It’s a brand new year and over the last few months we’ve been keeping a sneaky eye on the top places to indulge your wanderlust in the coming year! Our verdict? We reckon 2015 is going to be pretty darn exciting.

OK, so it’s all very well for us to choose three places that we think you should bump up to the top of your ‘must-go’ travel bucket list, but what exactly do we look for in a ‘Top Travel Destination’? It’s no secret that here at Rickshaw, we’re all about finding real and meaningful experiences in each of our destinations. That’s why we opt for authentic homestays over big chain hotels and specialise in unique trips that go deeper into the heart of the destination, working with and bringing you closer to the local people and their cultures. And with so many exciting experiences and destinations to choose from, the decision was quite frankly, a toughy (the world is after all a pretty big place). But, after much to-ing and fro-ing (and several trips to the kettle), we finally narrowed it down…and….our Top 3 Destinations in 2015 are……*drumroll*….
Cambodia
Cambodia is a country famous for its mighty temple ruins, harrowing history, welcoming people and breathtaking scenery. Cambodia tops our list of travel destinations to look out for in 2015, and we’re not the only ones! If you watched any of Sue Perkins’ recent Mekong River series in Cambodia, you’ll see why Sue found it so easy to fall in love with this incredible country.
We recommend…
We offer a range of exciting bite-sized trips in Cambodia, but it was far too hard to pick just one. So we’ve chosen two of our favourite experiences:

Follow in the footsteps of Sue Perkins and get a taste of the real Cambodia with a trip to the mighty Tonle Sap lake. During this authentic experience, you’ll stay with a local family in a traditional stilted house, try your hand at cooking and head out onto the water to watch the fishermen at work.

Escape to Castaway Island trip
If you want to add a slice of paradise to your Cambodia trip, then Ko Rong Samloem is the place for you. Explore lush green forests, try a spot of snorkelling or kayaking on the crystal clear waters and sleep in your own cosy beach bungalow. Perfection!
Nicaragua
Neighbouring adventurous Costa Rica, Nicaragua is a hidden gem for travellers looking for a truly authentic travel experience, offering everything from colonial charms and smoking volcanoes to pretty beaches.

We recommend…
We recently launched a brand spanking new Nicaragua holiday itinerary where you can really explore the Land of the Volcanoes.
Land of the Volcanoes Itinerary
Start by exploring the charming colonial city of Granada and the faded grandeur of the old Spanish buildings. Catch a ferry to Ometepe Island to discover misty volcano peaks before visiting Matagalpa; a place famed for its coffee, and take a coffee tour where you’ll learn all about coffee production; from bean to cup! Try an authentic homestay, where you can hike through rolling green countryside and help your host family cook an evening meal. Stay in a converted monastery hotel in Leon and enjoy some beach time and surfing in San Juan del Sur, before topping it all off with an evening volcano tour in Masaya Volcano National Park.
Sri Lanka
Beautiful coastlines, crumbling ruins, rolling tea hills and elephants galore; Sri Lanka is the third and final in our list of top destinations for 2015 and it’s not hard to see why. We offer a whole range of bite-sized trips in Sri Lanka that you can piece together to build your own unique Sri Lanka travel experience.
We recommend…
We’ve put together a Sri Lanka itinerary that covers all the highlights of this beautiful country.

A Taste of Sri Lanka Itinerary
With our Taste of Sri Lanka itinerary, you can explore this beautiful country in two weeks; from cultural treasures to palm fringed shores. Your journey will begin the capital of Colombo. From here you’ll journey by private car with your friendly local driver to Kandy. Stay in a cosy hotel in the hills before exploring botanic gardens and ancient temples. Next, explore the famous Sigiriya (or Lion’s Rock) and catch a glimpse of elephants in the National Park. Discover the ancient city of Polonnaruwa before meeting the locals as you wander through vibrant tea hills in Nuwara Eliya. Hike to the magnificent Horton Plains and take a quaint train through the hillside to Ella. Spot elephants in Yala National Park before ending your trip on the golden sands of Unawatuna where you can unwind in your own cosy cottage a stones throw from the beach.
Happy travels!
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