FOR MBA students

1. Sub: Marketing

2. Paris
Paris is one of the most popular cities in the
world that tourists visit every year. It is located
next to the Seine River and is known world-wide
as the “City of Lights” because it is truly
transformed at night when the lights turn on.
Paris is also called the most romantic city in the
world and it has the beautiful Champs-Élysées
Boulevard that is perfect for strolling hand-in-
hand.

4. Arc De Triomphe
Arc De Triomphe, one of the worlds largest
triumph arc, is a great monument located in Paris
which stands in the centre of “Charles De
Gaulle”. The arc was built as the honor for those
who fought for France especially during the
Napoleonic wars. There are names of the
generals and the wars fought engraved inside
and at the top of the arch. Underneath the arch
there is tomb of a soldier of World War I who is
still unknown.

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Fans of the TV show “Game of Thrones” will likely recognize the
Croatian city of Dubrovnik, although they may not have believed
it’s a real place. The walled city that serves as the setting for King’s
Landing – home of the Iron Throne at the heart of the story – is no
Hollywood sound stage. Dubrovnik is a genuine medieval walled
city, one of the most picturesque in the world and certainly the
main draw in Croatia. Even before “Game of Thrones” fans started
visiting, Dubrovnik already had plenty of lures for tourists – the
historic city center is surrounded by the sparkling Adriatic Sea,
close to several sizable beaches, renowned for its vibrant nightlife,
home to several interesting museums, and a bargain compared to
nearby cities in Italy. More recently, Dubrovnik has become
Croatia’s “see and be seen” destination, raising its profile (and
cost) somewhat – a trend the “Game of Thrones” will no doubt
continue.

8. Adelaide, Australia
Does winter have you singing the blues? Then head down
under to the capital of South Australia, Adelaide, for what
locals lovingly call “Mad March.” In Australia, March is the
first month of autumn, and it’s still plenty warm – warm
enough for it to be a month of festivals (hence the
nickname). The Adelaide Fringe Festival runs from mid-
February through mid-March (the largest arts festival in the
Southern Hemisphere). The Adelaide Festival overlaps with
it, starting at the end of February and sharing an ending
date with the Fringe Festival. And WOMADelaide, the
Australian version of the WOMAD Festival Peter Gabriel
started in 1982 to celebrate music, arts, and dance, springs
to life for a few days in early March. A March visit to
Adelaide will leave you singing, but you’re likely to leave
your blues behind.

10. Flanders, Belgium
August 4, 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the invasion of
Belgium by German armies. World War I had broken out a
week earlier when Austro-Hungarian forces had invaded
Serbia, and Germany paid no attention to Belgium’s neutral
stance – it wanted to attack France, and that meant crossing
Belgium. Germany first invaded Liege in the French-speaking
Wallonia region, but some of the costliest battles of World
War I took place in Ypres in the region of Flanders. The In
Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres – the name taken from the
famous poem – recently underwent a major renovation and
expansion in preparation for the 100th anniversary, and there
are remembrance ceremonies in Ypres on a daily and monthly
basis. This year, they take on even more significance, and
commemorating such important historical events can be an
excellent way to make our travels more meaningful in 2014.

12. Normandy, France
While many places in Europe will be celebrating the momentous 100th
anniversary of the start of World War I, in 2014 the French region of
Normandy is focused on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day
landings. From June 5-August 21 there is a series of events
scheduled to remember the people involved with D-Day and the
Battle of Normandy – including an international ceremony at Sword
Beach on June 6th, the actual D-Day landings anniversary. As the
official 70th anniversary site notes, this may be “the last decennial
anniversary” for which there are still living witnesses. For a
completely different take on why you should visit Normandy in
2014, the region is hosting the World Equestrian Games from late
August through early September. The highlight of the games may
just be the day-long endurance race that will take place across the
beautiful Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on August 28th.

14. Scotland
Scotland wants to make 2014 the year when those of Scottish descent
pay their homeland a visit. They’re calling 2014 the year of Scotland
Homecoming, with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities
planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland
unique. It seems fitting, then, that in mid-September Scotland will
be voting on whether to become independent from the UK – there
will no doubt be plenty of discussion from both sides of the debate
leading up to the referendum. Not Scottish or interested in politics?
Then you might be interested in the XX Commonwealth Games,
which are a mini-Olympics that take place every four years between
Commonwealth countries. In 2014, Glasgow is the host from July
23-August 3. And for those of you who want to get out and see
Scotland’s natural beauty, consider a hike along the new , a trail
starting just outside Edinburgh and winding more than 45 miles
along the coastline past Muir’s birthplace of Dunbar.

16. Sweden
Each year, the European Union selects a few cities to be its “Capital of
Culture” destinations – and in 2014, one of those cities is Umeå,
located in northern Sweden. This pretty university city – the largest
in northern Sweden – is home to the Umeå Jazz Festival and
Norrland Opera, not to mention a hotbed of heavy metal and punk
music. The kickoff events for Umeå’s year-long status as European
Capital of Culture are January 31-February 2, with events and
exhibits focused on music as well as theater, art, and dance
throughout the rest of the year. Chances are good you’ll be going
through Sweden’s capital of Stockholm to get to or from Umeå,
which is great for culture vultures – Stockholm is a city that values
aesthetics and design so much that there’s an official “Beauty
Board” to help preserve the city’s beauty. Visit in early February to
experience Stockholm Design Week.

18. Zürich, Switzerland
Sports enthusiasts will be watching Sochi in February for the 22nd
Winter Olympics, but come summer you’ll be able to feast your
eyes on a whole other set of international games at the European
Athletics Championships in Zürich. For one week in mid-August,
athletes from 50 European nations compete in 47 different track
and field disciplines. The European Athletics Championships are
held every two years, and since 2014 is not a Summer Olympics
year the full slate of events is on the schedule in Zürich. August is a
great time to visit Zürich, too, with typically warm temperatures
allowing you to enjoy the spectacular scenery and the city’s many
attractions. Oh, and soccer (football) fanatics need not worry – the
World Cup in Brazil will be over by the time the European Athletics
Championships kick off in Zürich, so you can absolutely have your
cake and eat it, too.

20. Belfast, Northern Ireland
• The “Game of Thrones” story may take place in the fictional land of
Westeros, but the filming locations are quite real. Many of them are
in the countryside of Northern Ireland near the capital of Belfast.
Some of the filming locations you can visit are the Cushendun Caves
and Larrybane (The Stormlands), Castle Ward (Winterfell), Ballintoy
Harbour and Murlough Bay (Iron Islands), and Inch Abbey (The
Riverlands). The haunting location for the King’s Road is the
difficult-to-locate Dark Hedges, a tree-lined road leading to an 18th
century mansion – although it’s significantly easier to find these
days, with all the “Game of Thrones” fans seeking it out. Many of
the “Game of Thrones” filming locations can be visited in a day trip
from Belfast, making the city an ideal home base for exploring
Northern Ireland’s very film-worthy scenery.

22. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
There are several categories for superlatives when it comes to waterfalls.
Victoria Falls, which straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe,
isn’t the tallest waterfall in the world, nor is it the widest. It does,
however, hold the title of “largest,” since its height and width result in the
largest sheet of falling water on earth. The sight has been drawing tourists
since it was found and documented by David Livingstone in 1855 – both
for its visual impact and the sometimes deafening roar all that water
produces. Victoria Falls is on many a travel wish list, so here’s why you
should check this one off in 2014: The towns that serve the falls,
Livingstone in Zambia and Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, played host to the UN
General Assembly in 2013. As such, they both had massive makeovers
leading up to the event, and are better equipped than ever to host
visitors. Even Zimbabwe, in the news so much in recent decades for
ludicrous-sounding inflation rates, is getting back on track – the US dollar
is now one of the main currencies accepted, so you wouldn’t even need to
visit the currency exchange office.

24. Shanghai, China
China’s largest city, and the one that continues to grow at an
exceptional pace, is Shanghai. Many travelers are familiar with the
sparkling skyline of Hong Kong, and have favored it for years for
quick stopovers in Asia. Shanghai offers the same kinds of visitor
perks – shopping, attractions, great food – and as of last year,
travelers from 51 countries no longer need a visa to visit Shanghai
for 72 hours or less. This makes Shanghai an excellent option if
you’re looking for a long layover where you can explore the city for
a few days before moving on to your final destination, because as
long as you’re flying in and out of Shanghai’s airports, you’ve got a
72-hour pass to see the city. Enjoy the gleaming new skyscrapers
and neon lights, but don’t overlook the few historic neighborhoods
that remain – including some areas of the Huangpu District near the
City God Temple and the former Shanghai French Concession

26. Tokyo, Japan
There has been much talk among sports fanatics about Brazil hosting
the 2014 World Cup and then the 2016 Summer Olympics. But in
late 2013, the International Olympic Committee announced the
host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics – Tokyo. Sure, 2020 may
seem a long way off, but time (as they say) flies. As Tokyo begins its
initial preparations to host the world’s athletes in six years, it’s still a
bustling and fascinating city to visit today. Unlike some Olympic
host cities that require major upgrades in infrastructure to support
the influx of visitors the games usually draw, Tokyo is already known
for its robust tourist infrastructure. With more than 13 million
people calling the prefecture home, this is a place that’s quite
accustomed to dealing with crowds. In 2014, you can visit Tokyo
without being slowed down by any of the inevitable pre-Olympics
construction, and still enjoy the ease a 21st century metropolis
provides.

28. Bhutan
Bhutan, the famously reclusive country that measures success
in “Gross National Happiness,” has long been known as a
tourist destination for only the wealthy and patient. With
limits on the number of visas issued per year, a minimum
stay requirement, and the need to use official tour guide
partners, Bhutan has been off-limits to many would-be
travelers. In recent years, however, tourism in Bhutan is
getting comparatively easier – the country no longer limits
the number of tourist visas issued, and there are more
licensed tour operators these days. In fact, Viator is adding
Bhutan as a destination in 2014 – you’ll soon be able to
browse and book tours in Bhutan right on this very website,
making a visit to Bhutan possible for even more interested
travelers.

30. Fraser Island, Australia
Chances are good that if you’ve heard of an island in Australia, that
you’ve heard of Tasmania. But of course that’s not Australia’s only
island worth visiting – and in fact, Australia is home to the world’s
largest sand island just off the coast of Queensland. Fraser Island is
a relatively small spot in the South Pacific at only 710 square miles,
but it packs quite a bit of natural wonder into that small space.
While there are very few people who call Fraser Island home today,
there is evidence that people have lived on the island for more than
5,000 years. It is also currently home to 25+ mammal species, 350+
bird species, and 865+ plant species. There are more than 100 lakes
on Fraser Island, and a 75-mile-long stretch of beach on the eastern
coast. It’s a nature lover’s playground. Fraser Island was added to
the UNESCO list of Natural World Heritage Sites in 1992, and
remains a popular tourist attraction for visitors to Queensland.

32. Gallipoli, Turkey
Several countries in Europe will be marking the 100th anniversary of
the outbreak of World War I this year, including England, France,
and Belgium. The historic ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in Turkey didn’t
happen until the second year of the war, so that 100th anniversary
isn’t until 2015 – but since the outbreak of the war will be taking
center stage across the continent this year, we think a 2014 visit to
Gallipoli will be meaningful, too. Anzac Day in Australia and New
Zealand marks the date (April 25th) when Allied troops landed at
Gallipoli, and the World War I battlefields have long been some of
the main tourist draws. During the 100th anniversary
commemorations, there are likely to be even more people visiting
World War I sites than there normally are, so plan ahead –
especially if you want to be at Gallipoli on April 25th.

34. Malta
The tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta packs a lot of vacation
destination punch into not very much space. Malta is made up of three
islands, although the vast majority of visitors stick to the largest of the
three (also named Malta). Even so, you can explore several parts of the
island in one day if you’re visiting on a cruise (even the hop on, hop off bus
tours of Malta visit multiple cities on each route). There are three UNESCO
World Heritage Sites in Malta. The most impressive are the “megalithic
temples” built from 5000 B.C.E. to 700 B.C.E., making them what some say
are “the oldest free-standing monuments in the world.” There are annual
arts and music festivals, plenty of hiking (particularly on the smallest
island, which is mostly a nature reserve), excellent sailing and diving
opportunities, and the sort of “melting pot” culture that can only come
from constantly changing hands from one ruling nation to another. One of
the top annual tourism conferences in the UK has chosen Malta as the
host for its 2014 conference, which indicates the country is on the verge of
something

36. Israel
There are few places on earth that are simultaneously more
complicated and more fascinating than Israel. This small country
contains places of historic importance to three major religions –
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – as well as historic monuments
and UNESCO World Heritage Sites that attract visitors from all faiths
and backgrounds. Ever since the creation of the Jewish state in the
years after World War II, however, the region has also been the
scene of quite a bit of unrest. In recent years, as the peace process
between Israel and Palestine remain ongoing, tourists interested in
visiting some of the holy sites in the Palestinian Territories have
begun taking advantage of an increasing number of guided tours
that combine Israel with Palestine. This is an exciting development
for visitors who want to see first-hand the many significant
monuments and locations in this part of the world, but who may
not be bold enough to organize a trip on their own.

38. Barcelona, Spain
Let’s be honest – Barcelona is always a good bet for a holiday
destination. This cosmopolitan city boasts proximity to great
beaches, excellent Catalonian cuisine, a picturesque historic city
center, and iconic Gaudi masterpieces. Barcelona is even more
accessible now with the newly-launched high-speed rail line
connecting the city with Paris in less than 6.5 hours. But what
makes 2014 the year to consider a visit to Barcelona? Sports fans
may be focused on Brazil this summer for the World Cup, but a trip
to Spain means a trip to the country that won the last World Cup –
as well as the last two European Championships. Attend an FC
Barcelona match, and you’ll see one of the top teams in the world
playing “the beautiful game.” Just remember that the Spanish
football league (called La Liga) takes the summers off, so visit in the
spring or fall to see FC Barcelona at home.

40. Pompeii, Italy
The destruction of the city of Pompeii is a familiar piece of history to
most of us. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., covering Pompeii
and neighboring Herculaneum in ash and rocks. Both cities are still
being excavated, but the far larger Pompeii is the more famous site
– it’s one of Italy’s most popular attractions. The archaeological site
is likely to see even more traffic in 2014, after the February release
of the film “Pompeii.” The scenes recreating what the city looked
like prior to the volcano’s eruption may well be useful to visitors
who can’t make heads or tails of the rubble in some parts of the
site today, although a good on-site guide can help quite a bit in that
regard. When you visit Pompeii (easy to do on a day trip from
Naples, the Amalfi Coast, or even Rome), don’t overlook little
Herculaneum – the site may be significantly smaller, but it’s better
preserved and usually sees far fewer tourists.

42. Oman
The Sultanate of Oman curls around the coast of the Arabian
Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab
Emirates. It’s only since the 1970s that Oman has been relatively
open to tourists, and in recent years it’s more of an emerging
destination for intrepid travelers. There are two small parts of
Oman that are separated by the UAE from the rest of the country,
but once you’ve arrived in the capital of Muscat you can arrange for
transportation to the two exclaves if you wish. The UNESCO World
Heritage Site of the Bahla Fort, a 13th century adobe fortress, was
reopened to visitors in late 2012 with very limited hours. Oman is
generally considered to be more liberal than some of its neighbors,
although there are still some topics you shouldn’t bring up (don’t
criticize the sultan, for example). With some good pre-trip research,
you should enjoy plenty of hospitality from welcoming Omanis.

44. Arizona, USA
The Grand Canyon is on most travel wish lists – and it should be. But
there are so many other excellent reasons to plan a visit to Arizona.
The southwest state is ideal for road trips in almost any season (it
can be unbearably hot in summer, though), with lots of interesting
places to aim for on your map. Consider the funky college town of
Flagstaff up in the mountains – an ideal spot for a ski trip or as a
home base for exploring the Grand Canyon as well as native ruins in
the area, and don’t forget to check out the night sky from the
observatory. Get your aura aligned in the artsy community of
Sedona – or simply enjoy hiking through the region’s stunning red
rock formations. You can consult spirits of a different kind in any of
Arizona’s many ghost towns (every county has some). The new
Museum of the West will open in Scottsdale in late 2014. And fans
of “Breaking Bad” can continue their road trips right into
Albuquerque in neighboring New Mexico, a 6.5 hour drive from
Phoenix.

46. Yosemite National Park, USA
In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant
Act, making the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove the
very first protected wilderness. This created the first state
park in California and set in motion the events that would
lead to the creation of the National Park system in the
United States. This year, Yosemite celebrates the 150th
anniversary of that act with a series of events and special
exhibits scheduled throughout 2014, including special
ranger walks. We also think that visiting Yosemite – and any
of the US National Parks – in 2014 is a great way to show
support for these national treasures after they were closed
during the government shut-down last year. No matter
what your politics are, there’s nothing like a trip to a
National Park to inspire national pride.

48. Monterey and Carmel, California, USA
It doesn’t take much to convince most travelers to consider California
as a vacation spot. But rather than simply head for a big city like San
Francisco, why not enjoy a quieter side of Californian life with a visit
to Monterey and Carmel? Monterey sits on a bay of the same
name, and is well-known for its fantastic aquarium, an annual jazz
festival, an annual classic car show, and the historic Cannery Row.
Carmel (formally known as Carmel-by-the-Sea) is a pretty coastal
town with a strong artistic history, having been home to an artist
colony since the early 1900s. Both of these sophisticated beach
towns serve as good bases from which to visit Big Sur, play golf at
the famous Pebble Beach, or watch the cars at Laguna Seca. And
2014 marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of “The Grapes
of Wrath,” for which author John Steinbeck will be honored in his
nearby hometown of Salinas.

50. Rocky Mountains, Canada
We’re all trying to be a bit more environmentally conscious these days,
and when going green can also alleviate travel stress then that’s a
win-win if ever we saw one. Airline travel may be efficient, but it’s
gotten increasingly frustrating in recent years – so why not hearken
back to an earlier era and see the countryside from a train car?
Canada is one of those countries that makes a great candidate for a
long-distance train trip – particularly on the Rocky Mountaineer
tourist trains in Western Canada. The glass-topped train cars allow
you to take in the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountains, and
of course during a train trip you’re free to move around as much as
you like (rather than being strapped into a confining coach seat on a
plane). Get there in style – and more relaxed – with a train trip
through the Canadian Rockies.