I don’t know about anyone else, but I didn’t make it to all the travel destinations as I’d hoped for 2009. I set my eye on Delaware, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, and Washington state, and the territories of Puerto Rico and American Samoa to complete my experience of the United States and its territories. Although I visited many places, I only managed to quickly pass through Idaho.
No more New Year’s travel resolutions for me! This year, I will just have to go where the wind takes me and enjoy the local offerings.
Epoch Times Travel in 2009
There were historic jaunts to Berlin, Germany, and Louisiana in the United States as well as cultural explorations from Acadia Canada to Easter Island to India. We invited you to places in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. We took you to an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica and played with dolphins in Mexico.
We explored the bright beauty of cherry blossoms in Japan and the rugged beauty of arctic landscapes in Norway. In 2009, adventurers also chased the Northern Lights and went in search of polar bears. Every week we brought you new adventures in travel.
Where to Go in 2010
What would travel in 2010 look like? Where would people want to go?
I thought about all the Top Whatever lists of places to go. There are so many places to go—and search for—so, I decided to limit myself to the United States. Beyond that, there are so many lists, so how do you choose? Of course, you can choose by what you want to do—that is, camp or hike, enjoy the beach, and so on. But what if you could choose a place that has it all? Or, at least, has most of it all. I decided to have fun with this idea.
Green reputation was determined by a Popular Science list that rates cities on their source of electric power, transportation options, green living or lifestyle, and recycling (both perspective and practice). Most romantic kind of speaks for itself. Travel value was determined by one Web site as places with “low rates, discounts, affordable entertainment, and overall appeal.” Best botanic gardens and most walk-able cities offer the best and most sights within reasonable human-propelled range. Best retirement places featured more for the money, amenities and, well, retirement facilities and health care.
Making a List
So, what if you crossed a top green city with a most walk-able city with the most romantic one having the most arts and culture? Well, San Francisco took the top spot. That’s the place to go! And if you want to add a side trip or two while you’re in California, you can check out one of the Top 10 botanic gardens at the University of California-Davis Arboretum or take a trip down to Claremont, Calif., which is hailed as one of the Top 10 retirement cities.
On the way down to Claremont you can take in Los Angeles, which also made it on a top arts and culture list. This works great!
But I was curious if I could match even more. So I crossed top value with top arts and culture with top botanic gardens with most walk-able with most green. Phew! I got, dare I say it—Chicago. I’ve really warmed up to this cross-listing destination search because, let’s face it, it would be impossible to visit every place that ends up on a Top 10 list.
Unfortunately, I was unable to comfortably link travel to Hawaii, one of my personal favorite destinations, with any more than two of my lists, namely, most romantic and top botanic gardens. I was also unable to match best retirement cities with anything else. I guess I’ll just have to make those destinations singular interest trips.
What is the bottom line for travel? The best places to travel are where your heart and interests call you. With a good Internet search, or amenable travel agent, you will find what suits you. May your travel adventures be creative and inspiring in 2010.
What is your 2010 travel resolution? Share the adventure with us! Write to: [email protected] Attn: Travel.
