Looking to shake up your travelscapes in 2016? For frequent flyers who've ticked off the tried and true, and for those looking for off-the-radar places, a new list from online booking site Cheapflights offers alternative travel destinations and stand-ins for everyone from the beach-lounger, foodie and city lover.
Montreal instead of New Orleans, Louisiana
(Photo: Flickr)
This one's for the traveling gourmet. While NOLA boasts a rousing reputation for its edible offerings and Southern, Creole cuisine think beignets, seafood gumbo and po'boys Montreal is listed as the Canadian equal for its rich and diverse dining scene.
Among the city's culinary hall of famers? Smoked meat sandwiches from Schwartz's deli; the Pied de Cochon's insanely decadent poutine (fries, topped with cheese curds melting under hot gravy) with foie gras; or Le Garde-Manger's lobster poutine. A weak Canadian dollar also makes travel to Canada particularly enticing right now.
Singapore over Dubai
(Photo: Flickr)
Travelers with a taste for the high life may want to skip over Dubai for its Asian counterpart, Singapore. Like the glittering UAE city, Singapore also boasts soaring skyscrapers, palatial shopping malls like Gardens by the Bay, and Michelin-grade dining.
So much so that the bible of fine gastronomy announced plans to publish its first Singaporean edition in 2016, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Key West, not Maui
(Photo: Flickr)
The island city of Key West is listed as a stand-in for Maui, with its gold sand beaches, sunsets and laid-back vibe also a closer and more affordable destination for many travelers compared to Hawaii.
An idyllic itinerary? Biking through the Old Town past restored Victorian homes and cottages, eating fresh seafood by the water and eating key lime pie on weathered picnic tables.
Barbados over the Bahamas
(Photo: Flickr)
While The Bahamas may be a popular port of call for cruises, travelers looking for a quieter, less touristy beach vacation may want to consider the smaller Caribbean island of Barbados.
If you're looking for a generic, all-inclusive resort, Cheapflights points out that The Bahamas has those aplenty. But sun-lovers looking for a more authentic experience are better off booking a trip to Barbados which may be less developed, but offers a higher chance of soaking in the sun away from the madding crowds.
Atlanta instead of Houston
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Not only is it a breeze to fly into Atlanta, a hub for many major air carriers, but nearly 80 percent of the U.S. is within a two-hour flight of the city. Trade the down-home charm of Houston for Southern hospitality in Atlanta, a big city with a small-town feel. It’s easy to navigate ATL; most of its top attractions are situated around Centennial Olympic Park.
Plus, there are new attractions that are worth a visit, like the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame, along with new food markets and shopping destinations like Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market and The Shops Buckhead Atlanta.
Boracay instead of Puerto Rico
(Photo: Flickr)
Skip the beaches of Puerto Rico and hit the beaches of Boracay instead. The tiny island, just over four miles long and less than three miles wide, is a tropical paradise in the Pacific Ocean, 195 miles off the coast of Manila.
The aptly named White Beach is a pristine, two-and-a-half mile long white sand beach that is perfect for fun in the sun. The nearby Bulabog Beach is one of the top spots in Asia for windsurfing and kiteboarding. It may take longer to get there, but the journey is worth it.
