My 2020 #TTCTop10 Wander List - make travel matter!

Looking back at 2019 and the year that was, I will remember it as a time of fantastic travel adventures, professional accomplishment and team success. For this, I am sincerely grateful. It’s a powerful motivator to be able to strengthen traveller and partner connections with our passion for meaningful travel, and watch this come together to #maketravelmatter and #maketravelpersonal.

I was once again impressed how each destination to which I travelled in 2019 had an impressive wealth and diversity of experiences – something for everyone. Spain, for example, where I returned several times over the year for work and play, and where I would return again for 2020 New Year celebrations. The sights, and the insights, the warm and generous people (and weather!), the food and wine, the festivals and museums, the marvelous and artistic historical buildings, the entertainment and music (our TreadRight project supporting the Cristina Hereen Foundation in Seville is a brilliant experience I will never forget)… all welcoming and memorable. And then there is Spain’s ridiculous abundance of natural beauty… the sun-kissed beaches, beckoning mountains, lush valleys and gorgeous, charming towns. Spain and I continue our love affair, and who can fault me, really?

So, while I did make it to the UK and Northern Ireland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, nearly every province in Canada, and the USA, and had a marvellous time wherever I travelled, I could only check one trip off of my 2019 list, and that was Easy Pace Malta with Insight Vacations. I will return to this glorious island one day again soon. I can never truly check a destination off of my list, but will always dream of returning. Does anyone else share this destination affection affliction? 

For my 2020 #TTCTOP10 wander list, I have narrowed down the best of the best and foremost journeys in our collection, and will look to prioritize my year accordingly. I wrestle with the order of my Top 10 list on a daily basis, and imagine and devise great schemes by which I can clear the list in a single year. Still working on that one.

Please enjoy my #TTCTOP10 wander list for 2020!

Click on the image and coloured text in the list below as you navigate for further details, and look out for the sprinkling of Traveller tips.

I would love to hear what’s on your dream travel list. If you need further inspiration, please have a look at the collection of #TTCTOP10 lists from our team at The Travel Corporation, and as always, I will be sharing images and video from my travels on my Instagram account @travelbrad.

Travel well, and often!

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” - Saint Augustine

1. Jordan Experience with Dead Sea – Insight Vacations

Number 1 on my 2020 list, Insight Vacations’ Jordan Experience with Dead Sea journey is packed with epic experiences, in style. Our popular Ancient Civilizations magazine is back, and each journey is filling quickly. 

For our Jordan Experience (one of two countries on my list to which I’ve not yet travelled), I’m excited for the jeep safari to the Wadi Rum, renowned Bedouin hospitality and stay at a gloriously contemporary desert camp, the lost city of Petra, Crusader fortresses, and with our sustainability foundation TreadRight and #InsightCares, the unique opportunity to visit the Iraq al Amir Women’s Cooperative, founded in 1993 by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, headed by Queen Noor. This adventure has all of the ingredients for a truly magical journey, and should be on the list of every Premium active traveller.

Hot tip: Click here to read all about the journey Brett Tollman undertook to Jordan in 2018, which motivated the innovative partnership with the country and Insight Vacations.

2. Elegance of the Nile – Luxury Gold

I had travelled to Egypt 15 years ago, and it has ranked as one of my all-time favourite destinations, and so much about Luxury Gold’s Elegance of the Nile compels me to return. Of course, “Bringing Back the Golden Era of Travel” means staying at the 5 star Mena House in Cairo, exclusive VIP access to legendary sites such as experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage Site Temple of Luxor when closed to the public, high tea at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan where Agatha Christie wrote her famous Death on the Nile mystery novel (just in time for the 2020 release of Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile feature film), and the stunning River Tosca to call our home when sailing along the Nile. I would trust no one else butLuxury Gold to lead me once again in the footsteps of legendary Pharaohs and the enchantment of their magnificent kingdoms. 

Hot tip: Click here to read all about our beautiful Nile river boat, the River Tosca, in an article written by the President and Founder of Red Carnation Hotels, Mrs. Beatrice Tollman.

3. Country Roads of Wales, Devon and Cornwall – Insight Vacations

This delightful new journey was introduced to our global Insight Vacations teams by Claire Hanney, our Travel Experiences designer extraordinaire, in August, 2019, and has since been the trip at the top of our lists, and a quick seller with our travellers. If you like the idea of meandering through some of the most gorgeous countryside in the United Kingdom, indulging in fresh local dining at its finest, and staying at delightful properties such as Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park and The Red Carnation’s 5-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa in Dorchester, this journey is for you! 

The romance and charm of this journey is reason alone to travel along the Country Roads of Wales, Devon and Cornwall, but the included highlights, accommodation and dining really stand out, and bring this offering closer to the level of a spectacular Luxury Gold experience, at an Insight Vacations price point. 

Hot tip: With the popularity of our Country Roads trip series in Canada, reserve now or risk disappointment! 

4. Chile and Argentina Wine Experience – Luxury Gold

When I heard that Luxury Gold was designing a spectacular new travel experience with undeniable appeal for oenophile adventurers, and the focus would be the new world wines of Chile and Argentina (I love a good Carménère and Malbec, and have enjoyed them immensely in these very countries), I knew this trip was going to be quite special. Immersed in the Latin culture and flair of the regions and with stays at historic and sumptuous boutique hotels, included gourmet dining, included internal flights and the comforts expected with luxury travel, this adventure is a dream!

The single November 2020 departure date makes this journey incredibly rare and exclusive. 

Hot tip: The Chile and Argentina Wine Experience can also be linked to the Luxury Gold Peru Culinary Experience, so you can eat and drink your way through Latin America’s most popular destinations! I will definitely link it to one of my business trips this year.

5. Xigera – The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

I make no secret of my love for the Red Carnation luxury boutique hotels dotted around the world (the breathtakingly stunning Ashford Castle is a must-see), and you may often hear me gushing accolades on the incredibly unique and captivating collection. You will also hear me speak of my love for Africa. This I know for sure - the newest hotel Safari Lodge opening in June 2020 on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is sure to delight and impress. 

Xigera (“Kee-jera”), will boast 12 fully air-conditioned suites, each one an exquisite reimagining of the safari experience, with 105 exceptional staff looking after 24 guests, allowing exclusive flexibility. Xigera offers a unique chance to explore the bush the way you want to, defined by the Red Carnation art of hospitality.

Hot tip: I’m so proud of how the Xigera Energy Centre, a sophisticated solar hybrid power system, supplies over 95% of Xigera’s energy needs, saving the lodge an estimated 175 000 litres of diesel, and the environment 500 tons of carbon emissions each year. It is powered by a 400kW Tesla plant that uses the latest technology Lithium Iron batteries and Tesla invertors. Please read more about the Xigera’s unique, authentic and pioneering sustainability innovations.

6. Ultimate Ireland – Luxury Gold

Ireland. Even after 5 visits I am ready to return and lose myself in all things magic and fairytale. The Emerald Isle is a storyteller's paradise, full of colourful characters, rich history, fascinating local insights and limitless laughter and song, and Luxury Gold has taken the classic Irish journey to a new level of sophistication. 

All of the highlights are included in this Luxury Gold journey – VIP access to Belfast and a private tour of the Giant’s Causeway, Londonderry, Dublin, Glendalough, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Adare, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway and finishing in the incomparable Ashford Castle.  

The breath-taking landscapes and lyrical personality will have you leaving this rugged, fairytale land inspired.

Hot tip: The George V dining room is one of Ashford Castle’s feature venues, built by the Guinness family in 1905 for the King’s visit. Enjoy exceptional dishes from the kitchen of acclaimed Chef Philippe Farineau, recently awarded two rosettes by the AA Hospitality Awards, combined with much loved recipes of Mrs. Beatrice Tollman and complemented by a fine selection of wines from Chief Sommelier, Robert Bowe, in the dining room’s graceful setting, with rich, panelled walls and twinkling Waterford Crystal chandeliers.

 7. Treasure of Greece & The Islands – Insight Vacations

In 2016, I was able embark on an epic world voyage over several months, and I began my sojourn in spectacular Greece (my pics @travelbrad). I have been to Greece many times, and I would return again and again, to explore and re-explore the mainland and the countless paradisiacal islands.

The Insight Vacations’ Treasures of Greece & The Islands lists some impressive highlights. Athens, Meteora, Delphi, and Mycenae with local experts, and then 3 days on Santorini and 3 more on Mykonos to feature 2 of the most popular islands. This regional country taster is a standout, and Greece is calling me back home. 

Hot Tip: For those who want to avoid the heat of summer, May is the perfect time to visit Greece, with just the right warm sunshine and cooling breeze ratio, and the added bonus of the delightful spring flowers.

8. Delightful Danube and Prague – Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection 

My first Uniworld river cruise of Burgundy and Provence on the S.S. Catherine set the river cruise sailing bar extremely high. Imagine the spectacular service, cuisine and lavish design of a Red Carnation Hotel, all while floating on a cloud along the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Heaven.

The Delightful Danube and Prague sailing features dynamic Budapest, imperial Vienna and exquisitely preserved Prague. We will marvel at ravishing scenery as our luxurious ship glides through the Wachau Valley, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, into Germany and past charming Bavarian villages. Absolutely special. 

Back on my list again this year, the Delightful Danube and Prague sailing has my vote. 

Hot tip: Uniworld is the foremost boutique river cruise collection, and these one-of-a-kind vessels set the standard for luxury sailing. Sumptuous dining, spectacular service and priceless works of art, all set in magnificent interior design. The artwork throughout the S.S. Beatrice includes pieces from Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder and Pino Signoretto. I wouldn’t want to cruise from Budapest to Prague in any other fashion than Uniworld’s lavish luxury.

9. Classical Sri Lanka – Insight Vacations

Attention, adventurers! The other country on this list year’s list I have yet to visit, Sri Lanka, is a lush spiritual utopia of golden beaches, storied history, warm culture and unique and unusual delicious regional bites.

Scrumptious local cuisine and cooking demonstrations, a visit to a historic tea plantation, cultural and spiritual connections, and a thrilling exploration of Wilpattu National Park, including a jeep safari through the lush, dense jungle in search of Sri Lanka's leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colourful birds.

Hot tip: Have a Hopper! Hoppers are the Sri Lankan sweet or savory take on the pancake, made from a slightly fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk, sometimes coconut water and sugar, and fried in a wok. Yum.

10. Treasures of the Incas with ME to WE Amazon Extension to Ecuador – Luxury Gold

Spotlight on one of our most popular Luxury Gold journeys – the Treasures of the Incas. This is a truly luxurious take on the classic Peruvian Lima-Sacred Valley-Lake Titicaca rite of passage, and perfect for travellers who have dreamed of travelling on this adventure pilgrimage with the very best of comforts and VIP connections. 

The opportunity to combine this spectacular journey with a ME to WE volunteer experience at their Minga Lodge on the Rio Napo in the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin is an absolute once-in-a-lifetime privilege. Immerse yourself into the community mindset of the Kichwa people and their fascinating way of life. Grab a friend, some new tools, and try your hand at something new – be it digging a well, laying the foundation for a health centre, or whatever else the community may need most that day. Gather around the dinner table for a family style feast and some down time with the group, as you listen to the inspiring story of how Craig and Marc Kielburger witnessed a spontaneous and powerful community movement – a minga – years ago that inspired the formation of ME to WE, and of course the naming of Minga Lodge. 

Hot tip: Machu Picchu park rangers usually limit visitors to a 4 hour duration at the sacred site. Luxury Gold secures the visit for our travellers for the entire day, so you may choose to enjoy the classic early morning citadel views and stay for the quiet, peaceful mid-afternoon period when the cruiseship daytrippers have departed.