Europe Ten Hottest Destinations for 2013

Whether you're looking for culture or just a reason to party, you'll want to make sure these European destinations are on your radar in 2013.

Thanks to a slew of new galleries, hotels and museums paired with festivals, fairs and more, there's plenty to keep you busy across the Continent in the coming year.

CNN's 2013 travel wish list

Corsica, France

It's France, but not as we know it.

A petite island a couple of hundred kilometers from the French mainland, Corsica flies under the radar for the most part -- and that's part of its appeal.

Hillside Mediterranean towns are blissfully crowd-free compared to the streets of tourist hot spots like Cannes and Nice, and you'll have most beaches entirely to yourself.

Still, the real draw in 2013 will be thousands of men clad in Lycra.

For the first time in history, Corsica will host a leg of the Tour de France (June 29-July 21).

More than that, it will hold the opening of the event, celebrating the race's 100th year with pomp and ceremony -- and some serious cycling.

The 3,360-kilometer race weaves across the country until it reaches Paris, where the pedaling culminates against the backdrop of a floodlit Arc de Triomphe.

Lonely Planet's top U.S. travel destinations for 2013

Liverpool, England

If you've heard Liverpool mentioned only in reference to its football club, you're missing out.

Besides London, it's arguably the most exciting destination in England at the moment, offering plenty of reasons to party well into the New Year.

Having just celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first record -- the Fab Four formed here in 1960 -- Liverpudlians are looking forward to another installment of International Beatle Week in August, commemorating the music and lives of one of the most influential pop groups of all time.

The festivities continue at the freshly minted Museum of Liverpool, where a new theater (opening in early 2013) will host music and drama events alongside insightful exhibitions and film screenings, many of them free.

Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, England; +44 (0) 151 478 4545; www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

8 travel resolutions for 2013

Reykjavik, Iceland

The fact that it's one of the most affordable destinations in Europe aside, Iceland's capital is cool on many levels.

Kissing latitude 67 degrees north, the isolated island of volcanoes and glaciers is home to equal urban drama: the Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre opened here not long ago and is now the official home of the Icelandic Opera and Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

Local favorite Björk has also been known to belt out a tune or two in the shimmering glass-clad building, embedded with colored LED strips.

While the glowing hall is pretty, it's hard to beat the lights in the night sky. Until April, Reykjavik and much of northern Europe are forecast to be treated to some of the best showings of the Aurora Borealis in history.

The Winter Lights Festival (February 7-10) will bring music, performances and food to help you get in the mood.

Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Ingólfsgarður Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland; +354 (0) 528 5050; en.harpa.is

Wishes for smooth journeys in the new year

Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey's biggest city delights visitors with some of Europe's hippest hotels and boutiques, not to mention a booming contemporary arts scene.

In 2013, Istanbul will host a handful of forward-thinking fetes, including the inaugural edition of Art Istanbul International at the Haskoy Yarn Factory (September 14-17), showcasing exciting new works from Turkey, the Middle East and beyond.

September also heralds the larger Istanbul Biennial (September 14-November 10), curated by renowned critic Fulya Erdemci.

Creative hoteliers are flocking to the city in response, which means that visitors can look forward to 2013 outposts from the likes of Shangri-La, Raffles and Hilton, among others.

Haskoy Yarn Factory, Kırmızı Minare Sokak 7-11, Sütlüce, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey; no tel; no website.

A sweet tour of Istanbul

Innsbruck, Austria

The Austrian capital may steal the spotlight from the rest of the country -- let's face it, Vienna is one beautiful city -- but Innsbruck deserves a place in the sun.

Encircled by the Alps, the city offers the ultimate access to some of Europe's best ski fields: hop on a funicular in town, zip past jaw-dropping railway stations designed by Zaha Hadid and you'll find yourself flying down untrammeled snow in no time.

Visit early in the year and you'll share the slopes with the world's snowboarding elite for the 20th edition of the Billabong Air & Style (February 1-2).

White stuff aside, Innsbruck offers equal allure during its warmer months, when visitors jump on bikes and cycle between historic hillside towns.

Crete, Greece

It may be one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean, but Crete offers plenty of intimate experiences, plus plenty of reasons to party -- the island is celebrating a century of union with Greece in December 2013.

Away from the blissful beach resorts, still extremely good value thanks to the country's recent economic woes, chilling of another kind is in full swing.

Crete is developing a reputation as one of the region's finest wine producers, with a growing catalog of extremely drinkable native grape varieties: Vilana and Vidiano, Dafni and Kotsifali, Mandilari and Thrapsathiri.

The best bit? Many of the vineyards are wedged between languid towns where predictably good tavernas dish up uncomplicated, but classic, Cretan fare for a handful of euros.

Helsinki, Finland

The World Design Capital in 2012, Helsinki continues to push creative boundaries.

In Narinkka Square, the freshly minted Kamppi Chapel of Silence resembles a wooden egg, dressed in fir and with a halo-shaped skylight beneath which you can sneak a moment of quiet contemplation.

Another eye-opening building will soon feature pine, larch and spruce rooms: the upcoming Kulttuurisauna will be the first public sauna to open in the city in some 50 years.

And on the outskirts of Helsinki in Espoo, the WeeGee Exhibition Centre is now home to The Futuro, an elliptical plastic house showcasing the space-age architecture and design of the late 1960s.

An equal spectacle will unfold at sea in 2013 when Helsinki hosts the Tall Ship Races for four days (July 17-20), welcoming more than 100 imposing vessels on their voyage from Denmark to Poland.

WeeGee Exhibition Centre, Ahertajantie 5, Espoo, Finland; +358 (0) 9 8163 1818; www.weegee.fi

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Near, far, wherever you are, you've no doubt heard a lot about Belfast -- and the legendary cruise liner it launched.

The ill-fated Titanic, which went down just over a century ago on April 15, 1912, was built and floated in Belfast and you can still visit the old Harland and Wolff Shipyard where the luxurious vessel was brought to life.

Today, the area has been reinvented as the Titanic Quarter -- Europe's largest urban regeneration scheme -- and is now home to the spectacular Titanic Belfast complex.

Newly opened, the space showcases an impressive collection of memorabilia, taking you from the conception to the destruction of the ship, and also hosts activities for the Titanic Belfast Festival (April 2013).

If that doesn't float your boat, book in for one of Titanic Walking Tours' excursions, where you'll learn yet more about the Titanic and how it changed the city forever.

Titanic Belfast, Queen's Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland; +44 (0) 28 9076 6386; www.titanicbelfast.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands

It's a bit obvious as a Euro hot spot, but there is a reason -- well, there are many -- why Amsterdam is a must-visit in 2013.

For a start, the Rijksmuseum will open once again on April 13, welcoming visitors after 10 years of renovations.

Highlights of the made-over space will include a dazzling new pavilion dedicated to Asian art, as well as lighter, brighter and impeccably restored halls, cupolas and galleries.

Other milestones over the course of the year include the reopening of the Van Gogh Museum (April 25), just in time to mark Vincent's 160th birthday and the gallery's 40th, and the 400th anniversary of the city's canal ring, which was added to the World Heritage List in 2010.

Celebrations will be in order.

Rijksmuseum, Jan Luijkenstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands; +31 (0) 20 674 7000; www.rijksmuseum.nl

Van Gogh Museum, Amstel 51, Amsterdam, Netherlands; +31 (0) 20 570 52 00; www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Berlin, Germany

Come October 2013, Berlin will be much easier to fly into, thanks to the highly anticipated (and well overdue) opening of the Brandenburg Airport, replacing three other airports at a cost of more than €4.2 billion (US$5.4 billion).

Needless to say, it will be one of the most modern terminal buildings in the world.

And when you do finally touch down you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that Berlin is home to some of the most affordable five-star hotels in the world at the moment.

Newcomers to look out for include the 232-room Waldorf Astoria Berlin (opening February), as well as boutique properties Bikini Berlin and Leonardo Hotel Berlin Mitte. The Waldorf will be part of a large retail complex with upscale boutiques, a cinema and office space and will feature a spacious rooftop terrace and bar.

The Leonardo will resemble a glass-and-metal pyramid and has been designed by notable German architect Eike Becker

Logistics Numbers Start 2013 Healthy cont.

From transportation indexes to warehousing construction, business figures made a strong transition from 2012 to 2013.

Imports and Exports:

• In November, the U.S. imported about $231.3 billion of cargo. November U.S. imports have increased 3.8% in terms of value from October, and rose 2.5% year-over-year. (Source: US Census);

• In November, the U.S. exported more than $182.6 billion of cargo. November U.S. exports have increased 1.0% in terms of value over the previous month and grew 3.3% year-over-year. (Source: US Census);

• U.S. import prices fell 0.1% in December. Import prices fell 1.5% over the past year. The price index for U.S. exports also fell 0.1% in December. Export prices increased 1.1% year-over-year. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics);

Employment:

• The unemployment rate in America remained unchanged at 7.8% in December 2012 as there were 155,000 net new jobs, down from the revised 161,000 new jobs created in November. (Source: US DOL);

• The trucking industry added 4,200 jobs in December. The trucking workforce increased 0.3% over the previous month and rose 3.37% over the previous year. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Rail:

• Railroad bulk carload freight in December 2012 rose 2.3% from November 2012. Freight traffic in December fell 4.2% from December 2011. Carloads excluding coal and grain increased 6.0% over the previous year. (Source: AAR.org) (Report includes rail car-loadings by 19 different major commodity categories as well as intermodal units);

• Intermodal rail traffic in December 2012 was 1.7% higher than in December 2011 and 1.0% higher than November 2012 totals. Intermodal loadings have experienced year-over-year gains for 37 straight months. (Source: AAR.org) (Report includes rail car-loadings by 19 different major commodity categories as well as intermodal units).

Trucking:

• The ATA’s seasonally adjusted cargo index rose 3.7% in November after falling 3.7% in October. The for-hire truck tonnage index rose 1% year-over-year. (Source: American Trucking Association | Trucking.org);
• The spot market for truckload freight in December fell 18% compared to the previous month, and was 1.8% higher year-over-year. Truck capacity fell 10% for the month, and was up 9% year-over-year. (Source: TransCore Freight Index | www.transcorefreightsolutions.com)
Air:
• Global air freight traffic in November increased 1.6% from one year ago and rose 2.4% from the previous month. North American air freight in November rose 2% year-over-year. (Source: IATA.org) (Global air freight covers international and domestic scheduled air traffic. North American traffic includes only domestic freight traffic.);
• In October, the average international air cargo rate was $3.99 per kilogram, rising 11.9% from the previous month. Average air freight rates were down 13.4% year-over-year. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) (The Drewry Air Freight Price Index is based on the average of rates ($US per kg) for cargoes of 100+kg to 1,000+kg cargoes from Shanghai to London, Moscow, Prague, New York, and Los Angeles.)
Ocean:
• Import shipment volume, in TEUs, at U.S. ports increased 1.2% in 2012 year-over-year. Over 17.6 million TEUs were imported last year. Maersk Line was the top carrier for 2012 and increased its TEU imports by 7.9% in 2012. (Source: Zepol Corporation | zepol.com)

Warehousing:

• The U.S. average industrial vacancy rate was 9.21% during Q3 2012, down from 9.37% in the previous quarter. Overall vacancy was 12.7% in Atlanta and 12.16% in Savannah during the third quarter. (Source: Colliers International)
• Total value of inventory on hand is estimated at $1.62 Trillion in November 2012, up 0.3% from October and up 5.5% from November 2011. (Source: US Census)
Purchasing Managers Index:
• The National PMI rose 1.2 points to 50.7 in December 2012. New orders remained the same at 50.3 and production fell 1.1 points to 52.6. (Source: Institute for Supply Management) (The PMI combines data on new orders, inventory, production, supplier deliveries, and employment. A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding.)

Trucking:

• The ATA’s seasonally adjusted cargo index rose 3.7% in November after falling 3.7% in October. The for-hire truck tonnage index rose 1% year-over-year. (Source: American Trucking Association | Trucking.org);

• The spot market for truckload freight in December fell 18% compared to the previous month, and was 1.8% higher year-over-year. Truck capacity fell 10% for the month, and was up 9% year-over-year. (Source: TransCore Freight Index | www.transcorefreightsolutions.com)

Air:

• Global air freight traffic in November increased 1.6% from one year ago and rose 2.4% from the previous month. North American air freight in November rose 2% year-over-year. (Source: IATA.org) (Global air freight covers international and domestic scheduled air traffic. North American traffic includes only domestic freight traffic.);

• In October, the average international air cargo rate was $3.99 per kilogram, rising 11.9% from the previous month. Average air freight rates were down 13.4% year-over-year. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) (The Drewry Air Freight Price Index is based on the average of rates ($US per kg) for cargoes of 100+kg to 1,000+kg cargoes from Shanghai to London, Moscow, Prague, New York, and Los Angeles.)

Ocean:

• Import shipment volume, in TEUs, at U.S. ports increased 1.2% in 2012 year-over-year. Over 17.6 million TEUs were imported last year. Maersk Line was the top carrier for 2012 and increased its TEU imports by 7.9% in 2012. (Source: Zepol Corporation | zepol.com)

Warehousing:

• The U.S. average industrial vacancy rate was 9.21% during Q3 2012, down from 9.37% in the previous quarter. Overall vacancy was 12.7% in Atlanta and 12.16% in Savannah during the third quarter. (Source: Colliers International)

• Total value of inventory on hand is estimated at $1.62 Trillion in November 2012, up 0.3% from October and up 5.5% from November 2011. (Source: US Census)
Purchasing Managers Index:

• The National PMI rose 1.2 points to 50.7 in December 2012. New orders remained the same at 50.3 and production fell 1.1 points to 52.6. (Source: Institute for Supply Management) (The PMI combines data on new orders, inventory, production, supplier deliveries, and employment. A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding.)

Staying Safe on Holiday

From sunburn and sexually transmitted infections to personal safety, always be prepared.

• Road accidents abroad - road accidents are a major cause of holiday injuries
• Travel and sexual health - don't bring home an unwanted memento from your holiday
• Sun safety - avoiding the worst effects of the hot weather
• Staying safe in the snow - avoiding illness when you're on the slopes
• Drugs and alcohol abroad - attitudes vary around the world, as do the penalties
• Water safety on holiday - be aware of the dangers lurking in the calmest of waters
• Needle hygiene on holiday - shared needles are one of the main sources of HIV infection
• Fire safety on holiday - be aware of your fire safety away, as you would at home
• Personal safety while travelling - don't become a victim while you're away

ILLNES & INJURY ON HOLIDAY

A bad bout of diarrhoea or mosquito bites can wreck your holiday. Discover how to avoid problems and what to do if the worst happens.

• Bites - some animals and insects can carry infectious diseases
• Diarrhoea - avoid letting an upset tummy spoil your holiday
• Skiing injuries - hit the slopes prepared
• Illness post-holiday - sometimes symptoms of an illness are delayed until you're back home

PLANNING A HEALTHY HOLIDAY

Make yourself a check-list, whether it's the necessary vaccinations, a repeat prescription or insect bite treatment, so you're well prepared.

• Jet lag tips - plan ahead to avoid the worst of the symptoms
• In-flight health - keep an eye on yourself on the plane an you'll arrive at your destination in good health
• Vaccinations for travel - make sure you've had the right jabs and tablets in time
• Travellers with special needs - advice for pregnant women and people with disabilities
• Essential items for travel - a few basic items can make a big difference

TRAVEL HEALTH

Don't let ill-health spoil your holiday or travels. With a bit of preparation before you go, and avoiding the common illnesses while you're away, you'll have a safe, healthy holiday.

Want to be the first to board a Southwest Airlines flight?

It'll cost you.

Starting 45 minutes before a flight's departure, any remaining spots in the airline's "A" boarding group can now be purchased for a $40 fee payable by credit card.

"Offering customers the option to improve their boarding position on day of travel is one more way we can offer the travel experience that best fits their needs," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines vice president of marketing, sales and distribution, in a press release.

The airline doesn't assign seats but it does give certain fliers the right to board before other fliers. They include people who buy Business Select Fares, Rapid Rewards Members with A-List and A-List Preferred status, and EarlyBird Check-In customers. Those early boarders have first crack at the best seats and overhead bin space.

Got that? Southwest's boarding practices are unusual enough compared to other airlines that they've got an online tutorial.

"This is yet another of several recent attempts by Southwest to add peripheral fees so that it can raise revenues without tarnishing its image," wrote Brett Snyder, president of The Cranky Flier, in an e-mail. "Southwest's elite travelers won't like that people can buy their way to the front of the line, but it will be welcomed by those at the back. This is the first effort Southwest has made to allow people to better their position once they know their boarding number."

The airline does offer two free pieces of checked baggage, so there's no need to fight over overhead space unless you need it.

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, is not charging this fee. However, Southwest continues its program of repainting AirTran planes in Southwest colors, putting them back into service as Southwest flights and charging Southwest fares and fees, a Southwest spokeswoman confirmed.

Logistics Numbers Start 2013 Healthy

 

From transportation indexes to warehousing construction, business figures made a strong transition from 2012 to 2013.

The most recent logistics numbers (from the Logistics Market Snapshot, courtesy of the Georgia Center of Innovation) show a few bright spots to kick off 2013.

• Container volume on U.S. railroads represented 87% of total intermodal volume, up from 69% in 2000, and every Class 1 U.S. railroad recorded increases in intermodal for the year.

• At the end of 2012, about 32 million square feet (MSF)of warehouse construction was in progress nationwide. In Georgia alone, 3.4 million square feet of new construction is underway—nearly twice as much as the 1.8 million square feet being constructed in Tennessee, which is #2 in the country.

• The U.S. GDP increased 3.1% in the third quarter of 2012 according to the final estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

• In November, building permits rose 3.6% (an indicator of future housing starts) to an annual rate of 899,000.

Transportation Indexes

Transportation Indexes:US


• Dow Jones Transportation index rose 7.5% during the month of December. (Stock performance of twenty large, well-known U.S. companies in the transportation industry, average of December 10th thru January 10th);

• NASDAQ Transportation Index increased 9.3% in December. (Averaged share weights of NASDAQ-listed companies classified as transportation companies, average of December 10th thru January 10th);

• The USDOT's freight transportation services rose 1.7% in November 2012. The index’s reading of 108.9 matched the reading from November 2011. (Source: US DOT);

• The December shipments index fell 2% over the previous month and rose 1.4% year-over-year. The December expenditures index increased 0.9% for the month, and increased 4.0 % year over year. (Source: Cass Information Systems | Cassinfo.com) (Based upon transportation dollars and shipments of Cass clients comprised of over 400 shipping companies).

UK snow: Further disruption predicted for Friday

The Highways Agency is warning drivers to take extra care, while the RAC says reaching stranded motorists was now a "real challenge".

There are many delays on the rail network and flights at several airports have been cancelled as a band of heavy snow affects most of the UK.

Upwards of 3,000 schools have been closed in England, Wales and Scotland.

Heavy snow is falling in Wales, where a rare Met Office red warning for severe disruption has been issued.

Drivers Alert! Central London: Avoid Wandsworth Road and around

Two people have been killed and 13 injured when a helicopter crashed into a crane in central London.

The helicopter had hit the crane on top of The Tower, One St George Wharf at about 08:00 GMT.

Heavy snow in Glenmore near the Cairngorms in Scotland.

Heavy snow in Glenmore near the Cairngorms in Scotland.

Many parts of the UK will be at risk of snow again later this week

Most of the areas will experience between 2cm and 5cm of snow settle. Some areas such as Yorkshire will see up to 10cm settle.

Cold weather will take hold across the whole of the UK, but southern England and Wales are likely to be spared snow.

While our drivers will do everything possible to collect and deliver parcels, But road conditions and resulting road closures are likely to hamper their progress and it is possible that in some instances, they won’t be able to get to their destinations. 

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.

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