As 2007 winds to a close, it’s time to start thinking about my own personal travel wishlist for 2008. I’ve been keeping tabs on what the big media outlets are forecasting, from the New York Times’ list of 53 Places to Go in 2008 to National Geographic’s Best of Adventure in 2008.

Both of these list are good. Yet like so many ‘top in travel’ lists that proliferate this time of year, the mainstream lists err on the side of long-haul backpacker destinations. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with long-haul backpacker destinations. There was a time when the NY Times’ top destinations would have inspired me to pack my bags and catch the next flight to Laos (#1), Lisbon (#2), Tunisia (#3), Mauritius (#4) and Miami (#5 — yes, even to Miami!).

What’s changed?

Emmett doesn’t own a backpack… yet!

His name is Emmett. He is nearly 2 years old. And he doesn’t own a backpack.

Having a toddler definitely puts a different emphasis on your travel plans. Not in a bad way, but in a way that clearly says “Scott you cannot take your 2-year-old son to India for a month… Scott your 2-year-old son cannot sleep rough in a European train station… Scott your 2-year-old son must be in bed by 7pm each and every night.”

Yes, these are the voices I hear in my head as I start planning our family’s 2008 travel wishlist.

With that in mind, here is my personal “Top 10 in Travel” for 2008. I’m hoping to crack everything in the Top 5, despite those voices in my head urging caution.

Scott’s Top 10 in Kid-Friendly Travel for 2008

1. Istanbul. This is one of my favorite cities on the planet. It has everything: good food, amazing architecture, friendly people, beautiful scenery. And it is safe. I think the family can handle a trip to Istanbul, so that’s my #1 travel ambition this year.
2. New York City. Emmett is old enough now to appreciate the sights, sounds and energy of New York City. I’d love to take him wandering the streets of Lower Manhattan, the East Village and Brooklyn, maybe even take in a kid-friendly show or two. Emmett is a people watcher, and you can’t do better than NYC for that.
3. New Orleans. I have not been back to New Orleans since Katrina; I am hoping to return this year. My wife and I were married in New Orleans and it’s certainly among my top 3 favorite U.S. cities, Katrina or no Katrina. Normally I wouldn’t take Emmett on a swamp tour or a cemetery tour. He’s too young. But I know the economy in New Orleans could use our patronage. So off we’ll all go on a few New Orleans tours.
4. Dublin. No I am not planning to introduce Emmett to Guinness just yet. Rather, Ireland in general (and Dublin in particular) is a great place to relax, have some fun, enjoy the countryside, and not worry too much. Dublin is an incredibly easy place to visit, the people are great, and in a funny kind of way it’s a perfect destination for kids.
5. San Diego. I’m cheating just a little with this selection. San Diego is a great family destination (think: Sea World and the Wild Animal Park). It’s also the home to Emmett’s grandmother, so a visit to San Diego in 2008 is inevitable.
6. Hong Kong. Bowl of hot noodles and a harbour cruise. Enough said.
7. Rome. This is the one place Emmett has already been! Rome is such a great city for kids, which isn’t something I would have guessed at before having a kid myself. So if you’re looking for a good family destination, I can certainly give Rome a huge thumbs up. So much so I’m hoping to go back this year. (Also check out the Rome with Kids travel tips on the Viator blog.)
8. Tokyo. I’m not sure what the appeal is here. Part of me worries that Tokyo is too busy, too crowded, too exotic for Emmett to cope with. But then again, maybe not. And I’ve been wanting to visit Tokyo, check out the things to do, main attractions and the like that Tokyo has to offer. So it sneaks onto the list at number 8.
9. Sydney & Melbourne (tie!). Don’t you hate it when a top 10 list ends at number 9!! Normally I do. In this case, it’s unavoidable because — let’s be honest — if I pack the family onto an airplane for 14 hours to visit Australia, we’re going to make the most if it! Given the huge pain of getting there, once we’re actually there we’ll cover Sydney and Melbourne, maybe Ayers Rock and Cairns, we’re obliged to cover all the highlights. Heck why not throw in New Zealand and Tahiti while we’re at it…

–Scott McNeely

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 9th, 2007 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Family & Kids, List Mania: Viator's Top Picks, Travel Inspiration, Travel Wishlists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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