Bernie Van Der Linde
- Bernie Van Der Linde
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Are there any new travel trends in 2024? What are the hot must visit countries for 2024? In this article we list six countries to visit!
Travel journalists and travel agents have identified six counties to visit in 2024. Moreover, in previous years, travellers cared less about sustainable tourism, didn’t mind taking connecting flights and mostly visited crowd-favourite destinations. Moreover, travel itineraries were packed to the fullest to get perceived value for money. Island hopping, direct hotel bookings, and organised tours were popular. This is all changing in 2024.
In 2024, travellers show more concern for the environment, prefer fewer touristy spots, appreciate personalised experiences, and prefer less complicated itineraries.
We identified six must visit countries for 2024.
Taiwan travel in 2024
Taiwan is an island in the western Pacific Ocean.
Why you should visit Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most underrated islands and countries for travellers. It is also among the world’s safest and most mountainous countries. Our trip to Taiwan remains one of our best Asian tours, particularly because the Taiwanese people were so patient and helpful during our entire trip.
And the best of all? Taiwan was not nearly as expensive as Japan. Interestingly, Taiwan has one of the best public transport systems, and English is widely spoken.
Must-visit attractions and locations in Taiwan
Taiwan is known for its impressive skyscrapers (earthquake-proof Taipei 101), the traditional neighbourhoods with lively night markets (Shilin was our favourite), and unique spice and grocery stores.
It wasn’t easy to pick the best attractions and locations because there were so many, but here is our list of recommendations for must-visit locations in Taiwan: Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Taroko National Park, Tainan, Kenting National Park, and Hualien City.
We highly recommend walking up Elephant Mountain to get the best views of Taipei and visiting Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Datong District in Taipei. You can thank us later in the comments for these great recommendations.
Interesting facts about Taiwan
In ancient times, Taiwan was connected to mainland China. Taiwan’s islands are commonly called ‘a natural botanical garden’ due to its wide variety of butterflies (estimated 400 species) and 25,000 animal species.
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
The best time to visit Taiwan is between October and November. The northern part of Taiwan has a subtropical climate, while the southern part has a tropical climate.
Do you need more reasons to visit Taiwan?
Read our article: “Taiwan: is it worth visiting”. In this article, we discuss what to know before visiting Taiwan, how to get to Taiwan, why stay in Taipei (the capital of Taiwan), the best night markets in Taipei, and where to take the best photos in Taipei.
We also discuss Taroko National Park (one of the best experiences when visiting Taiwan), a visit to the town of Jiufen, and many more interesting places you need to visit in Taiwan.
Mauritius is the island of unique coral reefs and the extinct Dodo (you will see many souvenirs of the Dodo everywhere you go). It is located 900 km east of Madagascar and 180 km northeast of the island of Reunion.
Why you should visit Mauritius
Mauritius is known for its palm-tree-lined, long, white, soft, sandy beaches, fantastic year-round weather, crystal-clear azure warm waters, breathtaking scenery and snorkelling, and plenty of watersport activities. Did you know Mauritius is the textile hub of Africa because it is one of the major exporters of textiles and readymade garments?
Mauritius is also one of the most popular islands for resort-loving travellers (like Club-Med, Beachcombers and Lux resorts, to name a few). Because the island is only four hours by flight from South Africa, it is extremely popular with South Africans, even though French tourists make up the majority of travellers. Besides being known for its magnificent tropical palm trees, it has the most pristine beaches.
Bernie visited Mauritius more than ten times because of its fantastic all-year-round weather, vibey (luxurious) island-style resorts, and magnificent nature sceneries. In addition, Mauritius is not nearly as expensive as its closest counterpart, the Seychelles. Mauritius is a peace-loving country with no official religion or culture. Indian, French, African, and Chinese influences are evident in the country’s cuisine and culture. This spicy island is fondly called the 3S (sun, sand and sea) destination.
Must-visit attractions and locations in Mauritius
The northern parts of the island are more popular because they are less windy. We prefer locations like Grand Baie, Flic-en-Flac, Pereybere and Mont Choisy. The east coast of Mauritius is more windy than the rest of the island.
We highly recommend visiting the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, for its vibrant food, spice and clothing markets. The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, L’Aventure du Sucre, Chateau de Labourdonnais, Rhumarie de Chamarel (the rum distillery) and the Curious Corner of Chamarel are some of the best attractions of Mauritius, which you can read more about in our Mauritian articles.
Interesting facts about Mauritius
Mauritius is believed to be the only island on which the now-extinct Dodo lived. Although three nations (Netherlands, France and Great Britain) colonised Mauritius over the years, it became independent in 1968. English and French are the most widely spoken languages on the island.
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
Mauritius’ peak tourist seasons are between October and early January and during the Easter holidays. The peak of their cyclone season is mid-January. Mauritius is regarded as a luxury island destination. Still, you can find good deals and great packages if you travel outside their peak seasons.
Mauritius has a subtropical climate, meaning you can enjoy the island the whole year because it doesn’t get very cold in the winter.
How to find the best Mauritius Deals
Go2Africa has some of the best recommendations for hotel in Mauritius.
Do you need more reasons to visit Mauritius?
Read our cornerstone article: “Mauritius for first-time visitors”, in which we discuss the best way to book a trip to Mauritius, Pro tips for booking accommodation, how to rent a car, a house or scooters in Mauritius and what to see and do in Mauritius is. We also have articles about
South Africa travel in 2024
South Africa is a country on the southern tip of Africa bordering Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini (previously known as Lesotho).
Why you should visit South Africa
South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with eleven official languages.
It is often called the world in one country because of its scenic mountain ranges, Big Five game reserves, pristine Blue Flag beaches, charming countryside towns, and some of the friendliest people in the world. The exchange rate makes South Africa one of the most attractive countries in the world because you can enjoy world-class hotels, award-winning restaurants, Karoo lamb, and several other traditional dishes for a fraction of the price you would pay in your country. Moreover, English is widely spoken in South Africa.
Even though South Africa is often in the news for its high crime rates, it is still considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Our article “How Safe is South Africa” demystifies many myths surrounding safety in South Africa.
We may be biased, but South Africa must be at the top of your Travel Destination list for 2024. We have more than 41 articles about South Africa on our travel blog; one article is guaranteed to entice you to visit this nature-loving country.
Must-visit attractions and locations in South Africa
South Africa has many must-visit locations that will keep you fascinated for weeks or months while you’re touring this spectacular country. South Africa is known for its easy-to-drive Garden Route, breathtaking Cape Town with iconic Table Mountain, pristine soft sandy beaches, world-renowned wine routes, the Big Five Kruger National Park and many other world-class game reserves such as Madikwe, Welgevonden and Dinokeng. And if you love visiting vibrant cities with outstanding historical landmarks, cultural experiences and markets, then Johannesburg and Durban are waiting for you.
You can ask us anything you want about South Africa in the comments. The Blyde River Canyon, the third largest in the world, is also one of South Africa’s most visited landmarks.
Interesting facts about South Africa
South Africa is nicknamed the ‘rainbow nation’ partly due to its 11 official languages and several unofficial ones. The country has the longest wine route. The first European settlers (the Dutch) landed in South Africa in 1652 and established the Dutch East India Company in the Cape of Good Hope.
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa is between January and March and September and November. However, it is one of the few countries you can have a fabulous time all year round.
We have an article dedicated to the “Best time to visit South Africa.” in which we discuss the best times to visit each of the provinces like Cape Town (October to March), Kwa-Zulu Natal (all-year due to the tropical climate), Mpumalanga (June to August), the Garden Route (October to April), the best time to go on safari (June to September) and the best time to do whale watching (June to October).
Do you need more reasons to visit South Africa?
Read our article: “Is it worth visiting South Africa”
The article discusses six things you should know before visiting South Africa. We recommend you also read our related articles about the Garden Route (seven articles but more following), the Kruger National Park (more than ten articles), Cape Town attractions (also more than ten), and our Johannesburg article if you are considering visiting South Africa.
Germany travel in 2024
Germany is in Central Europe, bordering Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the southwest, and Belgium and the Netherlands in the northwest.
Why you should visit Germany
Germany’s location makes it the ideal country to visit as part of a European trip. Many of the best European countries are easily accessible by plane, train, or car. Germany has 36 international airports ranging from smaller airfields to mega airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Berlin.
Germany has the most castles in the world. In keeping with its reputation as the world’s beer-drinking country, over 5000 beer varieties are believed to be brewed in approximately 1500 breweries across Germany. It is also known for many unique culinary delights, such as sausages (more than 1000 varieties, curry and Weisswurst being the most popular), bread (more than 300 varieties are baked in over 17,000 bakeries) and cakes.
You can find a list of the most beautiful places in Germany on Angelika’s travel blog angiestravelroutes.
Germans are fiercely protective of their culture, language and traditions. English is widely spoken in larger cities.
Must-visit attractions and locations in Germany
Germany is known for its crowded beer festivals, the biggest being the Octoberfest, historical fairy-tale castles, magnificent ski resorts, Christmas markets and delicious breakfasts with the finest cold meats and fresh bread. If you travel to Allgäu, south of Germany, you will be treated to breathtaking mountain views, rolling hills, and green meadows with picturesque lakes.
And don’t forget world-famous cheeses (like Allgäu Emmental and Mountain cheese), culinary specialities like Allgäuer Kässpatzen, Schweinshaxe, Dampfnudeln, Krautkrapfen, Allgäuer Wurstsalat. If you visit festivals or parties, you may spot ladies in their traditional Dirnd. A dirndl is a traditional dress consisting of a white frilled blouse with puff sleeves and a low neckline; the blouse is then worn underneath the bodice. The dress comprises a skirt with a contrasting colour apron.
Interesting facts about Germany
Germany is known for producing the best vehicles in the world (Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz). Unsurprisingly, there are several ‘no speed limit’ motorways called Autobahn.
Although Germans may drink beer and wine at the age of 14 with adult supervision, they may only buy and drink soft alcoholic beverages and wine at the age of 16 without adult supervision. Despite Munich’s biggest beer festival being called Oktoberfest, it actually starts in September and is over in early October.
When is the best time to visit Germany?
Germany has the best weather between May and September. Although the temperatures can change dramatically during this time, you can enjoy fairly warm temperatures and long days. July and August are usually the two warmest months of the year.
Do you need more reasons to visit Germany?
We have more than 13 interesting articles about Germany. Travel Buddy Petra is based in Kempten in Allgäu, giving us insider information on the best locations and activities. Germany is known for its amazing festivals and historical cities. We recommend that you read our most popular German articles:
- Viehsheid in the Allgäu
- Allgäu top 5 attractions in Germany
- The most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany
- Best things to do in Memmingen
These articles discuss the best cities to visit in the Allgäu and the best winter and summer activities and attractions. We recommend you read our cornerstone article about the Allgäu:
Greece travel in 2024
Greece, the third largest producer of olives, is a country made up of islands in southeast Europe located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula. It shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the east. The capital of Greece is Athens.
Why you should visit Greece
Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete (the largest Greek island) are the most popular. The secret to enjoying the best Greek island is looking for great deals, whether at Milos with its moon-like features, the vibey holiday atmosphere of Mykonos or the incredible clifftop vistas of Santorini. There are several lesser-known islands like Samos, Paxos, Naxos and Foligrandos.
While most Greek islands are connected by ferries and airports, not all have international airports. Therefore, most international travellers fly to Athens and then take a ferry or flight to the islands. If you are considering taking a ferry, read our article: “The Shocking Truth about Greek Ferries”,
Interesting facts about Greece
Did you know Greece has 6000 islands, of which more than 200 are estimated to be inhabited? In addition, there are more than 400 traditional dances in Greece. Greece has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Not surprisingly, Greece is the sunniest place in the world. And if these facts are not interesting enough, did you know that more tourists visit Greece annually than the entire Greek population?
Must-visit islands in Greece
Each island has unique characteristics, from the most popular white-and-blue domed churches on the Cyclades to the green Ionian or the castle-lined Dodecanese islands. Domestic Airlines, such as Aegean Airlines, primarily service the islands. We recently visited Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. It isn’t easy to pick a favourite because each island is unique.
Although Mykonos has a reputation for being a party-ilands, it has the most scenic beaches. Santorini, a post-card destination, is by far the most breathtaking (and expensive) island; it has more beautiful locations, hotels, and sunsets than ever imagined. Milos is an authentic island where you can still enjoy outstanding food at reasonable prices and scenic beaches away from the crowds. Crete is the warmest of the islands, enabling visitors to still enjoy great weather late into the start of winter (December).
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May to September are the best months to visit Greece, although August is the high season (and very expensive). We visited Greece in September, which was perfect as it was less crowded, and we enjoyed perfect sunny and warm weather. November to March is considered the low season, although many hotels are closed during this time.
Do you need more reasons to visit Greece?
We have more than five informative articles about Greece focusing on Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. We strongly recommend visiting Milos as it is a bit cheaper than the most popular Greek Island and far less crowded.
The following articles are a must-read if you intend to visit the islands we mentioned:
France travel in 2024
France is in Western Europe. Its neighbours are Spain to the southwest and Andorra. In the northeast, France is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, and to the east by Switzerland and Italy. The capital of France is Paris, also called the world’s fashion capital, the city of lights or the city of love.
Why you should visit France
France’s popularity stems from its post-card scenery, extraordinary art, museums and cultural attractions, world-class vineyards, countryside villages lined with olive trees, stunning winter escapes, and picturesque landscapes.
We toured the southern parts of France with world-renowned places like the Côte D’Azure (French Rivera) and Provence. In June this year, we are planning a trip to northern France, so subscribe to our blog so you never miss an article hot off our press.
Interesting facts about France
France is the world’s most popular tourist destination, attracting nearly 90 million visitors annually. Although France is the biggest country in Europe by surface area, it is almost twice as small as South Africa. The cost of living in France is estimated to be 83% higher than in South Africa. Surprisingly, even though France is known as the world’s culinary capital, it is also the second-largest consumer of Big Macs after the United States.
Must-visit locations and attractions in France
France is known for its beautiful historical towns, the French Riveria, ancient waterways, world-renowned architecture, and the pretty lavender field. The southern parts of France differ dramatically from northern France. Provence, which is in the Rhône valley, is a must-visit location. From quaint villages like Moustier-Sainte-Marie to breathtaking scenery in Valensole and Gorge du Verdon (the Grand Canyon of Europe). Antibes is another must-visit location on the Mediterranean Sea near well-known cities like Nice and Cannes.
Petra visited a post-card island called Port-Cros, a tiny island off the French Riveria. And if you are looking for glitz and glamour, Monaco is the place for you.
When is the best time to visit France?
Depending on where you go in France, if you are visiting the lavender field in Provence, the best time to go is from the last week in June to the beginning of August. We visited the lavender fields in mid-June, and although the flowers were not in full bloom yet, we really enjoyed it because it was less crowded. The peak of the lavender season is reached in mid-July, but it greatly depends on rainfall and climate changes.
Related Travel Blogs
We have over five articles about must-visit locations and attractions in southern France. Our most popular articles are:
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Your travel buddies, Bernie and Petra
