Ask the expert
Are there any interesting travel trends to watch for in
2020? Lesser known areas of Eastern and Southern Europe are now attracting increasing numbers of travellers seeking off-the-beaten-track cultural holidays and at the same time avoiding the higher cost of travel in Eurozone countries, as well as the crowds often experienced in better known Western European cities. Destinations such as Georgia, Romania, the Balkan countries, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia are all attracting greater interest than ever. There is also a shift towards small group tours and, particularly, solos holidays have become a hot topic. These enable adventurous solos to explore fascinating parts of the world in the company of other culturally inquisitive travellers and with the reassurance of an organised tour. For next year we’ve actually introduced four new tours for solo travellers, to South Africa, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Kerala in Southern India.
What are Cox & Kings’ most exciting new trips for
next year? We have broadened our offering for South Africa with two exciting new group tours and a number of private journey options. Elsewhere, in response to the growth in interest in Japan, we have a new itinerary ideal for the first-time visitor, covering the country’s key sites. For those looking for something a little bit different, we have an amazing new tour to Kyrgyzstan, one of Central Asia’s most picturesque countries, and an intriguing new tour that combines Black Sea Turkey with the mountainous country of Georgia.
What is your favourite
destination? Italy remains one of my absolute favourite places. Its art, culture, landscapes and amazing food have an enduring attraction for me. We actually have a brand new type of tour for 2020, discovering the most beautiful villages in Italy. A borgo is a small Italian village, generally fortified and dating back to the period from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Our range of Borghi Tours includes an escorted group tour, Discover Marche & Umbria, and two private journeys that cover Veneto & Friuli, and also Piedmont, both of which can be taken as a private tour or self-drive package.