Hot spots for 2013

SO what are going to be the hottest destinations of 2013? Travel PR picks out its top nine predictions for the next 12 months and offers an expert eye on the best way to get there.

North Korea (DPRK)

Reasoning: Whilst beginning to slightly modify its stern image to the outside world, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) or North Korea still retains an air of individuality and austerity that is beguiling to the curious traveller. Despite its isolation from the international community, North Korea offers a surprising combination of the ancient and modern against a backdrop of spectacular mountains and beautiful landscapes.

Sample trip: A new, nine-night North Korea the Last Unknown tour visiting the capital Pyongyang, Mt Myohyang, Panmunjom, Kaesong, Wonsan and Mt Kumgang (one night on flight and one in Beijing) costs from £2,295 pp (two sharing) with Voyages Jules Verne (0845-166-7035, vjv.com). Price includes flights (Heathrow), UK departure taxes, transfers, full board in DPRK (B&B in China) and the services of guides/local representatives. Departs May 13 and September 16.

Pantanal, Brazil

Reasoning: In the wildlife world, Brazil’s Pantanal is the hot destination. Why? Because everyone who’s ticked tiger-watching off their list is now after another elusive feline: the jaguar. And by far the best and most reliable place to watch the cats is Puerto Jofre and the adjacent Jaguar Zone on the Pantanal’s Cuiaba River, with 50-100 habituated cats in residence.

Wildlife specialist Naturetrek* reports that bookings to Brazils Pantanal have increased six-fold since 2009.

Sample trip: Boasting a 100 per cent sighting success-rate, Naturetrek’s (01962-733-051, naturetrek.co.uk) Just Jaguars! tour has four remaining departures between June and October and costs £3,795 pp (no single supplement) including flights (London), transport, ten nights full board (four nights in a river-based Jaguar Flotel) and guiding.

Virginia, North America

Reasoning: Next year will see the long-awaited unveiling of Steven Spielberg’s historical biopic Lincoln (due for UK release on January 25), chronicling the 16th President of the United States on the road to the abolition of slavery and the end of the Civil War. The Oscar contender was filmed in Virginia’s capital Richmond, as well as Petersburg because of its “very rare 180-degree vista of historic structures”, according to location manager Colleen Gibbons.

Sample trip: Vacations to America* (01582- 469777, vacationstoamerica.com) offers many Virginia trips, including its 15-day Virginia, Carolina’s and Georgia fly drive tour which costs from £1,835 pp (two sharing), including 14 nights B&B in hand-picked hotels, flights (London), car hire and driving directions, maps and guides.

Malawi

Reasoning: In August last year, a small group of lions arrived in Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve, capping a remarkable turnaround for the park, which was left ravaged by poachers only a decade ago. Overseen today by the philanthropic African Parks network, Majete is now Malawi’s only Big Five reserve or park, and boasts, in Mkulumadzi, one of the country’s most stylish lodges. Throw in the new Tongole camp further north, plus Lake Malawis chic beach lodges, and this is set to become the hottest safari destination around.

Sample trip: Expert Africa* (0208-232-9777, expertafrica.com) offers a 12-day itinerary combining Mkulumadzi and Pumulani (by Lake Malawi) from £3,061 pp (two sharing), including overnight flights (London), transfers, nine nights full board, all safari activities and some watersports in Majete.

Bolivia

Reasoning: On December 4, Aer Europa launches new flights from Gatwick, via Madrid, to Santa Cruz in Bolivia. Visit this colossal and landlocked country with its staggering scenery, from Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flats, to the unusual Red and Green Lagoons, and the intensely biodiverse Madidi National Park.

Absorb the rich and colourful folklore of a population that is 60 per cent indigenous (Quechua, Aymara and Guarani), spend time at the pre-Inca site of Tiwanaku, dating from 1500 BC, and travel high into the Andes.

Sample trip: Sunvil Traveller* (020-8758- 4774, sunvil.co.uk) offers a ten-night Essential Bolivia itinerary from £3,060 pp (two sharing) including flights (Gatwick), some meals, all transfers and private fullyguided excursions.

Kilpisjarvi, Finland

Reasoning: 2013 will provide the best Northern Lights-viewing opportunity in a decade, but that means everyonell be going, and space will be hard to come by. Step forward, then, one of Lapland’s most remote spots.

Truly far-flung, the Finnish Lapland town of Kilpisjarvi sits by a three-country border with Norway and Sweden and boasts remarkably regular Aurora Borealis sightings.

Visitors can get there via the designated Northern Lights Route from Muonio, too.

Sample trip: The Aurora Zones (01670-785- 012, theaurorazone.com) seven-night trip to Kilpisjarvi and Muonio costs £1,995pp (two sharing) including flights (Heathrow), transfers, full board and activities such as cross-country skiing and Aurora-hunts by snowmobile.

St Vincent and The Grenadines

Reasoning: “A major game-changer”, that’s what the CEO of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority calls the forthcoming Argyle Airport. Costing $250m, the terminal will be able to handle 1.5 million annual passengers, five times as many as the islands existing international airport, when it opens in November next year. With direct flights from Gatwick expected, would-be visitors have two options: go in advance before the masses arrive, or wait until St Vincent becomes the latest Caribbean paradise du jour.

Sample trip: Holidays Please (0844-463-2799, holidaysplease.co.uk) offers a seven-night stay at Palm Island from £1,965pp (two sharing) in 2013, including scheduled flights (Gatwick via Barbados), transfers, all-inclusive accommodation and use of a private lounge at Gatwick.

Romania

Reasoning: Given the Royal seal of approval by Prince Charles, who owns property there, Romania has been referred to as “Europe’s last great wilderness”. Step back in time, with farmers still working their fields with horses and drawing water from picture-postcard wells. Stay in locally-owned accommodation that, while adapted to western standards, still retains its original character. Visit soon, while numbers are still relatively low and the country’s authentic charms remain intact.

Sample trip: A 12-night Romania Life as it used to be escorted tour costs £2,195 pp (two sharing) with Ffestiniog Travel* (01766-772- 030, ffestiniogtravel.com). Price includes flights (London), first-class rail travel within Romania (where available), B&B, seven lunches and three evening meals, transfers, excursions and the services of a tour leader, plus a local professional guide. Departs May 12.

Costa Alentejana, Portugal

Reasoning: The rural Alentejo region produces 46 per cent of Portugals wine and its starting to be recognised as a rising star to oenophiles in the know. The coastal part, the Costa Alentejana, lesser-known for its vinotourism than for its glorious beaches and craggy coves, is home to a number of hidden yet high-end vineyards. Visit the vast and sustainability-focused Herdade da Comporta, with high-quality wines alongside community- based initiatives surprisingly it also produces tonnes of rice from its acres of rice fields each year or the Herdade do Portocarro, which will launch distribution of its best wines in the UK later in 2012.

Sample trip: Sunvil Discovery* (0208-758- 4722, sunvil.co.uk) offers a stay at the ecofriendly Aqualuz Resort, on the coast, from £808pp (two sharing a spacious apartment suite) including seven nights B&B, flights (London) and car hire.

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