The travel magazine Condé Nast has released readers’ travel awards 2009 and here the best countries, best cities, best airports etc have been listed. Let’s take a look at the list of best vacation countries:
1. Italy
2. New Zealand
3. Turkey
4. Australia
5. France
6. Egypt
7. USA
8. South Africa
9. Spain
10. India
11. Marocco
12. Greece
13. Mexico
14. Canada
15. Thailand
16. Brasil
17. Argentina
18. Sweden
19. Portugal
20. Kenya
Well, first of all I would like to say that I totally agree when it comes to Italy. Nikki and I have been there several times and our last trip was to Florence and Tuscany and it was one of our best vacations ever (see trip report on http://gardkarlsen.com/florence_italy_travelogue.htm ). I’m also very, very pleased to see that South Africa is ranked on 8th place. I see that Cape Town is also high on the list of best cities in the world and I couldn’t agree more. I think that it will get even higher on the list when they host the soccer world cup in 2010. I’m a bit surprised to see Turkey so far up on the list…for most Scandinavians Turkey is just a place where you go to find sun, beaches and partytime. I have actually never been there but I would love to visit Istanbul one of these days. You can find the awards on http://www.cntraveller.com/ReadersAwards/2009/Countries/ .
Do you agree on the list? What country is your favorite vacation country?
I totally agree with New Zealand being up there, although to me, it ought to be in first place. The whole country (and sheep) is geared towards tourism and there are loads of tourist friendly instructions, brochures, booklets, etc. that one just can’t get lost while driving there. Of course, the sights are amazing too.
Am happy to see Spain and South Africa up there as well. Where’s Norway? I guess whoever decided on the list didn’t see Kjerag and Preikestolen and the amazing fjords! And hey, whatever happened to Malaysia?
I guess people find Norway too expensive and that is why it is not on the list
But it is a bit strange that Malaysia in not on the list as it is a place that has lots to offer, it is fairly cheap and you guys have been advertising on e.g. CNN forever (Malaysia Truly Asia 
)
I’m surprised about your opinion of Turkey. I am not a party or beach person and Turkey is one of the best places I have been. The whole country is replete with history and ruins. The food is fresh and good. Cappadocia is a wonder in itself. There’s so much more to Turkey than Istanbul and partying. The people there are very friendly and helpful. There’s a reason Turkey is high on the list. Go there, you’ll like it.
I’m not sure I gave an opinion about Turkey – I just said that for most Scandinavians it is a charter destination and most Norwegians that go there, go there only for the sun, beach and relaxation. But I would love to see Istanbul and Turkey one of these days