It is never too early, or too late, to start planning for a holiday. Here, we look at 11 awesome places you may want to visit for your 2018 holiday. As you dream of your destination and scour the internet for travel ideas and advice, remember to check out AMI NZ for affordable travel insurance.
Cape Verde
Looking for that special mixture of the Caribbean, Africa, and Iberian Peninsula? Then head over to Cape Verde for your next holiday. This is a group of islands that are well known for their great music, friendly culture, and out of this world beaches. The country also has an impressive history, visit the Cidade Velha UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Portuguese outpost where Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama are said to have stopped over during their epic 15th century voyages.
Malta
Beautifully sandwiched between two other must-see destinations, Italy and Tunisia, Malta is a centuries old destination with a fascinating history. In just a few minutes of driving around, you will feel like you have been to ancient Greece, parts of the Middle East, and back. Incidentally, Valletta, the capital city of Malta, was named Europe’s 2018 Capital of Culture. What more can one look for in a holiday spot?
Nevis
Not nearly as popular as its much larger twin, St. Kitts Island, Nevis is one of the islands in the Caribbean everyone should plan to visit at some point in their lives. Nevis is popular for its white sandy beaches, as well as its quiet and simple nature. If you are looking for a tranquil place to rediscover yourself after a hectic work season, there is no better place to do so than on Nevis.
Banff, Canada
Very few destinations in the world have year-round appeal as Banff. Located in Alberta on the Canadian Rockies, Banff is an unrivalled destination for virtually any kind of fun and adventure. On Banff, you can enjoy skiing, kayaking, backpacking, or hiking. There are also the Fairmont Banff Springs, a historical site very much resembling something out of the Disney universe. There’s always something to see and do, regardless of the time of the year you visit.
Nagano, Japan
This incredible land of hot springs and powdery snow was the location for the 1998 Winter Olympics. However, the end of the games didn’t put an end to the fun and adventure to be had in this Japanese mountain city. There’s skiing to be done and hot water springs to visit. Wildlife lovers will enjoy a trip to the famous Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park.
Perth, Australia
While not as popular as neighboring Melbourne or Sydney, Perth offers a mountain of attractions for holiday seekers. This well-placed destination offers everything from whale sightings to cycling on the beach. Or, you can experience the lively night market and fabulous restaurants offering mouthwatering meals, just as good as anything in Sydney or Melbourne.
Rwanda
Rwanda, in Central Africa, has been in the news recently, and for good reasons too. With a stable government and policies aimed at development, the country is fast becoming one of the top tourist attractions in the region. From beautiful volcanic landscapes to mountain gorillas, and a pleasant all-year climate, Rwanda is one place you should definitely consider adding to your destination list.
Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia
Heading across to the Southwest of Cambodia, Botum Sakor, with its varied ecosystem of dense rainforest to grasslands and coastal plains is the largest national park in Cambodia.
Within this amazing destination is the famous Southwest Elephant Corridor, a 700-mile area and home to the largest population of elephants in Cambodia, as well as several small villages, exotic birds, and crocodiles. Before the end of the year, an 860-acre river valley close to Botum Sakor will be opened for visits.
Serbia
Home to beautiful forested slopes and deep gorges, Serbia has become one of the most talked about tourist destinations in Europe. If you are looking for a place where you can party non-stop, then Belgrade is your destination. Also worth visiting is the Danube river that flows serenely, luring swimmers into the Riviera.
It is worth mentioning at this point that, while travelling to new places is fun, it can also come along with the unexpected. It’s advisable to make sure you have travel insurance before embarking on your journey. AMI Insurance offer a great range of affordable travel insurance options.
Puebla, Mexico
Puebla is Mexico’s fourth largest city and is well known for its dazzling architecture and interesting local cuisine The city of Puebla is large and cosmopolitan and combines modernity with a rich history and culture.
There are plenty of sights and attractions for visitors to Puebla to enjoy. Even UNESCO have recognised its cultural value.
Crete
Crete is one of Greece’s most diverse islands, and boasts an impressive 3000 miles of mountains, valleys, and sandy beaches hemmed on all sides by the Aegean and Libyan seas. Crete is blessed with an abundance of sunshine all year long, making it a favourite for tourists looking for a bit of traditional sun surf and sea.
If you are a history buff, on Crete you will find archeological treasures left over from the Minoan civilization, one of Europe’s earliest civilizations. You can also spend some time at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, where you will learn about the Greek Gods, such as Zeus, and monsters, such as the legendary half-man half-bull Minotaur.