December always brings a downpour of lists ranking the best places to vacation in the upcoming year.

We pared 26 lists from newspapers, magazines and websites and compiled a list of the places most often mentioned -- a Best of the Best.

While several all-U.S. lists were included, there were no domestic destinations that received more than three mentions. The closest to home, by the way, were Charleston -- (No. 2, Great Travel Destinations by thejoysoftraveling.com) and Kiawah Island, S.C. (No. 7 on a Top Destinations list travel journalist Melanie Nayer compiled for the Boston Globe).

Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland

Appeal: A bit of a detour from the traditional trip to the British Isles, with less-visited (but bustling) cities, beautiful countryside, culture and history. And it's affordable.

Details: www.discovernorthernireland.com 

Istanbul

Appeal: Bustling metropolis is cosmopolitan and historic, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Details: www.goturkey.com

Rio de Janeiro

Appeal: Brazil is economically booming, and vibrant, exotic Rio is sprucing up to be host of the 2016 Summer Olympics. You can fly there direct from Charlotte on US Airways.

Details: www.rcvb.com.br (click U.S. flag for English-language version).

Marseille, France

Appeal: Second-largest city in France basks in Mediterranean climate, antiquity and its designation as European Capital of Culture in 2013.

Details: www.marseille.fr  (click U.S. flag for English-language version).

Myanmar/Burma

Appeal: Improving human-rights situation helps spur tourism industry in exotic, little-visited corner of Southeast Asia.

Details: www.myanmartourism.com

New Zealand

Appeal: Well-developed tourism infrastructure beckons those looking for an active vacation (hiking, etc.), wineries -- and more than a whiff of the filmed-there "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit."

Details: www.newzealand.com/us 

Amsterdam

Appeal: Canals and historic architecture are matched with fantastic museums showcasing artists (there's one devoted just to van Gogh) as well as one honoring Nazi victim Anne Frank. Amsterdam (including its famed red-light district) has always been a big draw for tourists.

Details: www.iamsterdam.com/en 

Slovakia

Appeal: Once the eastern, rural and remote end of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia is a rapidly Westernizing EU country that's still a bargain. Just fly to Vienna -- the Slovakian border is about 30 miles east. Two-thirds of the country is a rugged draw for hikers and skiers.

Details: www.travelslovakia.sk .

The Philippines

Appeal: Unlike much of East Asia, the archipelago nation is relatively inexpensive while still pretty exotic.

Details: www.philippinetourism.us

(c)2012 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

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