Best Vacation Spots for 2022: The Top 10 Places You Should Go This Year

Are you looking for a vacation spot to visit in 2022? It's never too early to plan your next vacation.

Whether you plan to travel by yourself or with your family and friends, the choices can seem overwhelming. We have compiled a list of the best vacation spots for 2022. Some of these destinations may surprise you as they're amazing places to visit but also unique destination spots.

As the tourism industry all over the world continues to recover, now is the time to get away, whether it's in the U.S. or internationally.

Where Should I Vacation in 2022

The options for vacationing in 2022 are truly endless. Some countries you may want to visit because they have at least one UNESCO World Heritage Site, others where the whole family can learn history. Others are simply gorgeous, beautiful, extraordinary places to vacation.

Let's hop into the list.

Queensland, Australia

As Australia prepares to open its borders again, travelers seeking a unique cultural experience are getting excited to go. The Great Barrier Reef is a favorite place for travelers to explore and learn about the conservation efforts of indigenous guides and traditional landowners.

You can also go on a daylong excursion with Gudjuda Tours to tag and rescue sea turtles. For an extended adventure, consider a visit to the Whitsunday Islands and staying at the first resort fully powered by solar at the Elysian Retreat.

Another place to visit is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the lush Daintree Rainforest. You can even stay inside the rainforest at the eco-luxury hotel, the Silky Oaks Lodge.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the nation's oldest cities and a great place for families to visit. You can visit the Charleston Wine + Food Festival in March or visit the International African American Museum opening this year in this southern city on the east coast.

We recommend staying in the Historic District where you'll be close to the shops and restaurants. Book a room at the luxury boutique hotel The Loutrel or the HarbourView Inn.

Classical music fans will love the Spoleto Festival USA that starts at the end of May. The world premiere of the opera Omar is opening at Spoleto this year. It's about the life of an African Muslim scholar who was captured in 1807 at the border of Mauritania and Senegal and enslaved in Charleston.

Plus, there's not just one beach town, but 5 located in the Charleston area, so hitting the beach can be another fun activity in this port city.

Abruzzo, Italy

While many people want to visit the capital city of Rome, Abruzzo, Italy, is one of the most overlooked vacation destinations in the country. Starting in the heart of the Apennine Mountains and stretching to the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo has impressive natural landscapes and historic villages.

You can stay at the 19th-century mansion Villa Corallo or the newly opened Dimore Montane eco-lodge, where you can enjoy glamping or camping.

Be sure to eat at the Materia Prima in Castel di Sangro or the Bottega Culinaria in San Vito Chietino. These two restaurants are putting Abruzzo on the map as a food destination for sustainable and inventive recreations of traditional dishes. This area is definitely proving that you don't need to visit the capital city to have an amazing vacation.

Edinburg, Scotland

Scotland is known for its gorgeous scenery, and Edinburg is the perfect location to experience the nature of Scotland. Plus, this capital city won't disappoint as there are plenty of great things to do. Take a tour of the Scottish Highlands and Lochness or a tour of the underground vaults.

Kids will love the Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour too.

Visit St. James Quarter, a new area being developed to visit 85 shops, a movie theater, and 30 great restaurants. You can stay at the W Hotel opening in this area next winter or the Fraser Suites Edinburg, where you get 4-star accommodations for under $100.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Visiting a national park is a great way to spend a family vacation, and Yellow Stone National Park is one of the most popular in the nation. Yellowstone is renowned for being one of the first national parks in America and a great place for nature lovers. It opened on March 1, 1872, so everyone could experience the unique geological and hydrothermal features like hot springs.

The summer is the busiest season as everything is open, but you may want to take advantage of fewer people in the winter as the snowy landscape is beautiful. Plus, you can go snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, stay overnight at Old Faithful, and more.

Visit one of the many hot springs like Emerald Pool, one of the most colorful ones. You can go on a guided horse ride, bike in the park, go hiking, camping, and much more. You can stay close to the park and Headwater's Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch or Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

You may also want to check out the mountain town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, if you want to do something instead of Yellowstone. Here you can ski in the winter and visit the Jackson Food & Wine Summer Festival each year. Whether you want to walk the hiking trails, go mountain biking, or hit the shops, Jackson Hole has plenty to do.

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

If you're looking for a Caribbean island with pristine beaches, then Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, is a great place to visit. It’s the perfect place for a family beach vacation, and there's plenty to do. Tour the rainforest on a zipline, visit the Playa las Picuas Beach, or check out the Maji Lina Gallery & Art Center, one of the premier art galleries in the area.

Stay at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico if you're looking for an all-inclusive resort. It borders the El Yunque Rainforest and the white sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. You can hit the Casino here or even play golf.

If you don't want to go to the Rio Grande, you may want to check out the oldest city in the United States, San Juan, Puerto Rico. It will be 500 years old in 2022. We recommend you stay at the Hyatt Regency that has a floating waterpark over the ocean. It also borders the El Yunque Rainforest.

Yucatán, Mexico

If you want to go a little further south but not as far as South America, then Yucatan, Mexico, might be the perfect destination for you and your family. Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities in Mexico.

One of the reasons it's so popular is you can extend your vacation beyond the city center to explore the Maya ruins. Or you can visit the beautiful nature reserves or rambling haciendas.

El Cuyo, a secret favorite of windsurfers, is another great spot to visit, and you can stay at Casa Mate and eat gourmet Mexican Food at El Chile Gordo.

You may also want to visit the enchanting colonial town Espita where you can experience an authentic Mexican colonial village and stay at the Posada Georgina, a basic small hotel.

Crane Lake, Minnesota

Another one of those lesser-known places to visit is Crane Lake, Minnesota, the home of Voyageurs National Park. One unique way to vacation is to rent a houseboat and tour the lakes that way. You can find boats that come with fully equipped kitchens, grills, bathrooms, and even a water slide.

Voyageurs National Park is one of the best national parks for boating and fishing. So, for anyone who wants to experience the natural beauty of the lakes with a unique vacation experience, this may be one of your favorite places to visit.

Alberta, Canada

Alberta, Canada, is another one of our favorite places to visit because of the snow-peaked mountains and gorgeous turquoise lakes. But many travelers return because of the Indigenous heritage experience, in Alberta.

Fort Edmonton Park is the largest living history museum in Canada. It’s home to the 30,000 square foot Indigenous Peoples Experience, an exhibit that immerses you in the Métis and First Nations culture. The rich history and historic sites make Alberta a great place to visit.

You can also visit the dark sky preserve located in Jasper National Park for the annual festival in October. If you want to stay near the festival, consider finding a room at Pursuit, a new wilderness-themed hotel.

You may also want to visit Bannf to take a stroll on the Johnston Canyon Icewalk, visit Banff National Park, and ride the Banff Gondola, a unique national park experience. Nature enthusiasts can't get enough of this location.

Balearic Islands, Spain

Ibiza, Spain's party scene, draws millions of visitors every year to the stunning Balearic Islands. Whether you're looking for a vibrant atmosphere or a quiet island experience, these islands are a great international travel destination.

The new arts center Hauser & Wirth Menorca is a perfect activity to add to your list. It's located on the historic island of Illa del Rei in the Menorca Mahón harbor. You’ll find they are big on sustainability and draw crowds to their educational activities and big exhibitions.

If you're looking for a party scene, the Six Senses is a great place to visit on the northern tip of Ibiza. You'll experience farm-to-table dining, art, music, sustainable fashion, and more.

Stay at the the pretty, eco-certified, and affordable Hotel Riu San Francisco.

Final Thoughts on the Best Vacation Spots for 2022

Whether you want to visit a national park, remote islands, historic buildings, luxury resorts, or be one with nature, every place on this list is a worthy destination. These are some of the best vacation spots for 2022 whether you want to get away for a family vacation or travel alone.

Experience everyday life in someone else's world, visit fun tourist attractions, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Also, if you know someone going on a fun family vacation, consider getting them a Visa or Mastercard gift card to take on vacation. That would make a great present for the special woman in your life or a last-minute gift idea.