3. • Incredible museums like the Los Angeles
Museum of Contemporary Art, the presence of
the Grand Central Market, and excellent
shopping choices like Acne Studios and Aesop
make downtown L.A. – not Hollywood, Bel
Aire, or any other part of L.A. – the most
happening place to be in southern California.
5. • If nature and wildlife is more your style, then
Namibia’s communal conservancies – which
combines sustainable tourism with rural community
outreach efforts – is for you. You wilderness safari
can take you through the Desert Rhino Camp, the
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, and more.
7. • Taiwan is a small nation with incredible public
transportation options and a massive and diverse
metropolis in its capital, Taipei. With a burgeoning arts
scene and new boutique hotels springing up in the
coming years, the city offers quite a bit to see, as does
the surrounding countryside. Wetlands, white
sands, fishing villages and more are available to visit, and
deep-sea fishing and diving are available offshore as well.
9. • A variety of events are being hosted in Addis
Ababa this year, including a photography festival
(Addis Foto Fest), a jazz and world music festival
(Acacia Festival), and two film festivals. The city
also hosts the artist-in-residence village Zoma
Contemporary Art Center, and the Asni Gallery. If
you are a fan of the arts, 2014 in Addia Ababa
must tempt you!
11. • Everyone is talking about the new
pope, Francis, and the Vatican is anticipating
record-setting pilgrim attendance at celebrations
this year owing to his popularity. You can not only
be part of those historic celebrations, but also
enjoy the new restorations that have been in the
works for years, including Bernini’s colonnade
and the Via Triumphalis necropolis.