15 trips to book a year in advance
The rush is real: clicking that ‘reserve flights’ or ‘confirm reservation’ button can cause a spike in dopamine, the happy hormone partly responsible for travel being so deliciously addictive. Make the most of that holiday high – future-proofing your itinerary by booking in advance saves you money, reduces the risk of missing out (all being well) and secures your spot on flights, expeditions, tours and hot tickets. The longer you have to plan, the longer you can stay, too – which is better for you and better for the planet. From the mountains of Rwanda to the ice caps of Antarctica, here are 15 trips to book a year in advance.
Getty ImagesCosta Rica, Central America
Best for: a far-flung family holiday
Your kids might learn about the rainforest at school – but there’s nothing like seeing it in real life to nurture their interest in nature and inspire their curiosity. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse and environmentally friendly places on the planet, and it’s not just children who are enchanted by butterflies bigger than birds, noisy green macaws, bead-eyed tree frogs and comical-looking sloths. It’s a relatively small country, so it’s possible to take in the rainforest canopy, pineapple plantations, sandy beaches and mist-topped mountains all in one trip.
The best eco-lodges, home rentals and hotels in Costa Rica fill up six months to a year in advance, and domestic flights between the airports in Liberia and San José sell out in high season (November to April). Plan in advance and book into one of the country's famous eco-friendly stays – we like the Victorian-style bungalows at Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo or the luxurious Lapa Rios Lodge on the Osa Pensinsula. For a private stay, there are some truly fantastic Airbnbs in Costa Rica, from an open-air treehouse in Puntarenas to a tropical beach villa in Santa Teresa.
Getty ImagesSouth Korea
Best for: recipe collectors
South Korea’s capital Seoul is famous for its cafés and K-food, but the country’s cuisine is much more than bulgogi barbecue, bibimbap rice and Insta-friendly designer dishes. The kitchens in the southern regions are drawing travellers down and out of the capital, with tour operators designing itineraries that guide guests through the ingredients, culture and history of each recipe. Responsible Travel has put together an eight-day experience that invites travellers to the table where they get to sample authentic flavours, dine with monks in Gyeongju, shop the street-food markets and learn to make kimchi. On the coast, Jeollanam-do spotlights fresher, lighter flavours straight from the ocean such as fermented crab gejang, plus richer dishes including beef-rib soup. You can also stay in a temple at Baekyangsa, where Buddhist nun and chef Jeong Kwan (of Chef’s Table fame) has a meditative approach to Korean cooking.
Most arriving by air will travel through Seoul at some point – so factor in a few days to check out chefs such as Yim Jung-sik and Mingoo Kang, who have been putting the city on the Michelin-starred map with their internationally-acclaimed menus. For an authentic stay, book into a beautiful Hanok homestay in Seoul, like this refurbished Airbnb gem within Bukchon Hanok Village.
Ludovic BalayThe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Best for: romantics
Ask most people what’s on their travel bucket list, and you can guarantee that a trip on Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is up there. Long associated with romance and timeless glamour, there are few things as enjoyable as a journey on one of these famous trains through Europe. Thanks to a focus on slow travel, you can now justify your ticket as a greener way of getting around – although this experience is about much more than getting from A to B. From the moment you arrive at the station and the lacquered dark blue carriages come into view – the gold lettering glinting as passers-by take photos and smartly dressed porters hop on and off assisting other lucky passengers with their luggage – you feel like you’ve stepped into the pages of an Agatha Christie novel.
There are 70 routes to explore, including Paris to Verona and Amsterdam to Venice. On the Florence to Paris route, squeeze in a stay at Castello di Casole beforehand so you can start your trip with freshly cooked pizza from the hotel’s 17th-century pizza oven and glasses of wine from their vineyard while watching the sun set behind the rolling Tuscan hills.
Once on board and directed to your cabin, there’s little to do but sit back, sip Champagne and watch as the train station melts away and towns and fields speed past you. A three-course lunch in one of the three 1920s dining cars is next, followed by an afternoon drinking cocktails in '3674' – the train’s Art Deco bar car – before dressing in your finery for the evening.
Time slips away as quickly as the snow-capped mountains whizzing past the window, and after a decadent dinner followed by martinis in the bar car – accompanied by the tinkling of a piano and, if you’re lucky, a sing-song from the bar staff – it’s time to climb into bed and let the movement of the train (and aforementioned martinis) lull you to sleep.
If you don’t quite manage the 6am wake up to see the sunrise over Champagne, then you’ll stir as the train pulls into Paris and coffee and pastries arrive promptly at your cabin. All that’s left is to wonder how quickly you can save for your next Venice Simplon-Orient-Express adventure. Sarah Allard
Getty ImagesUtah, USA
Best for: indulging your inner child
Ice castles, rock climbing, dinosaur bones: it sounds like a preschooler might have dreamed up the activities available in Utah, but perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned from exploring with the wide-eyed curiosity of the young. Especially when it comes to Utahraptor State Park, which has one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in North America, and Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument. You’ll never forget the first time you see the 2,000-year-old petroglyphs (the Navajo name is Tse' Hone, which means a rock that tells a story).
Both are within driving distance from Moab, where a new glass-domed train by Rocky Mountaineers will be run from April to October (so almost a year away). The two-night trip travels between Denver and Moab, and the tracks carve a line through an otherworldly landscape of hoodoos, deserts and canyons – Utah has the third-highest number of national parks in the country, closely followed by Colorado, and canyoning is one of the most exhilarating activities here. In January 2023, Utah's famous Arctic Alcove ice castles are set to return, opening with hand-carved tunnels, caves and caverns, private rooms for special occasions, sleigh rides and light installations.
Getty ImagesUruguay
Best for: using up leftover annual leave
Uruguay’s summer runs from December to March, so it’s a popular winter break for sun-starved Europeans and the best time to guarantee everything is up and running (many restaurants and hotels close out of season). While locals spend long weekends in the coastal capital of Montevideo, foreigners flex their Spanglish in José Ignacio – a former fishing village turned buzzy beach town. Thanks to the pandemic, its exciting new openings still feel like well-kept secrets – from Posada Ayana, home to James Turrell’s Skyspace installation, to Luz, a palm-fringed wine lodge just metres from the beach.
Seafront favourite Playa Vik has reopened with a new yoga and wellness space designed with resident expert Isabella Channing, and just out of town, the high-design Sacromonte Landscape Hotel has opened in the wild sierras of Maldonado. Although Francis Mallmann’s restaurants Chiringuito and Bodega Garzón are on many bucket lists, few know that the latter also offers a rather lovely casita to take over as your own – Casa Anna can be self-catering, but you can also book to have your meals prepared by Mallmann himself.
Getty ImagesVancouver Island, Canada
Best for: off-grid wilderness
Part of British Columbia, Vancouver Island was originally the land of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish peoples, and while the country is still coming to terms with its colonial past, progress is being made, with renewed respect and interest in indigenous history. Planning means you can take the time to seek out experiences that celebrate – rather than sell – native peoples’ culture, which is growing in volume and demand (plus, ferries from the mainland book up in advance, especially in summer).
Take to waters navigated by the Songhees Nation for centuries on a marine tour; sail the Sailish Seas with Talaysay Tours; or go fishing for halibut and lingcod with Haida Style Expeditions, whose founder was born into the Tsaahl Eagle Clan. In listening to their stories, hearing about their heritage and understanding their lifestyles, these experiences not only educate travellers but help them to reconnect with nature. Vancouver Island offers some serious nature to reconnect with, from glassy lakes, quiet lagoons and snow-topped mountains to sandy beaches and surf spots that are home to orcas, black bears, wolves, elk and sea otters. The outdoors is where it’s at – so whether you prefer camping under canvas or parking up roadside in your renovated RV, Vancouver Island is one of BC’s best spots for road trips and recreational camping. Tent-toters should head north of Campbell River, while drivers will find plenty of overnight parking (up to eight hours) for free.
Getty ImagesHokkaido, Japan
Best for: skiing
The highly anticipated ski-in-ski-out Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono boasts the island’s only three-Michelin star chef, 11 restaurants and an onsen natural hot spring. Newcomer Sansui Niseko offers a fully serviced alternative to townhouses by Kasara or Airbnb (the latter of which are particularly high quality here), and, in 2023, Aman will open its fourth Japanese property on the slopes of Mount Moiwa in the form of a ski resort and spa.
The outskirts of Sapporo are stunning in autumn, with the koyo (the appearance of autumn leaves) at its most colourful around mid-October, but between November and April Hokkaido’s snow is so good it’s virtually guaranteed – so you don’t have to leave booking your holiday to the last minute to ensure you get good weather.
Getty ImagesHawaii, USA
Best for: a romantic getaway
For those planning a honeymoon or wedding in 2023, the American archipelago of Hawaii is a classic romantic go-to for a reason. Hawaii is also particularly LGBT+ friendly, and gay marriage has been legal here since 2013, making it an inclusive getaway where you can’t help but fall for the white sands, world-class surf spots, big-name retreats and thriving reefs.
A series of sexy openings and redesigns such as the Rosewood Kona Village (set to debut this year) and Mauna Lani Auberge (now open post-£75-million transformation) contend with boutique boltholes such as White Sands Hotel and Surfjack, a low-key club for longboarders – or those who just like the lifestyle.
From the UK, flights to Honolulu take around 17 hours with one stop (often in LA or San Francisco), so factor in travel time, jet lag and whether it’s worth building a stopover into your trip. The go-slow attitude of the islands and stay-all-day hotels mean you won’t be under any pressure to do anything – but watching the sunset over the Pacific is just one of the many unforgettable experiences you’ll want to share with your plus-one.
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Getty ImagesJordan, Middle East
Best for: an otherworldly winter break
Another blockbuster backdrop, Jordan’s archeological city of Petra was named one of the new seven wonders of the world in 2007 for its extraordinary rock-carved architecture and the Al Siq canyon. EasyJet launched a direct route from the UK to Aqaba in 2018 – it’s a couple of hours’ drive from Petra, but visitors to the sliver of Red Sea coast come for the sun, souks and sunshine and stay for the beautiful Islamic architecture, desert landscapes and scuba-diving opportunities. Spring is the best time to visit – just ask the winged travellers at the Aqaba Bird Observatory. If you fly into the capital, Amman, a metropolis of ancient tradition and entrepreneurial spirit greets you, alongside a slew of social enterprises such as SEP Jordan, a female-run shop that supports Palestinian refugees, and Beit Sitti, which gives local women a platform to showcase their culinary talents.
Getty ImagesAntarctica
Best for: the thrill of an extreme environment
Antarctic travel is still trying to strike a balance between over-tourism and sustainable travel, with the International Association for Antarctica Tour Operators reporting a 53 per cent increase in visitors over the past few years. Once accessible only to wealthy explorers or well-funded scientists, it’s exciting that this stark, striking landscape is further opening up to the public with every year that passes. Many choose to visit during the austral summer (November to March), when there’s less sea ice and more sun (ideal for skiing, kayaking and snowshoeing).
While wildlife is sparse on the ice, underwater it thrives, which is why a polar cruise is one of the smartest ways to see the continent, and helping to conserve the environment you visit won’t just benefit future travellers, but entire generations. Choose a vessel that prioritises the environment such as Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship to hit these waters, or book with an operator such as Abercrombie & Kent or White Desert, which offers Antarctica’s only on-land ‘hotel’ at Whichaway Camp.
Getty ImagesLadakh, Himalayas
Best for: against-the-odds explorers
Trekking in the Himalayas comes with its own set of logistical, financial and physical challenges, so booking well in advance can make a huge difference to how much you take away from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Big groups will struggle to be spontaneous, and allowing yourself several months to improve your fitness is well worth it for long days on the mountains – the fitter you are, the easier and more enjoyable it will be.
If you’re determined to spot the region’s elusive snow leopard too, a good local guide is essential, and they book up fast – plus Hemis National Park only issues 50 tourist permits per day for snow leopard tracking (available through tour operators). Ladakh is at its loveliest, and busiest, between April and July, so consider booking through a sustainable operator such as Voygr Expeditions, andBeyond or Responsible Travel, all of whom offer various tours that put visitors up in family homestays, provide expert spotters and support snow-leopard conservation, as well as the local community.
Getty ImagesRwanda, Africa
Best for: seasoned safari-goers
For decades, safari centred around Big Five game, but Rwanda has something that Kenya, Zambia and Botswana do not: silverback mountain gorillas. As a country, Rwanda has been a champion of ecotourism since long before the term went mainstream, with reforestation, conservation and caps on visitor numbers protecting the environment and the wildlife within it. It’s a success story that has quadrupled the gorilla population in the past 40 years. In the Virunga Mountains, only eight people may trek a particular gorilla group each day, with encounters limited to one hour. Visitors are told to stay at least 20ft away, but often it’s the playful gorillas that break these rules, barrelling through the bush and not paying much attention to the rules of social distancing (recall David Attenborough’s encounter in 1978, when he commented, ‘There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than any other animal I know’).
A troop of recent openings such as Magashi Camp, Singita Kwitonda Lodge and One&Only’s Gorilla’s Nest and Nyungwe House have proven themselves to experienced safari-goers. And in 2023 travellers will be able to stay on Lake Kivu, too, on Mantis’s new vessel Kivu Queen uBuranga, an upscale houseboat from which guests can access Volcanoes National Park and the Albertine Rift (a birdwatcher’s dream). RwandAir recently announced 32 new routes to capital Kigali, making it easier to turn your two-way holiday into a multi-stop trip.
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Getty ImagesNorthern Territory, Australia
Best for: exploring indigenous culture
Australia’s east coast has become something of a gap-year student’s rite of passage, so in comparison the country’s Northern Territory feels relatively unfamiliar – in 2019, just over 905,000 visitors headed to Darwin versus 16.1 million travelling to Sydney. Australia’s Aboriginal culture exists in the foreground here, with indigenous-owned businesses such as Cicada Lodge inviting visitors to learn about the Jawoyn people and the Tiwi Islands just 80km north of Darwin. The archipelago is known as the ‘islands of smiles’, and the Tiwi people have managed to maintain their language and customs, with a unique welcome ceremony on arrival, traditional dance (yoi) and distinctive art.
Access to the islands is limited, with the ferry running only three times a week and limitations on the numbers of travellers allowed. AAT Kings and SeaLink NT run reliable timetables, and it’s easiest to book a day trip through an operator as special permits are required for independent travellers. We recommend starting at Cicada Lodge, an ideal, beautifully designed base from which to explore Nitmiluk National Park. After a day trip to Tiwi, take the Ghan train through the Outback all the way to Adelaide.
Getty ImagesLas Vegas, USA
Best for: pure, unadulterated fun
For those momentous celebrations on the horizon, the glamour, glitz, silliness and sparkle of Las Vegas may do just the trick. The ideal venue? The latest newcomer to the city, and the first to open on Las Vegas Boulevard in over a decade, Resorts World has a Koh Samui-inspired dayclub, a 5,000-capacity theatre and a games room with giant beer pong.
The Strip has also seen a handful of places to stay cleaning up their environmental act lately, such as the Waldorf Astoria and Aria Resort & Casino, both of which have gold LEED certification, and MGM Resorts, partially powered by its own solar farm. Airlines tend to release flights to Vegas up to 12 months in advance, but be aware that listed hotel prices often don’t include taxes, big conventions can drive up costs and, weatherwise, spring is the best time to visit.
Getty ImagesPeru
Best for: exploring ancient sites
Ancient citadels, Crayola-hued mountains, lush jungles and cities full of culture and colour – Peru's roster of attractions appeal to everyone from backpackers to luxury-loving travellers. Of course, Machu Picchu – the 15th-century Inca citadel – is world-famous for a reason. More than 1.5 million people visit every year to explore the abandoned architectural remains, with those prioritising a seriously glamorous holiday travelling on the ultra-chic Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train.
Away from Machu Picchu, though, there is much else to be discovered – a buzzing capital, Lima, which has a UNESCO-protected historic centre; an astonishing restaurant scene (Virgilio Martinez's Central was named the planet's top restaurant in The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2023); and the sprawling Peruvian Amazon, the second-largest expanse of Amazon jungle after Brazil. Direct flights from the UK to Lima take off all year – the earlier you book, the better deal you're likely to nab. Remember to book trips to Machu Picchu in advance – especially in the high season (May-October).