Wikitravel:Destination of the Month candidates

Here we determine which articles are featured on the Main Page as Destination of the Month (DOTM) and Off the Beaten Path (OTBP).

Nominate

You can nominate an article you would like to see featured; just say a few words about why, and select a good time to go. Well-known and/or popular destinations should be nominated as Destination of the Month, while more obscure destinations should be nominated for Off the Beaten Path. Any destination, region, itinerary or event that passes the "What is an article?" test is eligible for DotM/OtBP.

The basic format of a nomination is as follows:

===[[Destination]]===
Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. ~~~~

However, before nominating, please check that the article follows these basic guidelines:

• The nominated article should have an article status of guide or star. This includes having at least one good picture, and listings/headers/etc. that match our manual of style.
• The nominated article should be featured at a good time to visit.
• The nominated article must not have been featured previously.
  • See Previous Destinations of the month and Previously Off the beaten path to check.
• If the article has been nominated previously but failed, any objections should be addressed before nominating it again.
  • See Slush pile to check.
  • If you think a once-slushed destination is now ready to go, list it as new, but with a pointer to the slush pile entry.

Select

You can also comment on any previous nomination based on timeliness and adherence to the criteria above, just add a bullet point (*) and your signed opinion.

===[[Destination]]===
Great article and it's just luvvly-jubbly in the springtime. TravelNut 25:25, 31 Feb 2525 (EDT)
* Looks nice, but shouldn't the Do section contain more than just quilting contests? ~~~~

If an article gets several comments in favor and none against for a week or so, it's eligible to be placed in an appropriate time-slot in the queue.

Please note that the following are not considered valid reasons to oppose a nomination:

• "I don't like it." All objections have to be based on the guidelines above: poor formatting, missing information, etc. Personal opinions, dislikes, etc do not count.
• "Wrong time of year." Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Timing can be worked out later.
• "Wrong type of place." Articles are supported or opposed based on their content. Whether it's DoTM or OtBP can be worked out later.

Archive

Discussions for previously selected destinations are kept in the Archive. Discussions for nominations that didn't make the grade are in the Slush pile.

Upcoming DOTM / OTBP

Schedule

The following queue should contain about six months' worth of upcoming destinations. Note that new DotMs are rotated in on the 1st of each month, while OtBPs are changed on the 15th.

Month	DOTM	OTBP
September 2012	Buffalo	?
October 2012	Bogotá	Albuquerque
November 2012	Mexico City	Purwokerto
December 2012	Rovaniemi	Chefchaouen
January 2013	Lisbon	Rishikesh
February 2013	Salvador	Zaragoza?
March 2013	Singapore	El Nido
April 2013

These are not cast in stone, and the order can be changed if, for example, an excellent guide for a timely event is found. Whenever a guide becomes a current feature, it should be removed from the list, the discussion archived, and a new month added to the end of the queue. Alternatives are OK; the whole point is to enable some discussion as needed.

Next change

The section below provides an opportunity to see what the DOTM and OTBP will look like on the Main Page. Please remember that main page real-estate is a valuable commodity, so keep the description brief and the photo small.

Destination of the month The greater Mexico City metropolitan area is one of the world's largest, with an estimated 20 million people living in the region. It is a vibrant city, especially during November when people celebrate El dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Parades and special feasts take place in many cities and villages throughout Mexico, however in Mexico City you can see the most colorful and spectacular ones. Mexico City offers a full variety of cultural activities and sunny weather which makes it one of the best places to visit during this month. (more...)

Off the beaten path Purwokerto is a relatively small but bustling city located in the Central Java province, Indonesia. It is located in the western part of the province, nestled in an isolated valley between Salak Mountain Ranges and the Southern Mountain Ranges. The city is on the foothill of Gunung Slamet volcano, the highest volcano in Central Java. Purwokerto is also the main entrance to climb Gunung Slamet. (more...)

Nominations for Destination of the Month

Amasya

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: anytime Nominated by: User:honoraryeuropean 23:50, 5 October 2012 (HKT) Comment: I nominate this place because I have been there this summer period. Amasya is really impressive place. This place made considerable development on international tourism.

{{{DotMImage}}} Amasya has 7500 years history. Begins with Hittites, ancient Anatolian Civilizations, Pontic Greeks, Romans(Byzantine), Seljuks, Ottomans, and modern Turkey so many civilizations passed from Amasya, like a mosaics. As for natural beauty, Amasya is set apart from the rest of Anatolia in its tight mountain valley and hides its own secret beauty. Amasya is one of the provinces in North - Central Anatolia Turkey which is distinct both with its natural setup and historical values it holds. It was the homeland of the famous geographer Strabo. Located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (Iris) river, it has a past of 7500 years during which many civilizations left priceless remains of their times. Amasya is attractive to visitors. (more...)

Tokyo

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: anytime Nominated by: User:calvincklam 23:50, 5 April 2012 (HKT) Comment: I love this city and I have been there many times. It is really fascinating which has something for everyone.

Tokyo is a fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side which is only a modest fishing village 500 years ago. You can enjoy shopping malls, nightlifes, electronic blare in morden Tokyo, while enjoy visiting old temples, gardens, pottery shops in Old Tokyo districts. It has something for everyone and you will never be tired travelling in this city. (more...)

• Oppose This article is a mess. Districts have not yet been agreed upon and as it is, there are way too many districts with too little information. This article makes Tokyo seem way more complicated than it is. ChubbyWimbus 09:10, 17 April 2012 (EDT)

Yangon

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: anytime Nominated by: User:calvincklam 23:50, 5 April 2012 (HKT) Comment: I nominate this city because of recent news. I believe this raises intrest to this exotic place.

Yangon is the most exotic of all Southeast Asian cities. The city is an amalga-mation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying and beyond appreciation, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. It also has many gorgeous statues of Buddha. It is a good choice for tourists which like adventure and finding new spots. (more...)

• Not Yet The article is pretty good, but the See section could use an overhaul. The Shwedagon section is way too long and not organized very well and it would be much better to organize the other sites according to location rather than headings like "Other". Also, I don't like stating that it is factually "the most exotic of all Southeast Asian cities". I would bet there are those who would disagree. ChubbyWimbus 09:15, 17 April 2012 (EDT)

Kraków

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: anytime, but maybe best real soon - June. Nominated by: Jjtk 02:52, 17 April 2012 (EDT) Comment: Seems there never was any Central European destination. Krakow is also becoming an unofficial capital of UEFA 2012, without any games played here, but with loads of tourists planning to come to the place.

The city of Kraków is in Lesser Poland Lowland, the capital city of the Malopolskie (Lesser Poland or Little Poland) province in the southern region of Poland. It covers both banks of the Wisła (or Vistula) river. Uplands region at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. It is Poland's second largest city, with a population of 756,000 in 2007 (1.4 million after including surrounding communities). (more...)

• Not yet. The main article is great, but the district articles are all outline—there is extremely little listings content throughout the guide, which limits its usefulness for now. --Peter ^Talk 20:25, 2 June 2012 (EDT)

Antigua Guatemala

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: May-October is the rainy season, so perhaps fall or winter? Nominated by: AndreCarrotflower 09:25, 19 July 2012 (EDT) Comment: I noticed that there was a dearth of DOTM nominees without negative votes or other issues, so I figured I'd throw this (IMO) well-written and intriguing article into the mix. I've never been here but it's been on my travel wishlist for a while.

Antigua Guatemala was the colonial Spanish capital of Central America and, today, is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala. A disastrous earthquake in 1773 damaged most of the city, demoting it from a bustling capital to a provincial town filled with the ruins of former glory. Now, aside from the increasing appreciation for the preserved colonial Spanish architecture here, Antigua has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. (more...)

• I'm lazy. Too lazy/tired/busy to do the fixes that I should just do myself, but I'll mention them quickly (and link to the old slushed nomination): See & Do should have listings, the "Learn about the people" subsection needs to be reformatted, and probably merged to different parts of the article including the Homestay subsection of Sleep. --Peter ^Talk 01:39, 20 July 2012 (EDT)

Well, we have until at least October. I'm sure I, or someone else, can make these changes between now and then. AndreCarrotflower 15:48, 20 July 2012 (EDT)

Yellowstone National Park

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: May-September. Visiting in winter is possible but most of the roads are closed. Nominated by: Ryan • (talk) • 00:02, 23 July 2012 (EDT) Comment: This was previously put in the slush pile but has since been significantly cleaned up and updated. The world's first national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and an awesome place to visit.

Yellowstone National Park was the world's first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and The contains 3,472 square miles (8,987 km2) of pristine wilderness, located mostly in the American state of Wyoming. (more...)

• Support. As well-written and comprehensive an article as any I've read. -- AndreCarrotflower 01:19, 23 July 2012 (EDT)

Canberra

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: Anytime, though Nov-Feb is ideal and also the city's centennial celebrations begin in Mar 2013 Nominated by: AndreCarrotflower 03:10, 3 August 2012 (EDT) Comment: I'm nominating Canberra for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's yet another DotM candidate that, being in the Southern Hemisphere, is an excellent choice for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere winter. Secondly, it's an interesting destination that seems to get "lost in the shuffle" among Australia's attractions (yet it's far too large and important a city to be a mere OTBP). And, lastly, the city's 100th anniversary celebration, beginning in March 2013, will surely generate a measure of interest in Canberra that we Wikitravellers will be well-placed to take advantage of. Canberra was nominated for DotM in 2009, and according to the debate in the slush pile, it looks like it didn't miss out by much. (In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say its nomination was doomed by lack of interest as much as by the relatively minor concerns expressed by the lone commenter). In any event, those concerns seem to have been addressed, and the article is even more well-written and comprehensive than it was in 2009. I like that it has excellent photos and an extremely long list of attractions, restaurants, lodgings etc. It lacks a map, but even in spite of that, I see no reason why it would not make an excellent DotM.

Established in 1913 as the capital city of Australia, Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, an enclave in the south-east of New South Wales. It is a planned city, with national monuments, museums, and galleries all built around large man-made lakes. A bush capital, Canberra is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with excellent cycling, gardens, parks, bushwalking and nature reserves. Canberra's upcoming centenary celebration in 2013 will regale visitors with many local celebrations and landmark events. (more...)

Stockholm

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: Best during summer Nominated by: Blist 23:56, 29 December 2012 (EST) Comment: Was rejected in 2009, due to excessive length, and lack of district articles. Much has improved since then.

Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden. The city is made up of 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges on Lake Mälaren, which flows into the Baltic Sea and passes an archipelago with some 24,000 islands and islets. The city's a very lively, cosmopolitan place with both modern Scandinavian architecture including lots of brass and steel, along with fairytale towers, a captivating Old Town (Gamla Stan) and lots of green space. (more...)

For which month should we feature Stockholm as DOM? IBAlex 16:45, 14 January 2013 (EST)

Nominations for Off the Beaten Path

Jacksonville

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: spring Nominated by: --User:Travelgeek 12:20, 27 December 2012 (EST) Comment: A good article that barely meets guide status. Needs some work before it is good enough.

With 800,000 people, Jacksonville is North Florida's largest city in population and area and is commonly referred to as "The Bold New City Of The South". With a happening downtown, a great beach, and the gorgeous St. Johns River running through the city, Jacksonville is the perfect place to visit during spring or autumn. There are many excellent hotels, museums, restaurants, and bars. The Riverwalk provides a perfect vista of the beautiful skyline. (more...)

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Article status: guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: anytime Nominated by: --Tiagox2 12:33, 5 January 2011 (EST) Comment: Great article for a little known destination.

Stretching 184.5 miles along the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves remains of America's colorful canal era. For nearly a century, the C&O Canal was the lifeline for communities and businesses along the Potomac, as coal, lumber, grain, and other agricultural products gently floated down the canal to market. This magnificent water highway linked the rapidly growing west to the east and played an important role in the growth and development of the country. (more...)

I saw disappointment that there were only 3 things to see and there were no pictures in this section, so I added a short description of the Paw Paw Tunnel. It is a very impressive structure for a canal and a must see if you truly want to experience the towpath. I also have a picture but I am new and have I have little knowledge regarding uploading pictures. It has been uploaded to wiki-shared, but if someone else could add that or tell me how I would really appreciate it. The photo is labeled: Pawpawtunnel.JPG http://wikitravel.org/shared/Image:Pawpawtunnel.JPG Berner.mj 19:52 April 2012 (EST)

Hmm... I imagine the article is complete, but it seems very short and I definitely feel like the maps have muscled out the pictures and overall appeal of the article, although I'm sure they would be very useful for someone actually using this trail. There are only 3 things listed to see along the whole trail (typical of an American trail) but no pictures of any of them. ChubbyWimbus 23:34, 9 January 2011 (EST)

Are those maps ok? They follow the usual WT style and look suspiciously like copyrighted images. The image info says it's sourced from the U.S. National Park Service, uploaded by the the esteemed [User:Peterfitzgerald] so perhaps they are kosher. I feel the writing is quite good but the See section would be sharper with actual listings for the places of interest. Also agree there needs to be more listings. Are there any particularly interesting sections, big rocks or old buildings of note? The Get In section should have By bus/car headings. It could be a good feature with a bit of input from someone who knows the area - Cardboardbird 09:17, 17 March 2011 (EDT)

I'll see what I can do with that see section. And all NPS maps are created by U.S. federal government employees in an official work capacity, which under U.S. laws happily makes them Public Domain. I like to spruce them up and convert them to more of a WT style (example), but man is that a painstaking conversion job! At least in Inkscape, maybe someone with Illustrator could find an easier way.

I might try splitting that map and putting a southern section and northern section side by side in the middle of the article, forcing text either above it or below. That would probably make the formatting a lot easier to read (for people with narrow displays or who have not disabled the right ad column), and would allow for more pics of a beautiful place. --Peter ^Talk 20:49, 3 June 2011 (EDT)

• Support. However, the article is missing a "Get around" section. -- Ryan • (talk) • 11:16, 13 July 2012 (EDT)

• Not quite. My hesitation does not stem from any specific concerns, but I tend to agree with User:ChubbyWimbus when he says the article seems too short and lacks a certain je ne sais quoi. -- AndreCarrotflower 04:28, 18 August 2012 (EDT)

Childs

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: Summer is best; the main attraction is closed Nov-May Nominated by: LtPowers 22:36, 29 June 2012 (EDT) Comment: Tiny little hamlet that just barely meets our article criteria, with one place to stay, one place to eat, and one thing to see. It's all good, though, so I have no trouble recommending it as a destination.

Situated at the intersection of two state highways, Childs is like many other small hamlets scattered throughout Western New York. But few such hamlets have what Childs has: a top-notch restaurant housed in an old stagecoach stop, comfortable bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations, and a unique museum complex steeped in history. (more...)

• At the risk of stacking the deck with too many Western New York destinations at a time, Support. An astoundingly comprehensive and well-written article for a place that is DEFINITELY "off the beaten path". --AndreCarrotflower 21:13, 3 July 2012 (EDT)

• Support. -- Ryan • (talk) • 11:16, 13 July 2012 (EDT)

Tennant Creek

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: Anytime, but ideal for Nov-Feb Nominated by: AndreCarrotflower 00:09, 2 August 2012 (EDT) Comment: Here's an OTBP that's ideal for (the Northern Hemisphere's) winter: a warm-weather Southern Hemisphere destination. This article is short but seemingly complete, and quite well-written. A potential problem with the article is the fact that it only has one picture (though it does have a map!), which I see as an easily correctable problem. However, given the lack of any articles on the OTBP nomination list that are suitable for winter, I think it's all right to submit this article for your approval.

Tennant Creek is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. With a population of about 3,500, it is known as the Territory’s "heart of gold" mainly due to the people, but also in reference to its gold-mining history. The culture of Aboriginal peoples such as the Warumungu, Walpiri, Kaiditch and Alyawarri is strong here, with a number of sacred sites in the area, including the region’s most famous landmark, the Devil's Marbles. Campers, four-wheelers, and outdoor adventurers of all stripes also have plenty of options in this beautiful town in the heart of the Outback. (more...)

• Close. The "Contact" heading is empty and should either be filled out or populated, and the "Drink" section only has one listing, despite mentioning that there are "several" bars/pubs in town. Also, two images seems a bit thin for a OTBP. Aside from those minor quibbles this article seems like it has potential. -- Ryan • (talk) • 01:52, 2 August 2012 (EDT)

I noticed that the Wikipedia article on Tennant Creek has some nice photographs that would be useful for our purposes, so I'll most likely insert them into the article at some point. I imagine that it would also be easy to fill out the Contact section with simple information about calling codes, local newspapers, etc. As I have no personal familiarity with Tennant Creek, I doubt I'd be much help regarding the "Drink" section, but I imagine that addressing two out of the three minor issues you brought up would suffice to bring this article up to DotM/OTBP eligibility.

-- AndreCarrotflower 19:36, 9 August 2012 (EDT)

Cuc Phuong National Park

Article status: Guide (must be guide or above). Time to feature: Nov-Feb to coincide with dry season Nominated by: AndreCarrotflower 00:15, 3 August 2012 (EDT) Comment: Another warm-weather destination that would be a good one to feature as OTBP over the next few months. This is a comprehensive and generally well-written article (though it could use some minor grammar and style fixes) about a fascinating and definitely OTBP destination in a warm climate.

Located 120 km southwest of Hanoi in Vietnam's Ninh Binh Province, Cuc Phuong National Park (Vườn Quốc-gia Cúc-phương) is the first and largest national park in Vietnam and, as the home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, one of the most important sites for biodiversity in the country. Visiting the park is a terrific opportunity to get a close look at the Vietnamese rainforest. Best of all, fees generated from tourism help protect the park's wildlife and improve the local economy. (more...)