Even after a year where I traveled so much for work that I swore I wouldn’t get on another airplane for at least six months, I’ve once again been bitten by the travel bug. This time, I blame the New York Times’ list of 53 places to go in 2008, which makes every single destination seem so appealing I had to exercise an immense amount of self-control to stop myself from using up all my air miles.

After reminding myself of my vow not to travel extensively next year and really get to know Toronto, I started to wonder how exactly the New York Times came up with their list. What qualifies a city as a must-visit place? Good hotels? Interesting attractions? Affordability (I doubt it)? Great bars?

I may not know much about the NYT selection process, but having visited 26 of the 53 places in the past two years, I do have some thoughts on their choices and their omissions.

Great Inclusions

Lisbon: Of all the cities I’ve had the chance to visit this year, Lisbon has clearly been the standout. The weather is fantastic, the people are welcoming, the street art is intricate, the architecture is inspiring, and best of all, it uses the waterfront better than most cities I know. The Parque das Nações (featuring some buildings designed by my favorite architect Santiago Calatrava) is one of the best oceanfront neighborhoods I have ever visited, and the baixa downtown area is full of small shops and cafes that will keep you occupied for weeks.

Kilimanjaro: Sure, I’m a bit biased because I was born in East Africa, but it’s hard to find another peak in the world that has inspired more lofty literature. What the NYT doesn’t mention is that the peak of Kilimanjaro gives you a great view of Kenya and Tanzania and even Lake Victoria, and the cities of Moshi and Arusha at the base of the mountain are full of people that are welcoming and wonderful.

Northwest Passage: People are often scared of cold climates. When most people think of a vacation, they think of beaches in sunny locales, and not ice fields on glaciers. That’s too bad, because there are few sights in the world as breath-taking as seeing mountains of ice coming out of the Arctic Ocean. And maybe you can catch the Northern Lights while you’re up in the area as well.

Other great inclusions: Iran, Mozambique, Maldives, Oslo, Easter Island.

Questionable Choices

London: Having spent more time in London than any other city (not counting Toronto, of course) this year, I’ll admit that it is quite the lively city, with great cultural landmarks and attractions. What people don’t realize is that all that grandeur is accompanied by a sense of pomp and arrogance that permeates from every building and every street. Plus, why should people make a special trip to London when every flight passes through there anyways? Just take a few nights out on the way to places like Lisbon or Tanzania.

Las Vegas: Vegas is the one city where you can experience everything. Almost literally. The question I have, however, is why people would go to Vegas to see replicas of famous landmarks when they can travel and see the real thing. Want to see the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids, the canals? How about making trips to France, Egypt, and Italy instead of gambling your money away in Nevada?

Other questionable choices: New York, South Beach, Puerto Vallarta.

Egregious Omissions

Vienna: Tons of green space, city-wide wi-fi, amazing night life, and an architectural heritage that is mesmerizing: just a few things to love about Vienna. In fact, I wouldn’t list this city as a place to visit—it is definitely a place I where I would love to live.

Osaka: Think Tokyo is a bit too crowded for you? Well, Osaka provides less of an assault on your senses while still providing an intense and vigorous travel experience. The juxtaposition between the traditional and modern is striking but seamless, and you really can’t go wrong with authentic Japanese food. I can almost taste the unagi right now.

Kabul: Sure, Afghanistan may not seem like a tourist destination, but seeing how Kabul is now relatively stable and that luxury hotels like the Serena are cropping up everywhere, this might be the best time to visit the city. Kabul was always a jewel in the Persian Empire, and even now, after being ripped apart by war, there is a rich cultural heritage to be explored.

Other egregious omissions: Kampala, Halifax, Goa, New Orleans, Damascus.