Top 10 Travel Destinations in 2009 - and South Korea is one of them

Why Go In 2009: The South Korean won has lost more than 30 percent of its value against the dollar since just one year ago, giving the American traveler plenty of purchasing power — of particular interest for shoppers looking to pick up brand-name consumer electronics and designer fashions in Seoul. What’s more, the number of international tourists boomed some 12 percent between 2007 and 2008, a trend that’s inspired hotel chains like Wyndham and InterContinental to expand their presence in the country in 2009.

NVDL: Parts of Korea are appallingly bad in terms of pollution. That said, the cuisine, the temples and some of the mountain and forest scenery - particularly in spring and autumn - is heart breakingly beautiful. It's a great destination for a strong cultural shift, and an exotic experience.

clipped from travel.yahoo.com 10 Top Hot Spots of 2009 1. Tasmania 2. Austin, Texas 3. Cappadocia, Turkey 4. San Juan, Puerto Rico 5. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 6. Willamette Valley, Ore. 7. Montenegro 8. Salvador, Brazil 9. South Korea In just two decades, South Korea has emerged as a stable democratic country with big ambitions. The bustling megacity of Seoul embodies the nation’s new spirit, where towering skyscrapers and posh department stores are interspersed with venerable imperial palaces, traditional teahouses, and centuries-old Buddhist temples. Ancient Gyeongju, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into Korea’s 5,000 years of history, and was ranked in 1995 by UNESCO as one of the world’s ten most historically significant places. Nearby, a sunrise climb to the temple-topped peak of Mt. Tohamsan reveals the origin of the country’s moniker, “Land of the Morning Calm.” 10. Tel Aviv, Israel