For many Australians, 2020 marked the start of a tough period and the wanderlust is strong. With international travel from Australia looking unlikely until potentially 2022, we’ve got plenty of time on our hands to map out the perfect holiday. Fortunately, though, there are many worthwhile destinations that make sense to plan a year in advance.
Whether it’s a round-the-world trip, a once-in-a-lifetime visit to a Disney theme park or an extended holiday in Europe, getting the details right can take a while. Find out more about planning a trip a year in advance to these wonderful places:
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- African safaris
- Northern Lights, Norway
- Disney trips
- Antarctica
- Golden Triangle, India
- Multigenerational trips
Read more: Everything you need to know about flexible travel
Machu Picchu, Peru
The Incan site of Machu Picchu is one of the world’s incredible adventures. The 15th-century citadel ruins are found high in the mountains above the Peruvian Sacred Valley.
Visitor numbers to Machu Picchu are limited and permits are required for the trek. These are generally made available in October for the upcoming year and tend to get snapped up quickly.
The trip to South America is a long one, so people tend to add more countries and sites to their holiday. Do you want to see Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia? Stand on the equator in Ecuador? Or take a trip out to the Galapagos Islands to see the incredible wildlife?
African safaris
African safaris give Australians the most natural (while being safe) way of seeing some of the world’s most loved animals. From elephants and lions to giraffes and meerkats, there’s plenty to see.
Where you want to go might take a bit more planning. Botswana is home to a migration of 30,000 wildebeest and zebras, South Africa’s Kruger Park is home to the Big Five (and may be better suited for families) while Zambia is a haven for hippos. If you want to see a herd of 400 elephants, there’s no place better than Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
Country hopping in Africa can be difficult because of the numerous visas you need, but the recent East Africa Tourist Visa is a 90-day option that allows you to visit Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Northern Lights, Norway
There are a few places in the world that you can see the Northern Lights, but generally the best spots are in the northern regions of Norway and nearby countries. The best places to see them tend to be the Lofoten Islands, Solia and Tromso.
There are a few factors that need to align for you to be able to see the Aurora Borealis. First, it has to be dark. The Arctic regions tend to have full days of sunshine in summer and full days of darkness in winter, so it’s best to go in the colder months. Generally, the best schedule is between 21 September and 21 March, between 9pm and 1am.
The Northern Lights don’t come out every night, or even every week, so be prepared not to see them at all. Take the next year to plan activities nearby in Norway that makes the trip worthwhile regardless of the magical light show.
Disney trips
It certainly pays to plan a Disney trip a year in advance. While you could do it in a shorter timeframe, because of the parks’ popularity you get a lot more choice of accommodation and tours the further out you book.
Some options for trips, such as reserving a character meal onsite, open 180 days beforehand. You’ll have to be alert to make sure you book one while you can. FastPass+ rides can then be booked 60 days before your visit.
While the American Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World are incredibly popular, you’ll find bookings just as competitive in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Antarctica
Antarctica has two distinct seasons and in winter, from April to September, it’s virtually impossible to get to. There are scenic flights that go over the ice, but the best way to go is by cruise ship.
These generally leave from the southern tip of Argentina, between October and March, with plenty of options in terms of cruise companies, cruise length and cruise price.
Antarctic cruises tend to be more expensive than those to the Pacific Islands so, as well as planning your itinerary a year in advance, it helps to have that extra bit of time to save up.
Golden Triangle, India
India is a country full of spectacle and its Golden Triangle links three of its most jaw-dropping destinations: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Delhi has an official population of 19 million, unofficially a few million more, and the speed and hustle of the city leaves many tourists in a spin. Agra is home to the famed Taj Mahal while Jaipur is full of regal splendour from days gone past.
Many people opt for a package tour of the three sites, but if you prefer to arrange things yourself it can be useful to give yourself a bit of extra time to navigate all the options available for an Indian holiday.
Multigenerational trips
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the value of community and personal connections. Getting your family together for a holiday sounds like a great idea in theory but in practice it can be a lot more difficult.
It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to go to Auckland or Oakland, finding a time when everyone can take time off, find a destination that everyone likes and sorting out accommodation and tours that suit everyone can be very time-consuming.
Giving yourself the time and space to put everything together is certainly a smart first step.
Read more: Get the best deal on flights with price alerts
FAQs about travel planning
How do I start planning a trip?
There are a few factors that determine what sort of holiday you can have. Your budget is important, how long you can afford to spend overseas and the places you want to go. Get a rough idea for each and then use Skyscanner search and articles to help fill in some of the gaps.
Should I plan a holiday for 2021?
The future of travel is uncertain at the moment, but the indications are that overseas travel won’t be back to normal for a long time — perhaps until after 2022 for Australians. If you’re itching to see somewhere new this year, booking a domestic holiday may be the better option.
How far in advance should I book my flights?
Skyscanner Australia research has shown that the best time to get cheap flights is, on average, by booking 22 weeks in advance for international flights and 21 weeks in advance for domestic holidays. This does vary from destination to destination, however. Flights to Auckland are generally cheapest 12 weeks before the plane’s departure.
Read more about travel planning
- Coronavirus travel advice: Keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 travel restrictions, changes and rules.
- 2021 holiday planning for every budget: Ready to explore Australia? Find our top tips for budget, reasonably-priced and luxury holidays this year.
- When will Australia open its borders?: All details of interstate and international borders closing, opening and changing restrictions.
