HAPPY New Year and welcome to 2011 – safe travels and enjoy yourself wherever you go.
Here are my five holiday hotspot predictions for the year. See you there!
1. Peru
SULTRY South America could be the smash hit of 2011.
For starters there are new direct flights to buzzing Buenos Aires with British Airways (is that BA to BA?).
And the airline’s tie-up with Spain’s flag carrier Iberia will provide greater access to the continent thanks to the Spaniards’ strong links to its Latin cousins.
However, Peru is the top South American tip thanks to the centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham.
One hundred years ago in July, American explorer Bingham, a real-life Indiana Jones, made the sensational discovery of the deserted mountain-top Inca city near Cusco, high in the Peruvian Andes.
Today, Machu Picchu is reached either by walking in on the four-day Inca Trail or by a spectacular train journey through the Sacred Valley.
As a wider destination, Peru is bound to appeal this year, with terrain ranging from high Andes to the Amazon Basin and whale-watching on the coast.
Info: visit www.visitperu.com, www.ba.com
2. The Mett
Not a difficult prediction for success in 2011 to be honest, unless the euro suddenly soars to 1.40 to the pound (aaah, we can only dream).
The non-eurozone Mett countries – Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey – can expect to Hoover up British holidaymakers by the planeload as we seek year-round value and sunshine.
Co-operative Travel said 2010 bookings to traditional Mediterranean resorts fell 11.6% but those to the Mett rose 23.4%.
If this trend continues, the Co-op predicts the Mett could switch places with the Med as the first choice for package holidays by the end of this year.
3. Damascus
In all honesty, the Syrian capital would never have occurred to me – until I went there a couple of months ago.
Last year I predicted the Lebanese capital Beirut would do well and indeed it has seen an influx of tourists, enough to see bmi go from one to two direct flights a day there.
But just a few hours by road from Beirut takes you to the ancient, history-soaked Syrian city and it’s absolutely worth a visit plus there are direct bmi flights there too.
It’s utterly fascinating, the locals are very friendly and there’s marvellous mezze and a magnificent mosque – just one of more than 850 in the city and which contains the tomb of Saladin, nemesis of the Crusaders.
Syria does a nice drop of vino too.
Info: visit www.syriatourism.org, www.flybmi.com
4. East London
Expect a surge of interest in the EastEnders’ manor as visitors start to investigate the capital’s 2012 Olympics venues and the surrounding area – the main stadium itself is looking quite superb.
The Olympic Park is a hugely busy building site and people obviously just can’t just wander in for a look around.
However, there are free bus tours of the park, call 0300 2012 001 or visit www.london2012.com for general information about the Olympics.
Also, there’s a new free activity centre called the View Tube right next to the park which gives a panoramic view of some of the main venues, including the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre.
It’s made from recycled shipping containers and also offers cycle hire, a cafe, info for the local community and educational, arts and culture activities. Visit www.theviewtube.co.uk
There are also £8 walking tours around the park’s perimeter which give good views, some at very close quarters. Visit www.tourguides2012.co.uk/tours.php
Across the wider East London area, there’s a vibrant, culturally diverse destination you must explore.
Highlights include the Maritime Greenwich, great curries and markets at Brick Lane, the superb O2 entertainment and concert venue and swanky shops at Canary Wharf. Jellied eels and a 100 metre sprint, anyone?
Info: visit www.visiteastlondon.com.
5. Butlins
Britain’s favourite holiday resorts will be partying all year long celebrating the company’s 75th birthday.
For starters, Butlins is splashing out £34million in 2011, including a third hotel and a restaurant by celebrity chef Brian Turner for the resort in Bognor Regis.
Aside from new green spaces and coffee shops at the Minehead and Skegness resorts and a chance for a spa treatment or two for mum (and dad too), the 2011 bumper birthday family fun will feature LazyTown’s live show, Barney the purple dinosaur and old favourites including Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina.
Nightlife at Butlins will be lively too with a raft of stars from X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent appearing live at the resorts throughout the year.
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