Sandals’ over-the-water bungalows, one of our 2017 top picks. Photo courtesy of Sandals.
Do you have a vacation or your top travel destinations all planned out for 2017? If you’re like many travelers, you might not start thinking about your annual family vacation or romantic getaway until the calendar changes to the new year. Well, it’s time to start your vacation planning! We’ve highlighted four of our favorite, trending vacation ideas for 2017 to inspire you.
Think major upgrades, endless amenities, and envious accessibility to the world’s most storied landmarks. Vacation at one of these travel destinations in 2017 for memories that last long after another year ends!
Top 5 Travel Destinations You Don’t Want To Miss
Sandals La Source St Lucia
Looking for unparalleled luxury on one of the most exclusive islands in the Caribbean? Then you’ll want to be first in line for a stay at this brand-new Sandals resort in St. Lucia, set to open in Spring 2017. The new luxury all-inclusive will feature an infinity edge pool sky bar with sweeping views of St. Lucia, swimup suites (a first for the Sandals chain), and a robust entertainment venue with a 20-foot-high LED screen. Plus, when you stay at La Source, you can also explore the other three Sandals St. Lucia properties as part of the “staying-at-one, playing-at-four” opportunity.
Sandals South Coast
2017 will be a banner year for Sandals, as they just unveiled an extensive, luxurious renovation of their Sandals South Coast property in Montego Bay, Jamaica, formerly known as Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa. Many of the upgrades focus on building off of Sandals’ recent foray into “over-the-water” bungalows, those ultra-private, luxe stays popular in the South Pacific. The Sandals South Coast resort will feature 12 more over-the-water bungalows (opening in March 2017), an over-the-water bar called Latitudes, as well as an over-the-water chapel for marriage ceremonies. Brides and grooms can even arrive to the chapel via boat! A stay at Sandals South Coast is guaranteed to bring you closer to that famed glass-clear Caribbean water than ever before. Want more access to those over-the-water bungalows without having to fly halfway around the world? Check out Sandals Royal Caribbean, which just opened its over-the-water suites.
European River Cruising
We’ve written about — and featured real client trips aboard — European river cruise lines, because we’re so convinced they’re one of the best ways to see Europe. If you’ve never been on a river cruise, make 2017 your year to dip your toe in the water, on an intimate cruising vessel that docks right in the heart of some of the world’s greatest cities. Regional cuisine and top-notch wine and beer programs are often a focal point of European river cruises, which makes them a great option for foodies in search of the ease of cruising but with a step up from the standard buffets offered on many ocean cruisers. For more information on the wonders of river cruising (and whether it’s a good travel fit for you), check out our blog post here.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
It’s big, beautiful, and packed with non-stop fun — and now, the second largest cruise ship in the world is convenient, too! The Oasis of the Seas has switched ports to Port Canaveral, from Port Everglades near Ft. Lauderdale, which is a much easier drive for Augusta residents. If you’re looking for a cruise vacation within a day’s drive that delivers a major “wow” factor, then we suggest making Royal Caribbean’s gem of a ship your top pick for a cruise in 2017. Read more about the ship’s incredible features (including two surf simulators) in our recent blog post about the luxury cruise Oasis of the Seas.
Inspired by this trending travel destinations and trips for 2017? Then make sure you start planning your 2017 vacation now! Get in touch with one of STA’s travel planning experts today to get your dream vacation on the calendar.