Best new openings for travellers in 2018

Think you’ve seen it all? Refresh your bucket list with these incredible new openings and experiences coming in 2018.

Ninja tourism, Japan

Japan will continue to revive the ancient art of ninja with a wealth of activities high-kicking off in 2018. Visitors can choose from two specialised ninja tours with stays in famous sites such as the province of Iga, the location of two major sacred grounds for the discipline and some of its most famous schools. Tokyo will soon be home to a new Ninja Museum, as well as a Ninja Academy where visitors can train under the supervision of the ‘last ninja’, Jinichi Kawakami. If you’re good enough to pass all the classes, you’ll go on to become a certified ninja.

The Japan Ninja Council is leading the way on this ancient discipline’s revitalisation, and will publish all updates on ninja-official.com.

Ocean Cay Reserve, The Bahamas

Work is underway to transform an old industrial site into a thriving new marine reserve and private island. Guests of MSC Cruises will soon be able to explore the Ocean Cay Marine Reserve’s sandy beaches and calm lagoons, or relax at tiki bars and dedicated family areas. Tourists aren’t the only ones to benefit: the reserve is being designed to promote the growth of coral and marine life, and more than 80 indigenous plants will be grown on the rejuvenated and pristine island.

The island is set to welcome cruise guests from November 2018; browse voyages to Ocean Cay Marine Reserve on msccruises.com.

L’atelier des Lumières, Paris, France

Paris’ historic art scene will get a breath of fresh air when l’Atelier des Lumières opens to the public. Devoted to immersive art experiences, each year the Atelier will showcase a major exhibition offering a digital perspective on one of art’s biggest names, allowing you to step inside the world’s most famous artworks. Meanwhile, a smaller exhibit will probe a more contemporary theme. Covering a whopping 2000 sq m, l’Atelier des Lumières is set to utterly transform a 19th-century factory, with innovative, 8m-high projections cloaking its walls.

The grand unveiling is at 38/40 rue Saint-Maur in April 2018; keep an eye on its progress at atelier-lumieres.com.

Diving the Titanic, Newfoundland, Canada

Adventurers can now take the plunge to the world’s most famous shipwreck on an unforgettable eight-day expedition from Newfoundland. Travelling with Blue Marble Private and a crew of experts, you’ll explore the wreck of the RMS Titanic in a submersible craft at depths of almost 4000m, and get a glimpse of the ship’s most iconic sights, including the famous staircase. This subterranean odyssey is one of the rarest travel experiences in the world and places are limited.

Blue Marble’s Titanic dives commence in 2018 and run until 2019; book the dive of a lifetime through bluemarbleprivate.com.

Flights from Argentina to Antarctica

From January 2018 there’ll be a whole new way to discover one of the most untouched regions in the world: Argentina’s state-owned airline LADE will begin the first ever regular commercial flights to the frozen continent. Instead of taking a cruise (and battling seasickness), intrepid visitors can hop aboard weekly flights from Ushuaia in Argentina to Antarctica’s Marambio Base, taking just 90 minutes. The base is principally used for science and research, but will be developed and expanded to include accommodation for tourists along with improvements geared towards commercial flights.

Weekly flights are set to commence in January 2018. Keep an eye on LADE’s website for more details.

Vessel Gallery, New York City, USA

New York City is about to get a new icon. Vessel will be a spectacular climbable installation in the middle of the new Hudson Yards development, which is set to regenerate the city’s Far West Side (previously an industrial zone). The glinting copper structure will be the centrepiece of the Public Square and Gardens and will comprise 154 interconnecting flights of stairs in a geometric pattern. Visitors can ascend the 45m-high structure via the mile-long network of pathways, with each staircase providing a slightly different perspective on the revitalised neighbourhood below.

Vessel will open to the public in autumn 2018.

Science Gallery, London, UK; Detroit, USA

The Science Gallery has been delighting and enthralling visitors in Dublin since 2008. In 2018, it will open a new, permanent base in London and start a three-year project in Detroit. The UK instalment will be next to London Bridge and house rotating thematic exhibitions exploring life’s big questions. All displays will be participatory in nature, and your responses could even feed into the gallery’s academic research. Across the pond, Detroit’s temporary offering in Michigan State University is geared towards pioneering new research methods to students and academics.

London Science Gallery will open in 2018 and will be free to visit. For more on its opening date visit london.sciencegallery.com.

Direct flights from Australia to Europe

Say goodbye to layovers with the first direct flight linking Australia to Europe. The new Qantas flight will link Perth to London in 17 hours, making it one of the longest passenger flights in the world. The airline is aiming to make the flight as comfortable as possible for its economy passengers, including using the Dreamliner 787 for the route, an aircraft designed to decrease turbulence and improve air quality. It’s also a great excuse for Europeans to explore Australia’s most remote city.

The first service will run in March 2018 and tickets are available to book through qantas.com.

Ulysses Centre, Dublin, Ireland

Ireland’s formidable literary history will be the focal point of a new tourist centre in historic Newman House, right in the heart of Georgian Dublin. James Joyce attended lectures in the building and the centre’s immersive and interactive exhibition will have a special focus on his work, as well as celebrating the other members of Ireland’s impressive literary hall of fame. There will also be rotating exhibitions on more contemporary figures, plus the centre will be open for lectures and performances.

The Ulysses Centre is set to open in Dublin in autumn 2018.

August Moon Drive-in, Nashville, USA

Drive all the way back to the 1960s with this new 4180 sq m entertainment space in Music City. Inside the mini indoor theme park, you’ll be transported to a perfect summer night, complete with starry sky and chirping crickets. Take a seat in your choice of classic cars and watch the latest blockbusters or rare classics on North America’s largest non-IMAX cinema screen. It’s not pure nostalgia: the owners promise ground-breaking technology and even live actors to add personalisation and interaction with the audience.

This movie-lover’s marvel is due to open in spring 2018 in East Nashville; get the latest on augustmoondrivein.com.

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