Top 10 must-see destinations in 2024

Join us to discover exciting destinations in 2024. From the beautiful lakes in the north of Italy to the Moorish architecture of Andalucia, Europe has a bounty of cultural and historical places for you to discover.  You might see yourself sailing down some of the most iconic rivers in Europe and beyond, stopping in so many exciting places along the way. Or maybe 2024 is the year that you want to take that trip of a lifetime and discover some faraway or exotic destinations. We’ve put together a list of our favourite holiday destinations to give you some inspiration for where you might travel to in 2024.

1. Italy

Italy continues to delight and no matter how many times you have been there’s always something new to uncover; we have various Italy tours to suit everyone’s taste. Visit beautiful lakeside towns on one of our Lake Garda holidays. Italy’s largest lake is the perfect base if you’re looking to take excursions to the wonderful cities of Venice and Verona. Unwind with a holiday to Lake Como and explore the delights of the Italian Alps as you take a Scenic Train Journey on The Bernina Express. Take in sweetly scented lemon groves, dramatic seaside cliffs on a holiday to Sorrento. From Sorrento we’ll go on excursions to Capri, Pompeii and experience one of Europe’s most scenic routes, the Amalfi Coast. We also offer holidays to Puglia, where you can see the iconic Trulli of Alberobello or visit the Italian Riviera to uncover the colourful villages of Cinque Terre. 

2. Spain 

We have a great choice of holidays in Spain. Whether it's the glorious Spanish weather you're after, or to experience the country’s culture, cuisine, art and history. Tenerife holidays provide a perfect escape; it combines sun, volcanic landscapes and fantastic beaches. There are also plenty of excursions in Tenerife you can take, such as Mount Teide and the UNESCO World Heritage city of La Laguna. On our holidays to Andalucía, discover one of Spain's most vibrant regions, stay in the charming, authentically Andalucían town of Loja, enjoy day trips to Cordoba, Seville and La Alhambra. 

3. Vietnam

On our Vietnam holidays you can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Ha Long Bay with its incredible limestone karsts and emerald waters. Visit the imperial city of Hue, see the iconic Japanese dragon bridge in the well-preserved ancient town of Hoi An, learn more about the Vietcong at the Cu Chi Tunnels and explore the vibrant floating markets of Can Tho on the Mekong delta.    

4. Portugal 

From the stunning city of Porto to the beautiful beaches of the Algarve, there's something for everyone to be found in Portugal. Holidays to the Algarve are some of the most popular in Europe and for good reason; stunning beaches and year round sunshine. However, there is so much more to this stunning Portuguese Coast. It is a region full of fascinating culture and history, charming towns and villages and superb cuisine. We recommend taking some time away from the beach so you can uncover more on our Portugal holidays. Experience our Estoril & The Lisbon Coast tour, where we’ll discover Portugal’s capital of Lisbon, the town of Sintra, famed for its fairytale castle and palaces, as well as medieval Óbidos and the traditional fishing village of Nazaré. 

5. India 

On our guided India holidays, we’ll discover the cultural delights and marvel at many architectural wonders, from the Taj Mahal in Agra to the Amber Fort in Rajasthan. India is also full of vibrant and historic cities, such as the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and Udaipur, the 'Venice of the East', an incredible city built around Lake Pichola. 

6. Croatia 

George Bernard Shaw famously stated, “Those that seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik.” Browse our selection of Croatia holidays, starting with our suggestion; holidays to Dubrovnik, see the spectacularly preserved 16th century city, known for its defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Experience the allure of Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, an incredibly beautiful region, located between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. Rolling green hills overlook the lush valleys and sparkling sea, with little towns perched on the hilltops above. Charming villages and three of Croatia’s most attractive coastal towns, Pula, Rovinj and Poreč, await discovery. 

7. Greece

Travel to Greece to experience a wonderful combination of ancient history and picturesque landscapes. Athens, the capital and one of the world’s oldest cities holds a multitude of ancient treasures and ruins ripe for exploration, such as the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon. Tolo is the perfect place for those looking to unwind by the beach, as it's a serene coastal town with crystal-clear waters and charming atmosphere. 

8. Egypt

Egypt has amazed travellers for centuries with monuments and temples of an ancient civilisation. Discover the top places to visit in Egypt and enjoy a cruise down the majestic River Nile. Our holidays begin in the magnificent city of Cairo, where we'll visit the Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Of course, no Egypt holiday would be complete without seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. We’ll then cruise down the Nile and along the way we’ll discover more historic gems on a range of excursions, such as the Temple of Horus, the Valley of Kings, the High Dam and the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.  

9. Montenegro

For a small nation Montenegro has it all; beautiful beaches, interesting history, rich culture and it even has a Fjord! Lord Byron eloquently stated “At the birth of the planet the most beautiful encounter between land and sea must have been on the Montenegrin coast.” Experience this incredible country on our Montenegro holiday.

10. South Africa

The Rainbow Nation is a fantastic country to visit. Explore South Africa, its spectacular scenery, flora and fauna on the Garden Route’s nature reserves. Take a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve and search for the “Big Five”.

We’ve selected 10 destinations for 2024 but there is so much to discover with over 100 destinations worldwide. The choice is yours and with over 25 years experience creating holidays for the curious, you can be sure that with Travel Department, your holiday is in good hands, and you can book and travel with confidence. Find your perfect holiday destination and if you would like some expert advice choosing where you might go in 2024, our team is always there to give you insights and details on where might best suit your quest for discovery in 2024.