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29 places to go in 2009
Central & South America
21. Bogotá
Bogotá is standing tall — and not just because its perch in the Andes makes it the third highest capital in South America. According to the U.S. State Department, “violence has decreased markedly” in Colombia’s urban centers — the best evidence of this is the revival of Bogotá’s oldest neighborhood, once-dangerous La Candelaria, a bohemian-flavored enclave that’s home to a maze of colonial streets, a stylish new cultural center, the gloriously restored Teatro de Cristóbal Colón, and candlelit bars buzzing with students until 3 a.m.
Why go in 2009: The U.S. dollar stretches far and wide in this inexpensive metropolis; even getting here is relatively cheap, especially with low-cost carrier JetBlue, which begins flying a new daily route to Bogotá via Orlando in January. Pay a bit more and you can go non-stop from New York’s JFK on Delta, which launched daily service in August. Go between December and March, when the weather is relatively drier (expect highs in the mid-60s throughout the year).
22. Galapagos Islands
Charles Darwin put this spectacular archipelago on the map back in 1835, when he came to study the region's 1,900 indigenous plant and animal species. Today, this isolated string of islands, which lies 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific, is still the preeminent wildlife watching spot in the world. People travel from all over to follow in Darwin's footsteps, stopping along the way to explore the active volcanoes, pristine beaches, and mesmerizing wildlife (everything from giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies to seals) that are still as captivating in the 21st century as they were in the 19th.
Why go in 2009: This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his masterwork "On the Origin of Species". A number of tour operators, including Explore (www.explore.co.uk), Gecko's Adventures (www.geckosadventures.com), Metropolitan Touring (www.metropolitan-touring.com), and Tauck (www.tauck.com) are offering special deals on cruises, tours, and island accommodations to commemorate Darwin's journey.
23. Salvador
Brazil's third-largest city, Salvador is often called the "soul of Brazil" for its colorful open-air markets, religious festivals, Afro-Brazilian cuisine, Samba and Reggae music, and friendly residents. Once a hub for the slave trade, the city exhibits strong cultural ties to Africa. Home to a number of museums, parks, architectural highlights, and golf courses, Salvador is also ideally situated along Todos os Santos Bay, perfect for working in some beach lounging, visiting "barracas" (beach bars), or surfing. Each year, the city’s massive Carnaval celebration rivals that of Rio’s, drawing some two million people to party in the streets for miles at what’s billed as "the world's largest festival.”
Why go in 2009: If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on Brazil and/or have been priced out of Rio, Salvador is the perfect Brazilian-city-and-beach-vacation alternative. Rio’s Carnaval may get most of the worldwide acclaim, but Salvador’s version not only offers better overall value at lodging and restaurants, but one giant street party to remember — with celebrations along the beaches, music and dancing throughout the city, and a wild float-speckled main parade. What’s more, getting there is easier than ever, courtesy of American Airlines' new non-stop routes to Salvador via Miami. The city is also a port of call that's growing in popularity on great-value South American cruise itineraries from companies like Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises.
Asia & Middle East
24. South Korea
In just two decades, South Korea has emerged as a stable democratic country with big ambitions. The bustling megacity of Seoul embodies the nation’s new spirit, where towering skyscrapers and posh department stores are interspersed with venerable imperial palaces, traditional teahouses, and centuries-old Buddhist temples. Ancient Gyeongju, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into Korea’s 5,000 years of history, and was ranked in 1995 by UNESCO as one of the world’s ten most historically significant places. Nearby, a sunrise climb to the temple-topped peak of Mt. Tohamsan reveals the origin of the country’s moniker, “Land of the Morning Calm.”
Why go in 2009: The South Korean won has lost more than 30 percent of its value against the dollar since just one year ago, giving the American traveler plenty of purchasing power — of particular interest for shoppers looking to pick up brand-name consumer electronics and designer fashions in Seoul. What’s more, the number of international tourists boomed some 12 percent between 2007 and 2008, a trend that’s inspired hotel chains like Wyndham and Intercontinental to set out on expanding its presence in the country in 2009.
25. Tel Aviv
Fabulous Tel Aviv, dubbed “the Miami of the Mediterranean,” is easily Israel’s coolest city. Trimmed with gorgeous beaches, loaded with Bauhaus architecture, and populated with smartly dressed locals with a fierce appreciation for art, cuisine, and nightlife, Tel Aviv is the hedonistic antidote to historic, heady Jerusalem, which, even at just one hour away, is a world apart in every respect. Indeed, while Jerusalem is all about the past, Tel Aviv is Israel’s definitive 21st-century flag-bearer, with a regular rotation of new restaurant, hotel, and bar openings, and a superb design-forward sensibility that’s altogether unmatched in the Middle East.
Why go in 2009: Tel Aviv turns 100 in April 2009, making it older than Israel (which celebrated its 60th in 2008). While the city never needs an excuse to party, visitors can count on an amped-up centennial schedule with eight months of festivities culminating in December. The line-up features fun events like a centennial photo shoot of thousands on the beach in April; a flower carpet in Rabin Square in September; and an international film festival hosted by the Tel Aviv Cinemateque in November. Keep abreast of event schedules at tlv100.co.il and book your room now; the city’s best hotels are bound to book up fast.
(Editor's note: This article was written prior to the recent onset of violence in Israel which started Dec. 27, 2008. At this time, the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. For current information about traveling there, please consult the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' Web site at www.travel.state.gov.)
26. United Arab Emirates
A modern, moneyed, Muslim destination with astonishing architecture, cutting-edge pleasure palaces, and tax-free shopping (at least for now), the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is rapidly transforming the Middle East by drawing focus away from distressing regional conflicts and emphasizing care-free commerce and spectacle-fueled tourism. The U.A.E.’s leading star is still Dubai, but capital Abu Dhabi, its more cultured older sister, deserves to share the spotlight.
Why go in 2009: During the decade of feverish growth that followed the opening of self-proclaimed “seven-star” hotel Burj Al Arab in 1999, much has been made about dazzling Dubai’s limits-be-damned luxury and ersatz wonders (palm-shaped islands! indoor mountains!), but all the ado promises to be outdone again when the world’s tallest tower, Burj Dubai (www.burjdubai.com), tricked out with an Armani-branded hotel, opens later this year. New non-stops from D.C. (United), Atlanta (Delta), San Francisco, and Los Angeles (both on Emirates’s A380 fleet) make getting there easier than ever. Combine with a trip to Abu Dhabi, just 105 miles to the southwest, to experience traditional Bedouin and Islamic cultural attractions (but you’ll have to wait for 2012 to peruse the emirate’s Jean Nouvel-designed branch of the Louvre museum).
27. Vietnam
Fascinating Vietnam has finally shed its war-ridden image and recently emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s hottest destinations. Physically stunning, this country of tropical mountains, rice-paddy deltas, and the flowing Mekong River is marked by a unique combination of Vietnamese and French culture (part of the legacy of French colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries), and a people that welcome foreign travelers with warmth and curiosity. Must-sees include bustling Hanoi, Vietnam’s French-flavored capital; the picturesque jewel box of a town at UNESCO-listed Hoi An; frenetic Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon; and mystical Halong Bay, with its famous limestone islets and enchanting emerald-green waters.
Why go in 2009: The U.S. dollar carries substantial weight in Vietnam, so you can explore without squandering your savings. What’s more, the advent of some major American cruise companies plying the waters off Vietnamese shores has brought a convenient and value-oriented means of exploring the ports of this elongated nation. Royal Caribbean launched its Southeast Asia itineraries in early 2008, and calls upon ports in Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and more, while the line’s more intimate and upscale sister company, Azamara Cruises, recently followed suit. Likewise, Cruise West is testing the waters with a one-off Vietnam sailing in fall. Meanwhile, Vietnam's race toward Western-style development on the mainland has brought recognizable international brands to everything from hotel chains
(InterContinental debuted its first hotel in Vietnam in Hanoi in 2008 and is slated for a Saigon opening in 2009) to car rental services (Budget Rent A Car just became the first international car rental service in the nation).
Australia & Pacific
28. Tasmania
Roamed by the feral Tasmanian Devil and the spotted-tailed quoll, Tasmania is, at least in part, an untouched wilderness spanning rainforest, beaches, high mountain plains, and lakes sailed by black swans. Historic towns, fertile farmlands, and pleasant cities also add to its charm, belying a darker side of the island's history, when the land doubled as a detention center for convicts. Travelers head here to experience ultimate adventure and breathtaking scenery.
Why go in 2009: The value of the Australian dollar is at its lowest in five years and is predicted to fall even more within the next few months — bad news for Aussies, good news for U.S. travelers. Now is the time to take advantage of the plummeting Australian currency and to see the primordial beauty of Tasmania without breaking the bank. Worried about the long flight? Don't be. In September, Qantas Airways unveiled its new fleet of spacious A380s — the largest commercial jet in the world — making the transpacific distance seem a little less difficult; note that a domestic transfer to Tasmania is best routed via Melbourne.
Africa
29. Victoria Falls
Most visitors to Zimbabwe come solely with a visit to the Victoria Falls region in mind – the tourism hub of the country, its developed infrastructure and special "tourism police" make it a comfortable and secure base for tourists.
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John Moore / Getty Images file A rainbow forms as the Zambezi River plunges 420 feet at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Considered one of the world's seven natural wonders, Victoria Falls stretches some 2,000 yards, forming the world's largest waterfall. |
Why go in 2009: While Zimbabwe's volatile political situation understandably deters some visitors, the recent runaway inflation of the Zimbabwean dollar has translated to bargain rates and reemerging tourism in the Victoria Falls region. U.S. greenbacks spent on safari and hotels directly benefit the local economy, set well apart from the political upheaval of Harare. Instead of going on safari in South Africa, where costs can approach $1,000/night, try Zimbabwe, where the same experience is priced at half the cost and the U.S. dollar is the currency of choice. Expect five-star accommodations at three-star price tags — don't miss luxurious newcomer, Wild Horizons Sanctuary Lodge (May opening; www.wildhorizons.co.za), or the February reopening of the upscale Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (www.bumihills.com) at Lake Kariba.
(Editor's note: This article was written prior to the recent onset of violence in Israel which started Dec. 27, 2008. At this time, the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. For current information about traveling there, please consult the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' Web site at www.travel.state.gov.)
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