2018 has started cold but busy, and if you are still considering your destination of choice this year then hopefully the following will assist in your decision making.

The heart of the ski season is upon us, and snowfall has been extensive in Northern Italy and the French Alps. So conditions are good, and there is still some availability in many resorts – even during February school half term.

This time of year and the next few months also offer a good opportunity to experience the Northern Lights, these can be found (nature permitting) in a number of locations – Iceland is always popular (city break with excursions from Reykjavik) and also in the farthest remotest locations in Finnish Lapland (activities can also include snowshoeing, husky safari and snowmobile safari to a reindeer farm with your stay in a log cabin or glass igloo); in the best conditions the phenomena fills the sky above.

Staying within (our) winter season there are regular destinations which are always well travelled, the Canary Islands, Caribbean and south of the Equator – South Africa, Australia and New Zealand (with Middle East and Asia stopovers) and more than ever Latin America.

Springtime brings additional choices from the less obvious city break – Valencia, Malaga and Bratislava – to an escorted tour around Japan following the all too brief lifespan of the cherry blossom season at it navigates south to north from late March to early May (a sakura smartphone app can be downloaded to view a forecast of the best hanami opportunities).

Experiential holidays are regarded as the next big thing. The reason for travelling to a particular destination can be cultural or culinary. And how you travel from on foot (easy walking to more taxing trekking) to cycling – immersive slow(er) touring. Companies use various means to advertise their holidays, but nothing influences better than TV chefs travelling though exotic locations and tasting local flavours; Mexico and Italy currently tempting.

Summer will eventually arrive, IT WILL!!!, and Croatia is initially appearing to be of special interest so getting booked up quickly! And further afield Canada features an abundance of varied options – self drive itineraries, rail tours through the Rockies and Alaskan cruises from the Vancouver and Victoria Island region.

An update of trends will be posted during the year, do not hesitate to contact Gates Travel to discuss your plans for travelling during 2018 and beyond.

Please also note all Gates Travel colleagues have a wealth of acquired travel knowledge and experiences, have recently visited the following destinations, and are available to offer advice, planning guidance and booking services.

USA (California & Oregon), Abu Dhabi, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Dubai, Thailand, Jersey, Malaga, Botswana, New York, Canada, Australia …