Top 10 hot destinations for 2014

GOA, INDIA

With the Fifa World Cup set to kick off next June, Brazil is going to be one of the most popular places in the world in 2014, with games played in the capital, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and many other cities throughout, giving die-hard football fans plenty of opportunity to explore. But even if you’re not a football fan, there are lots of reasons to visit Brazil. Famed for the colourful Rio carnival and fabulous beaches, as well as being home to lush rainforest including, of course, half of The Amazon, it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Must-see sights include the beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema, and Corcovado Mountain.

Flying time from the UAE: 15 hours

Where to stay: Set right on a private stretch of Ipanema Beach, with a white marble rooftop pool, Fasano Rio (www.fasano.com.br/) offers stylish luxury in a modern setting. Rooms from Dh2,965 per night.

Where to stay: The Sebel Playford (www.accorhotels.com) is a boutique hotel set in the heart of the city’s vibrant North Terrace, with an Art Nouveau ambience and luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites. Rooms from Dh595 per night.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

The success of the very impressive Titanic Museum is helping Belfast’s regeneration into one of Europe’s must-visit cities. It boasts some great restaurants and shopping, and it’s within easy reach of the fabulous beaches on the Antrim coast and the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway, a Unesco World Heritage site. It’s also the perfect place from which to explore the rest of Ireland – plus the opening of the new cruise terminal in 2014 makes the city an attractive proposition for anyone planning a European cruise holiday.

Flying time from the UAE: 7 hours

Where to stay: The Merchant Hotel (www.themerchanthotel.com) is on the edge of the city’s Cathedral Quarter and offers Victorian grandeur and art deco-inspired modernity – plus a luxury spa and a gym with panoramic city views. Rooms from Dh820 per night.

Flying time from the UAE: 10 hours 20 minutes

Where to stay: Intercontinental’s The Strings (www.ihg.com/) has an extraordinary interior and seven-storey atrium, and bedrooms boasting incredible views of the city. Its location makes it perfect for quick getaways to the rest of the country. Rooms from Dh888 per night.

Declared the European Capital of Culture 2014, Umeå is the birthplace of novelist Stieg Larsson. It’s also a great place for families, with attractions including the Elk House, Europe’s first Elk (large deer) park, and the outdoor Umadelen Sculpture Park. If you plan your visit for Sweden’s winter months you can try husky-sledding through snow-covered forests, while in summer, the midnight sun means you can enjoy long lazy days and kayaking around the archipelago.

Flying time from the UAE: 7 hours

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Flying time from the UAE: 14 hours

How to get there: Virgin Atlantic has return flights from Dh4,505.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and there will be lots of celebrations taking place in the city to mark the event. Berlin remains one of the most fascinating cities in Europe, with sights including the Brandenburg Gate, TV Tower and Charlottenburg Palace, plus excellent restaurants and brilliant shopping, including luxury department store KaDeWe. Make sure you take time to stop for the traditional Kaffee und Kuchen – coffee and cake – Berlin has some of the best cafés in Germany.

Flying time from the UAE: 7 hours

Where to stay: The historic Hotel Adlon (www.hotel-adlon.de/) has arguably the best location in Berlin – right by the Brandenburg Gate, and has a sophisticated, discreet ambience, making it a favourite with visiting royalty and celebrities alike. Rooms from Dh1,295 per night.

All eyes will be on Russia in early 2014 as the city of Sochi on the Black Sea coast plays host to the Winter Olympics, but it’s the ideal opportunity to discover the rest of the country as well. Don’t miss the city of St Petersburg, with its perfectly preserved historical palaces and The Hermitage, one of the finest art collections in the world, with works by artists including Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Renoir and Rembrandt; and of course the capital, Moscow, home to the Kremlin and Red Square, as well as excellent shopping, including the glittering GUM mall, and department store TsUM, with its stunning food hall stocking everything from caviar to berries dusted with sugar.

Flying time from the UAE: 5 hours

Flying time from the UAE: 7 hours 40 mins

Where to stay: Occupying three Georgian townhouses in Edinburgh’s New Town, The Howard Hotel (www.thehoward.com) has butlers to take care of your every need, and rooms furnished with rich fabrics. From Dh875 per night.