Travel
Destinations
Travel writer's wish list for popular destinations to
visit
As a travel writer, I explore the globe on somebody else’s dollar -
lucky, I know. But there are a few special places in the world where I’d willingly pay to return to … places not
yet spoiled by the madding crowds … where you can still feel like a traveler, not a tourist.
So where should you consider visiting this year? Well, if my editor’s
paying attention, the following eight travel destinations are at the top of my wish list, spread over three
different continents. No matter where you go in the world, you will find a holiday destination that you
like.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico’s Colonial
Heartland
Visiting
Mexico’s colonial cities is like falling through a crack in time, back to the 16th century--the heyday
of the Spanish Conquistadores. Don’t miss the creepy mummies of Guanajuato, the opal sellers of Queretero, or Zacatecas and
its silver mines. (When I was in Zacatecas, you could go dancing in one of the mines, and stay in a bullring that’s
now a hotel.) There’s also the quaint art-and-crafts town of San Miguel de Allende; Dolores Hidalgo, birthplace of
Mexican independence; and Morelia, home of the Museo del
Dulce. This candy museum showcases over 300 varieties, many the original
recipes of nuns. Here, Mexican food is aimed at Mexicans, not gringos--as well as sampling the restaurants, you can
take a short cookery course. Plus, you can relax in spas, go horse-riding, and shop for great buys in
leather.
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Located some 300 kms from Mexico City, Acapulco is one
of Mexico's
top holiday destinations. (Image by Freeimages.com) |
Martinique and Guadeloupe,
French West Indies
Combining small island charm with Caribbean chic, Martinique and Guadeloupe are the two
main islands of the French West Indies. Odd though it seems, these two islands are as French as Provence. Islanders
carry French identity cards, use euros, and fly tricolors from town halls.
Although you’ll come across beach shacks, free-ranging hens, and
throbbing zouk music, you’ll also encounter six-lane highways, nudist beaches, manicured golf courses, and stylish
marinas. Fishing, sailing, and diving opportunities are incredible: Off Guadeloupe’s western coast is the Jacques
Cousteau Marine Reserve, an underwater realm of corals, sea sponges, and tropical fish.
SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
One of the world’s best-value travel destinations right now, Buenos
Aires is South America’s most sophisticated city. Take a tango lesson...explore the colorful port quarter of La
Boca...see who else besides Evita is buried in Recoleta cemetery...check out the San Telmo antiques market...hunt
down the perfect steak...go clubbing in Palermo...join the café society...experience a local soccer match...kayak
the waterways of the Rio del Plata. Short side trips could include a visit to a ranch or the beaches of Mar del
Plata. For a longer add-on, you could tour the Mendoza vineyards, head south into the wilds of Patagonia, or visit
the colonial northwest around Salta.
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The capitaly city of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is the
obvious choice of a
South American travel destination. (Image by
Freeimages.com) |
ASIA
Borneo,
Malaysia
Shared with the independent sultanate of Brunei, northern Borneo
encompasses the Malaysian states of Sarawak (“Land of the Hornbill”) and Sabah (“Land Below the Wind”). The island
is home to southeast Asia’s highest peaks, oldest jungles, and the white-sand beaches of the South China Sea. To
get the most from this trip, spend time in both Sabah and Sarawak. For me, Sabah was characterized by mountains,
snorkeling adventures, and the “People of the Forest:” silky-haired orangutans. Sarawak has more in the way of
jungle, longhouse settlements, and Iban warriors. Look out for the blue tattoos on the fingers of Iban village
elders--these indicate your hosts enjoyed a spot of head-hunting in their youth. (And I don’t mean the kind of
head-hunting that goes on in corporate circles!) If you are staying in Borneo, don’t forget to book your travel
accommodation through Expedia to get the best deals.
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Silk-making, silverware, hand-painted parasols... Teak furniture,
celadon pottery, even elephant-dung paper... The center of Thailand’s crafts industry, Chiang Mai offers boundless opportunities to shop. The
city’s mammoth Night Market is but one outlet--delve into the bustling bylanes, and you’ll find plenty more
artisans practicing traditional crafts. What else can you do? Well, how about sampling Thai food (both eating and
cookery courses)...or encounters with hill tribes...or elephant conservation...or traditional Thai massage...or
whitewater river rafting...or jungle-trekking...or a side trip to the notorious Golden Triangle. And that’s just
for starters…
EUROPE
Andalucia,
Spain
Bullfights, flamenco, and ice-cold gazpacho. Free bar snacks called
tapas--how many different ones can you sample? Sugar-cube houses with courtyard patios and terraces hung with
vines, honeysuckle, and jasmine. Although Cordoba, Seville, and Granada are the stars of the Andalucian show,
numerous small towns and villages throughout this region also invoke the glory days of Moorish Spain.
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As one of Europe's most desired holiday
destinations, Spain offers colourful culture and social events. (Image by
Freeimages.com)
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Set aside some time to hike the Alpujarras, the southern foothills of the Sierra
Nevada mountains...then head down to the coast to see why the Costa del Sol is one of northern Europe’s favorite
vacation destinations. But avoid mass tourism destinations such as Torremolinos--Europe’s glitterati hang out in Marbella and the
yachting center of Puerto Banus.
Corsica,
France
Can’t decide whether the charms of la belle France outweigh those of
bella Italia? Then visit Corsica,
birthplace of Napoleon. Although this little-known island belongs to France, its nearest neighbor is Italy. You get
the best of both worlds: excellent food and wine, great summer weather, hiking trails with mesmerizing scenery, and
towns steeped in vendetta history. Plus, a sea that shimmers peacock blue.
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Located on the suthernd end of Corsica is the town of
Bonifacio,
overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. (Image by
Freeimages.com) |
If I had to pick a favorite place in the Mediterranean, Corsica would
be it. Ajaccio, Bonifaccio, and Calvi make three interesting bases to discover the island--if you’re looking for an
entanglement with a handsome brute wearing a kepi, Calvi is still home to an outpost of the French
Foreign Legion.
Crete,
Greece
In toytown harbors, weather-beaten fishermen repair bright yellow
nets. Donkeys clop down steep alleyways and wayward goats try to scrabble up into olive trees. White houses cascade
with jasmine, cats doze away on terraces and ya-yas (wizened old ladies) sit in doorways shelling peas and
exchanging gossip. The Aegean Sea is as idyllic as in Homer’s day: mother-of-pearl at dawn...deep blue at
midday...shot-silk at twilight. Of Greece’s hundreds
of islands and islets, 166 are inhabited.
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Ferry services are readily available on Greek islands,
including its largest island
of Crete. (Image by Freeimages.com) |
If forced to choose a single destination, I’d go for Crete, the
largest island. You can wander the ruins of Knossos (home of the legendary Minotaur), hike the Samaria Gorge, and
visit Spinalonga (Europe’s last leper colony). Best places to base yourself? The pretty-as-a-postcard village of
Elounda in the east and the old Venetian town of Chania in the west.
Steenie Harvey Roscommon, Ireland
Roving Editor, International Living
While visiting any foreign country please pay attention to local
laws. Laws can carry a much different penalty across borders. A DUI, is a very serious offense
in almost every country. A Columbus DUI lawyer can assist you with understanding the charges against you. An experienced DUI or OVI lawyer is needed if you are ever in this
situation.
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