Where to go in 2024? These are the 5 destinations that travel editors recommended the most

Wales

Of the 12 publications I sampled, eight of them recommended Wales. This corner of the United Kingdom will celebrate its Year of Outdoors, inviting visitors to discover its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Wales has three national parks, five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and more than 600 castles, making it a paradise for hikers, bikers, and history buffs. Wales is also a leader in sustainability, with more than half of its electricity coming from renewable sources, and a network of eco-friendly accommodations and attractions.

Texas

The American state of Texas was recommended by half of the 12 publications I looked at. The largest state in the lower 48 has much to offer, from its urban centers to rural landscapes and from cowboy culture to cutting-edge innovation. In 2024, Texas will also host some of the biggest events of the year, such as the World Cup qualifiers, the NCAA Final Four, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. New attractions on tap for 2024 include the Texas Live! entertainment district in Arlington, the Texas Medal of Honor Monument in Austin, and the Space Center Houston’s Lunar Landscape Experience.

Marseille

France is the world’s most visited country and Paris the most visited city, but there are many other corners of this European nation to discover. Five different lists recommended visitors head to Marseille, France’s second-largest city and its oldest. It’s also one of its most diverse and dynamic, thanks to its rich history, multicultural heritage, and Mediterranean flair. Admire the majestic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, stroll along the colorful Vieux Port, visit the impressive MuCEM museu, or relax on the sandy beaches of the Calanques National Park. Marseille is also a foodie’s paradise, where you can savour the famous bouillabaisse, a hearty fish stew, or try some of the exotic dishes influenced by the city’s African and Arab communities.

Istanbul

Another intriguing city that got a lot of love was Istanbul. A third of the publications sampled chose it as a metropolis that never ceases to amaze and enchant visitors. It’s a melting pot of cultures, religions, and histories, where East meets West and ancient meets modern. You can explore the stunning mosques, palaces, and bazaars of the old city, enjoy the vibrant nightlife and culinary scene of the new city, or take a ferry ride across the Bosphorus to experience both sides of this fascinating destination. Istanbul is also a great base to explore other parts of Turkey, such as Gallipoli, Cappadocia, Ephesus or Pamukkale.

Lima

A similar number of editors chose Lima, the capital and largest city of Peru. It’s a city that combines colonial charm, modern sophistication and cultural diversity. Visit the historic centre, where you can see the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the San Francisco Monastery. You can also enjoy the trendy neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, where you can find the best restaurants, bars, galleries and shops. Lima is also home to some of the finest museums in the continent, such as the Larco Museum, the MALI and the Museo de la Nación.

If you want to skim all of the destinations from the different sources I looked at, I’ve listed them all below, but here are a few other noteworthy trends and connections:.

• American destinations were among the most common, which is probably not a surprise since most of these publications are American. Alaska, Big Bend National Park, Charleston, Detroit, New York, Milwaukee, Mobile, San Diego, San Francisco, Sonoma County, Texas, Tucson and Utah are places that got multiple mentions.
• Europe is also prominent. Places that got multiple mentions were Ålborg, Nordland, North Yorkshire, Paris, Pompeii, Svalbard, Tartu, The Euros, Valletta and the Wild Atlantic Way.
• Need an exotic flourish for your list? How about Africa? Andrefana Dry Forests, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Zimbabwe were each recommended more than once. Alexandria and Egypt also got some love.
• South America didn’t get a lot of repeat recommendations. Cartagena and Colombia were an exception.
• As for Asia, Japan is the hotness this year and it looks to continue in 2024 with Fukuoka getting some attention. Sikkim, India, Tainan, Taiwan, Xi’an and China were commonly cited among the list makers.
• Places known for their natural beauty were also a common element in the lists with places like the Atacama Desert, Dominica, Mongolia, Nova Scotia, Parque Nacional Naturales, Patagonia and Riviera Nayarit getting repeat mentions.

If you’re still reading this far and want to see all of the destinations the different publications recommended and links to those stories, then here they are:

• Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024: Albania, Andrefana Dry Forests, Atacama Desert, Dominica, Dresden, Grenada, Istanbul, Jamaica, Marseille, Mauritius, Miami, Mongolia, Montevideo, New York, Nova Scotia, Parque Nacional Naturales, Patagonia, Riviera Nayarit, Saimaa, San Francisco, Sierra Leone, Sydney, Texas, Trans Dinarica cycling route, Tucson, Valencia, Wales, Yucatán Peninsula, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

• The 16 best places to travel: The most exciting destinations for 2024: France, Japan, Egypt, Colombia, Wales, Bolivia, New Zealand, Ghana, Texas, Morocco, San Diego and Tijuana, Bissagos Islands, Alaska, Victoria, Istanbul, Gyrfalcon Islands.

• Top 30 travel destinations worldwide for 2024 revealed by National Geographic: Albanian Alps, Belfast, Emilia-Romagna, Europe by train, Galloway & Southern Ayrshire, Nordland, North Yorkshire, Pompeii, Saimaa, Tartu, The Euros, Valletta, Wales, Wild Atlantic Way, Xi’an, Yucatán Peninsula, Miami, New York, Texas, Dominican Republic, Nova Scotia, Atacama Desert, Lima, Iberá Wetlands, Akagera, Andrefana Dry Forests, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Tainan, Xi’an.