Thailand

Chanthaburi

Forget about heading South this year and spend your summer in Chanthaburi, the cultural coastal town on the Eastern seaboard. The 100-year-old Chantabun riverside community is home to Baan Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn (www.baanluangrajamaitri.com) a small hotel that just won the 2015 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The award praises how the property has sympathetically converted a 151-year-old mansion into a boutique hotel and museum. Rates start at B1,250 for bunk beds, B1,800 for twin beds and B3,090 for a grand room. The same region is also home to one of Thailand’s most beautiful coastal roads, Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, a favorite among cyclists.

Kanchanaburi

The historic WWII town recently opened up to the public a tunnel system of abandoned mines which lie beneath a stone mountain dubbed by locals the Everest of Thailand. Visitors aren’t allowed inside the tunnels alone, but can contact officials at Wat Saphan Lao for a four-wheel-drive tour with prices starting around B300 per person or B3,000 for a charter ride. Call 099-978-3833 for more information. Also in the area, the 1,249-km-tall Khao Chang Pueak mountain has become one of the country’s hottest trekking routes thanks to the nail-biting San Khom Meed (or Knife Edge) pass. Currently closed to the public, it reopens at the end of this year. For somewhere to stay, check out X2 River Kwai Resort, which has brought fresh modern architecture to the river at rates starting from B5,353 for a floating cabin.

Nakhon Si Thammarat

The area is not only home to the newly recognized Hat Khanom—Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park (where you might get to spot illusive pink dolphins), but also the much-talked-about eco-friendly Kiriwong Village, which was recently awarded the Green Ranger Award (a prize given to “green destinations” by CreativeMove, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways and Hivesters). For adrenaline junkies, head to Hin Ngam Beach and Sichon Cabana Beach Resort (www.sichoncabana.com), where you’ll find plenty of sports on offer like windsurfing and cycling, as well as a little-known triathlon training camp that makes the most of its location between the mountains and the sea. Locals are also waiting to hear if the ancient Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan temple will be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Koh Rok and Koh Ha

Fans of pristine beaches are now racing to visit Koh Rok in Trang Province, and Koh Ha, an islet in the Similan Islands which is famous for its crystal clear turquoise water and immaculate coral reefs. Both islands can be reached from Phuket for a day trip. Try Love Andaman (081-999-8844, www.facebook.com/loveandaman), which charges B2,800 for a round trip including lunch and snorkeling gear.

Ranong

The heavy rain and difficult access have helped this sleepy part of Thailand retain much of its natural charm, complete with untouched forests, beautiful coastline and natural geysers. As well as being home to the underrated Koh Phayam island, Ranong is now also the main jumping off point for travelers visiting Myanmar’s gorgeous Andaman islands (see Regional Destinations below), while some beautiful accommodation options have also sprouted on the mainland. Hidden Resort & Restaurant Ranong (077-821-900, www.thehidden-ranong.com) offers nostalgic Sino-Portuguese-style accommodation amid vibrant greenery with rates starting at B1,850 for a Hidden Villa. Alternatively, check out Baan Rai I Arun (21 Moo 7 Kaper, 096-938-2981, www.fb.com/baanraiiarun) farm-stay, which went viral amid the Thai traveling community for its modishly-styled wooden house. Booking early is recommended, with rates starting at B1,400 for weekdays and B1,700 for weekends.

Regional

Shanghai, China

Shanghai is once again hot on the radars of Thai travelers now that AirAsia offers budget flights from Bangkok. Starting at mere B9,000 round-trip. It’s also home to a new Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort, which is set to open this spring at a cost of US$5.4 billion.

Myanmar’s Andaman Islands

A 1.5-hour speedboat ride from Ranong’s shore in Thailand will take you to at least three uninhabited islands belonging to Myanmar (Thais are visa exempt but other nationalities should contact the immigration office in Ranong before departure). These are Moe Thauk, Bruer and Cocks Comb Island, home to a deep azure inland lake dubbed “The Emerald Heart.” Book via Grand Andaman Travel, which offers all-inclusive one-day trips (including border pass) at B3,900.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Siem Reap has long overshadowed Phnom Penh as a tourist destination, but now the country’s capital is beginning to shine thanks to a buzzing restaurant, cafe and bar scene. It’s also home to the soon-to-open Sleuk Rith Institute (www.cambodiasri.org), a Zaha Hadid-designed museum, research center, library and hall of contemporary arts dedicated to the Cambodian genocide.

Japan

This year will be your last chance to visit the original site of Tsukiji Market, Tokyo’s legendary fish market most famous for its tuna auctions. After 80 years of operation, the market will close on Nov 2 to relocate to a new site in Chuo Ward, Yoyosu, and is set to reopen on Nov 7.

Fans of Japanese art must also visit Naoshima Island, the country’s iconic hub of contemporary art in the Seto Inland Sea in Chogoku region, which this year will host the Setouchi Triennale (aka Setouchi International Art Festival, setouchi-artfest.jp/en) contemporary art festival. Events take place across a dozen islands throughout the year with dates as follows: spring (Mar 20-Apr 17); summer (Jul 18-Sep 4); autumn (Oct 8-Nov 6). Don’t forget to also check out the Benesse Museum, designed by revered Japanese architect Tadao Ando.

Kyushu Island in the far southeast of the country is now more accessible than ever before thanks to cheap flights that run between Thailand and Fukuoka. Visit in late March or early April and you’ll witness one of the most beautiful displays of cherry blossom anywhere in Japan. Kumamoto prefecture, apart from being home to the much-loved cartoon character Kumamon Bear, is also where you’ll find Kumamoto Castle, one of the largest complete castles in Japan. Head to Kagoshima Prefecture to watch the 1,117-meter volcanic island of Sakurajima as it continues to spit lava. And no visit is complete without visiting Mount Kaimon in Kirishima Yaku National Park, the only place on earth where you can experience a natural onsen-like steam sand bath.

International

USA’s Art and Parks

This year, the United States’ National Park Service turns 100. Among its 59 national parks, you might choose to visit Yellowstone, the world’s first national park in Wyoming, for its famous geysers. Or go down south to California’s Yosemite National Park for its picturesque landscape. Speaking of California, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or SFMoMA, also opens to the public on May 14, when it will officially be the largest modern art museum in the States.

Antalya, Turkey

This year, Antalya, on the country’s southwest coast, hosts World Expo 2016 under the theme "Cultivating a Green Life for Future Generations." The expo takes place from Apr-Oct. The ancient Mediterranean city’s history runs through both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, while its coastline is full of natural attractions and historical sites including seaside Duden Waterfalls, Yivliminare Mosque and Hıdırlık Tower.

Wroclaw, Poland, and San Sebastian, Spain

Every year, the European Union crowns new cities to be European Capitals of Culture. The two named this year are Wroclaw, the administrative capital in Poland’s Lower Silesian Region, and San Sebastian, the northern coastal city of Spain’s Basque region. Wroclaw’s old town, which dates back 1,000 years, is praised as a melting pot of European culture, having been under Czech, German and Polish rule. San Sebastian, meanwhile, is a gastronomic paradise thanks to its world-renowned local tapas and Michelin-star restaurants. Actually, three of the seven 3-Michelin-star restaurants in Spain can be found here: Akelarre, Martin Berasategui and Arzak.

Greenland

Travelers seeking arctic adventures are looking beyond Norway to the glorious landscapes of Greenland, which this year hosts the Arctic Winter Games 2016 on Mar 6-11. The country also offers all kinds of adventurous activities, from arctic wildlife and whale watching to bathing in hot springs under the midnight sun. Visit www.greenland.com to plan your trip.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

One of the most famous cities for architecture in Europe, Rotterdam is listed as a hot destination this year thanks to the opening of Museum Rotterdam inside the Rem Koolhaas-designed Timmerhuis building. Opening in February, the museum will feature more than 100,000 objects detailing the history of this relatively young port town—it's currently celebrating its 75th anniversary.