Last year – and it now looks like this year as well – was pretty tough for travel lovers like myself. Most countries shut their borders, and those that didn’t had lots of restrictions in place. It was and still is essentially impossible to travel like we used to.
So, we have to look forwards right! I’m calling it right now – 2022 is going to be the biggest year we’ve ever experienced. The roaring 20s all over again, only we can easily travel the world this time! Let’s take a look at some of the top places to visit next year, in terms of great travel destinations that are most likely visitable by 2022.
Europe
In terms of ability to travel, all European countries are going to be lumped together here. They pretty much all follow the same guidelines, and if one implements a border close, most others are likely to follow suit.
With that being said, Europe is going to be a great destination for 2022. It’s done – relatively speaking – not too badly in terms of Covid-19, and they’ve been able to keep a lot of the borders open for extended periods of time. By the time next year rolls up, a good chunk of the continent should be over their peaks, and should have a fair amount of vaccinations completed – all speaking for potential travel opportunity. Especially for those living within Europe, or nearby and those with vaccinations stand an even better chance of travel to and within Europe in 2022. But which places should you visit?
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest really has it all for city adventure. Great food? Check. Awesome sights and attractions? Check. Fantastic culture? Check. Cheap booze and some of Europe’s coolest bars? Definitely check!
If you’re looking for a long weekend getaway, or a city adventure, this is definitely the place for you. Accommodation is affordable, and central to the city’s top spots with great public transport links. The food is brilliant yet cheap, with a huge array of local Hungarian restaurants and take away’s.
Budapest also has tons of great sights to see, so you’ll never get bored of exploring. And to top it all off – the ruin bars built into old buildings, filled with fascinating night-time vibes and some delicious cold brews.
Keep an eye out for an upcoming guide to Budapest here on the blog!
Berlin, Germany
Another great city adventure awaits in Berlin. Known for its variety of attractions, Berlin is filled to the brim with Museums, beer, cultural landmarks and nightlife. What more could you want from a city trip right?
Although a little on the pricier side for European cities, it’s well worth it! Head out in the mornings to tour the city on electric scooters, discovering the massive array of historic museums and sites – from the Berlin Wall to the Brandenburg Gate.
Then, spend your afternoons visiting the cafes, traditional German restaurants and bars, filled with wonderful German beers and traditional German dishes. You’ll definitely get your fill of the culture here!
To top it all off, Berlin’s world-renowned nightlife awaits, with an endless supply of pubs, nightclubs and open-air clubs. From Berghain to the ELSE Open Air Club, regardless of how long you’re in Berlin for, you’re not going to run out of exciting nightlife options!
Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart is a city that’s often missed on people’s lists, however it makes for a perfect weekend or even week-long trip. With a large city centre and plenty to do there, surrounding countryside spots and the second largest Oktoberfest in all of Germany, there are so many great options in Stuttgart.
The main city, like many others, is filled with shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. There are also several park areas to enjoy the surprisingly nice summer weather that they get in Southern Germany. You can easily spend a full day walking around and exploring the main street!
Something that many don’t know about Stuttgart is its close proximity to the Black Forest, Swabian Alps, Switzerland and France! All within a 2 hour drive, you could visit the picturesque city of Strasbourg, go for a swim in Switzerland at Lake Constance, go hiking in the Black Forest or climb to the top of a mountain!
There are so many sights to see in the surrounding areas that you won’t ever run out of options. Lakes, idyllic German towns, forest treks, mountain hikes, waterfalls and so much more!
I couldn’t mention Stuttgart without talking about the Oktoberfest and “Frühlingsfest”. Every year in April and October, Stuttgart breaks out into its traditional festivities of drinking beer and eating classic German foods. Stuttgart hosts the second biggest in all of Germany, the benefit being a cheaper, yet equally bustling event. If you’re around the area during this periods, it’s well worth a visit – even if drinking litres of beer isn’t your thing!
France’s Alps
There’s no question about it, the French Alps are my favourite mountains in the world. If you’re a bit of a skiing freak like me, you’re probably itching to get back to the slopes ASAP and this is the place to do just so in 2022.
With over 250 ski resorts to choose from and over 10,000kms of beautiful white piste, there are virtually endless options.
The larger resorts including Courchevel, Avoriaz and Alpe d’Huez provide you with a more commercial stay; more shops, larger hotels, more bars and clubs. On the other end of the spectrum, small ski towns give you a more peaceful, less busy trip and often won’t have as much piste to discover.
I’m hoping that all of them will have the chance to open up again in 2022 – I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed until then. With such an extensive array of ski resorts, all filled to the brim with delicious French cuisine, there should at least be a few options available to those of us who are desperate to get back next year!
The Greek Islands
As of when this was written, Greece looks like it’s going to open up travel again in 2021, albeit limited to those who have been fully vaccinated. This is however a good sign that most people will be allowed to travel to Greece and its islands next year – although it all depends on the evolution of the current situation.
There are over 220 inhabited Greek islands to choose from, all special in their own ways, yet having lots of great travel-inspiring things in common: Local Greek food, great snorkelling, beautiful countryside and some of Europe’s best beaches!
You can’t really go wrong with a trip to any of the Greek islands – although one thing to look out for is pricier accommodation. Here are some Greek island top picks for 2022:
- Santorini
- Corfu
- Zakynthos
- Naxos
- Crete
The Spanish Islands
Spain have also said that they’ll be opening their borders up in 2021. From June 21st, travellers within Europe will once again be able to visit, although as with every other country, this is subject to change.
If all does go to plan though, the Spanish islands are a great bet for summer travel in 2022. Warm weather, lovely beaches, cheap living costs and awesome nightlife awaits!
Spain’s islands also provide you with a wide range of holiday styles – spend your trip enjoying nightlife filled islands like Mallorca and Ibiza, or fill your days with activity and beaches in the Canary Islands.
Some of Spain’s top island picks for 2022 include:
- Mallorca
- Tenerife
- Gran Canaria
- Menorca
- Ibiza
- Lanzarote
Portugal’s Algarve
Algarve in Portugal has been a favourite spot for many for a few years now (before Covid-19 hit of course), and there’s good reason for it – stunning cliffs along the coast, perfect beaches, affordable costs and lively towns.
All along the coast of the Algarve you’ll find great beach spots to spend your day relaxing, partaking in water sports or surfing the waves at any of the awesome surf spots.
One of Algarve’s best-known features is its stunning cliff-lined coast with amazing sights and cool caves. Take a trip to Sagres and Lagos for some of the best cliff views in the country!
Algarve is also full of lively towns that provide great restaurants, nice cafes and some great nightlife. Some of the best towns to experience a lively night include Vilamoura, Portimão and Albufeira.
And to top it all off, the Algarve is budget-friendly and one of the safest destinations in all of Europe! Airbnb’s, hotels and restaurants are all among the most affordable in Europe for beach destinations, and Portugal is currently listed as one of the safest countries in the world, making it a great family-friendly area too!
Outside of Europe
Venturing outside of Europe is going to be more difficult in 2022, simply because of the additional travel restrictions and difficulties that come with going further away. Whilst some countries have done better than others, they are currently opting to keep their borders closed, and it could be a long time before they reopen.
There are still a few countries that are looking positive for 2022 travel though:
USA
Although one of the worst hit by the pandemic, the USA are now ramping up vaccinations and it looks like a good majority of them will have had one by 2022. As of now, America are saying that they’re going to try and open borders up for international travel again in mid-May 2021 – a good signal for travel freedom in 2022!
The US has such an array of options that you’d struggle to go wrong with a trip here! Massive cities such as New York and Chicago, beach states such as Florida and California, mountains with amazing ski resorts, and national parks throughout the country.
Some of the best trips include a West Coast road trip, East Coast road trip or a skiing trip to the Rocky Mountains. I’ll have guides on each of those coming up soon!
South East Asia
A few countries in South East Asia are also looking like a solid option for travel in 2022. Many of the countries rely so heavily on tourism that they’re keen to reopen as soon as possible, which is great news for travellers as trips to this part of the world make for some of the absolute best!
Thailand
Thailand currently looks like the best option as they are reopening borders up again on July 1st 2021. Provided all goes well, they’ll definitely be open to most countries in 2022 as well.
You get the best of everything in Thailand – great local food, mega cities like Bangkok, full of restaurants and nightlife, great beaches, rainforests and amazing snorkelling/diving!
Some of Thailand’s top destinations include:
- Bangkok
- Ko Samui
- Ko Tao
- Khao Sok National Park
- Similan Islands
Singapore
Singapore is another South East Asian country that not only makes for an awesome trip, but is also looking like a go for 2022! The small city-country is filled with great sights and activities, so you won’t get bored.
For some of Singapore’s most iconic sights and attractions, visit the Marina Bay Sands for an amazing view from the observation deck. Nearby are also the Gardens By The Bay, which provide an escape from the bustling city – you’ll be surrounded by plants, have the opportunity to see the world’s largest indoor waterfall and walk high above the Supertree Grove.
Back in the city, you’ll find endless high-end shopping malls and streets with stunning architecture and design. There are also many places to eat and drink – take your pick from small local takeaways, to large, luxury restaurants. Chinatown is also a great place to eat on the go whilst you explore the fascinating area of shops and stands.
Finally, there’s Sentosa Island. If you’re feeling beachy or sporty then this is a great place to spend your time – sandy beaches, indoor and outdoor water sports and beach volleyball are just some of things you can enjoy here.
For affordable tickets to any attractions or activities in Singapore, take a look here!
Where do you want to go in 2022? I certainly can’t wait to get back to travelling and visit anywhere that will take me!
