Holidays

DVENTURE holidays in Africaand South America are growing inpopularity among members of theJewish community, according to asurvey of travel agents.

Safari trips to Kenya, South Africa andBotswana that offer luxury in the wild arevery popular, as are trips off the beatentrack to explore the Amazon in SouthAmerica.

As the cruising boom continues, trav-ellers are looking to more exotic destina-tions such as the Galapagos Islands andthe polar regions.

However, most people are planning tospend their summer holidays in Bali,Thailand, Hawaii, Europe and Israel,which have all ranked among the mostpopular destinations in recent years.

Mark Chaskiel, CEO of FBI Travel inCaulfield North, says that holidays in Bali

and Thailand are very popular and offergreat value for money.

“In the past few years Hawaii has alsobeen at the top of the list, especially theislands of Maui and Lanai,” he says.“Vietnam and Cambodia are great forthose wishing to mix their beach holidaywith a more cultural adventure.”

Chaskiel says many people want toexperience the culture of a country andare heading to Europe (Italy, France andSpain) as well as India.

“Cruising is very popular with amarked shift towards smaller boutique-style ships and European river cruises.”

Anthony Goldman, managing directorof Travelcall in St Kilda Road, Melbourne,says Bali and Hawaii are popular summerholiday destinations.

“Bali is only a short flight away andyou can experience exotic locations andstay in luxury villas,” he says.

“There has been a trend towards dif-ferent generations travelling together,often to celebrate a special family birthdayor milestone.”

Goldman says that cruising is popularfor all ages. “It used to be for the oldies!Now families are taking advantage ofthis easy way to travel, as there is no needto unpack more than once.”

The FIFA World Cup next year has

focused attention on Brazil and otherSouth American countries, according toVicky Gonda, managing director of JetsetTravel Rose Bay.

“Many families are taking their holi-days in South America, while Thailand isalways popular,” she says.

“Sri Lanka and Burma are the newesthotspots.”

Gonda notes a growing trend towardsmulti-generational holidays, especially oncruises where there are plenty of activitiesfor children.

Wayne Ackerfeld, manager of TravelAssociates of Elsternwick, says that Israelremains a favourite destination at thistime of year, while the United States,South America, India and Cambodia arehigh on the list.

Yvonne Lazarow, managing directorof Impact Organisation – Travel, saysHawaii and Bali are popular destinationsfor families.

“Within Australia, Margaret River is indemand along with the perennialfavourites of Port Douglas and the GoldCoast,” she says.

“Our leisure clients are looking at allforms of cruising – the more exotic thebetter. The idea of unpacking once is veryappealing, and many people are doingback-to-back cruises for up to 21 days.”

Lazarow says India and Sri Lanka areideal for travellers looking for a differentdestination.

Barbara Gross, managing director ofSabra Travel, Bondi, says a popular newholiday hot destination is the island ofMauritius, situated off the southeast coastof Africa.

“Our most popular places for the sum-mer holidays are Fiji, Bali, Phuket, SouthAfrica and Hawaii.”

Gross says that safaris are popular inmany parts of Africa, including Kenya,Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa,Zambia and Namibia.

“Namibia is a wonderful destination;besides seeing the animals, there are thespectacular red dunes of Sossusvlei thatyou can climb up.”

Yvonne Verstandig, director ofExecutive Edge Travel & Events ofCaulfield, says skiing in Europe and theUnited States is popular at this time of year.

“Mexico is ideal for beach breaks, espe-cially the beautiful Chiapas area which hassome extraordinary archaeological sights,”she says.

“For spiritual journeys and off-the-beaten-path adventures, Bhutan – themagical kingdom of happiness borderedby China and India – is a new destinationthat is coming on the radar.”

With summer holidays around thecorner, which are the most popularholiday destinations? Danny Gocsasks travel agents about the latesttravel hot spots.

on the wild side A lion is the centre of attentionfor tourists on safari in the Savute

game park in Botswana. Photo: Danny Gocs

The spectacular Iguazu Falls in Brazil. Photo: Orient ExpressExploring Antarctica on the Silver Explorer. Photo: Silversea

A

2 8 Friday, November 29, 2013ARTS&LIFESTYLEThe Australian Jewish News – jewishnews.net.au