Top 8 Dream Destinations
Make 2019 the year you spoil yourself with one of these fabulous trips of a lifetime…
1 CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY
On February 26 the Grand Canyon celebrates 100 years of National Park status. You can hike the red rock of the corridor trail, stroll the canyon’s rim or swim in the invigorating pools of the Havasu Falls. A series of events will take place over the year, including the 2019 Grand Canyon Star Party, from June 22-29. The Tuscon Amateur Astronomy Association and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix will set up telescopes to teach visitors about planets and stars.
2 SOUTHERN ESCAPISM
New hotel developments, like Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels Nashville will open in the historic Music Row neighbourhood in December 2019. Margaritaville Nashville Hotel is due to open in the SoBro neighbourhood in autumn 2019. Plus British Airways upping their direct flights from Heathrow to daily makes Nashville a must. The brand new Tennessee State Museum showcasing the art, history and culture of Tennessee, and housing a huge Civil War collection, is tremendous.
3
JAMMIN’ GOOD TIMES
Go chic and stay at the brand new S Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Contemporary and chic, withh a true nod to Jamaican heritage, heritage this is stunning and the ultimate in luxury holidaying. Or try the iconic Jamaican resort, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, who have unveiled a new Coral Garden project to restore local sea life. A real feelgood factor!
4 FRESH, CALM RELAXATION
Dubbed the next Maldives, Bacalar in Mexico houses one of the most stunning natural beauties, the Lake of the Seven Colors. Ideal for diving and snorkelling, small fisherman’s houses dot the lake and the fresh seafood is to die for. Come here if you fancy wild swimming, relaxation and tranquillity. Yes, please!
5 FLEXIBLE IN THE SUN
Join a group retreat in Tuscany with Yoga holiday specialist, Destination Yoga. New to their location options, you’ll stay in a renovated Tuscan farmhouse, Locanda Cugnanello, just 90 minutes from Florence. A place of wild beauty with its own lavender field surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, orchards and cypress trees. Absolute bliss!
6 LAIDBACK SELF CARE
Wellbeing for self and the planet is forefront in mind for 2019 travellers and the dreamy detstination of the Seychelles is ideal. Getting ‘off the grid’ to relax and to enjoy a digital detox is a popular choice and here, the 115 islands, bar the main three, are mainly uninhabited. Places such as Curieuse Island and Bird Island, for example, both have protected bio-reserves. This comes with an abundance of untouched natural beauty, which you can explore often without bumping into another tourist. WWW.SEYCHELLES.TRAVEL
7 WINTER SUN FOR EVERYONE
Florida Keys offer fabulous winter sun options with a subtropical climate and stunning sunsets. Explore America’s first underwater preserve at Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, home to countless species of fish, shore birds and tropical vegetation. In Key West, there’s no more a romantic day than aboard the luxurious Schooner America 2.0, sipping champagne and dining on hors d’oeuvres.
8 THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH
Impressive scenery and world class dining experiences make Scotland’s Highlands and Islands fantastic. With a variety of quality distilleries – from the chance to stay in the first legal whisky distillery on the Isle of Raasay to a visit to Harris Distillery to pick up a bottle of Isle of Harris Gin, which is only available for purchase from the island – there’s something for everyone. Try out the region’s foodie experiences, including the new Mac & Wild at Falls of Shin, which offers a range of Scottish dishes and is positioned scenically close to the falls where guests can view salmon leaping in the summer months, before enjoying a taste of it in the restaurant.