2017 - The Year of Travel

Most of us have at least one bucket list item that includes travel, and 2017 is an excellent time to take advantage of once in a lifetime opportunities. In fact, Travel Pulse Magazine has declared that 2017 should be your “Year of Travel”. There are unique experiences to be had across the globe this year, many of which are one-time offerings. Don’t miss out on the following 2017-specific events.

Total Eclipse, US

A total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun, is truly a rarity. The next eclipse will be visible on August 21, 2017 in parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Otherwise you'll have to wait till 2028 in Australia! Check out greatamericaneclipse.com for a list of ideal viewing areas.

Ella Fitzgerald’s 100^th Birthday, New Orleans

The New Orleans Jazzfest falls just a couple of days after the late, great Ella Fitzgerald's 100th birthday. The festival runs from April 28-May 7, and the Ella tributes will be overflowing amid the modern and traditional jazz, zydeco, pop, soul, rap and rock performances. Special performances by Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Harry Connick Jr. and many other well-known performers will leave you star struck. For information on performances and other events, check out www.nola.com for details.

Cannes Film Festival 75^th Anniversary, France

The world's best-known movie festival always puts on a show, but on its 70th anniversary, you can expect something special. U2 performed a 10-minute free concert on the steps of the Palais for its 60th. How will they top that next May 17-28? See http://www.festival-cannes.com.

Canada’s 150^th Birthday, Ottowa, CA

Ottawa kicked off Canada’s 150^th Birthday celebration with more than 400 youth, each carrying a torch, forming a human chain from the Ottawa 2017 Cauldron to Parliament Hill. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Exceptional events like the pyro-musical fireworks, concerts, and the very cool Kontinuum, the ultimate underground experience with a futuristic and immersive multimedia production. The entire country will celebrate by having free admission to the National Parks throughout they year. Read about these unique events and activities here. 

100^th Anniversary, Finland

This year, Finland is celebrating a century of independence from Russia. The festivities were launched with vibrant blue and white fireworks in Helsinki on New Year’s Eve, 2016. The theme of the celebration, “Together”, reaches out to Finns and friends of Finland to unite over events that honor the country’s culture and history. Luminous light art installations will come to life, outlining Finland’s natural and historical sites. Children (in life and at heart) can revel in the world’s only Moomin Museum, inaugurated for Finland 100, complete with over 2,000 original works from Finnish children’s books. Read more at http://www.ottawa2017.ca/. 

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – 125 Years, Great Britain

For fans of Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Britain's infamous detective, there's reason to celebrate! 2017 marks the 125th year of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Visit Sherlock and Watson’s famous address, 221B Baker St. While it doesn’t actually exist, the exterior of their flat as seen in the series is shot on a quieter west London road at 187 North Gower Street. Other opportunities sure to be of interest to Sherlock fans include, The Sherlock Holmes Museum, a Grade II-listed building devoted to the detective. It features a re-creation of his sitting room, and a gift shop. The Sherlock Holmes Pub in Westminster is stuffed with memorabilia, including Dr. Watson's old service revolver and his favorite food, Cumberland sausages. Details can be round here.

50 years Summer of Love Festival, San Francisco, CA

For San Francisco visitors, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the cultural revolution that rocked Haight-Ashbury. The City will celebrate with major exhibitions at some of the region’s top museums, featuring art, photography, posters, fashion and musical events. There will be lively festivals, special events and performances reflecting the Summer of 1967, and a wide variety of opportunities to explore what that period meant to the people of San Francisco. The celebration will also include a range of service and volunteerism events inspired by the original Summer of Love. Wear a flower in your hair and take a step back in time! More information is available at sftravel.com/summer-love-2017.

The Virgin Islands Become Part of the U.S., 100^th Anniversary

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from Denmark to the United States. Located about 40 miles from Puerto Rico, the islands offer numerous opportunities for exploring the natural world and the history of the Caribbean. Visitors can snorkel Hurricane Hole off St. John, a vibrant coral reef filled with a rare abundance of species, or stop by the Whim Plantation Museum on St. Croix to see an authentic Dutch sugar estate from the 1700s. To make this adventure even more enticing, the U.S. Virgin Islands Centennial Commemoration is offering $300 in spending credits for anyone who comes to one of the three islands for three nights or more, books their travel before October 1, 2017, and stays at a participating hotel. For more information about the festivities, go to www.visitusvi.com/. While visiting St. Thomas, you can also check out Coral World Ocean Park a 5-acre attraction with exotic aquariums, marine pools, and Sea TREK helmet dives. Check out Coral World's website for park hours and directions.