From Jamaica to Norway, the beaches of Japan and the plains of Africa, Original Travel predicts where will be the hottest (and coolest) destinations to visit in 2024  

Jamaica, Kenya, Thailand, Malta and Colombia will be the hottest destinations for 2024 and Norway (where enquiries are up 250% this year), the coolest (in both senses of the word). Japan's beaches are also becoming increasingly sought-after and Colombia continues to be the hottest ticket in Latin America. Read on for more on Original Travel's top destinations for 2024: 

Okinawa, Japan 

Japan has always been one of our most popular destinations, with Brits drawn to its cities, culture and countryside. Now, though, people are starting to discover its coastline, with more clients than ever requesting Japanese beach breaks. As an archipelago with miles upon miles of coastline to explore (the sixth longest coastline in the world, in fact) there's no shortage of seashore to choose from. ⁠To satisfy demand, we have launched a new itinerary: Mangroves, Lagoons and Coral Reefs: Island Hopping in Japan's Okinawa Archipelago. The 12-day trip takes in: The Okinawa archipelago, full of lush greenery, translucent waters and coral beds teeming with life; Miyako-jima, part of a string of islands covered in sugarcane fields and connected by narrow bridges; and Iriotome, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands. Waterfalls, mangroves, coral beds, colourful fish and isolated villages are yours to discover here, and we'll arrange for you to take a guided trip to one of the most beautiful waterfalls. ⁠ 
Prices from £4,260pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfer, eleven nights' accommodation and guided tours. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Norway 

Original Travel reports an enormous 250% increase in enquiries for Norway, something the tour operator attributes to the impact of the heatwaves in Greece and Italy this year (and possibly due to Succession, as the uptick occurred when the show moved from Manhattan to Lukas Mattson's homeland). The country is now Original Travel's third biggest-selling destination, pipped only by Italy and Greece, but topping the likes of France, Spain and Portugal. 2024 will be a great year to visit for the Northern Lights too; the solar activity cycle is about to come into 'solar maximum', when the activity (and chances of seeing it) is at its greatest. The current cycle started in 2019 and will reach peak activity in 2025. 

Original Travel offers a five-day trip to Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Travelling deep into the Arctic Circle, you'll enjoy adrenaline-fuelled adventures – including trekking through ice caves, a snowmobile safari and dog-sledding – all under star strewn skies and (hopefully) the Northern Lights. Prices from £2,120pp, based on two sharing and including four nights' B&B accommodation, return flights and transfers. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Jamaica: 

Brit actor, Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on the role of the legendary Bob Marley in a musical biopic due out in January 2024. Bob Marley One Love charts the musician's life and rise and as you'd imagine, Jamaica plays a huge role, including its darker underbelly that few tourists experience. For a trip that focuses purely on its reggae roots, Original Travel's 'Musical Journey Through Jamaica' is a pilgrimage to the world's most famous Rastafarian. You'll stay at Goldeneye – former home to Chris Blackwell of Island Records fame, as well as Ian Fleming; Geejam, a secluded hideaway that boasts its own recording studio and resident sound engineers so guests can lay down their own tracks, and Strawberry Hill, also once owned by Chris Blackwell. A local guide will be on hand to take you to the best bars and clubs so you can fully immerse yourself in the reggae scene. 

Prices from £3,325pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfer, seven nights' accommodation and guided tours. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Kenya 

Kenya provided much of the inspiration for the original Lion King movie and does so again in the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, out July 2024. Voiced by Aaron Pierre, Seth Rogen and Kelvin Harrison JR, the live action movie explores the origins of Mufasa and will no doubt encourage a boost for safari bookings, with families wanting to see the wildlife for real.  

Original Travel's Simba and Friends itinerary is a 15-day family safari to Kenya, which includes a stay at Giraffe Manor, a picnic at the real life 'Pride Rock' in Laikipia, the Masai Mara where you can see Scar's hyena pals, as well as elephants, giraffes and lots of Pumbas. Prices from £9,250pp, based on a family of four travelling together and including all flights, transfers and overland transport and 13 nights' accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Thailand 

With Thailand confirmed as the setting for Season 3 of the much-lauded TV show, White Lotus, the Land of Smiles will enjoy the same spotlight as Hawaii and Sicily did before it – and it couldn't happen to a nicer place. Despite boasting cosmopolitan cities, mouth-watering street food, ancient temples and idyllic islands, Thailand has fallen out of fashion of late and it's high time it was rediscovered. Actual filming locations are still on the downlow, but if the production company partners again with the Four Seasons brand as it did for the first two seasons, that narrows the options down to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Golden Triangle or Koh Samui.  

Our Thailand trips start from £3,215pp for a 12-day family adventure, taking in the sights of Bangkok, the wildlife and landscapes of Khao Sok National Park and the incredible beaches of Krabi. The price is based on a family of four and includes 10 nights' accommodation, return flights, transfers and all overland travel. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Colombia 
Colombia has been the hottest ticket in Latin America for Original Travel in 2023 with bookings coming thick and fast – a trend we believe will only increase in 2024. The destination remains good value compared to others in the region such as Costa Rica and Brazil; has yet to really register on the radar for many; contains something for everyone from couples to families, and a Colombia Highlights touring itinerary could take in destinations and experiences as varied as time in Latin America's finest colonial-era city (Cartagena); riding and tastings in the coffee region; snorkelling and sun-worshipping in the Rosario Islands, and jungle hiking and birding in Tayrona National Park. Even after that you'll only have scratched the surface of this magical but real destination. 

Prices from £4,175pp, based on two sharing and including return flights, transfer, 14 nights' accommodation and guided tours. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Malta 

Paul Mescal takes on the role of Lucius, the son of Maximus, in Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott's sequel to the original historical epic due out in November 2024. Like the first film, which starred Russell Crowe, the sequel will be mostly shot on location in Malta, specifically Fort Ricasoli, the large fortification in Kalkara. Original Travel has a luxury four-night short break to Malta and its little sister island of Gozo, which includes a car and driver for private tours of more of the islands' fascinating sites, including Valletta's baroque buildings, Roman temples and pre-historic Ggantija Temples – 500 years older than Stonehenge. 

Prices from £1,600 pp, based on two sharing. The price includes all return flights, transfers, guided tours throughout and four nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Alexandria, Egypt 
2024 marks 30 years since the rediscovery of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the original Seven Wonders of the World, dating from 247BC. Built during the reign of Ptolemy II on the island of Pharos, it stood 300ft tall (one of the tallest man-made structures in the world, besides the pyramids), until it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1300s. The ruins lay underwater for centuries until they were rediscovered in 1994. Today, it is possible to explore the ruins on a diving tour, something Original Travel can offer as part of its exclusive partnership with the global network of renowned archaeologists, historians and authors, Past Preservers. Past Preserver's little black book – once only available to production companies as expert fixers and advisors for TV and films like Discovery Channel's What on Earth and Channel 4's Great British Dig - is now accessible to Original Travel clients for guided tours of  some of the world's most fascinating sites like this one.  

Add Alexandria on to this tailor-made Egypt adventure, taking in Cairo, Aswan and Abu Simbel and costing £5,725pp. The price is based on two sharing and includes eight nights' accommodation, return international flights, domestic flights and transfers. Original Travel, www.originaltravel.co.uk, 020 3958 6120. 

North America 

The Great American Eclipse will occur on 8 April, when parts of Mexico, the US and Canada will be plunged into 'totality' (when the sun is completely covered by the moon) for up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds (double that of the 2017 event). The moon's shadow will first reach Mazatlan in Mexico before carving a diagonal path through 13 states from Texas to Maine and into the maritime provinces of Canada.  

Original Travel's 11-day self-drive tour of Canada's Atlantic provinces takes in Halifax, Cape Breton and Fogo Island and costs from £4,300 pp, based on two sharing. The price includes all international and internal flights, car-hire and transfers, guided tours throughout and nine nights' B&B accommodation. Original Travel, 020 3582 4990, www.originaltravel.co.uk 

Palau 
The Four Seasons Explorer is moving from the Maldives – where it launched in 2020 – to Palau, one of the world's most remote areas. The luxury liveaboard hosts a maximum of 22 guests across 11 cabins and boasts the level of service you would expect from the Four Seasons brand. Whereas the Maldives trips were for seasoned divers, the Palau trips will work well for divers of varying levels, and even non-divers as the snorkelling is also incredible around these volcanic Pacific islands, located midway between the Philippines and Guam.  

Prices from £10,520 per person, based on two sharing and including seven nights in Palau (two nights' B&B on Koror and five nights' full board on the FS Explorer, plus all diving), one night in Manila and return flights and transfers. Original Diving, 020 7978 0505, www.originaldiving.com 

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Notes to Editors: 

Original Travel curates tailor-made itineraries, crafted by destination experts to 77 countries worldwide from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the company has created over 50,000 itineraries since its launch in 2003, each one unique and adhering to the company ethos that “Life is in the Detail”. 

Original Travel also has its own specialist dive division. Original Diving is the world's only luxury dive travel outfit. 

13 of our consultants were recognised in Conde Nast Traveler's 2023 Travel Specialists list, including repeat inclusions for Co-founder Tom Barber (family specialist), Jacqui Brooks (Indonesia specialist) and Oliver Rodwell (Mexico specialist). Our new additions include Ben Williams (Egypt), Kate Little (Romania) and Paul Tyler (Botswana). 

Original Travel clients enjoy a wealth of additional services they would not find with any other UK tour operator, including: 

• Access to a network of 70-plus Concierges who live locally, know their destinations inside and out and are extremely well-connected. They lend fantastic ground support, offering insider recommendations, facilitating any last-minute changes and troubleshooting.
• A brace of additional services designed to make departure easier than ever. Every Original Travel client, regardless of whether they're off on a city break, or a multi-destination sabbatical, will enjoy UK airport meet and greet, fast track UK check-in, fast track UK security*, lounge access and pre-booked flight seats. There are also upgrade options to include: a luggage transfer service from your home to the airport; fast track check-in and security and lounge access on your flight home; fast track through immigration on your return to the UK.
• The knowledge that not only will Original Travel absorb the carbon footprint of their international flights, but also - in an industry-first - car-hire and transfers, and other flights (even if booked independently).
• The knowledge that they are contributing to Our Foundation, which supports nearly 100 humanitarian projects in 30 developing countries. To date, nearly £1.5 million has been invested to support five key areas: child protection, vocational training, economic development assistance, preservation of cultural and natural heritage and safeguarding the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.