From rustic French regions to the less developed Greek isles, a slew of exciting up-and-coming travel destinations are lying in wait for Summer 2024 with new luxury hotels to match. Because we all need a little something to look forward to...
According to the experts, 2024 is set to be a record-breaking year for travel. While this is great news for economic growth, in an age of travel that's already saturated by social media exposure you’d be wise to seek out more overlooked destinations that still promise all the necessary creature comforts. A summer trip to St Tropez sounds dreamy, for example, until you’re faced with a month-long wait to get a reservation at your favourite restaurant, just like the thought of a winter break to Bali until you’re up against an unruly backpacker-and-beachgoer crowd off in search of their own Eat, Pray, Love moment.
Thankfully there’s a handful of travel destinations that still fly relatively under the radar but have plenty of luxury hotels in the pipeline to boot — the perfect sweet spot, if you ask us. That does suggest that they might not stay hidden for much longer, though, so we recommend that you get booking those plane tickets, pronto.
Kea
Instead of: Santorini
With a number of Greek islands having enjoyed a travel boom over the past decade — we still can’t scroll social media without being bombarded with images of Mykonos and Santorini — it’s the perfect time to head further afield and discover the sandy bays, terracotta-coloured villages and picture-perfect swimming coves of Kea which, for those looking for ‘slow travel’ — the art of relaxed, no-agenda vacations — is emerging as just the place.
The fact that you can only get to Kea by ferry (an hour from the Athenian port of Lavrio) or yacht means this Greek island has long been popular with in-the-know Athenians who flock to their second homes on weekends and holidays, but few others. That’s all about to change with the imminent opening of the One&Only Kéa Island which, situated in a stunning 65-hectare beachfront site on the west side of the island and surrounded by dramatic sea views, is set to offer an exclusive island hideaway drenched in Mediterranean bliss.
Thankfully we still can’t see it becoming overrun, though. Predominantly an island of farmers and fishermen, its main towns of Korissia and Ioulida forgo glitzy beach clubs for the likes of quiet tavernas that serve deliciously authentic Greek food, while elsewhere the main activities, other than relaxing by your own private pool, include hiking the 40 kilometres of trails that wind through lush ravines, diving the cerulean waters to explore extraordinary shipwrecks and visiting the Lion of Kea, an eight-metre-long sculpture dating back to the sixth century. Go now before the secret gets out.
Grenada
Instead of: Barbados
According to Dnata travel group, the official tourism authority of Barbados reported an impressive 32 per cent increase in travellers from the GCC in 2023 compared to the previous year, with a notable growth in visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Why not buck the trend and head to Grenada instead which, otherwise known as the Spice Isle, is slowly making a name for itself as a stealthy Caribbean getaway with friendly locals, flavourful food and sandy beaches that are relatively free of crowds.
The island is set to welcome two new luxury resorts this year. First up, the Six Senses is set upon 38 acres on Granada’s southern tip. The luxury brand’s debut in the Caribbean, it’ll offer pool suites which combine eco-credentials and comfort using natural, renewable and repurposed materials, each with an outdoor terrace leading to a private plunge pool for a cooling dip. Elsewhere villas will enjoy prime hillside or beachfront settings, a Six Senses Spa, outdoor fitness trails, a jungle gym and, for the more reflective, quiet locations for meditation, forest bathing, labyrinth walking, sensory foot reflexology, fire rituals and candlelight yoga will also be on hand. Then you have the Silversands Beach House, which is set to bring a haven of escape to the island with 28 purposely-designed accommodations including cliffside or beachside rooms, toes-in-the-sand dining and a sleek spa.
There’s plenty to keep guests entertained outside these luxury resorts, of course. Be sure to take a walk around the buzzing capital of St George’s and its yacht-dotted harbour, while more active travellers can enjoy a hike through the rainforest in Grand Etang National Park. There’s a myriad of incredible diving opportunities too — not only can you swim among tropical fish and colourful coral reefs, but Grenada’s waters are also home to long-forgotten wreckages (the island is often called the Shipwreck Capital of the Caribbean) as well as the world’s only underwater sculpture park.
Lake Garda
Instead of: Lake Como
While tourists in search of a flashy Italian job will always flock to the sun-soaked shores of Lake Como, sitting pretty in the north of the country lies a lake with a whole different vibe, combining centuries-old architecture, riviera colours and verdant forests where you can easily while away a week hiking, walking and eating without the masses.
That said, stretching over 32 miles in length from the foot of the snowy Alps to the sun-drenched Padana flatlands, Lake Garda is hardly small, so it pays to know where to go. While two of the larger towns of Riva del Garda and Desenzano del Garda should definitely be on your list, be sure to travel to the more peaceful Peschiera which comes dotted with pastel buildings and ornate bridges. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the pretty town of Salò for its colourful blend of Italian history and culture, while Limone sul Garda on the west shore of the lake encapsulates summer with its bougainvillea-adorned centre, pale yellow villas and quaint waterside promenade.
The region’s hottest address for 2024 is set to be Borgo Tre which, opening this spring among the rolling hills of Torri del Benaco and overlooking the lake, is a boutique bolthole of just six elegant suites sleeping between two and five people and equipped with private amenities including kitchens, dining rooms, open fireplaces, jacuzzis and gardens, plus a yoga terrace, outdoor swimming pool with cabanas, Finnish sauna and spa. Make reservations now before it’s too late.
Burgundy
Instead of: Provence
While the name Burgundy may be known by grape lovers the world over, this quintessentially rural region of France is so much more than its vineyards — and holidaymakers are just starting to catch on. Amid its rolling landscapes of pea-green fields, this is a place that really does have it all, from sensational food, culturally rich towns and charming, mellow-stoned villages to enough UNESCO World Heritage sites to keep culture vultures busy for days.
It’s also a paradise for outdoor activity lovers, with nearly 1000km of cycling trails forming the so-called Le Tour de Bourgogne à vélo, which represents the Green Way route alongside canals, following former railway lines and going across many small roads and pathways. We also suggest visiting the lakes of Morvan for unbeatable scenery while, for those simply there for the food (no judgement here), Burgundy is heaven for truffle lovers. If your visit happens to fall in autumn when truffles are mature enough, you can even hunt them in groups before the tasting.
Despite its natural beauty, this classic French region has been lacking in luxury — until now, that is, with Burgundy finally getting a much-needed influx of chic new hotels. We’ve already seen both Maison 1896 in Beaune and the French debut of international group COMO Hotels and Resorts, which opened the reimagined Hotel Montrachet in Puligny - Montrachet, a town with just 376 residents, late last year. In 2024 we can expect the five-star Château de la Commaraine to open in Pommard; a castle dating from the Middle Ages is also getting a full revamp from the team behind the lauded Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon, while Maison 1896 is the first luxury hotel to open in Beaune in over 20 years.
Baja California
Instead of: Riviera Maya
Mexico has more than 7,000 miles of coastline, many due to the great finger of beaches formed by the Baja California peninsula. Yet while this beautiful part of the world may already be familiar to more adventurous travellers thanks to the myriad of activities it offers, 2024 is set to be the year it really makes a name for itself due to a slew of luxury new openings including the Banyan Tree Valle de Guadalupe Resort, Grand Velas Los Cabos — a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts — and Four Seasons Resort and Residences at Cabo Del Sol, to name a few.
The best thing about Baja is that rather than the party scene of Cancun or the laid back bohemian vibes of Tulum, it offers several different kinds of holiday depending on your taste. There’s the ultimate fly-and-flop beach haven of Los Cabos, water activities on the Sea of Cortez, whale-watching on the other shore and the ultimate culinary hotpot of Valle de Guadalupe. Nearby La Paz is another gorgeous seaside city, while most Mexicans vacation in Puerto Escondido, a still-mellow town that keeps a trendy vibe while remaining free of mega-resorts. All of this means that your hardest decision will be which to travel to first.
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