Rio de Janeiro gears up for the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016.

Here’s a New Year’s resolution for you: Get your passport stamped in one of the year’s hottest destinations. London, Myanmar, Panama — each of our picks is a classic in the midst of transformation or a sneak-up-on-you surprise. Cheer on Olympians in a futuristic Zaha Hadid-designed pavilion, witness the brightest Northern Lights in 50 years or lose yourself in once-in-a-lifetime reggae festival. Sure beats hitting the gym.

1. LONDON

Why Now: It’s London’s year — the capital celebrates the Queen’s 60-year reign in June with a spectacular, seven-and-a-half-mile-long Diamond Jubilee flotilla along the River Thames, and the Summer Olympics kick off in July. We’re looking forward to gawping at the Zaha Hadid-designed Aquatic Center, a mammoth manta ray-shaped building that will host everything from synchronized swimming to water polo. But it’s not all sport: A flurry of world-class cultural shows are planned throughout the UK: Tate Modern is showing a Damien Hirst retrospective, the World Shakespeare Festival is staging dozens of plays in just as many languages, and the London 2012 Festival will be country’s biggest ever, with 1,000 dance, music and film events, and more. Let the games begin.

2. VENICE

Why Now: Renowned architect David Chipperfield — the latest winner of the Mies van der Rohe award for his reinvention of Berlin’s Neues Museum — brings his exacting vision to the 13th edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale this fall — he’s the first Brit to curate the mega arch event, which will see countries from Australia to Japan unveil pavilion designs.

3. REYKJAVIK

Why Now: Iceland is expected to go through an especially active solar maximum cycle this year, with the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, shining at their brightest for 50 years (November—April should be especially clear). While you’re there, check out the Harpa Concert Hall, a dazzling addition to Reykjavik’s skyline with an Olafur Eliasson-designed, multi-colored hexagonal glass façade.

4. NEW YORK CITY

Why Now: Is there ever a reason not to hit up NYC? It earns its place on our 2012 list for the opening of the Museum for African Art — one of just two U.S. museums solely devoted only to the continent’s art — which will settle on Fifth Avenue and 110^th Street in the second half of the year, extending Museum Mile uptown into Harlem. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern, the 90,000-square-foot building will have a soaring, three-story lobby and a façade comprised of V-shaped windows meant to evoke a sense of motion. Another hot cultural happening: London’s 170-gallery strong Frieze Art Fair comes to Randall’s Island Park for the first time in May.

5. MYANMAR

Why Now: As its government inches towards democracy — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit was the first of its kind in more than 50 years — Myanmar is shaping up to be the hottest ticket in Southeast Asia. Expect gold-leafed pagodas, pristine beaches, countless temples, endangered river dolphins — and, for now, a dearth of fellow travelers.

6. DENVER

Why Now: Colorado isn’t all about double diamonds. The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver’s downtown cultural district just debuted with more than 825 paintings and 1,575 works on paper by its namesake Abstract Expressionist artist. Meanwhile, less than a 10-minute drive away, the Denver Art Museum will host a major Yves Saint Laurent retrospective on March 25 (through July 8).

7. HAWAII

Why Now: Hawaii has long drawn travelers to its soft-sand beaches, lush rainforests and snowcapped volcanoes, and it’s becoming easier — and more affordable — to get there. Alaska Airlines recently launched a daily nonstop flight from San Diego to Honolulu and Hawaiian Airlines plans to debut the same service departing from JFK this coming June for the first time in decades (from about $750).

8. PANAMA

Why Now: Panama is transforming at warp speed: The brand new Punta Pacifica neighborhood along Panama Bay is being hailed as “the Dubai of the Americas” thanks to big-bang openings like the Trump Ocean Club and the Hard Rock; dozens of boutique hotels are in the works in the old town of Casco Viejo, where more than half of the historic buildings will get a facelift by 2013. The Frank Gehry-designed BioMuseo, which will focus on natural history, is slated to open at the end of 2013 but, in the meantime, hard-hat tours are on offer; and in 2014, the canal will be expanded to make room for China’s super tankers and to mark its 100-year anniversary. Phew.

9. JAMAICA

Why Now: The Caribbean capital of cool kicks off its 50^th year of independence with the 16^th annual Jazz and Blues Festival in January (headliners include Shaggy, Celine Dion and Cee Lo Green), followed by a month-long island-wide celebration of reggae in February and the annual Reggae Sumfest in July (at press time, artists weren’t yet confirmed, but past acts include Usher, Rihanna and 50-Cent). The whole thing ends with a bang with a float parade and gala in August at Kingston’s National Museum.

10. ISTANBUL

Why Now: The city that straddles Europe and Asia just keeps getting hotter with openings on all fronts. The first Istanbul Design Biennale lands in October and a slew of hotels (Shangri-La’s first Turkish outpost; the heliport-equipped Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Center; Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler with a rooftop bar featuring Bosphorus views) will open throughout the year. And Soho House — the members-only club beloved of creative types — adds Istanbul to its international portfolio in 2013.

11. RIO DE JANEIRO

Why Now: The sexiest city in the world (in our opinion) will see a slew of cultural and hotel openings leading up to the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016. Copacabana Beach is having a comeback thanks to the end-of-year opening of the Museum of Image and Sound, designed by Diller, Sofidio and Renfro. And between 2013 and 2016, Rio will get a Four Seasons, a Ritz-Carlton, an Andaz and a Grand Hyatt, plus the Santiago Calatrava-designed Museum of Tomorrow, which will be the centerpiece of a $2.8 billion waterfront redevelopment project, with galleries cooled by harvested seawater and a paneled façade that will move to adapt to changing environmental conditions — bringing a whole new meaning to living museum.

12. BERLIN

Why Now: Berlin is Europe’s unofficial contemporary art capital with more than 20,000 artists, 180 museums and 440 galleries. Planning a trip is easier than ever, thanks to a batch of stylish new hotels, including a new build by the Waldorf Astoria, and amped-up transportation: Air Berlin now offers daily service from Berlin to New York and launches the first non-stop flight to Los Angeles (about $960 roundtrip) in May, and the Berlin Brandenburg International airport debuts a month later. Art highlights for 2012 include the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art (April 27—July 1) and the Neues Museum’s exhibition in honor of the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of the bust of Nefertiti in December.

British Columbia's Tom Kundig-designed Mission Hill Winery.

‘Tis the season to drink great wine. So we sat down with Ingo Grady, the Director of Wine Education at British Columbia’s Tom Kundig-designed Mission Hill Winery, for his best tips about how to choose, store and ship wine this holiday season.

1. Be a people-pleaser. This time of year isn’t about serving or gifting wines you personally love, it’s about pleasing the crowd. Soft, fruity wines like dry rosés, aromatic Rieslings and pinot noir from California, Oregon or New Zealand, are likely to be a hit across up to three generations. But that doesn’t mean you have to go entirely without — after all, it’s okay to be hedonistic, even greedy, when it comes to wine. I’ll admit that I’ve sipped a German Riesling on the sly while pouring a different bottle for my dinner guests.

2. Mind your menu. On top of choosing a wine with broad appeal, it’s essential that it go with the dishes you’re planning to serve. The Okanagan’s signature merlot, for example, pairs well with cold winter nights and hearty meals like beef or lamb stew, braised beef short ribs, pasta and tomato sauce, rabbit or even wild boar. Any good wine shop should be able to make menu-specific recommendations at your price point. You’ll know it’s a success if your guests forgo afternoon skiing to pop another bottle.

From the cellar to your table.

3. Do your research. You just unwrapped a beautiful, ruby-red bottle — now what? Generally, New World wines are riper, with less acidity and softer tannins, and can be sipped right away, while Old World European wines have a higher acidity and more tannins, both of which soften when aged between two and 10 years. Most wine goes bad not because of corks or inherent faults but because it hasn’t been opened early enough so, figure out what you’ve got, and plan accordingly. When in doubt, my philosophy is that it’s better to drink a wine two years too early than two years too late.

4. Store with savvy. Certain wine (vintage Port, top-rated Bordeaux, Borolo from northern Italy) must be aged in a temperature- and humidity-controlled space. Depending on how much room you have and the seriousness of your mission, there are three storage options: horizontal shelving for corked bottles; a refrigerator that holds between 10 and 144 bottles in one or more different temperature zones (SubZero, Vinotemp and GE Monogram make reliable and affordable models); or your own space in a wine-storage facility like Chelsea Wine & Storage in New York or the San Francisco-based Vinfolio. Wine is resilient so even if you break some of the rules of cellaring, it just may come through for you.

5. Ship with caution. If you’re looking to ship wine, keep in mind that laws vary by state and many are in flux; the Wine Institute and Free the Grapes are easy-to-use resources for checking which regulations apply to you. Complicating matters, a lot of shippers don’t use temperature-controlled containers, which are key to making sure wine doesn’t spoil. Make arrangements in advance through a trusted independent wine shop that can ensure your wine is taken care of properly.

I’ve never seen so many beards before. And not just your run of the mill, average facial hair – but proudly grown, who knows what’s hiding in there, I’m-a-man burly beards. It’s like a right of passage, a sign if you will, that you’ve arrived in Nepal. No, it’s not the locals, but the travelers who are of a distinct set (think faux-North Face and dreds, carefree yet thoughtful) and it’s the first time I’ve been to a place, where beard or no beard, I feel as though I’ve joined a secret club. A really dirty, but awesome, secret club.

Back in 2008, Jetsetter Senior Marketing Manager Rachel Bobrow visited North Korea, and the culture shock is still wearing off. After the jump, see a selection of the images she brought back.

Drew Patterson, CEO

“I’m trekking to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park for a honeymoon with my wife, where we’ll be joined by a few old friends. We’re attempting the 19,341-foot climb together, and seeing in the New Year at the cloud-shrouded and frost-bitten Shira Camp plateau, 11,800 square feet above sea level. After recovering from the adventure and going on few game drives in Tanzania, we arrive at Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve and spend our last few days in savannas chock full of wildebeest, zebras, impalas, giraffes and more.”

Adrienne Walsh, Supervisor, Member Services

“My vacation will kick off with four days in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, where I will deliver Christmas gifts to children in need at an orphanage funded by children’s nonprofit LakayPam. Then, I’ll take a four-hour drive to Ile-a-vache (a small island off the southwest coast of Haiti), where I’ll spend several days sunning on a beautiful desolate beach.”

Jess Blumensheid, Editorial Producer

“I’m escaping to San Francisco for my family’s annual winery marathon at Sonoma’s estates, where I’ll taste the local harvest reserves. I can’t take a bottle back on the plane, but I can bring back a wine-stained smile.”

Nikki Ridgway, Associate Editor

“I’m going back home to London for Christmas, then up to Gattonside in the Scottish Borders for New Year’s Eve. We’re staying with a friend who grew up there and the whole village celebrates the countdown together in the village hall. I’m told they’ll be lots of cèilidh (pronounced “kayleigh”) dancing and whisky drinking. On New Year’s Day everyone hikes to the top of a hill for a big bonfire … and more whisky.”

Shaun Stewart, Vice President of Sales

“I’m flying home to Melbourne, Australia, to spend Christmas with the family. As a native, I recommend wandering the back streets of the city in search of hidden bars (try to hit The Croft Institute, Misty, Baroq House, Charlies Bar or Section 8), strolling down arty Brunswick Street in the Fitzroy suburb, and grabbing an authentic Aussie breakfast at Ici. Treat yourself to a dinner at the landmark beachside Stokehouse Restaurant.”

Claire Hathaway, Manager, Account Management

“I’m jetting off to Argentina — I’m going to start by thawing out in Buenos Aires and do some salsa dancing, then go hiking, horseback riding and kayaking on Lake Nahuel Huapi in beautiful San Carlos de Bariloche in the foothills of the Andes. And, last, but probably most exhilarating, I’m heading even further south to see the glacier-crowned steppe in Patagonia.”

Geoffrey Volpatti, Senior Curator

“I’m catching a helicopter from Nice to Monaco (shockingly, the price is the same as taking a taxi albeit the jaw-dropping views of the coastline and the Alps in the distance), where I’ll spend Christmas with family and check out Monaco harbor’s beautiful Christmas market. Then I’ll spend New Year’s Eve in the Siem Reap province of northwestern Cambodia, revisiting the ancient temples, climbing the hills at sunrise, and leaving time for a pre-dinner martini at the festive Elephant Bar of the Raffles Hotel.”

Andrew Skwarek, Editorial Producer

“I’m headed down to the Big Easy with one of my best friends to ring in the New Year, eat my weight in Po’ Boys and dance the night away to classic jazz music. Travel tip: Visit the French Quarter during the day, before it becomes a tourist trap at night.”

Amy Jones, Director, Accounting

“Having lived in Italy for almost two years, I’m excited to return to Rome over New Year’s Eve and see its massive citywide celebration (called Cappo d’Anno) — there are free concerts on the piazzas around the city. Then we’ll be taking the train to Orvieto, a historic and seriously scenic clifftop town in southwestern Umbria with medieval towers and winding alleyways, known for its namesake wine and delicious food.”

John Gilfillan, Account Executive, Tours and Events

“I’m going to Moline, Illinois, my hometown, to be with friends and family. If you ever head out this way, be sure to check out the home of the John Deere tractor in the Commons and pick up some Moosetracks flavored ice cream (vanilla with heavy fudge swirled throughout, mixed with chocolate-covered peanut butter cups) from our local favorite, Whitey’s Ice Cream.”

Kate Maxwell, Editor in Chief

“I’m going to Panama with a group of friends — it’s been on my list for years because of its unspoiled beaches and surf, and it’s an easy five-hour, nonstop flight from New York. We’re going to spend a night in Panama City and then take a puddle-jumper to Bocas del Toro, where we’ve rented a villa on Bastimentos Island.”

Elina Vaysbeyn, Editorial Producer

“I’m living out a lifelong dream of island- and beach-hopping with my friends in Thailand. I land in Bangkok at 1 a.m. on Christmas Day, no doubt delirious from 25 hours of aerial imprisonment, and in a Santa hat, if my friends have any say in it. After cruising down the Chao Praya River past the Buddhist temples and gorging on Thai street food, I will embark on a 90-minute jaunt to Koh Samui, an island off the southeast coast and ring in the New Year at the wildest bash in Southeast Asia, the Full Moon beach rave. To mellow out, I’m finishing up the trip in Krabi, an idyllic village on the southwest coast, with some snorkeling and even more island-hopping to nearby Phi Phi.”

Jim's Steaks serves a mean cheesesteak.

In Philly, the question of who makes the most authentic cheesesteak — a long, crusty roll bursting with thinly sliced ribeye beef and melted cheese — is the source of much contention. We’ve handpicked 10 of the very best shops, but remember: Whichever you choose, when the long line finally dwindles and it’s your turn to order, etiquette demands that you state the type of cheese you want (Cheese Whiz is the gold standard, but American and provolone are also acceptable), then “wit” or “widout” to indicate “with or without onions.” Let the debate begin.

1. Pat’s King of Steaks This is where it all began — well, almost. Owned by the Olivieri family — Pat Olivieri invented the steak sandwich back in 1930 — this operation started as a small stand but is now a full-blown shop at the southern end of South Philly’s Italian Market.

2. Geno’s Steaks The neon-lit storefront has been serving the classic bite for 40 years — directly across the street from Pat’s. Both are open (and competing) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The story goes that while Pat came up with the idea for the steak sandwich, it was Geno’s founder who first added the cheese.

3. Tony Luke’s Locals pick up sandwiches from street-facing windows and chow down on picnic tables here. The menu features a mean cheesesteak, but also consider ordering the roast pork Italian, which is topped with broccoli rabe, provolone and gravy.

4. Jim’s Steaks On a central South Street corner, Jim’s Steaks flagship often has a line 50-deep on weekend afternoons. (Tip: Get there just before noon like I did to beat the crowds.) Service is fast and friendly and the upstairs dining room is a nice spot to make a mess — as long as you don’t mind being stared at by those looking for a table.

Melty deliciousness: the classic Philly cheesesteak.

5. Cosmi’s Deli Just around the corner from Pat’s and Geno’s, this spot has been open as a market since the 1940’s but has long flown under-the-radar; it’s only recently getting praise for its mammoth portion of juicy, marinated meat wedged into a dry bun.

6. Shank’s Original The relatively new Center City location of this 1960’s-era luncheonette still turns out reliably tasty cheesesteaks, served by an all-female counter staff. Also on the menu: meatball and chicken cutlet sandwiches.

7. Steve’s Prince of Steaks The winner of the “World’s Largest Cheesesteak” title in the Guinness Book of World Records (the creation measured 365 feet), Steve’s chops its beef more gently than other shops — and, thanks to its friendly staff, has a relaxed ordering etiquette.

8. Dalessandro’s Steaks Set along Philly’s northwestern ridge, Dalessandro’s is well worth the trek: the rumor goes that they season their grill with fat before cooking the meat and there’s more than a half dozen kinds of peppers and pickles to choose from — plus a wide selection of beer.

9. John’s Roast Pork Recognized by the James Beard Foundation, this shack (there’s no indoor seating) originally served shipyard workers in the 1930s and continues to draw a steady crowd today for its crusty seeded roll from South Philly’s Carangi Bakery. But don’t go for a late-night fix: this one’s only open until 2:30 each afternoon.

10. Campo’s Only three blocks from the Liberty Bell, this deli serves a decent cheesesteak (choose between seeded and non-seeded buns), plus lots of hoagies — best of all, they ship to other cities.

Are you planning on flying away for the holidays? Kate Maxwell, our very own editor-in-chief, swung by the TODAY show this morning with some tips for surviving the busiest travel period of the year. Make sure you check them before you check in.

1. Get bumped. The peak Christmas travel period is one of the best opportunities to earn free flights. If your plans are flexible and you know your flight is oversold, be proactive: Put your name on the list to be bumped as soon as you get to the gate. But make sure the airline has a confirmed seat for you on a later flight, or else you might be stranded indefinitely.

2. Be alert. Last year, 27 percent of holiday flights were delayed and another 3.7 percent were canceled – stay ahead of the game by signing up for trip alerts. You can get text or email notifications by signing up with your airline or Flightstats.com, or by downloading the FlightTrackPro app, which pings you with the latest flight information, from departure times to gate changes.

3. Skip the lines. If your flight does end up being delayed or (worse) canceled, don’t line up with the rest of the 100-odd passengers who are also stranded. Instead, call the airline, or if you have status, the dedicated elite number. When you get a representative on the line, be prepared with an alternate flight you’re prepared to take. Do some research ahead of time or use the ExpertFlyer app, which has real-time seat maps for more than 100 airlines.

4. Fly on Christmas Day. Ticket prices skyrocket during the holidays and many airlines add peak travel fees and surcharges (similar to fuel surcharges) onto already steeper fares. The exception to the rule is Christmas Day, when you can nab significantly lower prices. If flying on Christmas Day isn’t practical, you’ll get the best prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

5. Fly early. Early departures are less likely to be delayed than later flights and, when there is a travel interruption, it’s likely to be shorter if you fly earlier — it’s the domino effect. And avoid the last flight of the day at all costs: If you miss it you’ll be stuck with an overnight at the airport.

6. Keep your shoes on, kids! The TSA relaxed the rules for children under 12 in September. Kids are less likely to be put through further screenings such as pat downs — and they can keep their shoes on at airport security checkpoints.

7. Use the family line. All airports have a family line at security but not all of them advertise it. If you don’t see a sign, ask. The low-pressure lane lets you grapple with crying babies, questionable liquids and strollers without worrying about other travelers. Some airports also have a black diamond line for “expert travelers” who are familiar with the TSA requirements and can zip through the checkpoint.
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8. Ship your gifts. While the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t prohibit packing wrapped gifts, they may insist on your opening packages that raise a red flag. Save yourself the hassle and wrap those presents post-flight or, pre-wrap and ship the packages before you go. That way you avoid potential baggage fees and overweight luggage surcharges.

9. Pack the pie; leave the cabernet sauvignon at home. Want to bring you favorite homemade holiday dish with you? You’re allowed to pack cakes, pies and cookies, but most liquids — including cranberry sauce, creamy dips, salsa, gravy and alcohol — should be left at home. Here’s a complete list of what’s permitted and what’s not.

10. Travel during a dead week. Dead weeks are annual low points in travel demand, typically following the holiday flurry around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when prices fall. You’ll find great deals the first two weeks of January. Some hotels, airlines and car rental companies offer advance discounts, but the best bargains can be found last minute.

If you’re not going to make it to this year’s Art Basel Miami, which ends on Friday, don’t worry — you can catch the most talked about exhibit right here.

Wynwood Walls, a celebration of the global medium that is street art, was the brainchild of visionary developer and collector Tony Goldman. Once a complex of abandoned factory buildings and parking lots, the Wynwood outdoor art park debuted in 2009 with 12 works by internationally respected artists from Asia, Europe, Latin American and the United States. Wynwood Walls is now the epicenter of cutting-edge, museum quality contemporary urban murals.

This year, in addition to new murals and installations, Wynwood Doors, a collection of rolling storefront steel doors totaling 176 feet launched, featuring 16 pieces.

Artist Chris DAZE Ellis based his piece, above, on the fate of the Red Bird trains, which ran from the 1980s and 1990s. These subway cars, once discontinued, were sunk off the coast of Virginia and became artificial reefs, having been rendered environmentally friendly. His painting is a dreamlike depiction of the defunct trains and the death of New York’s iconic subway paintings.

Learn more about Wynwood Walls and view a CBS news segment.

The Haymarket Hotel

Hotelier, interior designer, lover of all things patterned and colorful, Kit Kemp is the style guru behind the Firmdale Group, the collection of boutique hotels she founded with husband Tim in 1985. Firmdale now has six properties in London, including the newest addition, the Haymarket, and the Crosby Street Hotel in New York. We checked in with the award-winning designer to talk travel habits, her favorite room with a view and what’s next for Firmdale.

NAME: Kit Kemp, co-founder Firmdale Group

LIVES: London, UK

PROPERTIES: Haymarket Hotel, The Soho Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Knightsbridge Hotel, Number Sixteen, Crosby Street Hotel

NEXT UP: The Ham Yard Hotel just behind Piccadilly Theater will open in 2012. It’s quite different from our other London hotels and will have a big garden at the front of the hotel, a theater with a green room, a bowling alley, a big events space on the roof and a spa. There will also be apartments that can make use of all the hotel services, including the concierge.

MY STYLE IN THREE WORDS: Color, texture and organic.

HOMETOWN HOTEL ENVY: I don’t really have one because I really think our hotels are the best. It’s impossible not to say that!

ESSENTIAL HOTEL AMENITY:  A view, and floor-to-ceiling windows to admire it from.

MY LUGGAGE: I use Tumi, but really anything on wheels. I don’t know what we did before wheels.

NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT: Perfume and make up. I could lose all my clothes and be happy if I still had my beauty products. I’ve also just bought an iPad2, which I love for the maps and city guides, especially in an unfamiliar destination.

Kit Kemp

BRING BACK: There should always be an exciting keepsake from every trip, but of course it’s more difficult now because you don’t have to travel to South America for the best coffee or France for lovely teas. I’m always after unique textiles, so a beautiful piece of lace or vintage cloth from a remote region is very special to me.

FAVORITE CITY: I love Barcelona. It’s just a fascinating city. You have the sea, Gaudi, the markets and tapas bars. And all the tree-line boulevards are so romantic.

FAVORITE BEACH: We always go to Sandy Lane in Barbados, and I also love the beach in Biarritz with that Atlantic Ocean view and all the fabulous looking surfers. I don’t surf, but I do like to admire.

ROOM WITH A VIEW: There are so many. I love looking out over Star Terminal from the Four Seasons in Hong Kong, and the ocean from the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz. And you get Williamsburg Bridge on one side and the Soho skyline from the Crosby Street Hotel. We made window seats so you can sit and watch everyone walking by.

FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION: My husband is my main travel companion, but I recently got back from a walking holiday in the Peak District with a friend, which was wonderful. We walked 12 miles up to Chatsworth House and toured the spectacular sculpture park.

HOTEL HABIT: I examine every square inch of every hotel I stay at, from the bar and restaurant to the meeting and drawing rooms, and, of course, the art. I want to get a feel for how it’s been set up.

BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT: I’m not very keen on hotel bars and restaurants because they so rarely get it right. I do love room service as a treat, but I really prefer to get out of the hotel and explore the local area.

Mustapha Blaoui

I have an appalling sense of direction, which is not ideal in my line of work. Fortunately, I’ve developed a number of coping strategies: I walk very fast, on the understanding that if I’m going the wrong way I might as well find out and about-turn quickly. I drop big dollar on digital roaming charges, because when you’re lost in the center (or thereabouts) of Shanghai and speak not one word of Mandarin only Google Streetmap will save you. And I take a lot of taxis.

Every city in the world has its taxi quirk. In London, you’d better not feel like sitting back impassively and watching the stucco Georgian terraces and flat white sky roll by, because your cabbie has some stuff he’d like to get off his chest about Mayor Boris Johnson, the celebrity who left her handbag in the back last week, and his ex-wife. In Beirut, you’d better know where you’re going, because your driver won’t. And in Marrakech, be prepared to be haggle the fare as fiercely as you did that kilim in the souk.

When I was there last week I was charged 100 dirhams for a ten-minute journey that should have cost me more like 15 (it didn’t help that my starting point was the city’s most expensive hotel, owned by the King himself), and 30 for a jaunt of approximately 50 feet. “Ne vous inquietez pas, Mademoiselle,” said the driver, “C’est pas loin.” He was not exaggerating.

But if it taught me that there is no such thing as a working cab meter in Marrakech, I also learned something about myself: indignation leads to eloquence. My French is ok when I’m composed; it’s infinitely better when I’m angry, which is extremely useful when you’re trying to avoid being ripped off.

Here’s are some of the spots I hit on my shouty taxi tour of Marrakech.

Jemaa El-Fnaa Marrakech’s centerpiece buzzes with food vendors and snake charmers day and night. I ate lamb merguez, fresh bread dipped in spicy vermillion sauces and grilled eggplant, and drank fresh orange juice.

La Sultana Most of Marrakech’s hotels are in high-walled compounds far from the action: La Sultana is in hubbub, between the Royal Palace and the cemetery, yet blissfully quiet. It’s composed of five themed riads and has a swimming pool, hamman and rooftop café with Atlas Mountain views.

Atelier Moro Up a narrow flight of stairs in the souk, this boutique has a thoughtful edit of haute Moroccan caftans, jewelry and homewares, including slippers embroidered in shocking pink, red or royal blue (114 Place de la Fontaine, Mouassine, 524-39-16-78).

Mustapha Blaoui A gigantic, multi-room homewares store festooned with twinkling lamps, selling, rugs, inlaid chests, lanterns, pottery, hats and much more. Haggling advised (142-4 Bab Doukkala, 524-385-240).