Norfolk, Virginia
Once characterized mainly by the defense industry and a massive naval base, Norfolk has become an off-the-radar, affordable hot spot thanks to a flourishing arts scene and increasing city- and university-supported entrepreneurship. Its craft beer continues to be a huge attraction: Benchtop Brewing was one of the newest breweries to open in 2016; the upcoming Bearded Bird Brewing will operate as a microbrewery co-op and have a large patio where visitors can sample beers. A taproom from Starr Hill Brewery will be part of a newly developed Waterside District—an area that will see several restaurant openings (like regional favorite Cogan’s Pizza) in 2017. Nearby, The Main aims to become another downtown hub in the spring, with a seafood restaurant, rooftop lounge, 300-room Hilton, and other entertainment additions. And don't miss the NEON District—the mural-studded home of the Chrysler Museum of Art—which has recently introduced an extra element of urban cool. —Christine Wei
31 of 50 Courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats
Okavango Delta, Botswana
It’s now possible to spot the Big Five in Botswana, an idea that just a few years ago may have seemed far-fetched. Buoyed by the antipoaching efforts of the Botswana government and local conservation groups, the philanthropic arm of the (impeccably renovated) Sanctuary Chief’s Camp has helped reintroduce populations of both black and white rhinos to the Okavango Delta. The neighboring andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp also got a thoughtful redesign of late, with understated, sustainable accommodations that echo the surrounding landscape. For lovers of wildlife and luxury, there’s never been a better time to visit. —Krista Simmons
32 of 50 Courtesy of Supreme Roastworks
Oslo, Norway
Once prohibitively expensive, the city’s still not cheap—but the dollar's worth around 25 percent more today than it was two years ago. Some 28 million additional visitors will pass through Oslo’s airport in the next 12 months, thanks to its new swooping, Scandi-chic wing. Many of these travelers are here to participate in one of the world’s most thriving coffee cultures. Two great spots are in the Grünerløkka area: Supreme Roastworks, where a world-champion brewer helms the bar, and Tim Wendelboe, whose owner is so obsessed with quality beans that he bought 17 acres of Colombian farmland. After the buzz from your first few pour-overs wears off, explore another formerly gritty neighborhood, the warehouse-filled Vulkan, where Hendrix Ibsen sells the trendy triumvirate of single-origin coffee, vinyl, and craft beer. —Eimear Lynch
33 of 50 Courtesy of Princess Cruises
Panama City, Panama
After nearly 10 years of construction, the Panama Canal expansion has opened. Giant cruise ships—like the Caribbean Princess—can now pass through via the 180-foot-wide locks. Princess is one of the first lines to take advantage of this, with six sailings in 2017. On land, a sleek W Hotel will open downtown, and a new boutique property, La Concordia—where rooms have private balconies and claw-foot bathtubs—is near completion in historic Casco Viejo. For an introduction to Panama City, book a tour with Black Tomato. They can arrange private helicopter rides or sailings around Gatun Lake. Best of all, Panama uses the U.S. dollar, making shopping easy. —Melanie Lieberman
34 of 50 Poike/Getty Images
Paros, Greece
Kitesurfers have long made a playground of the breezy beaches of Paros, and no wonder: this sunshiny isle is a Cycladic triumvirate of sandy shoreline, history, and culture. Last summer the island debuted a new airport, opening it to larger aircraft and more vacationers. And the fishing village of Naousa, with its boxy white architecture and seaside tavernas, is increasingly sophisticated—check in to the modern, adults-only apartments of Porto Naousa or the elegant Seven Santa Maria, where six airy, all-white suites (and a separate villa) come with a private boat and skipper for exploring the island’s secret coves. —Emily Mathieson
35 of 50 Courtesy of Crown Towers Perth
Perth, Australia
It’s one of the most remote cities on earth, but that hasn’t stopped the capital of Western Australia from becoming a dining hot spot. Take City Beach, where the new restaurants have the best ocean views in town. The latest is the beautifully designed Odyssea—its veranda is a favorite for seafood and sundowners. Elizabeth Quay is a contemporary urban precinct on the Swan River that combines public spaces and art. There, the Reveley has three levels of modern Australian dining, including a rooftop bar; and Isle of Voyage, in a restored historic kiosk, serves swank café fare like crab tagliatelle paired with local wines. The chicest cocktail bar in town is the Waiting Room, in the lobby of Crown Towers, the city’s new ultra-luxe, 513-room hotel. Design firm Bates Smart has taken inspiration from the glamour of Manhattan and Palm Springs, with lush jewel tones, a marble bar, and a sprawling terrace with vistas of the river and city skyline. —Carrie Hutchinson
36 of 50 Haocheng Tang/Getty Images
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly is coming off a high-profile couple of years, between hosting Pope Francis and the DNC and being the first U.S. city inducted into the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Bathed in that ego-boosting afterglow, America's birthplace is adding hotel options from brands like Four Seasons, W, SLS, and Study, and debuting its new Museum of the American Revolution this spring. The young population here is growing at a faster rate than any other major city, and tidy residential neighborhoods like East Passyunk are being diversified. Here, the old guard sipping homemade limoncello at the Sicilian social club shares sidewalk seating with the double-IPA enthusiasts at the craft-beer boutique next door, while across the street, two young female sommeliers have put together thrilling lists of skin-fermented Malvasia, Breton cider, and quirky Canary Island reds at hot spots Townsend and ITV. Around the corner, the succulent slow-cooked lamb tacos at South Philly Barbacoa come with a side of social justice: owners Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller are staunch activists for undocumented workers' rights (Martinez is open about her own undocumented status). And the new mayor is on their side as well—he’s fighting to protect Philly as a sanctuary city. —Adam Erace
Once characterized mainly by the defense industry and a massive naval base, Norfolk has become an off-the-radar, affordable hot spot thanks to a flourishing arts scene and increasing city- and university-supported entrepreneurship. Its craft beer continues to be a huge attraction: Benchtop Brewing was one of the newest breweries to open in 2016; the upcoming Bearded Bird Brewing will operate as a microbrewery co-op and have a large patio where visitors can sample beers. A taproom from Starr Hill Brewery will be part of a newly developed Waterside District—an area that will see several restaurant openings (like regional favorite Cogan’s Pizza) in 2017. Nearby, The Main aims to become another downtown hub in the spring, with a seafood restaurant, rooftop lounge, 300-room Hilton, and other entertainment additions. And don't miss the NEON District—the mural-studded home of the Chrysler Museum of Art—which has recently introduced an extra element of urban cool. —Christine Wei
31 of 50 Courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats
Okavango Delta, Botswana
It’s now possible to spot the Big Five in Botswana, an idea that just a few years ago may have seemed far-fetched. Buoyed by the antipoaching efforts of the Botswana government and local conservation groups, the philanthropic arm of the (impeccably renovated) Sanctuary Chief’s Camp has helped reintroduce populations of both black and white rhinos to the Okavango Delta. The neighboring andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp also got a thoughtful redesign of late, with understated, sustainable accommodations that echo the surrounding landscape. For lovers of wildlife and luxury, there’s never been a better time to visit. —Krista Simmons
32 of 50 Courtesy of Supreme Roastworks
Oslo, Norway
Once prohibitively expensive, the city’s still not cheap—but the dollar's worth around 25 percent more today than it was two years ago. Some 28 million additional visitors will pass through Oslo’s airport in the next 12 months, thanks to its new swooping, Scandi-chic wing. Many of these travelers are here to participate in one of the world’s most thriving coffee cultures. Two great spots are in the Grünerløkka area: Supreme Roastworks, where a world-champion brewer helms the bar, and Tim Wendelboe, whose owner is so obsessed with quality beans that he bought 17 acres of Colombian farmland. After the buzz from your first few pour-overs wears off, explore another formerly gritty neighborhood, the warehouse-filled Vulkan, where Hendrix Ibsen sells the trendy triumvirate of single-origin coffee, vinyl, and craft beer. —Eimear Lynch
33 of 50 Courtesy of Princess Cruises
Panama City, Panama
After nearly 10 years of construction, the Panama Canal expansion has opened. Giant cruise ships—like the Caribbean Princess—can now pass through via the 180-foot-wide locks. Princess is one of the first lines to take advantage of this, with six sailings in 2017. On land, a sleek W Hotel will open downtown, and a new boutique property, La Concordia—where rooms have private balconies and claw-foot bathtubs—is near completion in historic Casco Viejo. For an introduction to Panama City, book a tour with Black Tomato. They can arrange private helicopter rides or sailings around Gatun Lake. Best of all, Panama uses the U.S. dollar, making shopping easy. —Melanie Lieberman
34 of 50 Poike/Getty Images
Paros, Greece
Kitesurfers have long made a playground of the breezy beaches of Paros, and no wonder: this sunshiny isle is a Cycladic triumvirate of sandy shoreline, history, and culture. Last summer the island debuted a new airport, opening it to larger aircraft and more vacationers. And the fishing village of Naousa, with its boxy white architecture and seaside tavernas, is increasingly sophisticated—check in to the modern, adults-only apartments of Porto Naousa or the elegant Seven Santa Maria, where six airy, all-white suites (and a separate villa) come with a private boat and skipper for exploring the island’s secret coves. —Emily Mathieson
35 of 50 Courtesy of Crown Towers Perth
Perth, Australia
It’s one of the most remote cities on earth, but that hasn’t stopped the capital of Western Australia from becoming a dining hot spot. Take City Beach, where the new restaurants have the best ocean views in town. The latest is the beautifully designed Odyssea—its veranda is a favorite for seafood and sundowners. Elizabeth Quay is a contemporary urban precinct on the Swan River that combines public spaces and art. There, the Reveley has three levels of modern Australian dining, including a rooftop bar; and Isle of Voyage, in a restored historic kiosk, serves swank café fare like crab tagliatelle paired with local wines. The chicest cocktail bar in town is the Waiting Room, in the lobby of Crown Towers, the city’s new ultra-luxe, 513-room hotel. Design firm Bates Smart has taken inspiration from the glamour of Manhattan and Palm Springs, with lush jewel tones, a marble bar, and a sprawling terrace with vistas of the river and city skyline. —Carrie Hutchinson
36 of 50 Haocheng Tang/Getty Images
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly is coming off a high-profile couple of years, between hosting Pope Francis and the DNC and being the first U.S. city inducted into the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Bathed in that ego-boosting afterglow, America's birthplace is adding hotel options from brands like Four Seasons, W, SLS, and Study, and debuting its new Museum of the American Revolution this spring. The young population here is growing at a faster rate than any other major city, and tidy residential neighborhoods like East Passyunk are being diversified. Here, the old guard sipping homemade limoncello at the Sicilian social club shares sidewalk seating with the double-IPA enthusiasts at the craft-beer boutique next door, while across the street, two young female sommeliers have put together thrilling lists of skin-fermented Malvasia, Breton cider, and quirky Canary Island reds at hot spots Townsend and ITV. Around the corner, the succulent slow-cooked lamb tacos at South Philly Barbacoa come with a side of social justice: owners Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller are staunch activists for undocumented workers' rights (Martinez is open about her own undocumented status). And the new mayor is on their side as well—he’s fighting to protect Philly as a sanctuary city. —Adam Erace