Travel is back. A survey by American Express has found almost 14 million of us have already booked a trip abroad for next year.
Ryanair has reported a 15 per cent growth in passenger numbers while Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK, praised its customers for having ‘an absolute passion to carry on going on holiday’.
So where will you head? Here’s our guide to ten hotly-tipped destinations in 2024, from scenic drives and city breaks to a luxury train ride and family safari.
SAIL THE CORAL TRIANGLE
WHY GO? TV adventurer Simon Reeve will be back on our screens hosting a BBC series about the last great wildernesses on Earth. It 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 wildernesses on Earth
OUR TIP: Raja Ampat, in Indonesia, is the bullseye of the Coral Triangle and best explored on a phinisi (diving yacht) with snorkelling and diving guaranteed.
BOOK IT: A seven-night all-inclusive voyage departing November 23 costs from £7,174 for two (tigerblue.info). Flights from Heathrow to Sorong via Jakarta are extra, from £1,502 return (garuda-indonesia.com).
HEAD FOR PERU
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the bucket-list sight in Peru, there is 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 that launched this month and the new Paddington In Peru film, out on November 8, 2024.
While the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the bucket-list sight, there is plenty more to enjoy, from the Amazon rainforest to the condor-rich Colca Canyon.
OUR TIP: Allow time to acclimatise to the high altitude of Cusco 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 £3,600pp including internal flights, transfers, B&B hotels and excursions (journeylatinamerica.co.uk). International flights extra, from £785 return (latam.com).
IMPERIAL AUSTRIA
Bad Ischl (above) in Austria’s Lake District is a 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 Austria’s Lake District.
OUR TIP: Don’t miss the cable car ride up Mount Katrin for a valley view (salzkammergut-2024.at, upperaustria.com).
BOOK IT: Available from May 11, an eight-day self-guided tour starting in Bad Ischl from £765pp including B&B, rail transfers and two boat rides (thenaturaladventure.com). Flights extra — Wizzair starts a new route from Luton to Salzburg on February 8, from £21.99 one way (wizzair.com).
IRISH ROAD TRIP
A seven-night, self-drive Wild Atlantic Way (above) tour from Cork to Kerry costs from £975pp in March for accommodation and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com )
WHY GO? The Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic 1,600-mile road trip tracing Ireland’s west coast will be ten years old on February 27.
OUR TIP: Get planning with the Wild Atlantic Way Pocket Map (Collins, £3.99). Avoid the busy summer season and catch events such as the Galway International Oyster Festival (September 27-29, galwayoysterfestival.com).
BOOK IT: A seven-night, self-drive Wild Atlantic Way tour from Cork to Kerry costs from £975pp in March for accommodation and breakfast (mckinlaykidd.com). Travel to Ireland and car hire extra (tourismireland.com).
PARIS IN 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 buoyant mood as it prepares to host the Paris 2024 Olympics (July 26–August 11, paris2024.org). Go soon to enjoy the buzz but not the inflated 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 reduced admission from €10. Also visit the new museum nearby devoted to singer Serge Gainsbourg (maisongainsbourg.fr).
BOOK IT: Hotel Verneuil is well-placed for visiting both museums, doubles from £177 room only (hotel-verneuil-saint-germain.fr). In April, rail travel from London St Pancras costs from £78 return (eurostar.com).
MALAYSIA IN STYLE
The Eastern & Oriental Express (above), which runs round trips from Singapore, is back in February
WHY GO? The smart green carriages of Belmond’s luxury train, the Eastern & Oriental Express, are back on the tracks from February. There are two three-night round trips from Singapore — one up the west coast and one visiting Taman Negara National Park.
OUR TIP: Both visit Georgetown, on Penang Island, where the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, dating from 1896, is a must-see.
BOOK IT: Eight nights — three on E&OE’s fully-inclusive Wild Malaysia rail journey and five in top class hotels in Singapore — costs from £6,355pp with breakfast, transfers and Heathrow flights on September 6 (elegantresorts.co.uk).
ARTY ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi attractions include the Ferrari World theme park and multi-sensory art experience TeamLab Phenomena
WHY GO? After four years, British Airways resumes flights from Heathrow to the UAE capital on April 20. Attractions include the Ferrari World theme park while a multi-sensory art experience, TeamLab Phenomena, will open this year (teamlab.art).
OUR TIP: Save money by staying downtown and using taxis or buses (bigbustours.com).
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi departing May 13 costs from £885 pp with breakfast (ba.com/abudhabi).
DRIVE AUSTRALIA
Victoria has several scenic drives, including the 413-mile Great Ocean Road (above)
WHY GO? The Great Victorian Bathing Trail is a new 560-mile driving route.
OUR TIP: Victoria has several scenic drives including the 413-mile 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.co.uk). Doubles at Deep Blue hotel in Warrnambool from £114 (thedeepblue.com.au).
KENYA WITH KIDS
Book an 11-day family adventure trip to Kenya (above) with familiesworldwide.co.uk, from £2,695 per child and £3,295 per adult
WHY GO? Africa’s wildlife will be in focus on December 20 when Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King is released in UK cinemas. Join group trips designed for families.
OUR TIP: The Masai Mara National Reserve.
BOOK NOW: An 11-day group Kenya Family Adventure 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-listed city 26 miles from Porto
WHY GO? Unesco recently doubled the size of the World Heritage-listed centre of Guimarães, confirming the historic importance of this city 26 miles from Porto.
OUR TIP: Go for the Festas Gualterianas (August 2-5, visitportugal.com).
BOOK IT: TAP Portugal flies from Gatwick to Porto, from £110 return in March (flytap.com). Hotel Conquistador Palace has doubles from £154 (conquistadorpalace.pt).
