Top 10 World Places to Go in 2024
No matter why you travel, our list offers inspiration.
-
The Path of Totality North America
From the sunny beaches of Mazatlán, Mexico, to the rugged coves of Maberly, Newfoundland, the sky will put on a spectacular show on April 8 as a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. This year’s event is especially noteworthy because the moon will be near its closest point to Earth, creating an unusually wide path of totality and a longer duration of darkness.
The eclipse will be celebrated with various events across Mexico, Canada, and 13 U.S. states. In Mazatlán, the Portal Eclipse Festival will offer “spiritual growth” activities, including DJ sets, yoga sessions, and more. NASA will be broadcasting from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where a $15 ticket grants entry to a festival and a pair of eclipse glasses aptly named the Greatest Spectacles. On the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Cosmologists Without Borders will host space-themed programs. For those seeking a more active experience, a headlamp-lit race is planned in Millinocket, Maine.
For an interactive map and a list of eclipse-related activities, visit eclipse2024.org and nationaleclipse.com.
2. Paris, France
Getting Ready for the Olympics and Welcoming Millions of Sports Enthusiasts
Paris, already one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, is gearing up to welcome millions of visitors this summer as it hosts the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This event will be the largest in the city’s history, with many iconic landmarks transformed into sports and entertainment venues for the occasion.
For the first time, the Olympics’ opening ceremony will take place outdoors, along the River Seine and near the Eiffel Tower. Spectacular settings include outdoor swimming and the para-triathlon against the backdrop of the Pont d’Iéna. The Grand Palais, famous for its expansive glass dome, is undergoing significant renovations to host the fencing and taekwondo events. Meanwhile, the grand gardens of the Château de Versailles, located just outside Paris, will be converted into a venue for equestrian events. La Concorde will host the Olympic debut of breakdancing, alongside other sports like skateboarding and three-on-three basketball.
In addition to the Games, Paris and Normandy celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition with “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment,” featuring 130 works at the Musée d’Orsay from March 26 to July 14. Additionally, the reconstructed Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered a devastating fire in 2019, is set to reopen to visitors on December 8, 2024.
3. Yamaguchi, Japan
Yamaguchi is often referred to as the Kyoto of the West, but it offers a unique charm all its own, with much less “tourism pollution.” This compact city of about 190,000 people is nestled in a narrow valley between the Inland and Japan Seas.
Rurikoji Temple, with its pristine gardens and magnificent five-story pagoda, is a national treasure. The city’s winding lanes are filled with diverse experiences: pottery kilns like Mizunoue on the grounds of Toshunji Temple; chic coffee shops like Log and Coffeeboy; traditional spots like Haraguchi; and cozy counter-only shops serving oden, a comforting one-pot dish. A 15-minute walk to the south takes you to the hot-springs village of Yuda Onsen.
With Kyoto often overwhelmed by tourists, Yamaguchi provides a more intimate yet equally historic alternative with its own Gion Festival. For over 600 years, this festival, featuring parades, costumes, and dancing, has taken place every July. The 2024 festival will be its first full-scale event since the pre-Covid era.
4. New Zealand by Train
Journeying by Train Through Vineyards, Volcanoes, and Snow-Capped Peaks
Road-tripping across New Zealand in a camper van is a free-spirited traveler’s dream, but a simpler and more sustainable way to explore the country is by train. Consider a 17-day journey on the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine trains offered by Great Journeys, the tourism division of KiwiRail, New Zealand’s national rail operator.
The adventure begins in Auckland and includes breathtaking sites like the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park and the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum. Travelers ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island and board the Coastal Pacific train, which winds through world-class vineyards and along a rugged coast, with stops for whale and dolphin watching before concluding in Christchurch.
The final leg on the TranzAlpine starts on the lush Canterbury Plains and ascends over the Southern Alps, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, and alpine lakes. Accommodations are in four-star properties at various stops along the route. Coming in spring: carriages with luxurious reclining seats, panoramic windows, and partial glass ceilings.
5. Maui, Hawaii
A Thoughtful Revival of Tourism Following a Devastating Fire
Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island and a favorite among visitors, suffered a devastating blow last summer when wildfires swept across its western shores, claiming at least 100 lives and destroying the town of Lahaina. In the aftermath, nonessential travel to the affected areas was paused for two months, raising concerns among travelers and residents about the revival of tourism, Maui’s primary economic sector.
While Lahaina remains closed, the island is once again welcoming visitors and offers an abundance of activities and lush landscapes to enjoy. In the community of Kihei, Kamaole State Beach Park is perfect for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles.
Farther north in Kapalua, a gentle walking trail winds through lava fields and along the sea. Many of Maui’s most beloved natural attractions, such as Haleakala National Park, are far removed from the fire zone. Travelers can also make a positive impact by volunteering to help those displaced by the wildfires.
6. Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah KukveniArizona
Respecting the Sacred Indigenous Lands Surrounding the Grand Canyon
While Grand Canyon National Park has long been a staple on travel bucket lists, there’s now an additional reason to visit the southwestern United States. The newly designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, or Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, conserves around 900,000 acres of plateaus, canyons, and other lands surrounding the Grand Canyon. This monument protects the ancestral homelands of more than a dozen Indigenous tribes and preserves over 3,000 Native cultural and historic sites, highlighting the area’s profound spiritual and sacred significance.
To support the local Native American community, consider booking a Colorado River adventure with the Hualapai River Runners, a white-water rafting company led by Hualapai Tribe river guides. Whether exploring above or below the rim, be sure to look up: the California condor, the largest bird in North America and once facing extinction, now has a population of over 100, thanks to recent conservation efforts.
7. Singapore
Enhanced Visits with New Hotels and Advanced Biometric Technology
Singapore has been relentlessly modernizing since gaining independence in 1965. This cosmopolitan city-state, renowned for its cuisine, architecture, and world-class airport, is now undergoing a luxury hotel boom. Recently, Edition opened a 204-room property in the downtown Orchard Road district, and the Standard is set to open later this year. Renowned hotels like the Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hyatt, which underwent significant renovations in recent years, are also set to reopen.
Changi Airport has also embarked on a major expansion. In November, Terminal 2 fully reopened with new automated check-in kiosks, bag drops, and immigration lanes, significantly increasing the terminal’s capacity to 28 million passengers annually. This year, Changi plans to enhance passenger flow further by introducing advanced biometrics and facial recognition technology for passport-free departures, ensuring even more efficient travel experiences.
8. O’Higgins, Chile
Indulge in Local Delicacies and Connect with Rural Farmers
In an often-overlooked region south of Santiago, the challenges of a changing climate, wildfires threatening century-old grapevines, frequent earthquakes, and underappreciated traditions have spurred a collaborative effort among local cooks, winemakers, and artisan growers to preserve their rural farmer identity. Their initiative, Ruta de los Abastos, launched in late 2023, offers visitors rural culinary experiences that connect them with local beekeepers, oyster farmers, and other producers.
Markets and restaurants such as El Abasto in Rancagua, and vineyard-based establishments like Food and Wine Studio and Viña Vik, are now showcasing regional ingredients such as locally raised lamb, coastal salt from Cáhuil, and a rustic, low-alcohol wine known as chacolí, crafted by local growers. Along the coast near Pichilemu and Punta de Lobos, minimalist beach lodges like Hotel Alaia feature locavore seafood paired with natural wines, exemplified at spots like Mareal.
9. Ladakh, India
Embark on a Journey to Mountaintop Monasteries and Embrace a Stark, Rugged Landscape
Ladakh, known as the Land of High Passes, is a mountainous region nestled between the Himalayas to the south and the Karakoram range to the north. This rugged land boasts stark beauty and remote villages, evoking a sense of timelessness.
In recent years, significant administrative changes have greatly enhanced infrastructure and accessibility. The Atal Tunnel, an impressive engineering achievement, bypasses the challenging Rohtang Pass, reducing a potentially hazardous journey of several hours to a mere 20 minutes. This development makes it easier than ever for visitors to explore Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes, pristine lakes, Buddhist monasteries, and cultural sites. In Leh, the region’s largest city, attractions include vibrant markets, museums, and the remarkable nine-story palace. New hiking and trekking routes in Leh and the Zanskar Valley further enrich the options for adventurous travelers.
10. Geneva, Switzerland
Indulge Your Curiosity in Quantum Physics and Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings
Experience the Fascination of Quantum Physics and Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings at CERN
At the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, the smallest elements of nature are the biggest draw. Spanning 17 miles, CERN’s particle accelerator has long intrigued visitors, but until recently, options for nerding out were limited. Now, the newly opened CERN Science Gateway, designed by Renzo Piano and family-friendly, changes that dynamic. It offers activities like quantum karaoke, quantum air hockey, and miniature magnetic accelerators modeled after the Large Hadron Collider, where the Higgs boson was discovered in 2012, a breakthrough in understanding the universe’s origins.
For those with less mind-bending but equally satisfying pursuits, Geneva offers the Choco Pass—a self-guided chocolate tour launched in 2022. It allows visitors to sample the city’s renowned truffles, bonbons, and pralines. To delve into the nature of time—or timepieces—head to Breitling Kitchen, the Swiss watch brand’s fourth crossover restaurant. Here, menus crafted by Juan Arbelaez of “Top Chef” fame await, blending culinary innovation with Swiss precision.
11. Dominica, The Caribbean
A bird’s-eye view of rainforests, reefs, and a boiling lake
Dominica, a 290-square-mile independent nation in the West Indies, has earned the nickname the Nature Island for its diverse landscape of volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, and hot springs. This year, visitors will soon enjoy a bird’s-eye view of this wild terrain thanks to a new $54 million, 4.1-mile cable car line. This innovative transportation will whisk passengers from the lush Roseau Valley up to Boiling Lake, a fumarole nearly 200 feet wide filled with water nearly reaching 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Previously accessible only by a challenging hike, the cable car promises easier access to this natural wonder.
For eco-adventurers, Dominica is a paradise. Its three national parks boast extensive hiking trails, while crystal cascades provide opportunities for exhilarating waterfall rappelling. The surrounding pristine coral reefs offer world-class diving experiences, and the island’s west coast is renowned for its diverse marine life, including over 20 species of whales and dolphins. A resident population of sperm whales will soon benefit from their own dedicated sanctuary, further enhancing Dominica’s appeal as a sanctuary for both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
Must Read
- TOP 10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN 2024
- Travel guide: Explore the top 10 places in India offering Free Accommodation
- Best Places for Destination Wedding in India
- Top places to stargaze in India
- Finding Inner Peace: 10 Best Places for Solo Travelers in India
- Budget trip: Top 10 places near Delhi to witness snowfall
- Top 20 Tourist Places In India To Explore Before You Die
