Now that our annual leave and travel budgets have been reset, it’s time to ponder over which exciting destinations are on the cards for 2018 – and happily, there’s no shortage of places coming to the fore.
While old favourites like the Canary Islands, New York and Tokyo expect a heaving British contingent as usual, other destinations are preparing for a rising influx.
We’ve picked out five destinations that are hot picks and not just because of their balmy weather. Some are hosting celebrations in 2018, while others are seeing word-of-mouth recommendations work a treat or have recently developed their unique features to become a destination worth visiting.
So take a look at these options selected by the Flexicover team, and see if any make the travel bug bite.
Valetta, Malta
Malta is a smart destination at any time: it’s one of the quieter European islands, with only half a million Brits taking their place on the beach every year (compared to two million visitors to Tenerife). But this year there’s a reason to spend a few extra days in the capital of Valetta. A busy harbour city with plenty of history, its cultural offerings are brought to the fore in 2018 as the European Capital of Culture. After the launch event on January 20, expect plenty of celebrations throughout the year featuring music, dance, fireworks and for art lovers the opening of Malta’s flagship new national art gallery, MUZA.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
With many travellers opting to holiday closer to home there’s a resurgence of interest in Eastern Europe. In this case, we’d like to point you in the direction of the beautiful Lake Bled, a picturesque area of Slovenia that we don’t think will stay a secret in the UK for long. Just half an hour away from Ljubljana, this idyllic lakeside destination with water and outdoor activities is centred around an emerald-green lake, with fairytale castles and imposing churches forming part of the backdrop. A magnet for holidaymakers nearby, it gets busy in high summer, so consider a visit around the shoulders for an excellently-priced holiday.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
From spring 2018, it will be even easier to get to Europe’s coolest destination. The Eurostar will take Brits straight from King’s Cross St Pancras to Amsterdam in four hours, with a choice of two trains a day. That means travel fans can sit back and prepare their visit as they speed across Europe – for first timers, we’d suggest a visit to the Anne-Frank Museum and the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam’s most visited attractions. What’s more, reasonably priced quirky design hotels are dotted around the canal-heavy city, so it’s an ideal trip for those who like to do things a little different.
Idaho, USA
Until now, Idaho’s well-connected location meant it was known as a destination for conventions in America. But that’s about to change as its capital of Boise has undergone quite a reinvention. In the past few years a buzzing culture has begun to emerge, leading to a number of independent boutique hotels, coveted restaurants and craft beer breweries. With a range of landscapes to explore – from forests to desert and rugged mountains, plus the world-famous Yellowstone National Park, it’s set to become one of America’s fast-rising destinations this year. There are no direct flights from the UK yet, but British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer indirect flights with well-timed connections.
Zanzibar, East Africa
Found 23 miles off the cost of Tanzania in East Africa, Zanzibar is fast becoming a go-to honeymoon destination. It’s not difficult to work out its attraction with a look at its sugar-white beaches, broad range of flora and fauna and vibrant coral reefs. The rich culture and value-for-money exchange rate means that if holidaymakers can tear themselves away from the beach, their time can be filled with unforgettable experiences like snorkelling and diving, day trips around Stone Town and excellent fusion food in Zanzibar City. The sunniest seasons are between January to March, then June and October, something to bear in mind when forming your 2018 holiday calendar.
Wherever your travel plans take you this year it’s good to know that Flexicover Travel Insurance is committed to providing you with the highest level of protection to ensure you are safe and secure 24 hours a day when away.
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