K&E DRAFT Top Picks 2024 | Travelzoo | Dec, 2023 Cayman Islands

Top picks 2024

Travelzoo's hand-picked destinations for next year

With January fast approaching, here at Travelzoo we're excited to unveil our list of destinations that are set to steal the spotlight in 2024. Curating this selection is a labour of love, and using our expertise in travel deals, we've handpicked places that offer exceptional value and unparalleled experiences. From far-flung bucket list destinations to picture-perfect beaches and cobbled British lanes, there's somewhere to suit every budget and taste. Wander Paris' grand boulevards, lounge on a deserted beach in Sri Lanka, explore Jersey's local food markets, and bop to the beat in Nashville's music halls. Whichever you choose, it's set to be a bumper year for exploring. Read on to find out more about our top picks for 2024.

Your 2024 must-visit list

Best for a beach break: Sri Lanka

The Indian Ocean is synonymous with paradise islands with swathes of marble-white sand stretching for miles, swaying palms, and the soothing rhythm of lapping waves. For such a small island, Sri Lanka punches well above its weight in the dreamy beach stakes. Whether you’re after the perfect surf spot to catch some waves, a secluded sandy haven to peacefully bask the afternoon away, or a chilled-out beach bar where you can shoot the breeze into the early hours, Sri Lanka has 1340 kilometres of coastline that delivers on all fronts. To avoid tropical monsoon rains, the ideal time to explore Sri Lanka's northern and eastern coastlines is from May to September, while the southern and western regions shine brightest between November and April.

When to go?

beach

city break

foodie

Splurge

staycation

Wijaya Beach on the south coast is backed by leaning palm trees, while its coral reef forms a natural rock pool perfect for bathing in. To add to the magic, you can spot giant turtles paddling in the shallows as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s also a short 15-minute drive to the historical UNESCO-listed fortified town of Galle. For serenity, go east to the sun-kissed bay of Passikuda, and gently wade through its calm, rippling waters. For some adventure, take a diving trip to explore the shipwrecks and colourful marine life offshore. To the west sits Bentota, arguably Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resort, tastefully developed with villas and luxury hotels nestled behind palm trees. This laid-back spot is perfect for trying some gentle wind surfing, or visit the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project, run by dedicated volunteers.

Best for a city break: Paris

Paris hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and has even more reason to scrub up for 2024, so if it’s been on your bucket list for a while, now's the time to book. Preparations are in full swing for the summer Olympics, which will take place in Paris in July-August, 2024. Notre Dame’s spire is being restored after the devastating fire in 2019, and the River Seine is being cleaned in a massive €1.4 billion project, ensuring it’s ready for the open swimming and triathlon competitions. But it won’t only be open to olympians—Parisians and visitors will be able to bathe in this historic river that meanders through the centre of Paris—a unique experience in Europe.

Ready to put on a show

Travel with a clear environmental conscience and take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare du Nord. It’s fast, comfortable, and one of the most sustainable ways to travel to Europe. If you’ve caught Ridley Scott’s new epic 'Napoleon' at the cinema—detailing the French emperor’s rise to power—then you can re-trace his footsteps while in Paris. He left an indelible mark on the city, commissioning the building of the Arc de Triomphe. His coronation took place in Notre Dame, and he transformed the Louvre into the accessible hub of art and culture that it is today. While in town, we also recommend wandering the cobbled streets around Montmartre to find tasty, colourful macarons, and quirky boutiques.

Best for foodies: Budapest

While traditionally famous for its thermal baths, ruin bars, and Art Nouveau architecture, Budapest is also the place to go for fabulous food. Best of all, you certainly won’t break the bank when dining out in the Hungarian capital—with an excellent conversion rate, you’ll get plenty on your plate for your money. You can sample some amazing street food in Budapest, and if you’re after comfort food this is the place to be. Indulge in langos bread (fried Hungarian bread, served warm with garlic, sour cream, and grated cheese); palacsinta (savoury pancakes stuffed with rich paprikash stew and covered in a moreish cream sauce); and Esterházy torta (a decadent cake made of almond hazelnut meringue layers, filled with kirsch buttercream and rum apricot jam, with a marbled icing top).

Get bang for your buck

Hungarian cuisine is also championed at the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Head to the 1-star rated Borkonyha in the downtown area to try authentic specialities cooked with modern influences. There’s also Salt, another 1-star rated restaurant, where you can experience a sophisticated 15-course tasting menu of intricately modernised versions of traditional recipes. If you’re after somewhere to stay for your 2024 trip to Budapest, consider the newly opened W Budapest. Located on Andrassy Avenue, the hotel is across from the elegant state opera house, and is a UNESCO heritage site in its own right. The property’s restaurant, Nightingale by Beefbar, showcases fusion Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine.

Best for a splurge: Tennessee

With new venues opening, Tennessee is the perfect place for lovers of music and culture to splash out on a holiday next year. Start off in Memphis, where you can catch incredible blues musicians in the bars of Beale Street, tuck into world-class barbecue food, and visit the home of one of the greatest legends of rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley. 2024 will see two new exhibits opening at Graceland: get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film, then snap a selfie in the iconic cell block 1313 in the new Jailhouse Rock exhibit. The National Civil Rights Museum is also expanding next year, with a complete renovation, and new exhibits including a focus on activism today.

Explore music country

Just over three hours’ drive from Memphis is Nashville, aka Music City. It’s set to live up to its name in 2024, with two new live venues opening to add to the 180 already thriving. The historic Cannery Hall dates back over 140 years, and following an extensive renovation, will have three stages and state-of-the art lighting and sound systems. The brand-new Nashville Yards will also open its doors in phases in 2024, and will feature a curated collection of restaurants, bars, and shops as well as a cinema and of course, a 4500-capacity concert hall. Away from the cities, head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with its beautiful forest trails and waterfalls, and of course, Dolly Parton’s own theme park, Dollywood. A new experience will be opening at the park in 2024, called The Dolly Parton Experience. This interactive attraction will bring a newly imagined approach to Dolly Parton’s story, as told in her own voice.

Best for a staycation: Jersey & Yorkshire

There are so many positives to holidaying closer to home—staycations are cost effective, low stress, and help to support local businesses. The UK is brimming with historical cities, chocolate-box villages, rolling countryside and beautiful beaches, and this year there were so many incredible places to highlight that we couldn’t narrow it down to just one. So hear us out, this is our double whammy of UK picks for 2024 and we don't think you'll be disappointed.

Benefits of a staycation

First up is Jersey, the largest of the channel islands. Just an hour’s flight from London, you can savour a slice of island life without the hassle of exchange rates and passport stamps. 2024 is a particularly poignant time to visit, as the island will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, which marked a major turning point in World War 2. Jersey had been suffering under Nazi occupation since 1940, but in June, 1944, Allied forces entered northern France, ultimately leading to the island’s liberation in 1945. Next year, visitors will be able to explore newly-opened German war bunkers, and don’t miss the War Tunnels—a museum set in a former underground German military hospital—which offers a fascinating insight into the experiences of local families. Liberation day is celebrated annually on 9 May, with parades, services, and re-enactments, honouring the resilient spirit of the island community.

Jersey

Golden sands and gin-clear water

Fine dining in the city

Get to know Nashville

Walk in Napoleon's footsteps

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Plan your trip

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Try Jersey’s famous tide-to-table fresh catches at local eateries including the charming beachfront Driftwood Cafe—owned by a local fisherman couple who champion sustainable fishing. Or visit Petchi, a new wood-fired grill restaurant and wine bar in St Helier, founded by chef Joe Baker (you might recognise him from Great British Menu). In October-November, Tennerfest returns. This island-wide extravaganza sees restaurants serving enticing fixed-priced menus from £10. It’s a great way to support local and burst out of your food comfort zone. Explore Jersey’s golden beaches and coastal trails, the most famous being St Brelade’s Bay. For the adventurous—just next door you can scramble down the steps to Portelet Beach. Set in a sheltered south-facing cove, it’s perfect for sun-worshippers. Head north for cave exploring at Plemont Beach.

The county’s wild beauty has provided endless inspiration to authors through the ages, setting the stage for literary masterpieces including Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, the Secret Garden, and even Dracula. It’s got excellent rail links across the UK, and is served by a high-speed link from London. Yet, it’s also a perfect road trip destination, with its rippling dales and sweeping moorlands stretching for miles. Yorkshire is gearing up for an exciting few years, so now’s a great time to visit: Bradford has been named the UK City of Culture 2025, so lots of investment is going into exhibitions and collaborations with local artists. It’s also known for being the first UNESCO city of film, and its science and media museum.

Jersey's foodie scene and beaches

Yorkshire

It has three national parks, the most famous being the Yorkshire Dales, with its rolling green hills, charming hamlets, and drystone walls. The region is home to the Three Peaks, conquered by hikers every year and offering plenty of photo stops, including the Ribblehead Viaduct—part of a Victorian railway line running from Settle to Carlisle, with an impressive span of 24 arches stretching 400 metres. The cities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York offer historical charm and modern cultural and foodie revolutions. Wander the medieval Shambles shopping street in York and pop into Betty’s Tea Room for some sweet treats. Immerse yourself in Sheffield’s cultural landscape by visiting the Millenium Gallery or catch a show at the Lyceum Theatre. Meanwhile, in Leeds, nibble your way around the city’s thriving foodie scene, from low-key independent joints to fine dining eateries.

National parks and bustling cities

Best for a staycation: Jersey & Yorkshire

Get to know Nashville