Let our travel experts help plan your 2024 holiday
The Times Travel team answered your questions about the best destinations to book this year, from Canada to Germany
If you’re fed up with this grey January and are already eyeing up options for your next beach getaway, you’re not alone.
The travel trade body Abta predicts this week will be one of the busiest for travel bookings this year, with holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the increased availability and deals on offer. After all, there’s no better time to have something to look forward to — a Caribbean cruise, a Spanish city break or perhaps even a UK getaway.
Destinations set to be hotspots this year include Crete, Aruba and Mauritius, says Abta. Other destinations on the list include Tyrol, Albania, the Spanish region of Extremadura and the east German region of Saxony, which is home to cities such as Dresden and Leipzig.
Further afield, travellers are expected to flock to the likes of Vietnam and Zambia, while on home soil the English county of Shropshire is predicted to be a popular choice.
If you’re thinking about booking a holiday this month, you might be wondering where to go. Which companies are offering the best deals? Are there certain times of year you should avoid particular destinations? Is there an underrated alternative to an old favourite city break? And is it better to book online or with an agent?
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So, we asked Times Travel experts Julia Brookes and Sean Newsom to answer some of your questions. Here is a selection — you can read more in the comments below.
Q: Colin Armit
How viable is a cruise from Athens to Mumbai through the Suez Canal in October 2024 considering the present political situation in Palestine?
A: Julia Brookes
I wish I had a crystal ball but the situation is so fluid that it’s impossible to make any assumptions about travel in the region in the autumn. Cruise companies are monitoring the Suez situation and while their Suez transits are currently planned to go ahead in the spring, if there’s any escalated risk there will of course be contingency plans and itineraries will be adjusted.
Q: Mrs Giulietta Grover
We’d like to take our three kids (12, 9 and 6) to the mountains in Europe somewhere this summer but are struggling to find something affordable for the school holidays. I would quite like breakfast included or half board, along with some age-appropriate activities available in the day. Any recommendations?
A: Sean Newsom
Have you considered self-catering in the French Alps? At Arc1950, above Bourg St Maurice, there’s a pretty development of mid-priced apartments which wrap around some cute plazas and on-site shops, restaurants and a bakery for those essential early-morning croissants (arc1950.com). Everything is on-hand, and the village offers an on-site kids club, an outdoor pool and a range of energetic activities – with more of the same nearby at Arc1800. You can get almost the whole way there by train (via Paris), drive yourself (in about 12 hours) or fly to Geneva and pick up a hire car.
Q: Clive Wiggins
Suggestions please for me, 60 on June 24, to take my 21-year-old son for 1-2 weeks to Canada? A joint 81st birthday. My wife and daughter had two trips together post GCSE/A levels so it’s the boys’ turn. His degree allows a summer break from Edinburgh uni. And I am a GP. We have previously been to California (whale watching) New England in the fall. Budget £8,000.
He gets a bit of vertigo and likes sports. Both enjoy outdoor activities and great food. Look forward to your ideas.
A: Julia Brookes
June is a good time to see bears in Canada as they come out of hibernation. They’re not as fat as by September but they are foraging on lake shores to start beefing up and many bear watching lodges in British Columbia know the spots. It’s also a cheaper booking period than September. After that you can add on some time at Tofino, with its cool coastal vibe, or Ucluelet for some whale watching, before returning to Vancouver to walk the Grouse Grind (a serious workout), kayak in the creek, and perhaps stay up at Whistler which in the summer months becomes an adventure resort offering white river rafting and fly fishing. There’s mountain biking too if your son’s vertigo is not too bad (with lifts taking the bikes up to top of mountains so none of the upwards slog). Tour operators like Canadian Affair can create tailor made packages.
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Q: Jos Cunningham
Do I book with my local travel agent or online?
A: Sean Newsom
It depends what kind of holiday you’re looking for. A local travel agent can be a good bet if it specialises in the kind of trip you’re looking for — and the staff have personal experience of a destination you’re targeting. Crucially, you’ll get someone to talk to. Coupled with some online research beforehand, that should enable you to build a well-rounded picture of what you’re buying. Bear in mind, however, that there may be commercial arrangements with certain hotels and companies that colour their advice.
Of course, online booking has its virtues too. It’s quick and easy if you already know where you’re going. Website-hopping to compare prices and package details is a breeze too. And if you want to know more about a destination, there’s an ocean of online advice and reviews to dip into. Aim for a mix of articles from the likes of the Times, the odd YouTube review and customer reviews given by guests who have actually stayed at the property they’re talking about. Just be sure to research who you’re booking with. Are its holidays protected by ATOL, or a bond from the likes of ABTA? And does it have an on-site rep (not essential, but reassuring nonetheless)?
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