This year, travel finally opened up properly once again after three years of Covid, cancellations and general chaos — and if it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, suddenly long-haul became an option again.
September 29, 2023 11:17
Japan finally reopened to tourists, far-flung destinations like Guyana and El Salvador made the year’s hot lists, while the numbers of those booking safaris in Africa rocketed. My personal highlight of 2023? A week in Kenya with my animal-loving daughter, discovering the wildlife of the Masai Mara as well as the Indian Ocean coast, on my own long-delayed African safari.
Mother & daughter safari in Kenya
Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan
And while new corners of old favourite destinations are still on the list for 2024 — exploring Basilicata in Italy, or Portugal’s Alentejo for example — bucket list escapes are still tempting us next year.
New flights with Virgin Atlantic to Sao Paolo are putting Brazil back in the spotlight, while BA has more ways than ever to get you to the Caribbean, including a direct route to Trinidad and Tobago. If you’ve got big dreams but a small budget, low-cost long-haul Norse Airlines is making it cheaper to get to Barbados and Jamaica with several new flight routes. Or for a short-haul adventure, easyJet has extra flights to Akureyi in Iceland’s north, for a chance to explore the country beyond the capital and Golden Circle, while Jet2 is making it simpler to visit another little-visited corner of Europe, with weekly flights to Tivat in Montenegro.
And for culture, look to the Baltics and Scandinavia: two of 2024’s European Capitals of Culture will be Bodo in Norway and Tartu in Estonia — expect the usual year of events and celebrations to persuade you to book a city break.
Ikos Porto Petro resort, Mallorca
The award-winning Ikos resorts are always on our radar. From Spain to Greece, Ikos leaves a trail of cosmopolitan luxury in its wake. Stylish and modern, rustic yet comfortable — these resorts are world-renowned for their excellence, setting down roots in the golden Costa del Sol, charming Mallorca and the incomparable beauty of the Greek islands Corfu and Kos, as well as the magnificent Halkidiki region in Northern Greece.
Halkidiki, Greece.
Each is a honey pot of relaxation and excitement for the whole family, hugged by turquoise shores, with pristine locations for adventures and cultural exploration. Simply pick your destination; Ikos will never disappoint. We get huge demand for Ikos resorts, especially throughout the summer and from multi-generational families; Ikos luxury brings our clients back, year after year.
Calo Des Moro, Mallorca.
Japan takes pride of place — it is cherished as one of the most diverse and culturally rich countries on earth. From Tokyo, seat of the Japanese government and home of the imperial family, to Kyoto with its shrines and temples galore, you can revel in its traditions through state-of-the-art itineraries, made to tick off Japanese specialities effortlessly.
Cruising to and around Japan is much sought-after by our clients. From April to May, stroll through Japan’s landmarks with cherry blossom raining down on you, celebrating the culture at every corner; Manga to Geisha, Zenshu-yo styled temples to the glimmering Shimanto river.
Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer good-length ex-Japan sailings this October and spring 2024, while Ponant has some exceptional itineraries in off-the-beaten-track destinations, such as the Sea of Japan coast, the remote southern islands and along old trade routes in the Seto Inland Sea. atlantistravel.co.uk
Henrietta Loyd, founder and co-owner
Perennially popular South Africa has had another strong year, with further safari support coming from Kenya, a great destination for multi-generational trips and home to a wave of enticing new camps. Morocco is always booming; however, we’re seeing added interest in the northern region as people move away from the hotspots to explore lesser-known gems.
Morocco fishing boats
India remains a client favourite for good reason — not only is it an incredible standalone destination, but there’s excellent potential for extending a trip to include a contrasting stay somewhere such as the Maldives.
Demand for Japan is through the roof and will continue into the coming years as the country catches up with tourist numbers post-Covid.
Looking ahead to 2024, we’re excited about the conservation and community experiences we can curate in Brazil, such as unrivalled access to indigenous tribes, as well as gastronomy-focused trips linked to the Amazonian food revolution.
Belize is an under-the-radar gem that looks set to explode soon too, thanks to its sensational blend of beach, culture and adventure, while Nepal is buzzing with the upcoming opening of the Shinta Mani Mustang resort, in the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley. Expect holistic wellness-focused adventures, experiencing the great outdoors in style.
Unforgettable Mt Kilimanjaro, view from Kenya
Uganda is home to stunning landscapes with cascading waterfalls and mist-wreathed mountains, plus an extraordinary range of primates, birds and mammals; this is a place to come with expert guidance, an adventurous spirit and a willing to immerse yourself in a less-manicured Africa.
Australia has it all, from beaches, reefs and rainforests, to mountains, wine regions and the boundless horizons of the outback. Tasmania will be a special focus for us, with nature-centric Aboriginal experiences that celebrate Australia’s rich cultural diversity and heritage.
In the breathtaking Canary Islands, the Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife features Michelin-star dining, a luxury spa and wellness centre, acclaimed golf, tennis and five-star amenities.
A timeless island retreat of endless possibilities, it’s no surprise that this oasis of tranquillity and seclusion has been a top destination for The Travel Academy in recent years — a place where sea, land and subtropical vegetation meet, with Moorish-inspired architecture and magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide.
Front of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, Abama, Tenerife
Providing the ultimate escape, the Ritz Carlton Abama features multiple swimming pools, a premium spa and fitness centre and, for everyone travelling with children, the largest Ritz Kids centre in Europe.
Guests can enjoy an 18-hole championship golf course, the Abama Tennis Academy, and an exclusive area on the Abama golden sandy beach.
Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife
This slice of paradise has become a home away from home for many guests of The Travel Academy, and we are proud to have the Ritz Carlton Abama as part of our family.
For those of you who prefer to visit several destinations in one vacation, the stunning Oceania Vista is our top pick for 2024.
Step aboard this cruise ship and you’ll discover a dramatic new way of seeing the world. Vista invites you to savour the journey on a ship whose captivating beauty and stylish design evoke the wonders you’ll discover ashore.
Opulent interiors and harmonious spaces reflect a fresh, new perspective through organic elements inspired by the land and sea.
Sail to fascinating destinations in faraway lands while enjoying fine cuisine and personalised service, along with several firsts in the realms of dining, accommodation and guest experience. With sailings to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, Vista should be at the top of your list for next year’s vacation.
Amrit Singh, managing director
Mt Everest, Nepal
Asia began to reopen early in 2022 with the glorious tropical island resorts of the Maldives offering a complete getaway for friends and families to reconnect in bliss. This was closely followed by Oman, with its spectacular coastline, rugged and secluded wadis that offered opportunities for adventure and relaxation in some of the world’s most comfortable hotels.
For young families, the antiquities of Nabataean architecture at Petra and the desert camps of Wadi Rum of Jordan were a big draw, as were the beautiful beaches, rolling tea hills and wildlife parks of Sri Lanka.
The big hitters of 2022, which opened late in the year, were Uzbekistan, with its awe-inspiring architecture and still thriving cities of the Ancient Silk Road, and multi-faceted Japan, with its cultural highlights, technologically advanced cities, stunning nature and spectacular food, which inspired those who wanted to travel to the furthest, most exotic destinations they could think of.
Next year’s picks...
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
While the popularity of the 2022 destinations continues to grow, the most prominent additions to bucket lists are Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, not only for their unique cultural highlights, ethnic minorities and landscape but for the great value they offer young families.
Fishing boats in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
The UK’s fascination with South Korean culture and food is attracting more travellers to explore its futuristic cities and ancient traditions, while the prospect of climate change and desire to preserve the environment is seeing more and more people travelling to the rainforests of Borneo, helping to fund conservation of endangered species like the orangutan.
Taj Mahal, India
The undoubted rising star for traveller for the coming year is India, India, India and India. Whether it’s for the perennial Golden Triangle and the fabulous Taj Mahal or the colourful desert forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the wildlife and tiger parks of Madhya Pradesh, the tranquillity of Kerala’s backwaters or the adventures in the Himalayan foothills, India is the destination to head for in the year ahead.
No matter which of the incredible Asian destinations inspires you, we recommend speaking to a specialist who can help get you there and doing the things you love, while observing Shabbat.
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