Where to Go in 2022

Escape the expected at these wish-list destinations and innovative hotels and resorts, curated by our friend in travel, Ignacio Maza of Signature Travel Network.

As we plan new journeys for 2022, sophisticated travelers are rediscovering both closer-to-home favorites and global standouts.  Ignacio Maza,  Editor at Large of our Ultimate Experience Magazine, is always in search of Ultimate Experiences and What’s Next in Travel.

HERE ARE HIS PICKS FOR THIS YEAR….

ITALY

La dolce vita is alive and well in this beloved destination. Italy has it all: world-class art, design, and architecture, superb food and wine in every region of the country, charming villages, ancient ruins, mountains and beaches, plus wonderful Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence and more World Heritage Sites than anywhere else in the globe. Experience a deeper, richer Italy by discovering hidden gems like the alpine landscapes of Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley, renaissance masterpiece at Mantua and Pistoia, authentic cuisine in Maratea, or the relaxed vibe of Sicily’s Egadi islands. With so many special places, you will definitely come back for more.

IRELAND

Now is the time to visit the Emerald Isle. Ariving is easy, with more than 10 nonstop flights from the U.S, and the country is easy to navigate. Experience Ireland’s food renaissance at Michelin-starred restaurants and authentic cafés and pubs, and enjoy a glass of locally produced whiskey or gin. Elevate your visit with a castle stay at Ashford, Dromoland, or the reimagined Adare Manor. Discover ethereal landscapes and the greenest countryside on the globe. Experience Ireland’s music, culture, and lively cities. Search for film locations featured in Game of Thrones and Star Wars. Fish, cycle, or hike the Wild Atlantic Way, a mesmerizing coastal path. Wherever you go, a warm Irish welcome awaits.

TURKS & CAICOS

The Caribbean’s rising star entices travelers seeking white-sand beaches, superb diving, standout resorts, diverse dining experiences, and just about every watersport you can imagine. Think paradise, sans crowds. Getting there is easy, with frequent nonstops from many U.S. gateways. Choose from a luxury villa at Amanyara or Grace Bay, an oceanfront suite at the new Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos, or the recently opened Rock House Turks & Caicos, a next-generation luxury resort perched on a limestone cliff overlooking the sea. The ultimate escape? Secluded Sail Rock resort in South Caicos, a 20-minute flight away.

NEW YORK, NY

The city that never sleeps continues to reinvent itself. Take in the amazing views from the top of the new Summit at One Vanderbilt, or from the Edge at Hudson Yards, the tallest open sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Explore Manhattan’s islands, including Governor’s, Roosevelt, and the new Little Island on the Hudson. Additionally, Broadway is back with great shows like The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman, and the city’s vibrant restaurant scene has more than 100 new openings, including Mediterranean at ZouZou, Italian at Saint Theo’s, fine dining at Le Pavillon by Daniel Boulud, and many more. Stay in style at the new Pendry Manhattan-West, or at Casa Cipriani at the tip of Manhattan.

KENYA

The thrill of a safari is one of life’s ultimate experiences. There is no better place for spotting wildlife in their natural habitat than Kenya, the country that invented safaris. Beyond exceptional game reserves, enjoy scenic vistas, learn about indigenous culture, or relax at Indian Ocean beaches. Stay at classic Fairmont Mara Safari Club, stylish and modern Mahali Mzuri lodge, or in a luxury tent at Karen Blixen Camp. Imagine floating over the Maasai Mara on a hot air balloon, feeding orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Trust, having breakfast at Giraffe Manor, or flying over thousands of pink flamingoes at Lake Nakuru—and that’s just for starters!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

It’s time to return to one of our favorite places. Visit the reimagined San Francisco Museum of Modern Art SFMOMA and the blockbuster exhibit of Mexican artist Diego Rivera, including his enormous Pan American Unity mural (a masterpiece!). Walk from the Bay to the Pacific, bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, or sail to Angel Island for exceptional views. Explore bustling Chinatown, America’s largest, home to authentic cuisine and hidden gems. Dine at one of the city’s great new restaurants like Estiatorio Ornos and The Vault Steakhouse, and enjoy amazing Korean barbecue at San Ho Won. Whatever you do, don’t miss riding a cable car, which is quintessentially San Francisco.

WESTERN CANADA

For sheer natural beauty, it’s hard to beat the stunning landscapes, blue-green lakes, deep forests, rich wildlife, and snow-capped mountains of Western Canada. Experience endless adventures, like surfing the waves off Tofino, heli-hiking the Cariboo Mountains, canoeing across Lake Louise, or skiing in Whistler. Don’t miss the collection of indigenous Pacific art at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. For an unforgettable rail adventure, ride the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff. Stay at Sonora Resort, a luxury eco property

accessible only by air or sea, or at the Fairmont resorts in the Rockies for authentic Canadian hospitality. The ultimate road trip? Driving the Icefields Parkway, the most scenic in North America.

LOS CABOS, MEXICO

Mexico’s sunniest destination, with 350 days of sun a year, features endless adventure between two seas. Snorkel the Cabo Pulmo Marine Preserve, the northernmost coral reef in the Pacific. Hike the Sierra de la Laguna in search of mountain springs, or surf the waves in Todos Santos. Explore San José del Cabo galleries and meet resident artists during Art Walks. For the ultimate culinary experience, try celebrated chef Javier Plascencia’s Animalón by the Sea, a floating restaurant sailing from Marina Cabo San Lucas. Stay at the luxurious new Zadún, Mexico’s first Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort with oversized suites and plunge pools, or at the classic One&Only Palmilla, the original Los Cabos hideaway.

COSTA RICA

Easy to navigate, safe, and progressive, Costa Rica is a leader in sustainable tourism and famous for its biodiversity. Discover impenetrable forests, active volcanoes, rich wildlife (including 800 bird species), and beautiful beaches on both Caribbean and Pacific coasts—all found in a country the size of West Virginia. Enjoy active adventures of every stripe, or do nothing at all. Choose from a wide range of accommodations, from a tranquil, rainforest eco-lodge at El Silencio, a beachfront bungalow in Santa Teresa’s Nantipa Resort, glamping in luxury with views of Arenal Volcano at Nayara Tented Camp, or experiencing a blend of adventure and wellbeing at Auberge Resorts’ new Hacienda Altagracia.

JAPAN

The land of the rising sun is still the perfect blend of age-old traditions and cutting-edge technology. Timeless and dynamic, Japan enchants visitors with a wealth of unique experiences. Get lost in Kyoto’s ancient districts. Taste the freshest sushi. Catch a Sumo wrestling match. Soak in a communal Onsen bath. Contemplate a tranquil Zen rock garden. Climb Mt. Fuji. Shop Tokyo’s Ginza, or  visit Himeji Castle, the best-preserved in the country. Experience Team Lab’s mind-blowing immersive visual displays. Stay in a design-forward skyscraper with fantastic views, a luxurious pavilion at the new Aman Kyoto, or in a ryokan—a timeless expression of authentic Japanese hospitality.

AUSTRALIA

Travelers can’t wait to return to this island continent. Experience the world’s largest barrier reef, vibrant cities, the rugged Outback, an indigenous culture dating back over 50,000 years, innovative cuisine, abundant wildlife, and wild landscapes. Take a road trip, marvel at Uluru, find the perfect beach, kayak off the Tasman Peninsula, hike with an Aboriginal guide, ride the legendary Ghan train, or swim with dolphins and whale sharks, as options are endless. Stay at Park Hyatt Sydney with views of the Opera House; at Lizard Island, the Great Barrier Reef’s idyllic tropical retreat; or in a treehouse at the reimagined Silky Oaks eco-lodge in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest.

ARGENTINA’S PATAGONIA

Can a hotel put a destination on the map? Yes, particularly if it’s a new resort by Explora, South America’s premier eco-lodge company. If searching for glorious vistas, world-class trekking, and natural wonders, head straight to Explora El Chaltén, the brand-new lodge located in the heart of Argentina’s Patagonia. Located within a private 14,000-acre conservation reserve, Explora El Chaltén offers superb views of the Marconi Glacier, along with every comfort—spacious guestrooms, a spa, and a top-notch restaurant. Choose from 40 different explorations during your stay, including the Laguna de Los Tres hike for magnificent views of Mount Fitz Roy. Extend your Patagonian discoveries by continuing to Chile’s Torres del Paine with the “Explora Connect” lodge-to-lodge program.

About Ignacio Maza

Ignacio Maza is a seasoned professional with over forty years of experience in the travel industry. In his current role, Ignacio is responsible for Signature Travel Network’s luxury business development, including strategic initiatives, marketing, training, communications, and events. Prior to his current role, Ignacio created and managed Signature’s Hotel & Resort program, a collection of over 1,100 quality properties in more than 450 destinations worldwide, offering unique consumer privileges. Prior to his tenure at Signature, Ignacio was Executive Vice-President for the Virtuoso Travel Network, responsible for this network’s supplier relations and consumer programs. 

Ignacio has a passion for travel, and has visited over 100 countries and overseas territories in seven continents over the years. Mr. Maza is originally from Cuba and currently resides in New York City. Ignacio speaks four languages and has received numerous awards over the years, including American Express’ Travel Hall of Fame Award.