Get out and explore in 2024: our guide to 10 popular destinations for the year ahead, from scenic drives in Ireland and Australia to sailing trips in paradise. So where are you going?
Travel is back. A survey by American Express has revealed that almost 14 million of us have already booked a trip abroad for next year.
Ryanair reports a 15 per cent growth in passenger numbers, while Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK, praised its customers for having ‘an absolute passion for continuing to holiday’.
So where are you going? Here’s our guide to ten popular destinations in 2024, from scenic car trips and city trips to a luxury train trip and family safari.
SAIL THE CORAL TRIANGLE
WHY GO? TV adventurer Simon Reeve will return to our screens as presenter of a BBC series about Earth’s last great wildernesses. It includes the Coral Triangle that 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 wildernesses on Earth
OUR TIP: Raja Ampat, in Indonesia, is the rose of the Coral Triangle and is best explored on a phinisi (diving yacht) with guaranteed snorkeling and diving.
BOOK IT: A seven-night all-inclusive trip departing on November 23 costs £7,174 for two (tigerblue.info). Flights from Heathrow to Sorong via Jakarta are extra, from £1,502 return (Garuda-indonesia.com).
GO TO PERU
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the highlight of Peru, there’s plenty 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 Paddington In Peru film, due out on November 8, 2024.
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, there’s plenty more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon.
OUR TIP: Allow time to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitude by spending a few days in the lower Sacred Valley.
BOOK IT: A 14-day Classic Highlights of Peru tour visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca costs from £3,600 pp, including internal flights, transfers, B&B hotels and excursions (reislatinamerica.co.uk). International flights extra, from £785 return (latam.com).
IMPERIAL AUSTRIA
Bad Ischl (above) in the Austrian Lake District is the European Capital of Culture in 2024
WHY GO? There are three European Capitals of Culture in 2024: Bodø in Norway, Tartu in Estonia and Bad Ischl in the Austrian Lake District.
OUR TIP: Don’t miss the cable car ride to Mount Katrin for valley views (salzkammergut-2024.at, upperaustria.com).
BOOK IT: Available from May 11, an eight-day self-guided tour starting in Bad Ischl from £765 pp, including B&B, train transfers and two boat trips (thenaturaladventure.com). Flights extra – Wizzair will launch a new route from Luton to Salzburg on February 8, from £21.99 one way (wizzair.com).
IRISH ROAD TRIP
A seven-day, self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour (above) from Cork to Kerry costs from £975pp for accommodation and breakfast in March (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 visit events such as the Galway International Oyster Festival (September 27-29, galwayoysterfestival.com).
BOOK IT: A seven-day self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour from Cork to Kerry in March costs from £975pp for accommodation and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com). Travel to Ireland and car rental extra (tourismireland.com).
PARIS IN THE SPRING
The Mail’s tip for a great place to visit in Paris? The Musée d’Orsay (above), which opens 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 (July 26 – August 11). paris2024.org). Enjoy the hustle and bustle, but not the high prices for hotels and transport. Art lovers will want to see ‘Paris 1874 Inventing Impressionism’ (March 26 – July 14 musee-orsay.fr).
OUR TIP: The Musée d’Orsay opens late on Thursdays with a €10 discount. Also visit the new museum nearby dedicated to singer Serge Gainsbourg (maisongainsbourg.fr).
BOOK IT: Hotel Verneuil is well located for visiting both museums, doubles 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 IN STYLE
The Eastern & Oriental Express (above), which runs round-trip from Singapore, returns in February
WHY GO? The smart green carriages of Belmond’s luxury train, the Eastern & Oriental Express, will be back on the track from February. There are two three-night return flights from Singapore: one along the west coast and one visiting 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 fully inclusive Wild Malaysia train journey and five in top-end hotels in Singapore – cost from £6,355 pp with breakfast, transfers and flights to Heathrow on September 6 (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 UAE capital on April 20. Attractions include 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 on May 13 costs from £885 pp with breakfast (ba.com/abudhabi).
RIDE AUSTRALIA
Victoria has several scenic driving routes, including the 670 kilometer Great Ocean Road (above)
WHY GO? The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a new 900 kilometer driving route.
OUR TIP: Victoria has several beautiful driving routes, including the 660 kilometer long Great Ocean Road (visitvictoria.com).
BOOK IT: Ten days departing September 9, including Qatar Airways flights to Melbourne via Doha and car hire, costs from £1,748pp (expedia.nl). Doubles at Deep Blue hotel in Warrnambool from £114 (thedeepblue.com.au).
KENYA WITH CHILDREN
Book an 11-day family adventure trip to Kenya (above) with familiesworldwide.nl, from £2,695 per child and £3,295 per adult
WHY GO? African wildlife will take center stage on December 20, when Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King hits UK cinemas. Join group tours designed for families.
OUR TIP: The Masai Mara National Reserve.
BOOK NOW: An 11-day Kenya Family Adventure group tour costs from £3,295 per adult, £2,695 per child, including Kenya Airways flights to Nairobi from Heathrow (familiesworldwide.co.uk).
GO TO GUIMARÃES
Guimarães, above, is a World Heritage city located 42 kilometers from Porto
WHY GO? UNESCO 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: Go for the Festas Gualterianas (2-5 August, visitportugal.com).
BOOK IT: TAP Portugal flies from Gatwick to Porto, from £110 return in March (flytap.com). Hotel Conquistador Palace has double prices from £154 (conquistadorpalace.pt).