If the dreary British winter has you dreaming of escape, you’re not alone. January is the peak holiday-booking season for Brits.
Whether you’re craving sandy beaches, snow-capped mountains, or ancient monuments, there’s a destination out there for you.
Condé Nast Traveler recently listed their 24 top picks for holiday destinations in 2024. Here are just five you might choose.
1. Budapest, Hungary
In November 2023, Budapest celebrated its 150th birthday, marking the years since the unification of the previously divided cities of Buda, Pest, and Obuda.
Stunning architecture takes in an abundance of different styles from art nouveau to baroque. Meanwhile, the city’s newer buildings – like the W Budapest Hotel and the sweeping, organic yet futuristic House of Music – look ahead to the next 150 years.
The city is rife with art and culture. The former home of classical pianist and composer Franz Liszt is now a museum dedicated to the musician and his work. Named for the first King of Hungary, St. Stephen’s Basilica was completed in 1905 and is a great venue to take in a classical performance.
You might also visit Buda Castle, first catching sight of it from the newly renovated Chain Bridge – the oldest bridge in the city and a symbol of the unified city’s sense of togetherness. Elsewhere, there’s the Széchenyi Thermal Bath or for a modern take on the city’s culture, the National Athletics Centre, fresh from hosting the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
2. Mauritius
Mauritius had something of a 1980s heyday when it briefly became the destination of the globe’s jet-setting super-rich. But don’t let that put you off.
In 2024, an ever-expanding range of cultural destinations and hospitality options means that now is the perfect time to travel. Situated 1,000 km east of Madagascar, unwind while taking in all that this beautiful island in the heart of the Indian Ocean has to offer.
The recently opened House of Digital Art is situated in the historic capital of Port Louis, bringing contemporary art and culture to an 18th-century building. It promises to be a bridge between “collective past and individual histories, between roots and futures, between islands, generations, and Indo-Oceanic cultures.”
Also recently opened, the Intercontinental Slavery Museum is the perfect place to understand the island’s colonial history.
The stunning beachfront and sea views are a must but Mauritius is also looking to tempt its visitors inland and to its lesser-known treasures, so why not set off on an island adventure in 2024?
3. Kosovo
Not an obvious choice for your bucket list, maybe, but 2024 marks 25 years since the end of the Kosovo War. In the quarter-century since the conflict ended, the country has slowly become a haven for travellers looking for breathtaking mountain peaks, sweeping pastoral land, and heartwarming hospitality.
Perfect for hiking and biking, the Trans Dinarica cycling route – set to open in 2024 – promises to wind its way through the city of Prizren, past the minarets of this cultural and intellectual centre of Ottoman Kosovo. Along its eponymous river, you’ll head to the Ottoman market town of Gjakova and then onto the centre of the country’s outdoor adventure scene, Peja.
Elsewhere, take in the caves and waterfalls of the Rugova Mountains and enjoy traditional Kosovar dishes like flia, a multi-layered crepe-like dish that celebrates its own national “Flia Day” each 17 March.
4. Guatemala
Situated in Central America, to the south of Mexico, is home to rainforests, ancient Mayan temples, and volcanoes.
You’ll find breathtaking beauty, a rich cultural history, and newly opened attractions like the world-class MUNAG (National Museum of Art Guatemala).
The country’s capital, Guatemala City, has long been a hotbed of art and innovation. Café No Sé, for example, is an Old City staple, lauded as the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico.
5. Kobe, Japan
The port of Kobe in southwestern Japan sits between towering mountains and the busy Osaka Bay.
This modern and vibrant city is home to beautifully designed galleries, bookshops, bars and cafes. It is also set to become home to the first hotel outside of Tokyo to be owned by the capital’s hippest hotel group, trunk.
In 2024, you’ll be able to take a bird’s-eye view of the city from the reopened Kobe Port Tower. The observation deck will comprise a museum and a 360-degree revolving café bar.
Once you’ve made it to the other side of the world, consider aligning your trip with the peak of Sakura season. The cherry blossom trees flowering in the spring, alongside the cherry blossom festivals, known as “hanami”, are more than 1,000 years old and truly spectacular.
Japan is also home to 23 Unesco world heritage sites, perfect for unearthing the history and culture and this fascinating and beautiful country.
