As the green shoots of travel turn to tall, towering oaks, 2022 is a chance for us to reconnect to the best holiday destinations in a deeper, more authentic way. We’ll be reminded often of why we travel; those sparks of curiosity and adventure will be fanned to roaring flames, and as travel steadily finds its way back into our lives, we’ll appreciate every moment that comes with it – every hidden street-food shack, every quiet beach gilded by the low sun, every slow and magnificent swoop of a train journey.
Which is why this year, our list of top holiday destinations is perhaps more important than ever. We’ve taken great care in selecting places to suit all travel appetites, taking our cue from those in the know – the surfers, the food-truck vendors and the museum curators. On the list you’ll find destinations varied in character and geography, from north-east Australia to the very best places to visit in Europe. Evergreen spots such as Edinburgh and Thailand will be singing louder than ever, while others – Jersey and New Orleans – are shining a light on their own untold histories. Big global events, such as the Beijing Winter Olympics and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, will certainly hold sway, but there are quieter stories to be told too, from family-run farms packing a real foodie punch, to festivals dedicated to the healing properties of the Earth.
So however you picture your own travel landscape, there’s something on this list to satisfy all inclinations. There are, of course, countless spaces to explore on this planet, and many ways in which to do so, but this is our carefully curated selection of those spots coming into their own in 2022 – in no particular order, and including an insider tip on where to book to stay if we have personally already tested somewhere we’d like to recommend to you.
But it’s not just eco-cred that makes this compact capital a must-visit. In June2022, the new National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design will open on Universitetsgata, showcasing more than 5,000 items, making it the biggest gallery in the entire Nordic region. There’ll be an impressive collection of Edvard Munch works, including rock-star painting The Scream, and a plethora of diverse arts and crafts from Chinese imperial porcelain to contemporary conceptual pieces.
Sustainability tip: Hugged by green forest, with toes tipped in the clear fjord waters, this low-carbon city is pedantically eco when it comes to planning how it ticks. The Scandi capital honours its intimate relationship with nature to the ‘nth degree. As easy as driving electric is here, they also champion Bilfritt byliv — car-free city living — trading parking for bike lanes and benches to encourage walking and cycling.
Where to stay in Oslo, Norway: The Thief hotel is set on the Tjuvholmen waterfront, with gold trim and touchy-feely textures, an underground tunnel leading to the spa, and heron’s-eye views over the harbour.
Egypt
Almost 100 years ago, news of the most remarkable archaeological discovery had the world in its thrall. On 26 November 1922, British Egyptologist Howard Carter took the chisel his grandmother had bought him for his 17th birthday and chipped open the door to the hidden Tomb of Tutankhamun, gifting the world the most significant and best-preserved pharaonic tomb ever to be found in the Valley of the Kings. Almost 100 years before that, Jean-François Champollion announced his breakthrough in deciphering the mysterious Rosetta Stone, cementing the foundations of our modern understanding of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
These two major historical milestones will be marked across the country next year, not least in the form of the Grand Egyptian Museum – set to become the largest archaeological museum in the world. Anticipated to open in November 2022, it will showcase the entire Tutankhamun collection, as well as the reconstructed Khufu ship – one of the oldest examples of an ancient vessel, which was sealed into a pit at the foot of The Great Pyramid of Giza in around 2500 BC. The release of Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie romp Death on the Nile in February will further fortify the country’s beguiling appeal, with inspired travellers stepping aboard the plush small-capacity boats that meander in luxury along the world’s most famous river.
There are quiet, powerful stories gaining traction here too. The annual Guardians of the Nile festival, organised by Nubian woman Koma Waidi, continues to empower the marginalised community group, with boat races held to preserve and commemorate Nubian heritage.
Slightly louder will be the Aswan International Women Film Festival, which continues to blossom. Participating works will shine a keen light on women’s issues, showcasing the talent of women screenwriters and filmmakers across Egypt and beyond.
Sustainability tip: Truthfully, this North African country hasn’t been the most environmentally aware; while they’re taking measures to green-up their ways, being a responsible traveller here requires a few considerations. Avoid all-inclusive package holidays deals, and be sure to support local businesses. For diving, you could skip Sharm in favour of Dahab, which is much less developed. Be sure to scuba with reputable, responsible organisations run by those sensitive to the welfare of wildlife — only head out dolphin spotting with true animal-protection advocates.
Where to stay in Egypt: One of Egypt’s best beachfront hotels, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is a Moorish-style resort replete with towers, arabesques and moucharabies and overlooking the Sinai Peninsula.
