Private Guide's Best in Travel 2014 - top 10 countries

These ten countries are considered to be the best tourist destinations in 2014. Some of them are hosting exciting festivals; others cut ribbons on new attractions or have some other interesting things that might attract tourists. Feast your eyes on the most wanted destinations of the coming year!

1. Antarctica – adventure in its pure form!

Imagine yourself taking part in an average wildlife television program and enjoy the dazzling icebergs of Antarctica, calving glaciers and breath-taking mountain ranges. You can also watch some native penguin species frolic and make sure to avoid roaming pods of killer whales and fierce leopard seals. Antarctica is a charming place where you can also enjoy watching millions of seabirds spiral over the wild Southern Ocean. The year 2014 marks the centenary of Ernest Shackleton’s infamous Antarctic crossing. Don’t hesitate before visiting this pristine continent! Even despite it’s not an actual country and it doesn’t have its indigenous population you will find this place irresistible! Don’t miss your chance to follow the path of adventurous explorers and take your life on!

2. Brazil – don’t miss 2014’s World Cup!

Brazil is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and truth be told it doesn’t need any additional attractions in order to remain in top-tourist-destinations list. But the year 2014 is marked by one of the most coveted sporting events in the world – the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is followed two years later by one more landmark sporting event – the 206 Summer Olympics. As if mountains covered with Crayola-green rainforest, endless strands of sun-toasted coast and some of world’s most beautiful colonial villages didn’t already make up an unfair share of heaven! Brazil is without any doubts the belle of the ball. If you are not interested in those sporting events, you may consider trekking across towering windswept dunes splashed with cerulean lagoons in Lencois Maranhenses, swimming in crystal clear rivers near Bonito or exploring gilded colonial churches in frozen-in-time cities such as Ouro Preto. Whatever you decide to do, Brazil’s diversity will make you slack-jawed.

3. Scotland – a surprisingly eventful year

You’d be thrilled to know that Glasgow is hosting the XX Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2014! Probably that’s why the city has recently had a multi-million-pound facelift: improved transport links, new sports venues and a regeneration of Glasgow Harbour. The year of 2014 is also marked by the government initiative to welcome the Scottish diaspora coming back to the motherland – the Homecoming. It’ll be a celebrating of precious Scotland’s heritage, drink and food. When it comes to speaking about Scotland, they say “there’s something for everyone” and it’s actually true. Perthshire is known for Europe’s biggest brass band festival, Scottish marvelous castles attract romantic people, and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in May is also worth seeing and even taking part in it. Besides all this, politics also seems to take center stage in 2014. The question is to be or not to be independent.

4. Malawi – enjoy beach life without the crowds!

Imagine this: several hours after landing down in Blantyre, Malawi’s second-largest city you pitch your tent or check into superluxe digs at the Majete Wildlife Reserve. Only ten years ago this place lay decimated by poaching, but due to a wildlife relocation project it has recently gained Big Five status. Every morning you get up close to wild animals such as buffalo, leopard, lion, rhino and elephant, but there’s no annoying 4WD scrum which is so common in Africa’s best-known parks. You can try snorkeling at Lake Malawi, which is known for its crystal clear water with incredibly high visibility, or hike over hazy peaks in a breath-taking moonscape of Mt Mulanje. Besides that there’s the Viphya Plateau with its whaleback hills and haunting wilderness of grasslands. This place feels downright prehistoric so don’t miss a chance to see it with your own eyes.

5. Sweden – exquisite cuisine and scary movies

Nowadays most people have a sense of what’s Sweden like partially due to the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Now we can imagine how it looks like even in the north – exquisitely beautiful, cold and a bit scary. Sweden is emerging with a completely new pop-culture persona and that’s why Umea, northern Sweden’s largest city is considered to be the European Capital of Culture for 2014. Sweden has always been known as a top-notch destination for true gourmands and chefs, but lately its reputation spread far beyond the country’s borders. Due to the fact that Swedish cuisine is strongly tied to the local ingredients such as game, seafood, berries, regional cheeses or herbs, it is advisable to visit the motherland of all this fine food.

6. Seychelles – paradise on Earth

All in all there are 115 divine islands which are strewn across the aquarium-like Indian Ocean. They say that these islands have all the key ingredients for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime holiday. But you probably didn’t even consider visiting Seychelles because of their reputation as a millionaire’s playground. Well, the good news is that besides elegant eco-villas and exclusive island hideaways you will find some wallet-friendlier self-catering apartments and picturesque Creole guesthouses that have sprung up over the past several years. It is worth noting that there’s much more to do on Seychelles than just sipping cocktails on the beach. You can try diving, hiking, boat tours, snorkeling and some other adventure options which are available for tourists. Wildlife lovers will be thrilled too, seeing as Seychelles wasn’t called “The Galapagos of the India Ocean” for nothing.

7. Mexico – the awakening of the sleeping giant

Mexico has it all – here you can party all night long in Cancun, take sun baths on a Caribbean beach, gorge on seven types of mole, shop for brightly coloured handicrafts in Oaxaca, visit the frozen-in-time Mayan temple and do lots of other things. Intriguing, huh? You bet! Not only the holidaymakers are happy and optimistic here, the locals are extremely happy about living in Mexico. There are lots of developments on the travel scene here: new Maya museums in Merida and Cancun, installation of Latin America’s longest ziplines on the rim of the Copper Canyon. The image of Mexico is on the threshold of change, so it’s the right time to dust off your Mexican dream again and enjoy it at full!

8. Macedonia – Balkan-style trip

By the year 2014 the government’s love-it-or-hate-it makeover of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, will be finished. It is worth noting that with these changes Skopje has become more visitor-friendly and now it abounds in new hostels, upscale bistros and wine bars and is considered to be one of southeastern Europe’s best club scenes. Besides the capital you might also be interested in the following famous tourist destinations: Mavrovo ski area, Lake Ohrid, and ancient Stobi. Quiet Berovo, which is found on the border with Bulgaria, is considered to be an up-and-coming contender on the spa-hotel scene. The eastern part of idyllic Macedonia is famous for the sturdy old Kratovo with its Ottoman-era cobblestone lanes and stone bridges that revitalize derelict Turkish mansions and attest the past wealth of this ancient mining town.

9. Belgium – experience something new in Europe’s underrated gem

It would be your loss if you don’t visit Belgium and its extremely picturesque cities such as Ghent, Antwerp or Bruges. If you are a gourmand Belgium is the right place for you to be seeing as the drink and food is a gustatory blast in this marvelous country which is known for world’s best chips, chocolate and of course beer. Belgian countryside is placid and flat, the seaside is incredible chic, while the cultural treasures of the country range from Tintin to medieval masters. However, ever despite these various landmarks and attractions tourists seldom consider coming to Belgium for a vacation. Starting from 2014 a huge influx of tourists is expected due to the festival of remembrance honouring the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WWI. The festival is planned to last until 2018 and hopefully it will help to change the common preconception about Belgium. Those who decide to visit Belgium will be thrilled at the sight of medieval towns where gastronomy and culture meet, beautiful gothic buildings, breath-taking pictures by Van Eyck, Breugel and Magritte, cool shops and canals. They will also discover picturesque mellow meadows, cemeteries and battlefields that testify to the horrors of a war.

10. Malaysia – the country’s been revitalized

According to the statistics Malaysia has approximately 28 million visitors every year which clearly indicates that this country has much to offer. If you are planning to explore Malaysia, take note of the largest bird park in Southeast Asia in Melaka (more than 400 species at your disposal). Hello Kitty Land and Legoland Malaysia are also considered to be one of the top destinations here. Among the other factors in attracting more visitors is the new second terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport that caters mainly the low budget airline sector. There are lots of operators that offer low cost tickets to Malaysia – Malindo Air, Firefly, AirAsia, and Malaysia Airlines. Most of them also offer direct lines scheduled to destinations as diverse as Pyongyang and Istanbul. Malaysia is full of surprises for the ones eager to discover its secrets! Get ready for incredible experiences in Malaysian Borneo – from indulging at the luxurious Gays Island Resort to exploring off-the-beaten-track Kudat. If you prefer active tourism you’ll get a unique chance to discover this beautiful country on two wheels – cycle tourism is extremely popular here.

Article author: Gwen Clain