New year, new adventures! From Capri, South Africa and Hawaii to Mykonos, we’ve got your  bucket list covered and have rounded up the most awe-inspiring destinations you cannot miss in 2020! From thousands of year old geological sites to buzzing island escapes and European food feasts, The Asia Collective’s Top Trend Destinations will make you skip all plans for the year and book flights to these hyped destinations straight away!

JORDAN

This other worldly Arab nation has to be on your bucket list for 2020! From the most amazing food to sleeping under the stars in Bedouin tents and ancient monuments Jordan has a diversity waiting to be explored! The capital Amman is said to be one of the oldest cities in the world, witnessing human settlement in the 13th century BC. And while the Middle East often is home to political tensions, Jordan is a small piece of safe haven that cannot be missed.

5 Must-Do’s in Jordan

1. Visit one of the new seven wonders of the world, the “Rose City” Petra 

Jordan’s most well-known site Petra was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” in 2008 and has since joined the bucket list of many travellers worldwide. Make sure to allocate two days to explore everything this enchanted location has to offer! From the famed Treasury, a tomb carved out of limestone for a Jordan king, to The Colonnaded Street and the Monastery, expect to be in awe during your whole visit.

TAC Tip: Hire a tour guide to take you off the beaten tracks for the most spectacular views! And: three nights a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8.30pm) the area around the Treasury is beautifully lit by 1,500 candles – a truly magical experience!

2. Explore the Wadi Mujib nature reserve

A hike through the world’s lowest nature reserve with its rugged and awe-dropping mountains cannot be missing on your Jordan adventure! The Wadi Mujib nature reserve features different trails along its spectacular cliffs and waterways where you can swim, slide and abseil from rushing waterfalls. We recommend the Canyon Trail – your guide will know exactly where to slide and where to climb, making it an adventure you’ll never forget!

TAC Tip: Don’t forget to bring your GoPro to capture all the exciting moments!

3. Sleep under the stars in the Wadi Rum Desert

Join the bedouins in their traditional lifestyle and spend a night in the desert – whether you choose to bring your own tent to wild campsites or go glamping in luxury with state-of-the-art facilities and entertainment, it’s a Jordan experience you shouldn’t miss!

Must-visit sites you can’t miss in the Wadi Rum Desert:

* Lawrence’s spring

* Rock bridge

* Sand dunes

4. Visit Amman Citadel during sunset

Occupied since the Bronze age, Citadel area in Amman is surrounded by a 1,700m long wall and features many breathtaking sights such as the Temple of Hercules and the Ummayad Palace which you shouldn’t miss during your trip! To get the most amazing shots make sure to venture there in the early evening, with the sun’s glow reflecting in the stones 850m above sea level.

5. Go camping in the heart of The Dana Reserve

Jordan’s Dana Reserve is the country’s largest nature reserve featuring breathtaking landscapes. It’s on the very edge of the Great Rift Valley with up to 1,600m-high mountain peaks down to sandstone canyons which drop below 100m sea level. You’ll encounter the most diverse wildlife here, close enough to reach out and touch during a unique camping experience.

TAC Tip: Most campsites are open from March – October, we recommend a visit during the slightly cooler months of March-May.

Best Hotel in Jordan

Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp

Address: Anfeshiah, Wadi Rum Protected Area and Natural Reserve, Jordan

 

Who hasn’t dreamed of sleeping under the stars – in a bright desert night sky. At Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp in Jordan your dream is about to come true, and even in luxury! Choose from traditional bedouin tents with five star amenities to your very own bubble – stargazing from your bed included.

Dive into delicious traditional Jordanian food home-cooked by the camp’s private chef and enjoy your feast either in one of their luxury tents, or have your food served outside under the beautiful Wadi Rum desert sky. A wonderful experience you will remember for a lifetime!

• Rooms start from approx. US$210 per night at Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp.

SOUTH AFRICA

What better excuse to skip the cold European winter months than to escape to summer in Cape Town! And South Africa has so much more to offer than buzzing coastal city vibes, from the most beautiful wine regions and whale watching from impressive sand dunes, to road tripping along the Garden Route and ticking a safari off your bucket list, the Rainbow Nation can’t wait to show you its best side.

5 Must-Do’s in South Africa

1. Hike up Table Mountain in Cape Town 

Whether you decide to climb up yourself (which will take you roughly 1.5hours) or take the cable car – getting on top of Table Mountain is a must-do while visiting buzzing coastal city Cape Town! Once on top, you’ll soak in the breathtaking 360 degree views making it worth the effort. And there’s even a café up there to recharge before the trip down, unless you are really brave and choose to abseil.

TAC Tip: Views are dependent on weather, so always check the conditions before embarking up the mountain. You can check the weather, cableway opening hours here.

2. Go on a Safari in Kruger National Park

Your heart may skip a beat when a 7-tonne elephant walks so close to your car you could touch it or a huge male lion stares straight into your eyes from just one metre away, but nowhere else on earth can you have up close and personal encounters with such majestic wild creatures. Safari in the Kruger National Park is a must-do for any visitor to South Africa and there are game lodges to suit any budget or style, from the most basic tented camp to five-star luxury.

TAC Tip: If you’re brave enough, enter Kruger National Park on your own in a rental car equipped with a map and camera for the ultimate adventure!

3. Explore the beautiful beaches on the Western Cape

While the country’s wild side is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of South Africa, the beaches should definitely not be overlooked when planning a holiday here. A scenic drive along the famous Garden Route or down the Cape Town coastline will leave you in awe with every turn. The pristine white beaches and glistening turquoise water is often bordered by incredible rock faces. And don’t even get us started on the liquid gold sunsets every night!

TAC Tip: Visit Boulder’s Beach near Simon’s Town to observe the African penguin colony. And before going swimming anywhere at South Africa’s public beaches, be sure to check the flag for shark warnings!

4. Go on a winery tour in Stellenbosch

Only a 40-minutes drive from Cape Town, lies the beautiful university town Stellenbosch amidst lush mountain ranges in the Cape Winelands. Streets lined with historic oak trees, winding back mountain roads, and art galleries, there are countless Stellenbosch wineries that will give you a taste of what South Africa has to offer. When choosing your favourite wineries, keep stunning views in mind, too!

Must-visit wineries in Stellenbosch:

* Tokara

* La Motte

* Jordan

* DeMorgenzon

* Delaire Graff Estate

5. Go for a road trip along the Garden Route

What better way to explore a country’s beauty than by renting a car and just drive! One of the world’s most picturesque roads makes it easy not to get lost and offers the most stunning views as you drive along South Africa’s beautiful West Cape coastline for 200km on the famed Garden Route.

Must-stops on the Garden Route:

* Mossel Bay, an old-fashioned seaside resort town with the world’s mildest climate all year long just after Hawaii

* Knysna, voted as one of South Africa’s best small towns, for its art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants

* Plettenberg Bay, for its beautiful, golden beaches

TAC Tip: Go between July and October during whale watching season for the most spectacular encounters you’ll never forget!

Best Hotel In South Africa

Tintswalo Lodges

 

When travelling to South Africa, staying in a lodge is a must-do! You’ll be spoilt for choice with Tintswalo Lodges below:

• Tintswalo Atlantic

Perched on a pebbled beach at the foot of the Table Mountain National Park, overlooking the picturesque Atlantic Ocean, Tintswalo Atlantic is an award-winning boutique lodge and widely known as Cape Town’s hidden gem – the perfect city stay!

• Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Sharing an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park, Tintswalo Safari Lodge sits on the pristine Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, home to some of the best game viewing that South Africa has to offer. Pack your binoculars, the big 5 await you!

• Tintswalo Manor House

Sharing the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve with Tintswalo Safari Lodge, Tintswalo Manor House offers a luxurious, fully-catered villa to families and groups travelling to the Greater Kruger National Park which is a must-visit in beautiful South Africa.

• Tintswalo at Waterfall

Situated in the heart of Kyalami just north of Johannesburg, Tintswalo at Waterfall is an exclusive 5-star boutique hotel offering unparalleled cuisine, exceptional luxury and typical Tintswalo service standards. Bring your swimmers for the ultimate holiday snapshot!

CUBA

Step back in time and experience true authentic heritage and an ambience of the 1950’s like no other in the colourful country of Cuba. Immerse yourself in everything Cuban from its lively cities Havana to Trinidad, street food to salsa dancing, famous bars, iconic cocktails, and the people of Cuba who keep the culture rich and bursting at the seams with flavour and vibrancy.

5 Must-Do’s in Cuba

1. Discover the city in a classic vintage car 

Havana is renowned for 1950’s American cars lining its streets in various styles and pops of colour adding to the city’s vibrant culture and unique heritage. So of course on the top of our Cuba to-do list is exploring this lively city and all of its best kept secrets in a classic vintage car – true Cuban style!

2. Visit Cuba’s beautiful white sand beach in Varadero 

Relax and enjoy the calm turquoise waters and stretch of soft white sand in the Caribbean paradise that is Varadero Beach. The Cuban culture still lingers in this area of the country with numerous art galleries, museums, cabarets, quaint bars, live music, cigar & rum shops to keep you thoroughly immersed in all that is Cuba.

3. Drink mojitos & listen to live Cuban music at some of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bars

La Bodeguita Del Medio – Cuba invented the Mojito so what better place to drink one than here!?  La Bodeguita host regular cocktail making workshops so you can learn all the insider tips and tricks of their secret cocktail craft.

El Floridita – One of Famous Novelist Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bars to hangout in and his number one go-to for a daiquiri. El Floridita remains popular today for tourists and locals alike with their plush upscale interiors, legendary heritage, and signature daiquiri cocktail.

TAC Tip: Afterwards head to Disco Ayala- an underground club cave in Trinidad – one of the coolest things to do in Cuba!

Skogafoss Waterfall

You can walk right up to the Skogafoss Waterfall to experience its greatness in close proximity.  Try to visit when the sun is shining and you will see beautiful rainbows through the waterfall spray.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is located over steep cliffs making it possible for people to walk behind and stand under the cascading waters.