Where to go in 2014

AT HOME…

1 CARMARTHENSHIRE
To celebrate the centenary of Wales’s most famous literary figure, Discover Carmarthenshire has launched online trails to help visitors explore the places Dylan Thomas visited and loved. For instance, the trail around Laugharne encompasses the boathouse where he spent the last years of his life, and his drinking den, Browns Hotel. The Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations include Laugharne Festival (4 to 6 April) and readings.
01267-231557, www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

2 YORKSHIRE
Tour de France 2014 makes its Grand Départ from Leeds in Yorkshire on 5 and 6 July. The route takes cyclists through some of the county’s historic cities, including York, as well as the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Pride Of Britain Hotels, a consortium of 48 independently owned hotels, has two properties close to the action, Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, York, and The Devonshire Arms in Skipton.
0800-089 3929, www.prideofbritainhotels.com

1 Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. 2 Royal Crescent, Bath. 3 Glasgow University
3 BATH
In 2014 it will be 300 years since the beginning of the Georgian era, a period that transformed Bath’s society, architecture and history. The city will be celebrating throughout the year with events such as a new walking tour and an exhibition at the Fashion Museum, featuring 30 original outfits and 18thcentury inspired creations by modern designers including Vivienne Westwood. No 1 Royal Crescent, reopened following a £5m restoration, creates a vivid picture of life in Georgian Bath.
0906-711 2000, www.visitbath.co.uk

4 GLASGOW
Glasgow will host the XX Commonwealth Games from 23 July to 3 August, one of the biggest sporting occasions in Scottish history. The event is expected to showcase both the city and the whole country as never before, as thousands of athletes and fans descend on Scotland.

0845-859 1006, www.visitscotland.com

5 NATIONWIDE
Next year marks the centenary of the start of the First World War, and the Imperial War Museum is coordinating a programme of events with more than 1,400 partners, from museums to music and art organisations. There will be new pieces for the English National Ballet, inspired by the Great War; an exhibition of works by war artist Stanley Spencer at Somerset House until 26 January, and the reopening of the Imperial War Museum London following a £35m refurbishment of its First World War galleries. The day Britain entered the war, 4 August, will be marked with a candle-lit vigil of prayer at Westminster Abbey.
www.1914.org

4 Westminster Abbey. 5 A Sopwith Camel biplane at the Imperial War Musuem. 6 The Devonshire Arms in Skipton, Yorkshire

...AND ABROAD

6 DENMARK
A trip to Denmark to learn more about the Vikings will be a must after visiting the Viking exhibition at the British Museum. Opening on 6 March, it explores Viking fortresses, settlements, cemeteries and ships. See Denmark’s famous Iron Age bog bodies and sail on a replica Viking ship at Roskilde. Andante Travels offers a 10-day Viking Denmark: Artists, Storytellers And Warriors trip, 17 to 26 September, accompanied by guide lecturer Brian Ayers, from £3,200 per person, including flights.

01722-713800, www.andantetravels.co.uk

7 BRAZIL
All eyes on Brazil as the country hosts the FIFA World Cup from 12 June to 13 July. Matches will take place in 12 cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo. But before all that excitement, you can trek in Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia, northeast Brazil, and visit Salvador and Rio de Janeiro on a trip with Discover Adventure. Departing 18 January, it costs from £2,399 per person, including 10nights’ accommodation, flights and most meals.
01722-718444, www.discoveradventure.com

7 Nyhavn, Copenhagen. 8 Chinesisches Haus, Berlin. 9 Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

8 TOLEDO
Next year marks 400 years since the death of artist El Greco, who was born in Crete but spent most of his life in Toledo, Spain, where major exhibitions next year will celebrate his life and work. Kirker Holidays offers holidays throughout Spain: for example, a three-night holiday to Toledo, including four-star accommodation, flights, entrance tickets to The Greek Of Toledo exhibition at the Museo Santa Cruz and car hire, costs from £598 per person.
020-7593 2283, www.kirkerholidays.com

9 BERLIN
Next year also marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, making it a special time to visit this vibrant city. Travelling by train and on foot, Andante Travels’ seven-night tour, Bare Bones Berlin, explores the city and its hinterland, ranging from Prussian elegance to Nazi architecture. The trip, from 2 to 8 July, with guide lecturer Nick Jackson, costs from £1,400 per person, excluding flights.
01722-713800, www.andantetravels.co.uk

10 MALAWI
Thanks to a wildlife relocation project, Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi has regained ‘Big Five’ status as a superb safari destination for lion, giraffe, leopard, buffalo and elephant-spotting without a traffic jam of 4x4s. Safari Consultants offers a 10-night holiday, including three nights at Mkulumadzi Lodge, Majete Wildlife Reserve, from £3,347 per person, including flights, full board and game viewing.
01787-888590, www.safari-consultants.com

Mauritius

HERMITAGE SPECIAL Visit St Petersburg next year for the 250th anniversary of the Hermitage and its worldfamous collection of art and artefacts. Andante Travels’ seven-day tour, from £2,800 per person, includes behind-thescenes access. 01722-713800, www.andantetravels.co.uk

MAURITIUS DIRECT Thomson’s Dreamliner flies direct from Gatwick to Mauritius from May 2014. A 14-night allinclusive holiday to Thomson Couples 4T Ambre Resort & Spa, for instance, costs from £1,707 per person. 0871-230 2555, www.thomson.co.uk

SHAKESPEARE WALK To commemorate next year’s 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, Celtic Trails offers selfguided walking trails in the footsteps of the Bard, from £535 per person for a seven-night trip, including B&B. 01291-689774, www.celtic-trails.com

BANNOCKBURN LIVE The National Trust for Scotland’s three-day re-enactment of the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, Bannockburn Live, takes place in Stirling, 28 to 30 June. Adult ticket, £20.  0844-493 2139, www.battleofbannockburn.com