by There’s no better strategy for getting through today, Blue Monday, than planning your escape right away — whether it’s for a few days or a few weeks. But where? This year, we are spoiled for choice. From a new 2,000-mile bike trail across the Balkans to a secret blue city in Morocco, and a first-of-its-kind luxury train ride to the Italian Riviera, consider this your guide to your next great vacation.
In the rest of our travel specials you’ll find life-changing trips for solo travellers, a Michelin-starred trip to Antarctica and our fashion team will pick out the most stylish pieces for you to pack. Enjoy!
Cool-cations
Climate change is already having a major impact on the places we go on holiday. Booking.com reports that 42 per cent of UK travelers say this will affect their trip this year, with many thinking twice about classic Med destinations after last summer’s heatwave. Sarah Allard, digital editor at Condé Nast Traveler, agrees. “It’s no surprise that travelers will start looking a little further north for their peak season holiday plans. Expect destinations such as northern Italy, Scandinavia and Scotland to become increasingly popular, where tourists – especially families – can enjoy outdoor activities during cooler weather, from cycling and kayaking to hiking and swimming.”
Tempted? Head to eco-friendly Landet – which translates as “land” in Swedish – for cool relaxation. Opening this year, 10 floating cabins sit in a 400-hectare nature reserve on the Stockholm archipelago. Spend time with walking paths, swimming holes and yoga sessions (from £270 per night; landstay.com). In Norway, the Six Senses Svart is about to open, says Rosie Shephard, founder of the Luxury Communications Council. “It will be very futuristic and the first carbon positive resort in the world.”
The series Trans Dinarica
This new 3,364km (2,090 mile) cycling route opens this year and crosses the Balkans, linking Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia. From the clear waters of the Slovenian SoÄ, the Slovenian river to the national parks of Kosovo and the winding coasts of Albania and Croatia, choose screensaver-worthy routes. The trail is broken up into 30 mile segments with somewhere to stay at the end of each day trip. No one expects you to complete all 3,364km in one go. Rather, this is a trip to revisit. Sustainable, affordable and a glorious deep dive into the communities you’ll encounter along the way, I think I’ve peaked too soon with this amazing holiday.
Merida, Mexico
While Tulum and Cancun are filled with luxury hotels and preening influencers, Merida is steeped in Mayan culture, historic charm and unique boutiques. According to the founder of YOLO Journal, Yolanda Edwards, now is the time to visit. “The design crowd has been buying and renovating Merida for decades, creating the most beautiful vacation rentals before airbnb existed. Go now, although it still feels like a smaller community, because of the bigger [albeit tasteful] Guns, like Belmond, are opening hotels in the next few years.” Welcome Beyond (welcomebeyond.com) has some chic villas. The brutal Mexican La Tropical (from £180), hidden in the heart of Merida, is the spot for couples or solo travellers. Casa Escuela (£1,995), a former school, sleeps up to 12 and is the result of a four-year restoration project. They’re all the kinds of places you’d expect in Architectural Digest.
Tinos, Greece
Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos, rural island, under-the-radar Tinos, couldn’t be more different from its secluded neighbour. Walk through wildflower meadows during the spring or go for an early autumn break when its beautiful beaches are deserted. Tinos is the third largest island in the Cyclades but is still underrated. Food and wine are a matter of particular pride. Xinara House – two 18th-century villas restored by London-based designers Peter and Susan Marston – is a favorite of chic Athenians (from £780 per week; xinarahouse.com). Odera is due to open in May – the first luxury boutique hotel on the island. It will have 77 rooms and pool suites, a huge spa and its own private beach (prices TBD; oderatinos.com).
Bhutan
Our in-house sustainability travel expert Juliet Kinsman tells me Bhutan is the place to take a guilt-free holiday this year. “The country has seen incredible eco-conscious luxury hotels opening in recent years, such as the Six Senses circuit of lodges, and more recently, & Beyond Punakha River Lodge. The protection of its forests is written into Bhutan’s constitution and there is a $100 daily fee for the Sustainable Development Fund. This may sound elitist and exclusive, but the advantage is that there are fewer tourists and less pressure from visitors to this Himalayan landscape. I would recommend spending time at small luxury hotels such as Gangtey Lodge or Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, or book an itinerary through MyBhutan.”
Over Marrakesh
It’s easy to have a great time in Marrakesh but the rest of the country is ripe for discovery and about to have its moment. This year, head north to Rabat, Tangiers or Casablanca. Travel writer Mary Lussiana says: “In the capital, Rabat, the Four Seasons Hotel is sailing on the edge of the Atlantic. Known as Kasr Al Bahr, the Castle of the Sea, it was formerly the sultan’s summer palace and promises to deliver the honor of a place. Tangier recently opened Fairmont Tazi, which did not attract many residences, and Jasper Conran has wonderfully restored the beautiful Villa Mabrouka, once home to Yves St Laurent. It is also exciting that the famous Royal Mansour in Marrakesh is opening a sibling hotel in Casablanca in early 2024 and there are plans to open something interesting further north, which is still a secret. So watch this space.” Black Tomato is touting Tangier as a key venue for 2024 and suggests timing a visit with the Tanjazz music festival in September. Their luxury itinerary visits Casablanca, Fes, Chefchaouen (the secret blue city you’ve seen all over your Instagram), Tangiers and La Fiermontina (10 nights in northern Morocco from £7,500pp; blacktomato.com)
Grenada
No one needs much arm twisting to visit the Caribbean. For the year 2024, it’s up to Grenada. Depending on demand, Virgin and British Airways are increasing their weekly flights. In February Spike Island is celebrating 50 years of independence and 31 new submerged works of art have been added to their Underwater Sculpture Park in Moolin Bay in February. Travel writer Gina Jackson is, as usual, ahead of the curve. “This Caribbean island is often viewed as underdogs in favor of neighboring Barbados and St Lucia, but it firmly deserves a place on your 2024 radar. Grenada offers a winning formula of endless white sand beaches , steamy rainforests and diverse landscapes to explore, whether you prefer to hike up to waterfalls, explore spice plantations, or snorkel around the island’s famous sculpture parks. Although there are already a handful of charming hotels (I stayed at Calabash and Silversands, both excellent in their own way), the opening of Six Senses La Sagesse this year will further cement Grenada’s status as a destination for luxury travel enthusiasts. “
Paris
The French capital will be very special this year as it prepares to host the Olympic Games. Tickets are still available. There are exciting new hotels opening and you can’t go wrong with stays at Le Grand Mazarin (from £598; legrandmazarin.com), Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs (from £280; hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com), Le Grand Hôtel Cayré (from £312 ; kkhotels.com) or Hotel Chateau D’Eau (from £138; hotelchateaudeau.com). You could also use the city as a jumping off point for a great rail adventure. Nightjet sleeper service is rolling out a new route from Paris to Berlin and for a real splurge, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train is set to launch a trip to Portofino (belmond.com). Tres chic.
Peru not found
Getting to this other country is a real treat thanks to LATAM Airline’s new direct flight from London to Lima. Swerve crowded Machu Picchu for less known but no less spectacular archaeological treasures. Black Tomato is launching a number of new tours offering camping in hard-to-reach places near archeological wonders such as Chan Chan, the world’s largest mud city, and Chavin de Huantar in Huaraz (seven nights in Peru including Huchuy Qosqo, royal estate of Viracocha, the eighth Inca ruler, from £8,500pp; blacktomato.com). Further south, the new Puqio luxury camp in the Colca Canyon is one of the best places to see condors. Visit as part of Scott Dunn’s hyper-luxury two-week tour (from £10,400; scottdunn.com).
Value for money tours
John O’Cellaigh, founder of luxury travel consultancy LUTE, believes that if one has cash to splash, you could have the best bang for your buck at sea. “With hotels becoming more expensive, some trips that were too expensive now seem proportionately accessible,” says Ó Cellaigh. “I’m considering a 13-day cruise around Antarctica with Viking Cruises, with prices starting from £9,995 including flights, drink, food, tours and tips – very expensive, of course, but obviously you get much more for your money than you do. at a luxury hotel in London. Also many hotel groups are now looking to move into this space. Ritz-Carlton is launching ‘hotel at sea’ boats.”
