My List of the Top 10 Places to Travel in 2011 and 2012
My financial situation will not afford me the luxury of a vacation this year, but I will share my “Places to Visit” list with you. I realize this list is very exciting, but please be sure to read the very important information following the list to ensure your safety and peace of mind while traveling. With that said, here are my top ten places to travel in 2011 and 2012.
Santiago, Chile
Despite the earthquake that hit Chile last year, it is the place to be this year. The city has made a tremendous recovery, the economy has continuous steady growth, and tourism is on the rise.
Santiago has been dubbed the “buttoned-up” place, as they have added, “smartly designed hotels, modern museums, “and “sophisticated restaurants” to their already beautiful city. This year Santiago is will host Lollapalooza, an American music festival that was started some 20 years ago. Lollapalooza chose Santiago to host its first “overseas outing,” due to its open space and diverse cultural offerings. Furthermore, the people of Santiago just happen to appreciate contemporary music, so says the founder of Lollapalooza, Perry Farrell.1
The Lollapalooza festival will be held at O’Higgin Park in April of 2011. You better hurry and make those travel arrangements, as April 2011 will be history very soon.
Centro Gabriela Mistral-Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Musea de la Mada opened its doors a few years ago, it is a fashion museum located inside of a remodeled 1960s “modernist mansion.” 1 The museum has nearly 10,000 pieces of “couture and memorabilia,” 1 which includes a jacket worn by John Lennon in 1966 (1966 is a special year, so that jacket has to be special 
) and a gown worn by “Diane, The Princess of Whales.” 1
Be sure to visit the W, the first luxury hotel in Santiago to highlight “modern design.” W was built less than a year ago. There is also the Aubrey, which offers a combination of vintage and new modern furniture, and boutique lodging. The Aubrey is located in the creative district of Bellavista.
Iceland
This beautiful North Atlantic island is now somewhat affordable after Iceland suffered an economic crash and the “devaluation of the krona.” 1 According to the New York Times hotel rooms that were once going for $200, are now $130 (Now that’s a nice price cut).
Iceland is famous for its thundering waterfalls, massive icecaps, glaciers, thermal springs, volcanic landscapes and the Northern Lights. Travel along the southern coast to marvel at the beautiful Skaftafell National Park, home to Vatnajokul, the largest non-polar icecap in the entire world and the view is said to be amazing.5
There is a new opera house in town! The Harpa-Reykjavic Concert Hall and Conference Centre has collaborated with the Danish-Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson, to create this breathtaking glass façade. The symphony and opera house are due to open in May of 2011 with “performances by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera and local rock bands.” 1 Go Iceland!
Republic of Georgia
Georgia is located between the Caspian and Black seas and is the new place to pull out the skiis and hit the slopes. The terrain in Georgia could possibly be the best place for adventurous skiers, with peaks reaching as high as 16,000 feet, “deep valleys and largely untouched slopes.” Wow! Did you read that? Double Take! “Untouched slopes.” 1,5
Georgia has ski-resort fever. The “first groomed slopes,” opened in Mestia in December called Goderdzi. The Goderdzi pass is the new “hot spot,” with snow coverage six months a year.1
Bakuriani and Gudaun are known for off-piste and heli-skiing and each of these places is only a short distance from Tbilisi. You better hurry and book your flight. In 2009, they had 30,000 visitors and “they are expanding fast.” Watch out Switzerland! I see some competition brewing .
While in Tbilisi be sure to visit these memorable tourist sttractions:
- Abanotubani (Bath District)
- Paliashvili Opera House
- Metekhi Cathedral
- Sioni Cathedral Church
- Narikala Fortress
- Georgian National Museum
- Monument of King Vakhtang Gorgasali
London, England
London is preparing for the 2012 Olympics and as a result, new hotels and restaurants are opening all around town. Pull out those raincoats and umbrellas and visit London in 2012.
Twelve thousand (that’s right, 12,000) hotel rooms are currently under construction in preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The Four Seasons London at Park Lane has 192 rooms and is open for business after more than two years worth of renovations. They now offer a penthouse spa that overlooks Hyde Park and “new restaurant seating in a private garden.” 1
W London Leicester Square opened a couple of months ago and according to the New York Times, the hotel conforms “to British tastes with a trendy take on high tea” 1 (Be sure to drink your tea properly, the Queen may be watching ).
The Corinthia Hotel London states that, “Within a few short months, the heart of this ancient Roman city will gain a distinguished new landmark; a graceful and historic luxury hotel that sets new standards in opulence and comfort. Perfectly positioned just moments from Trafalgar Square, Westminster and Covent Garden, yet close to Mayfair and The City’s Square Mile, our new flagship provides state-of-the-art facilities in an eminent building dating back to 1885 and the Empire days of Queen Victoria.” 2
The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London is scheduled to open in May, making “its debut in Cathedral-like Victorian style, with a restaurant by the Michelin-starred Chef Marcus Wareing.” 1
Chef Silvena Rowe will be cooking up Eastern Mediterranean dishes in her restaurant, Quince, at the May Fair Hotel. The May Fair hotel is expected to open this spring. Don’t forget about the royal wedding, taking place on April 29, 2011 in London, so prepare for hotels to be completely booked around this time.
Hyderabad, India
Hyderabad is in the heart of modern India and is a great place to vacation. Hyderabad is famous “for its diamond trading and sultan’s palaces.” 1 However, over the past ten years this beautiful place has become “the outsourcing of international companies, which has inspired a boom of sleek cafes and restaurants, such as Fusion 9.
News Flash! Hyderbad is proud to announce “the debut of two five-star hotels,” which are directly “connected to the Nizam family, rulers of Hyderabad for the two centuries” prior India’s independence. Park Hyderabad, is “a futuristic structure” that was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. This hotel is “an aluminum and glass façade inspired by the settings and metalwork found in the Nizam’s jewelry collection.” 1 The second hotel is, Taj Falaknuma Palace. The New York Times describes this hotel as “a wedding cake of a building” which took ten years to renovate. This European style castle is a “must-see,” according to Shanti Kohli, of New Delhi-base Amber Tours.
While in Hyderbad be sure to check out these tourist attractions:
- Birla Mandir (Sri Venkateswara Temple)
- Golkonda Fort
- Charminar
- Ramoji Film City
- Hyderabad Botanical Gardens
- Salar Jung Museum
- NTR Garden
- Lumbini Park
- Sudha Cars Museum
- Chowmaballa Palace
Oualidia, Morocco
Oualidia is a seaside Moroccan village that is a haven for bird watchers. This Moroccan lagoon is filled with pink flamingoes and migrating herons. It is also a great getaway for surfers and kayakers. Surfs up!
The La Sultana is the place to be, with 11 new luxury rooms. For those that are looking to spend less money on a hotel, check out the “charming but rustic, L’Hippocampe.” The bar at L’Hippocampe is a known meeting point, as is the L’Ostrea restaurant that “serves Oualidia’s famous oysters.”1
Salonika, Greece
This coastal city now has a direct route to its airport from London via British Airways. There are two organizations responsible for the newest wave of culture in Salonika, Dyamo Project Space, a nonprofit organization that provides places for local “artist, architects and designers to showcase their creations” and Sfina. Sfina is the self proclaimed “urban prankster network,” it’s famous for the instigating of “flash mob-style events in public spaces.” 1
157173 is an eco-conscious design firm that is famous for its “off-beat minimalist lamps, mobiles and other design objects that are equal parts Bauhaus and Joan Miró.” The city has been gaining energy for the past several years, thanks to its creative cultural scene.
Well, I saved the best for last. The last three are on my list to visit within the next few years. Enjoy!
Tlemcen, Algeria
This ancient Islamic city is preparing for a gala this year. Tlemcen, Algeria, “named a Capital of Islamic Culture for 2011 by Isesco (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), due to its yearlong gala that will include some 300 exhibitions, concerts, screenings, theater performances, lectures and readings.”1
The city’s medieval ramparts and towers are being refurbished along with mosques and hammams that have taken a beaten over time. Tlemcen is building cultural centers and museums all over town for the locals and tourist. The Renaissance by Marriott is one of the first five-star hotels to be built in Tlemcen. This place is literally a “medieval dynasty that controlled much of North Africa. Tlemcen has long been a center of Islamic learning, culture and art.”
The city’s festival of Arabo-Andalusian music is where “skilled craftsmen ply their wares around the Kissaria market and traditional orchestras show off their chops every summer.”1 The Great Mosque and Sidi Boumediene are religious edifices, where Muslim faithfuls visit to worship.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
This island is high on my list of places to visit. Really, anywhere in Africa is a great place to visit. The food is great, the people are wonderful and the continent is amazingly beautiful. From the desserts to the oceans, the continent of Africa has something for everyone to enjoy.
Zanzibar is an African isle on the Tanzania Island. It is known for its ‘spice markets and swaying palms.”1 Palace hotels have been newly renovated and they are ready for the flood of tourist expected this year.
Stone Town is now home to newly renovated palace hotels and exotic villa hotels located by the sea. People are attracted to Zanzibar because of its white sandy beaches and somewhat modern infrastructure. Zanzibar is a very popular spot for visitors after a safari in East Africa. Yet another awesome site to see in Africa, an African safari. I am an animal lover. I enjoy watching them in their natural habitat and watching them interact with one another. They are as close to perfection as you can get. Too bad Jack Hanna was not my father, uncle, cousin, or friend. Ok! I think you get my point. Jack Hanna has the coolest job in the world.
Mashariki Palace is one of the new hotels in Zanzibar, which has opened 18 very spacious rooms for visitors to enjoy. There are also smaller villas and hotels throughout the area, like Baraza, a hotel that closely resembles a sultan’s palace. Kilindi is a hotel that belongs to the north coast with “15 whitewashed pavilions, private plunge pools and ocean views. If you are looking to spend less money, check out Dongwe Ocean View. However, if you are looking to spend a pretty penny, then by all means, visit the “new renovated and soon to reopen Zamni Retreat Kempinski. To learn about the many attractions on the island visit the Zanzibar Travel Guide.
The continent of Africa has so many wonderful places to visit, I can’t possibly list all of them in this article, but here is a short list:
- Cape Town
- The Sossusvlei in Namib
- Maasai Mara and Serengeti
- The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
- Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe Border
- The Okavango Delta in Botswana
- Fish River Canyon in Namibia
- Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Great Pyramids of Egypt*
- Fairmont Zanzibar Diving
- Valley of the Kings – Egypt*
- Abu Simbel – Egypt*
- Ciaro, Egypt*
I could go on, but then I would have to write a book and that has already been done.
Milan, Italy
Ok! Now you’re talking. Anywhere in Italy is my favorite place to visit. I just love the food, the shopping, the food, the culture, the food, the people, the food (I realize that I said the food more than once. What can I say, I love Italian food. It is one of my weaknesses in life.)
The number one attraction in Milan is DaVinci’s famous masterpiece, the Last Supper, on display in the Santa Maria della Grazie church. This attraction allows only a limited number of visitors at one time for only 15 minutes to preserve this beautiful painting and you must make reservations at least 2 or 3 months in advance. Especially, if you plan to go during the summer. Visit DaVinci’s Last Supper to purchase tickets in advance.
Duomo Cathedral Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist
Duomo, the newly cleaned and polished “Gothic Masterpiece” is back and open for viewing. The Museo de Novecento is across the piazza from Duomo and carrying a collection of the city’s 20th century artwork in the restored Palazzo dell’Arengario.
Outside of Milan’s historic center, old factories are now design studios and old warehouse are now “unconventional art venues” and the gallaries contain “avant-garde works.” The Spazio Rossana Orlandi gallery is now displaying the “largest creation from emerging designers.”1 The Hotel Milano Scala, which the New York Times calls the “most fashionable addition” to Milan is open for business. This 19th century mansion is said to have “zero-emissions hospitality.” Now that’s truly amazing, a hotel with zero-emissions.
You cannot go all the way to Italy without visiting Venice, Rome, Florence, and Tuscany. I have taken the liberty of giving you a little information on hot spots to visit in each of these places.
Florence, the capital of Tuscany
Uffizi Gallery houses one of Italy’s most important museums in the world of Italian art, the art of the Renaissance. You can expect long lines, unless you buy your tickets in advance. So plan ahead and visit Uffizi Gallery for more information and to purchase tickets in advance.
Palazzo Vecchio is Florence’s city hall and it is gorgeous, which is the reason it is a very popular attraction in Florence. The architecture is awesome, but without reservation you will be on the outside wanting to get in. Reservations are mandatory, so visit Palazzo Vecchio for more information and to make mandatory reservations.
When it’s time to eat be sure to check out these afforable restaurant, and don’t worry the food is delicious.
Il Latini in Florence is where to go. Make sure to ask the waiters for their suggestions, as they really don’t give out menus. They won’t steer you wrong.
Il Latini is usually packed, so be prepared to wait and share a table with another party. Il Latini is know for communal dining, for sharing common meals with strangers is all apart of the fun. Again, the waiters do not like to hand out menus, so be prepared to hear their suggestion. Visit Il Latini for more information.
Il Latini
Via del Palchetti 6r, Florence
Off Via della Vigna Nuova
Telephone #: 055-210-916
Cibreo Teatro del Sale is one of the most affordable restuarants and it is also one of the livelist places to eat in town. You should arrive around 7:30 p.m. to this restaurant and private club, that offers a relatively cheap one-time membership fee at the door. A flat rate upon entrance affords you the all you can eat and drink buffet. The buffet includes all you can eat pastas, sauteed vegetables, a variety of different salads and grilled meats. A Mediterranean breakfast cost about 7€ ($9). Lunch is 20€ ($26) and dinner is 30€ ($36) and the one-time membership fee is 5€.
Make sure not to finish your meal too fast or leave too early, for the live entertainment starts at 9:30 p.m. Visit Cibreo Teatro del Sale for more information.
Cibreo Teatro del Sale
Via dei Macci 111r, Florence, 50122
Near Sant’Ambrogio market
Telephone #: 055-200-1492
Rome
The ancient Colosseum in Rome, is the most famous colosseum in world history and, of course, a very popular attraction in the beautiful city of Rome. Tickets are not mandatory, but to avoid the lines they are necessary. Visit Colosseum for more information.
The Borghese Museum is located in the Villa Borghese Masion in the Borghese garden, and it’s gorgeous. The marble sculptures are by Bernini and, again, reservations are mandatory. Visit The Borghese Museum for more information and to purchase tickets. Remember tickets are mandatory, so plan ahead.
Vatican City is located outside of Rome and is the home of the Vatican Museums. This complex houses the largest museums in the world, which includes the Sistine Chapels. Reservations are not mandatory, but I do recommend you buy your tickets in advance to avoid the lines. Remember, I said Vatican City houses the world’s largest museum complex, so you will be one of many trying to get in. Visit Vatican Museums for more information and to purchase tickets in advance.
Here are a couple of places in Rome to grab a bite to eat while visiting.
Il Pagliaccio, just delicious! Need I say more. It is a bit on the pricey side if you are traveling on a tight budget, but if you can sqeeze it into your budget it is definitely worth the cost. The average price for dinner is 25-34€ ($33-$34) for 5 courses 85€ ($110). 6 courses 95€ ($124) and for Anthony Genovese’s tasty menu 120€ ($156). For a vegetarian platter you can expect to spend from 22-25€ ($29-$33). The prices are only approximations, so visit Il Pagliaccio for more details.
Il Pagliaccio
Via dei Vecchi, 129, Rome, 186
Telephone #: 39-06-688-09-595
Antico Forno Roscioli is relatively inexpensive but delicious. Their menu is priced under 10€ ($13.22). These prices are approximations. Visit Antico Forno Roscioli for more information.
Antico Forno Roscioli
Via dei Chiavari 34, Rome, 186
Telephone #: 06-6875287
Tuscany
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a hot spot, of course. Who would not want to see this magnificant leaning masterpiece and climb to the top. Reservations are not required, but I do recommend that you purchase tickets in advance. It is even crowded when you climb to the top, so just imagine the lines. Visit The Leaning Tower of Pisa for more information and to make reservations in advance.
Make sure to add these cities to your list of places to visit in Italy: Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Perugia, Naples, Verona, and Turin. Each city has its own style and rich history, and the food is great, too. Oh! I almost forgot, travel by train when you visit Italy, its very inexpensive and you will enjoy the ride. Driving is a no, no and its very expensive.
I could go on and on about wonderful place to visit in Italy, but that would require that I write another book and, again, that’s been done by many. Hopefully, I have put you on the right track, as these are some of the most popular attractions.
For more information on about traveling visit the New York Times Travel section or your travel agent.
Important things to do before traveling abroad:
For those of you that are fortunate enough to travel abroad this year, please keep these safety tips in mind before you travel.
Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free online service lets the State Department know where you are if there is a family emergency in the United States or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. The State Department will not release your whereabouts to others without your express authorization, per the Privacy Act.3
Make sure you have signed, valid passports and a visa (if a visa is applicable) and don’t forget to fill in the emergency information page.
It is also very important for you to get and/or check overseas medical insurance coverage. Check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers overseas insurance. Confirm that your insurance covers expenses like medical evacuation. If your insurance does not cover overseas medical insurance, be sure to get supplemental insurance.3
Become familiar with local conditions and laws wherever you are going. Remember you will no longer be in the United States, so you are subject to their laws. Visit the US Department of State for more details, as they have information about any of the countries that you plan to visit.4
Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime. Do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry. Do not carry excessive amounts of cash. Do not leave unattended luggage in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers. 4
Contact the State Department in the case of an emergency. The US Embassies, consular personnel and Consulates abroad and in the US are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency assistance to US citizens. 4
Their telephone number is (888) 407-4747 from the US and Canada and (202) 501-4444 if calling from overseas.
I strongly encourage everyone to check with United States Department of State before traveling to another country.
References:
1. New York Times Travel Section
2. The Corinthia Hotel London
3. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
5. Trip Advisor
Zanzibar photo courtesy of The Best Travel Destinations
*Due to the current unrest in Egypt and some parts of Africa, I would check with the US Department of State before planning a trip to Egypt. However, you cannot recommend places to visit in Africa without including Egypt. Maybe next year!
HAPPY TRAVELS!
