Top 10 Destinations Revealed by Lonely Planet for 2010


Lonely Planet has unveiled its fifth annual collection of the world’s best journeys, destinations and experiences for the year ahead with the eagerly awaited Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 highlight:

1. El Salvador “‘And when it comes to cities, none in Central America is smarter or cooler than San Salvador, with first-rate universities, museums and galleries
2. Germany “Some countries are simply allowed to be, but Germany has had to reinvent itself more times than Madonna.’
3. Greece Seldom does a travel destination satisfy the blurbs that shout ‘has something for everyone’ but Greece truly does.’
4. Malaysia ‘Diversity is what Malaysia is all about From chaotic and modern Kuala Lumpur to the near mystical wilds of Borneo.
5. Morocco ‘Get lost and find new friends –and carpets – in the souk mazes of Fez and Marrakesh.’
6. Nepal ‘Trekking in Nepal is one of those travel benchmarks, like seeing the Taj Mahal, or diving the Great Barrier Reef…’
7. New Zealand ‘NewZealand is spearheading the ecotravel revolution, winning international accolades for its ethos towards responsible travel
8. Portugal ‘Old city centres, long ago abandoned by the young and upwardly mobile in favour of the suburbs, are slowly being revitalised.’
9. Suriname ‘Quickly emerging as a prime ecotourism and sport-fishing destination, Suriname has everything you could hope for in a wildlife adventure.
10. USA ‘Trains are a great way to see the country. Unlike the highways, trains don’t pass constant billboards and fast-food chains.
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Save your Aussie dollars and keep your comforts with SAS Combination fares to Europe

With Scandinavia being the home of innovative design, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) popular ‘designed’ Combination fares offer a range of alternatives to the savvy business or leisure traveller seeking value-for-money and the highest degree of comfort and service. With three classes of comfort to choose from, itineraries for journeys to Europe can be tailored to suit almost any budget, by combining Economy class flights with Business class or Premium Economy class flights. Combination fares start from $ 3469 including tax.

“The concept of combining service classes in this way, has wide appeal for those seeking more choice than your standard Economy or Business class options” Lars Olofsson, General Manager Scandinavian Airlines Australia and New Zealand said. “With the strengthening of the Australian dollar, it is an ideal time to consider heading to Europe, whether planning a business trip or holiday.”

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Hong Kong’s Newest Business Hotel Joins Summit Hotels & Resorts

Summit Hotels & Resorts™, a brand of Preferred Hotel Group™, is pleased to announce its newest member in Hong Kong – EAST – which joins a collection that includes more than 150 internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts that celebrate local luxury worldwide.

To be opened late January 2010, EAST is Swire Hotels’ third property and is located on Island East in Quarry Bay, home to over 300 multinational corporations, including some of the most prestigious Fortune 500 companies. A business district in itself, complemented with a cosmopolitan atmosphere of restaurants and extensive shopping facilities, Island East has become a neighborhood for both business and pleasure. The hotel is a 5-minute walk to the MTR subway station and a 15-minute drive to the other key business and commercial districts of Central and Causeway Bay.

With 345 guestrooms and suites, EAST is created for business travelers looking for a relaxed, efficient, and contemporary environment. In an effort to be environmentally conscious and to enhance guest experience, the hotel has adopted the latest technology for the check-in and check-out procedures – a paperless arrival experience allows guests to check-in anywhere in the hotel using tablet PCs. Guestrooms feature harbor or skyline views and offer the latest in iHome/iTouch technology and complimentary wireless Internet access in-room and throughout the hotel.

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