If 2017 was all about gorgeous landscapes, bucket list trips, the world's best beaches and traveling closer to home, 2018 is all about thinking outside the box for a great escape. The world is officially rethinking luxury travel, with people looking to explore the world now more than ever. Leave your presumptions about certain parts of the world at home and get your passports ready–these are the 18 top places to travel in 2018.
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Why to go: It’s safe to say that 2018 is destined to be a year of royal wedding mania, so you might as well lean into it and go international with your noble-nuptial buzz. While heading to London this May for Harry and Meghan’s nuptials may seem tempting (and it shouldn’t, as the event promises to attract hoards of tourists, making the exploration of the city almost impossible), Norway may be your way to have your (wedding) cake and eat it too on the travel front. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the King and Queen of Norway, and in true royal fashion, they’re celebrating the event with a full calendar year of arts, culinary and cultural events throughout their capital city. What better time to visit the happiest country in the world?
What to do: Oslo is considered one of the foremost cities for contemporary art, especially when it comes to sculpture, so a trip to one of the city’s spectacular outdoor sculptural showcases is practically a requirement. Vigeland Park, a popular attraction in Norway, celebrates the work of beloved Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland with over 200 bronze and granite pieces by the artist. Ekebergparken, the large public sculpture park that overlooks the city, features works from Louise Bourgeois and Tony Oursler as well as classical works from Rodin. While you’re there, stop off at the Munch Spot, the view that inspired Oslo icon Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Thespians can head to Henrik Ibsen’s house, which serves as a miniature museum to the famed playwright. The city is also home to some top-notch examples of the Neo-Nordic food movement, including Maaemo (the most northern Michelin three-star restaurant in the world), as well as bold fusion cuisine that will surprise even the most jaded of eaters, like an adventurous moose heart dish at Korean-Norwegian spot Pjoltergeist.
Pro tip: Oslo’s latitude means that depending on the time of year, visitors can experience as little as six hours of daylight in the winter months, or as many as eighteen hours during the summer. Prepare to be thrown for a loop when it comes to your body’s natural clock, bring an eye mask to insure your night’s are restful, and plan your indoor and outdoor activities accordingly.
