11/17/2023
Top Destinations for 2024!
A variety of travel companies have been posting their top destination trends for 2024. Regardless of the travel company, there is a consistent theme – travelers want to experience more. Unique experiences, smaller/unknown destinations off-the-beaten-path, a longer stay in an area to dive into the culture, cuisine, and nature. Some of the top destinations that have been on the radar for 2024 include:
France – 2024 Olympics in Paris combined with off-the-beaten-path visits to Dordogne, Arles, Avignon, and a variety of river cruises and intimate barge trips on several different French rivers. Plus it is the 80th anniversary of D-day so visits to Normandy are on the agenda of many history buffs and families of those heroes who liberated France that day in history.
Portugal – Lisbon has been ranked as Europe’s top city break destination and is easy to get around the city center and UNESCO sites nearby. Add to that wine-focused river cruises on the Douro, beach stays on the Algarve (check out United’s new non-stop flight to Faro), and truly off-the-beaten visits to the Azores (Atlantic archipelago) and Maderia which is a great island visit during the winter & early spring.
Alaska – If you have been to the main places it is time to go back for some more “hidden” places in the Last Frontier state. Check out the wildlife and nature in Sitka, the Kenai peninsula, and Kodiak Island. Visit by land with sea plane and ferry connections or expedition small-ship cruise to access these hidden areas and get closer to nature’s majesty.
Australia – For most this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and one that needs at least 2 weeks (preferably longer) to make it worthwhile. Most of these trips hit the key areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef. But Australia is the size of the United States and has some wild areas that are truly undiscovered like the northwest area called “The Kimberly”, where you can really be off-the-beaten path but can do it in luxury aboard one of several expedition small ship cruises.
Japan – In my (30+) years as a travel advisor I have only ever planned 1 trip to Japan. Next year is already quadruple that amount and interest continues to grow. The Cherry Blossom season in springtime is extraordinarily popular as well as the ancient temples & shrines in Kyoto, the snow monkeys in Nagano, traditional onsen stays in Hakone, and sake tastings throughout.
All of these are some fantastic ideas for off-the-beaten path journeys for 2024, but stay tuned for the Travel & Leisure 2024 Destination of the Year….
