From key tourism developments and exciting new launches to much-awaited film releases and global events, World Expeditions and its two European brands, UTracks and Walkers' Britain, choose below the top destinations you should explore in 2024… and why.

 

HIMALAYA 

2024 marks the centenary of the third, ill-fated attempt of British mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine to summit the world's highest mountain. In the 100 years since, the Himalaya have become an almost mainstream destination attracting trekkers and climbers from all over the world. World Expeditions is completing an extensive renovation of its permanent eco-campsites in the Everest and Annapurna regions for the 2023-24 trekking season; Bhutan has recently announced changes to its 'Sustainable Development Fee' following its steep spike last year; while Himalaya Jet is looking to launch the first-ever direct flights between London and Kathmandu.

>> World Expeditions UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “There is something for adventurers of all kind on the world's highest mountain range, with myriads of trip ideas to choose from, from the iconic 150-day Great Himalaya Trail to exploring mystic Bhutan, which in 2024 marks 50 years since it opened its borders to international tourism”. 

Which trip to book (and why): Fulfil your dream to reach the historic route to the base of the world's highest mountain with the Everest Base Camp Trek in Comfort – plus, you will be among the first to experience the renovated eco camps, which are exclusive to World Expeditions. 17 days, from £2,050pp.

 

ITALY

Italy is always busy with tourists but, with 2025 celebrated by the Catholic Church as a Holy Year, visiting a year early means avoiding all the extra crowds that will be arriving in mass in Rome and the rest of the country. Travel by train within the country is also becoming easier in 2024, with the opening of a direct, high-speed Rome to Pompeii link, the train journey between Palermo and Catania in Sicily getting reduced to two hours and new tourist-focused services announced by Italy's state-owned train operator. From the reopening of the Via dell' Amore in the Cinque Terre to the relaunch of the Salerno airport on the Amalfi Coast, there is always a new reason to return to Italy.

>> Walkers' Britain Manager Els van Veelen says: “Italy has its way to always get under the skin, so it is no wonder that so many travellers return again and again. It offers an incredible blend of cultural and natural treasures and an active holiday is the perfect way to leave the crowds behind and grab your very own slice of 'dolce vita'”.

Which trip to book (and why): Scheduled to fully reopen next year, Exploring the Cinque Terre Villages in 2024 means you will have the opportunity to walk the iconic Via dell' Amore for the first time in more than 10 years. 6 days, from £760pp.

 

INDOCHINA

With 2024 marked as a 'Visit Laos' year, the country is hoping to draw the attention of travellers to the fact that, during the pandemic, it opened its first long-distance railway line: aimed primarily at tourists, the 262-mile railway connects capital Vientiane, at the south of the country close to the border with Thailand, with the Chinese border in the north in less than four hours (as opposed to a 15-hour car journey). With Vietnam having recently introduced a new, multiple-entry e-visa and Siem Reap preparing to welcome a brand new international airport, travelling around Southeast Asia is set to become easier than it has been for years.

>> World Expeditions UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “Vietnam and Cambodia are known for their iconic attractions, and for a good reason, but Laos, which celebrates 2024 as a 'Visit Laos' year, is the true hidden gem of the region. Tourism in Indochina is still recovering, making 2024 a great year to visit sans the crowds.”

Which trip to book (and why): Bike, Hike & Kayak Laos and Cambodia combines the best of the two countries into one compact and exciting multi-activity itinerary that visits the must-see sites as well getting you truly off the beaten path. 12 days, from £1,890pp.

 

GERMANY

Football will be on everyone's mind in Germany next year as the country hosts Euro 2024; but with Strasbourg celebrating 2024 as World Book Capital, the demise of the Berlin Wall reaching its 35th anniversary and Leipzig introducing free entry to its museums, there is something for all types of traveller. The one dish to try? Currywurst, as it is its 'diamond jubilee' in 2024: created in Berlin in 1949, it became popular with construction workers who were rebuilding the city after World War II. Plus, with more inter-country train routes launching, including new services from the German capital to Paris and Stockholm, you can easily combine your trip to Germany with another country.

>> UTracks UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “As one of Europe's best connected countries, it is easy to travel to and around Germany; but outside the cities there is an abundance of walking and cycling trails waiting to be explored, such as around Lake Constance, along the Rhine River and across the Bavarian Alps.”

Which trip to book (and why): Cycling the Berlin Wall Trail 35 years after it fell will give you a different perspective of the German capital's past and present and how much the city has moved on. 6 days, from £750pp.

 

JORDAN

This year sees Jordan embarking on an ambitious, $300-million plan to revamp the baptism site of Jesus – and although the new tourism project will not be ready until 2030, there are plenty of reasons to visit the country in 2024: launching in May, the new, multi-day Medaina cultural festival will take place in Petra and Wadi Rum, while developments such as the recently unveiled Petra Museum mobile app aim to make the destination even more visitor-friendly. Jordan has now become even more accessible with the introduction of low cost flights from London Luton airport to Amman. In response to increasing customer interest, World Expeditions is adding a new multi-activity itinerary.

>> World Expeditions UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “Jordan is one of those destinations that will always attract travellers thanks to its fascinating mix of history and scenery. Although it is only a short flight away, it feels like a world away.”

Which trip to book (and why): The NEW! Jordan Hike & Bike is a unique multi-activity trip that combines hiking in Petra and the Wadi Rum with cycling parts of the Jordan Bike Trail, ascending Jordan's highest peak and floating on the Dead Sea. 8 days, from £1,450pp.

 

JAPAN

2024 marks 60 years of Japan's 'shinkansen' high speed trains, which launched in 1964 – and whether you want to visit the now-open Japan National Stadium, the main venue of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, or are intrigued by 'Any Wear, Anywhere', the new initiative that allows visitors to travel light by renting clothes when they land, Japan will always draw travellers. Visitor arrivals have been growing steadily since the country dropped last May all border control measures; it is already one of the most in-demand destinations for World Expeditions, with a new trip launching in 2024 to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's main islands, which is famous for its 750-mile pilgrim trail and unspoilt nature.

>> World Expeditions UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “Everyone wants to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season, but the country is spectacular to travel to any time of the year – and you will enjoy your trip even more without all the crowds. The pilgrimage routes are ideal for those searching for a deeper, more spiritual connection with Japan.”

Which trip to book (and why): Perfect for anyone looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the NEW! Shikoku Self-Guided Pilgrim Hike incorporates the iconic route's most picturesque temples, shrines and scenery. 8 days, from £1,750pp.

 

FRANCE

2024 marks 30 years since the Eurotunnel opened, transforming the way we travel from the UK to the continent. As the host of the 2024 Olympic Games, all eyes will be on Paris – the government recently announced its intention to launch a 'Tourist Charter' to ensure all visitors feel welcome – but the city's officials have also revealed ambitious plans for next year that will see private vehicles banned from the historic heart of Paris. After featuring as the setting in the live-action remake of Disney's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', which will be released next July, the iconic cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024, five years after the fire that led to its closure in 2019.

>> UTracks UK Manager Gordon Steer says: “As the world's most visited country, there is always a new reason to plan a trip to France. An active break, whether on foot or by bike, is the perfect way to see and experience more of France, from Normandy to Champagne and Alsace to Corsica.”

Which trip to book (and why): With 2024 marking 70 years since the death of Henri Matisse, follow in his footsteps and explore the French Riviera on Foot, a region the iconic Modernist artist was attracted to by its scenic beauty and radiant light. 8 days, from £1,040pp.

 

For more information and bookings please contact:

World Expeditions: www.worldexpeditions.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5060 | UTracks: www.utracks.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5069 | Walkers' Britain: www.walkersbritain.co.uk, 0800 008 7741/+44 (0) 20 8875 5070  

Travel to the starting point and from the finishing point of each trip not included in trip price *

- Ends -

 

PR/media contacts:

World Expeditions | UTracks | Walkers' Britain

020 8875 5060

Tom Panagos - pr@worldexpeditions.co.uk

Gordon Steer - gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk

Els van Veelen - els@walkersbritain.co.uk

 
Notes for editors:

• One of the very first operators in what has now become a very popular area in travel, since its inception in 1975 World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys.

• World Expeditions remains independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices around the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

• The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors, the number of inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips, can be found today in nearly 500 stand-alone itineraries across all continents, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to 'take the paths less travelled'. 

• Always innovative, it was, among others, the first operator to offer cycling holidays in India (1977), China (1978) and Vietnam (1990) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980), Tibet (1981) and Japan (1999). As of 2011 World Expeditions is the only commercial company to offer the Full Nepal Traverse of the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail. 

• An advocate of thoughtful, responsible travel, World Expeditions operates permanent, exclusive eco-campsites, designed to increase travellers' comfort levels, in the Himalaya (Everest, Annapurna) and Australia's Red Centre.

• The European division of World Expeditions, activity holiday specialists UTracks and Walkers' Britain, cover over 35 countries across the British Isles and the continent, with more than 400 stand-alone itineraries, from short four-day breaks to longer, month-long itineraries.

• The World Expeditions Travel Group consists of 16 travel brands in total, also including Adventure South, Australian Walking Holidays, Great Canadian Trails, Great Walks of New Zealand and North America Active.