Abta's 10 Destinations to watch in 2014
http://abta.com/Brazil
This one had to be in there for one major event – the World Cup is being hosted there this summer. Revellers will likely want to head straight for Rio de Janeiro where many of the matches – and after parties – will take place. Visitors looking to make the most of their visit will be checking out major tourist sights such as the spectacular Sugar Loaf Mountain and iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Gain Brazilian Real 7.00 as of 03:35:03 AM (15/05/2015) extra when purchasing 3000 UK Pounds worth of holiday money through this website. Better than bank rates by far.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean has long been a tropical idyll for travellers, but this year it comes with the added bonus of the England Cricket Team who are currently touring the West Indies, with stops in both Antigua and Barbados. To cater to fans, Thomas Cook has launched new weekly flights to Antigua from Manchester. Once you’ve touched down, choose from 365 heavenly beaches, such as the 11-mile long pink sand beach on Barbuda.Costa Rica
Increasing interest in activity holidays and the environment have led to a boom in Costa Rica’s tourist industry. Owing to its lush rainforest and great biodiversity, including half a million plant and animal species, it is the ideal destination for responsible travellers. Highlights include Tortugero National Park, where you’ll find green turtles and more bird species than the whole of Europe, and Arenal volcano, where zip lines offer thrilling views of the active volcano and lake.
Greece
Following a dip in visitors after the country’s bankruptcy and subsequent unrest, Greece’s fortunes now look to be on the up. Last year, there was an 11% increase in UK visitors, many making the most of lower prices in bars and restaurants. Crete, Corfu, Zante and Rhodes remain popular choices, but more off-the-beaten-track tour options and boutique hotels are springing up to cater to the more experimental guests. For rugged scenery, try the thickly forested islands of Thassos and Ikaria, and for calm and relaxation, the tranquil isles of Alonissos and Skopelos.
Malaysia
This year sun-seeking Brits are set to follow the footsteps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who visited Malaysia in 2013. As well as being a convenient base for travel around Southeast Asia, the country offers fantastic variety – from the sprawling city malls in capital Kuala Lumpur, to the 99 picture perfect islands of Langkawi. Another huge draw is the orang-utans - visitors can observe them in their natural habitats on Malaysian Borneo.
Mauritius
Mauritius has long been a favourite for lovebirds, whether they visit just for the honeymoon of for the big day itself. It’s not hard to understand the continued attraction, either. A fair approximation of paradise, the palm-fringed island is surrounded by shallow lagoons to dip into, and further inland, wild waterfalls and natural springs. Among the most captivating, the Tamarind Falls are well worth the challenging trek.
Mexico
This year will see relatively unfrequented parts of Mexico become much more accessible. Thomson and First Choice are launching a new route that takes travellers direct to Puerto Vallarta and the natural delights of the Pacific Coast where you can watch fresh water dolphins, and Baja, a wonderful spot for whale watching. Oman This treasure on the Arabian Gulf is due to be enjoyed by many more people this year due to new airport terminals -- in the capital Muscat there will be capacity for 12,000,000 passengers per year, and in Salalah, capacity for 1,000,000. Adventure travellers will love how this surprisingly green country is bursting with things to do outdoors, from racing catamarans and diving to climbing vast cliffs and canyons inland.
Portugal
British holidaymakers have long been fans of Portugal, and that is not about to change anytime soon. Last year, visitor numbers were up by more than 8%, and new direct flights to Lisbon and Oporto mean it is now within easy reach for a leisurely city break. The Algarve continues to be a hit for those seeking a gentler pace of life, whilst thrill seekers head to Sagres, Europe’s most south-western point boasting surf spots and sporting pursuits. But don’t forget Alentejo, an area of outstanding natural beauty known for its eucalyptus forests, cork and olive groves.
Slovenia
“Compact but extremely diverse” is how the ABTA report describes Slovenia, thanks to its landscapes which range from unspoilt countryside to unspoilt coast, and pretty cities such as capital Ljubljana. Lake Bled, home to the brown bear, is just 55km from the capital and one of the country’s most beautiful areas. Slovenia is also recommended for snow bunnies. World-class resorts with reasonable prices can be found on the Julian Alps, and the new ‘ESSV AS’ ski pass provides access to most ski resorts throughout the country. From May to September, Adria Airways has two weekly flights between Ljubljana and Manchester and Gatwick.
Written by Hannah Stuart-Leach
Culture & Lifestyle Journalist - Currency Today
