Where are you headed this summer?

If you haven't decided yet, continue reading.

As always, countless places beckon. What follows is admittedly a biased list, gleaned mostly from places visited by colleagues, friends other vacationers, with a tilt toward what's new:

China

See Beijing before the 2008 Summer Olympics, when prices will soar. Meanwhile, you benefit as the city spruces up for the Games and the country adds new air service. China has hundreds of hotel projects in the works, including more than 20 expected to open over the next year in Beijing. Many major US chains are opening there. If you're swinging down to Hong Kong, consider a side trip to Macao, which rivals Las Vegas as a world gambling capital. And unlike Las Vegas, Macao is steeped in hundreds of years of multicultural history. A downside: China continues to draw criticism from human-rights activists.

Hawaii

Waikiki's long-overdue redo is under way, with the $535-million (about Dh1,969 million) Waikiki Beach Walk contributing an arcade, outdoor stage, shops and restaurants. Other reasons to revisit this vacation favourite are renovated hotels, the new Pacific Aviation Museum and upcoming ferry service between Honolulu and neighbour islands. The new Superferry is expected to begin running daily from Honolulu to Kahului, Maui, and Nawiliwili, Kauai, in July.

Thailand

There's much to discover and rediscover in Thailand, where the beach resort of Phuket has bounced back from the 2004 tsunami, Bangkok has opened trendy nightspots, backpacker haven Chiang Mai is going stylishly upscale and eco-tourism is taking off. As an added bonus, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday this year is inspiring special celebrations and travel packages that focus on his cultural and conservation projects.

Guatemala

A less-trammeled alternative to Belize and Costa Rica for eco-tourists. Visitors will find not only jungles, Mayan ruins and volcanoes, but also new luxury hotels and the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Baltics

Tired of having your pockets picked by Europe's expensive euro? Cheaper, charming alternatives lie to the east, where relatively unspoiled Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia serve up intriguing history, diverse shopping and boutique hotels for less than $200 (about Dh736) per night. Cruisers already have discovered the Baltics, among the fastest-growing destinations, so book your cabin soon.

Nepal

A peace accord has put this Himalayan kingdom back on the map of trekkers and other adventurers after a decade of Maoist insurgency and the 2001 slayings of most of the royal family by the crown prince. The touristy Thamel area of the capital, Kathmandu, is a great place to buy bargain carpets and handicrafts. The city's historic Palace Square offers a view of Mount Everest, which you don't have to climb to appreciate; you can book a small-plane tour.

Spain

You'll be hearing a lot about this sunny European destination this summer as Valencia, boasting a revamped marina and a new opera house designed by Santiago Calatrava, hosts the America's Cup yacht regatta. But much is happening elsewhere in Spain too: new hotels, cutting-edge architecture and more convenient air service from Madrid, which is becoming a hub for Europe's low-cost carriers.