Calling all culture vultures, nature lovers and city-goers: The 21 places you MUST visit next year

As the new year fast approaches it brings with it a fresh batch of holiday allowance.
And to help inspire wanderlust, National Geographic has released its annual top 21 places to visit.
Experts have hand picked destinations that fall in to one of three categories - nature, cities or culture.
Morocco's bustling markets, Finland's unspoiled beauty and the untamed wilderness of Canada's national parks have all made the cut.
National Geographic Traveler editor in chief George Stone said: “This special issue takes readers on a globe-spinning journey to 21 of the world’s best destinations.

“We think this year’s list represents a carefully curated selection of forward-leaning places that reveal the bright future of travel.
"This list is all about exploration and discovery. It’s not just about where to go, but why to go now and how to make 2017 a year of enlightenment through travel.”

The top 21 places to visit in 2017:

1. Banff, Alberta, Canada

Banff, Banff National Park, Canada (Photo: Ackerman + Gruber / National Geographic)

Canada’s first national park was discovered on the slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in 1883.
Nowadays, Banff is one of the world’s number one destinations, pulling in millions of visitors every year with its range of activities and stunning views.

2. Madrid, Spain

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition in Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid (Photo: National Geographic)

Madrid offers a rich range of activities and culture - form 16th-century cobblestoned streets around Plaza Mayor to the über-trendy boutiques of Chueca.
Along its glorious boulevard you'll find three of the world’s greatest art museums, including the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which exhibits the work of contemporary artists such as Japanese art star Yayoi Kusama (see above).

3. Malta

Sliema beach in Valletta, Malta (Photo: Alex Webb/Magnum Photos / National Geographic)

With 7,000 years of history, there is plenty to see in Malta, with its beautiful beaches - like Sliema beach in Valletta (above) - ancient ruins and varied nightlife.
The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum.

4. Baja California National Marine Parks, Mexico

A huge school of Jacks and a diver in the Sea of Cortez in Baja California National Marine Parks, Mexico (Photo: Christian Vizl / National Geographic)

Discover the natural wonders of the Sea of Cortez on an expedition through the Baja California National Marine Parks .
Experience up-close encounters with gray whale mothers and their calves and see bottlenose dolphins before heading on hikes with naturalists or snorkel among sea lions.
5. Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg, Germany (Photo: National Geographic)

Blanketed in trees and parks, Hamburg is one of Europe’s greenest cities.
And the former warehouse district is being transformed into an übermodern place to live, work, and play.

6. Chengdu, China

The final destination of Delicacy in China's Chengdu city in Sichuan province (Photo: National Geographic)

China's Chengdu city is known for its for it famed specialties: hot-and-sour rice noodles and steamed dumplings, which can be seen being rustled up above in the city's downtown area.
Praised as the centre of Sichuan cuisine, foodies should flock to Chengdu in China - 'city of gastronomy'.
In the city's surrounding countryside people can also see pandas.

7. Seoul, South Korea

Visitors take photos in the Bukchon maze of hanocks in Seoul, South Korea (Photo: Adam Dean / National Geographic)

The South Korean capital offers historic sites dating back to the 14th century and fashionable boutiques for gadget-savvy youths.
There are also tiny neighborhoods of traditional cottages to explore, alongside palaces and museums and a 24/7 nightlife.

8. Moscow, Russia

The State History Museum and the Kazan Cathedral in the Red Square, Moscow, Russia (Photo: www.alamy.com / National Geographic)

Historic Moscow, Russia, emerged as a top European city to visit next year.
The Russian capital hosts building steeped in communist austerity and laden in capitalist indulgence.
The city offers a huge wealth of culture and history, from the city's colourful Red Square to the modern new Moscow-City, the Russian capital is crammed with artistic, historic, and otherwise sacred sites.

9. Papua New Guine

Dancers get ready for a festival in Papua New Guinea (Photo: Angela Japha / National Geographic)

Papua New Guinea offers an abundance of beautiful colours and sights on this tropical nation.

A patchwork of mountains, jungles, and swamplands, the country is home to some 700 Papuan and Melanesian tribes, each with its own language. Most of the inhabitants are subsistence farmers, although some grow cash crops.
10. Via Dinarica, Western Balkans

A hiker on the peak of Matorac in the Dinaric Alps of central Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Balkans (Photo: National Geographic)

Via Dinarica is a hiking trail, connecting natural and cultural sights in Dinarids.
It is recognized and acknowledged as a great chance and potential for development, especially for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

11. Canton Uri, Switzerland

In Switzerland’s Canton Uri, the Désalpe festival marks the cattle’s annual autumn descent from summer mountain pastures (Photo: URIPIX / National Geographic)

In Switzerland’s Canton Uri, visit in time for the Désalpe festival, which is the cattle’s annual autumn descent from summer mountain pastures.
It is the seasonal droving of grazing livestock before winter sets in and is a traditional farming practice thought to date back as far as 3,000 BC.
The area also boasts numerous adrenaline-filled activities.

12. Central India's National Parks

A four year old tigress (Panthera tigris tigris) returns to the cave where she was born to have her first litter in India’s Bandhavgarh National Park (Photo: Steve Winter / National Geographic)

India's stunning national parks feature a host of wildlife - including the tiger - which thanks to parks is starting to rise in numbers.
Although it is rare to see a tiger during a trail, there are often elephants and monkeys to see.
Above a four-year-old tigress (Panthera tigris tigris) has returned to the cave where she was born to have her first litter.
The area of Bandhavgarh where she lives has an abundance of prey and protection.
So this tigress feels secure had gave birth to three cubs. Tigers under stress rairly give birth to more than one cub.

13. Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Anchorage, Alaska (Photo: Paxson Woelber/Flickr)

This almost urban wilderness, tucked in a curve between the ocean and the Chugach foothills, is a favorite stop for migratory birds.
Eagles soar overhead while waterfowl nest amid vividly green grasses.
Two boardwalks (including an 1,100-foot/335-meter addition completed in July 2008) get you closer to the bird-life as well as spawning salmon and wandering moose.

14. Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia (Photo: Pedro Szekely/Flickr)

A key Caribbean port of the Spanish from the 16th to 18th centuries, Cartagena is perhaps the finest colonial city in the Western Hemisphere and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

15. Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

Cradle of Humankind, South Africa (Photo: South African Tourism/Flickr)

The site was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, and currently occupies 47,000 hectares and contains a complex maze of limestone caves
The area is filled with archaeological wonders.

16. Ecuador's Cloud Forests

Ecuador's Cloud Forests (Photo: Dallas Krentzel)

The cool Cloud Forests are more lush and cooler than lowland Rainforests.
These natural wonders offer an incredible view into Ecuador's wildlife.

17. Finland

Suomenlinna in Helsinki, Finland

City dwellers may want a chance to disconnect, and tranquil Finland, doused with impossibly picturesque lakes, offers just that.

18. Georgia, USA

Atlanta, Georgia

The American state offers lively cities, a relaxing coastline and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Within the beautiful skyline of Atlanta you’ll have access to the world’s largest aquarium and even see the world’s largest collection of Coke memorabilia at the World of Coca-Cola.

19. Guadeloupe Islands

Guadalupe Islands

Guadeloupe is an archipelago of islands , with each one offering travelers something different while still keeping its rich Franco-Caribbean culture and identity.
The country's two main islands look like the wings of a butterfly and are joined together by a mangrove swamp.

20. Hawaii, USA

Tropical beach in Kauai, Hawaii

Under the natural wonders category, Kauai, Hawaii, is rated highly on the prestigious bucket list.
The island, praised for its beautiful performance in Jurassic Park, is coated in incredible canyons, hiking trials and inspiring cliff edges.

21. Marrakech, Morocco

Morocco, Marrakesh, Djemma El Fna Square (Photo: Getty)

The bustling city of Marrakech offers a delight for the senses - with hawkers calling out to you and beautiful cloths and food up for grabs there is plenty going on in the North African city.