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7 best places to visit in India this November

By Ria Gupta and Preeti Shivani

As the year draws to a close, winter landscapes and crisp winds meet over the beginning of the festive season. November is the perfect time to set out on a weekend of outdoor expeditions and cultural explorations, be it attending colourful festivals in Gujarat or cruising through the Arabian Sea. From Shillong hosting a bigger and better Cherry Blossom Festival, to Tagore’s Santiniketan inviting travellers as a new UNESCO World Heritage site, here are seven places to visit in November this year.

Where to go in India this November

Rann of kutch, gujarat.

The white sands of the Rann of Kutch will have you dreaming of a magical winter. The unending salt desert of Gujarat is famed for its winter beauty , and adding vibrance to the white-and-blue horizon is its annual Rann Utsav, which is slated from 10 November 2023 to 25 February 2024. Go to experience the dance and music, adventure sports, bird-watching and handicraft tours. Stay in the tent city near Dhordo, and set out every day to visit local villages and their crafts. For food, the eponymous Kutchi dabeli is a must-try, and for adventure, look out for activities such as participating in art competitions and paramotoring in the clear November sky. Rann Utsav tour packages from Rs5,500 on twin sharing for two days and a night; website

Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Keoladeo National Park , popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is hallowed ground for bird lovers, with around 370 species of birds. And come November, several migratory birds such as pelicans, geese, hawks, and the blue-tailed bee-eater and the garganey arrive for the winter. Also visible are a large variety of aquatic birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia that fly to this wintering area. Head here this November to spot pelicans, cranes, coots, waders and warblers.

One of Asia’s most significant film festivals happens in Goa every November. Various forces of the film industry will converge under one roof for the 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India from 20-28 November ( website ). The event will screen contemporary and classic films from around the globe along with hosting noted artists, filmmakers, critics and enthusiasts. The Indian Panorama section will screen five mainstream cinema films such as Gulmohar and 20 feature films in Hindi and other regional languages. It’s also the perfect season to learn surfing in Goa, with the weather pleasant and the waves ideal. Plan a stay at one of the recently opened properties in Goa, such as JW Marriott Goa, the beachfront KAIĀ Goa , and Moira on the River , a two-storey house which serves as a great pad to explore Goa's quieter side. For food, there are a host of new openings to try, such as Bawri, Barfly and Cajoo's in Assagao, Casanoni in Fountainhas, The Second House in Saligao. – Preeti Shivani

Amritsar, Punjab

The Golden Temple

Aishwarya Venkatraman

Condé Nast Traveller

Jasreen Mayal Khanna

During Gurpurab, the Golden Temple gleams brighter than ever. The gurudwara is decorated with lights, and the city has a celebratory atmosphere. It’s when streets abound with festivities marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, who was the first ever Sikh guru. Hymns fill the streets from gurudwaras across the city , and if you follow the sound inside after the langar hours, you can catch kirtans and katha recitals as well. This year, the festival falls on 27 November.

Shillong, Meghalaya

Head to Shillong to experience the beauty of pink cherry blossoms setting the backdrop for a three-day extravaganza of music, art, and culture. The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival (17-19 November) is back bigger and better this year, with artists such as Ne-Yo, Ronan Keating, Sanam, Jonas Blue, SURL, Pink Panda, Kenny Musik and others taking the stage( three-day pass from Rs3,600; website ) . – Preeti Shivani

Santiniketan, West Bengal

The hallowed halls of Santiniketan are calling. With the town near Kolkata being ascribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site last month, there’s a new reason to explore Rabindranath Tagore's famed address, if you haven’t already. Once an ashram built by Tagore’s father, Debendranath “Maharshi” Tagore, Santiniketan was later developed into the Viswa Bharati university by the Nobel laureate. The campus is open for visitors, as are the library and museum at Bichitra, one of the many houses in the town that has Tagore's manuscripts, title deeds, letters, pictures and paintings. Santiniketan is one of the best places to visit in India in November, with quiet bookstores, quaint cafés, bazaars, sparkling rivulets and forests, all enveloped in a faint winter chill. – Preeti Shivani

Lakshadweep on a cruise

There’s a new cruise on its way to Lakshadweep this November, and you can be onboard. Italian cruise liner Costa Cruises is setting sail on a three-night journey on 26 and 28 November ( from Rs33,950 per person; website ). Embarking from Kochi, the cruise will make its way to the coral beauty of Agatti Island, followed by a day of cruising and docking back in Mumbai. While onboard, you can enjoy the cruise’s amenities including a casino, a spa and Turkish baths, pool parties, shopping centre and a three-level theatre. You can wine and dine in their five restaurants and 13 bars onboard. – Preeti Shivani

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• Where to Go in 2024 Overview: Where to Go in 2024

The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024

• An Insider's Guide to Paris — Luxury Hotels, Vintage Shops, and the City's Best Restaurants Included
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• Where to Go in 2024 The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024 An Insider's Guide to Paris — Luxury Hotels, Vintage Shops, and the City's Best Restaurants Included This Southern U.S. City Was Named One of the Best Places to Travel in 2024 5 Coastal Towns in Alaska That Are Adorable in Any Weather T+L's Review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur This Exclusive Helicopter Dining Experience Is the Best Way to See the 'Grand Canyon of Mallorca’ CLOSE Part of Where to Go in 2024

Where to go in 2024, according to Travel + Leisure editors — for cultural immersion and major travel bragging rights.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Well, you knew it was coming. This year, more than 20 Travel + Leisure staffers weighed in to create this hand-picked list of the places that thoughtful, curious travelers should consider in 2024.

These are the destinations that have captured our imaginations, the spots where T+L editors want to spend their own time in the year ahead. Among the picks are Canada's Métis Crossing, which headlined our October 2023 issue ; Istanbul, for which our editor in chief makes a compelling case ; and Paris, because there's a little thing called Les Jeux Olympiques coming up.

Other, lesser-known places are on the rise. Consider the small towns of Sonoma County, where new businesses are doing big things ; a remote corner of Australia, where expedition ships are the way in; a Himalayan hideaway where visitors are left breathless and not just because of the altitude.

We hope this list inspires you to see the world in a new way in the coming year. We'll see you out there.

— Edited by Paul Brady and Maya Kachroo-Levine  

Travel + Leisure

Destination by Category

For cultural immersion, ålborg, denmark.

Alexander Farnsworth/Getty Images

It rates as Denmark’s fourth-largest city, with around 120,000 residents, but out-of-the-way Ålborg might seem an unlikely international-travel hub. That's not stopping Scandinavian Airlines, which is betting on the compact, alluring city with newly launched flights from Newark Liberty International, which will run three times a week from April through October. The cobbled streets of Ålborg’s old town are lined with half-timbered houses and pastel exteriors; the attractively refurbished waterfront — where you’ll find the newly renovated Pier 5 Hotel — is another walkable district. The city’s rich cultural scene includes a modern art museum , an architecture center, and, a short drive away, Regan Vest , a Cold War museum that opened in a former bunker in February 2023. Indeed, Ålborg is a gateway to the wider region of North Jutland, with its dramatic coastline around the town of Skagen, long a draw to Danish artists; windswept dunes of Thy National Park ; and 2,000-year-old Viking ring fortresses which have, at long last, been collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site . — Peter Terzian

Cartagena, Colombia

Sofia Jaramillo

A perennially hot destination, Colombia is coming into its own as a luxury escape these days, thanks to a ton of excitement in and around Cartagena, on the country’s Caribbean coast. In 2023, the city welcomed Casa Pestagua , a 16-room boutique hotel within a restored 17th-century building, in the historic center. Now, the same owners are working to open bungalows on Isla Barú, a popular day-trip spot, before the end of 2023. Sustainability minded travelers can find their fit at Blue Apple Beach , an eco-hotel on Tierra Bomba Island, just off the coast, that’s B Corp certified and generates half its power from solar, as T+L recently reported . In 2024, Disney's “Encanto”-themed tour of Colombia will debut, shining more light on Cartagena, one of the many stops on the itinerary. And there’s even more growth in the pipeline: Delta Air Lines is adding new nonstop flights to Cartagena from Atlanta in December 2023, a Four Seasons hotel is on the horizon, and the nation is investing in an airport expansion that will serve an ever-increasing number of visitors. — Susmita Baral

Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train

Courtesy of Belmond

After a four-year pause, this luxury train that crisscrosses Southeast Asia will ride again in February. Several new itineraries will be available on the revamped Express, which has 15 cherry wood–clad cabins and vibrant Malay-inspired decor. The Essence of Malaysia journey, for example, takes travelers from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, with side trips to Langkawi, for snorkeling in Pulau Payar Marine Park, and Penang, among the greatest food cities on the planet. Alternatively, a Wild Malaysia option includes a stop at Taman Negara National Park, where visitors might spot a Sumatran rhino or tiger. “These ‘slow travel’ journeys give our guests the opportunity to rest their mind, rekindle, and reconnect,” said Dan Ruff, the CEO of Belmond. Much like a storied ocean liner, the majestic Eastern & Oriental Express is a destination unto itself, with a sultry piano bar car; an open-air lounge with wicker furniture where passengers can watch the Malaysian jungle rush by; and two restaurant carriages serving Peranakan food. You may not have had "eating laksa on a luxury train" on your 2024 bingo card, but you really should. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Christian Kain

For one month between June and July, soccer — or should we say fußball — will take over Germany, as the nation hosts the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. Held every four years, the tournament for men’s national teams will take place in 10 cities across Germany, including Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. “This will be an incredible, not-to-be-missed moment,” said Sofia Markovich , a travel advisor on T+L's A-List who specializes in Austria and Germany. “I expect interest to go through the roof as this is a major sports event — second only to the World Cup.” Even casual fans should find the atmosphere thrilling, Markovich said, particularly those who happen to pass through game-day destinations while cruising the country’s rivers . One host city deserves a particular spotlight thanks to the new Rosewood Munich , which opened in October. Set across two buildings (one, formerly the headquarters of the State Bank of Bavaria, the other, a Baroque residence), the 132-key property is steps from the charms of Old Town, including the leafy Maximiliansplatz, and walkable to one of Europe’s most surprising surf spots: the rapids of the Isar River . — Liz Cantrell

Métis Crossing, Alberta

Amber Bracken

“This is not a place where you look at old things behind glass,” said Juanita Marois, the CEO of Métis Crossing, one of Canada’s most compelling Indigenous tourism projects. “This is an immersive destination where you experience the culture and the warmth of the Métis people through our land, water, skies, buildings, food, and programs.” The 688-acre retreat, which writer Carleigh Baker detailed in T+L’s October 2023 issue , is today home to a 40-room lodge, a cultural center, and campgrounds. Depending on the season, visitors can learn about traditional crafts, enjoy festivals held on-site, or head out for bird-watching, canoeing, or snowshoeing. A new addition to Métis Crossing is a collection of eight Sky Watching Domes , luxe stand-alone suites with panoramic skylight windows. From the Domes, Marois explained, “guests can listen to Indigenous stories of the night skies, see the stars, and view the aurora borealis." — Jalyn Robinson

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Georgia

Getty Images

It’s not every day the U.S. gets a new national park, but 2024 could see this central Georgia destination enter the fold. Presently managed as a national historical park, Ocmulgee is home to large earthen mounds, including temple complexes, created by numerous Native American peoples over thousands of years. Should Congress approve the new designation in 2024, Ocmulgee will become the first national park in the state and the first in the U.S. to be co-managed by a nation whose ancestors were removed from the area: the Muscogee (Creek) were forcibly relocated from central Georgia as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. “We now have an opportunity to come back and not feel like we are visiting, but to feel like we are coming home,” said Tracie Revis, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, a community group. The gateway to the park is the city of Macon, where the Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag flies alongside the Stars and Stripes, and the street signs are being replaced with ones written in both Muscogee and English. A particularly opportune time to visit will be in September, for the town’s annual Indigenous film festival . — Liz Cantrell  

Rajasthan, India

Aparna Jayakumar

India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan, with its wealth of iconic hotels and cultural attractions, is one of the best-known among U.S. travelers. It also promises new delights in the coming year, with several new addresses in Jaipur worth planning a trip around. There's Villa Palladio , a delightful nine-room hotel on the outskirts of town created by the Swiss-Dutch team behind Bar Palladio , an Instagram favorite in the city center. The Johri is a beautifully designed five-room property with a chic cocktail bar and organic vegetarian restaurant on the ground level, tucked away in a heritage townhouse in Jaipur's Old Town. Meanwhile, the Anantara hospitality group is set to launch its first-ever property in India next year. The 150-room, new-build Anantara Jaipur Hotel is designed with India's ballooning market for destination weddings in mind: it will have event facilities that can accommodate as many as 2,500 guests. In the meantime, the city and wider region are becoming more accessible than ever, thanks to a new six-lane expressway that connects Jaipur to New Delhi, a major hub for international flights. — Flora Stubbs

Shinta Mani Mustang, Nepal

Courtesy of Shinta Mani Mustang

A once-forbidden kingdom is now home to some truly palatial digs. Nepal’s Mustang district, which opened to outsiders in 1992 , is a place to watch in 2024 thanks to this stunning, 29-suite hotel, which welcomed its first guests in August. Shinta Mani Mustang, the latest property from the Bensley Collection, delivers the luxurious wellness experiences and thoughtful design that devotees of the brand have come to expect. Guests can spend their days trekking the surrounding Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, searching for rare wildlife like the Pallas’s cat and Tibetan wolf, horseback riding, and visiting local villages. “What caught my attention was that the outstanding aesthetics and architecture are in sync with sustainable and responsible tourism,” said Carole Cambata, an advisor on T+L's A-List and expert in Himalayan travel. “They sourced local building materials and used Indigenous construction methods.” The noteworthy opening comes at a time of positive change: in April, the Nepal Mountaineering Academy and the Nepal Tourism Board partnered on a program to educate the country’s first-ever class of LGBTQ+ trekking guides, CNN reported , in an effort to make Nepal’s hiking and climbing industries more inclusive. “Nepal is one of Asia’s most progressive countries for LGBTQ+ people due to laws that forbid gender identity discrimination,” said John Clifford , another A-List advisor. “Visitors to the country can even select ‘other’ as an option for gender identification on their visas.” — Samantha Falewée

Tallinn, Estonia

Nina Ruggiero/Travel + Leisure

This country’s literacy and secondary education rates consistently rank near the top in Europe, especially among women, so it should come as no surprise that Tartu, the university city to the southeast of Tallinn, has been designated Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2024 . Still, for first-timers to the Baltics, there’s no better place to get schooled than the country’s capital city, Tallinn: its walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of Medieval architecture in the world. PoCo Art Museum , which opened in May with pop art by Andy Warhol, Banksy, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons, is now one of nearly 50 art institutions in the city, joining Fotografiska (world-renowned photography), Kumu Art Museum (contemporary Estonian art), and Kadriorg Art Museum (early European and Russian art). After soaking in the culture, head for the Noblessner district , an industrial shipyard area turned seafront hot spot that’s now bursting with stylish cafes, shops, and Estonia’s first restaurant with two Michelin stars, 180° by Matthias Diethe . (You might also try a “ smoke sauna ” at Scandi-chic Iglupark .) As for where to stay, the new Nunne Boutique Hotel has views over Old Town’s Towers Square . —  Nina Ruggiero

Warsaw, Poland

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

The thriving contemporary art scene in Warsaw, which is home to art-circuit stalwarts like the Foksal Gallery Foundation and Raster Gallery , will get a big boost in 2024, when the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw finally moves into its own headquarters. Founded in 2005, the museum has burnished the city’s art reputation for two decades, with its holdings of both foreign and Polish work, despite operating out of temporary spaces. The new HQ will be part of a 22-acre arts district centered on the existing Palace of Culture and Science, a Stalinist skyscraper that towers over the city. The museum, along with a new 800-seat TR Warszaw Theater nearby, was designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners , the architecture firm behind other notable institutions, including the Glenstone Museum in Maryland and portions of New York’s Corning Museum of Glass . — Denny Lee

For the Food and Drinks

The austrian countryside.

Journey south of Vienna and you’ll find two of the regions that give the countryside of Austria its fairy-tale quality. Styria has rolling hills and hiking trails, with the medieval city of Graz at its heart. Mellow, rural Burgenland is home to Lake Neusiedl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both regions have a long, rich history of winemaking, and in recent years, have become the site of a burgeoning natural wine scene. Cult producers such as Winery Maria and Sepp Muster and Alice & Roland Tauss should be at the top of any visitor’s list, as should Burgenland’s beloved vintners Gut Oggau and Meinklang . Then, round out a visit to the country with a stay at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl , a meticulously restored 15th-century castle opening on the shores of a small lake near Salzburg in spring 2024. — Peter Terzian

Mérida, Mexico

Itzel Garrido/Travel + Leisure

The capital of Yucatán, this city has long been popular with Mexican travelers drawn to its Maya ruins, cerulean-blue cenotes, restored haciendas, and incredible food . But it has a growing acclaim among international visitors — especially LGBTQ+ travelers, who often describe Yucatán as very gay friendly . Mérida’s historic beauty and laid-back cantina culture might explain why LGBTQ+ retirees have embraced the city in recent years, buying homes and bringing their friends along. Those not ready to make a full-on move will find lots of designer hotels carved out of stately mansions, not to mention wonderful shopping and plenty of food tours, both in the city and in the surrounding countryside, which is punctuated by haciendas, many of which host pop-up events or even overnight guests. Plans for a sprawling new “ Yucatán Central Park ,” with a food market and amphitheater, remain hazy, as does an exact timeline for the arrival of the ballyhooed Maya Train , which is nearing completion and should make it easier to hop between Mérida and popular seaside spots such as Cancún and Tulum. — Denny Lee

Sonoma County, California

Gentl & Hyers

More than double the size of Napa, Sonoma might offer twice as much to do. It’s not just about the wine — though with the addition of a new American Viticultural Area (AVA) called West Sonoma Coast last year, Sonoma County now has 19 AVAs slinging chardonnay, pinot noir, and zinfandel at established wineries, such as Flowers and Scribe , and new ones, including Vérité Wines . There’s also a long coastline to explore, from Bodega Bay up to Sea Ranch, where the dreamy, cliff-top Sea Ranch Lodge is newly renovated . Inland, the opening of Dawn Ranch shines a spotlight on Guerneville , a crunchy town along the Russian River known for its LGBTQ+ scene and proximity to the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Tear yourself from the 22-acre haven, with tree house–like cabins, creekside glamping tents, and alfresco redwood tubs at the idyllic spa, to bike into town where the reimagined Piknik Market serves one of Oprah’s favorite biscuits . The changes coming to Sonoma County in 2024 are largely shaped by the area’s most famous chefs: in Healdsburg, California, Noma alum Stu Stalker debuted the plant-based restaurant Second Story, above Little Saint and down the street from Michelin three-starred SingleThread and chef Dustin Valette’s The Matheson . Restaurant powerhouse Charlie Palmer plans to launch his hotel brand, Appellation , in Healdsburg by the end of next year. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

For Big-city Thrills

Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure

“It’s a classic Asian megacity: frenetic, neon-lit, and overwhelming to the senses,” said Jack Tydeman , a Southeast Asia specialist at Audley Travel and member of T+L's A-List. But change is coming to Bangkok, in the form of many megaprojects, including Dusit Central Park, which is slated to open in 2024, with the 259-room Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel and a multi-terraced roof park. Also coming soon will be King Rama IX Memorial Park, a park that honors the sustainability initiatives of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Meanwhile, Lumpini Park , Bangkok’s original public green space, is getting a massive refresh next year that will add a new food hall, a vegetable farm, and a sports club ahead of its centennial. Even while sprinting to finish these new developments, Bangkok is finding time to slow down and prioritize wellness. Luxury travel network Virtuoso recently named Thailand as just one of five “emerging self-care destinations” worldwide, noting that “travelers are seeking a more spiritual journey, turning to Thailand for more than the traditional Thai massage.” The forthcoming Aman Nai Lert Bangkok , slated for 2024, is sure to deliver, with 52 spacious suites overlooking Nai Lert Park and a multifloor wellness sanctuary. — Susmita Baral

Courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The year ahead has the Land set to shine, thanks to national and international events, world-class cultural expansions, and the rebirth of historic hotels. It all starts in April, when the NCAA Women’s Final Four comes to the state-of-the-art Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and a total solar eclipse sweeps over the city on April 8, 2024. Cleveland will see even more action when the Pan-American Masters Games crisscross the city July 12-21. And in November, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was held in Brooklyn in 2023, will return home. Meanwhile, many institutions are in the midst of revitalization. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is nearing completion of its multiyear $150-million expansion, with updated exhibits and new public spaces in University Circle. Karamu House , the nation’s oldest Black producing theater, will debut a new restaurant, outdoor stage, and an additional venue in the Fairfax neighborhood. The city’s oldest hotel will reopen in 2024 after extensive renovations as a Marriott Autograph Collection called Hotel Cleveland. Also coming is the Fidelity Hotel, a new boutique property with a speakeasy that's slated to launch in a landmark building downtown. There’s development along the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, too, where paved hiking and biking trails are livening up a waterfront that has, for many decades, been underutilized. — Jennifer Salerno Yong

Fort Worth, Texas

Mariah Tyler

Offering classic Western experiences like bull riding, cattle drives, and stock shows, Fort Worth, Texas, is booming, bringing in $3 billion in tourism revenue last year alone. With all of the renewed interest in the city, luxury hotels are flocking to Cowtown’s Cultural District. The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth opened in November, home to the first-ever wellness club by Canyon Ranch and a Mediterranean restaurant by Food Network chef Preston Paine. Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection , is slated to open its doors December 2023, with a tree-lined pool terrace, chic spa, and upscale chophouse called Bricks and Horses. Walking distance from both hotels is The National Cowgirl Museum , which will run a 2024 exhibit honoring the Mexican female horseback riding tradition of escaramuza charra . Looking ahead, the National Juneteenth Museum is scheduled to open in the city’s Historic Southside neighborhood in 2025. — Mariah Tyler

Turkey’s style capital is seeing a resurgence of life along the Bosphorus, thanks in part to the Galataport, the world’s first underground cruise ship terminal with a pedestrian promenade and the Renzo Piano–designed Istanbul Museum of Modern Art just above. Another neighborhood anchor is the 177-room Peninsula Hotel , spread out over four buildings, three of which date to the early 1900s. Highlights include a glittering pool facing the Hagia Sophia; a sprawling, subterranean spa; and Gallada, a rooftop restaurant from whiz kid chef Fatih Tutak, whose eponymous restaurant is Turkey’s first to earn two Michelin stars. The hotel staff wears posh uniforms courtesy of Arzu Kaprol, a designer who has a boutique in the nearby Paket Postanesi, a historic post office turned chic shopping mall. Also on the waterfront, in Beşiktaş, the lavish Çırağan Palace Kempinski has been reimagined by local interior designer Serdar Gülgün, with rooms that lean into Ottoman-era grandeur (think tulip-pattern motifs and mother-of-pearl furniture). Finally, don’t miss The Basilica Cistern, open again after a five-year closure, and now hosting contemporary art exhibits amid the ancient columns. — Jacqui Gifford

Kansas City, Missouri

Jonathan Tasler/Courtesy of Visit KC

World famous for barbecue and jazz, KC is now staking a claim as a global leader in sports and entertainment — and not just because of Taylor and Travis . In March, the Kansas City Current, of the National Women's Soccer League, will open the first-ever purpose-built stadium for women’s pro sports. “It will be a destination for sports lovers and will inspire generations of girls to follow their dreams,” said Katie Mabry van Dieren, CEO and curator of The Strawberry Swing , a brand that organizes events and pop-ups in the city, as well as Shop Local KC , a string of boutiques. The stadium’s construction has spurred other developments around the city, including the forthcoming Origen Hotel KC , a 118-room boutique property; the massive Berkley Beer Garden; and an extension of the free KC Streetcar that will serve the Berkley Riverfront area. Also coming soon is the country’s first entertainment district of its kind, the Rock Island Bridge , a reclaimed rail crossing over the Kansas River. “Visitors will be able to enjoy two levels of entertainment with food from two restaurants and three bars, plus a covered event space with a dance floor and open veranda seating overlooking the river and city,” a source told T+L of the High Line–inspired project that will connect Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. — Jalyn Robinson

Raf Willems/Getty Images

Just when you think Sin City can’t get any bigger, louder, or glitzier, Las Vegas turns it up another notch. On the heels of blockbuster residencies from Adele , Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, U2 kicked off their inaugural stint at the long-anticipated Sphere this fall. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s immersive sci-fi production “Postcard from Earth” will also show off the new arena’s 16K LED display, beginning this fall and continuing through 2024. Formula 1 and Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive captured a growing American audience for the international racing circuit, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix will hit The Strip Nov. 16-18, 2023, and again Nov. 21-23, 2024. It won’t be the only megaevent on the sports calendar: Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium, marking the first time the game will take place in Nevada. Still not enough? The 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas will open in December with 3,700 rooms and a ton of buzzy restaurants, including a Casa Dragones Tasting Room and a Chinese noodle den from the restaurateur behind Wagamama and Hakkasan. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Louisville, Kentucky

Nick Simonite/Courtesy of Hotel Genevieve

The Kentucky Derby will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 4, 2024, as well as the debut of the redesigned Churchill Downs Paddock, which is coming off a multiyear, $200-million renovation. Those that can’t make race day can brush up on the event’s history and culture year-round at the Kentucky Derby Museum , which has interactive exhibits on subjects like Black horsemen’s contributions to racing . Continue on theme at Derby City Hotel, a Canopy by Hilton property, which will open in downtown Louisville this summer with 168 rooms plus a rooftop pool and bar, or opt for another new property, such as The Myriad Hotel, Common Bond Hotel Collection , or the trendy Hotel Genevieve by Bunkhouse Group. Also coming in 2024 is “Ali,” a musical about the Louisville icon, which opens at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in the fall. There’s news on the spirits scene, too, including the launch of Bourbon and Belonging – Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, a statewide celebration running Oct. 3-6, 2024, that will have events in Louisville and beyond. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

As close as you can get to Europe without the transatlantic flight, this island city of nearly 2 million is newly relevant in the year ahead, thanks to forward-thinking infrastructure that’s made it one of the greenest and most visitor-friendly spots in North America. The Réseau Express Métropolitain, or REM, is a new automated light rail system that Canada’s Globe and Mail calls “ Montreal’s biggest public transit project in more than half a century ,” with a growing number of stations coming online in the years ahead. (All of them are or will be “ universally accessible .”) The Grand Quay, the city-center pier that many cruise ships use, has a new attraction in the form of the Port of Montreal Tower , a blocky observation spire that echoes the look of the famed Habitat 67 nearby. Meanwhile, the city’s bike-sharing program, Bixi, which launched back in 2009, is still going strong and now offers an all-you-can-bike monthly pass for just $14 that makes using the system a no brainer; the city’s 560 miles of bike lanes help, too. The recently renovated Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton , and the new-in-2023 Honeyrose Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel , join the four-year-old Four Seasons in adding a touch of luxury that had, perhaps, been missing in the heart of the city. That said, Montreal has more than 24,000 hotel rooms — and plenty of Airbnbs — across the metro area, which will make it an ideal last-minute destination for eclipse watchers who want to be in the path of totality on April 8. — Paul Brady

When Paris hosts 329 distinct sporting events next summer, the whole city will be on display: the first-ever Olympic Games breakdancing competition will be at Place de la Concorde; beach volleyball courts will skirt the Eiffel Tower; and the opening ceremony’s Parade of Nations will sail down the Seine River. The host city of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-August 11) and Paralympic Games (August 28-September 8) will welcome visitors with a flurry of new hotels and restaurants. Chateau des Fleurs is an extravagant new stay in the eighth arrondissement with 19th-century style and an haute Korean restaurant. Celebrated hotel designer Martin Brudnizki just unveiled two projects : the 50-room Grand Mazarin , in the Marais, and La Fantaisie in the ninth. And the hoteliers behind the Hôtel Dame Des Arts , which appeared on T+L’s 2023 It List , unveiled their train-themed Hôtel des Grand Voyageurs in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in October. The legacy establishments have new life, too: Hotel Plaza Athénée , named the best hotel in Paris by T+L readers, has a French restaurant, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, which recently scored two Michelin stars, to say nothing of the property’s brand-new Dior Spa. And the sumptuous La Tour d’Argent restaurant just got a sensational facelift. Meanwhile, “numerous museums and institutions will host sports-related exhibitions, films, performances, workshops, and kids’ programming throughout the summer,” writer Lindsey Tramuta reported in T+L’s November 2023 issue. For those in need of a sports break, La Galerie Dior and Fragonard Musée du Parfum are two new additions to the scene worth checking out. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

For Moments on the Water

Coastal alaska.

Cruising is back in a big way, and Alaska's Inside Passage is leading the charge. In 2023, the state saw ships including Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer and Carnival’s Luminosa for the first time, while Royal Caribbean recently sent Brilliance of the Seas north for the first time in years. The new Klawock port, on Prince of Wales Island, is poised to welcome large ships in the 2024 season with food and retail outposts, exhibits detailing Indigenous culture and history, and nature trails. Skagway, a well-known port that’s home to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, is getting a 550-foot floating pier, which will allow the port to host two megaships simultaneously beginning in the 2024 season. Lately, that season has been getting longer: most companies run trips May to September, but Norwegian Cruise Line had October sailings in 2023, which gave passengers a look at Alaskan life during a quieter season. Considering Alaska is projected to notch 1.65 million cruise travelers on around 700 voyages this year, opting for a shoulder season trip in 2024 might not be a bad idea. —  Nina Ruggiero

Coastal Norway

Sebastian Lamberg Torjusen/Courtesy of Salmon Eye

Long known for its cutting-edge design and architectural marvels like the Oslo Opera House, Norway has lately doubled down on building big. “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a surge in new attractions,” confirmed Katrine Mosfjeld, the chief marketing officer for Visit Norway. In seaside Oslo, the new luxury hotel Sommero is a study in adaptive reuse, inside a landmark building from 1930 originally designed by famed Norwegian architects Andreas Bjercke and Georg Eliassen. Four hours southwest, in Kristiansand, the Kunstsilo , or Art Silo, is another repurposed wonder: the one-time industrial complex will reemerge in 2024 as a museum devoted to Nordic modernist art. Up the coast, in Bergen, Iris Expedition Dining is a new tasting-menu destination located in Hardangerfjord, inside a floating sculpture known as the Salmon Eye. North of the Arctic Circle, the long-awaited Six Senses Svart promises to be one of the hottest openings anywhere when it finally debuts. The ring-shaped resort, at the base of the Svartisen glacier, aims to be off-grid, carbon-neutral, and emissions-free, with a zero-waste dining program and a “design lab,” as the hotel calls it, meant to foster further innovation. — Taylor McIntyre

Douro River, Portugal

Courtesy of Tauck

As recently as a decade ago, almost nobody was talking about wine tourism in Portugal. These days, “you have to see the Douro River,” said Sheree M. Mitchell , a T+L A-List advisor based in the country and the president of Immersa Global. “It’s non-negotiable.” Mitchell’s preferred way to do it is on a yacht charter, which gives guests the chance to spend a few hours or days hitting quintas , or wine estates, and dining at Michelin Guide–approved restaurants like Castas e Pratos . Cruises are a more affordable option, and lines are expanding their presence on the river, which cuts across Spain and Northern Portugal before reaching the Atlantic in the city of Porto. Tauck , a favorite among T+L readers, unveiled the Andorinha in 2021, which will sail 33 wine-country itineraries in 2024. Another T+L reader favorite, Viking, will have four ships on the Douro in the year ahead, visiting towns such as Peso da Régua and Pinhão, in the heart of port country. And AmaWaterways recently announced a special November 2024 departure that will “explore the history of the Black and African diaspora in Lisbon and along Portugal's stunning Douro River,” according to the brand. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Faroe Islands

This remote, starkly beautiful archipelago in the North Atlantic just got way more accessible. Summer 2023 saw Atlantic Airways launch nonstop flights from New York Stewart International, 70 miles north of New York City, to Vágar Airport, in the islands. “This direct flight is not only about easier transport to our great ocean nation, but a means of creating a bridge between two worlds,” Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO of Atlantic Airways, told T+L. The news seems to have been warmly received by U.S. travelers. Melissa Lee , a Northern Europe specialist on T+L’s A-List said she has seen an uptick in interest in the Faroes. "Previously, you could only get there from Copenhagen, or Reykjavik, Iceland.” Once there, a world of adventure awaits, with activities including cold-water surfing , traditional knitting , and hiking to places such as Sørvágsvatn, the so-called lake above the ocean . Then there’s the top-flight dining: the restaurant Roks in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands’ capital, is an offshoot of Koks, the Michelin two-starred restaurant in Greenland which is presently on hiatus. — Liz Cantrell

Kimberley, Australia

Bruno Cazarini/Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

This destination in northwest Australia, also called The Kimberleys, is home to ancient wonders: dinosaur tracks; striated geological formations, some 350 million years old, known as Bungle Bungles; waterfalls and reefs that seem unmoored from time; and Aboriginal history from what some call the world’s oldest continuous culture . Lately, though, some of the world’s top cruise lines have caught on to all the upside and are racing to offer thrilling expedition-style itineraries that combine all this history with modern-day adventures, such as sightseeing flights by helicopter, paddling, Zodiac tours, scuba diving, and cultural excursions. Silversea will have its Silver Cloud in the region from May through September, doing 10- to 17-day trips, with a maximum of 200 passengers. Seabourn is also bullish on the destination, and its newest expedition ship, the 132-suite Seabourn Pursuit , will spend June, July, and August cruising the region. (Both lines are perennial favorites among T+L readers .) Also operating on this remarkable stretch of coast are several Australian companies , including Coral Expeditions and True North Adventure Cruises , as well as private yacht charters like those organized by Yotspace . — Paul Brady

The Mississippi River

Courtesy of Viking

New ships are bringing fresh interest to one of America’s most storied waterways, meaning now’s the time to consider river cruising closer to home. “The Mississippi River is such an important part of American history,” said Adam Peakes, president of Hornblower Group, the parent company of American Queen Voyages. The line will have two ships on the Mississippi in 2024, both of which are already booking up for summer. “Many of our cabin categories are nearly at capacity almost a year in advance,” Peakes added. Other brands are also betting on the river: the Viking Mississippi launched in 2022, with 193 Scandi-chic suites, all with private verandas; American Cruise Lines has launched three new ships on the Mississippi in the past three years. There are new draws on land, too. In Memphis, the newly completed riverfront Tom Lee Park has an installation by artist Theaster Gates and a pavilion named for Tyre Nichols; the expansive riverfront attraction — a collaborative effort from Studio Gang, Scape Studio, and numerous other architectural and design firms — sits just south of Beale Street and is connected to the city via the River Line, a walking and cycling path. Meanwhile Natchez, Mississippi, is these days “filled with surprises, thanks in large part to a cohort of young natives who wandered away and then returned home with new ideas,” according to Southern Living ; come December, the town hosts holiday markets akin to those in Central Europe, as T+L recently reported . In St. Louis, the newest 21c Museum Hotel recently opened in a renovated, century-old YMCA building, with numerous permanent art installations as well as rotating shows and a beautiful, all-day cafe. And, of course, there’s always New Orleans . — Paul Brady

Courtesy of Cunard

Few voyages are as iconic as a transatlantic crossing aboard a Cunard ocean liner. So when the new Queen Anne departs Southampton, England, in May 2024, expectations will be sky-high for the first new Cunard ship to launch since the Queen Elizabeth in 2010. The 1,498-cabin vessel is slated to sail to Lisbon and will then spend its first summer in the Mediterranean. It will also represent an evolution for the 183-year-old brand: Queen Anne will have four new restaurants, including an omakase venue and an Indian dining room, alongside more familiar options such as the Princess Grill and Queens Grill, all overseen in partnership with U.K. chef Michel Roux, Jr. A top-deck wellness studio, with yoga and other fitness classes, will be another noteworthy addition to the ship. A third distinction: Queen Anne will be captained by Inger Klein Thorhauge, the first woman to hold that rank for Cunard. For all the new, some familiar traditions will remain, including proper high tea service and, naturally, an outpost of the Golden Lion pub pouring Cunard’s own microbrews. — Paul Brady

Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Slated to launch in November 2023, Seven Seas Grandeur will be the sixth ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a luxury line that T+L readers consistently say is one of their absolute favorites thanks to no-nonsense, all-inclusive pricing and fabulous suites. The newcomer will feature fresh takes on the elevated dining, shore excursions, and entertainment already found on ships such as Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer , said Andrea DeMarco, the brand’s president. “ Grandeur is inspired by our rich heritage, but we’re reimagining signature restaurants and offering 15 exceptional suite categories to only 746 guests,” she explained. Among the no-expense-spared features of the new ship will be a multimillion-dollar, 1,600-piece art collection that counts among its trophies a handful of Picassos and a custom Fabergé Egg. (Fittingly, the ship’s godmother is Sarah Fabergé, the director of special projects for the jewelry house.) Grandeur ’s inaugural season will be in the Caribbean, but it will head for the Mediterranean in April before returning to the U.S. in August. — Elizabeth Rhodes

For Nature Lovers

Amboseli national park, kenya.

Courtesy of Angama

This 151-square-mile expanse, close to the border with Tanzania, is famed among safari insiders for its big-time wildlife: Amboseli has a well-earned reputation for elephant spotting, with massive herds roaming the dusty plains, along with all sorts of other charismatic creatures including cheetah, giraffe, and zebra. Camps and lodges surrounding the park tend to be basic, which is one reason the fall 2023 opening of the richly appointed Angama Amboseli is so exciting. The second? The 10-suite lodge is the first spinoff of the Angama Mara , a destination hotel that's among the best safari lodges in the world, according to T+L readers . The new property, located about 45 minutes driving from Amboseli National Park, on a private wildlife conservancy, will offer game drives as well as cultural experiences organized in partnership with local communities. Another draw: Angama Amboseli will have unparalleled views of the peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, including from private patios attached to every suite. — Paul Brady

Aspen Mountain, Colorado

Jesse Hoffman/Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass

The legendary ski destination is getting its biggest makeover in four decades this season, with the opening of a new lift, a high-speed quad known as Hero’s that will make accessible a fresh 153 acres of fluffy powder. The project will increase the mountain’s skiable terrain by some 20 percent, adding more than a dozen new chutes, glades, and trails for intermediate and expert skiers. “The quad is a game-changer for Aspen,” said Maureen Poschman, a spokesperson for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “The new terrain is a big area, it’s high-altitude skiing, and it’s a bit of a hedge against climate change,” she noted. Not that you have to be a pro skier to find something to love in ever-evolving Aspen, which experienced an influx of residents the past few years . The cultural calendar is as packed as ever; Balenciaga and Hermès now have shops in the heart of town; and scene-y restaurants, including a Sant Ambroeus coffee bar, keep popping up. Where to stay? Mollie Aspen is the newest luxury hotel in town, slated to open in December with 68 rooms designed by Post Company, plus a rooftop plunge pool and terrace, right in the middle of it all. — Denny Lee

Big Sky, Montana

Mark Hartman

Just an hour from Yellowstone National Park, this wild, wide-open area offers heart-pumping activities such as fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and skiing at every turn. So, thankfully, a new retreat from hospitality brand One&Only is slated to bring some rest and relaxation to Big Sky in 2024. Situated between Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks, the 73-room Moonlight Basin will provide convenient access to 5,850 skiable acres, with a dedicated gondola connecting guests to Big Sky’s terrain, plus a private ski lodge and a Chenot spa. (The resort will also have 19 villas and 62 private residences.) The first U.S. outpost of One&Only, Moonlight Basin arrives a few years after another five-star resort, Montage Big Sky , which opened in 2021, with 139 rooms, six dining venues, a bowling alley, a huge spa, and, naturally, ski-in, ski-out access. — Alisha Prakash

Hokkaido, Japan

Courtesy of Club Med

Travelers are flocking back to Japan , but in the year ahead, they should look beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, has a sterling reputation for food — its biggest city, Sapporo, is famous for miso ramen — and its Shiretoko National Park is a natural wonder with excellent hiking and photogenic waterfalls. Hokkaido is also, insiders know, one of the world’s premier ski destinations thanks to simply phenomenal snow . The center of the action is the village of Niseko, which has plenty of hotels, homestays, and resorts — but has gotten a touch easier to visit thanks to the 2022 opening of Club Med Kiroro. The something-for-everyone property has two distinctive concepts, Club Med Kiroro Peak , for guests age 12 and older, and the new-in-2023 Club Med Kiroro Grand , a family-friendly alternative. These all-inclusives are helping to eliminate the intimidation factor when booking a Japanese ski week, by rolling up everything from accommodations and equipment rentals to off-the-mountain entertainment and kids' clubs. Another perk? Club Med Kiroro Grand will also have the brand’s first-ever Japanese onsen alongside other wellness facilities including soaking tubs and saunas. — Danielle Pointdujour

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Sven Musica/Courtesy of Madwaleni River Lodge - Babanango Game Reserve

This out-of-the-way South African province, sometimes shortened to KZN and located on the country’s eastern coast, is moving into the spotlight. “KwaZulu-Natal has two World Heritage Sites — the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park — and is popular for its beaches, safari parks, green hills, and temperate weather,” said Julian Harrison , a safari expert and longtime member of T+L’s A-List. It’s also home to an ambitious rewilding project backed by the Emcakwini Community Trust , which began reintroducing once-endemic species including black rhino, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and lion in 2018; today, it’s known as Babanango Game Reserve . Harrison also points to other conservation efforts, such as those underway at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve , which is monitoring critically endangered Temminck’s ground pangolins. The newly opened Madwaleni River Lodge is the place to stay, said Raza Visram , another A-List expert. “The intimate lodge has 12 beautifully designed tents that overlook the White Umfolozi River,” he explained. There’s also Sala Beach House , an oceanfront escape on Thompson’s Bay that writer Heather Richardson detailed in T+L’s September 2023 issue . Coming soon in KZN will be The Homestead , a 12-suite eco-lodge in the province’s western Nambiti Game Reserve. — Samantha Falewée

Mababe, Botswana

Dana Allen/Courtesy of Wilderness

Long considered one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana has a huge array of five-star lodges, operated by the likes of African Bush Camps, andBeyond, and Great Plains Conservation. But the most compelling new place to stay isn’t one with high thread count sheets or over-the-top amenities: Mokete, a new safari lodge from Wilderness , is worth the trip because it will only exist until 2026, when the operator pulls down the tents and carries away any sign the nine-suite escape was ever there. The temporary enclave will be situated east of the famed Okavango Delta, in the heart of a 124,000-acre tract known as the Mababe Concession, which has considerable populations of lion, elephant, and buffalo, plus a huge variety of birds. Wildlife watching is the thing here, with all-day game drives and guided nature walks. Mokete is all about an elemental connection with the outdoors, down to the design of the guest quarters: each tent will have a retractable roof so guests can stargaze from bed — and hear the calls of hyenas from the surrounding bush. — Paul Brady

New Zealand

It’s time to take it off your once-in-a-lifetime list and just go : earlier this year, Delta launched service from Los Angeles to Auckland, and United Airlines plans to start a San Francisco to Christchurch route in December. That’s on top of an existing Air New Zealand nonstop between Auckland and New York City that launched in 2022 . “Any time of year is a great time to visit,” said Sarah Farag , a member of T+L’s A-List and the Auckland-based owner and director of Southern Crossings , a luxury travel firm. “Our summer months are always popular,” Farag said of the December to March period, “but those who come at other times are well-rewarded with captivating colors during autumn harvest season, snow-capped adventures and spectacular stargazing in the winter, and fabulous fishing and hiking in spring.” There’s a growing number of enticing stays, including the new exclusive-use villas at Flockhill Lodge , set on a working sheep station, and the Clifftops at Anderson Cove , a tented camp above the Northland coast. Christchurch has recently seen the opening of two new boutique properties, the sleek, modern Mayfair and the artsy Observatory Hotel ; meanwhile the beloved Huka Lodge in Taupo is getting a makeover. If the outdoors are a priority, turn an eye to the North Island’s Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve , the country’s second, which was certified earlier this year, or the new Tom Doak–designed golf course which just opened at Te Arai Links . — Peter Terzian

For Beach Vibes

Anna maria island, florida.

Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images

Compared to some brand-name Florida destinations, this island south of Tampa Bay is way under the radar. But it's cultivated a loyal following, thanks to its no-high-rises shoreline, incredible sunsets, and small-town feel. Case in point: Anna Maria Island is a place where most people tool around by golf cart or beach cruiser, and almost all the sherbet-hued clapboard homes are vacation rentals. In an effort to keep things copacetic, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which works on the island, inked a partnership with Leave No Trace this summer, making Anna Maria the first destination in Florida to work with the nonprofit. Meanwhile, new developments fit right in with the vibe: Mello on the Beach , a hotel that opened in July, offers vibrant retro-style apartments on the Gulf of Mexico, while the villas of Joie Inn , which opened in 2021, still feel super-fresh. On the dining scene, the cocktail bar Doctor’s Office recently added a “dining room” to its string-lit outdoor garden, and coming soon to the island is Bohemian, a restaurant from repeat James Beard semifinalist Jeannie Pierola. Getting there has gotten easier thanks to growth at Sarasota-Bradenton International, which added nonstops to four new domestic destinations in 2023. A planned terminal expansion looks to be right-sized, too: the airport aims to add five gates next year. — Jennifer Salerno Yong

Coastal Campania, Italy

Courtesy of Hotel La Palma

It’s no wonder Campania — the southern Italian region that’s home to Amalfi, Capri, Positano, and Sorrento — is having a bit of a hotel boom: visitors have been flocking to this splashy coastal destination over the past few years. The renaissance kicked off with Il Capri Hotel , which opened on the island last spring, offering travelers a boutique option inside a neo-Gothic villa reminiscent of a Venetian palazzo. Next, Oetker Collection, the luxury hotel brand behind the celeb-loved Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France, debuted its first Italian hotel in June: the glamorous, 50-room Hotel La Palma is a fresh take on a property that originally opened in 1822. Then there’s the new Convento di Amalfi , a 52-room Anantara with a cliffside pool, set in a 13th-century Capuchin convent. Airlines have also taken note of the increased demand: American Airlines and Delta are both launching new routes to Naples next year, the former from Philadelphia, the latter from New York City. Lindblad Expeditions, meanwhile, will have its new Sea Cloud II in southern Italy this coming May, for an 11-day itinerary that will take guests to the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast’s most beautiful seaside villages, with a focus on Italian food and wine. —  Nina Ruggiero

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The land of pura vida just keeps getting better, which is why Costa Rica was just named T+L’s 2024 Destination of the Year . Surfers can find their bliss at the new, boho-chic Sendero hotel, which opened in February in oceanside Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula. A few hours north, the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo has added the new Virador Beach Club, updated its golf course (while cutting water usage), and opened Wellness Shala, a spa that offers healing treatments with local ingredients like cacao, coconut, and volcanic mud. Nearby, the community of Las Catalinas has announced a new mixed-use space, La Rambla, which will promote spending time outside and car-free living. Forward-thinking tour operator Intrepid Travel has launched new trips that shine a light on the Terraba community, one of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous groups. Meanwhile local outfitters such as UrriTrek are now offering guided hiking trips on the 174-mile Camino de Costa Rica , a trail connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. — Samantha Falewée

The self-declared Nature Island, Dominica has been voted the best island in the Caribbean for the past two years in T+L’s World’s Best Awards , thanks in part to its serene tropical rain forests, enticing hot springs, and gushing waterfalls. There’s also an ever-growing number of resorts and hotels, such as the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa , which opened this year, and the forthcoming Anichi Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection , and Tranquility Beach Resort — Curio — a Collection by Hilton . Also of note is the new 32-nautical-mile Waitukubuli Sea Trail, which takes sea-kayakers along the island's western coast from Scott’s Head to Capuchin; Soufrière Outdoor Centre can supply equipment, an itinerary, and a guide. And there’s another element to Dominica’s story that’s capturing the attention of travelers who care about sustainability. The volcanically active country plans to commission its first geothermal power plant in 2024, and in the meantime gets about a quarter of its overall power from hydroelectric sources. It’s also home to what T+L has called one of the world’s most eco-friendly resorts, Coulibri Ridge . — Annie Archer

Hawai’i Island

Courtesy of Rosewood Resorts

“We welcome mindful visitors to Hawai‘i Island,” said Ilihia Gionson, the public affairs officer of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, in an interview with T+L. Commonly known as the Big Island, the destination is planning for a meaningful 2024, with the help of returning visitors. “Travelers have the opportunity to help mālama , or care for, our natural resources and support our community to ensure a regenerative model of tourism that is sustained for generations,” Gionson said. The theme of mālama is more significant than ever this year following the devastating fires that impacted both Hawai’i Island and Maui in 2023. Those looking to support relief efforts have many choices, including the Hawaii Red Cross, the Lāhainā Restoration Foundation, and more . Travelers ready to return might consider Kona Village, an iconic hotel that reopened in 2023 as a Rosewood Resort following its closure in 2011. “Each villa feels like your own little beach house,” Nicole Hollis, the interior designer of Kona Village, told T+L . Various events are on the island’s cultural calendar in the year ahead, including the Kona Brewers Festival in March and the Big Island Chocolate Festival in April. — Christine Burroni

Los Cabos, Mexico

Mariah Tyler/Travel + Leisure

With its rugged desert-meets-ocean landscape, 350 days a year of sun, and stunning five-star resorts, Los Cabos isn’t exactly an unexpected choice for a dreamy vacation. But 2024 promises to be a big year for the Baja California destination, thanks to all the new resorts coming to Cabo del Sol, the 1,800-acre community just east of Cabo San Lucas with two miles of beach and two 18-hole golf courses. Four Seasons Resort Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol and Soho House Beach Club are expected to open in the first part of 2024; Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol will join them by the end of the year. On the southern shore of the peninsula — and not far from the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal , a T+L reader fave — there’s even more happening: the resort community of Quivira Los Cabos will welcome the 120-room St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira by late 2024, with access to 2.5 miles of beach and its own Jack Nicklaus golf course. — Danielle Pointdujour

Mallorca, Spain

Lara D'Agostino/Travel + Leisure

The sparkling waters, delicious food, and laid-back atmosphere are all still here — and Americans are loving United’s summertime nonstop service from Newark Liberty International. In the year ahead, though, they’ll be visiting for the booming luxury hotel scene, which is poised to help this island steal the spotlight from its western neighbor, Ibiza. One must-see is Son Bunyola , a Virgin Limited Edition retreat on Mallorca’s northwest coast, with three miles of beautiful coastline backed by olive groves. Sir Richard Branson first purchased the property in 1994, as T+L recently reported , but it only opened to guests this summer, with 26 rooms and suites, plus three villas. Nearby is The Lodge Mallorca , a Small Luxury Hotels of the World retreat that opened in May, which has wood-fired dining and extensive wellness programming. Then there’s the first hotel from 22-time Grand Slam champion and Majorcan Rafael Nadal, whose new Zel lifestyle brand has opened — what else? — Zel Mallorca , an approachable, beachy hotel in partnership with Meliá, the Spanish operator. Coming soon, said Clare Watkins, an expert in the Balearic Islands at Red Savannah , are more exciting properties: Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor will be a top-to-bottom refresh of a century-old hotel, while Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca, will have 131 rooms, plus 44 suites and nine bungalows, overlooking the sea just outside Palma. — Danielle Pointdujour

For Adventurous Travelers 

Alula, saudi arabia.

Didier Marti/Getty Images

Of all the ambitious tourism developments in Saudi Arabia, AlUla may be the most enchanting, which may explain why Qatar Airways recently launched new flights to the destination from its Doha hub. This huge sweep of red rocks and desert in the country’s northwest is home to Hegra, a 2,000-year-old archeological site filled with soaring tombs carved by the Nabataean civilization, the same one that built Petra, in modern-day Jordan. After touring ancient history, visitors can retreat to decadent contemporary hotels, including a forthcoming 36-room luxury resort at Hegra that will sensitively incorporate parts of an old railway station and fort. A short drive away, in AlUla’s Old Town, the contrast of old and new continues; the new 30-room eco-hotel Dar Tantora , for example, eschews electricity in favor of candlelight. In the year ahead, more fresh thinking will touch down in AlUla, courtesy of Wadi AlFann, or Valley of the Arts, a permanent showcase of works from big-name international artists. The best way to see it might be from on high, duringca April’s “AlUla Skies” festival, when helicopters and hot air balloons will soar above Instagram-worthy monuments. —  Jacqui Gifford

Bahia, Brazil

Marta Tucci

This coastal state, situated between the Amazon and Rio de Janeiro, is the sort of place most Americans never quite get to — and that’s a shame. Its coastline offers some of the most mythical surf-and-sand spots in the world, including Itacaré, which is home to the community-minded Barracuda Hotel & Villas , and the boho-chic enclave of Trancoso, a place that “first captured the imagination of the international creative set back in the 1980s,” as T+L reported in the September 2023 issue . “The beaches are some of the most picturesque in Brazil,” said Paul Irvine , an expert in the country and member of T+L’s A-List. But, he added, there’s more to Bahia than the coast. “We’ve started sending our more adventurous clients to the Chapada Diamantina National Park ,” he said, “which has its own vibrant, off-grid hippy culture.” While high-end hotels in the area are in short supply, more villa accommodations are popping up all the time. One thing to keep in mind for 2024: Brazil stopped requiring a visa for U.S. citizens back in 2019, but the country’s tourism officials have said that the mandate will return on Jan. 10, though further details on how to apply and any fees have yet to be announced. — Paul Brady

Northern Pakistan

Courtesy of Intrepid Travel

The northern reaches of this South Asian nation have a growing profile in the adventure-travel world, thanks to striking topography, high-elevation lakes, and precipitous peaks. Consider that, in 2023, Intrepid Travel launched a 12-day women-only expedition to the region, a first for the tour operator, which has similar trips in places such as Jordan, India, and Morocco. Intrepid will return in 2024 — with departures in May, September, and October — taking women to ancient villages, alpine lakes, and historic forts; travelers will have ample opportunity to meet with locals in areas that would be off-limits if men were part of the group, according to Intrepid. Other outfitters are heading to Northern Pakistan as well. Wild Frontiers will debut a brand-new, 14-day walking adventure that will no doubt challenge the bodies and minds of those who are up for it, with several full-day hikes, some above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). The payoff comes in the form of staggeringly beautiful landscapes — not to mention the chance to make connections with people you meet along the way and see historic gems in Islamabad, the trip’s jumping off point. — Alisha Prakash

Peru's Trekking Routes

In a country where all roads seemingly lead to spectacular scenery and historic finds, there’s much more to explore beyond majestic Machu Picchu. These days, travelers have more options for getting off familiar routes thanks to the efforts of companies such as Alpaca Expeditions , an Indigenous-owned outfitter that will lead its first-ever, all-women hiking trip on the Salkantay Trail in 2024. Operated by women — including guides, porters, drivers, chefs, and other staff — for women, the seven-day adventure will include stays high in the Andes and cultural experiences such as cooking classes and farm visits that aren’t typical on more popular Inca Trail trips. Meanwhile the tour operator Intrepid Travel debuted in 2023 a 12-day expedition on the Great Inca Road in northern Peru. Starting in Huaraz and culminating at the Inca site of Huanuco Pampa, the trek will immerse hikers in this less-visited region’s nature and culture, including plentiful archeological sites. — Alisha Prakash

South Australia

ROBERT LANG/Courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission

Visitors to this low-key state may feel like they’re in on a big-time secret with all that’s happening lately. The biggest news may be Australia’s new national park, Nilpe­na Ediacara , which opened in April and gives travelers a look at the oldest known fossils on the planet. “They’re about 550 million years old,” Mary L. Droser, an American paleontologist, explained in a recent interview with T+L . Across South Australia’s wine country, meanwhile, hotels such as Le Mas Barossa , Sequoia Lodge , and The Vineyard McLaren Vale are gateways to the hundreds of vineyards and cellar doors just outside of Adelaide, the state capital. “South Australia is known as the wine state for a reason,” said Tim Duval, the winemaker at John Duval Wines . Travelers can learn about small-batch wineries (including Duval’s) at Artisans of Barossa ; sample eco-conscious shiraz at Bird in Hand ; and enjoy a tasting in The Cube, a five-story structure fashioned after an unfinished Rubik’s Cube, at d’Arenberg . Another notable stay can be found on Kangaroo Island, where the famed Southern Ocean Lodge is slated to reopen in December after the disastrous bushfires of 2020. — Samantha Lauriello

Tatiana Kashko/Getty Images

This small South Asian island nation has big things on offer. “You can cover a lot of ground in two weeks, with loads of variety in the landscapes, from gorgeous beaches to lush jungles to high mountains to historic cities,” said Catherine Heald, co-founder and CEO of Remote Lands, a luxury travel firm. This year, the tea company Dilmah opened two boutique stays under its Reverie brand, Kayaam House and Ahu Bay ; Sri Lankan–owned hotel group Uga is debuting Uga Riva in Negombo this November; and for foodies, Red Savannah recently rolled out a culinary tour of Sri Lanka. Political unrest in 2022 took the destination off the table for many travelers, acknowledged Rachel Cooper , a South Asia travel expert at Red Savannah. But, she added, "the new government has introduced measures to protect and encourage a positive traveler experience throughout the country.” — Susmita Baral

Where to Go in 2024

The 24 Best Places to Go in 2024

By CNT Editors

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveller are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In considering the destinations that excite us the most for 2024, there’s an overarching sense of possibility.

When the last corners of Asia fully reopened their borders earlier this year, the pandemic's claim on our travels finally fell away. We, as travellers, are now more able to set our sights on the farthest-reaching adventures , to dust off our bucket lists – and in many cases, return to the places we love and miss. The world remains an unpredictable and complicated place in many ways. Yet, in being reminded that travel is the greatest of luxuries, we are forced to ask the question: What should we do with our enviable power to traverse the globe in 2024? Where, we wonder, will we go first?

There are so many compelling reasons to take travel far and wide in the year ahead. Emerging boutique hotels, wellness resorts , and expedition cruises , as they vie for travellers’ bookings with new offerings, are being forced to carefully consider what it means to be relevant and exciting, yes, but also sustainable. Destinations are setting their sights on everything from pioneering eco-tourism initiatives to restorative land stewardship efforts, handing back narratives to Native communities that thread their past with their future. As for us, travellers? We get to take our pick.

To help you find the trip worth your vacation days, we’ve collaborated with Condé Nast Traveller editors from around the globe. For months we have researched, debated and vetted, from a large pool of fantastic cities, regions and countries with new reasons to visit. The result is this: our definitive guide to the 24 best places to go in 2024. It includes extraordinary superblooms in a new national park in Chile , up-close encounters with wildlife alongside Inuit guides in Canada , and an exciting, community-led dining destination in Rwanda . This complete list, while an immense challenge to narrow down, mirrors just how big, beautiful, diverse – and ever-changing – our world is.

Here are the 24 places that we believe should be on every traveller's radar for the year ahead. We can’t wait to see where you go. — Arati Menon and Megan Spurrell

This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024 . Find our lists for the Best Places to Go in Africa , Asia , Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific , Central and South America , Europe and North America and the Caribbean .

The Best Places to Go in 2024

Accra, ghana.

Go for: the heart of a pan-African cultural renaissance, Indigenous pop-up dinners, Afrobeats

Accra continues to draw travellers with a surge of cool new pop-up restaurants, museums and the pilgrimage-worthy music festival, AfroFuture (previously Afrochella)

Accra has steadily been cementing its reputation as the continent’s capital of cool, and a reimagination of pan-African heritage has ignited the city’s foodies. Leading the way is the Ghana Food Movement , a network of food change makers intent on surfacing the sexy in sustainable food. With the May 2024 opening of its Link-up Kitchen in the buzzing Osu neighbourhood, this meeting place–cum–test kitchen will house the Movement’s popular Dine and Dance series, where young chefs highlight local ingredients in multicourse dinners before getting down to beats by local DJs. The hub will also host pop-ups featuring up-and-coming chefs and Indigenous menus, such as those offered by Abena Offeh-Gyimah, whose food tours spotlight heirloom ingredients and a “reconnection to ancestral ways of eating.” This year also sees chef Selassie Atadika of Midunu resuming her Nomadic Dinners celebrating African ingredients, as well as quarterly chocolate tastings of her gorgeous bonbons inspired by flavours like beriberi chili and Cape Malay spice. After dinner, you’ll find the balmy West African capital’s electric club scene spoils you for choice. While the Grammys have just come to the party (the awards will feature a Best African Music Performance category for the first time, in 2024), locals have been lighting it up at festivals like Chale Wote Street Art Festival (August) and AfroFuture (previously Afrochella ; December) for years. Should you find time to sleep, the December 2023 opening of the 145-room Hilton Accra Cantonments marks the brand’s debut in Ghana.

Looking ahead: A state-of-the-art cultural institution is coming just outside the city as well. Enriched by voices from the diaspora, an overdue zeitgeist to reclaim African narratives finds a physical home in the Pan African Heritage Museum , which has begun construction and will open in 2025 or 2026. Located on 10 lush acres in Winneba (64 kilometres from Accra), the space’s first offerings will include a music amphitheatre, a youth innovation centre and a food court. Like all its planned exhibits (you can digitally preview the collection), these will both showcase and connect the continent’s rich history and cultures to its contemporary global might. — Lee Middleton

Budapest, Hungary

Go for: a fresh take on the 150-year-old city

As the city of Budapest turns 150, an overwhelming sense of old-meets-new is inspired by historic attractions living alongside just-opened hotels (such as the art deco-inspired W, above), and the futuristic House of Music Hungary

Renowned for its architecture, the Hungarian capital is home to everything from art nouveau and neoclassical to gothic and baroque, with the Blue Danube connecting it all like a ribbon. And then there are the mineral-rich thermal baths, featuring ornate design flourishes. The city also buzzes with creativity, which spills over into the vibrant nightlife; the ruin bars district is a tangible example of crafting opportunity from the ashes of adversity following the brutality of Communist rule. November 2023 marks 150 years since the previously divided cities of Buda, Pest and Obuda were unified, as well as a series of cultural events. The Chain Bridge – the city’s oldest and a “symbol of togetherness,” according to Mayor Gergely Karácsony – has fully reopened after a two-year restoration, granting excellent views of Buda Castle and the Hungarian Parliament Building. New builds such as the spectacular House of Music Hungary and the National Athletics Centre (the central stadium for 2023’s World Athletics Championships) are testament to a city with optimism for its next 150 years. The art deco W Budapest – formerly a palace and on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed street – opened in July 2023 opposite the Hungarian State Opera. Also in the Marriott portfolio is the Dorothea Hotel , with its 216 rooms and glamorous rooftop restaurant. In keeping with the musical events celebrating the 150th anniversary, the 2022 opening of the Hard Rock Hotel – Eastern Europe’s first – combines musical memorabilia (Prince’s faux-fur coat in a shade of, unsurprisingly, purple) with an in-thick-of-it location on Nagymező Street, Budapest’s legendary louche entertainment strip. — Sarah Rodrigues

The Cyclades, Greece

Go for: salty-air island-hopping made easier than ever

Stylish boutique hotel Kalesma Mykonos is opening a spa in 2024, marking a hotel boom throughout the cluster of islands known as the Cyclades

It will be easy to hop between Kalesma and islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos and Ios, thanks to new flights to and throughout the dazzling blue archipelago

Is there anywhere more popular than the Greek islands right now? This past summer, the Cyclades – an island group that includes Mykonos , Santorini , Paros , Milos and Ios – dominated social-media feeds with beautiful blue and white backdrops, thrilling beach clubs and nightclubs, and unparalleled shopping. With more smart stays being unveiled in 2024, as well as new flights, next summer is the time to make a Cyclades trip happen. Etihad, British Airways and Saudia added new routes to various Greek islands in 2023, plus the 2022 launch of Cycladic, the first inter-island airline, means it’s easier than ever to get there. Hotel business is booming. Santo Pure in Oia on Santorini has just added 20 new suites, and next year it will be joined by sister hotel Santo Mine, a 37-suite luxury resort. Slick boutique hotel Kalesma on Mykonos will launch its spa for the 2024 season, including a hammam and cryotherapy area. Five-star, 80-acre Gundari Resort will open on Folegandros next May, while a new One&Only property will come to Kea in April. Such plush hotels are rare on these islands, expanding the options for luxury stays in the Cyclades. — Ali Wunderman

French Polynesia

Go for : Olympic surfing, sublime flora and fauna

An alternative Olympics experience can be found in Tahiti, where skilled surfers will ride the waves at Teahupo’o. Plan a 2024 trip to catch the action IRL, then kick back at one of several new and reopened hotels elsewhere in the territory

All eyes may be on Tahiti this year as Teahupo’o, a village on the south coast and home to one of “the deadliest waves in the world,” gears up to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surf competition . Spectators can watch the event on giant screens at celebration sites across the island, such as Jardin de Paofai, Papara Beach Break and Marina of Punui. The rest of French Polynesia, a sublime blue territory of 118 islands, is continuing its dedication to sustainability over mass tourism. Keen to bill itself as a regenerative destination, Coral Gardeners, an ocean conservation group, is in the process of planting one million heat-resilient corals worldwide by 2025. It’s also working on upcycling abandoned pearl farms for coral restoration on Ahe, an atoll northeast of Tahiti. Hotels across the jumble of islands are also getting spruced up, with a flurry of rejuvenations, starting in Bora Bora. In January 2024, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora will launch a botanical tour highlighting its carefully preserved native flora and fauna, followed by the reopening of Le Meridien as Westin Bora Bora in mid-2024.

Looking forward to 2025, on the Tuamotu Islands, Le Tikehau will reopen as a Relais Chateaux property, and the Kia Ora Resort & Spa in Rangiroa is renovating to include overwater bungalows. — Kaila Yu

Go for : new direct flights, luxe resorts and a spicy carnival celebration

All-new direct flights will mean Grenada will finally get the attention it deserves – perfectly timed for the luxury hotels and resorts that are on their way in 2024.

While it may have traditionally been overlooked in favour of, say, St. Barts or Turks and Caicos, Grenada has more than proven itself a worthy contender.

Several new hotels and resorts are also on their way. Six Senses has picked Grenada for its first resort in the Caribbean: La Sagesse is set to open in early 2024 and will spread out over 38 acres of land with unparalleled access to the ocean and a range of adventures, from shipwreck dives to waterfall trails. Also in January 2024, Beach House by Silversands will open its doors to a mix of 28 beachfront and cliffside villas and suites ( Silversands Resort opened on the island in 2018 and boasts a 100-metre infinity pool, said to be the longest in the Caribbean). Further out, IHG has broken ground on a 150-room, 30-private-suite resort that will sit next to Six Senses and is projected to open in 2025.

August is a popular time to visit: Spicemas, Grenada’s Carnival and the island’s largest cultural event, shimmies in during this time and brings with it weeks of parades, food, dancing and performances. This year, JetBlue added a second daily flight from JFK during the days of the festival to accommodate the diaspora and the growing number of travellers heading to the Spice Island. Things are only going to get busier in 2024. — Madison Flager

Go for: new cruises leading to ancient ruins, and a burst of artsy openings

Luna Zorro Studio, which sells artisan textiles, will open a boutique with a two-bedroom casita for rent in October 2024, in Antigua

Across the country, new art, cultural, and community spaces beg travellers to venture beyond ancient ruins like Tikal – and stay awhile.

When National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions launch their new Belize to Tikal itinerary in January 2024, travellers may be tempted to tack on a few days ashore Belize’s white sand beaches and palm-dotted islands. But Guatemala, home to the jungle-shrouded Mayan ruins of Tikal, is the extension not to skip. The country’s mix of rich Indigenous and colonial history, staggering natural beauty and now expanding infrastructure for tourism in the form of restaurants, hotels and tours makes 2024 the year to explore Guatemala in earnest. In the charming city of Antigua, the world-class MUNAG (National Museum of Art Guatemala) , which covers 3,000 years of heritage through a contemporary lens, is now open, and a second-phase unveiling is expected imminently. Nearby, the team behind Luna Zorro studio – known for merging traditional craftsmanship with modern textile design and crafting boutique trips throughout Guatemala in collaboration with El Camino Travel – is renovating a historic property into La Valiente: It will house a Luna Zorro boutique and a coffee-and-wine bar in the front, with a two-bedroom casita for rent in the back, all set to open in October 2024. Café No Sé , meanwhile, an anchor of the old city that’s touted as the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico, will continue to honour “20-ish” years of being in business with events and live music. A flush of new art spaces, like Aura Galerías , and innovative restaurants continue to characterise the capital of Guatemala City. — Ali Wunderman

The Kimberley, Australia

Go for : pristine wilderness newly accessible by cruise, First Nations cultural immersions

The Kimberley's hard-to-reach waterways, spectacular coastlines and ancient rock art sites will soon welcome fresh visitors, thanks to an influx of new cruise lines in 2024

Western Australia’s remote Kimberley is one of the world’s last wild frontiers, known for its untouched wilderness of towering ocher cliffs, cornflower blue waters and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. But it’s always been difficult to explore. That’s about to change, because in 2024, this region is set to welcome an influx of cruise lines, keen to make the most of its hard-to-reach waterways. Seabourn will cruise the Kimberley for the first time with Seabourn Pursuit ; Ponant has deployed its all-new Le Jacques-Cartier to join sister vessel Le Lapérouse from May 2024; and from June 2024, Silversea will replace Silver Explorer with Silver Cloud to increase capacity. Not to be outdone, Scenic’s Scenic Eclipse II will become the only ship in the region with two helicopters onboard for flightseeing and excursions. Her first Kimberley voyage will take place in May.

In Broome, a coastal town and a gateway to the Kimberley, tourism projects are heating up too. Tipping its hat at the pearling history of the region, Salty Plum Social is making plenty of noise with its new Pearling Master’s Trek which, after its inaugural walk in 2023, kicks off with regular tours from April 2024. Plus, leading tour operators have joined forces to launch Aboriginal Culture Expedition , a four-night itinerary that includes participation in First Nations experiences in and around iconic Cable Beach and Roebuck Bay – the first of its 2024 tours debuts in May. A top tip: Relax with a native-ingredient craft beer, courtesy of the all-new part-Aboriginal-owned 4,500-square-meter Spinifex Brewery Cable Beach . Improving access to this incredible region is Nexus Airlines , which has joined Airnorth in servicing regional Western Australia with its first Broome-Kununurra-Darwin route – and with further services scheduled for 2024. — Dilvin Yasa

Kobe, Japan

Go for: high design with a sense of place

Kobe, Japan, is best known for its eponymous beef—and design-forward spaces, like the new Officine Universelle Buly skincare shop, are creatively building on this heritage

Though Kobe's richest pleasures are earthly—beef, sake, and hot springs, for starters—the view from Kobe Port Tower, which will reopen in early 2024, lets travellers take the city in from above

Sandwiched between steep mountains and sparkling seas in southwestern Japan , the port city of Kobe is seriously strengthening its design credentials. Taking centre stage is Vague Kobe , a new creative space by Teruhiro Yanagihara Studio (TYS). Spanning the upper levels of an elegant former 1930s bank, it houses a gallery, bookstore, café, wine bar, flower shop and design studio. In a perfectly measured showcase of contemporary Japanese design – and a reflection of Kobe’s seafaring heritage – renovated interiors combine crafted walls of traditional Japanese plasterwork and clean minimalist lines with large windows, stone floors and ornate tilework.

Further proof of Kobe’s design ascendency was the arrival of French artisanal perfume and skincare brand Officine Universelle Buly in mid-2023, its shop and café interiors flamboyantly layered in signature style – from Kobe beef-inspired expanses of red-veined marble to chocolate –like lacquerware and “dripping” lamps. Recent plans by Trunk, arguably Tokyo’s hippest hotel group, to make Kobe the setting for its first hotel outside the capital is further evidence of the city’s prominence. And Kobe Port Tower – a panoramic observation deck on the shores of Osaka Bay – will reopen in early 2024 with a string of new facilities, including a new museum showcasing light-themed artworks and a fancy 360-degree revolving café bar. — Danielle Demetriou

Go for: new hiking and biking trails, pristine countryside views

Kosovo's untouched valleys offer the perfect canvas for multi-day hiking and biking trips – ike the Trans Dinarica cycling route, opening in 2024, which will wind its way past rivers, markets and via ferrata setups.

Tiny Kosovo lacks the stunning beaches of Albania and luxury resorts of Montenegro, but Europe ’s newest country has sky-scraping peaks, pastoral countryside and heart-warming hospitality, a combination ideal for multi-day hiking and biking trips. 2024 will mark the 25th anniversary of the end of the Kosovo War, and there's much to discover in the region now. Following in the footsteps of cross-border adventure trails such as the Peaks of the Balkans and High Scardus, the Trans Dinarica cycling route opens in 2024, making its way past the minarets framing Prizren’s eponymous river, through the Ottoman market town of Gjakova and on to Peja. Perched on the edge of the Rugova Gorge, Peja serves as base camp for the country’s many outdoor adventures, including via ferratas and spelunking. A new paved path will soon connect the Lumbardhi River Promenade with the popular Health Trail – the beginning of the south-to-west route through the inaptly named Accursed Mountains. Two additional forthcoming routes connect trails in the Rugova Mountains to the gushing White Drin waterfall and Radac cave. Steps from the waterfall, the sleek, modern Ujëvara e Drinit Resort specialises in rooms with a view and fresh trout dinners. Through-hikers can rest weary bones and fill hungry bellies further from town at rural guesthouses such as Ariu , where traditional Kosovar dishes include flija, made with dairy produced on-site. — Naomi Tomky

Go for: biodiversity, castaway vibes, and water sports

Miavana in Madagascar exemplifies the island's allure with water sports, adventures through baobab forests and jaw-dropping views

In 2024, it will become easier to travel between remote destinations across Madagascar, thanks to a new flight circuit and cruise itineraries

An otherworldly land of undiscovered species and bizarre biological riches, the rugged, remote Indian Ocean isle of Madagascar has always promised to upend visitors’ senses and logistical prowess. Happily, the latter is changing as the pioneers responsible for some of the continent’s finest conservation tourism offerings are upping the ante on the world’s fourth largest island. Located inside the essentially unvisited Namoroka National Park, Namoroka Tsingy Exploration Camp’s mid-2024 opening makes seven luxury safari tents your portal to a landscape of baobabs jutting from the formations of limestone knives known as tsingy and populated by lemurs that haven’t learned to fear people.

More of a coastal explorer? Look no further than Masoala Forest Lodge , which recently launched a Blue Lagoon Expedition trip in 2022. Paddling the breathtaking rainforest- and mangrove-fringed Antongil Bay, kayakers en route to a magical island campsite will share pellucid waters with migrating humpback whales and schools of reef fish. If that’s a touch too rugged, Time + Tide’s Miavana – arguably the Platonic ideal of exclusive island luxury – is launching a kiteboarding centre and new mainland excursions (think quad biking through baobab forests), in January 2024 and March 2024 respectively, for those who enjoy a splash of adrenaline in their bliss cocktail.

Finally – and critically – 2024 sees access to the Red Island expanding. Masoala Forest Lodge and Madagascar Classic Collection are starting a new flight circuit that will link choice remote destinations, like Andasibe, Namoroka and Masoala parks, and luxe cruise lines like Silversea , Lindblad , Swan Hellenic , and Seabourne have added the country as a port of call on new voyages. — Lee Middleton

Magdalena River, Colombia

Go for: scenic river cruises with a big hit of culture

The Magdalena River, lined with history and charming towns like Mompox (pictured above), is about to become the buzziest river cruising destination in South America, thanks to two new itineraries from AmaWaterways launching in 2024

Immortalised in Gabriel García Márquez’s classic Love in the Time of Cholera, the Magdalena River is Colombia’s largest and most important waterway. Running 1496 kilometres from the snowcapped Andes through fertile valleys and into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, it's the economic and cultural heart of the country. However, for many travellers, the mighty Magdalena has been off the radar.

But courtesy of luxe river-cruise company AmaWaterways , two different ships will kick off voyages in the future: AmyMagdalena , in November 2024, and AmaMelodia , in January 2025. Both ships will sail the Magic of Colombia itinerary, from Barranquilla to Cartagena , and the Wonders of Colombia itinerary, from Cartagena to Barranquilla – each taking passengers upriver to the UNESCO-designated city of Mompox , founded in 1540, where riverfront plazas and ornate churches await in this lost-in-time pueblo magico.

Along the way, the three-story ships, which come with rooftop sun decks and balconies, stop for birdwatching and hiking. What really sets this river sailing apart from those in the Amazon River, though, is its focus on culture: From musical explorations in the town of Palenque , the first “free” town founded by formerly enslaved people in the Americas, to jazz concerts in Mompox and a special Colombian Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla, this is a journey into the exuberant heart of Colombian life.

Fly via Cartagena, with its world-class beaches, dining, and nightlife – not to mention the new Casa Pestagua hotel , situated in a lavishly restored 17th-century palace – for a soft landing before or after the cruise. — Ocean Malandra

Go for: Indian Ocean waters, a museum, and dazzling beach villas

The recently opened House of Digital Art (HODA) brings contemporary art to a historic Port-Louis building on the Indian Ocean Island

After visiting HODA, above, head to the Intercontinental Slavery Museum, opened in 2023, which inspects the island's colonial history

Mauritius’s heyday in the ’80s conjures images of striped parasols, a tanned Stéphanie de Monaco on water skis and all of Europe’s jet set holed up in the few – but fabulous – hotels. Fast-forward three decades and the Indian Ocean island has even more to land itself on your travel list: A dynamic cultural scene and new wave of hospitality are unfolding on its shores. In the capital of Port Louis, the years-in-the-making Intercontinental Slavery Museum , located inside a restored 1700s military hospital, opened in September 2023, marking the nation’s first monumental step in making amends for its long colonial history. Culture buffs are also gravitating to the recently opened House of Digital Art (HODA) nearby: Old meets new in this historic Port-Louis building, housing a cutting-edge array of contemporary art installations. The Indian Ocean isle has always been renowned for its dreamy seaside resorts, but encouraging visitors to venture away from the beaches is the forthcoming Socio Tribeca (late 2024) – heralding the launch of a new hotel brand from the Lux Collective – which promises to be an impressive contemporary hotel with its finger on the pulse of the island. Muse Villas , a newcomer seeking to offer an elevated resort experience, enables travellers to stay on their own private islet. Meanwhile, legendary resorts Lux Belle Mare and Paradis Beachcomber just unveiled massive restorations in October, and Hotel Riu Palace Mauritius , a kitesurfers’ paradise, will emerge from its own facelift in May 2024. But beyond the well-trodden coastline of Mauritius, this may be the year its barely known little sister, Rodrigues, a speck of an island an hour-and-a-half flight east, gets its due. It’s long been a well-kept secret among even the most in-the-know travellers, but now a clutch of reimagined properties is adding a touch of luxury gloss: The island’s two historic hotels, Play Mourouk and Cotton Bay Resort & Spa , are reopening after months of renovation and reinvention (the first as of November 1, 2023; the latter in 2024). — Anissa Macaulay

Go for: improved access, unique cultural festivals, and unscripted adventure

The rich heritage and staggering landscapes of Mongolia have captured the hearts of many travellers – but new lodges, immersive cultural experiences, and the first-ever direct flight to the US, coming in 2024, prove that adventure doesn't always have to mean rugged

Mongolia has long been the destination for thrill-seeking adventure travellers – as participants in the wonderfully chaotic “unrouted” Mongol Rally will attest – but the country is expanding beyond that niche as its tourism board sets its sights on attracting one million tourists per year. In 2023, the country launched visa-free travel for a further 34 nationalities – bringing the total up to 61 – in a campaign that is set to run until 2025.

The launch of new luxury lodges, cultural tours, and the announcement of the country’s first-ever direct US flight, coming in 2024 to the $650-million Chinggis Khaan International Airport, further signal Mongolia’s tourism ambitions.

Following the success of the rugged-but-chic Three Camel Lodge , Mongolia’s luxury accommodation options are expanding with places such as Yeruu Lodge , which opened in 2023. Offbeat cultural experiences are one of the most compelling reasons to visit the country’s vast, rugged expanses and local operator Breanna Wilson offers some of the best. After a successful season of horse trekking and the Naadam Festival – a colourful display of strength, horsemanship and marksmanship – in 2023, Wilson is expanding her 2024 tours to include a digital nomad week, a women-only retreat in Orkhon Valley, and a three-day archery training session with Namnaa Academy , an organisation that began reviving the ancient art of mounted archery in 2020. — Ali Wunderman

Northern Rivers, Australia

Go for : adaptive surfing, immersive hiking, and stylish ranches

A flurry of design-led hotel openings in Byron Bay will follow the lead of Sun Ranch, and range from equestrian-style ranches to breezy seaside hideaways

Spread across 55 acres in Byron Bay, Sun Ranch pays homage to the iconic Californian ranch houses of the 1970s

Made up of a patchwork of coastal towns and linked via scenic drives that take you along stunning Pacific beaches, lush valleys and rainforests, this region has long been a popular destination for road-tripping, surfing and trekking. Though devastated by apocalyptic floods in 2022, this northeastern corner of New South Wales is making a comeback. The region’s recovery was boosted in 2023 with the opening of the first stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail , which, when completed in the coming years, will link Byron Shire with a string of hinterland towns via a 131-kilometre mixed-use pathway. Also threading through this abundant region shaped by a now-extinct volcano is a new multiday hiking trail. Slated for a mid-2024 opening, the 38km Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk (meaning “old people’s track” in the local Bundjalung Aboriginal language) will pass through ancient traditional lands forming part of the World Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

A highlight in March: The wave-lashed town of Byron Bay is set to host the 2024 Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championship , the country’s first international event for surfers with disabilities. Supporting all of this is a flurry of hotel openings in the region. Following Swell Hotel and California-style Sun Ranch in Byron Bay, Copperstone by the Range Estates will open its equestrian-style ranch in nearby Bangalow in early 2024, while in Yamba on the southern fringe of the Northern Rivers, designer and stylist Sheree Commerford’s breezy seaside inn Il Delfino is slated to open early 2024. — Sarah Reid

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Go for: a watershed moment for exclusive camps in a unique landscape

A wave of new safari lodges—including a two-years-only temporary camp – make a visit to the Okavango Delta more desirable, and pressing, than ever

Go. Go now. Because if you’ve always dreamed of discovering Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where seasonal floodwaters transform parched sands into a filigree of shimmering channels, right now is when you’ll be spoiled for choice. A surge in demand, coupled with a proactive approach to developing community-owned concessions, has led to a flush of new lodges across the world’s largest inland delta.

Take Sitatunga Private Island , or Natural Selection’s North Island Okavango , where just three tented suites rest on an island beneath wild ebony trees. Natural Selection will add to their portfolio in May 2024 with a new build: Tawana . Set in the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve, this partnership with the chief of the local Batawana tribe will offer eight thatched suites amid the grasslands lining the perennial Gomoti River. Each stay is at least 1,000 square feet in size and comes with a private plunge pool and terrace.

Water is gold in the Delta, and this past year, African Bush Camps (ABC) opened the riverside Khwai Lediba . But our eye is really on Atzaro Okavango , slated for a March 2024 debut: It’s the third Icon camp in the Delta for ABC, with 10 lagoon-side suites promising impressive levels of Delta luxe and a strong sense of place through design (both markers of the Icon portfolio).

If you’re feeling adventurous, look east to the untapped Mababe marshlands and the brand-new Wilderness Mokete (opening mid-2024) for a fresh look at under-canvas exploration – out with plush campaign-style furnishings and in with geometric lines and contemporary decor. But be quick: Mokete will only stand for two years before being replaced by a new-build permanent camp set to open in 2026. — Richard Holmes

Quebec, Canada

Go for : off-the-beaten-track nature and cultural immersion

Come summer, Inuit-owned Ungava Polar Eco-Tours will explore unpopulated islands like Gyrfalcon Islands in Ungava Bay

From musk ox sightings to some of the highest tidal elevations, Quebec's northernmost regions offer unparalleled natural immersion

The largest of Canada’s 10 provinces, Quebec offers a vast stage for wide-ranging Indigenous-led experiences, from sipping beer at a Mohawk-run brewery near the US border to polar bear–watching with Inuit guides in the far north. Nunavik, Quebec’s northernmost region and homeland of the Inuit, has long been off most travellers’ radars, but new experiences offer immersion into both nature and culture.

Starting in summer 2024, Inuit-owned Ungava Polar Eco-Tours will offer five-day adventures to the uninhabited Gyrfalcon Islands in Ungava Bay. There, visitors will be able to spot wildlife from polar bears to musk ox and caribou, as well as experience some of the highest tidal elevations in the world. Even more wildlife-viewing experiences will become available in the summer when the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation opens the Putep 't-awt observation site, providing a one-of-a-kind land-based location to view a beluga whale nursery on the St. Lawrence River.

Visitors to the Quebec City region can look forward to refreshed experiences in the Huron-Wendat community of Wendake, where, in summer 2023, the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations opened 24 new and renovated suites, and Sagamité restaurant in Old Wendake reopened after a nearly five-year closure and with plans to add a microbrewery and pub in 2024. While you’re in Quebec, definitely don’t miss the Contemporary Native Art Biennial , which will be held across Montreal throughout the year. — Karin Gardiner

Quito, Ecuador

Go for: a city on the rise

Quito is catching up to culinary neighbour Lima with spots like Nuema, where award-winning chef and co-owner Pia Salazar blends sweet and savoury ingredients

Opposites also attract in the heart of Quito. Modern architecture lives alongside a UNESCO-anointed colonial centre – in late 2023, an all-new metro will better connect the city's various parts

Quito is finally getting its due. The city’s mile-high skyline got a lot higher thanks to the work of architects like Bjarke Ingels Group, whose 32-storey IQON tower (completed in 2022) is now the city’s tallest. It's just one of several projects to come from Ecuadorian development firm Uribe Schwarzkopf , in its ongoing effort to mature the ancient Andean city into an unlikely new hub of contemporary architecture. That’s no small feat considering that Quito stands atop both the ruins of a pre-Columbian settlement and an earthquake-prone high plateau and is anchored by an untouchable colonial centre with UNESCO status. But a new generation of Ecuadorian and international creatives are pushing the city toward the future – and not just for the sake of visitors.

Moving things along in that direction, an all-new metro system will be inaugurated in late 2023, with 15 stations spanning from Quitumbe in the southern part of the city to El Labrador in the north. New hotels have been slower to arrive, but one standout is the affordable 151-room Go Quito Hotel , which opened in June 2023 with a rooftop bar-restaurant, spa, sauna, pool and airy rooms offering unbeatable views of the city. Meanwhile, Quito’s dining scene is finally catching up to culinary neighbour Lima. Buzzy new restaurants include Cardó , where Chef Adrián Escardó makes octopus bacon with naranjilla sauce; Aura , which leans into native Ecuadorian ingredients like Mashua honey and Manaba cheese from the coast; and Nuema , where chef and co-owner Pia Salazar’s sweet-salty hybrid desserts – think pastries with leek with lemon verbena and tonka bean, and white seaweed with black garlic – won her World’s Best Pastry Chef 2022, a first for Quito and Ecuador, and 2023. — Adam H. Graham

The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Go for: pristine nature and a new take on sustainability

Saudi Arabia's The Red Sea has both untouched desert and vibrant coral reefs – both of which will be part of ambitious sustainable tourism development in the destination

Creating a completely new tourism destination in an area of pristine natural beauty – including coral reefs that are home to critically endangered species, unspoiled desert, and dormant volcanoes – is a fine tightrope to walk. Saudi Arabia ’s The Red Sea aims to navigate these challenges with ambitious efforts that will make it a centre of regenerative tourism, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Only 22 of the more than 90 islands in the area will be developed, and nine have been designated as protected conservation areas. While many of the sustainability efforts will be behind the scenes, some are visible – and visitable.

New mangrove parks will be populated with trees currently being grown in a mangrove nursery (the project aims to plant 50 million by 2030). The first phase of the destination, which includes 16 luxury hotels, is powered by 760,000 solar panels, and the world’s first zero-carbon 5G network has already been installed. Three resorts – Six Senses Southern Dunes ; Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve; and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort – are set to open in the coming months, each with its own strict programme of sustainability measures, ranging from light-touch modular structures to intelligent landscaping, smart waste management and local sourcing. Transport within the destination will be by e-vehicles, and hydrogen-powered seaplanes will eventually transport visitors between the islands. Whether a luxury tourist destination can ever truly be sustainable remains to be seen, but the efforts being made in the Red Sea are certainly testing the hypothesis. — Nicola Chilton

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Go for: stargazing, a luxe stay and a superbloom in a new national park

San Pedro de Atacama is known for its geographical wonders, from snowcapped volcanic mountains, to shimmering lakes with flamingos – and now, a boutique hotel from Habitas complements the dramatic desert surrounds

With its bronzed, dusty roadways and handcrafted adobe dwellings, Chile’s oldest village has captivated adventurous visitors for decades. But now, the soulful oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is securing the spotlight as Chile’s northern star, with a variety of travellers eager to experience its rugged-chic vibe. After all, this celestial city is a hotbed of geographical wonders, with snowcapped volcanic mountains in the world’s driest nonpolar region, high-altitude lagoons dotting the Andean desert and dazzling salt flats.

Wildlife lovers flock to Los Flamencos National Reserve for up-close encounters with the world’s rarest flamingos and native vicuñas. And the surreal, dramatic scenery of the steaming El Tatio Geysers at sunrise can only be rivalled by the fiery palette of the Valle de Catarpe canyons at dusk. In 2024, El Niño is likely to spark an extraordinary Atacama superbloom inside Chile’s new national park, Desierto Florido .

Under the clearest skies on the planet, backyard astronomers can explore the cosmos on ethereal stargazing tours . The ALMA Observatory , poised at an atmosphere-topping 16,000 feet, promises expert-led interstellar experiences. But the most otherworldly excursion might be traversing the Valle de la Luna's inhospitable yet magically serene moonscape environment. Earthly travellers can seek solace in the area’s newest luxe property, Habitas Atacama . Opened in September 2023, the elite outdoorsy design guarantees a memorable stay before you jet off to glimpse Easter Island’s annular solar eclipse in October. — Colleen Kelly

Santa Fe, US

Go for : Indigenous design spotlights, a brand new museum and the 100th anniversary of a beloved cultural event

Old Man Gloom meets his fiery end at the Burning of the Zozobra, a beloved annual cultural event in Santa Fe that turns 100 in 2024

Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film Oppenheimer may have sparked new interest in Santa Fe, the closest town of note to Los Alamos, but the New Mexican capital has held its own for centuries. One of the oldest cities in the country, it’s known for its adobe-style architecture, storied arts institutions (including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum ), and vibrant mix of Native American, Mexican and Spanish cultures.

Fresh art and cultural programming with an emphasis on Indigenous efforts makes 2024 a banner year to visit. From May 2 to 5, the Southwestern Association for American Indian Arts will launch the inaugural Santa Fe Indigenous Fashion Week to showcase Indigenous designers, artists and runway models. Indigenous Art Fair Contemporary , a gallery show spotlighting present-day Native American art, is slated to roll out August 15 to 18 as well, timed to the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market; and a two-block walk away, FaraHNHeight , a Native American–, First Nations–, and Indigenous-forward gallery, is new on the scene and well worth a visit. Travellers visiting before the end of April can catch “Shadow and Light,” the debut exhibition at Vladem Contemporary , the first major museum building to open in The City Different in more than a decade. (Part of the New Mexico Museum of Art , the 38,000-square-foot space is the latest anchor to join the Santa Fe Railyard arts district.)

Furthermore, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Burning of the Zozobra , a beloved cultural tradition that brings to mock-trial a 50-foot effigy known as Old Man Gloom. The marionette, which is stuffed with paper “glooms” such as old love letters, speeding tickets and divorce summons, is dramatically set ablaze after dark – a moment of catharsis that encourages locals and visitors alike to release their worries and start anew. — Ashlea Halpern

South & Central Sri Lanka

Go for: wellness retreats, a new food festival, and a nearly 200-mile nature trail

Kayaam House is one of several openings that signals the luxury and wellness boom marking Sri Lanka's tourism industry right now

Built from scratch by a local architect, Kayaam House settles into its coastal setting with earthy textures and teak furniture

Rising from economic uncertainty, Sri Lanka ’s tourism industry is in the midst of a luxury and wellness boom – from its tea-filled highlands to its palm-fringed shores. In the south of the country, new luxury resorts continue to entice. Among them, Kayaam House and Ahu Bay by homegrown luxury travel specialist Resplendent Ceylon; a Hilton resort next to the Indian Ocean-bordering Yala National Park, one of the best places to spot Sri Lanka’s elusive leopards; and the art deco-inspired The Charleston, which opens in December in the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. The already established Kalukanda House – a villa in surf town Weligama by British-Sri Lankan interior designer Dee Gibson – is making its mark with retreats centred on female empowerment, with yoga, breath work, reiki and Ayurveda included.

A comprehensive renovation of the nine-room Meraki , which employs local women and offers yoga, holistic treatments, island-sourced vegetarian fare, and artisanal crafts in the Polhena Beach district of Matara, is set to be unveiled in early 2024; and luxury fitness getaway Makahiya is gearing up to launch its own brand of bespoke retreats.

In January, the Galle Literary Festival will return after a five-year hiatus, with appearances by literary figures such as Shehan Karunatilaka and Alexander McCall Smith, while Gourmet Galle , the country’s new food festival, will spotlight 12 chefs in 12 venues, ranging from beaches to paddy fields, over a 12-week period from January to March.

Inland, development of the Pekoe Trail , a new nearly 321-kilometre network of hiking routes that snakes its way through Sri Lanka’s highlands, continues. Traversing historic tea plantations, colonial estates, local villages, holy shrines and forests brimming with biodiversity, it’s a novel way to experience Sri Lanka’s lush hill country, particularly when paired with stays at boutique properties such as W15 Hanthana , the luxurious Goatfell , or the Kelburne Estate, scheduled to open in December 2024. — Zinara Rathnayake

South Island, New Zealand

Go for : laid-back wilderness experiences, immersive Māori history

At the end of the year, the ultra-luxury Flockhill Lodge will unveil 14 new villas and an onsite restaurant under the direction of an acclaimed chef

With snow-capped peaks and 36,000 acres of wilderness at its doorstep, Flockhill is a fitting representation of South Island's exceptional allure

With its lush rainforests and aquamarine lakes framed by snowcapped peaks, New Zealand’s South Island is steeped in superlatives. In October 2024, the 61-kilometre-long Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track will become New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk. Offering panoramic views of Fiordland, it features mountaintop accommodations, like Okaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge, that offer amenities not always found on other Great Walks, including hot showers, king-size beds and even pack transfers by helicopter.

In Queenstown, the nine-mile Wharehuanui Trail – set to open in late 2024 – will connect the 19th-century gold-mining town of Arrowtown to the suburb of Arthurs Point. And on the West Coast, the multimillion-dollar project Pounamu Pathway , the driving route from Haast to Westport, will bring Māori history to life with four new immersive (and interconnected) visitor centres. Scheduled along the journey, they were developed by Wētā Workshop, the visual effects studio behind Lord of the Rings and the Ngāi Tahu tribe. Launching in 2023 and opening in stages, the first to debut will be Māwhera/Greymouth in mid-December 2023, followed by Kawatiri/Westport in February 2024, Awarua/Haast in mid-2024 and lastly Hokitika in the final quarter of 2025.

Those looking for a more laid-back wilderness experience will find it here too. At the end of 2024, Flockhill , the ultra-luxury lodge in Arthur’s Pass, will expand on its offerings with 14 new villas and an on-site restaurant with acclaimed Kiwi chef Taylor Cullen at the helm. Until then, check in to one of the recently refurbished premium rooms at the historic Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park . — Jessica Wynne Lockhart

Upstate New York, US

Go for : bucolic lodging, winter adventures and exceptional stargazing

Exceptional new lodgings like Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection make the Hudson Valley – once primarily an escape for New York City dwellers – a top draw for travellers from further afield

Sought out year-round for its vibrant small towns, nature preserves, culinary hot spots – and its proximity to New York City – the region is humming with new opportunities for travellers to surrender themselves to its legendary landscapes in 2024.

In the Hudson Valley, New York State Parks will celebrate the centennial of the founding of the statewide park and historic-site system. Community events and special performances are on the calendar, plus discounts on park admission fees and new opportunities to volunteer. Also in 2024, the much-loved Storm King Art Cent re debuts new hospitality pavilions, a conservation and fabrication facility and ADA-accessible pathways. And in the summer, the 160-acre Klocke Estates will open its doors, with artisanal brandy and stunning views of the Catskills.

When it comes to exceptional lodgings, the Hudson Valley has seen a wave of hospitality projects since 2020. From the aesthetic delight that is Habitas-on-Hudson, near Rhinebeck, to Inness, the chic all-in-one getaway in Accord, to Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, a bucolic escape in the shadow of the iconic Shawangunk Mountains, the region has gone from being a New Yorker-favourite to a top draw for travellers from further afield. And there are fresh digs to look forward to in the year ahead. The Front Boutique Hotel in Port Jervis is opening in May with a 120-seat restaurant and easy access to 80 kilometres of trails; and in the spring, famed wellness haven The Ranch opens its first East Coast property.

About three hours away by car, the Adirondacks ' towering peaks replace the Hudson river valleys. Its majestic forests, farmlands, mountains and meadows make up a fifth of the state, and the region will be in the path of totality of April’s solar eclipse. Go stargazing at the Adirondack Sky Centre , or use the website of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism for self-guided viewing. You can also walk, bike, snowshoe, or snowmobile along the 54-kilometre Adirondack Rail Trail , which will be completed over the course of 2025. And on Whiteface Mountain, one of the five Adirondack High Peaks, a detachable quad lift launching just in time for ski season allows you to access more slopes than ever before. For a peaceful getaway, stay at the Lodge at Schroon Lake , which reopened in June 2023 after an extensive $21 million renovation, or NewVida Preserve , a new members' club meets traveller’s oasis on 2,000 acres with 360-degree mountaintop views. — Robin Catalano

Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Go for: star chefs leading a foodie revolution

Picturesque scenery is complemented by a wave of memorable dining from Michelin star-wielding chefs – and it's easy to stay awhile since the best new rooms tend to be directly above these must-visit restaurants

For a bewitching break in 2024, go north. Yorkshire-born sculptor Henry Moore once said: “The observation of nature is part of an artist’s life.” And Yorkshire has some of the most seductive nature: sweeping landscapes like living oil paintings; undulating dales and peaks; deep-forested moors with big skies; heady lavender fields; lofty woodlands filled with birdsong; and golden sandy sweeps skirting the peppermint-blue sea. The Brontës’ romanticism is not lost. In 2024, go stargazing in Yorkshire’s national parks at the magical Dark Skies Festival . The Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta will return to its new home at Castle Howard in 2024, with rainbow-bright, early-morning mass balloon flights and night glows. There were plenty of Michelin mentions for the county in 2023, with keen eyes on the 2024 list, so restaurants with rooms are ramping up. Just up the road from The Black Swan in Oldstead, Michelin-lauded chef Tommy Banks’ latest outpost, The Abbey Inn , opened in May and its three luxurious bedrooms, care of Tommy’s mother, were launched in July. For the ultimate culinary sleepover, stay two nights and eat at both restaurants. Newbie Mýse , helmed by chef-and-sommelier couple Joshua and Victoria Overington, is a petite restaurant with rooms set among caramel-coloured cottages in the sleepy village of Hovingham. Book in for its creative tasting menu, then retire upstairs to one of the cosy-cool rooms. In June, Middleton Lodge , a sustainable luxury retreat bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park, launched the Forest Spa in the heart of a serenely wooded estate. Don’t pass by honeycomb-hued Helmsley, with its emerging culinary scene and the recent opening of Pignut – a restaurant with a sustainable focus and impressive casual and tasting-menu options. Expect plenty more magic in 2024. — Rachel Everett

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Hope returns —

Nasa knows what knocked voyager 1 offline, but it will take a while to fix, "engineers are optimistic they can find a way for the fds to operate normally.".

Stephen Clark - Apr 6, 2024 12:28 am UTC

Engineers have determined why NASA's Voyager 1 probe has been transmitting gibberish for nearly five months, raising hopes of recovering humanity's most distant spacecraft.

Voyager 1, traveling outbound some 15 billion miles (24 billion km) from Earth, started beaming unreadable data down to ground controllers on November 14. For nearly four months, NASA knew Voyager 1 was still alive—it continued to broadcast a steady signal—but could not decipher anything it was saying.

Confirming their hypothesis, engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California confirmed a small portion of corrupted memory caused the problem. The faulty memory bank is located in Voyager 1's Flight Data System (FDS), one of three computers on the spacecraft. The FDS operates alongside a command-and-control central computer and another device overseeing attitude control and pointing.

The FDS duties include packaging Voyager 1's science and engineering data for relay to Earth through the craft's Telemetry Modulation Unit and radio transmitter. According to NASA, about 3 percent of the FDS memory has been corrupted, preventing the computer from carrying out normal operations.

Optimism growing

Suzanne Dodd, NASA's project manager for the twin Voyager probes, told Ars in February that this was one of the most serious problems the mission has ever faced. That is saying something because Voyager 1 and 2 are NASA's longest-lived spacecraft. They launched 16 days apart in 1977, and after flying by Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 1 is flying farther from Earth than any spacecraft in history. Voyager 2 is trailing Voyager 1 by about 2.5 billion miles, although the probes are heading out of the Solar System in different directions.

Normally, engineers would try to diagnose a spacecraft malfunction by analyzing data it sent back to Earth. They couldn't do that in this case because Voyager 1 has been transmitting data packages manifesting a repeating pattern of ones and zeros. Still, Voyager 1's ground team identified the FDS as the likely source of the problem.

The Flight Data Subsystem was an innovation in computing when it was developed five decades ago. It was the first computer on a spacecraft to use volatile memory. Most of NASA's missions operate with redundancy, so each Voyager spacecraft launched with two FDS computers. But the backup FDS on Voyager 1 failed in 1982.

Due to the Voyagers' age, engineers had to reference paper documents, memos, and blueprints to help understand the spacecraft's design details. After months of brainstorming and planning, teams at JPL uplinked a command in early March to prompt the spacecraft to send back a readout of the FDS memory.

The command worked, and Voyager.1 responded with a signal different from the code the spacecraft had been transmitting since November. After several weeks of meticulous examination of the new code, engineers pinpointed the locations of the bad memory.

"The team suspects that a single chip responsible for storing part of the affected portion of the FDS memory isn’t working," NASA said in an update posted Thursday. "Engineers can’t determine with certainty what caused the issue. Two possibilities are that the chip could have been hit by an energetic particle from space or that it simply may have worn out after 46 years."

Voyager 1's distance from Earth complicates the troubleshooting effort. The one-way travel time for a radio signal to reach Voyager 1 from Earth is about 22.5 hours, meaning it takes roughly 45 hours for engineers on the ground to learn how the spacecraft responded to their commands.

NASA also must use its largest communications antennas to contact Voyager 1. These 230-foot-diameter (70-meter) antennas are in high demand by many other NASA spacecraft , so the Voyager team has to compete with other missions to secure time for troubleshooting. This means it will take time to get Voyager 1 back to normal operations.

"Although it may take weeks or months, engineers are optimistic they can find a way for the FDS to operate normally without the unusable memory hardware, which would enable Voyager 1 to begin returning science and engineering data again," NASA said.

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The 39 best honeymoon destinations for 2024

By Laura Chubb and Anya Meyerowitz

The word honeymoon traditionally referred to the common medieval tradition of drinking mead (a fermented honey-based tipple) for a month after your wedding. Thankfully, today, the term is rather more synonymous with spending quality time around your eternal plus-one somewhere bucket list-worthy, whether that means trekking through exotic rainforests or lounging on a biscuit-hued beach. Before the fun can begin though, there’s the serious business of planning the holiday. With so much expectation, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the most enchanting honeymoon destinations we can think of. From classics like the Maldives to the more unexpected (in honeymoon terms) destinations such as Scandinavia; from the far-flung beaches of Bora Bora to the closer-to-home rugged landscapes of Scotland, our definitive list of the best honeymoon destinations for 2024 and beyond has you covered.

1. The Maldives

If you have visions of yourselves lazing in hammocks in your over-water villa, while your butler brings you a Martini by boat, then the Maldives is the honeymoon destination for you.

Every year the resorts of the Maldives out-do each other with increasingly opulent and romantic experiences – candlelit dinners for two on your own private sandbank; rambling wooden suites on stilts out to sea, which can only be accessed by boat. The only difficult decision you'll have to make is choosing the right island to suit you. Almost all of them offer the kind of dreamy, laid-on-luxury holiday fit for a honeymoon, surrounded by the bluest of blue scenery that never, ever loses its sparkle.

Go for a hit of winter sun between November and April.

Where to stay

Some of our favourites include the designer good looks mixed with relaxed boho vibes at Joali , and Soneva Jani , a dazzling hangout that has some of the biggest villas with huge private pools. For more recommendations, see our edit of the best hotels in the Maldives or our guide to Maldives honeymoons .

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Closer to home but with the promise of ethereal charm, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is widely considered one of the world’s most breathtaking coastlines, beloved for its chocolate box towns, white-washed villages and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. You’ll be hard-pressed to find one spot here that isn’t a photo opportunity, but the Amalfi is much more than the sum of its biscuit-hued beaches and hidden coastal caves. This romantic area offers a slower pace of life, and easy charm that lulls even the most highly-strung newlyweds (table planning will do that to any couple) into a pervading calm. Dotted with forests, mountains, small fishing villages and ample opportunity for island-hopping, it’s not hard to see how this no-stress destination makes it onto the list of best honeymoon destinations. For maximum romance, rent a vintage, open-top car and drive yourselves around the 50km stretch of road between the port city of Salerno and clifftop Sorrento, winding past grand villas, terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves.

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is in the spring and fall, specifically May and September.

Nestling in one of the most beautiful corners of the Amalfi Coast, Hotel Santa Caterina is well-known, and loved, for its beach club. The late 19th-century liberty-style villa has a seawater pool and a view from the lofty rock face it sits on that is second to none. Newcomer Borgo Santandrea is another standout spot, perched high in the cliffs and built into the rock face overlooking the sea. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and sea views, but for an extra special stay request an infinity-pool option. For more options, see our pick of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast .

3. Krabi, Thailand

Beloved by party-goers and gap year students, Thailand can end up often being overlooked as a honeymoon destination, but Krabi, at the tail end of the west coast, tends to be less crowded, making it ideal for couples after a taste of The Land of Smiles’ calmer side. Blue waters lap at grass-covered limestone stacks just offshore, best viewed via private boat tour, or from the secluded beaches that pepper the area. Fill days here with tours through Krabi’s ethereal mangroves, scuba diving around the coral reef and lethargic afternoons around the pool or on the sands.

The weather is most even between December and March, with the latter being the hottest month here.

One of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels,  Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve sprawls across a natural sanctuary of tropical gardens, manicured lawns and intimate private dining and relaxation spots.

There's something so utterly captivating about Greece and the Greek islands . The simple beauty, the rich history and mythology, the scrubby wildernesses scented with wildflowers, the perfect clash of blue and white. All that light! Dazzling on little whitewashed church domes and fishermen's cottages built into the rock. And the unbelievable blue of the sea and the skies in long, hot summers that seem to last most of the year.

How remote do you want to be? Hundreds of islands, their names like gods and monsters – the Cyclades, the Ionians; Thassos and Zakinthos and Spetses - each with their own distinct character. One of the most photogenic of them is Santorini , a honeymooner's paradise. It is absurdly beautiful, but thanks to the natural amphitheatre of its caldera, anyone staying in the whitewashed villages that tumble down its steep hillsides gets an uninterrupted view of the volcano and the deepest blue sea. At sunset the setting sun paints the villages pink and honey-gold.

Spring or early summer will be sunny without too many crowds, while most of the islands stay warm well into autumn, too.

One of Paros' more recent additions, Summer Senses Luxury Resort , is a get-away-from-it-all haven where rooms range from deluxe hideouts to suites with private pools. On Santorini, each villa at Andronis Arcadia has its own private balcony and pool. F Zeen on Kefalonia is an earthy adult-only retreat with a wellness focus. There are plenty more options – see more on our guide to the best Greek Island hotels .

5. Bali, Indonesia

Land of pirates, and dragons, of a million islands, misty, mythical mountainous stacks. Land, too, of some of the most beautiful places to stay in the world – and most of them are on Bali. It seems almost unfair, just how many heavenly hotels Bali has; and still more keep opening. Those deep-green infinity pools, jungle-cloaked and inviting, so classy after all that ubiquitous turquoise.

Yet however many five-star hotels open up, Bali is no homogenized island resort. It's a magical, spiritual place, which manages to retain its authenticity and culture, as well as its unspoilt beaches and green tropical landscapes. And there are places to stay for all budgets from backpacker beach-huts (full-moon parties can be found) to super-sexy designer retreats.

Dry season is April to September, although July and August are the busiest months. A visit in spring or autumn will be quieter.

Como Shambhala Estate is the most relaxing spa in Bali's hinterland. For a jungle stay, Capella Ubud is a luxe tented camp where the 22 one-bedroom suites have sprawling outdoor decks and private plunge pools. At Bulgari Resort Bali in Uluwatu, all 59 villas come with private plunge pools, and everything is as splendid as you could expect from a brand known for its diamonds and gold. For more, see our roundup of the best hotels in Bali .

6. Scotland

From June to August , when Santorini and St Lucia are swarming with brides hot in their frothy frocks, when every terrace in Venice and Ravello is clinking with newlyweds, Scotland might very well be the smart choice for honeymooners.

True, Edinburgh in August is full of festival mayhem. But beyond the capital: miles and mountainous miles of astoundingly beautiful landscapes, some of Britain's loveliest beaches – on sunny days compared to those of the Caribbean – and the sweet rivers and murmuring streams of Burns's love poems brought to life. And how many places in the world are just as spectacular in winter, even while stormclouds roll across gigantic skies?

In August, when the weather is fair for exploring.

Stay at the arty Fife Arms in Braemar, or maybe Perthshire's Gleneagles , the most famous hotel in Scotland .

7. Comporta, Portugal

Chic and discreet, Comporta is the back-to-nature, beach-shack type of exclusive: a pristine idyll that’s drawn everyone from Louboutin to Sarkozy. It is only an hour’s drive from Lisbon , on Portugal ’s blustery west coast, and the strict preservation laws and stewardship by an elite banking group have been key to keeping it spotless and secluded. Singular scenery ranges across bright-green rice fields, scented cork forests and 12km of thrillingly elemental beaches, all icing-sugar sand and thundering surf. Endlessly compared to pre-fame Ibiza or St Tropez, it’s in fact far less glitzy – and better for it. Kick off your flip-flops for sunset dining at a handful of unshowy restaurants on sun-bleached boardwalks, icy jugs of white sangria aside fresh, garlic-steeped clams and coriander-spiked local arroz.

Still warm but less crowded in shoulder seasons: April to May or September to October.

At Quinta da Comporta , where bedrooms have a beach-house feel and the spa is a standout.

8. Bora Bora

Bora Bora in French Polynesia is well-known for its vast volcanic views, aquamarine lagoons and sieved-flour sand. Adding to the tropical bundle are the luxurious overwater villas that pepper the perimeter of the island , just offshore, and complete the textbook honeymoon image. In short, it’s a tried-and-tested formula that’s proved itself perfect for couples basking in the post-wedding glow (and fatigue).

Away from the crowds of other traditional honeymoon destinations such as Hawaii and the Caribbean, resorts here favour those on post-nuptial getaways and are known for pulling out all the stops. Expect private island picnics, intimate snorkelling excursions and elaborate spa packages.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, Bora Bora is surrounded by sand-fringed Motus (islets) and a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef, making it a prime spot for scuba diving . There are no direct flights to Bora Bora from the UK, but, with the most popular stopover en route being Los Angeles , see it as an opportunity to tack some green-juice-wielding Hollywood glamour onto your trip.

The best time to go to Bora Bora is between November and April, when temperatures are still warm. The high season runs from May to October, and though rain showers become less frequent during this time, the number of visitors swell and rates rise.

The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is loved by travellers the world over for its unrivalled collection of overwater bungalow suites, beachfront villas and fine dining options. It can also claim fame as the backdrop for several films over the past few decades.

Alessia Armenise

Stacey Lastoe

Connor Sturges

Olivia Morelli

9. Tokyo, Japan

Call it the capital of good taste. Foodies, drinks snobs, design buffs and culture nuts: you’ve found Shangri-La. More Michelin stars than any other city. (Yep, Paris comes second – and by a stretch.) Architecture doubles for art, from those all-glass Prada and Dior stores to Tadao Ando’s minimalist-concrete shopping mall, Omotesando Hills. Mixologists blend craft cocktails with laser precision at intimate 10-seater bars; sumo wrestlers scuffle in stadiums and kabuki performers peacock around theatres. Narrow back streets bristle with slow-drip coffee bars, indie fashion boutiques, traditional tatami workshops and eighth-generation noodle counters. Everything artisanal, long before it was cool. And then, when that’s quite enough sophistication, neon-soaked thoroughfares thrum with restaurants staffed by robots and cafés filled with goats.

Sunny days and autumn colours in October and November lend a certain romance.

Aman Tokyo is the most spoiling stay in the city.

10. Grenada, Caribbean

Though misleading to still refer to Grenada as the Caribbean’s best-kept secret, it’s fair to say that the island still enjoys a more comfortable flow of tourists than some of its other, busier siblings. The tiny island – known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean – boasts a landscape that seems to outweigh its size in terms of sheer diversity, mixing black and white sand beaches with jungle-clad waterfalls and a singular city, St. George’s, with an 18th-century fort that looks out across the waters of St. George’s Bay. Many honeymooners opt to sail around the island, stopping off at its various beaches and fishing villages.

To avoid the rainy season, visit between mid-December and mid-April.

Though not a budget option by any stretch of the imagination,  Spice Island Beach Resort  is the creme-de-la-creme of the island’s hotel scene. Fringing the sands of Grand Anse and its white-washed, low-rise buildings peppered among seagrapes, the property is smart yet unpretentious and airy.

11. Rome, Italy

A long beloved backdrop for proposals, the city of Rome is also a hit with culture-loving couples and food-fixated honeymooners alike. Combining 28 centuries of rich history - from world-renowned architecture (including the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain) to priceless paintings - with sophisticated piazzas, centuries-old trattorias and photo opportunities at every turn. Known as the Eternal City, the centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the iconic Pantheon and Roman Forum, as well as the Vatican. Private tours of the grandest sites here are an easy way to add an extra dose of intimacy to the bustling city experience so too are the myriad cooking masterclasses that can be booked for two.

The best time to visit Rome is between October and April, though the temperature can fluctuate, the crowds have dissipated and finding a good deal is much easier.

A member of the world-renowned Rocco Forte Hotel Group, the  Hotel de la Ville  sits at the top of the Spanish Steps and envelopes its guests in a mix of 17th and 18th-century inspired decor, along with achingly cool modern touches, like the sprawling spa and open-air lounges and bars.

12. Costa Rica

Known for its steamy cloud forests, gorgeous surf beaches and multicoloured wildlife, this country is the stuff of travel legend. Those looking to indulge should look no further than Peninsula Papagayo. Think of it as your own exclusive corner of Costa Rica: 21 powder-soft beaches, eight miles of scenic sea cliffs and 600 square miles of protected rainforest and mangroves to explore. There’s also a team of expert naturalists to help guests tailor adventures into the wilderness, from paddling through bioluminescent plankton to mountain-biking rainforest trails. Swiftly followed by some serious poolside cabana time, of course – you wouldn’t want to work up too much of a sweat.

January and February fall comfortably within the dry season, and all but guarantee perfect beach weather.

Some of the best hotels in Costa Rica are eco-friendly stays. We love Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo, a boutique bolthole with Victorian-style bungalows and a tiny beach club. For a dreamy melt-into-the-horizon pool scene, check in to Kura in Uvita.

13. Mauritius

Mauritius is the Indian Ocean paradise with a pulse. No fear of getting bored here; this spice island has incredible national parks; its interior soars up into mountain ranges, where tropical forests harbour amazing wildlife; and it has an astonishingly rich coastline and marine parks to explore, by boat or underwater (watersports are quite the thing here). The neighbouring islands of Réunion and Rodrigues offer their own riches – and feel off-the-beaten-track even by Mauritian standards; while hundreds of tiny islets dotted around the coastlines three have breathtaking scenery

It's not just about the beaches, but the beaches are superb. And if that's the kind of holiday you want – to lie on a cabana and be handed cocktails on the hour, every – Mauritius is the place for it. Many beachfront resorts here tend towards high-octane glamour; but it is also possible to find under-the-radar, more laid-back places to stay to suit independent travellers.

June-September. The cool winter, when temperatures average around a balmy 20ºC, runs through June, July, August, September. Perfect for a post-summer-wedding de-stress.

Maradiva offers the ultimate less-is-more escape where roomy pool villa dwellings are wonderfully discreet and the beachside location is one of the best. Foodie couples should book into One&Only Le Saint Géran , while LUX* Grand Baie is beloved for its sun-drenched high glamour. For more, see our pick of the best hotels in Mauritius .

14. Paris, France

We often think of a honeymoon destination as a far-flung place, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes, all the romance and downtime you need is just a short Eurostar trip away. Enter: Paris , a city for lovers, where cafés spill out onto pavements, nestled in the profile of imposing architecture, and cobblestone streets lead to chic boutiques and a sparkling evening scene. A forever favourite of poets, songwriters, artists and, of course, the hopelessly in love, it makes the perfect post-wedding stop-off for couples who are either short on time or keen to minimise the air miles.

A trip between October and April offers both balmy climes and fewer crowds.

The former address of a certain Oscar Wilde before his death (which, yes, took place in one of the rooms here if you’re wondering),  L’Hôtel  has often dubbed the most romantic hotel in Paris. Arranged around a circular atrium, the rooms and suites are decadent but comfortable and the spa and pool lend themselves to ultimate relaxation in the midst of the city’s buzz.

15. Napa Valley, California, USA

Straying from the traditional biscuit-hued beaches of a more ‘traditional’ honeymoon, Napa Valley ties together a European feel with Californian climes and a bucolic pace. Known for its hundreds of hillside vineyards, the wine country of the USA is a food-focused getaway that can easily be paired with the urban buzz of San Francisco or the rugged expanse of the Big Sur.

And when you’re not sipping world-class Sauvignon Blanc (the region is famous for it) with views across the valley, there are a string of enchanting towns to meander at leisure, including Calistoga (well-known for its hot springs and mud baths) and St. Helena (home to Beringer Vineyard – considered the oldest continually operating winery in the Valley).

In the middle sits Yountville, famed for its high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants , while a more low-key dining experience can be enjoyed at Oxbow Public Market in Downtown Napa itself.

The best time to visit Napa is August through October or March through May.

A place that feels as though it was plucked straight from the heart of rural France and dropped into the middle of the dramatic Californian landscape, the five-star Auberge du Soleil is an adults-only hotel nestled within a terraced, sun-kissed hillside.

16. Finland

If you’re more about hunkering down by the fire than lolling around at the pool, a romantic winter-weather adventure in Finnish Lapland could be for you. The Finns’ national pastime of spa and sauna also gives honeymooners ample opportunities to get cosy. Kakslauttanen’s log cabins have private hot tubs for getting steamy in an otherwise frigid forest; just imagine clinking glasses of Champagne as the warm fog roils around you under a crystal-clear night sky. Add to that moonlit sledge rides, crackling fires and frozen landscapes, and suddenly that tropical-island trip seems basic.

Perhaps surprisingly, autumn and spring are the most active seasons for Northern Lights activity in Finnish Lapland – and, owing to the region’s position above the Arctic Circle, visiting outside of winter doesn’t mean missing out on the snow. It does, however, mean skipping the Christmas crowds. The very clearest skies can be banked on in March.

The region offers no end of luxurious ways to spot the Northern Lights without leaving bed: be that from a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen , or from Hotel Iso-Syöte ’s two-storey Eagle View Suite, with its wraparound glass walls and roof.

17. St Lucia

St Lucia and its sky-piercing Pitons have long been a favourite of honeymooners looking to pair bare-foot luxury with the opportunity to explore a rich tapestry of history and culture. Dive sites are teeming with marine life, natural harbours (like that of Marigot Bay) carved into the island create ample opportunity for wonder and the hiking is second-to-none (Trails in the interior rainforest lead to waterfalls like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a garden). Castries, the lively capital, has an eternally bustling market and Pigeon Island, now no longer estranged from the mainland, will enchant history lovers with its tales of the colonial era and fort remains.

The best time to visit Saint Lucia is between February and May, when rain showers are almost non-existent.

Sugar Beach sits on a former sugar plantation sandwiched between the Pitons and certainly wins the award for the most immersed hotel on the island. A forest spa with treehouse treatment gazebos completes the romantic experience. For more inspiration, see our edit of the best hotels in St Lucia .

18. Oualidia, Morocco’s Western Coast

Though Morocco is perhaps best known for its fourth largest city, Marrakesh, and their surrounding Atlas mountains, away from the sensory overload of the bustling markets and town squares here, the quieter west coast area of Oualidia is ideal for those seeking a laid-back honeymoon with a dose of culture. Visitors delight in outdoor activities, from surfing or swimming in the saltwater lagoon to quad biking, all surrounded by pink flamingos and oyster farms.

The best time to visit Morocco is September-November or March-April.

A Moorish fortress with sustainability at its heart, they don’t come much more exclusive than  La Sultana Oualidia , made up of 12 unique bedrooms and suites. As well as endeavouring to be as eco-friendly as possible in its design and daily workings, the property runs a programme of tours and initiatives to immerse guests in their ethos, too - their Bird Safari is only one such example.

Soaring peaks, tranquil lagoons and crystalline waters have drawn honeymooners to Tahiti’s South Pacific shores for years. More remote than islands of similar stature, the off-grid appeal helps to add to the feeling of being fully immersed in island life. Shaped like a figure of eight (or an infinity symbol if you want to get romantic, which of course we do), Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, with black-sand beaches and two extinct volcanoes among its charming collection of rugged scenery. Though relatively unexplored by British tourists, those who do venture here rave about Papenoo Valley, in the heart of the island, with its luxuriant jungles and string of waterfalls, perfect for cooling off in after a warm-weather hike.

The best time to visit Tahiti is between June and August when the climate is at its driest and the weather is balmy.

WHhere to stay

Not all hotels can boast a natural aquarium, but the InterContinental Tahiti Resort can. With lush gardens, views across the volcanic peaks of Moorea Island and an overwater gourmet restaurant, this five-star hotel is a safe pair of hands for any couple looking to push the boat out.

20. Vienna, Austria

The Austrian capital is the ultimate in cultured luxury; an urban honeymoon destination steeped in old-world romance. This is a place for waltzing across shining marble, with neoclassical palaces lining leafy boulevards, opulent Renaissance-style opera houses and coffee shops that are less salvaged wood, more crystal chandeliers. It’s strolling arm-in-arm by the Danube and stealing kisses in stately courtyards. Where you might spend your days floating around art galleries and evenings hogging the best seats at the ballet. Better still, the city has its own urban vineyards, where you can try a crisp white among the vine rows, with views stretching across Gothic cathedrals and imperial residences to the river.

September is an excellent time to enjoy the wine harvest, paired with warm temperatures in the 20s.

At newcomer Rosewood Vienna in the heart of Vienna’s 1st district, the grandest opening in the city in almost a decade.

21. Los Cabos, Mexico

Just an extra little nudge away from the United States, Mexico is a long-loved honeymoon destination in its entirety. However, Los Cabos , located on the very tip of the Baja California Peninsula, is a particularly entrancing stop for recently-espoused lovers. Between December and March, whale watching is firmly on the agenda, though the rich tapestry of marine life here is on hand all year-round (think: sea lions, turtles and myriad tropical fish). The area comprises two old towns, San Lucas and San José del Cabo, linked by a 32km corridor of beach-front properties and championship golf courses. Secluded? No. Romantic? Yes.

The best time to visit Los Cabos is from May to June, and after October once the bigger rain showers have passed.

The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal has continually cropped up in our Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, and it’s easy to see why. Mediterranean village vibes, paired with a rustic beach and elevated Mexican details combine to create a truly heady atmosphere.

22. Mallorca, Spain

This Balearic beauty’s more glamorous side has always been an A-lister secret – it’s the sort of place you’ll find Kate Moss sipping sangria in a honey-hued, stone-hewn hilltop village, or Michael Douglas wandering his vineyard on a remote coastal cliffside, and all at a suitably refined distance from the better-known, built-up resorts. A honeymoon here still promises glorious seclusion: Mallorca has more than 260 beaches, many of them tucked into secret coves, so you and your amor are all but guaranteed a private roll-around in the surf. Plus, along with the dreamy scenery – sweeping white-sand crescents, pine-peppered cliffs, golden citadels – there are some seriously out-of-this-world hotels.

Avoid the stiflingly hot and busy summer months and opt for the serene seclusion of shoulder season: May and September temperatures average around 22°C.

Finca Serena , a white-washed spa sanctuary, is spread across 40 hectares of orchards and farmland; Cap Rocat , a former fortress turned private retreat, is set on the coast; and Predi Son Jaumell, a forested 16th-century estate, has a Michelin-starred restaurant, aromatic gardens and yoga classes. See our guide to the best hotels in Mallorca for more.

23. St. Kitts

When it comes to honeymoon destinations, St. Kitts (and her sister island, Nevis ) is often overlooked in favour of some of the Caribbean’s more eminent islands, offering those who choose to shun some of the bigger names a quieter, often more affordable, getaway. The island’s laid-back vibe is immediately infectious and the rainforest-coated mountains invite immersive day trips that lead visitors along a path that feels much less trodden.

Famous for its white, grey, and black sand beaches and volcanic terrain that offers memorable hiking scenery, St. Kitts is also home to freshwater pools for forest bathing and Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which was built in the 18th century and has panoramic Caribbean views.

The best time to visit St. Kitts is between May and June, when hotels lower their rates. However, during peak season – December to April – the island hosts a six-week carnival.

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour on Banana Bay houses spacious rooms and suites (ideal if you don’t plan on stepping outside it very much), contemporary architecture and unobstructed views across the Caribbean Sea.

24. Jamaica

Known as the ‘birthplace of reggae,’ a honeymoon in Jamaica is certainly not going to be a quiet one. But in place of a sleepy atmosphere is a vibrant tapestry that envelops travellers in a landscape that is just as colourful and rich as its culture. Tree-cloaked mountains, vast rainforests, meandering rivers and fish-fringed reefs are all open to exploration during your time here, while the manmade side, with many historic plantations, where you can sample tropical fruits and tour the grand great houses, offering its perspective of the island. It’s worth touring around during your trip as each area offers its take on island life: lively Montego Bay (the country’s capital city) is one of the most popular resort towns, while Ocho Rios is the island's major port, and Negril is famous for its long, languishing beach, trimmed by coconut palms.

The best time to visit Jamaica is from November to early December — hurricane season has ended, and the hotels and restaurants are all open, but you'll be able to enjoy the island without the high volume of visitors that arrive in mid-December.

The Trident Hotel sits just outside of Port Antonio on Jamaica’s wilder Northeastern coast and offers villa-only accommodation, an intimate feel and a private, protected lagoon just beyond your infinity pool.

25. Deplar Farm, Iceland

Yes, yes, Iceland is the destination du jour – the number of visitors has rocketed threefold in the past few years. But you won’t see many folks in the far north’s Troll Peninsula . A rugged hinterland of emerald valleys, snow-cloaked mountains and chilled teal waters, it’s just as otherworldly as it sounds. Deplar Farm is the isolated, high-spec lodge at the heart of it: formerly an actual farm and now a 13-suite stunner with a living grass-covered roof, indoor-outdoor geothermal pool (a hell of a place to see the Northern Lights) and a spa with isopod flotation tanks, it offers the ultimate in de-stressing calm. But the end-of-the-world epicness isn’t just for looking at – this adventure is hands-on. Heli-skiing offers runs that literally no one on Earth has skied before, stretching from peak to sea; summertime spells fat-biking untouched mountain trails. Honeymooning on a remote island? Ha. Deplar Farm is another planet.

You're most likely to see the Northern Lights between October and February.

At Deplar Farm, of course – a blow-the-budget, once-in-a-lifetime escape.

For those yearning to be marooned on a desert island but who perhaps can’t quite hack an off-grid lifestyle, Aruba is the ideal honeymoon destination. Having long-lured loved-up travellers to its clear jade waters, the Caribbean islet is within easy reach of the United States, enjoys more predictable weather than its neighbours and, due to the year-round arid climate, offers crystal clear viewing conditions underwater (perfect for anyone wanting to explore the peppering of shipwrecks that lie just offshore). UTV tours are popular here, often involving an opportunity for cliff-diving as you explore the more rocky rubble of the island’s Northeastern side, while animal-lovers will enjoy the focus on caring for nature here, from the butterfly farm to the animal sanctuary.

The best time to visit Aruba is between April and August when the island hits a sweet spot of more affordable rates paired with good weather.

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers, among a smorgasbord of luxury amenities, direct access to a private pristine beach, an adults-only pool and an expansive spa that puts focus on using indigenous ingredients like aloe.

27. South Africa

A popular destination to mix and match with one of the sleepier Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa merits inclusion on our best honeymoon destinations list all on its own. Known worldwide for its Big Game safaris (hello, eco-friendly lodges and infinity pools that double as water holes for the surrounding wildlife), the rest of the country is equally as fascinating, from the bustling V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, lorded over by the flat-topped Table Mountain, to the vine-woven valleys of the Winelands onto the penguin spotting at Boulders Bay (though colonies can be found from southern Namibia around the South African coast to Port Elizabeth). Many honeymooners hire a car, or better yet, a private tour guide, and head down to the Garden Route or Route 62 along the Western Cape.

The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September, especially if you plan to head out on safari, as the cooler winter months in the northern regions conjure ideal conditions for viewing big game.

Though the country offers myriad privately-owned guest houses and lodges that all boast their unique charm, the One&Only Cape Town is somewhat of an institution among honeymooners here. Holding a prime position on the city’s lively harbourside, the hotel is framed by the majestic peak of Table Mountain, which makes for pretty magical viewing at sundown.

28. Cartagena, Colombia

Time was Colombia would have been a less obvious honeymoon destination. But Caribbean-side Cartagena ’s deep-rooted romance has proven irresistible, helping tourism to grow more than an incredible 300 per cent in the past 12 years. The old, walled town woos with sun-yellow colonial villas and cathedrals, balconies with billowing bougainvillea, and slow ambles through cobbled streets to arcaded squares. But it also bubbles with a contemporary energy, brought by freshly experimental kitchens (now rivalling Lima ’s), and a savvy fashion crowd drawn to the colourful brew of old and new. Beyond the old-town walls, glitzy Bocagrande beckons with swimming beaches and upscale bistros; at Donjuán, chef Juan Felipe Camacho fuses Basque and Colombian flavours, influenced by years at Michelin-starred San Sebastian restaurants. (President Juan Manuel Santos is a vocal fan.) Things get steamier still in late-night salsa bars, or an hour’s boat ride away at the protected Rosario Islands – ideal for a castaway canoodle.

January to March , when an evening sea breeze dials down humidity.

At Hotel Casa San Agustín .

29. Slovenia

Verdant wine regions and Venetian villages; fairy-tale castles and sparkling marinas: romance is sewn into Slovenia’s fabric – you can even cycle a heart-shaped road in its Špičnik winelands. The country’s name has ‘love’ in it, for goodness sake. Compact enough to explore widely, yet varied enough to thrill at every turn, Slovenia has been hailed the best of Europe in miniature, with its snow-capped mountains, Adriatic coastlines, cobbled old towns and teal-green Alpine lakes. But this enchanted land won’t remain the continent’s best-kept secret: its selection as the European Region of Gastronomy 2021 speaks to a new excitement buzzing around the farm-to-table food scene. A raft of freshly sophisticated offerings such as Pikol Lake Village, where floating wooden villas sit amid the Brda vineyards and are served by a dedicated Michelin-approved restaurant, are opening too. When it’s time to turn in, you can go big at Hotel Gredič , a castle with a Champagne temple, or understated at Hiša Franko , where Hemingway wrote A Farewell to Arms and renowned Slovenian chef Ana Ros has her restaurant.

Autumn brings the harvest – ideal for food and wine fans – and vibrant colours.

Go off-the-charts indulgent at Chocolate Village for riverside glamping on the site of an organic chocolate factory. Or – it’s your honeymoon, after all – all three.

30. The Seychelles

The Seychelles archipelago is the ultimate castaway-island fantasy. It's out-of-this-world beautiful, the archetypal Indian Ocean paradise: palm-fringed beaches shelving gently into a dreamy-turquoise sea. And there's a romantic wildness to it which certain others lack; the islands of the Seychelles are less groomed; there's adventure to be had and curious wildlife – a wildlife so rich it is comparable to the Galápagos – to be found among its virgin forest and coral reefs. It's not hard to happen upon a beach where you can leave the first pairs of meandering tracks in the powder-white sand.

May to October - perfectly timed for the wedding season - when the trade winds blow in refreshingly cool, dry weather. Temperatures are fairly constant year-round at 24-31ºC, though certain islands have their own microclimates, so check first.

Stay at North Island , the super-natural, ultra-private island where William and Kate (reportedly) spent their honeymoon. Or on Six Senses Zil Pasyon , where the villas are the closest thing to super-smart, minimalist tree-houses. See our guide to the best Seychelles hotels for more.

31. Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem’s atmospheric old town is a melting pot of cultures, religions, sights, sounds and vibrant colours, and one that abounds in romance. Here, key religious sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the famous Western Wall, mix with market stalls selling everything from clay crockery to clutch bags, vibrant spices to slices of pizza, and people from all over the world. Outside of the city’s old walls, authentic Middle Eastern restaurants, a plethora of museums and art fairs can be found, as well as traditional shisha bars and ample walking opportunities.

April - May and October - November are ideal times to visit, these months are outside of peak periods but still enjoy warm weather.

One of Israel’s most famous hotels, with an impressive former guest list (think everyone from Bono to Richard Nixon), the  King David combines grand interiors with panoramic views across the old city and the knowledge that you are walking in some pretty prestigious footsteps.

32. French Polynesia

Surely there is nowhere more exotic and far-flung than Polynesia, the islands of the South Seas. Thousands of miles from anywhere, Fiji is a castaway fantasy: empty beaches washed by spectacular surf, waterfalls splashing into deep green pools in the jungle, blue lagoons where couples can swim alone amid shoals of rainbow-coloured fish – Blue Lagoon was actually filmed here, as was Cast Away and, less romantically, Shipwrecked . But those who wash up here get a warm welcome, smiley locals proffering hibiscus flowers.

Fiji is made up of hundreds of islands, and no small number of them have been turned into private-island resorts. Laid-on luxury, no-expense-spared resorts, or stylish eco-lodges where nature is king - and the best are a mix of both. Set sail for a dreamy honeymoon with a conscience.

May-November. Fiji has a warm and wet tropical climate all year round, though from May until November the temperatures drop and there is less rain.

For the ultimate castaway adventure, stay at The Brando, French Polynesia , an elegant, low-impact hideout.

If you’re looking for something really unique, a honeymoon in this Himalayan hermit kingdom won’t disappoint. The tiny nation of Bhutan is perhaps best known for keeping the outside world at bay – thank the hefty daily tariff the government levies on foreign visitors – and the result is a literal breath of fresh air: a land of pristine peaks, rushing rivers and mysterious, forest-cloaked valleys. Where getting away from it all might entail a trek to the famously precipitous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, followed by a soak in a Himalaya-facing plunge pool. A serene sanctuary of incense and gongs; mindfulness and monks.

October is the best time of year to visit, with cool mountain air and clear skies offering ideal conditions for exploring the Himalayas.

The sublimest stay for couples here is undoubtedly Six Senses Bhutan . A series of five luxury lodges spread across the country’s most spectacular landscapes, it offers unparalleled views, purifying spa treatments and incredible itineraries where private guides take you hiking and biking into the heart of this special country, connecting with communities as much as the land.

34. Zanzibar

The spice islands of Tanzania – Zanzibar, Pemba, Chole, Mafia – are the stuff of fantasy. Extraordinarily clear, blue waters and remote white-sand beaches, empty but for a salt-harvesting local in the distance, perhaps; or a single pair of sunloungers set out just for you.

Here you can really go off-radar. And these islands are but drops in the ocean compared with the vast wildernesses of the rest of the country. Tanzania is a giraffe's head and shoulders above other countries when it comes to wildlife and landscapes: the highest mountains; the greatest lakes; a quarter of it given over to national parks and game reserves, thrumming with great numbers of birds and beasts.

So it's no wonder that the bush-and-beach honeymoon is becoming increasingly popular - two weeks or more, split between two or more of Tanzania's extraordinary lodges, from the plains to the coast. Two out-of-this-world honeymoons in one.

July to March. Avoid the rainy season from April to June.

Check into Zuri Zanzibar for a socially-aware, blissed out beach break.

35. Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark’s capital city is a rich smorgasbord of cultures, cutting-edge design has woven itself around historical landmarks, modern culture bubbles around grand castles and hygge hideaways are tucked away behind bustling cobbled streets. In short, this is a honeymoon destination where you’d be hard-pressed not to find a slice of society that feels synonymous with your own values and interests. Dine out on Michelin-starred food at one of the 15 star-awarded eateries peppered around the Danish hotspot, explore the regal history of the land at Rosenborg Castle – built in 1601 – or immerse yourself in a real local pastime, diving into the refreshing harbour waters before spending the rest of the morning lazing around on the docks with a drink.

When to go: From June to August, you can expect long, bright days and nights, low humidity and comfortably warm temperatures.

Where to stay: The eco-savvy love birds among us have likely already heard of the cutting-edge hotel Manon Les Suites . A former factory, the space is now home to six floors of suites, each with its own balcony, all centred around a courtyard. The piste-de-resistance here? The indoor pool, seemingly a climate all of its own, encircled by tropical greenery and day beds.

A firm favourite of animal lovers and those looking to steer away from more traditional honeymoon destinations, Rwanda’s wildlife offering is second to none. And the primary draw here? Gorilla trekking . Visitors can get within a few feet of these giant beasts as they hike through the volcanic landscape of the National Parks. Newlyweds can also head out to see lion pride and the rare black rhino, as well as take part in nighttime safaris to see the animal kingdom in a different, dwindling light.

When to go: The best time to visit Rwanda, both in terms of weather and wildlife spotting chances, is during the dry period from June to September.

Where to stay: You’ve likely seen photos of Bisate Lodge , one of Rwanda’s most luxurious resorts, without even knowing it, as the award-winning lodge has been singled out for its sustainable (and stunning) ethereal pods, which seem to rise naturally out of the rainforest. Like giant birds’ nests tucked into the trees, the Forest Villas offer a well-balanced blend of pampering and trekking, all while naturally immersed in the landscape.

37. The French Riviera

Oozing glamour, there is something of a honeymoon on the French Riviera that whispers syrupy sweetness in your ear, suggesting romance around every intimate corner. From well-documented harbourfront restaurants to lesser-known enclaves, renting an open-top car and weaving your way through Cannes toward Menton, stopping at the enchanting towns and cities on the way is the best way to cover as much ground as possible. Popular Antibes, an old town enclosed by 16th-century ramparts with the draw of its distinctively star-shaped Fort Carré is a good option for history buffs, while extroverted Monte-Carlo – home to the world-famous Place du Casino and the Boulevard des Moulins – has a name which precedes it. It’s all enchanting from start to finish.

When to go: May through to early July is the best time to visit to enjoy warm weather without the summer crowds.

Where to stay: Perched above the rocky coast of Cap Ferrat, Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat , is protected from the sea winds by 14 acres of faultlessly groomed gardens. Everything here can be personalised, from private, candlelit dining amid the pines to in-room spa treatments, making it a popular choice for honeymooners looking for a unique luxe experience.

38. Turks and Caicos

Though little in the Caribbean can be classed as a ‘secret’, in honeymoon terms, Turks and Caicos probably comes the closest. Widely believed to be two islands – ‘Turks’ and ‘Caicos’ – it is actually an archipelago of 40 low-lying, coral-connected islands. Sparsely populated, the idea of ‘alone time’ is easily achievable here, and boat excursions, nature walks and leisurely days spent stretched out on one of the swathes of honey-hued sands are the norm. The waters here are also a diver’s paradise, with the 14-mile barrier reef of Providenciales’s north shore or the dramatic underwater wall stretching some 2,000 metres off the shore of Grand Turk just two of the highlights.

When to go: Though Turks and Caicos merits a visit all year round, the warmest, driest weather can be found between December and March.

Where to stay: Amanyara , built on the rocky coves of Providenciales, encircled by tropical forest and overlooking the coral reefs of Point Marine National Park, feels entirely detached from the rest of the world. The price tag can be eye-watering but so too is the sheer natural beauty around which the luxe resort has immersed itself, and the level of personalised service here is second to none. Villas are vast, many with sweeping private pools, the wellness offering is cutting edge and the daily diving sessions (included in your stay) a real highlight.

39. Montana, USA

Definitely a consideration for lovebirds who are keen to not take their honeymoon lying down – quite literally – Montana offers a plethora of adrenaline-activating activities, from canoeing down the Yellowstone River and carving lines down the slopes of Big Sky to canyon treks and forest camping. And top of many mooners’ Montana must-dos? A trip through the arresting scenery of the 52-mile highway, which winds into Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. And if you’re keen to cover more ground, visitors to Montana often couple it with a trip to Salt Lake City, Seattle or Denver, with daily flights scheduled.

When to go: Montana is a year-round destination, but the weather (and the crowds) are certainly mellower during September, though keen skiers are more likely to find the power quality they’re after in February or March.

Where to stay: No trip to Montana would be fully authentic without staying at one of the romantic lodges peppered throughout the varied terrain, and Sage Lodge – along the banks of the Yellowstone River – is one of the best. This luxe resort is just five miles from Camel Discovery and six miles from Chico Peak.

Condé Nast Traveler

13 Best Airbnbs in Reykjavík, Iceland

Posted: November 2, 2023 | Last updated: November 2, 2023

There are Airbnb amenities and then there are Iceland Airbnb amenities. At first glance, they may feel like the same set of offerings: in-unit washer and dryer; expansive, fully equipped kitchen; central location. If you’re lucky, something with a private hot tub or sauna will be available. But there are benefits to booking a Reykjavik Airbnb over a hotel that you wouldn’t recognize on your first visit.

As someone who has visited Iceland more than a dozen times, I can tell you that there’s something special about the Airbnbs housed in the capital city. The secret is in Iceland’s two seasonal phenomena: the northern lights and the midnight sun. When you’re staying in a hotel —a wonderfully anonymous experience, for the most part—you give up a certain layer of freedom. Stepping outside to see the aurora is different in a hotel, where you may feel pressured to get fully dressed and—gasp—put on shoes. In an Airbnb? Slide on some slippers, maybe grab a blanket to wrap up in (or not), and enjoy a late-night viewing session from the porch, or balcony, or backyard. There’s no chance you’ll run into anyone while crossing a lobby.

To help whittle down the options (there are many), we pulled together the best stays across the city—with a few located slightly outside of the city limits. You know, to make the most of that Icelandic nature you came to experience.

We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Airbnb 694285420202957881

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Top amenities: Hot tub, sauna, lake access

The owners of this home are furniture and home designers—and you can tell. The interiors are open and airy, and the bathroom is anchored by a soaking tub. The kitchen island seats six comfortably and an adjacent table seats eight more. This is a home for groups who love to surround themselves with beautiful, clean design. But the showstopper is at the end of a wooden walkway in the backyard: a hot tub and sauna.

Airbnb 662994991188055484

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Dedicated workspace, patio, coffee maker

Light pink tones drape the majority of this cozy studio, encompassing anyone who enters with a calm vibe—which is great, considering it’s located on the busiest street in town. You’ll find everything you need to get the day started inside: a coffee machine, stove, a private bathroom, and more.

Airbnb 43719910

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Top amenities: Dedicated workspace, mountain views, washer/dryer

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a sprawling dinner table you’ll dream about—that’s just the beginning of the amenities list for this downtown apartment. The dining room walls are filled with art and large photo prints, while other spaces feature pops of color in the form of accent walls. This is the place to go if you want to load up your photo album with beautifully lit detail shots—or pull all of your travel buddies together for an unforgettable dinner party.

Airbnb 945513613926698827

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Top amenities: Bath tub, room-darkening shades, PS4

If you don’t mind a bit of traveling to get in and out of Reykjavik, this villa in Kjósarhreppur (an hour drive from the capital city) offers proximity to nightlife, tons of restaurants, and crowds while also giving you a quiet place to lay your head at night. The massive windows are the perfect backdrop for morning coffee or tea, and the two bathrooms make it a great option for families or friend groups. Plus, the in-floor heating throughout the house is a super nice touch once the temperatures dip.

Airbnb 22065160

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Water views, backyard

Mountain views, waterside walks, and Reykjavik’s botanic garden are only a few of the perks that come with this one-bedroom, one-bath home in the Laugardalur district. Teak furniture dots the interior and a concrete floor gives it a modern edge. This guesthouse comes with all the amenities you’d expect from an Airbnb: a backyard space, a TV with streaming capabilities, in-unit washer and dryer, and—to combat the summertime midnight sun—room-darkening shades.

Airbnb 834805345644413535

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Washer/dryer, free parking

I would argue that the harbor is one of the best neighborhoods to make your home base. Here, you’re within walking distance of the downtown district and its buzzy restaurants, but you’ll open your door to the smell of fresh sea air and the sound of fishing boats being hosed down every morning. Plus, you’re steps away from the best doughnuts in the city (Deig). This stay is particularly moody, a masterclass in the Scandinavian aesthetic. With one bedroom and one bath, an in-unit washer and dryer, free parking, and a host who’s happy to accommodate kids with adjusted sleeping arrangements and toys, you’re bound to start planning your next stay before you leave the first one.

Airbnb 12282977

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Air conditioning, backyard, coffee maker

You won’t be scrambling for things to do when staying here, thanks to its location right off of Laugavegur. But when you aren’t shopping, eating, drinking, or visiting the city’s many museums, this two-bedroom, one-bath home offers a cozy living space (and backyard) to relax in. There’s also a washer and dryer in the space—a more-than-welcomed amenity after a day of hiking the nearby Thingvellir National Park .

Airbnb 22308593

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms Top amenities: Free parking, crib upon request

The rich earth tones scattered around this apartment are like a shoulder massage. The owner has done a lot with a small amount of space, most notable is the entertainment corner which houses a giant TV, couch, and plenty of throw blankets. The one-bedroom is great for a couple, but can accommodate up to four people comfortably.

Airbnb 7346803

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom,  1 bathroom Top amenities: Free parking, private balcony

This third-floor apartment, about 20 minutes outside of the city center on foot, is Instagram bait. The home itself, with its circular doorways, bright white walls, and balcony overlooking the city are perfect for photo opportunities. But the one-bedroom home is cozy, too, for when you want to forget the likes and comments and just be in Reykjavík.

Airbnb 5694860

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 1 bath Top amenities: Free parking, garden views, private backyard

If you want the best of both worlds—a spot in the city center but plenty of room to hang out indoors—this four-bedroom, two-story home just within the lines of Reykjavík's city center near Hallgrímskirkja, is your best bet. The sunny breakfast room with a small outdoor patio is great for Reykjavík summers, while the cozy living room with an oversized couch has enough room to fit everyone after a long day of sightseeing. If you're coming with your multi-gen family, there's a crib, high chair, and stair gate available, plus a washer to keep the kids' clothes clean.

Airbnb 20067200

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Washing machine, free parking

On the outside, this robin's-egg blue home is hard to miss. The one-bedroom apartment inside is just as quirky, and we love the rustic, hodge-podge look that separates it from many of the more corporate Reykjavík Airbnbs. (The location is hard to beat, too, as it's just two blocks from the National Gallery of Iceland.) If you're looking to save a little bit of money on the expensive island, take a cue from those before you and pick up some groceries for a meal or two in, as the equipped kitchen has plenty of counter space. In a review, one guest even wrote "it had everything we needed to self-cater. We ended up eating in more than we expected to as a result."

Airbnb 7607044

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Top amenities: Hot tub, ocean and mountain views, room-darkening shades

You'll probably need a rental car to stay here: 20 minutes north of the city center, this three-bedroom home comes equipped with family-friendly goodies. There's a washer/dryer, crib, high chair, and full kitchen, plus kids' books and toys so you don't have to pack your own. There's a hot tub, too, but the real perks here are the proximity to the imposing Mount Esja for hikes (there are trails easy enough for the kids to trek), just 20 minutes away, and open skies perfect for nighttime Northern Lights viewing.

Airbnb 13190867

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Top amenities: Airbnb Plus, mountain views, fireplace, hot tub

You're going to want a rental car for your stay in this secluded cabin, which sits between Reykjavik's city center to the north and the Blue Lagoon to the south. (Both are just 25-30 minutes away.) The wood cabin has two bedrooms—one with bunks, the other with a double bed—plus a fully-equipped kitchen, wide-open front porch, and indoor fireplace to keep you warm in the winter.

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The Best Time to Visit Finland

By Condé Nast Traveller

The best time to visit Finland can vary because every season in the Nordic country brings a different kind of charm. If you're seeking sunlight, the sun barely sets in the summers, whereas winters are your best bet at catching a glimpse of the northern lights dancing in the skies. In autumn, Finland is bathed in shades of crimson and gold, and the springtime is temperate and green. The best time to visit Finland depends on what lighting excites you the most: 24/7 daylight , or the neon green aurora borealis against the night skies? Here’s a quick guide to the best time to visit Finland.

• What is the best time to visit Finland? • What is the best time to visit Finland for the northern lights? • What is the best time to visit Finland for snow? • Temperature in Finland throughout the year • Plan your trip

What is the best time to visit Finland?

The best time to visit Finland is in the summer, between June to August , when the temperature ranges between 53°F and 73°C. The days are unusually long in the summer, with 20 to 22 hours of sunlight a day. Museums, castles , and other tourist attractions are open for longer during this time of the year, allowing you to explore long after the usual opening hours. Since winters last for nearly seven months in Finland, summer is also the best time to explore Finland’s 40 national parks and many nature hikes. This is also the season for festivals in Finland; for example. the 10-day Naantali Music Festival , which features classical music artists from around the world, takes place in June.

Shoulder season in Finland spans from April to May, which is to say: springtime. The temperatures usually hover between 32°F and 50°F. There are fewer crowds and nightly rates at hotels take a dip. Speaking of shoulder season, visit Finland in autumn, between September to November, when the temperature fluctuates between 41°F and 59°F, and the country's trees are plentiful shades of yellow and crimson. As it goes with shoulder season, hotels and airfare tend to be cheaper, and there are fewer tourists.

Winter in Finland, which is from December to March, is not for the faint of heart, with temperatures ranging between 14°F and 41°F and sunlight present only three to four hours a day. But this might also the most rewarding time to visit Finland because winter is northern lights season.

What is the best time to visit Finland for the northern lights?

Finland is one of the best countries in Europe where you can chase the northern lights. The northern lights are visible all year round, but they are seen only once the sun sets. Since there's minimal nighttime during the summer in Finland, the best time to spot the aurora borealis is during the winter season, from December to March, when days are actually just nights.

The northern lights are easiest to spot when you’re away from the cities. The secret recipe for a great sighting is clear skies, low light pollution, and long winter nights. If you’re lucky, you may spot the aurora in Helsinki itself, but your best bet is to head north to Lapland, Kemi, Rovaniemi, Muonio, Ivalo, Kakslauttanen, Levi, or Saariselkä.

What is the best time to visit Finland for snow?

Even if you don’t get lucky with the northern lights, the good thing about visiting from December to March is that there are plenty of winter activities to do while you're in Finland. November marks the beginning of the snow season in Finland. Stay in an ice igloo; go skiing or dog sledging; race rally cars through the Arctic; and visit Santa Claus’ home in Rovaniemi.

How many days do I need for a trip to Finland?

The number of days totally depends on your itinerary. If you wish to just explore the capital of Helsinki and places close by, a four- or five-day trip is sufficient. However, if you wish to see Lapland and more, plan a 10-day trip.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller India .

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