10 places to go this summer

It may only be February but if you're travel savvy you'll know that summer flights at their cheapest now. Where are you planning to go for summer holidays? Don't know? Here are a few places around the world that will definitely be worth checking out this year. From London to Panama to Helsinki... there's a whole world out there to explore!

1. London

Why should you visit London in summer? First, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is in June. She has reigned for 60 years and still (hopefully) has many years left in her. London will be bursting with parties. Later in the summer the Olympic Games come to town. For culture, celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens. It'll be a literary delight.

2. Panama City

The country finally has control of its canal again, for the first time in 12 years and the economy is booming! This also means that huge investment is pouring into the country and if you want to see Panama as it always was, especially the canal, then there is no time like the present. In just a few years, it'll be hard to even recognize the place!

3. Tokyo

Tokyo is making a good come-back post-tsunami but tourism is not like it used to be. That's good for a lot of reasons though. One, prices are still way down compared to before the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Last minute reservations are abundant, even at previously booked solid places like the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

4. Helsinki

For design freaks, Helsinki is the new Copenhagen or Stockholm. As this year's World Design Capital of 2012, Helsinki should be on your list. Summer is without a doubt the best time to visit. Coffee shops pour into the streets and the nights are long. Between art galleries and lattes, check out the city's new Helsinki Music Center.

5. Lhasa

The holy capital of Tibet is just about to get a luxury make-over! In 2010, the first of now a handful luxury hotels opened up, with plenty of controversy to go along with it. The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is situated at an impressive 12,000 ft. above sea level. 

6. Moscow

There are two new museums on the Moscow culture scene. The first, the Russian Icon Museum is free to enter and holds the largest collection of Russian religious artwork in the world: a whopping 4,000 pieces. The other museum is called Tochka G (in English, G Spot) and is a collection of 3,000+ sexual items from Soviet condoms to modern sex dolls.

 

7. Florence

Florence is constantly celebrated for the art scene from its past. It was after all the birthplace of the Renaissance. Now, let's celebrate Florence for its present. Check out the Centre for Contemporary Culture Strozzina the next time you pass through this classic Italian culture spot.

8. Koh Rong

Anyone who makes it to Koh Rong this summer in Cambodia deserves bragging rights. It's quite the distance, but if you're looking for more than just Angkor Wat, this is the place to be. It's a string of islands, starting just 30 minutes by boat off the coast of Sihanoukville. Think quiet fishing villages, empty beaches...

9. Vienna

This summer Vienna celebrates the 150th birthday of Gustav Klimt! This is the year to visit Vienna if you love his artwork. Tons of exhibitions will be going on this summer. 

10. Dubrovnik

The pace around Dubrovnik is picking up. More and more people are realizing how special this place along the Adriatic Coast is. Much cheaper than St-Tropez, Croatia's seaside cities are great (and budget) alternatives. Surprise, they're just as classy and just as modern... without the price tag.

Where are you going this summer?