National Geographic’s top 30 travel destinations in 2024

[jw5]

Nova Scotia, Canada - This peninsula province of Canada is thoroughly enticing for any traveler, regardless of desire. The territory juts out into the Atlantic and offers a plethora of seafood, music, and traditional lighthouses.

 

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Texas, USA -

This US state has many beautiful wonders to offer, including historical and natural parks, as well as the ever-present space observatories.

 

[jw5]

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico -

The recent discovery of the Mesoamerican city of Ocomtún has added a lot of intrigue to the Maya civilization and its lost presence in Mexico. But if these archaeological revelations do not tempt you, then the area’s dry forests and scrublands surely will!

 

[jw5]

Iberá Wetlands, Argentina -

The Argentinian government’s recent efforts in reintroducing wildlife back into the Iberá Wetlands have proven fruitful. Animals—such as anteaters and jaguars—that were once nowhere to be found in the region have seen their populations flourish in this national park.

 

[jw5]

Akagera, Rwanda -

Over in Africa, Akagera National Park in Rwanda is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024. This patchwork of woodland, savanna, and swamps is teeming with wildlife. Surprisingly, the park was once decimated in 1994, and it is only recently that efforts have been made to restore it.

 

[jw5]

Andrefana Dry Forests, Madagascar -

Last year, the boundaries of the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—expanded to include the Andrefana Dry Forests. The reserve includes some of the world’s most distinctive flora and landscapes, including Madagascan baobabs and jagged limestone rocks.

 

[jw5]

Sierra Leone -

Wide sandy beaches and a mountainous plateau make Sierra Leone one of the top places to visit this year. The country is more accessible than ever before thanks to its recently-refurbished international airport, and the capital city’s long-held history of African culture is truly a wonder to behold.

 

[jw5]

Sikkim, India -

National Geographic has also included Sikkim on their list, a small corner of the Himalayas that often gets overlooked as a travel destination. But the region holds beautiful mountain monasteries, hiking trails, and colored festival displays that showcase the Indian state’s vibrant culture.

 

[jw5]

Tainan, Taiwan -

Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan, is marking its 400th birthday in 2024. The city’s quadricentennial celebrations are a perfect opportunity to highlight its many architectural and cultural influences, from Dutch, to Spanish, and even Japanese.

 

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Xi'an, China -

If you find yourself visiting the Shaanxi province of China, you will assuredly be keen to lay eyes on the more than 8,000 soldiers of the Terracotta Army. This year marks the 50th anniversary since the soldiers were excavated.

 

[jw5]

Victoria, Australia -

The last destination on this list is the only place from the Australasian region. The Australian state of Victoria offers many sublime treats, including hot springs and beaches that overlook the Bass Strait.

 

[Norty]

Amazing places! This year we decided to travel across the USA. There are also so many beautiful places to visit! We've already contacted Sea Lion Caves customer service to find out the best time to see hundreds of sea lions there. I'm sure the children will also enjoy the trip!