Panama Canal in top 17 must visit places

THE PANAMA CANAL  has been named as one of the top places to visit in the 2017 honor roll published by travel guide giant Frommer.

It stands alongside  Montreal, San Francisco, Paris, Bermuda and.Indonesia

The  complete list of 17 honorees (in no particular order): are

montreal
The Basilica Montreal

Montréal, Quebec, for the confluence of celebrations surrounding its 375th birthday and the 150th anniversary of Canada.

Karasjok, Norway, the best place in the world for Northern Lights during a peak year for that phenomenon.

bermuda
Bermuda

Bermuda, amidst a boom in development of its luxury tourism amenities and expecting the America’s Cup in May and June

The Pantanal, South America’s massive and wondrous inland tropical wetlands

The Mississippi River, long called “the Spine of America,” bursting with a fast-growing cruise industry

paris
Cherry blossoms in Paris

Paris, France, because its tourism has dropped in the past year, but it remains as magical as ever

Sulawesi, Indonesia, an under-appreciated island of tiny monkeys, vibrantly colored birds, and astonishing cultural rituals

San Francisco and the Bay Area, which marks the 50th anniversary of the famous Summer of Love with a bounty of events

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Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

Fátima, Portugal, commemorating the centenary of its miracle and vibrant with history, architecture and beaches.

Nashville, Tennessee, for its food, whip-smart population, music, and ideal location for viewing the August 21 solar eclipse

The Panama Canal, newly expanded with a more-than-$5 billion set of locks

Nan Madol, Micronesia, because its ancient black basalt temples and palaces are in danger of imminent destruction by natural forces

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, the only region where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild, and where tourism is transforming life

Martin Luther’s Germany which will spend the year mounting concerts and events for the 500th anniversary of the reformer’s world-changing deed.

Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine, 87,000 pristine acres of forests and streams just inscribed as a National Monument

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, a recent holiday spot for Prince William and Kate, for its unique wilderness and centuries old cultural links

sou-fujimoto-outlook-tower-doha-qatar
Sou-Fujimoto-Outlook-Tower-Doha

Doha, Qatar, which is challenging its flashier neighbors Dubai and Abu Dhabi with new attractions, flights, and hotels.

The Cuba bonus
Frommer’s  60th anniversary contains one bonus destination Cuba  The publisher says: “Frommer’s is not confident Cuba will remain an option for Americans. Donald J. Trump is threatening to restrict Americans’ right to travel there, hotel rates are ballooning, flights are being cut, and the death of Fidel Castro raises new uncertainties. For those reasons, Frommer’s inscribed it—with hope that travel remains open and growing—as its 18th top destination.