Top Travel Bloggers Share 2017 Destination Tips

It’s that time of year when fuzzy heads are starting to clear after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Many are struggling to wake up at the 7am alarm to begrudgingly head back to work. We imagine some would rather be anywhere else in the world than back in the office or another place of work. You need some travel inspiration to help you decide on where to book your vacation for 2017! That’ll help you get through the rest of January!

Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite top travel bloggers and asked them to share their beloved travel destinations that you should travel to in 2017. These guys have been blogging for years and their huge popularity has made them some of the most successful travel bloggers out there. They’re living our digital nomad dream!  In our opinion, there’s nobody else more qualified to suggest where you should travel to this year.

As well as sharing their suggested travel destination for 2017, they’ve also provided a useful tip for that country should you decide to book that plane. So let’s get started!

THE PLANET D

COUNTRY: GREENLAND

WHY: Greenland is one of the few places you still feel that hasn’t been overrun with tourists. The landscape is awe-inspiring with massive glaciers plunging into giant fjords. It’s the second largest icecap on earth after Antarctica. In fact, we found Greenland to be very similar to Antarctica’s landscape. The icebergs in Greenland actually impressed us more than Antarctica’s icebergs. It’s not surprising since Greenland is home to one of the most active calving glaciers in the world. The Jakobshavn Glacier creates 35 billions tonnes of ice each year.

What is different from Antarctica is that Greenland has communities to visit. The Inuit culture is thriving here and you can visit villages that still follow ancient Inuit customs. People are friendly and welcoming and there are many adventures to be had from kayaking, zodiac tours, dogsledding and snowmobiling expeditions.

Itteliq, Greenland

TIP: We went to Greenland with Quark Expeditions on an expedition ship. There are no roads connecting communities in Greenland and the only way to get around is either by air or ship. Taking an expedition is a great way to see several remote communities. If you can, be sure to make Ilulissat one of your stops so you can visit the UNESCO World heritage site, The Ilulissat Icefjord.

Check out The Planet D here!

GOATS ON THE ROAD

COUNTRY: COLOMBIA

WHY: We have just finished up a 6 week trip through Colombia, and can honestly say that it’s one of our favourite countries to date! It was our first time travelling in South America and Colombia was an excellent destination to start with. The people are incredibly warm and welcoming, the landscapes are very diverse, the activities are endless and the overall vibe is unlike anywhere we’ve been.

Hiking Valle de Cocora in Colombia

TIP: We especially recommend backpacking around Medellin, Cartagena, Salento and San Gil. This way you’ll get a taste of the big city, the coast, the coffee region, and the mountains! Don’t miss our favourite hostel ever, La Serrana in Salento.

Check out Goats on the Road here! 

LOVE AND ROAD

COUNTRY: INDONESIA

WHY: Indonesia is a well-known destination among travellers and receives millions of tourists every year. Yes, it is not a new name on the hot travel list but for sure it must be mentioned. We have been to Indonesia 3 times and for sure it wasn’t enough. Komodo Natural Park, Borneo, Wakatobi, Raja Ampat are few of the places worth a visit. Even the famous Bali is must go destination. I know that people find Bali too touristic but if you go beyond Kuta Beach you can experience the real Bali life. Canggu is one of our favourite area to stay, great surfing, rice fields, amazing restaurants and a chilled vibe. Climbing a volcano is one of the best things to do in Bali and can be done in one day trip!

At Mount Batur, Indonesia

TIP: Go for sunset beers at Old Mans in Canggu. Beautiful crowd, ice cold beers and a relaxed atmosphere.

Check out Love and Road here!

THE BROKE BACKPACKER

COUNTRY: PAKISTAN

WHY: Deosai National Park, home to the second-highest plateau in the world, in Northern Pakistan is hands down one of the most amazing places I have been this year. Armies of blue flowers march into the distance, scaling snow-capped peaks and disappearing into the clouds. A healthy population of brown bears keeps you on your toes but this is an incredible place to trek and to camp.

The plain has no light pollution and is at such a high altitude that, at night, the stars begin upon the horizon, it’s a bit like being in a snow globe, a truly special place… And this is just ONE amazing place in Pakistan, the adventure capital of the world. With some of the world’s most hospitable people, world-class rock-climbing and rafting, unexplored treks and the historical cradle of Buddhism, Pakistan is packed to bursting with surprises.

Camping view at Deosai National Park, Pakistan

TIP: I couch surfed my way across Pakistan, spending lots of time with incredible locals and camping out on the few occasions when there was nobody to crash with. Pakistan may conjure up some pretty scary images, damn you CNN!, but this is a truly beautiful and really quite safe country… Take a chance on Pakistan, the only risk is that you might never want to leave!

Check out The Broke Backpacker here! 

TWO DRIFTERS

COUNTRY: ROMANIA

WHY: Castles. Beautiful mountains. Preserved medieval cities. A lovely culture. Friendly people. Delicious (and filling) cuisine. Romania is still a somewhat off the beaten path destination, but it’s wonderful. It’s also not too touristy (we’re probably in the most “tourist” part which is Brasov in Transylvania, but we have encountered very few tourists), and it is super affordable. Check out our Why Travel Romania post!

Two Drifters in Romania

TIP: Our advice is to spend time in a rural Romanian village, it’s an incredible way of life and the
peaceful simplicity is sure to help you disconnect and come back to nature.

Check out the Two Drifters here!

MAPPING MEGAN

COUNTRY: ANTARCTICA

WHY: Antarctica is one of those rare experiences where the destination is the adventure in itself. One of the last untouched destinations on earth, the continent is absolutely pristine! While the experience is up there in expense, expeditions are available to the average person seeking an exceptional adventure, and travel here is something that only a select few can say they have achieved.

100 years ago no more than a handful of people had journeyed to Antarctica, however, today around 30,000 travellers visit Antarctica every year. Cruises leave from Punta Arenas in Chile or Ushuaia in Argentina and set off for the South Shetland Islands, stopping at several research stations while sailing along the Antarctic Peninsular. You will experience spectacular glacial lagoons, dramatic icebergs, and incredible wildlife like breaching whales, penguin colonies, and deep-diving seals.

Emperor Penguins at Antarctica

TIP: Make sure you book a cruise which includes land based excursions. International regulations limit the number of people allowed on land at any one time, so large cruise ships with 500 passengers generally offer a “look but not touch” experience. Booking with a cruise company who limits their passengers to around the 110 mark (we booked with Chimu Adventures) means the opportunity to step out of the boat for hikes through ice fields, kayaking adventures, and camping overnight on the most remote continent in the world!

Check out Mapping Megan here! 

NOMADASAURUS

COUNTRY: KYRGYZSTAN

WHY: This landlocked, mountainous country in Central Asia is steeped in thousands of years of history and stunning
landscapes. From the captivating Burana Tower to the Tash Rabat caravanserai, anyone with a fascination in the Silk Road can get their fix in Kyrgyzstan. For those wanting to immerse themselves in local culture the opportunity to enjoy traditional yurt stays with families and learn about their nomadic lifestyles is one of the most rewarding travel experiences imaginable.

Hiking in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan

TIP: Our best tip for travelling to Kyrgyzstan is to make sure you are prepared for all the adventure activities that are available. The trekking in Kyrgyzstan is some of the best in the world, and when combined with mountain biking,
horse riding, rafting or even skiing, it cements this phenomenal nation as an absolute paradise for intrepid travellers.

Check out Nomadasaurus here!

GETTING STAMPED

COUNTRY: THAILAND

WHY: If there is only one place you can travel to in 2017 make it Thailand. Our first taste was on our Thailand honeymoon in 2012 and we were instantly addicted. We have since spent over a year travelling around Thailand. We love Bangkok and all its chaos, Chiang Mai will always be our second home, and the beaches cannot be missed.  There are so many amazing Thai islands but some of the best islands are ones you’ve never heard of. Everyone has heard of Phuket or seen “The Beach” and want to go to Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi. Sure these places are gorgeous but the amount of tourists there is insane.

The blue waters of Ko Lipe, Thailand

TIP: Instead explore the further away islands, one without airports like our favourite Koh Lipe. We have travelled back to Koh Lipe 3 times, spending over a month there. There is no other island in the world we have returned to as much, it’s that magical.

Check out Getting Stamped here!

FINDING BEYOND

COUNTRY: SRI LANKA

WHY: We visited Sri Lanka for the first time last year and since then the country is what we answer with when asked what our favourite destination is. For quite a small island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Gorgeous remote beaches, jungle-clad mountains, epic train rides, ruined ancient cities, dozens of national parks, Buddhist culture, wild elephants around every corner and the friendliest people you could hope to meet are just some of the highlights.

Sri Lanka has recently suffered from a long civil war which ended in 2008 and the devastating 2004 tsunami, so tourism is only just getting back on its feet. This means that now is the time to go before the tourist masses start to arrive. At the moment, only the south-west coast has seen mass tourist development, the rest of the country still feels relatively quiet at most times of the year. Check out our 10 Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka Now post!

Hiking in Ella, Sri Lanka

TIP: Head to the east coast. The east coast was the worst affected area from the 2004 tsunami. 10 years ago there was nothing left, but now, the coastal towns are getting back to their pre-tsunami days but in a lovely hammock swinging low key way.  Check out backpacker hangout Arugam Bay and the almost deserted Kalkudah Beach. These are in complete contrast to the busy south-west coastal resorts.

Check out Finding Beyond here!

So there you go! Nine awesome travel bloggers sharing nine awesome travel destinations for you to think about. We think it’s a superb mix and we hope they inspire your wanderlust for 2017. You can check out accommodation options in any of these countries by using the below Booking.com search box! We also recommend using Skyscanner to compare flight costs.