Where to go in 2013: Travel's new hot spots

Lonely Planet's annual Best in Travel 2013 is hot off the presses (Lonely Planet, $14.99) with some surprising picks in its top 10 locations list. (Madagascar, anyone?)

Closer-to-home spots that made the grade include the Gulf Coast, which is experiencing a comeback after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and perennial "best list" favorite, San Francisco, which hosts the America's Cup competition next year.

The slim, colorful volume is compiled by editors and contributors to the popular guide book series, all of them self-proclaimed travel geeks. Categories include top countries, regions and cities, along with themed lists, ranging from best-value destinations to top spots to get tattooed.

"We look for timeliness – not just what's hot and trending now, but what's ahead," says Andy Murdock, U.S. digital editor at Lonely Planet.

For instance, Chachapoyas & Kuelap, Peru, made the cut because new roads into the isolated, archaeologically rich region are gradually being developed. Christchurch, New Zealand, with its vibrant arts scene, got a nod for its collective spirit of renewal after devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Iceland is on the list thanks to its otherworldly landscape and proximity to east coast cities.

Madagascar ranks No. 10 in Lonely Planet's top countries for 2013. (Democratic reforms are making it more welcoming. Go before everyone else does, the authors advise.)

The remaining nine in descending order:

9. Dominican Republic – More flights are going to the island and a number of new resorts are opening in 2013.

8. Turkey – Look beyond Istanbul and the coastal resorts and take advantage of new low-fare airlines to see points beyond.

7. Iceland -- Its lunar-like setting captivates visitors.

6. Solomon Islands – A low-key Pacific getaway where homestays and eco-resorts trump mass-market franchises and luxury hotels.

5. Slovakia – Skiing at spruced-up resorts is just one of the high-altitude activities in this country, which turns 20 in 2013.

4. Ecuador – Its railway, devastated in the 1990s by flooding, is set to be back up and running in 2013, making it easier to explore the Andean nation.

3. South Korea – 2013 brings three international sporting events to the country, whose capital, Seoul, is bursting with high-level energy.

2. Montenegro – Go for its rugged interior with a growing number of hiking and biking trails, or stick to the coast, site of new, high-profile developments.

1. Sri Lanka – After a 26-year civil war that ended in 2009 and a devastating tsunami in 2004, this South Asia country has bounced back and is one of the best-value destinations around.