SIMON CALDER
The multi award-winning travel writer has some great advice for readers planning trips this year. ‘Colombia is going to be huge,’ he predicts. ‘The country encapsulates all that is great about South America: there’s huge diversity of food, from basic Caribbean cuisine to fantastic Pacific seafood,’ he says.
‘It’s a great time to go to Iceland, too. British travellers are set to benefit from a huge airline price war that’s bringing fares down to Reykavík at the moment. It’s also easy to get to from anywhere in the UK and the food has seriously improved. When I went 20 years ago, you paid stupid prices for a dismal meal but now they’re doing great things.’
In terms of on-trend destinations, he’s tipping the Azores:
‘It’s in Western Europe, offers value for money and has amazing food,’ he says. ‘The capital, Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel is the top place to go in 2017.’
‘I’m definitely going to get to Paris, Brussels and Istanbul,’ he says with conviction. ‘They’re off the agenda for many after the terror attacks but I visited Paris recently and found it to be much more welcoming than I’ve known it in the past. They’re also prepared to offer a good deal. Go now and you’ll get great value, friendly people and a lack of crowds.’
However, it’s August’s natural phenomena in the States that’s really getting him excited. ‘The great total eclipse will be sweeping its way across the US from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. It’s the biggest tourist event of all time in terms of actual movement of people. I booked my spot three years in advance and I’ll be in the mountains of Wyoming, where there’s maximum chance of clear skies,’ he says.
One of the travel industry’s most respected men is on hand to give you food for thought when booking a holiday this year