Luxury tip-offs for 2013 |
If you want good advice, go to an expert. And from the experts in luxury travel, Abercrombie & Kent, comes their eagerly anticipated Hot List for 2013. If it's a cultural sojourn you're after, a spiritual recharge, an enlightening wildlife encounter or an active adventure there is something here for first time and seasoned traveller alike. Shanxi Province, China For the growing number of travellers looking beyond China's traditional attractions, A&K predicts the little known Shanxi province to the west of Beijing may emerge as the perfect antidote. Off the beaten track and waiting to be explored, it is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation with a long history and a fascinating culture. It is home to two important UNESCO World Heritage listed cultural sites - the Buddhist grottoes at Yungang and the ancient walled city of Pingyao, where red silk lanterns glow on every street corner - and incredible natural wonders. Botswana While this land-locked southern African nation has long held worldwide acclaim for the quality of its wildlife and its safari experience, discerning travellers are re-discovering its remote and unspoiled charms, with diverse landscapes and abundant game and boutique camps and lodges to bed down in. The Okavango Delta is the country's safari hotspot with the unique 'mokoro' (traditional dugout canoe) a favoured mode of transport. The Chobe National Park is also famous for its huge elephant numbers and, in the seemingly desolate Makgadikgadi Pans San, bushmen and quad bikes are there to facilitate visits to remote archaeological sites and desert wildlife viewing. Sri Lanka Plagued by decades of civil war, in recent years this idyllic island nation has emerged as one of the hottest travel destinations on the planet, with its popularity predicted to soar in 2013. There's something for everyone here, with ancient cities, tea plantations and hill stations vying for attention alongside amazing wildlife, temples and golden beaches. The people are warm and welcoming and it's easy to get around. Its culinary attractions are many and there are World Heritage sites and beautiful boutique hotels in abundance. The Arctic Ticking off travel to the Polar Regions, A&K's seasoned expedition team has expanded its know-how in 2013 to include the High Arctic. Best known for its Antarctic adventures, the state-of-the-art MV 'Le Boreal' will journey in 2013 to Greenland and the islands of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, less than 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole. Chances of seeing the mighty polar bear in its natural habitat are excellent as well as walrus, arctic fox, reindeer and the amazing flora that comes alive under the midnight sun. Cambodia A small jewel of a country, Cambodia is emerging as one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating destinations. It's easily visited for a short break or in combination with one of its regional neighbours. It has a rich culture, a weathered French-era capital, beautiful natural scenery and thousands of archaeological sites of which the imposing ruins of Angkor Wat are perhaps the most impressive. Look out too for Song Saa Private Island, an exciting new addition to the Cambodian boutique hideaway scene. Myanmar The well-publicised political changes in Myanmar over the past year have resulted in outstanding exposure for the country as a tourist destination. And as a result, demand for this charming destination has never been higher. Beautiful, peaceful and , it is a country that will appeal to any Southeast Asia aficionado. It has an ancient culture, wonderful monuments, friendly people, a strong textile and handicraft tradition and Buddhist festivals aplenty. Natural wonders are abundant too with the majestic Ayeyarwady River at the country's heart, Inle Lake, little visited areas like Mrauk U on the west coast and the beaches of the far south.
Walking in Australia As growing numbers of Aussie travellers are increasingly choosing short breaks close to home where they can combine active, even adventurous, days with cosy home comforts by night, A&K sees no signs of the popular 'glamping' phenomenon abating in the year to come. A luxury walking holiday ticks all these boxes and there are some outstanding choices right on the doorstep. Top picks from A&K include the Great Ocean Walk (VIC), Maria Island and Bay of Fires Lodge Walks (TAS), Arkaba Walk (S.A) and the Larapinta Experience (N.T) Turkey Turkey is fascinating, exotic, cosmopolitan and accessible. A 10,000-year-old history and more than 40,000 ancient sites make it one of the oldest continually inhabited regions in the world. It has a warm and welcoming culture, a mouth-watering cuisine and beautiful landscapes. For off the beaten track experiences, the eastern part of the country is a must-see, with a host of extraordinary attractions including one of Mesopotamia's oldest cities, traditional markets and monasteries and one of the oldest Christian churches in the world where Aramaic is still spoken and written. Brazil All eyes will be on Brazil between now and 2016 as the XXX Olympiad winds up in London. And as hosts of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 as well, A&K predicts the country will be firmly in the international spotlight next year. It is one of South America's most colourful nations, vast in size as well as soul. Flamboyant Rio is one of the world's most beautifully situated cities, with beaches to die for and energy to match. It also boasts the world's largest rainforest, longest river, widest waterfall and over 8,000km of coastline, just waiting to be discovered. Central Asia Colloquially termed "the 'stans", this collective description refers to the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Widely undiscovered, these countries formed an integral part of the famous trade route known as the Silk Road. The vast grasslands of the area enabled merchants to travel immense distances and with the increased movement and commerce a network of cities emerged. Today's visitor will relish the striking architecture of these grand metropolises whose names conjure up the romantic images of a bygone era - Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva to name a few - all richly endowed with history and tradition. Further information from Abercrombie & Kent.
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