10 travel spots for 2012: recommended by Skyscanner staff
Skyscanner travel insiders reveal their travel plans
Wondering where to go in 2012? Skyscanner staff tell us about their personal travel plans for this year, and their favourite travel hotspots from last year.
If you’re looking for travel inspiration – read on…
Gareth Williams – Skyscanner CEO
Where are you going this year?
Bali, Indonesia
Why?
It’s relatively near the Skyscanner office in Singapore, and after a Scottish winter, I’ll need Vitamin D. I have heard good and bad about Bali - so am asking friends for recommendations on where is best to go.
Best place you went to last year?
Great Glen Way (Fort William to Inverness walking holiday), Scotland
Why?
It was very relaxing and peaceful; millions of swallows nesting and feeding. Midges weren't too bad and weather was surprisingly good. Highly recommended.
Sam B – Travel Editor
Where are you going this year?
Bavarian Alps, Germany
Why?
As a keen snowboarder I've visited mountains all over the world from Bosnia to Kashmir, but I've never visited Germany for snow. I picked up some cheap flights to Munich which is just 1.5 hours from the slopes so we'll have a night there before heading south to the ski area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Germany's biggest and best ski resort.
Best place you went to last year?
Istanbul
Why?
I wasn't expecting much but Istanbul surprised me. As well as the very touristy (but very impressive) famous sights like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, it was the twisty backstreets with endless cool bars and antique shops that I really loved. There's a great mix of beautifully dilapidated architecture, contemporary attractions (the modern art gallery is excellent), tasty street food on every corner (try the mussels and rice in a shell), friendly locals, and just a general buzz about the place. I would definitely recommend a visit and I'll be back there myself.
Rachel – Product Director
Where are you going this year?
French Pyrenees
Why?
I'll be cycling the Etape du Tour Stage II this summer, which is a full Tour du France stage that runs from Pau to Luchon in the French Pyrenees. Having visited the French Alps for the last few summers to cycle the various cols, I'm keen to give this region a try and tackle the notorious Tourmalet amongst others with thousands of other folks on two wheels. We'll be heading there a few days beforehand to warm up and get fuelled up on delicious French food and sunshine.
Best place you went to last year?
Kerala, India
Why?
My sister was working in Bangalore for a few months and it was a good excuse to visit her and see somewhere different. Hers Indian colleagues recommended Kerala, and after some brief research I knew Kerala’s mix of mountains, spicy seafood and sunshine would be right up my street.
We had a wonderful adventure and packed a huge amount into ten days. Highlights were picking tea at the PG Tips plantation, touring spice gardens, taking a yoga class with a guru and boating around the backwaters of Kollam, not to mention the incredible cuisine - I have never tasted curry so delicious!
Karin - Account Manager
Where are you going this year?
Argentina
Why?
I've been to Central America but never South and this is a country I've always wanted to visit. I'm looking forward to the legendary steaks, a bit of tango and being in a completely different area of the world. I’m hoping to travel around a bit and see some penguins in the south as well.
Best place you went to last year?
Iceland
Why?
Despite not seeing the Northern lights (as we had hoped) we had an amazing week in Iceland in November. It felt like we had the entire country to ourselves at times with stunning scenery and landscapes and luckily good weather. General themes are volcanoes and water and saw lots of both. I had the best lobster soup ever and also found a lovely beer called Einstock which I've since found available online. Iceland is not as expensive as its reputation suggests and I'd go back in a flash.
James T - Communications Executive
Where are you going this year?
Corsica
Why?
This will be my wife and I's seventh visit to Corsica, which is a bit sad really - maybe we'll go somewhere else in 2013? This time we are walking the Mare e Monti long-distance route, and some of the 'infamous' GR20 - 'Europe's toughest trail', which sounds somewhere between sublime and absolutely terrifying. I'm looking forward to swimming in mountain lakes, making friends with lizards and drinking pastis for breakfast.
Best place you went to last year?
Amsterdam
Why?
Amsterdam is not all sex, drugs and stag parties. Joining the locals at the free weekly concert at the Concertgebouw, we sat beside a group of impressively suited, booted and coiffured businessmen on the their lunch break, listening to soaring strings in a seriously stunning setting. Beats the disco any day.
