Travel is back. A study by American Express found that around 14 million people have already booked international travel for next year.
Ryanair has reported a 15% increase in passenger numbers, with Tui UK managing director Andrew Flintham praising the airline’s customers for their “absolute passion to continue holidaying”.
So where does that leave you? From scenic drives and city breaks to luxury train rides and family safaris, here are 10 destinations to watch in 2024.
Sail through the Coral Triangle
Why go? TV adventurer Simon Reeve is returning to our screens to host a BBC series about Earth’s last wilderness. It also includes the Coral Triangle, which stretches from Indonesia to the Solomon Islands.
our tips: Indonesia’s Raja Ampat is the heart of the Coral Triangle and is best explored by pinisi (diving yacht), where snorkeling and diving are guaranteed.
Book it: Prices start from £7,174 for two people for a seven-night all-inclusive voyage departing on November 23 (tigerblue.info). Flights from Heathrow Airport to Sorong via Jakarta cost from £1,502 return (garuda-indonesia.com).
Head to Peru
Why go? The Andean nation will be in the spotlight thanks to new direct flights from Heathrow Airport to Lima, which launched this month, and the new film Paddington in Peru, which will be released on November 8, 2024.
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu should be on your bucket list, but there’s plenty more to see, from the Amazon rainforest to condor-rich Colca Canyon.
Our tips: Spend a few days in the lower Sacred Valley, giving yourself time to acclimate to Cusco’s highlands.
Book it: A 14-day Peru Classic Highlights tour visiting 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 surcharges start from £785 return (latam.com).
imperial austria
Why go? There will be three European Capitals of Culture in 2024: Bodø in Norway, Tartu in Estonia and Bad Ischl in the Austrian Lake District.
Our tips: Don’t miss the cable car ride up Mount Katrin for views of the valley (salzkammergut-2024.at, upperaustria.com).
Book it: Available from May 11th. His eight-day self-guided tours starting in Bad Ischl start from £765 per person, including B&B, rail transfers and two boat rides (thenaturaladventure.com). Additional flights — Wizzair launches his new route from Luton to Salzburg on February 8th from £21.99 each way (wizzair.com).
ireland road trip
Why go? The Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic 1,600-mile road trip along the west coast of Ireland, turns 10 on February 27th.
Our tips: Plan your way with the Wild Atlantic Way Pocket Map (Collins, £3.99). Avoid the busy summer season and attend events like the Galway International Oyster Festival (September 27-29, galwayoysterfestival.com).
Book it: Prices for a seven-night self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour from Cork to Kerry start from £975 per person including accommodation and breakfast in March (mckinlaykidd.com). Travel to Ireland and additional car rentals (tourismireland.com).
paris in spring
Why go? The French capital is buzzing with activity as it prepares to host the 2024 Paris Olympics (July 26-August 11, paris2024.org). Avoid the skyrocketing prices of hotels and transportation and go straight to enjoy the hustle and bustle. Art lovers should check out “Paris, 1874: The Invention of Impressionism” (March 26 – July 14, musee-orsay.fr).
Our tips: The Musée d’Orsay is open until late Thursday, with discounted admission prices starting at 10 euros. Also visit the nearby New Museum (maisongainsbourg.fr) dedicated to singer Serge Gainsbourg.
Book it: Hotel Verneuil is conveniently located for visiting both museums, with doubles starting from £177 for rooms only (hotel-verneuil-saint-germain.fr). Train journeys from London St Pancras Station in April cost from £78 return (eurostar.com).
stylish malaysia
Why go? The sleek green cars of Belmond’s luxury train, the Eastern & Oriental Express, will return to the tracks from February. He has two three-night round trips from Singapore, one via the West Coast and the other visiting Taman Negara National Park.
Our tips: The two visit George Town on Penang Island. There he must see the Cheong Fattzi Mansion, built in 1896.
Book it: Prices for 8 nights (3 nights on E&OE’s fully inclusive Wild Malaysia Rail Trip and 5 nights in Singapore’s finest hotels) start from £6,355 per person, including breakfast, transfers and Heathrow flight on 6 September (elegantresorts.co.uk).
Aarti Abu Dhabi
Why go? For the first time in four years, British Airways will resume flights to the UAE capital from Heathrow Airport on April 20th. Attractions include the Ferrari World theme park, and teamLab Phenomena, a multisensory art experience, opens this year (teamlab.art).
Our tips: Save money by staying downtown and taking a taxi or bus (bigbustours.com).
Reserve it: Prices for seven nights at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi start from £885 per person, including breakfast, departing from 13 May (ba.com/abudhabi).
drive around australia
Why go? The Great Victoria Bus Trail is a new 560-mile driving route.
Our tips: Victoria is home to several scenic drives, including the 413-mile Great Ocean Road (visitvictoria.com).
Book it: Departing September 9, the 10-day deal includes a Qatar Airways flight to Melbourne via Doha and car hire, starting from £1,748 per person (expedia.co.uk). Doubles at Warrnambool’s Deep Blue Hotel from £114 (thedeepblue.com.au).
kenya with kids
Why go? Africa’s wildlife will be the focus of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King when it opens in UK cinemas on December 20th. Join a group trip designed for families.
Our tips: Masai Mara National Reserve.
Book now: The 11-day Group Kenya Family Adventure costs £3,295 per adult and £2,695 per child, including flights on Kenya Airways from Heathrow to Nairobi (familiesworldwide.co.uk).
Go to Guimares
Why go? UNESCO recently doubled the area of central Guimarães, a World Heritage Site, confirming the historical importance of the city, 42 miles from Porto.
Our tips: Come join us at Festa Gualtelinas (August 2-5, visitportugal.com).
Book it: TAP Air Portugal will fly from Gatwick to Porto in March from £110 return (flytap.com). Hotel Conquistador Palace has doubles from his £154 (conquistadorpalace.pt).