New and classic tourist destinations around the world have earned themselves a place on top10 lists of travel bibles like Lonely Planet and Conde Nast Traveller. Plus, much-anticipated developments like the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Australia and the new ferry serice in cost-friendly Thailand warrant a must-visit. Our pick:
Australia
Travellers with Australia on their itinerary make a beeline for the usual suspects like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. In contrast, Hobart is the only Australian city listed in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel guide for 2013. With the arrival of the MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the Taste of Tasmania food festival, the Walls of Jerusalem walk and the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, the city will see an increased influx of tourists.
Details: australia.com
Turkey
Been there, done that? There’s more to Turkey, beyond Istanbul and the famed monuments of Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. New low-cost airlines are opening up the southeast of Turkey, and excellent bus services make getting around easy, while the Mediterranean Games and the annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in the western city of Edirne are scheduled to take place next year. Pratik Mazumder, head, marketing and strategic alliance, Yatra.com, says, “Turkey is famous for the hospitality extended by the locals.” A package courtesy Yatra.com costs Rs 54,000 while an Ezeego1.com 8D/7N stay in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya is priced at Rs 56,582.
Details: ezeego1.com
New Zealand
Earthquake-ravaged Christ church has been singled out by Lonely Planet for the way it is ‘bouncing back with a new energy and inventiveness’. Don’t miss the live music venues and innovative artworks which fill empty demolition sites. We hear that Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch International Airport have launched a culinary guide of Halal-classified establishments. Tourism New Zealand offers a 23D package, priced at approximately Rs 5.5 lakhs to Rs 6 lakhs per couple.
Details: thewanderers.travel
Antarctica
Want to holiday in Antarctica, the frozen continent? O-Six Travel & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based travel operator, offers a 11-day The Antarctica Classic package, which starts from Ushuaia, the southern most tip of Argentina. Passengers get to explore Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay and the Petermann Island in inflatable Zodiac boats and observe the comical Adelie penguin, fur seals, blue-eyed shags (birds), orcas and humpback whales. Depending on weather conditions, guests will be allowed to camp overnight in Antarctica.
Priced at Rs 2,49,000.
Details: 022-61960606
French Polynesia
The Four Seasons hotel in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, has been featured on Conde Nast Traveller’s Gold List 2013. Lushescapes, a travel outfit, offers a 6N stay in French Polynesia, with stops in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. The Four Seasons, Bora Bora, with its glass-bottomed bathrooms, allows you to gaze at fish while enjoying your shower. Includes visits to the heart-shaped Tupai island, accessible only by air and the luxury bungalow on the Haapiti private motu (island).
Details: lushescapes.com
Thailand
Here’s another reason to visit Thailand - Air Asia has launched the first-of-its-kind ferry service, which transfers passengers among its islands, Samui, Phanag, Phi Phi, Lanta, and Lipe. Don’t miss the Air Asia New Year offer - fly to Bangkok for Rs 3,200. Also, one can fly from Bangkok to any island (Samui, Phanag, Phi Phi, Lanta and Lipe) for Rs 5,100 (inclusive of flight ticket along with ferry transfer).
Details: airasia.com