After the pandemic hibernation, folks traveled the world in droves in 2023 to see all of the faraway locations they missed or by no means had an opportunity to go to. For 2024, we anticipate that vacationers will make a concerted effort to hunt out extra significant experiences.

In fact, “significant” is subjective. For one individual, that may very well be a wildlife safari. For an additional, it may very well be supporting a beloved island ravaged by wildfires. Forbes Journey Information’s checklist of 24 locations across the globe covers all of it, interesting to those that take pleasure in sports activities, artwork, meals and extra. However the locations all share a commonality: they promise to depart you with a long-lasting impression.

Grand Cayman

Most individuals come to Grand Cayman for Seven Mile Seashore, however it’s additionally an under-the-radar vacation spot for its vibrant culinary scene. Look no additional than eating places equivalent to 5-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s seafood-centric Blue by Eric Ripert and specialty bars equivalent to 5-Star Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa’s Library by the Sea (its literary-themed cocktails are a novel idea), which is able to host famend mixologists from across the globe all 12 months. The island is also house to the Cayman Cookout, a superb winter culinary pageant helmed by Ripert that pulls prime cooks. All of it solidifies the island’s standing as a verifiable foodie paradise.

Begin planning: The place To Eat And Drink In Grand Cayman Island

Paris

What higher method for the Worldwide Olympic Committee to debut 4 new summer season occasions (good day there, breakdancing!) than on Paris’ large stage? Whereas the world’s consideration shall be on tracks, courts and swimming pools round France’s capital from July 26 to August 11, the town’s prime resorts shall be competing for luxurious vacationers’ consideration. One contender we’re holding our eyes on is Forbes Journey Information 5-Star Royal Champagne Lodge & Spa. Although the beautiful property is 75 miles from central Paris congestion, it affords sufficient tennis, mountain biking and horseback using that you simply’ll really feel such as you’ve received the gold with a keep.

Begin planning: 5 Of Paris’ Most Glamorous Suites

Rwanda

Vacationers have lengthy discovered the Central African nation a treasure trove of nice meals, beneficiant folks and gorilla treks made well-known by primatologist Dian Fossey. And whereas we’re as enthralled with the thought of fist-bumping primates in Volcanoes Nationwide Park as the following adventurer, we’re equally enthusiastic about sipping our morning espresso beneath eucalyptus timber and splashing within the infinity pool at neighboring One&Solely Gorilla’s Nest. Dubbed the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda units the scene for adventures huge and small with its various panorama of volcanoes, plains and rainforests.

Begin planning: Go On A One-Day Gorilla Trek In Rwanda

Las Vegas

For many U.S. cities, the Tremendous Bowl can be the head on an occasion calendar. For the leisure capital of the world, nonetheless, February 11’s soccer extravaganza is merely the primary spectacle in a 12 months filled with different sports activities (System 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix), stage productions (Spiegelworld’s DiscoShow debuts this summer season at The Linq Lodge) and severe Sphere rumors (Beyoncé is reportedly in talks to do a residency within the futuristic dome). All of that and staff are nonetheless sweeping up confetti from 3,644-room Fontainebleau’s December grand opening.

Begin planning: 5 Of Las Vegas’ Finest-Saved Secrets and techniques

Porto

A captivating UNESCO World Heritage Website in coastal Portugal, Porto quietly retains creeping up vacationers’ checklist of must-visit European cities. Being lower than 200 miles from fast-paced capital Lisbon is one motive for the eye. The area’s well-known wine, in manufacturing because the 1750s, is one other tasty one. Whereas the town affords a bunch of wineries to toast, it’s the exceptional lodge development — new properties like Altis Porto Lodge and The Lince Santa Clara have been introduced for 2024 — that we’re thirsty to study extra about.

Cairo

The wonderous pyramids of Giza and the Nile yearly make Egypt’s largest metropolis a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers. Current openings have solely intensified curiosity. In 2023, Waldorf Astoria entered the Africa market with a sublime property within the historical Egyptian metropolis of Heliopolis. And in late-spring 2024, a brand new chapter within the metropolis’s wealthy historical past shall be written with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, an attraction that won’t solely home King Tut’s total treasure assortment but in addition guarantees to be the biggest archaeological museum complicated on this planet.

Maui

The August 2023 Maui wildfires are estimated to have achieved greater than $6 billion in injury. The toll taken on native households and companies is incalculable. But when there’s a supply of optimism, it’s within the resiliency of Hawaii’s hospitality business. Eating places have reopened. Shops are once more welcoming clients. Airport runways are filling up. Lodges are additionally encouraging aware journey this 12 months with packages that both see a portion of proceeds go on to affected events (Forbes Journey Information Advisable Wailea Seashore Resort – Marriott’s “Return to Maui: Journey with Coronary heart” promotion) or provide programming that deliberately places the main focus again on the realm’s pure magnificence (5-Star 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea’s prime whale-watching locale).

Begin planning: Uncovering Maui’s Finest Snorkeling Spots

San Diego and Tijuana

The San Diego-Tijuana space was lately named the World Design Capital 2024 by the World Design Group. The group credit the 2 cities for having a historical past of cross-border collaboration and making good use of the pure setting for every thing from infrastructure to the humanities. Over this year-long celebration, guests to the area can take part in group occasions, Tijuana’s World Design Competition (Could 1-5) and San Diego’s World Design Expertise (Sept. 18-25). And whereas Forbes Journey Information Advisable Pendry San Diego is probably not on any official World Design itinerary, the lodge’s clear coastal California aesthetic will flip quite a lot of eyes.

Begin planning: Why You Ought to Go to This San Diego Lodge Proper Now

Koh Samui

Each vacation spot on HBO hit present White Lotus turns into a tourism sizzling spot. Get a soar on the third season, which shoots this 12 months in Thailand with Leslie Bibb and Parker Posey. Koh Samui is among the many featured areas, and since earlier seasons occurred at 4 Seasons resorts, 4 Seasons Resort Koh Samui seemingly will play a task. Earlier than the lots descend, luxuriate within the lodge’s hillside villas, non-public strip of sand and waterfront infinity pool, and discover Thailand’s third-largest island’s beautiful seashores, waterfall-dotted jungle and contemporary delicacies (it’s recognized for oysters, prawns and salted duck eggs).

Halifax, Canada

Whereas Vancouver and Toronto command a lot of the worldwide highlight for Canada, we are going to endlessly maintain a particular place in our passport for Halifax, a wonderful snapshot of maritime life on the Atlantic aspect of the map. And with all that’s occurring within the Nova Scotian capital — the Junos (Canada’s model of the Grammys) shall be held in Scotiabank Centre in March and Symphony Nova Scotia celebrates its fortieth anniversary all 12 months — now appears like the proper time to go to. Queen’s Marque, a brand new waterfront district only a quick stroll from all of the music, is house to nice eating places, quaint retailers and the subtly fashionable Muir Lodge, Autograph Assortment.

Begin planning: Plan A Highway Journey By means of Nova Scotia’s Numerous Cultures

Massive Sky, Montana

This rugged mountain city is climbing to new heights of luxurious. The 2021 opening of Montage Massive Sky marked the city’s arrival as a luxurious ski resort vacation spot, bolstered by the enlargement of Bozeman Yellowstone Worldwide Airport. With a 400-inch snowfall common, the vacation spot has an apparent attraction for skiers. Nevertheless, it additionally has a culinary aspect value sampling. The inaugural Savor Massive Sky Winter Wine Dinner (Jan. 21) could have famend New York Metropolis-based chef Nick Anderer because the host, solely strengthening Massive Sky’s status as a burgeoning eating vacation spot. The city’s ascent continues by means of the 12 months with the Savor Massive Sky meals and wine pageant returning this summer season and the luxurious One&Solely Moonlight Basin debuting subsequent winter’s ski season.

Phoenix

When the McArthur brothers opened the Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced Arizona Biltmore in 1929, they dreamed of creating the state a vacationer vacation spot. Whereas a slew of anniversaries round Phoenix honor the town’s previous — Orpheum Theatre, a former vaudeville venue, celebrated its ninety fifth 12 months on January 5 alongside Forbes Journey Information Advisable Arizona Biltmore’s ninety fifth anniversary commemoration — the vacation spot is sort of actually capturing towards the long run. Neighboring Glendale will host this 12 months’s NCAA Males’s Ultimate 4 April 6 by means of 8.

Begin planning: Why You Want To Go to This Newly Renovated Architectural Oasis

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic was the Caribbean’s hottest vacation spot final 12 months, in accordance with the Caribbean Tourism Group. And its recognition will proceed to develop because the island undergoes a luxurious renaissance. Final 12 months noticed the opening of Cayo Levantado Resort, the island’s first upscale wellness resort ushered in a mannequin of high-end hospitality centered on the island’s pure magnificence, design and cultural historical past, and native favourite Casa de Campo Resort & Villas unveiled its new Premier Membership, an all-suite hotel-within-a-hotel. With The St. Regis Cap Cana (the primary luxurious chain that isn’t an all-inclusive) and adults-only W All-Inclusive Punta Cana Uvero Alto anticipated to open in 2024, the vacation spot’s evolving ethos of magnificence will solely get stronger.

Begin planning: Inside The Dominican Republic’s First Luxurious Wellness Resort

Iceland

This 12 months’s photo voltaic exercise forecast has eyes turned to Iceland’s night time sky with the prediction of elevated sightings of the northern lights’ dazzling show. However even when the forecast doesn’t pan out, Iceland’s spectacular landscapes — glacial lagoons, black sand seashores and geothermal spas — will undoubtedly depart you in awe. To not be outdone, capital metropolis Reykjavík is each colourful and cosmopolitan, with wealthy native music, artwork and culinary scenes. The Reykjavik EDITION exemplifies all of this however with loads of fashionable Nordic design and unforgettable mountain views. (Editor’s Observe: Vacationers ought to monitor current volcanic exercise on the island earlier than planning a visit; as of this publishing, there haven’t been any flight cancelations.)

Begin planning: 10 Prime Iceland Points of interest

Istanbul

Now greater than ever, Istanbul affords an irresistible mix of the outdated world and the brand new. Galataport, a revitalized waterfront within the metropolis’s historic district, now welcomes guests arriving by cruise ship with Turkey’s first modern artwork museum, buzzing eating places and boutiques. A brand new class of luxurious resorts offers those self same guests a compelling motive to remain. The Peninsula Istanbul opened simply down the street from Galataport, whereas the 5-Star Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, a lavish waterfront, Nineteenth-century Ottoman palace, has practically accomplished an intensive redesign, simply in time for Istanbul’s subsequent chapter.

Begin planning: 12 Prime Lodges In Istanbul And Bodrum

Tokyo

The world’s largest metropolis incorporates an infinite checklist of sights — conventional Japanese gardens, a few of Asia’s best eating places, a bunch of cherry blossom festivals — that by some means solely continues to develop. In 2024, a futuristic digital artwork museum (teamLab Borderless), an immersive re-creation of Edo-period Tokyo (Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai) and a cutting-edge shopping center (Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado) will all open. Fortunately, a crop of recent luxurious resorts is bobbing up simply in time to satisfy the approaching vacationer demand. The buzzy Bulgari Lodge Tokyo debuted final spring. The avant-garde Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon began welcoming friends in October, and the long-anticipated Tokyo EDITION, Ginza will observe in early 2024.

Begin planning: Why Foodies Ought to Go to This Tokyo Lodge

Dallas

A complete photo voltaic eclipse will engulf North America April 8, and Dallas would be the largest metropolis in its path. Watch it from The Joule’s Eye Garden (a downtown park with a 30-foot-tall eyeball sculpture) on the Eyeborteum occasion. The subsequent likelihood to witness the phenomenon within the contiguous U.S. received’t be till 2044, NASA says.

Extra causes to go to this 12 months: the town will host the MLB All-Star Recreation; The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas will unveil a $55 million renovation; the 888-room Loews Arlington will debut; and a brand new PS non-public airport terminal will land at DFW.

Begin planning: How To Spend Two Days In Dallas

Pink Sea, Saudi Arabia

This bold mission goals to convey regenerative tourism (i.e., preserving and bettering the setting and group) to greater than 90 untouched islands alongside Saudi’s west coast. By 2030, the Pink Sea could have 50 resorts and eight,000 rooms. However don’t wait till then — fly into the brand new Pink Sea Worldwide Airport and keep at Six Senses Southern Dunes, a desert wellness vacation spot that debuted in November, or The St. Regis Pink Sea Resort, a newly opened island getaway that provides a bevy of watersports amid the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system.

Uttarakhand, India

Botswana and Tanzania aren’t the one locations for a bucket-list-worthy safari. Journey to Uttarakhand, a state in northern India the place forest covers 65 p.c of the land and 12 nationwide parks and wildlife sanctuaries reside.

Taj Corbett Resort & Spa sits seven miles from Corbett — the nation’s oldest nationwide park is house to elephants, leopards and the endangered Royal Bengal tigers — and leads each day Jeep safaris. Forty minutes from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and its leopards, Indian purple foxes and jackals, The Kumaon offers excursions that embrace a cease at Zero Level for sweeping views of the Himalayas.

The Sacred Valley, Peru

Many vacationers use the Sacred Valley as a gateway to Machu Picchu, however this pure wonderland within the Andes deserves its personal journey. Carve out time to go to the various Inca ruins, discover the cobblestoned streets of Ollantaytambo, savor Peru’s famed delicacies and keep at Tambo del Inka, a Luxurious Assortment Resort & Spa, a picturesque property alongside the Urubamba River.

And whenever you’re able to lastly trek to Machu Picchu, head to the lodge’s non-public practice station, the place you’ll be able to board a Nineteen Twenties-style carriage and a panoramic Commentary Bar Automobile for a memorable experience.

Palau

Floating between the Philippines and Guam, Palau stays an undiscovered gem with pristine waters and limestone islands teeming with greenery. That received’t be the case for lengthy, since 4 Seasons plans to open a lodge there quickly.

To check the vacation spot’s waters, the model lately unveiled the 4 Seasons Explorer, a 128-foot luxurious catamaran. It’s an excellent strategy to see Palau’s UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, particularly if you happen to’re a diver or snorkeler. The yacht is a PADI 5 Star Dive Middle with all of the gear wanted for frequent underwater outings with a marine biologist, licensed instructors and a paparazzi crew to doc your adventures.

Seoul

Whether or not you’re into Ok-pop, Ok-dramas, Ok-beauty or are simply Ok-curious, South Korea is making it simpler for you partake in its tradition. It’s launching visas for digital nomads and Ok-culture coaching that enables vacationers to review at an area performing arts academy. Each visas will permit non-Koreans to remain within the nation for as much as two years.

In late 2024, try the first-of-its-kind Seoul Robotic & AI Museum, which used robots to assemble its white spherical constructing. The interactive reveals will characteristic robots, synthetic intelligence, digital actuality and extra.

St. Martin

A golden anniversary in a golden paradise, the 4-Star La Samanna, A Belmond Lodge, St Martin celebrates its fiftieth 12 months on the white-sand shores of Baie Longue, the westernmost level of the French aspect of the island. Nevertheless, there isn’t a fallacious aspect to this Caribbean getaway. Nicknamed “The Pleasant Island,” St. Martin’s 35 sq. miles are break up between the French and the Dutch, creating an eclectic tradition that’s welcoming to all. Mark La Samanna’s milestone with a keep in one of many eight lately renovated Personal Pool Villas with new paintings from native painter Roland Richardson, tropical-chic touches, kitchens, lush gardens and infinity swimming pools.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

A regional seaside vacation spot, Vietnam’s largest island feels rustic with fishing villages and cows crossing the uncongested roads. Nevertheless it’s luring in luxurious vacationers with the glamorous new Regent Phu Quoc subsequent to InterContinental Phu Quoc Lengthy Seashore Resort.

Whereas vacationers go to Sundown City (an uncanny reproduction of an Italian metropolis) and Solar World Hon Thom amusement park, go for a VietJeep Phu Quoc tour to take pleasure in considerable purple starfish at Starfish Seashore, a seafood feast at a nondescript restaurant on stilts within the water and well-known native peppers at Phu Quoc Countryside farm.

Begin planning: This New Vietnam Lodge Offers You A Lavish Suite Or Villa, A Personal Pool And VIP Perks

Keep tuned for our 2024 Star Awards announcement on February 7.

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