WHERE TO EXPLORE IN 2024
Your 2024 Travel Guide
365 days can pass in the blink of an eye, the year’s adventures forgotten, delayed or postponed all too quickly. That’s why now is the time to plan your next journey with our 2024 travel guide.
Planning the whats, wheres and whens of your next journey now will help you make the very most of the year ahead. Our 2024 travel guide will help you discover new destinations, travel at the best times of year, and even begin the process of organizing your future travels.
Some of the world’s most appealing destinations are timeless. They have been visited for decades, will be frequented for many more, and are equally as fantastic at any time of the year. Though they may be changeable through the seasons, there is no ‘wrong’ time to visit.
Other destinations are often overlooked in favor of these ‘celebrity’ locations – the Masai Mara, Machu Picchu or the pyramids of Egypt, for example. Though their renown is warranted, such popularity can also lead to crowds, while nearby locations that offer similar experiences often provide solitude and exclusivity.
This 2024 travel guide highlights nine of our recommended alternative destinations to explore next year:
- Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
- Franschhoek, South Africa
- Tasmania, Australia
- Botswana Beyond the Delta
- Agra, India
- Bush to Coast in Tanzania
- The Atacama, Chile
- Morocco
- Nairobi, Kenya
Patagonia
Patagonia is not a country in itself, though such is its size that it could be considered one. Spanning almost 50 percent of both Chile and Argentina, an area of 386 thousand square miles (1 million km²), Patagonia is vast. Encompassing the Andes Mountains, immense plains, glacial lakes and the southernmost tip of South America, it is easy to step off grid, away from the crowds and lose oneself in this breathtaking wilderness.
Within Patagonia lie several national parks, including Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares. Though the famous peak of Mount Fitz Roy lies within Los Glaciares National Park, Torres del Paine has become renowned for its mirror-like lakes reflecting the majestic mountains of the Andes. As the name would suggest, Los Glaciares is a coastal park in which visitors can view perpetually shifting glaciers as they creep imperceptibly toward the ocean. Boat trips along the coast provide exceptional views of these ice sheets, and fur seals, sea lions, dolphins and penguins can be spotted weaving and leaping through the water. If fortunate, and the season is right, one might also see orcas, humpback whales and sea otters.
Patagonia is a hiker’s dream destination, but you don’t need to prepare for camping rough on days-long trails. A small selection of luxury lodges at the heart of Patagonia offer opulent base camps from which to venture on walks of anything from an hour to a full day.
Photos: Patagonia Camp
Taking a step back in time, the gauchos of Patagonia, or Huasos if on the Chilean side, are the traditional ‘cowboys’ of the region and will gladly introduce you to their horses, culture and yerba maté. Horseback riding through Patagonia is the very definition of serenity and not to be missed, whether a seasoned equestrian or first-timer in the saddle.
Best For: Adventures & Escapism
Best Season: November – March
Franschhoek, South Africa
Franschhoek often garners little more than a fleeting visit on most South African safari itineraries, but it’s worthy of so much more, and an inclusion in our 2024 travel guide.
Originally the ancestral lands of the Khoisan people, Franschhoek was settled in the late 1600s by French protestants. Originally named by its western immigrants Le Coin Français, or the French Corner, it was later reinterpreted into Dutch, becoming Franschhoek. Though a distinctive Dutch influence permeates this Eden-like valley 56 miles (90km) east of Cape Town, it is by the hand of the French that it has evolved.
Lending their culture to the region, the French Huguenot settlers established vineyards and drew on their culinary and horticultural heritage to create a region of fertile pastures and fine food.
Surrounded by towering mountains, the Franschhoek valley is absolutely idyllic and still reflects much of its legacy, vineyards, farms and roads still bearing French names, while the architecture of farmsteads and estates bears a distinctly more Dutch style.
Today, Franschhoek is an oasis of tranquility. Only an hour or so from the bustling streets of Cape Town, it is a haven for South Africans looking to escape the city and visitors wishing to sample the spoils of the Winelands. It has also become a center of wellness, and several retreats have established themselves in this verdant valley.
In addition to its award-winning vineyards, Franschhoek is home to about ten percent of South Africa’s best restaurants, and a powerful farm-to-table ethos echoing the early settlers has combined with contemporary cuisine and fervent sustainability practices to create an iconic dining experience, from casual cafe to fine dining restaurant.
Though any visit by overseas tourists to Cape Town is most often to pursue safari itineraries, the wise are now taking their time in departing the southern capital and spending a long weekend in the serene surrounds of Franschhoek.
Best For: Food, wine & a relaxing escape
Best Season: Year-round, though quieter from May to September
Tasmania, Australia
In some regards, Tasmania could be said to be an amalgamation of the first two destinations of our 2024 travel guide.
Possessing untouched wilderness and impressive trails akin to Patagonia, Australia’s southerly island state is distinctly rural in its approach to daily life. This is particularly reflected in the food, with fresh seafood gathered daily from the ports around its coastline and local produce ranging from freshly harvested fruit and vegetables to grass-fed beef, delicious cheeses, sweet preserves and alcoholic beverages.
Tasmania is wonderfully rugged. There is a charming sense in its people and townships of isolation and self-sustainability. Despite, or perhaps inspired by this, luxurious lodges have been established in some of the island’s more remote reaches, taking in the sweeping views of the Southern Ocean or embraced by ancient forests and vistas.
As a former penal colony, Tasmania is shrouded in its own fascinating history, while it is also possible to uncover aspects of its millennia-old indigenous heritage. Old-growth forests and the spectacular Freycinet (fray-sin-ay) National Park offer a bewildering immersion in the southern wilds, and wallabies, echidnas and wombats can frequently be spotted, reminding visitors of the absolute uniqueness of the isolated Australian fauna.
Once dismissed as Australia’s country bumpkin sibling, Tasmania is rapidly developing a reputation for some of Australia’s leading chefs and cuisine, while its tourism industry is excelling. Impeccably-designed hotels, lodges and villas are springing up sporadically and services such as private yacht charters, helicopter tours, champagne breakfasts on a private beach and numerous other indulgent activities and excursions are now being provided.
Being Australia’s most southerly state, Tasmania’s climate is noticeably cooler and damper than the more northern states and territories, but this adds to the charm and makes park walks, wilderness hikes or spectacular multi-day treks far more pleasant than under the scorching sun of Queensland.
Tasmania is a wilderness lover’s dream, though this can be disparately interpreted. One can hike into the viridescent distance with not a soul to be seen, amble along quiet yet welcoming streets, or sit back under sail, sipping a gin and tonic as the untouched landscapes recede and the wide ocean beckons.
Best For: Local fine cuisine & wilderness adventures in luxury
Best Season: December – February
Botswana – Beyond the Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of those ‘celebrity’ locations that many have heard of and innumerable have visited, but the ever-popular destination also has a secret side.
Covering a little over 6,000 square miles (16,000km²), this riverine wonderland is teeming with life, and seasonal variations create appeal for a wide range of visitors. Its northeastern quarter is encompassed by Moremi National Park. Similar to South Africa’s Kruger and its surrounding private reserves, Moremi is a public park with day visitors in addition to those residing there, while outlying concessions offer far greater exclusivity.
Far from heavily trafficked, Moremi does still provide a wonderfully immersive experience and superb reflection of the aqueous delta landscape. It also contains plains and grasslands upon which it is possible to enjoy a more conventional game drive, though creek crossings are often a dynamic element of the journey.
Likewise, Moremi hosts a selection of premier properties nestled in the more remote corners of the park, each providing exclusivity and impeccable service.
Step from the park, however, and the impeccable becomes the sublime. Riverine forests and sprawling wetlands are punctuated by sporadic plains to create a breathtaking diversity of terrains. This brings a staggering wealth of wildlife, particularly appealing to birdwatchers and avid photographers. The water creates a dramatic and unique viewpoint, animals unperturbed as you drift slowly by.
The Okavango Delta has gained an entirely justified reputation as one of the world’s finest safari and wilderness destinations, and this has brought with it a very distinct and tangible drive for excellence. Properties, guides, house staff and experiences are of the highest standard, luxury redefined in this watery wonderland.
Best For: Photography & unique wildlife viewing
Best Season: July – October
Agra, India
From the mountains of Ladakh to the tropical beaches of Goa, India is remarkably diverse. An Indian itinerary can cater to a variety of travelers, but will invariably incorporate Agra. Home to the Taj Mahal, it is little wonder that Agra would feature in our 2024 travel guide, but the resplendent mausoleum is a beautiful distraction to what lies beyond the city’s frenetic web of streets.
Before departure, the 350-year-old shrine to the beloved wife of Emperor Shah Jahan is an unmissable delight, a testament in white marble to undying love. Constructed its smooth, white surface, the Taj Mahal has the awe-inspiring property of reflecting the hues of the day’s hour and conditions, from gray to gleaming white, golden yellow, red and purple. Due to this, sunrise and sunset are particularly rewarding times to visit.
Venturing from Agra, Jaipur is often the next destination of choice, and it is this conveyance that brings Agra to our 2024 travel guide. Beyond the city, there are fascinating sites, breathtaking architecture and World Heritage-listed reserves to be discovered.
22 miles (36km) from the city of Agra lies Fatehpur Sikri, a small yet stunningly ornate 16th-century city containing one of India’s largest mosques. Despite its lush gardens and numerous water features, Fatehpur Sikri is sometimes called the ghost city, twice abandoned in its history, most likely because of water scarcity.
A little further on, Keoladeo National Park provides a natural escape on your journey to Jaipur.
Despite being established as a hunting reserve, it has since become a protected park, home to almost 400 species of birds and mammals, some of which are particularly rare. Numerous monkey, deer and antelope species can be found here and the skies are resplendent in the colorful plumage of birdlife. Visitors are free to stroll the established pathways, but to truly discover the park, hailing a rickshaw will provide you with relaxed transportation and an expert guide, the rickshaw owners having been trained specifically so as to offer their knowledge of flora and fauna to their passengers.
The final destination of note on the weaving route to Jaipur is one of the finest examples of stepwell architecture – Chand Baori.
Descending 100 feet (30m) below ground level, 3,500 steps have been meticulously hewn with impeccable symmetry. Built 1,200 years ago, Chand Baori is one of the finest and largest examples of Indian stepwell architecture. While providing drinking water was the fundamental purpose of stepwells, they were also used in ceremony and as communal areas at which to gather, wash and quench one’s thirst.
Best For: Safari-meets-culture adventures
Best Season: November to March
Bush to Coast in Tanzania
Tanzania is a superb combination destination, making it ideal for a 2024 travel guide. Travelers are increasingly searching for multiple experiences on their journeys. No longer content with spending two weeks in a luxury resort or the duration of their vacation on safari in a single reserve, they are combining a collection of diverse opportunities within a single itinerary.
At this, Tanzania excels.
Most notably renowned for the safari experiences of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, these alone provide worthy reasons for visiting the East African nation, and the appeal of the Great Migration also draws thousands of visitors each year.
As wondrous and spectacular as they are, beyond the plains and the magnificent caldera of the Ngorongoro, vastly different attractions await.
Lake Tanganyika is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, providing numerous attractions and activities, from snorkeling and fishing to kayaking and sailing in traditional dhows. Visitors to Tanganyika enjoy coastal relaxation, despite being in the heart of Africa. But there is more to Tanganyika than a beachside escape.
Mahale Mountains National Park, which lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, is one of the premier bastions of wild chimpanzees, with several other primate species sharing the dense rainforest slopes with them. Though perhaps only a three-day visit, this makes Tanganyika and Mahale an incredibly special complement to the safaris of the northeast.
Photos: Greystoke Mahale
For greater contrast still, one can venture from the coast. Even the name of Zanzibar oozes exotic appeal, and the palm-fringed white-sand beaches create a tropical island paradise straight out of a postcard.
Though charming, Zanzibar’s beauty has come at a price. The city’s history as a key port on the spice route is interesting to uncover, but the island has become somewhat heavily populated, by both locals and tourists. However, taking one step further, one will discover the outer islands; tranquil, serene, and exclusive. Pemba and Mnemba islands in particular are utterly sublime, with impossibly clear water gently lapping at the shore, luxurious retreats hosting only a handful of guests and time drifting away on the soft ocean breeze. Here one might decompress from an active safari itinerary, celebrate love or special occasions, or plunge into the water to view the abundance of life beneath the waves. A spectrum of reef fish is joined by larger animals, including turtles, dolphins, humpbacks and, if very lucky, whale sharks. This makes the Zanzibar archipelago a superb destination for snorkeling, kayaking or SCUBA diving.
This diversity makes Tanzania vastly appealing for those seeking a multi-faceted safari itinerary, and more than worthy of a place in our 2024 travel guide.
Best For: Safaris with diversity
Best Season: June to October
The Atacama, Chile
Though no strangers to Chile’s captivating landscapes, it was Rothschild Travel Designer Ruthie Detwiler’s recent trip through the country that inspired us to include the Atacama in our 2024 travel guide list.
Chile is a fascinating and diverse nation, with glaciers and penguins in the south and deserts and cactuses in the north. The world’s narrowest country is conversely very long and there is much to see.
The Atacama is jaw-droppingly stunning, its Martian landscapes stretching for many miles, peppered with points of intrigue throughout its terracotta vistas. Saline lakes provide feeding grounds for several flamingo species and the surreal scene of thousands of wading birds in a briny lake surrounded by dunes and mountains is breathtaking to behold.
Photos: Nayara Alto Atacama
Despite its desolate appearance, the Atacama also has some fascinating historical monuments and artifacts. Step aside Egypt; the region is home to the world’s oldest known human mummies. At over 9,000 years old, they predate the pharaohs by as much as four millennia. Ruins of the Atacameño people can also be found, dating back to the 12th century and still impressively intact.
The landscapes themselves also hold captivating attractions. Somewhat akin to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain, Rainbow Valley has hillsides of striated color, formed by varying mineral deposits in the bedrock. Far less frequented than its Peruvian counterpart, it is, admittedly, not as impressive, but the cactus-strewn canyons and colorful hills make for superb hiking terrain. Added to this, there are numerous ancient petroglyphs in the area, their fascinating though much-unknown history alluding to migratory tribes from across Chile and Bolivia.
Tasked with creating accommodation that blends with its surroundings whilst creating a profound impression of its own, several luxurious lodges have been established here, ranging from private homes to elite desert hotels hosting 20 or so guests.
Best For: Explorations & exclusivity
Best Season: March to May & September to November
Morocco
A confluence of cultures, Morocco has long attracted travelers of all kinds, from spice traders and crusaders to the Beat Generation writers of the ‘60s and hippy surfers searching for deserted waves and North African spoils.
This mosaicked history has given Morocco an undefined identity; one that speaks of Moorish cuisine, Muslim devotion, Mediterranean design and European chic. As diverse as these may seem, they unify in an intoxicating atmosphere that only Morocco can deliver.
Timelessly exotic, one feels as though stepping through history when exploring the souks and alleyways that weave through Marrakech and Essaouira. Casablanca and Fes have combined classical with cosmopolitan, bustling cities living a contemporary life surrounded by the echoes of the past.
The Atlas Mountains are hauntingly serene, an unfathomably ‘pinch me’ scene that must be experienced to be appreciated or remotely understood. Here, several properties are dispersed like desert oases through the terracotta foothills, absolute luxury subtly blending with complete serenity and escapism. One step further east and it is possible to find oneself in the Sahara, an opulent Bedouin camp offering overnight stays embracing the remoteness of the desert and the unfettered starfield above.
Moroccan cuisine is also in a league of its own. Defined in part by the spice trade that passed through here, it draws influence from its North African tribal heritage and the wandering Berbers and ingredients drawn from southern Europe.
This rich and spicy menu can only be described as Moroccan and is as proudly traditional today as it has been for many centuries. But fine dining establishments are redefining Morocco as a superb foodie destination. Creating French and fusion-inspired cuisine without severing its roots, the dishes of world-class chefs still evoke images of desert tribes, Touareg campfires and lanes brimming with powdered spices as vibrant as they are fragrant.
A safari destination Morocco is not, but all it provides in return, in culture, intrigue, sensory stimulation, history and breathtaking scenery, is more than enough compensation.
Best For: Gastronomists, history & culture lovers
Best Season: March to May & September to November
Nairobi, Kenya
As Cape Town is to South Africa, so Nairobi is to Kenya: a bustling city that is passed through from international flight to safari camp.
While many will spend several days in Cape Town, Nairobi – one of Africa’s leading business and culture centers – is often disregarded but has so much to offer if one is only willing to linger for a few days. This is also a wonderful opportunity to overcome jet lag and begin one’s assimilation into the African way of life.
Nairobi contains a distinct elegance from its former time as a colonial outpost. The Nairobi Club still offers patrons days-old copies of the London and Financial Times newspapers perused by cravatted gentlemen in padded leather armchairs, brandy in one hand, smoldering cigar in a crystal ashtray at their side. Contrasting this, local markets retain their place in the city center where locals offer their innovative crafts, talented artworks and soapstone sculptures to passing visitors.
This has been the Nairobi experience for many decades, but the 21st century has breathed new life into the city, combining traditional heritage with modern creativity across numerous aspects.
Renowned artists have established galleries here, and a guided walking art tour unearths the wealth of talent born and bred here. Superb examples of jewelry, ceramics, textiles and fine art throng the streets, making visitors often wish they had booked a larger baggage allowance.
Food too has stepped into the modern era, with numerous fine dining options harnessing the local ingredients in the creation of world-class dishes, and plant-based food has been heartily embraced by the people of Nairobi.
Beyond the city center, Nairobi’s history is evidenced at century-old tea and coffee plantations or at the home-museum of ‘Out of Africa’ authoress, Karen Blixen. Though not remotely comparable to the Masai Mara 140 miles (230km) to the west, Nairobi National Park can offer a tantalizing taste of safaris to come. Surprisingly abundant and with the city skyline visible from its northern border, the national park is home to black and white rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, giraffe and much more, making a short guided or self-drive trip worthwhile if you have time to spare.
The park has worked incredibly hard to be a center of conservation, and this is also reflected elsewhere. Nairobi Giraffe Center educates local, school children and visitors about the various species of giraffe, with the wild herds gathering at certain times of day to feed and offer onlookers a face-to-face connection. This also enables vets and scientists to study the population, ensuring health and wellness and developing research for their protection.
The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage speaks for itself, though it also hosts other orphaned animals, including giraffe, rhino and even a cheeky bushbaby named Spencer. It is the most successful elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in the world, its aim, to prevent poaching, aid sick elephants, gather orphans when they occur and rehabilitate them back into the wild, thus strengthening Kenya’s challenged elephant population. This is an incredible opportunity for the public to gain a close view of these charming residents and learn about the extensive work undertaken at the center and far beyond. It is all too easy to fall in love with these endearing creatures, and Sheldrick’s adoption program offers a wonderful way to give back. It should be noted that pre-booking an experience at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is essential and it is not possible to make a spontaneous visit.
Best For: Cultural explorations & conservation
Best Season: January, February & June to September
With such an array of offerings, Nairobi is too often overlooked or bypassed, but our 2024 travel guide urges you to tarry a while and discover this city’s many faces and wonderful delights.
There will always be those hugely popular destinations and more than enough reason to visit them. It isn’t for nothing that travelers in their millions flock to certain places on the planet. While we find a way to experience these locations beyond the crowds, we also urge our clients to think outside the box, dispense with the stereotypes and discover alternative aspects that lie just beyond the pages of guidebooks.
We will always encourage our clients to visit the Kruger region, hike to Machu Picchu, balloon over the Serengeti or view the iconic cityscape of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Yet with our 25 years of travel experience, we have discovered the local secrets, the hidden corners and the world beyond conventional tours and the pages of magazines.
When you step from the beaten track, there is so much more to discover, and we hope our 2024 travel guide helps you find it.
