“2010 is here, and with it the top ten destinations we think you need to be heading to. A host of exciting new trips, inspiring adventures and untouched travel experiences to sink your teeth into during the coming year. Exciting times.”

“But where to head to? What are the ‘must do’ experiences? Where do I go before the rest of the travel rabble catches on? Well, luckily we spent a big chunk of 2009 uncovering a few gems we think are the places to visit in 2010.”

From the Siberian north and the central steppe to the snow-capped peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains rising majestically to the east of the Almaty, Kazakhstan emits a strong sense of mystery. Folk singing, training golden eagles, equine sports and a form of polo played with a dead goat… a lot of Borat rings true…but there’s also a little-known vibrant modern art scene and buzzing culture to be witnessed too.

This vast, stunning country stretching across Eurasia is rapidly becoming an architect’s delight on the Silk Road. Head over in 2010 for an array of design and architecture fairs in the capital Almaty: home to Norman Foster’s twin towers. The sleek design is balanced out perfectly by the natural rugged surroundings. A perfectly tailored trip would take you to the up-and-coming mercantile city of Almaty (staying in cosy Tay House Boutique hotel with mountain views), Kazakhstan’s most cosmopolitan hub, then traverse the legendary Silk Road on horseback with expert guides leading the way. Tuck into some local ‘Manty’ – large steamed dumplings full of meat and onions – or the favourite ‘Beshbarmak’ – wide, flat noodles, with boiled horseflesh – before snuggling into your tent on the remote, rugged open plains for an experience like no other.

Buffalo farms, coastal colonial towns, cocoa plantations and cool nightlife, Venezuela is our South American bet for 2010. Fly over Angel Falls, the largest freefalling waterfall in the world and admire its awe-inspiring natural jungle surroundings (Jurassic park, eat your heart out). Laze on the beautiful beaches of the Paria Peninsula, thickly lined with swaying coconut palms (no Dubai-style sand raking here), and drive in a 4×4 through cloud forests to Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco River.

Los Roques islands are a must-visit, especially the small fishing villages of Gran Roque, the sole inhabited island of the archipelago only reachable by small plane. Adrenalin-seekers will love canyoning in waterfalls of the Venezuelan Andes and white water rafting on the Acequias river. We could carry on, but if you want to know more about this, and the new contemporary Pestana hotel with 360 degree views of Caracas from their rooftop pool, get in touch.

Check out Black Tomato’s “Venezuela: the lost world” experience

Looking for a completely new way to experience Asia? Dominated by the Tian Shan mountains, Krygyzstan will more than test the intrepid traveller inside you. Whether you’re heli-skiing the virgin snowy peaks (a new trip for 2010), camping in a traditional yurt eating spicy meat Beshbarmak or Ashlam-foo noodles with locals, this is country where you can really get off the beaten track. See Lake Son Kyul, 3,500 metres above sea level and discover ancient petroglyphs hidden in cliff-top caves. Admire the alpine beauty of Ala Archa national park and valley, ride Kyrgyz horses along the ravines and lakes of the silk route, meeting local shepherds and eagle-hunters along the way.

Watch the game of ulak, where horse-backed teams (of unlimited numbers) whip each other in the hope of winning a goat’s head, and feel the temperature of warm summer days plunge as the sun sets to leave an eerie red light over the snow-capped peaks. Warm up with a shot or two of Kyrgyz vodka (one of the many nuances of the predominantly Muslim country) around a horse dung fire, or, for a more luxurious experience, enjoy the 5 star luxury of Bishkek’s Hyatt Regency with pool and mountain views.

Want to push yourself to the limit in 2010? Well the Atacama Desert in Chile is where elite athletes go to test their bodies. Stay in San Pedro: a thousand year-old oasis, volcanoes, dry lakes and salt flats… you’ll think you’re on a different planet.

The Atacama desert is one of the highest and driest places on earth (you won’t even find cactus living out on the salt flats) and it’s full of striking colors, burnt oranges, pale pinks and azure blues that will stay with you forever.

Sharing more characteristics akin to Mars than anywhere else on the earth you’ll feel like you’ve travelled to outer space. Stars are so close that you’ll want to pick them out of the sky, the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter are so clear you can count them, and distant galaxies feel like neighboring towns.

We love the Awasi hotel: the perfect jumping off point for walking, hiking and biking and taking guided 4×4 trips across the desert. Take some time out to explore this ‘to die for’ lunar landscape in 2010.

Check out Black Tomato’s “dreamlike desert days” experience

Just like stepping behind the glass of a museum display, see the crumbling ruins of the amazingly well-preserved Roman city of Leptis Magna, and the mud houses of ancient, UNESCO protected Ghadames. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time, or into the set of an Indiana Jones film: this is the real thing.

Touch carvings on the walls of desert caves and uncover war relics as you climb genuine roman ruins: where else can you say you’ve done this? After sleeping under the stars in the desert while your staff (including a gourmet chef) pander to your every whim, end up in the historic Mediterranean city of Tripoli and the coastal oases and lagoons surrounding it. Undiscovered, and simply jaw-dropping.

Volcanoes, pristine beaches and jungle hideaways that even the monkeys can’t find. Nicaragua has it all. So if you feel like losing yourself, there’s nowhere better. Go in 2010 whilst it’s still largely untouched and undiscovered.

Nicaragua has emerged to become one of South America’s ‘go to’ destinations. With a string of rumbling volcanoes, the largest nature reserve in South America two colossal lakes and beaches with great surf, this country is simply a playground calling to be explored.

How about a canopy walk through the rainforest followed by some volcano surfing? The ‘cloud forest’ surrounding the volcanoes in Cerro Negro is only found in this part of the Pacific. Here you can see howler and white-faced monkeys, snakes, deer, reptiles, birds and insects as you zip line from treetop to treetop. You can then ride the ‘ring of fire’ as you surf down the side of the volcano, passing over still warm ashes. Phenomenal.

Check out Black Tomato’s “volcano surfing in Nicaragua” experience

If flying to the moon is on your wish list, but the price tag it putting you off, Djibouti is the next best thing. If you think Djibouti’s Lake Abbe looks like Planet of the Apes, you’re right: the film was made in this tiny north-east African country. Picture pink flamingos and pelicans living in 80 degree heat on a steaming dried-up mud plain. Craggy limestone chimneys puff out steam in this totally barren landscape, but don’t panic, it’s only this low-lying plain which is this hot.

From October until April, stay at the Djibouti Palace Kempinski nestled between the red sea and the Indian Ocean where fishing, swimming and scuba diving are the order of the day, (in a more temperate 30 degrees). For more photos your friends at home simply will not believe, take a 4×4 trip out to Lake Assal, world’s third largest salt water lake, and Africa’s lowest point at 150 meters below the sea level. The clean white and deep blues are simply staggering. If amazing African landscapes, open spaces and complete escape from daily life are what you’re after, Djibouti is where to head in 2010.

Since Lebanon re-opened it’s doors to foreign visitors having been declared safe for travel, we have been scouring the country for gems, and what gems we have found. In January and February, ski in the Mzaar region, staying in a contemporary hotel complete with a huge pool with mountain views, and nip down to the Mediterranean for some well-deserved rays.

See pre-roman ruins towering above the Baalbek valley, and the antiquities of the bronze age in the city of Byblos, before re-fuelling with a sizzling kebab. Nuzzled in between the mountains and sea, lies vibrant Beirut. See the city’s many hip art galleries, haggle for paintings, engravings and original LPs at Bilal’s street market, enjoy the cutting-edge nightlife, and finally hit the sack at the brand spanking new hotel Le Gray, complete with a 17 metre-long rooftop pool with views of the city. Simply jaw-dropping.

Check out Black Tomato’s “sand or snow experience” in Beirut

Tel Aviv is our favourite achingly hip, art and party-focused city of the moment. Having gracefully emerged as one of our favourite citybreaks, it is now our top vote for 2010. You only need to glance at the number of chic boutique hotels, hip hang-outs and galleries popping up right now to see the exciting, fast-paced changes the city is undergoing.

Stay at the sparkling new Leonardo boutique hotel, a modern bolthole which has only been open a couple of months, or, for a more traditional resting place, try the Montefiore on one of the city’s most architecturally stunning streets. This restored 1920s heritage building has a library in every room and is covered in artwork from young local artists. Head out for the international Documentary Film Festival in May, the Fashion Markets in February and August, year-round galleries of Gordon Street and late-night jazz, electronic and indie parties. A twist on any party scene you’ve enjoyed before, and well worth experiencing before everyone else does.

A lush tropical island with nothing below it but the huge expanse of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a hive of energy. And with the Galle film and literary festivals coming up in early 2010, it’s also a hotspot for culture vultures. Visit fifth century fortresses, learn how tea is made and explore gorgeous beach front villages, all while staying in some of our favourite new hotels in the world, such as the thatched bungalows of Vil Uyana and Reef. Visit now before the crowds head for the countryside, and while you can still enjoy the likes of restaurants with wine cellars made from reclaimed railway tracks.

Take an elephant safari through Minneriya, visit Buddha’s tooth (yes, really), and brave the rapids in Kithugala before sipping the freshest cuppa of your life on a working tea plantation. Top this all off soaking up the rays on Galle’s golden beaches, and snack on local delicacies such as fermented coconut sap (much tastier than it sounds). With new boutique hotels and visitor-friendly roads popping up all the time, Sri Lanka is the ideal destination for those looking for a culture like India’s without the enormous cities and long train journeys.

Check out Black Tomato’s “Sri Lanka: countryside to coast” experience

Photography Credits: Sri Lanka (PseudoRandom), Lebanon (Freedom24 Productions), Libya (Elizabeth C), Israel (Or Hiltch), Nicaragua (coreyonderick), Kyrgyzstan (derHannes), Venezuela (josemazcona), Kazakhstan (Ivan S. Abrams).