TOP TEN COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN 2014

Day 2,468, 03:42 • Published in Turkey Turkey • by whitestallion
Ethiopia


This culturally rich East African nation has always been an enticing destination, and though it remains poor, independent travel around the country is becoming easier thanks to a boom in small hotels and restaurants. Take your pick of spell-binding attractions: untouched national parks, the ancient cities of Axum, Harar and Lalibela, the world’s first coffee plantations, the largest cave in Africa at Sof Omar and the continent’s largest concentration of UNESCO sites.

MADAGASKAR



Madagascar has a fauna entirely of its own – creatures that live nowhere else in the world. Creatures with strange names like aye-aye and sifaka.

BRAZIL



How can I say I’ve seen the world when I haven’t seen Brazil?

TURKEY



Happy is the one who says, “I am a Turk”

GEORGIA



Georgia is currently untouched by mass tourism, but things are changing, so go now to enjoy the unspoiled hiking in the Caucasus mountains, the historic taverns of Tbilisi, the Black Sea resort of Batumi and the gorgeous old towns of Svaneti and Kazbegi. Visiting is easier than ever before; citizens of all EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and South Africa can now enter the country visa-free for up to 360 days.

RWANDA



In 2014, it will be twenty years since the Rwandan genocide, a sobering anniversary but one that emphasizes just how far the country has come; the economy has rebounded and peace has, by and large, been restored. Today, Rwanda’s dizzying natural assets are pulling in visitors once more: the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, of course, but also the rainforests of Nyungwe National Park and wildlife of Akagera National Park. Check with your embassy for the latest advice if you’re travelling near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

JAPAN



It’s been a tough few years for Japan, with the devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear meltdown having a damaging effect on tourism. Things are expected to rebound in 2014, especially as Tokyo has been selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. Expect a host of special deals and projects to liven the capital city in future months, while Japan’s excellent train system can whisk you to the temples of Kyoto in a couple of hours.

BULGARIA



Fabulous beaches, balmy weather, low prices, pretty historic towns and friendly people – Bulgaria is an intriguing destination. A sort of cheaper alternative to Croatia it is currently far less touristy. The Black Sea resorts pull in the most visitors, but skiing, hiking and mountain biking are becoming increasingly popular, especially on the mountain massif of Vitosha outside Sofia, the Rhodope Mountains in the south and the towering granite peaks of the Rila.

MACEDONIA



This hotchpotch of Ottoman rule, Yugoslav domination, Orthodox faith and Albanian influence represents one of Europe’s most varied societies.

PHILIPPINES



In the wake of the terrible devastation wreaked by Typhoon Haiyan, tourism has become even more important to the Philippines, bringing crucial support to the economy. An estimated 97% of the country remains unaffected, including Boracay and the southern parts of Cebu. Though the Philippines boasts a dazzling array of pristine reefs, volcanoes, sleepy backpacker islands and the famed rice terraces, the country mostly remains off the beaten path, despite being relatively safe for travellers – flare-ups of political violence (mainly in Mindanao) are easily avoided. New direct flights from London to Manila mean that it’s now even easier to get there from the UK.