Where the going is good
PLACES TO BE: Whether you’re looking to book a family break or an adventure of a lifetime, Jeremy Gates takes a look at these hotly-tipped spots for the year ahead.
Amsterdam
ART fans should head to Amsterdam’s Museumplein in April when the city’s national art gallery, The Rijksmuseum, opens after an epic 10-year renovation, with works including Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The creative theme continues with the reopening of the Van Gogh Museum, which also celebrates its 40th birthday, and special musical performances to mark the 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw. In addition, contemporary art museum Stedelijk reopened at the end of last year after a renovation.
And the anniversaries don’t end there – 2013 also marks 400 years of Amsterdam’s Canal Ring, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
Housetrip offer a range of holiday apartments, www.housetrip.com and for flights got to www.easyjet.com
Ecuador
BRAZIL may be hogging the limelight for the next few years, but the spotlight will be shining on Ecuador in 2013. No longer simply a gateway to the Galapagos Islands, the impressively diverse country offers visitors wildlife, culture and history.
This year, a new airport opens on the outskirts of capital city Quito, offering a safer alternative to the current city centre terminal, often described as one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
The world’s highest capital – it sits at 2,800m above sea level in the Andes – is home to some of South America’s finest colonial architecture and several new luxury hotel openings.
The resurrection of Ecuador’s railway network also offers a pleasant solution for exploring one of South America’s smallest countries.
KLM operates flights to Quito via Amsterdam with various regional departures, www.klm.com
Sri Lanka
WHEN Sri Lanka’s Civil War ended in 2009, tourists began to flood back to the country. Last year, it was named best-value long haul destination by the Post Office, and its popularity looks set to continue.
Improved infrastructure will also make the island easier to explore; in April British Airways launches new flights to Colombo and a new highway linking the capital to the south has cut road journeys
Now peace has returned, Kosovo is a largely undiscovered
corner of Europe.
to southern beaches and wildlife in Yala National park by half.
New hotel openings on the east coast, such as the Beach House at Pasikudah, will also open up an area little visited since the 1970s.
Western Oriental offers a 13-night Taste of Sri Lanka Tour from £1,765 per person, 0207 666 1234, www.westernoriental.com
Kosovo
FAIRLY new to the tourist map, Kosovo was only declared a country in 2008. Now peace has returned to the region, it’s a good time to explore a largely undiscovered corner of Europe. Highlights include Pizren, a small town with mosques, monasteries and narrow cobbled streets, and the Sharr Mountains National Park, blessed with scenic walking trails.
Also worth visiting is the Decani Monastery, which houses some excellent frescoes and examples of Orthodox art.
Explore offers the 14-day Undiscovered Balkans small group tour from £1,296pp, 0844 499 0901, www.explore.co.uk.
Croatia
IN 2012, the number of visitors to Croatia increased by 20 per cent and figures look set to continue as the Eastern European country prepares to join the EU. There are more than 1,244 islands to explore along the Adriatic coast, making a cruise a great way to discover the region.
The pretty town of Dubrovnik, where Venetian influence is felt in the picturesque old town, is an essential port of call. Norwegian Air will be launching a new route to the city from London Gatwick, while easyJet are introducing a route from Edinburgh.
Prestige offers a seven-night cruise calling at Split, Brac, Hvar, Mljet, Korcula and Dubrovnik from £1,198 per person, www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/croatiadeluxe-cruise/
Mozambique
THE east African country has recently emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, but the tourist industry is yet to explode. Fantastic beaches, great dive sites and idyllic islands are all key attractions.
For the ultimate desert island castaway experience, venture to the Quirimbas Archipelago.
Some of the world’s finest coral reefs can be found off the coast of Ibo Island, where local women still wear painted faces.
For great wildlife viewing, head to the uninhabited Mogundula Island, where many species of bird live in the mangroves.
Acacia Africa offers an eight-day Mozambique Dhow Safari from £1,595 per person, excluding international flights, www.acaciaafrica.com.