What's ahead on travel horizon?

Helloooo! Helloooo! I'm coming to you from the Valley of Fire, where after conferring with prognosticators, record keepers and travel sources, I can announce what's hot for 2008 travel. Enjoy the list, and I'll see you next year in Phangnga, Thailand.

Intriguing destinations:

Northern Ireland, Romania, Croatia, the Philippines, Portugal, Argentina

E-tickets stomp out paper:

In 2008, 92 percent of the world's airlines will use only electronic tickets.

(Source: International Air Transport Association) Be the first to visit:

• Jerba, Tunisia

• Phangnga, Thailand

• Kovalam, India

• Sabaudia, Italy

• Kotor, Montenegro

• Kosrae, Micronesia

That's all you're going to hear about in 2008. For the first time, China is expected to pass the United States in the number of visitors, due mainly to August's Summer Olympics. France will still be No. 1, followed by Spain, China, then the United States.

(Source: World Tourism Organization) Best 'new' place to visit:

• Valley of Fire State Park, Nev.

• Rehoboth Beach, Del.

• Ocracoke Island, N.C.

• St. Michaels, Md.

• Yachats, Ore.

• Chimayo, N.M.

• White Sulphur Springs,

W.Va.

Ouch. In 2008, hotel prices will rise 5 to 8 percent in the United States. That's reasonable compared with a 15 percent price hike in Europe and 24 percent in Britain.

(Source: American Express) It won't stop leisure travelers:

About 1.6 billion people will take leisure trips in 2008, up about 2 percent. The most popular destinations abroad for U.S. travelers are Mexico, Canada, Britain, France and Italy.

(Source: Travel Industry Association; Associated Press) Cool hotels that used to be something else

Langholmen Hotel and Hostel in Stockholm used to be Sweden's biggest prison.

Krolewski Hotel in Gdansk, Poland, used to be a granary.

K+K Hotel Central in Prague used to be a cabaret.

Chateau de Trigance, Trigance, France, used to be a medieval fortress.

(Source: Trip Advisor) Dollar will stay in the dumps

David Sowerby, a portfolio manager for Loomis, Sayles & Co., predicts the dollar will keep falling in value against major world currencies in 2008 before rising again. His advice: Don't travel to Europe or Britain in the first quarter of the year. You can also try to lock in trips at current prices.

Take Viennese waltz lessons and learn Austrian imperial manners at the Elmayer Dancing School in Vienna.

Take a three-day course in single-malt Scotchmaking in Scotland at Ladybank Distillery.

Learn glass-blowing and engraving in Sweden at Kingdom of Crystal, Smaland.

(Source: VisitEurope.com) Travel tinted green: