Our Predictions for the Top Travel Destinations of 2017

2017 is just days away, and whilst we’ve been knee-deep in mince pies and chocolate selection tubs in the Holiday Discount Centre office, we’ve also taken some time out of our festivities to gaze into our crystal balls and predict what we think will be the top travel destinations for the year ahead. Some of our contenders are classic-holiday staples, and will come as no surprise. However, the list has thrown up a couple of alternative options too. The great news is that all the destinations mentioned are known for their fantastic weather and can be reached from the UK in mere hours:

Tenerife

Tenerife is always a popular holiday hotspot and 2017 looks to be no different for the Canary Island. The island’s extensive diary of fiestas kicks off on January 5^th with extravagant parades for Los Reyes Magos, or the night of the Three Kings. However, it’s in February that the party really gets underway with the arrival of carnival season – The Santa Cruz carnival is bold and brash with the bizarre ritual of the burial of the sardine which takes place on the eve of Lent. Los Cristianos celebrate their carnival a few days later and for 2017 the event will be Las Vegas themed.

Fuerteventura

With a wide selection of sandy beaches, Fuerteventura is a great destination for just lying back and taking it easy. There are 210 miles of coastline on this sun-filled island, making it the best destination in the Canaries for a beach break. Corralejo beach boasts miles of cascading sand dunes, whilst the sunsets at El Cotillo are particularly noteworthy. A holiday here needn’t just be about topping up that tan though. On Cofete you can help volunteers release sea turtles during the summer months, whilst kite-surfing, diving and surfing are all popular past-times on the island.

Gran Canaria

Can you believe that yet another Canary Island makes it onto our list? There’s a good reason why this region is so popular and it’s not just the fantastic weather! With well-equipped hotels, sandy beaches and tourist attractions that will cater to all members of your family, the Canaries just keep on getting it right and Gran Canaria is really no exception. At Aqualand, visitors can enjoy a thrilling selection of water flumes and kamikaze rides, Palmitos Park has jaw-dropping shows by dolphins and birds-of-prey, whilst Holiday World is a fun-filled theme park complete with a boating lake, pony riding track and bowling arcade.

Morocco

Although it’s just over 3 hours flight time from the UK, Morocco can often feel like a whole world away. As you arrive into Marrakech’s Djemma El Fna you’ll come across belly dancers, snake charmers and mischievous monkeys. The souks provide ample shopping opportunities and celebrities like Sienna Miller and Kate Moss have been known to buy leather goods from some of the stalls here. If you prefer your holidays to be more resort-based, consider Agadir with its laid-back beach and top-notch golf courses.

Costa Blanca

With over 120 miles of sprawling coastline, we can’t imagine why so many visitors keep returning to this sunny stretch of Spain. Perhaps it’s because of Benidorm, which with its fantastic resort-based nightlife and proximity to some of Europe’s biggest and best theme parks, can do no wrong in the eyes of British travellers? However, this Spanish region is more than just high-rise hotels and modern developments. Just down the coast lies Alicante with its art museums, basilicas and imposing Santa Barbara Castle. While the traditional town of Denia boasts authentic local restaurants and a car ferry that runs regular routes to Ibiza in the summer months.