Lonely Planet: These are the 10 best travel destinations for 2024

Every year, the world’s most famous travel guide, Lonely Planet, presents best-of lists of the hottest countries, regions, cities and sustainable destinations as well as destinations on a budget. We don’t want to repeat these, but we have picked two from each of the different categories that sound like a dream vacation for a wide variety of needs. Here are ten ideas for your 2024 travel bucket list.

1. Saint Lucia – insider tip in the Caribbean

The small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is also among the top ten countries. It is far less well known than its immediate neighbors Barbados and Martinique. But thanks to its mix of scenic beauty, luxury offerings and adventurous activities, it trumps many. Instead of endless palm beaches, you can climb an extinct volcano, the Gros Piton (771 meters) and the only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean, complete with mud bath.

If you want to swing through the rainforest canopy like Tarzan, you can do so by ziplining. Or sail into the sunset on the Caribbean Sea while watching wild dolphins. There are always reasons to celebrate on the mountainous, 43 kilometer long and 23 kilometer wide island, especially on Fridays: at Friday Night Jump up, the superlative street party in the north near Gros Islet.

2. Morocco – land of contrasts

Beach paradise from May to October, tour paradise in autumn and spring: Morocco is also one of the ten hottest travel destinations in 2024. One of many reasons: the westernmost country in North Africa surprises with its contrasts. There are huge mountain regions with ski areas, kilometers of beaches and two oceans for the perfect beach holiday, shifting dunes and deserts, fertile oases, wine-growing areas and old royal cities with magnificent palaces and oriental flair.

Another highlight is the climate, which is favored by the Gulf Stream. The average temperature is 21.2 degrees and the sun shines 300 days a year. Like the seaside resort of Agadir, which is located in the southwest of the country on the Atlantic and can call itself the warmest place in the country. There are kilometers of wide, golden sandy beaches to match.

3. Southern Thailand – island hopping, beaches and bays

Huge region among the Lonely Planet Chosen: Roughly speaking, southern Thailand begins south of the Thai capital Bangkok. A narrow strip of land bordered by the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east – with a tropical island world that is unique. Larger islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao or Koh Lanta are well known.

But there are still many island paradises untouched by mass tourism to discover, such as Koh Kood, Koh Lipe or Koh Bulon Lae. Simple accommodation and a Robinson Crusoe atmosphere add to the appeal of the holiday here. But southern Thailand also has a lot to offer on the mainland – such as the Khao Sok National Park with its dense rainforest, lakes and small villages between towering limestone cliffs. Best time to travel: December to March.

4. Saalfelden-Leogang in Austria – the most contrasting region in the Alps

The Salzburger Land with its two towns Saalfelden and Leogang has also made it into the ten best travel regions for 2024. Surrounded by a contrasting mountain world: on one side the rock massifs of the Steinernes Meer and the Leoganger Steinberge, more than 2600 meters high. On the other side are the less rugged Kitzbühel Alps, also called the Grass Mountains, but also around 2,400 meters high. In winter, snow sports enthusiasts can let off steam in all areas: skiing in Austria’s third largest ski area – the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm, Leogang, Fieberbrunn.

Enjoy the picturesque winter landscape while tobogganing, in snow parks, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or from a horse-drawn sleigh. Speaking of enjoyment: in the many huts, inns and restaurants, traditions are upheld and only regional products are used. These range from farm delicacies to award-winning cuisine. This also impressed the Gault Millau restaurant guide, which awarded seven restaurants a total of 14 toques. All that’s missing is summer time: the Leogang Saalfelden bike park, one of the largest in Europe, many comfortable hiking trails for the whole family, an XXL-sized flying fox and a high density of 4 and 5 star hotels speak volumes.

5. Montréal in Canada – island city and francophone joie de vivre

The location alone is spectacular: Montreal, Canada’s second largest city, is located on an island in the St. Lawrence River in the province of Quebec. But that’s not the only reason why it can be found among the best cities in 2024. The Francophone city boasts diverse architecture, including the neo-Gothic Basilica of Notre-Dame de Montréal. At the time of its completion, it was the largest on the North American continent. The Old Montréal district is even older, dating back to 1642, with its harbor, numerous museums and the cruise terminal at Alexandra Pier.

But the city of 1.8 million people can also be young: on the island of Île Sainte-Hélène, the Biosphere Montreal shines in the sunlight. A futuristic-looking giant geodesic sphere, built from prefabricated steel parts and covered with acrylic honeycombs. It was created as a United States of America pavilion for an expo and has functioned as an interactive water and environmental museum of the Canadian Ministry of the Environment since 1995. Want even more nature in the middle of the city? Then off to the Botanical Garden with its more than 22,000 plant species. Or to the natural history museum, the Insectarium.

6. Prague in the Czech Republic – castle and beer

In addition to Paris and Mostar, Prague also made it onto the best-of list among European cities. The landmark of the city of almost 1.4 million inhabitants is Prague Castle. Some of it is more than 1,000 years old and sits on a 70-meter-high hill above the city. From here you not only have a fantastic overview of the metropolis, but you can also admire different architectural styles all day long, connected by small streets and well-kept gardens. In general, the architectural diversity is one of many reasons that make the Czech capital so interesting.

The must-sees also include the famous Charles Bridge, which spans the Vltava, and Wenceslas Square with its shops, department stores, restaurants, bars, street cafes and the impressive National Museum. This is the country’s leading museum in terms of cultural and natural history. Speaking of which: you’ll encounter the tradition of brewing beer at every turn (yes, the city is best discovered on foot) and of course you can’t miss the odd Pivo.

7. Ecuador in South America – ecotourism pioneer

Among the best sustainable destinations of the year, Ecuador, South America, stands out. The small country on the equator launched its plan for sustainable tourism development back in 2006 – at a time when most people had little idea of ​​ecotourism. Ecuador’s award with the Green Destiny of the World ten years ago shows how well the consistent protection of the environment and the involvement of the local population in tourism projects have succeeded.

Sustainable travel and adventure go hand in hand between the Andes, the Amazon lowlands and the Galapagos Islands. How about white water rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, ziplining, swinging on mountain tops, relaxing in hot springs or hiking in the largest rainforest in the world? The flagship for high environmental protection standards are the Galapagos Islands, located around 1000 kilometers off the coast, with their many endemic animal species such as the famous Darwin’s finches.

8. Hokkaido in Japan – dream destination for snow fans

Japan’s second largest island, Hokkaido, also shines with awards for sustainable travel. She recently received the Silver Award from the non-profit organization Green Destinations. The village of Biei has been selected by the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) as one of the three outstanding villages in the world where tourism plays an important role in preserving cultural heritage and traditions, celebrating diversity and protecting biodiversity.

Biei is known for its picturesque poppy, lavender and sunflower fields, which are ideal for leisurely walks. Hokkaidō’s landscape is characterized by numerous mountains and volcanoes, which are considered the dream destination among freeriders in winter. Due to the cool climate, the thermometer in the ski resorts of Niseko, Rusutsu or Furano often drops below -10 degrees during the day, although it snows almost every day in the winter months. Which is why around 26 meters of snow falls there every year – the finest Japow, which stands for Japan Powder.

9. Poland – a lot of good things for little money

The Lonely Planet attributes a top price-performance ratio to Poland as a travel destination – especially with regard to the “great gastronomy and national parks”. From February onwards, wellness holidaymakers will also find comparatively low prices in the West Pomerania region, in the north-west of the country. 500 kilometers of Baltic Sea coast invite you to a beach holiday even in summer with kilometers of beaches with fine, golden sand, dunes up to 50 meters high, national parks, adjacent forests, sleepy villages and sophisticated seaside spas.

But there is also a lot to discover for little money in the capital Warsaw, 800 kilometers away: such as the city beaches on the Vistula, which were rated as the most beautiful in the world by the internationally renowned media National Geographic and The Guardian. In addition, the old town in the dynamic young city was rebuilt after the Second World War and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

10. Egypt – cheap and year-round travel destination

Egypt will also be among the cheapest travel destinations in 2024. This not only pleases bathing beauties, beach fans, water sports enthusiasts and divers, but also those interested in culture and nature. In addition to the Red Sea with its miles of white sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt also offers 4,500-year-old pyramids and rock temples as well as desert expeditions and cruises on the Nile.

In addition, there is a subtropical desert climate, which is responsible for hot and dry summers, mild winters and wonderfully warm temperatures in autumn and spring.