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INDAGARE’S GUIDE TO HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY 2008 All of the cities listed below have openings at some of their top hotels. Most are time-sensitive (many are recent cancellations) and will fill quickly. Act fast to reserve. Please note that most have ten-day or two-week minimums.

SYDNEY

Sunny weather, sophisticated dining and endless shopping make Sydney a top pick for the holidays. Book a hotel with a view of the harbor to catch the city’s famed New Year’s Eve fireworks.

RIO

Rio’s storied Copacabana Palace offers an elegant retreat for travelers who want to combine time on the beach with chic South American shopping.

FLORENCE

Explore Florence without the crowds. Although the temperatures can be cool, there’s no better weather for tucking into a cozy café or passing tourist-free afternoons in the Uffizi.

PRAGUE

No longer just a party capital (though there are still plenty of drinking opportunities for midnight revelers), Prague is quickly emerging as a luxury hotspot. Its scenic cityscape provides a fairy tale setting for the holiday season.

HONG KONG

For the energy of an Asian metropolis, ring in the New Year in Hong Kong, the city our correspondent claims is “arguably the world’s most exciting.”