Lonely Planet has put together this list of cities in the spotlight this year. We've also included some stories to help you get started planning.
1. San Francisco
The America's Cup is coming to the City by the Bay in 2013, bringing plenty of visitors along with it. That fact combined with new hotel inventory and development along the city's waterfront makes it a can't-miss destination.
2. Amsterdam
2013 will mark Vincent van Gogh’s 160th birthday and the 40th for the city's Van Gogh Museum. The reopening of the Rijksmuseum and big anniversaries at several other cultural anniversaries will provide plenty of concerts and new exhibitions all year long.
3. Hyderabad, India
Once India's capital, Hyderabad is home to grand palaces, many of which have recently been refurbished. Falaknuma Palace, a seven-star palace-turned-hotel in Old City is now an exceedingly plush time capsule.
4. Londonderry/Derry, UK
As 2013's UK City of Culture 2013, Derry will host a variety cultural events, including the the world's biggest Irish festival, a jazz festival and the unique Earhart Festival.
5. Beijing
English street signs born of the 2008 Olympics and a new high-speed Beijing-Shanghai rail line have made China's capital more accessible than ever for Western visitors.
6. Christchurch
After devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch is back and arguably better than ever. New restaurants have cropped up everywhere, offering everything from Burmese to Turkish. The city is also home to New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary.
7. Hobart, Australia
This quietly hip harbor town reputation will gain a new museum in 2013, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and its dining scene has never been hotter.
8. Montreal
In the spring Montreal will see the launch of the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium as part of the city's "Space for Life" initiative. In addition the venerable Place des Arts will celebrate its 50th birthday.
9. Addis Ababa
The Ethiopian capital's name means ‘New Flower’ in Amharic. Don't miss the Netsa Art Village, where contemporary Ethiopian art is showcased in a beautiful park across from the French Embassy.
10. Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
The Iguazu Falls have made Puerto Iguazu something of a tourist mecca. The city offers some of the best hotels and spas in the country. It's also home to the Museum of Images of the Jungle and the Mborore Museum, a bird rehabilitation center.
Source:
Lonely Planet