The list is grouped into five categories: Family, Adventure, Culture, Nature and, new for this year, Community – locations doing ground-breaking work in tourism.
UTAH: Utah's rugged landscapes invite adventurous outdoor recreation, such as paddle-boarding down the Colorado River in Moab, says National Geographic
By TED THORNHILL, MAILONLINE TRAVEL EDITOR
This annual ‘Best of the World’ inventory will ‘help you get a jump on planning for the year ahead’ and contains destinations – from the Scottish Highlands to Utah, and from a James Bond filming location in Italy to the Dodecanese Islands in Greece - that most inspired Nat Geo’s writers and editors this year.
The list is grouped into five categories: Family, Adventure, Culture, Nature and, new for this year, Community – locations doing ground-breaking work in eco-tourism.
‘” Best of the World’ is Nat Geo’s annual love letter to the most incredible places in the world, both near and far,’ said Nathan Lump, National Geographic’s Editor-in-Chief. ‘We couldn’t be prouder to shine a light on these 25 extraordinary places that most inspired us this year, and which we know will define travelers’ itineraries for years to come.’
National Geographic Senior Editor Amy Alipio added: ‘We took a deeper dive into places all over the globe that are providing experiences that are unique and beneficial for both locals and travelers: locations where visitors ultimately sustain and support – not damage – the destination’s environment and community. We also worked hard to provide lesser-known gems on the list, equally inspiring alternatives to destinations that have become overcrowded (think Choquequirao vs. Machu Picchu in Peru).’
Scroll down for a sneak peek at some of the locations that made the cut.
