Top 10 destinations for 2012

Making the leap from the off-the-beaten track to well on the adventure path, Georgia has seen tremendous changes over the last few years. Visas were all but abolished for most nationalities, making a trip of up to 360 days red tape free. Down to Earth home-stays are the norm in remote mountain villages where locals stuff you full of the best food in the region, not to mention pretty good wine. If the stunning natural beauty and unheralded trekking opportunities in the amazing Caucasus Mountains aren't enough, Georgia has 3 UNESCO sites to check out (with 15 more pending). The charming Old City of Tbilisi is full of cuteness and quaintness around every hidden corner. And the thump-thump clubs of the beach resort of Batumi will have you partying like it's 1999.

Recent events in Norway grabbed the world's attention. Google searches of the country were most assuredly to reveal some of the most spectacular natural sceneries on Earth. Glaciers have left their unmistakable mark carving fjords into the Norwegian shoreline. It doesn't matter if you prefer hiking for bird-eye view of the fjords from lookouts like Preikestolen, or choose the more comfortable sea-level approach on heritage cruises like the Hurtigruten. Beautiful train rides like the Flam Railway or the Raumabanen act as both tourist attractions and practical transport. And when it's time to party the night away, bars, restaurants and clubs await you in the quaint cities of Stavanger, Bergen or Trondheim. Expensive? Yes. Worth the money? Absolutely!

It is a wonder how delightful little Slovenia has managed to be off the radar for so long. Though it has snow-capped mountains, fairytale lakes, and one of the cutest capitals in Europe, Slovenia's real charm lies in the fact that it is so tiny. Within a day, you can have your morning coffee in a street cafe in Ljubljana, go downhill skiing in the Julian Alps, visit some of the biggest caves in Europe, and then end the day in swimming trunks at the Adriatic Sea - OK, it might be a bit chilly during wintertime, but you get the idea. For adrenalin buffs, there is an almost endless choice of outdoor activities like trekking, mountain biking, white water rafting, canyoning and riverboarding. All the meantime, you will keep asking yourself "Where are all the other tourists?"

Indonesia has so much to offer that it could be on the Top 10 list every year. It encompasses more than 17,000 islands, thus offering an immense amount of sights. Anything from picture-perfect white beaches, smoking volcanoes and religious temples, to dark jungles and traditional tribal villages can be seen. Indonesia is mostly famous for Bali, but, for the real deal, escape the pampering boutique hotels and go orangutan and Rafflesia spotting on Sumatra, temple cruising on Java, death celebrating on Sulawesi, and trekking in remote Papua where penis gourds are still in fashion. So rip a chunk out of your calendar, for Indonesia needs a lot of time to get to know.

With a plethora of strange and unusual animals and plants, a distinctive mix of Asians and Africans and a culture full of "taboos", Madagascar truly is a unique country. Add to this beaches that will make your jaw drop on your toes and you can imagine that this is just paradise waiting to be discovered by the masses, which hopefully won't happen all too soon. Except for some tour groups and a few individuals, you'll still have many parts of this country pretty much to yourself, which can make travel sometimes challenging once you go off the beaten track. This island nation lies just next to the immense African continent and may seem small, but it is roughly the size of France. With so much to discover, make sure you reserve enough time to explore this fascinating country!

Few countries can brag about more international attention in the last 20 years than Iraq. But now, the word is finally leaking out that the northern autonomous region, commonly referred to as Kurdistan, is safer than America or Britain. What is arguably the oldest civilization on Earth is ripe for the picking. Mountains, deserts, waterfalls and lakes await the nature enthusiast while a history older than history itself will dumbfound those with a desire for yesteryear. An increasing number of international and budget airlines are adding it to their route, making the place much easier access. You can go from five star hotel to a bare bones village in a matter of minutes. You might come for the adventure, but you'll stay for the unsurpassed hospitality.

Sierra Leone gets often mixed up with its war-torn neighbours, but the truth is the country has been at peace for 10 years - and that is a long time in Africa. Mainly untouched by tourism, the country is a real gem regarding natural beauty. Blessed with some of West Africa's best beaches, Freetown peninsula is a good place to start exploring. Pristine island-hopping off the coast might be the next choice, or what about some fine trekking and wildlife-watching in the mountainous inland? Sierra Leone is not a smooth ride, but it will certainly reward those eager to come here before things get up to standard.

Situated between two South American giants, Uruguay still claims to have the best beaches, meat and soccer team of the whole continent. There are white-sand beaches stretching the length of the northeastern coast that even South Americans travel to. Dotted with small beachside communities with dirt streets and sand dune bungalows, these towns offer a great mix of culture, from old fishermen to young revellers. If chic and beautiful is more your cup of mate, stop off at Punta Del Este, the "Miami" of Uruguay, where being seen is the scene and huge private yachts line the marina jetties. Uruguay embodies the relaxed South American lifestyle, so if you are fond of a good piece of meat and endless sunshine then this small, patriotic country might be something for you.

Greece is the Grand Old Lady on the tourist map, but it still has something to offer to all kinds of travellers. There are the islands with their typical beautiful villages, some of which have kept their typical country lifestyle and others have amazing beaches. Then, there is the ancient Greek culture with archaeological sites dotting the whole country. Away from the clichés of the beaches and the archeological sites, there are the mountains which are great for mountain sports, not to forget the varied and yummy food. Tourism is Greece's largest economy and, let's admit it, the country could use a little push in the back these days.

Perhaps for the more hardcore, who could resist a visit to the newest country on Earth? It is unlikely to matter what tourist facilities are offered, nor is it likely to be of importance the list of sites to see. The mere allure of the visa stamp will be enough to entice those who are so inclined.