Let The NY Times 52 Places to Go in 2016 Inspire Your Travel Resolutions

The New York Times just selected its top 52 Places to Go in 2016, and the list includes some of Nat Hab’s most exciting trip destinations. This year’s travel wish list includes newly accessible places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, unknown destinations such as Pyeongchang, South Korea, and nearby gems such as South Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Check out all 52 places here and scroll down to learn more about the destinatons Nat Hab visits that made the list.

A cloud of monarch butterflies clusters on a tree at a butterfly sanctuary near Mexico City. (Image credit: Mike Bruscia)

#1 Mexico City

Mexico City is at the top of the New York Times list this year thanks to its awesome cuisine, great museums and forward-thinking design. Nat Hab travelers on our Kingdom of the Monarchs adventure begin and end their trip in Mexico City. We also offer a Mexico City extension to help visitors make the most of their time in this top destination with a trip to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan.

The spectacular scenery of Vinales National Park, Cuba unfolds in this view of the valley. (Image credit: Emily Deemer)

#10 Vinales, Cuba

The New York Times touts Vinales as the “real” Cuba thanks to its setting in a lush green valley of tobacco fields, red earth and mist-shrouded limestone outcroppings called mogotes. Nat Hab guests on our Undiscovered Cuba trip spend a day learning about this fascinating ecosystem from experts and sleep at a hotel overlooking the valley.

Charming Old Town is the gateway to Croatia’s Korcula Island, a relatively unknown vacation spot on the Dalmatian Coast. (Image credit: Olaf Malver)

#17 Korcula Island, Croatia

Nat Hab guests on our active Croatia and Montenegro adventure get to explore the largely untouched beauty of Korcula Island’s pebbly beaches and blue-collar fishing villages. They also engage with the wild landscapes of Durmitor National Park and the Dalmatian Coast while sailing, hiking and kayaking. Don’t forget to try the Grk, Korcula’s dry white wine.

A Nat Hab guest snorkels off the coast of Isla Holbox, Mexico and comes almost close enough to touch a gentle whale shark in the warm, blue waters. (Image credit: Astrid Frisch and Karel Beets)

#32 Isla Holbox, Mexico 

The New York Times highlights this pristine island as an “ecotourism gem in Yucatan.” Nat Hab guests swim with gentle whale sharks in the warm waters off of the coast of this island on our Swimming With Mexico’s Whale Sharks trip.

Have you visited any of the places on the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2016 list? What did you think? Did they miss anywhere that’s on your 2016 travel bucket list?