Although most people think Dubai is the prime Middle Eastern destination (either as a stopover or as a more or less guaranteed winter sun destination), Oman offers a much more diverse range of attractions and activities, from grand canyons to goat markets, top hotels.
With the World Cup in 2014, followed by the Olympics in 2018, Brazil is already beginning to fill the travel bucket, especially those who tuned into Michael Palin’s TV series. It’s as big as a continent, with stunning empty beaches, exotic cities, great music, outrageous carnivals, jungles and incredible wildlife in the Pantanal.
After years of civil war, the east is now back on the travel compass, with interest further stimulated by British Airways’ new flights via the Maldives – especially interesting for those looking for a twin centre holiday and just the perfect permutation for honeymooners.
It’s a land of wide open spaces and a diversity of both scenery (vast deserts, the remote Skeleton coast, Damaraland) and game, with Etosha being one of Africa’s finest and largest reserves. Namibia also enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, a warm, dry climate almost year round, a well maintained infrastructure and the ability to self drive.
We think that there will be a surge in interest for the wild landscapes of the Kimberley and the Kakadu National Park, both perfect during our summer, with the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland rainforests also at their seasonal prime. Although the settings may be wild and remote, there is no compromise on comfort, with several new properties joining the stock of luxury retreats already in situ. There’s also the option of cruising the Kimberley aboard a luxury expedition ship such as Orion.