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Why you should go: 2024 Summer Olympics and D-Day 80th Anniversary
Everyone is talking about visiting France this year, and for good reason. Paris will host the Summer Olympics, with events taking place in the City of Lights and surrounding areas, including rowing and swimming competitions on the Seine and dressage competitions at Versailles. (According to the French Tourist Board, 95% of Olympic and Paralympic events will be held at existing locations to create a more sustainable global Games.) Paris is in full-throttle preparation mode, with new Hotels open, art exhibitions begin, and many events take place. A project is underway to make Paris brighter than usual.
That’s not all that’s happening in France. June 6, 2024 is his 80th anniversary since D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. To get the most context from your visit, it helps to go with a guide. Luxury tour operator Scott Dunn will lead you through the area in vintage military vehicles piloted by historians who bring the past to life through stories and interactive exhibits.
Where to stay: Base yourself at Hotel Maison Colbert, Melia Collection, an intimate spot in the popular Left Bank neighborhood of the 6th Arrondissement. Guests love the quiet rooms, attentive service, and sophisticated cafe that serves a free breakfast each morning. It is also located across the river from the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, which is scheduled to reopen in late 2024 after a devastating fire in 2019. As I said earlier, this is a great year!
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Why you should go: Watch a spectacular solar eclipse
When it comes to natural wonders, nothing beats a total solar eclipse for its grandeur and ease of predictability. (If you haven’t already, circle April 8, 2024 on your calendar!) But even if you know the path of the eclipse, you still need to go to a location with good visibility. That’s where Texas comes in. Texas is in the eclipse’s direct path all the way from Austin to Dallas, which means there will be plenty of places to watch it change from day to night.
Even when you’re done admiring it, there’s a lot that makes Texas one of the best places to travel. Explore the great outdoors at spots like Austin’s Lady Bird Lake and Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. And of course, don’t miss out on some authentic Texas barbecue while you’re here.
Where to stay: Many hotels along the way are already nearly full, but you don’t need a traditional hotel room to see the show. Check out KOA (Campgrounds of America) to find a campground with space and amenities like a pool. Pro tip: Just 10 minutes from historic downtown San Antonio is the KOA, where the solar eclipse is predicted to last more than 4 minutes.
Have another idea? Avoid the crowds by staying in Fort Worth, which has many new hotels. This includes access to the Crescent Hotel, which features a Mediterranean restaurant and rooftop bar (with a view), as well as the new Canyon Ranch Wellness Club and Spa. Also opening in early 2024, Auberge Resorts’ Bowie House, with its sophisticated Western-style rooms, outdoor restaurant, and rooftop pool, could be a prime viewing spot.
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Why you should go: More ways to explore and two new airports to access the country
Cambodia is a bucket list destination for many travelers. “With the addition of luxury lodges and resorts, travelers can now enjoy a truly luxurious Cambodian experience that blends ancient ruins and culture, cuisine and handicrafts, rainforest and jungle, and ends with a sublime beach stay. Now you can.” GeoEx is an adventure travel company. Rarely visited, Cardamom Forest Reserve offers plenty of options for hiking, mountain biking, boating and bird watching, Binstadt said. He also recommends taking a boat ride through the lush forests to Tatai village. Visitors can walk along the river, kayak through mangrove forests, and listen to the symphonic sounds of wildlife from floating lodges.
Don’t miss Angkor Wat, famous for its magnificent temples. Fortunately, Angkor Wat is much more accessible thanks to the new $1 billion Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which is just a short drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s now easier. A new $1.5 billion airport in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, will also open in late 2024, providing even more access to the country.
Where to stay: Sinta Mani Wild is a luxurious jungle retreat in the Cardamom Mountains, about three hours from Phnom Penh. It boasts its own zip line across waterfalls and rivers with secluded lodges. Another unique option is Six Senses Krabei Island off the south coast. Hidden among the dense foliage of this romantic resort are 40 glass villas. Explore the nearby Kbal Chai Waterfall and the waterways of Ream National Park, then enjoy a treatment at the luxurious spa.
