Audley Travel has relaunched its programme to Jamaica three years after pulling out of the destination.

The tailor-made tour operator said it had reintroduced the country due to client demand for more Caribbean islands.

A sample itinerary to Jamaica includes a nine-day ‘Jamaica beach & rainforest escape’ with stays in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Other itineraries include a tour of Kingston and a visit to Dunn’s River Falls and The Blue Hole. 

Audley has also expanded its programme in India, Japan and Tanzania.

New tours in India include a 15-night tailor-made itinerary, with stays in Delhi, Nimmu, Uleytopko, Nurla, Leh, Nubra Valley and two nights at the Drenmo Lodge. There’s also bear tracking in the valleys of Dras, where guests can stay in the Drenmo Lodge for the chance to see the Himalayan Brown Bear. 

In Japan, Audley has added Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, which can be included in a traditional Japanese itinerary to expand the Golden Route. A sample itinerary includes a 17-day trip with two nights in Nagoya as well as time in Tokyo and Kyoto. 

The expanded Tanzania programme includes a 10-day itinerary with one night in Arusha, four nights for the Great Rift Valley Trek and two nights in Karatu. 

New Zealand lives and breathes kaitiakitanga, which translates to guardianship of the land. For a sustainable holiday, check into The Hotel Britomart–New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel–or stroll through Brick Bay vineyard, known for its greening ethos and farm-to-table delicacies.

From donning a wizard’s hat to spinning on the water, laughing in a Hobbit™ Hole, or soaking in geothermal pools, the actors found joy in spontaneity. They even shared quiet villa breakfasts with a view of Lake Taupō. Beyond these experiences, the country offers a rare connection to verdant landscapes where trees have stood tall for hundreds of years. Up north, Sanctuary Mountain stands as one of the country’s largest ecological projects, while down south, Fiordland comes alive with the chatter of rare birds like the kea, weka, tūī, and bellbirds.

Rajkummar and Patralekhaa departed with stories, smiles, and soulful memories. Whether it was the warmth of Māori hospitality, the mist rising from hot springs, or the hush of a native forest, every memory felt earned and cherished.

Every year without fail, as the mercury drops and winter settles in, Aussies head overseas in droves, looking for warmer weather.

Bali and Europe are classic choices. But this year, Australians have some surprising destinations on their radar.

Recent data shows that Egypt, Morocco, and Peru are all on the rise as holiday destinations.

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According to Intrepid, bookings for tours in Egypt are up 170 per cent year-on-year.

With a rich history, fascinating culture, and warm weather, Aussies are choosing to head to this North African country for a different kind of holiday.

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Brett Mitchell, Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director, tells 9Travel that Egypt has made a major investment in tourism infrastructure, which has made it a far more accessible destination.

”New hotel developments, streamlined visa processes, and improvements to transport are all helping travellers move more confidently through the country and encouraging more Aussies to visit,” he says.

Another surprising region where Aussies are setting their sights is Central Asia. In the past year alone, Australian bookings with Intrepid to Uzbekistan are up 65 per cent, Mongolia 128 per cent, and Kazakhstan a staggering 560 per cent.

Though they’re not common destinations for Australians, travellers are choosing to explore so-called ‘lesser-known’ places.

“Travellers are looking to avoid crowds and overdone itineraries,” says Brett.

In response, Intrepid has beefed up its offerings in these destinations, including six new trips in Central Asia.

Recently, 9Travel writer Sarah Swain wrote that Euro summer as we know it is over. With soaring temperatures and inescapable crowds, a jaunt through Europe in the summer months is no longer the fun and carefree rite of passage that it once was.

Instead, travellers are choosing to holiday in the shoulder months, or to skip the ‘mainstream’ destinations altogether.

That’s why, perhaps, Intrepid has seen such a jump in bookings for their more ‘off the beaten path’ destinations. 

Peru and Ecuador are also soaring in popularity.

“These destinations are still relatively affordable, less saturated with tourists, and include experiences that give people a real sense of connection to culture,” says Brett.

Of course, we don’t need to head overseas to warm up in winter. Typically Aussies tend to head to Queensland for a domestic holiday in the cooler months, this year more of us have set our sights west.

The Kimberley, in north-western Australia, has also seen a bump in popularity, according to Intrepid.

Here, the daytime highs in winter average a balmy 28°C, there’s plenty of sunshine, and the chance of rain is slim.

Yes, Bali, Thailand, and Cairns will always remain at the top of the list for Aussie winter getaways.

But as tourism continues to skyrocket, don’t be surprised if you see some unexpected destinations edge their way into people’s travel wish lists.