Eye On Travel: Eye On 2016: What did this year ever do for us?

So that’s just about a wrap for the Year of the Monkey, 2016. What then have we learnt from the world of travel this year? Some places have become a little scarier to visit and most places have become more expensive to visit.

However, there are still plenty of wonderful, exciting and slightly weird places on this planet to satisfy our travel curiosity. Let’s have a look at some of our favourites and if you missed out this year, there’s always 2017 (it’s the Rooster, in case you were wondering)

The Jumps: No sign of Davina & Channel 4

Ski jumping: The Austrian town of Saalfelden specialises in jumping. It has four jumps at 15m, 30m, 60m and 85m height. There is an age limit for lessons - you must be at least 6! So not only can you wallow in your own terror, you can be out jumped by small Austrian children.

The specialist Skisprungschule offers two day courses for 240 Euros. Courses run throughout the winter and somehow in the summer as well - that could be more painful I suspect. How high do you Jump in your lesson? I guess that's up to you.

Alluring: Turn left and it's 3 miles to the bar

Big Cruise Ships: Royal Caribbean have some of the most innovative Ships afloat including the mega sized Allure of the Seas which can carry an astonishing 6,296 passengers and 2,384 crew, weighing in at 225,000 tonnes (that’s 31,000 double decker buses - and probably the size of Wales).

If that sounds like the dinner party from hell then perhaps the novelty items on the various new Ships will make up for that. These include a robotic bar, indoor sky diving, surfing simulators, observation capsules, water slides and climbing walls.

Tuscany: Not all Ravioli comes in tins

Cookery Schools: Any self respecting chef would include France or Italy in their destinations. France is probably on strike so head to Florence for an introduction to the food of Tuscany.

Villa Pandolfini in the Tuscan countryside will sate your appetite with local speciality dishes. Enjoy with a few glasses of Chianti before being driven back to Florence. Half Day introductory courses start at €140 and run year round. Transport to/from central Florence is an extra €10pp.

South Island : Jumpers and minty sweets

Outdoor Pursuits in New Zealand: The South Island is for exploring the great outdoors and offers adventure tourism unparalleled anywhere in the world. Self drive to see the most and bear in mind it will take much longer than it looks - there are a lot of very windy roads. Take the west coast to see the Fox Glacier (named after the mint) or the east coast to Kaikoura for an invigorating swim with dolphins and then onwards to the island’s largest city, Christchurch.

Further south is the adrenaline capital Queenstown. Here you will find imaginative ways to scare yourself from jet boating and white water rafting to bungee jumping and canyon swinging (sideways bungee, before you ask). All surrounded by Lake Wakatipu and the remarkable Remarkables mountain range.

Rocky Mountain NP: the mountains are rocky

Parking in the USA: If mountains are your thing then head to Colorado, home of the imaginatively named Rocky Mountain NP. Easily accessible, there is something for all levels. This is also serious hiking country with 72 peaks over 12,000 feet covered by over 350 miles of trails.

Wildlife includes bears, mountain lions and non singing chipmunks so don’t forget to zip the tent up properly if you are camping! Open all year round, the altitude means that the high roads are only clear of snow from May-October. Bring warm clothes at all times - make it ski gear in mid winter as some of the best US skiing is in Colorado.

Private Flying: Gourmet Chicken or Fish

Around the World in 25 days: If you get bored staying in one place, how about a 25 day trip around the world on a private jet? Abercrombie & Kent have a specially chartered 50 guest Boeing 757 departing on 1 May17 for a 'Tropics to the Arctic' trip which costs USD 129,000 per person although it is Business Class.

With flights you cannot miss as the same aircraft stays with your group throughout, you will visit places such as Easter Island, French Polynesia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia and Iceland (the country not the shop). There are numerous regular, cheaper Round the World air tickets that will allow you to visit many different places on one trip - you just can’t keep the plane.

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Happy New Year & Happy Travels in 2017

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