Most of us only have a finite amount of holidays to take advantage of, and with so many places to choose from, we don’t blame you if your current travel plans are in limbo while you’re trying to figure out where to go. To help you build up your inspiration list – and cut down on research time – the team at KAYAK.com.au has taken a look at some of the destinations Australia’s savviest travel influencers are getting excited about now. From Europe to New Zealand, here are the places to see this year.
World of Wanderlust – Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich, Switzerland, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, so it’s no surprise Brooke Saward has it amongst the top destinations on her travel wishlist for 2016. Once arriving in Zurich, Old Town should be your first stop. The main sights are based in this area and can all be reached within three hours on foot, or easily accessed by public transport. Beautiful winding cobblestone alleys run by the Lindenhof Square, the Fraumünster and Grossmünster Church, and the nearby Bahnhofstrasse shopping street. It’s a dream location for history buffs, with over 2,000 years visible, from the ruins of Roman baths to medieval houses and town halls.
Polkadot Passport – Waikato, New Zealand
The landscapes you’ll encounter in New Zealand will stay with you for a lifetime and the Waikato district has plenty on offer. Nicola Easterby recommends a visit to the Wairere Falls track, a 3-4 hour hike which winds its way through native forest and past a spectacular 153 metre high waterfall. The summit also offers magnificent views of the valley below and over the wide Waikato Plains. After a day of hiking, rest your weary feet at one of the region’s natural thermal spas.
Sjana Earp – Dubai
A visit to Dubai isn’t complete without a trip to the top floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Three times higher than the Eiffel Tower and soaring 828 metres into the sky, the Burj Khalifa offers incredible views that stretch across the Persian Gulf. If you’re as brave as Sjana Earp, get a view of the tower from the XLine zip wire, that sends you flying from one of Downtown’s residential buildings to the rooftop of Dubai Mall. In just 40 seconds, you’ll travel hundreds of feet across the city and past iconic structures including the Dubai Fountain.
Hello Emilie – Jordan
From the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, the Roman city of Jerash and the vast desert in between, there’s a lot to love about Jordan if you’re the adventurous type like Emilie Ristevski. One of the natural highlights is to spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage protected desert known as Wadi Rum, Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon. Now a nature reserve, with gorge-walking and canyoning amid the rugged valleys, Wadi Rum is an unmissable experience. We recommend renting a car and driving the historic King’s Highway, a lovely five-hour drive that meanders its way from north to south, down Jordan’s western border.
Flying The Nest – Cape Town, South Africa
With its vibrant culture, scenic beaches and unique natural wonders, Stephen and Jess from Flying the Nest recommend that Cape Town should be at the absolute top of your travel itinerary for 2016. If you want to view all that Cape Town has to offer, take a two-hour hike or a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. The revolving floor in each cable car ensures a 360-degree view during the ascent so you can get a perfect snap of the sweeping views. Cape Town winelands also boast some of the most majestic scenery in South Africa. Endlessly stretching along hills and valleys, the vineyards produce some of the most delicious and prized wines in the world.
Main image credit: ©vvvita/shutterstock.com
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