Our experts share their 'must-visit' spots for the coming year
Each year, Frommer's editors, authors, and experts from around the world sit down to talk about the best cities, islands, beaches, and other vacation destinations for the coming year. We aim for a list that steers clear of too-hot spots or places that are so under the radar you'll find yourself lost.
More from Frommer's:
• World's best holiday lights
• Best and worst hotel booking sites
• 8 airport survival tipsTo tell you about our choices, we turned to our experts in the field: authors and editors who live in the destinations or who travel there on the regular. We think the best people to share about a city or a region are those who can't stay away from them for too long.
Doha, Qatar
Doha doesn't attract the hordes of beer-swilling British tourists or the sheer number of hotels that the U.A.E.'s Dubai does, but its beaches are more beautiful and its gourmet restaurants are less crowded. The Al Jazeera news network is what put Doha on the map a decade ago, although a different sort of camera -- the movie kind -- is what's drawing tourists for the Doha-Tribeca Film Festival. Next year marks its third installment. Doha is concentrating on beefing up its presence on the international stage by following up its world-class, I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art with a bid for the Olympics in 2016 and the Fifa World Cup in 2022. Plus, the city is hosting professional soccer's Asian Cup in January
Monday, December 6, 2010
Top 10 Vacation Destinations for 2011
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Cosby Show' Alum Tempestt Bledsoe Named New Host of 'Clean House
All grown up.StyleAfter nine years of hosting the Style Network's popular how-to show "Clean House," Niecy Nash gave her final farewell Tuesday night. But she'll be passing the show on to a familiar face: new host Tempestt Bledsoe, who memorably played Vanessa Huxtable on "The Cosby Show."
Bledsoe will start leading the team that helps real families makeover their homes when the show returns on January 26th. About her new role, Bledsoe says "I love meeting these families and I look forward to helping them get their cluttered homes back in order."
[Photos: Another former 'Cosby' co-star grows up]
Before the announcement, Niecy, who announced she was leaving the show last August, hinted at the new host's identity on her personal blog, confirming it would be "a former 'Cosby' kid" and graciously passing the wand to her successor: I know I have jazzy stilettos to fill, but it can be done!"
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Canada's richest people
Canada's richest people
by Canadian Business
Thursday, December 2, 2010provided by2010’s Canadian Business Rich 100 list is out, and this year’s rankings contain a few surprises. Most surprising of all may be that even in this uncertain economy, the majority of Canada’s well-heeled elite saw their net worth rise this past year—and out of our top ten richest Canadians, all but two grew their wealth.
The men and women of the Rich 100 range from entrepreneurial mavericks to the heirs of family dynasties, from publicity hounds to reclusive billionaires, and Canadian Business’ rankings are the definitive look at Canada’s wealthiest citizens, revealing not just who they are, but the roles they play in our society and economy. Below, the top ten names on 2010’s Rich 100.
#1
Thomson family
Chairman, Thomson Reuters
Net worth: $23.36 billion
Toronto
David Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet, has seen his already considerable wealth grow 6.2% in the past year (last year’s Canadian Business Rich 100 had him occupying the number one spot as well.) With Thomson Reuters’ controlling stake in The Globe and Mail, Thomson is proof that old media isn’t dead yet.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Top five things to do before you die
Forget retiring to Florida to join the lawn bowling team, your golden years are the time for real adventure. Here's a bucket list that is not for the faint of heart.
5) Learn to Fly.
There is nothing more mundane than being earthbound, and while bungee jumping and skydiving may be exhilarating, don't you want to do more than just fall from a great height? Real, bird-style flying requires that you harness the currents with a paraglider or a wingsuit. Warning: you might want to cross a few other things off your bucket list before taking the big leap.
4) Space Travel.
Do you have $220,000 lying around? Have you always dreamt of looking down at Earth from space? If so, Sir Richard Branson is dying to chat with you. His company, Virgin Galactic, is the first to take civilians to the final frontier. Age and fitness shouldn't stop you; 93 per cent of those tested, aged 22 to 88, qualified for the trip, so there's no excuse not to go!
Related stories
- Vote on the item you're most likely cross off your bucket list.
- Check out a Live Chat with MP Judy Sgro on the Canada Pension Plan
- Why pension reform is necessary for Canadians to secure a comfortable retirement.
- What it's like being 60+ and single in Ontario.3) The Big Trip.
Whether you're visiting the Seven Wonders of the World, or retracing your great-great-great grandfather's pioneering journey through the Prairies, it's never too late to plan an adventure. For inspiration, be sure to check out Hollywood's take on the bucket list road trip. Though you may not want to risk impalement by skydiving over the pyramids like Jack and Morgan, the world is your oyster.
2) Start Something from Scratch.
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but that's just because most old dogs are pretty lazy. Humans, acutely aware of our own mortality, are often much more open-minded about taking on a life-changing new skill. Build your dream house, start a small business that incorporates your favourite hobby, or learn a new language.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Bachman, Turner take care of business, unlike this guy
The Grey Cup's halftime show was reasonably divisive this year. As you can tell from our live blog, some (including myself) thought Randy Bachman and Fred Turner put on one heck of a show, while others weren't blown away and wanted a younger act. It's always tough calculating what will appeal to the average man for this kind of a show, as an audience of 6.04 million probably doesn't have universal music tastes. Still, can we come together on one front? If you thought the halftime show was the most spectacular thing Bachman and Turner were involved in during Grey Cup week, you ain't seen nothing yet. Check out this video just for you, which appears to be from their rehearsal at Commonwealth Stadium.
Hey, you! How about you quit playing Broomstick Hero and get back to clearing the snow? That's no way to take care of business. Even blue-collar types deserve a break, but prancing around on snow is a good way to take a sledgehammer blow, even if you are a slave to the rhythm. That's not an easy groove, either. Oh, well, at least you took it like a man. Thank you for the feeling.
If you missed the show itself, you can check it out for yourself here: there's no need to give us your money, please, as we're giving it all away. If you've been travelling, welcome home. Pull up a chair, crank up the speakers, and just let it ride. If you're going to copy Broomstick Hero above, though, first make sure you're not fragile.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Good-looking couples have more daughters
Good-looking couples have more daughters, study suggests
AP
Good-looking parents tend to have girls, a British researcher says.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise have Suri, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have Shiloh, and Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have Violet and Seraphina. Strictly judging from the pages of US Weekly, it would appear that good-looking couples tend to have little girls. In this case, US Weekly might be on to something.
Beautiful parents tend to have more daughters than their homelier counterparts, according to a report by evolutionary psychologist Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa of the London School of Economics. Kanazawa tackled the same question in a 2007 book that covers all sorts of facets of human behavior, "Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters," which he co-wrote with Alan S. Miller.
Kate Middleton Should Avoid These Outrageous Wedding Dresses
Everyone's buzzing about what the super stylish Kate Middleton will wear when she marries Prince William next April 29th. Well, we can say with certainty that the princess-to-be willnot be walking down the aisle in any of these eight gowns.Whatcha Hiding Under There?Is it just us or does a dress like this make you think the bride is trying to cover up a, ahem, surprise wedding guest?
Photo by: Karl Prouse/Getty ImagesAccessory Overload
