Places to Visit in 2016
Are any of you planning a big vacation for this year? With our cross-country move occurring mid-year, sandwiched by the end of a medical residency and the start of a fellowship program, we will be limited to small trips this year.
If you could take a trip this year, would you choose to visit any of the 52 Places to Go in 2016 as scripted by the New York Times? The list is beautifully curated and the photos are exceptional (pay close attention if you read the list for yourself...some of the photos move!). It left me full of wanderlust and daydreaming of future travels...
Choosing just one of the places to visit was nearly impossible, as so many of the destinations look amazing and I have been dreaming up a travel list for some time, but the top of my list would have to be #4, Coral Bay in St. John. It breaks my heart that our little dreamy honeymoon oasis may encounter some changes as a result of continually proposed big construction...I really hope we can go back one more time before any big development changes the look and feel of the amazing island.
Other top spots from the list include:
North and South American sites-
#15, Road of the Seven Lakes, Argentina would be such a fun adventure! I would love to cycle the 66 miles, stopping at campgrounds and boutique hotels along the way.
A surprise to me was #20, Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have never been to Michigan before, but it is now on my travel list...particularly to visit the Ale Trail with 40 craft breweries and the Downtown Market.
Dreaming of a second honeymoon at #31, Holbox Island, Mexico, located in the Mexican Riviera Maya. The accommodations at Casa Las Tortugas look so inviting! And, I would love to see whale sharks and to try kiteboarding!
Always at the top of my travel list is the Bay Area in California. To me, it is one of the prettiest places in the world. So, #39, East Bay, California, makes my list for sure. The town of Alameda and its Spirits Alley sounds like a fun place to visit!
Much to the confusion of almost anyone I mention it to, I have been wanting to visit #48, Marfa, Texas for many years. The western Texas landscape looks so intriguing and the atmosphere so low-key and cool...I think it would be hard not to want to stash your phone away for a few days to just relax while trying to soak in the funky vibe.
Charming towns on the water like #52, Beaufort, South Carolina make me particularly excited to be moving back to the east coast! I fall in love with a town with great restaurants and festivals plus bike lanes and small town charm.
European sites-
#9, Skane, Sweden. The food lover side of me is more than a little intrigued...fresh seafood served right on the Swedish coastline? Yes, please.
Would love to study wines in person at the Bodega Garzon in (#21), Garzon, Uruguay. What a beautifully sounding place...oh, and the allure of the restaurant and the olive and almond orchards...!
Another wine-centric choice includes a visit to the riesling vineyards in # 34 Mosel, Germany. I certainly would not complain about a stay over at the Schloss Lieser castle during my visit!
David and I are forever dreaming of returning to France and Italy, our study abroad destinations, so I was excited to read about the French beach town, #40, Ile de Re. The bike paths and promises of fresh oysters and locally made sea-salt caramels from the villages' markets have fueled my longing to return.
Asian site-
My first trip to Asia might need to include a stop in #38, Kansai, Japan. The promise of the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants is enough to lure me, but the accommodations of the Aman resort are breathtakingly beautiful and serene. I'd love to hop on a plane in March to be one of the first guests!
Images above from the NY Times. The first image is of Skane Sweden, the second of Waterfront Park in Beaufort, South Carolina, and, lastly, the orchards in Garzon, Uruguay.