5 Hot Places To Visit This Year - Cotton Traders

As the chill of winter sets in, do you find yourself turning your attention to sunnier thoughts and starting to plan where to go on holiday this year? Well, we thought we’d do the research for you, by finding 5 of the top holiday destinations for 2018. Discover where we’re recommending as the best places to travel to, and why we believe this is the year to visit them. We might even give you some new ideas and inspire holidays to places you’ve never considered before…

1. Sensational Seville

Think flamenco dancers, orange trees, tapas and quaint cobbled streets. Whether you’re looking for places to visit for a weekend or a longer break, Seville is undisputedly one of the best places to visit this year. As the capital of Andalusia, the locals are used to the fine culture, glorious weather and fantastic eateries of this beautiful city. But 2018 offers more excitement than most. The city is currently celebrating the 400th anniversary of baroque painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, with a program of exhibitions and concerts scheduled throughout the year. The eyes of the film elite are cast upon Seville as it gears up to play host to the 31st European Film awards in December. And as if that were not enough, in recent years the amazing Alcázar, the royal palace, has been used for filming of hit TV series Game of Thrones’ mythical city of Dorne, due to grace our screens again in the spring.

Three great reasons Seville has made it into our list of places to go on holiday in 2018.

Travel Tip:Choose smart casual women’s tops for sightseeing in Seville.

2. Experience Patagonia

Everywhere we look we see pictures of Patagonia, travel articles about Patagonia and people raving about Patagonia, and we can see why. Stunning, glacial and with a reputation as an adventurer’s playground, Patagonia spans Chile and Argentina at the southernmost tip of South America. But what if you’re not after a high-octane holiday? There’s an abundance of southern hemisphere wildlife here too – join a whale watching or penguin tour, follow dinosaur trails, seek out ancient rock art at Cueva de las Manos, or simply stroll along the empty beaches at Camarones.

As the Lonely Planet has named Chile as one of the top ten holiday destinations in its Best In Travel 2018, we predict that holidays to this region will be booking up fast this year.

Travel Tip:Be sure to choose the right jacket for adventuring in Patagonia.

3. The Amazing Azores

As Delta airlines launches new flights from New York to The Azores from the beginning of the holiday season, several experts are predicting that these stunning, volcanic islands will become increasingly popular. So, we’ve chosen this as one of the best places to visit this year before the secret gets out. If you’re looking for stunning, rugged landscapes, and breath-taking beauty at every turn, The Azores could be the answer for where to go on holiday this year. With hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, water sports and plenty of relaxation, there’s something for everyone. But don’t forget to pack your hiking boots for the best views!

Travel Tip:Remember to pack your boots for a hike through The Azores’ unspoiled landscapes.

4. Magnificent Malawi

Not the first African destination you might think of, but if you’ve been considering a big 5 safari, now’s the time, and Malawi could very well be one of the best places to travel to do it in 2018.

Malawi was recently thrust into the limelight thanks to Prince Harry’s involvement in the 500 elephants campaign – one of the largest translocations of elephants in human history. Malawi’s conservation project was put in place to restock and rehabilitate its game reserves, rehoming over 500 animals 350km across the country.

But Malawi is about more than just wildlife. With an easy-going vibe and friendly locals, it is known as “the warm heart of Africa”. Thanks to the beauty of Lake Malawi you can combine safari with relaxing, hiking and sampling the delicious local cuisine. And if you pack your swimwear, you might even be tempted by tropical diving in the clear waters of the lake.

Travel Tip: Choose wrinkle free trousers for travelling and going on safari.

5. Incredible Croatia

You may not be surprised to see Croatia on our list of top holiday destinations, after all it has been growing in popularity in recent years, thanks, in part, to the excellent value for money it offers when compared to Western European destinations. With a fascinating history, the country boasts no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore, as well as the beautiful Old Town of Dubrovnik, numerous national parks, and modern capital Zagreb – itself gaining a reputation for being one of the best places to visit for a short city break.

But why do we believe Croatia will be one of the top holiday destinations this year in particular? Thanks to Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. The sequel to box office hit Mamma Mia! is due for release in the summer, and much of the filming was done on the small island of Vis in Croatia. Described by the Telegraph as “an island fit for a Bond villain,” we already think it sounds pretty exciting, but the film’s trailer promises stunning scenery that will almost certainly attract tourists to the shores, just as they flocked to the small Greek island of Skopelos 10 years ago when the original film came out.

Get booking before this beautiful place becomes even more of a tourist hot spot.

Travel Tip: Bask in the sun in comfy shorts suitable for daytime or evening.

So there you have it, our pick of top holiday destinations to help you make a decision about where to go on holiday this year. Remember, the best places to go on holiday are those that you share with loved ones. Wherever you choose to go, make it a holiday to remember.

For more inspiration and ideas for holiday wear essentials see our cruise packing list.