Give it a go in 2021! Travel around the world, visit the beautiful places you have virtually visualized during the lockdown, and create Instagram-worthy memories.
The pandemic year ruled out travel for us, but we are hopeful about the new year. Most destinations are speedily opening up their borders for tourism; thus, this may be the best time to start planning your next holiday.
We’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in 2021 —and where we hope you’ll plan to visit. Make beautiful memories wherever you go!
Paris
The globally significant Bourse de Commerce – one of the must-visit art galleries in the world – opens in Paris in January.
The works of French collector Francois Pinault take over the historic building at the heart of the city. The Disneyland Paris, set to reopen before Valentine’s Day, is another fantastic attraction to look forward to seeing in the new year. You can always visit the Eiffel Tower, better still at the opening to avoid long queues.
Paris is a beautiful city with great monuments and landmarks, good food and excellent views. You can visit from June to August and September to October.
Istanbul
The 2021 Uefa Champions League final will likely draw a select few to Istanbul as fans gradually return to the stadiums. The city’s airport is ready for safe travels. Istanbul is the only city in the world located between two continents (Europe and Asia). It has a variety of historical attractions. There are numerous high-end hotels and picturesque views.
From seeing the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, İstiklal Caddesi to the Istanbul Aquarium and the park, there are amazing things to do. Crowds are manageable from March to May and between September and November.
Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island’s theme park, and the Grand Mosque are excellent attractions to add to your bucket list. The United Arab Emirates capital reopened to international travellers on Christmas Eve. Travellers visiting from non-green countries are required to quarantine.
Abu Dhabi is home to famous events like the Formula 1™ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Sailing World Cup, HSBC Golf Championship, and more. There’s something for every traveller, from shopping, lifestyle, curated trips, the great outdoors, and desert. The period between April and May or from September to October is ideal for visiting.
Maldives
The Maldives is a drop-dead stunning destination, with cobalt-blue sea waves and cheery sunshine. Nigerians can tour this breathtaking paradise of an island country for up to 30 days with a visa granted on arrival.
Talk of a perfect hideaway from the pandemic blues or honeymoon, there’s almost no Coronavirus in the Maldives. The island destination opened up its borders in July 2019 to every visitor who has tested negative for Covid.
The period between December and April is best for visiting its luxurious, pristine white beaches. Grab a swimsuit, get reservations sorted and go chill by its striking blue Indian Ocean. You deserve it.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is one of a few friendly and affordable cities in Africa. It enjoys a vibrant presence of economic, social, and political activities. Add that to a significant number of pan-African institutions headquartered there, it’s hard mistaking its’ capital of Africa’ title for scathing humour.
Age-old and cosmopolitan, the city’s diversity is imminent in its many mosques, churches, and museums. Notable among the museums are the Ethiopian and Ethnological Museums. The sun shines year-round in Addis Ababa. However, you’ll want to visit in the dry season, around September through March.
It’s also safe to visit Addis Ababa in 2021. Visitors are required to present a medical certificate on arrival showing an RT-PCR COVID-19 test result taken no more than 120 hours (5 days) before flying.
Singapore
Singapore is such a lovely place to visit. Nestled on its island, just by the Malay Peninsula, the city has a great variety of cultural events year-round. It’ll be nice to keep an eye out for them during your next visit. Singapore is safe to visit. Visitors are to take a PCR test on arrival at the airport and also secure an Air Travel Pass to visit the island nation.
The top Asian city boasts a healthy dose of expatriates from many parts of the world. Good weather is almost always guaranteed, thanks to its closeness to the equator. Singapore trip highlights include beach bumming, shopping, plants and animal appreciation, historical attractions, and religion.
Even though it’s a year-round destination, it’s best visited between February and April.
Sydney
Australia’s flamboyant harbour city, Sydney, shouldn’t be left out of your year’s travel plans. Windblown coastal walks with an extensive view of whale-studded waters, farmers’ markets, and great cuisines, to name a few. The beaches of the suburbs like Bondi or Coogee keep holidaymakers flocking.
Visit the inner-city hotspots like those in Potts Point and Surry Hills fuel travellers’ zest for shopping, nightlife, restaurants, and bars. There are healthy collections of art galleries, museums, botanical gardens, luxury accommodations, and landmarks about the city.
The summer months between December and February are ideal for visiting. Visit May and June if keen on festivities.
International travellers visiting Sydney are required to undergo health screening at the airport before being taken to a hotel for a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is famed for its historic canals, world-class museums, outstanding biking culture, coffeehouses, and a great artistic heritage. It’s a small city with tons of great places to chill and walk around. It has a laid back, cosmopolitan ambience, comfortable for people to get along with one another.
With a wide range of things to do and see, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s taking a canal cruise, cycling along the Vecht River, or yearning for the tulip fields, you’ll love this fabulous destination. The periods right before or immediately after summer are prime jet-set months in Amsterdam.
Presently there are no restrictions on travel to Amsterdam. However, the city has put in place some health measures and visitors are required to present a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival when visiting.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the happiest countries in the world. An incredible destination washed up with adventures; miles of coastline, active volcanoes, steamy hot springs, rainforests, and cloud forests.
An ideal eco-tourism hotspot with the choicest selections of natural settings. You can explore different kinds of adventures from windsurfing, diving to rafting, kayaking, biking, golfing, tubing, recreational fishing, and surfing.
Mid-December through April (the dry season) is ideal for exploring its rainforests and lounging on beaches.
Athens
The sprawling city of Athens is the signature child of Greece’s golden age. The Greek islands are a unique and stunning area in Europe, spread throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Pericles’s Parthenon overlooks the capital city.
A city built around the Acropolis and the pinnacled crag of Mt. Lycabettus, its suburbs covers what was once a barren plain in all directions, packed with lovely taverns and bustling shops.
You can visit between March and May and from September to November.
Bali
Bali is Asia’s tropical getaway. The land of the gods, with some of the most iconic temples you’ll ever find on the continent. Relax on its white sandy beaches and dip in the turquoise-blue sea waters. It’s one of the most travelled destinations in the world with incredible natural beauty, never-ending adventure, and unique culture. The best time to visit is between June and August when the weather is driest and the days are sunny.
Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt, with a rich blend of astonishing monuments and historical sites. The city has a space for every type of travellers, ranging from the authentic to local experience and luxury.
You can get around the ancient city, which doubles as a metropolis, via the public transportation system, Uber, or merely by joining one of the many Cairo Tours.
Visit ‘the City of a Thousand Minarets’ from March to April or October to November (shoulder seasons).
Mexico
Mexico is a beautiful city, renowned for its lush mountainous landscapes, charming colonial towns, and dozens of exciting suburbs. Among its prominent attractions are an extensive list of 26 UNESCO world heritage sites.
With spectacular beaches by the Pacific ocean, desolate deserts, swimming spots, and mangrove swamps, your getaways, romantic or adventurous vacations can never be short of things to do.
The best time to visit is during the dry season between December and April when there is virtually no rain.
New York
New York is an urban concrete jungle with a noticeable diversity of race, culture, and religion. An ideal destination for a fun escape with world-renowned attractions like the Lady Liberty, world-famous Broadway theatres, and the stunning Central Park. Meander within a grandeur aesthetics of imposing skyscrapers and impressive city lights.
The city offers lots of unbeatable shopping experiences. You can best discover the ‘Big Apple’ between April and June (less touristy) and November and December (festive season).
Manchester
The city has a rich industrial heritage, with lots of artefacts and culture. It boasts magnificent museums and art galleries, offering memorable experiences. A few of them come with a few bargains.
Manchester is well-known for football, culture, and music. It would be a great experience to take a famed tour of the Old Trafford, Manchester United Football Club, which is dubbed as the ‘Theatre of Dreams.’ For the culture, don’t miss the creative hub of the city centre, the Northern Quarter. It’s a hip neighbourhood filled with memorable experiences.
There couldn’t have been a better time to visit than the period between June and August. There are a bunch of new and cool things happening during the period when the weather is warm. Alternatively, you could visit between September and December, before the dreary low turn of the New Year.
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