Andalucia, Azores, Croatia Chile and Kerala among the top 12 destinations to watch for 2017
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).has published 12 trending destinations to watch for 2017. ABTA’s report reveals almost 23 per cent of the population are expecting to spend more on their holidays, up from 20 per cent last year.
Andalucia in southern Spain topped the destinations list followed by The Azores, Bermuda, Chile, County Kerry, Croatia, Denmark, Kerala, Sardinia, South Africa, USA- the Southern states, Vietnam.
1) Andalucia was rejuvenated, revitalised and modernised for the first time since the sixties, after huge investment. People find it easier to visit with new regional flights to Malaga offered by Thomas Cook, Jet 2 and Ryanair. The region’s Moorish heritages, the Mesquita in Cordoba, Alcazar in Seville and Alhambra in Grenada all offer a tantalising glimpse of an exotic world The area cuisine is rabo toro- oxtail stew, with the city of Huelva crowned as the gastronomic Capital of Spain 2017 and a true paradise for food lovers.
2) In Bermuda, the world’s greatest sailor will be leading Great Britain’s strongest challenge for years, as the 35th America Cup take place, in June 2017, will find a warm welcome on this beautiful Caribbean Island renowned for its pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Bermuda’s warm and welcoming climate benefits from past colonial rule with a rich cultural mix of British, North American, African, Portuguese and West Indian influences The turquoise waters of Sargasso sea provide a rich variety of seafood. Bermuda’s fringed with reefs which made Bermuda one of the leading sites in the world for diving and the Sargasso Sea’s royal fish the barracuda.
3) Azores, has increased visitors by a third in 2016, attracted by the mild climate, volcanic landscapes and the habitat of Manta rays, whales and dolphins. The nine islands of Azores with black sandy beaches and beautiful small towns and villages is an activity for lover’s delight where people can hike and mountain bike down country lanes. Then there is tours for whale watching swimming with the dolphins or dive with manta rays. Sao Miguel and its capital Ponta Delgada visitors will not miss and will try the Portuguese taps, Petiscos and local wine and beer.
4) Chile, with British Airways launching direct flights from the UK in January 2017. The Long narrow country spanning 4000 km of the South America’s western edge includes glaciers, volcanoes, forests, fjords and the world famous Andes. The capital Santiago is full of tourists at the buzzy nightlife in the Barrios Brasil, Chile has the Atacama desert, glaciers of Patagonia in the south.
5) County Kerry Ireland
Highlighted by the latest Star Wars movie, the stunning County’s Skellig islands the most beautiful spots in the Irish Republic, with mountains and lakes with golden sands and sea cliffs.The Ring of Kerry travels through the Iveragh peninsula and the Dingle Penninsula whose wide sandy beaches already featured in David Lean’s epic movie Ryan’s Daughter. The Island of Skellig Michael is dotted with beehive huts. The rich Christian heritage is reflected in the country with ancient churches and Celtic crosses.
6) Croatia
Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast with its perfect terracotta roofs and its northern coastal rival the Venetian town of Rovign in Istria, with strong Italian roots, are reflected in their cuisine and architecture and has an amphitheatre in Pula and Diocletian;s palace in Split. The Capital Zagreb is lively with cafes, bars museums, cultural events, beautiful parks and nightlife, and also use it for a skiing break with Mt Medvednica within short distance. Croatia has over thousand islands which are covered in forests and vineyards and Hvar.
7) Denmark
Danes are among the happiest people in the world. In Denmark, the atmosphere, is Hygge, translates as a state of cosiness, with people enjoying the good things in life with friends and family. Copenhagen is known for the best restaurants in the world with Nordic cuisine, music festivals and sandy beaches.
8) Sardinia Italy,
The really Hot Mediterranean island of 2017, as the long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches with rocky headlands and wall of cliffs and peaks of the Gennargnetu. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda remains a place of beauty with stunning beaches and bays where the rich play. The Orosei Gulf and Cala Gonone, accessible easily by boat. Alghero is the main resort of Sardinia and is full of shady cobbled streets, piazzas, Palaxxi. At Riviera del Corallo make sure to taste, Sardinian food and wine.
9) Kerala India
2017 is India’s 70th anniversary of independence and Southern coastal state of Kerala with natural attractions of backwaters, the original spice route for the world, serene beaches, tea-covered hill stations, green forests and wildlife. The extensive lagoons, lakes estuaries and natural canals, the tourists can wade through the placid waters in the luxurious “Houseboat” as the life of local people, Spice plantations and forests tell the real story of real unspoilt Kerala. The food in the houseboats is freshly fired locally caught fish marinated with coconut and pieces, prawns. The former British hill station the picturesque Munnar hills with spice and tea plantations, palm fringed beaches to satisfy the sunseeker. The land of Ayurveda the 5000-year-old alternative medicine still practised to perfection throughout the state with a healing touch for tourists.
10) South Africa
South Africa is expecting to build on their 11 per cent increase in UK visitors in 2016 as the British Pound enjoys a very good exchange rate. South Africa’s hippos, lions and penguins, jungles are no strangers to people who have seen David Attenborough series. Cape Town’s iconic table mountain in the background make is one of the most beautiful cities on earth The country has a large number of national parks including the Savannah of Kruger National Park and iSimangoliso Wetland Park whose Zebras and penguins are an attraction.Namaqualand covered in millions of wild flowers. Historical trips to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and the battlefields of KwaZulu.
11) USA South
Jazz, the Blues, Rock & Roll, Country and Bluegrass all have their roots in the Southern states of America. The French quarter of the New Orleans, the Mountains of Tennesse and to go there Virgin Holidays are offering tours to Elvis’s home in Memphis, Tennessee as well as Kentucky, home to Bluegrass and bourbon.The Southern States diverse landscape from the Mississippi in Louisiana to the Rolling hills of Kentucky. Music trail must include Nashville, New Orleans and the homes of Dolly Parton and Elvis.
12) Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon) in the south and Hanoi in the North offers beaches, mountains, and ancient wonders.Forty years on from major conflict, Vietnam is finally going places. The majestic Karst limestone stacks of Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta and the spectacular cave of Phone Nha-Ke- Bang National Park, Hoi An is a town famous for its talented tailors, Japanese architecture and excellent foods with Chinese and French influences.