2013 promises to be a banner year for global travel and tourism. From major tourism hotspots like to New York and London to hidden gems across the world, the year should provide plenty of spectacle and great places to visit. Here are just five of the top travel destinations you must visit in 2013. Check out Virgin Holidays for great deals and offers.
London
2012 may have been the year of the Summer Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, but 2013 will offer plenty of great reasons to visit London on holiday too. The year promises plenty of West End theatre productions, cultural festivals and other exciting events and activities.
Top places to see include the majestic Buckingham Palace as well as the iconic Palace of Westminster. A ride on the London Eye affords brilliants views of the city’s burgeoning skyline and breathtaking sights while a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral is always an incredible experience. Be sure to sample London’s wealth of museums, galleries and cultural institutions like the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and many more. Other must-see attractions in London include the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and the magnificent Westminster Abbey.
New York City
2013 is shaping up to be a big year for New York City as well. While visiting the Big Apple, make a point to see iconic sites like the illustrious lights and glowing neon signs of Times Square and the idyllic beauty of Central Park. The Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre both offer observation decks that boast phenomenal views of the city’s iconic skyline and environs. Additionally, the observation deck of the new One World Trade Centre is due to open in late 2013 as well. Even more top attractions and points of interest in New York City are the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the city’s wide array of fascinating neighbourhoods like Chinatown, SoHo and Greenwich Village.
Paris
Among the world’s most romantic cities, Paris is filled with wondrous sights and landmarks to discover. The iconic Eiffel Tower boasts fantastic views from its observation deck while The Louvre offers one of the world’s greatest repositories of fine artwork. Another must-see attraction in Paris is the Notre Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece rich in medieval French history and heritage.
Rome
With more than 2,500 years of history and one of the world’s most iconic collections of ancient ruins, Rome is sure to be a fascinating place to visit in 2013. Top sites in the Eternal City include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and the breathtaking Trevi Fountain. The historic Piazza Navona and the Vatican are other top landmarks as well.
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. capital will hold a presidential inauguration in 2013 along with many other events and festivals. Top landmarks and attractions here include the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial and the Smithsonian Institution, one of the world’s largest and most renowned cultural institutions.
