2024 destinations: where to travel and why next year
So many countries, so little time. With a wealth of destination inspiration on the radar, deciding where to go next can be tough. But Flash Pack is here to help. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite places to visit in 2024, based on new festivals, flight routes and cultural events worldwide. Grab a pen and get stuck in – your wander list awaits…
Beautiful Brazil
With its legendary beaches, iconic rainforest and emerging afro-tourism experiences, Brazil is a destination that delivers on all fronts. In 2024, there’ll be even more reason to visit this feel-good country thanks to a new Virgin Atlantic route flying daily and direct from London to the buzzing hub of São Paulo (easily in time for the G20 summit, taking place in November).
There are so many highlights to explore South America’s land of perennial sunshine; from street art in Rio de Janeiro to the unexplored islands around Paraty, Brazil’s creative coastal hub. But the people of Brazil are perhaps the biggest draw of all.
There’s no party in the world like a Brazilian party
“Brazilians are very warm and people-orientated by nature; we love to be around friends and family, and we have a very mixed culture, too,” says Brazilian artist Camila Pinheiro. “In São Paulo, for example, you’ll find Japanese and Italian influences, then we also have a strong Afro-Brazilian heritage – particularly to the northeast of the country, in states such as Bahia. This all comes together in a rich fusion of music, dance, art and cuisine. There’s no party in the world like a Brazilian party.”
Idyllic Italy
The sweet life is well and truly alive in Italy next year, with the launch of Orient Express – the Dolce Vita, a luxury train service revived from its heyday over 50 years ago. A series of express and historic train services (some overnight) will be unveiled in tandem with the Dolce Vita, on iconic routes such as Milan to Genoa and Rome to Calalzo.
If that wasn’t enough, American Airlines is coming in on the action, too, with a new nonstop Philly to Naples flight beginning next spring. The upshot? There’s every excuse to familiarise yourself with Italy’s show chorus of delights; including Roman ruins, Neapolitan pizza, Mount Vesuvius vineyards – and even the chance to cruise around the capital by vintage sidecar.
Enchanting Egypt
Egypt hardly needs to sell itself as a world-class destination. The Nile, the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings are all permanent fixtures for the bucket list. However, 2024 also sees the opening of Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM); the world’s largest archaeological museum complex, located on the Giza Plateau.
Situated right next door to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, GEM’s displays are similarly wow-worthy. Visitors will be awed by a 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II, as well the chance to see King Tut’s entire treasure collection.
2024 sees the opening of Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum
Egypt is more than the sum of its ancient history, though. This is a country that has plenty of contemporary appeal, too. “With nearly 30 years’ experience, I love to bring the wonders of Egypt’s past alive with my tales of mythology,” says Flash Pack leader, Faten Ibrahim. “But I’m also interested in helping groups to explore the modern side of my country: the evolving food culture; the different neighbourhoods; what people get up to on a Friday or Saturday night.”
Sensational South Korea
Against the backdrop of a Korean TV boom driven by smash-hit shows such as The Glory and Squid Games, South Korean culture is having its moment in the sun. With Korean street food (hello, tteokbokki) and K-pop supergroups (BTS, we’re looking at you) also in the limelight, there’s never been a better time to visit East Asia’s hottest peninsula.
Happily, 2024 is also Visit Korea Year in the country – slogan “ride the Korean wave” – which means travellers will be treated to an extra-special helping of K-culture events, ranging from firework shows to a festival of kimchi and major global gaming expos. Pre-empting the demand, United Airlines is among those laying on extra flights to the world’s current capital of cool. Be prepared for a treat for the senses; whether that’s healing forests, martial arts with monks or a spot of true-Seoul karaoke.
Jaw-dropping Jordan
Promising “an extraordinary party amidst the ancient city of Petra”, 2024 sees the launch of Jordan’s inaugural Medaina Festival. For three nights only, the Nabatean kingdom, along with its sister icon, the Wadi Rum, will be taken over by a line-up of global DJs, foodie events and stargazing.
Jordan is an incredibly diverse destination
It’s just one of the many ways in which Jordan – now more accessible than ever due to a fleet of budget flights from the UK and Europe – is evolving its offering. In this incredibly diverse destination, you can be partying in the coastal city of Aqaba one moment and off-roading and glamping in ancient dunes the next. With local tourism also on the rise, the best kind of adventure here will also take an immersive look at community traditions e.g. by dining with a Bedouin family.
Natural New Zealand
A gorgeous island country a long way away – but in 2024, the journey to New Zealand will be that much easier thanks to Air New Zealand’s world-first Skynest sleep pods. Available on New York and Chicago routes from next September, these unique sleep zones will offer economy passengers the chance to spread out in a proper bed for four hours at a time.
Think of it as extra enticement to explore a landscape of countless natural marvels. Swimming with dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura, ice-hiking on the Franz Josef Glacier, a flight to the heart of Milford Sound fjord; you name it, New Zealand has adventure scrawled all over it. And the country’s growing reputation as a leader in regenerative tourism, including authentic Māori-led experiences, is another reason to visit next year. As Oscar-winning actor and writer Taika Waititi says, in a new ad campaign for his country, “There’s no place like it on earth.”
Flash Pack is a group travel company that specialises in small group adventures for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s. Find out more about how we work, and our mission to build a global community of friendships.
Images: Flash Pack, Unsplash
