Travel Inspiration

by Harden Holidays

Time to plan an overdue adventure?

As we start a new year, now’s a great time to think about a holiday to mark in your new calendar!

After two years of disrupted plans, bookings were taking off for the year ahead – almost on a par with 2019 levels. Not surprisingly, the new Coronavirus variant has put the spotlight back on international travel. While this is another setback, holidays are in a better place than previous months under the traffic light system and we are seeing more resilience amongst travellers.

Although boarding a plane still comes with testing requirements and paperwork, countries around the world are re-opening and getting ready to give visitors a warm welcome back. We continue to offer flexibility on our holidays and have gained two years’ worth of experience navigating the Covid19 maze. The desire to get away has never been greater, with some destinations shining through as top choices. These are destinations that tick all the boxes of holiday must-haves for 2022. Ultraluxurious escapes, wellness retreats and sustainable stays are all in demand, as well as trips a little closer to home.

You may have your heart set on somewhere in particular for your next holiday. But if you’re open to ideas, we could suggest a place you haven’t even thought of. Here are a few alternatives to swap with some of our most popular spots...

Sri Lanka instead of South East Asia - If you love the tuk-tuks, temples and spicy street food in South East Asia, head to Sri Lanka for all the charms of the Far East with an Indian twist.

If you’re thinking Kenya, consider Tanzania - Already got Kenya stamped in your passport? Neighbouring Tanzania has so much to offer, from the vast savannahs of the Serengeti to the diamond-white sands of Zanzibar.

Something new in Europe? Try Porto & the Douro Valley - A holiday in Europe can be more than just a beach break. We can take you to picturesque Porto or to the wine-connoisseurs paradise of the Douro Valley.

Here is also our top three of the world’s best festivals and seasonal wonders to inspire your future travels.

See the cherry blossom in Japan. In spring, Japan’s streets are scattered with blush-pink petals as millions of cherry trees burst into bloom. Cherry blossom season is cause for much celebration and once the first buds appear, the Japanese gather to practice their tradition of hanami, which endearingly translates to looking at flowers. The parks become a patchwork of picnic blankets as people lounge under snowing branches and feast on sakura-inspired treats. Although the first blossoms flower as early as January in Okinawa, April is the best time to see the sights of Tokyo and Kyoto against a backdrop of varying shades of pink.

Get the party started in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is a festival bursting with music, fun and glittering costumes. The streets of New Orleans come alive Away from the party scene, you can marvel at the balcony-laced townhouses of the French Quarter, feed your soul with hearty creole cuisine (jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish boil, to name a few of our favourites) and cruise down the Mississippi on a steamboat.

The greatest wildlife show on earth. A safari holiday in Africa is guaranteed to leave you in awe at any time of year, but witnessing the dramatic spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration is on every wildlife lovers bucket list. Between July and October, over a million wildebeest, gazelles and zebra complete their journey from Tanzania to Kenya, searching for fresh water and grass before heading back south. Take to the skies on a magical balloon safari, and if luck’s on your side, you’ll be able to see this mass movement in all its splendour. We can’t do the packing for you but we have everything else covered.

- Testing - Entry Forms (foreign and UK) - Visas - Check-in - Documents

Hassle free holidays with Harden Holidays, contact our team today.