109 views

It's time to find out what destinations will be on everyone's lips come 2019 We're nearing the end of 2018, and you know what that means: it's time to start thinking about next year's travel plans. But where to go, you ask? We sat down with Abercrombie & Kent's Managing Director for Australia and Asia Pacific, Sujata Raman, to find out what destinations will be on everyone's lips come 2019. Armenia This tiny country in the southern Caucasus boasts one of the world's oldest civilisations, was the earliest nation to adopt Christianity and produces world famous brandy which is reported to have been distilled there since the 12th century. Why Visit? "It's an unspoiled destination full of breathtaking mountain landscapes and amazing religious monuments, from churches and monasteries to an unexpected Hellenic style temple," Raman told Luxury Travel Magazine. "The capital, Yerevan, is charming with wide, leafy boulevards lined with cafés and wine bars dishing up hearty cuisine and local varietals." Egypt After a period of hiatus, Egypt is now firmly back and on trend. A&K knows this timeless destination like the back of its hand, with nine offices throughout the country and headquarters in Cairo, a fleet of small ships on the Nile, private docking facilities in Luxor and Aswan plus a stable of highly qualified Egyptologist guides. Why Visit? Raman says now is the time to get back to this world-famous destination: "Get there before the crowds return, and check out the world's most iconic ancient sights, the Pyramids, Sphinx, pharaonic tombs and temples, cruise the Nile and stay in some grand historic hotels." The Kimberley by Sea The Kimberley is one of Australia's most beautiful and diverse regions, with ancient aboriginal rock art, tidal waterfalls, coral reefs, pristine mangrove ecosystems, coastal gorges, amazing birdlife, saltwater crocs and other wildlife. And what better way to see it than from the comfort of the luxury all-balcony vessel Le Laperouse on A&K's new Kimberley tour? Why Visit? "The spectacular Kimberley landscape and coastline is something every Australian should see," Raman told Luxury Travel Magazine. "This 12-night journey is a first for A&K and our award-winning Expedition Team will be on board with leading experts including local indigenous personality Bart Pigram and photographer Philip Schubert – who has spent his whole life in W.A. and has a deep passion for and knowledge of the Kimberley region." Japan Though steeped in tradition, parts of Japan are starkly new-age. The capital Tokyo is as modern a city as you'll find with its skyscrapers, neon lights and fashionably dressed citizens yet kimono clad folk still frequent ancient Shinto shrines. There's incredible architecture, a fascinating history, world-famous gardens and cutting-edge art installations. Why Visit? "See the cherry blossoms, watch sumo wrestlers in action, meet the women who free-dive for pearls, travel on world-famous bullet trains and dine on traditional Japanese cuisine! What's not to love?" Akagera National Park, Rwanda The 100,000-hectare Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda boasts some of the most scenic savannah in Africa and is home to one of the continent's highest hippo densities as well as elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, zebra, giraffe and a range of antelope species. A&K now has an office in the Rwandan capital and has added Akagera to its gorilla tracking programme and safari portfolio. Why Visit? "Be amongst the first to stay at stunning new Magashi Camp, on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, which opens early 2019 in Rwanda's last protected savannah ecosystem where rare species like the eastern black rhino and shoebill stork are found." ireport.am