As we kick off 2014 and I am off on some new adventures tomorrow, I just saw a cool press release from Kensington Tours. It talks about travel trends for 2014 and what they expect to be hot in the coming year. I looked it over and can’t help but agree for the most part even though I am not big on predicting what’ll be hot because it’s different for different people. However, these picks run the gamut and everyone should be able to find something they like! Here are three of my favorite Kensington Tours travel trends for 2014!
Tracking the Silverback Gorillas in the Mist at Parc Nacional des Volcans in Rwanda
Africa
Of course the term Africa is broad and unlike what Sarah Palin thought, it is not a single country but actually over 50. That said, Africa is my favorite continent and there are so many amazing places to visit on the Continent. Sossusvlei in Namibia is definitely one of my absolute favorites!
Awesome tree in the vast dryness of Deadvlei in Sossusvlei, Namibia
Obviously, safaris are a massive business in Africa, all over Eastern and Southern Africa. My favorite spots for safaris would be in Kruger Park in South Africa as they have so many varied camps, lodges and a ton of animals. I love Lion Sands, Sabi Sands and Singita in Kruger Park. I also love Medikwe Safari Lodge in the north of South Africa not far from the border with Botswana. I actually filmed a FOX News segment there live in 2013. I like so many that it’s hard to name them all but you cannot go wrong in Chobe National Park in Botswana or any of the major parks in Tanzania or Kenya.
View of the Chobe River in Chobe National Park near the African Four Corners in Botswana
Depending on how adventurous you want to get, I could tell you that Africa has something for everyone and on every budget. Keep in mind; the best things in Africa are not cheap. It may be the poorest continent in the world but it is not the cheapest. So do some planning, figure out what you want to see and do and then do it!
Stunning sunset over the pool at Birkenhead House in Hermanus, South Africa
Panama
The Panama Canal turns 100 in 2014 and there is a lot to celebrate in Panama. While going to the actual canal is compulsory on a visit to Panama there is so much more to do than just the canal.
Visiting the Gatun Locks at the Panama Canal!
First, Panama City is the nicest and most cosmopolitan city in Central America. It resembles Miami in many ways and is a very comfortable and cool place to be. Not far from the city is Portobelo; which makes for a nice day trip to see old Panama.
Cannons protecting Portobelo from invaders coming in from the sea
Additionally, Fuerte San Lorenzo is pretty wild as well and well worth the trip out. You may even find some buried treasure from Captain Morgan’s lost ships!
The impressive skyline of Panama City, Panama
The Masters
While sports tourism is always big, this year in particular there seems to be a big market for going to global sporting events. This year I will be leading a Kensington Tours trip to the Masters as a part of their Championship Series.
Playing a little golf on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada prepping for the Masters
As a member of the Kensington Tours Explorers in Residence program, I cannot wait to be a patron on the final Sunday of the Masters in April. They are also running some awesome trips to the Monaco Grand Prix, World Cup and many other great sporting events.
Disclaimer: I am a paid Explorer in Residence by Kensington Tours. Everything written in this article is my words and I have not been influenced in any way.
About Kensington Tours: Kensington Tours offers custom and private guided tours to over 90 countries worldwide. The flexibility of Kensington’s offerings results in tailor-made journeys that are carefully handcrafted to deliver personalized adventures like no other company. Kensington Tours was named to “World’s Best Awards 2011” by Travel + Leisure Magazine and named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
Great post, Lee. Kensington Tours is so lucky to have you on their roster of explorers. I wish I could go to the Masters with you!
Thanks Steph, and please do join us!!!
I would LOVEEEEEEE to see the Gorillas, that is my dream, bucket list trip! OMG they are so cute!
Danielle, they are awesome but I don’t know if I’d use the word cute to describe them. They are fairly terrifying being up next to! They’re massive…and ugly! haha
Africa really is the best place to travel. It is so big and diverse. It has so much to offer to anyone willing to go there and get a little out of their comfort zone. It’s not for everyone but even for those that are scared, they will love it. Africa also has the worlds nicest people in my experiences there.
Well said, Michael. Sounds like you’ve been all over Africa.
I would love to go on the Masters trip, it’s just too expensive for me. Do they do day of final round only and not all the other stuff for a discount?
Paul, I don’t think so. They want to keep everything organized otherwise it gets confusing for everyone involved. I hope you can figure out a way to get on the trip!
Very cool outlook for 2014. I hope to travel more this year. I would like that to be my travel trend, LOL!
Stacey, that’d be a great trend, you can never go wrong with it!
Lee, good stuff as always. Are you going to the World Cup?
Thanks Billy and yes that is the plan!
Wow! Just read the list of Kensington Tour’s “Explorers in Residence,” and I am quite impressed. I love the show, “Boundless.” But alas, I don’t want to steal your thunder, Lee. 😉
Aside from the Masters, what other tours are you leading in 2014 with Kensington? Please tell me either the World Cup final and/or the “Meet & Greet” with Pele! 😉
Thanks Ray and yes I should be doing the World Cup tour for sure!
Great post. I am very jealous. I also would looove to go to the Masters. Especially on Sunday