On the rise: Poland, Croatia and Latvia named top up-and-coming travel spots for 2018

Poland, Latvia and Croatia have all featured on this year’s Trip Advisor must-visit list of up-and-coming destinations around the globe.

The Polish city of Gdansk, the Latvian capital of Riga and the Croatian city of Rovinj all made the Travellers’ Choice awards for Destinations on the Rise.

The rankings were awarded based on the rising numbers of positive on-site reviews each destination received from visiting tourists.

Gdansk came in fifth place after being praised as “one of Poland’s most beautiful cities.” The Gdansk Old Town — painstakingly reconstructed after the carnage of the Second World War — has continued to win over crowds of fawning visitors, while the city’s new museums have also proven themselves as up-and-coming attractions.

Riga’s stunning Art Nouveau centre pushed the Latvian capital into seventh place, helped along by a rapidly expanding scene of stylish bars and restaurants. Heavy investment in tourist-friendly projects, such as the city’s new contemporary art museum, means that the Lativian capital is finally rivalling Tallinn as the must-see Baltic destination.

The Croatian city of Rovinj, nestled on the Mediterranean coast, placed in eighth, enticing plenty of tourists away from the over-saturated streets of Dubrovnik. Visitors can enjoy the same stunning architecture and sunny climate that graces Croatia’s larger towns, while also taking full advantage of the picturesque Brijuni Islands just a boat ride away.

The Japanese island of Ishigaki topped the list, followed by the Hawaiian resort of Kapa’a and the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

Still looking for travel inspiration? Click here to check out The Calvert Journal’s guide to the best winter breaks this January.