With 2015 now being upon us, many holiday go-ers and traveller fanatics are looking forward to booking their next trip away. But where are the hottest locations to live it up this year? Here are 10 great examples of where to head:

Chile

Heralded as the driest desert in the world, Chile’s Atacama plains are a great place to go and take in some natural wonders. The land is plotted with salt flats and geysers, and even gets the occasional downfall of snow!

Iceland

If you are a fan of the outdoors and adventure, then look no further than Iceland. Offering activities for all of the seasons, you can take a trip snorkelling in the country’s clear lakes in the summer or enjoy the snowy conditions from the warmth of a hot tub.

(Main article image: rural church in south-west Iceland)

Morocco

With the country’s tourism industry booming in recent years, Morocco has become a hotspot for travellers. Visitors can enjoy the sandy beaches of the coastline or take a trip around the famed Marrakesh markets and get yourself a classic Moroccan fez!

Cuba

Offering culture and fantastic beaches, Cuba has something to keep everybody happy. The country has an ‘old partnered with new’ attitude, so you can take a trip through the country’s history by visiting the buildings from by-gone eras.

Serbia

A bustling street in Belgrade, the Serbian capital

You may not think Serbia is the best location to enjoy a trip away, but you would be very wrong. Belgrade is renowned for one of the hidden gems of Europe and is highly underrated for its culture and character.

Macau

Over recent years, Macau has become one of the World’s main destinations for entertainment and culture. The country has seen a huge boom in tourism thanks to its casino industry attracting people who play online casino at sites such as iPhoneCasino.ca, but it also has a much more tranquil side, with temples and ancient ruins on offer to visitors as well.

Britain

Eilean Donan Castle in the stunning Scottish Highlands

Although it doesn’t have the most tropical of climates, there is plenty happening for tourists to get involved with in Britain this year. Scotland are celebrating the Highland Games’ 200th birthday this year and 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta being sealed, with both throwing events to mark the occasions.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s tourism trade has always been popular, with travellers visit the country to take in some of the most picturesque pieces of scenery in the world. To get more involved in the inner city vibe, the likes of Auckland and Wellington are also popular with tourists.

Turkey

2014 saw Turkey named as one of the most popular tourist destination and the country hopes this will continue on into the New Year. Turkey offers the best of both worlds – the sunny beaches and hotel resorts and the bustling markets of Istanbul.

Singapore

Singapore is celebrating 50 years of independence from Malaysia in 2015, so expect there to be a lot of partying! The country is to host the South East Asian games in June, before they celebrate their national day with parades throughout August.

World Travel Blog has always been passionate about showing you the countries, cities and regions which aren’t on most “conventional” tourist itineraries. But sometimes the biggest surprises and best discoveries are in the places which you might think you already know, and the perennial enigma of Turkey is one such cornucopia of latent adventure.

Holidays to Turkey are a familiar sight in travel agents’ windows and online, and yet the variety that this country offers is all too often overlooked, leaving many self-proclaimed “serious” travellers to dismiss it as a one-trick pony. An injustice indeed, when one stops to consider the wealth of history, culture and sheer beauty that awaits here. A holiday in Turkey can be anything you want it to be – the options are pretty much only limited by your own imagination, and the country’s melting-pot atmosphere is conducive to most travellers’ pursuits.

Of course, many people head to Turkey in search of reliable summer weather and some good old-fashioned R & R; and in this respect you can’t fail to come up trumps. Family-friendly Mediterranean beach resorts like Marmaris offer all the holiday trappings you’d expect when you need to recharge your batteries, and with cheap flights to Turkey available from many airlines (Monarch flights to Turkey usually represent excellent value), you’ll often find that a trip to this part of the world won’t break the bank.

Similarly, the Aegean resort of Bodrum is a tempting proposition for sun-worshippers; but this popular beach destination serves as the epitome of Turkey’s broad appeal, as it’s just a stone’s throw from the Mausoleum of Mausolus, dating back to the fourth century BC. Not many beach resorts can lay claim to being so close to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!

It’s this sheer diversity and scope for adventure which characterises a holiday in Turkey. Wherever you’re based, and whether you’ve planned to soak up the sights or the sunshine, you’ll be richly rewarded. This is a country where stunning sandy beaches go hand-in-hand with breathtaking mountain scenery; where a compelling cultural heritage unfolds in busy city streets and remote ruins alike; and where the mysteries of the east are made accessible to western sensibilities. Immerse yourself in the culture, the food, the climate, the scenery… put your preconceptions about Turkey to one side, and take a fresh look at this beguiling land.