This summer’s holiday is now a distant memory but in the next few weeks the holiday brochures for 2024 will be out and travel companies will be vying with each other to tempt you with the latest in all-inclusive beach holidays and more.
The recession has taken a big toll on the holiday trade and the journey of some destinations from obscurity to the mainstream is taking longer, meaning that for those who want ‘undiscovered’ the list remains almost as long as it has been in recent years. So which are the rising stars for 2013? We look at the destinations tipped for different groups of travellers
Best European City Break – Memmingen
Memmingen may not spring to many people’s minds for a city break but added to Ryanair’s list of destinations means it must have something going for it. A closer look reveals a medieval town centre full of interesting architecture, a tranquil park and marked trails that will take you around all the sights. For families, you’re close to Legoland Germany and the Skyline Adventure Park. There are some great restaurants in the town including Klosterle, serving traditional Bavarian food and the Ristorante Palazzo, said to be the best Italian restaurant in southern Germany. Collecting a hire car from Memmingen Airport, you can also head into Munich, see the beautiful Lake Constance or in winter ski in the nearby Bavarian Alps.
Best European Package Destination
We’re stretching it a bit here but Emmeti (www.emmeti.it) offer hotel breaks on the tiny volcanic Italian island of Pantelleria. It’s a speck in the Mediterranean, between Sicily and Tunisia and has a dramatic landscape, bountiful vineyards, black volcanic sandy beaches and an Arabic feel in its architecture, food and culture. The Mursia e Cossyra Hotel is a three star hotel in a stunning location and has tastefully furnished rooms. Hiring a car at Pantelleria Airport, which has flights from Rome, you can discover the Specchio di Venere, the lake inside the island’s volcanic crater or find deserted beaches, perfect for an all over tan.
Best Long Haul Destination
The Philippines are beginning to appear on the European traveller’s holiday map. Long a popular destination for Asian tourists, flights from Amsterdam have encouraged many Europeans to try the beautiful beach resorts and unspoilt dive sites of this country of seven thousand islands. You’ll find a range of holiday experiences from the big cities of Manila or Cebu to organised five star resorts in the Visayas region and finally to your own deserted island where you can holiday like Robinson Crusoe with www.docastaway.com. On the bigger islands, a
hire car in the Philippines, collected from your arrival airport is a bonus, helping you to make the most of your time there, whilst on the desert island, a canoe would probably come in handy!
Best UK Destination
With the independence issue about to be put to a referendum, it’s an interesting time to visit Scotland. Avoid the big cities and even the tourist hotspots of Balmoral, Ayr and St Andrews and fly into and
rent a car from Inverness Airport and drive around the rugged north west, taking a chance at roadside B & Bs for the night. You’ll be drunk on the scenery, even before you try the many malt whiskies made in the region. Sample local food, much of it fresh from the farm or stream, and find out more about the way of life in the harsh environment. The best time to go is late summer as the hills change colour taking on a burnished hue. Find out more at www.visitscotland.com.