See Abercrombie & Kent’s picks for 2012′s most exciting destinations and start planning your next extraordinary journey. Taken from The New York Times‘ “The 45 Places to Go in 2012,” these 10 destinations offer the A&K experience at its finest – including mysterious Myanmar, recently opened to Western visitors, all the way down to Antarctica, which you can discover in luxury and style on board MV ‘Le Boreal.’

The Top Five

Myanmar Myanmar charms even the most seasoned traveller with its remoteness and unspoiled culture. Fall under its spell at the sight of thousands of stupas dotting the untouched fields of Bagan and monks going about their daily lives at ancient monasteries along the Ayeyarwady River.

Tanzania Long coming in second to Kenya as East Africa’s safari destination, Tanzania offers exclusive reserves, increasingly luxe accommodations and, of course, the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater and towering Mount Kilimanjaro. Visit in January to March for the start of the Great Migration across the fabled Serengeti.

Antarctica Join the small number of people to have ever set foot on earth’s most remote corner on a luxury adventure of a lifetime. On board the stylish-yet-sturdy MV ‘Le Boreal,’ cruise through fjords unreachable by larger boats and enjoy top-notch service.

Uganda Seldom-visited Uganda enchants with stunning greenery, deep lakes, soaring mountains and perhaps the greatest natural treasure of all – half of the world’s last remaining mountain gorilla population. Experience the ultimate safari when you track these elusive, endangered creatures on foot.

Jordan Romantic Jordan teems with historical and natural treasures, from the magnificent “rose-red city” of Petra to the lunar landscape of Wadi Rum. Experience the timeless beauty of this unforgettable destination, immersing yourself in its rich, complex culture.

A&K’s Top 10 from The New York Times •  Myanmar • Tanzania •  Antarctica •  Uganda •  Jordan •  Tokyo • Patagonia •  Ha Long Bay, Vietnam •  Florence, Italy •  Kerala, India

Here is a great article that tells you more about this little gem and 9 other destinations that are among the best kept secrets of the world!

Here are a few rules of the road business travelers can follow when it’s time to unplug.

1. Schedule for sanity

We rigorously adhere to our schedules 99 percent of the time. Yet, when it’s time to travel for business, we completely disregard our normal wake and sleep cycles in a rush to save $50 on airfare.

If your employer allows any wiggle room in your travel budget, choose a flight itinerary with reasonable departure and arrival times. Consider leaving a day early or staying a day late if it prevents a red-eye flight. Or, try to schedule your itinerary with arrivals no later than 6:00 p.m. This gives you enough time to retrieve your luggage, get to the hotel, unpack, have dinner and turn in at a (relatively) normal hour. Departures before 10:00 a.m. will only stress you out and leave you sleeping the night before with one eye on the clock.

2. Pack proactively

Add a few sleep essentials to your travel kit:

• Disposable foam earplugs
• A sleep mask
• A large binder clip

The earplugs block out most ambient noise, but still let you hear your alarm or wake-up call. They’re perfect for dampening the sound of slamming doors and noisy late night hotel guests.

The sleep mask helps tune out other distractions and of course, block light.

Why the binder clip? Because hotel curtains never seem to close completely. Binder clips are perfect for securing curtains panels together to keep the light out.

3. Choose your room

You take time to choose your hotel; it’s time to get just as picky about your room. All hotel rooms are not created equal. Experienced travelers know which real estate to avoid:

• Rooms near the elevator
• Rooms near the vending or ice machines
• Rooms close to the lobby or breakfast area

For obvious reasons, all of these locations tend to be noisier than average. Also steer clear of rooms close to delivery areas or dumpsters, or your wake-up call will sound a lot like a service truck.

Depending on how full the hotel is, most clerks will happily work with guests and oblige special room requests. Don’t hesitate to make your preferences known—it’s a quick and inexpensive way to significantly increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

4. Get defensive

Once you’re settled in your room, there are a few simple things that can defend your peace and quiet.

• First, make use of the Do Not Disturb sign. Housekeeping staff start their rounds early and you don’t necessarily want to be first on their list.

• Second, check that bedside alarm clock. You’d be surprised how often alarms programmed by previous guests aren’t turned off as part of the room cleaning routine.

• Finally, run just the fan from the AC or heater unit to create a little white noise in your room. This can help block out any hallway and parking lot disturbances through the night.

5. Remember your routine

Business travel not only throws off our sleep and wake cycles, it disrupts nearly every routine we have. Sticking to a few constants like exercise, diet and regular work hours can help with relaxation. Avoid the more common pitfalls that come with travel—overeating or over-caffeinating and pulling all-nighters to catch up on work.

6. Unplug

Our hyper-connected world often works against us when it’s time to sleep. Digital devices can disrupt rest in a couple of ways.

• First, there’s the temptation to answer e-mail, read texts and check social networking sites 24/7 because these resources never shut off.

• Second, the light from our digital devices interferes with how our minds prepare for sleep. Our cycles of sleep and wakefulness are called our circadian rhythms and they’re regulated in part, by lightness and darkness. Plugging in right before bed tells our bodies that it’s not time to rest. Try powering down a full hour before you turn in for the night—it’ll help promote the proper rest that precedes quality sleep.

Rest can be hard-won even when we’re not on the road. Learning a few methods to unwind and making space for sleep is only becoming more important as our lives get more complex. Remember quality down-time and a deep, rejuvenating sleep is the basis of true productivity. Now, shut off your computer and get some shut-eye.

Kentin Waits is a freelance writer and marketing specialist based in Portland, Oregon. His work has been featured in US Airways magazine and top-rated blogs such as Wise Bread, the Consumerist, and MSN SmartMoney. When he’s not writing, Kentin runs a small online antiques business.

Thanksgiving will be here awfully fast and it’s a legendary time of traveling home for the holiday.

According to this article in USAToday there will be 2% fewer people flying this year. Not much of a drop. So if you’re flying home, be sure to take your time and pack lots of patience.

Are you going somewhere or will family come to you this year?

The distance from Argentina’s northern tip to Tierra del Fuego in the south runs 2,264 miles.

• Patagonia is a nature lover’s dreamscape. The spectacle of whales and penguins on the Atlantic Coast against a backdrop of the peaks and glaciers of southern Patagonia is nearly without equal.
• Hikers travel from all over the world to trek Patagonia. The terrain includes amazing granite spires, enormous glaciers, and dense forests.
• The wine country of Mendoza has come into its own. Luján de Cuyo is home to the Malbec, Argentina’s signature varietal.
• From the wine regions it is possible to drive west into the Andes. Wild mountain roads will take you to the base mighty Mt. Aconcagua.
• The Argentina Lakes District is one of the world’s great mountain vistas and offers the traveler adventure activities as well as scenic drives.
• Buenos Aires is home to more than 40 percent of the population. This South American metropolis has a rich, passionate history that is inseperable from its character.
• Buenos Aires resonates as an almost European city. The colonial architecture was built by French, Italian and Spanish immigrants echoes of its European culture are distinct and everywhere.
• The tango has its origin in Buenos Aires. Each year in February and March the annual Tango Festival holds sway for 6 days. Tango lovers from all over the world mix with locals. Both experts and beginners are in attendance at the many dance salons.
• Argentina’s Presidential Palace, known as the Casa Rosada, is the site of Eva Peron’s famous balcony. The iconic pink building was once a Customs and Post Office before being converted into a presidential residence.
• La Recoleta Cemetery, burial place of Evita Peron, is a tourist attraction of note. The monuments of Argentina’s ruling class are visited daily by thousands of travelers who leave flowers at Peron’s grave.

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