Looking for new ideas for your next trip? Here's where you can find them. Regardless of what your New Year's resolutions were, "travel more" fits every single one of them. By being happier and stress-free, your health can improve, you can lose some weight, and this can even give you the opportunity to spend more time with your spouse, friends, or kids. Okay, yes, we're kidding. But are we really?
Travelling more isn't just for your soul, it can change your life, broaden your perspective, relieve stress, and teach you what's important in your life.
So grab your notepad and calendar and start marking off blocks of time that you can turn into travel zones.
12 must-see travel destinations
January - New Zealand
Located almost 2000 kilometres east of Australia, New Zealand is a pretty remote country, and it was one of the last to be discovered by humans. Similar to Australia, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and the Galápagos Islands, this island nation is super rich in biodiversity and a real showstopper.
Summer lasts from December to February, so you can extend your trip to the end of February if you like. You'll be enchanted by endless green slopes, volcanic rumblings, world-class quality wine, milk and meat, and natural and historical richness. Car rental is available in all major cities and is the best way to explore this country.
February - Mexico
November is when the rainy season ends and summer begins. Then you are good to go until June. Mexico is hot and the hotels and sighs are theatrically unfamiliar to the foreign eye - but not because they are fake but exceptionally real, full of history and unexplained mystery.
One of the most famous sights in Mexico is El Castillo, a massive Mayan - mathematically designed pyramid in Yucatan.
It is said that this amazing sculpture is a representation of the Mayan calendar. Each side has 91 steps, making a total of 364 steps. With a platform on top, this makes 365 "steps" of a solar year. Every year at the equinox, people come from all over the world to see the dance of shadows on the steps of this impressive history marker.
March - Martinique
Martinique is a Caribbean Island, which hosts many sun-seeking tourists from December to April. It is one of the most famous destinations for those who just need to escape the grey, cold and damp weather of the continental climate.
Volcanic, turquoise and white, super friendly and diving. This is Martinique. One of the best features of Martinique is that everyone can find something of their choice there. Nature offers you rainforests, mountains, bays and beaches, but most of all this island offers you an experience you will never forget.
You can visit the Museum of Volcanology founded in 1932, you can enjoy exquisite meals in infancy or crazy restaurants, can dive and snorkel to your heart's content, can visit Habitation Clement where you can taste local rum and experience the true culture of Martinique, and yes, endless sugar sand beaches await you.
April - Barbados
Barbados is another Caribbean Island, which always offers something for every taste and budget. You can opt for the Atlantis Submarine adventure where you can explore the great blue deep without getting wet, you can participate in the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, the most popular horse race in Southern Caribbean, you can go partying or indulge in Caribbean culinary delights.
May - Ireland
Irish music is one of the most original experiences of this island in the North Atlantic. Despite emigration and a distinct connection to musical influences from Britain and the United States, Irish music has retained many of its traditional aspects.
In eight days you can explore all of Irelands Lakelands with seaside villages and very friendly people. Although this is ostensibly a driving route, there are excellent walking and cycling opportunities along the way.
If you go to Northern Ireland you can visit the Seven Kingdoms of the infamous Game of Thrones. If you're a true fan, you'll recognize memorable locations from the series where the evil Lannisters, the honourable Starks, and all the others play their roles.
June - Greece
Did you know that Greece has 6,000 islands? Sure, only 227 of them are inhabited, but boy do they give you a lot of bang for your buck.
Santorini is one of the most beautiful, Kos is ideal for a road trip, Crete is perfect for history buffs, Rhodes or Corfu are perfect for a family holiday and Mykonos or Ios is for those who just want to party all night.
Greece is one of the most affordable places to visit. Regardless of whether you visit it by plane or by boat, the trip won't cost you much. And once you're there, it will only get cheaper and more affordable.
July - Iceland
In one week, it's possible to see the best of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, as well as visit some sights further afield. June or July is the ideal time to visit to experience the extreme daylight.
During these months, the sun rises at 3 am and sets just before midnight. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, spring is not the best time to do so, as the sky is simply too bright for the human eye to see the show.
If the Aurora Borealis is your main focus when travelling to Iceland, you'll need to visit in January, February or March, but then you won't see as much of the other natural beauty this amazing country has to offer.
August - Spain
Aaaah, the country with 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 5,000 miles of coastline are known for its 573 beautiful beaches. No wonder around 85% of all visitors choose the coastal areas to enjoy their holidays.
However, beaches are not all that Spain has to offer. Spain is the second most mountainous country in Europe after Switzerland, and it even has real Egyptian temples that you can visit. It also offers you a culinary experience that will be the envy of many. Casa Botín is the oldest restaurant in the world. The place has been open since 1725 and you can bet that it has seen it all. Yes, even the painter Goya worked there as a waiter.
September - Great Britain
The United Kingdom is a country with real style, British posh but extremely friendly and accepting. The autumn colours give Britain special excellence.
The National Arboretum is simply beautiful at this time of year, with everything from oaks to cherries, birches and limes, so the Japanese maple trees can stand out with their red colour. If you're there in September or October, visit Castell Coch in Wales, which is known as the "red castle" just for the red and gold trees that surround it. A must-visit at this time is also Sheffield Park, home to four lakes and sublime flora. The most beautiful colours of Exbury Gardens can be admired in late September and October, and the same goes for Stourhead in Wiltshire.
Autumn is also the perfect time for shopping and lounging in cafes, and you can enjoy the local pubs at leisure as it's not too crowded or hot.
October - Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations. The golden jewel of the world, known for its spiritual context and wild nature. Bangkok is an incredible city, and the islands offer you true relaxation.
Go. Explore. Try to take it all in and then dream of returning there. If you've been to Thailand before, now is the perfect time to visit again, so you can be bolder with your itinerary this time. Go into the jungle, eat on the streets, and talk to people in the floating markets. Rent a boat and see the floating Venice, go elephant trekking at Mahawangchang Elephant Camp, get a real Thai massage every day, rent a car or a Vespa and ride like the locals. You only live once. Thailand is one of the few places where you can let loose and go crazy.
November - Mauritius
November and December are the last months when you can enjoy the cool, dry and sunny weather in Mauritius. This small island is where luxury can be quite affordable.
Plenty of water sports, world-class spas, the finest golf courses and gourmet cuisine make it hard to leave the hotel, but there's plenty to see and do in Mauritius - from French colonial houses and imaginative animal parks to nature walks, quad biking, zip-lining and horse riding. Mauritius is a well-known destination for couples and newlyweds, but there are also some family-friendly hotels and resorts.
December - Where do you want to say "Happy New Year"?
First, you need to answer a question for yourself. Would you rather be the first or the best? Because that's what it's all about. Staying in the tropics, Kiribati Islands, Australia, New Zealand, China or Japan will allow you to start the New Year ahead of many other nations, but places like London, Paris, New York, Dubai or Reykjavík offer fireworks and a multicultural experience like no other. 
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