Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: My 10 best travel experiences of 2024
First, I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with loads of joy and festive cheer.
As the year 2024 is coming to an end, it’s a good time to reflect on the headlines and stories that shaped the past year. I am not sure about you, but in many ways this is year I am happy to leave behind. 2024 was a year marked by global unrest, increasing tensions, and disinformation, often fueled by authoritarian strongmen and toxic alpha male personalities. The ongoing brutal wars in Ukraine and the Middle East kept sending shock waves round the world in 2024 (the senseless violence in both conflicts leaves me without words). 2024 was also a year of historic elections, with people in more than 60 countries – representing almost 50 percent of the world’s population – going to the polls. Nature also showed itself from its most cruel side in 2024, most notably with hurricane Helene in the USA and the flooding in Spain. One would almost forget that good things happened as well in 2024, such as the Paris Summer Olympics (which extraordinary athletic performances), some progress in the battle against climate change (e.g. some species stepped back from the brink and EU emissions shrank) and some shimmers of hope for the people of Syria.
Since this is a non-political blog that tries to give you some enlightening travel inspiration, I want to focus on hope, positivity, and my personal travel stories, offering an escapism for the avalanche of bad news that often dominates the world media. Here are my ten incredible travel highlights of 2024. Early 2025, I’ll share what to expect from me in the next year.
There is more information (with trip reports & YouTube videos) below the slideshow. You can share your own thoughts on 2024 or your own 2024 travel highlights in the comments section below.
10. A FLIGHT IN THE QUEEN OF THE SKIES (BUSINESS & FIRST CLASS)
A flight in the Boeing 747 – dubbed the Queen of the Skies – is always an epic experience. The Boeing 747 has been a bestseller with airlines: between the first 747 flight on February 9th 1969 and the end of the 747 production line in 2022, Boeing has built 1,560 B747 aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 is the latest, quieter, more economical, and more environmentally friendly version of the famous aircraft type; it is also the world’s longest airplane with a fuselage length of 251 feet (77 m). Lufthansa is one of the last remaining airlines in the world that still flies this aircraft type, with 27 Boeing 747s in its fleet. But while the Boeing 747 is a marvel of technology (I always feel privileged to fly in a 747, especially when seated on the upper deck), Lufthansa’s Business and First Class does not match the grandeur of its flagship aircraft. The Business Class cabin configuration (2-2-2 on the lower deck and 2-2 on the upper deck), the lack of privacy in both Business and First Class, as well as the mediocre amenities are disappointing and lightyears behind the Business and First Class products offered by the carrier’s competitors. The good news is that Lufthansa has now introduced a new Business and First Class, called Alegris – although the roll-out of the product is very slow.
9. A BEACH HOLIDAY AT MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA
Mexico is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, with a diverse cultural scene, spectacular nature, a rich history, and a vibrant society. The sunny nation is also known for its stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, which are the playground of Europeans and Americans during the northern hemisphere’s colder winter months. Mexico’s privileged location allows it to be “bathed” by the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, which make the country a paradisiacal destination for tourists seeking sun and sand. The marine flora and fauna also make Mexico a magnet for visitors from all over the world. In spring 2024, I visited the Riviera Maya, the well known resort district south of Cancun in the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya features wonderful beaches, turquoise waters, archeological sites, freshwater lagoons, and underwater caves and cenotes. The Riviera Maya is also famous for its hotels – including large scale all-inclusive resorts, – and during my 2024 trip, I stayed at the three best resorts in the area: the Belmond Maroma (which had just reopened following a massive refurbishment), the Rosewood Mayakoba, and the brand new St Regis Kanai.
8. A WINTER GETAWAY AT ALPINA GSTAAD IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is a small landlocked country right in the heart of the Alps, bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein. The country’s ravishing mountain scenery, rural villages, glitzy ski resorts, pristine lakes, and green rolling pastures offer unbeatable winter adventures and summer outdoor experiences. The variety of different sights to see in Switzerland is incredible, ranging from giant glaciers, epic mountains and wild rivers, to vibrant cities, world-class museums, and scenic train journeys. Luxury hotels are in abundant supply in Switzerland, and include Alpine retreats and stylish lakeside resorts. I have previously stayed at The Dolder Grand (Zurich), The Chedi Andermatt (Alps), and The Gstaad Palace (Alps), and early 2024, I went back to Gstaad village to try out another sublime hotel that has single-handedly redefined luxury travel and alpine chic: The Alpina Gstaad. The Alpina Gstaad is a discreet, exclusive icon and a unique establishment where authenticity combines with Swiss refinement to create an alpine experience like no other. The property is home to 55 rooms, a Six Senses Spa, and three restaurants, including a Michelin starred restaurant.
- Review: read my review of The Alpina Gstaad here.
7. SPENDING A WEEKEND AT AMAN NEW YORK
It is no secret that I am a devoted ‘Amanjunkie’ (in addition to being a Soneva addict). Aman is known as the world’s most exclusive hotel brand, operating uberluxurious resorts and hotels in 21 destinations. Early 2024, I stayed at Aman New York, which opened its door three years ago inside the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue building and ranks among the best hotels in New York City. The building is designed by Warren & Wetmore, architects of some of New York’s most influential buildings, including Grand Central Station and the Helmsley Building. Formerly the first home of the Museum of Modern Art, the 100-year-old building has undergone a monumental transformation, which has seen it fully restored to its original splendor, marking its next chapter as an urban Aman sanctuary. With 83 suites and 22 residences, the Aman group has finally brough the peace promised by Aman’s Sanskrit-derived name to the heart of Manhattan. The hotel is the second in a new, pioneering generation of Aman properties in urban settings, following in the footsteps of Aman Tokyo and taking the brand to 34 properties worldwide.
- Review: read my review of Aman New York here.
6. TRYING OUT SOME NEW BUSINESS CLASS PRODUCTS
Flying Business Class is a great privilege. With Business Class, the journey itself becomes a fun experience: you don’t have to wait in line at the airport; you get access to airport lounges; you interact with attentive personnel; you are treated to gourmet food and quality wines; and you can sleep in a comfortable flat-bed for total relaxation. For me, the main advantage of Business Class is that the cabin offers a less claustrophobic environment, with enclosed suites where I can quietly and discretely cope with my fear of flying without being disturbed and watched by others. From a nervous flyer’s perspective, flying Business Class is so much better and different compared to Economy Class, since the latter brings up the worst in one’s behavior, substantially lowering the stress and anxiety thresholds of everyone in that cabin. In the past year, I tried out Business Class products that I had not traveled on before, including some brand-new products and/or airlines, such as the Condor A330neo, Beond A319 and the new KLM Business Class product on the Boeing 777.
5. A ROAD TRIP IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
In spring 2024, I went on a road trip in the American Southwest (Arizona, Utah and Nevada). The aim was to visit some of the major National Parks in the Colorado Plateau, such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. En route, I stayed at several luxury hotels, including two very exciting properties. The first one was Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, a new property uniquely designed to blend in with the mystical red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Ambiente is comprised of 40 cubed-shaped guest Atriums that are elevated above the ground by steel piers and constructed using floor-to-ceiling, bronze-tinted glass and matte-charcoal and rusted metal. The second (and far better) property I stayed at was Amangiri, the iconic Aman resort tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views towards the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Built around a central swimming pool with spectacular views, the stunningly beautiful resort blends into its dramatic surrounds where deep canyons and towering plateaus create a raw landscape of immense power. Amangiri also features a high-end ‘glamping’ site – called Camp Sarika – which is linked to the main resort.
4. A FLIGHT IN THE RESIDENCE (ETIHAD A380)
Last spring, I flew in The Residence onboard an Etihad Airways Airbus A380 from Abu Dhabi to London. The Residence is a step beyond First Class and the only three-room suite on a passenger aircraft, featuring a private bedroom, ensuite bathroom (with shower), and a living room. The Residence was first introduced by Etihad in 2014, with one-way tickets between London and Abu Dhabi starting at $20,000 USD. Besides a flight in the world’s most exclusive cabin, passengers of The Residence also enjoyed amenities like private butler service, customized menus by onboard chefs, and access to exclusive airport lounges. When the pandemic hit the world, Etihad stored its A380s and the future of The Residence seemed uncertain. However, with the resurgent travel demand, Etihad brought back a small number of its A380 aircraft in 2023, The Residence along with them. The spectacular hard product of The Residence remains intact, but nowadays, the three-room suite is sold as an upgrade to First Class passengers (either to be paid by miles or cash).
3. EXPLORING PERU
In summer 2024, I traveled through Peru, a country which I had already visited as a student 20 years ago. Without any doubt, Peru’s greatest attraction is the mist-shrouded Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was only discovered in 1911 and is believed to have been used by the Incas as a secret ceremonial city. No matter how many times you have seen a photograph of the iconic Inca ruins, nothing prepares you for the sense of awe that this magical place elicits in its Andes mountain setting, clinging as it does to rock and jungle. And there’s nothing like the satisfaction of approaching Machu Picchu by feet, which is why the incredibly scenic Inca Trail was the highlight of my trip. Of course, Peru is so much more than just Machu Picchu and I included the following stops in my Peru itinerary: Lima (the culinary capital of South America), the Colca Canyon (the world’s deepest land canyon), the beautiful city of Arequipa, ancient Cusco with the Sacred Valley, and magical Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world).
2. AN ULTRA-LUXURY HOLIDAY IN THE MALDIVES
Glamorous overwater resorts, pristine white-sand beaches, and a spectacular underwater world make the Maldives one of my favorite holiday destinations in the world. The archipelago – positioned in the Indian Ocean southwest of India – consists of 1192 coral islands and sandbanks, which are the visible tips of an oceanic volcanic mountain range whose outer edge at some points plunge to depths of over 3 km (10,000 ft). The tiny islands are encircled by magnificent beaches and incredibly beautiful lagoons, blessed with crystal clear waters and protected by reef structures. Each resort in the Maldives is located on its own private island, and the top resorts offer world-class restaurants and wellness centers. During my 2024 Maldives travel trip, I returned to Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, my favorite resorts in the archipelago. Besides the Soneva properties, I also stayed at the following resorts in the Maldives: One&Only Reethi Rah, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Patina Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, and SO/ Maldives. While I was tremendously impressed by the One& Only and Cheval Blanc properties, I was not a fan of the Ritz-Carlton, Patina and SO/ hotels since they are built on completely artificial, man-made islands.
1. A PHENOMENAL SAFARI TRIP IN BOTSWANA
My best travel experience of 2024 was without any doubt my incredible safari holiday in Botswana last summer. The Southern African nation is a land of breathtaking contrasts, from the sandy plains of the Kalahari Desert in the south to the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta in the north. Celebrated as one of the most exclusive and wilderness-rich year-round African safari destinations, Botswana boasts endless areas of protected natural terrains, epic landscapes and diverse wildlife, seemingly tailormade for the most discerning traveler. Unrivaled for its wilderness and privacy, the country is also home to some of Africa’s most luxurious safari camps. I booked my safari holiday with Wilderness, Africa’s award-winning, leading eco-tourism company. I stayed at three of Wilderness’ top lodges in the country: Wilderness Jao Camp, Wilderness Vumbura Plains Camp, and Wildernness DumaTau. My exact itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana can be found here (this site also allows you to book the same trip).
