Where to in 2024? Here are a few of the trending destinations those in the know are heading next year.
The most searched destination online is the Maldives, and it’s easy to understand why. As one of the world’s most beautiful and remote areas, it may not be with us forever, as rising temperatures and seas could threaten this iconic destination. However, this is the ultimate vacation for 2024 for soothing relaxation, golden beaches, and crystal-clear waters.
2024 is the time to visit Japan; having emerged from the pandemic and returned to normal service levels, it is a much more affordable destination than many think. The country is at its most magnificent in springtime, with an abundance of cherry blossom trees symbolising human life, transience, and nobleness, while literally thousands of summer festivals, such as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, create a carnival of celebration well before the arrival of the stunning autumn colours that rival New England in the Fall. The Rugby World Cup heads to Japan in 2025, so visiting next year will get you ahead of the crowds.
Staying in the Far East, now that Bhutan has lifted its visa restrictions, it is one of the hot ticket destinations for 2024, a high-value, low-impact eco-tourism destination where plastic bags and tobacco are banned. The country has an overall concept based on the Gross National Happiness of its citizens and visitors, which makes it a must-visit destination for the curious. Check the daily sustainable development fee before booking, which is relatively expensive at $200. However, they have recently extended the length of time you can stay, making it a better value to visit Bhutan in 2024.
If you are looking for an idyllic island destination in the Far East, then Phu Quoc in Vietnam might be for you. While no longer the undeveloped island it was, much of the East and North coast remains untouched, with the lazy charm, rustic seascapes, lush green jungle and picturesque villages that originally made Phu Quoc the traveller’s dream place to visit. Avoid the South and West of the island if you are not a fan of large hotels and resorts.
The USA and Canada are always popular destinations, but they are stepping up a gear for one particular event in 2024 – the total Eclipse of the sun on April 8th. Its path will start in central Mexico, running over San Antonio and Dallas in Texas in a line directly over Niagara Falls and New England, skirting Toronto and Montreal before departing via Newfoundland. Millions of visitors are expected to flock to these areas to view this once-in-a-lifetime event, but there will be plenty of room for everyone along the Eclipse path.
Due to current exchange rates, South Africa is now one of the best value destinations. With whale watching, magnificent wineries, numerous safari opportunities and the Garden Route to explore, this winter should be the optimum time to visit. While not the world’s best-known destination, Namibia sits comfortably as a two-centre holiday with its neighbour South Africa, where the appeal is in its natural wonders, historic sights and incredible wildlife. It is the perfect destination to do something different, such as visiting a rhino conservation sanctuary or the NamibRand Nature Reserve for the ultimate star-gazing experience from Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.
Further afield, Chile is gathering more interest in South America as new visitors discover amazing Patagonia. A full-day cruise on Lake Argentino visiting the Perito Mereno Glacier is one of travel’s great experiences, sailing past blue-coloured icebergs and stunning scenery before venturing into the unspoilt and spectacular region of Torres del Paine National Park in the Andes.
Exciting Buenos Aires, the most European of South American cities, provides rich architectural and cultural heritage, electric nightlife, a vibrant arts scene, extensive parks and warm, friendly people, where one of the world’s biggest entertainment events, the Lollapalooza Music Festival, is being held over three days in the city in March 2024. Match Buenos Aires with Iguazu Falls as a two-centre trip to take in some breathtaking moments. A two-hour flight from the city allows you to experience the largest system of waterfalls in the world, where 275 individuals cascade over mighty cliffs. Iguazu runs for 3km and is 100 ft higher than Niagara Falls, making it an immersive experience like no other.
Nearer to home, if you love Greece but are fed up with crowds, then the Island of Milos might be the answer. A mix of pristine beaches, sunset spots and cultural attractions, this Greek Island is a sanctuary in its own right. Arrive by high-speed ferry from Piraeus or the twice-daily ferry from busy Santorini.
Cesme in Turkey was voted among the top twenty destinations in the world by the New York Times and is a quieter alternative to the bigger tourist resorts along the coast, offering a colourful town with good nightlife and peaceful beaches with many nearby attractions.
Over in Albania, the last short-haul European sunspot that has yet to be overtaken by tourism offers stunning Mediterranean scenery, turquoise waters, unspoilt beaches, excellent food, and affordable prices. Ksamil, known as the “Maldives of Europe”, is a small beach town in hugely under-rated Southern Albania, straddling the turquoise-coloured Ionian Sea and only a short hop from Corfu. The Albanian Riviera has many beautiful beaches just waiting to be discovered, like Pema e Thate, now Tik-Tok famous for its beach huts and hammocks. The attractive port town of Sarande welcomes an increasing number of cruise lines each year, while the beaches at Dhermi attract a younger crowd, which means they can be swamped in the height of summer. This year will see over 120,000 visitors from the UK visiting the country, and this humble nation is right on the verge of a boom, so get to see it soon.
The Northern Lights have been tempting people ever since tourism began, and 2023 has seen some spectacular displays over the UK, giving viewers a taste of what can be seen further north. Peaking every eleven years, scientists suggest that next year could be the strongest showing of the Northern Lights for some time, at least until Autumn 2024. Various cruises are available from Southampton or Newcastle, including the newest Cunard ship, Queen Anne, or the more immersive experience of Hurtigruten Cruises from Bergen, visiting numerous fjords and towns along the west coast of Norway.
Finally, for that ultimate adventure, you may want to experience 6-star ultra-luxury on an expedition cruise to Antarctica, sailing on the extraordinary Scenic Eclipse, taking in the vastness of this remote region, passing by massive ice shelves and enjoying excursions onto the ice, to witness unique wildlife, specifically the Adelie penguin colonies. Or sit back and watch from the comfort of your cabin.
Wherever you go in 2024, the world is waiting for you.
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