There’s no shortage of fascinating places to visit in 2024. I know because I’m on the road 365 days a year, and in 2023, I travelled to a few destinations I can recommend.
I don’t just parachute into these places for a few days with my reporter’s notepad. I spent several weeks in almost all the cities on my list. I shopped in the markets, explored the city and befriended the locals. Sometimes, I also brought my college-age sons along for the adventure.
You’d think “What’s your favourite destination?” would be the question people ask me the most, but it’s not. (I’ll share the number-one question in just a minute.)
First, here’s my list of the 12 best places to see in 2024 and the best time to visit.
January: Antarctica
You’ll want to sail to Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere during the summer. Temperatures are relatively mild, and the ordinarily tempestuous Drake Passage is calmer. I flew to Ushuaia, Argentina, and boarded the Hurtigruten Expeditions MS Fridtjof Nansen for a 10-day cruise to Antarctica in late December. I arrived on the White Continent just before the New Year. It was spectacular. Even though it looks a little risky, you should not miss a hike on the ice to see the penguins. If you’re courageous, try the polar plunge into subfreezing water. Unfortunately, we missed our chance to dive into the Antarctic because the glacier was calving, sending large ice sheets crashing into the water. See it before it’s gone.
February: Doha, Qatar
The author’s son, Aren Elliott, is at the famous Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar.
Qatar is one of the most underrated destinations in the world. The weather in late winter is nearly perfect — warm days, cool nights. My sons and I spent time wandering around the world-famous Souk Waqif, a crowded market where you can buy almost anything, but the main activity seems to be drinking coffee and smoking vanilla-scented shisha (we tried the coffee, but skipped the shisha). Highlights of our visit included an afternoon spent at the National Museum of Qatar, which explains where this gleaming metropolis came from, and a journey to the desert to see the monoliths by American sculptor Richard Serra.
March: Christchurch, New Zealand
Aren Elliott looks at the Pacific from Sugarloaf Scenic Preserve in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Christchurch feels like a different planet on New Zealand’s South Island. March is early fall in the Southern Hemisphere, but the hills remain a brilliant shade of green even then. If you’ve ever seen one of the Lord of the Rings movies, you’ll recognise this place, but there is so much more to it than the striking cinematic scenery. Christchurch is a welcoming city with terrific coffee shops (my favourite was Espresso Studio by Fushoken) and excellent dining options that are easy on the wallet. I spent days wandering around Hagley Park in the middle of town and admiring the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. Make sure you get out of town to hike up in the mountains. You don’t have to love Middle Earth to enjoy New Zealand’s South Island.
April: Kyoto, Japan
A plate of sushi at Kyoto Sushi making in Kyoto.
If you can get to Kyoto in April, you should do it. The cherry trees bloom in mid-March and usually peak in early April. But even if you miss Sakura season, you must see this place. The former Japanese capital is filled with ancient temples and shrines. This is also the place to learn how to make sushi from the artisans at Kyoto Sushimaking or, as you are struggling to adjust to the new time zone, find a place that serves authentic ramen. My sons and I kept coming back to Kyoto Engine Ramen, hidden down a narrow alley and always crowded with jet-lagged expats.
May: Hoi An, Vietnam
Fishing boats in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Vietnam was the biggest surprise during my 2023 travels. I spent a long weekend in Hoi An, in the central part of the country, and I’m still processing the place’s natural beauty, with its steep green mountains and postcard-perfect beaches. Hoi An is an ancient city with temples and a rich history of various cultural influences, including Chinese and French. Make sure you get down to the marketplace and out on the Thu Bon River at dusk, when the boats drift downstream with colourful lanterns. And check out the pho for dinner at the Anantara Hoi An Resort.
June: Fukuoka, Japan
A view of Fukuoka, Japan, and Hakata Bay from the Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka.
If you’re looking for something different in Japan, outside of Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, you should check out Fukuoka. It is easily the friendliest of the Japanese cities I have visited. If you make this a second stop in Japan, I highly recommend getting there via the Shinkansen (bullet train), an engineering marvel. Fukuoka also has excellent shopping. We stocked up on green tea before heading back to the States. If you can catch the hydrofoil out to Iki Island. Don’t miss dinner at the Iki Retreat if you go. It’s worth the trip.
July: Santiago, Chile
A view of the Andes mountains from Santiago, Chile, in late December.
Chile has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, and there’s no better time to visit than during the middle of the Southern Hemisphere winter. Some top resorts like Portillo are only a short drive from Santiago. Even if you visit Chile during the summer, you can still look at the snow-capped Andes mountains and think about the world-class skiing in the southern hemisphere.
August: Seoul, South Korea
The changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea.
The best part of visiting Seoul was taking long walks in Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a three-mile-long urban park that used to be an old railroad line. It takes you through some of Seoul’s famous neighbourhoods, and you’ll find an almost endless variety of coffee shops and restaurants where you can stop and enjoy the view. Sure, there are irresistible cultural sites, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple. But I will never forget Seoul for its vibrant coffee-shop culture and friendly people.
September: Los Angeles
The historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel in Santa Monica, Calif.
I returned to the States for a few weeks this fall. I stayed in Marina Del Rey, Calif., but spent some time along the beach in Venice and Santa Monica. And there’s one takeaway from talking to shopkeepers and tour operators. Early fall is the best time to visit L.A. Hotel rates, particularly in touristy areas, tend to slip during the shoulder season. I love L.A. during the early fall, and if you find yourself near the beach, you should check out Santa Monica’s A Walk Through Pier History tour, which tells the backstory of this iconic attraction. And who doesn’t love an old merry-go-round?
October: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Elephants enjoying dinner at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort near Chiang Rai, Thailand.
The Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, used to be known for its opium trade. Today, it’s all about tourism. Although the rainy season is over, it still isn’t too busy here, so you’ll practically have all the temples to yourself and can take long walks through the rainforest or along the rice fields without having to dodge busloads of visitors. There are elephants here, and there may be no better place to see them than at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which also offers dramatic views of the Ruak River, Myanmar, and Laos.
November: Siem Riep, Cambodia
Angkor Wat, Cambodia, just after sunrise.
Words fail me when describing the experience of watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world. It’s a historic landmark of breathtaking scale that is being devoured by the jungle. I’ve never seen anything like it and probably never will again. Go to the main temple complex before dawn and watch the sunrise. Getting to Siem Riep is much easier thanks to a new international airport and plenty to do in the city. But this destination is all about the temples. You’ll need at least three days to get a sense of the scale of Angkor Wat, but it will be something you’ll never forget.
December: Hobart, Tasmania
The author’s son, Iden Elliott, is at the top of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
There may be no better place to spend the end of the year than in Hobart, Australia. It is the peak of the Southern Hemisphere summer, and Hobart is one of the most remarkable Australian cities in which to enjoy it. You can watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from the suburb of Battery Point or catch the ferry to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) to see one of the most bizarre art museums in the world. If you can get out of town, check out Cradle Mountain and visit with the Tasmanian Devils at Devils@Cradle Sanctuary.
So is there an answer to the question, “What’s your favorite destination?” With so many places to see, I can’t pick just one favourite. I love all these places.
And yet, this isn’t the most frequently asked question. My friends have stopped asking me how I am; now they ask me where I am. Given that I don’t have a permanent home, it’s a fair question.
So where am I now? Santiago, Chile, for the next few days, and then headed to Uruguay. You can follow my adventures and catch my podcast on my free newsletter, Elliott Confidential. I can’t wait to see where else 2024 takes me. If you have any South American destinations you’d like to recommend, please email me (I’m at chris@elliott.org). I’d love to hear from you.
Written by: Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.
