It’s time to start thinking about traveling, holidays, and planning where to go in 2017. With so many destinations to choose from, we know picking one is never an easy task, so we decided to put together a selection of the best in travel from our previous years in order to inspire you. These are personal suggestions, based on the things we love seeing and doing.

Without further ado, here are our recommendations for where to go in 2017 with 5 countries and 5 places you should consider visiting and why. No more excuses, it’s time to pack your bags and go!

5 countries to visit in 2017

Iceland

Why

We’ve been to Iceland a few times and would return now if there was an opportunity to do so. There’s no shortage of things to do in Iceland, whether you just want to relax and soak in hot springs and do a quick tour of the highlights, or if you want to see more of the country’s picture-perfect landscapes, waterfalls, glacier lagoons, and many other things.

Hikers and photographers, this is a premium destination for you.

When

Iceland used to be a summer-only destination, but these days winter trips are getting more popular due to excellent opportunities to see the northern lights and more adventurous tours such as exploring ice caves. Summer, between June and early September, still is the best time to visit if you want to take advantage of the great outdoors and venture further afield.

More

We have an extensive collection of articles about Iceland, including a super useful ultimate guide for a road trip.

Portugal

Why

Portugal is our country and we can’t recommend it enough. With almost 900 years of history, Portugal is a small country but one with many things to keep you busy. Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve are the tourist hot spots but there are many other places to visit such as the Douro Valley, the Azores, Aveiro or Coimbra, just to name a few.

Culture and art play a big role and so does the food, which is varied and delicious. Portugal is also very budget-friendly and welcomes visitors from around the world.

When

All year-round. The summer months are the busiest with excellent conditions to enjoy the many beaches of the country. Spring and Autumn are great to explore more of the country without the heat and, in some cases, the crowds.

More

Discover 15 Portugal highlights as selected by other travel bloggers. You won’t want to miss these.

Montenegro

Why

Montenegro is a small mountainous Balkan country that, despite its compact size, comes with breathtaking landscapes and views, some of the finest in Europe. You can spend the morning bathing in the Adriatic beaches and the afternoon hiking in the mountains.

The Bay of Kotor is Montenegro’s most famous tourist destination and for a reason. The fjord-like features of the bay are impressive and the whole region is very picturesque. A hike up to Kotor’s upper walls is highly recommended. There are also other places not to be missed such as Cetinje and Bar. Nature-wise, Lovćen, Lake Skadar, and Durmitor National Parks are a must, especially the latter with its many high peaks and Tara canyon, one of the deepest in the world.

When

This part of Europe is still largely unexplored and only now it’s starting to appeal more to travelers, years after the collapse of Yugoslavia. While Kotor and the Adriatic coastline beaches bring in a good amount of tourists during the summer months, the rest of the country remains pretty much off the beaten path. We visited in September and recommend it, but late Spring is also an option if you want to avoid the high season.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Why

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the second Balkan country to make this year’s selection and we can only say good things about it. The country is often associated with conflicts and unsafety, but these are now mostly in the past and are not a concern to travelers. It is not only perfectly safe to travel there but everyone is very friendly and kind. Due to this troubled past, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains one the least visited countries in Europe, especially if compared to its neighbor countries, and provides an incredible value to visitors because it’s pretty cheap.

The country has an immense history dating back many centuries and it can still be felt in the old town of Sarajevo, Mostar, and other less known places such as Jajce or Travnik. Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a great experience and the country offers some of the best scenic drives in Europe.

When

Unless you’re after a budget winter sports destination, Bosnia and Herzegovina is primarily a summer destination. After all, Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics and the country has some ski infrastructures. For a better experience, our advice is to travel after the summer when the temperatures are slightly colder but still pleasant – which is exactly what we did and had a great time. This applies mostly to Mostar and Sarajevo since the rest of the country hardly gets any visitors.

Jersey

Why

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands between England and France and, even with this privileged location, not a lot of people know about it. With a mix of British and French culture, rich history, beautiful beaches, and nature, Jersey has the perfect ingredients to be a great destination.

We recommend Jersey because we thoroughly enjoyed our time there, especially how peaceful and tranquil the island feels like. Jersey is very green and has a magnificent coastline with scenic beaches and perfect shades of blue. Not to mention Elizabeth’s and Mont Orgueil Castles, which are a must-visit while on the island.

When

Temperatures in Jersey are very mild and late spring to late summer are the best months to enjoy the island’s relaxed way of life. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway destination in Europe, think about Jersey.

More

You can read more about to how to spend a weekend getaway in Jersey and watch our popular video about the island.

5 places to visit in 2017

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Why

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia’s crown jewel and most famous nature attraction. While it’s not a secret anymore, visiting these stunning cascaded lakes is a must for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and beautiful scenery. If you’re planning to visit Croatia’s Adriatic coast, consider adding Plitvice Lakes to your itinerary and you won’t regret it.

When

It’s better to visit in the spring when the crowds are not as intense, the water runs at maximum power, the temperature is more comfortable, and the tickets are cheaper. All good reasons.

More

We have all the details about how to spend a great day at Plitvice Lakes National Park and also a video of the amazing cascaded lakes.

Luxor, Egypt

Why

Egypt is one of the most important countries in history with its ancient civilization leaving behind an incredible collection of temples, tombs, and other monuments. Luxor is considered by many the world’s biggest open air museum and we have to agree, it’s a dream for many to visit Egypt! The Valley of Kings and Luxor and Karnak temples are some examples of the best Luxor has to offer.

Another good reason to visit Luxor is to help a country that deserves to get back on track, and the Egyptians are eager to welcome travelers. There is a notorious effort to make sure everything is safe and we had no issues whatsoever there, even when going around on our own, including at night.

When

Avoid the extreme temperatures of the summer months and visit during the cooler months. This is much better because you’ll be spending most of the time outdoors exploring the temples and with limited shade. Other than that, the time to go to Egypt is now because there are no crowds as tourism still struggles to recover.

More

Read our complete guide of Luxor in 3 days or more.

Prizren, Kosovo

Why

Kosovo is one of the youngest countries in the world and only a handful of people travel there, and the ones that do tend to only visit the capital, Pristina. Yet, there’s a lot more to discover. Prizren, for example, was one of the best and most interesting places we visited during our time in the country. Considered to be the cultural capital of Kosovo, Prizren is a compact city with an Ottoman-era old town filled with mosques and churches. There’s even a fortress at the top of a hill overlooking the city.

When

Now! Tourism in Kosovo is just starting and you’ll be one of the first to set foot there and explore some of the best places, such as Prizren, with virtually no other travelers. With good weather, Prizren is a joy of a city to visit.

Piran, Slovenia

Why

Piran is not your typical Slovenian town, quite different in fact. This coastal town located on a small peninsula has an Italian feeling to it due to the Venetian-style architecture of its old town. Narrow streets, towers and even a wall with great views make Piran a must-stop on any trip to Slovenia. And in typical coastal style, you can have great seafood outdoors or just by one of the cafés.

When

Summer is the prime time on the Adriatic coast and the region is quite busy, so you’re better off visiting some other time. Rest assured that even a few hours are enough to become fascinated by Piran.

Península de Zapata, Cuba

Why

Península de Zapata is home to some of the best Cuba has to offer in terms of nature and wildlife – Ciénaga de Zapata. Its vast swamps and forests create the perfect habitat for diverse wildlife species, including many rare and endemic ones like crocodiles, manatees, and hundreds of birds. Since 2001, Ciénaga de Zapata has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This is a very different side of Cuba that not a lot of people get to visit.

The region is also great for snorkeling and diving.

When

All year round. The weather in Cuba is generally very good, even during the rain season, and you can safely visit any time of the year. Most people that visit the region skip the national park and nature reserve, so you’re likely to be one of the few that sees it.

More

We have a list of the best things to do at Península de Zapata. Check it out!

Where to go in 2017? What are your top picks? Let us know!