Looking for exciting places to explore this year? From diving with sharks on Australia’s Coral Coast to whitewater rafting in West Virginia, National Geographic features unique ideas in its annual Best of the World 2024 list We are introducing some.
The list, first published in USA TODAY on Tuesday, includes the world’s top and lesser-known destinations. They range from Paris and Niagara Falls to the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia and the ruins of Menorca, Spain.
Unlike previous years, National Geographic is highlighting must-do experiences at each destination, rather than simply listing locations. We’ve also gone a step further from previous editions by adding rankings to help readers prioritize their bucket lists.
“We’re very excited about this,” National Geographic Editor-in-Chief Nathan Lamp said at an exclusive screening in New York last week. “We’ve expanded it bigger than ever before, and we think it’s a really, really great way to serve travelers who are always looking for great ideas.”
Mr Lampe said the list was released on Tuesday to coincide with the National Holiday Day, which is the last Tuesday of January each year.
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With millions of vacation days wasted every year, Lampe said she hopes this year’s list will inspire readers to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world.
The list of top 20 travel experiences is hand-picked by National Geographic explorers, photographers, and editors. The magazine said it was a “celebration” of “the power of travel to transform us and our connections.”
What are the best places to visit/experience in 2024?
Here are National Geographic’s top travel experiences of the year.
A horseback safari in Kenya, the Olympic Marathon in Paris, a ski tour through a UNESCO World Heritage site in Georgia, bear watching in Katmai National Park in Alaska, live music in Kyoto, Japan, a cruise on the Magdalena River in Colombia, and Route 66 in New Mexico. road trip. Explore ancient rock art in Algeria. Diving with sharks on Australia’s Coral Coast. Hiking a volcano in Panama. Observe the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, New York. Trekking on glaciers in Chile. Travel back in time at the ruins of Menorca. Classic rail ride. Tour the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy the flavors of Isaan, Thailand. Stroll along the tea trails of Sri Lanka. Visiting galleries in São Paulo. White water rafting in West Virginia. Antique viewing in New York’s Hudson Valley. Sleep in a floating lodge. Located on Tofino Island, British Columbia.
How did National Geographic decide on these locations?
Compiling and consolidating a list of locations is no easy task, but Amy Alipio, a senior editor at National Geographic, told USA TODAY that it’s her favorite project each year.
Alipio explained that her team leverages a global network of experts from around the world to compile the list. The list is a work in progress, but Alipio, who has headed the list since its creation 12 years ago, said National Geographic put out a formal call to the global network in April.
“We asked them, ‘What’s your favorite place?’ What’s something you’ve seen or done recently that really moved you, or where do you want to go next?” she said.
This year, Alipio said, the list also became more personal as they asked experts to share what specifically they would do in those locations.
“We’re not just talking about location. We’re not just talking about where to go, but what to do once you get there,” Alipio said. I think we’ve pinpointed a way for people to connect and immerse themselves in a destination. ”
List ranking
This is the first time National Geographic has ranked it on its “Best of the World” list to provide readers with trending and timely information.
“People are really into slow travel, like horseback safaris[in Kenya]for example,” she says. “But our second-place experience is really timely. It’s about this summer’s Paris Olympics.”
“I think it was just a combination of superlatives and period,” she added.
The ranking was also added in response to feedback from viewers who needed help prioritizing their travel plans.
“People often ask me, ‘What’s number one on this list?'” Alipio says. “And this year, we’re finally able to say to people, ‘Yeah, actually, I really have a favorite No. 1.'”
Which US sites made National Geographic’s “Best of the World 2024” list?
U.S. destinations that made National Geographic’s list this year include Katmai National Park in Alaska, Route 66 in New Mexico, Niagara Falls and the Hudson Valley in New York, and New River in West Virginia.
National Geographic recommends bear watching in the Alaska National Parks along the Pacific Coast, which have the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. However, the publication suggests avoiding the popular Brooks Camp Visitor Center and traveling to areas such as Hello His Bay and Geographic His Harbor. This activity is in the top 5 activities suggested by National Geographic.
National Geographic also featured a road trip on Route 66 through New Mexico, viewing the total solar eclipse on April 8 at Terrapin Point in Niagara Falls State Park, and viewing antiques in New York’s Hudson Valley. , recommends things like whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s New River.
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You don’t need to fly to Norway to see the fjords just by visiting this Alaskan national park.
Best places to visit in Central and South America
According to National Geographic, the best places to visit in 2024 are Colombia, Chile and Brazil in South America, with Panama being the most popular in Central America.
National Geographic recommends taking a cruise on Colombia’s Magdalena River to soak up the natural beauty and culture as you pass through the colonial towns and floating villages that surround the river.
Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, is an art lover’s paradise, where travelers can enjoy gallery hopping through the city’s many galleries and art exhibitions, or admire its famous street art. You can also check out museums. Artworks collected from all over the world.
In Chile, National Geographic suggests trekking across Patagonia’s Northern and Southern Icefield glaciers before rising temperatures and climate change completely wipe them out.
If you’re interested in sustainable tourism, National Geographic recommends exploring Panama. Panama is currently promoting a government-backed community tourism network that allows travelers to choose trips that “offer immersive experiences in less-visited regions of the country.”
One of the highlights is the Ruta de la Caldera, which consists of five hiking trails surrounding the extinct volcano El Valle de Antón.
best places to visit in africa
The number one destination on National Geographic’s list is Africa. The magazine says going on a horseback safari at Borana Reserve, a 32,000-acre reserve in northern Kenya, is the top activity of the year.
“To travel on horseback is to break down the barrier between yourself and the natural world, which means not only protecting but also separating.” Nicole Sobecki, a photographer and lifelong equestrian enthusiast, said in a statement provided by National Geographic. “Your horse is your guide and interpreter, responding to the low roar of a lion, the soft scent of a herd of elephants, and the cool morning breeze descending from the glacial peaks of Mount Kenya.”
Algeria in North Africa is also on National Geographic’s list, ranking 8th. According to National Geographic, Algeria is home to Africa’s largest national park and one of the world’s greatest concentrations of ancient rock art. Tassili-Najjer National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is “a geological wonderland of sandstone spiers and arches surrounded by orange sand dunes,” the magazine said.
Best places to visit in Europe/UK
National Geographic’s best places to visit in Europe and the UK in 2024 include Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, a taste of history on the Mediterranean island of Menorca, and a luxury train trip to the Scottish Highlands.
Paris may be on your bucket list, but National Geographic recommends traveling to Paris for the Summer Olympics and running the Olympic marathon course. 20,000 regular runners will be allowed to run the 46.2-mile loop between Paris and Versailles, starting at the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and passing through nine districts, finishing at Invalides on the banks of the Seine.
According to the event website, “Amateur athletes will be able to run the same route as the Olympic marathon at night, allowing as many people as possible to follow in the footsteps of the best athletes.” “This will be an extraordinary experience on a unique and original route that celebrates the heritage and history of the Paris region and all of France.”
Best places to visit in Asia
National Geographic’s top recommended spots in Asia for 2024 include Kyoto in Japan, Isan in Thailand, Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains in both Western Asia and Eastern Europe, and the newly opened Pekoe Tea Trail in Sri Lanka. .
National Geographic writes, “Carving a path through cloud-shrouded villages and centuries-old tea plantations, the new long-distance Pekoe Trail gives hikers a chance to explore Sri Lanka’s tranquil central highlands.” ing.
Best places to visit in Australia
Stretching approximately 1,100 miles along the Indian Ocean north of Perth, the Coral Coast is one of National Geographic’s most recommended destinations in 2024. Underwater activities include exploring Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest marginal reef. Visit Barrier Her Reef and swim with dolphins, whale sharks and manta rays.
From July to October, around 40,000 humpback whales migrate along Australia’s coastline, giving visitors the chance to see them up close.
Interestingly, National Geographic editors Lamp and Alipio are looking forward to a deep-sea adventure on Australia’s Coral Coast.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on platform SheX, formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
