COX & KINGS SUGGESTS THE ONES TO WATCH FOR 2015

As the world's longest established travel company, Cox & Kings has been making New Year predictions longer than most. With the end of 2014 approaching, travellers are looking ahead to plan their holidays for the coming year. Looking at the major events, trends and political changes around the world, Cox & Kings picks where will be hot in 2015.

Sri Lanka

Offering excellent value for money and with new hotels and improvements to the infrastructure on the island's east coast, as well as political stability, its popularity looks set to remain. Tourists are looking for somewhere new to discover in the Indian subcontinent and are reassured by the country's stability. In a relatively small country, there is so much to see, and hotels to suit all styles and budgets. There is a fascinating cultural heritage as well as wildlife, colonial towns and tropical beaches. There are new developments opening on the south coast and more planned for the east as well.

Cox & Kings' 14-day escorted tour is from £1,895 per person.

Vietnam

As tourists are familiar with Thailand and all that it offers, increasing numbers are looking to explore elsewhere in the region, away from the very well-trodden tourist path. Vietnam has an interesting history and culture and is seeing more investment in its infrastructure, with the launch of an additional direct flight from London next summer with Vietnam Airlines and new hotels opening. As the trend for experiential holidays continues to develop, cookery schools are growing in popularity with guests wanting to learn how to recreate their favourite dishes.

Cox & Kings' 14-day escorted tour is from £2,195 per person.

Colombia

With Latin America set to remain the in vogue place to travel in 2015, travellers are looking to explore lesser known parts of the continent. Still relatively untouched by mass tourism, Colombia is fast becoming popular with adventurous travellers. It is politically much more stable and there is a diverse mix of sights and scenery to entice visitors, as well as a fascinating history and interesting towns and cities.

Cox & Kings' 12-day escorted tour is from £2,395 per person.

Oman

From magnificent forts and palaces to rolling sand dunes and mountain ranges, Oman is one of the least known destinations in the region and gives visitors a taste of authentic Arabia. Combining breathtaking landscapes with a fascinating culture, Oman has a lot to offer with a relatively short flight time and minimal jet lag. The guaranteed sunshine during the British winter makes it a great destination for a New Year break.

Cox & Kings' 9-day escorted tour is from £1,545 per person.

Romania

With seven Unesco world heritage sites, Romania has a wealth of sights to explore, including medieval towns and citadels, fortified churches, painted monasteries, dramatic castles and beautiful scenery. It is a less well known part of Europe but one with enormous potential for cultural tourism. Not many people know that the Prince of Wales owns a collection of houses in Transylvania, bought to help to preserve the area's cultural heritage. Available for tourists to stay in, the houses give a unique glimpse into life in an 18th-century Saxon village.

Cox & Kings' 9-day escorted tour is from £995 per person. A 3-night stay at Viscri village is an additional £440

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PRESS INFORMATION: Katie Cosstick

PRESS OFFICE:020 7808 5694 / katie.cosstick@coxandkings.co.uk

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.