PHOTO: Milan took the top spot in New York Times' 52 places to go this year. (TravelPulse file photo)
While budget and availability tend to be the deciding factors when it comes to leisure travel, the New York Times has ensured that a lack of inspiration and limited options won't be a problem for prospective travelers in 2015.
The Times recently unveiled its comprehensive list of the top 52 places to go this year, highlighting perennial tourist hotspots in addition to a plethora of up-and-coming destinations around the globe.
Here, we'll run through all 52 selections, starting with the domestic destinations.
Philadelphia Headlines Top U.S. Destinations
More than a dozen U.S. destinations made the cut for New York Times' list of 52 places to go in 2015, including Yellowstone National Park, which is situated within three states. Joining the world's first national park in the top five is Philadelphia, a city that's been transformed into "a hive of outdoor urban activity," according to the Times.
While popular tourist destinations like New York, New Orleans and Miami hardly come as a surprise, there are several dark horse destinations that made the list, including relatively unknown places like Steamboat Springs, Colorado and Bend, Oregon.
But with sunsets like the one below, there's no debating Bend's worthiness of a spot in the top 30.
Top U.S. Destinations
3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Yellowstone National Park
13. Orlando, Florida
16. Lower Manhattan, New York
19. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
21. Cleveland, Ohio
23. New Orleans, Louisiana
30. Bend, Oregon
36. San Antonio, Texas
39. The Catskills, New York
45. Miami Beach, Florida
47. Tulsa, Oklahoma
50. Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Italy, Cuba Carry Momentum into 2015
Scheduled to host the 2015 World Expo in May, Milan takes the topspot on this year's list. But there's more than just one reason to visit Italy's second-most populous city in 2015, as a handful of urban renewal projects are set to be completed this year, giving travelers even more reason to see northern Italy.
The standout on this year's list has to be Cuba. As the Times points out, last month's decision by President Barack Obama and the U.S. to restore full diplomatic relations with the Caribbean country has sprung new hope for Americans and other travlers hoping to visit.
"While the issue of travel there is still politically polarizing in the United States, the travel industry is embracing this potential new Caribbean destination with full force," writes Victoria Burnett.
In addition to Cuba, many of the international destinations on the list are renowned for their beautiful landscape and beloved culture.
What's more, Antarctica is the only continent not represented on the list.
Top International Destinations
1. Milan, Italy
2. Cuba
5. Elqui Valley, Chile
6. Singapore
7. Durban, South Africa
8. Bolivia
9. Faroe Islands
10. Macedonia
11. Medellin, Colombia
12. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
14. Zimbabwe
15. Burgundy, France
17. Tanzania
18. North Coast of Peru
20. Oman
22. Sri Lanka
24. Adelaide, Australia
25. Georgia
26. Manchester, England
27. Campeche, Mexico
28. Greenland
29. Papua New Guinea
31. Rabat, Morocco
32. Squamish, Canada
33. Seoul, South Korea
34. St. Kitts
35. Shikoku, Japan
37. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
38. Alentejo, Portugal
40. Quebec City, Canada
41. Canton Valais, Switzerland
42. Île-de-France
43. Danang, Vietnam
44. Chengdu, China
46. Shanghai
48. Rome, Italy
49. Caceres, Spain
51. Baku, Azerbaijan
52. Kas, Turkey
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