Ten tempting travel trends

1. Panama – Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal was an epic feat of engineering that dramatically changed maritime trade when it opened on August 15, 1914. This year’s centenary is a good excuse to visit the central American country, which is now serviced by Air France flights via Paris. Rainbow Tours (www.rainbowtours.co.uk) offer a 10-night Best Of Panama itinerary from £2,930 per person, which includes visits to the Canal, Western Highlands and cloud forest, and the islands of Bocas del Toro.

2. Rwanda – Twenty years ago Rwanda hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. But now this small progressive country in the heart of Africa has become a conservation success story. Tracking a fragile but slowly increasing population of mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Volcanoes National Park is on every wildlife lover’s bucket list. But equally as fascinating are the people; peace now reigns, a world far removed from the horrors sensitively documented in Kigali’s Genocide Memorial Centre. Explore (www.explore.co.uk) offer six-day tailor-made packages to Rwanda from £2,090 per person including flights, accommodation, a tracking pass and some meals.

3. Toledo, Spain – Nicknamed “the Greek” after his Cretian origins, 17th century artist El Greco spent most of his life working in Spanish city Toledo. Hailed as paving the way for the Expressionism and Cubism movements, he is best known for his tortured, elongated figures. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death, the country is gearing up for events including major exhibitions of his works in both Toledo (from March to June) and Madrid’s Prado Museum (from June to October). Kirker Holidays (www.kirkerholidays.com) offer a three-night trip to Toledo, with B&B hotels, flights, car hire and entry to The Greek Of Toledo exhibition at the Museo Santa Cruz in Toledo, from £598 per person.

4. Chengdu, China – According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, China is set to become the most popular tourist destination in the next seven years. One of the big attractions is an opportunity to see the country’s native bamboo-munching giant pandas. Breeding and research centres in Chengdu allow close encounters with the bears. Launched last September, new direct flights with British Airways have increased accessibility. Departing September 2014, Wendy Wu (www.wendywutours.co.uk) offers a fully inclusive 10-day trip to China, including a visit to Chengdu with panda ambassador and Countryfile presenter John Craven, from £2,590 per person.

5. Eastern Sicily, Italy – Tourism has been bubbling away in eastern Sicily for some years, but its popularity is set to explode – especially since Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, was added to Unesco’s World Heritage List last year. New twice-weekly Ryan Air flights from London to Comiso airport and additional Alitalia services from London to Catania are opening up the eastern part of the Italian island. Sunvil Discovery (www.sunvil.co.uk) offer a seven night B&B stay at Feaudo Vagliasindi agriturismo in Randazzo, from £817 per person, including BA flights from London and car hire.

6. Yorkshire, UK – With the Tour de France 2014 starting in Yorkshire on July 5 and 6 this year, thousands of visitors are set to descend on the regions rolling Dales and historic market towns. So it’s no wonder Lonely Planet has named David Hockney’s favourite stomping ground as a place to go in 2014. This year’s race will pass through the Swinton Estate, which is also home to a luxury castle hotel. Their Tour de Yorkshire package costs from £190 per person, per night, full board and includes free use of bikes and a cyclist’s massage. Visit www.swintonpark.com

7. Zimbabwe – Economic improvements and a safer environment have enticed visitors to return to the wildlife-rich parks of Zimbabwe. Guiding here is excellent, with certification requiring a four-year study, and guests are able to observe a wide variety of game at close hand. The completion of the Victoria Falls airport has also opened up opportunities for more flights, with Emirates and Etihad set to launch new routes this year. Expert Africa (www.expertafrica.com) offer the seven-day Grysbok Safari from £2,238 per person, including flights from London and full-board accommodation at Hwange National Park.

8. Austin, Texas – Famous for its live music scene, with bands playing nightly along Sixth Street and festivals such as South By Southwest and Austin City Limits taking place every year, this hip Texan city is buzzing with excitement. From March, British Airways will operate its new 787 Dreamliner from London to Austin. Spend days scouring quirky shops and hanging out in cafes, or exploring the State Capitol building. Flights with British Airways (www.ba.com) cost from £537 return. Rooms at the hip Hotel San Jose start from £122.60 per night with Mr and Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com).

9. South America – With the spotlight on Brazil for the year’s World Cup (June 12 to July 13), South America will be on everyone’s radar. Cox & Kings have reported a 30 per cent increase in bookings to the region, with most people choosing a multi-country trip. Try out Cox & King’s (www.coxandkings.co.uk) eight-night Wonders Of The New World trip through Brazil and Argentina, from £2,695 per person for a private tour, including flights, accommodation and some meals.

10. Iceland – When the weather is good, driving around Iceland is simple: one 832-mile ring road loops around the volcanic island. Fly into the capital Reykjavik, where highlights include the Skogafoss waterfall and Blue Lagoon thermal baths. Stopping off at fishing villages along the way, the trip should take a week. Be sure to make a detour to new visitor attraction Pompeii Of The North. Go to www.visiticeland.com for more information. Wow Air (www.wowair.co.uk) fly from London Gatwick to Reykjavik from £74 one way.