2024: Make it your best travel year yet
Turn your travel dreams into a reality this year, with these top tips from the experts
Most of us dream about travelling more, seeing the world, and escaping on more holidays to get a break from day-to-day life and the routine of work. So let’s make 2024 your best travel year yet!
The secret? Setting goals and careful planning - a few travel tips from the experts are all you need to take your 2024 holiday dreams and turn them into a reality. Here’s how:
Holidays don’t need to be expensive
People often make the mistake of thinking they need to wait until they have a lot more money before they can book that dream holiday - but there are always deals to be done. Keep an eye out for offers and flash sales through the airlines and travel agencies for your holiday. And make the most of discounts at the airport, to keep the cost of travelling down.
Plan ahead
Advance booking is usually your best way to guarantee the best prices. That goes for your flights, your accommodation, and even your airport parking, which is significantly cheaper when you book in advance instead of waiting until the last minute.
Stay on top of travel trends
We’re firm believers that you can visit a destination on any budget, but staying on top of travel trends will help you avoid the typically expensive tourist traps and see which destinations are having a moment in the spotlight - which means that airlines and accommodation will be offering deals.
For some early inspiration, our industry experts have rounded up four destinations tipped to be big in the travel industry in 2024:
1. Dubai
Dubai’s known for its gigantic ambition, bling and megaphone glamour, and the sheer scale of this city can be hard to comprehend. Dubai has the world’s biggest shopping mall, the world’s tallest building, and the world’s first seven-star hotel; even without the fine print, we know that this takes luxury and dips it in 24-carat gold.
There's a softer side to the city for those looking for low-key hangouts, but most people go to Dubai to live it up – to see the supersize sights, eat at fine dining restaurants with spectacular views, sun themselves on the pristine beaches, and shop until they well and truly drop.
2. Reykjavik, Iceland
Known as the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, Iceland is unlike anywhere else on the planet. This is a place of almost continually erupting volcanoes, geothermal hot springs billowing with white smoke, whales dancing in the deep fjords and shimmering white glaciers. It’s not hard to see why Iceland regularly tops people’s bucket lists.
East of Reykjavik you’ll find the Golden Circle, a roughly 185-mile-long loop that’s famous for its unforgettable sights. Of course, no trip to Iceland would be complete without a Northern Lights tour, and Iceland’s latitude and lack of light pollution make it one of the best places in the world to witness this phenomenon.
3. Bolzano, Italy
Set in the South Tyrol province of northern Italy, not far from the Austrian border, Bolzano’s unique location makes it the perfect holiday destination for both summer sunshine and winter sports. The city sits against a backdrop of grassy, rotund hills, with pastel-painted houses and deep terracotta roofs, with a charming café culture and impressive culinary scene.
When the snow falls, Bolzano has dozens of ski resorts within easy reach. The city also pulls in the crowds over winter owing to its unofficial title as the ‘Italian capital of Christmas’, with the Piazza Walther transforming into a fairytale winter wonderland of twinkling lights and charming market stalls from November to January each year.
4. Marrakesh, Morocco
A colourful, chaotic whirlwind of a city, Marrakesh’s vibrant energy has captivated visitors for centuries. Everyone visits the Djemaa El Fna, the bustling main square, for an experience like nowhere else, where a maze of souks sells endless treasures – fragrant spices, authentic terracotta tagine pots, babouche slippers, olives, punnets of bright red strawberries, fresh khobz bread, and much, much more.
There’s a free-spirited café scene in Marrakesh too, and a perfect afternoon could be sipping traditional mint tea and pavement-side people watching. Marrakesh is a city that never stops moving, that promises to steal your heart and leave you with a sense of magic and wonder.
And don't forget about weekend ‘mini’ breaks...
Remember, it doesn’t need to be a two-week holiday to a far-flung location or nothing at all - you can enjoy a cultured city break or a restful retreat in a single weekend. The key is speeding up the journey - as you don’t want to spend hours at the airport when you’re only away for a couple of days. Use services like FastTrack and fly through the Express Lane at Security and Passport Control. Less travel time = more holiday time.
Browse discounts at London Stansted Airport and book your Parking, FastTrack and Lounge access today.
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