February 18, 2010 5:29 PM
- Text
2010 Travel Hotspots
(CBS)
We live in stressful economic times -- all the more reason to take a reasonably-priced vacation. But where in the world should you go?
CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg has just the places.
ARGENTINA:
The exchange rate is still very favorable, in fact the most favorable it's ever been: $1USD to 3.79 Argentine pesos
When to Go:
The high summer season is December-February and July to August. Shoulder season falls outside of those months, so look at travel in spring and fall.
Hotel rates:
Did you know that one of the best places in Buenos Aires for beginners is actually something called a "tango hotel?" Hotel Mansion Dandi in San Telmo incorporates group lessons and one-on-one instruction, professional tango shows on Thursday and Friday nights, and a weekly milonga dance club. Talk about an all-in-one experience. Room rates start from $100 a night; a three-night package including one group lesson, one private lesson and one milonga starts from $309.
Buenos Aires Sheraton in the center of the city starts from $149 a night. The Hilton Buenos Aires is also about $140 a night.
On the Brochure:
You can't visit Buenos Aires without getting the full steak dinner experience. Try La Cabańa Las Lilas, which actually raises its own cattle, and La Cabrera in the Palermo Soho district.
Tango is another must. Milongas, or tango hall, are scattered throughout the city. You can enjoy dinner and a tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel for about $75 per person.
Off the Brochure:
One very cool (though a little pricey) experience is the Cheese Room at the Park Hyatt. Located in Duhau Restaurant & Vinoteca, guests can make an appointment to try out Argentine Malbecs, artisnal cheeses chosen by the Maître Fromager served with breads, dips and fruits.
A perfect trip from Buenos Aires is Argentina's wine country, Mendoza. More than 880 wineries making some incredible vintages.
Horseback riding is an integral part of Argentine culture. Equitours has several horseback riding tours in Argentina and Chile-ride across the Andes, trek the foothills from estancia to estancia, or stick with one ranch, Estancia los Potreros about an hour from Codroba. Estancia los Potreros is a 6,000-acre ranch owned by the same family for four generations-an eight-day trip including six days of riding in the high season (January-April, October-December) is $2,555 and in the low season (May-September) is $2,065.
TURKEY:
Beta Ciragan Palace: Istanbul Sultan Suite
Exchange rate: $1USD to 1.52 Turkey Lira
When to go:
Peak tourist season is June-September, the best time to visit is during May, and October-November. But bundle up-in May and October the average temperature is in the low 60s, and in November it drops to the mid-40s.
Hotel rate:
Even the luxury Ciragan Palace Istanbul has some deals: book 30 days in advance, and get 20 percent off your stay. Rates in early May start from about $460 a night.
But there are plenty of more affordable places to stay. Best Western President Hotel near the Grand Bazaar starts from about $140 a night in early May.
The Dedeman Hotel in Istanbul also starts from about $10 a night in early May.
On the Brochure:
In Istanbul: the great Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Most visitors will stick to Sultanahmet.
Off the Brochure:
The neighborhood of Ortakoy on the banks of the Bosphorus is filled with tempting food stalls. In the neighborhood of Taksim, check out the pedestrian street Istiklal Caddesi, which also boasts tasty stalls.
One of my favorite things to eat is rice pudding from Istanbul, aka firinda sutlac. It dates back to royal kitchens of the Ottoman Empire, and can be found in pudding shops and restaurants all over Turkey. In Istanbul, try Özsüt Pudding in Sultanahmet, and Saray Pudding shop located on Istiklal Caddesi, which has been in operation since 1935.
Public baths are still common in Turkey. I recommend Cagaloglu Hamami, a 300-year-old institution which keeps up the traditional bath experience.
A trip along the Bosphorus is a must. Stretching about 20 miles from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, the Bosphorus flows past countless villages and communities that thrive along both its European and Asiatic sides. One worthwhile stop is the village of Anadolu Kavagi (the last stop on the Asiatic side), which has some of the best seafood restaurants in the country.
Package Tours:
A basic "Highlights of Turkey" tour with Trafalgar is nine days from only $999, covering Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bursa and Istanbul. That includes daily breakfast, and some dinners.
Gate1 Travel's 13-day tour of Turkey covers three nights in Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia and Ankara from only $719 (land only). That includes 11 breakfasts and seven dinners and escorted tours.
CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg has just the places.
ARGENTINA:
The exchange rate is still very favorable, in fact the most favorable it's ever been: $1USD to 3.79 Argentine pesos
When to Go:
The high summer season is December-February and July to August. Shoulder season falls outside of those months, so look at travel in spring and fall.
Hotel rates:
Did you know that one of the best places in Buenos Aires for beginners is actually something called a "tango hotel?" Hotel Mansion Dandi in San Telmo incorporates group lessons and one-on-one instruction, professional tango shows on Thursday and Friday nights, and a weekly milonga dance club. Talk about an all-in-one experience. Room rates start from $100 a night; a three-night package including one group lesson, one private lesson and one milonga starts from $309.
Buenos Aires Sheraton in the center of the city starts from $149 a night. The Hilton Buenos Aires is also about $140 a night.
On the Brochure:
You can't visit Buenos Aires without getting the full steak dinner experience. Try La Cabańa Las Lilas, which actually raises its own cattle, and La Cabrera in the Palermo Soho district.
Tango is another must. Milongas, or tango hall, are scattered throughout the city. You can enjoy dinner and a tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel for about $75 per person.
Off the Brochure:
One very cool (though a little pricey) experience is the Cheese Room at the Park Hyatt. Located in Duhau Restaurant & Vinoteca, guests can make an appointment to try out Argentine Malbecs, artisnal cheeses chosen by the Maître Fromager served with breads, dips and fruits.
A perfect trip from Buenos Aires is Argentina's wine country, Mendoza. More than 880 wineries making some incredible vintages.
Horseback riding is an integral part of Argentine culture. Equitours has several horseback riding tours in Argentina and Chile-ride across the Andes, trek the foothills from estancia to estancia, or stick with one ranch, Estancia los Potreros about an hour from Codroba. Estancia los Potreros is a 6,000-acre ranch owned by the same family for four generations-an eight-day trip including six days of riding in the high season (January-April, October-December) is $2,555 and in the low season (May-September) is $2,065.
TURKEY:
Beta Ciragan Palace: Istanbul Sultan Suite
Exchange rate: $1USD to 1.52 Turkey Lira
When to go:
Peak tourist season is June-September, the best time to visit is during May, and October-November. But bundle up-in May and October the average temperature is in the low 60s, and in November it drops to the mid-40s.
Hotel rate:
Even the luxury Ciragan Palace Istanbul has some deals: book 30 days in advance, and get 20 percent off your stay. Rates in early May start from about $460 a night.
But there are plenty of more affordable places to stay. Best Western President Hotel near the Grand Bazaar starts from about $140 a night in early May.
The Dedeman Hotel in Istanbul also starts from about $10 a night in early May.
On the Brochure:
In Istanbul: the great Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Most visitors will stick to Sultanahmet.
Off the Brochure:
The neighborhood of Ortakoy on the banks of the Bosphorus is filled with tempting food stalls. In the neighborhood of Taksim, check out the pedestrian street Istiklal Caddesi, which also boasts tasty stalls.
One of my favorite things to eat is rice pudding from Istanbul, aka firinda sutlac. It dates back to royal kitchens of the Ottoman Empire, and can be found in pudding shops and restaurants all over Turkey. In Istanbul, try Özsüt Pudding in Sultanahmet, and Saray Pudding shop located on Istiklal Caddesi, which has been in operation since 1935.
Public baths are still common in Turkey. I recommend Cagaloglu Hamami, a 300-year-old institution which keeps up the traditional bath experience.
A trip along the Bosphorus is a must. Stretching about 20 miles from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, the Bosphorus flows past countless villages and communities that thrive along both its European and Asiatic sides. One worthwhile stop is the village of Anadolu Kavagi (the last stop on the Asiatic side), which has some of the best seafood restaurants in the country.
Package Tours:
A basic "Highlights of Turkey" tour with Trafalgar is nine days from only $999, covering Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bursa and Istanbul. That includes daily breakfast, and some dinners.
Gate1 Travel's 13-day tour of Turkey covers three nights in Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia and Ankara from only $719 (land only). That includes 11 breakfasts and seven dinners and escorted tours.
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