Twenty twenty-three has been a whirlwind of a year, from major celebrity breakups to record-breaking women-led cinema to marches for peace to the return of travel. Thanks to “revenge travel,” the United States alone saw more than 50 million international visitors in 2023. According to the European Union, “there was a 22.5 percent increase in the number of nights spent by foreign tourists [in Europe], while domestic tourism saw a 5.8 percent increase” from the year before. Travel is back and bigger than ever.
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to look at the best travel destinations for 2024. Our appetite for travel hasn’t waned even as the days have gotten shorter (in the northern hemisphere at least). We’ve looked at data and trends to come up where to travel in 2024.
Albania
Traveling to Europe can have a been-there-done-that feel. Finding an off-the-beaten track destination on a continent filled with well-known places can be a bit challenging. Still, there are countries and cities many Americans haven’t seen or know much about. Situated between Montenegro and Greece, Albania is Europe’s latest hotspot. Think Croatia circa 1990 or Greece without the crowds.
The country boasts everything from snowy mountain peaks to turquoise waters and you can traverse all of them in one vibrant trip. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gjirokaster, a charming cobblestone-riddled Ottoman town in the south, to the pebbled beaches and idyllic sea in Dhermi, on Albania’s Ionian coast, to the challenging trails of Valbone in the Albanian Alps, travel to Albania is as safe as it is mesmerizing. Dine on mezze platters in up-and-coming Tirana (we recommend heading to Radio Bar for a drink) or while away the hours near the real Cliffs of Insanity on Koman Lake. With an Albanian travel guide, you’re sure to get the most out of this hospitable land.
Bhutan
On everyone’s bucket list but still largely untouched, the Himilayan kingdom of Bhutan enthralls all who explore its verdant valleys and high mountain passes. If you travel to Bhutan, expect a profusion of centuries-old dzongs (fortresses) and chortens (shrines) throughout the land. The country tests your endurance—make sure you’re in good shape before embarking on any hike here—but rewards you with a biologically diverse area that remains unspoiled, thanks to limited tourism due to the high cost of daily visas and an unparalleled commitment to sustainability.
The cliff-hugging, white-walled Tiger’s Nest monastery—which takes two hours of steep climbing to get to—is a tour highlight and heading to the top of it in springtime means you’re gifted with a profusion of blooms along the valley below. If you’re lucky, you might see an elusive snow leopard or black crane, both of which are protected by the government. But don’t worry. After all of that hiking and trekking you can enjoy a traditional medicinal hot stone bath to soothe those aching joints and muscles.
Costa Rica
When you think of the best destinations to visit in 2024, an image of sand, sea and surf invariably comes to mind. Costa Rica, on the border of Panama and Nicaragua in Central America, boasts more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, making it an ideal getaway for anyone feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder.
This diverse land of pura vida is truly that: a place where you can unwind and recharge and focus on the simple pleasures in life. Hike through lush rainforests where the sounds of birdsong in the form of toucans isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Test your mettle on the Monteverde Sky Aerial Tram & Zipline, hike the area around the largely dormant Arenal Volcano National Park or crash through the rapids on the Balsa River, where sloths hang from trees. End your stay on the sandy beaches of Playa Junquillal, where nine-foot waves are guaranteed, year-round.
Japan
Japan boasts everything from thrilling ski resorts to punk rock cities that evoke images of Blade Runner. But nothing beats Japan’s sakura aka cherry blossom season. From late March to early May, people across Japan gather in parks for hanami (cherry blossom parties), a tradition that dates back to the eighth century.
If touring the sites is what you’re after you have to start with Tokyo. The bustling metropolis is the best place to do your best Beyonce impression at a karaoke bar. Then it’s time to explore the rest of the country via high-speed train. Ride the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima, where you can pay your respects to the lives lost during WWII. Speed onwards to Kyoto, home of shinto shrines—we’re partial to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine ourselves—and temples galore.
When you’ve had your fill of shrines and history, head up mighty Mt. Fuji where you’ll be treated to a view of low-hanging clouds and a volcanic lake. Drop into the highest post office in the country and tell your friends back home, “Wish you were here!”
Patagonia
With so many destinations overrun with tourists, it’s hard to find a still untouched region that fulfills all your adventure longings. Patagonia, which lies in both Chile and Argentina, is on our list of best travel destinations for 2024 precisely because of its unspoiled beauty and seclusion. Sustainability is a bedrock of this land, where hiking rugged peaks offer a back-to-nature respite from modern living.
Patagonia boasts a wide array of mindblowing sites, from jagged glaciers to pristine waterways to ancient fjords. Head to Perito Moreno, a still-moving glacier near the bucolic town of El Calafate. Marvel at the sheets of ice that rise 200 feet above sea level. Hiking the Laguna de los Tres affords visitors picture perfect views of the Andean valley from the peaks of Mount FitzRoy, Cerro Torre and Mount Poincenot.
No trip to Patagonia is complete without a kayaking excursion down the mighty Rio de las Vueltas as it meanders past lush lenga forests full of red foxes and white-throated condors. You’ll be happy you have the place almost all to yourself.
