We still have 5 more months to travel. I did some research and found the best places to visit in 2013 chosen by travel experts.
” We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our open eyes.” Jawaharlal Nehru
1. Crimea, Ukraine- chosen by National Geographic
When to Go: May – October
The Crimean Peninsula, with its voluptuously curved Black Sea coast of sparkling cliffs, is paradise—with Riviera-grade vistas but without Riviera prices.
Visitors can tour the once secret nuclear-blast-proof Soviet submarine base in Balaklava, a piece of Cold War history, now a museum. Afterward, retreat to one of the briny health resorts of the west and east coasts for a therapeutic mud bath, or go for a run down to Livadia Palace in Yalta, scene of the 1945 conference that reconfigured postwar Europe.
Summer is high season, crowded with Russian and eastern European tourists (North Americans are still rare). In autumn the air turns soft and it’s harvest time at vineyards like Massandra, built in the 19th century to supply wines for Nicholas II, the last Russian tsar. There you may have the pleasure of tasting a Riesling with the scent of alpine meadows, port the color of rubies, and a nectar called “Seventh Heaven,” of which a recent visitor said: “I could kneel in front of this wine.” —Cathy Newman
More info: Best trips 2013: Crimea, Ukraine
2. Sri Lanka – chosen by Lonely Planet
When to Go: December – March
India continued its reign as Sri Lanka’s biggest tourist market with 83,981 tourists visiting the island nation. Situated just 20 miles off India, the island formerly known as Ceylon is home to 20 million people and six World Heritage sites. The country’s long, brutal civil war ended in May, 2009, bringing peace, stability and a revival of tourism.
Known by a flotilla of aliases, the Resplendent Isle is one of gorgeous beaches, tea plantations and ancient cities. Scuba dive, visit an elephant orphanage and a lagoon of singing fish, explore dense jungle, shrines and temples.
Prices are affordable, and with low-cost flights from the convenient travel hub of Bangkok, Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the planet’s best-value destinations.
More info: Best in Travel 2013- The top 10 countries
3. Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica – chosen by Travel + Leisure
When to Go: Dry season is the best (Jan – May), but usually is good 365 days a year.
Bahia Ballena is a small town on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, within the canton of Osa, in the region known as Costa Ballena. Commonly referred to as part of Uvita, Bahia Ballena is located just 15 minutes south of the popular surf town of Dominical.
Surrounded by mountains and jungle-fringed beaches on the Pacific, this pristine bay bordering a national marine park was long the secret of surfers and backpackers—and migrating whales.
Whether you are looking to enjoy the solitude of a pristine beach, take a surfing lesson, snorkel the clear waters of Cano Island, or hike through the jungle, Bahia Ballena is the perfect place to spend inordinate amounts of relax-time and/or use as a jumping base for nearby attractions.
More info: Hosttest Travel Destinations 2013
4. Slovania -chosen by Fodors
When to Go: Best value (September and October)
*Note: Fodors could not decided ‘the best place’ as they choose 25 places. I choose this one since is the first one they wrote about. “From the fairytale castles of Slovenia to…”
As any European traveler will tell you, Slovenia may be the continent’s best-kept secret. But the word is getting out, as more travelers venture north from Venice to the country’s storybook-perfect capital of Ljubljana, complete with its charming Old Town, meandering river, and hilltop castle. From the centrally located city, you can drive anywhere in three or four hours. That could mean hiking or skiing in the picturesque mountains and lakes of Triglav National Park, wine tasting in the renowned Podravje region (for excellent pinot blancs), or sunbathing on the Adriatic coast with olive groves and refosk vineyards (a red varietal) at your back. You choose the adventure. –by Erica Duecy
More info: 25 places to go in 2013
5. Paris, France – chosen by TripAvisor
When to Go: September-October
Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
More info: Traveler’s Choice 2013
6. Rio de Janeiro – chosen by NY Times
When to Go: Anytime. Rio is very temperate all year round so there is really no “bad” time to go.
Because the whole world will be there on 2014. With the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics providing the impetus, the tropical city perhaps most famous for its Carnival hedonism is on its way to becoming a more sophisticated cultural hub.
If it’s your first trip to Rio, you’ll want to savor a chilled coconut as you survey Copacabana Or Ipanema’s entertaining beach scene. But once you’ve seen Rio’s catwalks—ahem, beaches—you won’t want to skip the dazzling 360-degree views from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado (where you can see Cristo Redendor gazing over Rio) or the seductive samba hot-spots in Lapa.
More info: The 46 Places to Go in 2013
I gave you a specific list, but if you go inside their webpages you will find other beautiful places worth of visiting. Among them: Puerto Rico; Marseille; Montenegro; Basilicata, Italy, Walt Disney World, New York and more.
Cool fact – Total travelers 43.6 million
3.1 million – Air Travelers
39.1 million – car
1.3 million – others travelers (train, cruise, etc..)
Thanks for reading! If you decided to go to any of this destinations share with me your experience. I know I’m going soon to Puerto Rico and I can’t wait!
Have a good day!
xoxo,
Cristina
