by Sarah Henshall
AAA’s Resident Travel Experts Predict The Hottest International Destinations For The New Year

Alaska may be cool, but here are 10 destinations AAA says will be steaming hot for 2007. Those who love being spotted at the latest trendy destination should definitely book early for these spots.

1. Croatia – Europeans and American cruise ships are flocking to this newly independent country to enjoy the solitude of lush island resorts, the historic old town of Dubrovnik (the capital) and a friendly people who see tourism as their newest and future industry.

2. Turkey – More than 200 cruise ships dock at Turkish ports annually, and passengers then flock to Ephesus, where the remarkably preserved ruins of Roman times allow you to walk streets once graced by Cleopatra and Marc Antony. Bargaining is a cultural ritual and can be fun.

3. St. Barthelemy (aka St. Barths) – Not as lush as its sister island St. Kitts, St. Barths in the French West Indies is still a destination growing in popularity. Even though French is the official language, English-speaking vacationers fare well and are welcomed.

4. Anguilla – Just 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, this tiny, British territory is a Caribbean haven for honeymooners and romance. With more than 30 beaches, there are plenty of spots for lovers to relax in the sun and soak up a sunset. For the SCUBA certified, Anguilla’s waters boast seven marine parks.

5. Cabo San Lucas – A popular site for West Coast socialites for years, East Coast travelers are finding the secret to this hip Mexican city. Golf, whale watching and sport fishing are options. Happy hour begins early and doesn’t stop until the next morning.

6. India – Travelers should include a visit to New Delhi’s signature showpiece, the Red Fort – the most opulent palace of the Mughal Empire. Then, hop an express train to Agra, where the Taj Mahal, one of the most stunning tributes to love, stands. Later, ride an elephant to Jaipur’s hilltop Amber Palace.

7. Brazil – This Portuguese-speaking country boasts the largest river in the world, massive rainforests and one of the world’s largest cities, Rio de Janeiro. Vacationers party with Brazilians during spring Carnaval. Women donning feather headdresses and not much else, salsa and rumba their way along the streets of this southern coastal city. A must see is Cristo Redentor, Christ the Redeemer, a 125-foot tall art-deco style statue.

8. Guatemala – Considered the “new Costa Rica,” this country’s volcanoes are the highest and most active in Central America. Mayan ruins dot the landscape, and the Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia holds the country’s largest collection of ancient Mayan artifacts. Visit Antigua, the capital full of ruins designated a UNESA World Heritage Site.

9. Santa Fe, N.M. - At the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the city offers great skiing opportunities on a 12,000 foot-plus mountain and dazzling sunsets. The city is an outdoorsman’s – or woman’s – dream. Fly fishing in surrounding Alpine lakes and streams reap bass, salmon and mackinaw.

10. San Diego, Calif. – Shopping, unique dining experiences, a beautiful harbor and a world-renowned zoo help define the city. Day cruise around the harbor or try the latest extreme craze of kite-surfing. Eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment can be found  in the Gaslamp Quarter with Victorian-style commercial buildings built around the turn of the 20th century.