TAR22 Predictions!
Countries in bold are the ones I think we might see on TAR22!
Central/South America
I’m going to rule out Central America now. It would make a great penultimate leg but I just don’t see them going there.
As for South America, we are due for a visit, whether it be the opening legs or the penultimate legs. I don’t see them going to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay or Paraguay anytime soon. I don’t see them going to the north coast either (the most likely candidate would be Venezuela, but I doubt it). I think if South America is visited, we will need to keep an eye out on Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. All three countries have so much on offer and as they are close together I could see them doing some country hopping. As all of them have only been visited once, any of them are possible.
Europe
TAR21 had a very Europe centric route, so we wont be spending as much time there, possibly 2 or 3 legs.
Western Europe is unlikely as TAR21 hosted 2 legs there (France and Netherlands) however due to TAR’s Olympic trend, I could see them doing a leg somewhere in the United Kingdom, but that’s it.
Scandinavia would be way to cold, but that doesn’t stop them. Denmark was recently visited, along with Sweden. Norway and Finland are both possible but Finland is more likely. I doubt they’ll make it there though.
The Mediterranean countries hosted 2 legs in TAR21 (Turkey and Spain), and Italy was in TAR20, Greece and Cyprus are unlikely, so I would rule this region out.
Central Europe has hosted 7 legs in the past 7 seasons CMIIW. I don’t see them going there anytime soon.
Eastern Europe is definitely a top contender. Russia is highly unlikely. The Baltic States are very undervisited, and Latvia is definitely due to host leg, but I think they will save it for another season. The only other possibilities I can think of are Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. However Poland and Hungary were visited only once a long time ago and Slovakia has never been visited. I can’t see them visiting Slovakia but Poland and Hungary are very possible as they have been visited in recent foregin editions.
We should keep our eye out for Yugoslavia for this season, and if they go there, I’m sure it will be a new country. I’d put my money on Slovenia and Albania, as I think they’re the most stable.
Africa
Africa is so unpredictable. North Africa is due for a re-visit, but I don’t see them going there. West Africa will be saved for later. I’m thinking East Africa or Central Africa. A visit back to Victoria Falls would be amazing but I doubt it. In East Africa, I could see them going to Ethiopia for a re-visit, but pretty unlikely. For Central Africa, Uganda or Rwanda would be the best possibilities, however I’d go with Uganda. Though I wont be surprised if we don’t see Africa at all.
Middle East
Definitely coming soon, but more likely for TAR23.
Asia
Central Asia is tough. None of us were expecting Azerbaijan in TAR20 so I don’t know what to say. Out of the region I’d say Armenia and Uzbekistan, however I doubt they’ll go there at all. If they do go I’m sticking with Uzbekistan.
For South Asia, Bangladesh and India are in need of a rest. Lonely Planet named Sri Lanka the top destination to visit in 2013, plus the appearance of Natalie & Nadiya on TAR21 could also bring them there. Phil has claimed he would love to go to Nepal but I think Sri Lanka is more likely. However I wouldn’t be surprised if they give South Asia a break this season.
South East Asia needs a break, but that doesn’t stop WRP. We assumed Laos was our last minute cancellation leg in TAR19, but I think they’ll save it for TAR23. Philippines is the top contender here. It has not been visited for a very long time and after TAR Philippines and other foreign editions going there, we may see it!
No Japan. South Korea is unlikely but always remains a possibility. Definitely China. Even though Shanghai was visited in TAR21 they probably want to explore another region, much like the TAR18 China legs. They will probably spend 2 legs there, I would predict Chengdu as one.
Oceania
Australia is unlikely, there’s not much left to see. New Zealand is a huge possibility. Not only is Phil from NZ, but after the Christchurch earthquakes and the oil spill, they probably want to help NZ with some tourism advertising. Not to mention NZ is at its prime during this time of the year. Phil has also claimed he would love to see the Pacific, and as Australia and NZ have plenty of direct flights to the island nations, its very likely will we see one if the race does go to New Zealand. I would predict Vanuatu.
Starting/Final Destination
Maybe a chance we wont be departing from LAX? Hopefully. If Europe’s first, we may have an east coast start. If New Zealand is first we’ll probably leave from LA.
For the final destination, it’s hard to say.