Discover the very best holidays - where our customers have been, and where they are planning to go in 2011!

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20	New Zealand Self Drive Self drive holidays are the most popular and most of the itineraries we have put together have been for about 3 weeks on average, which just about allows you to see the best bits without too much rushing around. There are some little gems such as the spectacular train ride from Christchurch to Greymouth and spending a night on the Milford Sound in South Island.
19	Sydney, Australia Sydney is the highlight of anyone's trip to Australia with its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and numerous shopping, entertainment and sightseeing opportunities as well as hundreds of fantastic bars and restaurants. And there are over 30 golden beaches nearby including the world famous Bondi Beach. In our opinion one of the best places to stay is near the historic rocks area which is also close to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. One of our favourite hotels here is the Old Sydney Holiday Inn because of its attractive rooftop pool and spa. Another good place to be is the main entertainment part of Sydney in Darling Harbour. New Year's Eve is a special time to be in Sydney, and options include dining on board one of the harbour cruise ships to watch the fireworks. Why not hire a car and take a drive to the Blue Mountains? Just 90 minutes from Sydney is this beautiful region with a selection of cosy hotels, and not far from there is the Hunter Valley where some of Australia's best wines are produced. So a good route is a day or two in the Blue Mountains, a day in the Hunter Valley, and then come down via the lovely coastal resort of Port Stephens where you can watch dolphins at play in the bay. Most people tend to do the route above, but equally stunning is the coastline south of Sydney. If you follow it all the way you'll eventually come to Melbourne, but well before that are some wonderful places to stay. Paperbank Camp for example in Jervis Bay is a unique and luxurious eco-retreat in a peaceful bush setting 2-3 hours drive from Sydney. Accommodation is in luxury African style stilted safari tents, each with its own verandah and en-suite open-air bathroom. There are a host of outdoor activities such as bike rides, canoes and walking trails. On Your Travels specialises in designing fantastic tailor-made itineraries to Australia. Please contact us for an initial chat.
18	Great Barrier Reef, Australia The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's top locations for snorkeling, diving and amazing beaches and there is a wide choice of different types of accommodation. For example, for a romantic retreat, Peppers Palm Bay is an intimate hideaway with cabin style accommodations right on the beach, while Hayman Island is a magnificent resort for high quality modern accommodation. Another recommendation is Heron Island, a spectacular destination for swimmers and snorkelers. You can walk straight from the beach to the reef edge where the waters are teeming with marine life. The beaches on Heron Island are pure white, and the waters are crystal clear with brilliant coral. Alternatively why not take one of the many cruises that sail around the Great Barrier Reef? Coral Princess run 3 and 4 nights cruises from Cairns, while for a different sailing experience Windjammer have 3 and 6 night cruises in beautiful yachts. There are many ways to see this amazing part of the world, and of course you can easily combine it with a stay in tropical Queensland or Sydney. On Your Travels are specialists in designing fantastic tailor made itineraries to Australia and would be delighted to help with yours. Please contact us for an initial chat.
17	Bangkok & Phuket twin centre holiday Phuket has done very well recently because of some exceptional hotel offers, and it makes an ideal twin centre holiday with Bangkok. To make your stay in Bangkok extra special, book a 1 night cruise on a converted rice barge - you will sail peacefully up the Chao Phraya River passing the Grand Palace, watching the local life, and enjoying a candle lit dinner as the sun sets, before reaching the historic city of Ayutthaya.
16	Beaches and Backwaters of Kerala Kerala, like its neighbour Goa, has a good selection of hotels from inexpensive 3* to 5* luxury options such as the luxurious Leela Kempinski, built on a rock face overlooking the Arabian Sea. The atmosphere is Kerala is quieter and more relaxed than some of the busier resorts in say North Goa, but what really makes Kerala special is the maze of canals and waterways that make up the backwaters. No stay is complete without spending at least a night or two on a houseboat. You'll cruise gently through the lush backwaters, past rice fields, coconut groves and villages, watching local people going about their daily lives. The houseboats have up to three bedrooms and the crew who will prepare your meals. Before a night on the houseboat, most people stay at the dreamy resort of Coconut Lagoon, set on the shores of Lake Vembanad, and only accessible by boat. Accommodation is provided in traditional cottages and some original Keralan houses. A luxury alternative is the Oberoi MV Vrinda. This is a deluxe boat which has 8 cabins, a restaurant serving international, Indian and Keralan specialities, a seafood grill, bar and even a swimming pool. This is a 3 night cruise with all meals provided, and on the first night you'll enjoy and evening of stories and dancing. Some tours visit the best National Park in Southern India, Periyar which is set amidst rolling scenery and spice plantations. View wildlife from a boat, enjoy a cruise on the lake or visit one of the spice plantations. Hopefully you'll see elephants and bison. Other experiences include luxury rail journeys, Ayurvedic head and body treatments, Keralan farm stays and visits to coffee plantations. We can tailor make a complete itinerary for you, or alternatively take one of the pre-arranged tours.
15	A tour of the amazing scenery of Namibia Namibia has some of the world's most spectacular desert scenery, and is famous for its brilliant blue skies and wide open vistas, but also has a lot more to offer such as the desert elephants. It is perfectly safe and easy to book a self drive package, while many customers prefer to travel as part of an organised tour such as the 12 day 'Namibian Highlights tour'. On this tour you will - view the world's oldest and most awe inspiring sand dunes and vast landscapes at Sossusvlei - enjoy the coastal playground of Swakopmund where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean - explore untouched Damaraland, home of the desert elephant and black rhino - visit traditional tribes of Namibia and learn about their fascinating culture - View the wildlife of Etosha National Park - Photograph the lone trees in the white clay pans against a deep blue sky in the Namib Desert Please contact us for full details of this tour, and details of other tours and self drive packages available.
14	Winter breaks in Lapland A holiday to Lapland will reward you with unforgettable experiences and mesmerising scenery, and whether you are travelling as a family or as a couple, it will be an unforgettable trip. Husky rides, reindeer safaris, the Northern Lights, snowmobiling, igloos, wooden lodges, fjords, Sami tents, snow castles, ice fishing, Santa Claus, cross country skiing, and more, all these experiences can be enjoyed as part of a tour or as part of an independent holiday. One thing to remember is why there are sometimes big variations in prices between apparently similar tours. At the top end, you get a much better wilderness experience, the resorts are more remote and unspoilt, more likely to have snow, and in every sense the scenery is more magical. While the cheaper tours tend to use the more commercialised locations and activities can be slightly rushed. There are a number of short breaks available from December to January, including special Christmas and New Year itineraries. These generally include several activities, meals and thermals. There are also a number of more specialised trips that run until April and focus on particular activities, for example you may have an extended husky safari where you take care of the dogs, feed them and rest them. Others include the Northern Lights, or include a night in an igloo or a night in a traditional Sami tent like a tepee.
13	Jordan in Luxury There are many things unique about Jordan which is why it is an excellent touring destination - the lost city of Petra being the main attraction, as well as the desert of Wadi Rum and the salty waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth where you can even read a paper as you float in the sea, while the mud is fantastic for your skin! Most trips are for a week, or longer with extra nights at the Dead Sea. As well as our luxury escorted tours, many customers have chosen to take a private car and driver which although more expensive allows much greater freedom and flexibility.
12	Cruise to The Falkland Islands and Antarctica This is a once in a lifetime trip to visit the fantastic wildlife on the Falkland Islands followed by South Georgia which has emerald green bays and is home to Shakleton's grave, and then on to Antarctica and back through the Drake Passage to Argentina.
11	Kuramathi Island, Maldives Kuramathi has always been our best selling island because of its good value plus the fact that you can choose to be in a quiet deserted spot, or be in a livelier part. But next year it will be even better following a complete refurbishment, and a special all-inclusive package allowing you to dine in any of the island's restaurants. For something extra special, why not stay in a water bungalow, built on stilts over the sea, with steps that take you straight down into the lagoon.
10	Western Australia If you're visiting Australia for the first time then the excitement of Sydney and the tropical beaches of Queensland often mean there's no time left to visit Western Australia. And this is a pity because it should be regarded as a complete holiday destination in itself. For a start, it has some of the world's most beautiful beaches, including those on Rottnest Island and further south at Esperance and Albany. Kangaroos are frequently seen and it is one of the few places on earth where you can easily swim with dolphins in the wild. The journey north of Perth is unique. Much of it is dry desert, but first along the road to Monkey Mia are the Pinnacles, an amazing moon like landscape in the desert. As you approach Monkey Mia, you'll pass the Hamelin Pool, home to the ancient Stromatolites, the world's oldest living creatures. Monkey Mia is a small resort with one hotel on the beach, but the main reason for travelling here is to get up close to the local dolphins that visit each day. Further north is Coral Bay, and one of the best places on earth to dive or snorkel. What is unique about the reef here is that you don't have to go out to sea to reach it. If you visit between June and November, then you'll get the chance to swim with humpback whales. Back down to Perth which is set on the Swan River and set besides the Indian Ocean. Choose from city hotels a beach front accommodation. A day out (or evening) in Fremantle is a must with historic buildings and an atmospheric cafe and restaurant culture. Rottnest Island is a full day out and has over 60 different beaches which you can explore by bicycle. There are amazing coral reefs, white sandy bays and crystal clear water, but the island is famous for its wildlife and in particular the quokkas. The place to swim with dolphins is at Rockingham, just south of Perth, and for non-swimmers there are dolphin watch cruises too. In Perth itself is a gentle 'wine cruise' where you can sample premium wines and have lunch at a riverside restaurant. South of Perth is the beautiful region of Margaret River and the South West. There is a good self drive trip that takes a week or so doing it at a gentle pace. There are white sandy beaches at Albany and Esperance, the beach where kangaroos often play, and giant Karri trees which you can experience with by the 'Tree Top Walk' in the canopy. Kalgoorlie is famed for its gold rush history, while Margaret River itself is recognised for its premium wines and gourmet food.
9	The Great Migration This is a luxury safari designed to follow the migration path between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara where hundreds and thousands of animals thunder past in search of greener pastures. The safari operates on selected dates only (please call us for details) and in 2010 these dates will be between 5 July and 1 November. You will enjoy luxury accommodation throughout these special trips, spending one night in Lake Manyara, one night in the Ngorongoro Crater, two nights in the Serengeti, and three nights in the Masai Mara. At the end of your stay, why not add a few days on the coast in either Kenya or Tanzania? Please contact us for full details of the itinerary.
8	Baros Island, Maldives Baros is a small, quiet, tropical island with exceptional levels of service and standards of accommodation. A stay here is all about having a peaceful week, with top quality inexpensive food, and the clearest of blue waters to swim in.
7	Staying in a riad in Marrakech Short breaks to Marrakech are very popular especially the riads which are small independent hotels with a huge amount of character and usually a delightful rooftop terrace where you can enjoy breakfast and dinner with fabulous views.
6	Tropical North Queensland If there's one place in Australia that you could remain for 2-3 weeks and never get bored then it's here in Northern Queensland. You'll find stunning palm fringed beaches, the world's oldest rainforest, idyllic islands on the Great Barrier Reef, a historic scenic railway, river gorges, the world's longest gondola cableway, health spas and a feast of things to do in Cairns. There are so many wonderful hotels that it's hard to know what to recommend, but here's four of our favourites: 1. Mantra Treetops - a spa hotel set amidst its own fully grown rainforest with free flowing waterways and lily ponds 2. Sea Temple - a luxury hotel with direct pool access from your rooms and close to a world class 18 hole golf course 3. Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa - experience the ancient beauty of the Daintree Rainforest, overlooking the river, rooms are either river houses and treehouses 4. Thala Beach Lodge - stilted bungalows perched on a headland between two sandy bays If you want to do something completely different then why not help out with a turtle conservation programme. You'll fly from Cairns to the remote and wild region of Cape York and help the rangers with their turtle conservation efforts. This is meant to be a rewarding experience living amongst an isolated aboriginal community, although the facilities are quite basic. On Your Travels are specialists in designing tailor made itineraries to Australia, and would be delighted to put together an unforgettable holiday for you.
5	Rustic, romantic escapism in St. Lucia Of all the Caribbean islands, St. Lucia is the most scenic, and characterised by the famous twin peaks - the Pitons - in the South of the island, which you first glimpse from the window of your plane as you approach the airport to land. Most of the hotels are situated on the North West Coast, where you'll find lively bays and a wide variety of entertainment. But the most beautiful scenery, the best snorkeling and diving and the best attractions are all in the South of the island, and it is here where some of our favourite hotels are located. And of these hotels, nothing beats Anse Chastanet for the most amazing setting and spectacular views. It is a stunning resort where you can enjoy mountain biking trails, hikes through the jungle, scuba diving, snorkeling, have a spa treatment, or just relax on one of the superb sandy beaches. For something truly special you can even book a room with one of the four walls missing to get the ultimate romantic experience. We can also highly recommend Ti Kaye Village which is set on a wonderful unspoilt beach and has just 33 rooms and cottages, or Windjammer Landing which consists of villas built in to the hillside. If you're looking for an all-inclusive option then Windjammer Landing has a range of dining plans, while we can also highly recommend East Winds Inn which has just 30 rooms or the Rendezvous which is geared towards romantic couples. Here is a flavour of what you can do when you're in St. Lucia... 1. Visit the drive through volcano and Sulphur Springs 2. Enjoy a boat trip to Marigot Bay where Dr. Doolittle was filed 3. Go snorkeling or diving in the marine park towards the South of the island 4. Hike to the top of historic Fort Rodney on Pigeon Island and get stunning views over Rodney Bay 5. Enjoy a whale and dolphin watching cruise 6. Hire mountain bikes and ride one of the trails if you're staying at Anse Chastanet 7. Sunset Cruises - A typical cruise is on a majestic tall ship as a Caribbean steel-pan band plays and entertains while you sip champagne and enjoy the local delicacies under the stars 9. Helicopter Tours - experience the unique view of St. Lucia from the air as you fly over Castries Harbour, then along the west coast of St. Lucia, then circle Marigot Bay and south to the Pitons before returning over the volcano and tropical rainforest. 10. Explore the tropical jungle - there are many ways to see the rainforest from mountain bikes to hiking trails to horseback rides 11. Photograph the twin peaks - the Pitons, two stunning mountain peaks near the South of the island
4	Chile and the mysteries of Easter Island Chile is a remarkable country, not least in its shape - very long and very thin. But it is this geography which makes it such a unique and fascinating country, with several climate zones and a huge variety of landscapes. Santiago is the cosmopolitan capital of Chile with a historic centre and a warm Mediterranean climate. It is set in a dramatic location at the foot of the snow capped Andes. The beach resort of Vina del Mar is just outside the city while a number of world class vineyards are close by. The Atacama Desert is a stunning area of sand dunes, geysers and salt lakes, and is characterised by the extraordinary lunar landscape of The Valley of the Moon. You will see the most amazing sunsets here. There are various activities such as horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. If you're lucky then you'll spot flamingos flying in the shadow of the snow capped volcanoes. The Chilean Lake District is a relaxing area in the south of Chile where you can enjoy good walks or just admiring the scenery. You'll find snow capped volcanoes, forests, rivers, fjords and lakes. There are many places to stay including a selection of spa resorts, however for something different take a boat trip to the island of Chiloe and explore its traditional villages. The most spectacular region of all Chile is Patagonia, right at the southern tip of the country, known as 'The End of the Earth'. This is a region of huge jagged peaks created in the ice age, fjords, icebergs and glaciers, and Torres del Paine is Latin America's finest national park. The lakes seem to have special colours - aquamarine, emerald and turquoise. There are two ways to visit Patagonia. One is to stay on land at what must be one of the world's finest locations for a hotel - the Explora. The other way is a cruise, either 3 or 4 nights, where you might see killer whales, dolphins and penguins. Finally, almost 2,500 miles west of Chile, and in one of the most remote places on earth is mysterious Easter Island. It is famous for its 600 Moai statues and the curious history of the island.
3	Costa Rica's wildlife In just two short weeks you can see spectacular scenery, a famous volcano, beautiful white sandy beaches, a cloud forest, take scenic boat rides, and most of all, witness the superb wildlife. And the wildlife here is magical - butterflies, brightly coloured birds, monkeys, lizards and much more besides. Most of the tours include medium standard accommodation in top locations, and after a tour you can stay in one of the beach resorts for a bit of relaxations. One of our favourite hotels has jungle rooms where you are almost guaranteed to see many different types of wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, falcons, and toucans, and is set on an unbelievably beautiful location right on the beach.
2	The 'Jewel of Africa': Botswana The number 1 safari experience is in Botswana. It is the best place to see great herds of elephants and antelope, and is renowned for the spectacular scenery of the Okavango Delta. It might be a more expensive destination than Kenya and Tanzania, but this means that with fewer visitors, you'll get an unrivalled safari experience. We have a number of safaris of different durations, but to give a flavour of what you can do, here is one of our favourites staying in luxurious en-suite tented camps. It is a 10 day safari with the following highlights - Enjoy getting back to nature whilst staying in luxurious en-suite tented camps - Savour the stillness and remoteness of the Okavango Delta as you view the game from a dug-out canoe early in the evening - Experience the beauty of Botswana from the air as you travel between some camps in light aircraft - Witness abundant wildlife in the game rich Moremi Wildlife Reserve - Explore the Chobe River and witness some of the best sunsets in Africa - View the mighty Victoria Falls, an awe inspiring experience For a full itinerary or for other trips to Botswana please come and see us and we'll be happy to organise a very special safari for you.
1	Sailing around the Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands are the world's number one destination for seeing wildlife up close. What makes these islands so special is that the animals have no fear of man, allowing you to get exceptionally close. The best way to see the islands is on a boat, most cruises are 7 nights although there are a few shorter itineraries. Each cruise does a slightly different itinerary, but in the main you'll see giant tortoises, land iguanas, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, red-footed boobies, mocking birds, Galapagos penguins, flamingos, frigate birds, pelicans, sea lions and fur seals. An unforgettable experience is the chance to swim with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles. If you don't want to do a cruise, then an alternative is to base your stay on Finch Bay and take day trips out to the various islands. Or for something extra stylish, board a three masted yacht with a luxurious interior and just 8 cabins. A trip to the Galapagos Islands can be combined with other countries in South America. The most popular combination we are asked for is Peru, however please take a look at Ecuador too. It is a stunning country where you can see Inca ruins, stay in thatched lodges deep in the Amazonian Ecuador, ride on the Chiva Express train through remote villages, travel through the 'Avenue of the Volcanoes' in the Andes, and see plenty of wildlife such as scarlet macaws and spider monkeys. You should also not miss the Charles Darwin Research Station where you can see giant tortoises. Sante Fe is a beautiful island home to sea lions and land iguanas.

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