As we enter that brief mid-November lull before the manic lead-up to Christmas, we allow ourselves a moment of peace to let our thoughts wander to the year ahead and the far-reaching places we’d like to visit. After all, vacation days are a priceless commodity, and you want to spend them wisely, right? 

As part of their guide to the world’s top travel destinations, continent by continent, the writers and editors of CN Traveller have released their definitive “24 Best Places to Go in 2024” right on cue. Every destination on the list, “from moonscape deserts” to high-rise cities, has been carefully selected.

A total of four European entries made the final cut, including one wildly popular destination in Greece: the Cyclades.

New Travel Routes

The article notes the unwavering popularity of the Greek islands as a travel destination in general, “dominating social-media feeds with beautiful blue and white backdrops, thrilling beach clubs and nightclubs, and unparalleled shopping.” 

As travel restrictions were lifted in the post-pandemic, major players in Greece’s tourism industry became increasingly entrepreneurial, building new and more environmentally sustainable hotels, and establishing new and improved travel routes between the country’s islands. Their efforts are paying dividends, it would seem, with record-breaking numbers of visitors returning over the summer.

The Cyclades, the sun-blessed archipelago in the south-central Aegean that includes Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Milos and Ios, offer that iconic Greek island experience. The closely packed island cluster is famed for its brilliant blue waters, whitewashed architecture, and laidback island life. 

Thanks to the launch of regional airline Cycladic in 2022, a network of new flying routes is making it even easier to hop between the islands, the article adds. International airlines, too, including British Airways, Saudia, and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, have introduced a raft of new routes to the Greek islands, enabling even greater access for visitors from abroad.

Luxury Hotels

In terms of accommodation, travelers are spoilt for choice in the Cyclades, with ever expanding options for luxury stays. The “hotel business is booming,” reports CN Traveller, adding that Santo Pure in Oia on Santorini has “just added 20 new suites.” In 2024, it will be joined “by sister hotel Santo Mine, a 37-suite luxury resort.”

There are also plenty of new luxury hotel options on Mykonos, famed for its nightlife and spa resorts. “Slick boutique hotel Kalesma on Mykonos will launch its spa for the 2024 season, including a hammam and cryotherapy area,” the article reports.

A new five-star resort is set to open on Folegandros, and a new One&Only property will come to Kea next April.

Besides the Cyclades, which features second on the list of 24, the other European destinations include Budapest, Hungary, Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, and the pristine countryside of Kosovo. 

The other destinations on CN Traveller’s list are:

Mauritius

South and Central Sri Lanka

Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Grenada

French Polynesia

Accra, Ghana

Guatemala

The Kimberley, Australia

Kobe, Japan

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Madagascar

Magdalena River, Colombia

Mongolia

Northern Rivers, Australia

Quebec, Canada

Quito, Ecuador

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Santa Fe, US

South Island, New Zealand

Upstate New York, US