3 Places To Visit In 2014 Before They Change Forever!

The world is constantly evolving and changing with the times, cities expand, and others disappear off the map. Where is hot to travel to in 2014 that is on the brink of changing forever? Elbow your way into these 3 destinations right away!

3 places to visit in 2014 before they change forever!

The world is constantly evolving and changing with the times, cities expand, and others disappear off the map. Where is hot to travel to in 2014 that is on the brink of changing forever?

Elbow your way into these 3 destinations right away!

1. Havana, Cuba

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Tourism numbers are booming in Cuba. The stats are yet to be completed for the 2013 tourism year, but the bar has been set to expect in excess of 3 million international visitors. You want to get there soon if you want to experience "Real Cuba". Havana is developing, fast. The tourism industry has evolved into the countries third largest income source (after sugar and tobacco)

Already locals have noticed the increasing numbers of Chinese imported cars on the road, with the ubiquitous 1950′s classic American car dwindling in numbers. Traffic jams are much less fun now, and when the older cars are shunted off the road for ever, a traffic jam in Cuba will look no different to one in New York.

But the greatest reason you want to get yourself to Cuba right now? Americans. Once that door is opened for free trade and with visas legally issued for American Citizens, I would bet the Peso will rise, and the mass hotel chains will move in. Havana will lose its colourful old-fashioned charm, where you can book a night into someones home for $10 a night (called a Pension) and enjoy local hospitality. Or hail an old 50′s car held together with duct tape and a dash of hope to a run down bar that Ernest Hemingway called home.

As the new tourists to come in flashing their greenbacks, that will no doubt all change. The demand for newer, more reliable cars, and fancier hotels will mean Havana and the outskirts will need to adapt.

The people are fantastically friendly, thankfully that is something I doubt will change. Their infectious smiles and kind-hearted assistance is here to stay, but if you want to visit Cuba for its 1950′s time warp, you better get there quick!

2. Kathmandu, Nepal

Round the world Rachel / Via roundtheworldrachel.com

The Himalayan Kingdom that was once the place to be on the 1970′s hippy trail, is once again blazing up the tourist must see destinations for 2014. Much to the disgust of those old time free love hippies, capitalism is now alive and kicking in Kathmandu Valley.

KFC and Pizza Hut have already opened, and I imagine it won’t be long before the golden arches are knocking on Nepal’s door.

Nepal’s tourism numbers are shifting on a monthly basis. Demand has been high from Australian travellers, but lagging lately from the other Asian nations. Many travellers to Nepal become repeat visitors, and for good reason! Hundreds of years of tradition and architecture is preserved in entire townships like Patan and Bhaktapur on the outskirts of the cities, but seeing a Tibetan Monk in robes answering an Iphone is not longer a rarity.

The scenery is spectacular, and the whole world knows it. This has caused all sorts of problems for the mighty Mt Everest , who’s trails are littered with fallen climbers bodies and trash. Anyone with a spare $80,000 can give the peak a go, and add to the destruction.

If you want to see Nepal while it still grasps its traditions, get there soon! Eat the delicious local food and enjoy the scenery!

3. Bucharest, Romania

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Home of Vlad III The Impaler, who was immortalised in folk history as Count Dracula, and more recently in history, Miss Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast to score a perfect score in Olympic competition.

Most of Romania’s 8 million annual visitors hail from other countries within Europe, thanks to the low cost carriers like Easyjet and Ryanair, flying in hoards of cashed up Brits looking for a good time on the cheap. That might all be about to change with plans for the Euro to enter Romania. Changing the economic stance forever for this post Soviet Bloc nation.

Romania has an abundance of great countryside (don’t mind the bears!) along with a some of the most fantastic hiking and camping spots in Europe. Thankfully none of this is at risk of disappearing any time soon. The amazing people who live in these towns however tell a different story. Once the EuroZone opens, the youth of Romania will slowly trickle out to other parts of Europe to experience a different lifestyle, what does this means for the average traveller? Traditional dress, music and food will slowly become something that is only found in the heart of the tourist enclaves, much like other parts of Europe.

If you don’t want to be robbed of the amazing Romanian traditions, get to Romania right now. Ride in that horse and cart in the country, and chat to the old and young locals. Bask in the fact that you were here before the masses!