Metro Society

Feature:

Longing for distance? Head to some of the most special places on earth with A2A

- BY MONICA ALSAGOFF

Travel Trends for 2020

THE YEAR 2020, a new decade. Travelers today are looking for ways to manage their impact on the world, discover far-flung destinatio­ns and experience­s. Sustainabi­lity, green energy production, proper recycling, support and procuremen­t of locally grown, organic food are high on travelers’ lists. We have deep and longstandi­ng relationsh­ips in Africa and work with a carefully curated portfolio of luxury safari properties and handpicked safari guides across the continent›s most pristine wilderness areas. A2A Safaris specialize­s in bespoke, luxury safaris to Africa and also in Latin America and Antarctica (through A2A Journeys). We are very familiar with the products and services we recommend in Africa and also in Latin America and Antarctica. A2A has arranged thousands of life-changing safaris for our clients around the world since we introduced the African safari to Asia in 2002. We are based in Asia and we specialize in organizing tailormade luxury safaris to the pristine and untouched wilderness areas in Africa and customized itinerarie­s to Latin America and Antarctica.

A2A Safaris List of Travel Trends for 2020:

1. Traveling off the beaten path

2. Finding new experience­s

3. Motion-based travel i.e. finding new mode of transport

4. Sustainabi­lity as the cornerston­e for high-end luxury travel experience­s

5. Green travel, environmen­tall friendly travel is on the rise.

Our top five travel destinatio­ns for the year:

1. Safaris in Africa – On a safari, you get bombarded by new sights, sounds, and smells and while you are out on those morning and afternoon drives. Your senses are overwhelme­d by many new species of animals, birds, insects, and trees. Motion-based travel experience­s: Selfdrive safaris and air safaris (hot air balloon safaris and helicopter aerial safaris), game drives, river safaris, walking safaris, horseback and biking safaris. Travel across the salt pans on quad bikes. Finding new experience­s: Track animals with the bushmen or camp out under the stars. Go on game night drives, mobile safaris, self-drive safaris, customized bird watching, wildlife and nature safaris combined with culinary and wine and art and culture.

2. Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic – The seventh continent is simply humbling, with its scale, raw power and purity. Travelers go to Antarctica to see penguins, massive icebergs, glaciers, and fjords but come back with so much more. And a voyage to Antarctica cannot be delinked to the great explorers who tried to conquer earth’s final frontier (Scott, Amundsen, etc) but in particular, Ernest Shackleton’s survival story is the best example of willpower, camaraderi­e, and leadership. Motion-based travel experience­s: fly to cruise and cruise to kayak

3. Latin America – A journey to Latin America’s wild places is the next frontier. From Patagonia’s advancing glaciers to the iconic Galapagos Islands and ancient ruins of Macchu Picchu, Latin America is ready to be discovered. Latin America is an extremely diverse continent in terms of culture, wildlife, and natural beauty. To the ancient Mayans, illness was not necessaril­y a physical ailment, but a spiritual one. They believed cleansing ceremonies could be used to combat the supernatur­al for those interested in exploring these holistic traditions. Our bespoke Latin America trips focus on exploring these unique wilderness areas and experienci­ng its diverse cultures and world-class food and wine offerings, using the region’s most exclusive and luxurious hotels and estates as your base.

Finding new experience­s: Bespoke itinerarie­s on gastronomy and culture, food and wine, music and art, history and archaeolog­y, astronomy, wildlife and nature, ecogetaway­s and yoga retreats.

Motion-based travel experience­s: Fly to cruise, bike to boat, hike to cruise, horse-riding, hot air balloon, helicopter, kayaking and walking holidays.

4. Gheralta, Ethiopia – The historical circuit’s best kept secret, Gheralta is known for its ancient mountain churches (1,500 years old) which are still extant today. They say the journey is part of the destinatio­n and hiking and scaling formidable trails to get to the tops of the sandstone mountains of Ethiopia takes travelers back in time to when Orthodox Christians had to hide their places of worship from enemies and looters. The whole experience is like entering a time machine.

Finding new experience­s: Bespoke itinerarie­s around Ethiopia’s coffee culture and history, wildlife and nature.

Motion-based travel experience­s: Ethiopia historical monuments by plane

5. Easter Island or Rapa Nui in the Pacific – Almost as close to Tahiti as it is to Chile and in the middle of nowhere, it is known for its giant Moai statues which baffle scientists until today. But the real mystery for many is why people with Polynesian roots made this small island in the middle of nowhere home and how they colonized the island around 800 years ago and also how fast their civilizati­on collapsed after. Besides the architectu­ral and artistic culture that weathered the centuries, Rupa Nui is also home to some excellent diving and surfing, and enticing beaches. Finding new experience­s: Easter Island’s iconic festivals are a series of music, dance, cultural, and ancestral sport contests between two clans.

Motion-based travel experience­s: Cars, motorcycle­s, and mountain bikes are good ways to explore the island’s scattered archaeolog­ical sites.

A2A Safaris is a leading Asia-based travel company for bespoke, tailor-made itinerarie­s to unique destinatio­ns. Founded by former investment bankers Jose Cortes and Victor Dizon, who are intrepid safari enthusiast­s themselves. Since 2002, A2A has been crafting journeys of a lifetime for its discerning clients to some of the world’s remotest and wildest locations in Latin America, Africa, and Antarctica. A2A supports conservati­on efforts to help preserve the pristine wilderness in these locations. Latin America and Antarctica were added to the portfolio covering 14 more destinatio­ns under the A2A Journeys brand since these destinatio­ns present similar challenges to planning a trip to African countries. A2A has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, and New York. We also have representa­tives in Australia, China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as in Paris, Santa Fe, and Cape Town. Email us at enquiry@a2asafaris.com or go to https://www. a2asafaris.com/ to learn more.

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 ?? / PHOTOGRAPH­S BY JOSE CORTES III ??
/ PHOTOGRAPH­S BY JOSE CORTES III
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 ??  ?? Clockwise from above: Looking out over the vast Upsala Glacier in Patagonia’s Los Glaciares in Argentina; thousand-year-old blue ice along the Antarctic Peninsula sprinkled white after a blizzard; Adelie penguins jockey for nesting sites in Antarctica.
Clockwise from above: Looking out over the vast Upsala Glacier in Patagonia’s Los Glaciares in Argentina; thousand-year-old blue ice along the Antarctic Peninsula sprinkled white after a blizzard; Adelie penguins jockey for nesting sites in Antarctica.
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 ??  ?? Clockwise from right: Wild horses in the shadow of the Torres del Paine massif in Chilean Patagonia; San bushmen (made famous by ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’), hunter-gatherers and the oldest indigenous people of southern Africa; lesser flamingos glide over Lake Magadi along Africa’s Great Rift Valle; a herd of zebra take a break from the long march up the Serengeti; a mixed group of Chilean, Andean, and James’ flamingos thrives on Laguna Colorada, along Bolivia’s section of the South American altiplano.
Clockwise from right: Wild horses in the shadow of the Torres del Paine massif in Chilean Patagonia; San bushmen (made famous by ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’), hunter-gatherers and the oldest indigenous people of southern Africa; lesser flamingos glide over Lake Magadi along Africa’s Great Rift Valle; a herd of zebra take a break from the long march up the Serengeti; a mixed group of Chilean, Andean, and James’ flamingos thrives on Laguna Colorada, along Bolivia’s section of the South American altiplano.
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