Destinations for independent travel

'Best of' lists — By Bob Riel on May 5, 2008 at 7:30 am

It’s always fun to see what various publications think of interesting or emerging travel destinations. So, although BootsnAll actually published this a while back, I was still intrigued to come across their picks for the top 10 independent travel destinations for 2008.

They selected a few excellent locales that are still not quite overrun with travelers, such as Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Queenstown, New Zealand. They also included several other hot spots that are slightly more off the beaten track. Such as:

Morocco — This moderate Muslim country is easily visible and quickly reachable from the southern coast of Spain, but it feels a world away. Quickly pass through the “border-town” city of Tangier and on to Rabat, Fes, or Marrakech for a pleasant cultural shock on a backpacker’s budget…For those with a bit more time, trekking the Atlas mountain ranges makes for an unforgettable adventure mixed with a cultural experience that contrasts nicely with Morocco’s bustling cities.

Ethiopia — Forget what you might have thought about Ethiopia before, this large East African country is not depressing or completely parched. A growing tourist infrastructure is making it easier to discover for adventurous travelers. Having never been colonized, Ethiopia has its own fascinating history and culture, which mix nicely with one of the most impressive networks of well preserved national parks in the world. The Omo Valley in the east provides an unforgettable look at African tribal life today.

Jordan — The Middle East can sound scary and that helps keep Jordan from being overwhelmed with tourists, but this safe and welcoming country where most people speak some English – eco-tourism is quickly catching on – offers a fascinating look at the region with surprisingly few headaches. Don’t linger in the modern capital of Amman. Instead, spend a couple of days in the ancient city of Petra and another couple checking out the stunning desertscapes of Wadi Rum.