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Explore new ways to get away in 2024

Pent-up demand has fueled a surge in travel. Americans took overseas vacations in record numbers in 2023, and travel activity in general is expected to remain high in 2024. Many people are planning their dream “bucket list” vacations, and each has their own version of what that means.

For some, it’s getting away to an exotic location. For others, great food is the priority. Still others want to escape the uncomfortable weather at home for more enjoyable temperatures elsewhere.

No matter the intention or the destination, organizing a trip can be complicated. In this article, we offer dozens of ideas to help you choose a great place to go, have a smooth journey, and make the most of your time once you arrive.

We offer great starting places for planning, such as our list of the most popular destinations for 2024. Looking for a luxury experience? We let you in on a secret for how to get it without the high price tag. Next, we offer interesting vacation strategies to consider. For example, trips with strangers are becoming more popular, and we provide tips for success if you choose this option. We also include a selection of handy websites to pull all the details together.

So, fasten your seatbelt, put your tray table up, and get ready to take off for your next big adventure.

Make Your Next Vacation a Transformational Trip

You hope that when you go on vacation, you’ll return refreshed and excited about the people you met and the things you saw. But what if a vacation could do even more than that?

That’s the intention behind transformational trips, which include experiences that boost health, enhance well-being, and expand knowledge. The Transformational Travel Council (TTC) defines transforma-tional travel as “intentionally traveling to stretch, learn, and grow into new ways of being and engaging with the world.” Such trips include meditation or yoga retreats, cultural tours, and wildlife adventures.

You can also add transformational elements into any trip you take. Here’s how:

• Slow down. Notice the world around you. For example, sit in a park and just people watch. Take in the different languages, clothing choices, and actions. What do they tell you about the culture as a whole?
• Stay local. Reserve one day of your trip to just explore the neighborhood where you’re staying. Go into shops, interact with locals, and use your foreign language skills.
• Do something regular. Perform an ordinary activity, such as buying food at a grocery store. Noticing the little differences in how each culture does universal things will add to your understanding of the place.
• Get a local’s perspective. Take a cooking class or an architecture tour or engage in volunteer work. These activities will immerse you in the culture even more.
• Take notes. Record thoughts when you do any of the above activities. Focus on the big things, such as the famous sights you saw, but also the smaller things such as the conversations you had with locals.

What You Need to Know About Traveling With Strangers

Traveling alone has many benefits. They include easier decision making, increasing your confidence in your own problem-solving abilities, and getting better acquainted with yourself.

Exploring new places with others has its advantages as well, and the increasing trend of traveling with strangers gives you the best of both worlds. But you should know what to expect before using this approach. Take the following steps to make your trips safe and fulfilling.

• Try a tour. Not sure a full trip with people you don’t know is for you? Consider starting with a group tour on your solo trip. Spending a few hours with a new group will give you a taste of traveling this way.
• Meet others along the way. You don’t have to begin your trip with others, but you can end it that way. To do so, consider staying at a hostel or doing other things where you can meet other solo adventurers who might want to keep you company.
• Use a service to find a group trip. Several services are available to help you find opportunities for traveling with strangers. They include JoinMyTrip (joinmytrip.com), TripGiraffe (tripgiraffe. com), and Unite Strangers (unitestrang-ers.com).
• Get to know your fellow travelers. For a planned trip, use social media or other tools to ask fellow travelers about their interests and intentions for the trip, and share yours with them.
• Be safe. Follow standard travel safety procedures. Share information about your plans only with trusted others, stay in well-traveled areas, wait until you return home to post on social media, and remove yourself from situations that make you uncomfortable.

Where to Go If You Don’t Like the Weather at Home

Living with extreme temperatures can be tough to take — whether your city is frigid cold in the winter or beastly hot in the summer (or possibly both). When it’s time to escape, here’s a list of U.S. destinations that offer more comfortable conditions.

Warm Up in the Winter

Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii. Located on the west coast of Hawaii Island, Kailua-Kona tops the list of warmest places in the U.S. in February. It’s a fabulous jumping-off point for outdoor activities such as deep-sea fishing, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.

Miami, Florida. Check out the white-sand beaches, take an airboat tour of the Everglades, and discover the best Latin-American-infused cuisine.

Key West, Florida. Key West is the sunniest and warmest place in the U.S. year-round. The island has beautiful architecture, serene gardens, delicious food, and breathtaking sunsets.

Yuma, Arizona. Not only does Yuma offer an unparalleled amount of sunny days – Guinness World Records claimed it as the World’s Sunniest City – it also has historic sites and outdoor recreation.

Death Valley National Park, California. Straddling the Nevada-California border, Death Valley National Park features vast beauty across 3.4 million acres.

Cool Off in the Summer

Door County, Wisconsin. Known as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” Door County offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, kayaking, biking, and shopping.

Anchorage, Alaska. As the largest city in the state, Anchorage offers a small-town feel. Explore the town or visit the city’s many parks and trails.

Bandon, Oregon. This quaint town sits along the Coquille River and provides fresh seafood, ocean views, and excellent golf courses.

Niagara Falls, New York. Being near water is cooling and this area has lots to offer besides. It features hundreds of acres of woodland and the Cave of the Winds.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Known for skiing in the winter, this mountain town is a great place to visit in the summer, too. Go for a scenic hike or tubing down the Yampa River.

Travel to These Sites for Research

Travel planning can be challenging, but many resources are available to help. Visit the following sites when getting ready to go on your next trip.

• Pinterest (pinterest.com) Pinterest is a great place to get ideas for your trip. For example, search for “best travel destinations” to identify your next spot or “things to do in [place]” once you know where you’re going.
• TripSavvy (tripsavvy.com) This site has everything you need to plan your next trip, including destination ideas and trip planning guides like “What to Pack in Your Carry-on When Flying With Kids.”
• Lonely Planet (lonelyplanet.com) Here you’ll find detailed ideas for what to do in locations across the globe. You can also see helpful articles like “The 12 Best Hikes to Tackle in Australia.”
• Tripadvisor (tripadvisor.com) Tripadvisor offers useful reviews from fellow travelers, so you know what’s worth doing. It also includes an AI-powered “build a trip” feature.