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China: Hot travel spot as 2006 begins
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-29 15:50
Europe: Travel to Europe has grown steadily in the last few years and is
expected to continue upward in 2006, Bonavita said, adding that the July
bombings in London had little impact on American Express bookings there.
However, projections from Britain's Office for National Statistics estimate that
U.S. visitors to England were down 4 percent in 2005 between January and October
compared to 2004.
Even with the small decrease, however, the United Kingdom will undoubtedly
remain one of the most popular European destinations for Americans. In 2004,
more Americans visited the U.K. than any other destination in Europe, followed
by France and Italy, according to the U.S. State Department's list for outbound
travel in 2004, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
But perhaps because Americans traveling to England and France make their own
arrangements but need a little advice when heading to Italy, Italy placed first
on the USTOA survey for the third year in a row. Rick Steves says it is the most
popular destination among the buyers of his guidebooks; and it is also No. 1
among European destinations offered by American Express Vacations, which has
expanded its 2006 offerings for the country to include packages in the Lakes
Region, Tuscany, Umbria and Liguria.
"It's the food, the people, the culture -- everything," said Whitley.
Americans vacationing in Europe now will also feel less of a pinch than in
the past because the dollar has gained some strength against the euro, which is
down from its 2003 high of more than $1.35 to around $1.18.
Interest among American travelers in Central and Eastern European
destinations like Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Dubrovnik and Budapest also continues
to grow.
"Eastern Europe has been really trendy," said Steves. "Prague is the
best-preserved city in the region ... and the best beer in Europe lands on your
table there for 50 cents."
The Dalmation Coast beaches of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea are also getting
their share of buzz. "It's the cheap alternative to the Italian Riviera," said
Steves.
Montenegro, also on the Adriatic, tops the list of Travel + Leisure's
up-and-coming destinations for 2006. The magazine recommends the small country
for its "untouched white sands and time-capsule medieval villages."
Croatia was the No. 1 destination for 2005 on an annual poll taken by the
Lonely Planet guidebook company of its U.S.-based staffers. It's on the Lonely
Planet list for 2006 as well, though down at No. 4.
But Lonely Planet's new publications sometimes herald travel trends as well;
the company put out its first guide to Croatia in 2005. It's now offering its
first guide to St. Petersburg, which may be a bellwether of increased travel
there.
"Try standing on the Troitsky Bridge looking downriver to
the Winter Palace without your jaw dropping," the book advises. Other must-sees
include the Hermitage Museum and ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre.
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