# 20 Holiday Destinations Experts Say You Shouldn't Miss > We've rounded up 20 holiday getaways: surfing in Costa Rica, walks through Hong Kong and other expert ideas. Find out where to go next. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/20-sviatkovykh-napriamkiv-iaki-eksperty-radiat-ne-propustyty/ - Language: en - Published: 2024-11-27 - Categories: Beaches, Tours, Kenya, Surfing & Diving, Food & Drinks, Relaxation --- ## 1. Find the Secluded Islands of Wayag, Indonesia Of all the beauty Indonesia has to offer, Wayag is arguably the most breathtaking spot, says Michael Travers, head of marketing and communications at SeaTrek Sailing Adventures. “Wayag has hundreds of densely forested limestone karsts and islands that form sheltered bays with white sand beaches and coral reefs,” he says. There are no villages and no tourist accommodation, and guests can only get there by boat, Travers adds. “I’d definitely recommend climbing up to the viewpoint on the western side of Wayag’s main bay. It’s not for the faint of heart (picture a 30-minute climb through forest and over sharp limestone), but stunning views of paradise are waiting for you at the top.” ## 2. Visit Egypt Without the Crowds “I’d highly recommend going to Egypt right now,” says Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent. “I traveled there in late 2015, and it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these places with so few people around. In Abu Simbel, for example, I was inside the Temple of Ramses and had it entirely to myself for a few minutes. “As I climbed the narrow steps into the center of the Pyramid of Cheops, I only had to squeeze past a handful of people. It’s a completely different experience when the crowds (and the heat) are in full force,” Kent says. ## 3. Take a Soak in Tbilisi’s Abanotubani District Move over, Istanbul. There’s a new European city brimming with culture, where East meets West, with natural sulphur waters that rival the Cagaloglu hammam, according to freelance photojournalist Sara Freeman. “I suggest visiting the bathhouse quarter of the Georgian capital: Abanotubani in Tbilisi,” she says. Set on the south side of the Metekhi Bridge, its low domes conceal baths where the water bubbles up from the ground at around 32°C. “While I was there, I sipped Turkish tea and enjoyed a massage from one of the mekise (masseurs).” ## 4. Watch Wildlife in Namibia ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-76-1-2024.jpg) “I’d suggest heading to the Skeleton Coast in Namibia,” says Lucy Jackson, co-founder and director of Lightfoot Travel. Wild and eerie, this remote desert “gets under your skin,” she says. “I’ll never forget the sight of the Namib Desert’s sand dunes crashing into the Atlantic Ocean. Flying over the Hoanib River in a Cessna, it’s easy to spot giraffes and elephants below,” Jackson recalls. “Then I always have a drink on the beach, with the water lapping at my feet and a shipwreck in view behind me.” ## 5. See the Northern Lights in Canada Before They Go Quiet In 2017, Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation, so the country is offering free entry to its national parks all year long, says Hannah Tiedeman-Classen, founder and director of Curio Trips. But while most people flock to the bright blue lakes and snow-capped mountains of Banff National Park, she recommends heading up to the northern territory of Yukon. It also gives you a chance to see the world’s greatest natural light show: the Northern Lights. With scientists predicting that 2017 will be the last year before the Northern Lights slip into a quiet phase, “this really is the year to see them,” she says. ## 6. Spot Spider Monkeys in Minas Gerais “I think it’s time to turn your attention to Minas Gerais in Brazil,” says Matthew LaPolice, luxury travel manager at Absolute Travel. It’s home to the country’s mining hub and the financial capital of Belo Horizonte. But there’s another side to the state, where travelers can experience pristine wilderness, a thriving arts scene and delicious cuisine, he says. “I recommend staying at Reserva do Ibitipoca, a restored 18th-century farmstead. “From here you can explore the neighboring national park on foot or on horseback. Don’t miss the chance to see the extremely rare woolly spider monkey: the hotel’s owners are genuinely focused on preserving the Atlantic Forest, this animal’s home.” ## 7. See Sleepy Dolphins in Komodo National Park ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-76-2-2024.jpg) “I suggest heading to Komodo National Park in Indonesia, where \[in a hidden bay\] a pod of dolphins rests at night,” says Eddy Widnall, founder of Ultimate Indonesian Yachts. “There’s nothing quite like sleeping out in the open air on a boat with the sound of dolphins below you.” Then there’s Tomolol in Misool, where you can sail through cathedral-like caves and stalactites into a blue lagoon walled with limestone, he says. “Some have age-old paintings, while others are draped in orchids and carnivorous pitcher plants.” ## 8. Visit the Untouched Beaches of Vilankulo, Mozambique “I knew almost nothing about Mozambique before I went,” says Kristin Addis, CEO of Be My Travel Muse. There was very little information online about this coastal country in southern Africa, she says. “When I traveled there, I was blown away by the gorgeous white sand beaches, which were mostly free of tourists. “Every day in Vilankulo, when the tide goes out, sandbanks appear. It was wonderful to watch the fishermen bring in their catch while the locals played football on the sand.” ## 9. Explore Greenland’s Glaciers and Hiking Trails When most people think of Greenland, snow and ice come to mind, says Matthew Karsten, the adventure travel blogger and photographer behind ExpertVagabond. But in summer the coast is actually rather pleasant: rolling landscapes, green tundra and wildlife everywhere, he says. “I’d suggest spending a day walking on the ice cap near Kangerlussuaq, going on a wildlife safari or tackling the 10-day trek along Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail,” Karsten adds. ## 10. Learn to Surf in Nosara, Costa Rica ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-76-4-2024.jpg) The Guanacaste province on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is a surfer’s paradise, according to Matthew Karsten of ExpertVagabond. Plenty of surf towns can get pretty crowded. “That’s what’s great about this place: the little town of Nosara doesn’t draw as many visitors,” he says. The nearby Playa Guiones beach boasts enough waves to please beginners and seasoned surfers alike. For non-surfers, yoga classes and horseback riding are popular too. ## 11. Ride the Railway Between Belgrade and Montenegro Mark Smith, the train expert behind Seat61, says the 476-kilometer journey between the Serbian capital and Montenegro’s Adriatic coast is one of the most spectacular train rides in Europe. “I think it’s absolutely epic. The train climbs to over 900 meters above sea level in the breathtaking Montenegrin mountains,” he says. “It’s also a feat of engineering, with 254 tunnels and 435 bridges, including the world’s highest railway viaduct,” Smith adds. And all of it costs just $22 for a ticket. ## 12. Discover Something Wild in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka Wilpattu, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park, lets travelers track elusive leopards and sloth bears, says Skandha Ponnia, marketing manager at SriLankaInStyle. Better still, it all unfolds in relative peace, since the park remains largely untouched and unknown. “The roads call for four-wheel-drive vehicles and a driver who knows how to handle them, so I’d suggest exploring the area with a tented safari camp such as Kulu Safaris or Leopard Trail,” Ponnia suggests. “Be sure to stop by a villu (a shallow natural lake filled with rainwater and ringed by open grassy plains). Then simply wait for the animals to come and drink.” ## 13. Cycle and Try Clam Chowder in San Francisco ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-76-5-2024.jpg) Will Swinburn, a senior first officer at British Airways, recommends renting a bike from one of San Francisco’s many friendly bike shops. “Cycling past the Ferry Building and the piers along the harbor gives you a wonderful feel for the city’s maritime history,” he says. It’s always worth stopping at Pier 39 for a sourdough bread bowl of clam chowder and a drink, then heading toward the Golden Gate, Swinburn suggests. “There are plenty of great viewpoints along the way to soak up the bustling bay. “Ride the last stretch of the bridge and turn right at the end, up the steep hill to Sausalito. It’s a beautiful town, and the perfect vantage point for looking back at the foggiest of cities.” ## 14. Feel Like James Bond in Jamaica “Jamaica is such an amazing place. It has stunning scenery, fabulous food and an incredible musical history,” says Matt Vlemmix, head of product and commerce at Elegant Resorts. Days can be spent hiking into the mountains with a Rastafarian guide who leads travelers to secret waterfalls, or exploring stunning coffee plantations, he adds. Vlemmix recommends staying at Strawberry Hill, where guests can watch the city’s twinkling lights beyond the mountains while faint reggae beats drift by. Or head to Goldeneye to feel like James Bond. Ian Fleming once lived on the grounds where the estate now stands, and wrote many of his Bond novels there. ## 15. Discover an Eco-Retreat in Kenya “For some it’s not a hidden gem, but I’d recommend Segera Retreat in Laikipia County, one of Kenya’s 47 counties,” says Michelle Karam, founder of Travel Junkie Diary. The estate sits on 20,000 hectares of land managed and owned by conservationist Jochen Zeitz. “The retreat is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s a place for reflection in nature and solitude, a place where guests learn about Kenya’s community and wildlife,” Karam adds. The focus is on sustainable travel, using solar power, recycling and growing food on site. “The estate teaches farmers how to prevent overgrazing, bringing wildlife back to life by creating artificial watering holes and adding rangers to protect the animals from poaching.” ## 16. Watch Baby Turtles on Blanchisseuse Beach, Trinidad Caitlin Smith, founder of The Remote Nomad, suggests heading to Blanchisseuse Beach in Trinidad, ringed by hills and lush palm trees. “Getting there is fairly tricky, and public transport isn’t an option, so travelers should be sure to rent a car or hire a local driver,” she says. “The beach itself is a great spot for surfing. Across the road, I’d recommend trying ‘bake and shark,’ a popular local dish, along with a local Carib beer.” Depending on the time of year, travelers might even catch baby sea turtles hatching, she says. One tip: slang is everywhere, even on public signs. If you spot a “no liming” sign, know that it means “no hanging out” or “no chilling” in that spot. ## 17. Catch Sunrise Over a Whispering Volcano ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/article-image-#) For an out-of-the-ordinary experience, it’s hard to beat a visit to the 9th-century Buddhist monument of Borobudur, says Sophie Marchand, travel editor at LuxuryExplorer.com. Overlooking the Kedu Plain in central Java, “this place fills me with awe,” Marchand says. “I stayed at Aman’s Amanjiwo, which I highly recommend. I woke at 4 a.m. and climbed to the top to see incredible views of Kedu as the sun rose over Mount Merapi, a whispering volcano. “I’d suggest bringing a picnic to eat by the nearest waterfall. My guide (from the hotel) took me there.” ## 18. Trek Through the Mountains of India Maxine Hedley, a travel expert at Smith24, says she’s keen to dispel the myths about India: that it’s hard to get around and that visitors are likely to fall ill. “I don’t know where all this negativity comes from,” Hedley says. For a different view of the country, Hedley recommends trying a stay with Shakti in the Himalayas, where there are fewer hotels and more nomadic journeys into the Indian mountains, with days spent on adventures and nights across a series of base camps under the stars. “I loved traveling through beautiful gardens, crossing canyons and stopping to admire Buddhist temples with huge golden statues scattered across the landscape.” ## 19. Sleep Under the Stars in Kenya Nicky Brandon, director of sales and marketing and an Africa travel expert at Ker & Downey, advises heading to Kenya’s northern frontier for a truly off-the-beaten-path trip. She recommends staying at Sasaab. Besides jeep safaris, travelers can ride quad bikes and camels or set off on walking safaris. “I think visiting a village here is the most authentic and genuine experience. Head far out and sleep under the stars at a private fly camp. “Also keep an eye out for the Samburu Special Five: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich and beisa oryx,” Brandon says. These animals are unique to this region of Kenya. ## 20. Take a Peaceful Stroll on Victoria Peak, Hong Kong People don’t usually think of hiking in Hong Kong, but the city is wonderful for it, says Charlie Stewart-Cox, general manager for South Asia, the Middle East and Africa at Cathay Pacific. There are fantastic walking routes and mountain trails here, both in the city and beyond, Stewart-Cox says. “I’m especially fond of the calming walk along Lugard Road on Victoria Peak. Parts of the path hug the cliffside, which means it offers the best views of the Hong Kong skyline,” he says. The entrance to Lugard Road is right next to the Peak Tower.