National Geographic Announces Coveted ‘Best of the World 2021’ List, Revealing 25 Stories of Extraordinary Places and Communities That Will Inspire People Amid Pandemic
With the publication of its new “Best of the World 2021” list, National Geographic announces the 25 extraordinary destinations that will define our future itineraries and inspire readers to “dream now, go later.” Profiling inspiring places, communities and innovations, the list provides an optimistic dose of escapism, as would-be travelers navigate pandemic precautions around the world.
Framed by five categories—Nature, Adventure, Culture, Sustainability and Family—each inclusion honors a superlative destination with a relevant story to tell for the year ahead. From the exploration of “Africa’s last Eden” in Gabon and the environmental efforts of Denver, Colorado, to the nearly completed England Coast Path (the world’s longest seafront walking trail) and so much more, the 2021 list profiles conservation successes, preservation achievements, cultural resilience, and tales of communities overcoming daunting obstacles to thrive despite the pandemic.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain
The list was created, researched, reported and written in collaboration with National Geographic Traveler’s international editorial teams, which serve millions of readers across their magazines and websites in more than a dozen offices around the world.
The “Best of the World 2021” list is available online now at NatGeo.com/BestOfTheWorld, where readers will be transported to each place through spectacular photography and vivid reporting.
“While the pandemic has brought journeys to a standstill, it’s not quieted our curiosity,” says George Stone, executive editor of National Geographic Travel. “The world is full of wonders—even when they’re hard to reach. Now is the perfect time to discover something new about an extraordinary place or culture in our world and perhaps dream up your next journey, for when that time comes. Ahead of a new year—with the hope of a return to travel—we’re excited to share these 25 timely tales of timeless places that will define our future itineraries.”
National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2021“ list:
SUSTAINABILITY STARS
Alonissos, Greece (nominated by National Geographic Traveler India)
Copenhagen, Denmark (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Italy)
New Caledonia (nominated by National Geographic Traveler France)
Freiburg, Germany (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Germany)
Gabon, Africa (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Netherlands)
Denver, Colorado, U.S. (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
FAMILY JOURNEYS
England Coast Path (nominated by National Geographic Traveller UK)
Transylvania, Romania (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Romania)
Space Coast, Florida, U.S. (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Russia)
Hortobágy, Hungary (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Hungary)
Indigenous British Columbia, Canada (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
ULTIMATE ADVENTURES
Dominica (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Svaneti Region, Georgia (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Poland)
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Latin America)
Katmai National Park & Preserve (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
WILD BEAUTIFUL PLACES
Isle Royale, Michigan, U.S. (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Czechia)
Cerrado, Brazil (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Lord Howe Island, Australia (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
CULTURE & HISTORY
Guam (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Pueblo Nations, New Mexico, U.S. (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Spain)
Gyeongju, South Korea (nominated by National Geographic Traveler Korea)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. (nominated by National Geographic Travel U.S.)
Tonglu, Zhejiang Province, China (nominated by National Geographic Traveler China)
Source: National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 132 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27% of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com
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