Where will you go next? Our editors and explorers pick some most exciting destinations for the year ahead. Grab your bags and go!

Mostar, Bosnia

Partially destroyed during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) , history-rich Mostar still bears scars of the past. Wander around and you’ll pass newly renovated apartments next to buildings riddled with bullet holes. Local and intemational artists regularly decorate the abandoned structures with colorful murals. Mostar’s most tangible image of peace is the 16th-century Stari Most, rebuilt in 2004. It connects the city’s predominantly Christian Croat west side with the mainly Muslim Bosniak east.

Tohoku, Japan

Less than three hours by train from Tokyo, home of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Tohoku features pristine forests, gorges and crater lakes, thousand-year-old temples and shrines, and venerable local festivals— yet less than 2 percent of international travelers come here. For skiers, Tohoku regularly records some of the planet’s heaviest snowfalls, and resorts such as Appi Kogen are exhilaratingly uncrowded.

National Blue Trail, Hungary

Hungary is a dream hiking destination thanks to the country’s National Blue Trail. It’s part of the nearly 6, 500-mile European long-distance walking route E4, which begins in Spain and ends in Cyprus. So, while you could use the Blue Trail as a launchpad for an epic, cross-Europe trek, Hungary’s historic route is best experienced as a singular destination.

Zakouma National Park, Chad

Home to a rapidly growing African elephant population— some 559 in 2019 and a thousand expected by 2024-Zakouma National Park is an under-the-radar African safari destination. The park’s location, in southeastern Chad, one of the world’s least visited countries, makes Zakouma a best-kept secret— one worth sharing to help ensure its continued success.

Family Activities in Hawaii

Kids get bored easily, but they won't be in Hawaii. To help you and your kids plan for that perfect Hawaiian vacation, here are some of activities you can enjoy at Hawaii's main islands:

To start off, keep your kids busy by letting them explore Hawaii's art, culture, history, and unique geography hands-on at the Kauai Children's Discovery museum. Exciting activities your kids will enjoy at this museum include star observing, creating artworks and rock climbing.

Oahu is another island that offers plenty of activities the whole family will enjoy. If you want to pet a dolphin or sea lion, you can go to the Sea Life Park. Also get a sight of life underwater through their Sea Trek Adventure activity where you go 18 ft. underwater for a human-and-fish meet and greet.

Enjoy Molokai's laid-back atmosphere by visiting the Molokai Horse & Wagon Ride. The horse and wagon ride usually starts at the mango grove. Another good idea is to visit the Big Wind Kite Factory to see how kites are made and fly one of your own. Learn kite-flying and kite-making techniques and let kids pilot their own kites.

Aside from the beaches, Hawaii is especially known for its volcanoes. And if you go to the Big Island, you can let your family experience several of these volcanoes by visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Watch up close a live volcano gently spewing lava at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for an unforgettable yet educational experience.

Top 4 must-see ancient villages in Beijing

Beijing is a world-famous historical and cultural city with a history of more than 3, 000 years. The rich and profound ancient village culture found in and around the city remains an important part of the capital’s history and culture. Below we recommend 4 must-see ancient villages in the Beijing area as the 2024 May Day holiday approaches.

Located in the northwest of Mentougou district, Lingshui village was formed in the Liao and Jin dynasties. The ancient dwellings in Lingshui village are a model of rural residential buildings during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) in northerm China, and their original appearance is well preserved. Tourists can explore over 120 folk houses, alongside many cultural relics in the village.

Shuiyu village is in Fangshan district. The village was built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With 600 houses and more than 100 sets of courtyard houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the original cultural ecology of the village has been well maintained. Facing both north and south, the village is laid out in a circular shape, forming a unique architectural style.

Sangyu village lies in the north of Mentougou district, Beijing, next to Lingshui village. Prior to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) , Sangyu village was called Sanyu or “encountering” in English, named for the three water channels that meet in the village. Dense mulberry tree forests surround the entire village, and when they bear fruit, purple mulberries light up the village valley.

Malan village, which means “horse stable” in English, had a history of keeping horses that dates back to the Ming dynasty. The ancient buildings in Malan village are made of stone and mud. When building and repairing houses in the village, people try their best to maintain their original appearance. There is also an exhibition hall, a row of old houses, as well as 12 gate bridges in the the village.