22/01/2024
VOGUE –
The 6 Best Places to Travel in 2024
BY ELISE TAYLOR AND LIAM HESS
December 20, 2023
Sifnos, Greece
Greece, Cyclades islands, Sifnos
Both Margot Robbie and Dua Lipa were spotted vacationing on the under-the-radar Cycladic island (population: 2,500) this summer, suggesting that it might not remain quiet for much longer. The big draw, other than its crystalline waters? The food. Nikos Tselementes, a chef who is largely considered the founder of modern Greek cooking, was born on Sifnos in 1878. (His 1950 cookbook, Greek Cookery, was the first Greek cookbook translated into English—making Mediterranean cuisine go worldwide.) He developed a culinary culture of sea-and-farm-to-table cuisine on the island that continues to this day.
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Grenada, the Caribbean
Waves and sand at Mourne Rouge Beach, Island of Grenada, Southern Caribbean.
After Jet Blue added direct flights to Grenada in 2017, Grenada (known as the “Spice Isle”) slowly began to emerge as a stealthy yet accessible Caribbean getaway with great rum, flavorful food, and sandy beaches that were undeveloped and relatively free of crowds.
there’s a near-infinite amount of things to do Walk around the buzzing capital of St. George’s and its boat-dotted harbor, or hike through the rainforest in Grand Etang National Park. Scuba-dive to see tropical fish, colorful coral reefs, long-forgotten wreckage (the island is often called the Shipwreck Capital of the Caribbean) as well as the world’s only underwater sculpture park. —E.T.
bit.ly/3Spw5Ti - Mourne Rouge Beach, Island of Grenada, Southern Caribbean
https://bit.ly/3Spw5Ti
Tangiers, Morocco
While the rich history of Tangiers stretches all the way back to ancient times, it was during the early 20th century—when it spent a few decades as a colonial “international zone”—that it first earned a reputation as a travel hotspot for free-spirited Westerners, ranging from Tennessee Williams to the Beat poets to the Rolling Stones. That countercultural spirit remained even after the Moroccan Independence for those looking to shop in its labyrinthine souks, take in its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural marvels, soak up the sun at the city’s nearby beaches, and drink the night away in one of its atmospheric, speakeasy-esque bars.
Over the past year, however, Tangiers has finally opened a pair of luxury hotels to match.
https://bit.ly/3SmwNAO
Bodrum Turkey
Our front-runner for the next Ibiza? Bodrum, Turkey. While always known for its chic clientele—Ahmet and Mica Ertegun vacationed there for decades—it’s received a glamorous jolt as of late: last summer, The Bodrum Edition opened, joining the 1970s bohemian icon Macakizi as one of the most fashionable resorts on Turkey’s side of the Aegean. (“A resort destination that doesn’t feel resort-y, the vibe at this luxury spot on the Turkish Riviera is more “chilling out at your extremely stylish billionaire friend’s estate” than “hotel stay,” Vogue wrote in our hotel review). This November, their restaurant Kitchen received a Michelin star.
Meanwhile, this summer will see the arrival of Scorpios, the famed Mykonos beach club. With the Côte d’Azur and Amalfi Coast being swarmed with unprecedented crowds over the past few years, the Turkish Riviera is primed to become the next see-and-be-seen summer hotspot. —E.T.
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Serbia
With Croatia’s travel boom over the past decade—and the streets of Dubrovnik and beaches of the Dalmatian Coast now reaching tourist saturation point—it’s the perfect time to head further afield within the Balkans and discover the historic towns and picture-postcard swimming coves that more than rival a Croatian getaway. Montenegro has been the first to benefit from this ripple effect, now playing host to uber-luxury resorts belonging to Aman and One&Only, but the latest up-and-comer on this front? Serbia.
What this sprawling, landlocked country doesn’t have in beaches, it makes up for everywhere else. First, there’s the capital of Belgrade, which is not only an up-and-coming destination for young creatives of all stripes but boasts some of the best nightlife in Europe. For more grown-up travelers, however, there are Ottoman palaces, Orthodox temples, and even a museum dedicated to Nikola Tesla; plus, with a St. Regis poised to open in 2024, a new wave of luxury hotel offerings is likely to follow.
The real wonders of Serbia, however, lie in its hidden natural treasures and wildlife: with breathtaking mountains, gorges, rivers, and waterfalls, it’s the perfect place to head off the beaten track in 2024—in every sense. —L.H
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Paris, France
As Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea”—and indeed, the French capital is so well-visited that one may wonder why it even needs to be mentioned at all. Yet, as it gears up to host the 2024 Olympics, the City of Light is shining brighter than ever. There will be swimming in the Seine, beach volleyball at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and a marathon start at the Hôtel de Ville’s grand historic square. (“Because Paris is not like any other city, it deserves every honor,” reads the official Paris Olympic website. “The Games in the capital city promise a complete spectacle, thought out for the athletes, spectators and television audiences.”)
And, because this is Paris, even athletics are done fashionably. The games as a whole are sponsored by the luxury conglomerate LVMH, who will tap their many fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands to support the international event. (Chaumet will design the Olympic and Paralympic medals, for example, while Moët Hennessy wines and spirits maisons will provide alcohol for the official hospitality events. And one can only wonder about the official uniform…) Meanwhile, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is staging the exhibition “Mode et Sport, d’un podium à l’autre” (Fashion and Sports: from one podium to another), which runs through April 2024.
Need another reason? Over the past few months, Paris has welcomed several notable new boutique hotels, from the Martin Brudnizki-designed Le Grand Mazarin in the Marais to the Belle-Époque-inspired Château des Fleurs. —E.T.
https://bit.ly/3HqtuSJ
Galicia, Spain
While tourists will always flock to the sun-soaked Balearic Islands and the charming coastal towns of the Costa Brava, tucked away in the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula you’ll find some of Spain’s most breathtaking beaches—just whisper it, though, as the region is a closely-guarded secret among its long-time devotees, even if it’s slowly but surely been gathering word of mouth interest over the past few years, and is poised to have a moment in the spotlight. Those devotees include starchitect David Chipperfield, who has a minimalist, monastic holiday home in the fishing village of Corrubedo, as well as a large contingent of the Madrid fashion set. (And speaking of fashion, a local family in the charming city of A Coruña has sponsored recent exhibitions on photography titans including Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, and Steven Meisel.)
But back to those beaches. Head to the region’s western coast (while making a pit stop in the city of Santiago de Compostela, a treasure trove of Baroque architecture best known as the endpoint of the famous Camino pilgrimage route) to visit the golden yellow sands and crystal blue waters of the Rías Baixas, and spend a night at the Relais & Chateaux associated Hotel Pepe Vieira, which boasts a two Michelin star restaurant specializing in inventive riffs on Galician staples. But the real showstopper? Take a trip out to the Islas Cíes, which has some of the most spectacular beaches on this side of the Caribbean. Just make sure to reserve
in advance: as a carefully protected nature reserve, only 1,800 visitors are allowed over by ferry a day. You’ll want to make sure you’re one of them. —L.H.
https://bit.ly/3Spwk0E
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