Lonely Planet has released a list of 10 must-see global destinations for the new year. Corporate travel management company, BCD Travel has picked the best six suitable for corporate travel and meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE).
- CUENCA, Ecuador – Retains its Spanish colonial charm but has spruced up its 16th century historic centre with major restorations to churches, plazas and museums. A welcoming city where shopkeepers close for daily siestas and school kids step aside when nuns or monks march down the cobblestone streets.
- LECCE, Italy – Italy is expensive but beautiful. You’ll find better value in the south where the cost of living is low and the simple pleasures are many. Check out the Puglia rural region – Lecce is its most beautiful city and the Salento eastern peninsula looks like it’s been carved from solid gold.
- CORK, Ireland – A foodie paradise combining some of Ireland’s most traditional and historical towns with a city centre crackling with youthful energy.
- VANCOUVER, Canada – Considered one of the best places in the world to live, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will trigger a visitor stampede. Make sure you arrive from the airport in style on the new Canada Line rapid transit train.
- ISTANBUL, Turkey – Named the 2010 European Capital of Culture. Enjoy a packed calendar of literary events, urban culture and performing arts programs and film festivals.
- CHARLESTON, USA – Voted ‘Best-Mannered City in America’ for 11 years running, Charleston displays great Southern charm complemented by a rise in hip new food-and-wine festivals and a recently debuted annual Fashion Week.