5 places to go in 2018

If your New Year's resolution is to travel more in 2018, you might be looking to the internet for ideas of where to go. Just about every publication and travel website we've seen has a "where to go this year" article, but usually, those lists are super long. Really, New York Times? You think I'm going to go to 52 different destinations this year? What are you--nuts?

That's why our list only has five places. If you've got the time and money to take more than five trips this year, you can always revert back to our 2017 list; all of those destinations are still awesome places to visit now--even Cuba! But we've got good reasons to put five other destinations on your radar for 2018. So without further ado, here are five places worth considering for travel in 2018.

New York City

How about a fancy night out in New York City? You can get rush tickets to the Metropolitan Opera for a song!

Now's the perfect time to visit the Big Apple. International tourism to the US was way down in 2017, likely due to a negative political environment, anti-immigration policies, the coming and going of travel bans and rhetoric about travel restrictions. The fact that international visitors are staying home means that there will be lots of opportunities for domestic travelers to see the sights without breaking the bank. Whether you want to see a Broadway show, visit world-class museums or take a foodie tour of the amazing restaurants in New York, now's the time to plan that trip!

Bhutan

The Tiger's Nest Monastary is definitely on our must-see list!

This year, when Huckleberry Travel set up our first booth at a street fair, we were surprised to learn that so many people in our neighborhood were eager to visit Nepal. We can certainly send you there, if that's on your list, but we think that some of our Bhutan itineraries trump anything that Nepal has to offer. Getting to Bhutan is a little more difficult than Nepal and you'll still need a visa, but seeing the Tiger's Nest Monastery isn't yet on your bucket list, well, we think it should be. Bhutan has only recently figured out how to host international visitors, so 2018 is the best time to go. You can tour comfortably, but it's still a "hidden gem."

Mexico

Have an authentic, inclusive and immersive vacation to Mexico this year!

After a couple of isolated security incidents in Mexico, many travelers have shied away from booking all-inclusive vacation packages there. Well, we have a pretty strong view that those concerns are way overstated. The U.S. State Department Travel warnings about Mexico pertain specifically to incidents taking place in locations not frequented by international tourists. And, of course, we only work with resorts that have top-notch security. So, with a dip in tourism south of the border, now's actually a great time to plan a fantastic vacation to Mexico. In fact, we recently spent the day visiting a rural village in Oaxaca, talking to local artisans, learning to make tortillas and tamales, and visiting a medicinal herb garden. It was an incredible day, we had a really authenic and immersive experience, and we were completely safe, throughout our visit. Let's go to Mexico, everybody!

Japan

Visit Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It'd be the trip-of-a-lifetime!

The food. The beauty. The opportunity to visit a first-world country that's 180 degrees from the U.S. We've been talking to so many people about Japan, that it's made its way onto our personal travel list. In 2019, Japan hosts the Rugby World Cup, and then the Olympics happen in 2020. So, if you're hoping to find any kind of a bargain (and keep in mind that Japan's already more expensive than China, Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam), 2018 is definitely the year to go. We've got some incredible itineraries, including trips that are focused on some of the many festivals held throughout the year. As for us, we've been eyeing a cruise itinerary that circumnavigates the entire country. Seems like that's a great way to see as much as possible of Japan, while only unpacking once!

The Caribbean

Now's the best time to plan your winter getaway to an island paradise!

After Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated parts of the Eastern Caribbean, travel to the entire region--even those islands that were unaffected--was way down. At this point, many of the islands that suffered damage are back up and running, and those local communities need your tourism dollars more than ever. When you take a resort vacation in a tropical paradise, you're actually supporting an industry that provides good jobs to local residents. Plus, because fewer visitors are planning Caribbean beach vacations or taking cruises to the region, you can find luxury experiences, without paying a premium price. The Caribbean's a real value right now, so start planning your winter getaway!

Even though we're really jazzed about those particular destinations, we're ready to send you to any destination that's on your personal list for 2018. If your resolution for this year is to travel more, just drop us a line, and we'll get it going!