Laos, Lisbon and Libya

'Best of' lists — By Bob Riel on December 10, 2007 at 7:30 am

It’s that time of year again – when newspapers and travel magazines begin proclaiming hot destinations for the following year. Some of it is silly, but it can also be a fun way to add to your own dream destination list. The NY Times published their ’08 story this past weekend, with 43 destinations in the newspaper and an additional 10 online. A sampling:

Laos (#1) – Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina’s next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak houseboats are cruising down the Mekong. And global nomads are heading to Luang Prabang.

Quito, Ecuador (#15) – If you’ve been to Quito, Ecuador, there’s a good chance you were heading to the Galápagos. But Quito, the colonial capital perched 9,200 feet up in the Andes, is no longer just a whistle stop. The city’s crumbling historic center, one of Latin America’s least altered, has been reborn after a seven-year, $200 million renovation. And a crop of upscale hotels has arrived … making Quito a glorious new center in the so-called Middle of the World.

Namibia (#38) – In the 17 years since Namibia gained independence from South Africa, this desert country on the West African coast carved out an early eco-tourist niche, with government-run campsites like Namutoni in the Etosha National Park. Now the country is going eco-deluxe.

Barossa Valley, Australia (#51) – The world’s love affair with shiraz is bringing wine spectators to Australia’s Barossa Valley. The hilly region is home to some of the world’s oldest shiraz vines, some dating back to the 1840s. And if the more than 60 wineries aren’t enough, Barossa also offers an artisanal cheese trail, and nearby Adelaide is a foodie destination in its own right.