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52 Places to Go in 2014

Each year the New York Times publishes a feature highlighting 52 places to visit in the new year. Here are the selections for 2014.

We aim for a selection of places that we expect to be particularly compelling in the coming year; reasons might include a museum opening, a new transportation option or a historical anniversary. So even though cities like Paris, London and Tokyo are always exciting, they didn’t make the cut this year (though all three have appeared on previous lists).

Why not add some of these destinations to your To Do or Someday lists? Check out the original article on the New York Times website for the full details and notes on the destinations.

1. Visit Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA

A place to meditate on freedom, and the creative life that followed.
Cape Town is home to the iconic Table Mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
203 people are doing this goal:

2. Visit Christchurch NEW ZEALAND

The rebirth of a quake-ravaged city.
Christchurch is known as the "Garden City" due to its abundance of beautiful parks and gardens.
87 people are doing this goal:

6. Visit Namibia

Africa’s latest conservation success story is a boon for travelers.
Explore the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world, and climb the iconic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei for breathtaking sunrise views.
53 people are doing this goal:

7. Visit Ecuador

Epic biodiversity, and a newly renovated railway to get you there.
The Amazon Rainforest covers a large part of Ecuador, offering incredible biodiversity and adventure opportunities.
52 people are doing this goal:

8. Visit Quang Binh VIETNAM

Now open: One of the world’s largest caves.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to the world's largest cave, Son Doong.
25 people are doing this goal:

9. Visit Perth AUSTRALIA

For Australian panache, go west.
Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia, averaging 3,200 hours of sunshine per year.
88 people are doing this goal:
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10. Visit Rotterdam NETHERLANDS

First-class architecture in the Netherlands’ second city.
Rotterdam is home to the largest port in Europe and boasts a distinctive modern skyline due to its reconstruction after World War II.
201 people are doing this goal:

11. Visit Taiwan

Urban and outdoor pursuits in one (reasonably) compact package.
73 people are doing this goal:

12. Visit Frankfurt GERMANY

An infusion of hip night life wakes up a humdrum city.
Frankfurt is known as "Mainhattan" due to its impressive skyline and being located on the River Main.
100 people are doing this goal:

13. Visit Addis Ababa ETHIOPIA

An ambitious art scene heads toward the international stage.
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is the highest capital city in Africa, sitting at an elevation of 2,355 meters (7,726 feet) above sea level.
29 people are doing this goal:

14. Visit Fernando de Noronha BRAZIL

A world-class World Cup getaway.
Fernando de Noronha is a protected marine park with some of the best diving spots in Brazil.
53 people are doing this goal:

15. Visit Nashville TENNESSEE

Leather jackets and skinny jeans join cowboy boots.
The most popular thing to do in Nashville is to explore the vibrant live music scene and visit iconic music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
378 people are doing this goal:

16. Visit Scotland

New reasons to play, and watch players, in Scotland’s yards.
Scotland's national animal is the unicorn, symbolizing purity and power in Scottish folklore.
785 people are doing this goal:

17. Visit Calgary CANADA

An oil boom town gets its cultural legs.
Calgary, Canada, is home to the world's largest outdoor rodeo, the Calgary Stampede.
69 people are doing this goal:

21. Visit Lake Tahoe NEVADA

A ski area spruces up with new terrain, lodging and an entire base village.
204 people are doing this goal:

23. Visit Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Reborn, relentless and still over the top.
Dubai is home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, standing at a staggering height of 828 meters.
230 people are doing this goal:

26. Visit Chennai INDIA

A cultural capital springs to life.
Chennai's Marina Beach is one of the longest urban beaches in the world.
35 people are doing this goal:

27. Visit Seychelles

An African luxury hot spot that’s become easier to get to.
The Aldabra Atoll is home to the largest population of giant tortoises in the world.
132 people are doing this goal:

28. Visit Krabi THAILAND

A Phuket-like hideaway, but still unspoiled.
Krabi's Railay Beach is only accessible by boat due to surrounding limestone cliffs.
48 people are doing this goal:

29. Visit Aspen COLORADO

Ditch those poles. Art and bike trails await.
48 people are doing this goal:

31. Visit Umeå SWEDEN

Soundscapes and culture shine in northern Sweden.
21 people are doing this goal:

32. Visit Xishuangbanna CHINA

Skip smog-choked cities — and face masks — and head out to China’s wild frontier.
20 people are doing this goal:

33. Visit Andermatt SWITZERLAND

A mountain makeover from overlooked to opulent.
The Glacier Express offers a scenic rail journey from Andermatt to Zermatt through the Alps.
16 people are doing this goal:

34. Visit Indianapolis INDIANA

In the land of cars, cycling (and culture) get the limelight.
Indianapolis is home to the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500.
48 people are doing this goal:

36. Visit Athens GREECE

Out of an economic crisis, a city surges back.
The number one most popular thing to do in Athens, Greece is to visit the iconic ancient landmark of the Acropolis and explore its magnificent Parthenon.
297 people are doing this goal:

43. Visit Elsinore DENMARK

A museum’s entrance makes for something new in the state of Denmark.
Stroll through Helsingør's charming old town, with its cobblestone streets and colorful half-timbered houses.
34 people are doing this goal:

44. Visit Cartmel ENGLAND

Haute cuisine comes to the lush landscapes of the Lake District.
20 people are doing this goal:

45. Visit Nepal

New peaks open up for alpine adventurers.
The official language is Nepali, but English is widely understood in tourist areas.
120 people are doing this goal:

46. Visit Vienna AUSTRIA

Feel like reminiscing? A city is awash in anniversaries.
Visiting the stunning Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence, is a must-do when in Vienna.
448 people are doing this goal:

47. Visit Siem Reap CAMBODIA

Even a 1,200-year-old lost city has some new draws.
Siem Reap is home to the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.
50 people are doing this goal:

48. Visit Varazdin CROATIA

Croatia’s architectural and musical gem lies inland.
17 people are doing this goal:

49. Visit St Petersburg FLORIDA

Reinventing a Florida city’s reputation.
St. Petersburg, Florida holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days of sunshine, with 768 days of sun in a row.
38 people are doing this goal:

50. Visit Belize

More flights and lodges in Central America’s eco-frontier.
Belize is home to the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole popular with divers.
80 people are doing this goal:

51. Visit New Caledonia FRANCE

What you’d expect (natural beauty) and not (world-class museum).
32 people are doing this goal:

52. Visit Niagara Falls NEW YORK

Once a kitsch capital, now earning a reputation for food and sports.
The Niagara Falls is not just one waterfall, but a collection of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls.
1146 people are doing this goal:
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