Frommer's top 12 destinations

Frommer's travel guides and Frommers.com have announced their choices for the top travel destinations for 2007.

"This year, the editors scoured the globe and polled our stable of authors and experts to identify 12 surprising, thriving, or emerging travel destinations," said Kelly Regan, editorial director of Frommer's, in a press release. The top destinations are:

KRAKOW, POLAND

Amazingly, Krakow -- the capital until 1609 -- survived the destruction that befell the rest of the country during WWII and is now, with its amazing historic landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the things to see are the gargoyle-bedecked Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), a medieval covered market still bustling with tourists and street vendors; Wawel, the royal castle; and the 14th-century Gothic Kosciol Mariacki (St. Mary's Basilica), with its intricate spires. Wandering the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), aged landmarks coexist amid a modern shopping scene.

TOKYO

A hyper-urban experience that is cheaper than London and New York, Tokyo is surprisingly easy to explore (even for people who don't speak the language). Public transit is manageable and the city is very walking-friendly. Visit neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa, the Greenwich Village of Tokyo, with its prevalence of cafes, small boutiques, thrift/vintage stores, and cheap noodle shops. If you are a sports fan, attend a Sumo match or check out a baseball game with one of Tokyo's two resident teams, the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.

A Midwestern city already known for its gorgeous city layout and its fine arts community, Minneapolis is experiencing a cutting-edge design boom. The blockbuster new Guthrie Theater (now located in the Mill District along the Mississippi) is a sight to behold -- a sleek, dark-blue steel building designed by the architect Jean Nouvel. The Walker Art Center has been expanded and also in the works is an addition to the Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota. Though winters are harsh, Minneapolis is a fantastic place to be outside. Alongside the Mississippi is a series of lakes that wind through downtown, where you can bike, jog, or just hang out.

PANAMA

Panama has much of the same appeal as a destination like Costa Rica--rainforests, volcanoes, and snorkeling. Panama City is the only metropolis that has a rainforest within the city limits, and on a clear day, hikers at the summit of Volcan Baru can often see both oceans at the same time. Isla Coiba, once home to a penal colony, is now part of a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has the second-largest coral reef in the eastern Pacific. For a tropical beach experience, go to one (or several) of the 1500 islands off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.

Located in the Smoky Mountains, Asheville is a small college town with a thriving arts, culture, and gay and lesbian scene. It is home to the Biltmore Estate, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, and Carl Sandburg's birthplace in nearby Flat Rock. Recently, Asheville has been drawing literati and celebrities who had gravitated to New Orleans as a hub of culture. With the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby, the area is also great for driving tours and shopping trips to numerous crafts and pottery shops (we suggest picking up a hand-made broom).

ETHIOPIA

A surprising choice, Ethiopia has finally emerged out of the shadows caused by years of political strife, economic hardship, and famine. Improved infrastructure has made travelling there increasingly popular, especially among independent-minded travellers and those seeking adventure. Ethiopia is revered for its rich history as one of the earliest Christian kingdoms (the town of Aksum is said to be the home of the ancient Ark of the Covenant). Visit the monolithic churches of Lalibela--in particular the Church of St. George, named after Ethiopia's patron saint, which is carved into the shape of a cross and is perhaps the most exquisite of the monolithic structures.

PORTLAND, ORE.

Portland serves as a convenient hub for the area's excellent outdoor adventure opportunities -- from summer hiking and mountain biking to winter snowboarding and downhill skiing on Mt. Hood, and kayaking and fishing on the Columbia River. Foodies are starting to recognize Portland for its flourishing restaurant scene, especially in the Pearl River warehouse/loft neighbourhood. There is also nearby Willamette Valley, a wine region touted for its up-and-coming Pinot Noirs. For a unique place to stay, check out one of the several hotels run by the McMenamin family (www.mcmenamins.com)-Frommer's favourite is the Kennedy School Hotel.

VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND

Virgin Gorda is home to the laid-back Little Dix Bay resort, originally built by Laurance Rockefeller. You can take jeep tours of the island, hike through the jungle, or explore funky Spanish Town and its unassuming bars and restaurants. Best of all, you can hang out at the Baths, a string of beaches where giant boulders form tranquil pools and grottoes flooded with sea water. The British Virgin Islands are especially alluring because they are more off-the-beaten-path than other islands, and most cruise ships are too large to dock there.

OKANAGAN VALLEY

This lush region of B.C., dubbed by some as "Napa North" or "the Tuscany of Canada," boasts a mild climate, with rolling hills and plentiful fruits, nuts, and grapes. Vineyards are the big business now -- with more than 120 in the region, it is an ideal place for wine tasting. As in Napa, the topography and climate of Okanagan Valley make it a great place for hiking, kayaking, and biking (bike tours will even take you from winery to winery).

GLEN CANYON, UTAH

Glen Canyon is home to Lake Powell, created in 1963 with the opening of the Glen Canyon Dam, which backed up the Colorado River and flooded the canyon. Several years of drought have lowered the lake level drastically enough (by more than 140 feet) that the landscape has been transformed, revealing intricate rock formations that have been hidden for decades. The recreation industry here is huge -- houseboating, fishing, and water skiing are among the sports that keep the lake busy most of the year.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

Clean, beautiful, and affordable, Zurich is a must on any traveller's trip to Europe. Rent a bike (it's free) and explore the city's progressive, art-filled culture. Every September, Zurich hosts the "Long Night of Museums," an event where museums (as many as 40 are participating this year) stay open all night and visitors can go from one to the other, have a drink, and take in the art--all for a fixed price (25 SFR, including public transport). The city is also the home of the annual street parade, a huge, citywide dance party that takes over the city for one Saturday in August.

PORTLAND, ME.

A university town and burgeoning retirement location, Portland has a fantastic mix of culture and education. It also has an impressive amount of first-rate restaurants, with several perennial entries on Gourmet magazine's "America's Top 50 Restaurants" list. The weather can be extreme, but Portland is an eminently walkable city.

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