Ultimate List: Top Travel Destinations 2009 from Experts
New Year is here. Let’s face it, 2008 sucked, and optimism seems to be ringing everywhere right now. In the travel publishing and news sector, nearly everyone’s been making ‘Top Places to Travel in 2009‘ or the ‘Top Travel destinations in 2009′ types of lists. It’s easy to get caught up in the listmania and finding what different publishers or experts or recommending.
So I thought I’d compile a list of top lists for the best 2009 Travel destinations based on a variety of factors. I’d love to make this the comprehensive list of lists, so if you run across another list or make one on your own travel blog, Comment and contact me, so I may put it in the post.
Kayak Trip Ideas: Best Cities for 2009 (via email newsletter)
- Washington DC - Barack put DC on several lists. Check out what Obama’s effects be on travel for the rest of the nation though.
- Cape Town S. Africa
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Milwaukee, WI
Cartegena, Colombia - Crime has dropped ridiculously fast. It’s now safe and thriving as a travel destination with a crime rate lower than Philadelphia.- Cape Town, South Africa
- Saqqara, Egypt
- Washington DC
- Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Civil Rights Trail from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama, United States
- Lassen Volcano National Park, California, United States
- Berlin, Germany
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Cambodia
- Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Lonely Planet (via Journey etc.)
- Bay Of Fire, Tasmania
- Basque Country, France and Spain
- Chiloe, Chile
- Ko Tao, Thailand
- Languedoc, France
- Nam Ha, Laos
- The Big Island, Hawaii
- San Andres and Providencia, Columbia
- Svalbard, Norway
- Yunnan, China
LA Times - To Be Announced
BootsnAll Top 10 Destinations for Independent Travelers for 2009
- Colombia
- Damascus, Syria
- Berlin, Germany
- Senegal
- Sardinia, Italy
- Bangladesh
- Panama
- Bariloche, Argentina
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Tasmania, Australia
Where to go in 2009 - Travel Muse
- Nicaragua
- Washington, D.C. - again
- Colombia - low crime!
- Iceland - economic turmoil, troubled economy, + Sigur Ros could make 2009 a good year for Iceland
- Peru
- Portland
Cheap Tickets Top cheap vacation destinations for 2009
More interesting list - based on fares and hotel rates that are actually relevant. Even though rates may not be statistically significant by definition, the list is based on actual data from Cheap Tickets’ engines.
- January:Â New York, Santa Barbara, CA and Hong Kong
- February:Â Italy, France, and Colorado Springs, CO
- March:Â Portland, ME, Reno, NV and Canada
- April: Brazil, Santa Fe, NM and Columbus, GA
- May: Lake Tahoe, Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA
- June:Â Egypt, Columbia, SC and Dallas, TX
- July: West Palm Beach, FL Baton Rouge, LA and Riverside, CA
- August: Tuscon, AZ, New Orleans, LA and Las Vegas, NV
- September: Orlando, FLSt. Martin and Puerto Rico
- October:Â Mexico, Hilton Head, SC and Maui, HI
- November:Â Ireland, Jacksonville, FL and Greece
- December: Napa-Sonoma, CA, Seattle, WA and Washington, D.C.
10 Reasons to Travel - Telegraph.co.uk
- Skiing in the Alps
- Northern France
- Turkey
- China
- Iceland
- South Africa
- England for culture
- Scotland for culture
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten World Destinations for 2009 (via traveldailynews.com)
- Budoni, Sardinia
- Agia Galini, Crete
- Petra, Jordan
- Ardmore, Ireland
- Peschiera del Garda, Italy
- Protaras, Cyprus
- Torre del Mar, Spain
- Hanioti, Greece
- Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
- Goslar, Germany
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Ten U.S. Destinations for 2009
- St. George, Utah
- Englewood, Florida
- Keauhou, Hawaii
- Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
- Haines, Alaska
- Bainbridge Island, Washington
- New Buffalo, Michigan
- Pahoa, Hawaii
- Gurnee, Illinois
- Ruskin, Florida
5 destinations to watch in 2009 - USA Today
- Riviera Nayarit
- Vancouver
- Kansas City
- Peru
- Vilnius, Lithuania
More lists of the "top" or "best" places to visit, hmmm...its funny how they vary so much. It really means it is all relative based on who is making the list. Everyone has different tastes and tolerances. When I think about it, it is so difficult to come up with a top ten list because I would need to make a top 50 or 100 list. There are so many beautiful and exciting places to visit in the world...so many places and so little time.
Yeah, they are fairly diverse, naturally, since they come from different sources. Each list has a good rationale behind their reasoning on their respective sites.
When looking at the lists collectively, it's obvious that Colombia, Washington DC, and Berlin seem to be the places to go in 2009.
[...] plans and need some inspiration, I’d recommend saving yourself some time and heading over to Budget Globetrotting. They’ve created a handy compilation of lists from other travel websites, so you can see them [...]
I would add Macchu Picchu, Christchurch NZ, and the Andes as well... all wonderfully diverse and amazing for eco tours (which I think is the only way to travel).
Berlin is on the top of my list. The city is definitely amazing and full of history.
I'm also a huge fan of Split, Croatia. Get there quick before everyone else discovers this paradise.
My top pick from among reasons to travel would be "skiing in the Alps," definitely the finest for sport lovers. Next comes Pahoa, Hawaii with its scenic sights and a plethora of adventure recreation to indulge in at one's own leisure. The compilation lists an amazing choice of places to explore in 2009....beautiful world....
I think there are unique opportunities for kayaking at Komodo Island. Last year I got the opportunity to have adventure there and enjoyed a lot. Check here the tour details: http://www.ekoventure.com/trips/south_east_asia-indonesia-bali-kayaking-eco_tours-camping_trips-snorkeling-wildlife_tours-adventure-cultural-exploration-sustainable_responsible-soft_adventure-active_sport-no-roads-expeditions-14296
Did you know that whilst travelling to all these fantastic places, it's 16 to 24 year olds who are more savvy than their elders when it comes to planning...