Why 2017 is the year of greenery

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a match made in heaven if you love the colour green. It’s also known as the Garden of Eden, thanks to its wealth of cloud-filled forests, national parks and breathtaking nature reserves that’ll leave you spoiled for choice.

One of the best places to immerse yourself in Pantone’s colour of the year is at the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Here, the landscape is as dramatic as it gets. Some of the main highlights include eight hanging bridges that cut right through the heart of the forest, so bird’s eye views are guaranteed. Not only that, you might spot the resident wildlife, we’re talking toucans, hummingbirds, and coiled snakes, to name a few. Don’t miss out on the beautiful butterfly sanctuary, either.

If that didn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano will. It’s a two-for-one deal here – it’s classed as both a volcano and a national park. And it’s all about thick, tropical jungles that make excellent hiking trails. As you make your way through the wilderness, you’ll come across river rapids, age-old trees, and steaming pools of sulphur. The best way to see it all is by signing up for an adrenaline-filled activity, though. You can go zip-lining across the canopies, rock-climbing up river-canyon walls, or go on a horse-back trail through the greenery. If nail-biting activities aren’t your thing, though, there are plenty of mud and hot spring baths to chill out in.

Here’s where you can find out more about our Multi-Centre holidays to Costa Rica.

Vietnam

If you’re only planning to visit one place in Vietnam, make sure it’s Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc National Park is a must-see while you’re visiting Phu Quoc. It’s not hard to find either, seeing as it covers most of the land. When you stay in neighbouring Gan Dau Beach, you’ll be around 40 minutes’ drive away from this piece of paradise. The forests are home to all kinds of creatures – and you may even spot rare, long tail macaques swinging through the treetops. Elsewhere, there are all kinds of walking trails, or you can tackle the bumpy grounds by scooter if you’re feeling adventurous.

Here’s where you can find out more about our Vietnam Multi-Centre holidays to Vietnam.

Sri Lanka

We can’t think of a better place to get back to nature than Sri Lanka. It’s also known as the teardrop of India, and is considered one of the best places in the world to tick off Asian elephants and some of the most beautiful national parks.

Minneriya National Park is just one of many places in Sri Lanka where you’ll get to spy on elephant families in their natural habitat. One of the highlights here is observing the watering hole – you’ll get to see elephants guzzling up gallons of water, as well as bathing and splashing around. The grassy plains are also home to leopards, buffalo and crocodiles – so it’s a paradise for wannabe Sir David Attenboroughs.

If there’s any landmark that tops the list when visiting Sri Lanka, it’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock. This iconic rocky mound rises up out of a blanket of green treetops, and was once believed to house a kingdom called Kassapa. You’ll really be living life on the edge up here – it’s almost 200 metres above ground. When you’re at the top, other-worldly vistas of the forests below will have you filling up your camera roll in no time.

Here’s where you can find out more about our Multi-Centre holidays to Sri Lanka.

South Africa

Have you always wanted to spot the Big Five on a safari? If you’re nodding, look no further than South Africa as your next green-inspired getaway. It’s often referred to as nature’s playground, thanks to its wildlife-filled plains, jaw-dropping mountains and swathes of green land.

We think the best way to see South Africa is out in the bush. The western coast is one of the top places in the world for wildlife encounters, and much-loved species like lions, rhinos and elephants all call it home. Plus, if you decide to visit in September, you might catch a glimpse of the Namaqualand daisies blooming all over the fields, transforming the green plains into multi-coloured pastel hues. Or, if you fancy seeing it all from above, why not hop into a cable car and visit Table Mountain, South Africa’s most famous landmark for sightseeing – we promise you won’t regret it.

South Africa isn’t just famous for wildlife, though. They’re also big on wine, here. And if you consider yourself a Sauvignon enthusiast, the Cape Winelands are definitely worth a stopover when visiting the motherland. You’ll find this world-renowned region just outside of Cape Town. It’s flanked by miles of vineyards, meaning bright-green views aren’t hard to come by. Not only that, you’ll also have dramatic mountainous landscapes in the background, so it’s really beautiful. Here’s where you can find out more about why Cape Town is a wine lover’s dream.

Are you ready to visit one of our green-tinted destinations?

Browse our Multi-Centre holidays for more inspiration.

Author: Olivia Hunt