Every year, we see different travel trends pop in as soon as the previous year comes to a close, and 2024 promises to be no different. In recent years, we have seen travel shift and change with impact-driven decisions, family-focused travel, and bucket list destinations trending for travelers in 2022 and 2023. While these things will likely continue to trend for 2024, here are a few other predictions from TravelCharlee for what the year ahead could bring and perhaps be of interest to you.
Train Travel Glam
There is no denying that luxury train travel looks glamorous for most travelers. Romanticized for years in Hollywood films and bestselling novels, traveling across countries and continents by rail offers the kind of luxury, comfort, and style travelers by car, coach, or plane often dream about. Not only are the trains themselves something special, but often, these hotels on rails are bound for desirable, sometimes multiple, destinations. There is a kind of renaissance for train travel happening in 2024, as more travelers are becoming conscious of their carbon footprint and avoiding cruise ships and long-haul flights, and who can argue with fine dining, lavish accommodations, and five-star hotel-level service? Whether you are looking to see the sights from the comfort of a carriage or seek a stylish mode of travel from destination to destination, traveling by train has glamor and luxury you won’t find anywhere else.
Recommendations: Railbookers offer luxury train travel around the world, including the famous Trans-Canada journey from Vancouver through the Rockies and across to Toronto. The Royal Scotsman, run by Belmond Hotels, offers a unique way to see the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands, and who hasn’t dreamed of traveling across Europe aboard the Orient Express?
Northern… Lights up the sky in 2024!
The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, is a bucket list item for many travelers, and if that is you, 2024 is your year! Created by particles from explosions on the sun colliding with the Earth’s magnetic field, the Northern Lights dance across the skies of Northern Europe and Canada. It takes 11 years for the sun to complete a cycle of solar activity, and in certain parts of that cycle, the aurora activity is heightened. 2024 happens to be one of those years! For the best chance of seeing this spectacular phenomenon, head north in the colder months when the nights are long and dark. September to April is the optimal travel time for northern light hunters.
Recommendations: To truly capture the magic of the Northern Lights, Norway and Iceland 2 prime destinations for viewing. The north of Norway is dark from early afternoon to late morning for half the year, and this offers prime aurora viewing for visitors across the fjords, islands, and steep mountains of the Norwegian landscape. Check out a Nordic Northern Lights tour for an arctic experience on land or sea that will take your breath away. For something slightly different, consider the otherworldly scenery of Iceland. With volcanoes and glaciers, Iceland is a truly magical destination in its own right, but with the chance to see the enchanting Northern Lights in the Icelandic sky, this will be a destination like no other in 2024!
Check out the full blog: Where to see the Northern Lights.
Need some zzzzzz’s?
If the last few years have left you feeling burnt out and desperate for rest, this type of travel is for you! Part of the fast-growing wellness tourism industry, sleep tourism is expected to continue its rise in popularity in 2024. Sleep has long been recognized as an important factor in lowering stress, increasing energy, and improving one’s mood, but so many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep.
Focusing on better sleep habits and increased sleep quality, sleep tourism is the ultimate self-care for the busy traveler who wants to get away from the day-to-day grind. Sleep tourism providers have everything covered, from lighting and soundproofing to the best, most luxurious beds and bedding to sleep education and sleep-enhancing cuisine. You can stay stateside or go global, but either way, 2024 is the year of better sleep!
Recommendations: Whether you are looking for a 5-star luxury experience or a more intrepid style of getaway, there is a sleep tourism provider for you. From the sleep suite at the Park Hyatt in New York City to the Sleep Well Retreat at Miami’s Carillon Hotel, getting a better night’s sleep shouldn’t be a problem for the discerning domestic traveler. Travelers to Europe have a myriad of options available, including the week-long sleep retreat at Preidlhof Luxury Resort in Northern Italy, a sleep upgrade at the wellness spa of Six Senses Ibiza, or the sleep concierge service at Belmond’s Cadogan Hotel in London. How about the Four Seasons Sayan Resort, a popular destination in Bali? This resort offers a sacred nap experience that will leave you feeling rested and refreshed, ready to explore this diverse Indonesian paradise. Yes, please!
Cruises on the River, that is!
Luxury cruises have long been popular with experienced travelers, but 2024 is the year that river cruises come into their own. River cruises are the perfect way to see inland cities yet still maintain that sense of freedom and luxury that boat travel provides. River cruising is much more intimate than their sea-bound counterparts. With year-round options across the globe covering everything from nature to cuisine to Christmas markets, river cruises are rapidly growing in popularity. Will 2024 be the year you choose to cruise?
Recommendations: River cruises are available almost year-round. In Spring, check out the Tulip Time cruise that takes you through the heart of the Netherlands and Belgium, celebrating the best of both Dutch and Belgian cultures. Summer brings many options for river cruising, including Normandy and Paris, where you can immerse yourself in the unique and diverse history, culture, and art of northern France. Fall is the perfect time of year to indulge in a food and wine cruise, with destinations and durations to suit every traveler, or hold off until Winter and take in the famous European Christmas markets in style with a Christmas markets cruise. Away from Europe, there are options in Africa, Asia, and North and South America, and more destinations are becoming available each year. Want more details on river cruising? Read more in the blog.
Travel in 2024 continues to be a priority for many, and there are loads of exciting options available for your next vacation. Whether you decide to climb aboard a railway experience, chase the beauty of an aurora, indulge in the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had, or sail on a luxurious river cruise, I would love to help you plan your 2024 travel. Contact me with your dates and desires, and let’s get you booked for a dream vacation! Better yet, if you are ready to book your vacation,
Travel Charlee makes it easy for you!