Phnom Penh, Cambodia
look at the success of the Womadelaide festival, or the inevitable migration of the Barossa Valley’s gourmet scene, to understand that Adelaide can hold its own.
The line-up for the 2017 iteration of Womad is yet to be released, but it’s sure to be a calendar highlight.
Don’t miss: When to go:
Year-around. Next year’s Womad is from 10 to 13 March. southaustralia.com.
More: Tokyo, Japan Why you should go:
Tokyo will always be hot, because there’s just so much to do. It’s a city of a thousand neighbourhoods, each one distinct and worthy of exploration. You could spend a week just checking out all of the bars in Ebisu, or the fashion boutiques in Harajuku, or strolling ancient lanes in Asakusa, or feeling like a local in Yoyogi-Uehara, or taking in the bright lights of Shinjuku. Every return visit rewards you.
Spend a night eating and
Don’t miss:
drinking at the Ebisu Yokocho, a covered alleyway filled with bars and restaurants.
When to go:
Year-around, although November to February is cold. jnto.org.au.
More: Stone Town, Tanzania Why you should go:
There are very few African cities that are tourist attractions in their own right, and don’t act as mere stepping-off points for more famous attractions. But Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar is the exception. With a mixed history involving the Portuguese, Arabs, native Africans and more, plus a stunning oceanfront location and a couple of recent high-end hotel openings – including a Park Hyatt – Stone Town is looking good for 2017.
The nightly waterfront markets are always abuzz with tourists and locals dining on fresh-caught fish and ‘‘Zanzibar pizzas’’.
June to October.
Don’t miss: When to go: Why you should go:
While most international visitors to Cambodia concentrate on the ruins of the Angkor kingdom in the north, or the beaches in the south, there’s plenty to like about the country’s ramshackle capital. Phnom Penh ain’t pretty, but it is fun: the restaurant scene is growing, the coffee is good, and expats and locals alike hit the pubs and bars most nights to fight off the humidity with cold drinks.
Get a taste of colonial-era PP with a drink at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (fcccambodia.com).
November to February. tourismcambodia.org.
Don’t miss: When to go: More: Los Angeles, US Why you should go:
A few years ago the only reason you would have gone to downtown LA is if you were on a business trip, or you were lost. These days, however, the city is transformed, with art galleries – the Museum of Contemporary Art, the brand-new The Broad – plus fresh food at Grand Central Market, green space at Grand Park, and restaurants at the LA Live precinct.
Don’t miss:
Catch a show at the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, a venue that was the harbinger of downtown LA’s revival. Year-round. discoverlosangeles.com.
When to go: More: La Paz, Bolivia Why you should go:
First there was Buenos Aires, then Lima, and now… La Paz? As unlikely as it sounds, this chaotic Bolivian city is becoming South America’s hottest foodie destination. For the best in upmarket cuisine, try Gustu, a fine-diner opened by Claus Myer, one of the co-founders of Danish restaurant Noma, and run by Kamila Seidler, recently named Latin America’s best female chef by 50 Best. For something more traditional, grab a saltena – a soupy empanada – from Pacena La Saltena, a kiosk that’s famous city-wide.
A meal at Gustu will be up there with any you’ll have in Lima or BA (restaurantgustu.com).
Spring or autumn. bolivia.travel.
Don’t miss: When to go: More: Memphis, US Why you should go:
Memphis is always a great city to visit – however, 2017 will be a particularly notable one for this city of soul. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the passing of Memphis’s favourite son, Elvis Presley. The King’s former home-turnedmuseum, Graceland, will host a week of events around August 16, including nightly tribute concerts, panel discussions, and a candlelit vigil to mark the passing of one of the true greats.
If you can’t make it in August, there’s still plenty of reason to head to Memphis next year. Spend a few long evenings in the blues bars of Beale Street, or check out the hipster revival in suburbs like Binghampton and South Main, or just gorge yourself on Tennessee barbecue. Whatever you choose, you’ll be wooed by the wild spirit and friendly nature of Memphis.
There’s so much musical history here, from the famous Graceland to Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded, to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum downtown.
Next year, the 40th anniversary celebrations will make August the best time to visit (see graceland.com).
memphistravel.com.
Don’t miss: When to go: More: Kotor, Montenegro Why you should go:
While the tourist hordes have well and truly descended upon the old city of Dubrovnik, in neighbouring Montenegro there’s a small amount of solace in Kotor. While the latter city shares the stunning waterfront location, ancient city walls and winding alleyways of its Croatian counterpart, Kotor still carries with it the feeling of untouched charm, particularly if you avoid the JulyAugust holiday rush.
Climb the 1350 steps of Kotor’s city wall to enjoy a spectacular vantage point on St John’s Hill.
Summer is beautiful, though popular. Try autumn or spring.
visit-montenegro.com.
Don’t miss: When to go: More: Leipzig, Germany Why you should go:
The city affectionately known as ‘‘Hypezig’’ has transformed in the last few years from being a bleak, industrial East German hub into a hotspot of creativity. Reflecting its history as the home of Mendelssohn, Bach and Wagner, Leipzig is now host to a new wave of musicians, artists and designers, giving it the feel of a smaller Berlin.
Catch high art at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig’s main concert hall, or view pop art at the Baumwollspinnerei, an industrial area turned arts district.
May to September. leipzig.travel.
Don’t miss: When to go: More: Fes, Morocco Why you should go:
Although political unrest plagues much of northern Africa, Morocco remains a safe, stable exception, making this an ideal time to visit the country, and in particular the ancient city of Fes. Fes seems like it’s changed very little in the past few hundred years – its sprawling medina is still packed with shoppers and onlookers, hawkers and touts, the air filled with scents of spice and the screams of merchants peddling their wares.
Don’t miss:
Spend the night in one of Fes’ riads, the old mansions that have been turned into boutique hotels. Year-round. visitmorocco.com.
When to go: More: Hong Kong Why you should go:
It was 20 years ago next year that Hong Kong was returned from Britain to the Chinese; however, this city-state still marches to the beat of its own drum. While official celebrations will mark the handover, for most of Hong Kong’s residents 2017 will be business as usual: sumptuous meals at the city’s tens of thousands of restaurants; long nights in upmarket expat bars; and shopping, shopping, shopping.
Don’t miss:
Grab a dim sum breakfast at Lin Heung (linheung.com.hk), a restaurant that falls somewhere between a pleasant dining experience and all-out warfare. October to April. discoverhongkong.com.
When to go: More: Mexico City, Mexico Why you should go:
Somewhere in among the horror stories of drug cartels and petty crime, the truth about Mexico City got lost – and that truth is that this place is just oozing culture and charm.
For great examples, check out the boutique hotels and smart eateries in La Condesa district, or the huge Diego Rivera murals in the Bellas Artes gallery, or the former home of Frida Kahlo in Colonia del Carmen, or even the Zocalo, the city’s main square.
Don’t miss:
Spend a few nights at the Red Tree House, a B&B-style hotel that’s one of the friendliest places you’ll ever stay (theredtreehouse.com). March to May. visitmexico.com. - Traveller
When to go: More: