10 Unmissable Carnivals in the World
10 Unmissable Carnivals in the World
The whole world loves to party and just about every country on earth has their own carnival celebrations. Time your visit to include one of these incredible festivals and you’ll be in for a real treat!
Notting Hill Carnival, UK, 25 – 26 August
The Notting Hill Carnival is held in the central London borough of Kensington and Chelsea each year in August, over a million people travel to London in order to get take in the sights and sounds of this colorful festival and carnival.
The Notting Hill Carnival is held over two days; a Sunday and the traditional August bank holiday Monday. This carnival has been held annually since 1965 and is the biggest street festival in Europe with over 2 miles of costumed entertainers, food vendors and various bands and artists. With a Caribbean theme in mind, enjoy west-Indian flair with bejewelled costumes, bands and entertainers who seek to turn heads.
Check out the traditional Monday parade that includes an array of dancers, entertainers and world-class float designs.
Rio Carnival, Brazil, 9 – 12 February
The bigger than life city of Rio de Janeiro is the home of one of the largest and most colorful carnivals in the world. The Rio carnival is boasting with artistic highlights ranging from dance to some of the hottest and freshest music in the area. Samba music takes center stage as all of the band members come out to celebrate at this annual event.
Enjoy colorful headdresses and costumes that will transport you to another world as you engage in the fast-paced atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind event. Some of the activities include the Champions Parade with fireworks, Carnival formal event balls as well as street bands and contestants in full carnival attire.
Spain Carnival, February
The Carnival in Spain is held the week before Lent and is designed to let everyone unwind and party and celebrate! Starting with the crowning of the Queen of Carnival, a parade of contestants take stage in stellar and flamboyant dresses made from the finest satins in bright colours highlighted with feathers and beads.
The highlight is the masquerade attire. You are encouraged to dress to your liking and pulling no stops for no one. The Spanish carnival is celebrated across all of Spain including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Notable festivities are held at the Carnival of Cádiz in Andalusia, Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Carnival of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and the Catalonia Festival held in Solsona, Lleida
Croatia Carnival, Easter
The Croatia Carnival is also in advance of lent. The difference is that the Croatian carnival is focused on frightening evil spirits away. The carnival is masquerade attire in particular the zvoncari. This group takes center stage in their black suits, white shirts and white masks. Them along with other masked characters parade through the streets ringing bells to ward off spirits.
They also present an effigy that is burned to symbolize a healthy, new beginning. Both Christian and Pagan religions come together to welcome spring and advance the Lent holiday. Drinking and dancing are welcomed and engaged upon by all.
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, 11-12 February
Are you lucky enough to be travelling to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago? The carnival here rivals some of the greatest colour and flashiness of carnivals worldwide. Revelry, creativity and euphoric activity surround this carnival that takes place near Ash Wednesday during the Easter period every year. Masquerade takes center stage with heart pumping music and spectacular costumes dressed in every colour of the rainbow.
The carnival kicks off at 4am on Monday in the darkness and is fuelled only by costume fitted dancers and soca music that fills the air with life. Using chocolate, mud, paint and oil, devils, demons, imps and monsters take to the streets. As the light reaches the sky, the masquerade begins. Characters take to the streets with colorful beaded costumes, moving rhythmically to street music.
Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada, 1 – 17 February
The Quebec Winter Carnival takes place in the heart of winter. This Canadian carnival is more about parading through the streets with beads and bedazzled head dresses. Ice, games and winter sports take center stage. The carnival is jammed back of dog sled racing competitions, sleigh race, snow sculpture contest, snow bathing, table soccer, ice skating and sledding.
Check out the one of a kind Bonhomme’s Ice Palace—the official palace home of the carnival. Over 50 meters wide and 20 meters deep as well as an impressive 20 meters high. The palace lights up at night welcoming visitors a unique experience and respite from the carnival festivities.
The Carnival of Venice, Italy, 2 – 6 February
Bring out some of the most intricate and most beautiful disguises one could wear. The Carnival of Venice in Italy boasts its mask tradition with distinct masquerade masks that honours the Patriarch of Ulricho dating back to 1162. Masks and elaborate attire has taken center stage at the carnival.
A lot of work goes into making a unique mask that stands out. Some are made from porcelain, leather, gesso, gold leaf, and even glass. Their delicate nature boasts intrigue and fascination with the fashion forwardness of the carnival goers.
Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA, 12 February
Mardi Gras in downtown New Orleans is one of the most famous carnivals in the U.S. The parades are the highlight of the carnival. New Orleans and the Mardi Gras parade committee enforce strict regulations around this event.
Masks are to be worn at all times when float riders are on floats. It is a city law. One of the highlights of the carnival is the throwing of bead necklaces—dating back to the 1870s. The colorful throws include beads, doubloons, stuffed animals and cups.
India, Goa Carnival, 9 – 12 February
This popular carnival in India focuses on colorful attire with dancers and float processions throughout Goa in India. The three day event runs both day and night with lively exuberance. The streets of Goa are abuzz with colourful processions, magical floats and plenty of dancers and musicians.
Germany Carnival, 7 – 13 February
The Germany carnival uses larger than life sized heads and celebrates with parades and costume balls. Celebrations are held across the country with notable parades and parties at the Rheinish Carnival and Cologne Carnival. Beer takes center stage and is the main revolving point for most carnival festivities. Work and most public facilities are closed during this carnival event.
By Julie Bowman
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The World’s Wildest Water Fight!
The World’s Wildest Water Fight
Image Credit: Flickr: Wyndham
Gradually it dawned on me how huge Songkran was. On every street corner were gaggles of children armed to the teeth with water cannons and buckets of ice cold water.
The only logical solution was to leave my bag at the nearest hotel and attempt to find the hotel I had pre-booked by foot.
I noticed after a while that the locals vastly outnumbered the tourists, it seemed like everyone in Bangkok had been herded into narrow, waterlogged streets. I was soaked to the bone in seconds after a smiling vendor dumped a pail of water over my head.
Along Khao San the congestion was so bad that people could only wiggle their shoulders to the pounding music as the crowd swept them onward.
Songkran is traditionally a time to visit relatives, pay respects to your elders, friends, relatives and especially monks.
Thought to originate from an Indian festival the Thai New Year is steeped in meaning. Traditionally Buddha statues in both the home and the Wat are cleaned with water.
The symbolism behind this is to cleanse the soul by washing away the bad, to bring good luck in the New Year. The festival has evolved somewhat with people now more likely to dump a bucket of water down your neck and then rub beige coloured perfumed talc into your face as a blessing.
A brief suggestion for anyone going to Songkran; sunglasses are a must, the bigger the gun the less likely they are to attack and cold water trumps any weapon.
When I waded through the entrance to my hotel they asked for my passport which I remembered I had left in my bag, which I had dumped in a hotel on the outer streets of the festival. I unravelled the receipt they had given me for the bag to find it was marked simply with a number.
There was no phone number, no address and, worst of all, no hotel name. I couldn’t remember the way back, or the name of the hotel. My flight was the next day, and the bag containing my passport was lost among the Bangkok streets in a random hotel during the biggest festival of the Thai year.
Image Credit Flickr: ThaiBlogger
I kept following the route I thought I had taken, but everything looked the same. Each alleyway was filled with water pistol armed tourists and locals that made sure ever passer-by was thoroughly doused with water. Every now and then someone would lay a wet clay filled hand on my face to bless me. The search was never ending.
To save you the torture, I did find my hotel. In a dark alleyway with buildings each side that hid the entrance from view, I found it. I could have nearly cried I was so happy.
Looking back, the impossible quest to find the passport, in the bag, in the lost hotel had actually been enjoyable. I had met so many people who helped me in my mission as I roamed the street that if I had the choice, I have no doubt I would do it all over again.
Top 5 summer party destinations
Top 5 summer party destinations
Be inspired by our top five destination ideas…
Ibiza
Let’s kick off this party season evaluation with the White Isle of Ibiza; some say it’s what the summer party scene is all about and it’s clear to see why.With early, warm summer sun and some of the most famous clubs on the planet such as Pasha, Space, Amnesia, Es Paradis and Eden, plus a congregation of the finest DJs in the world, many holidaymakers dance the night away in San Antonio until the sun rises!
But, if Ibiza is on your holiday wish list, bear in mind that club entry alone is around £25-50 and drinks can be extortionately expensive with a bottle of water costing between £6 – 9 and vodka and Coke nearing £17. However, for many people, this is a small price to pay for enjoying the most famous nightlife in the world.
Magaluf
Or perhaps the all-time Spanish favourite Magaluf will tempt you to visit? It’s full of party-hard clubs, buy-one-get-one free bars and lots of late-night fun. You may think of Magaluf as slightly retro, but it’s still a thriving resort on Majorca’s coast and it attracts thousands of music-loving crowds year after year.The Strip is the main area for all the top bars and some popular ones include Balmoral Bar, Chaplin’s and Linekers Sports Bar. Some of the top-rated clubs are BCM Planet Dance, MCP and The Office Club. And you can’t really miss the main Strip as, during the summer months, tourists flock here.
If you want to be close to the action at night, there are plenty of hotels within walking distance of the main party areas – but make sure you are just far enough away to nurse your hangover next to the hotel pool throughout the day.
Average drink prices are slightly cheaper in Magaluf with buy-one-get-one free offers on vodka and Coke from around £5. But, as the night goes on, prices seem to increase as the offers stop.
Marbella
At the other end of the Spanish party spectrum is the glamorous Marbella – or ‘Marbs’ as it’s known to the Only Way is Essex crew. Seen as the new ultra-cool place to go, this party playground is located at the heart of the Costa del Sol. Head to the restaurant and nightclub Olivia Valere if you fancy partying until 7am at one of the most exclusive party spots.Just make sure you dress to impress as A-listers such as Kate Moss and Mariah Carey have been spotted here.
If you opt for a holiday in Marbella, you can complement the cosmopolitan nightlife with lazy days spent browsing chic boutique shops or enjoying for a cocktail or two at the classy marina.
But be aware that drink prices can be high, with vodka and coke costing around £11. A great money-saving tip is to venture to the bars away from the sea where the locals drink as you’ll get more for your money.
Cancun
If you fancy an exotic clubbing holiday where the party never stops, with lots of fun-filled resorts and plenty of tequila, Cancun could be the perfect destination for you.The Mexican city is particularly famous for the Spring Break holiday and the Inception Music Festival, where 30 days of electronic dance music can be enjoyed. If you want to party by day, there will be wild antics on the hot beaches or even at resort pool parties. Or perhaps a more appealing option would be topping up your tan while recovering from the night before, taking the occasional cooling dip in the turquoise waters?
The most talked about club is the The City Cancun Club. But, if you do decide to venture out of your resort, make sure you’re prepared for an expensive night out as it’s not the cheapest destination to party in. Most resorts are all-inclusive and going outside of your hotel can be expensive so choose your place to stay wisely.
Navalja, Croatia
Are you looking for something a little different or perhaps you enjoy setting trends? Then why not try out the buzzing nightlife of Navalja on the Croatian island of Pag.It’s still fairly new on the clubbing holiday scene, but Croatia should be on your holiday radar. You can enjoy the culture and history of the country throughout the day then maybe head off to one of their infamous parties at night. The bars and clubs can be wild and many have music blasting out to be enjoyed day and night. Zrce Beach is the place to go if you’re looking for the ultimate beach party – just get ready to party Croatian style!
In terms of alcohol prices, Navalja, as an up-and-coming destination, comes out cheaper than some of the other party destinations. A local beer costs around £1.70 and a single vodka and orange around £2.60. Entry to bars and clubs is always free, which is a plus, unless a special event is being hosted.
Top 10 holiday destinations
Looking for holiday ideas? Here our editors – The Sunday Times travel writers Mark Hodson and David Wickers – reveal their top 10 holiday destinations.
These are the most popular destinations with our readers, along with our own personal recommendations. We also have the latest Government data on the numbers of UK visitors travelling abroad.
If you are travelling with children, see our family holiday ideas. You can also search holiday ideas for couples or visit our sister sites for 101 honeymoons and 101 short breaks.
If you know when you plan to travel and are looking for ideas of where to go, see Best Time to Visit.
1. Spain
Spain has long been a favourite of British holidaymakers, and it remains the UK’s number one holiday destination. In particular, the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are perennial big-hitters (not forgetting Menorca), along with Canary Islands such as Tenerife and the beautiful lesser-known La Gomera and La Palma. Other great beach destinations include the Costa de la Luz and Catalonia.Northern Spain is overlooked by most tourists, even though it combines magnificent empty beaches with rolling countryside, mountains, medieval towns and buzzing cities. It’s authentic, great value and the food is superb.
There’s a lot more to Spain than beaches. There are great walking holidays in the north and cycling in Catalonia. The rise of low-cost airlines has benefited city breaks in places like Palma and Seville – both of which are rich in culture.
For sporting holidays you can’t beat La Manga Club which has world-class tennis facilities and three championship golf courses. You can also explore Spain on board a state-run luxury train such as the Transcantábrico and La Robla.
Find more holiday ideas in Spain.
2. France
The relationship between the British and French may have had its ups and downs over the years, but our love of all things French shows no signs of abating. From the Channel ports to the islands of the Mediterranean, Francophiles are never short of new destinations to discover.Among our favourite holidays in France are the beaches of Corsica and Ile de Ré. You can go cycling in the French countryside, play golf, take a cooking course or visit First World War battlefields. Or why not spend a few days in Paris.
If you’re looking for an excuse to crack open a few bottles, take a wine tour or a champagne weekend. Or relax and watch the countryside roll by on a luxury hotel barge with gourmet meals, fine wines and excursions all included. Destinations include Burgundy, the Canal du Midi, Provence and Gascony.
In the French Alps you can ski on a budget, or with a family, plus they make a great destination in summer. You can visit Disneyland Paris with the kids or rent a French chateau.
Even in winter you’ll find long days of sunshine on the Cote d’Azur, where you can enjoy the timeless beauty of Nice.
Find more holiday ideas in France.
3. Greece
Holidays in Greece are all about simplicity. Despite the recent economic crisis, it is the whitewashed villas, the friendly tavernas, the hot sun and blue seas that keep us coming back year after year. Even Greek food is a masterpiece of simplicity, both traditional and healthy.It is the islands that attract the most visitors. Corfu’s villas never lose their appeal. If you’re looking the quintessential small Greek island, we recommend Paxos, which has no airport and is a great place for lazy days, boat trips and lovely villas.
If you fancy being slightly more active, the Lakitira Beach resort on Kos, just off the Turkish coast, offers a wide array of watersports. Or learn to sail in the Aegean.
Crete is the largest and arguably the most interesting of the islands. Steer away from the tacky resorts and stay at one of these stylish houses or family villas available for rent.
Find more holiday locations in Greece and our pick of the best Mediterranean holidays.
4. USA
America is the most popular long-haul destination for British holidaymakers and it’s not hard to see why. The USA has an impressive diversity of landscapes, iconic cultural sights, friendly people and great food. See our full recommendations at 101 USA holidays.New York is an obvious starting point, a 24/7 hit of street-level thrills and high culture. Stay in a stylish boutique hotel or an affordable midtown address. You can arrive on a Transatlantic cruise, combine the Big Apple with Las Vegas, or escape the city to the tranquil countryside of Upstate New York (where you can even stay on a farm).
New England is charming. Whether you opt for a classic 2-week fly-drive, a coach tour or big road trip, you’ll see a lot without covering too many miles. Most trips start and finish in Boston and include a visit to Cape Cod, a classic American seaside resort where you rent a summer house.
Other highlights of the East coast include Niagara Falls and the cities of Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
You can drive across Virginia, retrace the Civil War route, visit DC, Philly and New York on a single trip, or visit the settings of classic TV shows on a location tour.
There many ways to explore the US: you can rent a car or a motorhome, take an epic tour by railway or get off the beaten track on a cycling tour, a family adventure holiday or a group tour for young people aged 18 – 38. You can play golf, take a river cruise on the Mississippi, indulge your love of American music or visit the country’s finest gardens.
You can even get married in the USA.
California and the West Coast is packed with things to do – you could drive from San Francisco to San Diego, tour California in a convertible, explore Napa Valley by cycle or make like a Rat Packer in Palm Springs. In the North West, Washington and Oregon states boast stunning scenery or try an epic 2-week fly-drive out of Seattle.
The Mid West is the heartland of America. Las Vegas is the popular highlight, easily combined with the Grand Canyon on a fly-drive or by helicopter with the Grand Canyon Ranch Resort.
Chicago is one of the world’s great cities and the jumping off point for classic driving routes in Michigan and the Great Lakes.
You can also combine the Windy City with the Rockies and Alaska.
The West is a great region for road trips: you could tour the great National Parks, explore the Wild West in Wyoming, take a trip down Route 66 or explore the wide open spaces of Utah and Colorado. Classic rail journeys include Seattle to LA, Chicago to the Grand Canyon and a tour of music capitals.
America’s cultural impact on the 20th Century can be celebrated on a Music & Movies Trail, a tour of Nashville and Memphis or by visiting a music festival such as Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Adventurers can raft down the Grand Canyon, camp in the Northern Rockies, track wolves in Yellowstone or stay on a working ranch. America has superb skiing, particularly in Colorado and Wyoming.
The South has a timeless charm and many great states to visit including Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina. In Alaska you can take a small-ship cruise or see grizzly bears in Katmai National Park.
Love beaches? Hawaii is stunning whether you opt for an island-hopping tour, a small ship cruise or a relaxing stay in stunning Kaua’i. Florida is easy to reach from the UK: Orlando is the big draw, but you can drive to Key West or find luxury hotels in Miami and the Keys.
For more ideas, see our sister site, 101 USA holidays. Also find the best time of year to visit America.
5. Great Britain
No list of holiday destinations for UK travellers would be complete without mentioning our own great country: not just England, but Wales, Scotland, Northern Island and some of our lesser known islands such as the Scilly Isles and the Isle of Wight.The UK’s most popular tourist destinations include Devon and Cornwall, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, Dorset, East Anglia and Scotland.
Britain offers many interesting holiday experiences. You can rent a lighthouse keeper’s cottage, sleep in a log cabin in a secluded forest or a luxury tent on a working farm, take a tour of the UK’s finest gardens or a boating holiday on one of its many canals and rivers.
In Scotland you could join an intimate small-boat cruise around the Highlands and Islands, take a whisky tour, ride a steam train on the West Highland Line or take a tour of Mull to see minke whales, otters, seals and porpoises. You can even rent a Downton Abbey-style historic house sleeping 6 – 60 people. Perfect for birthdays or anniversaries.
Explore more UK holiday destinations.
6. Italy
Ancient culture, great beaches, fantastic food and beautiful weather – it’s no surprise that so many of us decide to holiday in Italy. Our editors consistently rate it is one of the best summer holiday destinations in Europe.For a taste of la dolce vita, head to the wonderful cities of Rome, Florence and Venice – for an extra dash of old-school glamour, you can even travel to Venice on the Orient Express. For a relaxing stay in the countryside or close to a beach, rent a villa with a private pool.
Umbria is a beautiful area of Italy, boasting medieval market towns, wonderful vineyards and great works of the Renaissance – and is largely untouched by tourists. Beach lovers will be blown away by the 500 miles of coastline in stunning Puglia, not to mention the traditional architecture and terrific food and wine.
The Italian Lakes attracted some of the first package tourists from the UK and they continue to be popular for their beautiful setting, mountain views and great transport links for visiting local sights.
The lesser-known area of Le Marche offers everything you would expect from Italy – great beaches, historic palaces and galleries stuffed with masterpieces.
The island of Sicily combines historical sites with a gorgeous coastline, while Sardinia has the country’s best beaches, and the Amalfi Coast is a fantastic base from which to visit Sorrento, Capri, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii.
More about holiday destinations in Italy.
7. Turkey
Turkey has benefited from its exclusion from the Eurozone. Although it suffers from inflation and isn’t as cheap it was 20 years ago, it still compares favourably to its western neighbours.With its endless Aegean coastline,
Turkey has some of Europe’s finest beaches, many of which remain relatively unspoilt. And you’re rarely far from a slice of ancient culture. Although most summer sunseekers head straight to the coast, a short break in Istanbul should not be missed, ideally in spring or autumn.
You can also explore the coastline of Turkey on a magical gulet cruise.
8. Egypt
It’s difficult to know where to start with the historic treasures that Egypt boasts, but a great way to explore them is on a Nile Cruise. Float in luxury between the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and Aswan.The capital Cairo is home to the Egyptian Museum where you can see King Tutankhamen’s solid gold death mask, and just outside the city are the iconic pyramids and Sphinx.
For a more laid-back experience head to the sparkling waters of the Red Sea resorts which offer some of the world’s best snorkeling along with luxurious, good-value hotels.
9. Croatia
The pristine coastline of Croatia is among the most beautiful in the world – and one of the most unspoilt in Europe. It’s also good value compared to other Mediterranean countries.Either stay in one of the beautiful resorts that dot the coastline, or head out to one of the many stunning islands that lay off the coast.
The island of Hvar is a real stunner, easily reached by ferry from Split. It has fabulous beaches and a great selection of budget and luxury hotels.
The historic city of Dubrovnik has been beautifully restored in recent years. Originally built by the Venetians, the Pearl of the Adriatic has some great food and is a wonderful base from which to take the ferry to surrounding islands.
10. Thailand
Thailand, the Land of Smiles, continues its meteoric rise from backpackers’ haven to mainstream holiday favourite. The appeal is obvious: beautiful countryside and beaches, great food, friendly people and low prices.But Thailand also has a fascinating unique cultural heritage, enfused by Buddhist ideals. And Bangkok, the capital, fizzes with energy.
It’s the islands that attract the most attention, however, with Phuket bringing in most visitors. Most of its hotels are world class. Not far away, in the Gulf of Siam, the idyllic island of Koh Samui has some delightful small luxury hotels, and its neighbour Koh Phangan is on the up.
There are many ways to explore Thailand, including aboard a tall ship on a traditional sailing cruise.
Need more inspiration? Try out fun holiday quiz. Just answer 10 simple questions and we’ll give you personalised recommendations.
Just outside the top 10…
With so many great places to visit around the world, how could we possibly restrict ourselves to just 10? There are many great countries that didn’t quite make the list, which we just have to mention…The Arabian Gulf is a fast-growing destination served by great airlines and offering guaranteed winter sun.
The glittering city of Dubai is a proven winner and many people are discovering its fascinating, culturally-rich neighbours Oman and Abu Dhabi.
The growth of the Maldives shows no sign of slowing. With each resort on a private island, it’s obviously a great destination for honeymoons, but is also getting into the family market.
Although it doesn’t rank amongst the most popular holiday destinations, it’s impossible to ignore India for its sheer sensory overload, astonishing diversity, natural beauty and cultural wealth. You could tour the beguiling southern state of Kerala, or see tigers on a wildlife holiday in one of the many national parks. Find more tailor-made journeys in India with TransIndus.
Canada has stunning scenery. We’re huge fans of the Rockies where you can jump on board one of the world’s great trains, the Rocky Mountaineer. It’s not just railways – you can take a wildlife tour, a fly-drive or a cruise.
We couldn’t ignore Australia where the must-sees include the golden triangle of Sydney, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef. Neighbouring New Zealand has some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes from a nature cruise in Milford Sound to a classic wine trail in Marlborough.
South America is a part of the world that many
Brits don’t know at all, yet it’s rich in culture, beaches, adventure, has fantastic food and wine, great places to stay, vibrant cities and pristine wilderness. We rate Chile, Argentina and Brazil among the best places to go on holiday.
See more unusual holiday ideas, and our pick of the best summer honeymoon destinations.
Top holiday destinations: UK government statistics
According to the most recent government statistics, UK residents made 55.5 million visits abroad in 2011. That was a rise of 2.3% on the previous year – the first upward movement in the figures since 2006.However, although there were more trips than in 2010, the amount that people spent and the number of nights they spent away were both fractionally down, by 0.4% and 2% respectively.
The number of visits to Europe grew by 3.5% while visits to North America were up 0.4%.
A lot of growth was accounted for by residents of London. They made 11.7 million visits abroad, an increase of 5% on 2010. In the rest of England and Wales the figures were up 1% while Scotland was down 1.1%.
By far the most popular countries are Spain (10.6 million) and France (8.9 million) which together account for 34% of all visits abroad.
However, last year’s modest growth comes after several years of decline in visits abroad. Between the years of 2006 and 2008 the total was about 69 million. This dropped sharply in 2009 by 15% to 58.6 million.
This was the biggest drop in outbound tourism in a generation and blamed on a combination of economic pressure and unfavourable exchange rates.
In 2010, it was the popular European holiday destinations that dropped most dramatically. Spain was down 10.4%, France fell by 7.2% and Italy was down 13.9%.
One of the few winners was Turkey, which lies outside the Eurozone. It was up 11.9% in 2010. The USA also saw modest growth of 1.7% in 2010.
There is evidence that visits to the USA from the UK are now rising again: the American Office of Travel & Tourism Industries reports a year on year rise in British visitors of 10% for the first three months of 2012.
And although economic worries persist, the growing strength of the Pound against both the Euro and the Dollar – plus the unusually wet summer endured by Britain in 2012 – look likely to encourage more travel abroad.
The chart below shows the top 10 holiday destinations in the world, listed by visits by UK residents.
Top 10 overseas countries visited
* Latest figures shown from the Office for National Statistics, 2011
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