5 trips to take in 2024

Last updated on December 20, 2023

Looking for inspiration for places to travel in 2024? Here’s our round-up of best trips for 2024. We did a ton of travel last year, so some of these ideas are based on those trips, which you can easily copy from our itineraries. And I also dug into the archive for a few old favourites too.

Wondering where we’re going? I share our own plans at the end…

1. Koh Lanta beach escape

We spent two weeks in Thailand in February 2023, our first trip to Asia with the kids, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever done. We spent time in Koh Lanta and Phuket, with Koh Lanta being our favourite. It’s a perfect Thai island that allowed us to somewhat re-live our backpacker days, sipping cocktails on the sand, albeit this time with kids in tow who were entertained by the bars’ toys (yep, it’s a ridiculously kid-friendly place!). It’s a dreamy place for a holiday, spending lazy days on the beach and eating superb food. I dream about our return and we’re even considering it again ourselves for 2024.

See our guides to the best things to do in Koh Lanta with kids and Phuket with kids. And our accommodation guides to Koh Lanta hotels and family-friendly resorts in Phuket.

2. New England road trip

It’s been on the bucket list for years and we finally made it happen in 2023. Our epic New England road trip took us through six states over four weeks and lived up to all our Gilmore Girls’ dreams. It’s a land of charming town after charming town, all set to a backdrop of epic scenery, from mountain-backed lakes and forest to the rugged Maine coast. We loved every minute and recommend copying our full itinerary. But it’s also a trip you can easily pick and choose from, perhaps doing a road trip from Boston to Maine, or focussing on a specific destination or state.

Some of our highlights included Acadia National Park, the foodie city of Portland, the cute towns of Connecticut and the epic forests of Vermont. Martha’s Vineyard is also a treat. In terms of accommodation, we loved glamping in New England (especially at Fortland) and the family resorts of Vermont (especially Basin Harbor).  

3. Seattle city getaway

Portland has always been our headline city for the pacific north-west and we’re still huge fans, especially for its food. But if you’re looking for an alternative city break, I think Seattle is underrated. It has an epic location, backed by mountains and surrounded by the waters of the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. And there’s plenty to do, especially around the Seattle Center complex where you’ll find the iconic Space Needle as well as the epic MoPOP museum and Chihuly Gardens. Other highlights include the classic Pike Place Market, as well as lesser known neighbourhoods, like Capitol Hill where you’ll find plenty of cool restaurants, cafes and shops.

We’re hoping to return in 2024 to explore more of the city and do a road trip around Washington State. It would be a good twin city break with Portland.

4. Explore our hometown Bristol

My very own Bristol is having a moment, being named as Time Out’s top place to visit in the UK in 2024. And of course I agree – I mean this is the city I chose to call home for a reason. It’s a great place to visit as well as live with plenty to explore, from its colourful Georgian streets to one of the UK’s best food scenes (see our guide to the best Bristol restaurants).

We have a guide to the best things to do in Bristol, including museums, galleries and ways to explore its nature, and another dedicated guide to kids’ stuff in Bristol.

I’d also recommend tying in your visit with an event as the city’s cultural calendar buzzes throughout the year with a full program of gigs, theatre productions, celebrations and more. Think west end or innovative shows, coffee or wine festivals, and music that ranges from the underground to the epic. The Bristol Beacon has re-opened this year, meaning even more opportunities for live performances in a world-class venue.

5. Luxury family escape at Caserio del Mirador

One of the most low-stress trips we’ve ever done with the kids was to Caserio del Mirador in Spain. The gorgeous hilltop villa is all set up for little kids and families, taking lots of the stress out of travelling with babies, toddlers and little kids. They have lots to keep the kids entertained, but one of the best things about it is the thought given to the adult’s enjoyment too. Get fresh pastries delivered to your door each morning, dinner cooked for you each night, or join one of the fun communal meals, getting to know the other guests. Baby listening devices are on-hand so you don’t need to worry for the kids’ safety. And it’s close to lots of lovely beach towns, plus Valencia and Alicante if you want a taste of the city.

See our full review, plus a guide to other luxury toddler breaks in Europe.