Top 5 New Destinations for 2014
If you’re bored of package holidays to Tenerife or weekend breaks in Paris and you’re thinking of travelling somewhere a little more adventurous in 2014, check out our top five new destinations to inspire your 2014 travel itinerary:
Havana, Cuba
Less than a hundred miles from Florida, a trip to Havana is a little like stepping back in time to the fifties. There are narrow cobbled streets and wide boulevards that are full of old cars and Spanish buildings coloured in fading yellows, blues and greens. Havana is best understood and enjoyed by wandering through those streets and soaking up the atmosphere through the smells, sights, sounds and tastes of the city. It boasts its fair share of beautiful architecture – historic churches and a cathedral, museums and squares – but its greatest charm can be found in the alleyways, where friendly locals hang out of their windows to chat. Look for the paladares which are family-run restaurants that offer traditional Cuban and Spanish cuisine.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu makes it to the list of new destinations because it boomed in popularity in the sixties and then was forgotten, but is set to see a revival over the coming year. The smells, sounds and sights of Kathmandu are an overwhelming experience for many, but the largest city in Nepal offers an unforgettable and often exhausting experience for the traveler looking for something different. Avoid Thamel, the common tourist hot spot, and escape into Kathmandu’s back streets to find the magic of this destination in South Asia, where the artistic and cultural heritage remains in courtyards of rice and chilies and miniature workshops that might have been there for centuries.
Jerusalem, Israel
Often thought of as a destination for those with a religious interest, Jerusalem has so much to offer as the largest city in Israel and one of the oldest in the world. Host in fact to three religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – this is an incredible place to visit regardless of your personal beliefs, where the old parts of the city sit side-by-side with office blocks and apartments. Many of the hotels here offer tours around the city and there is a bus that runs from the Egged Central Bus Station which you can get off and on all day long, offering a great way to explore. The Western Wailing Wall is of course a staple destination on the must-visit list – a tour is essential to fully appreciate it but being so popular, this must be booked through your hotel. Another must-do tour is the City of David water tunnels which include a walk through the water channel that was created to deliver fresh water into Jerusalem. You will spend most of the tour in ankle-deep water, and sandals as well as a torch are a must.
Cusco, Peru
The beautiful city of Cuzco in Peru is at the centre of the Inca empire and offers incredible architecture that can appreciated best just by walking through the streets, resulting from the city’s complex rich history. Outside of the city there are several ruins, with Sacsayhuaman, the site of a battle in 1536, being of particular interest. The Inca’s lost city of Machu Picchu also lies close by but draws a huge crowd and can be unbearably busy. Instead, visit Choquequirau, a rarer choice by the tourists but every bit as stunning; and check out Vilcabamba, the last Inca city, a site set into the jungle that is well worth seeing but also attracts little tourist attention.
You can find more about visiting South America and travelling to Peru Here:
Antarctica
The continent of Antarctica might not feature high on your list of must-visit places but as the Earth’s southernmost point, your trip will be a breath-taking and life-changing experience. Aside from its peace and dazzling open landscapes, you’ll be wowed by the wildlife: Fur, Leopard and Grumpy Elephant seals line the beaches while Minke and Humpback whales populate the seas close by. You’ll enjoy the beauty of the extensive bird population which includes albatrosses and Emperor, Adélie and Gentoo penguins but extends to prions, fulmars and other species.
The first thing that hits you about Antarctica is how quiet it is. Nobody really lives here and the nearest thing to residents are the scientific teams. Around 4,000 scientists occupy the continent in summer and around 1,000 through winter which, given that Antarctica is approximately twice the size of Australia, doesn’t make it too crowded. There is also McMurdo which is a US base holding up to 1,000 personnel at most, and a couple of tiny settlements on King George Island. Tourism has decreased in recent years due to a ban on large ships to minimise the possibility of a fuel-spill disaster but there are still plenty of opportunities to visit between November and March.
