Best holiday destinations 2021

1. JAPAN.

Prepare to be wowed by Japan. While Tokyo’s brightly lit skyscrapers will feel familiar, the districts of Harajuku and Akihabara show off the country's quirkier side. Look out for shops dedicated to video games, manga and anime, plus carts selling bubble tea. There’s plenty to do away from the city, too. Admire the iconic Mount Fuji, learn about the devastation caused by the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima, and snap pics of Kyoto’s Instagram-worthy temples and waterfalls. Want to explore Japan’s photo-ready landscapes, ultra-modern tech scene and fascinating history without the hassle of organising it all yourself? Book one of our Japan tours, and we’ll sort all the details for you.

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2. JAMAICA

Jamaica is made up of sugar-white beaches fringed by swaying palm trees and food huts, and a mountainous, jungle-covered interior that’s home to waterfalls and banana plantations. Sound good? That’s only the start of what Jamaica has to offer. In the capital Kingston, explore streets packed with colonial buildings and museums, plus you can pay a visit to haunted mansion, Rose Hall, in Montego Bay. Even better, Mo’ Bay is one of the island’s biggest resorts, so there’s plenty to do – including taking scuba diving lessons in the marine park.

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3. MOROCCO

Looking for the perfect holiday shot, minus the beach background? Consider Marrakech, Morocco. Rather than lazy days next to the sea, breaks here involve rainbow-hued souks, blush-coloured alcoves and desert adventures. Marrakech’s palette of colours is an Instagrammer’s dream – which is why we think it’ll continue to be a popular spot for tourists in 2021. If you do want to feel the sand between your toes, head for Agadir’s nine-kilometre beach, or book a desert-based excursion like camel riding or quad biking. Plus, as Morocco is just over three hours away by plane and warm all year round, it’s perfect for a winter break.

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4. SRI LANKA

History buff? Sri Lanka is the one for you. Few places have as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites packed into such a small area. Discover this colourful island’s 2,000 years of culture at ancient temples, hidden in caves and perched on prominent peaks. Or, spend your afternoons sipping cups of Ceylon tea at one of Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea plantations. Elsewhere, you’ll find national parks home to elephants, leopards and water buffaloes, plus large swathes of sandy, palm tree-backed beaches. Temperatures rarely dip below 30 degrees in Sri Lanka so the best time to visit is all year round.

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5. MAURITIUS

This tropical island might be famed for its sapphire waters, talc-white beaches and luxury resorts, but there’s so much more to Mauritius than just its beaches. We’re talking world-class diving and snorkelling spots – the island’s ringed by one of the biggest unbroken barrier reefs in the world, after all. Plus, there are 800-metre-high mountains and forests, home to some of the world’s rarest animals. Snap photos of giant turtles at La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes nature park, about an hour’s drive south of Belle Mare, and lace up your hiking shoes for a trek through one of the island’s national parks.

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Feeling inspired? 

Browse the list of destinations we have on offer around the world, and find out why you should book your summer 2022 holiday early. And, if you fancy going on a few short breaks instead, take a look at our list of our favourite long weekend escapes...

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Author: Lizzie Butler and Jessica Houtby