January is the ideal time to start planning this year’s getaway.
Or getaways? These travel trends may tempt you to add a trip to 2024.
A new year and new travel plans are being forged. Over half of Brits plan to take two or more holidays this year, according to Compare the Market. So what travel trends are big in 2024? Let’s take a look and maybe you’ll get inspired…or not!
Rail rovering
The lure of cheap flights to warmer climes doesn’t appeal to us as much as it used to. Many now prefer flight-free travel. A renewed love of rail travel has followed with a resurgence of luxury, intercontinental and sleeper trains. Take the Nightjet train through Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Or the European Sleeper from Brussels through Amsterdam, Berlin and on to Prague. If you want opulence, the Eastern & Oriental Express through South East Asia is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Prefer a view of the fjords and untouched wilderness? How about a slow and relaxing 3-week train journey across the Arctic Circle? Train travel was always synonymous with adventure and now it’s back, I for one, am thrilled!
Star bathing
It’s a year of intense solar activity, which peaks with the most impressive display of the aurora borealis in over 20 years. Trips north to get a glimpse of this natural phenomenon are on the increase. April 8th will be a total solar eclipse. The last one was in 2017 and the next won’t be for another 20 years. Many plan to travel to North America, which will be the best place to see the total solar eclipse. It’s not only these two events that have captivated us. Stargazing is more popular than ever with the availability of apps that help us identify constellations in the night sky. Dark Sky International has certified over 200 places throughout the globe as dark sky locations. These are the best places to view the starry night. Eyes will be skyward in 2024. Is it just me or does anyone else hear the X-files theme tune in the background?
Shoulder season travel
If you’re not sure what the term “shoulder season” means, it means off-peak season. Travelling in the off-season is booming. There’s a 33% increase in people travelling from March to May and a 58% increase from September to November. Avoiding crowds, peak season prices and reducing our impact on climate change are all elements driving this trend. It’s great for local businesses too as they can stay open for longer. And great for travellers with places and activities still open during these times. Ideal shoulder season destinations? France, Spain, Portugal, the UK and Italy, including Sardinia and Corsica.
Coolcationing
Yep, we’re already sorry we titled this section with the word “coolcationing”. It is possibly the worst portmanteau ever. But, it is how this trend is being named across the board and I am sure it will stick. Many of us Brits have always sought the sun out for our annual long holiday. Yet, with record-breaking temperatures across the world in the last few years, we are considering more temperate “coolcations”. Destinations like Scotland, Finland, Scandinavia and Iceland are all seeing an increase in travel bookings. The cooler temperatures are also much better for families and those who prefer to be active rather than melting in the baking hot sun. Hiking and mountain biking in Slovenia are proving popular as are tours of Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, and its volcanoes.
Goccasions
Nooooooo. We’ve done it again! It is yet another horrid term that is being thrown about the travel market. This term means going to a destination for a specific occasion. Attending sports events or music gigs and adding extra time to see the sights. Paris will top the charts for this trend as millions are due to descend on the French capital to watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games will drive prices through the roof so unless you’ve already booked, give Paris a bit of a wide berth from July to September. Germany will host UEFA Euro 2024 in June and July, France and Italy have the Tour de France throughout July and Italy & Monaco have Grand Prix races in May. Planning to see your favourite artist abroad? It’s dubbed the “Taylor Swift Effect”, as many scramble for a ticket to one of her 48 European shows. An excuse to add extra days before or after a concert to see local attractions and if “you need to calm down” after the excitement. Yeah, again, sorry for that!
Want to combine all this year’s biggest travel trends in one trip? Take a train north, off-season, view the aurora borealis and attend a gig. Or do one at a time? All joking aside, whatever destination you have in mind, we hope it is a trip to remember and a safe one, too.
