How many of our 50 destinations for 2015 did you manage? It's not too late to squeeze in another trip before Christmas...
Haiti
40 of 50
Photo: Courtesy of G Adventures
On the cusp of the five-year anniversary of the 7.0 earthquake that decimated this western Caribbean island, Haiti is poised for a phoenix-like rise from the rubble. In Port-au-Prince, tent cities have given way to new hotels, including a 175-room Marriottslated to open in early 2015. A push by the tourism department has inspired planned resorts and beautification projects in the southern port of Jacmel and nearby island of Île-à-Vache, direct flights on American Airlines between Miami and the northern hub of Cap Haïtien (Haiti’s second largest city), as well as a new $70 million Carnival Cruise port in the honeymooner’s paradise of Tortuga. Sustainable tour operator G Adventures launches five new Haiti trips beginning in February, claiming, “Haiti is a place where tourists don’t go, but where real travelers venture.” That approach inspired itineraries that include navigating the 2.5-mile-long labyrinthine Marie-Jeanne cave, learning firsthand about voodoo folklore, and sampling rum at a distillery and homemade Creole cooking. Haiti anticipates economic growth, yet it could still use helping hands. Elevate Destinations is organizing volunteers to support children’s education in Île-à-Vache next July, and Yoga Ventures, which combines a yoga retreat with a service project, has trips planned for March and June 2015. —Corina Quinn
