4 More Inspirational Cities You Should Travel To ASAP

New year, new travel bucket list. Last year we put together a list of some of our favorite cities to visit and adventure in across the world. Whether you’ve had a chance to travel to our first four or not, here are a few more to add to your list.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland has become something of a travel hot-spot in the last few years. This is partially because their main airline - Icelandair - started offering the option to add a layover in Iceland for up to 7 days into any other flight to Europe for free. But more importantly, travelers have started to recognize all of the exciting activities Iceland has to offer. There’s no better place to start exploring than the capital city of Reykjavik. Within the city, there are extensive walking tours, great restaurants, craft beers (check out Microbar for some of the best!) and fun themed bars. If you have the time, a day trip to Gullfoss and The Secret Lagoon is a great way to see a little more of what Iceland has to offer. And if you can’t make it outside of the city limits, check out FlyOver Iceland, a new immersive video experience in downtown Reykjavik.

Niseko, Japan

While mainly known for some of the best skiing in the country, Niseko Japan is a perfect destination for year-round mountain town activities. In the winter, there are ski slopes for every skill level, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling around the snowy terrain. In the summer, hike Mount Yotei, go on a rafting trip down Shiribetsu River, and take advantage of the city’s extensive bike paths. No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to enjoy Niseko’s nightlife, their world famous restaurants (including the lunch and dinner kaiseki menus at Rakuichi), and a traditional hot springs soak at one of several onsens in the area.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

image via Go Addis Tours

Ethiopia’s capital city Addis Ababa is also the largest city in the country, meaning there’s no shortage of activities or places to explore. There are plenty of tours that can take you to some of the biggest attractions in the city, and many include a food, wine, and coffee tasting component so that you can get to know the local cuisine. Speaking of coffee, Ethiopia is famous for it, and Addis features plenty of coffee shops serving up locally grown beans in the traditional way. If you’re ready to take a break from city bustle, there are plenty of nearby hikes and tours of historic sites, including to Washa Mikael, a centuries-old church carved out of the rock.

Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand has something for everyone, and that is especially true of its capital city Wellington. History fan? Visit Te Papa, a history and cultural museum located right on the water of the harbor. Movie buff? Weta workshop, the geniuses behind the effects in the Lord of the Rings films, is a short drive from the city center and offers a variety of tours and experiences. Looking for a peaceful walk? Take the historic cable car to the botanic gardens that overlook the city. Combine all that with world class dining and a nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs, and you may be tempted to spend your whole visit in the city. (Definitely don’t do that though, New Zealand has some of the best adventure activities you can find anywhere in the world.)

Keep adventuring!