GET YOUR PASSPORTS ready: Lonely Planet has released its 2016 list of best-value destinations, highlighting the top places where visitors can have high-quality travel experiences without breaking the bank.
From the pristine beaches of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to the renowned vineyards of Galicia, Spain, here are the most wallet-friendly destinations to check out next year.
1. Estonia
Estonia’s sparsely populated countryside and forests offer a serene escape from the swarms of crowds that are common in Europe.
Besides its historic capital of Tallinn, which was founded in the 13th century, the country has many islands with hidden beaches, as well as the first national park of the former Soviet Union — Lahemaa National Park.
2. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
Both of these Vietnamese cities offer a cheap array of food, lodging and sightseeing options.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city, and it bustles with energy from its markets to its street stalls.
Hanoi is home to sweeping boulevards, tree-fringed lakes, ancient pagodas and the merchant-filled Old Quarter, which has been preserved for decades.
3. East Africa
This is a prime destination for those who are looking for up-close wildlife encounters they won’t find anywhere else.
Visit the Masai Mara in Kenya, where wildlife sightings are unparalleled; discover mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Parcs de Volcans (Volcanoes National Park); and head to Tanzania to explore Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
4. New Mexico
New Mexico’s stunning landscape of juniper-speckled hills, deep canyons, vast desert plains and centuries-old towns have helped it earn its title as the “Land of Enchantment”.
Here, lovers of the outdoors can take advantage of top-notch kayaking, mountain biking, skiing and hiking.
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Travellers can spend the day wandering through the ancient Franciscan monasteries, attending a cutting-edge festival, shredding through Olympic-level ski terrains or kayaking on some of Europe’s most challenging rivers.
6. Galicia
Traveling to Galicia, Spain, is like exploring a different world, where travellers are welcomed by unspoiled villages, lush vineyards, and beaches bathed by the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The area is also known for its seafood and its many open-air hot springs.
7. Quebec City
In just a few days in Quebec City, you can tour the charming old town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the only North America city with 17th-century architecture still intact — dine in old-fashioned bistros, and get lost in cobblestone streets.
8. Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast
Experience a completely new side of Costa Rica on its Caribbean Coast, where everything from food to open-air bungalow and beachfront accommodations are affordable.
Relax on its miles of pristine beaches, enjoy its live-music scene and witness its famous annual turtle nesting.
9. East Timor
It’s often advised to get a guide here to enhance your journey with local knowledge and ensure safe travels.
In East Timor (or Timor-Leste), you can enjoy a laidback holiday featuring diving, private beaches and whale watching.
10. Western Australia
The Australian dollar is becoming a better deal for overseas visitors than it has been for some time, making Western Australia’s incredible landscape a prime destination for 2016.
Explore some of the world’s finest beaches and bays, get up close with dolphins at Monkey Mia, and finish the day off with a sampling of the area’s world-class wines, seafood and truffles.
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