18 best places to visit in 2018

<strong>Malta:</strong> The island located between Italy and Tunisia lies at a crossroads of culture, reflecting Mediterranean influences from Greece to the Middle East. The city of Valletta has been named Europe's Capital of Culture of 2018.

Malta: The island located between Italy and Tunisia lies at a crossroads of culture, reflecting Mediterranean influences from Greece to the Middle East. The city of Valletta has been named Europe's Capital of Culture of 2018.

Allard Schager/Moment RF/Getty Images

<strong>Serbia:</strong> It's not the most visited of the countries of the former Yugoslavia but Serbia is finally emerging as a European destination. Serbia's Tara National Park has forested hills overlooking deep gorges.

Serbia: It's not the most visited of the countries of the former Yugoslavia but Serbia is finally emerging as a European destination. Serbia's Tara National Park has forested hills overlooking deep gorges.

Dragan Bosnic

<strong>Cape Verde Islands: </strong>The Cape Verde islands are situated off the west coast of Africa. Known for their music, culture and gorgeous beaches, they also have plenty of historical sites to explore, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha, a 15th-century Portuguese outpost.

Cape Verde Islands: The Cape Verde islands are situated off the west coast of Africa. Known for their music, culture and gorgeous beaches, they also have plenty of historical sites to explore, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha, a 15th-century Portuguese outpost.

Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

<strong>Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia:</strong> Cambodia's largest national park is home to varied ecosystems, from dense evergreen forest to grasslands and spectacular coast. Coming in 2018, <a href="http://shintamani.com/wild.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">Shinta Mani Wild -- The Bensley Collection </a>is slated to open in a 400-acre river valley just southeast of Botum Sakor.

Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia: Cambodia's largest national park is home to varied ecosystems, from dense evergreen forest to grasslands and spectacular coast. Coming in 2018, Shinta Mani Wild -- The Bensley Collection is slated to open in a 400-acre river valley just southeast of Botum Sakor.

Courtesy Shanti Mani Wild

<strong>Nevis: </strong>Broadway buffs will get a particular kick out of visiting Alexander Hamilton's birth country of Nevis -- which is not as well known as its twin, St. Kitts. Even those who haven't seen Lin Manuel Miranda's hit musical will find plenty to enjoy in its stunning white beaches and palm trees.

Nevis: Broadway buffs will get a particular kick out of visiting Alexander Hamilton's birth country of Nevis -- which is not as well known as its twin, St. Kitts. Even those who haven't seen Lin Manuel Miranda's hit musical will find plenty to enjoy in its stunning white beaches and palm trees.

Ian G. Holyoak/Nevis Tourism Authority

<strong>Banff, Canada: </strong>Banff, located in Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, is the country's oldest national park. Winter sports, including skiing and snow-shoeing, are regularly backdropped by the Northern Lights.

Banff, Canada: Banff, located in Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, is the country's oldest national park. Winter sports, including skiing and snow-shoeing, are regularly backdropped by the Northern Lights.

From Travel Alberta

<strong>Nagano, Japan: </strong>Home to soba noodles and hot springs, Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics but is only now emerging as an international travel destination. Many new hotels are opening, including KAI Alps, pictured, a luxury inn-style Ryokan near the famed Omachi Hot Springs in northern Nagano.

Nagano, Japan: Home to soba noodles and hot springs, Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics but is only now emerging as an international travel destination. Many new hotels are opening, including KAI Alps, pictured, a luxury inn-style Ryokan near the famed Omachi Hot Springs in northern Nagano.

From Hoshino Resorts/KAI Alps

<strong>Puebla, Mexico</strong>: Puebla is Mexico's fourth largest city, known for its great food culture and architectural delights. A few key new hotel openings will bring international tourists to this charming, underrated city in coming months.

Puebla, Mexico: Puebla is Mexico's fourth largest city, known for its great food culture and architectural delights. A few key new hotel openings will bring international tourists to this charming, underrated city in coming months.

Getty Images

<strong>Essaouira, Morocco: </strong>The old port town of Essaouira, overlooking the Atlantic coast, is known for its laid-back vibe and the inshore winds that make it great for surfing.

Essaouira, Morocco: The old port town of Essaouira, overlooking the Atlantic coast, is known for its laid-back vibe and the inshore winds that make it great for surfing.

Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images

<strong>Perth, Australia: </strong>Somewhat overlooked, Western Australia's Perth is now attracting attention. In addition to great food and pristine beaches, the Swan Valley wine region is only 30 minutes away.

Perth, Australia: Somewhat overlooked, Western Australia's Perth is now attracting attention. In addition to great food and pristine beaches, the Swan Valley wine region is only 30 minutes away.

Paul Kane/Getty Images

<strong>Rwanda: </strong>This central African country has distanced itself from its troubled past and is now on the tourist map thanks to its spectacular volcanic landscapes, wildlife and national parks.

Rwanda: This central African country has distanced itself from its troubled past and is now on the tourist map thanks to its spectacular volcanic landscapes, wildlife and national parks.

From Remarkable Rwanda

<strong>Crete, Greece</strong>: Blessed with sunshine, cultural history and archaeological treasures, Crete also has picturesque cities like Rethymno.

Crete, Greece: Blessed with sunshine, cultural history and archaeological treasures, Crete also has picturesque cities like Rethymno.

From Greek National Tourism Organization

<strong>Lisbon, Portugal: </strong>The capital of Portugal is home to cobbled streets, red roofs and pastel-colored houses. In 2018, the city will host the well-known, kitschy Eurovision Song contest for the first time.

Lisbon, Portugal: The capital of Portugal is home to cobbled streets, red roofs and pastel-colored houses. In 2018, the city will host the well-known, kitschy Eurovision Song contest for the first time.

From Turismo de Lisboa