There's no better strategy to get through today, Blue Monday, than to plan your escape immediately - whether it's for a few days or a few weeks. But where to? This year we are spoiled for choice. From a new 3,000 kilometer cycle route through the Balkans to a secret blue city in Morocco, and a unique luxury train journey to the Italian Riviera, consider this a guide to your next great holiday.
In the rest of our travel special, you'll find life-changing trips for solo travelers, a Michelin-starred expedition to Antarctica and our fashion team picking out the most stylish pieces for you to pack. To enjoy!
Cool cations
Climate change is already having a major impact on where we spend our holidays. Booking.com reports that 42 percent of British travelers say this will affect their trips this year, with many thinking twice about classic Mediterranean destinations after last summer's heatwave. Sarah Allard, digital editor at Condé Nast Traveler, agrees. "It is no surprise that travelers will look further north for their holiday plans in the high season. Expect destinations such as northern Italy, Scandinavia and Scotland to gain popularity, where holidaymakers - especially families - can enjoy outdoor activities in cooler climates, from cycling and kayaking to walking and swimming."
Seduced? Head to eco-friendly Landet - which translates as 'countryside' in Swedish - for some cooling rest. This year, 10 floating huts will open in a 400-hectare nature reserve on the Stockholm archipelago. Pass the time with hiking trails, swimming holes and yoga sessions (from £270 per night; landetstay.com). The Six Senses Svart will open in Norway, says Rosie Shephard, founder of Luxury Communications Council. "It will be very futuristic and the first CO2-positive resort in the world."
The Trans Dinarica route
Opening this year, this brand new 3,364 km (2,090 mile) cycle route winds across the Balkans and connects Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia. From the pristine waters of Slovenia's SoÄa River to the national parks of Kosovo and the winding coastlines of Albania and Croatia, take your pick of screensaver-worthy routes. The trail is divided into 30-mile sections with a place to stay overnight at the end of each day's ride. Nobody expects you to cover all 3,364 km in one trip. Rather, it is a journey to relive. Sustainable, affordable and a glorious deep dive into the communities you encounter along the way, I think I peaked too early on this perfect holiday.
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Merida, Mexico
While Tulum and Cancun are filled with luxury hotels and influential influencers, Merida is steeped in Mayan culture, historic charm, and unique boutique stays. According to Yolanda Edwards, founder of YOLO Journal, now is the time to visit. "The design crowd has been buying and renovating in Merida for decades, creating the most beautiful vacation rentals long before Airbnb existed. Go now, while it still feels like a smaller community, because the bigger [albeit tasteful] arms, such as Belmond, will open hotels in the coming years. Welcome Beyond (welcomebeyond.com) has several chic villas. Mexican brutalist La Tropical (from £180), hidden in the heart of Merida, is the place for a couple or solo travellers. Casa Escuela (£1,995), a former school, sleeps up to 12 people and is the result of a four-year restoration project. These are all places that would make you drool over Architectural Digest.
Tinos, Greece
Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos, the rustic, under-the-radar island of Tinos couldn't be more different from its flashy neighbor. Walk through wildflower meadows in spring or take an early autumn holiday when the beautiful beaches are deserted. Tinos is the third largest island in the Cyclades, but still charmingly understated. Food and wine are a particular point of pride. Xinara House - two 18th-century villas restored by London-based designers Peter and Susan Marston - is a favorite of chic Athenians (from £780 per week; xinarahouse.com). Odera, the island's first luxury boutique hotel, is scheduled to open in May. It will have 77 rooms and pool suites, a huge spa and its own private beach (prices TBA; oderatinos.com).
Bhutan
Our in-house sustainability travel expert Juliet Kinsman tells me that Bhutan is the place to experience a guilt-free vacation this year. "Incredible eco-conscious luxury hotels have opened in the country in recent years, such as a circuit of Six Senses lodges, and most recently the &Beyond Punakha River Lodge. Protecting forests is in Bhutan's constitution and there is a daily allowance of $100 for the Sustainable Development Fund. This may sound elitist and exclusive, but the advantage is that there are fewer tourists and less visitor pressure in this Himalayan landscape. I recommend spending time in small, luxury hotels like Gangtey Lodge or Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, or booking an itinerary through MyBhutan."
Beyond Marrakech
It's easy to have a great time in Marrakech, but the rest of the country is ripe for discovery and about to have its moment. This year, head north to Rabat, Tangier or Casablanca. Travel writer Mary Lussiana says: "A Four Seasons Hotel is being launched in the capital Rabat on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Called Kasr Al Bahr, the Castle of the Sea, it was previously a sultan's summer palace and promises to live up to its sense of place. Tangier, which is short on attractive places to stay, recently opened Fairmont Tazi, and the beautiful Villa Mabrouka, once home to Yves St Laurent, has been beautifully renovated by Jasper Conran. It's also exciting that the acclaimed Royal Mansour in Marrakech will open a sister hotel in Casablanca in early 2024 and something opulent further north, which remains confidential. So watch this space." Black Tomato calls Tangier a top location for 2024 and recommends planning a visit during the Tanjazz music festival in September. Their luxury itinerary visits Casablanca, Fes, Chefchaouen (the secret blue city you've seen all over Instagram), Tangier and La Fiermontina (10 nights in northern Morocco from £7,500 pp; blacktomato.com)
Grenada
No one needs a lot of poor people to visit the Caribbean. For 2024, it's all about Grenada. Virgin and British Airways sense the demand and increase their weekly flights. This February, Spice Island celebrates 50 years of independence and the groundbreaking Underwater Sculpture Park in Molinere Bay has just added 31 new underwater artworks. Travel writer Gina Jackson is, as usual, leading the way. "This relatively untrodden Caribbean island is often overlooked in favor of neighboring Barbados and St. Lucia, but definitely deserves a place on your radar for 2024. Grenada offers a winning formula of endless white-sand beaches, steamy rainforests and varied landscapes to to explore, whether you prefer to hike to waterfalls, explore spice plantations or snorkel around the island's famous underwater sculpture parks. While there are already a handful of charming hotels (I stayed at Calabash and Silversands, both of which were excellent in their own ways), the opening of Six Senses La Sagesse this year will further cement Grenada's status as a destination for luxury travel enthusiasts. "
Paris
The French capital will be extra special this year as it prepares to host the Olympic Games. Tickets are still available. Exciting new hotels are ready to open and you can't go wrong with a stay at Le Grand Mazarin (from £598; legrandmazarin.com), Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs (from £280; hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com), Le Grand Hôtel Cayré (from £280; hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com), Le Grand Hôtel Cayré (from £280; £312; kkhotels.com) or Hotel Chateau D'Eau (from £138; hotelchateaudeau.com). You can also use the city as a starting point for a great train adventure. The Nightjet sleeper service is rolling out a new route from Paris to Berlin and for a real splurge, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train is launching a trip to Portofino (belmond.com). Tres chic.
Undiscovered Peru
Reaching this otherworldly land is a piece of cake thanks to LATAM Airline's new direct flight from London to Lima. Swim to the overcrowded Machu Picchu for lesser-known, but no less spectacular, archaeological treasures. Black Tomato is launching several new trips that allow you to camp in hard-to-reach locations next to archaeological wonders such as Chan Chan, the world's largest mud city, and Chavin de Huantar in Huaraz (seven nights in Peru, including Huchuy Qosqo, a royal estate of Viracocha, the eighth Inca ruler, from £8,500pp; blacktomato.com). Further south, the new luxury camp Puqio in the Colca Canyon is one of the best places to spot condors. Visit as part of Scott Dunn's hyper-luxury two-week trip (from £10,400; scottdunn.com).
Cruises value for money
John O'Ceallaigh, founder of luxury travel consultancy LUTE, believes that if you have money to spend, the best bang for your buck is at sea. "As hotels have become more expensive, some previously overpriced cruises now appear proportionately accessible," says O'Cealaigh. "I'm considering a 13-day cruise around Antarctica with Viking Cruises, with prices starting from £9,995 including flights, drinks, food, excursions and gratuities - it's obviously very expensive, but you clearly get a lot more for your money than in a luxury hotel in London. Additionally, many hotel groups are now looking to move into this space. Ritz-Carlton launches 'hotel at sea' boats."