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Where to Go if You Still Need a Holiday This Year
Written by Rebecca Ellwood
It’s not over yet: these are the top destinations for a last-minute jaunt (hint: there are some epic flight savings to be had).
Haven’t booked your 2024 travel yet? Happily, it’s not too late to swap the grind for peace of mind. There are actually perks to be had for holding out, like last-minute flight sales and short-notice accommodation offers (especially if you’re booking off-peak).
Scroll down for the best destinations for an eleventh-hour escape in 2024.
Bali
Families, couples, surfers, yogis and digital nomads alike find their own slice of paradise in Bali; a spiritual island where temples rise amid jungles and paddy fields. Choose your own adventure in Seminyak, the go-to for the well-heeled in search of luxury resorts and the hottest beach clubs and restaurants; Canggu, a cool enclave for surfers and bohemians; Ubud, a hotbed for art and culture in the jungle; Nusa Dua with its pristine beaches or surf-licked Uluwatu.
Maldives
If relaxation on a far-flung island is the only way to soothe your soul, perhaps the Maldives is your palm-fringed fantasy, with its impossibly turquoise lagoons, sugary sands and storybook wildlife. Real life couldn’t feel further away than when you’re listening to the gentle swish of the ocean in an overwater villa. Spa treatments, gastronomic indulgence and barefoot romance are the order of the day here: it simply doesn’t get any better for a flop-and-drop.
New York, USA
Bright lights, big dreams and yellow cabs: in New York, it really does feel like anything is possible. Its tourist icons are too plentiful to count (there’s the pulsing heart of the city, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art); its dining dazzling (from street-corner hot dogs to indecently overloaded deli sandwiches and achingly cool new openings); its arts and culture world-leading. Whether you stay for a weekend or a week, it’s never enough to uncover it all.
Hamilton Island, Australia
The backend of the year is actually one of the best times to visit the Whitsundays, with bountiful sunshine and minimal rain. And you really can’t beat the tropical beauty of ‘Hamo’, whose powdery white sands, coral-rich waters and dreamy resorts have the approval of the A-list (if it’s good enough for Taylor Swift, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Chris Hemsworth…) Zip around by golf buggy, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, dine at the marina beside the mega yachts, and watch the sun set over the neighbouring islands: it’s pure magic.
London, UK
Isn’t it always the right time for London? As vibrant in the summer, when every inch of every park is packed, as in the winter under the glow of the Christmas lights, this culture-crammed city promises year-round buzz. From its grisly history (think the Tower of London and Jack the Ripper tours) to regal palaces and parks, world-class arts and theatre, unmissable shopping and riverside dining, no two days are ever the same. Once you’ve ticked off the sights, browse its markets and hole up fireside in a rickety old pub for a good old English roast.
Phuket, Thailand
For an easy breezy escape with a tropical climate, Thailand delivers with its plentiful luxury resorts that offer excellent value. One of its most loved destinations is the island of Phuket, which offers that perfect balance of island bliss, Old Town heritage and nightlife (should you seek it). Amid jungle covered cliffs, sandy beaches and Buddhist temples, five-star resorts offer everything at your fingertips – but should you decide to explore, it’s also the perfect launchpad for the Phi Phi and Similan Islands, where Thailand’s famous castaway beauty really comes into its own.
Vietnam
You may have heard of Vietnam’s jungle-clad karsts, opalescent waters, virtually untouched sands, ancient cities and piquant, herb-laden dishes that equally hit the spot at the roadside or restaurant. Will 2024 be the year to uncover its treasures? From lantern-lit Hoi An, to the pagodas of the frenetic Ho Chi Minh City and serene beach resorts of the east coast, its diversity is endlessly compelling.
Los Angeles, USA
Whether you’re in it for a taste of Tinsel Town, its famous theme parks, the glossy movie-set shopping of Beverly Hills or the palm-lined beaches of the California coast, you’ll leave in no doubt Los Angeles is one the world’s most fascinating cities. Surfers, Hollywood dreamers, artists, musicians and urbanites rub shoulders in a destination that offers as much grit as it does glamour – and is an excellent starting point for a Cali road trip.
Tokyo, Japan
Not the type to flop and drop? Pack your escape with culture with a cosmopolitan city break to Japan’s effervescent capital. Here, glittering neon lights, soaring skyscrapers and glossy whisky bars sit in juxtaposition with ancient temples, tea houses and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Let the energy of the city guide you: there’s a surprise round every corner.
Singapore
Singapore’s not known as ‘the garden city’ for nothing. With bountiful parklands amid the urban sprawl (Gardens by the Bay and the Botanic Gardens are unmissable), this is one of the greenest and cleanest cities you could encounter. Add to that its iconic Marina Bay skyline, the theme parks and attractions of Sentosa Island and a bar and restaurant scene that’s becoming one to watch on a world stage, and you may well want to extend that stopover.
Dubai, UAE
If you’re after guaranteed blue skies and sunshine, and every indulgence you could dream of in one neat package (think out-of-this-world resorts and gastronomic grandeur), glitzy Dubai should definitely make your shortlist. Away from the jaw-dropping architecture and Instagrammable experiences, uncover the city’s ancient Arabian spirit and nomadic history in the bustling souqs and on desert safari.
Fiji, South Pacific
One of the few destinations that is equally as beloved by families as lovebirds (it’s all in the resort you pick), this South Pacific paradise guarantees a warm welcome and postcard-perfect tropical beaches. The islands enjoy plenty of sunshine up to October, but even in wet season they’re beautiful, with the waterfalls and greenery lusher than ever from intermittent showers (and of course, excellent offers to be had on resorts out of peak season). Head off the mainland for castaway luxury, or to the Coral Coast for easy to reach, family friendly fun.
Discover Fiji
Feature image: Warwick Fiji by Prem Kurumpanai on Unsplash.
