The Travel Blog by TravelPod

very year, Lonely Planet tries to predict which countries will be the hot places to travel in the upcoming year. I took a minute to see what TravelPod bloggers thought about these countries in 2009.

Personally, I take issue with making a list like this. Who’s to say that New Zealand is “cooler” this year than it was last year? Are there really trends like this in travel? If they are, I believe they are manufactured by tourism agencies and the governments who support them, not by individual travelers themselves.

In no particular order:

• New Zealand



Speat thought New Zealand was beautiful

“Well we are now in South Island and if we thought North island was beautiful you can just double it here.” – Speat

• El Salvador



Ccchrissie loved the views of the countryside from Alegria, El Salvador

“Highest village in the country with amazing views from pretty well anywhere – don’t bother with the 100 steps!” – Ccchrissie

• Germany



Jluetkehans and friends at the HofBrauhaus in Salzburg

“We all had to share a litre of beer or so in the Hofbrauhaus (Katie may never have heard of it, but I assure you it is the most famous brewery in Germany, possibly in the world). There we had the good fortune to sit next to a Stammtisch, a special table reserved every Friday night by special Hofbrauhaus members. These men, largely older, are fully decked out in traditional lederhosen, jackets, and wonderful felt hats full of feathers, pins, and fur. They drink from special ceramic mugs, emblazoned with the Hofbrauhaus logo. On discussion with these men, we learned that their mugs are from the early 1900s, and have been passed down from father to son for generations.”  – Jluetkehans

• Greece



Pandb are enjoying Greece, even though it is rainy lately

“We went for a day sail with Keith and Penny aboard Sea Trek and I was the only one brave enough to go for a swim before lunch. It was a lovely day out even if we did have to motor back! Yesterday Penny and I cycled around the lagoon, between showers, and saw a small group of flamingos that have just arrived here.” – Pandb

• Malaysia



Dave of Daveandnat got along well with this restaurant owner in Malaysia

“At one of the traditional Malakan restaurants Christophe recommended, Donald & Lily’s, the 70 year old owner Donald sat with us while we ate and told us about the history of Malaka. After we had finished eating he invited us into his house which he had set out in a Feng Shui style. He was very proud of it as he had maintained a traditional Malakan layout. There were loads of ornaments and pictures and in the middle of the house was an opening out to the sky. Below this part was a lowered floor with a drain for when it rains. I would love to be sat in this room undercover when it rains, it must be really cool! He showed us pictures of his grandparents and their traditional wedding photos. It was an excellent experience and not something you could get in a museum.” – Daveandnat

• Morocco



Landerh relished her surroundings in Rabat, Morocco

“Anyway the Oudaia is beautiful but you all probably know as much of its significance as I do. The “tour” ended on the garden and Kelsey and I went and had a coke in the restaurant. It’s probably the best seat in all of Rabat and I am fairly certain the world. I had found this picture before departing of some scenery of Rabat and had made it my wallpaper. As I’m drinking, I have a revelation. It’s right behind me. Magnificent.” – Landerh

• Nepal



Carole91 can't stop buying photo books in Nepal

“So far Kathmandu is fab, it’s not too cold during the day but at night the temperature does drop. And yes it is shopping heaven here – if you avoid the tourist track. I am having a major problem with all the bookshops – there are so many beautiful photo books to buy – I am seriously considering investigating shipping costs! Food is great – the most difficult decision for today will be what do I eat tonight – Nepalese, Thai or pizza?” – Carole91

• Portugal



Mike of Mikeandsuecuff spent a week in Lisbon, Portugal

“We left the west coast of Portugal for the big city. We went on the bus to Lisbon several times during the week-great city. Very friendly, very clean with a great buzz to it. The pavements are made of marble blocks in different patterns for different streets and squares. The buildings both old and modern are impressive.” – Mikeandsuecuff

• Suriname



Els_and_peter's guide Stephanie looking for birds in her boat

Els_and_peter wrote this haiku about their time in Suriname:

“Birds, water, snakes, fish
Dry season sun burns the land
Red ibis at dusk” – Els_and_peter

• USA



Travelingma watched the sun set at Morro Bay, California, USA

“The Rock is the home to many birds, including Peregrine falcons, although we did not see them today. To the north lies the beach strand, and to the south lies a sea break and the opening into the harbor. The tide was coming in as we arrived, so we parked and walked out to the rock. I ventured farther, over the rocks and out to the beach below the sea break. When I first started coming here, you could walk out on the sea break, but then someone was washed out to sea with a wave, so now the break is closed. But the tide was coming in, and there were magnificent wave crashes that towered over the break and cascaded down the side.” – Travelingma