Top Destinations for 2008: You Tell US
Lonely Planet just came out with its much-anticipated (well, I like it) list of hot travel destinations for 2008. And I, for one, am feeling a little deflated. I mean, last year's top destination, if I recall correctly, was China; the year before that, the wonderful Croatia. New Zealand, another trip-of-a-lifetime country, was also a top pick. And this year, the guidebook company's No. 1 destination is . . . the United States. Yep. With the dollar in the shape it is worldwide, I suppose this choice makes sense, but it doesn't exactly get my pulse racing.
By K.C. Summers |
January 8, 2008; 7:29 AM ET
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Posted by: Tom | January 8, 2008 11:48 AM
I wonder if Tom the previous poster works for AAA.
That said, my destination of choice this year is anyplace I can get to that doesn't require me to interact with the air travel industry.
My last experience with air travel was rather anxious...particularly the landing.
Posted by: DB Cooper | January 8, 2008 1:25 PM
China number one. Yikes. I spent 6 weeks using the LP as my guide, backpacking in that country. And it still sucked big time. There are oases of beauty and culture - true. But the main impression I got was a country blighted by the Mao years. Much of it was ugly, and the rest was poor (once you get outside the city.) In Xia it rained mud. Mud! The north had terrible dust storms, making breathing from the pollution even more difficult. Some people seemed to delight in seeing foreigners in discomfort. And I couldn't forget that a large percentage of the population had experienced untold hardships.
Being blond and blue eyed I was stared unabashedly at me in all public places, which is extremely creepy. The children were amazingly delightful though.
Still all in all there are far more interesting places to go in the area, (Vietnam for one, Japan for two) that don't have plastic deserted monasteries and plastic buddahs instead of the originals.
Unless you want poverty - skip it and goto Japan.
Posted by: alba_girl | January 8, 2008 2:59 PM
Also,about helping out in New Orleans, from talking to the locals - don't come and help out - send money instead. The locals are fed up with not being able to afford to fly anywhere or have their relatives and friends come in due to well meaning volunteers taking up all the flights, and jacking up the prices.
Posted by: alba_girl | January 8, 2008 3:10 PM
I'm not sure about the suggestion that NO would turn down those tourist dollars.
I think there are plenty of places in this country that don't get enough airplay. I don't intend to travel to Europe with the dollar at its low rate.
Posted by: SS, MD | January 8, 2008 3:23 PM
sorry - maybe what I wrote was confusing.
The NOLA locals welcome the tourist dollars, the volunteers aren't regarded in the same way. As they arrive primarily at vacation times (Xmas and Thanksgiving) when people particularly want to travel and have friends/family visit.
Posted by: alba_girl | January 8, 2008 3:39 PM
Don't work for AAA. I'm not a member of AA either. Although I am a member of AARP for what it's worth. I love car trips. They're much more flexible that plane trips. Want to stay an extra couple of days, no problem. Suddenly decide on a detour, no problem. Plus when you get back to the office road stories are always much more interesting than most international trips where people go to the same places (even in China or India) and have the same experiences over and over.
Posted by: Tom | January 8, 2008 8:50 PM
Tom, the only problem with a road trip, is the price of the gas. Not for a group of people, but definetly for a lone traveler.
For me, I am taking a trip to Montreal and Quebec City in the early spring, other than that I don't know. I had thought of going to Belgium and the Netherlands for 2 weeks in December, but I have all but givin up on that. I might just visit porchville, or maybe an excursion by train.
But about that list. They are probably dead on. The US is a real bargain for the Brits and those who live in the EU!!!!
Posted by: rja112 | January 9, 2008 4:00 AM
I am going to Florence, Italy for 3 months the end of Feb. Went last spring for 6 weeks. Renting an apt close to the PONTE VECCHIO at a very good price. Grocery shopping at the Central Market, and supermarkets is not that expensive. Everyplace is walkable in Florence. Trips around Tuscany by train or bus are reasonable (ex: $5 each way to Siena on a Rapido Bus, 1 1/2 hrs ride)
It depends how you shop. Of course, you should come with your US purchased shampoo, etc. I only bought food to prepare in my own apt kitchen. If you plan to eat in restaurants every day and stay in a $200/night hotel room, it is expensive. I find that if I live like the locals do, not by American standards, I can afford to travel anywhere in the world, no matter how bad the USD is.
Posted by: Ginny | January 9, 2008 1:26 PM
I am walking the Camino de Santiago (all 800 km of it) in Spain in September/October. Thirty-five glorious days of mediterranean sunshine, food and wine; and wonderfull people too. Spain should be at the top of the list.
Posted by: Gert from South Africa | January 10, 2008 2:51 AM
I agree with Ginny.....if you're careful and willing to make some minor concessions, Europe is still possible. I'd love to travel more in the US.....let me know when they get a public transportation system equal to Europe's.
Posted by: Gypsy at Heart | January 10, 2008 7:50 AM
New York City here I come - affordable at last -changing Aussie dollars has always been a challenge - and we inveterate travellers from the biggest island have always managed to be well travelled no matter what the exchange rate. The internet has been the biggest help to 'going local' and finding the best information. Love the Washington Post travel page. Bon journey.
Posted by: trish | January 10, 2008 8:11 AM
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy (Rome-Venice-Florence), and I won't get back to Europe for another year--just too expensive! Even staying in upgraded hostels, low-grade 2-star hotels, and B&Bs ran me 85 euros per night -- at $1.56 exchange rate that translates to $133 dollars per night! I ususally travel solo but thank g*d I was sharing this time. A "cheap" pizza was 10 euros, or 15 bucks! The tourist lunchtime pre-fix menus ranged from 15-24 euros. (How do I make a Euro sign on my keyboard??) That doesn't include wine or coffee or dessert -- I was spending 30 bucks on lunch! Grocery stores were the answer to breakfast (when it was not included in the hotel rate) and to dinner. But I exceeded my budgeted per diem by at least double. I will definitley consider the suggestions of renting a flat next time, if i am staying in one place for a week. Also, entrances to museums/sites were astronomical -- nearly $20 for the Uffizi in Florence, $18 for the Doge's palace/prison in Venice, etc. Will only be looking *at* such places now, not *in*. And will visit lesser known sites for free -- though free seems to be dwindling! I guess my care-free solo travel days are over for now; will have to pair up to save expenses.
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Actually many Americans are surprisingly ignorant of their own country, relying on out dated stereotypes from the 1950s or earlier. I think with the state of the airports, 2008 is the year of the road trip vacation. Just pack your family or friends in the car and get out on the road - see the Pacific Northwest, maybe drive to Alaska! Or hit every beach in Florida. Bar crawl from Alexandria to Nashville, to Memphis to Austin! Visit a national park you've never seen -- Blue Ridge Mountains or Zion. See if New Orleans have recovered or help it do so. Spend a city week in New York, Chicago, Boston or Seattle. Hike or bike a 500-mile trail. Go to the end of the highway near your house, whether that takes you to San Francisco or Key West.