25 Nov 2014
With a new year on the horizon, The Travel Corporation's family of award winning brands are looking forward to the must-visit destinations of 2015
- 1. Washington DC
“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves”. President, wordsmith, and one of the most contested figures in history, Abraham Lincoln's legacy is still hotly debated today and April 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of his assassination and the end of the American Civil War. Trafalgar offers an 8-day East Coast Trails of Liberty itinerary which uncovers some of the most exciting moments in American history. In Washington DC guests will visit the imposing Lincoln Memorial, erected in honour of Honest Abe. It was on the steps of this memorial that Martin Luther King also delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and symbolises the significance Lincoln had on the future of African Americans decades after this tragic death. This trip also visits Philadelphia, the battlefield of Gettysburg, Shenandoah National Park, Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg.
Trafalgar's (www.Trafalgar.com) Trails of Liberty starts from £2,325 per person, including return flights, private VIP UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5617 for more information.
- 2. India
2015 sees the long anticipated release of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which features a star studded cast including British treasures Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. Share in the exoticism of energetic India on Insight Vacation's Colours of Rajasthan tour which follows in the footsteps of these Hollywood veterans with a stay in the pink city of Jaipur and the chosen location of this British comedy-drama. Guests will also experience the chaos of Delhi, marvel at the Taj Mahal as dawn breaks, visit the “blue city” of Jodhpur and experience the Venice of the East, Udaipur.
Insight Vacations' (www.InsightVacations.com) 11-day Indian itinerary starts from £2,282 per person, land only, including private VIP UK airport transfers. Flight inclusive packages are also available. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5622 for more information.
- 3. Vietnam
Now an exotic holiday destination it is sometimes hard to believe that Vietnam was once the site of a ferocious and bloody war. 2015 will mark 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War and Uniworld's Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekongprovides the perfect way to explore the natural and historical sites of these two fascinating destinations whilst sailing down the mighty Mekong River. Highlights along the way include the chance to meet a Viet Cong veteran, learn about the underground passageways of the Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Viet Cong, admire recognisable landmarks such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and attend a water puppet show in Hanoi.
Uniworld cruises can be booked direct through Titan Travel in the UK (www.titantravel.co.uk). Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong starts from £4,229 per person including international flights, 7 nights' all inclusive cruise, 7 nights' hotel (B&B), all transfers, excursions with English speaking guides, taxis and Titan's VIP home departure service.
- 4. Hawaii
The fourth instalment in the Jurassic Park film series, Jurassic World, is set for release in 2015 which will bring the mighty dinosaurs of this franchise back to our cinema screens. Filming of this hotly anticipated movie has taken place in the paradisiacal island of Kauai which can be visited during a three night stay on Trafalgar's Hawaiian Discovery. This 10-day Pacific adventure also visits Pearl Harbour, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and spends three nights on the magic isle of Maui with its endless white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Tempted?
Trafalgar's (www.Trafalgar.com) Hawaiian Discovery starts from £3,490 per person including return flights, private VIP UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5617 for more information.
- 5. Croatia
Since the first airing of Game of Thrones in 2011, the TV show has amassed a cult following of fans eager to follow in the footsteps of their favourite fantasy stars. With season five set to hit screens in 2015 Contiki's Croatia Island Escape provides the chance to visit Dubrovnik where many scenes from the show were set. Guests will spend two magical nights in this beautiful city and cruise in style to the Croatian islands of Hvar, Korcula, Sipan and Split where the idyllic beaches of the Dalmatian coastline await.
Contiki's (www.Contiki.com) Croatia Island Escape itinerary starts from £629 per person, land only. Please visit the website or call 0845 075 0990 for more information.
- 6. Deep South
Flowering magnolias, pillared mansions, mint juleps and peach cobbler…these are just a few of the images that the Deep South conjures up and these are now more accessible as Virgin Atlantic has commenced direct flights to the core of the Peach State, Atlanta. Insight Vacations' Southern Elegance itinerary gives guests the chance to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the South as they traverse Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina which all boast architectural wonders, effervescent cities and delightful hospitality in abundance.
Insight Vacations' (www.InsightVacations.com) Southern soiree starts from £2,870 per person including return flights, private VIP UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5622 for more information.
- 7. Turkey
Nation building is a natural consequence of war and for Australians and New Zealanders the Turkish site of Gallipoli symbolises the birthplace of the “Anzac Spirit”. April 25th 2015 will mark 100 years since the start of the momentous Gallipoli campaign and on Trafalgar's Best of Turkey trip guests will have the chance to quietly reflect at historical sites such as Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. This two week itinerary also visits the vibrant city of Istanbul, coastal spots of Izmir and Antalya, mystical Cappadocia and the capital of Ankara.
Trafalgar's' (www.trafalgar.com) 14-day Turkish adventure starts from £1,495 per person including return flights, private VIP UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5617 for more information.
- 8. Poland
2015 sees another momentous anniversary from the Second World War as 27th January marks 70 years since the liberation of the Nazi Concentration camp, Auschwitz. Insight Vacations offers a Highlights of Poland trip which includes a moving visit to the memorials and museums of Auschwitz and Bikenau to reflect on the atrocities that occurred here during the Holocaust. This 10-day trip also delves deeper into the other sides of Poland with an expert-led visit to the Renaissance Castle in Krakow, a journey through the Carpathian Mountains to the resort town of Zakopane and stays in Poznan, Gdansk and the Proud Polish capital of Warsaw.
Insight Vacations' (www.InsightVacations.com) Polish exploration starts from £1,775 per person including return flights, private VIP UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 0800 533 5622 for more information.
- 9. Austria
The hills will certainly be alive with the Sound of Music in 2015 as this family favourite celebrates 50 years since it hit the silver screen. Trafalgar's appropriately named Sound of Music trip includes a visit to charming Salzburg where much of the film was shot, including the Church in Mondsee where Captain Von Trapp and Maria married. Guests will also enjoy a two-night stay in Munich, a visit to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle and a sightseeing tour of Innsbruck. A stopover in Imperial Vienna will give guests the opportunity to enjoy a Cultural Insight with a guided visit to the Habsburg royal collection of art at the Kunsthistorisches museum prior to admission to the general public.
Trafalgar's (www.Trafalgar.com) Sound of Music starts from £1,319 per person, land only, including private UK airport transfers. Please visit the website or phone 0800 533 5617 for more information.
10. Japan
A change is afoot in Japan's nightlife scene as the 66-year old law against late-night dancing has finally been lifted. Prior to the overturn of this law, it was illegal to twist and shake in a public venue without a special licence… and even then it wasn't permitted until after midnight! Now things have changed so why not bust some moves in some of Japan's most exciting cities including Tokyo and Kyoto on Contiki's Japan Unrivalled trip. This 13-day adventure also includes the opportunity to explore the great Japanese outdoors in Takayama, hear harrowing tales from the atomic bomb dropping in Hiroshima, enjoy a traditional Buddhist meal in Wakayama and sing along at Karaoke in Osaka.
Contiki's (www.Contiki.com) Japan Unrivalled itinerary starts from £2,395 per person land only. Please visit the website or call 0845 075 0990 for more information.
-ENDS-
About The Travel Corporation
Operating in 60 countries, The Travel Corporation offers an extensive selection of award-winning international travel and tourism companies including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Contiki Holidays, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and more. The Travel Corporation is committed to sustainable tourism through the TreadRight Foundation which has to date donated more than two million dollars to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. To see to full scope of The Travel Corporation brands please visit www.thetravelcorporation.com and to learn more about TreadRight please visit www.treadright.org.
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The Travel Corporation
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