The great Friday travel sale - as it happened

The great Friday travel sale - as it happened
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16:11 - One last thing...

Don't forget The Telegraph Travel Show will be taking place all weekend, offering the chance to meet and quiz our team of experts, hear inspiring talks, and grab exclusive holiday offers from hundreds of tour operators. See travelshow.telegraph.co.uk for more information.

For more exclusive holiday deals, visit the Telegraph Travelshop.

And have a lovely weekend.

16:09 - Before you go...

Don't forget to read our guide to not offending the locals abroad

Travel etiquette: how to avoid offending the localsFollow our guide to avoid upsetting the locals on your travels  Photo: AP

16:05 - A few more deals...

Abu Dhabi

Etihad Holidays is offering five-night breaks at the four-star Rotana Yas Island from £549pp, including breakfast and flights.

Iran

The Ultimate Travel Company (020 3051 8098, theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk) has an 11-day Classic Iran tour for £2,975pp, including two nights in Tehran, two nights in Shiraz, and three nights in Isfahan.

Brazil

Last Frontiers has a 13-day Brazilian beach break from £3,970, including the Amazon (Manaus), São Luis, the Lençois Maranhenses National Park and four nights in Jericoacoara.

15:59 - Sir Chris Hoy's 2016 travel wish list

He told us recently that he's looking forward to visiting Brazil for the Olympic Games. It's not too late to join him - find out how with our expert guide to getting to Rio 2016.

Rio Olympics 2016: your guide to tickets, dates, flights and hotelsRio de Janeiro is hosting the first ever Olympic Games on South American soil  Photo: AP/FOTOLIA

15:55 - Cheap flights

Garuda Indonesia has flights from Gatwick to Jakarta from £452 return, to Bali from £458 return and to Melbourne from £691 return.

WOW Air has flights from London to Boston for £119 one-way (flying Jan 13 via Reykjavik) and from Bristol to Washington DC also for £119 one-way (flying September 14 via Reykjavik).

15:50 - Where are you going in 2016?

Malaysia, says @Rubina87

@TelegraphTravel Malaysia!

— Rubz (@Rubina87) January 8, 2016

@scottno28 is staying in Sri Lanka. We can't blame him.

@TelegraphTravel I want to stay here, love SriLanka! pic.twitter.com/bxg05gwGzO

— The Riley Shot (@scottno28) January 8, 2016

Palawan, says @sarahejohnson_x.

@TelegraphTravel Palawan in the Philippines will be my destination this year!

Well just look at it:

Philippines: Reviving the lost art of sailing in Palawan Palawan

15:44 - Long haul: best of the rest

Burma

Audley has cut the price of a four-night luxury cruise on the Belmond Road to Mandalay by £900pp - now £3,555pp, including one night in Yangon, one night in Mandalay, two nights on Inle Lake and four nights cruising between Mandalay and Bagan.

China

Wendy Wu is offering free upgrades to business class on several of its China trips, including its China and Tibet discovery and its Majestic Yangtze tour.

Thailand

Destinology has lopped £835 off a seven-night stay at Paresa Resort Phuket - now from £1,525pp, travelling January 11 – April 30 - including flights.

Colombia

Last Frontiers is offering a two-week Colombia Escape tour, combining Bogota, San Agustin, the coffee region, the Island of Providencia and Medellin, for £3,330pp.

Sri Lanka

Resplendent Ceylon has cut the price of five-night half-boad stays at the luxurious Cape Weligama by £658 - now £2,811.

15:34 - Where to cruise in 2016

Jane Archer, our cruise expert, has suggested nine of the best cruise holidays for 2016 to celebrate the Somme anniversary, Tolstoy in Russia, new flights to Costa Rica, and wine in Portugal.

A cruise ship in the Duoro Valley, PortugalA cruise ship in the Duoro Valley, Portugal  Photo: Fotolia/AP

15:32 - Cruise deals

There are loads of cut-price holidays afloat:

Newmarket is offering exclusive discounts of 40 per cent on its Majestic Fjordland cruise and its Iceland and Northern Lights cruise.

Emerald Waterways is offering savings of up to £2,000 per couple on its European river cruises - an eight-day Danube Delights voyage now costs £995pp, for example. See www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk

Aurora Expeditions has taken 10 per cent off the price of trips to Alaska - a saving of £534pp.

Voyages to Antiquity has two exclusive offers for Telegraph readers: a free cabin upgrade on its Italian and Croatian highlights cruise and $600 on-board credit on its India and Red Sea cruise.

15:26 - The world's greenest places

Want a holiday to a tree-filled nation? Our map shows those countries with the highest percentage of forest area. Unsurprisingly, the tropical lands of South America, the Caribbean, Africa, south-east Asia and the South Pacific dominate, with Suriname, Micronesia, Palau, Gabon, Guyana, American Samoa and the Solomon Islands all in the top 10. But some more northerly countries fare well too, with Finland (72.9 per cent forest area), 11th, Sweden (69.2 per cent) 15th, and Japan (68.6 per cent) 17th.

Mapped: The world's most green and pleasant lands

15:23 - Exclusive offers: Cornwall and St Moritz

Telegraph readers can claim 30 per cent of stays at Beachspoke (020 8740 3097, beachspoke.com), a collection of unique one-bed cottages in St Ives, during January and February (excluding Valentine's weekend) - quote Tel 30%.

Santhosh Health Retreat (santhoshretreats.com) in St Moritz is offering 20 per cent off stays in March - quote Tel Santhosh.

15:21 - US deals

Let's not forget the USA - the 2nd most Googled travel destination of 2015.

BA Holidays is offering seven nights at the 3* Ramada Hotel Gateway in Orlando from £479 per person, travelling between January 20 and March 10. Includes flights.

Virgin Holidays has cut the price of five-night breaks at the 5v Mondrian South Beach in Miami by £491pp - now £1,189pp, including flights and car hire, based on March 3 departure. It is also offering three nights in New York for £499pp, including flights and accommodation at the 3.5v Hudson Hotel (based on March 13 departure).

2015's most Googled travel destinations

  1. New York
  2. USA
  3. Australia
  4. Spain
  5. Cornwall
  6. Dubai
  7. Italy
  8. Amsterdam
  9. Greece
  10. Tenerife

15:12 - Exclusive offers: Wild Frontiers

Wild Frontiers, the adventure travel company, is offering Telegraph readers 10 per cent off both its epic 47-day Great Silk Road Trip - now from £9,500pp (quote GSRATO-JAN) - and its 12-day India and The Jungle Book itinerary - now from £2,795pp (quote JBTATO-JAN). Departs September 12 and October 18, respectively. Call 020 7736 3968 or visit wildfrontierstravel.com

15:09 - 20 for 2016: Wroclaw, Poland

Wroclaw, rather confusingly pronounced "Vrotswaf", will be a European Capital of Culture this year.

Joanna Symons writes: "It's a very easy weekend away: a two-hour flight, a small manageable airport and a 30-minute bus transfer to the centre of town (about 50p). All the main sights, such as the 2,000 sq m Raclawice Panorama painting, the museums and the cathedral, are within easy walking distance – and it’s one of the best-value short breaks in Europe: Ryanair (ryanair.com) and WizzAir (wizzair.com) both have return fares from £34. Stays at the four-star Puro Hotel 0048 71 772 5100; en.purohotel.pl) in the central – and rather hip – Four Denominations District start at £42 a night.

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

Wroclaw, PolandAn aerial view of Wroclaw  Photo: Fotolia/AP

15:04 - One hour to go

We'll be wrapping things up in an hour or so, but will try to flag up as many great offers - and answer as many of your questions - as we can.

14:59 - Spain deals

It's our favourite destination - more than 12m Britons visit each year. Here are a couple of the best deals to Spain we've spotted:

BA Holidays has two nights in February at the 4* Confortel Bel Art from £129 per person. Includes flights from Gatwick and accommodation.

Riviera Travel's seven-night Classical Spain - Seville, Cordoba & Granada itinerary costs from £539pp including flights, accommodation and guided tours.

14:54 - February sun

A reader asks:

@TelegraphTravel Looking for a week or 10 days of sun in Feb for 3 adults - under £800 each. Any suggestions for a bargain please?

It's hard to look past the Canary Islands. Last year new flights to Tenerife North opened up a little-known corner of the island that most British tourists don't reach - dramatically volcanic and gloriously imbued with Hispanic culture. Read more here.

14:51 - Telegraph Travel Show

The inaugural Telegraph Travel Show has been taking place all day - and continues this weekend. It's your chance to meet and quiz our team of experts, hear inspiring talks from celebrities including Monty Halls and Will Greenwood, and grab exclusive holiday offers from hundreds of tour operators. See travelshow.telegraph.co.uk for more information

14:44 - Where are you going in 2016?

@aledgamble is eyeing up Jordan

@TelegraphTravel #Petra and #Jordan for me! Mix it up for a bit of a change

— Aled Gamble (@aledgamble) January 8, 2016

@jumpmanair fancies Vietnam (again)

@TelegraphTravel Viet Nam for the 16th time. :)

— Brian (@jumpmanair) January 8, 2016

@sophiekelk wants to go to one of our extraordinary destinations you've never heard of

There isn't one destination on this list that I DON'T want to go to....https://t.co/ejlRZ7ubcM #travel #getmeoutofhere via @TelegraphTravel

— Sophie Kelk (@sophiekelk) January 8, 2016

14:38 - The world's least crowded places

Want peace and quiet on your next holiday? Try one of these destination where the population density is remarkably low.

Destination
Population density
Greenland
0.0 people per sq km
Falkland Islands
0.3 people per sq km
Mongolia
1.9 people per sq km
Western Sahara
2.3 people per sq km
Namibia
2.9 people per sq km
French Guiana
2.9 people per sq km
Australia
3.1 people per sq km
Iceland
3.3 people per sq km
Suriname
3.3 people per sq km
Botswana
3.5 people per sq km

The Falkland Islands are famous for their wool production, and are comfortingly British The Falklands: quiet  Photo: AP

14:31 - More Greek deals

We've more deals for Greece than you can shake a stick at:

Thomson is offering one-week all-inclusive holidays at the 4T+ Sensimar Oceanis Beach & Spa Resort for £674pp, based on a May 24 departure and flying from Bristol.

Mark Warner has knocked 25 per cent of the price of one-week stays at the Lakitira Beach Resort in Kos - now from £446 per adult and £268 per child, based on May 4 departure.

Carrier is offering savings of £95pp on one-week stays at Ikos Olivia - now £635pp including flights, for travel between April 1 and October 30.

And Simpson Travel has taken 10 per cent off the price of a host of Greek villa breaks, including Villa Taphian on Meganissi and The Secret Garden in Paxos.

14:25 - 20 for 2016: Ios and the Peloponnese, Greece

Two Greek destinations were among our 20 destinations for 2016: the island of Ios and the Peloponnese region.

Bettany Hughes writes: "The lyrical loveliness of Ios is reviving. The epic poet Homer woke up to a “rosy-fingered dawn”. Well, Ios is said to be the island where the bard saw his last sunset. In the Pathos Bar beautiful people in minute swimwear serenade the setting sun here – not to Party Rock Anthem but with Nessun Dorma. Expect acoustic concerts, sculpture trails, a full-blooded celebration of the fruits of the Mediterranean. Epic enjoyment in both the ancient and modern sense."

Ios island in the CycladesIos, Greece  Photo: Fotolia/AP

Of the Peloponnese, Henry Jones says: "This colossal peninsula, swelling for more than 8,300 square miles at the south-west corner of Greece, was the arena in which many of the country’s ancient dramas played out. Remnants of this halcyon era are manifold: the iconic fourth century BC amphitheatre at Epidaurus, its acoustics as glorious today as they were when designed; the ruins of Sparta, the obstreperous city-state that rose as a rival to Athens in the fifth century BC; and the sanctuary of Olympia, where the Olympic Games threw and ran."

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

14:20 - Italy deals

You can't beat La Dolce Vita - and here are a few enticing offers for 2016:

Titan is offering savings of £350pp on its Grand Tour of Italy escorted tour, taking in Venice, the Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Sicily. From £1,999pp including flights, accommodation, 10 excursions, and services of an expert guide.

The Healthy Holiday Company has cut the cost of seven-night stays at Borgo Egnazia in Puglia by £380pp - now £1,045pp for stays before June 30.

BA Holidays is offering two nights at the 4* Artis Hotel in February from £119 per person. Includes Euro Traveller return flights from Gatwick and accommodation with breakfast. See ba.com/rome

14:08 - Destinations that are free from Brits

Want to be sure you won't bump into any other Brits on your next holiday? Or simply looking for bragging rights when it comes to lesser-visited destinations? Then head to one of these countries. They have each been visited by less than 0.2 per cent of the UK population, according to research by HostelWorld.

Country
How many Britons have been there?
Guyana
1 in 1,000
Mongolia
2 in 1,000
Ethiopia
2 in 1,000
Lesotho
2 in 1,000
Senegal
2 in 1,000
Papua New Guinea
1 in 1,000
Azerbaijan
2 in 1,000
Moldova
2 in 1,000
North Korea
1 in 1,000
Uzbekistan
2 in 1,000

14:03 - Bonnie Tyler's 2016 travel wishlist

Because who wouldn't want to follow in Bonnie Tyler's footsteps? She planning to visit China this year, she told us recently: "I’ve never been and I’m told my music is pretty popular there. Thankfully the country is opening up more now to tourism."

Telegraph Travel recommends a 13-night break with Wendy Wu Tours, including a Yangtze cruise, a visit to Chengdu’s Panda Base, and tour of Beijing. From £2,790pp for departures between March and September.

Bonnie's heading east in 2016  Photo: Getty/AP

13:59 - Mauritius deals: luxury for less

Carrier has cut the cost of one-week stays at Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa by 30 per cent - now £1,895pp, including flights and unlimited use of spa and golf facilities. Valid for May - September departures. It has also knocked 40 per cent of the price of selected breaks at the One&Only Le Saint Géran.

Trailfinders is offering savings of £2,410 and £1,050 per couple, respectively, on one-week breaks to the 5*+ St Regis Mauritius and the Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa. Book by February 15.

13:53 - Europe's best hidden seaside resorts

Want to discover somewhere unspoiled this summer? You could do far worse than follow the advice of our experts. They've recommended the best lesser-known seaside resorts in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Croatia and Turkey. See our full guide here.

Cirali, Turkey: Secret SeasideCirali, Turkey  Photo: Alamy

13:49 - Exclusive offer: 40% off the Algarve

Oliver's Travels (0800 133 7999, oliverstravels.com) has been kind enough to offer Telegraph readers an exclusive 40 per cent discount on all one-week villa stays at the VidaMar Algarve Resort - plus five per cent off all its other villas across Europe and the Caribbean. Book by January 31 quoting "OT Tel Offer".

13:45 - Journeys with a difference

Perhaps getting horizontal on a sun longer isn't for you. If so, you'll enjoy our round-up of weird ways to travel the world, including on a cargo ship, in a tuk-tuk - and while dragging a sofa...

100 Miles On A SofaThe ultimate armchair traveller

13:38 - Where are you going in 2016?

@Albannach1876 is dreaming of Belgrade or Sarajevo.

@TelegraphTravel The Balkans - Belgrade or Sarajevo.

— Ingrid Neighbour (@Albannach1876) January 8, 2016

13:34 - Maldives deals: luxury for less

Plenty of savings to be found on trips to this idyllic archipelago:

Carrier is offering seven nights for the price of five at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (saving £2,460 per couple) - now £2,295pp half-board including flights.

Turqouise Holidays has cut the cost of a week at the all-inclusive Constance Moofushi by 50 per cent - now £2,725pp, including flights, based on departures in April and May.

Trailfinders is also offering savings of £3,000 per couple on holidays at the 5*+ Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.

13:20 - What's on your travel bucket list?

The Northern Lights is the most common item to feature on travel bucket lists, according to research. But which of these trips of a lifetime most excites you?

25 things to do before you die

13:15 - Dubai deals

BA Holidays is offering three nights' b&b at the 4* Doubletree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah for £369 per person, including flights, based on departures from June 1-September 30.

Virgin Holidays has cut the cost of three-night stays at the 5v Jumeirah Beach Hotel by 41 per cent - now £695pp, including flights, based on a June 6 departure.

13:09 - Cheap winter sun

@TelegraphTravel any advice on where to holiday for a weeks bargain sunshine this month for two

— Charlie Enfield (@charlieenfield) January 8, 2016

It will be 25C in Tenerife next week - otherwise there are always good deals for Florida and Dubai.

The 25 best destinations for winter sun

13:04 - 20 for 2016: India

Gill Charlton writes: "India will be in the news all spring: Disney’s new Jungle Book animation launches in April; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting India for the first time; and the ICC World Twenty20 is being played in eight Indian cities from March 8.

The Water Palace in JaipurThe Water Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan  Photo: Fotolia/AP

"What’s more, anyone inspired to jump on a flight to see the country first-hand will find it a lot easier to get a visa. In August, India finally introduced e-tourist visas for British citizens. They take just four days to issue for a reduced fee of £39. There’s more good news for the budget-conscious on arrival. The pound has strengthened considerably against the rupee (£1 = 100 rupees), making India very good value compared with south-east Asia."

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

12:58 - Exclusive offer: 10 per cent off Mark Warner holidays

Mark Warner is kindly offering Telegraph readers 10 per cent off a huge range of winter and summer holidays. See www.markwarner.co.uk/telegraph10 for more details - book today or tomorrow using the discount code "Telegraph10".

12:54 - Surprising destinations where the terror risk is low

Mongolia has one thing going for it - it is one of the countries where the Foreign Office believes the threat from terrorism is "low". Read our guide to find out more.

Mapped: Terror threat around the world

12:52 - Lily Cole's 2016 holiday wishlist

The model recently told us she was hoping to visit Antarctica, Chile, Mongolia and... er... space.

We've got plenty of advice for all four destinations - follow the links above.

Celebrity sightings: 35 we've seen on our travels

Lily Cole wants to visit Antarctica this year  Photo: Getty/AP

12:45 - Thailand deals

We've got so many deals. Here's a few of the best for Thailand:

DialAFlight is offering seven nights for the price of four at Centara Coconut Beach on Koh Samui - now from £599pp including flights, based on April and May departures.

Carrier has cut the cost of seven-night stays at The Sarojin resort, north of Phuket, by £910 per couple - now from £1,330pp, including flights, based on departures between April 16 and October 31.

Trailfinders is offering £640 off seven-night breaks at the 4*+ Katathani Phuket Beach Resort - now from £949pp, including flights, based on selected June departures.

12:38 - The best UK hotels for 2016

Fiona Duncan recently revealed her 10 favourite UK hotels for 2016, including Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire - where the infamous Profumo Affair was played out. See her full list here.

The world's best hotels for spa breaks

Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire Cliveden House  Photo: The Bridal Photographer

12:32 - Exclusive offer: The Pig

Our hotel expert Fiona Duncan is a huge fan of The Pig hotels in Somerset and Hampshire - rating them among the best in the UK.

Telegraph readers can stay at either property during January and February (midweek) for just £139 per night, including a bottle of red wine. Call 0845 077 9494 or visit thepighotel.com

The Great British Take Off: the biggest day of the year for holiday bookings - liveThe Pig in the Wall, Hampshire

12:25 - Where are you going in 2016?

A varied wishlist for @jdomb:

@TelegraphTravel We're definitely headed to Montana, Israel and South Korea!

— Luxe Adventure Trvlr (@jdomb) January 8, 2016

12:20 - Fastest growing travel destination?

According to MasterCard's Global Destination Cities Index, the fastest growing destination city in the world is Colombo, Sri Lanka. Overseas visitor numbers rose by 21.1 per cent between 2009 and 2015, putting it ahead of Chengdu (+20.7%), Abu Dhabi (+20.4%) and Osaka (+19.8%).

20 destinations for 2015: Sri LankaA train passenger in Colombo  Photo: Getty Images

12:15 - Exclusive offer: Switzerland for less

Le Grand Bellevue in Gstaad is offering Telegraph readers an exclusive 35 per cent discount on three-night stays until April 2. Use the discount code LGB2016 when you book.

12:06 - 20 for 2016: Peru

For the first time in 24 years, Britain is getting a non-stop flight to Peru, with British Airways flying London Gatwick to Lima from May 4.

Chris Moss, Telegraph Travel's South America expert, writes: "Beyond the celebrated Cusco and Machu Picchu, there is plenty to enjoy: the Moche Route, which takes in the impressive mud-brick citadel of Chan Chan, is ideal for those who want some beach action with their archaeology.

Lake Titicaca in PeruLake Titicaca  Photo: Fotolia/AP

"Access to one of the most dramatic inland sites, Kuelap, in the Amazonian region of Chachapoyas, will be improved by a new cable car, which Peru’s president, Ollanta Humala, has promised will be in operation by July 2016. Meanwhile, Titilaka, the most luxurious property in Lake Titicaca, has launched a boathouse equipped with canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats to allow guests to visit a private floating reed island, away from the crowds."

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

11:55 - Caribbean deals

Loads of Caribbean deals have been filling our inbox. Here are some of the best:

Thomson has a two-week all-inclusive stay at the 4T+ Sensimar Bavaro on the Dominican Republic for £1,427 per person, including flights (based on a August 8 departure). Follow this link or call 0871 200 7799.

Trailfinders is offering 45 per cent off one-week stays at the 4*+ Ocean Two Resort - now £899pp including Virgin flights.

Elegant Hotels has cut the cost of all-inclusive seven-night stays at Turtle Beach (April 1-September 30) by 50 per cent (now from £1,575 per couple - flights extra). See www.eleganthotels.com

11:49 - Hotel pet hates

This week we revealed the 42 changes we'd most like to see this year - from bigger overhead bins on planes to more power sockets in airports. We also took hoteliers to task over Wi-Fi charges, overpriced minibars and needlessly complicating lighting. What's your biggest hotel bugbear?

Find out what our columnist Anthony Peregrine hates about hotel rooms

11:41 - Telegraph Tours for 2016

Want to sample the finest vintages in Bordeaux with our wine correspondent? The Somme with Sir Max Hastings? Here we list all the extraordinary trips taking place with Telegraph experts throughout this year, including cruise, cultural, gardening, sport and rail holidays.

You could visit Iceland with Kate Humble this year

11:38 - Exclusive offer: £190 off trips to Nepal

KE Adventure is offering Telegraph readers £100 off any of its 42 Nepal holidays for 2016 - valid for bookings today only.

11:33 - Which is the world's best country?

New Zealand has been named best country at the last three Telegraph Travel Awards, and - with more than 30,000 votes counted so far - it is the front runner again this year. But it's not too late to have your say.

The top 10 so far

  1. New Zealand
  2. Maldives
  3. South Africa
  4. Namibia
  5. Japan
  6. Australia
  7. Burma
  8. Tanzania
  9. Botswana
  10. Mauritius

11:29 - Bali deals

Time for some more deals...

Trailfinders is offering seven nights' b&b at the five-star Laguna Resort & Spa in Bali for £1,099 - including flights and transfers (a saving of £460 per couple).

i-escape is offering savings of £466pp on seven-night stays at The Purist Villas and Spa in Ubud (now £525pp - flights extra).

And, exclusive to Telegraph readers, The Mulia and Mulia Villas are offering seven nights for the price of five. A one-week stay now cost £451 based on two sharing (flights extra). Visit www.themulia.com for more information and email reservation@themulia.com, mentioning "Telegraph offer".

11:20 - Dreaming of Baku

An off-beat suggestion from @Sarakshi - Baku in Azerbaijan. Did you know the city is home to a miniature version of Venice and the Museum of the Dwarf Book?

@TelegraphTravel Hopefully in 2016 I'll get to go to #Petra, #Baku, #Beirut, #Prague, #Oman and #Srilanka!!

— Sarakshi Rai (@Sarakshi) January 8, 2016

Baku, Azerbaijan: 10 of the city's weirdest tourist attractionsLight reading in Baku  Photo: Sophie Ibbotson

11:16 - We'll drink to that

Clearly the free wine booking incentive is a tried and tested winner:

Any new bookings made at the Telegraph Travel show, receive a FREE case of wine @TelegraphTravel pic.twitter.com/BX6rtSwh18

— Grandstand (@GrandstandMS) January 8, 2016

11:13 - 10 reasons to be cheerful

Last year was defined by some relentlessly bad news: from the attacks in Paris and Tunisia to the economic meltdown in Greece and the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. But, while those shadows will no doubt continue to haunt the news, there are good reasons to be cheerful and look forward to a more positive 2016, says Nick Trend, our Consumer Editor. He explains why in his latest column.

Holiday sales: how to spot the best deals for 2016

11:07 - Free wine: the perfect incentive to book a holiday

Or anything for that matter. Explore (explore.co.uk, 01252 884 723) is offering customers who book any trip to Italy before January 25 six free bottles of Italian wine.

The 10 best food and wine holidays in Italy

10:59 - 20 for 2016: East Iceland

Phoebe Smith writes: "Come spring and a new direct flight to the town of Egilsstadir will open up Iceland's lesser-visited east. You can hike beneath the rhyolite mountains at Borgarfjordur Eystri to the north and have the jade-coloured lakes and Giant Boulders of Storurd (steeped in elf legend) to yourself.

Lagarfljot in Egilsstadir, IcelandLagarfljot in Egilsstadir, Iceland  Photo: Alamy

"Weave your way east to the bohemian town of Seydisfjordur, with its sound sculptures, Centre for the Visual Arts and brightly painted wooden houses, and you’ll be welcomed like a local. Journey south to the pretty harbour at Djupivogur and be outnumbered by ducks and seabirds that come to seek refuge in the surrounding wetlands."

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

For the chance to win a holiday to East Iceland, take our End of Year Travel Quiz.

10:50 - Portugal deals

We've asked more than 30 tour operators to send us their best deals for 2016 and Portugal is looking particularly good value.

Sunvil has an exclusive offer for Telegraph readers: a four-night stay at the five-star Convento do Espinheiro hotel in the Alentejo region for £500pp (including flights, car hire, wine tastings, breakfasts and dinner on one evening). Call Sunvil on 020 8758 4722 or see www.sunvil.co.uk/portugal.

i-escape is offering savings of £150pp on one-week stays at The Vine, a luxurious hideaway on the island of Madeira (now £349pp - flights extra).

Inntravel, meanwhile, is offering free upgrades on its Algarve's Coasts and Hills walking holiday, for departures until March 19 (£565pp for seven nights' b&b).

10:42 - Another fan of New York

@TelegraphTravel I hope to go to the #Cinqueterre #Sarejevo #NewYork #Provence and #SanSebastian - anywhere else will be a bonus!

— TravelHappyEatHappy (@traveleathappy) January 8, 2016

And San Sebastian - surely the greatest city in the world for foodies.

10:38 - Tips for winter breaks

A question from a reader:

@TelegraphTravel any tips on xmas break £1000 budget 2 adults. .. somewhere cold!

— Damien Williams (@oliff2012) January 8, 2016

We'd suggest St Petersburg, which is at its best in winter, Iceland for the Northern Lights - or how about a remote Scottish hotel?

Scottish Highland hotelsArdanaiseig hotel in Argyll

10:28 - Alastair Campbell's 2016 holiday wishlist

"I am trying to persuade my wife Fiona to branch out a bit, and join me to visit Australia, Ethiopia and India," the former Labour spin doctor told us recently. If you too want to visit India, check out our expert guide and our pick of the best hotels.

Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia   Photo: Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia (AP)

10:24 - Sunshine Sunday?

While Expedia reckons today will be the busiest day of the year for bookings, other travel firms are saying it will be tomorrow. They've even dubbed it "Sunshine Saturday". Now the website sunshine.co.uk is further muddying the water by claiming Sunday will actually be the busiest day: "When we look back at our booking trends, we've historically found that it's actually the Sunday on the second weekend in January that is even busier."

10:18 - The Telegraph Travel Show

The inaugural Telegraph Travel Show has begun at London's ExCeL. Today's speakers include Jonathan Phang, the celebrity chef, Will Greenwood, the Rugby World Cup winner, and Monty Halls, the television presenter. The show continues all weekend, for details visit travelshow.telegraph.co.uk

Monty Halls prepares for an epic trip

10:14 - Caribbean deals

The Healthy Holiday Company is offering savings of £955pp on seven-night breaks at Carlisle Bay in Antigua (now available from £1,969pp, including flights).

BA Holidays has seven nights at the 3* All Seasons Resort Europa in Barbados, travelling between September 1 – 30, from £499 per person. Includes World Traveller return flights from Gatwick and accommodation. See visitba.com/barbados

Top 10: the best affordable hotels in the Caribbean

10:08 - The Best Indies

The Caribbean will never lose its allure.

@TelegraphTravel Caribbean!!!!

— Sara R (@SaraITinUK) January 8, 2016

For advice on where to go, see our complete guide to Caribbean holidays, including the best breaks for families and beaches and the region's top boutique hotels.

10:03 - The rail way to travel

Other incredible new rail journeys starting in 2016 include luxury services around Ireland and Iran - and the return of the Flying Scotsman.

27 reasons trains are better than planes

09:59 - 20 for 2016: Hokkaido, Japan

Danielle Demetriou, Telegraph Travel's Tokyo expert, writes: "Japan has long been famed for its expansive network of sleek, white-nosed Shinkansen bullet trains. In 2016, following more than a decade of construction, the country will be opened up further for tourists as the bullet train network extends to reach Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, for the first time.

Lake Kussharo, HokkaidoLake Kussharo, Hokkaido  Photo: Alamy

"In winter, Hokkaido’s wild natural landscapes and sensational powder snow are popular with skiers, while in summer, eagles, whales and dolphins can be seen on the Shiretoko Peninsula, there is canoeing and fishing on Lake Kussharo, hiking up Mount Asahi and visits possible to hot springs in Toya Onsen and the lavender fields of Biei."

For more information, see our 20 destinations for 2016 guide.

09:53 - Where do you want to go this year?

Take part in the poll below or tweet @telegraphtravel

09:44 - Greece is the word

The 9th most Googled destination last year was Greece. It's a perennial favourite thanks to its unspoilt scenery, beautiful beaches, laid-back way of life and excellent value.

A one-week stay at the Grace Mykonos hotel, recommended by our Greece expert, cost from £699 per person, including flights with easyJet. Price valid for stays between April 27 and October 10, 2016.

i-escape is also offering seven-night breaks at the four-star Ekies All Senses Resort on the Greek mainland - valid for travel between April 28 and October 16 - for just £231pp (flights extra) - see www.i-escape.com/ekies-all-senses-resort

For more advice on Greek breaks, see our guides to the best islands and the 10 best beach holidays.

09:35 - The perfect time to visit South Africa

The pound is at an all-time high against the rand, so there's never been a better time to visit South Africa. For more advice on where to go and what to do, see our expert guide.

It's not the only currency against which the pound has strengthened. The table below is a few weeks out of date, but gives a good idea of which countries offer great value for Britons right now.

 

09:30 - The world's greatest city?

New York was the most Googled travel destination last year - it seems Britons can't get enough of the Big Apple. But our readers' favourite would appear to be Cape Town. It was named number one city in the Telegraph Travel Awards in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and - with more than 30,000 votes counted so far this year - leads the way again.

The top 10 so far

  1. Cape Town
  2. Venice
  3. Vancouver
  4. New York
  5. Sydney
  6. Tokyo
  7. San Francisco
  8. Rio
  9. Seville
  10. Barcelona

Which is the world's greatest city?Cape Town: your favourite city  Photo: AP/FOTOLIA

09:22 - David Gandy's 2016 holiday wishlist

Want to travel like David Gandy? He recently told us he want to visit New Zealand, Telluride in Colorado - and to drive up the Stelvio Pass in the Alps.

Wanaka, New ZealandWanaka, New Zealand  Photo: Wanaka, New Zealand (Getty/AP)

Riviera Travel currently has a 21-night tour of New Zealand available for £3,999. The price includes a two-day stopover in Singapore, sightseeing tour of Auckland, and helicopter flight around the Franz Josef Glacier.

09:16 - New York, New York

Expedia says The Big Apple will be its number one destination for 2016. British Airways is currently offering three nights at the 3* Days Hotel Broadway from £449 per person, travelling between January 20, 2016 – February 29, 2016. Price includes World Traveller return flights from Heathrow to JFK and accommodation. Visit ba.com/newyork

For more places to stay in New York, see our expert guide to the best hotels.

Expedia's top 10 destinations for 2016:

Rank
Destination
1
New York
2
Rome
3
Amsterdam
4
Barcelona
5
Paris
6
Las Vegas
7
Berlin
8
Dubai
9
Majorca
10
Dublin

09:10 - Where are you going in 2016?

We want to know where you'll be heading this year. Tweet @telegraphtravel, or use #GreatBritishTakeOff to tell us about your travel plans.

@TelegraphTravel Hopefully Cuba! Been no.1 on my list for too long. Amsterdam, Barcelona & Vienna also on my list for 2016 though.

— A Londoner Travels (@LondonerTravels) January 8, 2016

A weekend break in... Havana

09:07 - 20 destinations for 2016

Stuck for inspiration? Your first port of call should be our guide to the 20 best destinations to visit in 2016.

Our list includes the Trans-Siberian rail journey, which celebrates its centenary this year. It really is the world’s greatest train journey.

Trans-Siberian: highlights of the world's greatest rail journeyThe Trans-Siberian should be on your bucket list  Photo: ALAMY

09:03 - The Telegraph Travel Show

Also starting today is the inaugural Telegraph Travel at the ExCel in London. It's your chance to meet and quiz our team of experts, hear inspiring talks from celebrities including Monty Halls and Will Greenwood, and grab exclusive holiday offers from hundreds of tour operators. See travelshow.telegraph.co.uk for more information

09:01 - What is The Great British Take Off?

January 8 is expected to be the busiest day of the year for online holiday bookings. Or so reckon the good folk at Expedia. Thomson, the tour operator, thinks it will be tomorrow. Either way, lots of people are fed up with being back in the office and are looking forward to a week or two away. So we're going to the spend the day offering advice and inspiration and answering your questions, while highlighting some of the best travel deals currently available. We've even thought of a brilliant name for the booking phenomenon - The Great British Take Off.

The Great British Take Off: the biggest day of the year for holiday bookings - liveTime to start thinking about your next holiday

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