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Another year, another 365 days to make the most of those work vacation days you will be accruing! If you are anything like me then you are constantly planning your next destination in your head. Before 2017 even rolled around I had 3 trips fully planned and booked for the first few months of the year but another 5 countries that I couldn’t stop talking about and researching and that is ultimately how I came up with my list of the Top 5 Destinations for 2017.

Even though I know I won’t be able to make it to these places this year, if you can – DO IT!

1. Cuba

Cuba PC: travelmoodz

Now that travel restrictions for US residents have eased up – 2017 would be the perfect time to visit this beautiful island that is filled with clear blue water, white sand beaches and some of the most incredible (& vibrant) architecture. Cuba is a melting pop of cultures and anyone who I know that has visit speaks highly about how warm and welcoming they are to visitors. With round trip flights from Fort Lauderdale for $115, there’s no wonder why tourism is set to be at an all time high this year.

2. Egypt

egypt PC: tournavationmke

I’m sure some of you are like whatttt, Egypt? The Middle East?! nooo

YES! Egypt and FYI, it’s located in Africa. As an American, it’s so typical for us to feed into the media and where they think you should avoid. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be aware of your surroundings while traveling – that’s a must for anywhere in the world. It is so affordable to go to Egypt right now and you can even go with a tour group for 1/4th of the price of what it was 10 years ago. When visiting you can check out tons of ancient history, vast deserts and world-famous coral reef sites.

3. South Africa (Cape Town)

capetown PC: raddisonblue

Perfect weather, mountains, clear blue water and tons of tranquil gardens is one of the main reasons why so many people flock here from all over the world. If you’re adventurous, add shark cage diving to your must do list when visiting and do not forget about a safari tour.

4. Thailand

thailand PC: azamara

Thailand has been a popular destination for a long time, especially for budget travelers. Lush jungles, picture perfect beaches and cheap but delicious food are some of the top reasons why people visit. Ok, so you’re probably wondering how cheap Thailand actually is, right? Well for starters you can find a round trip ticket from the NYC area to Bangkok for about $600. Food from street vendors is said to cost about $1 and while you can absolutely chose to stay in a luxury resort – you can also stay in a beach front bungalow for as low as $20 per night.

5. Portugal

portugal PC: kny

 Portugal is my top European country to visit by 2018. It’s currently one of the safest countries in the world (says the WEF) so that is a little bit of a relief to hear when traveling abroad with the kiddies. It is rich in history and culture, has beautiful landscapes and incredible beach towns. They also say some of the best wine comes from Portugal so…. CHEERS to that!

Where are you traveling to in 2017?