Portugal

Charm, cuisine, culture – Portugal’s got it by the bucketload.

Portugal’s winning combination of sandy beaches, dramatic scenery and world-class golf courses has kept it firmly on the holiday map for decades. And if all that wasn’t enough, the country also has good weather credentials, basking in around 300 days of sunshine a year.

Portugal may be small compared to its Spanish neighbour, but it packs in a whole lot of variety. Think charming cobbled cities, sandy beaches, family-friendly hotels and delicious food and drink. Portugal’s capital takes silver for being the second oldest city in Europe. The centre of the city‘s marked by Rossio Square – it’s one of the liveliest spots in town and its surrounding streets are a runway for buzzing bars and restaurants.

There are also two island groups off its coastline – Madeira and the Azores.
The islands have their own cultures and traditions. Madeira draws visitors in every season. It’s warm year-round, and its natural beauty offers brilliant hiking trails, botanical gardens and dolphin-watching. Its sweet wine is a hit – visit the capital, Funchal, to sample some.

Curving round the south coast is the Algarve region, which has a dramatic coastline scalloped with sandy bays and secluded coves. Resort-wise, you can choose between large, lively towns and sleepy fishing villages. This pocket of Portugal is also one of the best places in Europe for golfers – and some of the courses are spectacular.

The best time to visit Portugal is between June and August.
The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C.

Germany

Holidays to Germany tick off folklore, mountain scenery, and historic cities peppered with world-famous landmarks. Germany’s appeal is so varied that no two trips here are the same.  Cities, like Hamburg, and the expansive capital, Berlin, Germany has embraced its artistic, bohemian flair – a blend of old and new emerging from post-war reconstruction. The German capital will lure you in with its contemporary cityscape, where both modern and historically significant buildings come together. Living history, internationally renowned galleries, and UNESCO World Heritage sites are all waiting to be explored. Be tempted by Berlin’s exquisite international food scene, and the one-of-a-kind shopping experiences out in the west. A day in Berlin could see you joining a cycling tour of the city, strolling around hilltop Viktoriapark, and hopping between the five museums on the aptly-named Museum Island.

Whether it’s trekking through the Black Forest’s sweeping mountain ranges, partying hard on Hamburg’s world-famous Reeperbahn or delving into the country’s chequered past in Nuremberg, this European powerhouse ticks all kinds of boxes. Head for lakeside Lindau, which offers views over the snow-capped German Alps. A slew of smaller cities including Düsseldorf with its innovative cultural scene, or Cologne with its mighty cathedral – offer their own local specialities and sights.

The best time to visit Germany is during the peak season from middle to late summer in July through September. You’ll have the warmest weather, longest daylight hours, and most options for activities and events in the cities during this time

Spain

From the Costa del Sol to the Canary Islands, there’s a reason Spain is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. Gorgeous weather, beaches galore and vibrant culture all add to its charm. Whether you’re heading to the Balearics or exploring the mainland, a holiday in Spain will never disappoint. Miles of beaches, big-name cities, world-class theme parks – holidays to Spain give you a to-do list as long as a tapas menu. Flamenco dancers in polka dots, Moorish castles standing proud, matadors with sweat on their brows – Spain conjures up millions of different images. Holidays to mainland Spain revolve around the Costas. Up north in Catalonia, you’ll find the rugged Costa Brava and Costa Dorada. Further down the coast are the Costa Blanca’s white-sand beaches. You’ll find Spain’s Canary Islands just off the coast of Morocco, in the Atlantic Ocean. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife are the big three, while Fuerteventura is starting to make its mark on the travel circuit.

Most Spanish holiday destinations are more than accommodating to the needs of all travellers, young and older, and within most hotels you will find welcoming, accommodating staff and dedicated pools, clubs, games rooms and dining menus for children.

One of the best things about a holiday to Spain is the food; the country is known for its unfussy but delicious dishes, and the art of sharing a bite to eat with tapas.

If you like to spend your time basking in sun, sea and sand, then look no further than Spanish holidays to the Costas, where fine weather and endless entertainment means there is always something for couples, solo travellers, families and groups of friends.

If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Spain is between June and September.

Borneo Malaysia

To get the full measure of Malaysia, you can’t skip Borneo. This multi-nation island is the foil to every big port city and colonial hill station you’ll see on the Malay peninsula. It’s true: Kuala Lumpur and Malacca are windows into Malaysia’s all-important trading past and the beauty that came with it. But fly just three hours east to Borneo, and you’re in another world; one in which trees are the skyscrapers and glimpsing an orangutan is the richest treasure.

Most holidays to Malaysia and Borneo spend two weeks circling between the mainland and the Bornean Malaysian state of Sabah. So after a week or so spent exploring the Malay Peninsula, you’ll swap cities for silence and sink deep into the rainforests and rivers of northern Borneo. Holidays come in almost every shape and size, from small group trekking tours to tailor made trips where you can spend as many days as you like watching wildlife.

The island itself is a treasure trove of natural attractions. It is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests, pristine beaches, roaring rivers, majestic cave systems and mighty mountains – including Mount Kinabalu and its park, a UN World Heritage Site! Such biodiverse habitats mean wildlife is excitingly abundant and varied, with many endemic species such as Bornean Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, and Proboscis Monkeys.

Accommodation in Borneo is a highlight – a mash-up of adventure lodges and beachside hotels that do their best to be at one with the rainforest.

Cappadocia Turkey

Cappadocia is an extremely popular hot air ballooning destination in the world, and for good reason — the prices are affordable, and you get to see some magical landscapes.

More than half of the world’s balloon trips happen here.  If the famous Cappadocia hot air balloon ride does not interest you, it’s still worth coming here for the good food, cave hotels, history, and photogenic hiking trails. Historically, Cappadocia Turkey is probably best known for being a place where Christians settled and sought refuge from the hostile Roman Empire, secretly carving thousands of houses, churches, and caves into the hills.Most of these rock buildings and underground cities can still be seen today.

Cappadocia is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and today it’s one of the tourism hotspots of Turkey. It draws millions of tourists every year The fresco-adorned rock-cut churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and the subterranean refuges of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the most famous sights, while simply bedding down in one of Cappadocia’s cave hotels is an experience in 21st-century cave living.

Spring is an idyllic time to visit Cappadocia, beginning in May and continuing through June into early July. July and August are peak season in Cappadocia, and the heat can be quite heavy going at times, especially as not all accommodations have air conditioning. Daytime temperatures can reach 40°C in the height of summer.

Kruger National Park – South Africa

Safari should be on everyone’s bucket list of must do vacations and the best place to start is South Africa’s acclaimed Kruger National Park and the Eastern Cape, rich in wildlife and home to the Big Five.

One of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger is home not only to the Big Five (that’s lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos), but hundreds of other mammals and birds, too. For wildlife, Kruger National Park is pretty much unparalleled. Not only that, rolling savannah and distant mountains make for the safari setting of dreams. Kruger safaris are always sensational, but there’s nothing quite like taking a game drive around the National Park by sunset or sunrise. Spot the Big Five before the rest of the world wakes up, as well as cheetahs, wild dogs, antelopes, honey-badgers, bush babies and up to 350 bird species.

For a different safari experience altogether, how about walking Kruger safari tours with expert field guides and trackers? There’s nothing quite like it for feeling close to the action and at one with the wildlife.

Kruger National Park holidays are truly the best for individuals and groups of all kinds, including families of all sizes and ages. Many of the lodges celebrate the local Shangaan culture with traditional singing and dancing after dinner or around the BOMA by night, a beautiful and harmonious treat for everyone. The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most stunning nature reserves. Embark on this safari holiday and take in the breath-taking backdrop and scenery of the South African wilderness.

The best time to visit the Kruger National Park is the dry season from May to October for the best game viewing and walking safari conditions.

Angkor Wat – Cambodia

Cambodia was once the home of the powerful Khmer kingdom, and to this day, the country dazzles with its timeless architectural treasures, rich cultural offerings, and breathtaking natural landscape. Of course, the main reason for traveling to Cambodia is Southeast Asia’s most magnificent archaeological treasure, Angkor Wat. The Temples of Angkor are the jewel in Cambodia’s crown.

Angkor Wat has become the symbol of Cambodia and an absolute must-visit. The best preserved of all of Angkor’s temples as it was never abandoned, the wat’s symmetrical beauty is breathtaking from a distance. It is up close however, you will discover the uniqueness, detail and intricacies that make Angkor Wat one of the world’s greatest structures. Although often busy, it is still easy to escape and find an old passageway lined with exquisitely crafted apsaras and bas reliefs to explore all to yourself.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik city known as the Pearl of the Adriatic is a place you definitely want to see. The sunsets are prime, the culture is fascinating, and the city views are some of the best in the world The most picturesque of all Croatia‘s ancient cities, historic Dubrovnik is known for its impressive stone wall fortifications, which tower over the Adriatic Sea. Nearby, unspoiled beaches and soaring mountains complete the winning mix. UNESCO has its name all over Dubrovnik’s old town. Much of its Renaissance architecture was wiped out in the 1667 earthquake, but there’s still some parts left – like St Saviour Church. Also worth seeing are the Franciscan Monastery, which houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, and the grand Rector’s Palace. Dubrovnik may be steeped in history, but it’s a city with a very modern side, too. Within its solid walls, medieval houses, ancient palaces and historic churches rub shoulders with chic boutiques, stylish bars, modern hotels and bustling eateries. One of the best things about holidays to Dubrovnik is the beaches to relax on once all your sightseeing is done; there’s a part-sand, part-pebble beach just a short walk from Ploče Gate, called Banje Beach. This is by far the busiest and most popular beach, and it’s a brilliant spot for families. If you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones TV series then you’ll probably have a familiar feeling as you gaze around at the sights and scenery. Some of the show is filmed in Dubrovnik, and you can even go on a Games Of Thrones walking tour that’ll take you to Fort Lovrijenac, which doubles up as the King’s Landing.

Dubrovnik starts to warm up in the spring, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s (°C) in April. By the peak of summer, the city is warm and sunny, with highs of 28 (°C) and up to 13 hours of sunshine a day. Things start to cool off in the autumn, but you can still enjoy blue skies and average temperatures in the low teens

Kerala Backwaters – India

The Kerala backwaters is the peaceful and picturesque palm-lined network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals that run inland from the coast of Kerala, from Kochi  to Kollam in India. The main entry point, situated between Kochi and Kollam, is Alleppey. At the heart of the backwaters is vast Vembanad Lake.

Traditionally, the backwaters are used by locals for transport, fishing, and agriculture. Annual snake boat races, held along the backwaters, also provide a great source of entertainment for the locals and tourists alike.

The lush green landscape, diverse wildlife, and houses and villages that line the backwaters make a journey along these waterways seem like a journey through another world. No wonder the backwaters is one of the must-visit tourist places in Kerala. Alleppey boasts a vast intricate network of waterways and was named the ‘Venice of the East’. Most people who visit the Kerala backwaters hire a traditional Kerala-style houseboat . It’s a quintessential Kerala experience and one of the most peaceful and relaxing things you can do in India. Freshly cooked Indian food and chilled beer make the experience even more enjoyable. You can either go on a day trip or stay overnight on the boat. A trip on a houseboat can also be combined with staying at a resort, hotel, or homestay along the backwaters. The resorts and luxury hotels commonly have their own houseboats, and offer overnight and sunset cruises.

Winter season between September to March is the best time to visit Kerala. This is the time when Kerala has a comfortable climate and pleasant weather with less humidity.

Petra Jordan

Jordan is a gold mine of history deep in the desert. It lies humbly under the radar for most travellers, even though it has an arsenal of phenomenal historic sites definitely worth bragging about. This is where you’ll find Petra, the prehistoric capital cut into a rock face. There’s nothing quite like seeing Petra for yourself. It’s the main reason people visit Jordan, to gaze upon the glorious Rose Red City chiselled out of the desert sandstone over 2000 years ago. The walk to Petra is as much of the experience as the city itself – you pass through Al Siq, a sandstone gorge path that slowly reveals the classical façade of the Treasury, a meticulously planned build up that makes laying eyes on the UNESCO site all the more spectacular. This ancient city was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A full day in Petra is the best way to cover the rest of the site’s monuments and buildings, like the Colonnaded Street and the Street of Facades. Petra is manageable for most though it might be challenging for those with walking difficulties.

The best time to visit Petra is in spring, when temperatures are neither too hot or cold. May, in particular, is a winner, because rainfall is very low (at 4mm) and thermometers are unlikely to read above 30°C. This is high season, though, so be sure to reserve rooms ahead of time in touristy areas.