Posted: 12 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST

The rise and rise of the all-inclusive holiday is often hailed as a success that had to be rescued from its insalubrious birth pangs in the Nineties.

It was then that the big sun and sand tour operators started marketing low-cost packages to the Caribbean as a way of appealing to families who wanted to fix the price of their holidays upfront. Lukewarm buffets led to outbreaks of food poisoning and unlimited alcoholic drink to outbreaks of unedifying debauchery.

In fact, the concept of an all-inclusive holiday has a venerable history. Full-board, where all meals are included (although not usually drinks) was being offered by hotels in the 19th century; it was integral to the idea of ski, chalet and house party holidays developed by Erna Low in the Thirties and Forties; and has been common for decades in old-fashioned seaside hotels in northern France. It was the package holidays of the Sixties and Seventies where B&B and half board became the norm.

But wherever you start in the long history of such things, after the Nineties the popularity and variety of all-inclusive trips have burgeoned. For Tui, Britain's biggest tour operator, it's central to its flagship Sensatori brand launched a decade ago, which offers 10 five-star hotels with all meals, drinks and entertainment in the price. One of its newest additions, the Tui Sensatori Atlantica Dreams Resort and Spa in Rhodes, has seven "gourmet" restaurants including one Italian, one "American-inspired" and a contemporary Greek.

Choices of that kind are vital to success at the top end of the market. Guests who are paying a premium for their holidays don't want to be limited to a single restaurant, or to a basic selection of wines and spirits. Many top-end hotels and operators now offer remarkable variety to their clients on an all-inclusive basis.

Including your food and drink in the holiday price is not unique to beach resort packages. Many cruises, safaris, ski and adventure holidays are also effectively all-inclusive. Here are 30 of the best options for 2020.

Caribbean

1. Jamaican joys

The Caribbean is ideal for an all-inclusive break, its mix of sunshine and relaxed vibe feeding the instinct to curl up on a lounger and remain there for a week. Jamaica has embraced the concept via the likes of Melia Braco Village, a five-star retreat on its north coast at Rio Bueno, where the all-inclusive rate covers meals at five restaurants, drinks and a pool with a swim-up bar. For those inclined to move a muscle, kayaks, windsurf equipment and paddleboards, and an adventure zone with ziplines and a rope course, are also featured.

A seven-night all-inclusive trip costs from £1,829 per person with Kuoni.

2. St Lucian serenade

St Lucia offers all-inclusivity with an emphasis on well-being at the BodyHoliday resort – a five-star spa enclave at the north tip of the island where the all-inclusive rate extends to one 50-minute massage per person per day (with guests able to choose from 12 different treatments across their stay) and access to a gorgeous beach.

A seven-night all-inclusive holiday costs from £1,892 a head via British Airways Holidays.

St Lucia is one of the Caribbean's most beautiful isles Credit: istock

3. Grenadian glory

Often eclipsed in profile by Barbados and Antigua, Grenada is still a jewel of an island that delivers particularly cool all-inclusive escapes at the Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa on the sands of the south coast at L'Anse Aux Epines. It revolves around a mere 30 suites, most with private plunge pools. Breakfast can be served on your own terrace and a Gary Rhodes restaurant awaits for dinner.

A seven-night all-inclusive break, flying from Gatwick on May 8 will cost from £2,156 per person through Virgin Holidays.

4. Gorgeous Grenadines

Not far from Grenada, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Palm Island offers Robinson Crusoe fantasy on a private outcrop of 135 acres and just 43 rooms, where you can stroll along winding trails to two gourmet restaurants. The all-inclusive rate covers afternoon tea as well as main meals, plus non-motorised watersports and tennis.

A seven-night escape costs from £3,709 per person through Tropical Sky.

Run away to Palm Island Credit: getty

5. Cancun can

It's no surprise that Cancun – a resort city purpose-built for indolence on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula – revels in all-inclusivity. Le Blanc Spa Resort is adults-only and five-star, with four restaurants and six bars.

A seven-night all-inclusive holiday starts at £1,577 per person, via Teletext Holidays.

Indian Ocean

6. Maldivian mysteries

If ever a country were a perfect match for the idea of all-inclusive holidays, it is the Maldives – where being marooned on a desert island with nothing to do but be pampered is the very point of going. Turquoise Holidays offers sojourns at the Constance Moofushi resort, a 30-minute seaplane hop from Male in South Ari Atoll, where villas glitter beside or above azure shallows.

A seven-night all-inclusive holiday starts at £2,777 per person, including international flights and sea plane transfers, with Kuoni.

7. Mauritian magic

The five-star One&Only Le Saint Géran – named after the ship Le Saint Géran, which sank off the coast giving rise to the legend of Paul and Virginie, Mauritius's answer to Romeo and Juliet – sits on the eastern shore of Mauritius. The weather is affable throughout the year.

A seven-night half-board break can be booked through Virgin Holidays.

The five-star One&Only Le Saint Géran

8. Seychelles solitude

Maia Luxury Resort & Spa is a relaxing sanctuary with just 30 rustic-style villas and an outstanding Balinese-style spa. Set on a granite headland beside the idyllic Anse Louis beach on the wild and wonderful southwest coast of the main island, Mahé.

A seven-night all-inclusive getaway costs from £4,719 via Tropical Sky.

The Far East

9. Thai temptation

Thailand also offers lost-in-paradise reverie – not least on Koh Samui, where those seeking unhurried escapism and little else can snooze at the Melati Beach Resort & Spa on Thongson Bay on the north coast. The all-inclusive package comes with dinners at à la carte restaurants The View (on the beach) and Kan Sak Thong (Thai dishes), and an open bar between 10am and 10pm.

A seven-night all-inclusive break, flying from Heathrow on February 9, starts at £2,064 a head, via Virgin Holidays.

Take your pick of cuisine on an all-inclusive trip

Local dishes are often a highlight on an all-inclusive trip Credit: istock

10. Langkawi languor

A tropical joy which shimmers at the point where Malaysia meets Thailand, Langkawi lends itself to all-inclusive lying about. Perhaps at The Andaman, a five-star hideaway folded into the foliage of the island's north coast. A date with its all-inclusive rate means evenings in restaurants serving sushi and Malaysian recipes, and enjoying the stunning sunsets over cocktails at the beach bar.

Seven-night all-inclusive breaks at The Andaman in April cost from £2,692 per person via Kuoni.

Europe

11. Cyprus calling

All-inclusive holidays do not have to be on another continent. Tui provides them with a dash of finesse in Cyprus, near west-coast Paphos, where the Aphrodite Hills by Atlantica bears the stamp of the firm's high-end Sensatori brand. That means infinity pools, four restaurants and a shuttle bus the short distance to Zias Beach, where all-inclusive guests can expect snacks and drinks.

A four-night all-inclusive escape, flying from Manchester on March 21, starts at £416 per person with Tui.

Aphrodite Hills by Atlantica

12. Algarve attraction

Portugal's most southerly region has a reputation for cheaply cheerful lodging, but it dons a suit of superior cloth at the Sao Rafael Suites, near Albufeira. Here is a contemporary five-star hotel with three outdoor pools (one for children) and a spa, a 550yd (500m) walk from the beach.

A seven-night all-inclusive break, flying from Stansted on February 22, costs from £382 per person through Love Holidays.

13. Halkidiki heaven

Part of the Ikos portfolio of stylish all-inclusive retreats, chic Ikos Olivia resort basks on the waterside in Halkidiki, a short hop from Thessaloniki. This is an oasis where four pools, five restaurants, three bars, a spa and tennis courts sit in 22 acres of lawns and olive trees. Meals at selected local restaurants are also part of the all-inclusive rate.

Seven-night stays start at £680 per person with The Inspiring Travel Company. Flights are extra, but can also be booked via the operator.

Ikos Olivia Credit: tommy picone

14. Garda greatness

Ski specialist Inghams steers away from winter by offering all-inclusive breaks at the Parc Hotel, a four-star with indoor and outdoor pools and a wellness centre, at Peschiera del Garde on the Veneto side of Lake Garda. Such bookings take in all meals, house wine and beers, and activities such as cycling and tennis, and work well for families who like to stretch their legs.

A seven-night holiday for a family of four, flying from London Gatwick on August 18, costs from £1,179 per person, including transfers.

Adventure

15. Costa credentials

All-inclusivity does not only apply to fly-and-flop beach breaks. You can enjoy it on an adventurous holiday, too – as is shown by Natural World Safaris' Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon. Designed for newly-weds who don't wish to sit still, this 11-day trip throws itself at rainforest zip-lining and rafting on the Pacuare river. It offers accommodation at a series of lovely lodges, like the Lapa Rios private reserve on the Osa Peninsula.

The quoted price – from £4,495 a head – does not cover flights, but these can also be booked.

Raft the Pacuare river in Costa Rica Credit: istock

16. Airborne graces

Namibia may sound an unlikely all-inclusive destination, but that reckons without the Wings over Namibia escapade from Wexas Travel. This remarkable 10-day break soars by light aircraft between Windhoek and Etosha National Park via the Skeleton Coast, flying low for close-ups of a dramatic landscape.

The £7,220 starting price covers the full trip, including flights and all meals at deluxe accommodation such as Ongava Lodge in Etosha and the chic Olive Exclusive in the capital.

Discover Etosha National Park Credit: getty

17. Handy Andes

Although at first glance they don't fit the bill, cycling tours also flirt with all-inclusivity, generally providing their participants with full-board lodging to fuel them for their days in the saddle. This can be an appealing prospect when the destination is especially exotic. Step forward, then, Saddle Skedaddle and its Andes, Amazon and Machu Picchu break – a 16-day epic endeavour in Peru that takes its travellers up to the incomparable Inca citadel, but also down through rainforest treescapes.

From £2,845 a head including flights, bike hire and food, save for a couple of meals on non-riding days.

The USA

18. Having it Largo

With its love of the extra charge, America is not a natural friend of the nothing-more-to-pay hotel. So the arrival of the high-end adults-only Bungalows at Key Largo, reputed to be the country's first beachfront all-inclusive, was perhaps a surprise. Nonetheless, the Florida property offers unlimited food and alcoholic drinks, plus free fitness classes, watersports and bike use.

A seven-night stay in April starts at £1,821 per person. Flights extra.

Hang out with the turtles in Key Largo Credit: istock

19. Saddling up

Luxury and adventure collide at The Ranch at Rock Creek – a Montana hideaway of just 29 rooms and suites where guests can try the cowboy lifestyle without getting too dirty. The price includes more than 20 activities, such as archery, fishing, clay shooting and mountain biking as well as horse-riding, plus haute cuisine and a soothing spa at day's end.

A seven-night all-inclusive break costs from £6,010 per person via Elegant Resorts. This figure does not include international flights, but these can be added.

20. World's end wonders

Even Alaska is not beyond the reach of an all-inclusive escapade. For those who want to go to the world's end with no expense spared, Scott Dunn offers a 12-night Alaska in Ultimate Luxury jaunt, available between May and September. This realm of peaks and glaciers is traversed by time-saving private bush plane, allowing guests to slumber in glorious surroundings such as Tutka Bay Lodge on Kachemak Bay while also diving into Wrangell-St Elias National Park, where vast mountains tower above the ocean.

From £24,300 per person.

Alaska in Ultimate Luxury: an all-inclusive holiday like no other

21. West is best

To witness the best of America's vast landscapes try Explore's Western USA National Parks Explorer itinerary. This 14-day escorted trip takes you to Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Arches national parks, with time in San Francisco and Vegas too.

It is also effectively an all-inclusive as the price (from £2,660) covers all but a handful of meals. Next departure April 11.

Family

22. Simple Sardinia

Perdepera Beach Resort, an inviting property run by Mark Warner, offers lovely gardens, a soft beach and the offer of all-inclusive breaks where the price covers travel, meals, drinks, kids' clubs, cycling, tennis, watersports and fitness classes.

A seven-night getaway for a family of four, flying from Stansted on June 6, costs from £649 per person.

23. Seeing spots

Fancy something a little different to the European beach break this year? Exodus's Kenya Family Wildlife Quest is a great seven-day family adventure which offers an introduction to the African continent's most famous residents. Designed for 9-12 year olds (although also suitable for 13-16 year olds), it includes the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, and an elephant orphanage and giraffe centre in Nairobi – as well as most meals.

From £2,649 per person with Exodus.

Skiing

24. Swiss sensation

The enclosed world of the ski resort is ideal for all-inclusive indulgence, and Powder Byrne sells a Cruise the Mountain package that it describes as the "ultimate all-inclusive luxury ski break". This is no idle boast – a seven-night break in the Swiss resort of Arosa (at the five-star Tschuggen Grand Hotel or the deluxe Valsana Hotel & Appartements) comes with flights, first-class train transfers, breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea in the hotel, lunch on the slopes, six-day ski pass, ski rental and private guiding. Comprehensive.

From £3,900 per person.

Take to the slopes in Arosa Credit: getty

25. Alpine escapades

Crystal Ski plays the all-inclusive card at the Hotel Altitude – a four-star in the French Alps at Arc 2000. It offers two whirlpools, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and views of Mont Blanc.

A seven-night all-inclusive stay in early 2020 costs from £729 per person. Lift pass and ski hire additional.

26. Club classic

Club Med has made a shiny virtue of its all-inclusive ski holidays with a family flavour. Four-star Les Arcs Panorama, in the French Alpine resort of Les Arcs 1600, boasts indoor and outdoor pools, children's clubs, three restaurants and a snowboarding school.

Seven nights all-inclusive from £1,286 per person, with ski pass included but flights additional.

Safari

27. Both sides now

Safari holidays are effectively all-inclusive beach breaks with the surf and sand replaced by lions and giraffes. It is otherwise the same idea – a trip where you lift as few fingers as possible save to eat the delicious morsels put in front of you. Audley Travel even includes the sigh of the waves in its 17-day Luxury Kenya Safari and Beach break, which features everything plus the proverbial kitchen sink as it flits between Samburu National Reserve, the Maasai Mara and the cosy Waterlovers Hotel on the Indian Ocean shore at Diani Beach.

From £9,400 per person.

28. Sun Tanz

Cox & Kings follows a similar two-tone path in its Tanzania and Zanzibar in Style – a 13-day odyssey where lions and ocean roar in equal measure. The tour takes in one of Tanzania's smallest and least fabled wildlife zones (Lake Manyara National Park), and one of its biggest and most celebrated (Serengeti National Park) then swaps both for easy living and four nights in a beach lodge on Zanzibar.

Available from £8,075 per person, including flights, transfers – and five-star accommodation, with all meals throughout

Add a bit of beach to your safari Credit: getty

29. Monkey business

All-inclusivity also applies to the Blue Monkey Safari by Expert Africa, which avoids the site-hopping of other big-beast-focused breaks to linger in South Luangwa National Park in the east of Zambia at sophisticated Nkwali, a camp owned and run by specialist Robin Pope Safaris. Go in December and catch the start of the post-rain lushness of "Emerald Season".

A seven-night holiday costs from £3,015 per person, including flights, transfers, game drives, all meals and most drinks.

South Luangwa Credit: 2016

Cruise

30. Victorian values

Cruises tend to be floating havens of grand all-inclusivity. Voyages with Cunard are priced to cover all dining, activities and entertainment. With this in mind, and if money is no object, you might as well opt for the sumptuous full breakfast of the 108-night round-the-world voyage that will see the Queen Victoria sail west on Jan 10 2020. She departs from, and returns to, Southampton.

From £11,899 a head for an inside berth.

Will you be taking an all-inclusive holiday in 2020? What destinations do you love? To join the conversation log in to your Telegraph account or register for free, here.

View the latest TUI discount codes and offers

The best places to travel in 2018 - Irish Times

Posted: 06 Jan 2018 12:00 AM PST

BUDGET TRAVEL

Baiona, Galicia
The Spanish Costas are overrun with tourists as once-popular destinations in North Africa remain off limits. Northern Spain has better value and it's rarely better than Baiona in southern Galicia. The fishing port is close to Portugal so gets warmer weather and less rain than locations further north. The town has several small and appealing beaches – with countless others along the coast nearby. If you like seafood you will be in heaven with prices more reflective of the Spanish rather than the German or Irish cost of living.

Albania
Not the first place a family might think of, nor the easiest to get to – you'd have to travel via Manchester – but it has novelty factor and is much cheaper than Italy or Croatia. The beaches are beautiful, the villages quaint – look towards the medieval town of Kruja, Apollonia's ruins and Berat , the Unesco World Heritage site famous(ish) for Byzantine churches and Ottoman architecture. Car hire is less than €10 a day and restaurants and accommodation are as cheap. And the sun will shine.

Turkey
Turmoil in Turkey has seen its tourist industry struggle in recent years but a decline in popularity has had a consequential fall in package holiday prices. The more adventurous might want to check out Gaziantep, Turkey, a 90-minute flight from Istanbul, If you are into your food you'll be delighted to know it is one of only eight Unesco Creative Gastronomy cities in the world and also the pistachio capital of Turkey. It is a whole lot cheaper than the big resorts and Istanbul and while it is 200km away from the coast, it will bring out the adventurous spirit in some.

Costa de la Luz
This is the secret the Spanish keep to themselves because they don't want their coast of light blighted by lobster-red tourists from the north. The stretch of coast from Cadiz to Trafalgar (yes, the famous one) and Conil de La Frontera boasts stretches of sandy beaches and low-rise, eco-friendly resorts and endless days of unbroken sunshine are all but guaranteed. The beach-side restaurants are brilliant and brilliantly cheap, the surfing and body boarding are great craic and if you get bored Morocco is a day-trip across the sea. Don't go in July and August when all of Spain seems to be there.

Wild Atlantic Way
If it is good enough for Luke Skywalker it should be good enough for you. We are terrible in Ireland for overlooking the magical tourist hotspots on our doorstep and there can't be anywhere in the county that is attracting more attention internationally than Skellig Michael and the Wild Atlantic Way at its fringe. Don't plan it too much. Just pick a random spot along the way and start cycling. If you're not too fussy about your accommodation and don't let the weather get you down, you will have a great – and very cheap – holiday at home.

– Conor Pope

SMARTER CHOICES

Croatia has gone cruiseship mad - go on an adventure in Croatia's Paklenica, Northern Velebit and Plitvice National Parks.

The smartest thing you can do when it comes to travelling this year is to put down your smartphone and avoid social media frenzies. As tourist destinations become overrun, we need to stop and really think before travelling these days. So get smart by researching properly, talk to local experts and keep it real. Tourism is such a force for good. When handled the smart way. Not the hashtag way.

Cruising for a bruising
Many giant cruise ships have questionable environmental, economic and human rights records. I'll keep shouting until I'm hoarse, "We do not need a bigger boat." There are plenty of small ship cruise options. Cruise Croatia or the Galapagos with fewer than 40 on board, Iceland with 80 or Scotland with eight. Try a cruise in Scotland along Caledonian Canal. Coast to coast, the overland route. St Hilda Sea Adventures (sthildaseaadventures.co.uk) or The Majestic Line (themajesticline.co.uk). For vessels that don't vex, see The Small Ship Cruise Ship Collection (small-cruise-ships.com)

Wildlife gone wrong
Touchy feely wildlife tourism should be extinct. Even Instagram gives a warning message to wildlife selfie snappers. Say no to riding elephants, whales in water parks, cuddling dolphins or petting lion cubs. Instead, see them in the wild, and keep your distance. Always seek out responsible wildlife tourism experts. No mention of "responsible" on the site suggests ethically questionable. Why not go sea kayaking amid whale habitats in British Columbia, Canada, with BC Unbound (bcunbound.com). Lots of responsible tourism at Natural World Safaris (naturalworldsafaris.com) Tribes Travel (tribes.co.uk) and The Dolphin and Whale Connection (dolphinandwhaleconnection.com)

Politics and tourism
After years of travel boycotts, Myanmar is back on the controversial list because of its brutal purge of Rohingya Muslims. The choice is yours but, if you do go, travel responsibly so that your money stays locally. Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe means tourism can breathe a sigh of relief. Check out Exodus Travel's group trips (exodus.co.uk/zimbabwe-holidays) and tailor-made with Native Escapes (nativeescapes.com). If Trump's trip to Israel angered you, then visit Palestine. See Siraj Center (sirajcenter.org) for superb trips with peace at their core. Always keep up to date with DFA travel advice (dfa.ie) but also subscribe to Amnesty Ireland (amnesty.ie) as your new year's resolution.

See Siraj Center for superb trips with peace at their core in Palestine.

Adriatic awfulness
Croatia has gone cruiseship mad and Montenegro concrete crazy. Although only in certain spots, leaving plenty of these stunning countries to enjoy, if you know how. Go on an adventure in Croatia's Paklenica, Northern Velebit and Plitvice National Parks. And in Montenegro, Lake Skadar National Park is a stunner. Or get to the Adriatic before the other European schools break up. May and June are still quiet. Check out Undiscovered Montenegro for Skadar at its most spectacular (undiscoveredmontenegro.com) and walk Croatia's National Parks with Huck Finn Croatia (huckfinncroatia.com)

Volunteer vacations
The Caribbean's eco gem of an island, Dominica, was ravaged by Hurricane Maria and in serious need of tourists coming back. Volunteer to help rebuild a local Dominican community, with this trip on Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com/holiday/22253/help-rebuild-dominica-after-hurricane-maria). For updates on all Caribbean Islands post-Hurricanes Maria and Irma, see the Caribbean Tourist Board (caribbeantravelupdate.com) and Responsible Travel's online travel guide to Dominica including the long distance Waitukubuli walking Trail (responsibletravel.com).

– Catherine Mack

ECO/ WILDLIFE

Kayak across Lake Bled in Slovenia before following a trail through the trees to a tea room once used by President Tito.

Slovenia
Slovenia is made for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. It's the first country to be declared a green destination. The best time to visit depends on whether you want snowy peaks (Dec-March) or hiking and cycling (May-Sept). Outside these months, there is still plenty on offer. Check the "I Feel Slovenia" website (slovenia.info/en) for information. Fly from Dublin/Cork via Amsterdam, Frankfurt or London or to Venice and cross the border by train. Kayak across Lake Bled before following a trail through the trees to a tea room once used by President Tito. (lakeblednews.com/cafe-belvedere).

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Winter is not just for the skiers in Jackson Hole. It's also for the birds – hawks, eagles and owls – and the elk, moose, bison and wolves. The valley floor, part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, is as well regarded as Lamar Valley for wolf sightings. In summer, the Teton mountains that frame the "hole" (aka valley) provide the backdrop for grizzlies as they re-emerge. Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris (jacksonholewildlifesafaris.com), founded by photographer and guide Jason Williams, have winter and summer safari offerings. Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) has flights via Denver and Washington.

Antarctica
Head south to visit the world's last wild frontier, see its declining colonies of penguins and view spectacular glaciers breaking into icebergs. The carbon footprint of getting here is substantial – flying to Argentina and then boarding a cruise, so travel on fuel-efficient, Cleanship-certified vessels (Abercrombie & Kent's Ponant, abercrombiekent.com; Responsible Travel, responsibletravel.com) carrying 250 people or fewer. Only 100 passengers are permitted to disembark at one time. Support polar research through the Scott Polar Research Institute (spri.cam.ac.uk).

Botswana Wildlife Guiding Course
Be part of your own safari by learning to how to track the Big Five, to paddle your own canoe through the Okavango Delta and wild camp under the stars. "Safari Brothers" Grant and Brent Reed, known for their NatGeo Wild programme, run one- to four-week guiding courses (€1,624-€2,744pp) at their Okavango Guiding School (guidetrainingcourses.com). It is based in Kwapa Camp, in wilderness that stretches unfenced from northern Botswana into Angola and Zambia. Training sponsorship for a local guide is included. Courses are run all year round. Dry season is May to September. Watch the brothers on the National Geographic channel (channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/safari-brothers/videos).

Azores
Once famous for its whaling, this Portuguese archipelago is now a whale-watching hotspot. You can also hike, bike, visit wineries and taste cheese. Blue and fin whales pass through from April to June while sperm whales, dolphins and sea birds gather all year round. Bring waterproof bags for your camera if you plan to travel around the nine volcanic islands and book accommodation at least a few nights in advance at busy times. Archipelago Choice offers a seven-night whale-watching holiday to Pico (azoreschoice.com, €990).

– Leonie Corcoran

Newly accessible/in from the edges

As the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, Timor-Leste, or East Timor, is finding itself on the tourist map.

The old adage that it's better to travel in hope than to arrive gets reworked by those whose only hope is to get there before everybody else does.

St Helena
Until last year, the remote island of St Helena was only accessible by postal ship. Thanks to a new airport, the tiny south Atlantic island, 1200km from the nearest landmass, is being repurposed as the Galapagos of the Atlantic. It's particularly good for divers, teeming with marine life and wrecks. Dive Worldwide has weeklong packages from £2,795pps including UK flights. It has great diving and you can expect to see whale sharks between December and March.

Timor Leste
As the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, Timor-Leste, or East Timor, is finding itself on the tourist map. Just 270km by 75km, it is packed with beautiful beaches , tropical forests and mountain ranges. Responsible Travel has two-week holidays starting in the capital, Dili, and then staying in a mix of guesthouses and stunning eco resorts, including visits to Jaco and Atauro islands, camping, trekking and snorkelling for €3,799, excluding flights. September to November is whale season.

Cape Verde
The very words will bring back uncomfortable Celtic Tiger memories but interest is growing in these Atlantic islands 500 km off Senegal. It is driven by beaches, lunar landscapes and colourful, cobbled towns like Santa Maria on Sal. On Boa Vista the beach stretches 55km right round the island. You'll find Loggerhead turtles and there's year-round sun, so it offers a good alternative to the Canaries in winter.

Azerbaijan
Call it the power of the Eurovision but ever since Azerbaijan hosted it in 2012, interest in the former Soviet republic has been growing. Baku has gleaming architecture towering over medieval streets. New builds include the three Flame Towers, a reference to its Zoroastrian heritage, and Zaha Hadid's convention centre, named for the ruling family. Check out the Croisette-style prom on the seafront, and go in March, for Novruz, the spring festival. Just don't go near Nagorno-Karabackh, it is contested and dangerous. (And don't ask why everything is named after the one family.)

Laos
Head for Laos, itself only open to foreigners since 1990. Sights include the Four Thousand Islands to the far south, the Khmer ruins at Wat Pho, and the capital, Vientiane. If you want to see elephants, head to Luang Prabang, where there's a great sanctuary. Go from November to April, when it's drier, but for once, don't take the road less travelled because there are landmines.

– Sandra O'Connell

FAMILY

UK
Brexit has us in a tizz but sterling's collapse means Britain has rarely been better value and by exploiting differences in school holidays (English schools don't break until July 16th next year) you'll make bigger savings. A three-bed "deluxe" caravan on the Devon Cliffs with Haven (haven.com) at the end of June/start of July was available before Christmas for £659 (€745). A Stena Line ferry costs just under €500 so you'd get a week for a family for about €1,200. Alternatively seven-nights with Haven booked through Irish Ferries in a two-bed "Deluxe" holiday home in the Welsh holiday park of Hafan Y Mor costs €997 for six including a return car ferry crossing.

Catalonia
When it comes to good value family sun holidays, camping's hard to beat. France is popular but a better, cheaper option is Catalonia. Playa Mont Roig, 90 minutes from Barcelona, is a self-contained beachside campsite with well-equipped caravans, excellent pool complexes, tennis courts, playgrounds and a kids club. A week in a three-bed caravan with eurocamp.ie at the end of June starts at €1,400. The restaurants and shops on site are grand but the giant supermarkets nearby with cheap food and cheaper booze are best. Port Aventura and the Aqopolis water park are 20 minutes' drive away but book in advance for discounts and if you're in the water park go for the return deal advertised when you're there. It allows you bring your family back for a second day for €20.

Dunmore East
Holidaying at home comes with weather-related perils and it's not always cheap but if things go well it can be perfect. Hotel accommodation is dear and camping can be dodgy but we like the three-bed lodges in the Dunmore East Holiday Park which cost €1,400 for a July week. The village and its restaurants are gorgeous, the beaches stunning and the Greenway will keeps families endlessly entertained even on grey days.

Sardinia
If you want to live like the rich and famous for a week, the sprawling Forte Village complex in Southern Sardinia is where you want to be just like the Beckhams and Abramoviches. There's tennis, pitch and putt, basketball and football (professional clubs host soccer camps), water sports, a magic academy, a "Children's Wonderland" including Mario's village and a "Barbie Activity". There's a full-sized go-kart track, beach volleyball, bowling and more. Dedicated chefs in gleaming whites cook buffets for little ones in their own restaurant. It's amazing but you'll have little change out of six grand for a week's half-board for four. Book direct at fortevillageresort.com or via citalia.com.

Paris
The French capital is an Airbnbers paradise – with hundreds of two and three bedroom apartments close to the city's excellent metro system and within striking distance of all the sights available for less than €100 a night. It is cheap and easy to fly directly too and has enough sites and crepes to keep children – and their parents – endlessly amused and if you're struggling, Disneyland Paris is a short hop away.

– Conor Pope

BIG SPEND

Save your airfare and enjoy a few nights of Ireland in luxury in luxury accommodation such as Adare Manor.

Around the world
It doesn't take 80 days to get around the world anymore. You can do it in 22 with National Geographic Expeditions (nationalgeographicexpeditions.com). And a private jet. Obviously. The trip to end all trips starts in Seattle and includes Kyoto, the Gobi Desert, Siberia, Reykjavík and Greenland. You will be accompanied by a NatGeo team of "world class" experts to answer all your questions at every stop and in between. You can go any time of year, as long as you have €80,000 resting in an account.

Galápagos Islands
Who doesn't want to see boobies? On this remote Pacific archipelago of lava formations, cactus forests, green highlands and turquoise bays, you'll see boobies – blue-footed – and other wildlife at every turn. Darwin's "Enchanted Isles" offer some of the best up-close-and-personal wildlife encounters on the planet and can be accessed via organised cruise tours (intrepidtravel.com; wildfrontierstravel.com; ecoventura.com; gadventures.com). Every month has wildlife highlights, but seas tend to be calmer and clearer in the humid, slightly rainy season from December to May. December, January, July and August are the busiest months. Pick a cruise that allows you ashore as early as possible to avoid other groups and see animal activity.

Great American Road Trip
America is the country of the road trip and there's no better way to travel to the heart of its vastness it than by driving into it. Go coast to coast on Route 20 or 30; north to south on Route 66 or 61; or hit State sights California's 101 or in Monument Valley. Travel in a classic car (ridefree.com), RV (cruiseamerica.com) or airstream (airstream2go.com). Remember speed limits vary by State, vehicle and time of day (fhwa.dot.gov). According to US journalist Charles Kuralt, the interstate "makes it possible to go from coast to coast without seeing anything or meeting anybody. If the United States interests you, stay off the interstates."

Northern Peru
While the hordes have been flocking to Machu Picchu for decades, meaning travel in is now restricted, the pre-Incan villages in the north have been off the radar. Red Savannah (redsavannah.com) and Intrepid (intrepidtravel.com) offer trips that include Kuelap's sun gate; 1,500-year-old friezes in the Temple of the Moon near Trujillo; Unesco site Chan Chan and Peru's northern cloud forest and Gocta Falls, the third-highest waterfall in the world. It's best to travel during the dry season, May to September.

Ireland in style
Save your airfare and instead enjoy a few nights of Ireland in luxury. Hire a private driver guide (irelandchauffeurtravel.com) so you can sit back and travel with ease in a luxury car, enjoy the views, avoid the rows and sample the lunch and distillery offerings (Midleton, Kilbeggan, Bushmills) en route to luxury accommodation such as Adare Manor, Ashford Caste, Ballinahinch Castle or Gregan's Castle. Provide a budget and preferences and they can arrange the rest. Head before the summer crowds and when the weather adds to the experience of staying in a five-star hotel. And don't forget, when you are splashing out on five-star hotels, give yourself enough time to enjoy all the facilities, including people watching.

– Leonie Corcoran

CITIES

Philadelphia
The city of brotherly love will have two daily services from Dublin from March, with Aer Lingus fares from €202. Within a square mile you'll find the Independence Museum, The National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell Centre and the African American Museum. Philly, a great walking city, as the easy-to-navigate streets are wide and tree-lined. It is a tax-free city for shopping, while late-night party-goers should try Union Transfer, Fillmore Philadlephia, or the Trestle Inn. The city embraces murals; there are nearly 4,000 and you can tour by app or with a guide, muralarts.org. See discoverPHL.com.

Seville
Murillo fans should put 2018 in their diaries as Seville will be marking the 400th anniversary of the Baroque painter. There will be six exhibitions during the year. Seville has some great modern architecture, including the Metropol Parisol, an extraordinary wooden structure at La Encarnacion Plaza. This December, the city will host the 31st European Film Awards. Seville is also known for the quality of its tapas. Move from bar to bar trying the house specialities. spain.info/en.

Oslo
Norway's capital has been named in the Lonely Planet top 10 cities for 2018. Oslo is cheap to get to with Norwegian return flights from under €70. This year, King Harald V and Queen Sonya will celebrate 50 years of marriage and the city has a packed calendar to mark the occassion. Explore the islands around the city on a City Pass card and eat fish in Fiskeriet.com on Youngstorgatet. Drink lovers will enjoy Himkok on Storgata, a flag bearer for Oslo's cocktail scene. See visitoslo.com.

Bristol
Bristol is enjoying a upturn in its fortunes and has become a great city break destination. It has incredible street art and is touted as the best place to eat outside London. The Good Food Guide included seven new entries for Bristol this year. Explore the street art heritage of Banksy and friends with wherethewall.com/tours. Explore the Floating Dock area, a redevelopment that is bringing visitors to the city. Eat in one of Britain biggest restaurants ZaZaBazaar where they can feed 2,100 people every day. Watch out for Wallace and Gromit, they live in Bristol. VisitBristol.com

Valetta – European city of culture
Valletta's year of culture kicks off from January 20th with over 400 events planned for the year. The City of Culture will spread all around the island and to neighbouring Gozo. Over 1,000 local and international artists, curators, artist collectives, performers, workshop leaders, writers, designers, choirs and film-makers will participate in culture year. Visit St John's Co Cathedral, one of the most lavish churches in the world. Or people watch at Rampila restaurant in the ramparts overlooking the city entrance, rampila.com. See the programme for Year of Culture, valletta2018.org.

– Joan Scales

INTERESTING ALTERNATIVES

Specialist holiday provider Wild Photography Holidays describes Greenland as "like Iceland on steroids.

It's always good to have a Plan B when you travel, particularly when you've already done Plan A and want somewhere like it, but new.

Skip Iceland, go to Greenland
Time was when making it to Iceland had a certain cachet. But specialist holiday provider Wild Photography Holidays (wildphotographyholidays.com) describes Greenland as "like Iceland on steroids". As Iceland is pretty amped already, Greenland can only be a good thing. There are no roads between settlements so pack the Kwells, you'll be travelling by boat.The Jakobshavn Glacier is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the best time to visit is between February and March for snaps, sunrise and sunset at their most spectacular.

Skip western Europe, go to Macedonia
Walking holiday enthusiasts find much to love about western Europe, except for the heat. In the height of summer, temperatures can climb well into the chafing 40s. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia presents a cooler clime, and indeed, climb, according to Walks Worldwide, a travel company. It has the added advantage of fewer visitors too, even at the height of summer. Visit Ohrid, a Unesco heritage site, with fine Byzantine churches, frescos, and traditional-styled houses.

Skip the Greek islands, go to Pelion
Skip the Greek islands in favour of unspoiled locations on the Pelion Peninsula, the mountainous region with sandy beaches between Athens and Thessaloniki, regarded by some as Greece's best kept secret. Fairlight Jones has three-bedroom villas with private pool and a seafront location at Kato Gatzea, an archetypal seaside village, from £662 per person sharing, including car hire and flights. It's where the gods of Olympus went on their summer holidays, and the best months are still May to September. The best beaches are on the eastern side.

Skip Kerala, go to Karnataka
Kerala may be God's own country but you'll get way more bragging rights for Karnataka, to the north. From the palace at Mysore, to the fort at Bidar and the Vittala Temple with its musical columns, there is loads to see. Cities, wildlife parks, hill stations, world heritage sites, ancient pilgrimage sites, beaches, waterfalls and one of the world's biggest freestanding statues. And guess what, it's got backwaters too. It's best to visit between November and April, and you can get a concentrated dose of Karnataka culture at the three day Hampi Utsav festival which takes place in early November.

Skip your local, go to Tipperary
Looking for a lock-in? Want a few drinks without having to worry about getting home? Keen to shout "drinks for everyone in the house" without breaking the bank? Conroy's Old Bar (conroysoldbar.com) is just the alternative for you. The Tipperary pub is available to rent on a self-catering basis. It's open 365 days a year – even Good Friday as it has no liquor licence, so it's BYOB all the way, but come on, your own pub?

– Sandra O'Connell

FESTIVITIES

Seoul, South Korea. The Winter Olympics take place in South Korea from February 9th-25th, 2018.

Easter celebrations in Spain
Easter celebrations in Spain (March 23rd -April 1st, 2018) are celebrated in the Semana Santa festivities. In Malaga, penitents will take to the street wearing extraordinary costumes with huge hooded hats, while massive effigies and icons are carried through the streets. In Marbella, the Easter festival has processions every day around the city where beautifully dressed people sing, and carry effigies and gifts into the churches. There are usually Easter processions in all towns and cities in Spain, spain.info/en.

Festival No 6
Set in the picturesque Italianate coastal village of Portmeirion, Festival No 6's mysterious name refers to the Prisoner cult series from the 1960s. The quirky village comprises Italian period buildings in a carefully landscaped cove. The festival, which runs from September 6th-9th, 2018, includes performances in the historic town hall and sea shanties by the estuary. Or you could just unwind in the woodland spa. The The have just been announced as lead act. You can sleep in a castle, a cottage, a boutique tipi, or pitch your own tent in the lush gardens. There will be musicians, guest chefs preparing a banquet, arts, culture, and activities. Weekend tickets from £175/€197, festivalnumber6.com

Nola is 300
The most diverse city in the United States will celebrate 300 years history with a programme of events throughout the year. There will be music and parties aplenty but also serious discussions on inter-faith, a global summit on women and girls, and unique art exhibitions, plus a look at how the city has progressed since Hurricane Katrina. One of the biggest events will be Mardi Gras on February 13th, there will be parades all around the city in the days leading up to it. See 2018nola.com and mardigrasneworleans.com

South Korea
Winter Olympics take place in South Korea from February 9th-25th, 2018. Visitors can visit the DMZ, the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, and it is the top tourist attraction. The Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered the most beautiful of the many palaces. Korean food is becoming popular and not to be missed. A classic tour of the country with G Adventures would include Seoul, the DMZ, Busan and the palaces, visiting food markets, a stay in a monastery and the tropical Jeju Island from €2,249 plus flights, gadventures.com.

Russia
The World Cup brings lots of interest to Russia from mid-June to mid-July. As it is such a vast country the easiest way to travel is as part of a guided tour. The White Nights Festival in St Petersburg from May 24th- July 23rd is when the cultural institutions of the Hermitage and the Marinsky Theatre open with a big programme of ballet, opera, art and music (Saint-petersburg.com). Trips to Russia with citiescapes.ie include St Petersburg and Moscow from Helsinki, eight nights from €1,749pps and cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow, 10 nights from €1,599pps. Three-day trips to St. Petersburg are visa-free (travelescapes.ie).

– Joan Scales

Beat the rush: 50 amazing holidays you should book before January - The Telegraph

Posted: 08 Nov 2018 12:00 AM PST

The art of travel is not just about knowing where to go and when, it is also about knowing when to book. And for many holidays, the answer is now. Every year, just after Christmas there is a spectacular surge in the number of people researching and booking their holidays for the next year.

The travel industry is well used to it and each January gears up for the demand. By contrast, however November and the first weeks of December are the quietest time of all. People are focused on the build up to the festive season and travel agents and tour operators are left drumming their fingers.

So, assuming you are able to commit, you would do well to forget about stirring the Christmas pudding mix for a while and set aside some time to thinking about planning your holidays for next year, and in some cases beyond.

Not only are you likely to be able to secure a better price, but you will have the most flexibility, the best choice of rooms, seats, cabins or departure dates. And you will also find that consultants have more time and hopefully more inclination to help you find exactly what you want. In short, you will get a much better holiday for a much better price.

To help you plan, we've picked out 50 examples of holidays that you would do well to book much sooner rather than later. Of course, there are some exceptions. If you like to travel off peak to places where there are lots of flights and plenty of accommodation, you will do well to wait. Otherwise, act now to beat the rush.

The Keukenhof gardens in Holland Credit: OLENA ZNAK

Cruises

Opinion varies among expert cruisers about how do get the best deals and cabins. But much depends on what sort of cruise you want to book. The best cabins on those with very limited availability or at peak times can sell out a long time in advance, especially in places like Antarctica and Galapagos. Prices below are per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, flights and transfers unless otherwise stated. All meals are included onboard cruises.

1. Book blooming early

For about eight weeks from mid-March to mid-May the Keukenhof gardens in Lisse, in northern Holland put on Europe's most dazzling flower show. Over six million tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs all bloom at once, and the world's amateur gardeners and flower-lovers all want a piece of it. Tours are already booking up, especially itineraries which are combined with tour with time in Amsterdam and Antwerp. Brightwater offers limited cabins on river cruiser, MS Gérard Schmitter with bulb field excursion.

From £1,295 for a four-night Dutch Bulbfield Cruise departing April 14, 2019 in a twin-berth cabin (brightwaterholidays.com)

2. Cabin fever

The Transatlantic crossing to New York ending in the glorious view of Manhattan and the statue of Liberty is one of the most sought after of all cruises. Cunard's Queen Mary 2, makes this iconic journey regularly, year round. If you aren't fussy about the departure date, direction of cruise or accommodation you can always find a space - but this is not the case if you want a higher, ocean-facing cabin on the westbound leg. These are already disappearing fast for 2019 dates.

From £1,179 for a westbound Transatlantic Crossing departing Southampton on April 28, 2019 in an oceanview stateroom (cunard.co.uk)

3. D-Day anniversary

June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in 1944, when over 150,000 Allied soldiers disembarked on the Normandy beaches, the launch of Operation of Overlord. Tight security and limited hotel space means visiting by land will be difficult in June, but there's still some availability on cruiser, MS Marco Polo's commemorative itinerary which takes in the beaches, plus Antwerp, Honfleur and Rouen, and is accompanied by a WWII historian.

From £839 for an inside cabin on a six-night 75th D-Day Anniversary Cruise departs Portsmouth departing June 2, 2019 (cruiseandmaritime.com)

4. Call of the high C's

It may be a year away, but autumn is the most popular season for themed cruises in the Mediterranean and they sell quickly. Three categories of cabin are already booked out for next October's departure on the 382-berth Silversea's Silver Shadow which features evening operatic performances by members of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Ports of call include the Greek islands of Mykonos, Patmos and Rhodes, plus ports in Turkey, Cyprus and Israel.

From £5,130 for an 11-day Mediterranean Cruise departing Piraeus on October 22 in a vista suite excluding flights and transfers (silversea.com)

On board the Viking Star cruise ship in New York

A Transatlantic cruise crossing that winds up with this view? Yes please Credit: Viking Cruises

5. Duoro demand

Classic cruises, particularly the more compact, week-long itineraries on Europe's great rivers, sell like hot cakes for departures in peak months. Whether you fancy the Rhine, the Danube, the Rhone or the Douro opportunities to book the best boats for spring and summer departures are dwindling. Scenic's eight-day Douro cruise on Scenic Azure, taking in Porto and rural landscapes of northern Portugal, is already sold out from April to September, so act now to secure options for later in the year.

From £3,295 in a river view suite on the Delightful Douro cruise departing October 3 (£2,245 in standard suites departing October 30) (scenic.co.uk)

6. Single-minded

Single cabins on cruise ships are thin on the ground and you need to be quick out of the blocks to book them. P&O has a few which are specifically designed for solos on seven of its eight ships. Of these, the newly-refurbished Arcadia, a mid-size, adult-only ship has a small number of inside and balcony single cabins on its sundeck and you need to act now to get one.

From £4,478 in a single balcony cabin on a 28-night Madeira, Caribbean and Azores cruise, calling at Barbados, Grenada and St Kitts, departing Southampton October 29, 2019 (pocruises.com)

7. Christmas cruising

More than a year in advance some categories of cabin for iconic river cruises in winter sun destinations are already sold out for Christmas and New Year 2019. For example, all junior suites available on Viking River Cruises Christmas and New Year itineraries on the Mekong river from Hanoi, Vietnam to Phnon Penh in Cambodia (including the temples of Siem Reap) have been sold. However, some less luxurious cabins are still available.

From £5,825 in a standard cabin on a 15-day Magnificent Mekong cruise departing December 23 or 27, 2019 (vikingrivercruises.co.uk)

Hanoi, Vietnam Credit: Getty

8. Early-bird deals

For more general cruise itineraries, November and December are generally quiet months for bookings so this is the time when river and ocean cruise operators promote their best-value early booking deals. These typically include money-off savings or "value added" elements including complimentary airline and cabin upgrades, hotel stays or excursions, with deals running on a time-limited basis.

From £3,095 for a 13-day Assam & the Mighty Brahmaputra rail and cruise tour in India departing September 26, 2019. Includes a discount of £200 for bookings before December 26 (use code IBRNEW). Excludes flights and transfers (greatrail.com)

9. Snow bound

Antarctica's short season - November to March, and the small size of the expedition ships (only 100 people are allowed to disembark onto the region's shore at a time) means it is essential to book a year or more in advance for a decent choice of departure and cabin type. Discover the World is taking bookings on its 88-berth ice-breaker, Ushuaia, up to March 2020, for example.

From £4,492 for a ten-day Antarctic cruise on M/V Ushuaia, excluding flights and transfers (discover-the-world.co.uk)

10. Galapagos: 2020 vision

You are only likely to visit the Galapagos once in a lifetime, so it's worth making sure you are on one of the smaller boats which cruise the islands - you have a much more individual and personal experience. Not surprisingly they sell out a long time in advance, especially for Easter or Christmas departures.

One of the most popular is the 14-berth motor-schooner The Beagle which is currently taking bookings for 2020, but other top picks include the 18-berth 1920s-style cruiser, Grace and the elegant tall ship, Mary Anne, accommodating up to 16 passengers.

From £3,225 (year round price) for an eight-day cruise on The Beagle, excluding flights and US $100 park tax (galapagosspecialists.co.uk)

Join this fellow in the Galapagos Credit: istock

Prime properties

Demand for high-quality, decent-sized houses, villas, and chateaux in excellent locations at peak times is extraordinarily strong, especially those big enough to sleep more than one family. Nearly all will be gone by January, and in some cases you need to forget about 2019 and look to 2020.

Prices quoted below are for one week, rental-only unless stated otherwise.

11. Warwickshire Castle

The Landmark Trust won the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2013 for its adaptation of the ruins of Astley Castle, a 13th-century manor house, and is one of its most popular properties.The accommodation includes four bedrooms, a woodburning stove and moated grounds and is already fully-booked until 2020.

£2,484 for four nights from August 3, 2020 (landmarktrust.org.uk)

12. Georgian beach house

Close to the shingle beach and stylish shops of Southwold, South Green House, sleeping 12, suits groups and families who want a roomy base with easy access to restaurants and pubs. It has almost sold for peak weeks in 2019, but, if you're fast off the mark, the Whitsun half term is still available and families with pre-school children or adult groups have a better choice of dates in June and September.

£4,275 (plus £35 booking fee) from May 24, 2019 (suffolk-secrets.co.uk)

Southwold has a special charm Credit: istock

13. Captain's House, Cornwall

Close to Mounts Bay beach, with views over the sea towards St Michael's Mount, and a secure walled garden, the Captain's House in Marazion near Penzance, sleeps up to ten people in five bedrooms. August is completely booked, but there's still time to bag a July week or a stay at Whitsun half term.

£3,628 from July 19, 2019 (ruralretreats.co.uk)

14. Lakeside hideaway in Cumbria

A private jetty with boat mooring is a key reason why The Osprey, a family house sleeping four on the shores of Lake Windermere, is in such strong demand. But there are a handful of peak weeks still available for 2019 for anyone looking for Swallows and Amazon-style holiday overlooking the lake.

£4,095 from August 2, 2019 (uniquehomestays.com)

15. Seaside rectory in Wales

A stone's throw from the long stretch of golden sand at Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula, The Old Rectory is among the most sought-after properties in the National Trust's holiday cottage portfolio. Although almost entirely booked for next year, there's a lone week in August still up for grabs, and a choice of peak months in 2020 (bookings taken until September 2020). It sleeps seven people, in four bedrooms, and has cosy interiors with outdoor sitting area and garden.

£3,467 from August 8, 2019 (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Rhossili Bay - not what springs to mind when you think of Wales Credit: istock

16. Umbrian farmhouse

Stylishly renovated, rustic hideaways in popular Italian regions are always best-sellers. Villa Tesoro in Umbria is a prime example. Sleeping eight adults and four children, this recently-refurbished, sixteenth-century farmhouse has fenced swimming pool and views over an unspoilt valley. An indoor soft-play area for small children is a particular USP.

€8,625 from August 10, 2019 (scottwilliams.co.uk)

17. Good value retreat in Menorca

Sa Tanca near Cala Morell is one of Vintage Travel's most popular villas. Sleeping six, with a grassy, landscaped garden and sea views. It's already booked out from May to the end of September, but has a couple of July weeks still available.

£1,752 from July 5, 2019 (vintagetravel.co.uk)

18. Chateau in the Loire

Perfect for big groups, French chateaux offer both space and sense of occasion, as well as some fascinating history. The 17th-century Chateau Le Brun in the Loire sleeps 12 in six bedrooms and is set in a 52-acre park. It has a large heated pool and beamed living rooms filled with striking arworks. A handful of summer weeks are still available..

£4,084 from August 24, 2019 (oliverstravels.com)

19. Beach house in Corsica

Corsica's largely undeveloped coastline means that there is a shortage of accommodation with easy access to its powder-sand beaches. Pinarello Beach House on the east coast is a sought-after exception. Sleeping six (including a handy, separate ensuite annex for two), it has its own pool a shady, shoreline garden and is simply furnished and decorated in cool blues and terracottas. Availability in peak weeks is dwindling fast.

£1,333 per person from August 25, 2019, based on six sharing, including flights and car hire (simpsontravel.com)

20. Family villa in Corfu

Holiday houses in the fashionable, north-eastern corner of Corfu fill early with repeat bookings year on year. Already the pickings here are becoming either eye-poppingly priced or thin on the ground. Petrino is a stone-built house sleeping six within a five-minute walk of St Stephano's shops, harbour and beach, with private pool, large sun-terrace and views of the bay. The Easter holidays and early summer months are heavily booked and the window of opportunity in August is beginning to vanish.

£4,935, starting August 26, 2019 (cvvillas.com)

The facade of Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley

French chateaux living: nothing quite like it Credit: istock

2019 peak weeks

The biggest contingent of bookers come January will be families looking for holidays during the school vacations. If you are in that camp, don't wait any longer, act now. Prices are per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, flights and transfers for a week unless otherwise stated.

21. Flights to Europe

Airfares can go up as well as down according to demand, but for peak dates they rarely drop. So getting as soon soon after bookings open can save a fortune. EasyJet (easyjet.com) opened bookings for its flights until September 2019 a few weeks ago. And this month, its next booking window open for travel between September 2 and October 27, 2019 (which includes Michaelmas half term). Jet2 (jet2.com) which operates to Med destinations from eight UK airports, has also opened bookings for summer 2019 while Ryanair's current booking window also extends until October 2019.

22. Florida at Easter

Easter is one of the best times for a family trip to the Florida theme parks and packages for this region are available nearly two years in advance). For best choice of hotel and departure plan ahead to 2020, as most family-favourite hotels are already sold out for 2019. A rare exception is the three-star Rosen Inn International in Orlando, conveniently located for the parks, with availability in rooms for up to five people.

From £1,094, for 14-nights at Rosen Inn International, based on a family of four sharing, room only, departing April 8, 2019 (thomascook.com)

23. Easter sunshine in Tenerife

Tenerife's sunny south coast is a favourite destination for families looking for an upmarket stay in accommodation like the five-star suite-hotel Villa Maria which has spacious villa-style rooms and child-friendly vibe. Christmas and February half-term are sold out, but a handful of larger, three-bedroom villas, with private pools, are still available during the Easter school holidays.

From £1,534 per person, based on six people sharing a villa with car hire, departing April 9, 2019 (cachet-travel.co.uk)

24. Whitsun half term in Cyprus

Cyprus is a good bet for reliable balmy spring sunshine at May half term: temperatures peak at around 24C with ten hours of sunshine. The five-star Almyra Hotel on the seafront in Paphos is one of Sunvil's best selling hotels and rooms here are already filling for this peak week. Facilities include a kid's club and creche, playgroom and family rooms plus watersports and landscaped gardens. Nearby bars and nightlife will suit older children.

From £1,038, half board, based on two interconnecting rooms, departing May 22, 2019 (sunvil.co.uk)

25. Channel crossing in summer peak

If you're planning to take your car abroad in July and August, and know your travel dates for 2019, you'll get book by far the best choice of crossing times and lowest fares if you book now. Day-time, weekend departures on the Dover to Calais crossings and longer, overnight southbound crossings from Portsmouth to St Malo (which are currently at 90 per cent capacity for some peak Thursday and Friday crossings) are first to fill. Eurotunnel opens its summer booking soon.

From £118 Dover-Calais return for a car plus a family of four (two adults and two children under 15 years) in August 2019 (ferry.dfdsseaways.co.uk)

Hydra, one of the Saronic Islands Credit: AP

26. Flotilla sailing in the Greek Islands

The months either side of the school holidays are peak period for flotilla sailing holidays in Greece. Specialist operator, Sailing Holidays says its most popular Saronic Island flotilla is already fully booked from May to mid-June and throughout September and October. However, July and August are also filling and choice will be very limited by Christmas.

£1,675 (£1,560 for under 18s) for a 14- night Saronic Island-hopping Flotilla based on a hire of a Beneteau 331 yacht, departing August 4, 2019 (sailingholidays.com)

27. Summer stays in US National Parks

The national parks of the Western US attract huge numbers of visitors particularly in the summer months - the Grand Canyon alone draws in over six million a year. Visiting for the day is not a problem, but if you want to stay overnight there is only very limited accommodation inside the parks and you need to think about booking it now. Campsites for tents and motorhomes and and rooms in park lodges generally sell out for stays from April to September (see nps.gov).

From £2,099 for an eight-night Grand Circle fly-drive holiday, including car hire, National Parks pass and accommodation. Excludes flights (trailfinders.com)

28. Overnight sailings to northern Spain

Some of the peak Spanish sailings (from Portsmouth to Santander and Portsmouth to Bilbao) on Brittany Ferries ship, Cap Finistère, are already 75 per cent sold and are expected to sell out by Christmas. The ship offers limited cabin space compared to vehicle capacity so overnight accommodation is snapped up quickly. Popular southbound sailings depart to Bilbao on Wednesday and Sunday, and to Santander on Fridays.

From £837 return from Portsmouth to Santander, for a car with two passengers, including ensuite cabin during July and August 2019 (brittanyferries.com)

29. Best hotel rooms in Majorca

Hotel regulars are not only quick off the mark in booking up stays in a favourite hotel many months in advance of travel, but also bag the best rooms. For example, higher floor, balcony sea view rooms at the family-run, four-star superior Illa D'Or hotel in the popular Majorcan resort of Puerto Pollensa, which are above the tree-line and command long views over the bay, are guaranteed to fly off the shelf first.

From £1,833 in a sea view room with balcony, departing August 8, 2019 (classic-collection.co.uk)

30. Christmas in the Caribbean

Forget this year, organised bookers are already planning more than a year in advance for their Christmas break in the Caribbean in 2019. Despite some eye-watering prices and minimum stay requirements, top rooms and suites are reserved by the same guests year after year. Caribbean specialist, Caribtours has a team which is dedicated to Christmas bookings and says Blue Waters Resort and Spa is one of its top-selling hotels with popular room categories selling now.

From £8,999 in a deluxe beachfront room, departing December 20, 2019 (caribtours.co.uk)

Christmas tree lights on a palm tree in the Caribbean

Organised bookers plan a Christmas break in the Caribbean more than a year in advance Credit: istock

Best escorted trips

31. Family Morocco

Organised families are already snapping up child-friendly activity tours with departure dates at February half term and in the Easter holidays. Warm weather and a fascinating culture makes Morocco one of the favourite destinations for camel riding, desert camping and exploring around the souks and palaces of Marrakech.

From £1,039 (adult), £935 (child) on an Camels & Kashbahs Family Holiday departing February 16 and April 13, 2019. Includes some meals (exodus.co.uk)

32. Inca Trail in South America

The four-day trek to Peru's mountain citadel, Machu Picchu, requires a permit which are restricted to 500 per day for trekkers and accompanying guides and crew. Next year's permits were released in early October [2018] and the most popular period for walking the trail is May to August. Specialist operators include the cost of a permit in their tours, around $190, (£144) and advise booking at least six months ahead of travel for a reasonable choice of availability.

£1,550 11-day Classic Inca Trail tour from with a four-day trek and some meals, excluding flights and transfers, departing May 27, 2019 (worldexpeditions.com)

33. The Milford Track in New Zealand

One of the world's most scenic walks, the 40-mile Milford Track in the Fiordland National Park opens from October until April. A maximum of 40 people per day are allowed on the four-day hike with pre-booked accommodation in huts provided along the route (camping isn't permitted). Ramblers Walking Holidays, offers the track as an add-on to its New Zealand itineraries but early booking is essential to be sure of overnight availability.

From £4,205 for a 17-night South Island Discovery including some meals, excluding flights and transfers, departing Nov 8, 2019 (ramblersholidays.co.uk)

34. Venice Simplon Orient Express

The once-yearly journey from Paris to Istanbul on the VSOE is already fully booked in 2019. Tickets for 2020 go on sale in spring 2019 and rail specialist, Luxury Trains, is taking pre-registrations now. There are more frequent departures for the overnight trips between London and Venice (taking the Belmond British Pullman from Victoria to Folkestone and joining the VSOE at Calais) but peak time journeys are currently at 70 to 80 per cent capacity.

From £3,100 for a one-night London to Venice trip, full board, based on a twin compartment, departing June 9, 2019 (luxury-trains.co.uk)

35. Offers for singles

Jules Verne is one of the few cultural tour operators which has no-supplement offers for singles who book onto its group tours – as well as offering departures that are specifically geared to solo travellers only. These departures are limited and inevitably popular so you need to be booked as early as possible.

From £995 for a Amalfi, Pompeii and Sorrento tour departing between March and November, 2019. No single supplement departures (saving £195) are available on April (vjv.com)

The Venice Simplon Orient Express

Nature and wildlife

By definition, the window of opportunity for seeing the world's the most spectacular natural phenomena is a narrow one and demand is usually high. Prices are per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, flights and transfers unless otherwise stated.

36. Cherry blossom in Japan

The best time to visit Japan for the spectacular spring blossom which transforms its gardens and avenues is a three-week window from late March to mid-April. The Japanese are also keen to see it, so you need to get organised now. There is still a fair choice of departure dates on highlights of Japan trips (which include gardens in Kyoto and Osaka) with Far East specialist, Wendy Wu.

From £3,890 for a Week in Japan tour departing on various dates between March 24 and April 8, 2019. Full board (wendywutours.co.uk)

37. New England in the Fall

The spectacular oranges and reds of the autumnal leaves make this east coast region of the US a big draw for visitors. Luxury Gold's new itinerary combines excursions along the scenic Kancamagus Highway with a visit to Boston and a trip to the top of Mount Washington. Limited to 24 guests, three departure dates are already sold out. Two guaranteed tours still have availability.

From £4,001 for a ten-day New England's Magnificent Autumn tour departing Sept 28 and Oct 5, 2019. Includes some meals, excludes flights (luxurygoldvacations.com)

38. Solar eclipse in South America

On July 2, 2019, there will be a total eclipse of the sun visible across parts of northern Argentina and Chile. Adventure specialist, Explore, offers an itinerary which is sold out on the outbound departure but has some spaces on the reverse, southbound leg. Departing from Buenos Aires, a local astronomer joins the group to watch the eclipse at around 4.25pm in San Juan before taking in the Humahuaca Gorge and National Parks of Talampaya and Ischigualasto.

From £4,339 for a 12-day Northwest Argentina and Eclipse Reverse tour with some meals, departing June 28, 2019 (explore.co.uk)

39. Grizzly bears in Canada

From late August and into September, grizzly bears congregate by the rivers of western British Columbia to feast on the leaping salmon. Lodges get booked up quickly with keen bear-spotters through from May to October but the feeding frenzy is the highlight and needs advance planning.

From £3,895 for a Whisperer itinerary including four nights, full board, at Pyna-tee-ah lodge with guided bear-viewing and three nights in Vancouver, departing late August or early September, 2019 (frontier-canada.co.uk)

40. Gorilla-spotting in Africa

The forests of Rwanda and Uganda are home to endangered mountain gorillas. Access is tightly controlled with a limit of ten or 11 permits for groups of up to eight people, issued per day. These permits can sell out months in advance. The most popular times to visit are in the drier seasons from mid-December to early February and from June to August when less rain means gorillas gather round water sources making them easier to spot.

From £6,099 for a nine-day Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Discovery adventure, full board, including mountain gorilla, golden monkey and chimpanzee trek permits, departing July 12, 2019 (trailfinders.com)

Go gorilla-spotting in Uganda Credit: AP

Cultural breaks

Cultural phenomena generate similar levels of interest and demand as natural ones, and it's already starting to get late to book for some anniversaries next year. Prices are per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, flights and transfers unless otherwise stated.

41. Leonardo 500

Next year marks the 500th anniversary of the death of Italy's great Renaissance artist and polymath. Milan was da Vinci's home at turn of the sixteenth century and the place where he spent some of his most creative years. Travel Editions is offering two tours (one is already sold out) in the company of art historian, Andrew Spira with visits to the Ambrosian Library to see the Codex Atlanticus notebooks and the Last Supper in Santa Maria Delle Grazie.

£999 for a four-day Leonardo da Vinci's Milan – 500th Anniversary Tour departing March 21, 2019. Includes some meals (traveleditions.co.uk)

42. Exclusive access in Rome

Queues and crowds can turn visits to top sights into an endurance test and nowhere more so than in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. Small group specialist, Andante Travel has lined up a tour which offers private evening access for uninterrupted viewing of Michelangelo's ceiling and the Raphael Rooms next door. Itinerary highlights also include tours of the Colosseum, Forum, Borghese Gallery and Rome's ancient port of Ostia Antica with archaeologist, Oliver Gilkes.

From £2,395 for a six-day Rome & the Sistine Chapel tour departing on May 13 and Sept 23, 2019. Full board (andantetravels.co.uk)

43. Russian ballet with Darcey Bussell

There is a rare opportunity to meet dancer, author and presenter of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Darcey Bussell who is joining a Telegraph Tours trip in St Petersburg in May. As well as a ballet performance, there is also a q&a session with The Telegraph's dance critic, Mark Monahan. Itinerary includes a river cruise to Moscow for an exclusive talk by Telegraph Russia correspondent, Alex Luhn.

From £5,190 for a 14-night The Cultural Heritage of Russia with Darcey Bussell departing May 19, 2019. Excludes flights (telegraph.co.uk/travel/tours)

The St Petersburg ballet performing Swan Lake

44. Caves of Northern Spain

There are tight controls on numbers granted access to the prehistoric caves in the Cantabria and Asturias regions of Northern Spain, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where wall paintings date back more than 20,000 years. A tour limited to six people organised by Steppes Travel allows access to the key caves.

From £3,225 for an eight-day Prehistoric Cave Art of Northern Spain including full board and transfers, excludes flights, departing June 24, 2019 (steppestravel.com)

45. Berlin Wall 30th anniversary

The fall of the wall in November 1989 was one of the most momentous political events in the lifetime of all us old enough to remember it. Next year marks the 30th anniversary and the world's attention will be focused on the city once again. Ace Cultural Tours has unveiled a one-off itinerary in the company of Dr John Greenacre, historian and lecturer.

From £1,745 for a six-day Cold War in Berlin tour departing Sept 11, 2019. Includes some meals (aceculturaltours.co.uk)

46. Arnhem 75th anniversary

Another big anniversary will mark 75 years since "Operation Market Garden" – General Montgomery's plan to capture key bridges on the route from Belgium into Holland. The events at Arnhem inspired the film A Bridge Too Far. Battlefield tour specialist, Leger, has launched two new small-group tours which coincide with local anniversary events accompanied by an expert Second World War lecturer.

From £349 for a five-day Arnheim 75th Anniversary tour departing Sept 16, 2019 with a shorter four-day departure on Sept 20, 2019. Includes coach travel and Channel crossing (leger.co.uk)

47. Bauhaus Centenary

Bauhaus is regarded as one of the most important design movements of the twentieth century and next years marks the centenary of the founding of the movement in Weimar. A handful of special interest operators are offering tours such as Arena Travel's one-off itinerary which visits Weimar, Berlin and Dessau (where a new Bauhaus museum opens in September), in the company of art and architectural historian, Thomas Abbott.

£2,195 for a six-night Bauhaus – Design for Living departing Sept 17, 2019. Includes some meals (arenatravel.com)

Dancers at Rio Carnival Credit: Getty

48. Partying at the Rio Carnival

The highlight is the parade of outlandish floats and costumes in the Sambadrome. Adventure specialist, Intrepid Travel organise tickets for the spectacle or secure a place in the parade, with costume, if booked before Dec 1, 2018. The 2019 departure has six places left and bookings are being taken for 2020.

From £1,690 for a six-day Rio Carnaval Package Original excluding meals, transfers and flights, departing March 1, 2019 and Feb 21, 2020 (intrepidtravel.com)

49. Rugby World Cup in Japan

Act now – entries for the ticket ballot close on Monday. You will know if you are successful on Monday Nov 26. Then it's time to book flights, or go make travel and accommodation arrangements through an operator such as Trailfinders (trailfinders.com). Matches are scheduled between Sept 20 – Nov 2, 2019.

Tickets from £20 for some of the early rounds to £700 for the best seats for the final (tickets.rugbyworldcup.com)

50. Salzburg Festival

Salzburg is arguably the world's best classical music and opera festival and tickets for the top productions for the six-week summer event from July to August sell quickly. Bookings open later this month, though the tickets for the Whitsun festival (June 7-10, 2019) went on sale a couple of weeks ago.

Ticket prices have yet to be confirmed but go from £10 for the cheapest seats in smaller concerts to £300 for the best seats at the big concerts (salzburgerfestspiele.at)

All-inclusive holidays are back – here are 30 of the best for 2020 - The Telegraph