Our Favorite Places of 2008

Montreal

For my birthday, I (Kate Hamman, Associate Editor) treated myself to a solo vacation to Montreal. I rented an adorable apartment through VRBO, which cost about $80 per night, less than a hotel room and located just a block from the popular Rue St. Denis. I spent three days wandering the streets from the Old City to the Latin Quarter, ducking in churches and small boutiques, and sipping coffee at outdoor cafes. I saved money by shopping at the Jean-Talon Market each morning, and cooking my own meals at night. However, I did splurge one night on one of the best meals of my life at Au Pied de Cochon.

(Photo: iStockPhoto/Sven Klaschik)

Rwanda

Senior Editor Molly Feltner was pleasantly surprised by a last-minute addition to her trip to Africa. "In October I traveled to Rwanda in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. I was in Africa to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and go on safari in Tanzania and decided to add on a week in Rwanda, almost as an afterthought. Boy was I glad I did. I can say without hesitation Rwanda is the most fascinating destination I've ever visited. There's nothing superficial about it. It's a place of extreme beauty—and sadness—but the government and the people are all dedicated to making their country a better place, and a destination tourists would want to come to for intimate natural and cultural encounters.

While in Rwanda, I went to see the famous mountain gorillas of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, and was able to get within feet of a wild gorilla family relaxing and eating with one another as if they were on a picnic. I also visited with the locals who live near the park, and had the chance to speak with them about their lives and how they were working to create a better future for their communities. Because tourism in Rwanda is still developing, it's best to travel with a knowledgeable guide who can make travel arrangements for you and take you to the best places to see. I went with Amahoro Tours, an excellent local company that specializes in community-based tourism."

(Photo: Molly Feltner)

Mt. Hood Territory, Oregon

Associate Editor Sarah Pascarella took a tour of Western Oregon, and found a place she could someday call home. "I was stunned by the natural beauty of Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory. We spent several days in Hood River this past October, hiking the foothills of Mt. Hood, driving the Fruit Loop Trail to sample the local harvest, and enjoying the cute shops and cafes in the downtown area. The above photo was taken at the summit of the Lost Lake Butte Trail. A steady upward climb reveals a small clearing that opens up to spectacular, unobstructed views of Mt. Hood and its valley below. We were the only hikers on the trail going up, had the view to ourselves for over an hour while we ate a picnic lunch, and only passed two other hikers on the way down. I can't wait to go back."

(Photo: Andrew Wagner)

Acadia National Park, Maine

Managing Editor Josh Roberts spent a fun-filled vacation in Maine this past fall. "In October, I spent a week exploring Acadia National Park in Maine with my wife and son. I snapped this picture after a hike to the top of Acadia Mountain, where we had a panoramic view of the foliage and the peaceful Sommes Sound off in the distance. We whittled hundreds of dollars off our vacation price by renting a cabin in Southwest Harbor, about 15 minutes by car from the main park entrance."

(Photo: Josh Roberts)

Sayulita, Mexico

Associate Editor Christine Sarkis spent her honeymoon in Sayulita, Mexico. "This is the view from the outdoor tables at Break Fast, a smoothie and snacks joint (and the host of Thursday-through-Sunday-night free movies on the beach) where my husband and I started most of our days in Sayulita. Activities such as surfing, swimming, fishing, biking, and hiking abound, but we spent most of our time in the tiny beach town strolling the cobblestone streets, hanging out at the beach, and eating our way through the many restaurants and taco stands."

(Photo: Christine Sarkis)

Crawford Notch, New Hampshire

To combat high airfares, Copy Editor Carl Unger explored the great outdoors not too far from his home. "This year, my wife and I opted for a camping trip in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. We took our dog hiking through some dramatic scenery and got some much needed respite and quiet. All in all it was exactly what we needed, and cost next to nothing!"

(Photo: Carl and Jess Unger-Benedetto)

Nicaragua

Last February, Senior Editor Zak Patten took his family on an escape to Nicaragua. He says, "Nicaragua has recently been touted as the next Costa Rica by a number of trend-watching travel writers. While this may be true, what is without doubt is that the country is a safe, friendly, and relatively cheap place to soak up the sun during North America's coldest months."

(Photo: Zak Patten)

French Quarter flags

New Orleans

Executive Editor Anne Banas fell in love with the spirit of New Orleans this last year. "Tourism is definitely coming back to New Orleans—Jazz, beignets, Creole cuisine, and all—especially in the French Quarter. I was so inspired during an April visit that I planned a second trip in June to not only re-experience the tourist areas but also to work on a Habitat for Humanity house in still Katrina-devastated Central City."

(Photo: iStockPhoto/DHuss)

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Associate Editor Jessica Labrencis revisited a family-favorite destination this year, and found that it's still just as enticing as it has always been. "I've visited Provincetown every summer of my life, and it remains one of my all-time favorite towns. For me, there's nothing better than an evening stroll down Commercial Street, popping into galleries featuring work by local artists, stopping for a homemade ice cream, and snapping photos of the outrageous drag queens advertising their popular shows. Great food and funky shops add to Provincetown's allure, and it's worth at least a day trip for travelers anywhere on the Cape."

(Photo: iStockPhoto/Christopher Bradshaw)

Martha's Vineyard

Editor-in-Chief Ed Passarella and his wife, Andrea, enjoyed a leisurely vacation to Martha's Vineyard this fall. "Wasque Reservation occupies the southeastern corner of Chappaquiddick, just a two-minute ride on the three-car ferry from Edgartown and a short drive on paved and dirt roads. We found it especially tranquil on a late October afternoon. Martha's Vineyard makes for a relaxing getaway in the off-season, when the crowds are gone, accommodations prices drop, and merchants offer deep discounts on everything from knit scarves to rustic placemats to pirate chess sets. Even the 45-minute voyage from Woods Hole on Cape Cod help set the mood for our peaceful retreat."

(Photo: Ed Passarella)