities and real value for money.
Household names such as the Canaries, the Balearics, the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca will once again be key destinations for families looking for good value fun in the sun, while the likes of Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Madrid will continue to attract city break devotees.
Greece
Greece has had it tough over the last few years, with economic uncertainty and the European migrant crisis taking its toll on this classic holiday destination.
But if 2016 showed the country’s “bouncebackability”, 2017 is surely set to be the year that the country returns to the forefront of holidaymakers’ attention. Excellent value, stunning islands and one of the richest histories in all of Europe make Greece unique, and suggest it won’t be long until it’s back where it belongs.
With many Brits still wary about trouble in Turkey and Egypt, Greece is perfectly placed to have a cracking year in 2017.
Bulgaria
With so much uncertainty still lingering over the value of the pound, Bulgaria could run out a big winner in 2017 as Brits seek a holiday bargain.
Last year, the Post Office ranked Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach as one of its best value destinations, and the pound is still strong against the lev even now.
Black Sea resorts such as Sunny Beach offer the sun, sea and sand of a classic beach break at rock bottom prices, but there are more reasons than the price tag to visit Bulgaria. The county’s capital Sofia, with its world-class shopping and contrast of architecture, could also tempt city breakers looking for something different.
Portugal
Like its neighbour Spain, Portugal has long been a firm favourite with holidaying Brits – especially the southern Algarve region, famed for its craggy beaches and world-class golfing.
There’s real value to be had on this slice of the Iberian Peninsula too, with the Post Office highlighting Portugal’s low cost of food and drink in its 2016 barometer.
A long Atlantic Coastline, cool cities in Porto and Lisbon and a plethora of package holiday deals make Portugal a great holiday choice for 2017.
Croatia
Croatia’s popularity just keeps rising and rising, and we predict 2017 will be no exception.
With gorgeous, historic cities such as Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar, miles of stunning coastline and island after island of pristine beauty, Croatia ticks similar boxes to old favourites Spain and Greece, but with a decidedly Eastern European twist.
A large part of what has made Croatia so popular is its seemingly endless coastline and incredible weather – over 1,200 miles of coastline and temperatures above 20C from April to September.
Trendsetting city breakers
With easyJet starting a new direct route to Pula from April, one of Croatia’s best kept secrets could be about to go mainstream – all the more reason to visit this pretty little city in 2017, then.
Known for its stunning Roman ruins, the beaches of the Istrian peninsula and the fresh seafood of the Adriatic, Pula is a fantastic city for those who like a bit of variation in their break.
From April to October, Pula enjoys heat in the 20s so it’s ideal for a warm getaway for the majority of the year.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland really is the destination of the moment, with online searches for the otherworldly island nation skyrocketing over the last year.
And with rock-bottom prices for flights (return flights for £64 in March for 3-night break), we don’t see the pace slowing in 2017.
Reykjavik itself has all the appeal of a capital city but with the charm and friendliness you’d expect from a village (the population is roughly the same as that of Chester). From the city, Iceland’s volcanic beauty can easily be reached with the Golden Circle, Reykjanes peninsula and the famous Blue Lagoon all within day-tripping distance.
Boston, USA
After a rollercoaster of a year in American politics, what better city to visit in 2017 than Boston – the home of the American Revolution and the historic Freedom Trail.
Besides its political history, Boston is known for its fanatical sports fans who cheer on the much-loved Red Sox at Fenway Park, the prestigious Harvard University and
With new direct flights from Heathrow and Manchester, the city makes a cracking alternative to New York for a city break across the pond.
Wroclaw, Poland
Fresh off the back of its Capital of Culture 2016 success, pretty Wroclaw (pronounced ‘vrot zwav’) looks to continue its rise as an alternative city break destination in 2017.
What sets Wroclaw apart from other popular Polish cities such as Krakow and Warsaw is its heritage; formerly ruled by Austria and Bohemia, the city has a distinctive character.
It’s also downright beautiful. Set on the banks of the Odra River, Wroclaw’s city centre is strewn across 12 islands and connected by 130 bridges – its rynek (central market square) is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.
Aarhus, Denmark
Aarhus will take on the mantle of Capital of Culture for 2017, so expect a packed calendar of exciting events and festivals.
Denmark’s second largest city is set to host everything from giant group bike rides and medieval festivals to contemporary music events and dazzling outdoor art displays – it’s going to be quite the year!
Aside from the European Culture celebrations, Aarhus’s gastronomic flair will be on show for all to see – the city has three Michelin star restaurants, making it one of Scandinavia’s elite destinations for foodies.
Intrepid adventure-takers
Chile
Bookended by the vast Atacama Desert and the dramatic lake district of Patagonia, Chile is a land of remote extremes. But with new direct flights from British Airways recently opened, getting to this South American country will be much more simple in 2017.
Chile’s great outdoors are one of its biggest draws. Home to over 2,500 miles of glorious coastline and a colossal stretch of the mighty Andes, you’re never too far away from nature in this narrow nation.
Not that urban Chile isn’t appealing, either. Edgy Valparaiso enthrals with its nightlife and street art, while capital Santiago boasts a sophisticated gastronomic scene and pretty colonial heart.
Iran
2015 was a landmark year for Iran – sanctions were lifted, relations thawed and the doors began to open up to mass tourism.
From the bustling bazaars and cafes of Tehran to the archaeological wonders of the Persepolis, Iran is rich in attractions of historic and cultural significance – a remarkable 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in the country.
Despite its past, Iran is widely regarded as a safe destination for independent travel and its people are famed for their generosity and hospitality.
Georgia
A nation of lush mountains, ancient churches and complex history, Georgia quite simply is a place unto itself.
Once of the Soviet bloc and sandwiched between east and west, it’s easy to see why this unassuming country goes largely unnoticed by mass tourism, but those who make the effort to visit are rewarded with a place of genuine character and breathtaking natural beauty.
Among Georgia’s crown jewels are the dramatic Caucasian Mountains, the cave monastery of Vardzia and its intriguing capital, Tbilisi.
Namibia
Fresh from a starring role in Planet Earth 2’s Deserts episode, we’re tipping Namibia to turn more heads in 2017 with its vast, undisturbed allure.
Wild and dramatic, this is a place where sand dunes tower like mountains, lions hunt in the desert and rhinos roam in their largest free-range numbers in Africa.
Featuring bizarre yet inspiring landscapes like the Kalahari, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast, Namibia is adventure at its best and a unique introduction to the continent.
Albania
As the popularity of Croatia and Montenegro continues to rise, surely it’s only a matter of time until the hype flows down to Albania – the rough diamond of the Adriatic.
While the country’s infrastructure is behind that of its neighbours, Albania’s natural assets – a rugged, mountainous interior, dramatic lakes, near deserted beaches and quiet seaside towns – make it well worth the effort. In fact, the Albanian Riviera, located in the county of Vlorë, could be the answer to budget British beach holiday prayers post-Brexit.
Other popular sites include the UNESCO sites of Berat Citadel, Tomorri Massif, the Llogaraja National Park and the capital, Tirana.
Where would you like to go on holiday in 2017? Let us know in the comments below!