Unveiling Your Ultimate Travel Fantasy: Where Will You Wander?

Angola

Angola, featuring its unexplored tropical coastlines, sacred waterfalls such as Kalandula, and national parks like Iona, nestled within the 55-million-year-old Namib Desert, is a paradise for adventurers. In the southeast, Luengue-Luiana and Mavinga National Parks, perfect for camping, angling, and observing wildlife, are part of the new 200,000-square-mile Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which spans five nations; starting this year, tourists will require only a single visa to enter the entire region. U.S. visitors can now access Angola without a visa for stays up to 30 days, and the capital, Luanda, features a new airport. The architectural firm Foster + Partners is also working on the new Luanda Aerotropolis, enhancing retail, hospitality, and cultural venues. Experience artistic Luanda (with a stay at the newly opened Protea by Marriott), and then venture on unique desert, island, or beach itineraries with Okuya Adventures; partake in a 15-day Rovos Rail journey, crossing the continent from west to east, with departures from Lobito, an Angolan port; or reserve an Angola Waves surfing trip along 75 miles of coastline at Cabo Ledo, one of the country’s most treasured secrets. — Daniel Scheffler

Lexington and Concord, Mass.

Massachusetts played a pivotal role in the establishment of a new nation, and presently it is advancing toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing in 2026. Before quill pens inscribed on parchment, the initial battles of the Revolutionary War unfolded in the state, specifically in Lexington and Concord, on April 19, 1775. These towns are commemorating those conflicts with Patriots’ Day parades on April 19, displays, concerts such as “Music & Rebels,” a quilting exhibition, the planting of 250 trees, and more. Paul Revere, the Boston silversmith who galloped from Boston to Lexington on the night of April 18, 1775, to alert of the British advance, will be honored through various means, including a re-enactment, public art, and a colonial-themed Midnight Ride dinner followed by a candlelit march. This anniversary is also inspiring new ventures, including the Lexington Depot, a converted train station now serving as a museum, and a new bronze monument, “Something Is Being Done,” celebrating female pioneers. In Concord, guided tours, discussions, and other events will delve into the contributions of Indigenous peoples and those of African descent during the American Revolution. — AnneLise Sorensen

Alishan, Taiwan

This year, those traveling to Taiwan can discover a distinctive — albeit slower — method to navigate its misty forested mountains. Last year, the 112-year-old Alishan Forest Railway reopened after a 15-year hiatus due to repairs following typhoons and landslides that disrupted this picturesque 44-mile journey, which begins in the southern city of Chiayi and ascends into Taiwan’s lush mountain ranges. The station in the city, once desolate and forlorn, is now bustling every morning with individuals eager to board the narrow-gauge, red-and-cream train, which operates twice daily. Midway through the five-hour, one-way trip, the train pauses at Fenqihu, a mountain hamlet renowned locally for its bento box dishes and treats such as aiyu jelly, crafted from a type of fig. The premier time to visit the Alishan Forest is from November to April, when rainfall is minimized. — Amy Chang Chien

Lofoten Islands, Norway

The solar maximum is anticipated to persist into 2025, with Lofoten, a group of five primary islands situated off Norway’s western shoreline, 100 miles beyond the Arctic Circle, being an idyllic spot to witness the northern lights. The archipelago’s rugged, craggy mountains, white sandy shores, and azure fjords attract visitors year-round. During the winter months, nearly 24-hour darkness is offset by charming Christmas markets, including the Pre-Christmas Adventure in Henningsvaer, featuring concerts, culinary delights, and crafts under twinkling lights. Lofoten is striving to become Norway’s most climate-friendly destination, striving to halve aviation emissions and enhance public transit. This region offers captivating ski touring, with routes — some accessible solely by boat — descending from mountain heights to coastal fishing villages. In summer, the unending daylight makes it an exceptional location for hiking, kayaking, and even surfing in the Norwegian Sea — with an appropriate wetsuit. — Sophie Stuber