For all our recent Scandi obsession, Norway remains the least explored of the trio. But with this summer’s record temperatures causing more holidaymakers to look north, it won’t stay that way for long. Many come to see the dramatic fjords and beautiful landscapes from sustainably minded, architect-designed wilderness lodges (keep an eye on the futuristic, energy positive Six Senses Svart hotel under construction), others come to tap into Norway’s trendsetting, health-boosting ice bath and sauna culture. But this year there are plenty of curious new attractions in its cities as well. For a start, the tiny Arctic Circle city of Bodø (jumping off point for the Lofoten Islands) has been marked out as European Capital of Culture for 2024, which means a gamut of light festivals and land art, a Sámi theatre trilogy, and a fish-themed opera. In the capital Oslo, design hotel Sommerro (Art Deco interiors; rooftop restaurant) added its ultra-private 11-suite Villa Inkognito in April. The Munch Museum – rising, rippling in glass and aluminum on the Bjørvika waterfront – slipped in equally quietly during the pandemic, housing 26,000 of the artist’s works (including versions of his most famous, The Scream). A progressive, always-surprising Scandinavian star.

DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K's 10-day Norway & Denmark: A Fjordland Journey, which travels to the land of fjords from Oslo to Bergen, including a private visit to the Oslo Opera House and a local sourced, fireside dining experience in a traditional Norwegian lavvo (tent). From $14,995 per person, double occupancy.

Paros is the new Cyclades sensation. Although only a short ferry ride from Mykonos or Santorini, Paros feels a million miles from the pulsating beach clubs of its neighbors. The lack of an international airport will keep it that way, although a gentle ebb of chic new hotels are drawing more in-the-know Greek island hoppers alongside the established crowd of European villa owners. Chilled-out Cosme, a 10-minute walk from the buzzy fishing harbor of Naoussa, is the sister hotel to game-changing Parilio near the sandy coves of Kolymbithres beach, while Avant Mar brought Nobu-restaurant glamour to the island this summer. Windsurfers will love the Meltemi winds that sweep across the south-east coast; culture-seekers love the arty hilltop villages and ancient monasteries. And everyone loves those spectacular, soul-soothing sunsets. For an offbeat side-trip, hop on the boat across to lo-fi Antiparos.

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New for 2024 is A&K’s 10-day Tailor Made Greece: Mythic Cities & Enchanting Isles journey, which ventures off the beaten path to picturesque retreats still untouched by crowds. Experience the unique blend of local history, culture and cuisine, visiting ancient towns, listening to expert storytellers and tasting superb food and wine, staying 3 nights at the boutique resort Cosme. From $18,395 per person, double occupancy.

Sandwiched between the holiday honeypots of Italy and Croatia, it’s a mystery how Slovenia has remained so defiantly under-the-radar. It’s not for lack of good looks, running from the stunning Soča Valley with its vivid aquamarine river to the soaring Julian Alps and ever-so-pretty Lake Bled; while the capital of Ljubljana is pursuing a bold sustainable vision. The country’s food, too, is increasingly on the agenda: Slovenia got its own Michelin guide in 2020, and chef Ana Roš and her two-star countryside restaurant Hiša Franko remain the standard bearers for the area’s micro-local, forager-to-table cooking. This is Europe’s best-kept secret.

DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K’s 9-day Tailor Made Slovenia: An Active Adventure journey that takes guests biking, hiking and rafting through the country. Explore caves, encounter Lipica’s dazzling Lipizzaner stallions and meet with a beekeeper and truffle farmer, while still enjoying time to admire Ljubljana’s charming architecture, the Julian Alps, the Soca River and the Slovenian Istrian Coast. From $11,995 per person, double occupancy.

Paris is always a good idea – and never more so than in summer 2024, for the Olympic Games. As the French capital limbers up to light the Olympic cauldron, its hotel scene has been on a sprint of high-vaulting openings: opulent Le Grand Mazarin, all tapestry bed canopies and leopard-print upholstery; whimsical floral-filled La Fantaisie; sleek Hôtel Dame des Arts on the Left Bank; Belle-Époque-style townhouse Maison Proust in the Marais. The Seine is at the heart of Paris’s Olympic plan: for the opening ceremony flotillas will cruise through the city along the river, while triathlon swimmers are set to dive in from the ornate Pont Alexander III. There’ll also be fencing at the glass-roofed Grand Palais, beach volleyball beside the Eiffel Tower and various horsey events out at Versailles. Athletics aside, there’s news for gourmands, too: 400-year-old Paris institution La Tour d’Argent is back, dishing out its famous pressed duck with golden Seine views.

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New for 2024 is A&K’s 12-day Wings Over Europe’s Iconic Capitals journey which includes unforgettable experiences in four of Europe’s most celebrated capitals, only possible when flying by private air. Discover the must-see highlights of the City of Lights, from an old-school tour of the city in a classic Citroën 2CV, to breakfast at the tallest building in the city, a macaron-making class and dinner and cocktails at an iconic Parisian jazz club. From $49,995 per person, double occupancy

Known among history buffs as the site of Napoleon's second exile following his final defeat in 1815, Saint Helena is going to spark much wider appreciation once the much-anticipated release of Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix, comes out this November. Interest in Saint Helena is sure to be strong, but difficult to visit, since this is one of the most remote islands on earth, located 1,300 miles west of the coast of Namibia. It boasts a population of less than 4,500 people who have been slow to embrace modern technology — cellular service was only introduced in 2015.

DO IT THE A&K WAY
Reaching the remote island is easy when you arrive on a private jet. Follow in Napoleon’s footsteps, visiting the house where he lived in exile for the last five years of his life, as well as his original tomb on the New for 2024 Around the World with Geoffrey Kent: An Inspiring Expedition by Geoffrey Kent, 26 days from $184,950.

The reopening of Japan to travellers at the end of 2022 saw a flurry of fresh places: glassy Tokyo hotels, creative hideouts in Kyoto and even a Totoro-filled theme park from cult-filmmaker Studio Ghibli. But for a place so associated with high-speed trains and fast-paced megacities, the most compelling way to see the country right now is on foot or by sea. The Nakasendo Way, an ancient route linking Tokyo to Kyoto, winds through mountains, little-changed post towns, bamboo forests and past waterfalls and hot springs. Walking its full length is a demanding hike, but it’s easy to pick up a shorter stretch or visit highlights along the way – come in April to catch the cherry blossoms. Depart the southern end of the route and today’s foodie pilgrims should hotfoot it to Osaka, where street food stalls dish up takoyaki (octopus fritters) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). From there it’s the jumping off point to the Seto Inland Sea – best seen from floating ryokan guntû, which island hops to the temples of Miyajima and art island Naoshima (home to Yayoi Kusama’s Yellow Pumpkin, James Turrell installations and Tadao Ando-designed museums). Get off the beaten track and dive deeper into the real Japan.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K can arrange a private Tailor Made Japan: Iconic Cities of the Mainland, from vibrant Tokyo to an exclusive ryokan in Hakone. Or explore the highlights of the Nakasendo Way without the packing and unpacking on a 14-day Wonders of Japan Cruise that spans five islands plus a pre-cruise stay in Osaka. From $21,495 per person, double occupancy.

With tourist visas and regular international flights returning for the first time since the pandemic, now is the chance to see the Land of the Dragon before everyone else. Walk through time in the Forbidden City, stroll the imposing Great Wall, stand guard with the Terracotta Army. Beyond the big sights and even bigger cities, however, the Chinese countryside is being rediscovered – in part thanks to the rural nostalgia of cottagecore influencers leading to a boom in antique-filled village guesthouses and mountainside design hotels. Take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River or visit a Hani village to see life unchanged for thousands of years. Asia’s most beguiling and culturally rich giant is finally back.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K's 13-day China & the Yangtze journey, travels beyond the big cities to marvel at the vistas of the famed Three Gorges region on a 3-night cruise on the Yangtze River, as well as iconic sights like the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Terracotta Warriors and well-preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. From $8,295 per person, double occupancy.

Vietnam is one of Asia’s most exciting places to eat. So, it was no surprise when Michelin finally got the memo, releasing its first guide to foodie cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in June 2023. The first four stars were dished out to fashionable fine dining spots, such as Ho Chi Minh’s Anan Saigon and its bone-marrow Wagyu beef pho or Gia in Hanoi with its in-house fermentation lab. But to sample the country’s real finger-licking food culture, take to the streets, tucking into everything from duck congee to pork skin salad.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K’s 8-day Tailor Made Vietnam: North to South private journey, visits the must-see sites including the Cu Chi Tunnels, high-energy Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi, known for its French culinary scene; and tranquil Ha Long Bay, where guests cruise overnight and partake in a Vietnamese cooking lesson. From $5,995 per person, double occupancy

There’s much more to this lovely little town than Angkor Wat. A flourishing art and craft scene, burgeoning restaurant line-up spotlighting Khmer cooking and ever-growing gathering of design-led hotels (Angsana Siem Reap will soon become the latest) has made it a destination in its own right. One that in 2024 will become even more accessible via its new international airport (moving from the current site close to the famous temple complex). With tourists trickling back to Angkor Wat, explore lesser-known archaeological wonders such as the 12th-century temples at Banteay Chhmar, the still-being-uncovered site at Phnom Kulen or recently UNESCO-listed Koh Ker, home to Prasat Thom, Southeast Asia’s only seven-tiered pyramid.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K’s 13-day Images of Indochina & Angkor Wat small group journey travels across Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, including two days exploring the ruins of Angkor and an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. From $9,795 per person, double occupancy.

Colombia is one of the world’s rare ‘megadiverse’ countries: a staggering 10% of all the world’s flora and fauna can be found here. Look at its geography and you start to understand why; the natural contrasts are just astonishing: a dense Amazon jungle interior, coral white beaches along the Caribbean coast, isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, coffee-carpeted highlands and wildly remote Guajira Peninsula, home to the Indigenous Wayuu people among salt flats and flamingo-lined lagoons. The once-troubled country is now investing heavily in sustainable travel, opening up some of these previously off-limits regions. But it’s not just about the like-nowhere-else nature – cosmopolitan cities are filled with salsa clubs and street art, shaking food and cocktail players and important social projects. The hottest spot in South America for intrepid travellers.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K's 9-day Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena small group journey, which travels across Colombia from Bogotá to Cartagena, including little-visited sites like the Salt Cathedral and organic flower farms, and includes experiences like visiting Paloquemao market and discovering Cartagena's rich culture. From $9,795 per person, double occupancy

This big-thinking Central American nation is a pioneer of ecotourism – over a quarter of the country is now protected as national parks, marine reserves and conservation sanctuaries – and a favorite destination for those seeking high-drama, low-impact trips. With more direct flights connecting the capital San José with the UK and US, big brand hotels are landing at easy-to-reach Papagayo, gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula. A revamp at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo and nearby Waldorf Astoria Guanacaste both launch in 2024, with more in the works. Meanwhile, at the remote tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the salt-sprayed beach town of Santa Teresa is the go-to spot for surfers and yogis, and the barefoot nomads who follow in their wake. At the moment they stay in a clutch of independently owned guesthouses, where dawn kundalini sessions are mixed with beach clean-ups, surf lessons with helping with local community outreach. In March 2024, equally progressive hotel group Habitas will land on these Pacific shores, with its plastic-free policies, farm-to-table restaurant and meditation classes. Go now, before everyone else gets there.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
Discover the country’s verdant beauty and unspoiled biodiversity on A&K’s 10-day Tailor Made Costa Rica: An Immersive Rainforest Adventure private journey. Explore the canals of Tortuguero and spot amazing wildlife from the water, observe the gorgeous natural landscapes and myriad wild species of La Fortuna as you zipline through forests near Arenal Volcano, and relax on the exclusive beaches during a three-night stay featuring the surf, sand and sun of the Gulf of Papagayo.

The travel world was shaken when an earthquake caused devastation in the High Atlas Mountains in September, its effects felt even in Marrakech’s Medina – but within days the country had pulled itself up by the bootstraps to welcome visitors again. The best way to support Morocco’s ongoing recovery is to visit, and there are plenty of fresh reasons to go in 2024. In Marrakech itself, the tremors didn’t stop a bubbling seam of exciting openings: architectural Maison Brummell Majorelle near the city’s famous botanical garden, riad Rosemary from artist Laurence Leenaert, equally art-filled retreat IZZA, blissed-out Farasha Farmhouse deep in an olive grove on the city’s fringes – as well as all-female-chef restaurant Sahbi Sahbi and hip nightspot Petanque Social Club. The bohemian outpost of Tangier, too, is thrumming with fresh energy and new places to stay, from Jasper Conran (Villa Mabrouka) and El Fenn’s ex-GM William Smit (Villa Augustine) – don’t miss the locally-run art galleries and North Africa’s first arthouse cinema either. Resilient Morocco is still at its thrillingly creative best.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
Recommended for 2024 is A&K’s 12-day Splendors of Morocco small group journey, which offers an in-depth discovery from the timeless walled city of Fez to the bustling medina in Marrakech. Share lively conversation with a female professor over dinner and freely discuss the role of women in modern Morocco, visit local artisans whose works reflect Morocco’s historic Roman, Moorish and Berber cultures and venture into the Sahara for an unforgettable overnight stay at A&K’s Exclusive Desert Tented Camp nestled among the towering dunes. From $9,795 per person, double occupancy.

It’s wild to think that until 2019 the only tourists to Saudi Arabia were religious pilgrims. Now, as part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, this once-uncharted territory for travellers is marked with big-name hotels (from billowing tented camps to Red Sea resorts), ambitious cultural institutions (the first commissions in the ‘Valley of the Arts’ Wadi AlFann are to be unveiled in 2024) and futuristic developments (sustainable linear city The Line; sci-fi-esque ski resort Trojena Neom). But what is most awe-inspiring is still the most ancient: the carved tombs of Hegra deep in the AlUla desert, the towering sandstone columns of Wadi Al Disah, Jeddah’s 7th-century Al Balad neighborhood – while female guides leading the way show just how fast the country is reshaping itself to the outside world.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K’s 9-day Saudi Arabia: A Kingdom Revealed small group journey, which travels to ancient and modern wonders across Saudi Arabia, taking in the little-visited rock-carved tombs of AlUla (comparable to Petra), and including a stay in Jeddah on the Red Sea waterfront. From $17,495 per person, double occupancy. Or explore by sea on 15-day Cruising Greece, Turkey & Saudi Arabia luxury expedition cruise. From $23,995 per person, double occupancy.

Scientists predict that the glaciers at the top of Africa’s highest peak could disappear within the next two decades. Time is sadly running out to see Mount Kilimanjaro’s famous icefields and once-massive Furtwängler Glacier while trekking up the snow-capped volcano to its 5,895m peak. Abercrombie & Kent are the experts in taking would-be-climbers up in style, due to its five decades of experience in the region and expert guides who choose the best route up the mountain, allowing time to acclimatize to the altitude during the seven-day climb. The real difference though? Little luxuries, like a cozy cot that keeps you off the ground for a good night’s sleep – after a tiring scramble up the Barranco Wall you’ll be thankful for it – and the highest porter-to-guest ratio on the mountain ensures the team are comfortable too. A breathtaking, go-now adventure.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K’s 9-day Climb Kilimanjaro: Summiting the Machame Route small group journey, offers the opportunity to achieve a once in a lifetime goal of ascending the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. From $8,495 per person, double occupancy

In 2024, we look toward the place where it all began for Abercrombie & Kent: Kenya. Founder Geoffrey Kent brought about the inspiration for the film The Lion King when he hosted DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg on safari in the Masai Mara spot now known as Pride Rock – and with 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of The Lion King and the release of the new live action prequel, Mufasa, we predict a renewed interest to the region as a new generation is inspired to witness Kenya’s landscapes and wildlife for themselves.

DO IT THE A&K WAY
A&K’s new exclusive-use Mobile Tented Camp puts guests center-stage in the film’s real-life landscapes in the Masai Mara on 8-day Kenya Safari in Style. Go in search of Simba, Timon and Pumbaa alongside handpicked safari guides whose in-depth tracking skills lead to exceptional wildlife encounters. Stay on a private conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, where the abundant wildlife includes the Big Five as well as the last two northern white rhinos on earth. From $8,795 per person, double occupancy.

Kangaroo Island – Australia’s answer to the Galápagos – was wiped out by bushfires in 2019, destroying wildlife, burning habitats and razing to the ground its pioneering luxury eco-hotel, Southern Ocean Lodge. In December, the much-loved lodge emerges from the ashes, the culmination of a miraculous nature recovery program on the island. South Australia is as vast as it is varied: from ocean to outback; from up-close wildlife experiences and exciting wine regions (world-class Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale; emerging Adelaide Hills), to wild coastal peninsulas and a roster of brilliant art and food festivals. October’s Australian Voice referendum further highlighted the importance of connecting with the country’s Indigenous communities too. Out in the outback of the Flinders Ranges learn about the area’s immense cultural significance to the Adnyamathanha people at Ikara – The Meeting Place, a public art space that shares their story, and explore ancient engravings at Arkaroo Rock. This is an incredible immersion in the best of Australia.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K’s 10-day Tailor Made Australia: Wine Country & Culinary Delights which explores Southern Australia, from the foodie capital of Melbourne and the wilds of Tasmania to wine-rich Adelaide, on a journey filled with wine tastings, fine dining and panoramic views of stunning natural vistas. Cap off a memorable adventure with a stay at Kangaroo Island. From $17,795 per person, double occupancy

An off-the-grid alternative to all the Antarctic cruises nosing across the Drake Passage, join Abercrombie & Kent’s North Pole Expedition Cruise on its inaugural voyage to the top of the world. When it departs from Longyearbyen in Svalbard this July, eco-friendly icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will venture far beyond the point that other Arctic cruises usually go, charting a course ever-northwards into seldom-seen sea ice to the geographic North Pole. Onboard, watch as the ship cuts through the marginal ice zone, spotting blue, rorqual and beluga whales, polar bears and high arctic gulls in the white vastness. Venture off board to hike over the ice, kayak through open leads or take an invigorating polar plunge. It’s the ultimate unexplored frontier.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
New for 2024 is A&K’s 18-day North Pole Expedition Cruise: The Ultimate Frontier (Jul 12-29, 2024) Embark on the ultimate expedition to an Arctic frontier like no other. On this, A&K’s inaugural expedition to the North Pole, explore in comfort aboard the innovative new luxury icebreaker, ‘Le Commandant Charcot,’ as A&K’s award-winning Expedition Team leads the way. From $47,995 per person, double occupancy

Ernest Shackleton was an Irish-born British explorer who is best known for his expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th century. Despite never achieving his ultimate goal of being the first to reach the South Pole, Shackleton led three major expeditions to the Antarctic region and made several groundbreaking journeys and discoveries. In 2024, it will be the 150th anniversary of Shackleton's birth in February 1874. This milestone year honors his daring expeditions, leadership, and contributions to Antarctic exploration.

HOW TO DO IT THE A&K WAY
Close out 2024 in an epic way with A&K’s 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands: Holiday Voyage (Dec 20, 2024-Jan 7, 2025). Explore historic South Georgia, where you visit spectacular king penguin colonies as well as the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton and celebrate the arrival of the new year in the world’s most remarkable wilderness. From $23,995 per person, double occupancy