This Year’s Wishlist

We have spent the last few years dreaming – let’s spend the new few travelling!

We have collated an extensive list of trips for each of the months so you can enjoy the experiences at their most impressive time. Whether its wining & dining or volcano climbing, warm turquoise waters or the African plains, sporting events or the arts there is something for everyone. We hope these destinations will fill you with inspiration for your next adventure.

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January

Cruising in the Galapagos

Although a great destination all year round, warm temperatures and calm seas make January ideal for cruising the Galapagos Islands. You may get a chance to spot turtles laying eggs, the courting iguanas become brightly coloured and land birds begging ground nesting.

The Southern Serengeti’s Calving Season

In January you will find over two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle littered across the plains of the Southern Serengeti. The vast herds come here to give birth; safety in numbers is the strategy and it’s a jaw-dropping sight to behold.

February

Wining & Dining in Cape Town

What better way to get away from a Northern Hemisphere winter by migrating to South Africa’s sunny Western Cape. With no shortage of world class restaurants and vineyards, the living sure is easy!

Catch Winter Sun in the Maldives

There’s nowhere else on earth that epitomises a relaxing beach holiday quite like the Maldives. But if the idea of sitting in the beach makes you restless, get scuba certified as February offers the best visibility and sea conditions of the year.

Aurora Borealis, Lofoten islands, Norway. Nothen light and reflection on the lake surface. Winter landscape at the night time. Norway travel - image

Chasing Norway’s Northern Lights

With a choice of destinations to chase these elusive lights of the night sky, it can be difficult to choose where to stage your hunt. Norway offers a unique opportunity to see them both from the sky and reflecting off the Arctic Ocean in the fjords below.

March

Botswana’s Zebra Migration

Overshadowed by the famous migration in East Africa, this movement of Zebras is no less remarkable. The herds migrate in search of the mineral rich grass surrounding the salt pans and as a quieter and much less expensive time to visit Botswana, this is a true insider recommendation. Jack’s Camp is one of Africa’s most iconic and an exclusive sport right at the heart of this action.

Exploring Cambodia’s Temples

Spend your early mornings on foot or by bicycle discovering Angkor’s impressive archaeological site. Retreat to your hotel pool at the Belmond to shade yourself from the midday sun. As the sun lowers, prepare yourself for Siem Reap’s circus and night markets, then head on to the island of Koh Rong for the beach.

April

Family in the Seychelles at Easter

The 115 islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago offer something for everyone – beautiful beaches, a warm tropical climate and luxury resorts. However, this is not just a destination for rest and relaxation, but somewhere you’ll find a true commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Central Vietnam for all ages

This quiet region is the perfect retreat for families. Learn local fishing practices and cook over an open fire, weave your own basket boats and navigate the coconut grove waters. Light lanterns on the river before dinner, and enjoy ox cart and bicycles rides, and boat trips.

Seville’s Holy Week Celebrations

There are few cities that stage such chaotic events so seamlessly. Holy Week in Seville is a celebration of not just faith, music and colour but also strength. Months of training goes into carrying the vast floats. Groups of up to fifty burly men carry 2,000kg for up to eight hours through the city.

May

Costa Rica’s Jungles & Volcanoes

Visit just outside peak season – right at the beginning of the showers for bursting greenery and less tourists. Explore the wildlife and the river rapids, stay in Central America’s most luxurious eco-lodges, and finish off with sun, sand and surf.

Victoria Falls in Full Power

The Mighty Zambezi is the mightiest in May! Take to the sky for a better perspective. As the warm water roars over the falls and hits the cold air, the spray towers 400m into the sky – visible from 30 miles away – and it’s easy to see how the name ‘Smoke that Thunders’ was coined.

20th – 23rd May Chelsea Flower Show

Quintessentially British, the Chelsea Flower Show is beloved by those with green fingers world over and it is easy to see why. A burst of colour, scent and texture, it offers not just inspiration but access to some of the world’s best gardeners. Fortunately, May sees London in full bloom so you can immerse yourself in all things floral before, during and after the show.

June

Okavango Delta in Full Flood

The Okavango is Earth’s largest inland delta and between June and August it’s at its most extensive. Floodwaters that fell as rain in the Angolan highlands swell the channels of the delta, bringing life-giving water. Truly Africa’s Eden.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

June offers you the best chance of missing an Irish shower. Driving the Wild Atlantic Way offers wild and woolly peninsulas, golden sand beaches, the Cliffs of Moher and history lessons all along the way.

28th June – 11th July Wimbledon

We may be biased but Wimbledon is the best tennis tournament of the year. Experience the silence of centre court with Pimms. Get close to the action on the outer courts where Dustin Brown’s dreads frequently wallop a bystander.

July

4th July in Montana’s Old West

Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl, embrace the frontier and head ‘Out West’ for the 4th, with rodeo, fireworks and all!

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3rd July – 7th August Lions Rugby

After a year of frustration for all sports fans, we have our sights set firmly on British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa. The best players from the Home Nations gather to take on the World Cup winning Springboks.

23rd July – 28th August Japan’s Olympics

Travel to Tokyo for sporting events dotted around the city, with a record 339 events to watch. Let us fill your days with Tokyo’s highlights from Tsukiji Markets, visit to the sumo stables and sushi making.

August

Mara River Crossings

It’s time for the iconic drama of the river crossings. Herds take on the formidable Mara River, along with its huge crocodiles. Not an experience for the faint of heart, this is real life drama on a massive scale.

6th – 30th August Edinburgh Fringe

For the months of August, Edinburgh’s population doubles in size. Every cafe, bookshop, bar, pub, gallery, park, street corner… becomes a stage. In 2021 the festival will be back with a bang, and why not combine with an adventure through the Highlands.

The Barrier Reef & Great Outback

The outback offers cattle herding on horseback, aboriginal encounters and long warm evenings, perfect for an Australian BBQ and stargazing. Then hop to the beach to discover some of Australia’s 2900 protected reefs.

September

Gorilla Trekking

Trekking mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda and Uganda is simply something everyone should experience at some point in their life. There are no words to describe the feeling of looking into the eyes of these magnificent creatures.

Greek Island Hopping

September sees an exodus from Greece as schools return and cruise ships slow down after the high heat of summer. Yet, the sun is still high and hot, the sea is still gloriously warm and restaurants are still serving tzatziki and calamari by the bucket. Also, the Greeks will tell you that Santorini’s sunsets are best in Autumn.

October

Bhutan’s Festivals

Step back in time, immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy masked dances, chanting and performances by monks at their annual festivals in some of Bhutan’s most impressive monasteries.

Truffle Hunting in Tuscany

What is more satisfying than foraging for your lunch? With two expert local hunters – one of them a canine variety – experience the beauty of Autumn in the Tuscan countryside, when the truffle season bursts into life. Along the way learn all about these tricky to find but delicious Tuscan treats.

Machu Picchu Without the Crowds

Top travel tip – check out the shoulder seasons. With a destination like Machu Picchu, high season crowds can upset the experience. Travelling in October gives you ideal temperatures for hiking and the chance to find some solitude and silence in the sanctuary.

November

Ranthambore Tiger Safaris

Seeing a wild tiger for the first time is an incredibly powerful experience, and Ranthambore is the perfect setting for your close up encounter. Camp in the height of luxury, and combine with a colourful discovery of India’s food and rich culture.

Japan Heliskiing & South Korea

For off-piste enthusiasts, hop aboard helicopters with your guides to explore Niseko’s endless power-filled backcountry. For your cultural fix to complete your trip, spend a weekend in Seoul visiting street markets and Buddhist temples.

December

Riding Safaris Through Kenya

Escape the noise of a safari vehicle, be free of the restrictions of a well-traversed track and take to horseback. It’s incredible how differently wildlife reacts to ‘one of their own’ and how quickly your senses soak up the small details of the bush.

Christmas Adventures in New Zealand

Exclusive use lodges are dotted across both islands, on dramatic coastlines, farm estates or prime fresh water fishing territories. Traverse the country by car, greeted at each new lodge with a warm kiwi welcome and an array of outdoor adventures from mountain biking to canyoning, off roading, sailing and zorbing.

Visit Father Christmas in Lapland

Make no mistake – Father Christmas is an icon. For a child, the opportunity to meet in this own home in the build up to Christmas is unquantifiably magical. High in the Arctic Circle, make gingerbread with Mrs Claus, ride in a reindeer pulled sleigh and have one his many elves read you a bedtime story before you meet the big man himself.