What’s hot in 2008?
With eco-friendly and carbon footprints now part of our extended travel vocabulary, HotelCLub.com issues its predictions for 2008!

Hot Destinations
1. Beijing, China – Hosting the Games of the XX1X Olympiad will put Beijing firmly in the global spotlight. Beijing is one of the fastest growing cities in the world today, but is also sensitive to its cultural past having a long and colourful history as a city of over 3,000 years and 800 as the capital of China. As the capital city for the People’s Republic of China, it is the seat of world’s largest communist bureaucracy and the source of policy changes that has made Beijing and China into an economic powerhouse

Sights to see: The Forbidden City – one of the most complete historical sights, Watch the flag ceremony at Tiananmen Square (either at dawn or dusk) and marvel at the world’s largest urban space, Visit the pavilions, temples and gardens of Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China – no matter which section you visit, the drama of this structure will take your breath away.

Things to Do: Aside from the Olympics in August, you must see an acrobatics performance; sample some traditional Asian cuisine such as Peking duck, hot-pot, baozi (steamed buns with meat or vegetables) and jiaozi (filled past parcels) or dine like a Imperial emperor at one of the imperial restaurants; shop at the largest shopping centre in the world – The Golden Resources Shopping Mall or take a stroll through Wangfujing Beijing’s most prestigious shopping street, or visit the Markets – try Panjiayuan Market (ghost market) for all kinds of Chinoiserie; silk cushions, mah jong sets, paintings and ornaments pr Hongqiao Market renowned for its pearls and bargain silk items. Check out accommodation options with discount Beijing hotels.

2. Macau - Macau is a city with two faces: the fortresses, churches and food of former colonial masters and is also the new Las Vegas of the East. Today Macau is booming – she woos commerce and tourism like never before, taking a tradition of gambling to new extremes. You can try your hand at one of many mega-casinos, but there are also many of Macau’s pleasures that are relaxed and laidback, architectural and atmospheric.

Sights to see: The Macau Peninsula, an area that was recently listed as a World Heritage Site; wander through the historic centre - the Largo do Senado, with its distinctive black-and-white-cobbled square; visit the Historic A Ma Temple or head out to Coloane Island one of the few green places left in Macau.

Things to Do: sample the many food delights such as a Cantonese dim sum breakfast from a streetside store in the Inner Harbour and/or Rua do Almirante Sergio, try one of Lord Stowe’s famous egg tarts before lunching on the spicy Macanese flavours of Café Nga Tim, in the sublime square outside the Chapel of St Francis Xavier; visit the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and lose yourself in marvellous Macau Museum a few times. Find out where to stay with discount Macau hotels.
3. Mumbai, India – Renamed from Bombay, Mumbai is the glamourous commercial hub of India and is a magnet to rich and poor alike, surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is home of India famous ‘Bollywood’ film industry, as well as being a thriving commercial and industrial centre for India.

Sights to see: The Gateway of India arch on the waterfront and directly opposite is the Taj Hotel; visit Maharaja Chatrapati Sivaji Musem with its foundation stone laid by George V and other art galleries including the National Gallery of Modern Art; take in sacred sights of the city by visiting some temples.

Things to Do: Visit Jyotiba Phule Market which is a great place to explore and buy any kind of foodstuff or take a boat ride to the island of Elephanta where a magnificent series of rock-cut cave temples with large sculptured interiors. Book a hotel in Mumbai through HotelClub.

4. Paris, France – One for the romantics of this world. Paris has not lost its magical charms over the years it is still one of the grandest and most beautiful cities of the world! Even Tom Cruise found its charm too irresistible - proposing to wife Katie Holmes atop the Eiffel Tower.

Sights to see: Take in the magic of Notre-Dame Cathedral and visit her museum that charts the history of this fabulous cathedral; climb the L’Arc de Triumphe during the day and see the heart of this city in action; cruise the River Seine and then reach for the stars in the evening at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget to spend at least a day in the Louvre – home to the Mona Lisa.

Things to Do: Take in the nightlife of Paris through one of its many bars; pop in and see a show at the Moulin Rouge; unleash your inner designer self and peruse the home of European haute couture with designers such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, and finally indulge your gourmet self with many fine dining establishments, plus great cafes for superb cheese and pain au chocolat. For a the perfect stay in the city, check cheaper hotels in Paris.

5. Budapest, Hungary –Budapest is truly a picture of history dating back a thousand years with the iconic Danube River flowing through its centre, you can find Celtic ruins, Roman ruins and symbols of ancient Christianity.

Sights to see: The ‘must see list’ of Budapest includes Hero’s Square which was built to commemorate the occasion of Hungary’s 1000 birthday in 1896; the Opera House whose grand hall can seat over 1,000 people; the Royal Palace which has a awing panoramic view of Budapest and today houses the National Gallery and Museum of modern art; Castle Hill contains the Budapest Historical Museum and the National Szecsenyi Library which contains a copy of every book ever published in Hungary. On display are drawings, manuscripts and sheet music. Visit Budapest hotels to stay close to the attractions.

As we bring you Insider over the coming weeks, we will reveal other ‘Hot’ Insider travel predictions!

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