• Marseille, France: Marseille has long had a reputation as the armpit of Southern France--a smelly, industrial port town thatÕs also FranceÕs oldest city. Recently, however, Marseilles has been having a renaissance. Historical areas have been cleaned up, the art scene is thriving, and epicurean options offer much more than brie and croissants--one quarter of the population are immigrants, adding a distinctly multi-cultural flavor to the town. This is a city on the edgeÑgo before it tips over.
  
  
• San Francisco, CA: San FranciscoÕs always been what they call an ÒEvergreenÓ city in the travel worldÑi.e., an ever-present destination on the top of touristsÕ lists. But, lately, IÕve been hearing more buzz about San Fran than I have my entire decade+ years of living in California. Could it be because of its headline-grabbing mayor who is nothing if not forward-thinking? The influx of high-tech citizenry dollars? Or the always-fashionable gay population spreading their stylish ways? Whatever it is, if you havenÕt left your heart in San Francisco lately, nowÕs the time to try again.
  
  
• Tangier, Morocco: Marseille isnÕt the only Mediterranean-area port city experiencing civic and cultural renewal latelyÑTangier, a former center of legal debauchery and espionage, has recently been transforming itself from the Tijuana of Morocco to the countryÕs own St. Tropez...at least according to Travel and Leisure magazine. Some of its more unsavory elements still remain (change doesnÕt happen overnight), but young King Mohammed VI is working hard to improve things. A new port, new boutique hotels, and spruced-up public spaces have done wonders for the cityÕs prideÑand touristsÕ first impressions!
  
  
• Singapore: Ultramodern. Efficient. Strict. Sterile. These are not adjectives that would normally attract visitors to a destination, but these are words often used by Westerners to describe the city-state that is Singapore. However, few outside of Asia know that Singapore is also a haven for foodies and shopaholics. Go during late May, and you can find great designer duds and local artifacts at up to 70% off at the ÒGreat Singapore Sale,Ó where practically everything in the country is marked down. When your credit cards get maxed out, fuel up on an orgiastic melting pot of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Middle Eastern foodÑespecially if you go during the World Gourmet Summit in April. Just be careful of having chewing gum for dessert!
  
  

Past Hot Spots