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Confused.com's Top Ten Holiday Destinations for 2009
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Recession? Resmession!
Despite the financial pinch, the public are still keen to go
on holiday. Indeed, trips away are one of the last 'non-essential'
expenses that consumers will axe when cutting back on their
spending. And rightly so - it's important to get away and unwind
once in a while. Possibly even more when times are tough.
But where to go? With the Pound faring poorly against the Euro,
trips to the Eurozone are less than ideal from an economic point
of view. So holidaymakers are increasingly going to mid and
long-haul destinations. With this in mind, here are Confused.com's
top ten holiday tips for 2009:
1. Turkey
Turkey was a notable beneficiary of travellers looking a little
further afield in 2008, and should do well with British tourists
this year too. Why? Well, it's not only because the Pound will
have legs there. It's a top spot for culture vultures, due to
its rich history and sites of archaeological interest - including
Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy.
And on the days when you don't fancy looking at magnificent
old historical structures, there are beaches a-plenty, and great
spots for diving. Plus it's nice and hot. Lots of boxes ticked
there.
2. Iceland
Iceland has been a particularly expensive destination traditionally.
However, its economic plunge in the second half of last year
now means that the cost of living is entirely reasonable� Which
is great news for bargain hunters.
Iceland is the perfect spot for adventure sport enthusiasts,
with plenty of opportunities to go kayaking, cycling, and zipping
around on glaciers on a snow-mobile. And if you're not thrilled
at the prospect of releasing lots of adrenaline, there's plenty
of other stuff to do - including watching geysers, fishing,
spotting whales, and lazing around in geothermal pools.
Note that although your
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will only cover you
for urgent medical treatment here - but not repatriation, ongoing
treatment or anything less than a medical emergency. As such,
comprehensive travel
insurance shouldn't be overlooked.
3. Lithuania
This year could well be a good one for Lithuanian tourism. Firstly,
this is the millennial anniversary of its name. And secondly,
the capital Vilnius is the European Capital of Culture for 2009.
The country offers national parks, spa towns, a selection of
UNESCO heritage sites such as the Old Town in Vilnius - its
historical centre, hearty food, and a bronze statue of Frank
Zappa. What more could you possibly want?
4. USA
Although the Pound isn't as strong against the Dollar as it
has been, the US is still likely to be a popular destination
for Brits abroad in 2009. Why? Well, the election of Barack
Obama has brought about a lot of good feeling regarding the
US. But that's not all. One of the alluring factors of the States
is that there's just so much to see and do. It gets a lot of
repeat visitors because it's virtually impossible to do everything
you'd want to do in just one trip. And as extra incentive, this
year marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of New York
- a city which is already a firm Confused.com staff favourite.
If you're heading off to the States, please bear in mind that
it is now compulsory to fill in an online ESTA (Electronic System
for Travel Authorisation) form before doing so. For more information,
read our article 'Going
to the USA? Then Don't Forget ESTA '.
5. South Africa
South Africa is becoming increasingly popular among British
holidaymakers. Sterling is faring well against the Rand at the
moment, so visitors are likely to get more pow! for their Pound.
Which is just as well, because the food is well worth wiring
into. Plus rugby fans may well be keen to catch some of The
British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer,
between the 30th of May and the 4th of July.
A few pointers, though. Medical treatment can be very expensive
in South Africa, so going there with anything less than a comprehensive
travel insurance policy isn't advised. Also it's well known
that there is a lot of crime in South Africa - although this
predominantly occurs in the townships, rather than tourist areas.
Still, it's an idea to have cover for all eventualities. To
find out the latest travel information and advice, go to
the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's South Africa page.
6. Egypt
Bargain hunters could do a lot worse than heading towards Egypt.
There are countless iconic sights for visitors to experience
first hand: the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Valley of the
Kings near Luxor, the Temple of Ramses III, the Aswan Dam� We
could go on.
Beach lovers are spoilt with a selection of Red Sea resorts.
And Egypt's not just exclusive to culture vultures� For those
who are up for some Club 18-30 shenanigans, Sharm el Sheikh
will be beginning just such a programme this year.
Be sure to read up on the customs before you go however, as
what may count as acceptable in the UK may not necessarily be
so here. In particular, it's important to dress modestly - especially
when visiting traditional spots.
7. Mexico
For lovely beaches, great food and atmosphere, a trip to Mexico
is difficult to top. There is an excellent range of all-inclusive
deals available, and a trip to this gateway to central America
is widely considered to be great value. There will be a number
of resorts on the beautiful new Riviera opening this year. And
there are now more flights available, as Mexicana airlines launched
a new service in January linking Gatwick and Mexico City twice
a week.
If saline activity is your thing, then Banderas Bay has a wide
range of water activities available - including diving, sailing
and even deep sea fishing. There are plenty of fascinating landmarks
to see, such as Meso-American ruins, pyramids� And then of course
there's the wonderful cuisine and the tequila!
Do bear in mind that English is not as widely spoken outside
the major cities as one might expect. So - if you're planning
on having a bit of a wander - be sure to at least familiarise
yourself with some useful Spanish phrases.
8. Thailand
For friendly folk, enormous cheap fresh fish and among the world's
best beaches, Thailand simply rocks. From the temples and tuk-tuks
of Bankok, to the white beaches of Krabi and the surrounding
islands, you're simply never going to forget a trip to Thailand.
There's something here to suit all budgets. Backpackers are
very well catered for, as are flashpackers - travellers with
a bit more cash to spend. Although the pound isn't faring against
the Baht as well as it could, you're still likely to find that
everything is great value - from the five-star hotels all the
way down to the cheap market shopping.
Unfortunately at the time of writing, there is uncertainty concerning
the political situation in Thailand. Before travelling there,
it's recommended that you check out advice from the Foreign
& Commonwealth Office's Thailand page.
9. Australia
The Pound has strengthened against the Australian Dollar, so
- despite the initial large expense of a flight to the other
side of the planet - British tourists should at least get good
value while they're there. But they're assured to get good value
in terms of sunshine, and things to see and do. Whether you're
intending to explore the outback, find out about Aborigine culture,
go surfing or sample the nightlife, Australia is sure not to
disappoint.
British tourists need a visa to enter Australia, even for a
short holiday� So don't leave home without one.
10. The UK
According to a survey in November last year, one in five Britons
claim that going abroad for a holiday in 2009 is a luxury that
they are unlikely to be able to afford*. But it's well worth
bearing in mind that our very own isles are well worth exploring
further. Plus you're unlikely to meet with any language barrier,
or lose out due to fluctuations in exchange rate.
There are far too many great places in the UK to hope to list
here. But just a handful of places that the team at Confused.com
love include Bath, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Pembrokeshire,
and Monkey World in Dorset. Plus the number of diverse festivals
in the UK has really blossomed over the last few years. Our
favourites include Latitude in Suffolk, the Edinburgh Festival,
Truck in Oxfordshire and Brecon Jazz Festival� But what type
of festival you can attend is nowadays limited only by your
imagination. Read our guide
to festival survival to get you in the mood and for some
handy tips.
*Source: survey of
2,108 British adults commissioned by FCO and carried out by
YouGov in November 2008.
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