After a difficult 2020 and 2021, tourism returns in 2022 with a bang, as a flood of new vacation sites open up to eager travelers.

There are a slew of reasons to get excited about travelling in 2022: ranging from major events, to new airline routes, to highly anticipated film releases that will put Hollywood-worthy destinations on our bucket lists.

Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup will draw international attention to the Middle Eastern country. You might want to go before the football fans arrive because it has ultra-modern architecture influenced by Islamic style and a thriving arts and culture scene.

The amazing Floriade Expo will be hosted in Holland, which is closer to home. We'll have six months to soak up the horticultural wonders at this once-in-a-decade event, which has a modern eco-theme of "developing green cities" and unique flower exhibits.

A new European Capital of Culture gives a lovely place you may have noticed previously while planning a city vacation on the continent. For its tree-lined promenades and historic buildings, the low-cost flight is certainly worth it.

Kaunas, Lithuania

The European Capitals of Culture for 2022 are Kaunas, Lithuania, and Novi Sad, Serbia, allowing the lovely locations to shine and exhibit their cultural assets to the rest of the world.

A trip to Kaunas is ideal for a short European city break, with direct flights from the UK with low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air. In this metropolis, tree-lined promenades and historic buildings combine with modern street art and high-end restaurants. Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city, has a distinct art deco style to explore, as well as fairytale landmarks like Kaunas Castle and Paaislis Monastery and Modernist architecture.

Barbados

The Caribbean island of Barbados is definitely on our radar for 2022, thanks to Virgin Atlantic's new service, which will provide winter sun to Edinburgh tourists. The flight from Edinburgh to Barbados is Virgin Atlantic's first international service from the Scottish capital in the company's 37-year history. It's also the only way to get from Scotland to the Caribbean on a direct flight.

Thanks to Virgin flights from both London Heathrow and Edinburgh, we've set our sights on the sun, sea, and white sand of this Caribbean paradise for early and late 2022. On Barbados' south coast, the O2 Sand Club and Spa is situated on 1,000 feet of powder-white sand. It's the city's newest hotspot for excellent dining, a world-class spa, and three swimming pools. What could be better than a relaxing afternoon at the beach with a cocktail in your hand and playing on an online casino?

Almere, Holland

If there was ever a year to visit the Netherlands, it would be 2022, when the Floriade flower festival takes place, with its current eco-theme of "creating green towns". The Floriade Expo, which takes place every 10 years, will run until October in Almere, near Amsterdam, and will offer a range of odd and entertaining shows.

With a focus on imagining sustainable, city living for the future, expect imaginative gardens, lectures, and exhibitions, as well as magnificent attractions and tasting sessions. 300 eco-dwellings have been built on the 150-acre site, with plans to turn the area into a green residential community with 660 houses by 2022, so if you're searching for a sustainable holiday spot in 2022, Holland is the place to go.

Qatar

From November 21 to December 18, all eyes will be on Qatar, which will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Arab world's first-ever World Cup. For visitors who want to combine a sporting vacation with visiting the sights, the Middle Eastern country is famed for its magnificent architecture, exquisite restaurants, and expensive hotels, but there is fascinating Arab culture to discover (or for those who wish to explore it before the football crowds arrive).

With magnificent sandy beaches, adrenaline-pumping water sports, amazing architecture, and mind-blowing museums, Qatar is a destination that mixes culture and modernity. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif, as well as a morning tour of the desert, after staying at a five-star hotel like the Mandarin Oriental, Doha or the Four Seasons Hotel Doha.

East Lothian, Scotland

In 2021, Edinburgh welcomed a slew of new attractions, from the whisky-themed Johnnie Walker Princes Street to the retail-focused St James Quarter, but for 2022, we're turning to the countryside of East Lothian. This rural hideaway is only 30 minutes from the city, where a spate of new openings has put the lovely setting on our must-see list.

The Lawn, a new restaurant in North Berwick's coastal town and part of the Marine Hotel, offers amazing views of the coastline, a stylish, laid-back bar and lounge, and dining by MasterChef: The Professionals' Chris Niven. Meanwhile, the Glenkinchie Distillery will reopen after renovations, and Whitekirk Hill's new beautiful eco-lodges are the perfect self-catering escape for families and spa aficionados alike.

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