Searching for the perfect 10

This year's top destinations will offer better value than ever, combining climate, culture and cuisine without breaking the bank. FIONN DAVENPORTpicks 10 destinations to savour and to save for, and  SANDRA O'CONNELLasks insiders how they expect 2010 to shape up

1 South AfricaEven though it will be the destination of choice for millions as it hosts this year's World Cup, South Africa plays its way into this list by virtue of its stunning beauty and mind-boggling diversity – all yours for a fraction of the price you'd pay in other developed tourist hot spots. South Africa is a multitude of experiences in one country, from the vineyard-clad hillsides and colonial towns of the Garden Route to the vast, arid plain of the Karoo and the lush, subtropical coastlines of northern KwaZulu-Natal. There's the glitz and glamour of Cape Town and the sprawling metropolis of Johannesburg, but equally fascinating are the traditional Zulu villages of Eastern Cape, where you can explore a centuries-old native culture. And then there's the small matter of safari – not only is South Africa home to the mother of them all, in Kruger National Park, but a variety of smaller, private game reserves will allow you to get up close and personal with most of the Big Five. The World Cup lasts a month, but South Africa is fabulous all year.

2 LisbonIt's been whispered for a few years, but in 2010 it will grow into a full-throated cry: Lisbon is the new Barcelona. Like the popular Catalan capital, Iberia's other capital city is on the sea, it offers a laid-back version of old Europe, it has terrific weather most of the year and it has an effortless beauty and grace – expressed as much in its Latin temperament as in its unified, late-18th-century Baroque architecture (courtesy of a thorough refurb following a devastating earthquake in 1755). And it's the home of fado – the Portuguese blues – heard to its most poignant and heart-aching effect in the atmospheric tavernas of the Alfama district. Best of all, Lisbon is cheap – according to some statistics, it's Europe's cheapest capital, with a cost of living that is roughly half that of Dublin.

3 Lamu Archipelago, KenyaThere aren't many places left in the world that can be considered undiscovered, but the Lamu Archipelago, off the coast of Kenya, can rightly lay claim to that dangerously overused epithet of "tropical paradise". The oldest inhabited settlements in sub-Saharan Africa, the cluster of islands that make up the archipelago – Lamu, Manda, Pate and nearby Kiwayu – are a living example of the Swahili culture that was once ubiquitous along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Although they are not quite frozen in time, progress on the islands is blessedly slow, as is transport – most of the largely Muslim population still gets around by donkey and travels between the islands by dhow. And while tourism is on the rise, Lamu's status as a Unesco World Heritage site will go some way to protecting it from the plague of mass tourism.

4 NorthumberlandIf there's a corner of England that remains relatively unexplored, it's in the folds of the vast, almost epic landscapes of Northumberland. Extending north from Newcastle to the Scottish border, this is frontier country, whose dark, menacing beauty remains virtually unexploited. The coastline is magnificent – long, raking beaches backed up by marram-covered dunes and bookended by imposing Norman castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Warkworth, the last of these the "worm-eaten hold of ragged stone" from Henry IV. Between them are traditional fishing villages such as Seahouses and Craster. Northumberland's interior is equally spectacular. Much of it is dominated by the 1,000sq km of Northumberland National Park (total population: 2,000), made up of the soft swell of the Cheviot Hills and protected to the south by Hadrian's Wall, the greatest feat of Roman engineering north of the Tiber.

5 ThailandThe Land of Smiles is undoubtedly one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, but it's come a long way since it first hit the backpacker radar, in the 1960s. Although the days of the $2 shack have passed, it is still a Mecca for budget travellers, and it has also become a favourite with more flush visitors, with its growing choice of spa and lifestyle resorts that, despite their decadent luxury, are still very competitively priced. While beach resorts such as Phuket or Koh Samui are on the verge of becoming oversaturated, coconut-lined crescents of white sand can still be "discovered" on a bunch of islands, such as Ko Rok, Ko Phra Tong and Ko Chang. And wherever you go in Thailand, you'll have to do it through Bangkok, which remains one of the most heart-stoppingly exciting cities you'll ever visit – whatever you do, don't limit your stay to Khao San Road.

6 IstanbulNot so much straddling as adorning the Bosporus, Istanbul is one of the world's most thrilling cities. Spanning two continents and 2,000 years of history, the Turkish capital allows you to wander streets once thronged by crusaders, explore the sultan's harem, admire some of the finest Islamic mosque architecture to be found anywhere and lose yourself in the world's first shopping mall – the extraordinary narrow lanes and alleys of the Kapali Çarsi (Grand Bazaar). But side by side with Istanbul's ancient culture is a throbbing, contemporary metropolis, full of trendy clubs and stylish bars filled with a crowd that would not look out of place on a Milanese catwalk. Istanbul is the kind of place that would give New York a run for its money – if New York managed to stay powerful for at least another 2,000 years.

7 IcelandSnow-capped peaks, remote fjords, gigantic glaciers and the odd exploding volcano – Iceland's natural beauty has never been in question. Problem was that this particular wonderland was prohibitively expensive for the average visitor. No more. The country's economic collapse has dragged prices to an all-time low, making a trip here that bit gentler on your wallet – and morally consoling as you do your bit to help its recovery. Slow grinding glaciers, shimmering ice caps, turquoise bathing pools, exploding geysers and giant waterfalls are just some of this country's natural wonders. Not surprisingly, the hiking here is some of the best in Europe, as are its outdoor pursuits, mostly of the don-a-ski-or-snowshoe kind. But you don't have to be an adrenalin junkie to enjoy the place, either: you can get around by car and expend your energies treading water in a hot spring. And then there's Reykjavik: small, green and very clean, it is also the home of the rúntur, the infamous weekend pub crawl that can be as challenging as a hike up a glacier.

8 ColombiaIntrepid travellers have long known it, but this will be the year that Colombia is finally revealed as one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in all of Latin America. It has everything you could possibly want, from the deserted beaches and superb dive sites of lush, volcanic Providencia to the superb museums and scintillating nightlife of Bogotá. On the north coast is Cartagena, a living museum of Spanish colonial architecture with no equal anywhere in South America. And if it's trekking you want, the three-day hike to the pre-Colombian Ciudad Perdida – the "lost city" – is straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Colombia's tragedy, of course, is what has made most visitors steer well clear of the place, but while the drug cartels still ply their murderous trade with impunity, the four-decade-old civil war has come to some kind of end, which means that while visitors to the bigger cities will still have to exercise caution before going out at night, the rest of the country – which is twice the size of France – can finally go about its business with relative peace.

9 CruisesBefore you skip on, thinking you wouldn't be caught dead trapped on a boat for a week, consider the following: at a time when the travel industry is desperate to staunch the bleed of lost customers, cruising is one of its fastest-growing sectors, because it offers such a wide variety of destinations and is surprisingly good value for money – besides accommodation, the price includes meals, snacks and a dizzying number of activities, all incidentals that on land can add up to quite a tidy sum. Despite the reputation, cruises are not the exclusive preserve of retired folk. Nearly half of all cruise passengers are under 40 – and these include families, gangs of friends and even singles, as well as the ubiquitous couples. Although the Caribbean and the Mexican Pacific coast are cruise central, the Mediterranean and the icy reaches of Northern Europe, Canada and Alaska are enormously popular, with departures from most major cities, including Dublin and Cork.

10 BallyhouraWhether the reasons are patriotism, budget or personal preference, there's little doubt that more of us will be holidaying at home this year, which provides a perfect opportunity to discover a couple of surprising new holiday spots. Like Ballyhoura. Ballywho? Straddling the border of north Cork and southern Limerick, Ballyhoura is what happens when the local community does some joined-up thinking and pitches together to sell their area's natural abundance. And in this part of the country there's plenty to sell. There's the newly opened mountain bike trail, the largest in the country. There are the ancient sites and megalithic tombs surrounding Lough Gur. There's walking, fishing, paragliding, orienteering, kayaking and clay- pigeon shooting. There's road bowling and crossroads dancing – the real kind, not the play-acting-for-tourists version. And it's all found in a lush setting of fecund farmland and thick forests separated by scenic mountain peaks – 2010 will be Ballyhoura's year.

FD

“ Intrepid travellers have long known it, but this will be the year that Colombia is finally revealed as one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in all of Latin America. It has everything you could possibly want, from deserted beaches to scintillating nightlife

How insiders see 2010

Shaun Quinn

HEAD OF FÁILTE IRELAND

“The real story for tourism in 2010 will be the importance of the domestic market and home holidays. During 2009 we pursued a very aggressive home-holidays marketing campaign, as well as supporting an enhanced menu of festivals and things to do in Ireland. The end result was that the home-holiday market held up well during 2009 and brought some compensation to tourism businesses for the drop in overseas visitors. Our research indicates that next year even more Irish people are going to forgo a holiday abroad and are therefore potential customers for the domestic market. We intend to take full advantage of these trends during 2010 in our strongest home-holiday campaign yet.”

Cormac Walsh

DIRECTOR, JOE WALSH TOURS

“There is no doubt 2010 is going to be another difficult year for tour operators and airlines but another great year for holiday bargains. Bookings for next year are ahead of 2009, and many family deals that include free child places are still available. The hot destinations for 2010 are Croatia, Madeira, Portugal and Cyprus. Farther afield, Thailand and Australia are our two best sellers – and with good reason pricewise. It’s all about getting the right holiday at the right price. I think holiday time during these stressful times is precious, so it’s important to choose well and book with a reliable operator who offers good value for money and good advice.”

John Galligan

MANAGING DIRECTOR, JOHN GALLIGAN TRAVEL

“After such an awful year I think the Irish consumer has had enough gloom and will be looking forward to getting out of the country for an escape, however short. Already in the past few months we have seen an upsurge in bookings for the winter months, so we know the money is out there for really super deals. I don’t think 2010 will be as bad as some people fear. It won’t be a record year, but it will see us return to a more normal trading environment, as clients accept their losses and decide they might as well enjoy life while they still can. Unfortunately, consumer choice will have suffered, as quite a number of viable, small, independent travel companies have not made it through the recession, because they have been assisted out of business by Government over-regulation.”

Michael Collins

PUBLISHER, ‘BACKPACKER’ AND ‘ABROAD’

“The big question is will Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport open as planned. Somehow, I doubt it. Passenger numbers at all of Ireland’s airports will continue to fall, and the price of travel will rise to counter lower demand and increased fuel costs as the rest of the world starts to come out of recession. Irish consumers will continue to self-package more and more. The recession will continue to push the travel industry on to the internet. Tour operators will consolidate. The cruise industry will continue to grow as bigger, better cruise ships come online. The USA will do well. In Europe it will be back to basics: Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.”

Marian Benton

CO-FOUNDER, MAP TRAVEL

“Two thousand and nine was not a good year for the travel industry, which saw the collapse of Budget Travel and Slatterys, and the closure of a number of mom-and-pop agencies, many of which had been around for a long time. The good news is that, because of strict licensing and bonding requirements, customers booked with these agents did not lose a single cent. Consumers are realising that, apart from the expert knowledge and advice they receive from a travel agent, they have the added bonus of total peace of mind. This year more consumers will book with travel agents. It is a Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela, and we expect record numbers to walk the Camino. The weak dollar will continue to attract visitors to the US, and the old reliable sun holiday will continue to be in demand, particularly after the past few wet Irish summers. With one of the big operators out of the picture the remaining tour operators will pick up the slack. There will be good value, but don’t expect too many last-minute giveaways.”

Clem Walshe

FORMER MARKETING DIRECTOR, BUDGET TRAVEL

“The unfortunate closure of Budget Travel will be bad news for Irish consumers planning a holiday in 2010. There will be significantly less capacity, which means there will be less holidays available, with the possibility of some popular destinations disappearing altogether, particularly from airports such as Cork and Shannon. Another likely knock-on effect of Budget’s demise could see the remaining tour operators using it as an opportunity to increase their prices across the board, so cash-strapped holidaymakers will have to book early if they want to be sure of getting what they want, as there won’t be as many late deals available come May, June and July. The current economic climate will probably see a return to popularity of many of the short-haul routes, such as Majorca, the Costa del Sol and Portugal.”

Tony Collins

MANAGING DIRECTOR, TOPFLIGHT

“Although tour operators reduced capacity from summer 2008 to summer 2009, they were still not prepared for the dramatic drop-off in business and had to make further cuts in capacity as they went through the season, which meant the margins suffered. Those who could not get costs under control suffered very badly, and many have gone out of business. With Budget Travel – representing some 30 per cent of seat capacity – gone from the market it is predicted that although tour operators will make up some of the difference, capacity will be more in line with demand in 2010. Popular destinations are again expected to be Portugal, Spain and the Canary Islands, and we expect a good demand for Italy. The lower capacity means that holidaymakers will get the best offers by booking early as, unlike previous years, there will be much less availability of late holidays.”

Neil Horgan

MANAGING DIRECTOR, ABBEY TRAVEL

“Holiday bookings for 2010 continue on a downward trend. Demand for sun package holidays, particularly the family market, is down on last year. However, we predict that there will be a significant drop in capacity following the demise of Budget Travel, with other tour operators seeking to consolidate instead of increasing supply. This will result in few last-minute offers, and it could be that early bookers will get the best value. A further trend in 2009 was an even shorter lead-in time between booking date and travel date, and there is no doubt this will continue in 2010. Hot spots will see Spain and Portugal continue to top the charts. There will be increasing demand for the Turkish Riviera serviced by Antalya airport, and for Istanbul, which is this year’s European City of Culture. World Cup 2010 has focused a lot of attention on South Africa, and we predict an increase in demand, boosted by a very favourable exchange rate with the South African rand. Finally, Disneyland Paris continues to be our top-selling short-break destination, and demand is holding up.”

Tanya Airey

MANAGING DIRECTOR, SUNWAY

“Next year will be all about delivering value, and value-added products, such as all-inclusive deals, will be very popular. Short-haul destinations, such as the Canary Islands, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Bulgaria and Turkey, will be the top sellers, as they offer such great properties at a very reasonable price, and the cost of living in each of these destinations is quite low. Sunway experienced a 60 per cent increase in the sales of holidays to the US during 2009. Irish holidaymakers have a love affair with the US, and its favourable exchange rate is making it a destination that offers great value for money with great standards of accommodation. Worldwide top destinations will be Mexico, Dominican Republic and Thailand yet again for the all-inclusive deals to top properties, but also because many hotels are offering added value, such as seven nights for the price of five or free resort coupons for spa treatments. There will be a swing back to customers booking directly with the travel agent or tour operator. In these difficult times people want the security of booking with a fully licensed and bonded operator who only requests a deposit on booking and the remainder paid nearer the time of travel, unlike purchasing flights and accommodation separately online, when the total price has to be paid at the time of booking. Customers now want to see who they are trusting with their hard-earned money and want to feel secure.”

Gerard O’Neill

CHAIRMAN, AMÁRACH RESEARCH

“This will be the year most of us breathe a sigh of relief and then get on with living. Throughout most of 2008 and all of 2009 Irish consumers were on tenterhooks, unsure of what was coming next, either for themselves or for the country. That will change in 2010, though slowly at first. Most of the bad news, including a further rise in unemployment and public-sector strikes, will be out of the way by Easter. Once unemployment peaks at, say, 14 per cent, then the other 86 per cent still in employment will figure that they have dodged the bullet. So expect a surge of bookings in the second quarter of this year, and even more last-minute holiday shopping over the summer – though don’t expect a return to 2007 levels. That will have to wait until 2014 at least.”

SO’C