Istanbul
One of the greatest cities the world has ever known, nowhere do the clichés of east meets west and old meets new apply more aptly than in Istanbul. In the last few years it has thrived with the introduction of boutique hotels, uber-trendy bars and gourmet restaurants. And visitors to Istanbul will see the city ramp it up another notch as it becomes European Capital of Culture in 2010.
Find out more about IstanbulReykjavik
Financially speaking, 2010 is a relatively good time to visit Reykjavik and getting there is becoming easier too. Iceland Express will fly to New York four times a week from June 2010 and Icelandair are increasing their services from Glasgow and Manchester. Logistics aside, Reykjavik is a great destination; from hedonistic revelry to the calming charm of a city that offers glaciers in its sea views, a mountainous backdrop and geothermal lagoons.
Nottingham
In May 2010 Hollywood’s eyes will focus on this corner of the East Midlands, as Ridley Scott’s new Robin Hood film is released to the world. Meanwhile, Nottingham Contemporary, a new building designed by award-winning architects Caruso St John, opens with a series of exhibitions and art projects running across four galleries. Add to this its designer shopping credentials and there are plenty of reasons to visit Nottingham in 2010.
Plan your trip to Great Britain UK | US | CanadaBoston
New England’s largest city exists to be explored. From spring 2010, intrepid visitors will benefit from the biggest bike share scheme to launch in the US to date, with 2,500 bikes available to hire at the swipe of a credit card from special stands across the city. And film-lovers might choose to seek out Boston locations by bike, as a slew of filmed-in-the city movies are due to hit screens in 2010, including Ben Affleck’s The Town and Mel Gibson’s Edge of Darkness.
Find out more about BostonNara
Japan’s ancient capital Nara celebrates its 1,300th anniversary in 2010 with special displays of hidden national treasures and rarely-seen Buddhist statues, as well as a host of other cultural events like the International Film Festival. With its temples, parks and some of the world’s oldest wooden buildings, visitors to this ancient city can enjoy some tranquility in a country hurtling headfirst into the future.
Plan your trip to Japan UK | US | CanadaVancouver
Feted as the world’s most livable city, this West Coast gem has a lively cultural scene with superb restaurants and hotels. And in 2010 the beautiful city - where glass towers and skyscrapers sit against a backdrop of coastal mountains - will host the Winter Olympics. With a strong focus on sustainability, the legacy of the Games for Vancouver will see improved public transport, striking ‘green’ buildings and a huge arts and culture programme.
Plan your trip to Vancouver UK | US | CanadaOslo
Oslo is charmingly Scandinavian but with the kind of outdoor ‘chilling’ culture more usually associated with Southern Europe - there aren’t many other places where you can swim in summer and ski in winter, all within the city’s boundaries. And, for the time being, its costs compare favorably with many Euro-zone destinations, making visiting Oslo in 2010 more affordable than ever.
Plan your trip to Norway UK | US | CanadaDelhi
Rejuvenated and refreshed, Delhi is sprucing up to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The colonial city centre and Delhi’s main shopping area, Connaught Place, has been given a new façade. Meanwhile, its monuments are being cleaned and revitalized and improved transport links are opening up the city. But don’t be surprised to find bullock carts plodding placidly alongside the latest luxury car on your visit – Delhi is a city where contrasts still sit happily.
Plan your trip to Delhi UK | US | CanadaTel Aviv
Touted as the New York of the East, Tel Aviv looks set to really attract attention in 2010 as news spreads about its party credentials. And the heat generated by the city’s nightlife is matched only by the temperatures on its glorious sweep of city beach. If that weren’t reason enough, the introduction of Easyjet flights from Stansted is bound to help encourage visitors.
Plan your trip to Israel UK | US | CanadaValparaiso
Visit Valparaiso in 2010 as Chile celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first democratically-elected socialist head of state, Salvador Allende, and discover a fairly unique South American city. Valparaiso is truly deserving of its title ‘La Joya Del Pacífico’ (The Jewel of the Pacific), with its quaint old elevators running up and down the city and painted houses on the hills above the huge bay.
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