25 of 50 Courtesy of Hyatt Centric Montevideo
Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo, the quiet capital of Uruguay, is making a name for itself in design, fashion, and food. The new Rotunda Estudio—a sleek three-story boutique, design studio, and workshop in residential Punta Carretas—sells capsule collections by emerging local talents alongside its flagship line of minimalist women’s wear. Nearby, Telma stocks sophisticated, loose-fitting dresses, shirts, and shoes, plus prints by illustrator Valeria Rienzi from Good Objects. The city’s gourmands are flocking to supper clubs like Mesabrava, where guest chefs prepare multicourse communal dinners in antiques auction houses and shuttered factories. One of the rising stars of the local culinary scene is Lucía Soria, whose casual spot Jacinto in the historic quarter is all about perfectly cooked market ingredients. And Uruguay’s famously high-quality meats are the focus at Plantado Restaurant, inside the gorgeously decorated Hyatt Centric Montevideo—which also happens to be the city’s best new place to stay. —Paola Singer
Montreal, Quebec
In January, the Canadian city kicks off a year of events in honor of its 375th birthday. Look for art pop-ups, symphony performances, and the unveiling of the Promenade Fleuve-Montagne, an urban boardwalk that will connect Mont-Royal to the St. Lawrence River. And plan on returning a few pounds heavier. Montreal’s phenomenal culinary scene—influenced by its French-British background and multiethnic population—is drawing interest from foodies far beyond Canada’s borders. Don’t miss local favorites like Foxy and Candide, which prove that sophisticated doesn’t have to mean stiff, and the hotly anticipated Marconi, from chef Mehdi Brunet-Benkritly, who recently moved back to his native Montreal after a five-year stint in New York City. —Mary Holland
27 of 50 Courtesy of Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
This gateway to the South has hit its stride, and 2017 looks to be a banner year. The iconic Ryman Auditorium celebrates its 125th anniversary with a full calendar of fêtes, while the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum celebrates 50 years and the Bluebird Café turns 35. The city is brimming with new and upcoming eateries: Maneet Chauhan’s The Mockingbird, John Besh’s Marsh House, and Henrietta Red from Per Se–trained chef Julia Sullivan. And there are plenty of places to stay, thanks to a hotel boom—the Westin and Thompson recently debuted, with a Kimpton and 21c slated to open this year. —Kristin Luna
28 of 50 Courtesy of Nekupe
Nicaragua
A wave of incredible new properties is bringing renewed attention to Central America’s largest country, which visitors flock to for rain-forest tours and snorkeling around surrounding islands. Fifteen miles south of Granada is the recently opened Nekupe Sporting Resort & Retreat. Nekupe, a native word used to describe heaven, is an intimate eight-villa resort spread across 1,300 acres on the mountainside. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of Mombacho, but the best way to experience the cloud-forest-covered volcano is hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Travelers seeking a beach escape should head to the new Meson Nadi hotel on the edge of Costa Esmeralda: a contemporary, Bauhaus-inspired, six-suite boutique with concrete tiles, handwoven hammam blankets, and gardens. —Melanie Lieberman
29 of 50 PETER HARRISON/Getty Images
Noosa Heads, Australia
One of the unsung sirens of Australia's eastern coast, Noosa Heads—less than two hours from Brisbane—is gaining attention for its upscale hotels and modern restaurant openings. The Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort is the first five-star player to hit the beach here. It’s a short stroll from surfer heaven Main Beach and not far from Noosa National Park, which features cliff-hugging boardwalks through lush rain forest. Richard Branson's Australian hideaway, Makepeace Island, is situated just up the Noosa River: the lavish, Balinese-inspired resort is usually an exclusive-use affair but lately has been opening up individual villa bookings during certain weeks. Restaurants in Noosa Heads skew Asian: the hottest table in town is Wasabi, a Japanese omakase concept where the dining room is suspended over the water, while the more casual Embassy XO, in the next town over, serves pan-Asian dishes like killer “son-in-law” eggs and jasmine-cured duck leg. But don’t miss the natural wonders here, either—head into the dreamy, ruggedly beautiful hinterland with Tropical Treks, an outfitter offering guided bushwalks, bird-watching, and wildlife experiences. —Emma Sloley
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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