The unprecedented takedown of 2020 took us all by surprise; holidays have been cancelled, plans have been postponed, and travel has been completely off-limits for most of us.
Now, it’s almost time for a do-over.
As we approach the turn into the new year, it’s time to start flirting with the idea of 2021 travel and what that may look like for us. Together with the expert knowledge from our locals on the ground, we have gathered together six countries for 2021 travel and a selection of the best trips to take there.
Travelling in private transport, with no big tour groups, minimising exposure to destinations that draw in large crowds and strict hygiene policies; these trips are specifically designed for and can be tailored to those that are looking to travel safely in 2021 and beyond.
The world is waiting; make 2021 the year that you discover somewhere new.
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Greece Travel Looks Tempting
Think sun-bleached ruins, whitewashed houses perched over the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, pristine beaches and jaw-dropping scenery; welcome to Greece! Often known as the ‘Cradle of Western civilisation’, Greece has been instrumental in the development of Europe as we know it.
On the mainland, you’ll punctuate your days with marvellous monasteries perched atop rock monoliths, the very ring where the first Olympians competed and ancient cities oozing grandiosity. On the mainland, you’ll find some of the best places to visit in Greece compiled into an easy road trip itinerary.
If you do make a hop, skip and a jump to one of Greece’s 227 inhabited islands, you’ll find pristine beaches, dormant volcanoes, cobblestone streets in old towns and abundant fruits of the Earth including wine and olive oil. Greek island hopping tours deliver something for everyone; dedicated beach bums, active thrill-seekers and history buffs will find contentment on the Greek islands.
Wherever you are in Greece, you’ll feel the warmth of the socially-spirited locals who welcome visitors with open arms with the interest of filling your belly. Greek cuisine sits at the core of 4,000 years of time-honoured recipes, local ingredients and influence from its Meditteranean counterparts. As you travel around on a Greece vacation package, you’ll find cooking styles, local flavours and recipes vary from region to region.
The beauty of Greece is that it is everyone’s perfect destination.
Best Time to Go on a Trip to Greece
Peak season hits Greece during the European summer, mid-July to the end of August. During this time, temperatures soar, crowds can be overpowering, and everything you do will have to be booked in advance. On the flip side, autumn and winter bring cooler temperatures, golden sunny days and no crowds. However, you can be caught out in the offseason by the lack of boats and flights running between Greece’s top destinations.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Greece is June or September. The temperatures will still be high, but you’ll avoid the crowds that come with high season.
Greece Tours Not to Miss
- Travel through several millennia and layers of history in the capital city of Greece on this 7-day Athens itinerary with a trip to Sifnos.
- Strap on your hiking boots and embark on this 8-day Crete tour with the perfect mix of relaxing and sightseeing.
- Spend five days touring Greek islands on this Cyclades island hopping tour.
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Think About a Japan Tour
Nowhere else in the world does old meet new quite like Japan; a land of impressive contrasts where the creaking of old wooden temples is met by lightning-fast transportation to create a holiday destination that will constantly keep you on your toes.
From the mountains of Fuji to the beaches of Okinawa, few people realise just how diverse Japan travel can be. As a country known for its big cities, getting out of the concrete jungles of Osaka or Tokyo opens up a whole new world of verdant nature and innumerable places to go in Japan.
To experience the best of Japan, you must do as locals do and don your yukata for a day or two in an onsen. Japan tours can have you kicking back and relaxing in an onsen town such as Hakone, where you can spend your day hopping from hot spring to hot spring, only stopping for some soba and sake.
More active travellers can follow the pilgrimage trail of the Kobo Daishi, Shikoku Ohenro, that will take you along remote and sometimes challenging routes to discover the temples built by the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. A unique opportunity to dip into a side of Japanese culture that is deeply rooted in society.
Whether you are an art-lover, an avid skier or a foodie; Japan tours will never fail to amaze you with what the landscape and the people have to offer. This country wears its culture on its sleeve, immersing you the minute you step off the plane.
Best Time to Visit Japan
As a skiing destination, a springtime sensation and a series of islands; Japan is, without doubt, a year-round country. The key to travelling in Japan is to know that the weather and climate can vary dramatically depending on where you are.
For comfortable temperatures and reasonable humidity, the best months are between March and early April or late October to November. Of course, if your Japan travel itinerary involves skiing, then you’ll want to aim for December to late March.
Customisable Japan Tour Packages
- Be taken into winter in Japan on this 2-day Nagano sights and skiing tour.
- To become acquainted with the many cultural facets of Japan, look no further than this 5-day Shikoku 88-Ohenro pilgrimage trail trip.
- This 4-day Nikko exploration from Tokyo is the perfect alternative Tokyo itinerary as you explore the city and the surrounding area.
A Morocco Tour Awaits
From vast desert plains to arid mountain ranges and even snow-capped mountains, the only thing more diverse than Morocco’s landscapes is its culture and people.
Marking the beginning of the Silk Road, Morocco’s old-time feel of roads well-travelled can still be felt. From the oldest city of Fes with its 9,000 alleyways in the medina to the chaos of Marrakesh, trading is very much still ingrained into this country’s character and at the heart of what its people do.
Heading out of the city, you’ll enter a world that is uniquely Moroccan with dusty roads, kasbahs and caravans on the horizon. Known as the door to the desert, Ouarzazate has long been a small crossing point for African traders on their way to Europe, marked by the colossal Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ighrem and UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best places to visit in Morocco, the ighrem is home to some of the finest examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture that this area is known for.
The next stop after Ouarzazate is Merzouga, sitting close to the border of Algeria and known as the most impressive desert areas in the country. No trip to Morocco is complete without visiting the desert, and Merzouga typifies the experience with the chance to sleep under the stars and catch a sunrise over the sand.
Best Time to for Morocco Travel
It is possible to travel to Morocco at any time of the year. For the best experience, the shoulder seasons, between March and May or September and October are best. Fewer people will be travelling at this time. Morocco travel, particularly in the desert, will not be as hot at this time too.
Irresistible Morocco Tours
- Become acquainted with the delicate flavours of Moroccan cuisine in this 6-day Moroccan food tour.
- This once-in-a-lifetime desert tour from Marrakesh is an essential Moroccan experience covering the country’s most important cities.
- For those that don’t have a lot of time but still want to see what Morocco has to offer, this 3-day Merzouga and Dades Valley trip is perfect.
Travel to Sri Lanka
Dangling like a droplet off the south coast of India, this beach-fringed ‘Paradise Island’ in the Indian Ocean is a land of contrasting landscapes, individuality and low-key tourism.
The key advantage to the country’s size is being able to reach the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in a matter of hours from any point on the island. However, Sri Lanka’s small size does not mean that it doesn’t pack a punch. With more UNESCO sites than most countries its size, an abundance of timeless ruins and wildlife-rich landscapes in the form of jungles, rainforest, cool highland plateaus and national parks, Sri Lanka is wonderfully diverse.
Those looking to tick off some of Sri Lanka’s epic scenic train journeys will head to the hill country along with avid trekkers, history buffs and tea enthusiasts. Away from the rainforest-clad peaks and quaint hill stations in the centre of the island, you’ll find an endless string of sandy gems, epic surf and dive spots and a myriad of ancient charms.
Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted Buddhist culture and its Arab, Malay, Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial influences over the years have resulted in a unique cultural identity. Taking all of this into account, Sri Lanka shapes up as a top travel destination, yet still, one that often hides in plain sight when compared to the Southeast Asia giants. All the better, as despite its recent growth, Sri Lanka remains wholly unspoilt and undeveloped in many parts.
Best Time of Year for a Sri Lanka Tour
Two separate monsoon seasons punctuate Sri Lanka’s climate; whilst one part of the island is wet, the other is dry, meaning you can usually dodge the rain. The east and west are mirror images of each other when it comes to seasons.
For the south and central areas, the best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and March. If you’re looking to visit Arugam Bay and Trincomalee on your Sri Lanka tour, then April to September is the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tours to Inspire
- Create everlasting memories to celebrate tying the knot on this 12-day Sri Lanka honeymoon package.
- Spend 5 days in Sri Lanka and gain a deep insight into the country’s rich colonial, cultural and natural heritage.
- Tick off the best places to visit in Sri Lanka on this 15-day tour of Sri Lanka.
Think jaw-dropping beauty; think deep blue fjords and sprawling glaciers; think quaint arctic towns and historic cities; Norway is breathtakingly beautiful.
A plethora of magical natural phenomena lies right in front of you on your Norway tour from the northern lights to the midnight sun. It is a winter paradise. Making up one-third of Scandinavia, Norway presents an intriguing blend of culture and nature with a hefty dose of history spanning as far back as the last Ice Age.
Today, Norway travel revolves around its intriguing history, spectacular beauty and abundance of thrill-seeking and once-in-a-lifetime activities; simply put, it is a country of ‘firsts’ and bucket-list ticks. Away from the snowmobiles, ice and remote towns, Norway’s cosmopolitan cities boast an irresistible Scandinavian flair and charm.
Not only is Norway one of the world’s top active destinations, but it is also one of the few places in Europe where you’ll be able to spot polar bears, the elusive arctic fox and whales (humpback, sperm and orca). Spotting any of these treasured species will be sure to leave you spellbound by Norway.
Best Time of Year for Norway Travel
Blessed with beauty year-round, Norway spans nine different climate types and with half of the country being above the Arctic circle. As you can imagine, the temperatures and unique happenings vary drastically across this country.
From June to August (the European summer) is the high season in Norway, when the hotspots will be busy, and you’ll have to book tours and accommodation in advance. The low season in Norway lasts from November to April. With this in mind, the best times to visit Norway are the shoulder seasons – May to June and September to October. During the shoulder seasons, the weather is comfortable, and there aren’t too many other tourists.
Trips to Take in Norway
- Sleep in a hotel made of ice and keep warm under reindeer hides on this 3-day Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel trip to Norway.
- Try dog sledding, ice fishing, king crab safaris, snowmobiling and snowshoe tours on this 3-day active Norway tour.
A Canada Tour is Calling
As the second-biggest country in the world, only the areas closest to the coast of Canada are really explored; however, what they contain is impressive. From dynamic cities with award-winning cuisine to incomparable outdoor adventures, Canada’s offerings are sure to impress all manner of travellers.
Canada tours can be divided into the east and west; in the west, you have famous locations like Vancouver, where you have a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with amazing food experiences from around the world, fresh salmon, and of course, the humble local favourite, poutine. Further inland, Banff, Jasper and Whistler are hiking destinations come summer and internationally renowned skiing destinations in winter.
While the east coast sings of Canada’s First People, the west coast has a clear influence from the European settlers, of which Scotland and France are prominent. In Montreal and Quebec, French food is made with passion and soul, attracting foodies such as the late-Anthony Bourdain to learn about the Quebecois take on the cuisine. Conversely, on Breton Island, Celtic festivals are annual, and maritime tales are told like they were yesterday.
No matter what you think the best place to travel in Canada is, creativity is at the heart of every city with festivals galore including film, jazz and the Fringe, which covers all manner of arts into one!
Best Time of Year to Visit Canada
A country of extremes, Canada is known for its unapologetic winters and favourable summers to explore the endless landscapes. Put these two together, and you have year-round Canadian travel.
Canada is huge, so it is difficult to sum up the temperatures that you will experience, however, you can expect -10 degrees celsius (yes, you read that correctly) in winter and around 27 degrees celsius in summer with varying degrees based on the region.
Your Canada Trip Awaits
Take a step back in time and feel the maritime history of Cape Breton on this 4-day Cabot Trail walking tour.
This 14-day West Canada and wine country trip takes you out of the city and into the stunning mountain ranges of the west for an unforgettable nature experience.
Time to Get Thinking About Your Next Trip?
At Designer Journeys, we connect you with Local Designers in over 60 countries around the globe who are ready and waiting to design your dream trip. Together with extra precautions and measurements in place, private tailored travel means small groups, private transport and strict hygiene policies leaving you feeling safer when you do travel again.
Browse our gallery of fully-customisable tours and start thinking about your next trip! Alternatively, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can ‘Design Your Own Trip’ to connect directly with one of our Local Designers who will take your budget, travel style and interests and create your dream itinerary!
