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 Travel & Outdoors | February 2008 
Must-See Destinations for 2008
 Canwest News Service
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| | Puerto Escondido and the Oaxacan Coast, Mexico: The future of this unmanicured stretch of nirvana is much more secure now that FONATUR seems to have run out of steam in its attempt to make it the country's next big thing. | | |
Looking for a new vacation spot this year? Try Mozambique, Oman or even revisit Paris, all of which feature on a list of the top 10 must-visit destinations for 2008 from online travel site Concierge.com.
- 1. Mozambique: After a devastating civil war 15 years ago, visitors can now enjoy its 2,400 km of Indian Ocean coastline and archipelagoes with superb diving, the vibrant capital of Maputo with an exciting Afro jazz scene, and national parks.
- 2. St. Lucia: One of the most striking islands of the Caribbean, with sparkling waterfalls and a fair share of pretty beaches, St. Lucia has kept a relatively low profile in the last decade and is mostly the secret of a fiercely loyal group of repeat visitors.
- 3. Montenegro: Montenegro was cut off from the world during the civil war that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, so few travellers know this stretch of mountainous Adriatic coast with quiet beaches and picturesque fortress towns. Insiders are calling this the next Croatia or the new European Riviera, but prices remain much lower than in Croatia and Italy.
- 4. Ecuador: Low-profile Ecuador is emerging as Latin America's best-kept secret, with a sophisticated cultural scene and enough adventure to keep adrenaline junkies pumped. Start your trip in newly glamorous Quito, the country's colonial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- 5. Sicily: Long the domain of fusty grande-dame hotels and package tourists covering well-trod itineraries, the Italian island is experiencing a revival, thanks to a new generation of enterprising hoteliers and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- 6. San Diego: San Diego is going through an unprecedented growth spurt, with a particular focus on the young, the restless and the loaded.
- 7. Hainan Island, China: Exchange Honolulu's highrises and crowds for empty beaches and gentle surf, add in coral reefs, sleepy mountain towns, rainforests and hot springs, and you'll find the country's answer to Phuket or even Bali.
- 8. Oman: Dubai might be the fastest-growing area in the Middle East, but Oman is becoming the destination of choice for the more eco-minded, adventurous traveller. The mix of beautiful beaches, traditional cities that retain a genuine desert culture and one-of-a-kind hotels is unbeatable.
- 9. Puerto Escondido and the Oaxacan Coast, Mexico: The future of this unmanicured stretch of nirvana is much more secure now that FONATUR (the Mexican agency responsible for the development of Cancun, Cabo, and Acapulco) seems to have run out of steam in its attempt to make it the country's next big thing. For now, the beaches are home to fishing villages, quiet lagoons and coconut plantations.
- 10. Paris: France's capital has never lacked for charisma, what with its atmospheric cafes, astounding art collections, rarefied cuisine and romantic ambience. |
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