Sail on the arctic safari? 10 of the most novel travel getaways to plot for 2018

More destinations for your bucket list

1/11

It's barely 2018 and the lineup of 'places to go next' is already piling up. We know how tough deciding where the next trip is. So to help you, Bannikin Asia created this 2018 travel hit list.

It's filled with astonishing landscapes that'll leave you awestruck. More so, each destination is unique in it's own way. 

For example, you could go cycling - not just anywhere, but in the rolling deserts of Petra. Or you could unplug and surround yourself in nature - in the Amazon.

It's just the beginning. And if you choose to follow this entire list, trust us when we say that you'll be left speechless by the end of it.

So read on for the top 10 travel experiences for 2018.

Photo: Wonderlust Collective/ Instagram

 

ALSO READ: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE NEW SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 CABINS 

Travel the archipelago of the Azores

2/11

This small island group off the coast of Portugal is the next must see destination of 2018. Due to its well-preserved and wide range of biodiversity, the Azores has become the it spot for whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving, and geotourism.

It is hailed to be the ultimate holiday destination for nature and adventure lovers. Swim with dolphins, abseil in nature or explore the island with a jeep safari. 

Photo: Bannikin

 

ALSO READ: HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY: 5 TIPS TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED ON FAKE AIRBNB SITES

Sail on an Artic Safari

3/11

If you thought safaris only existed in Africa, well a whole other spectrum exists at the ends of the earth. Discover the natural wilderness of the Arctic circle aboard the ‘Ocean Endeavour’, and keep your eyes peeled for polar bears, whales, caribou and walrus among glaciers and icy seas.

Discover Greenland, which is home to the Jakobshavn Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a source of the majority of the massive icebergs in the North Atlantic. 

 Photo: Bannikin

 

ALSO READ: TRAVEL ESSENTIALS CELEBRITIES LIKE VICTORIA SONG AND JEANETTE AW CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Cycle through the Deserts of Petra

4/11

One of the ultimate things for any seasoned active traveller is exploring a new place by bike. Make that The Kingdom of Jordan, and this will be a trip for the history books.

Cycle to the city of Mt Nebo, supposedly the resting place of Moses, and many a desert road where the landscape is vast and spectacular. As an added perk, spend the night under the stars with the Bedouin people, in Wadi Rum.

Photo: 123rf

 

ALSO READ: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE NEW SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 CABINS 

Explore the coast of Scotland by Yacht

5/11

Get aboard the Eda Frandsen, a classic and beautifully converted 70-year old Gaff Cutter, and take in the spectacular views of coastal Scotland. From the remote peninsula of Knoydart, to the Isles of Skye and Rum with their dramatic rocky ridges, every inch of the landscape is stunning.

With a backdrop of the islands’ fascinating history and culture, and an experienced skipper on-board, this maritime adventure makes for a life-changing encounter of the deepest kind.

Photo: 123rf

 

ALSO READ: HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY: 5 TIPS TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED ON FAKE AIRBNB SITES

Discover the hidden valleys of Dolpa

6/11

Nepal has seen a revival in the last few years, with new and lesser-known treks becoming increasingly popular. 

For example, a trek through the hidden valleys of Dolpa features the icy turquoise waters of Phoksundo Lake, yak caravans crossing high-Himalayan passes, and some of the highest settlements on earth like the Dho-Tarap valley.

These valleys were not opened until 1989, so a trek through there is one for the bucket list.

Photo: Great Himalaya Trails

 

ALSO READ: TRAVEL ESSENTIALS CELEBRITIES LIKE VICTORIA SONG AND JEANETTE AW CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Hike the ring of Kerry mountains

7/11

No doubt, the best way to see the beauty of Ireland is by foot.

Kerry’s scenery and soaring mountains make the perfect backdrop for an exhilarating hiking trip. Through this off the beaten track, summit two of Ireland’s highest peaks, and hike through spectacular landscapes such as Killarney National Park, the wildest sections of the Kerry Way, and the rugged Dingle Peninsula.

Not for the faint hearted, make sure your fitness levels are up to speed for this journey.

Photo: Bannikin

 

ALSO READ: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE NEW SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 CABINS 

Explore the Rhino Conservation Site of Lewa

8/11

Lewa has one of the most beautiful landscapes in Kenya. Besides being famed for its variety of wild animals, and luxury award winning lodges such as Arijuju, it’s also home to a successful rhino conservation site.

Every guest that visits the site contributes to this conservation with a fee that is already included in their nightly accommodation rate.

Guests can also see the conservation in action by participating in ‘behind the scenes’ activities, such as; going out with dog teams that track poachers, or even joining a ‘rhino notching’ where a rhino gets tagged so the team can keep track of him.

Talk about travelling for a good cause! 

Photo: Martin Harvey

 

ALSO READ: HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY: 5 TIPS TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED ON FAKE AIRBNB SITES

Circumnavigate the entire island of Cuba

9/11

Discover the entire soulful island of Cuba aboard the comfort of a cruise liner. A pit stop beckons at the legendary city of Havana, birthplace of salsa music, and mojitos.

Don’t forget to stop for a picture with a vintage Cadillac on the street. Also explore the city of Cinfuegos, which is the architectural jewel of Cuba, and home to some of the best food the island has to offer.

Photo: Bannikin

 

ALSO READ: TRAVEL ESSENTIALS CELEBRITIES LIKE VICTORIA SONG AND JEANETTE AW CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Stay a week in an Amazonian Jungle Lodge

10/11

The Tambopata Research Center in Peru is the most remote jungle lodge in the Amazon. Human sightings nearby are so rare, that it is much more common to see monkeys, macaws and the odd Jaguar!

The center’s remote location makes it excellent for explorations of Amazonian nature and wildlife. All of its rooms have authentic Ese-Eja décor which has been crafted by artists from the local community of Infierno, and feature an open verandah to maximise the experience with the rainforest.

Did we tell you it takes 8 hours to get there by boat? Then again all the best places are the hardest to get to.

Photo: Paul Bertner

 

ALSO READ: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE NEW SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 CABINS 

Travel the Atacama region in Chile

11/11

Desert chasers and history buffs should take a journey through the Atacama, a landscape of sand dunes, dried river basins and rich red rock formations.

A must do is a hike through this formidable terrain before feasting your eyes on a spectacular sunset in Moon Valley.

Then manifest your inner Indiana Jones and explore the archaeological site of Yerbas Buenas. It is home to ancient petroglyphs which date back approximately 10,000 years, an ancient relic of the Atacameno people.

Photo: Bannikin

 

ALSO READ: HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY: 5 TIPS TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED ON FAKE AIRBNB SITES