Where to Go in 2017
Featured destinations: South Africa, Japan, Myanmar (Burma), Uluru, Galapagos Islands, Houston, New Orleans
Published 15 November 2016
Angela Griffin
New year, new you. Or perhaps more likely, new year, new holidays to plan. But if, as your annual leave clock resets and a whole year of adventures spreads before you, you’re a little lacking in holiday inspiration, fear not! We’re here to help. We’ve scoured the globe and come up with this, our guide to the best places to travel to this year:
New Orleans, USA
With direct flights to New Orleans from London Heathrow starting with British Airways in March, there’s never been a better time to visit New Orleans. Not only do the city’s characterful creole restaurants and jazz clubs make a great night out, but New Orleans is filled with history, and is a convenient access point for Louisiana and the rest of the Deep South. Just an hour and a half’s drive from New Orleans you’ll find the Alabama coast, where the Caribbean-esque beaches offer some of the best sugary sands in the USA.
Visit New Orleans with Round the World Experts' Chicago to New Orleans holiday.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
With its visitor numbers steadily increasing, KwaZulu-Natal is popping up more and more on the travel radar. This region of blissful beaches, wildlife-rich game reserves and historic Zulu battlefields is often a second time round South Africa destination – once you’ve seen Cape Town and been on safari – but can just as easily be added to the end of a Garden Route drive. And there are still plenty of safari options here – try Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park for the Big Five – which combine well with walks among the dramatic scenery of the Drakensberg. And, to top it all off, Round the World Experts has just added some new KwaZulu-Natal holidays to its South Africa programme. Give your Expert a call for further information.
Explore KwaZulu-Natal with Round the World Experts KwaZulu-Natal Loop itinerary.
Field of Light, Uluru, Australia
As one of Australia’s top three sights, along with Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru has always been a tourist hotspot. But with the success of the Field of Light installation – a collection of more than 50,000 coloured bulbs that light up after dark and resemble a carpet of flowers – being extended to March 2018, there’s never been a better time to jet off to the Red Centre and experience the Australian Outback in all its russet-hued glory.
Discover Uluru, Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef with Round the World Experts' Sydney, Rock & Reef Journey, our best-selling Australia holiday.
Myanmar river cruises
Myanmar (Burma) has always been a slightly off-the-beaten-track destination, with most Southeast Asia visitors sticking to better-known countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. But with the recent explosion in popularity of river cruises between temple-filled Bagan and historic Mandalay, there’s a whole new dimension to consider for your holiday. Take The Strand for example, a plush and well-equipped ship, serving quality food prepared by an experienced chef and featuring an onboard spa. Taking between three and four days to sail between the two cities along the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River, the vessel drifts past traditional villages and historic temples, showing you the Burmese countryside in laid-back style. What better way to explore this exciting country?
Explore Myanmar with Round the World Experts' Myanmar holidays. Contact your Expert for more information.
Skiing in Japan
Skiing in Japan. Unusual? Yes. Will your friends have done it? No. So forget the Alps and the Rockies, Japan is where the 2017 skiing scene is at. With over 600 resorts to choose from, with Niseko one of the most popular, you’re spoilt for choice. With slope-side rosti and hot chocolate replaced with sushi and katsu curry, and the après ski more karaoke and onsen than bars and sleigh rides, it’s very different to your average European ski trip. But choose well and you can combine your love of powder snow with a visit to some of Japan’s most historic temples, and top it all off with a stay in a traditional ryokan.
Discover Japan with Round the World Experts' Classic Japan holiday.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands have never been the cheapest destination. To get there involves a long and non-budget-friendly flight via Ecuador, and Galapagos cruises aren’t exactly suited to those counting the pennies. But in this odd post-Brexit climate, the islands (which use the US dollar) are becoming more and more affordable. So while the exchange rates are tipped in your favour, follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and set off on a voyage around the islands, looking out for penguins, iguanas, dolphins, tortoises and myriad seabirds among the turquoise waters.
Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Round the World Experts' Galapagos Land & Sea itinerary.
Canada
It’s Canada’s 150th birthday on 1st July 2017 and, to celebrate, numerous special events and activities will be held throughout the year. Starting at midnight on 31st December 2016, the country goes into full-on party mode: choose from concerts, mass-picnics and dancing, among numerous other country-wide events. It doesn’t really matter where you go – every city is celebrating in some way – and any of Canada’s provinces will happily provide you with vibrant cities, gorgeous scenery and a warm welcome.
Check out Round the World Experts' extensive range of Canada holidays.
Houston, Texas
With Singapore Airlines recently launching a direct flight from Manchester to Houston, Texas’s profile is on the up. Not only is it now much easier to fly there from the UK’s northern regions, but Houston’s popularity is set to go stratospheric with the Super Bowl being held here in February 2017. Texans love the National Football League (NFL), so there’s immense excitement about the championship coming to their home city. If you can get hold of tickets, now’s your chance to experience this oh-so-American phenomenon and combine it with a visit to the home of NASA’s Space Center, not to mention some sizzling Tex-Mex cuisine.
Spend the night in Houston on Round the World Experts' Texas Highlights Journey.
