Places: 2013 - part one

Some call it wanderlust, others call it itchy feet. Whatever your name for the irresistible desire to travel, I've got you covered for the places you should visit in 2013.

1. Iceland

Renowned for its spectacular natural beauty, Iceland has long been known as a photographer's paradise. Strangely, the island has a lack of trees, although this otherworldly landscape is enhanced by the numerous geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes that pepper it.

The homeland of bands Sigur Ros and Of Monsters and Men, Iceland has steadily been growing in prominence - Reykjavik is fast becoming the next filming location hotspot, and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano that halted European air travel in 2010 catapulted the small island into the international news. Although admittedly expensive, Iceland is a beautiful country to visit that is worth saving up for.

2. India

The charming and mystical lands of India capture the imagination, with rich spices in all colours, hot foods, saris and painted elephants. Once known for being a major area of British colonial rule, India is today known as one of the growing economic giants of the world as well as being a global center for technology and communications.

The Indian subcontinent is huge, so there's plenty to visit. Give yourself ample time to soak it all in.

3. Indonesia

Tropical paradise Bali is but one of the many islands that make up the chain of Indonesia. Although Bali known for white sandy beaches and warm sun, it is far from all that Indonesia has to offer; Mt Bromo in Surabaya is another popular destination, where people may climb (or ride) to the top of the volcano to catch a rapturous sunrise.

4. Croatia

I don't really know what my impression was of Croatia before this, but whatever it was it's certainly been changed after seeing this picture. Massive waterfalls and pristine, clear waters are a feature of this Mediterannean country. An up-and-coming travel destination, nautical tourism is a favourite, with coastal cities aplenty; a myriad of islands will cater to everyone's travel needs.

5. Morocco

A paradise for lovers of the bohemian lifestyle and fabrics dripping with oversaturated colour, Morocco lies just to the south of Spain and has long been popular for travel. It is Africa for those who are just getting their toes wet. From Morocco is it possible to visit the Sahara, and it is not uncommon to visit it on camel-back and even spend a night out in the desert.

Moroccan architecture is stunning, and filled with the deep russet of dust and the desert it is truly a must-visit destination.

6. Greece

Two places spring to mind when one mentions Greece: Athens and Santorini, and although these are the most popular these are not the only ones to visit. One may be told to visit Mykonos or Crete, but the white terrace houses of the Santorini coast are what have made Greece so popular. Athens is full of culture and rich with Greek history, and of course you'll want to visit the Acropolis while you're there. This is a Mediterranean paradise with so much to give you'll have to go back for more.

7. Thailand

Since the film The Beach was filmed here, Koh Phi Phi in Thailand has experienced an incredible surge in tourist traffic. Known for clear turquoise waters and sandy beaches, admittedly Thailand's most popular destinations are its Phuket and Krabi beaches - although Bangkok is also fabulous for shopaholics.

Cheap clothes are galore in the multilevel shopping centres, and it's possible to bargain the price of many items down from even cheaper than they were originally priced at. This Buddhist-majority country also has many beautiful Buddhist temples to visit (dress appropriately) so there's something for everyone.


Part 2 coming up!