Happiness is a sunrise, a hammock, and the stilled translucence of Moraine Lake. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Ackerman + Gruber

The editors of National Geographic Traveler magazine have released their picks for the best destinations of 2017, giving shout-outs to places like Banff, Chengdu, Seoul, Madrid, and Georgia (USA version). For their annual Best of the World list, editors chose a total of 21 destinations they deem to be “must-see” places to visit next year. The selections fall into three categories: cities, nature, and culture.

In the nature category, the magazine shines the spotlight on Kauai, a paradisiac island in Hawaii which has stood in as blockbuster locations for no less than 60 feature films, including the Jurassic Park franchise. Nature lovers will find renewal in Kauai’s towering sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls, mahogany forests, and lush living landscapes.

An angler tries his luck in one of Valletta’s many inlets fronted by honey-hued stone buildings. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

An angler tries his luck in one of Valletta’s many inlets fronted by honey-hued stone buildings in Malta. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Alex Webb/Magnum Photos

Finland is also singled out for travelers looking for quiet. The country’s 40 national parks, 12 wilderness areas, and six national hiking areas are described as “sanctuaries for silence-seekers.” The year 2017 will be a big one for the country, as they will celebrate 100 years of independence with four nationwide “Finnish Nature Days,” one for each season.

Similarly, Canada turns 150 next year. To experience the best of the country, editors suggest heading to the jewel of Canada, Banff, renowned for its rugged mountain peaks, meadowed valleys, and turquoise-blue lakes.

Chicken skewers grilling at a sidewalk stall in Yeouido Park. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Chicken skewers grilling at a sidewalk stall in Yeouido Park in Seoul. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Adam Dean

On the flipside, travelers in search of an exciting, city holiday are advised to see Seoul, which “can make even the most hardened urbanite feel like a country bumpkin.” With a population of 25 million for the Greater Seoul area, the city pulses with humanity, palaces, markets, high-rises, restaurants, and fashionistas.

And for its legendary, unparalleled cuisine Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu, China made the cut in the culture category. A UNESCO-designated “City of Gastronomy,” the region is known for dishes like tea-smoked duck, ma po tofu, hot pot, twice-cooked pork, and kung pao chicken.

For more information on Nat Geo’s online list such as travel tips for each locale and 360 videos, click here. See some of National Geographic Traveler‘s picks in a gallery below. —RelaxNews with additional reporting by the RealClearLife staff

Baja California National Marine Parks, Mexico

A huge school of Jacks and a diver near the sandy bottom 60 feet below the surface of Mexico’s Baja California National Marine Parks in the Sea of Cortez. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Christian Vizl

Banff, Alberta, Canada

The high life comes naturally at the Fairmont Ban Springs hotel, where pool goers are treated to their own private overlook of peak-flanked Bow Valley. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Ackerman + Gruber

Canton Uri, Switzerland

In Switzerland’s Canton Uri, the Désalpe festival marks the cattle’s annual autumn descent from summer mountain pastures. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Peter Lienert

Central India’s National Parks

In the protection of India’s Bandhavgarh National Park, this tigress gave birth to three cubs. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Chengdu, China

Cooks in downtown Chengdu keep busy preparing some of Sichuan’s famed specialties: hot-and-sour rice noodles and steamed dumplings. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

steven chou

Hamburg, Germany

Historic warehouses in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt district are best viewed on a canal cruise. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Oliver Kuehl

Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía exhibits the work of contemporary artists such as Japanese art star Yayoi Kusama. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Sinan Acar

Malta

A lifeguard station on Sliema beach flaunts bold colors—and a peekaboo window. Malta sunseekers can choose between sand and stone beaches. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Alex Webb/Magnum Photos

Moscow, Russia

The State History Museum and the Kazan Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Alamy Stock Photo

Papua New Guinea

Dancers decorated with colored clay preparing for a “sing sing” – a cultural festival in which different tribes come together to celebrate and tell stories and legends of their ancestors by dancing, chanting and performing courting rituals. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Angela Japha

Seoul, Korea

Bukchon Hanok Village is a slice of tradition in high-tech Seoul. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)

Adam Dean

Via Dinarica, Western Balkans

A hiker stands on the peak of Matorac in the Dinaric Alps of central Bosnia and Herzegovina, along a section of the Balkans’ 1,200-mile Via Dinarica trail. (Courtesy National Geographic Traveler)