You probably already know all the big travel destinations. Everyone knows Paris, for example, or Tokyo, or Hawaii. These places are well worth visiting, and they always will be. But when planning travel, we tend to forget that the world is always changing. Many of the old standbys are still great, but there are also plenty of up-and-coming travel destinations that are only starting to gain recognition. And the best thing about these places? If you go now, you won't have to worry about being swamped by countless other tourists who, sooner or later, will be arriving in droves.
Here are a few places to visit now, before everyone starts going.
Marseille, France: Everyone loves Paris, but Marseille, the second biggest city in France, tends to get a bad rap as a relatively rough and unfriendly seaport city. But in recent years, Marseille has been actively taking measures to spruce up the city center and make it more amenable to tourists. Go now, and you can experience this budding tourist hub before the rest of the world catches on. There are plenty of gorgeous Mediterranean beaches nearby, and let's not forget Marseille's great history-in fact, it's the oldest city in France, pre-dating Paris by hundreds of years.
Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand has been garnering travelers' attention in recent years due to its varied natural landscape, beautiful beaches, and friendly people. Auckland, the largest city in the country, tends to get the most international attention; but Wellington, the third largest city, is right at the center of the country, making it the perfect jumping-off point for all that the country has to offer. Plus, the city itself is widely regarded as the New Zealand's cultural capital, with a diverse range of food, entertainment, and art experiences.
Nanjing, China: These days, it seems like everything you hear about China is all about its modernization and growing economic power. But there are still plenty of places in the country where China's great, long history is on display. Nanjing is a perfect combination of old and new. In the center of the city, you'll see modern skyscrapers and traditional Chinese architecture often on the same block. And don't forget to visit the outskirts of the city for a tour of the historic Ming Dynasty temples and palaces.
Patagonia, Argentina: Patagonia, the southernmost region in South America, has become a mecca for 21st-century adventure travelers. All within this relatively small area, you can see the lower reaches of the Andes mountains; the penguin colonies around Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world; and the great glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park near the town of El Calafate.
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles: There's so many islands in the Caribbean that there are always a few here and there considered to be up-and-coming destinations. But the Netherlands Antilles, located about 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, are the real deal. With miles of beautiful beaches, quaint and friendly towns, and plenty of beautiful inland landscapes, these islands have it all. So go now, before everyone knows about them.
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