Top Destinations for 2009

2009, austin, berlin, cambodia, d.c., iceland, mexico, panama, top destinations, vancouver, washington

19 Jan, 2009 by New York Herald in Uncategorized

According to BudgetTravel.com, the top destinations for 2009 are as surprising as ever.  First on the list is someplace Americans and certainly southerners might be all too familiar with – Austin, Texas.  BT likes Austin’s connection to music – rock, bluegrass and country as best displayed during South by Southwest, the annual music festival. Austin is great, but here’s what else made the list:

Washington, D.C. – yes, D.C. is much cooler now that Barack Obama is going to be the main man, but honestly, Washington D.C. can’t be beat, especially if you have an interest in history or politics.  There’s the newly re-opened National Museum of American History, the amazing Smithsonian Zoological Park and the affordable tapas restaurant Jaleo.

Hawaii – Again, Barack Obama has something to do with Hawaii’s increased profile – not that it needs the publicity.  Hawaii is always popular, and why not?  The perfect weather, the gorgeous views, and the friendly people make Hawaii a permanent popular destination.

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Iceland is 48% off, as a result of the collapse of their currency, the kronur.  Bad news for Iceland, good news for tourists who want to visit Reykjavik.

MEXICO

The currency is in the United States’ favor, as usual, but it hasn’t been this good for 15 years.

BERLIN

Berlin now has a top notch skyline, besides its the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  If that’s not enough, a room in many of Berlin’s three-star hotels will go for a reasonable $90.  Go for it!

VANCOUVER, B.C.

Those with an early case of Olympic Fever already know that Vancouver, B.C. is the future home of the Winter Olympics.  Plus for Americans, the exchange rate is quite favorable – rebounding to 2005 levels.

CAMBODIA

Predicting that Cambodia will take a similar tourist path as neighboring (and rival) Vietnam, BT likes Cambodia’s chances because of its Angkor Wat complex and the fact that its still off the radar for most Americans.

PANAMA

Panama is the open-secret of the western hemisphere.  Leading in tourism growth in Central and South American countries for two years now, and growing at 20-30 percent in the past two years, Panama is booming.