Our Top Travel Destinations in 2011, So Far...

1. New York

Ok, let's start with the Big one, New York is a mega tourist destination in any year, the city will be especially unforgettable as it marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks next year. Visitors who have been flocking to ground zero are will finally get a chance to pay their respects to the victims at the National September 11 Memorial, which is scheduled to open in time for the anniversary. "It's going to be a huge and emotional moment for both New York and New Yorkers," Reid said. "It feels like the healing begins." Visitors should also check out the High Line which was once an abandoned elevated railway track and has now been turned into a popular park. It expands in the spring, to the delight of New Yorkers. "It was like a secret garden in the middle of New York," Frommer said. "It's become a park that other urban centers are studying because it's brought new life, a new vitality into the area below it." No wonder the Big Apple tops Lonely Planet's list of top 10 cities for 2011.

2. New Zealand

The Rugby World Cup will be held in Autumn 2011 in New Zealand, adding excitement to an already popular destination. Wellington, which likes to boast at being the "coolest little capital in the world," will host some of the activities and hopes to attract fans who want to take time out and explore other parts of NZ. "It's a great kind of springboard," said Reid, who is planning a visit and is determined to learn the haka, the frightening Maori dance used to unsettle opponents before matches. Wellington is also now called "Wellywood," thanks to a thriving film industry and director Peter Jackson, who is now working on "The Hobbit." Fans of the "Lord of the Rings" films already know New Zealand for some of the scenic backdrops used in all three of the films. Rapp also gave a heads up on New Zealand’s "most fantastically luxurious lodges," including The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Huka Lodge and Otahuna Lodge.

3. Peruvian Amazon

So,the chances are that when you think of the Amazon, you’ll think of Brazil, but Peru offers a great base for exploring the region: Iquitos, a metropolis of almost 500,000 inhabitants in the heart of the Peruvian jungle. Iquitos seems an appropriate destination for 2011, as this year has been declared the International Year of Forests by the United Nations. "You can create your own adventures when you're there," Reid said. It's the biggest city you can't drive to in the world, he added. You have to fly in or take a boat. To experience the region in a unique way, Rapp recommended taking an Amazon River cruise from Iquitos on Delfin or Aqua Expeditions.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Travellers to Barca will also have the opportunity to see La Sagrada Familia, the stunning but still unfinished Catholic basilica, like never before after a visit by Pope Benedict XVI in November spurred progress on the interior of the site, Frommer said. "For the first time in years, most of the scaffolding there is gone," she said. "Everybody knows how astounding it is on the outside. The inside is just as glorious." Food lovers undoubtedly have their own reasons to visit Barcelona and the surrounding region. El Bulli, chef Ferran Adria's famous restaurant, closes for good next year. But even if you can't snag a reservation at the notoriously hard-to-get-into eatery, Barcelona is dotted with restaurants inspired by Adria's cutting-edge cuisine, like Moo, which Frommer called "astounding."

5. Norway

For outdoor nature seekers, Norway offers an almost unparalleled experience, Rapp said. The brave amongst you can go heli-skiing, paragliding and bungee jumping. For an experience a little less intense, you might want to hire a private boat on the fjords and go to little hotels that you can't get to by road, or stay at the Amot Opera Farm for an unusual combination of accommodations and music. "All of Scandinavia is really underestimated," Rapp said. "People usually go to the major cities, Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo, but the countryside is extraordinary. Truly majestic mountains, and the fjords are just unbelievable -- they seem endless when you're there."

6. Albania

The top pick on Lonely Planet's list of top 10 countries for 2011 may surprise a few people, but Albania gives travellers a taste of the Mediterranean without the crowds and the prices, Reid said. A destination on the up is Gjirokastra, a city whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, he added. "It's this cobbled town with Ottoman-era mansions," Reid said. "It's a very atmospheric place that has a lot of history." With stunning beaches, good food and a number of heritage sites, we think Albania is destined to be moving mainstream very soon.

7. Japan

Putting aside the problems following the recent earthquake, many people still have the misconception that Japan is too expensive to visit, but once you get there, it can be more affordable than a vacation in New York, Reid said. Why go in 2011? The country is ramping up its tourism marketing efforts after some recent disappointing years, so the number of visitors is expected to rise soon. "We think that the crowds are going to get worse. Maybe it's time to think about it now," Reid said. For help with booking an affordable stay, he recommended visiting the International Tourism Center of Japan and check out minshuku, the traditional guest houses that offer very simple but clean and inexpensive accommodation. You might pay as little as $45 a night in Tokyo, for example.

8. Guatemala

More than a decade after the end of its civil war, Guatemala is starting to bloom as a tourist destination. The country is an appealing alternative for people looking to travel south of the border (The US border) and trying to travel beyond the well trodden paths of Costa Rica. Once there, you'll be amazed by the sites -- and the low prices. "Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In fact, Aldous Huxley said it was more beautiful than Lake Como. I was there in March, and I would agree," Frommer said. She called the destination "a bargain wonderland." A round-trip flight from New York cost Frommer $350, "decent hotels" charged as little as $35 a night, and a meal at a sit-down restaurant might set you back just $3, she said.

9. Bulgaria

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union, sparking interest in former Soviet bloc countries. Reid's favourite choice on that list is Bulgaria, which has the best Black Sea coastline for beach enthusiasts and offers great skiing in the mountains in the winter, he said. Reid recommended visiting the picturesque city of Plovdiv, home to Roman ruins.

So wherever you want to go, check out Deals-on-Travel and pick up the best travel and holiday bargains from flights, hotels, insurance and luggage! Have a great holiday in 2011!

Discount Travel Tickets & Discounted Holidays, Flights & Hotels