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12/31/2012 05:30 AM

Top 2013 Travel Trends

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NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report on the top travel trends for 2013.

Travel to Europe will be more of a bargain in 2013, especially if you book tour operators who finagled favorable dollar-to-euro exchange rates, driving costs down by as much as 18 percent.

Amsterdam jumps off the European map in the new year, with 2013 marking 400 years of its circuitous canal system.

China will continue to be a bargain for bucket list travelers, with cut-rate tour operators such as China Spree offering discounts for cash-only payments.

New Zealand may not be a steal, but the release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will inspire many well-planned journeys to the land that stands in for Middle Earth on the big screen.

The Sunshine State is basking in the glow of a big milestone: the 500th anniversary of the founding of Florida by Ponce de Leon, whose discovery of the fountain of youth resulted in an overflow of tourism to old world St. Augustine.

For civil war buffs, a couple of noteworthy events: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania commemorates the 150th anniversary of both the Gettysburg Address and the Battle of Gettysburg.

In New Orleans, the National World War II Museum's new Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center opens in January. The $35 million attraction showcases airplanes, artillery, tanks and other big guns that helped to fuel the Allied victory.

You don't have to leave the Big Apple for something momentous. February 1 marks the 100th birthday of Grand Central Terminal.

Family travel continues to "build" momentum. The nation's first LEGOLAND® Hotel opens at LEGOLAND® California Resort in Carlsbad.

And finally, mobile apps are going everywhere in 2013, continuing to help organize and manage travel plans. So "Appy Travels" everyone.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.