11 destinations on the radar for 2015

2014 is, like, so over. 2015 is where all the hip cats are headed.

Here are six countries and five cities that you will want to visit in 2015 and why. Face it: you’re spoiled for choice.

Search flights to Australia

Countries

Australia

As if anybody needed yet another excuse to go down under, the 2015 Cricket World Cup will be hosted by two of the best countries for holidaymaking: Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, you can see matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. It all kicks off on Valentine’s Day and runs until the grand final in Melbourne on 29 March 2015.

Elsewhere, there’s been new investment in Tasmania, in particular in the expansion of the Three Capes Track, reputed to become known as the most epic walking trail in the world. Even without this new attraction, Australia’s offshore state already offers rugged terrain and temperate climates ideal for active adventuring. Phenomenal views are all over the place in Hobart, Tasmania.

New Zealand

As mentioned above, half the Cricket World Cup is being hosted by New Zealand – in Aotearoa, matches are being played in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington. As well as all the cricket in February and March, there’s something special for booklovers and fantasy geeks alike. JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings will be 60 years old and, as everybody knows, New Zealand has become Middle Earth’s adopted home. When the finale of The Hobbit film trilogy comes out the week before 2015 starts, it’ll be like a starting pistol for Tolkien tourists.

Lithuania

Lithuania switches its currency to the euro at the first day of 2015 and the place is open for business. The capital of Vilnius is celebrated for its prettiness and its artistic scene (check out Uzupis, the self-styled “republic”), while along the Baltic coast, the Curonian Spit boasts one of the best shorelines in Europe thanks to its striking sand dunes.

Namibia

When the new Mad Max film is released in May 2015, lots of people are going to say “Oooh, that does look rather nice, doesn’t it?” when they hear it was filmed in the Namib Desert rather than the Australian Outback. Namibia has been consistently praised as one of the most impressive growing economies of the last few years and one of the most ecologically-minded. In 2015, the country will be celebrating its 25th year of independence to boot.

Philippines

Much investment has been thrown into the Philippines in the last year or two and it’s starting to show. In addition, new flight routes have opened up connecting it all more conveniently and cheaply with Australia, Europe and the US. The country is famous for its abundance of beautiful shorelines found on the majority of the thousands of islands that make up the place and shrewd tourists are understandably making inroads.

Romania

Since finally joining the EU last year after a decade of tussling, Romania has come into bloom. Investment is coming in from all corners and brand new flight routes opened up connecting beautiful mountainous towns such as Sibiu, Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca to more sightseers. The capital, Bucharest, boasts one of the largest populations in Europe and offers a lively cultured mix of history, architecture and nightlife that adventurers adore.

Cities

Milan, Italy

A popular destination for fashion and history lovers as it is, 2015 will be even bigger for Milan as it hosts the huge world fair, Expo 2015. There are events all the way from May to October, with one of the major themes being food. With just about every country in the world taking part, expect to be dazzled.

Pilsen, Czech Republic

You’ve been to Prague, now it’s time to check out somewhere new in the Czech Republic. Pilsen is a designated 2015 European Capital of Culture, and the place has a packed schedule for you. Most importantly, Pilsen is where the pilsner variety of beer gets its name from and 2015 should be the year we all bow down and pay our respects to this fact.

Cheap flights to Australia

(Feature image: Dave Catchpole)