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OF THE 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
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staycation
Día de Muertos
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Vulcanos, Jungle and Waterfalls - explore Chiapas
Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean Sea - Beaches to relax
from mexico city to Magic towns
CHIAPAS
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Our Destinations for 2022
Porto
MALDIVES
NORTHUMBERLAND
BARBADOS
lyon
thailand
norwegian fjords
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With the new year fast approaching, we’ve compiled a list of the seven destinations, ranging from staycations and city breaks to bigger bucket-list holidays, we are most excited to visit in 2022. Plus, to make planning your next trip even easier, we’ve done the research for you, including when to go and how to get there.
City breaks
Portugal’s second city is an absolute charmer, with colourful tiled houses that line cobbled streets, the stately Dom Luís I Bridge arching across the River Douro, and a raft of architectural treasures that helped it earn UNESCO World Heritage status. We love it because it’s a fantastic city to explore on foot, as you dip into roof-top terrace bars to soak up river views or quirky cafes for a coffee and a pastel del nata. Porto was also a hot contender for our top foodie destination 2022, not only as it's the birthplace of port and because of its proximity to the Douro Valley's excellent vineyards, but because it represents brilliant value for drinking and dining. You’ll find something for every budget in this city, whether you’re looking for the hippest new trends or a simple laid-back lunch — either way, you’ll be getting bang for your buck compared to the UK.
A little outside of the city centre is the delightful Parque de Serralves, a whimsical 18-hectre garden where you’ll find rambling roses, formal fountains, playful sculptures, lush lily ponds, and two modern art museums. Both museums house fascinating work from the 1960s onwards, but are also a spectacle in themselves — the white-washed Museu de Arte Contemporânea is a minimalist’s dream, whereas the pink-hued Art Deco building of Serralves Villa wouldn’t look out of place in a Wes Anderson film. And while you’re exploring further afield, call in at one the many beaches along the mouth of the Duoro River. Praiados dos Ingleses has a wonderful stretch of sand and holds Blue Flag status, tiny Praia do Carneiro is best known for its 16th-century fortress and quaint lighthouse, and popular Praia do Molhe is a great spot for swimming and has a striking Neoclassical-style Pérgola da Foz along its promenade.
What to do
Porto is on the Atlantic Coast, so winter is a lot milder than further inland, and the summer weather is refreshingly bearable, too. However, you’ll find higher prices and a scramble for accommodation during peak months. In September and October there are fewer crowds, and it’s also a good time to visit nearby vineyards for the annual grape harvest. June, when the colourful São João festival takes place to celebrate the city’s patron saint, is a fantastic time to visit the city. Expect fireworks over the River Douro, delicious grilled sardines, a sunrise dip in the ocean, and even the strange tradition of greeting fellow partygoers with plastic hammers.
When to go
The easiest way to get to Porto is by plane, and you can fly direct from several major UK in around two and a half hours. The city’s also only three and a half hours from Lisbon by train, so the two cities make a great pairing for anyone wanting to see more of Portugal in one trip.
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Maldives
There’s no question that the Maldives is the ultimate tropical getaway — white sands, a crystal-clear ocean, and the iconic over-water bungalows that grace many an Instagram feed. But holidays here have so much more to offer beyond the resort — they can be a series of bucket-list moments all rolled into one. The waters around the coral islands brim with wildlife and are some of the world’s best locations for diving with migrating whale sharks and swimming with wild dolphins. While both adventures require guided tours, even a short snorkel in the shallows will probably include serene sightings of manta rays and turtles. And staying solely at ground level or below would be a mistake, too, as one of the finest ways to see this beautiful destination by air, whether it’s a parasailing trip, a scenic plane ride, or fulfilling the ultimate aspiration of skydiving over the Maldives’ kaleidoscopic green and blue atolls.
If you’ve had your fill of sipping on cocktails and getting massages on the beach, take a trip to the capital of the Maldives, Malé. Compared to the laid-back outer islands, the city is densely populated and has a far busier energy (albeit still laid back by European standards). Make sure you visit the Grand Friday Mosque, with its striking white façade and golden dome, and head to the local markets — the beating heart of the city and a hive of activity — where you can pick up artisan gifts, handmade clothing, and local food, including the catch of the day at the highly entertaining Fish Market. Remember, Islam is the official religion in the Maldives, and the inhabited islands have stricter laws than the resorts, including regarding dress codes and the consumption of alcohol.
Maldives is a year-round destination thanks to warm weather and water temperature that stays around 25°C. The dry season (November-April) is considered the best time to go, particularly if you want to dedicate your time to sunny beach days. However, if you’re on a tighter budget, or you’re keen to surf the archipelago’s bigger waves and better swell, the monsoon season is when you’ll find the best deals.
Currently, you can only fly direct to the Maldives from London, and the flight time is approximately 10 hours. However, 1-stop flights are no bad thing, as they give you the perfect excuse to see two destinations in one trip when you choose your connecting city carefully. A popular option is to add a city break in Istanbul or Dubai, but for a truly bucket-list experience, we recommend a tour and safari in Sri Lanka before heading to your luxury Maldives beach escape.
Bucket-list destination
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As the northernmost and least densely populated county in England, Northumberland is perfect for getting away from it all in 2022. The rugged coastline, home to golden beaches and rolling sand dunes, has been deemed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for good reason. However, it remains a relatively well-kept secret. Inland, you’ll find vast moorlands and forests, including Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water Forest, where you can hike for miles without seeing a soul. You can also find plenty of well-trodden routes, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall — a 2000-year-old Roman relic and home of one of the most photographed trees in Britain, at Sycamore Gap. Alongside stunning scenery, Northumberland is a treasure trove of picturesque villages — from the bustling market towns of Alnwick and Corbridge to quaint fishing ports, such as Seahouses and Alnmouth. Plus, the bright lights of Newcastle are a short drive away.
Northumberland
Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England, and we’re not just talking romantic crumbling ruins (of which there are plenty), but mighty fortresses that have stood the test of time. A trip to the Heritage Coast wouldn’t be complete without seeing the magnificent Grade I-listed Bamburgh Castle, which is perched above the northeast coastline; windswept Lindisfarne on mystical Holy Island; iconic Alnwick Castle, best known for its alter ego, Hogwarts; and even Warkworth Castle, which provides a most idyllic backdrop for the local cricket matches — just add sunshine and a picnic hamper laden with treats for a quintessential English afternoon.
Northumberland has something for everyone all year round, but here are our top picks for annual events. May-July is the best time of year to see the puffin colonies. The puffins come to the Farne Islands to breed, and it’s possible to sail to the islands (book tickets for the crossing in advance). Don’t worry if you miss the puffins, as once they leave, the islands become the pupping grounds for the second largest colony of grey seals in England. October and onwards is the start of Northumberland’s dark skies season, when you’re most likely to see the Milky Way or even the Andromeda Galaxy. The county is England’s first, and one of Europe’s largest, International Dark Sky Parks, and boasts gold-tier status — which is reserved for the darkest skies with the smallest amount of light pollution. Here’s a map to show you the best sites for stargazing. Be sure to tie your visit in with Northumberland’s Dark Skies Festival, which runs for ten days in February.
Travelling by car is the best way to explore Northumberland’s nooks and crannies, and the Northumberland 250 route is a great place to start when planning your adventure, as it encompasses many of the county’s major attractions. But the coast is very well connected by train — you can catch a direct service from London, Aberdeen, Carlisle, Plymouth, and more, to Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Morpeth. You can also change at Morpeth for connections to some of the smaller coastal towns.
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Barbados is just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, but it has over 70 miles of palm-fringed white sand along its coastline, so it’s easy to explore a different beach every day. Plus, you can top up your tan at any beach for free; all the island’s beaches are public. The west of the island, known as the Platinum Coast, is where you’ll find the most postcard-perfect beaches. The east coast (which borders the Atlantic) is more rugged, with rougher waters. Here it’s best to soak up the views rather than attempting to swim! You’ll want to head to Crane Beach to see the famous pink sand, and we recommend exploring the shallow waters of Accra Beach — ideal for young children — and Sandy Lane, popular with the rich and famous. For adrenaline junkies looking for adventure, Bathsheba and Silver Sands are top spots for surfing and windsurfing.
Barbados
Barbados is made up of more than 85% coral limestone, so its water is among some of the purest in the world. This natural filter also showcases the island’s coral reefs, making it a wonderful destination for snorkelling and diving — Carlise Bay has a thriving habitat for marine life, thanks to multiple shipwrecks. Not only that, but Barbados is a top destination for swimming with turtles — the island is home to the green, hawksbill, and leatherback species. Although the population of turtles has dramatically decreased over the years due to development, the island has an initiative in place to protect and increase numbers once again. But make sure any interaction with the creatures is responsible and ethical. It’s possible to join a guided catamaran tour, or you can head to Hilton beach, which is the densest hawksbill turtle nesting beach in the eastern Caribbean.
Barbados is a fantastic winter-sun destination: December to April is the driest part of the year, and temperatures hover around 30 degrees. However, if you’re looking for a deal, you might want to consider travelling in May and June — although this is the start of the island’s rainy season, you’ll rarely experience more than a short, sharp afternoon storm. And you’ll be more likely to spot nesting turtles as they come ashore from May onwards. The peak of the hurricane season is officially September-October, when the sea temperatures are at their highest, but with its easterly position in the Caribbean, Barbados is only struck by a hurricane once every 25 years, on average. Why not take advantage of the island’s new initiative, the Barbados Welcome Stamp? British citizens don’t need a visa to visit the island for a holiday, but with the Barbados Welcome Stamp, you can work remotely for up to 12 months for US$2,000 per person.
You can fly direct to Barbados from London (Gatwick or Heathrow), Edinburgh, or Manchester in around eight hours and 45 minutes. In fact, British Airways has added extra flights from Heathrow for December and January to help meet the demand for Caribbean sunshine this winter.
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Best for beaches
French food critic Curnonsky dubbed Lyon the Gastronomic Capital of the World back in 1935, yet the flavours and quality of produce of France’s second city remain as remarkable as ever. The city boasts more restaurants per person than Paris, and in the country that invented haute cuisine, Lyon alone has a whopping 17 Michelin-starred restaurants. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to taste excellent food thanks to Lyon’s proximity to the outstanding natural pantry of the Rhône-Alpes region and the swiftness with which that produce makes it from the land to plate, keeping costs low. Alongside many food markets and bakeries, the main draw is its down-to-earth bouchons, which serve distinctive rustic dishes, such as salade Lyonnaise, quenelle (fish dumplings in a creamy sauce), or offal cuts, like tripe sausage. And don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of something special — this region produces some of the world’s most historic French wines, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Lyon
If you can drag yourself away from the dining table, there’s plenty to explore in this UNESCO World Heritage city. The old town is a labyrinth of secret passageways and hidden stairways that wrap around the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Or you can scale the hills to Fourvière (don’t worry, you can catch a funicular to the top) to appreciate the views and visit the stunning La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. Lyon is also a cultural powerhouse and hosts numerous arts festivals throughout the year. If you’re lucky enough to visit in the summer, you might want to catch a play, some opera, or even a circus performance at the outdoor Roman amphitheatre. Lyon also lays claim to being the birthplace of modern cinema, and you can visit Villa Lumière, the former family home of the Lumière brothers, to pay homage to their revolutionary inventions.
You can fly direct to Lyon from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, or Belfast. Eurostar also ran a direct service four times a week, but this was suspended during the pandemic with no set date to restart. For the time being, you can still travel by train with a change in Paris or Lille.
As with many European destinations, travelling outside of the peak summer months will mean fewer crowds and cheaper prices. September and October are great months to visit, as the city’s boulevards are lined with autumnal foliage and it’s still warm enough to sit outside pavement restaurants well into the evening. If you visit on the run up to Christmas, you’ll likely see the city’s famous festive markets, where wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and even a Ferris Wheel take over Carnot Place and Place de la Croix-Rousse. We recommend timing your visit to coincide with Fête des Lumières (8-11 December), when artists transform local buildings, streets, and parks with themed light installations each night.
Best for foodies
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Thailand
Infinity pools, white-sand beaches, sumptuous spas, and 28 Michelin-starred restaurants — Thailand’s reputation for opulent holidays is not a well-kept secret, but the affordability and breadth of experience makes this destination enduring for luxury travellers. You’re spoilt for choice for 5-star beach retreats, whether that’s a large resort with an array of facilities, or an intimate experience at a Small Luxury Hotel of the World (there are 18 across the country). For something more unique, try Andaman island-hopping by private yacht, and wake up to a different view every morning. If your layover includes a stop in Bangkok, you’ll find a city packed with glitzy 5-star hotels, including some of the biggest brands in the world. Not only that, but the River area is particularly good for haute cuisine, as well as rooftop bars that serve carefully crafted cocktails high above the city’s shimmering night skyline.
Camping is not generally considered luxurious, but the Thai have taken the humble canvas tent to a whole new level. For anyone looking for an ethical elephant experience, the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle on the border of Myanmar and Laos is a must visit. Not only will you get to interact with rescued elephants, but the camp’s air-conditioned tents are set spaciously apart, with a complimentary mini bar and a large outdoor deck (some with hot tubs) where you can take in views of the dreamy jungle setting. Further south in Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp is a unique and sustainable option for jungle adventures. The resort is the first floating hotel in the country and drifts on the emerald waters of Cheow Larn Lake. Each room has a private kayak for exploring the stunning setting straight from your bed, and there are guided excursions to the park’s endangered wildlife and towering limestone mountains.
Broadly speaking, the best time to visit Thailand is November to April. Not only is this the dry season for the majority of the country, it’s also when some of the best festivals, such as Yi Peng (Thai Lantern Festival) in November, and Songkran (Thai New Year) in April, which is famous for huge water fights, take place. However, the geography of Thailand varies enormously, which means hot and dry beach days might make for cool nights if you’re in the rainforests, so check details at a local level. May-June is when you’ll find the best value for your money if you want to save on your flights and accommodation so you can splurge on room upgrades or spa experiences. Although you’ll most likely experience some rain during your stay, it will be confined to a short afternoon downpour, or overnight thunderstorms.
You can fly direct to Bangkok and Phuket from London in 11 hours and 30 minutes. For other island destinations, you’ll need to connect in Bangkok. British passport holders arriving by land or air can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, but your passport must more have six months’ validity remaining.
Best for luxury
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Dramatic waterfalls cascading down moody cliff faces, red-timber houses perched on the edge of icy blue waters, and snow-capped mountains on the horizon — Norway’s fjords are spectacular. While it’s possible to explore this this vast landscape by car (and foot), some parts can be frustratingly inaccessible, even for the most intrepid of adventurers. Cruising directly into the heart of the fjord gives you an experience that’s just not possible with any land-based tour, as you appreciate the sheer scale from a whole new angle. It’s also a very popular itinerary with a variety of cruise lines, so you can easily choose your preferred duration and ship. A full-board cruise is an affordable way to see the famously expensive Norway. Not only is the pricing competitive, you can keep your costs low by eating on the ship, leaving your spending money for excursions.
Norwegian Fjords
Norway’s fjord lands are an extensive area that starts in Stravanger and hug the entire west coast of the country all the way past Tromso to the Finnish border in the Arctic Circle. That’s more than 1000 individual fjords. Luckily, two that feature on most cruise itineraries — the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjorden — are must-see stops, and both have plenty of stunning viewpoints. Better still, take to the deep blue water on a kayak excursion — one of the most humbling ways to experience this landscape. Although Norway is primarily about its natural scenery, the quaint wooden houses of Old Stavanger and colourful Bergen are also equally deserving of your time, especially if you’re looking to taste some of Norway’s local flavours and pick up souvenirs.
The great thing about a Norwegian fjords cruise is you don’t have to step on a plane — the UK has plenty of departure ports, including Southampton, Harwich, and Dover, so grab your largest suitcase and prepare to fill it full. However, for even more itinerary and ship options, you can fly to mainland Europe and pick up a sailing from there.
A summer sailing (departing June to August) is your safest bet for the best of the Scandinavian weather, but also to maximise your time on shore because of longer hours of daylight (plus the chance to experience and the eerie midnight sun). However, it’s worth wrapping up warm and travelling between October and March for the ultimate pinch-me moment of watching the Northern Lights shimmering high above the sea.
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