Top destinations 2011

Top destinations 2011: Libya

Africa's shimmering desert country is opening up to more tour groups after improved diplomacy with the west. Accommodation is popping up all over the capital Tripoli, including the planned opening of a luxury JW Marriott Hotel, while the city's classical Italian quarter is also being restored. Oasis town Ghadames is another option in a landscape that's mostly swathed in Saharan desert. There are dozens of archaeological sites to explore including Cyrene, Leptis Magna and Sabratha which give a fascinating insight into the lifestyles of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The monuments lining Libya's endless Mediterranean coastline are also an evocative reminder of its grand past.

Best time to go: Desert temperatures are bearable between October and April.

Top destinations 2011: Finland

The time is right to appreciate a sometimes overlooked part of Scandinavia which combines open-minded cities in the south with adrenaline-fuelled snow sports in the north. Finland's oldest city Turku will start the new year in style as European Capital of Culture, sharing the honour with Tallinn in Estonia. Events and concerts along the river Aura will take place from 14 January while DJs get the party started in central bars. Take a plane to the great Nordic outdoors where the forest-covered hills will be alive with cross-country skiing, reindeer racing, kayaking and ice swimming.

Best time to go: Enjoy Turku's festivities in January or wait until June when all the south's summer attractions open.

Top destinations 2011: Denmark

Charming Copenhagen's popularity is gathering apace. Eco-friendly hotels, a flourishing restaurant and café culture, impressive nightclubs, city beaches, free bicycles... what's not to love? This Danish city knows how to have fun. Summer is packed with promise, including the Midsummer Eve bonfires, an international Jazz Festival with 10 days of free outdoor concerts, and the Roskilde Festival: one of Europe's biggest music events. Elsewhere, the islands of Funen, Jutland and Zealand beckon: expect rural idylls dotted with cottages, castles and chic beach getaways.

Best time to go: Enjoy the summer festivals between June and August.

Top destinations 2011: China

China's development shows no sign of abating in 2011. The stunning spectacle of the 2008 Olympics and a growing economy has opened up a once isolated communist country to the rest of the world. Beijing's cultural hubs HouHai and Sanlitun are fizzing with cafés, pubs and clubs while its modern art scene, led by multimedia venues like 798 Space, is attracting international interest. Increased confidence is also reflected in the south where coastal city Guanzhou now boasts a 610m (2,000ft) Television Tower and a futuristic opera house. Getting around this vast country is also being made easier thanks to super quick inter-city trains.

Best time to go: Between March and May, or September and November, when the weather is more settled.

Top destinations 2011: Italy

Stuffed with sumptuous cuisine, cultural treasures and lush landscapes, Italy is a perennial temptress. Next year, it marks 150 years as a unified country providing the perfect excuse to see it in all its pomp as one of the top holidays for 2011. Celebrations will run between March and November with the focus on original capital Turin. The surrounding Piedmont region has been preparing for several years so expect some stunning shows and exhibitions. Dozens of European footballers will also head to the Bibione beach resort in Veneto when it hosts FIFA's beach soccer world cup from 1-11 September.

Best time to go: April and May are mild and the best times to explore the cities; July and August are best if you're a sun-worshipper.

Top destinations 2011: Iceland

Travel disruption caused by the notorious Eyjafjallajokull volcano earlier this year can't fail to dampen the appeal of this stunning destination. Iceland's unique geothermal landscape offers limitless chills and thrills such as trekking across icecaps, dodging steaming geysers, and joining the natives in toasty outdoor pools. Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island is another intriguing feature luring curious visitors. Reykjavík’s refreshments may still be a bit pricey but that doesn't deter its creative inhabitants enjoying hedonistic 'rúntur' pub crawls at weekends.

Best time to go: May to July is best for dry weather and sub-Arctic daylight but September brings the Northern Lights.

Top destinations 2011: Germany

The opening of a new Soho House hotel, a restaurant scene boosted by Michelin-starred eateries and nightlife that continues to outstrip Manhattan has cemented Berlin's credentials as one of the top holidays for 2011. Dresden is also reclaiming its old loveliness, with the newly restored Frauenkirche Cathedral and Baroque architecture providing a romantic mini-break setting. The 2011 Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals in June in Nurburgring and Nuremburg respectively look set to be epic with headline slots from Coldplay and Kings of Leon.

Best time to go: May to August is warmer but there are less crowds either side of those months.

Top destinations 2011: Peru

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu. The popularity of the sacred Inca site and trail has led to restrictions on visitor numbers but if you miss out, try the Espiritu Pampa route which also offers up equally fascinating ruins. Time your hiking holiday to coincide with a special concert on 7 July featuring Sting, Bono and Paul McCartney. The gateway to Machu Picchu is beautiful Cusco, which offers an enjoyable café culture and holds colourful festivals throughout the year. For an alternative Peruvian adventure, there are carefully controlled eco-tours taking explorers deep into the misty rainforest of Manu National Park.

Best time to go: July for the concert or December to March for quieter trails.

Top destinations 2011: Ukraine

With its profile on the rise ahead of the 2012 European Football Championship, now's the time to visit Ukraine and enjoy its highlights without breaking the bank. Capital Kiev invites overindulgence with its reasonably-priced restaurants and bars, high rollin' casinos and late night clubs, offset by renowned ballet and opera. The fun continues on the Black Sea coast where cosmopolitan Odessa is re-establishing itself as a summer playground for the nouveau riche. Lviv near the Polish border provides a pretty, more European contrast, and a handy base for exploring the nearby Carpathian Mountains.

Best time to go: April for the Easter Orthodox rituals or before September for warmer weather.

Top destinations 2011: Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea may be one of the last truly remote outposts but it's attracting more and more tourists each year. The abundant marine life, coral reefs and WWII wrecks nestling within its Pacific waters offer an irresistible pull for divers. Back on dry land, the mountainous Highlands region and Mount Willhelm peak are becoming more popular with hikers, with several tour companies operating in the area. Expeditions should be organised around one of the cultural shows where remote village tribes enthusiastically showcase their art, songs and dances.

Best time to go: Catch a cultural show between July and October.