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Next, head to the Temple of Apollo (another 25 minutes’ drive) in Didim. The huge columns of this ancient site are a reminder of how colossal this temple once was. Nowhere else on this 2-week Turkey itinerary demonstrates so clearly the size, power and might with which the Romans honoured their Gods.
For a great budget choice in Selçuk, we recommend Amazon Petite Palace. With an excellent location and cool Turkey stylings, the mid-market Ayasoluk Hotel is a great choice. For a splurge try Cella Boutique Hotel
Next, continue on to Ephesus. As the capital of Roman Asia Minor, it’s packed with ancient architecture reflecting the power and wealth of the city; it’s possibly the best Roman ruin in the world. The Library of Celsus is its iconic image of Ephesus, but pay the extra ₺20 to go inside the covered terrace houses for the incredibly well-preserved frescoes. It takes about 2 hours to explore the entire site and its one of our favourite historical places in Turkey.
Descend from the summit in a north-east direction following the cairns. The path drops down then climbs back up Broad Crag, then drops again, climbing back up Ill Crag before flattening. (At point 5 on the map there is an easy optional detour to the summit of Great End).
Buses stop at Seatoller which is a 2-kilometre walk to the trailhead at Seathwaite. Therefore, to get to the Corridor Route via public transport, you will need to add an extra hour to the overall walk duration to get from Seatoller to Seathwaite and back again.
Fortunately there are regular bus services if you are up for the extra walking. The 78 bus from Keswick runs to Seatoller roughly every hour.
WHY IS THE CORRIDOR ROUTE THE BEST WAY UP SCAFELL PIKE?
The Scafell Pike Corridor Route takes advantage of an interconnected series of mountain shelves which steadily gain height. This creates a natural trail requiring consistent, but achievable effort, rather than a steep slog like the popular Wasdale Head route.
Eventually, a collection of boulders marked the start of the easy scramble to the summit, where we met the busy junction of hikers coming up from Wasdale Head. Taking a position among the throng, we arrived at the top, excited to be above the clouds on a beautiful day in the Lakes. The long descent along misty ghylls and scenic crags was capped off with an ultra-refreshing swim at Sprinkling Tarn, followed by a well-earned beer at Langstrath Country Inn
While the Val di Funes hike admires the peaks of Odle-Geisler from afar, this hike gets up close and personal with the jagged teeth and countless soaring spires. So close you’ll be straining your neck to see them. It’s one of our favourite hikes in the Dolomites and it’s an excellent day out in the mountains.
Val di Funes is a stunningly picturesque valley and another Instagram favourite. The highlight is two attractive churches, surrounded by fields of hay, backed by the soaring spires of the Odle-Geisler peaks.
The best views are captured on this easy Dolomites hike along the Panoramaweg and Sunnseitenweg trails. The two paths traverse the edge of the Funes valley as undulating meadows unfurl below them. Higher up, fields lined with colourful alpine flowers frame the two churches and their towering backdrop, forming one of the best sights in the Dolomites
Lago di Braies is the most Instagram friendly of the Dolomites’ lakes. Emerald water shimmers against dramatic cliffs in the background, with romantic wooden boats lining the shore.
This very easy Dolomites hike circumnavigates the lake passing a quaint chapel nestled among towering pine trees and a few shingle beaches. It’s a beautiful but popular spot so arrive early in the morning, just as the sun starts to rise over the peaks for a quieter visit.
Lago di Sorapis is a glistening turquoise lake backed by the craggy buttresses of the 3,200 mountain which shares its name. While many of the lakes in the Dolomites are packed with people, this one requires a decent hike. You may have it all to yourself.
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop is possibly the finest hike in the Dolomites. Circling the three soaring spires of Tre Cime, this easy walk on simple to follow paths, has breathtaking views the entire way. Spiky peaks, reflective lakes, and well-positioned rifugios. If you only do one hiking trail in the Dolomites, make it this one.
Museu Coleção Berardo is Lisbon’s best modern art offering. Located near the popular Belem area, the gallery has two permanent collections; and generally runs two temporary exhibitions along with other project installations.
The gallery is an excellent space to stroll around and something we highly recommend making time for while visiting Lisbon. The permanent collection is very well-labelled and offers a history lesson in the development of modern art. Expect to bump into some big names such as Picasso, Duchamp, Miró, Warhol, along with some lesser-known Portuguese artists.
STROLL THE PROMENADE IN BELÉM
Sitting on the banks of the Tagus River, the Belém Tower was initially built to protect Lisbon. As an excellent example of Manueline architecture, it stands near Jerónimos Monastery – two of the city’s celebrations to the Age of Discovery. Unlike Jerónimos, Belém Tower wears its beauty on the outside.
SHOP LIKE THE COOL AT LX FACTORY
LX Factory was an old textile factory that has been converted into a modern and creative space. Located under a railway line, it’s a model of urban renewal. LXF has reused a neglected site, transforming it into a cool place to hang out. The collection of independent shops include break-the-mould design outlets, art supplies, vegan footwear and vintage boutiques.
TOUR THE CITY ON TRAM 28
If you were to design the perfect sightseeing route through Lisbon, it would be the number 28 tram. It starts from Martim Moniz, climbs through the narrow streets of Alfama, progresses through Baixa and up the hill to Chiado.
The whole experience is like being in an old movie. The chrome details, the scent of polished wood, the hiss of breaks and the rattle of the ancient machine tackling Lisbon’s hills. It’s an experience worth savouring.
TAKE ELEVADOR DA GLÓRIA TO MIRADOURO DE SÃO PEDRO DE ALCÃNTARA
Set high on a panoramic garden, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcãntara is one of the best lookout points in Lisbon. Greek busts and ornate fountains give the place a lofty regal feel. It has sweeping views across Lisbon, collecting all the distinctive buildings that make this such an alluring city.
SAIL ON A GABARRE PAST TOWERING CASTLES
The basin of the Dordogne River is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Recognised for its well-preserved natural setting and exceptional cultural heritage, it’s a place of graceful beauty. Medieval castles, ominous and forbidding, perch on limestone cliffs. Unchanged for centuries, they continue to guard the sweeping waters, miles of forest, and tiny villages that lay below them.
ADMIRE THE TOPIARY AT MARQUEYSSAC GARDENS
The 19th-century stone-tiled Marqueyssac Castle is perched on a limestone cliff, just above the Dordogne River. But remarkably the great views are not its main selling point. In 1860, the owner began planting boxwood trees in the garden of the castle. Today there are over 150,000, each hand-crafted into a mesmerising array of sweeping contours and interlocking forms making Marqueyssac gardens a must-see on any Dordogne itinerary.
STROLL THE MEDIEVAL STREETS OF SARLAT-LA-CANÉDA
Founded in the 9th century by monks trying to hide religious relics, Sarlat-la-Canéda was established a few kilometres away from the busy Dordogne River to maintain secrecy. However, its strange position in a dell with few natural defences, hasn’t stopped it from thriving.
GET 360 VIEWS FROM CHÂTEAU DE BIRON
Familiar with troubles throughout its long history, Château de Biron began as a fortification castle in the 12th century before being transformed with renaissance comforts in the 15th century. After the French Revolution, it fell into neglect until it was purchased by the French state who cleaned it up and open the doors to the public.
There’s a beautiful chapel on the grounds built over 2 levels so the nobility could be closer to heaven. In the main building, tapestries adorn huge stone walls and contemporary art exhibitions are displayed under vaulted ceilings.
ADMIRE PREHISTORIC CAVE PAINTINGS AT LASCAUX
On 12 September 1940, just south of Montignac, four boys followed their dog down a narrow entrance and into a cave. Inside, they discovered one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. The entire cave structure (named Lascaux) is packed with paintings, mostly of animals and well over 1,000 engravings. Evidence suggests the paintings are around 21,000 years old, making them one of the oldest cave paintings ever discovered.
Bringing winter sun to travellers flying from Edinburgh, Virgin Atlantic's new route to Barbados puts the Caribbean island firmly on our list for 2022. The route from Scotland's capital to Barbados marks the first time Virgin Atlantic has flown international flights from Edinburgh in its 37-year history. It's also Scotland’s only direct flight to the Caribbean.
With Virgin flights from both London Heathrow and Edinburgh, we've got our eyes on the sun, sea and white sand of this Caribbean idyll for early and late 2022. What's more, a stylish new hotel has arrived in Christ Church, giving you a five-star all-inclusive retreat to experience when you get there. O2 Beach Club and Spa is set on 1,000 feet of the powder white sand on Barbados' south coast. It's the hottest new place to experience indulgent dining, top-notch pampering and a trio of pools.
The Lithuanian city of Kaunas, along with Novi Sad in Serbia, is the European Capital of Culture for 2022, allowing the photogenic destination to step into the spotlight to showcase its cultural offering to the world.
A visit to Kaunas is ideal for a short European city break, with direct flights from the UK with low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air. The city combines tree-lined promenades and historic architecture with contemporary street art and high-class dining. As Lithuania's second largest city, Kaunas offers a unique take on art deco design, fairy tale attractions like Kaunas Castle and Pažaislis Monastery and Modernist architecture to browse.
Fresh from its Olympic and Paralympic success, Japan is a dream holiday destination that should be firmly on your list for 2022. This year, however, it's time to go beyond Tokyo and explore the country's rural side. Japan's newest bullet train route, Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, is set to open between Nagasaki and Saga in autumn 2022. This will help speed up Nagasaki connections from the current Kyushu bullet train line that comes into Fukuoka from Tokyo.
The trains themselves will be called kamome meaning 'seagull,' following the popularity of lockdown video game franchise, Ghost of Tsushima, which is set on the stunning archipelagos surrounding the city of Nagasaki. Over the next decade, there will also be new bullet train lines joining Tokyo directly to traditional Fukui, snowy Sapporo and passing through the Nakasendo walking trails of the Kiso Valley. Japan is set to be one of the biggest rail holiday destinations of the future...
If ever there was a year to visit the Netherlands, it's 2022 when the Floriade floral spectacle takes place, with its timely eco-theme of ‘growing green cities’. Held every 10 years, the Floriade Expo returns for six months from April to October and will bring an array of unique and fascinating exhibitions to Almere, near Amsterdam.
With a focus on imagining sustainable, city living for the future, you can expect inspiring gardens, workshops and exhibitions mixed with striking attractions and tasting sessions. The 150-acre site is also where 300 eco-homes have been built, with plans for the area to be turned into a green residential neighbourhood of 660 homes, so if you're after a sustainably-focused holiday destination for 2022, Holland is the place worth considering.
From major events taking place, to new flight routes opening up beautiful places and highly anticipated movie releases bringing Hollywood-worthy locations to our holiday wish lists, there are many reasons to get excited about travelling in 2022.
In sport, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will put the Middle Eastern country under the spotlight - but with its ultra-modern architecture influenced by Islamic design and thriving arts and culture scene, you might wish to discover the destination before the football crowds arrive.
Closer to home, Holland will host the magnificent Floriade Expo. With its timely eco-theme of ‘growing green cities’ and fascinating floral exhibitions, we'll have six months to soak up the horticultural marvels at this once-in-a-decade attraction.
For beach-lovers, one classic Caribbean island has become easier to reach from the UK with a new flight route from Virgin Atlantic that winter sun fans will appreciate. In fact, there are two Caribbean beauty spots on our radar for 2022.
When it comes to hopping over to the continent for a city break, a new European Capital of Culture offers a photogenic destination you might have previously overlooked. Its tree-lined promenades and historic architecture are worth the low-cost flight.
Here on home soil, we’ve got our eyes on the foodie city hosting the Commonwealth Games. And there's countryside close to Edinburgh with a host of new openings and glorious coastal views.
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