We might only be three quarters of the way through 2023 so far, but it’s an ideal time to plan your travels for 2024. Booking in advance helps you secure the best rates, the most exclusive hotels and tours, and seats on flights.
In many cases, it also guarantees you an exclusive travel experience that is only available to a limited number of people. Some destinations are extremely popular, so if you want to have a chance to gaze upon the cherry blossoms in Japan in spring or tour the behind-the-scenes of The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, you need to book ahead. In almost every case, it helps to book your trip in advance. But for these nine destinations, it’s especially paramount.
What destinations should I book in advance for 2024?
Italy
Italy is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Its hot weather in the summer, picturesque landscapes and blue beaches, and abundance of historical monuments make it especially popular during the holiday months for American and Canadian travellers. If you want to skip the line at top sites like the Colosseum, you’ll need to reserve in advance. As well, the Amalfi Coast gets quite busy by September, so book ahead to guarantee a room. If you want to avoid some of the crowds, try travelling during the off-season in March or November and consider lesser-known destinations like Calcata.
Galapagos Islands
The biodiverse archipelago of the Galapagos Islands is the definition of exclusive. It’s home to an abundance of wildlife, both on land and underwater, and quite remote, sitting around 560 mi / 900 km off the coast of South America in the Pacific Ocean. A popular way to visit the Galapagos is on a small luxury cruise vessel, so the earlier you can plan your trip, the more options you will have available to you. These boutique cruising options tend to sell out three to nine months in advance.
Japan
The cherry blossom season is one of the most popular times of year in any country. Many hotels book 12 months in advance, which means you can plan ahead. Japan is a beautiful country all year round, but cherry blossom season is one of the best times to take photos, so it gets very busy. Hotels in major cities, especially Kyoto, usually book out around eight to nine months ahead.
Belize
Belize is a small country in Central America with an amazing diversity of experiences. You can climb an ancient Mayan temple, explore underground caves, view birds and exotic mammals in the rainforest, and snorkel among colourful fish in one of the world’s largest coral reef systems. But with so much to do, we recommend planning your activities ahead of time so they don’t sell out. Belize can get especially busy during the dry season of December to April.
The Islands of Tahiti
With 118 islands and atolls, just over half of which are inhabited, The Islands of Tahiti offers a vision of paradise in the real world. But you’re not the only one who wants to explore this idyllic island chain! One surefire way to get the most out of this dream destination is to book in advance because there are no last-minute deals! As well, pre-book your day trips, excursions, and dining. Besides saving a logistical hassle, this also allows you to skip some extra taxes once you arrive.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a beloved destination, with beautiful scenery, the world’s adventure capital in Queenstown, world-class wineries, and lots of small owner-operated locally-run experiences. But with the small population and enormous travel demand, experiences can sell out fast. This is especially true of any behind-the-scenes movie experiences, such as the Hobbiton Movie Set and Weta World, which showcase the magic of The Lord of the Rings. These tours are popular, so book in advance to secure your ticket to Middle-earth.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in Central America, which means that it’s always busy, especially when it transitions to the dry season from December to April. It’s close for American and Canadian travellers, family-friendly, and incredibly biodiverse. If you want to explore the wonders of one of the world’s Blue Zones such as the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, plan ahead.
Antarctica
Antarctica is a bucket list destination and the world’s last frontier, but it’s also a destination that has a small window for travel from November to March. Every traveller who wants to explore the South Pole on a cruise from the southern tip of South America is restricted to this window, so you need to plan ahead if you want to secure your spot in this ultimate adventure destination.
Egypt
Cruising the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan is one of the must-do experiences in Egypt, but there are limited premium and deluxe spots, which sell out fast. As well, if you don’t want to visit during the height of the summer heat, or want to book a hotel with a view of the pyramids in Cairo, you need to plan ahead.
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