Travel Picks: The top 10 IT places to visit in 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Looking for a new vacation spot this year? Try Mozambique, Oman, or even revisit Paris, all of which feature on a list of the top 10 must-visit destinations for 2008 from online travel site Concierge.com.

Concierge.com said the places on its annual list of the top 10 "it" places share a few common denominators -- a new crop of hotels, protected natural appeal, and with enough substance to make a journey worthwhile.

"Many of the destinations on this year's list have undergone a transformation," said Peter J. Frank, editor-in-chief of www.Concierge.com.

1. Mozambique, Africa

After a devastating civil war 15 years ago, the country is now open to visitors to enjoy its 1,500 miles of Indian Ocean coastline and archipelagoes with superb diving, the vibrant capital of Maputo with an exciting Afro jazz scene, and national parks that are slowly restoring the wildlife to prewar numbers.

2. St. Lucia

One of the most striking islands of the Caribbean, with copious rain forest, sparkling waterfalls, and a fair share of pretty beaches, St. Lucia has kept a relatively low profile in the last decade, and is mostly the secret of a fiercely loyal group of repeat visitors. But the word is out this season.

3. Montenegro

Montenegro was cut off from the world during the civil war that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, so few travelers know this stretch of mountainous Adriatic coast with quiet beaches and picturesque fortress towns. But insiders are calling this the next Croatia or the new European Riviera. Though Montenegro has adopted the Euro, prices remain much lower than in Croatia and Italy.

4. Ecuador

Low-profile Ecuador is emerging as Latin America's best-kept secret, with a sophisticated cultural scene and enough adventure to keep adrenaline junkies pumped. Start your trip in newly glamorous Quito, the country's colonial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city just received a $40-million face-lift, and a number of stylish new restaurants and restored hotels are also fueling the renaissance.

5. Sicily

Long the domain of fusty grande-dame hotels and package tourists covering well-trod itineraries, the Italian island is experiencing a revival, thanks to a new generation of enterprising hoteliers and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Start your trip in the northwest near Trapani, an area of vineyards, Baroque villages, and cuisine with a North African zing then head across the island to Syracuse, arguably Sicily's most beautiful city.

6. San Diego

San Diego is going through an unprecedented growth spurt, with a particular focus on the young, the restless, and the loaded. Leading the charge is one of Miami's main luxury players, the Setai, set to open in April 2008 in the Gaslamp Quarter, following close on the heels of a brand-new Hard Rock Hotel.

7. Hainan Island, China