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The hottest destinations for 2011
  • If you're looking for beaches to rival the Maldives but fancy a bit more culture and a longer list of things to do, Borocay should be top of your must-visit list. This island is fast becoming one of South East Asia's hottest destinations. Located 300km south of Manila, Borocay is just 7km long and 1km wide. White Beach, a stunning stretch of glorious sand on the west coast, is where you will find many of the more upmarket resorts. Go further north and Diniwid Beach offers more affordable accommodation. There's a massive range of international restaurants, but for traditional Philippine fare, try the Honey Bee in Talipapa Market Street where you'll also find the main shopping area. Visit the incredible Bat Caves on the north east coast of Yapak, or take a trek up Mount Luho,, 100m above sea level.
  • This nature-lover's paradise, situated on the Malaysian island of Borneo, Sabah offers something for everyone: beautiful beaches, wildlife spotting, diving, adventure sports, unique culture, jungle trekking and more. East Sabah is where naturists should head, and Sandakan – the second-largest city in Sabah – is the perfect base from which to explore the rainforests, endangered species and nature centres. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must: cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot crocodiles, proboscis monkeys and elephants; take in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where Sumatran rhinos and pygmy elephants roam; see the beautiful sanctuary of Turtle Islands Park; and go diving at Sipadan, one of the richest marine habitats in the world. And when it's time to chill out on the beach, you can't beat Mabul Island.
  • Forget the war-torn images of yesteryear; beautiful Bosnia-Herzegovina is establishing itself as one of the most exciting tourist destinations in southeast Europe. There's excellent skiing to be done at Sarajevo's Mt. Bjelasnica and Jahorina, or Vlasic Mountain near the ancient town of Travnik. Culture vultures will lap up the rich medieval history, from the ancient monasteries of the Franciscan and Orthodox monks to the heralded bridges and mosques of the Ottomans. Nature-lovers and adventure-seekers will delight in the rugged wilderness of the Central Dinaric Alps, where you can spot bears, wolves and eagles, as well as enjoy whitewater rafting and paragliding. And there's a fabulous beach scene at the family holiday spot of Neum, a new resort town only an hour from Dubrovnik, which enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate all year round and the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. If you head here, don't forget to check out the beautiful Kravica Waterfalls.
  • Estonia is quickly becoming recognised for its beauty. Its mesmerising capital, Tallin, is the most popular tourist destination in the country, and it's not hard to see why. The medieval Old Town is world-renowned for its perfectly preserved Hanseatic buildings – many in their original form since the 11th century – as well as its rich cultural scenes, galleries, and cafes. The Town Hall Square, Raekoja Plats, is the social hub of the city, holding outdoor cafes, fairs and concerts in the summer, and magical Christmas markets in December. But stunning churches, food and museums in Tallinn is not all Estonia has to offer. Get off the beaten track a bit and you'll find hundreds of deserted beaches along the coastline, and vast expanses of beautiful forests to explore. There are five national parks to visit. Lahemaa National Park is the largest – and closest to Tallinn – and home to bears, wolves, and lynx, as well as being surrounded by beaches and a small fishing village.
  • Get your adventure head on – and get ready to learn about the well-kept secret that is the French island, Reunion , in the middle of the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius and Madagascar. With an active volcano on its south coast, 17 miles of beautiful beaches in the west, and lots of mountains and forests in between, Reunion Island offers holiday opportunities for die-hard sun-worshippers and crazy daredevils alike. The island's interior is dominated by three cirques – created by a volcano that collapsed upon itself – which are often described as 'natural amphitheatres' or 'calderas'. Amazing photo and adventure opportunities abound, especially if you hike some of the hundreds of miles of trails. For less adrenaline-pumping activities, head to the towns on the west coast: St Gilles les Bains (for scuba diving in the coral reefs); St Leu (for surfing); St Paul (for street markets and postcard-pretty traditional Creole houses). And for the island's best array of restaurants, architecture and art galleries, head for tourist mecca St Denis.
  • If you want to go on a top-quality walking safari in 2011, head to Zambia. It boasts some of the best game reserves in the world, including South Luangwa, where you can practice your photography skills on wildlife including elephants, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles and lions. If you can peel your eyes away from the amazing animals, check out the majestic Victoria Falls from the Victoria Falls Bridge or take in the scenery from a madman's perspective: a bungee rope or micro-light plane. Make the most of the Zambezi River – Africa's fourth largest – where you can spot game from canoe safaris, go whitewater rafting, tandem kayaking, riverboarding or try one of the heart-stopping gorge swings and cliff jumps – if you dare.
  • Forget Aspen or the Alps, if you want to be a real trend-setter, the brand new Pe Yabuli – China's first-ever skiing resort – is the place to be. Set in the province of Heilongjiang in the extreme north east of the country, this 284-room Club Med Resort sits at 1,540ft, has 20 miles of ski slopes and enjoys magnificent landscapes of a national park in the heart of the Sun Mountain area, covered in picturesque pine trees. When you're not slaleming with the best of 'em, enjoy the resort's spa and fitness centre, where you can massage those tuckered-out limbs, or relax in the indoor pool, or outdoor hot tub.
  • An area well known for its rolling hillsides ('wolds'), sleepy villages and quintessential British feel, the Cotswolds are going up in our estimations all the time. Must-visits include Bath, Britain's leading spa town, and a World Heritage Site to boot. Be sure to see the Roman Baths, and bathe in the city's natural thermal spring-fed water at the Thermae Bath Spa, where there's even an open-air rooftop pool with views over this stunning Georgian city. For something more quaint, head to one of the Cotswold's many picturesque villages, like Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Norton, or for a well-kept secret, explore Painswick, Winchcombe or Woodstock.
  • Thought Queenstown was where all the action is? Christchurch is snapping at its thrill-seeking heels, with jet boating, bungy jumping, whitewater rafting, horse riding, and even skiing at the Mt. Hutt ski area. Known as New Zealand's 'Garden City', Christchurch prides itself on its beautiful parks, like the 161-hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, and the Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon, which prettily winds through the city centre. See all the sights on the olde worlde Christchurch Tramway, go on a nature cruise or swimming with the local dolphins, enjoy the cosmopolitan cafe culture, indulge in a spot of shopping at the Christchurch Laneways, or visit the scenic local wineries. Oh, and there's one other reason why Christchurch will be the hot ticket for boys in 2011 – it's hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October.
  • Step aside, Rio – Argentina's capital Buenos Airesis emerging as South America's hip-and-happening hotspot for 2011. A bustling metropolis, it's known for its lively festivals and nightlife, cafes and restaurants, friendly people and huge sense of fun. The downtown area of Microcentro is home to the famous pedestrian shopping area of Florida Street, but if tourist traps aren't your thing, hotfoot it to San Telmo for a breath of fresh authentic air, where markets and boutiques on narrow cobblestone lanes and colonial-style houses still reign. Recolata is one of the most monied areas, with top-notch restaurants, and is also home to the famous Recolata Cemetery, the resting place of Evita. Soak up South American rhythm and sounds at the trendy Niceto Club, and if you fancy showing off your dancing skills, Boedo is the top Tango territory, as well as being a main historical hub, with the best cafes, theatres, libraries and pubs. If you're a true Tango fan, don't miss the Buenos Aires Tango Festival at the end of February, which sees 100 performances by over 150 dancers and musicians.

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