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Yörük nomads lead their flocks of sheep up to the cooler highlands with more summer pastures in Mersin, Türkiye, on May 4, 2021. (Photo: DHA)
To meet the needs of travel enthusiasts – welcoming the new year 2022 with a readiness to travel despite the emerging threat of the new Omicron variant – the American magazine National Geographic (NatGeo) has just released its list of the 25 best destinations of 2022. This list is divided into five categories: Nature; Adventure; Sustainability; Culture and History; and Family. Among them, the top spots are occupied by the following impressive destinations:
THE MOST EXCITING DESTINATION TO ENJOY NATURE
Lake Baikal, Russia: With an area of 31,722 square kilometers and an average depth of 744 meters, the enormous Lake Baikal is a natural wonder recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Baikal is the world's largest freshwater lake by volume, known as the "Pearl of Siberia" and the "Galapagos of Russia" (Galapagos is a famous tourist destination, known as the "Paradise Island" of Ecuador, a South American country).
The icy beauty of winter on Lake Baikal in Russia. (Photo: Sergey Pesterev/ WikiMedia)
Currently, tourists are being encouraged to join hands in developing ecotourism infrastructure to help protect Lake Baikal and its stunningly diverse landscape, including forests, grasslands, pristine beaches, and famous destinations such as Listvyanka village, Olkhon Island, and Kotelnikinsky Point.
THE MOST EXCITING ADVENTURE DESTINATION
Arapahoe Basin: It is a ski resort located in the Arapaho National Park in Colorado, USA, in the Rocky Mountains – the largest mountain range in North America. It is a favorite destination for adventurous travelers seeking Via Ferrata (a type of mountaineering using ropes and spikes rather than specialized equipment).
Tourists experience Via Ferrata (a form of climbing using ropes and spikes) in the Arapahoe Basin area. (Photo: Internet)
To get the best views of the Continental Divide, climbers often begin their ascent from the base of the mountain to the summit, which is approximately 4,000 meters high. From there, they can take in the breathtaking beauty of the windswept Colorado landscape below, dotted with green mosses, vibrant pink and purple vegetation, and bizarre rock gardens formed by the cliffs…
BEST SUSTAINABLE TOURIST DESTINATIONS
Yasuní National Park, located in eastern Ecuador, has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1989. (Photo: fairplanet.org)
Yasuní National ParkFamous for its enchanting landscapes and many valuable timber species, it is the first of five pilot sites for the French-funded TerraAmaz initiative, launched in late 2020, aimed at supporting sustainable development and protecting the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
THE BEST DESTINATION FOR CULTURE AND HISTORY
The charming pastel-colored houses in the fishing village of Corricella on the island of Procida, Italy. (Photo: CNN)
Procida Island, Italy:The top spot in this category goes to the island of Procida, which was honored as the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022.
To reach this island city, visitors will take a 40-minute high-speed ferry ride from Naples. They will experience a wonderful cultural connection through the historic center of Terra Murata, with its perfect, postcard-like landscape, showcasing typical local architecture, charming pastel-colored buildings, and the slow-paced, peaceful, and romantic lifestyle of the local residents.
Two other impressive positions in this category were also occupied by:
Jingmai Mountain, China, is known as the "Tea Sanctuary." (Photo: China Daily)
Jingmai MountainKnown as the "Tea Sanctuary," located in the southwestern border region of Yunnan Province, it boasts ancient tea forests, some thousands of years old, providing the raw materials for one of China's "Ten Famous Teas." This is Pu-erh tea, renowned for its flavor and quality, and among the most expensive in the world.
An Ainu indigenous village with a rich cultural heritage is a captivating tourist destination on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo: CNN)
"The magical land of Japan" - Hokkaido IslandLocated in the far north of the "Land of the Rising Sun," Japan is renowned for its breathtaking unspoiled landscapes, delicious fresh food, unique coastal villages, and the rich cultural heritage of the Ainu indigenous people.
THE BEST DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES
The Yörük people on the Teke Peninsula still maintain their nomadic traditions in the summer of 2021. (Photo: DHA)
Lycia, TürkiyeBetter known as the "Turquoise Coast," Lycia, with its crystal-clear waters and stunning Mediterranean coastline, is an ideal destination for those who enjoy scuba diving, swimming, and sightseeing from yachts. Visitors can also experience the Yörük cultural heritage of the Yörük people on the Teke Peninsula. The Yörük people still maintain many unique nomadic customs and lifestyles of their ancestors.
