The 'hottest' travel experiences for 2009

Tour Operator Thomson Worldwide, which offers flexible holidays to suit every taste and budget - from romantic retreats and adventurous family holidays to once in a lifetime luxury trips or budget conscious breaks – has divulged its top tips for the hottest travel experiences and destinations for 2009.

Hawaii- The Big Island – An Adventurers Paradise

Often seen to be less glamorous than its smaller siblings, the Big Island actually has plenty to offer. From Mauna Kea’s snow-capped mountaintop to the sizzling Kilauea Volcano of Madame Pele’s flowing lava, tropical rainforests and a teeming undersea world, the Big Island is the perfect destination for the spirited traveller. Hike through the lava, bike around Kilauea Crater, adventure through a lava tube, horse ride on black-sand beaches, star gaze at the Mauna Kea Observatory, enjoy a helicopter waterfall safari or learn to surf Hawaiian style.

Thomson Worldwide offers 6 nights at the 4 Star Waikiki Beach Marriot from £999 per person. Price includes accommodation on a room only basis and return flights from London Heathrow with United Airlines.

Washington DC – It’s Not Just About The Politics - The Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, DC welcomes the arrival of spring with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a tradition that showcases the beautiful gift of 3,000 cherry trees that the city of Tokyo gave to the nation’s capital. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, city-wide event featuring more than 200 international cultural performances and over 90 other special events. From arts and exhibits to cuisine and sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy! To mark the start of the event on March 28th 2009 colourful, traditional Chinese kites will fly over the Washington Monument grounds. Spectators can learn about kite flying, participate in kite-making activities, learn about the history of kites, Witness the beauty of the traditional dragon kites in the air and cheer for their favourite kite in the Hot Tricks Showdown and the traditional Rokkaku battle.

Washington DC is also home to a number of museums – from The International Spy Museum – perfect for wannabe James Bond’s to Natural History, Air and Space and Native Americans – plus the city’s green open spaces and great shopping make for a ideal break.

Thomson Worldwide offers 3 nights at the 5 Star Fairmont Washington from £549 per person. Price includes accommodation on a room only basis and return flights with British Airways.

Thailand – Khao Lak – One Of Thailand’s Most Peaceful Pockets

Lapped by the turquoise swirls of the Andaman Sea, Khao Lak is one of Thailand’s most beautiful areas. On one side of Khao Lak village you have the piercing blue of the ocean, whilst on the other there’s the emerald green of the National Park and between the two snakes a glimmering golden beach that stretches as far as the eye can see. Dive the crystal clear waters around the Similan Islands, learn to cook Thai style near a waterfall or go elephant trekking in Khao Sok and explore the natural wonder of Thailand’s rainforest.

Thomson Worldwide offers 8 nights at the 4 Star Plus Le Meridien Beach & Spa Resort from £1,030 per person. Price includes accommodation on a B&B basis, return flights from London Heathrow with Cathay Pacific and transfers.

New York – A New Green Hotel In Midtown Manhattan

The VU hotel supports Kimpton Hotels' EarthCare program and commitment to deliver a luxury boutique hotel experience and simultaneously promote a sustainable planet. The new Midtown Manhattan hotel delivers on this by offering high-quality, eco-friendly products (cleaning supplies, soy inks, recycled paper, organic beverages, organic bedding, recycled glassware) and services (recycling, water conservation, paperless check-in/out, energy conservation, organic spa treatments) without sacrificing style and comfort.

With breathtaking views of the Hudson River to the west and Times Square to the east, the new VU hotel has loft style guestrooms, a 15th floor Rooftop Bar and destination restaurant which celebrates regional cuisine prepared only with local food and produce.

Thomson Worldwide offers 3 nights at the 5 Star VU Hotel from £699 per person. Price includes accommodation on a room only basis and return flights from London Gatwick with British Airways.

Rwanda – Gorilla Trekking

A visit to Rwanda can be one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on earth, boasting one of the only places in the world where you can come face-to-face with wild mountain gorillas. Thomson Worldwide can arrange a trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers who have spent their entire lives living in or close to the forest. Your trek will be enchanting as you weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate. You may spot golden monkeys or see buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of bird life.

But the high point, of course, one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth, will be spending time with the gentle giant gorillas as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting, raising their young. At the end of your visit you will understand what kept conservationist Dian Fossey living in this same forest for 18 years protecting these wonderful animals.


Thomson Worldwide offer a 7 night Kenya & Rwanda ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ package from £1,499 per person. Price includes accommodation at the 5 Star Serena Beach Hotel in Mombassa on a half board basis and a 3 day Gorilla Trek including accommodation on a full board basis. Price also includes return flights from London Heathrow with Kenya Airways and transfers. The gorilla trek also includes the services of an English-speaking local driver/guide, park entrance fees and government taxes, gorilla tracking permit and porterage, transportation in a 4x4 vehicle with guaranteed window seat.

The Maldives – New Shangri-La Villingili Resort and Spa

The first luxury resort in the Maldives to be located south of the equator, the Shangri-La Villingili will offer guests a spacious, boutique-style environment. Located on Addu Atoll, the resort is surrounded by more than six kilometres of picturesque coastline and nearly two kilometres of beautiful, white-sand beach. This unique, three-kilometre-long island also features 12 hectares of lush vegetation, 17,000 coconut palms, three natural lagoons and nature trails.

From private ocean retreats to tropical tree-house villas – unique to the Maldives – with panoramic views, finely appointed accommodation will be available in five distinct styles, and equipped with two iPods and a docking station, and other luxurious amenities.

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La will offer innovative therapies in a secluded sanctuary and a unique yoga pavilion overlooking the Indian Ocean. Energetic guests will be able to take a speedboat to Gan Island and, by bicycle, explore five neighbouring islands connected by a 17-kilometre road. There is excellent snorkelling at the resort's house reef and snorkelling gardens close to the shoreline for less-experienced swimmers.

Thomson Worldwide offer 7 nights at the Shangri-La Villingili from £2,339 per person. Price includes accommodation on a b&b basis, return flights and transfers.

Mozambique – A Perfect Add On To South Africa & Still One Of The Hottest New Destinations

With over 2000km or pristine Indian Ocean coastline and boasting Africa’s finest luxury resorts resting on beautiful beaches and private islands, its no wonder Mozambique has shot to the top of the list as the hottest new destination. The magical offshore islands feature pristine beaches that fall away into the turquoise warm waters where shallow reefs protect a kaleidoscope of marine life including the rare dugong, or ‘sea cow’.

Thomson Worldwide offers 7 nights at the 3 Star Plus Pestana Bazaruto Lodge from £2,340 per person. Price includes accommodation on a Full Board basis and, return flights from London Heathrow with South African Airways and transfers.

Oman – The Reopening Of The Al Bustan Palace In Muscat, The ‘Jewel of the Sultanate’

The iconic Al Bustan Intercontinental Muscat, set amidst a rugged mountain landscape overlooking the Gulf of Oman has undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishment. Owned by the Government of Oman, the extensive and multi-faceted renovations to this prestigious property include the addition of several new high-profile facilities designed to indulge guests and highlight its position as one of the finest hotels in the world. While the hotel has undergone an extensive overhaul, there have also been several new additions designed to enhance the property's product offering, including a 50-metre infinity pool, four lagoon pools and children's pool.

Thomson Worldwide offers 7 nights at the 5 Star Al Bustan, Muscat from £1,045 per person. Price includes accommodation on a b&b basis, return flights from London Heathrow with British Airways and transfers.

Morocco– New To The Thomson Worldwide Programme

Whether you want to experience Fez, one of the most authentic of Morocco's Imperial Cities with an almost totally unspoilt world heritage site in the medina of Fez el Bali, wander through the mosaic of mosques and gardens of Marrakech and visit the dye merchants, Kitesurf in Agadir or trek the Atlas mountains, Thomson Worldwide are delighted to offer this hugely diverse and colourful country.Thomson Worldwide offers 4 nights at 3 Star Plus Kenzi Farah Hotel from £320 per person.

Price includes accommodation on a b&b basis, return flights from London Gatwick with Royal Air Maroc and transfers.

For more information and bookings, log on to Thomsonworldwide.com.