Showing posts with label Bosnia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bosnia. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 December 2024

G Adventures Reveals Travel Predictions for 2025: Top Destinations to Visit

Bosnia
As we move closer to 2025, G Adventures has unveiled its annual 'Where to Travel' list, offering a glimpse into the hottest destinations for the year ahead. Drawing insights from booking trends, upcoming global events, and the latest travel innovations, the renowned small-group adventure operator has curated a list of destinations that should be at the top of every traveler's wish list for 2025. This year’s selections are not just about popular tourist spots, but also about supporting local communities and discovering remote, lesser-known gems.

With a surge in bookings in late 2023 and over 200 new trips and exciting destinations on offer, it’s clear that 2025 will be a banner year for travel. Here are the top destinations to explore in 2025:

1. Pakistan: An Uncharted Adventure

A brand-new addition to G Adventures’ offerings, Pakistan is quickly emerging as a must-visit destination. Famous for its breathtaking landscapes, from the Karakoram Mountains to ancient fortresses, Pakistan offers unforgettable hiking experiences and the chance to explore remote communities previously untouched by tourism. With three new trips focused on the Thallay La Trail, travelers can hike through historic mountain passes, spend nights in forts, and engage with locals who have long been isolated from the benefits of tourism.

Get there: G Adventures’ Hike the Karakoram Mountains trip is a 9-day active adventure starting at $3,699, including stays at Shigar Fort and trekking through the scenic Thallay Valley.

2. Bosnia: Cultural Charm and Natural Beauty

Bosnia is gaining recognition for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and a lack of crowds compared to its European counterparts. With a new visa-free policy for over 50 countries, Bosnia is making it easier than ever to visit. New trips introduced by G Adventures will not only highlight the country’s historical sites but will also contribute to its sustainable recovery by creating jobs and fostering cultural exchange.

Get there: The Bosnia and Herzegovina Uncovered trip starts from $2,249 for seven days of exploring UNESCO sites, hiking fortresses, and visiting Sarajevo’s art scene.

3. Tibet: The Roof of the World

Tibet Prayer Flags
Tibet, known for its majestic high-altitude landscapes and ancient monasteries, remains one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations. With China easing visa restrictions, 2025 presents a great opportunity to explore Tibet's traditional life while supporting local communities. Travelers can witness iconic views of Mount Everest, visit Potala Palace, and immerse themselves in Tibetan culture.

Get there: The Essential Tibet itinerary, a 12-day journey through the Himalayas, starts from $4,449, including stays in yak hair tents and visits to sacred temples.

4. Thailand: Always a Favorite

Thailand’s allure never fades. With its stunning beaches, rich culture, and thriving food scene, it’s a destination that always surprises—even for repeat visitors. The return of TV shows like White Lotus and Jurassic World filming in Thailand will only add to its appeal in 2025.

Get there: The Thailand Island Hopping - East Coast trip, starting at $2,199, includes visits to serene islands, snorkeling adventures, and cultural exchanges with local families.

5. Morocco: An Emerging Adventure Hotspot

With new direct flights and a growing number of active adventure options, Morocco is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations. G Adventures is launching 13 new trips in 2025, offering everything from hikes in the Atlas Mountains to remote stays in Berber villages and desert gorges. Solo travelers will also benefit from new female-led adventures.

Get there: The Southern Morocco: Marrakech, Atlas Mountains & Sahara trip, starting from $2,999, combines hiking, unique stays, and immersive cultural experiences.

6. Philippines: Paradise Reimagined

Philippines
The Philippines, once a hidden gem, is set to reclaim its status as a prime travel destination. With more international flights and a renewed focus on community-based tourism, G Adventures is introducing nine new trips that will take travelers beyond the beaches to discover the country’s jungles, local culture, and indigenous communities.

Get there: The Best of the Philippines trip, priced from $2,949, offers 10 days of exploring Manila’s food scene, island hopping, and trekking through lush landscapes.

7. South Africa: A Safari Adventure

South Africa continues to be a top destination for those seeking extraordinary wildlife experiences. G Adventures is expanding its offering with its fully refurbished 'Lando' overland vehicles, making safari experiences more accessible and affordable, especially for older travelers.

Get there: The Southern Africa Overland Safari trip, a 15-day adventure through South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, starts from $3,549 and includes safaris in Kruger National Park and visits to Victoria Falls.

8. Greece: Hidden Islands Await

While Greece’s popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos are well-trodden, 2025 will see a rise in interest for quieter destinations like Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos. G Adventures’ new small-boat sailing itineraries are designed to explore these hidden gems while supporting local communities and avoiding crowds.

Get there: The Sailing Greece - Santorini to Mykonos trip, starting at $1,849, includes island hopping, hiking, and immersing in local culture and history.

9. Portugal: Underrated Charms

Portugal
Portugal’s popularity continues to grow, with a 50% increase in bookings over the last two years. While Lisbon and Porto are well-known, G Adventures is highlighting the hidden mountain villages near the Spanish border. Travelers can enjoy hiking through ancient villages, learning about traditional crafts, and visiting the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley.

Get there: The Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley trip, part of the Geluxe collection, starts from $5,999 and includes hikes and stays in mountaintop casas with stunning views.

10. Japan: A Rising Star

With the World Expo 2025 coming to Osaka, Japan will undoubtedly be a top destination for travelers in 2025. G Adventures is offering 12 new trips, many focused on active experiences and lesser-visited areas. From hiking Mt. Fuji to exploring tropical Okinawa, Japan’s diverse landscapes will captivate all who visit.

Get there: The Active Japan: Hokkaido Highlights & Okinawa Island Hopping trip starts from $14,149 and includes hiking, cultural experiences, and island hopping across Japan’s iconic locations.


As travel continues to evolve in 2025, these destinations stand out not just for their beauty, but also for their commitment to sustainable tourism and community engagement. Whether you're looking to hike through remote valleys, explore rich cultural landscapes, or embrace active adventures, G Adventures offers a range of trips that align with the modern traveler’s desire for authentic, meaningful travel experiences. For more information, visit www.gadventures.com.

Tuesday, 26 December 2023

Lonely Planet Best in Travel Destinations 2024 : Cities

Nairobi, Kenya 
Lonely Planet has announced its Best in Travel 2024. To mark the publishers 50th anniversary, the Best in Travel 2024 has expanded from the top 10 best cities, countries, and regions to include best value and best sustainable destinations. 

Over the past 50 years Lonely Planet has printed over 150 million guidebooks covering 221 countries and other titles showcasing the wonders of the world for travellers. Now in its 19th year Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel is voted for by the publishers global community of staff, local writers, and partners. 

It looks to provide expert insight into lesser-known destinations and new takes on popular places. New cycling trails, train and flight services making destinations more accessible, bids for UNESCO world heritage status and ongoing commitment to sustainability, community and diversity have all contributed towards this year’s list. 

Best Cities 
1. Nairobi, Kenya 
2. Paris, France 
3. Montreal, Canada 
4. Mostar, Bosnia 
5. Philadelphia, USA 
6. Manaus. Brazil 
7. Jakarta, Indonesia 
8. Prague, The Czech Republic 
9. Izmir, Turkey 
10. Kansas City, Missouri

1) Nairobi, Kenya 

Kenya’s capital is staking its claim as a global centre of culture, sizzling with unmissable travel experiences. Shrugging off the colonial gaze and embracing its unique rhythms, with a dynamic array of restaurants, food carts and cafes, along with a steady rotation of arts and cultural venues that all fuel a distinct Nairobi cool. Within easy reach, its namesake national park is teeming with wildlife. www.lonelyplanet.com/kenya/nairobi

2) Paris, France 

Paris will stage the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, providing visitors a new way to interact with one of the world’s cities. Cycling time trials will spin through town; beach volleyball and blind football will unfurl beneath the Eiffel Tower; and break-dancers will six-step to DJ beats across the square where Louis XVI’s head rolled in 1793. A city constantly reinventing the wheel with a pharmacy prescribing books, photography exhibitions afloat the Seine, a triangle-shaped glass skyscraper – Paris is showing off innovations outside the sporting arena. 

3) Montreal, Canada 

One of Canada’s coolest destinations with an all-season calendar of festivals and arts events, changing neighbourhoods packed with diverse cuisine, au courant galleries and quirky shops. This year, new museums, revamped attractions, an ever-vibrant restaurant scene and added transport options provide even more reasons to explore. 

4) Mostar, Bosnia 

The unforgettably scenic, minaretdotted medieval Old Town and infamous bridge now draws visitors for more than a daytrip to its dynamic arts, crafts, and music festivals. With the 20th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Stari Most bridge coming up, there has never been a more jubilant time to go. 

5) Philadelphia, USA 

Philadelphia, USA 
At the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers sits the nation’s first World Heritage City, the birthplace of the United States and the ‘City of Brotherly Love.’ But in all that historic high-mindedness what can get lost is modern Philly’s kinetic energy – and tectonically shifting cultural core. Between major new openings and milestone anniversary events, the museums alone warrant a trip in 2024. www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/pennsylvania/philadelphia and www.visitphilly.com

6) Manaus, Brazi

A poetic collision of steamy spectacle and ecotourism adventure awaits in the Amazon region’s largest city. Standing at the strangely unmixing confluence of the blackwater Rio Negro and the khaki-coloured Rio Solimões, surrounded by the world’s largest rainforest, where countless unique and endangered species find their home.

7) Jakarta, Indonesia 

Indonesia’s soon-to-be former capital has long been a base camp for international travellers going on to the nation’s wild rainforests and far-flung islands. In 2022, the government announced that it would move to a newly built capital due to Jakarta’s repeated flooding and infuriating traffic. This cosmopolitan city is still the place to indulge in urban comforts before venturing into the nation’s remoter corners. 

8) Prague, Czechia 

A pulsating capital cloaked in a Gothic cityscape, with iconic attractions like Prague Castle and Charles Bridge almost feel too beautiful to be real. In the past decade, visitors arrived in droves, partly spoiling the city’s charms. The Covid-19 lockdown gave the city the chance to hit the reset button, and in 2024, the city promises to alleviate the crowds by promoting slow tourism and attractions away from the city centre. 

9) Izmir, Turkey

A city that prides itself on living the good life, its seaside location, fresh Aegean cuisine, and blend of rediscovered heritage and revitalized contemporary culture merits a turn in the spotlight. A lively old bazaar quarter, a popular annual music and dance festival, new arts and culture venues, a blossoming wine region, and easy access to beautiful beaches and ancient ruins. www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/aegeancoast/izmir and www.visitizmir.org/en 

10) Kansas City, Missouri 

Thanks to the opening of a new state-of-theart airport terminal and the extension of the free-to-ride streetcar line through Kansas City’s urban centre, the ‘Heart of America’ is more firmly on travellers’ maps than ever before. 

Monday, 22 May 2023

Foreign tourist arrivals to Bosnia up 41% y/y in March

Mostar. Photo by the town authorities of Mostar.
A total of 60,924 foreign tourists visited Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, compared with 43,247 in the same month of 2022, official figures showed on Friday.

Foreign tourists spent 138,320 overnights in Bosnia in March, up 41.2% on the year, Bosnia's Agency for Statistics said in a monthly report.

The total number of tourists who visited the country in March was 99,748, up 19.5% on the year.

Total tourist overnights increased 18.2% to 212,373.

In March most foreign visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina came from Croatia (15,106), followed by tourists from Serbia (11,988) and Slovenia (4,695).

Foreign tourist arrivals to Bosnia surged 81% on the year in 2022.

*Source: PATA, Level 26, Gaysorn Tower, 127 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand communications@PATA.org