Vancouver , Canada

Travel Blogger’s Top Travel Destinations of 2013monkeysandmountains.com /travel-bloggers-top-travel-destinations

Travel bloggers get around more than most folks. Not surprisingly they know all the goodspots to go.

That’s why in trying to plan my travels for the upcoming year, I asked some of my favorite travel bloggers (and theindustry’s finest) for their Top Travel Destinations for 2013:

Eduardo’s Top Travel Destination for 2013: Canada

hombrelobo.com @hombrelobo

Why ? Well, I’ve never been to Canada, and it is an intriguing country thatreally attracts me. In all the (American) TV shows they portrait Canada asthis dull country where nobody shoots at each other and where people walkin the street, which makes it even more attractive. But seriously, Canada isa country with a great mixture of East and West, friendly people and apassion for nature and the wilderness that really should be an example toother countries. Vancouver and Toronto are top of my list. Fingers crossed…

(My note: As a Canadian I assure you that Canada is NOT a dull countryand definitely worth of being on a “top” anything list).

Leigh’s Top Travel Destination for 2013: Sierra Nevada delCocuy – a mountain range in Colombia

Hike Bike Travel @HikeBikeTravel

One of my biggest adventures planned for 2013 includes a six day trekthrough the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy – a range of mountains in Colombiaclose to the Venezuela border. They have been called the most beautifulmountains in all of South America that no one has ever heard about. I don’tquite know what I’ve got myself into as it will just be my husband and I plusour

Lagoon, g lacier & devi l ’s pu lp i t in the S ier ra Nevada de l Cocuy. Photo cour tes y o f aandres on Fl ickr .

ourguide.

(Mynote: Can Icomewithyou? Thisis myideaof adreamtrip!)

Andrea’s Top Travel Destination for 2013: Marseille, France

Rear View Mirror @destinationeu

Marseille is often an overlooked

Mars e i l le , France, a top trave l des tination and a European Capi ta l o f Cu l ture for 2013.

Photo cour tes y o f Andrea – Rearview Mi r ror

Marseille is often an overlookeddestination in France but theMediterranean city has great weather,beautiful beaches and the historic VieuxPort. Marseille’s diverse cultureinfluences the local food which is a mixof traditional French, North African andMediterranean cuisines. In 2013,Marseille is the European Capital ofCulture so you can expect to see manygreat events held throughout the yearmaking it a great time to visit.

(My note: I love France, but haven’tbeen to Marseille yet, and with it beingthe European Capital of Culture this year,it’s a great time to visit).

Mariana’s Top Travel Destinationfor 2013: Denmark

TravelThirst @TravelThirst

A country with a quite perfect scenario.As I road tripped Denmark this year, Ionly found good qualities all over theplace. Culture, nature, landscapes (oneof the most unusual and outstandingones I have ever enjoyed). Not tomention every single taste from a simpleyet rich diet of theirs; or its kind andeducate people. Even sounds: fromauthentic local music up to the sound ofsilence, of wind, of a fresh sighanywhere. Denmark really marked mewithin all 5 senses. Which to me is theclue to a top travel destination spot.

(My note: I’ve been there and wouldhave to agree!)

Isabel’s Top Travel Destinationfor 2013: Uganda

Denm ark photo cour tes y o f Mar iana from Trave lTh i rs t

for 2013: Uganda

Diaro de abordo

@Diarodeabordo

Forgotten by travelers by its political

Gor i l la photo taken in Uganda by Is abe l from Diaro de a bordo

Forgotten by travelers by its politicalconflicts in the past decades, Ugandais rising as a brand new destination tovisit in Africa. Although its NationalParks can not offer the same amountof feline species as the ones in neighboring countries, Uganda canoffer you a one in a lifetimeexperience: tracking the few mountaingorillas that remain in the planet. However, Uganda has much more tooffer: the source of the river Nile,outstanding landscapes andcharming people unspoiled bytourism.

(My note: If I had to choose just onetrip, this would be it, hands down! Iwould chew off my right arm to seegorillas in the wild).

Marlys and Michael’s TopTravel Destination of 2013: Seville, Andlucia, Spain

easyhiker @easyhiker101

Seville, the capital city of Andalucia,may be a “second division” city compared to top drawers like Paris,London and Barcelona, but isdefinitely a must- visit destination for2013. They say this is where tapaswere first served. The influence of theMoors in the city’s architecture, asevidenced by the tile workseverywhere, constantly providesvisitors with delightful surprises – onthe pavements, the walls and even onbalconies.

(My note: After being to Catalonia fourtimes in 2011, which I love, it’s time tocheck out a different part of Spain andSeville

In the gardens o f Alcaz ar in Sevi l la , photo cour tes y o f Mar lys and Michae l from eas y h iker .

Sevillewould beperfect!)

Sophie’sTopTravel

Destination for 2013: Oslo, Norway

Sophie’s World @SophieR

I especially recommend the

Frogner Park, Os lo , Norway. Photo by Sophie from Sophie ’s Wor ld

I especially recommend thelong, white nights of summer,when the sun is up until 11 pmand the temperature hoversaround 20 – 25 °C – perfect! It’sreflected in people’stemperament as well: come May,locals throw away most of theirinhibitions (and their clothes).Nature is Oslo’s main asset –and it’s almost free! 15 minutesby public transport takes you tothe hills and forest surroundingtown or to the many islands inthe Oslofjord.

(My note: I know very little aboutNorway, but the islands soundespecially intriguing and I’mused to the nakedness afterliving in Germany).

Mary’s Top TravelDestination for 2013: Southern California

The World is aBook @WorldBookTravel

Southern California is largeregion that includes the popularcities of Los Angeles and SanDiego and offers something foreveryone of all ages satisfyingvarying interests. This topdestination has beautifulscenery and blessed with mild,pleasant weather, miles ofbeaches and plenty of sunshinefor year- round outdoor activities.The ethnically diverse area alsofeatures many cultural museums,

Laguna Beach, Ca l i fo rn ia . Photo cour tes y o f Mary from The Wor ld is a Book

features many cultural museums,

neighborhoods, national parks and historical attractions. Known as the entertainment capital of the world and home toHollywood and many theme parks including enchanting Disneyland also makes this a top destination whether travelingsolo or with a family.

(My note: I haven’t spent nearly enough time in Southern California, but what’s not to love.)

Cathy’s Top Travel Destination of 2013: Hawaii

Traveling with Sweeney @TravelingwithS

Visiting a

Suns et in Hawai i photo cour tes y o f Cathy from Trave l ing wi th Sweeney

Visiting atropicalparadise isenticing toalmosteveryoneand Hawaiicertainly fitsthatdescription.TheHawaiianIslands alsohavesentimentalvalue for usbecause wespent ourhoneymoonand 10th

anniversaryon Kauaiand haveenjoyedMaui and theBig Island onother trips. Ilove the first sensation of the balmy breezes and fragrant exotic flowers. It’s been several years since we’ve had achance to go back, so we’re really looking forward to our 2013 trip to Maui and Molokai. Although we are planning onactive outdoor activities, scenic drives, exploring sites and cultural experiences, Hawaii is also a perfect destination forgetting away from computers and smartphones to “hang loose” for a while. Aloha!

(My note: I haven’t been to Hawaii since I was a kid, and that was only to Oahu. I would love to check out some of theother islands as Cathy did.)

A very special thank you to all of the above travel bloggers for taking time from your busy travel schedules to share yourtop travel picks for 2013 with us.

So there you have it, now you know where to go in 2013. The hard part is now deciding on whichtravel destination! I’m admittedly biased, but I’m leaning towards the two that have monkeys andmountains! Where do you plan to go?