Travel is back. An American Express survey found that nearly 14 million of us have already booked a trip abroad for next year.
Ryanair reported a 15 per cent growth in passenger numbers, while Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK, praised its customers for their “absolute passion to keep holidaying”.
So where are you going? Here’s our guide to ten popular travel destinations in 2024, from scenic road trips and city breaks to a luxury train journey and family safari.
SAIL THE CORAL TRIANGLE
WHY GO? TV adventurer Simon Reeve returns to our screens as host of a BBC series about the world’s last great wilderness areas. This includes the Coral Triangle, which stretches from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands.
The Coral Triangle (above) stretches from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands – and is one of the last great wilderness areas on earth
OUR TIP: Raja Ampat in Indonesia is the rose of the Coral Triangle and is best explored on a phinisi (dive yacht), where snorkeling and diving are guaranteed.
BOOK IT: A seven-day trip departing on November 23 costs £7,174 for two people (tigerblue.info). Flights from Heathrow to Sorong via Jakarta cost from £1,502 extra return (garuda-indonesia.com).
GO TO PERU
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the highlight of Peru, there is much more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon (above).
WHY GO? The Andean nation will be in the spotlight thanks to a new direct flight from Heathrow to Lima launched this month and the new film Paddington set in Peru, which hits cinemas on 8 November 2024.
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, there is much more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon.
OUR TIP: Take time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude by spending a few days in the lower Sacred Valley.
BOOK IT: A 14-day tour of Peru’s classic highlights with visits to Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca costs from £3,600 per person, including domestic flights, transfers, B&B hotels and excursions (journeylatinamerica.co.uk). International flights extra, from £785 return (latam.com).
IMPERIAL AUSTRIA
Bad Ischl (above) in the Austrian Lake District is European Capital of Culture in 2024
WHY GO? In 2024, there will be three European capitals of culture: Bodø in Norway, Tartu in Estonia and Bad Ischl in the Austrian Lake District.
OUR TIP: Don’t miss the cable car ride up Mount Katrin for a view of the valley (salzkammergut-2024.at, Upperaustria.com).
BOOK IT: An eight-day self-guided tour starting in Bad Ischl is available from May 11 from £765 per person, including B&B, train transfers and two boat trips (thenaturaladventure.com). Additional flights – Wizzair will launch a new route from Luton to Salzburg on February 8, from £21.99 each way (wizzair.com).
IRISH ROAD TRIP
A seven-day self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour (above) from Cork to Kerry in March costs from £975 per person bed and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com)
WHY GO? The Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic 1,600-mile road trip along the west coast of Ireland, turns ten years old on February 27.
OUR TIP: Make plans with the Wild Atlantic Way Pocket Map (Collins, £3.99). Avoid the busy summer season and attend events such as the Galway International Oyster Festival (27-29 September, galwayoysterfestival.com).
BOOK IT: A seven-day Wild Atlantic Way self-drive tour from Cork to Kerry in March costs from £975 per person bed and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com). Travel to Ireland and additional car hire (tourismireland.com).
PARIS IN SPRING
The Mail’s tip for a great place in Paris? The Musée d’Orsay (above), which is open until late on Thursdays with reduced admission from €10
WHY GO? The French capital is in high spirits as it prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (26 July – 11 August, paris2024.org). Enjoy the hustle and bustle, but not the high prices for hotels and transport. Art lovers will want to check out “Paris 1874 Inventing Impressionism” (March 26-July 14, musee-orsay.fr).
OUR TIP: The Musée d’Orsay opens late on Thursdays with a discount of €10. Also visit the new museum nearby dedicated to the singer Serge Gainsbourg (maisongainsbourg.fr).
BOOK IT: The Hotel Verneuil is in a good location for visiting both museums, double rooms from £177 for a room only (hotel-verneuil-saint-germain.fr). In April, a train journey from London St Pancras costs from £78 return (eurostar.com).
MALAYSIA WITH STYLE
The Eastern & Oriental Express (above), which runs round trip from Singapore, returns in February
WHY GO? The stylish green carriages of Belmond’s luxury train, the Eastern & Oriental Express, will be on the route again from February. There are two three-night return flights from Singapore: one along the west coast and one to Taman Negara National Park.
OUR TIP: Both visit Georgetown on Penang Island, where the 1896 Cheong Fatt Tze mansion is a must-see.
BOOK IT: Eight nights – three on E&OE’s all-inclusive Wild Malaysia train journey and five in top Singapore hotels – cost from £6,355 per person with breakfast, transfers and Heathrow flights on 6 September (elegantresorts.co.uk).
ARTY ABU DHABI
Attractions in Abu Dhabi include the Ferrari World theme park and the multi-sensory art experience TeamLab Phenomena
WHY GO? After four years, British Airways will resume flights from Heathrow to the capital of the United Arab Emirates on April 20. Attractions include the Ferrari World theme park, while a multi-sensory art experience, TeamLab Phenomena, opens this year (teamlab.art).
OUR TIP: Save money by staying in the center and using taxis or buses (bigbustours.com).
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, departing May 13, costs from £885 per person with breakfast (ba.com/abudhabi).
DRIVE AUSTRALIA
Victoria has several scenic routes, including the 670-kilometre Great Ocean Road (above).
WHY GO? The Great Victorian Bathing Route is a new 900 kilometer cycling route.
OUR TIP: Victoria has several scenic routes, including the 670-kilometre Great Ocean Road (visitvictoria.com).
BOOK IT: Ten days from September 9, including Qatar Airways flights to Melbourne via Doha and car hire, costs from £1,748 per person (expedia.co.uk). Double rooms at the Deep Blue Hotel in Warrnambool from £114 (thedeepblue.com.au).
KENYA WITH CHILDREN
Book an 11-day family adventure trip to Kenya (above) with familyworldwide.nl from £2,695 per child and £3,295 per adult
WHY GO? African wildlife will take center stage when Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King hits UK cinemas on 20 December. Take part in group tours for families.
OUR TIP: The Masai Mara National Reserve.
BOOK NOW: An 11-day Kenya Family Adventure group costs from £3,295 per adult and £2,695 per child, including Kenya Airways flights from Heathrow to Nairobi (familiesworldwide.co.uk).
GO TO GUIMARIAS
Guimarães (above) is a world heritage city located 42 kilometers from Porto
WHY GO? UNESCO has recently doubled the size of the center of Guimarães, a World Heritage Site, confirming the historical importance of this city 42 kilometers from Porto.
OUR TIP: Visit the Festas Gualterianas (August 2-5, visitportugal.com).
BOOK IT: TAP Portugal flies from Gatwick to Porto, from £110 back in March (flytap.com). Hotel Conquistador Palace offers double rates from £154 (conquistadorpalace.pt).
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
