Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Top 5 Vacations for 2022

Generally speaking, January sucks. Alas, The Manual suggests you kick those broke, beginning of the year blues with some serious trip planning. With our top five international destinations for 2022, you’ll be punching the air and setting off on new adventures in no time.

Istanbul

Recommended Videos

Sprawled across two continents, this vibrant city offers a diverse experience depending on where you stay. The thriving creative scene comprises tons of awesome independent galleries, including Dirimart and Galeri X-Ist, and a handful of progressive concept stores, such as Atelier 55, and interior design studios including Autoban. By night, explore the winding streets to find intimate eateries serving delicious local fare. The Manual recommends Changa for a modern interpretation of traditional Turkish food within stunning Art Nouveau surroundings.

Goa

Paradisiacal yet still capable of a culture shock, Goa is becoming one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. Located on the country’s western coastline, you can expect dreamy white sand and palm tree beaches- try Ashwem for an off the beaten track experience- while the crumbling architecture in old Goa provides evidence of the Portuguese colonial rule. The best way to get around is by moped, which you can rent out by the day. Once you’ve secured your ride, The Manual recommends a sensory trip to one of the many spice plantations. For a leisurely Goan lunch, try Tato in buzzing Margao area for exquisite thali and a fun atmosphere.

Croatia

Hiking, wandering winding pebble streets and eating a lot of truffle-based dishes are just some of the highlights of holidaying in this country in southeastern Europe. An ideal option for some quality R&R, visitors often opt to stay in one of the many family-owned farm houses situated in the rolling valleys of Istria. The Manual recommends Agroturizam San Mauro for a super friendly memorable experience where the homemade wine will flow and flow. If exploration is your thing, head to Split. Previously a Roman city, the center of the city is rich in breathtaking Roman ruins and boasts a long, fascinating history.

Warsaw

The cultural capital of Poland boasts a thriving club and music scene, as well as a growing reputation for an edgy, independent art community which is being cultivated in the post-industrial Soho Factory zone. Shaping up to be the next Berlin, this buzzing city invites tourists to eat, drink and get seriously merry for a pittance. The Manual recommends heading to the Pawilony district for an array of trendy pubs and bars, including Wynalazek and Lenistwo, and the recently opened Neon Museum for an unexpected dose of Cold War history in the form of communist neon signs.

Bali

If you’re looking to cram in as many activities as possible into your trip, Bali is an awesome choice. An extreme sportsman’s paradise, this compact but scenic island offers snorkelling in the coral reef, white water rafting along the breathtaking Ayung River, moutain cycling and quad biking through the island’s rugged back roads. When you’re all actioned out, The Manual recommends heading to Denpasar for a wander through Pasar Badung, the local 24 hour artisan market- arrive early for bargains- and stopping by Ubud for a spot of traditional Balinese cuisine at the beautiful Bumbu Bali resturant.

Jodie Kharas
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jodie Kharas is a style, art and culture writer who lives in London. She has contributed to the online platforms of POP…
Travel light with this minimalist packing list for a beach vacation
Essentials to help you travel light and stay relaxed
Belize beach scene on Caye Caulker

Packing for a beach vacation has always been a bit of a challenge for me. On my last beach trip, I found myself in a familiar situation (overthinking what to pack and inevitably ending up with a stuffed suitcase that I could barely close). But I'm heading to Hawaii soon, and the goal this time is to travel light, pack only what’s essential, and still have everything I need to feel comfortable and relaxed. After some trial and error, I came up with this minimalist packing list for a beach vacation that will help me keep my luggage light while covering all the bases. If you’re looking to do the same, this guide should be right up your alley.
Minimalist beach vacation packing list 

I know you're tempted to overstuff your suitcase, but trust me on this one, follow this list.
1. Clothing essentials

Read more
Don’t miss out: This is when Glacier National Park reservations open for 2025
Sleep and you'll miss it! Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations open soon
The Garden Wall along the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park is one of those other-worldly places that don't seem real. Thousands of people from across the world flock to see these postcard-worthy sights, so it's not a surprise that the National Park Service has seen to implementing a timed-entry reservation system for entering the park starting in 2021. While reservations can be a bit of a hassle to acquire, they have become necessary in order to manage crowds, protect important resources, and keep park amenities and infrastructures in good shape. If you're looking to snag a coveted timed-entry reservation to Glacier National Park for this summer, don't wait. Here's what you need to know.

Glacier National Park allows visitors to reserve their timed-entry tickets 120 days in advance. Keep in mind, this is different than the entrance pass. Reservations are required from June 13 to September 28 this year. This means that on February 13, 2025, the first round of reservations will be released. You'll need a reservation to go to the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork, but if you're going through Apgar Village, Two Medicine, or St. Mary, you won't need a reservation.

Read more
Death Valley camping: A guide to camping in the hottest, driest national park
Here's your ultimate guide to Death Valley
Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, covering 3.4 million acres. It's also well-known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the United States. Here, you'll find a variety of sand dunes, mountains, salt flats, and canyons to explore, and Death Valley also has some of the best stargazing in the whole world. There are so many reasons to head to Death Valley this year, but since there's so much to see and do, you might want to consider camping. Here's our ultimate guide to Death Valley camping.
Know before you go Death Valley camping

If you don't want to roast or freeze, the best time to visit Death Valley would be in the fall or the spring. Come in the spring for the best stargazing, but either timeframe offers some great adventures. Once you've decided when to go, book your campsite. Options will fill up quickly during the spring and fall, so try to get your reservations early.

Read more