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).
There's a whole lot more to Australia than the Sydney Opera House and Ayers Rock. In fact most of Australia's stunning and unusual sights are completely missed by travellers who focus on the well-worn East Coast trail from Sydney to Queensland. Here's a selection of some Australian places that you may have missed: see all these and you'll have seen more than most of the locals!
West Macdonald Ranges and Kings Canyon, Northern Territory: Every visitor wants to see Ayers Rock, so go and see it, just make sure that you take the back road to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon and the West MacDonald Ranges. The colours and gorges of this area have inspired artists for years: visit and you'll know why.
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory: You may have heard of Kakadu National Park south east of Darwin, but what about nearby Litchfield National Park? Litchfield doesn't have as many sealed roads, cappuccinos or tourists, but is that why you go to the territory's tropical north? Instead experience remote water holes and amazing bird life.
Lawn Hill, Queensland: Most of northern Queensland is off-limits for swimming, well unless you are a crocodile that is. Lawn Hill is an oasis, a beautiful gorge of warm thermal water, bird life and safe swimming. It's the only place you can swim outside of a swimming pool between the Gulf of Carpentaria and Mount Isa. The campground consists of secluded sites within gum trees.
Winton, Queensland: Winton, a tiny country town, is the jumping off spot to see the dinosaur stampede footprints at nearby Lark Quarry. Spend a day in Winton itself, have a drink at the art deco North Gregory Hotel and visit the tacky-sounding, but incredibly entertaining and informative, Waltzing Matilda Centre.
Bungle Bungles, Western Australia: Unknown to the outside world until about 20 years ago, this enormous of area eroded landscape looks like something from a CGI special effects department. In the north of the state the moon-like landscape is so extensive that you have to take a flight to appreciate it.
Cape le Grande National Park, Western Australia: Near to the town of Esperance, a remote port on the Southern coast, are the deserted and stunning beaches of Cape le Grande National Park. The sand is blindingly white, almost pure quartz, and it literally squeaks when you walk on it. The sea is an incredible shade of turquoise blue, and seals were the only surfers on the day we visited.
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: Many visitors go to Bendigo or Ballarat in Victoria to see a historic mining town. Head instead to Kalgoorlie and see a real, living breathing town whose historic buildings are still in use. Visit the "superpit", a working gold mine right in the centre of town, and check out the "skimpy" bars full of modern-day miners and half-clad waitresses. No, Kalgoorlie is not politically correct, but it's definitely authentic.
Old Ghan Railway Track, South Australia: This remote outback road, along the historic Ghan railway line, is much less travelled than the better known Birdsville Track. You can take the luxurious modern Ghan train from Adelaide all the way to Darwin, or get your hands dirty and grab a 4WD. The 4WD track takes you along the more authentic, remote and beautiful old Ghan track that skirts Lake Eyre. Look out for genuine railway sleepers and pins, which are yours for the taking. Most of the towns along this route died when the trains stopped in the 1970s.
Coober Pedy, South Australia: Subterranean towns are rare. Even rarer are real towns where people, not just tourists, live underground to cut heating and air con bills. Churches, shops, motels and campgrounds are all available underground here. The name 'Coober Pedy' comes from the local Aboriginal phrase "white fella's hole in the ground"; the town is also famous for being the opal capital of the world.
Franklin River, Tasmania: Tasmania's remote West Coast receives a lot of rain, and the dark temperate rain forest is a world away from mainland Australia's deserts and tropics. The remote and brooding landscape of the Franklin River is sinister and appealing at the same time. You can see why the early convicts were desperate to escape, and why so few of them managed to so.
