Let鈥檚 face it: it hasn鈥檛 exactly been a brilliant last 12 months. But while the world has changed, our innate desire to travel remains undiminished. There still exists a planet full of wonder and diversity, of delicate cherry blossoms and dazzling neon strips, of lush jungle and old cobbled streets.
At its best, the hospitality industry allows us to explore these unique locations. It inspires us to dream. So we asked the fine people of 黑料网 what their travel dreams are for 2021. Because in the wise words of Andy Dufresne in , 鈥渉ope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.鈥�
Without further ado, here are some of the top places we hope to visit in the near future 鈥� hopefully they inspire some travels of your own.
1. Japan
The land of the rising sun is the most popular destination on our list, in large part thanks to its diversity. We all know about the cherry blossoms in spring, but there鈥檚 also the disorientating buzz of Tokyo鈥檚 Akihabara district, also known as Electric Town.
Adam, our Sales Director down under, says: 鈥淲alking down the main street in Akihabara, you鈥檙e drawn in by the arcades that are like no other in the world. The buildings have multiple floors and you become lost wanting to try every game even if it's not in English. You can spend hours there.鈥�
Ilde, our Senior Director in Global Customer Success is drawn to other elements of Japan: 鈥淭he coexistence of the old and the new is amazing: ancestral traditions in a modern society, it's traditional architecture co-living with some of the most modern buildings in vibrant cities, the culture of service and, of course, the delicious Japanese cuisine!
鈥淭hey're already solid reasons to visit Japan, but another important one for me is visiting the Hombu Dojo. The Hombu Dojo is the HQ of Aikikai Foundation, the place where Aikido (Japanese Martial Art) was born, and it鈥檚 a must for any Aikido practitioner, so a must for me.鈥�
Where to stay:
2. Tuscany, Italy
Ah, la dolce vita. The graceful rolling hills, the sprawling vineyards, the tall rows of cypress trees that trace winding roads to isolated roman villas. Anyone who鈥檚 been to Tuscany knows the intoxicating sweetness of its picturesque views and long summer days.
For George, 黑料网 Director of Communications, it鈥檚 his dream destination. 鈥淚've wanted to go to Italy for a couple of years now, and with a six-month-old it seems like the perfect place to get to easily. In Tuscany you can pretty much go to any restaurant in any village and be blown away by the food and views. I can picture it clearly: the evening鈥檚 pink sky, skin slightly tight from a day in the sun, a lit BBQ, and UNO cards are about to be dealt.鈥�
Where to stay:
3. New Zealand
Don鈥檛 get us wrong, there are a thousand great reasons to visit New Zealand, from snow-capped mountain ranges to crystal-clear lakes. But one of the great reasons to travel is to connect with people you know and love, and 黑料网ers Ria and Linda both have friends or family amongst the Kiwis.
Linda: 鈥淢y brother lives there and I haven't seen him years. I鈥檝e traveled around the North Island and I want to go back to travel around the South Island, because I鈥檝e never seen anything more amazing in my life.鈥� If that鈥檚 not a strong endorsement, we don鈥檛 know what is.
Where to stay: or
4. Crete, Greece
Ancient ruins born again every day in the sea-swept air of the sparkling Mediterranean. Golden breaches and seafood fresh from the morning鈥檚 catch. Humans have been living in Crete for over 130,000 years, and it鈥檚 easy to understand why. Greece鈥檚 largest island is home to some truly beautiful towns and landscapes, and that鈥檚 before we even mention the sunsets.
Sabina, our People Operations Manager, has a particular spot she loves to go: 鈥淢ilia Mountain Retreat is my European happy place 鈥� I want to go back sooo badly! Cretan mountains, fresh air from the sea, no wi-fi, a private apartment that was once a medieval house (how cool is that?!), amazing views, and delicious food and coffee.鈥� Okay, we鈥檙e sold.
Where to stay: , obviously
5. New York, USA
There鈥檚 probably not much we can tell you about New York that you don鈥檛 already know. Even though it鈥檚 been destroyed on film more often than any other city (aliens, natural disasters, a giant marshmallow man) it鈥檚 one of the most visited destinations in the world.
Our Customer Support Supervisor, Wendy, has visited the US a lot, but still can鈥檛 wait to go back. 鈥淢y boyfriend and I love to travel. It鈥檚 our passion, and we can't wait for the world to become open again. We've been to the US before and visited around 25 states, but we'd like to come back in 2021 and revisit the east coast, especially New York."
"In September 2021, it will be 20 years since 9/11, and I feel like it鈥檚 important to remember what happened, pay tribute, and show respect to those who survived and those who helped in the most difficult of moments. I was fortunate and didn鈥檛 lose any friends or family, but I will always remember that day, and I would love if we could be there to show our support to the less fortunate people, and our gratitude to those who helped.鈥�
Where to stay:
6. Thailand
Bangkok is the second most visited city in the world (after Hong Kong), but right now we鈥檙e all about those picture-perfect Thai beaches and turquoise waters. Think of it: a cocktail in hand as you glide through the country鈥檚 unforgettable archipelagos in a small boat, spotting colorful fish dart beneath the gently lapping sea.
Matt S works as a recruiter for 黑料网, but his easiest job would be recruiting any of us for a holiday in Thailand. His reasons are simple, but persuasive: 鈥淚 have always been obsessed with Thai food and the beach, so why not combine the two? Honestly, I just googled beach huts in Thailand and found it looks great.鈥� Simple, but effective.
Customer Success Director Stefanie also has Thailand at the top her list. 鈥淚 would love to go back to Thailand. You can stay in a treehouse and wake up to jungle noise. The nature there is amazing, and you can spot wild animals, wake up to monkeys climbing on the roof."
Where to stay: or
7. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is one of the world鈥檚 great modern cities. Dynamic, welcoming and exciting, you can get your fill of culture, sightseeing and great food without the daunting scale of somewhere like London. It sits on the edge of Lake Ontario, across the water from the impressive Niagara Falls, and beautiful Canadian landscape is within reach if you want to go exploring.
Jan, our 黑料网 Community Manager, was supposed to go in 2020. 鈥淥bviously I couldn't go in the end, but I hope I鈥檒l have a chance in the near future... I had tickets to a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game, but it wasn't just for the game 鈥� it included .鈥�
Where to stay:
8. Southern States and the Carolinas, USA
When people think of visiting the US they often think of New York and California, but America is a huge place with so much to explore. Perhaps its most beguiling region is the Deep South, with its complex history, sticky summers, and famous hospitality. It鈥檚 also the birthplace of music as we know it today, with jazz and blues inspiring and influencing almost every other modern genre.
鈥淚've always been a huge fan of blues and country music so that geographical region appeals to me big time,鈥� said 黑料网 Analyst and Researcher P茅ter. 鈥淎fter staying in one place for an entire year due to lockdowns, there are a lot of holidays and destinations to make up for 鈥� so why not chain them into one as part of a road trip? Watching a lot of westerns only added to my curiosity to discover the south side of the Land of Freedom.鈥�
Where to stay:
9. The Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are at the southeastern edge of the Alps, in the north of Italy. The 鈥楶ale Mountains鈥� are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason 鈥� its distinctive dolomite rock carves through the crisp air like a majestic mountain wall, with more than twenty peaks that break the 3,000m barrier.
One of our Data Analysts, Mark茅ta, has her heart set on a visit. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to do a road trip around the Dolomites and stay in places like Cortina D'Ampezzo and hike to Tre Cime de Lavadero [pictured]. The Alps are one of my favorite places to go. Last year I went to Mont Blanc and Chamonix and the mountains put me in an absolute Zen state. I feel the serenity there, my perspective shifts, and my batteries get recharged to 200%. Is there anything better than a refreshing drink on a sunny terrace after a hike, surrounded by impressive summits thousands of meters tall?鈥� We say: no.
Where to stay:
10. South Africa
Don鈥檛 just take our word for it that South Africa is amazing. Here鈥檚 what one of the all time greats, Nelson Mandela had to say: 鈥淪outh Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased but when you combine the natural beauty... and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa's most splendid wildlife... Then I think that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land.鈥�
It鈥檚 hard to argue with that. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 黑料网 Director of Project Management, Ilse鈥檚, dream destination: 鈥淣ature, culture, climate, wildlife, food and people 鈥� South Africa has it all.鈥� We鈥檙e in. Let鈥檚 meet for a picnic at the top of Table Mountain.
Where to stay: or Hi Monte Tsogo Sun
11. Las Vegas, USA
Vegas, baby. Look, it鈥檚 been a long year. A few days in a city of bright lights, endless entertainment, and loose morals is just what some of us need right now. Sure, it鈥檚 not for everyone, but even if it doesn鈥檛 sound like your thing, there鈥檚 an undeniable fascination in the absurdity of fully created worlds (be Egyptian pyramids, ancient Rome or the canals of Venice) in the middle of barren desert.
Dmytro is a Business Operations Executive with us in London, and a trip to Sin City is his pick for 2021. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to stay at Ceasars Palace 鈥� it鈥檚 used in so many movies and basically acts as a postcard for Vegas. And yes, I wouldn鈥檛 mind all the parties too...鈥�
Where to stay: , of course
12. Sydney, Australia
Anyone who鈥檚 been to Sydney instantly understands the appeal. It鈥檚 an energetic, youthful city, packed with things to do and iconic landmarks. And yes, there are also the beaches. As well as the infamous Bondi Beach, there are less crowded spots only a short ferry ride away, such as Manly Beach and Curl Curl Beach (yes, that鈥檚 its real name).
Jeki is an Implementation Executive, but what he鈥檇 most like to implement right now is a trip to Sydney. "I鈥檝e always enjoyed the allure of Australia 鈥� its nice beaches, the potential for seclusion and the awesome bunch of people.鈥�
Where to stay:
13. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The way that the city of Rio cuts into the lush green mountains behind it looks like something from a picture book. It鈥檚 a city defined as much by its topography as its vibrant culture, its iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches overlooked by the huge Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mount Corcovado.
Of course, it鈥檚 also the people that make the city. There鈥檚 the color of Carnaval, and the complexity of the favelas. In short, a unique blend of features that should put Rio near the top of everyone鈥檚 to-do list. As one of our Sales Execs, Rosta said: "Rio is one of my dream destinations 鈥� it looks like a dream.鈥�
Where to stay:
14. Whistler Mountain, Canada (or anywhere with snowy mountains)
There鈥檚 something about vast snowy mountain ranges that inspires a kind of eternal, elemental awe. We had various entries for snow mountains, from Teodora鈥檚 wish to be amongst the Swiss Alps to Piers鈥� dream to snowboard down Whistler Mountain. But it鈥檚 Hadley, 黑料网 Director of Customer Success, that describes the lure of the mountains most poetically.
鈥淎s soon as we can travel again I want to head straight for the mountains. There鈥檚 something special when you are surrounded by snow 鈥� it never gets truly dark at night because of the whiteness of the snow, and all the normal sounds and noises are absorbed, making it one of very few places where you can experience actual silence.鈥�
Where to stay:
15. Sumatra, Indonesia
Last, but by no means least, is Sumatra, the sixth biggest island in the world. What makes it special is its nature and wildlife, with some of the world鈥檚 most beautiful 鈥� and endangered 鈥� animals living amidst the tropical rainforest and volcanoes. Add an endless collection of world-class beaches and some stunning architecture and you鈥檝e the perfect destination.
At least, that鈥檚 the opinion of Senior Copywriter, Tom, i.e. the person writing this post. To quote myself: 鈥淚鈥檝e wanted to go to Sumatra for as long as I can remember, largely because it鈥檚 home to my two favorite animals: orangutans and tigers. My plan is to book an eco-tourism trip and see these beautiful creatures in the wild.鈥�
Where to stay:
We had more entries than we could write about, so here鈥檚 a quick roundup of all the other dream destinations that our team selected:
- Athens, Greece
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Estes Park, Colorado
- Iceland (to see the Northern Lights)
- Mexico
- Norway
- Porto, Portugal
- Scotland in the Summer (for the golf)
- S枚lden, Austria (for the skiing)
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