Foreign travel has been beyond most of us for the past 18 months because of restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, there are signs of hope for us to resume our sojourns to exotic and faraway places. The National Geographic magazine has released its list of the top 25 travel destinations for 2022. The list is split into five categories: adventure, culture and history, family, nature and sustainability. George Stone, Nat Geo's executive editor for travel, explained the rationale behind the list and how covid-19 helped shape it. He said: "In many ways, the pandemic provided a moment for travellers and communities around the world to reflect and regroup on how we explore the world."

The list includes a visit to London's Tin Pan Alley, famed for its music history, and a tour of Hokkaido, Japan, renowned for the unique heritage of its indigenous Ainu people. For nature lovers, exploring Namibia's Caprivi Strip is recommended for its abundance of natural wildlife. Mr Stone said the pandemic has made people choosier about their vacations. He said: "People are going to be making much more conscientious choices…so we wanted…specific ideas about what is a unique, revealing and safe destination for the year ahead." He added: "These superlative destinations speak of resilient communities, innovative conservation efforts, and thrilling opportunities for future exploration."