Second of three parts
PERU
In 2017, think beyond Machu Picchu to the Inca salt pans of Maras, the uncharted, snow-capped mountains of Veronica and Sawasiray, and the endless horizon of Lake Titicaca. Thanks to improved infrastructure (and trailblazing travel operators), these places are perhaps even easier to access than the so-called Lost City of the Incas — and with zero trace of the crowds.
The five-star Chilean adventure outfitter Explora, for instance, made its Peruvian debut with an architectural gem in the Sacred Valley last summer; it’s now taking travelers on stunningly remote treks that feel like time warps into simpler times. For those who prefer exploring on two wheels, the luxe bike outfitter DuVine is offering similarly off-the-beaten-path trips.
Adding to the buzz is Belmond, one of the original luxury hospitality brands in Peru, which will introduce South America’s first luxury sleeper train in May, connecting Cusco to the traditional villages surrounding Lake Titicaca. It all fits in with new President Pablo Kuczynski’s mission to expand tourism into Peru’s pristine countryside — which may quickly modernize it, for better or for worse.
When to go: April, when the post-rainy season landscape is at its greenest and the summer travelers have yet to descend. When not to go: February. The rains are at their worst, and this is a place to be outside. Whom to call: Emmanuel Burgio of Blue Parallel.
IRAN
For intrepid travelers, the question is not whether to visit Iran; it’s how to get there before an influx of tourists taints the experience. This is no casual undertaking. The visa application process is lengthy and complex; citizens from the US, Canada, and the UK must be on escorted tours; and travelers have to abide by a government dress code.
Take our word for it, though. The hassle is worthwhile. Since 2015’s historic nuclear deal was brokered, several companies have launched itineraries and major European airlines have resumed their flights.
On trips such as Cox and King’s Heart of Persia, you’ll get to roam the desert bazaar of Kerman, ogle Moorish palaces and mosaic-tiled mosques in Isfahan, and see ancient sites like the royal city of Persepolis, which dates to roughly 500 B.C. “These are the kinds of sites that you can’t find elsewhere — and which, in places like Afghanistan and Syria, have been tragically destroyed,” said Brian Allen, Asia specialist for Mountain Travel Sobek, which has been leading tours to Iran for four years.
Then there’s the legendary Persian food and hospitality. “There is a cultural norm in Iran that guests are from god,” Allen said. “I frequently hear people say they’ve been all over the world and never received a welcome like they got there.”
As always, please check your government’s travel alerts Web site before going to a country that shares complex diplomatic relations with your own.
When to go: Late October or early November, when the climate is just right for outdoor sightseeing. When not to go: Iranian holidays clog the streets with traffic, and Ramadan makes a trip extra-complicated; this year, avoid the last two weeks of March and the month of June. Whom to call: George Morgan-Grenville of Red Savannah.
SAINT BARTHÉLEMY
The Caribbean’s ritziest island is showing its laid-back side this year, with several long-in-the-works openings set back from the posh Gustavia port.
Of the bunch, Villa Marie is the most intimate, giving a French plantation house a vibe that skews more gypset-boho than buttoned-up. After a four-year-long, $40-million renovation, Le Guanahani has put the focus on fun, barefoot luxury. It’s on a private, 18-acre peninsula with 67 guest cottages, all done up in a riot of colors with teak floors that blend seamlessly with the lush landscape. And the old St. Barts Beach Hotel has given way to Le Barthélemy, where the high/low lifestyle includes an option to take the house car to your preferred beach for no-fuss picnic lunches, with or without Champagne.
It gets even better the farther you get from the yacht crowd. Case in point: At the privately owned Le Toiny, catch a jeep from the hotel in the hills to a pop-up restaurant on the sand. Dishes such as black truffle pasta and lobster linguini are ample proof that you don’t have to be aboard the Seven Seas to live large in St. Barts.
When to go: May and June. Amazing weather without the high-season price tag. When not to go: September, when everything is closed for hurricane season. Whom to call: Marla Schaffer of Leaders in Travel, Ltd.
RWANDA
Wilderness Safaris is like the Tesla of African tourism. They’re safari trailblazers at the top of their game, leading the industry in both conservation and community work and offering no-holds-barred luxury out in the field. So when the company announced it would move into Rwanda this year, Africa enthusiasts immediately took notice.
That’s not to say Rwanda is hurting for tourism: It’s one of the few places where you can go gorilla trekking, and a new joint-visa program with Kenya makes it easy to come here after a few days in iconic Masai Mara.
Still, Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate camp, which will debut in a secluded stretch of Volcanoes National Park in June, will make it easier than ever to spot silverbacks without sacrificing a single creature comfort. The complex comprises six dome-shaped forest villas, each designed to evoke a traditional Rwandan domicile; inside, you’ll find 1,000 square feet of private space, all swathed in traditional local textiles and animal throws. Stay tuned for more: Wilderness already has plans to open a second lodge nearby in 2018.
When to go: Dry season spans from mid-December to early February. Hit the tail end, when early rains attract tons of gorillas and chimps. When not to go: Gorilla treks are tough enough when the trails aren’t covered in mud, so avoid the rainy stretches in the spring and late fall. Whom to call: Cherri Briggs of Explore Africa.
HAMBURG
After more than a decade of controversy and a budget that ballooned tenfold, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie is now complete. The striking Herzog & de Meuron-designed performing arts complex — built out from a mid-century brick warehouse on the city’s historic harbor — isn’t just an eye-popping landmark, it’s the symbolic crescendo for HafenStadt, a massive, new neighborhood that’s been unfolding across 400 acres of unused docklands.
There, you’ll find luxury apartments, shiny office buildings, and destination restaurants such as Carl’s Bistro and Kaiser Perle. You’ll want to check out a concert at one of Elphilharmonie’s three stages; the inaugural lineup includes celebrated dancer Sasha Waltz and contemporary jazz pianist Brad Mehldau. And feel free to spend the night: The just-opened Westin Hamburg has 244 rooms and an elaborate spa right inside the building. You’ll be even more comfortable at the upcoming Fontenay hotel, which will open next summer, with views of stunning Alster Lake from its 131 sumptuous rooms.
When to go: May or June, when you can cruise the city’s canals. When not to go: February and November. Rain, rain, go away. Whom to call: Virginia Giorgdano of Culture Trip.
COLOMBIA
On the heels of an historic peace agreement, Colombia is finally shedding its security concerns once and for all. That means this should be the year that travelers discover its extraordinary countryside, from the Cocora Valley — home to the tallest palm trees in the world — to the little-known Tatacoa Desert, an ochre-colored expanse of wind-carved dunes. (Stay at Tatacoa’s cutting-edge Bethel Bio Hotel for its egg-shaped pod rooms: They have retractable roofs for stargazing.)
The natural splendor makes it easy to understand why Colombia was the birthplace of magical realism — which you’ll definitely tap into if you visit the mystical tribes of Tayrona National Park or Cartagena, where a stylish inn by fashion maven Sylvia Tcherassi has just flung open its doors.
Don’t disregard the capital, either. Bogotá is embracing its position as a booming financial hub and has become deft at catering to the jet set. Just look at its two new Four Seasons hotels and the countless chefs waking up to the country’s edible biodiversity.
When to go: Colombia is a year-round destination, but February and March are particularly appealing because peak season has died down and the weather is still top-notch. When not to go: October and November are slightly rainy — but not terribly wet. Whom to call: Marc Beale of Amakuna.
EGYPT
Want to get the pyramids all to yourself? Now’s the time to go to Egypt, which has shed its years of social and political unrest but has yet to regain the crowds that long plagued its iconic sights. “Locals are now more inclined to talk about their lives, hopes, and fears,” said Geoffrey Kent, founder of luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, which is launching two itineraries here in 2017. “Travelers will find the country offers a more rewarding experience than ever before.”
In addition to heightened safety, many brand-name hospitality firms have started recommitting to Egypt. In 2015, Ritz-Carlton opened right on the Nile, and more recently, Oberoi launched a luxury river cruise between Luxor and Aswan. This April, St. Regis will open a 39-storey hotel — also overlooking the Nile — in a Michael Graves-designed, mixed-use complex. Plus the government is finally opening the lush tombs of both Queen Nefertari and Pharaoh Seti I, after years of closed-door restorations.
When to go: March. Even in high season — with its perfect temps in the low 70s — there’s amazing value to be found. At least for now. When not to go: August. Because who does deserts in August? Whom to call: Malaka Hilton of Authentic Escapes.
TURKS AND CAICOS
Best beaches in the world? Check. Amazing luxury hotels? Check. Non-stop flights from major US cities? Turks and Caicos already had it all, but the arrival of its first new luxury properties since 2009 is injecting a family friendly energy to a tried-and-true honeymoon spot.
In January, Sailrock opens on largely undeveloped South Caicos, where you’ll find three nature reserves and the world’s third-largest coral reef. It’s a plush retreat for adventure-packed days: Think whale watching, scuba diving, and secluded fishing trips.
Then there’s the Shore Club, the only hotel on turquoise-watered Long Bay Beach in southeastern Providenciales. It’s a riff on the plantation-style resort so commonly seen in the West Indies — except its kids club is in a treehouse, and its light-filled rooms ditch colonial-style shutters in favor of modern, glass-walled terraces. It promises a no-need-to-leave experience.
Finally, for the multi-gen set, there’s Beach Enclave, a collection of four- and five-bedroom homes on a seaside cliff just west of powdery Grace Bay Beach. It couples the privacy (and square footage) of a vacation rental with the amenities of a resort — such as snorkeling classes for the little ones and family outings on a Hinckley Picnic Boat.
When to go: May, for nice weather and great value. When not to go: September and October, when the risk for tropical storms outweighs all else. Whom to call: Jim Augerinos of Perfect Honeymoons. — Bloomberg
