Do you feel like packing your bags and traveling to a faraway unknown place? A few locations are creating a buzz due to pop culture and special events. Here are a few little known destinations ideas.
Before you buy a ticket for your getaway here are some little known destinations:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
In 2013, there will be tons to celebrate in Amsterdam. It’s the 40th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum as well as Van Gogh’s 160th birthday. The Artis Royal Zoo is celebrating its 175th year and the iconic Canal Ring in Amsterdam will be celebrating its 400th year. Besides the historical even, s there are also famous breweries to tour and tasty, diverse cuisine to try.
Montréal, Quebec (Canada)
Toronto is a frequented destination for international travelers, but instead of just seeing just one city why not considering also Montréal this year? For space lovers, consider Montréal’s Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, which is opening its doors for the first time in 2013. The city is also said to have almost 100 different festivals a year. Consider the Festival International de Jazz, the World Film Festival, and the International (Hot Air) Balloon Festival.
Wellington, New Zealand
Trips to New Zealand rose after the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The trilogy shows the most beautiful landscapes areas in the country. Now with the Hobbit release you can catch the Tolkien bug in the south hemisphere all over again. You can take a tour of the studio, Weta Cave, in Wellington on the north island or you can take a visit to the south island, particularly the city of Christchurch, which is known for great markets, music and food.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For those who celebrate Lent, Rio is the place to be for Carnival festivities. If endless parades and parties sound ideal, you may want to consider the 2013 Rio Carnival. You can visit historical monuments and relax on the famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, a year before the large wave of tourists come for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
Seoul, South Korea
The international success of Psy’s Gangnam Style gave Seoul lots of publicity, which will continue in 2013. Seoul is known for its food and shops, from flea markets to high-end department stores. If you’re into sports consider one of the 2013 athletic events being held outside the city like the Special Olympics (PyeongChang), the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Incheon), and the World Rowing Championships (North Chungcheong Province).