Insiders' Guide.

Insiders' Guide

Experts reveal how to choose stylish winter boots, seat party guests, and more.

How to Find Cool Travel Spots

An Interview With

Wendy Perrin Perrin is the consumer news editor of Cond Nast Traveler and has a blog at

cntraveler.com/perrinpost. Every traveler wants to put her thumb on an undiscovered place first. The key is knowing which areas will be hot, then going at the perfect momentNwhen thereOs enough happening, but before the big, sterile hotels arrive. [yen] Look beyond the agents. Typical travel agents tend to recommend destinations that are well on their way to becoming overbuilt already. TheyOre worried their clients are going to find a bed uncomfortable or the shower too cold. Instead, I browse the travel sections of international newspapers, such as the London Sunday Times. Almost everyone living abroad gets more time off than we do, and therefore the foreign coverage of where to go next is usually really fresh. For example, IOve been reading about Oman in the Middle East, which has amazing beaches, cultural sites, and is surprisingly friendly for tourists (yes, even for Americans). [yen] Get a jump start. Places that were off-limits for one reason or another and are now accessible to travelers draw a lot of attention. That happened with Prague in the late O80s after the Berlin Wall fell and, more recently, with Croatia, Panama, and Libya. Now IOm looking at Nicaragua, which was politically unstable only a few years ago, but now has gorgeous beaches, great surfing, cheap funky hotels, fabulous eco-lodges, and inexpensive dining. [yen] Trust a sure thing. When the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) names a World Heritage site, that is when you want to rush there. You know the location will be culturally rich or geographically stunning, with amazing barrier reefs or architectural wonders. Check the ...