[Google Search trends for "Punta Del Este" show a healthy NYE interest]

Interest in a location can often point towards a travel trend.  And by interest, we mean Google searches.  Granted, in the past year some travel interest has waned because of the recession, nevertheless, the past 5 years offer some interesting insight.  Take for example Punta Del Este, which has emerged as a go-to travel destination during New Year's for those looking to expand their horizons and avoid other the typical spots.  Once the "hamptons" for South Americans, it has ushered in many more foreign tourists including us "close-minded" Americans.  And rightly so, it has miles and miles of beautiful beaches, nightlife, and a sun that doesn't set until at least 9pm at night.

After all, if you are going to travel thousands of miles, say from NYC to Miami, what's the point if NYC follows you there?  Last January Miss Model Behavior made a trip to Punta and blogged her experience.  It's a great read, and gives readers a nice insight into this gem.  That being said, what does the interest in some other spots during NYE look like?  We  decided to look at a couple of usual suspects, namely Gstaad, St. Barth's, and South Beach to see what's going on...

Gstaad - Playground for the Euro jet set in the Swiss Alps.  Often called the St. Tropez of the winter, this spot seems to have hit its heyday in 2004 and has been on a steady decline ever since.  I suppose an environment where 65 year-old men date twenty year-old women tires after a while...

St. Barth's - A yacht magnet, the collasal armada in the port features boats such as Paul Allen's Octopus and Tom Perkin's Maltese Falcon.  After 2005 this places looks to have also simmered.  The appeal of yacht hopping must be finite...

South Beach - After the cocaine cowboys of the 80s and early 90s a la Scarface, Southbeach really cleaned up its act.  Ocean Drive energized the whole place, and boutique hotels like the Shore Club and The Delano revived a once blighted area.  But Miami is not exactly "exotic" and looks like people would rather leave the New York City scene when they travel...

So where exactly is the new spot?  Cartegna, Colombia is one place right now on the brink of wider-spread discovery.  The country has shed its dangerous past, but will most likely take a few more years for this actuality to sink into the consciousness of travelers.  Or some, such as Rachelle, opt for another kind of leisure, she's in the uncharted territories of Bonaire island.  If you are reading this right now, you are most likely tied to your desk or tethered to your blackberry clinging onto dear life.  Well we wish you luck, and hope that you might be able to discover that "new" place wherever it is next year!