The places on our hot list for 2024 holidays
Looking for ideas for your next getaway? Well, we're here to help and have searched high and low to bring you the best places to go on holiday in 2024.
Our pick of top travel destinations provides you with the only holiday ideas you need for country getaways in the UK, cold-weather winter escapes, cruises with TV stars and more.
Our love of European escapes continues in 2024, with trips that give us a closer look at the Swiss Alps by train and the chance to marvel at Holland's horticultural highlights as we tour the country's greatest gardens.
If you're looking for a holiday closer to home, there are fabulous UK options too, from the Scottish Highlands to the Norfolk Broads. With British breaks being a great way to travel sustainably too, we think you'll like our selection UK holiday destinations to help you staycation in style.
And if it's the right time for you to venture further afield on a bucket-list adventure, perhaps the Azores with their fascinating volcanic landscapes and vibrant flora will tempt you?
Here are the best places to go on holiday in 2024...
Andalucía
For a more picturesque and authentic alternative to the Costa del Sol, one of the best places to go on holiday in Spain is inland Andalucía, where you’ll find several cities packed with fascinating architecture, museums, and authentic tapas bars. There’s an intriguing blend of historical Christian and Muslim influences present in the architecture here, such as the ornate Alcazar in Seville and the exceptional Mezquita of Cordoba.
Join Prima to explore some of the gems of Andalucía on a six-day tour. You’ll explore Seville at your own pace, before attending a passionate flamenco performance in the evening. In Cordoba, you’ll venture inside the Mezquita and take in wonderful views of the city from the Bell Tower. Finally, you’ll visit Ronda, a small Spanish town perched precariously on a clifftop above El Tajo gorge, where you’ll enjoy a Spanish cooking class.
Northumberland
Northumberland is a real adventure playground for lovers of England's wild beauty. The country’s northernmost county has ample opportunities for scenic walks across heather-clad moors, rolling hills, and rugged cliffs. The county also has some of the most pristine dark skies in England, making it the perfect staycation for aspiring astronomers, or anyone who appreciates the beauty of a dazzlingly starry sky.
Prima has a three-day trip designed to show you the best of the Northumberland Dark Sky Park. Joining the trip is expert astronomer Richard Darn, who’ll teach you all about the awe-inspiring sights in the skies above and accompany you to two observatories. There'll be illuminating talks, workshops, and demonstrations with other professionals to look forward to at the observatories, as you get to access professional-quality telescopes and binoculars to see the skies in more detail.
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are a classic mountain holiday destination and they're not all about the skiing. There are wonderful towns and cities for day trips, such as Bern, Lucerne and Interlaken, as well as hikes and cruises on lakes offering magical views. Depending on the time of year, you'll either be treated to pretty spring blooms on the mountains, or a blanket of pristine snow across the forests and Savoyard chalet roofs. It's hard to decide which season is more beautiful.
You won't want to miss a spectacular ride on the iconic, red Glacier Express either. A strong contender for the most scenic rail journey in Europe, it will take you past picturesque woodland, over impressive viaducts and through helical tunnels. Prima has a five-day Glacier Express rail trip which will take you to some of the Swiss Alps' prettiest locations, including Interlaken, Lake Lucerne, and across the the Oberalp Pass.
The Dalmatian Coast
Croatia's Dalmatian coast and its dozens of sun-kissed islands make the perfect destination for a cruise. It's the ideal way to discover the coastline's charming coastal towns, uninhabited islets and off-the-beaten-track beaches that are only reachable by boat, where the warm, crystalline waters of the Adriatic are ideal for taking a dip.
Join Prima on an eight-day cruise along the Dalmatian coastline, setting sail from the vibrant Croatian city of Split on a boutique ship and navigating crystal-clear waters as you explore. There'll be stops in Dubrovnik, with its labyrinth of limestone streets, Mljet, where you can discover Mljet National Park with its two saltwater lakes, and the stylish resort town of Hvar, an idyllic island which is likened to the French Riviera.
Holland
The perfect location to visit if you love stunning floral displays, Holland's colourful tulips are a dazzling sight everyone should see. Luckily for us, it's close to home too, making a trip here ideal if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint and travel by train. You can blend time wandering peaceful historic villages and tranquil gardens with time exploring Amsterdam, one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
Travel to the Netherlands on a special cruise with Prima to see historic windmills which line the canal banks at Kinderdijk, visit the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens and sail the Ijsselmeer to see the series of enchanting villages along its shore. What's more, you'll be travelling with the company of Gardeners' World presenter, Adam Frost, who'll give an exclusive talk and Q&A and explore Keukenhof Gardens with you.
Lake Como
The Italian Lakes are one of the loveliest corners of Europe, where you can soak up all the glamour, views and delicious food you expect from a trip to Italy. A superb location to combine with an array of travel experiences, such as a day trip to Milan or crossing into Switzerland to browse the luxury alpine town of St Moritz (without the expense of staying there), Lake Como is a real treat.
Another highlight of visiting this chic spot loved by George Clooney is a ride on the amazing Bernina Express. This UNESCO-protected railway ride, which is easy to access from Como, will take you through the verdant landscapes of Switzerland on a mountain break like no other. You can experience Lake Como and the Bernina Express in whichever season you like thanks to Prima's exclusive eight-day break.
Norfolk Broads
See English countryside at its most charming with a trip to the Norfolk Broads, where you'll find 125 miles of serene waterways bursting with wildlife and dotted with quaint wooden windmills. The village of Wroxham, the Bure Valley Railway and the grey seals of Horsey Beach are just a few of the highlights in this heavenly county.
You can experience an extra-special staycation in Norfolk by joining historian Lucy Worsley on a celebrity-led escape. As well as taking a paddle-steam cruise along the sleepy Broads and admiring Norfolk’s unspoilt countryside and scenic coastline from the Bure Valley Railway, you'll also learn about its regal connections with a visit to Sandringham, the Royal Family's famous country retreat, with Lucy.
Japan
A destination that appears on many people's bucket lists, Japan rarely disappoints. And while it's spectacular at any time of year, a springtime visit offers the chance to see the country at its colourful best, as the pastel-pink cherry blossom bursts into bloom. The arrival of these blossoms - also known as sakura - marks a time of celebration in Japan, with festivals being held around the country.
True bucket list trips sometimes take a bit more planning. If you're an early bird looking ahead for a dream long-haul getaway, a cruise to Japan in 2025 could be for you. Prima's cruise will show you countless natural wonders and cultural highlights, from ancient temples, traditional ramen restaurants and majestic statues to the sleek skyscrapers and neon lights in Tokyo and Osaka. You'll also make a stop in Busan, South Korea, where you can enjoy the city's subtropical landscapes.
Scottish Highlands
To experience Britain at its wildest and most breathtaking, you won't find a better spot than the Scottish Highlands. Its stunning lochs, majestic peaks and beautiful wildlife make it a fabulous natural playground for anyone with a passion for the great outdoors.
Join everyone’s favourite weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood, to journey through the Highlands and islands of Scotland aboard Lord of the Glens, a private yacht that’s reminiscent of the Royal Yacht Britannia. You’ll explore the glorious landscapes over eight memorable days with Carol on hand to share stories of her family’s proud Scottish heritage.
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The Azores
The verdant volcanic landscapes and vibrant gardens of the Azores must be seen to be believed. This Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic is blessed with a mild, subtropical climate, making ideal conditions for the wide range of flora which blooms here.
Join Prima's 11-day Azores adventure to discover the islands of Faial, São Jorge, and Pico. On a tour of Faial, you'll see the mighty volcanic Caldeira which rises high above the island, while exploring Sao Jorge, you can look forward to the greenery of Sete Fontes Forest Park, and on Pico, you'll visit Portugal's longest lava tube which is over three miles long, and witness rich bird and plant life while enjoying stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding islands.
Slovenia
Too often overlooked in favour of better-known destinations, Slovenia packs a punch when it comes to picture-perfect scenery; clear, glacial waters reflect the emerald-green forests in the Julian Alps, and on the Adriatic coast, there are gorgeous beach resorts and towns, including Portorož and Piran.
To make it even more appealing, you can get to Slovenia without flying. By travelling by rail to Munich before taking a scenic railway through the Austrian Alps, the journey becomes part of the experience. Once there, relax on the shores of Lake Bled and take a traditional wooden pletna boat to the lake’s tiny islet. Then combine the best of the mountains with a couple of days on the beach in pretty Portorož simply relaxing and admiring the glittering Adriatic.
Douro River
While we all love to head to the gorgeous beaches of Portugal, the charms of Porto and the Douro River in the north promise an abundance of charm, good food, and excellent wine. Swap the Algarve for the delights of the Douro River and you'll experience a completely different side of Portugal.
Spend time exploring the narrow streets of Porto, where you can marvel at the traditional tiled facades of the buildings and enjoy views of the river from one of the city's many viewpoints, before joining a river cruise for a wine-tasting journey, hopping from port to port and learning all about the process of grape harvesting in Pinhão.
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