The Best Travel Destinations for 2011

Barbara Diener, me, is obsessed with travel and exploring this amazing planet (is that a TV show, or did I make that up in my head!). With that said, I want to introduce you to my travel news and views blog. The Food Snob, also me, has been traveling the globe, both eating that and not eating that. I am an expert in European travel and would love for you all to read about the wonderful and exciting places around the world.

Here I will give you advice, talk about the latest trends in travel and help you plan your next adventure. My company, Cruise Planners, is a fantastic resource for  recommending everything from Cruising to Tours to Private Independent Adventures. I hope to talk about the do's and don't's of vacationing, hoping that along the way, I can provide my readers with insight into organizing the best vacation possible. 

Wanting to make my travel plans for this year's adventures, I find myself wondering where I'd like to go next. Alex, my husband and traveling companion, and I, have had the good fortune to have traveled the world for the past 20 years. We have been to over 250 cities and towns around the world, and over 25 countries. This year is a bit different for us. My office at Cruise Planners has suddenly exploded with renewed interest in globetrotting. People are traveling again, yippee! This makes me think that I'd love to start escorting people to my beloved Italy.

Anyone who knows me also knows that of all the places we've been , I feel the most at home in Italy. I have been quoted as saying "it.s my favorite place on the planet." Alex and I have made many friends and aquaintances from The Lakes to Capri. It' s wonderful.

Lately, lots of my friends and clients have been talking about making the trip there. Several of them have just returned. I am thinking very seriously of taking small groups across the big pond to see what all the fuss is about.Thoughts on that later.

For now, I'd like to give you this years list (Travel and Leisure's and Arthur Frommer's list) of the Five Best Travel Spots for 2011. Have a look. I'd be very interested in hearing about your travel, dreams, hopes and plans.

1. Thailand - Bangkok (wonder if this has anything to do with The Hangover!)
2. Italy - Florence and Rome, but I think all of it!
3. Austrailia
4. Spain
5. New York City (Yeah, home for me)

Buon Viaggio!

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