The New Year is fast approaching and everybody is welcoming the year 2010 in his own style. For those who are planning to travel amazing destinations next year, we have collected some of the World Travel Guide’s top destinations for the year 2010.
Colombia
Colombia is rich with lush Green mountains, vibrant culture and sun-soaked beaches. The country’s delights are varied and plentiful. Formerly beleaguered by violence and ignored by the easy-going travelers, this South American beauty is now an enviable destination to its showy Brazilian neighbor. Specially, the capital city Bogot? is harvesting the rewards of extensive transformation, with visitors enjoying a wealth of fascinating museums, great shopping and a thriving night scene.
Best time to go: You can enjoy dry sunny days of your Colombia?s trip especially in December-March, and July-August.
India
The lively and colorful city of Delhi is becoming much more breathtaking in 2010 when the Commonwealth Games come to town. Delhi will be hosting the sporting event from 3-14 October. Delhi is going through a cycle of improvements to arrange the flooding of visitors, including expansions to the metro system and airport, and a jovial push to teach essential English to as many in the hospitality and transport industries as possible. Escaping from the wonderful chaos of large city, you can enjoy the true diversity with India?s beaches, parched deserts and fresh mountain retreats. Also the magic of rejuvenation in Kerala will surely spellbound you with its beauty.
Best time to go: enjoy your time in 2010 Commonwealth Games in October.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s crashing waves and bright green mountains are not new to the world’s travel scene. The rapidly increasing eco and adventure tourism has further enabled these windswept isles to enjoy an even greater prominence among the world’s most relevant outdoorsy destinations. You can spend your holidays in full action in New Zealand, as the country offers boasting winter sports, glacier hiking, trekking, caving, and bungee jumping and water sports, to make your vacations ever more exciting.
Best time to go: For outdoor pursuits, November-April offers the best conditions, while June-August is high season for skiing.
Nepal
From the icy peaks of the Himalayas to the humid plains of Chitwan National Park, Nepal is well and truly open for business. Following an unsettled political period, this mountainous slice of Asia is ready to fully show off its numerous assets. Trekkers are flocking back to the Annapurna region and Everest Base Camp, paragliders can be seen sailing the skies over lakeside Pokara, and the country’s national parks are filling with people eager to glimpse impressive wildlife such as the endangered one-horned Indian rhino and the Bengal tiger. Capital city Kathmandu throbs with swarms of rickshaws, mopeds and wide-eyed travelers; head to frantic Thamel for rooftop bars, lively backpacker hostels, and endless streams of shops stuffed with colorful souvenirs.
Best time to go: See the striking Himalayas at their most welcoming during October-November and March-April.
South Africa
South Africa is not only a land famous for sports activities but it is blessed with world?s most spectacular landscapes. Africa’s southernmost tip is a powerful clutter of vast savannas, thundering wildlife and tropical pockets. Apart from this the cosmopolitan Cape Town is hopeful to be quite thrilling during the build up to the 2010 World Cup. Also hosting games, Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elisabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Pretoria will be buzzing with holidaymakers, so join in the urban festivities before evading the crowds and heading off for adventures in the wildernesses.
Best time to go: You can Catch World Cup fever in June and July.
Mozambique
Mozambique is rapidly becoming one of the Africa’s leading destinations. This tropical strip is surrounded by a shiny stretch of Indian Ocean infused with archipelagos, offering world class diving, snorkelling and fishing. A civil war lasting nearly 20 years once made Mozambique entirely inaccessible, but over the last decade it has steadily emerged onto the travelling map. It can offer you the most beautiful golden sands and turquoise waters. What?s more Mozambique has great transport links with neighboring South Africa, so World Cup travelers can easily cross the border to join the thrill of world cup.
Best time to go: Have a dose of golden beach-life from May-November.
Sweden
Sweden’s trendy capital is leading the eco way over the next 12 months as the European Green Capital. Lustrous Stockholm is a web of 14 islands, slick architecture and fresh green spaces. What?s more, the city’s public transport system depends greatly on renewable fuels and Stockholm releases a striking 50% less green house gases than the national average. A network of pretty cycling routes provides visitors with plenty of eco-friendly sightseeing opportunities. The city is full of spotless streets and amazingly gracious people, making the Stockholm a meticulously enjoyable stay. What?s more, the city offers some of the world?s best sea food to fill up your tummies.
Best time to go: Enjoy mild temperatures and predominantly clear days from May-October.
Croatia
Following the mass hype a few years ago that flaunted Croatia as one of Europe’s upcoming stars, the Balkan country is now well and truly established as a holiday destination for all ages. Beachside areas see continual waves of new restaurants and hotels and shiny yachts. For a cultural break, you can enjoy amazing historical architecture of Baroque period in the walled city of Dubrovnik at Croatia’s southernmost point. Dubrovnik Carnival in February 2010 will a great way to get a flavor of traditional Croatian life, which also includes an eclectic mix of musicians. Croatia has also emerged as one of Europe’s leading wine producers, with both coastal and inland wine regions to explore.
Best time to go: See Croatia’s popular beaches at their best from May-September.
Turkey
2010 is Istanbul’s year to stand out. As one of the year’s European Capitals of Culture, the Turkish city is preparing itself for a thrive of thrilling new cultural events, and mass promotion of the city’s various galleries, historic buildings and festivals. A host of activities has been planned ranging from the 1st Istanbul Literature Festival, to the Turkey’s largest ever stadium concert by Irish rockers U2. Apart from this hustle-bustle of the city, you can spend some lighthearted time in the nearby Princes’ Islands. This is a car-free zone, so hop in a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) to enjoy the views. Outside the capital, Turkey has a wealth of striking coastline – slip away to its Mediterranean shores for clean beaches and inviting seas.
Best time to go: April-May and September-October in turkey will be your best time. By visiting the countries during this month you can stay away from the extreme summer heat.
Abu Dhabi
Enchanting Abu Dhabi is becoming the United Arab Emirates’ largest and richest element, slowing shunning away neighboring Dubai. It has highly surpassed the Dubai?s outsized structures and has successfully established itself as an impressive hub for financial, cultural and political activities of UAE. The capital city is now in the midst of creating an impressive high-end cultural district on Saadiyat Island, with a huge Guggenheim Museum as its heart. A prominent expat community means English is widely spoken across Abu Dhabi, and, for those with a large enough wallet, a profligate lifestyle of golden champagne in glittering cocktail bar Cristal and no-expense-spared nights at the Emirates Palace awaits with open, well-dressed arms.
Best time to go: Visit in October-November and February-March to avoid the most stifling summer heat and the possibility of chilly December and January days.
Written by Ruth-Ellen Davis for www.worldtravelguide.net
