Travel guides got pretty creative this year with their must-visit recommendation lists, resulting in Queens, New York, landing at the top spot in Lonely Planet's Best in the U.S. in 2015 list. But are unexpected choices like Queens and Cleveland really in the best interest of travelers, or are they meant to grab headlines for being a surprising pick? HuffPost Live's Nancy Redd spoke with a panel of travel experts on Wednesday about the merits of such recommendations and why they most likely won't make for the vacation of your dreams.
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Before You Go
ANGUILLA
Photo Credit: Alexshalamov | Dreamstime.comWhere: CaribbeanRinged by blindingly white sand and lustrous aquamarine waters, this mostly flat desert island offers a decidedly low-key escape, especially compared to bustling St. Martin nearby. There are no nonstop flights from the U.S. to Anguilla, and no port for cruise ships to pull into, which helps to maintain the island’s relaxed vibe. Locals value privacy and peace—they won’t even permit Jet Skis on the island for fear of noise pollution.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Anguilla Travel Guide
NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
Photo Credit: THPStock / ShutterstockWhere: AustraliaLocated less than 20 miles from Brisbane, “Straddie” (as locals call it) is a popular weekend destination for Brisbanites looking to escape the city. Activities here include swimming, fishing, surfing, and hiking to explore the island’s five beaches and dozens of inland lakes. You can spot koalas on the island, or head to Point Lookout, considered one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Australia Travel Guide
HAINAN ISLAND
Photo Credit: LU JINRONG / ShutterstockWhere: ChinaPopular with Chinese and Russian tourists, but mostly unknown to other travelers, this tropical island off China’s southern coast is home to gorgeous beaches, a volcano park, monkeys, a Shaolin Buddhist temple, an ancient Hainanese village, and more. The island is now being promoted as “China’s Hawaii,” which may sound like a tourism ploy, but the scenery here is worthy of the comparison.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s China Travel Guide
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HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK
Photo Credit: Saffiresblue | Dreamstime.comWhere: OhioHiking, biking, archery, fishing, hunting, camping—you’ll find all this and more at this state park, spread across more than 2,300 acres. The park is most notable for its waterfalls and dramatic rock formations, including Old Man’s Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Ohio Travel Guide
KOH LIPE
Photo Credit: Blanscape / ShutterstockWhere: ThailandAccessible only by boat, this island paradise in the Andaman Sea is surrounded by clear water and pristine reefs, where 25 percent of the world’s tropical fish species live and swim. Considered a calmer alternative to overrun Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe features a variety of beaches—some developed, some deserted—but you’ll find peace and quiet at Sunrise Beach. As part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, Koh Lipe is unlikely to see the kind of massive developments that have detracted from the appeal of other Thai islands.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Thailand Travel Guide
GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK
Photo Credit: Joshanon1 | Dreamstime.comWhere: AlaskaTravelers who are proficient in outdoor survival skills should head to this vast, nearly untouched wilderness park, spread across 8.4 million acres in northern Alaska. The park has no established, roads, trails, or campsites, which means that trekking across this landscape is a challenging but one-of-a-kind adventure. Home to the Brooks Range mountains and six rivers, the park offers excellent fishing opportunities in addition to its superlative scenery.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Alaska Travel Guide
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ŞANLIURFA
Photo Credit: Orhan Cam / ShutterstockWhere: TurkeyCommonly called Urfa, this historic city dates back at least 3,500 years, and Turkish legend has it that Abraham was born in a cave here. The cave and other important sites draw hundreds of thousands of Muslim visitors annually. Aside from its traditional architecture, Urfa’s main attractions are the Fish Pool, an old covered bazaar, the Throne of Nimrod fortress, and a small archaeological museum. A trip to nearby Göbekli Tepe is considered a must, as it is home to the world’s oldest temple, dating from more than 11,000 years ago.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Turkey Travel Guide
KOBARID
Photo Credit: dohtar / ShutterstockWhere: SloveniaLocated in the Soča Valley, this picturesque town is surrounded by majestic mountains and rolling green pastures. Aside from its natural beauty, Kobarid has historical importance, with archaeological sites dating to the Iron Age in addition to a museum commemorating the town’s role in World War I. For such a small place, Kobarid is home to a surprising number of fine restaurants, five of which comprise a group known as the Kobarid Gastronomic Circle.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Slovenia Travel Guide
VIRUNGA VOLCANOES
Photo Credit: PRILL / ShutterstockWhere: RwandaThis very active eight-volcano chain straddles the borders of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but for security reasons, your best bet is to visit the section located in Rwanda. Hikers who scale the volcanoes, up to heights of 15,000 feet, will be rewarded with incredible views and sightings of mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and other wildlife.Read More: 12 Reasons to Go to Rwanda
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SCHÖNAU AM KÖNIGSEE
Photo Credit: Fyletto | Dreamstime.comWhere: GermanyPopular for health retreats and winter sports, this town lies near the Austrian border and sits inside Berchtesgaden National Park, on scenic Lake Königsee. Mount Jenner offers skiing in winter, while Mount Watzmann is better suited to mountain climbers. Featuring small-town Bavarian charm, Schönau am Königsee is home to a number of cafes and traditional restaurantsPlan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Germany Travel Guide
RANGIROA
Photo Credit: iPics / ShutterstockWhere: French PolynesiaYou’ve heard of Tahiti and Bora Bora, but not this place, which happens to be the second-largest atoll in the world. Essentially a string of coral encircling a beautiful lagoon, Rangiroa offers world-class diving and one-of-a-kind natural beauty. Activities are centered on beaches and the water, though you can also explore villages and visit a working pearl farm.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s French Polynesia Travel Guide
PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Photo Credit: iPics / ShutterstockWhere: CroatiaA UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, this stunning national park features approximately 20 lakes in addition to breathtaking caves, forests, and waterfalls. There’s also an abundance of wildlife here, including bears, wolves, and 126 bird species. Spread over more than 70,000 acres, the park is notable for the unique geological processes that formed its cascading lakes and continue to alter the terrain to this day.Where to Stay: there’s no lodging inside the park, but Hotel Degenya and Turist Grabovic are both popular with park visitors.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Croatia Travel Guide
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LOMBOK
Photo Credit: Kim Briers / ShutterstockWhere: IndonesiaWant the splendor of Bali without all of the crowds? Then head to Lombok, where you’ll find beautiful beaches, enchanting waterfalls, a looming volcano, and relatively few tourists. The natural scenery and local way of life have remained unchanged for hundreds of years, and the indigenous culture is quite rich. Aside from relaxation, this island is ideal for surfing and snorkeling.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Indonesia Travel Guide
ULAN BATOR
Photo Credit: Jeppo75 | Dreamstime.comUlan BatorWhere: MongoliaThe Mongolian capital has a reputation for being a rather unattractive city, but don’t let that discourage you, as it makes a good base for exploring one of the world’s most beautiful and hospitable countries. (Don’t pass up the opportunity to hike in the mountains south of the city.) Primarily a business-traveler destination, you won’t see too many Western tourists here, meaning the museums won’t be overrun.Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Mongolia Forum
EL DJEM
Photo Credit: Nicku / ShutterstockWhere: TunisiaOriginally built as the Thysdrus, this town in northern Africa features well-preserved architecture from the days of the Roman Empire. El Djem was once the second-most important city in the region, behind Carthage, and its most famous feature is a massive amphitheater, constructed in the third century, which could house up to 35,000 spectators. Though parts of the structure have crumbled, enough of it still stands to conjure its former glory. The town is also home to a museum that features a large selection of mosaics and a restored Roman villa.
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