2020 #TTCTop10 Bucket List
Paul Hemmings
Director of Sales & Marketing Sun Street Hotel EC2. A new five star Hotel opening October 2022, developed by MTD Group and operated by Bespoke Hotels.
Ashford Castle – Red Carnation Hotels
One of my favourite European trips is visiting the stunning Ashford Castle. This remarkable 800-year-old Castle is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s top hotel destinations and was once where George V dined as a guest of the Guinness family in 1905. It is exceptional in every way.
Over the last 12 months the number of Estate activities that can be enjoyed by guests here has grown and grown. My personal favourites are falconry, wine tasting in the Castles cellar and off road driving in the grounds.
You can discover exquisite interiors with unique artwork and sumptuous fabrics adorning each of the 83 individually designed rooms. Enjoy extraordinary dining experiences and fine Irish cuisine and restore inner peace and harmony at the state-of-the-art spa. Warm smiles will greet you at every turn from the extraordinary characters of the castle, who passionately care about guest experiences.
#AshfordCastle
https://www.ashfordcastle.com/
Nile River Cruise – Uniworld
The legend of Tutankhamun has always captured my imagination and the Nile River Cruise would give me an amazing opportunity to explore Egypt, with some memorable highlights such as embracing the magic of Cairo & Tutankhamen, floating along the Nile to ancient Aswan and soaking up the sphinxes & majestic Luxor temple.
Until I manage to book my trip, the next best thing is to visit a special exhibition right on my door step at the Saatchi Gallery in London: 'TUTANKHAMUN: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh'. A once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the wonder and mystery of the boy king and glittering world heritage artefacts before these priceless objects return to Egypt forever.
#ExploreUniworld
Antarctica Cruise – National Geographic Expeditions
Adventure and cruising go hand in hand. An Antarctica cruise would truly be a trip of a lifetime - an eclectic mix of experiences - ice floes, rocky coasts and spectacular wildlife. This land that is bigger than Europe and almost twice the size of Australia. It presents colossal icebergs and Emperor penguins. The Antarctic is truly a once-in-a-lifetime destination.
This rare opportunity and honour to follow in the footsteps of the great Irish 20th Century’s explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton who led three expeditions to the Antarctic should not be missed. His tales of adventure and extraordinary courage inspired a generation of explorers and his legacy lives on to this day.
#natgeoexpeditions
Xigera - Red Carnation
My next stop is breath taking Xigera in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, which is scheduled to open in June 2020 and is the latest addition to The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. There are just 12 fully air-conditioned suites, each one an exquisite re-imagining of the safari experience, showcasing the finest Southern African artists and creating a design that is utterly in tune with its surroundings. It is the people that define Xigera, as you'd expect from a Red Carnation creation, with 105 exceptional staff looking after 24 guests, allowing an experience of exclusive flexibility. Xigera offers a unique chance to explore the bush the way you want to, defined by the Red Carnation art of hospitality.
Xigera serves up a pristine wilderness, safari highlights, extraordinary elephant viewing, ancient baobabs and many more unforgettable experiences. This is Africa at its best.
#Xigera
Stonehenge – Evan Evans
Without hesitation I am going back to Stonehenge this year - for many people, one of the most mysterious and unexplained places in England.
I often see the Stones from the road when driving down to Summer Lodge, our Hotel in Dorset. This set of stones laid out in concentric rings and horseshoe shapes on the empty Salisbury Plain is one of the oldest, and certainly best preserved, megalithic structures on Earth.
To make the most of your visit to Stonehenge, I recommend guided Evan Evans tours that also include stops at other must-see destinations including Bath, Windsor and the Cotswolds.
Keep in mind 20th of June to celebrate the Summer Solstice when the sun is at its highest point in the sky all year. It makes for spectacular sunrise!
#evanevanstours
https://evanevanstours.com/tours/stonehenge-tours/
Bhutan, trekking trails in the Himalayas – Luxury Gold
Bhutan - “Land of the Thunder Dragon” is a land that famously measures Gross National Happiness, where mystical Buddhism thrives, archery is the national sport, smoking is illegal, and almost everyone wears national dress.
This Himalayan kingdom is top of many travellers' wish-lists. Trekking in Bhutan offers spectacular and unspoilt adventure of pristine lakes, imposing glaciers and peacefulness of the nature.
It is always said that that trekking is one of the best ways to get rid of the stress and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul in the lap of the Mother Nature.
#LuxuryGoldMoments
https://www.luxurygold.com/uk/trips/magnificent-nepal-and-bhutan-summer-2020
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns - Trafalgar
It’s an absolute gem that cannot be missed! It’s located in the Cairns Region of Queensland, Australia.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is a key part of Australian culture. Get hands-on as you master boomerang or spear throwing, try basket weaving or take a didgeridoo lesson, then tuck into a delicious buffet lunch. That’s not all: you’ll also get chance to learn about bush tucker and herbal medicines, hear Dreamtime stories from Aboriginal performers and be entertained with traditional art, dance and handicraft demonstrations.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park will steep you in the mysteries and magic of ancient Australia forever.
#SimplyTrafalgar
Inca Trail, Peru - Adventure World Travel
A trip that I have always wanted to take is the iconic Inca Trail that leads towards Machu Picchu and combines jaw-dropping scenery, lush cloud forest, sub-tropical jungle and a mix of Inca ruins.
It’s an amazing opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilisation, a trek leading from the old capital of Cusco through the Sacred Valley to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, and up to the Sun Gate overlooking mighty Machu Picchu. And once you’ve experienced it, you’ll see why this is considered the mother of all South American treks.
#OurWorldYourWay
https://www.adventureworld.com.au/peru/trekking-the-inca-trail/
Taste of Scotland Tour – Highland Explorer Tours
Earlier in my career I worked in Scotland and whenever I had some free time I would travel north to the Highlands, it’s an amazing Country full of breath-taking scenery. This Taste of Scotland Tour visits the monsters of Loch Ness, traces the history of Whisky before visiting The Isle of Skye. Also known as the ‘Misty Isle’’, this iconic location earned its reputation due to its heart-stopping scenery and is packed with ruined castles, breath-taking views and faerie stories.
Home to the legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans, on this trip your Guide will recount Celtic myths and Viking legends from the past millennia. It’s where you can explore the windswept landscape, stunning coastline and dramatic mountain ranges before returning to the mainland past the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle.
https://www.highlandexplorertours.com/1-day-tours/loch-ness-a-taste-of-the-highlands
Jewels of Alaska – Grand European Travel
If you are looking an adventurous land of wildlife, mountains, forests and open spaces- Go to Alaska.
Here you'll have the opportunity to explore the iconic Denali National Park which you'll learn about the Alaskan natives who once lived in the park and the first ascent of Denali, North America's highest peak.
Be open to discover stunning national parks, river rafting, watch northern lights and even try a dog sledding adventure.
#GrandEuropean
https://www.getours.com/tours/jewels-of-alaska