I’ve scoured, delved, and researched hundreds of destinations to form my Top Ten list for this year.
From Greek island hopping to archery lessons in Mongolia, 2024 looks to be a terrific year for travel mojo.
January is cold and dismal, but thoughts of travel motivates me to get out of bed and face the dark, long month.
As the new year settles in, I turn my thoughts away from failed resolutions and toward the year ahead. Where to in 2024?
Quebec, Canada
Immerse yourself in Inuit culture while exploring wildlife in Canada’s largest province. Starting in Summer 2024, there will be tours to the uninhabited Gyrfalcon Islands. Spot polar bears, musk ox and caribou. Visit the Putep ‘t-awt observation site, on the St. Lawrence River, where you can see a beluga whale nursery. Want to see what other indigenous cultural events are on throughout the year? Check out the indigenousquebec.com website for up-to-date information.
Grenada, Caribbean
Fancy a trip to the Caribbean in 2024? St. Barts, Barbados, Dominica, you’ve heard of them all, but Grenada is set to be the jewel in the Caribbean in 2024. The island has great rum, delicious food and infinite outdoor activities. The island provides endless scuba diving and is the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean. So grab your snorkel and fins and go exploring! More of a landlubber? Visit the buzzing capital of St. George’s and its boat-dotted harbour instead. Feel a bit more like Indiana Jones? Then hike through the rainforest in Grand Etang National Park. Cue the theme music!
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Visit the oldest town in Chile, founded in 1450. An adventurer’s paradise with geographical wonders and the clearest skies on Earth. If you, too, are an adventurous soul, this is the place for you. It’s the world’s driest non-polar region. Think snowcapped volcanic mountains, high-altitude lagoons, salt flats and geothermal geysers. Visit Los Flamencos National Reserve to see the world’s rarest flamingos or the Valle de Catarpe canyons for dramatic scenery. Enjoy staring into the cosmos? The ALMA Observatory promises an interstellar experience. Or trek through the inhospitable moonscape environment of Valle de la Luna. This place is like no other.
Quito, Ecuador
Always known as the gateway to the Galapagos, Quito is finally coming into its own. It is being turned into an unlikely contemporary architectural hub. The 32-story IQON tower (completed in 2022) is now the city’s tallest and is one of several avant-garde wonders. The all-new metro system is now open and is the most modern subway network in Latin America. The culinary scene has exploded and gives Lima, its culinary neighbour, stiff competition. Bbuilt on the foundations of an Inca city, Quito is no longer a stopover for those following in Darwin’s footsteps. 2024 will see Quito as a world-class design destination in its own right.
Kobe, Japan
Kobe is well known for its beef, sake, and hot springs. You will have heard of its famed beef, as most breeds of Japanese Wagyu cattle are bred in the area. The port city of Kobe sits in the Southwest of Japan and nestles between steep mountains and the sea. It was one of the first Japanese cities to open up to trade with the West in the early 19th century and retains a cosmopolitan flavour. The city brims with elegant and contemporary design. Everywhere you look, old buildings have been turned into opulent and interesting design spaces. If you want a city break like no other, then Kobe should be on your 2024 list.
Madagascar
Think “Castaway”. This remote Indian Ocean island has some of the richest biodiversity in the world. The continent’s finest conservation tourism is seeing even more improvements in 2024. If you want to see more of the conservation side of things, take a tour of both its rainforests and remote archipelagos. Paddle board through rainforest and mangroves in Antongil Bay and kayak alongside humpback whales. If you like a bit more adrenaline, you can try kite boarding or quad biking through baobab forests. Madagascar is magical, offering water sports, adventures through baobab trees, and jaw-dropping views.
Mongolia
A rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes have made Mongolia the land of adventurers. The country wants to expand beyond thrill-seekers and aims to attract one million tourists per year. 2023 saw Mongolia add 34 more nationalities to its visa-free travel program, which is scheduled to last until 2025. Try horse trekking, archery, or horse-mounted archery. Adventures straight out of Game of Thrones. Luxury accommodation options exist too, so you can rest that sore behind after a day of horse riding.
Cyclades Islands, Greece
Consisting of over 220 separate islands, you may fail to visit every single one of them. If you want to get a little more off the beaten track, try some of the less-developed islands. Tinos, Andros, Schinoussa, Iraklia, Kimolos and Sikinos all offer great food and culture but are a little quieter.
Western Balkans
The Balkans have seen a huge travel boom thanks to Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast. 2024 will see the hinterland, and more so the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia) bask in the spotlight. Albania: known for its white sand beaches, clear waters and picturesque mountain backdrops. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s countryside is home to medieval villages, rivers and lakes. Montenegro features uber-luxury resorts. Head to Kosovo for peaks and pastoral countryside ideal for hiking and biking trips. North Macedonia combines UNESCO sites, mountains, lakes, and some of the best food in the region. Serbia is becoming a hotspot for cycling, hiking, and climbing now that the Trans Dinarica cycling route has begun to open.
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Last but definitely not least, I saw one of my childhood favourites making Top Ten lists all over. Yorkshire: home to the Brontes, the sculptor Henry Moore, and Wensleydale cheese. Described as ‘God’s Own Country’ because of its beautiful landscape and unspoilt countryside. It has always been a very outdoorsy destination and for good reason. In February, enjoy stargazing in Yorkshire’s national parks at the Dark Skies Festival. Head to Castle Howard for the Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta in August. 2024 will see Yorkshire as the place to dazzle your taste buds. With 7 Michelin-star restaurants and 47 Michelin Plate awards given in 2023, all eyes are on this year’s list. 2024 is going to be a great year for culinary magic in God’s Own Country.
Wherever you may roam in 2024, don’t forget to take travel insurance with you. Happy travels!
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