Top 10 destinations for 2011

It can be hard to find authentic traditional Pacific culture these days, but Vanuatu is probably one of the best bets. This small Pacific country boasts exotic islands, some still with strong tribal culture. Otherwise there are reefs to be snorkeled, jungle to be trekked, villages to be visited, active volcanoes to be climbed - and, of course, palm-lined beaches. Vanuatu is pretty close to the iconic Pacific paradise and it seems that nobody have noticed, until now.

The impressive temples of Angkor Wat have attracted travellers for centuries. Most visitors limit their Cambodian adventure to these temples, adding maybe the Killing Fields near Phnom Penh and a beach in the south. But Cambodia has more to offer and new places are slowly opening up along with better roads. Go jungle trekking in the northeast, find forgotten Angkor temples in the north, go motorbike riding along the winding southern coastline or watch freshwater dolphins in the west. Escape the tourist crowds at Angkor Wat and explore rural Cambodia.

If you are looking for some real unspoiled adventure, Solomon Islands is the place for you. This archipelago is not soaked in sights as neighboring Vanuatu, but if you are willing to rough it (and pay through your nose for it) you can find some extraordinary things and amazing places here. Serious jungle trekking, lagoon exploration, first class shipwreck diving, visiting tribal villages deep in the forest or just chilling out on one the more easy-to-reach coral islands along with all the afro-haired kids from the nearby village are all options for the adventurous traveller.

Greenland is the biggest noncontinental island on the planet. The center is one big piece of ice, making it not that green at all. The raw arctic nature with extreme wide horizons blows the mind of any visitor. With only rocks, hills and ice in sight it can be very difficult to estimate distances and what looks like "just across the ice" might be 100 km away. Though the Inuit friendliness is great and the small wooden settlements can be charming, most visitors come for the outdoor adventures like trekking, dog sledding, whale watching and glacier walking.

Long gone are the days when Spain was the synonym for cheap sangria and European charter tourists. Today Costa del Sol still exists but in a bit more fashionable way and the new wave of visitors are coming for what Spain has always had, namely the rich history and culture. Places like super chic Barcelona, the jagged Sierra Nevada mountains, medieval towns and the evermore popular pilgrim route of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela. So get out there and dig into the real España.

This vast country of taiga, drab cities, Soviet monuments, and sluttily dressed women will impress, surprise and entertain any traveller who is foolish enough to drop by. The Russians might not look like much fun, but after the first couple of cold stern looks you will be welcomed like their long lost son or daughter. When partying in Russia expect a lot of vodka drinking and food offerings - and nyet is never an option.

A great little nation with such a grim past. It only became independent in 2002 from its bullying big brother of Indonesia. Even though the country is at peace today, you will pretty much have the whole place for yourself. Endless beaches with warm white sand are all empty aside from the occasional fishermen and maybe some holidaying NGOs. For cooling off, go to the highlands to explore traditional villages or trek the highest mountain, Mount Ramelau. East Timor can seem rough at first, but it is a truly rewarding destination.

A country which capital has the name Ouagadougou sounds like a place worth exploring. It is true that the list of interesting sights in Bukina Faso might not seem as impressive as the capital's name, but in a continent infamous for unrest and trouble, peace and easy-going-ness is in high value. Check out the mud mosque in Bobo-Dioulasso, buzz around the colorful markets in Gorom-Gorom and Dori, and go on small-scale safari in some of the national parks.

Kosovo, the youngest nation on the map, needs a bit of advertising. Kosovo only managed to wrestle free from Serbia in 2007 and Serbia still does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, which makes border crossing between those two a bit funny. There is not much to see in the sense of great sights, but the people are so welcoming, that alone is reason enough to visit Kosovo. Remember to bring you party outfit, for the people in the capital, Pristina, certainly know how to celebrate their new freedom.

Last year's number one has so much to offer and is still so little known that it deserves another year on our top 10 list. Colombia is a big country, and luckily the list of sights is equally long. Colonial towns with rowdy carnivals, hidden ruins in dense jungle, Caribbean beaches, prehistoric remains and a welcoming crowd who knows how to spend a night out. And if you have missed a beat, we can tell you that it is now safer than ever to travel in Colombia.