"“Merida, Mexico still manages to fly under the radar, despite its proximity to incredible Mayan ruins and neon-blue cenotes. Plus, it has a unique culinary scene that runs the gamut from perfectly fried street cart churros to haute takes on traditional dishes by chefs like Pedro Evia, whose restaurant Kuuk is a critical darling. Look around for some excellent lodging options, including rooms in sprawling historic haciendas and sleek little city apartments.” -Laura Motta, Senior Director of Content at Lonely Planet"

"“We’ve long admired the gorgeous Caribbean island of Grenada for its under-the-radar appeal with powdery shores and sensorial stimulation on arrival, where the sweet air smells of sea salt, nutmeg, and mace. But now more than ever before, the massive popularity of the Caribbean makes Grenada primed to be the ‘in-the-know’ place to visit, with so much more to do than a ‘fly and flop’ on the beach. To boot, it’s an easy 4 hour and 30-minute direct flight from NYC. Miles of unfettered beaches juxtaposes with rich, virgin rainforests that are ripe for intrepid experiences and opportunities to give back.” -*Black Tomato*"

"“Due to its small, remote location, Easter Island has been closed off for most of COVID. As of now, the plan is to reopen to visitors in February. 2022 also marks the 300th anniversary of when the island was first “discovered” by Europeans (1722). Nayara Hangaroa is the perfect home base to explore the island—from guided hikes to Taharoa to ATVing solo around the island, to seeing secret caves and remote beaches, to catching sunrise over the moai.” -Misty Belles, Managing Director, Virtuoso"

"“Home to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (in actuality, Vlad the Impaler), Transylvania is steeped in an extraordinarily rich history and this year, Romania welcomes its ninth UNESCO WorldHeritage site, the Roșia Montană Mining Landscape. The area has seen a recent uptick in interest from clients and Romania is in fact the most bio-geographically diverse country in the EU, and one of the best places in Europe to go wildlife watching, for those in the know." -Black Tomato "

"“I do think Antarctica is going to be a place to go in 2022. There are new and interesting ways to explore the White Continent: Ponant and its new ship, Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge cruise that bypasses the Drake Passage, and White Desert for the land experience. There is an untouched purity to the destination that makes it feel worlds apart from the rest of life, let alone a global pandemic, making travelers want to make the journey.” -Misty Belles, Managing Director, Virtuoso"

"“The hotel scene in Napa Valley is heating up. Stanly Ranch, an Auberge Collection Resort, will make its debut on the historic Stanly Ranch Winery estate, a 700-acre private ranch that dates to the 19th century, in Spring 2022. This is on the heels of other openings like Napa Valley's first Four Seasons. Meadowood recently re-opened their doors and there's been a handful of big renovations at properties like Solage and Poetry Inn.” - Misty Belles"

"“We’re seeing a huge increase in clients booking epic 2022 trips to Botswana, marking safari’s great return in a truly bucket-list locale. Botswana is the ultimate safari destination, an ideal place to tap into a more slow, deliberate pace of travel and perfect for multi-generational families too. Kick off the adventure in the fabulous Okavango Delta, which just welcomed the stunning new Xigera Safari Lodge, and make your way to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for unbelievable day and night game drives, encountering remarkable wildlife that inhabit this seemingly barren landscape.” -Black Tomato"