I was flicking through a recent copy of Condé Nast Traveller and stumbled across their version of the 2010 travel hotlist (which you will have seen everywhere by now, no doubt). CN usually sort the wheat from the chaff though so I though this list was worth sharing.

They have broken the must-visit destinations for 2010 down into seasons, so starting with spring...

WHERE TO VISIT IN SPRING 2010

Beirut, Lebanon: Hoping to once again become the playground of the Middle East, Beirut is hot right now. Check into the newly opened Le Gray or the Four Seasons.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Super convenient for the Euro traveller, especially since the completion of a high-speed rail track from Brussels (that connects with the Eurostar), Amsterdam's the perfect destination for art lovers in early 2010. The city's main attractions this spring are the Pioneers of Modern Art exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam (from 6 March - 17 September 2010) and the reopening of the Stedelijk museum of modern and contemporary art.

Utah, USA: The new Aman resort, Amangiri, will be drawing the crowds to Utah this spring. Located out in the wilderness of Canyon Point, where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet, the area is home to one of the most dramatic landscapes in the USA. Added to this is the new law legalising alcohol throughout the State.

Morocco: La Mamounia hotel has been reopened in Marrakech and there are new Easyjet and Ryanair routes to Agadir, with flights to the hyped coastal town of Mirleft coming soon.

Istanbul, Turkey: Lauded as one of 2010's European Capitals of Culture, Istanbul is still a hot destination. Favourable rates of exchange only add to the attraction.

Rome, Italy: Visit Rome to check out the new MAXXI_National Museum of the XXI Century Arts, which exhibits 21st century art and architecture.

WHERE TO VISIT IN SUMMER 2010

South Africa: South Africa is going to be a serious hotspot come the World Cup kick off on June 11th. Savvy travellers should combine a trip to the World Cup with a beach break in Mozambique.

Shanghai, China: The Expo 2010 runs from May to October in Shanghai, and CN recommends staying at the legendary Peace Hotel, overlooking Shanghai's Huangpu River. For more Shanghai travel recommendations click here.

Solta, Croatia: The island of Solta has managed to stay off the beaten tourist track despite being just 30 minutes away from Split by ferry. This summer is the last before a planned revolving hotel and marina spoil Solta's tranquillity, so now is the time to go.

Papua New Guinea: Hot on the heals of the successful BBC series Land of the Volcano, Papua New Guinea can expect a rise in tourists this summer.

WHERE TO VISIT IN AUTUMN 2010

Dubai: For a bit of sunshine and a new fashion hotel openings; the first, The Armani Hotel Dubai, in the Burj Dubai Tower, followed by the Palazzo Versace in the Culture Village of Dubai Creek.

Nicaragua: Check out the surf and book into the country's first boutique hotel, the Contempo.

Uruguay: La Solana, on Portezuelo beach just west of Punta del Este, is the hippest boutique hotel opening in Uruguay this autumn. Also check out the new Estancia Vik to the north-east of José Ignacio.

Sri Lanka: Due in part to the recent stability in Sri Lanka, it is set to be a big destination later on this year. Home to a couple of stunning Aman resorts and the Reef beach villa in Wadduwa, travellers won't be hard pressed to find stylish hotel choices.

WHERE TO VISIT IN WINTER 2010

Colorado, USA: Ski heaven thanks to big changes for the 2010/11 season: the five star Nell Residences are opening in Snowmass, Aspen; a new Four Seasons is launching in Vail; and the Denver Ski Train, which takes ski bunnies to Winter Park, is set for a comeback.

Tasmania: Stay in the lap of luxury at the spa suites of the Saffire resort on Great Oyster Bay.

Antarctica: Travel in serious style on Le Boreal, "the newest and first all-balcony stateroom and suite vessel in Antarctica", chartered by Abercrombie & Kent.

Photo Credits: Amsterdam by MorBCN; Nicaragua by vtoxic; Solta by bullro; Great Oyster Bay by Gary Hayes. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Nobody's trying to fill Sir Edmund Hillary's climbing boots, but trends definitely indicate that intrepid travel is on the up. The team at Black Tomato has been pondering the future of travel: with a continued emphasis on exclusivity and the "untouched", can it be that a whole new type of leisure explorers are set to take the world (and beyond) by storm? Well, if you're out there, consider this your call to arms.

Do you dream of cutting fresh tracks through virgin powder? Are you always on the look-out for the latest extreme adventure sport? Think physical and mental boundaries are made to be crossed? Find it deeply satisfying to be the first at everything? Crave the terrifying thrill of the unknown? Then you're a perfect candidate, and it is with great pleasure that we dub you a member of this new, exciting breed: "21st century explorer".

You're a throw-back to those god-like men of bygone eras: James Cook, Ernest Shackleton, Alexander the Great. Admittedly they might have been motivated by slightly different factors, but these men shared one thing in common: a thirst for exploration and adventure so deeply ingrained as to push them farther than any human had gone before. Now, we're not asking you to pillage and plunder, nor board a ship in search of new worlds; that would just be silly not to mention illegal. These days the job of the explorer is to find new ways and means to fulfil a yearning for the unknown.

So where can you find this precious commodity? What is the route to adrenaline-fuelled bliss? Well, we've got a few ideas...

As the world becomes more accessible and globalisation increases our knowledge of even its furthest reaches, the undiscovered is becoming ever more elusive. More and more people are scaling the world's heights, exploring its deepest depths and sticking their noses in every hidden corner. But don't be discouraged (no real explorer would let such a tiny, insignificant obstacle deter him). This only means you've got to dig a little deeper and go that extra mile – something we're pretty sure you'd tend to do regardless.

And while this can be a bit annoying for those of looking for a quick boundary-breaking fix, every cloud has a silver lining. As the stakes are upped, the exclusivity factor shoots through the roof which means that you, our 21st century explorers, are set to have some seriously A-list adventures.

So if reading this has ignited a yearning for adventure then read on for a little exploration inspiration – our program for an explorer in training:

• Conquer the frozen land: It's not completely undiscovered, but Antarctica is undoubtedly untamed. This is a real, Jules Verne-style adventure and when you land on an ice runway at the "unknown international airport", you'll see what we mean. Well, we think you will... You can even glean a little inspiration from the "Scott camp" where you can see how your predecessor tackled the ice.

• Crack the earth's crust: In a manner of speaking, that is. Dive down to the bottom of a crystal clear mineral lake in the wilds of Iceland and penetrate the earth's outer covering. Swim deep between two tectonic plates and – literally – hold the world apart. If that's not an innovative adventure, we don't know what is!

• Trek the Black Cat Track: Truly one of our last frontiers, Papua New Guinea's uncharted jungles are the place to head if you're looking for a bona fide tropical adventure. Situated in the South Pacific's "Ring of Fire", this is a land of volcanoes, mysterious birds, highland cloud forests, the mighty Sepik River and thriving local tribes. Challenge yourself trekking the little known "Black Cat Track" which links several rural villages from Wau in the Southern Coastal Highlands to Salamua Beach in the Morobe Province. Less than 100 people did this trek in 2008 and it is much more intrepid that the more famous Kokodo trail. Not for the faint of heart, you'll head deep into the cloud forest crossing dramatic gorges using ropes and harnesses, and be taught to build traditional rafts out of bamboo and jungle vines which you'll then raft down the San Francisco River. Bruce Parry eat your heart out.

• Scale the heights of Everest: It might have been done by quite a few people now, but come on, it's still pretty hard core. And if you hit the summit, it'll definitely guarantee some serious bragging rights. So celebrate Sir Edmund and don your warmest clothes to reach the pinnacle of earthly exploration.

• Space... the final frontier? Still a bit of a question, to be honest, but we've got an inkling that this will prove the ultimate realm for adventure in the 21st century. Be the Christopher Columbus of outer space and discover a new galaxy. A challenge? Well, yes. But no self-respecting explorer would shirk such a momentous journey.

So only one question remains to be asked: what are you doing suiting up and typing away your precious hours in the office? There are new worlds to be discovered and boundaries to be crossed – we're counting on you to lead the way.

Black Tomato (www.blacktomato.co.uk; +44 207 426 9888) is a bespoke tour operator that specialises in putting together exceptional travel experiences.