These are the best travel destinations for 2022

The 5 fashionable destinations for this 2022 1:17

(CNN) -

Travel has gotten more difficult now.

Borders are provisionally reopened only to be slammed shut again.

The once simple entry visa is replaced by a lot of paperwork.

And everyone goes over the Greek alphabet every time a new variant of the coronavirus makes headlines.

Yet amid all the darkness that has defined the pandemic, there are some glimmers of hope.

Perhaps the lesson that travelers can take away in 2022 is that exploring the world is a privilege, not a right.

This year's dream places reflect that mindset: from national parks to remote islands to less-visited places, awareness and respect for the Earth are part of the journey.

It seems unlikely that when Orville and Wilbur Wright launched their little plane in 1903 they would have envisioned a world with dozens of daily planes connecting the world's great cities, or with an eyeball scan to even replace the paper passport.

When we look back and see how far we've come, we feel more grateful to be where we are.

Let's try to channel the sense of wonder when we can travel in 2022 and beyond.

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Old and bearded

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Not only is the twin island nation blessed with miles and miles of pink and white sands (Antigua has a beach for every day of the year), but it also has the longest Sunday party in the Caribbean, taking place in the restored Shirley Heights military lookout.

Barbuda, the smaller of the two islands, was one of Princess Diana's favorite vacation spots, while veteran actor Robert De Niro co-owns a resort in the area with Australian billionaire James Packer.

Cricket is a massive business here, which is why the England Tests, held in Antigua in 2022, are one of the most anticipated events of the year.

The official test match between England and the West Indies will take place at the stadium named after Antigua cricket legend Vivian Richards in March.

In recent years, Antigua and Barbuda has been recognized for its sustainability efforts thanks to a number of successful green initiatives.

Single-use plastics are banned, while the "Green Corridor," a series of eco-friendly hotels, resorts and businesses, has established itself across Antigua's southwest coast.

- Tamara Hardingham-Gill (THG)

Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau

The Bissagos archipelago is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Credit: Adobe Stock

Made up of 88 islands, of which only 23 are inhabited, this magical archipelago located about 48 kilometers off the Guinean coast of West Africa is most unique.

The Bissagos Islands are governed by a matriarchal society in which women have all the power.

Here women choose their husbands, propose marriage, build their own houses and run households.

The few tourists who can visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve are rewarded with pristine beaches, vast natural parks and calm blue waters.

The set of islands, which can be accessed by boat, ferry or plane, is also home to an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, including rare or protected species such as the Nile crocodile, bottlenose dolphin and African manatee, as well about 500 species of birds.

Hurtigruten Expeditions, the company that founded expedition cruises in 1896, has added its first African adventure to its 2022/23 line, with the Bissagos Islands among the list of destinations on the itinerary.

• How Air Travel Changed in 2021

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Connected to the Canadian mainland by a one-mile causeway, Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia is famous for its scenic views and historic sites.

With an area of ​​10,311 square kilometers, it is not a small point in the ocean.

The highlight of the island is the Cabot Trail, a picturesque two-lane road that winds through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where lush green hills and rusty red cliffs tower over rugged beaches;

the impressive Fortress of Louisbourg, from the 18th century, which was the capital of a French colony and which today is a museum of living history;

and the culinary offer, ranging from modern gastronomy to traditional community lobster dinners.

Why go now?

In recent years, Canada has taken important steps to develop and promote local tourism and Cape Breton is no exception.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of the Mi'kmaq of Cape Breton, a First Nations people who have lived in Canada's Eastern Maritime region for more than 10,000 years, through a variety of offerings from the five communities of the First Nations of the island.

chili

Torres del Paine National Park is located in Chilean Patagonia.

Credit: Ana Fernández / AFP / Getty Images

Chile, a long and thin strip between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, is a world leader in ecotourism and a paradise for outdoor adventurers.

In northern Chile, Atacama is the place to go.

The Valley of the Moon offers otherworldly landscapes, rock formations and surreal and colorful sunsets.

Speaking of color, you can see hot pink flamingos in the Chaxa lagoon.

Both are in the National Reserve of the Flamingos.

This is how it flourishes in the Atacama desert, the driest area in the world 1:23

Do you want something even wilder?

Then head further south, into Patagonian nature.

Torres del Paine National Park is considered one of the jewels in the crown of Chile's park system.

Its glaciers, waterfalls and fauna are of great renown.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization included two Chilean places on its list of "Best Tourist Towns" in 2021, which promotes sustainable development.

These are Pica, known for its citrus fruits and hot springs, and Puerto Williams, the southernmost city in the world.

In 2022 it will be 300 years since the arrival of the Dutch to the island of Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island), in the South Pacific.

This special territory of Chile, famous for its gigantic stone faces, has been closed to visitors during the pandemic.

But it is slated to reopen to tourists in February.

Colombo

Colombo is often misunderstood from the start.

Despite being the largest city in Sri Lanka, it is not the capital (which would be Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, which is a great tidbit to drop in your next bar trivia contest), and many travelers overlook it in In favor of the island's beautiful beaches and tea plantations.

But in 2022 it's time to pay attention to the city's underrated design destinations, including the home of the late architect Geoffrey Bawa, now a mini-museum, and a guesthouse called Number Eleven.

Next year will bring a flood of promising new hotels to the city, including those at Amari, Grand Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton and ITC.

Sri Lanka has its share of delicious curries, but do not assume that the food is the same as in neighboring India.

Start the day with eggs and coconut sambal at the Palmyrah's lush breakfast, visit Pettah's Floating Market to stock up on bananas in almost every color of the rainbow, and end the day watching the sunset on the beach at the Galle Face Hotel sipping a grapefruit-infused Negroni at the successful Traveler's Bar. Everything tastes better when paired with the island's own Ceylon teas.

Urban Adventures travel company provides the necessary historical context about the Sinhalese, Tamil and Malay cultures of the country along with the food.

Dijon, France

Did you think that Lyon was the capital of French cuisine?

Not so fast: Dijon has always been a great gastronomic hub.

The largest city in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is a glorious mix of timber-framed houses, magnificent 18th-century palaces and a towering Gothic cathedral, but it is also one of the gastronomic capitals of France.

In May 2022, the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin will open in Dijon, a renovation of 70,000 square meters of historic buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries, converted into a complex dedicated exclusively to French gastronomy and wine.

Besides the new opening, there are plenty of other reasons to put Dijon on your to-do list.

Venture into the vineyards around the Burgundy region: Beaune, half an hour south, is a first-rate wine town.

Visit the Les Halles food market, designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the one with the famous tower) to sample the best ingredients of the region.

Taste mustard at the Moutarderie Edmond Fallot, still in business after 180 years, and try Mulot et Petitjean gingerbread, which has been baked here since the 18th century.

Aside from food and drink, there is the impressive Dijon Museum of Fine Arts, where more than 130,000 works of art are housed in the neoclassical Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.

Disko Bay, Greenland

Whales, colossal icebergs, a fast-moving glacier, and plenty of dog sledding define Disko Bay, on Greenland's west coast.

The town of Ilulissat, with its colorful houses, is an ideal starting point to explore, especially since it is neighboring the Ilulissat Icefjord.

This spectacular fjord has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly because of its astonishing splendor and partly because of the scientific studies that have been carried out on it over the last 250 years, which have helped scientists understand the impact of the climate change.

Greenland thaw threatens sea level 0:53

The huge icebergs that populate the Ilulissat icefjord come from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier;

available boat tours in Disko Bay offer the opportunity to marvel at the icy scenes, and encourage travelers to consider why this region is sometimes called "ground zero" for climate change.

Another boat trip will take you to the island of Disko with its stunning black sand beaches, while back on the mainland you can explore the recently opened Ilulissat Icefjord Center.

This new attraction aims to educate visitors about the importance of ice in the Disko Bay area, as well as uphold the stories of the Inuit people, who have lived off the land and sea in the region for thousands of years, and examine the growing impact of the climate crisis.

The building is an attraction in itself, designed by Danish architect Dorte Mandrup as a riot of glass, steel and curves that blend into the stunning landscape.

As tourism in Greenland grows, there are several airport projects underway, including a new air hub at Ilulissat.

The goal is to make it easier for international travelers to explore this beautiful country in the coming years, while dispersing visitors around the country to avoid over-tourism.

Gabon National Parks

The Amazon has more press, but the Congo Basin, sometimes called “the lung of Africa,” is the second largest rainforest in the world and is also a precious resource threatened by deforestation.

More than 10% of Gabon, on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, is dedicated to its 13 national parks, all of which celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2022.

Ivindo National Park, Gabon.

Credit: Adobe Stock

Ivindo, the most recent Unesco World Heritage site in this equatorial country and accessible only by the Trans-Gabonese railway or by private plane, comprises almost 300,000 hectares of parks crossed by black-water rivers, with impressive rapids and glorious waterfalls. Its remoteness means that parts of the site have yet to be explored, but the creatures that inhabit here include gorillas, leopards, baboons, and pangolins, as well as the endangered jungle elephant.

Loango National Park offers the possibility of deep-sea fishing in the estuary and at sea, while Minkébé, with 7,000 square meters, is the largest in the country.

Pongara National Park has beautiful unspoiled beaches where leatherback turtles spawn between November and March, while dolphins and humpback whales can be seen in the dry season, between July and October.

Jordan

Petra was named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in a 2007 survey, along with Christ the Redeemer and the Great Wall.

Credit: Khalil Mazraawi / AFP / Getty Images

A few years ago, the spectacular Jordanian city of Petra, carved out of the rock, risked becoming a victim of its own success, as the tourism industry threatened its delicate structures and alienated the Bedouins from their traditional ways.

Years of unrest in the region, followed by the pandemic, have Petra now crying out for the return of the crowds.

Visitors are sure to return to this gem, but there are opportunities to explore Jordan in a more sustainable way.

Other archaeological treasures, such as the ruins of Jerash and Umm Qais, are worth seeing.

There is also the vast expanse of the Wadi Rum desert, best enjoyed with Bedouin guides who can share their knowledge of work in harmony with the epic landscape.

It is also worth taking an excursion to float in the Dead Sea, especially to observe another delicate ecosystem attacked by modern life, this time the rampant extraction of water.

Lahti, Finland

Lahti has been dubbed "the Chicago of Finland."

Credit: Adobe Stock

Finland regularly takes the top spot as the happiest place in the world, and there are plenty of reasons to be joyous when it comes to the beautiful lake town of Lahti.

Located 100 kilometers northeast of Helsinki, this destination is green in every way.

The eighth largest city in Finland is full of beautiful forests, parks and reserves with incredible hiking trails and viewpoints.

Lahti has also led environmental innovations, becoming the first Finnish city to be named a European Green Capital after abandoning coal as a fuel source and offering its citizens free transport and food as a reward for being green.

Visitors should try the tap water.

The city's innovative groundwater system has been certified by UNESCO as "the best drinking water in the world", and is used by Lahti's award-winning Teerenpeli Brewery & Distillery, Finland's oldest whiskey distillery.

In spring 2022, the brand new Malva Visual Arts Museum will open its first exhibitions, while Lahti will host the Ironman 70.3 World Championship for the first time in 2023.

Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert, Australia

For those who have always wanted to experience a unique challenge in the Australian outback, the newest and now largest national park in the country awaits.

Hailed as a major conservation corridor in the heart of the nation, South Australia's Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park spans 36,000 square kilometers and includes parts of the famous Simpson Desert, which extends into the state of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

It was declared a national park in November 2021 and combines an existing regional reserve and a conservation park.

Now comes the hard part: the only way to explore the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park is with a high-capacity all-terrain vehicle, necessary to access its extensive network of ephemeral lakes, stunning red dunes, and bird-filled grasslands.

The nights are spent camping under the stars.

Drivers must carry reserves of fuel, water and food, as well as basic vehicle parts and recovery equipment, while entering and camping in the park requires a Desert Parks pass.

In other words, self-reliance is essential.

Another important note to keep in mind when planning the trip: the national park is closed from December 1 to March 15, when temperatures skyrocket.

Travelers put off by logistical difficulties can book one of several excursions to the Simpson Desert that depart from Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.

For example, tours organized by Spirit Safaris also include stops at various attractions in the region, from historic bars to restored railway ruins.

Naples, italy

To get to know classic Italy, just visit Naples.

Pizza was born here;

Sophia Loren grew up on its cobblestone streets.

Ancient ruins are hidden under the modern suburbs.

Scooters zigzag between palaces of forgotten glories, built when the southern city was its own sovereign state.

Hand gestures are an art here.

And that legendary Italian friendliness?

This is where it is forged.

But why go now?

Because Naples is booming.

The historic center is full of energy.

Daring and unpretentious hotels are opening up, like the Atelier Inès, which is part jewelery workshop and part artistic guesthouse.

The areas that were previously considered off-limits to tourists are finally being seen with different eyes.

The once despised Sanità neighborhood is now the hot spot: visitors flock to its networks of ancient catacombs, and neighborhood artist Paolo La Motta is suddenly exposed amidst works by Louise Bourgeois and Anish Kapoor in the old Capodimonte royal palace.

And there is more: in 2022 new archaeological sites will open that, although for now they are secret, will shed new light on the Greek and Roman Neapolis, as it was called then.

Outside the city, Pompeii is discovering newly excavated ruins and new ideas, like the Pompeii ArteBus, which takes visitors to lesser-known nearby villas, for free.

Off the coast, the island of Procida will be the Capital of Culture of Italy in 2022. But in reality, this is the year of Naples.

• Tips for acquiring a cheap home in Italy from those who already did

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Some historians believe that Ollantaytambo was a haven for Inca royalty.

Credit: Adobe Stock

A trip to one of the most coveted tourist spots in the world should be about much more than reaching the final destination.

And that's where Ollantaytambo comes in.

This well-preserved town on the route to Machu Picchu, in Peru's Sacred Valley, has its own impressive Inca ruins and has recently been named one of the "Best Tourist Towns" by the World Tourism Organization.

The initiative recognizes places that have embraced tourism as a means of promoting sustainable development and safeguarding rural villages "along with their landscapes, their natural and cultural diversity, and their local values ​​and activities."

There is much to safeguard here: a 15th century Inca fortress and temple that became the scene of a rare defeat for the Spanish conquerors;

a vibrant town that is also one of the best examples of Inca urban planning;

the Inca warehouses of Pinkuylluna, with views of Ollantaytambo;

and a nearby quarry that spawned engineering marvels.

• Train trip to the heart of Machu Picchu

Since Ollanta, as it is often called, is at a lower altitude (2,792 meters) than the international terminal in Cuzco (3,399 meters), it is also a more suitable place to acclimatize to the fine air of the Andes.

Other interesting sites in the Sacred Valley, such as the mysterious circular Inca ruins of Moray - believed to be an agricultural project - and the terraced salt flats of Maras, are nearby.

Tourism to Peru in 2020 was down to just 20% of 2019 arrivals, but those numbers will rise again as the world tackles COVID-19.

2022 could be the year to plan a nice long and winding trip before the number of visitors increases again.

Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

The Orkney Islands are geographically closer to Norway than to London.

Credit: Adobe Stock

Facing the northernmost tip of Scotland are the Orkney Islands, a stunning archipelago with cliffs and crags dotted with seabirds, seals and fascinating archaeological sites.

Las Orcadas comprenden unas 70 islas, de las cuales 20 no están habitadas. La más grande, Mainland, alberga un grupo de monumentos neolíticos protegidos por la Unesco que datan de hace 5.000 años, como la tumba de cámara de Maeshowe y el enigmático círculo en pie, Anillo de Brodgar.

Otras actividades destacadas son la observación de estrellas y auroras en North Ronaldsay, recientemente designada isla de Cielo Oscuro, y la visita a la colorida Capilla Italiana en la deshabitada Lamb Holm, construida con cabañas Nissen por prisioneros de guerra italianos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Por su parte, la ruta de peregrinación del Camino de San Magnus, que lleva el nombre del santo patrón de las Orcadas, ofrece una gran introducción a la belleza salvaje de las islas; la ruta serpentea por acantilados escarpados, pasando por brochs de la Edad de Hierro, que son unas torres de piedra escocesas, y culminando en la catedral de San Magnus de Kirkwall.

Los viajeros pueden viajar entre el territorio continental escocés y las Orcadas, así como entre las distintas islas, ya sea en transbordador o por vía aérea: en las Orcadas se realiza el vuelo comercial más corto del mundo, que conecta los 1,7 kilómetros entre las islas de Westray y Papa Westray en solo dos minutos.

También existe la esperanza de que los aviones eléctricos se conviertan en la principal fuente de transporte de las islas, ya que en el verano de 2021 el avión Cessna Skymaster de seis plazas de Ampaire realizó vuelos de prueba en el archipiélago. Es el siguiente paso natural para las islas Orcadas, que son verdes en más de un sentido: el famoso archipiélago ventoso alberga más de 500 turbinas eólicas que generan energía. -- FS

Oslo

Los inviernos noruegos pueden ser fríos, pero las cosas se están calentando en Oslo. El 11 de junio se inaugurará el nuevo Museo Nacional de Arte Tradicional y Contemporáneo, Artesanía y Diseño, que se convertirá en el mayor museo de arte de los países nórdicos. Las colecciones de 5.000 objetos de los tres museos existentes hasta ahora se han reunido bajo un techo totalmente moderno, justo detrás del paseo marítimo de la ciudad, con vistas al fiordo interior de Oslo desde su terraza.

Esto se unirá al nuevo Museo Munch, que abrió sus puertas en octubre de 2021 bajo el nombre simplemente de MUNCH. No solo se ha dado más espacio a la obra del artista, con 11 espacios de exposición que dan cabida a obras que antes estaban almacenadas, sino que también hay zonas para exposiciones temporales. Estas comenzaron con la fenomenal muestra de Tracey Emin, "The Loneliness of the Soul", trasladada desde la Royal Academy de Londres, en la que explora su fascinación de toda la vida por Munch.

El edificio en sí también tiene un gran impacto. Diseñado por el Estudio Herreros, una empresa de arquitectura madrileña, forma parte del proyecto de regeneración del frente marítimo de Oslo a largo plazo. ¿Quieres escapar de la ciudad? En lugar de ir al agua, visita el interior. A tres horas al oeste se encuentra Rjukan, una ciudad rodeada de montañas en la que los "espejos solares" de los picos reflejan la luz en la ciudad durante los meses de invierno, que de otro modo serían oscuros, y un teleférico de la época de la Guerra Fría lleva a los turistas a las profundidades del monte Gausta y luego a su cima. -- JB

Palau

Palau tiene unos 18.000 habitantes.
Crédito: Adobe Stock

En 2021, Palaos tuvo una de las únicas "burbujas de viaje" exitosas del mundo con su colega del Pacífico, Taiwán. Una de las razones por las que Palaos ha podido lograr una pequeña reapertura al turismo es que la sostenibilidad no es solo una prioridad, sino que está incorporada a todo lo que ocurre en este frágil paraíso de 396 kilómetros cuadrados.

Todos los visitantes del país deben firmar el Compromiso de Palaos, una promesa de comportarse de forma responsable mientras se viaja y poner de su parte para cuidar el medio ambiente, lo que puede incluir desde no usar bolsas de plástico hasta llevar solo protectores solares que cumplan con los altos estándares del país. El compromiso fue redactado por académicos de Palaos, otro recordatorio de que las decisiones que tomamos no solo nos afectan a nosotros, sino a las próximas generaciones.

El compromiso de preservar el medio ambiente tiene sentido cuando se ve la gran cantidad de paisajes impresionantes y diversos que ofrece Palaos.

El Lago de las Medusas, que estuvo cerrado a los visitantes durante varios años para que la población de medusas volviera a niveles aceptables, está abierto de nuevo.

El único lugar de la isla declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la Unesco es un éxito de ventas: la Laguna Sur de las Islas Rocas, una extensión de más de 400 islas que alberga algunos de los corales más raros del mundo, así como una serie de aves, peces y tiburones. -- LM

Penang, Malasia

La pandemia dejó a muchos de nosotros con ganas de realizar viajes épicos centrados en la gastronomía, y Penang está a la altura de los mejores de Asia.

Esta isla malaya en el mar de Andamán ofrece una amplia mezcla de platillos tradicionales malayos, chinos e indios. Y luego está la cocina Baba Nyonya --también conocida como Peranakan--, que incorpora ingredientes regionales y métodos culinarios chinos y malayos.

Todo ello se puede encontrar en los mercados ambulantes y en las tiendas de la capital de Penang, George Town, que está repleta de edificios históricos, desde antiguas mansiones inglesas hasta tiendas chinas clásicas y mezquitas islámicas.

Pero hay mucho más que comida y arquitectura para mantener el apetito de los viajeros en esta isla de 764 kilómetros cuadrados.
En septiembre de 2021, la popular colina de Penang fue designada Reserva de la Biosfera por la Unesco.

Es el punto más alto de Penang y está repleto de excelentes rutas de senderismo que se extienden desde su cima hasta los encantadores jardines botánicos, creados en 1884 y que sirven como depósito de la flora y la fauna de Penang Hill, incluidas más de 200 especies de orquídeas.

A la cabeza de los esfuerzos de conservación está The Habitat Penang Hill, un centro de descubrimiento de la selva tropical de categoría mundial que ofrece paseos guiados y excursiones en tirolesa. -- KC

Sudáfrica

Sudáfrica tiene 12 idiomas oficiales.
Crédito: Adobe Stock

Todos hemos tenido un mal año. En realidad, todos hemos tenido dos años malos. Sin embargo, es difícil no sentir un fuerte impulso de empatía por Sudáfrica.

Mientras que muchos destinos se han beneficiado de la pausa del covid durante el verano para reanimar el número de viajeros, la temporada alta de noviembre-marzo de Sudáfrica ha hecho que la mayoría de sus posibles visitantes se queden en casa, luchando contra los picos de virus invernales.

Para colmo, en agradecimiento a que los científicos sudafricanos identificaran rápidamente la variante ómicron del coronavirus y advirtieran de ella, gran parte del resto del mundo cortó todo contacto con los viajes, asestando un golpe inútil a la ya asediada industria turística del país.

Solo por estas razones, si es seguro visitarla en 2022, Sudáfrica merece estar en los primeros puestos de la lista de deseos de cualquiera.

Todas las cosas que la hacen especial --desde las playas hasta los safaris de caza mayor, desde el vino hasta el avistamiento de ballenas, desde las visitas a los pueblos hasta las rutas de senderismo-- siguen estando ahí. Y hay un montón de joyas inexploradas que experimentar si se llena de gente: la ciudad playera de Gqeberha, las montañas Drakensberg en KwaZulu-Natal, las pintorescas rutas de Panorama y Garden Route. -- BN

San Eustaquio, Países Bajos

Parece imposible que haya una isla caribeña de la que no haya oído hablar, pero San Eustaquio es precisamente eso, a menos que seas neerlandés, ya que la isla es un municipio de los Países Bajos.

La pieza central de "Statia", como la conocen los lugareños, es Quill, un volcán inactivo cuyas laderas inclinadas permiten realizar excelentes excursiones, así como unas vistas panorámicas de esta perla marina de 20 kilómetros cuadrados.

Hasta ahora, la mayoría de los viajeros que llegaban a San Eustaquio eran buceadores deseosos de explorar los naufragios y los arrecifes de coral, así como de acercarse a barracudas y tiburones en las aguas vírgenes. Pero eso cambiará probablemente en 2022 con la apertura de un nuevo hotel de lujo llamado Golden Rock, por el apodo de la isla.

Además, es más fácil llegar aquí que nunca gracias a las nuevas rutas de ferry que conectan la isla con Saba, San Martín y San Cristóbal.
--LM

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Entre los famosos de Tulsa se encuentran Bill Hader, Garth Brooks y los hermanos Hanson.
Crédito: Adobe Stock

La gran noticia turística de Tulsa, Oklahoma, en 2022 será la inauguración del Centro Bob Dylan, prevista para el 10 de mayo.

El centro albergará más de 100.000 tesoros culturales creados y poseídos por Dylan a lo largo de siete décadas. Abarcando su carrera en el folk y el rock, las exposiciones mostrarán manuscritos originales, grabaciones inéditas y actuaciones cinematográficas, fotos y mucho más. Se está construyendo en el Distrito de las Artes de Tulsa, cerca de otro centro dedicado al héroe de Dylan y músico folclórico Woody Guthrie.

El año pasado se cumplió el centenario de la masacre racial de Tulsa. Visita el Parque de la Reconciliación John Hope Franklin, perteneciente al Servicio de Parques Nacionales, y el recién inaugurado Greenwood Rising para saber más.

¿Te gusta el aire libre? Estarás en el lugar adecuado. Tulsa está enclavada en un terreno suavemente ondulado, al borde de las Grandes Llanuras al oeste y de las Montañas Ozark al este. Dentro de la ciudad se encuentra la Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, con senderos escarpados y pendientes pronunciadas que proporcionan una oferta de senderismo completa, y River Parks, con kilómetros de senderos pavimentados que siguen el río Arkansas. -- FB

Valencia, España

Originalmente, Valencia recibió el nombre de Valentia Edetanorum por los romanos.
Crédito: Adobe Stock

Este año, deja de lado las abarrotadas calles de Barcelona y visita la ciudad portuaria de Valencia, Capital Mundial del Diseño en 2022, a pocas horas de distancia de la costa sureste de España.

Con una población de unos 800.000 habitantes, es la tercera ciudad más grande de España y pretende ser un destino neutro en emisiones para 2025.

La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, diseñada por el arquitecto valenciano Santiago Calatrava, es un vasto complejo futurista que cuenta con un planetario, un museo de la ciencia y el mayor acuario de Europa. Desde allí se puede recorrer toda Valencia en bicicleta o a pie a través del Jardín del Turia, de nueve kilómetros de longitud, construido sobre el antiguo cauce del río Turia.

Valencia es la cuna de la paella, y encontrarás este emblemático platillo español a la venta en todas partes. En cuanto a la gastronomía, el restaurante homónimo del chef Ricard Camarena ha sido galardonado con dos estrellas Michelin, una de ellas verde por su sostenibilidad, siendo el primer restaurante de la ciudad en recibir esta distinción.

Por último, si visitas la ciudad en marzo, tendrás la oportunidad de vivir la fiesta anual de las Fallas que, cuando el covid lo permite, es una fiesta callejera de cinco días que incluye fuegos artificiales y la quema de esculturas de madera y cartón. -- MO

Parque Nacional de Yellowstone

Géiseres, fuentes termales, fangos y fumarolas. Osos, lobos, bisontes y alces. El primer parque nacional del mundo alberga suficientes maravillas y curiosidades como para justificar muchas visitas.

Y en 2022, Yellowstone cumplirá 150 años como parque nacional. Aunque en un principio iba a ser un parque estatal, Yellowstone obtuvo la categoría de parque nacional en 1872 porque el terreno que atravesaba formaba parte de tres territorios, ninguno de los cuales era todavía un estado. El parque actual -- que se divide en 96% en Wyoming, el 3% en Montana y el 1% en Idaho-- abarca 8.983 kilómetros cuadrados.

Hay mucho que descubrir. Si contamos solo sus características hidrotermales, hay unas 10.000 por conocer. El Gran Manantial Prismático de la cuenca de los géiseres de Midway es una maravilla, con anillos brillantes de color naranja, amarillo y verde que rodean su centro de color azul intenso, y, por supuesto, ver la erupción de Old Faithful es una tradición de Yellowstone.

• Piedra de Yellowstone de 630.000 años revela verdades sobre los volcanes

Si a esto le añadimos los encuentros con la formidable fauna silvestre (mantén la distancia, por favor), tenemos un increíble atractivo para las multitudes, con un número de visitantes a la altura. (Más de un millón de personas visitaron el parque en julio de 2021, el mes de mayor afluencia en la historia del parque).

Para no encontrarse con tanta gente, es buena idea llegar a las principales atracciones naturales a primera hora de la mañana o a última de la tarde y visitarlas en primavera y otoño.

The park plans to celebrate Yellowstone's 150 years with a series of activities, concentrated from March to August, that highlight the tribal connections of the territory, examine the successes and challenges of its ecosystems and look to the future.

The emphasis on stewardship and responsible visiting will encourage visitors to do their part to help protect the park for generations to come.

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