The 12 Trips of Christmas & New Year 2022!

Posted by Hayley Cleeter 2nd September 2022
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The 12 Trips of Christmas and New Year 2022

Don't shoot the messenger, but as it turns out, Christmas is coming. Whether that fills you with joy or dread, we have a solution for you...

A Christmas or New Year's trip!

If you're more of a Christmas Grinch, you'll be able to escape the stress of present buying, tree decorating and turkey basting. Suppose, on the other hand, Christmas is one of your favourite times of the year. In that case, you'll be able to celebrate with your fellow travellers or loved ones by having an adventure of a lifetime, gazing at the stars in the Wadi Rum Desert, cruising down the Nile or indulging in a homemade Sri Lankan feast.

So whether the approaching festive period evokes a groan of foreboding or a squeal of excitement, we have plenty of time to help you to escape or embrace the holidays in a way that suits YOU!

Remember, all of our group tours can also be taken on a private basis - just get in touch and we'll be happy to help

Classic Cambodia

We expect a little magic at Christmas, but maybe not as much serenity. This tour will make sure you get both in spades - be dazzled by the sunrise over Angkor Wat and thrilled by the frenetic backstreets of colourful Phnom Penh, but also take the time to reflect on the past year with temple ceremonies and end your holiday on a peaceful island paradise. Best of both worlds!

Jordan: Lost City of Arabia

We haven't discovered Santa's workshop (yet) but Jordan's Lost City of Arabia once held mythical status, too. Follow a secret trail to discover this UNESCO treasure for yourself, sleep under a canopy of magical stars in the Wadi Rum desert and float like a snowflake on a gentle breeze in the Dead Sea. You'll find Christmas magic all around you in beautiful Jordan.

Classic Namibia

No reindeers required on this self-drive adventure through the diverse and dramatic landscapes of Namibia, where you'll find sledge-worthy sand dunes, antler-like tree skeletons, frosty-looking salt pans and wildlife-filled national parks. Enjoy the Bavarian charms of Windhoek and Swakopmund and a catamaran cruise through the breathtaking Sandwich Harbour for a Christmas that has it all.

Sri Lanka: Hidden Treasures of the Sacred Island

When it comes to Christmas, giving is often better than receiving, but with a visit to Sam Popham Arboretum in Sri Lanka, your trip can feature a little bit of both! Help in efforts to protect Sri Lanka’s endangered wildlife and plant your own native tree in support of the preservation of this habitat, but you can also enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking class in a local home and meet the Vedda tribe of Dambana and a Buddhist monk in Kandy while relishing the best this emerald island has to offer.

Uzbekistan: Winter in the Land of Silk Road Treasures

Firework displays are fun, but seeing the Registan lit up at night or admiring Bukhara's minarets glitter in the sun is a far more impressive way to welcome the new year! Raise a glass at the Khovreno Winery, haggle your way through colourful bazaars rather than crowds of New Year's revellers and look back at Uzbekistan's rich history as you step forward into its future.

Classic Kerala

Deck the halls with tea plantations, backwater cruises and colourful Kathakali dance performances! You can find a 'winter' wonderland on the golden beaches of South India, experience the serene and magical Keralan backwaters and sit back and relax on a bamboo raft through Periyar National Park looking out for the rich variety of wildlife and birdlife that surrounds you.

Guatemala: Tikal & Beyond

Everyone loves a good traditional Christmas story, but mix it up this year with a trip to Guatemala, where you'll find Mayan lore and native tradition in abundance! Natural wonders like the glittering Lake Atitlan will replace crackling fires and you won't need to place a star at the very top of ancient Mayan ruins like Tikal, but we guarantee you'll want to make a wish upon those views.

Egypt: Slow Boat to Aswan

We saw three ships come sailing by! Swap sleigh rides and powdery snow for a sandal boat and desert sand as you board a traditional houseboat and cruise down the fertile ribbon of the Nile. Explore the Valley of the Kings and shop for gifts in the bustling markets of Aswan for an alternative Christmas or New Year spent getting to know the 'real' Egypt.

Rajasthan: Taj, Temples & Tigers

On the 19th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...the Taj Mahal, temples and a tiger in a pear tree! Christmas is all about love, so there can be no better destination than India to experience it. After all, the iconic Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to the love of his life Mumtaz Mahal. Spend time with rural communities who will welcome you like family, spot tigers in Ranthambore and discover some of India's most iconic monuments.

Wild Ecuador

If all you want for Christmas is sea lion swimming lessons, horse rides with the chagras in Cotopaxi National Park, canoeing the Amazon basin and getting up close and personal with the incredible diversity of the Galápagos Islands, then you need to redirect your Christmas list to Wild Frontiers! From snow-capped volcanoes to the Amazonian rainforest, good luck trying to fit this amount of wild under your Christmas tree. 

Oman Desert Adventure

Channel your inner wise man and follow the stars through the Wahiba Sands and the Empty Quarter in Oman, home of Frankincense, rolling sand dunes and a nomadic Bedouin culture. Take in the kaleidoscope of colours as the sun sets on 2022 over stunning desert scenery and explore the charms of Muscat, from the timeless Old Quarter to the immense Sultan Qaboos Mosque.

Inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

If New Year's parties aren’t your thing, maybe what you need to welcome in the new year is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will keep everyone on their toes. Conjure up all the adventures of the golden age of discovery in Saudi Arabia! Admire architectural wonders such as the Nabataean site of Hegra, explore remarkable desert scenery, barter at the world's largest camel market and marvel at the impressive Hutaymah volcanic crater.

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