#TOP15 unique travel destinations of 2015

Adventure in Antarctica聽 It鈥檚 the last terrestrial tourism frontier that nature lovers, adventurers and explorers are rushing to visit. In the 2015 tourist season,聽more than 37,000 people were expected to visit the coldest continent on Earth.

While some tourists climb Mount Vinson, Antarctica鈥檚 highest point at 16,050 feet (4,892 meters), others seek a chance to take in the views of other-worldly terrain or snap pictures of massive groups of penguins as they bop in and out of the water. Still others do extreme sports, like scuba diving in icy waters, or imagine themselves as early 20th century explorers during re-enactment expeditions. .

(AP Photo)

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Eat your way through Japan聽 Japan is becoming an increasingly popular destination for food tourism. From street food to sushi, to whiskey, you’re sure to find activities that are聽rich in culture and flavor. Read about in Japan and the in the country on wtop.com. (AP Photo)

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Chile’s聽Lake Villarrica Located in Chile鈥檚 Lake District in the southeast portion of the Province of Caut铆n, Pucon and the surrounding area is home to Lake Villarrica and the Villarrica volcano. It鈥檚 about 11 hours (700 kilometers) by bus traveling south from Santiago, Chile鈥檚 capital. Many travelers to Pucon come to see the volcano and then realize there are many other things to see and do when they get there. . (AP Photo)

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This image released by Fox Searchlight Pictures shows Reese Witherspoon in a scene from the film, "Wild." The movie 聯Wild,聰 which is based on the book by author, Cheryl Strayed, and which received Oscar nominations for best actress for Witherspoon and best supporting actress, for Laura Dern, has also increased interest in the Pacific Crest Trail. (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight Pictures, Anne Marie Fox) — **Hikers go ‘Wild’ over Pacific Coast Trail聽after blockbuster聽** More hikers were expected on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015,聽thanks to the movie 鈥淲ild,鈥� according to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, which preserves and promotes the trail. The PCT starts near Campo, California, outside San Diego at the Mexican border, and stretches 2,650 miles (4,264 kilometers) through California, Oregon and Washington. It ends in Washington鈥檚 remote Pasayten Wilderness at the Canadian border. . (AP Photo)

This January 2015 photo shows Bottom Bay in Barbados. The Caribbean island is relatively easy on the wallet, with easy-to-use public vans to beaches around the island, plus dining options like Oistins Fish Fry, an outdoor bazaar of restaurant shacks serving heaping plates of food. (AP Photo/Kavitha Surana) — **The best of the Caribbean 聽** Looking for a vacation filled with waterfalls, coconut trees, snorkeling and white sand? An AP reporter takes a look at聽two Caribbean islands: Dominica and Barbados, each with its own allure. . (AP Photo)

**The聽Pacific Northwest: A food-lover’s dream** Home to scenic coastal cities with laid-back vibes, beer gardens and fresh seafood, it鈥檚 not hard to see why thousands of foodies flock to the Pacific Northwest every year. Between the abundant rows of grapes in Washington and organic farms and ever-growing street food scene in Oregon, this area has become a mecca for food lovers across the world. . (Courtesy Rob Fink)

Diving in the Marshall Islands Located midway between Hawaii and Australia is the Marshall Islands. There鈥檚 little tourism here, but plenty to see below the surface. . (AP Photo)

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Bigger, taller, fancier: Visiting聽Phnom Penh Cambodia鈥檚 capital city of Phnom Penh is undergoing a staggering period of development 40 years after the communist Khmer Rouge regime took over the city and forced thousands to evacuate to rural Cambodia in its brutal campaign to create an agrarian-based society. Today, the citizens of Phnom Penh are still recovering from the devastation of the past while a stylish regional capital comes into its own. Dilapidated structures are being bought, torn down and replaced with shiny high-rises. High-end restaurants featuring Khmer and Western-style cuisine fight for space alongside street vendors and busy cafes while rooftop bars are packed at night. . (AP Photo)

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Cruising into Cuba聽 In 2015, , making Havana one of the most desirable destinations of the year. , and . . (AP Photo)

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Tucson transforms聽 Tucson’s downtown district is undergoing a major revitalization. . (AP Photo)

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FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2014 file photo, windsurfers crowd the waters at Ho'okipa outlook, near Paia, Maui Hawaii. Maui is known for beautiful beaches and scenery. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File) — **Hanging in Hawaii** offers rain forests, snorkeling and rich history; is a must for beaches and scenic drives. Read more about . 聽 (AP Photo)

Slovenia’s Lake Bled If Slovenia is Europe鈥檚 undiscovered jewel box, Lake Bled is its precious diamond.聽Tucked in the northwestern corner of Slovenia, between Austria and Italy, Lake Bled鈥檚 emerald-green waters create a spectacular landscape, with a lush, tiny island and a church tower peeking out of evergreens surrounded by the rocky, snow-covered Julian Alps. . (AP Photo)

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South America’s Iguazu Falls From above, the Iguazu Falls resemble a massive hole punched in a river and surrounded by jungle. Spray from the falls douses the nearby viewing areas where some tourists don rain ponchos while others take off their shirts and dance and hug in the drenching mist. The falls are part of one of the world鈥檚 largest reservoirs of fresh water, known as the Guarani Aquifer.聽They are in the middle of thick jungle that has more than 1,000 plant and hundreds of animal species. . (AP Photo)

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Trekking in Nepal If you鈥檙e looking for a family adventure that immerses you in nature, beauty and a fascinating culture 鈥� and you鈥檙e willing to rough it some 鈥� consider trekking in Nepal. . (AP Photo)

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