With 2015 now in full swing and the Easter and Summer holidays soon upon us we’ve compiled our top 5 travel destinations to travel to this year drawing on suggestions from the websites of respected travel publications such as lonelyplanet.com, roughguides.com and theguardian.com. No doubt people will have other suggestions too.
1. Málaga, Spain
Malaga – Spain
This spring the renown Pompidou Arts Centre will open it’s first venue outside Paris in the revamped marina of Málaga. The ‘Centro Pompidou de Málaga’ is scheduled to open on 28 March 2015 adding to the city’s impressive range of museum and art attractions. Málaga already houses the Museo Picasso, the Centro de Arte Contemporañeo with the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology also opening in the city later this year.
As well as being a cultural city-break destination, Málaga provides an excellent hub to travel to other cities like Granada, Seville and to the resorts of the Costa del Sol such as Marbella. Flights to and from the sun filled destination are plentiful and transport links are good.
The ‘Damas’ Tower in the Alhambra – Granada, Spain
2. Milan, Italy
Canal in Milan
Milan, Italy’s second largest city, is hosting the next world fair EXPO Milano 2015 which gets underway on 1 May and takes place until 31 October 2015. The theme for the event is ‘food’ with fair trade, sustainability and ‘feeding the planet’ the key issues. Over 20 million visitors are expected to attend the EXPO to experience the various activities that will be on offer at the fair.
Aside from the gastronomic delights, Milan is a centre for fashion and shopping with the Galleria Vittoro Emanuelle II precinct the place for a stylish shop.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle shopping centre – Milan, Italy
3. Cuba
Vintage car in Cuba
With diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba underway and with the recent growth in private sector enterprises being allowed by the State the old, nostalgic charm of Cuba may soon be a thing of the past. The capital Havana, with it’s mixture of colourful, grand, colonial and run down appearance provides an idyllic and sultry setting for visitors whilst this year the southern city of Santiago de Cuba celebrates it’s 500th anniversary on 25 July 2015 with a week of carnival style partying.
Old town of Havana – Cuba
4. The Alps
The Alps in Switzerland
Often thought as a winter sking or climbing destination, the Alps, situated across several European countries also provides plenty to do in the summertime too with trekking, mountain walks, cycling and outdoor events in much more agreeable temperatures. 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the first successful, but tragic, ascent of the highest mountain in the range – Matterhorn.
The towering peak which rises above the Swiss town of Zermatt was summited first on 14 July 1865 but four of the party of 7 climbers perished on the descent after their rope break. Activities are planned to mark the anniversary in Zermatt.
Man checks out the view of the Alps
5. Toronto, Canada
Canoeing on Lake Ontario by CN Tower – Toronto, Canada
Toronto, one of the most multicultural cities in the world is set to be particularly vibrant in 2015 as an estimated 250,000 visitors are set to come to see the Pan American (Pan Am) Games which kick off on 10 July 2015. Apart from the multitude of Pan Am Games events (essentially a mini-Olympics for North, Central and South America member countries) dotted across the region, visitors can experience the diverse culinary delights and vibrant night life.
The CN Tower is probably Toronto’s most notable attraction with an observation deck 356 metres up in the sky, whilst a ferry ride back on ground can whisk you to Toronto Island for leisure activities, some beaches and the best views across the city skyline.
Toronto Island Park – Toronto, Canada