Happy Thanksgiving to My Fellow Travelers

It's that time of year again when everyone begins to think about family, food and finalizing the year. The prospect of the new year is a good one for me. I am looking forward to 2013, as 2012 was not such a banner year for me.
Just putting that out there up front! I don't want to complain, but I have had so many health issues this year that I am so over 2012.

With the upcoming 2013 calendar I have so many plans and want to share them here with all of you. Travel is definitely on my agenda, of course. I have a Mediterranean cruise planned with friends that will be an amazing jaunt to some of my favorite locations. The thought of traveling with friends and my sister and brother-in-law is quite appealing. Can't wait for that.

As I did last year, I will give you my Top 10 Travel Suggestions and Top Destinations for 2013.

Here are a few ideas to help you get through the next few months and maybe start thinking about next years vacation plans.

Depending on who you like to read and take advice from, here are the most common and best destinations for 2013.

According to me and in no order of importance (with the exception of Italy, of course) here is what I think:

Rome, NYC, Paris, San Francisco, Morocco, Barcelona, Berlin, Chicago, Florence, Istanbul.

Here's what CNN thinks:

Cape Town, Sydney, Machu Picchu,Paris, Rio de Janiero, NYC, Rome, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong

Here's Lonely Planet's point of view:

Sri Lanka, Montenegro, S. Korea, Ecuador, Slovakia, South Pacific, Iceland, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Madagascar.

As for the Food Snob's point of view, here's what my alter ego thinks:

Italy - all of it (how did you know?), Paris- another given, London- because of the diversity of the food available all over, Barcelona- also more fabulous cuisine and a bit of art too, New York- just because, Croatia- because I just returned from there along with Slovenia and it's gorgeous, Istanbul, Shanghai- because I love James Bond (Daniel Craig) and he was looking pretty good there and, of course, any place in the good ol' USA. 

No matter who you listen to, it's amazing to think about all the places to visit and absorb the culture of the world.

If we all had a bit more money and time, these amazing journeys could be a reality. For those of you who are fortunate enough to be able to take a few trips in the upcoming year, I hope you will consider some of the places mentioned. I also hope you will call upon me to assist you in making the plans.

Here's to a Happy Thanksgiving, a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy and Healthy New Year!