Top 10 holiday destinations for 2022

Ask 20 people what their favourite holiday destination would be and you’ll get a variety of answers – mountains, beaches, lakes, activity holidays, far-flung destinations or locations nearer home.  Some prefer adventure holidays, always on the move, exploring new places whilst others enjoy relaxing and soaking up some sun and scenery.   For this reason, our top 10 holiday destinations for 2022 include suggestions for different types of holiday – from beach holidays to touring holidays.   Rather than just suggesting places to go, we’ve provided an idea of prices and actual holidays that you’re able to book. 

Set in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Paros is one of the most stylish of the Greek islands, famous for its coastline with miles of golden sand. It’s green, beautiful and relaxing with white-painted houses and blue-domed churches. There are about 40 beaches and lots of water sports, tranquil villages dotted with bars and boutiques, a bustling main port with a picturesque old town, lots of tavernas and nightlife. There’s a butterfly valley here, a mountain, spectacular views of the surrounding islands and a thousand-year-old marble paved footpath.

Places to visit include:

• Parikia’s impressive 4^th century church – Our Lady of the Hundred Gates
• Naoussa, a chic, beautiful village on the north coast with a picturesque harbour
• Lefkes, a flower filled village with an ancient Byzantine Trail - now a lovely countryside walk, a cathedral and hidden café.
• East Coast beaches – some are ideal for windsurfing; others are quiet and secluded.

If you want to holiday alone but would like the company of like-minded people, try a walking holiday with Ramblers Walking Holidays. There’s a great selection on offer including last minute deals. The company advertises friendly, fun experiences with small groups that usually include a significant number of solo travellers. You will be made welcome by a group of people with a passion for walking and outdoor life and many people return to these holidays year after year with friends they made on previous holidays.

Lake Como is a gentle walking holiday with pleasant strolls through panoramic surroundings. Apart from travelling across Lake Como and on the funicular to view the mountains, your adventures will take place on foot, exploring twisting lanes, narrow streets, picturesque villages and beautiful gardens. Of course, you’ll work up an appetite for the delicious Italian meals.  The price includes:

• Return flights from London to Milan Malpensa
• Airport transfers
• Half board en-suite accommodation
• Three lunches
• All local transport costs, entrance fees and tips

If you visit South Africa for the first time, you’ll soon realise that you haven’t enough time to see everything you want to visit. Cape Town is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world with beaches, mountains, wildlife, history, street art, wine, food and a host of places to eat and drink. 

You can visit a penguin colony, have lunch at a wine farm, drink a sundowner overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Of course, there are the Big Five Safaris – you can stay in a lodge, a bush camp, go on a walking safari and most offer sightings of the fabled Big Five animals. You’ve also got the Drakensburg mountains, criss-crossed with hiking trails, sites of ancient rock art and migrating whales from June to October.  Virgin Holidays offers a range of trips to South Africa. In July for just over £1600 per person, you can have six nights bed and breakfast at the President Hotel in Cape Town. Whilst in June, nine nights full board at the Black Rhino Game Lodge in Pilanesberg costs around £2,500 per person flying from London Heathrow (www.virginholidays.co.uk)

Flavours Holidays offer painting holidays in Italy that offer a blend of expert teaching and free time where you can be inspired by Italy’s dramatic and colourful landscapes. The holidays welcome first time and experienced painters.

You’ll have a chance to capture everything from quaint fishing villages to cathedrals using watercolours, pastels and charcoal. The painting holidays are for singles and groups alike – no supplements for singles - and there’s the opportunity to make new friends and come home with a revitalised passion for painting and drawing.

The accommodation is in authentic but modern villas in the south east of the island. Sketchbook, easels and boards are provided and you’ll be given a list of painting materials to bring with you. Prices are around £1600 for a week but this is all-inclusive. You will need to pay for your flights but all accommodation, meals, drinks, activities, tuition, day trips and transfers are included.

Mauritius is an island of beautiful beaches with over 160 km of them including a calm lagoon almost entirely encircled by coral reef. You’ll find Grand Bay is a shopping paradise – with a host of restaurants. It’s possible to visit the Hindu Temple at Triolet, built in 1819 or to take a hike or a trip on a mountain bike to The Labourdonnais Orchard with its tropical fruit trees and exotic flowers. Water sports abound – and it’s wonderful to relax on a glass-bottomed boat, watching all the different varieties of fish swimming in the clear waters.

For a luxurious holiday, The Domaine de Bel Ombre is a former sugar estate covering 2500 acres is set between the Indian Ocean and the mountainous interior of southern Mauritius. The estate is now home to the resorts of Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort and the Heritage Awali Golf & Spa resort, alongside a huge nature reserve and plenty of facilities including a beach club and golf club. There are water and land sports, restaurants and a lounge bar. At the moment, Kuoni are offering a seven-night holiday in September at £1899 per person, all inclusive in a deluxe garden view room, flying with Emirates from London Gatwick. 

Vancouver offers a city holiday with a difference – it’s got a wild side. From Vancouver you can head to Whistler, explore the wine country of the Okanagan, take a trip to the Canadian Rockies or watch whales in the wild from Vancouver Island.

In the heart of Vancouver is Stanley Park – where you can wander through forest trails, spot a racoon or two and ride the railway. Between the bustling downtown and Stanley Park is West End with two great beaches and Robson Street, one of the best streets for shopping and people watching.

Gastown is home to plenty of restaurants, whilst Yaletown is sophisticated with lovely interior décor stores. Across the bridge is Granville Island with a famous food market and the great shops in South Granville. In Chinatown, you can stroll round the Classical Chinese Garden and enjoy some fabulous dim sum for lunch. A week’s holiday in Vancouver with British Airways staying at the Residence Inn Downtown in June costs just under £1700 per person including flights, checked baggage, accommodation and breakfast.

New Orleans is coming to life again with the return of multiple, much-missed events. In summer, Essence Festival celebrates the best of black culture and in November, the Bayou Bacchanal features all things Caribbean with fusion cuisine and music. This is a walkable city, with walking tours and museums and galleries galore. There are plenty of opportunities to listen to some of the world’s best jazz – and an evening at Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse will appeal to all jazz lovers. Creole cuisine is exceptional with freshly caught seafood and BBQ shrimp. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Virgin Holidays are offering a five-night stay in July, flying from London Heathrow and staying at the Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter on a room only basis for just over £1300 per person on a special offer.