Wiltshire

Dreaming of escaping the cold for endless sandy beaches? Or fancy trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Piccu next year? We’ve picked the brains of Pewsey-based <a href="https://sarahwatts.notjusttravel.com/">Sarah Watts</a>, our fave personal travel consultant, for her top ideas for 2020…
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Long haul beach &#8211; Koh Samui
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One of the larger islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is synonymous with Thailand&#8217;s sun-blushed beach vibes. Gorgeous resorts and hotels for every budget are teamed with divine cuisine, relaxing spas and stunning sands adorned with hammocks, with incredible snorkelling adding to the charm. This is an island ideal for anyone, from loved-up honeymooners, to families seeking an escape.
 
Short haul beach &#8211; Crete
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17431" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.22.52.png" alt="" width="1000" height="665" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.22.52.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.22.52-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.22.52-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.22.52-720x479.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can admire the remnants of ancient civilisations, explore glorious beaches, view impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys, steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover.
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Adventure &#8211; trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17440" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.40.png" alt="" width="1000" height="664" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.40.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.40-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.40-768x510.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.40-720x478.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
A great holiday and one to tick off the bucket list. A secret city, never found by those pesky conquistadores, perched in the mountains, swirled by mists and mysteries – it’s the stuff of travel legend. If you can, go on foot &#8211; the city deserves the slow build and the accumulated excitement that trekking there provides. Don&#8217;t forget, you must have a permit for the Inca Trail and only a limited number are released each year. Unsurprisingly, they sell out quick!
 
Eco holiday &#8211; Costa Rica
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17439" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.50.png" alt="" width="1000" height="563" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.50.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.50-300x169.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.50-768x432.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.50-720x405.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Costa Rica is leading the way as one of the world’s most successful eco-tourism destinations, renowned for its abundance of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, volcanoes, fascinating wildlife and incredible natural beauty. Impressively, 98.1% of the country’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2016 alone. The Lapa Rios Lodge is surrounded by over 1000 acres of protected rainforest and sits adjacent to the Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Stay in a thatched roof bungalow and take advantage of the salt-based pool, yoga classes and Ayurvedic massages. They have several community-based initiatives too which include installing water pumps and solar panels to supply clean water and electricity to local communities.
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Cruise &#8211; Norwegian Lights
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17438" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.58.png" alt="" width="1000" height="502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.58.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.58-300x151.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.58-768x386.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.23.58-720x361.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
The <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotels/galleries/Northern-lights-hotels-where-to-watch-the-aurora-borealis/">Northern Lights</a> can be seen from anywhere in the far northern hemisphere, including Scotland and northern England, but although they are present year-round, they can only be seen when the sky is dark at night – from mid-September to early April. Many cruise companies offer the chance to see the Northern Lights from on board a ship &#8211; there’s a wide range of choice from small expedition style ships with 500 people or less on board and specialist talks to really immerse you in the experience to larger ships from the mainstream cruise companies. Whichever you choose, this is another bucket list item.
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Sporting event &#8211; Japan
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17437" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.08.png" alt="" width="1000" height="538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.08.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.08-300x161.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.08-768x413.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.08-720x387.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
A country that needs no introduction, Japan has always been high on most travellers&#8217; bucket lists. It hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup and will be hosting the summer Olympics in July and August next year, putting it firmly on every sports fan&#8217;s radar &#8211; tickets to some events are still available. For non-sporty bods there are snow monkeys to see, cherry blossom trees to marvel at, bullet trains to ride or Mount Fuji to climb. Japan is truly one of the most mesmerising places on the planet.
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Culture &#8211; Galway, Ireland
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17436" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.16.png" alt="" width="1000" height="684" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.16.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.16-300x205.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.16-768x525.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.16-720x492.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
A European Capital of Culture for 2020, alongside Rijeka in Croatia, Galway should be on your must-visit city break list, with its year-long cultural events to celebrate the Irish city&#8217;s imagination and creativity. Already famous for its stunning scenery and delicious food, Galway treats visitors to public art, exhibitions, theatre, musical performances and more.
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Family favourite &#8211; Orlando
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17435" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.28.png" alt="" width="1000" height="536" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.28.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.28-300x161.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.28-768x412.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.28-720x386.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando never fails to amaze with its hair-raising ‘coasters of Walt Disney World and beyond. Kids step into the movies at Universal Orlando® Resort and golf fans are bowled over by its 170+ world-class courses. Its a foodie, family, adventure, theme park, craft beer heaven &#8211; in short, there’s a lot more to Orlando than Mickey Mouse (although he is pretty awesome).
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The staycation
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17434" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.38.png" alt="" width="1000" height="719" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.38.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.38-300x216.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.38-768x552.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.38-695x500.png 695w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Northumberland has been a fave for the past few years and we can&#8217;t see that changing any time soon – the region has something for everyone. The county gets rave reviews for its beautiful clean beaches, while you can also take a boat from Seahouses to the Farne Islands, or drive over the causeway to Holy Island. Bamburgh&#8217;s imposing castle, dramatically positioned next to the sea, is perfect for imagining &#8216;the olden days&#8217; of knights and queens with little ones. And don&#8217;t forget Alnwick Castle, where many scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed.
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Cruise
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-17433" src="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.48.png" alt="" width="1000" height="558" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.48.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.48-300x167.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.48-768x429.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2019/11/Screenshot-2019-11-24-10.24.48-720x402.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Always a firm family favourite, there is no other way of waking up in a different location each morning than on a cruise. World class entertainment, plus loads of activities for all ages from surf simulators to climbing walls to extreme waterparks. Some cruise lines have their own private islands in the Caribbean so you can play castaway for real, and with big brands launching new ships you’ll be spoilt for choice &#8211; even Disney and Virgin are getting involved in this fast growing marketplace. There are also themed cruises with celebrity chefs taking culinary classes, astronomers leading star gazing and the stars of Strictly Come Dancing showcasing their talents at sea.
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Well, what are you waiting for? Give Sarah a call now!
Not Just Travel – Sarah Watts, 7c High Street, Pewsey SN9 5AF, Tel: 07824 884585, <a href="https://sarahwatts.notjusttravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sarahwatts.notjusttravel.com</a>

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