Europe
Istanbul, Turkey
Don’t be surprised if more and more travel talk turns to
Turkey. The country—famously at the crossroads of
Europe and
Asia—is
having a moment. The World Travel Awards selected the Turkish Ministry
of Culture and Tourism as Europe’s Leading Tourist Board in 2012, and
the ministry’s hard work appears to be paying off with an increase in
preliminary bookings for 2013.
A red-hot hotel scene makes
Istanbul a stand-out
destination. Home to the only Edition hotel in the world, this beguiling
metropolis has witnessed a parade of recent openings, including the
Marti and
Pera Palace, the historic landmark that once pampered Orient-Express passengers and is now managed by
Jumeirah.
“This beautiful city is one of the fastest growing destinations in the world,” said
Sinan Yilmaz, general manager of the
Shangri-La Bosphorus,
opening this spring. As the first Asian hospitality brand to arrive in
Istanbul, Shangri-La is pulling out all the stops with its hotel,
located on a prime piece of Bosphorus real estate between the Dolmabahce
Palace and Naval Museum. More than 60 percent of the guest rooms will
have waterfront views. Raffles will follow suit in the summer with a
luxury hotel in the Zorlu Centre, one of the city’s largest new
developments.
For 2013, Turkish Airlines has inexpensive tickets for nonstop flights between the
East Coast
and Istanbul (compared to other European hubs). Istanbul is an easy
sell for travelers looking to explore “new” destinations in Europe,
after having checked Paris, London, and
Rome off the list. —Mary Winston Nicklin
More than 60 percent of the rooms at the new Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, will have waterfront views.
Marseille-Provence, France
Another place to be in 2013 is the south of France, not just because of the sun and sea on the fabled Riviera, but also because
Marseille-Provence
has been elected European Capital of Culture, and is putting on a show
that’s unrivaled in the history of the designation. The social calendar
is brimming with exciting events (imagine thousands of horses crossing
the Provencal plains and marching into the port during “TransHumance”!).
As the oldest city in
France,
Marseille has
long embraced the Mediterranean, and the city’s melting-pot diversity,
along with 300 days of sunshine per year, is one of its chief assets.
Recently this maritime hub has witnessed massive urban regeneration
projects by the world’s starchitects (like Norman Foster), and is now
buzzing with an undeniable energy.
|
The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde overlooks the harbor in
Marseille, France’s oldest city. Marseille-Provence is the 2013
European Capital of Culture. |
Linda Miller of Avanti Destinations notes the
healthy interest in Europe for 2013. “Our advance bookings are up 25
percent over a year ago. Paris continues to be the number one booked
city, but Marseille is going to pop up more on the radar. There is a lot
happening in the city, like the opening of MuCem on the Old Port, the
only French National Museum to be built outside of Paris. The European
Capital of Culture title is the perfect opportunity to introduce more
long-haul travelers to Marseille; there will be many reasons for people
to spend a few days and not just pick up their rental car and go to
other parts of Provence.”
Easily accessible from Paris in three hours by high-speed train,
Marseille is also connected to the world via the Marseille-Provence
airport. In fact, XL Airways will launch twice-weekly service between
Marseille and New York JFK on May 31. —M.W.N.
Croatia, Dubrovnik and the Balkan Peninsula
The Balkan Peninsula is emerging as one of the great hidden gems of
Europe, with increased brand-hotel development in cities like Zagreb.
Dubrovnik is a city of living history, thanks to a law that forbids
building new hotels until the older properties damaged in the wars of
independence are repaired. As such, all new hotels in the city are built
in historic properties.
For 2013, tour operators are stepping up their packages to the Balkans.
G Adventures will be launching tours to
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and
Croatia.
Cruise companies are also increasing their stopovers along the
Adriatic, and new luxury villas have opened in historic Dubrovnik
buildings.
There are no direct flights to Dubrovnik from the United States, but the city gets plenty of air traffic from Paris, London and
Rome, so transfers are easy.
Your well-traveled clients who have already toured France, Italy and
Spain and their historic cities and beaches will appreciate the culture,
architecture and coastline of Dubrovnik and other cities along the
Adriatic coast. —Jena Tesse Fox
Gstaad, Switzerland
Famous for its ultra-swank chalets and picture-perfect mountains (not
to mention the celebrities who call it home), Gstaad has been a
perennial favorite among luxury travelers and dedicated skiers for
decades. New for 2013 is Gstaad’s first new luxury hotel in more than a
century:
Alpina Gstaad opened its doors in December. At the same time, the iconic
Gstaad Palace is celebrating its centennial this year.
While Gstaad does not have a major airport of its own, private planes
can land at Airport Gstaad-Saanen. Otherwise, it’s best to rent a car
and drive in from Bern Airport. Guests who love the luxe life or enjoy
top-notch skiing are prime candidates for a vacation in Gstaad. —J.T.F.