The most exciting destinations to visit in 2024

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Another 12 months dawns, promising one other 12 months brimming with potential when it comes to journey.

Our priorities could be totally different in phrases of journeys – a few of us plump for mountain climbing by means of untouched landscapes, whereas others are all about experiencing destinations by means of the distinctive prism of their meals scenes – however The Independent’s journey group are all equally excited by the prospect of exploring new corners of the world in 2024.

Some locations are apparent contenders for our hard-earned tourism kilos thanks to huge, showstopping, landmark occasions; some are much less attention-grabbing, however have piqued our curiosity thanks to extra understated, under-the-radar charms that supply the attract of bigger-name rivals with out the crowds.

Whatever method of wanderlust you’re presently experiencing, right here’s our choice of destinations to sate it for 2024: from world-class cities to blissfully rural areas the place nature reigns supreme.

Read extra on journey inspiration:

Aurillac, France

“Build it and they will come.” The 2024 model of that aspiration is: put a spot on the map by launching an evening practice, and see who turns up. Until French Railways (SNCF) introduced that Aurillac in southern France could be the subsequent vacation spot for a sleeper service, I harboured no ambition to visit the prefecture of the Cantal division. Now, although, I can barely wait to board the practice at Paris Austerlitz for a 13-hour, 350-mile in a single day journey by means of the guts of France to Aurillac. This garrison city, inhabitants 28,000, is perched at 600m above the Mediterranean – which is 160 miles away. It is protected by a ninth-century chateau (although the Volcano Museum it homes seems closed till June). Aurillac can also be nicely positioned for a journey south to the coast – by way of the wonderful Millau Viaduct, which I’ve but to cross. A visionary transport secretary could also be a mere aspiration in the UK, however France’s ministre des transports, Clément Beaune, sees Aurillac as simply the beginning in reconnecting the nation de nuit. Simon Calder

Kent, UK

OK, I’ll maintain my palms up – I reside in Kent. But I hardly ever stray additional than my city of residence, Folkestone, or the encompassing coastal spots, one thing that’s positively going to change in 2024. That is, in half, due to some main wine tourism openings taking place in the subsequent 12 months. Opportunties to swill and swallow will enhance when Domaine & Evremond in Kent premiers its first fizz in September – the primary time a Champagne House, in this case Champagne Taittinger, has planted its personal vines in the UK – together with the launching of a vineyard customer centre in late 2024. Tudor Peacock has additionally opened as a Kent wine emporium providing tastings, occasions and a wine bar in a Grade II listed constructing in the village of Chilham; plus Wine Tours of Kent is operating new Twilight Tours. Helen Coffey

Nordland, Norway

I’ve needed to return to Norway since chasing the Northern Lights from Tromso to Svalbard in early 2019. Nordland has been firmly on my go-to record since then, a county strewn with mountains, forests and lakes that bonds southern Norway with the distant north, lower by means of by the border of the Arctic Circle. The largest city in the area, Bodø, is among the European Capitals of Culture (the primary above the imaginary Arctic line), with a bumper programme of greater than 1,000 occasions. I’d use Bodo because the gateway to the remainder of Nordland, making journeys by means of the exceptional Lofoten archipelago (over the meandering E10 highway, by way of the bridges and undersea tunnels that carve up the Norwegian Sea), in addition to mountain climbing round fjords, visiting Sami landmarks and, after all, hoping to see the aurora borealis. If you desire a show-stopping place to keep, the architecturally magnificent Six Sense Svart, on the Helgeland shoreline, is due to welcome company in 2024. Benjamin Parker

Oran, Algeria

When South Sudan separated from Sudan, Algeria turned Africa’s largest nation. International tourism has hardly troubled the nation, however it’s steadily opening up – with a visa-on-arrival association for guests accredited with a neighborhood journey agency. In 2023 I visited for the primary time and located classical ruins devoid of different vacationers and the breathtaking japanese metropolis of Constantine – a pleasure after the arduous work of appreciating the capital, Algiers. But I’ve but to discover the much-praised second metropolis, Oran, with its spectacular Mediterranean location and mixture of Islamic and French structure. SC

Prague, Czech Republic

The capital of the Czech Republic is hardly a “hidden gem”, and but I’ve someway by no means managed to make it to this famously lovely metropolis, with its baroque and Gothic structure, charm-steeped previous city and chateau, and wallet-friendly foods and drinks choices. That’s set to change in 2024, when an prolonged sleeper practice service will make it far simpler for this flight-free journey editor to attain by rail. From 25 March, European Sleeper will broaden its current night time practice connecting Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin to end up in Prague. HC

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

In December 2023, the Tren Maya, 900 miles of partially elevated railway that chugs by means of Mexico’s’ Yucatan Peninsula (crossing 5 states), carried its first passengers, and must be absolutely operational by February 2024; it was journey author Laura Sanders who grabbed my consideration forward of the inaugural journey with her complete overview to all issues Mexico mega practice. What the brand new £22.5bn route represents is a better means of getting to the heavy hitters that guests love, comparable to Chichen Itza and Tulum, but additionally less-seen ruins, many overgrown with jungle, and Pueblos Magicos, culture-rich hubs formally recognised as “magical towns” – all whereas travelling in a practice carriage, which beats a bus any day. There’s been controversy in Mexico over the environmental and social affect of such an infinite transport venture, so my recommendation is to tread frivolously and check out to help native communities as you step off at among the 34 stations. BP

Niagara Falls, Canada/US

On 8 April 2024, the Great American Eclipse will sweep throughout North America from the Pacific to the Atlantic. During the course of that magical Monday, the “path of totality” in which the moon blots out the solar will cross alluring places from Mexico to Canada. While eclipse guru John Mason will probably be in southern Texas to maximise the prospect of clear skies, I’ve as an alternative purchased a C$25 (£15) rail ticket from Toronto to Niagara Falls on the appointed morning. The purpose: to dodge the eclipse-hunting visitors and discover a location whose environment will make up for any disappointment if the climate is overcast. This idea labored for Dieppe in 1999 – an amazing day trip on the seashore beneath the cliffs, regardless of the premature presence of cloud cowl. And with New York State just a few steps away throughout the Rainbow Bridge (from Canada, not Dieppe), I’ve a selection of countries from which to witness the best pure present on (and off) earth. SC

Paris, France

Already an extremely enticing metropolis break prospect thanks to its proximity to the UK, the French capital will get an additional injection of va-va-voom for vacationers in 2024 thanks to its very high-profile internet hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer time. Tickets are nonetheless being launched for varied occasions for cheap costs, however even you don’t handle to get of a slice of the sporting motion, it’s price going simply to take in the ambiance – plus the City of Light is all the time a beguiling setting for a classy weekend away. And it’s only a 2h 16m hop on the Eurostar away from London. HC

Dorset, UK

When I used to be youthful, we by no means actually went on vacation. Growing up in west Dorset, we lived the place individuals needed to go on vacation. It captivates me nonetheless, although I’ve moved away, from the county’s gigantic golden cliffs to the rolling hills that impressed Thomas Hardy. With an exquisite child boy getting (terrifyingly) shut to making an entrance, I’m excited to whisk the little man out of London and provides him an early West Country fill. Dorset is sensible for kids of all ages – providing a swannery, steam practice, Monkey World, fossil searching, lengthy days on the sand (or pebbles) – and has greater than its justifiable share for adults, comparable to persistently good locations to eat (Dorshi in Bridport, The Ollerod in Beaminster) and loads of respectable locations to lay your head. It will probably be a getaway of apple cake and Black Cow vodka between nappy adjustments and lullabies – and I can’t consider a greater place to do it. BP