This is the 5 best places to go according to NYT 45 places to go 2012.

1. Panama

2. Helsinki in Finland

3. Myanmar (named Burma before) 

4. London

5. Oakland (Ca)

I have been to Helsinki and London and I must say I find London more exciting.

On place 29 and 44 they have the region Algarve in Portugal and Dalarna in Sweden and I can recommend them both (I do recommend the region Skåne and Öland even more).

Have you also been to any of these places and can recommend them?

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html?pagewanted=3&sq=helsinki&st=cse&scp=1

I've been to Oakland and London.

Oakland is a rough town, so if you go, you should be careful. I toured an automobile factory while I was there. It was very interesting. Other than that, I can't imagine why it would be on the list. It is close to San Francisco, which has lots of great things to see.

I didn't get to see much in London because I just stayed for one night on my way to another place. But the little I was able to see was good.

I was born & raised in the SF Bay Area.  Oakland has several cool things to see.  There's Jack London Square.  Also, the downtown area, which has a lot of historic buildings.  Then, there's the part that borders on Berkely, both the low-lying part, which is near the campus, and the part in the hills, which is cool.

Yes, it is a tough place to visit.  It's been the murder capitol of the USA several times in the past, and has at least a few other infamous titles, as well.  I agree that it's baffling as to why it would be on the list of top 5 places to visit in 2012.

Apparently it seems to be the restaurants and nightlife that gave Oakland the the ranking.