A new year means a new opportunity to travel to new destinations. We asked our favourite expert travel companies for insights into which destinations are trending in 2019. Below are six suggestions: The Balkans, Mongolia, Vietnam, Egypt, Sao Tome & Principe and the Arctic.
So what are you waiting for; grab your passport, stock up on sun cream, and get going. Bon voyage!
KE Adventures: The Balkans
Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina (c) Natashadjuric
This superb walking holiday takes you through an undiscovered corner of the Balkans. Highlights include Montenegro’s stunning UNESCO National Park of Durmitor and and an exciting two day mini trek takes you through the magnificent Bjelasica Mountains whilst staying in nomadic shepherd huts perched on alpine pastures. From Montenegro you’ll cross into neighbouring Serbia where you’ll walk in the beautiful canyon of Uvac, home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Griffin Vultures in Europe. A night in a monastery offers a wonderful insight into Serbian Orthodox life. The final night is spent in the walled town of Trebinje in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. An off-the-beaten track holiday suitable for those with a reasonable level of fitness.
From £925 land only, June to September, includes all airport transfers, experienced local guide and all accommodation.
Find out more about KE Adventures trip to the Balkans
On The Go Tours: Egypt
(c) On The Go Tours
Our top travel destination for 2019 has to be Egypt, the land of the pharaohs. Where else can you marvel at ancient pyramids, explore temples covered in hieroglyphics and come face-to-face with the dazzling funerary mask of King Tutankhamun?
A trip to Egypt is a trip back in time with history to discover wherever you go. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a destination that offers the perfect mix of culture and relaxation. Spend a few days cruising along the scenic River Nile by traditional felucca or upgrade to a 5 star ship, or enjoy the watersports on offer at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. And with the new Grand Egyptian Museum due to open in 2019, displaying artefacts for the very first time, there’s never been a better time to visit.
Find out more about On the Go Tours to Egypt
Chimu Adventures: Cruise the Arctic
(c) Chimu Adventures
A three hour flight from Oslo will take you to the world’s northernmost city, Longyearbyen. From here, you can embark on an Arctic exploration in Spitsbergen in search of the elusive polar bear. This is only possible during the months of June to September when the ice has receded enough for a small ship to make access. Your expedition will take you through crunching pack ice, past glittering icebergs, to pebbly grey shores and up mossy green hills under a midnight sun. At this time of the year, the sun never sets so you can sit on deck looking out for wildlife such as whales, bird species and of course polar bears until the small hours.
Chimu’s first charter cruise to the Arctic, Arctic Unveiled, departs on the 23rd June 2019 and we are currently offering a 25% discount.
Find out more about Chimu’s cruise to the Arctic
Yellowwood Adventures: Mongolia Naadam Festival Adventure
Horse rider
‘Naadam’ in Mongolian means “the three games of men”; consisting of Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery – incorporating lavish costumes, celebrations, dancing and partying! We will join this incredible spectacle both in the capital Ulaanbaatar and also in the countryside staying with local families in their warm gers (large felt tents or ‘yurts’) to learn about their ancient nomadic way of life. We will also hike or ride horses up to a mountain monastery and ride Bactrian camels across the windswept sands of the Gobi Desert.
We will explore the wild beauty of Mongolia’s vast grassy steppe, deep wooded forests and sandy deserts with chances to ride the small but incredible hardy and swift Mongolian horses. Staying with local families we will experience their delicious meat dishes and vast array homemade dairy products; including Mongolian vodka! Mongolia is one of the last great frontiers on the earth where you can witness the timeless nomadic pastoral way of life on the Central Asian steppe.
Join YellowWood Adventures Limited for this amazing adventure on Saturday 5th–Sunday 13th July 2019 for only £1,499. 8 nights based on twin sharing, full board, including all accommodation, transport, guides, horses and events entry.
Find out more about YellowWood Adventures trip to Mongolia
Far & Wild: Sao Tome & Principe
(c) Far & Wild
Sao Tome & Principe are two little know tropical islands off the coast of West Africa. This dream tropical destination is full of unique landscapes, wildlife, and deserted beaches. Explore wild terrain, search for endangered birds, see turtles hatch in the early hours or just relax on the beach. It is the perfect place to holiday if you want to get away from the crowds and explore a Jurassic world landscape. Find out about Sao Tome & Principe before everyone else!
Far & Wild are offering an 11 day tour of Sao Tome & Principe from £2850 per person (based on two sharing a double room). Price includes return economy class TAP flights from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Sao Tome, air taxes, internal flights from Sao Tome to Principe return, transfers, accommodation and selected meals.
Find out more about Far & Wild’s trip to Sao Tome & Principe
Nadova Tours: Vietnam
(c) Nadova Tours
Vietnam is a country that will take you to a different world with its scenic landscapes, fascinating culture, tasty food, wonderful people and a diverse range of traveling activities.
Absolute Vietnam Holidays is the most typical Vietnam travel package, highly recommended for everyone as it suits all travel styles to discover the diversified beauty of Vietnam. Within 15 days, you can experience the best things Vietnam has to offer, from the bustling cities to remote rural areas, from the mountains to the prosperous deltas, from traditional values to modern faces of the country. The tour is private and flexible, you can start in Hanoi and end in HCMC or vice versa. It can always be customised to fully match your travel needs and budget.