As we are saying goodbye to a 12 months the place journey is again (after which some!), it is time to sit up for all of the fantastic locations we’ll be moving into 2024. As group tourism pioneers, we’re thrilled to see conventional locations which might be trending for prolonged journeys which give vacationers extra time to make significant connections. We’re glad that you really want your journey to present again to the native folks and to really feel nearer to the tradition and traditions of the place. And so we have packed our annual record of common locations which might be filled with mutually useful experiences and noteworthy causes to go to.
1: Japan
Vacationers cannot get sufficient of Japan because it reopened, and the Land of the Rising Solar can also be seeing a rise in bookings. With a staggering 134% leap for 2024, this pattern will proceed with the launch of our Geluxe assortment, a brand new line of premium lively journey. Our elevated Japan itinerary consists of climbing the distant Michinoku Coastal Path constructed after the tsunami to carry group tourism again to Iwate. Moreover, we’re one of many first main operators to incorporate this hike!
Finest suggestion: Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & Michinoku Coastal Path
On our 11-day journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, you will uncover villages outdoors of Kyoto on foot and hike to Unotori Shrine in Fudai, Iwate. There you’ll witness a novel cultural efficiency that has virtually died out in different components of Japan.
2: Portugal
The numbers do not lie. Portugal has seen exceptional development with the variety of vacationers tripling since 2019 and a 33% enhance in comparison with 2022. Inexpensive and accessible, with incredible meals, tradition and historical past, there are a lot of the explanation why you need to expertise this European gem. For North Individuals, new direct flights to Porto start this summer season from New York, Boston and Toronto with Azores Airways. We are saying go earlier than he turns into much more common, as his star continues to rise.
Finest suggestion: We spotlight Portugal
On our 7-day journey from Lisbon to Porto, you will sit all the way down to a conventional meal to the sounds of fado by Portuguese people music performers in certainly one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods and immerse your self in UNESCO World Heritage websites such because the Batalha Monastery, the College of Coimbra and the picturesque city of Sintra .
3: Uzbekistan
Flats generally have turn out to be a sizzling spot as folks look to tick massive locations off their bucket lists and journey to lesser recognized nations. Uzbekistan noticed a 53% year-over-year enhance, additionally usurping 2019 by 16%. The beautiful Middle for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent is about to open its doorways in April 2024 and joins the Middle for Up to date Artwork, which opened in 2019, as two new cultural facilities to discover.
Finest suggestion: We spotlight Uzbekistan
On our 10-day journey from Tashkent, you will head into the desert to go to the Chashma advanced, a pilgrimage website within the Nurata space, dominated by the ruins of Alexander the Nice’s fortress. Go to the distant Aydarkul Lake for a swim earlier than spending the evening at an area yurt camp and luxuriate in an genuine Uzbek dinner and a night Kazakh singing efficiency.
4: India
The tempo picked up final 12 months with India bookings doubling between 2022 and 2023. And excellent news for you, our partnership with Nationwide Geographic means unique experiences are constructed into each itinerary. Visas have been returned to Canadians, so we count on an enormous leap to observe. For Aussies and Kiwis, Air India has added a brand new direct route from Melbourne to Mumbai in mid-December 2023. And for the UK, Virgin Atlantic has introduced a brand new direct flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru, opening up the nation to discover past your G Journey expertise.
Finest suggestion: Nationwide Geographic Journeys with G Adventures Highlights North India
On our 8-day journey from Delhi, you’ll journey to Jaipur, referred to as the Pink Metropolis. There, you will meet an area historian and sociologist to study extra about India’s advanced social material and traditions, and talk about a variety of matters from the nation’s perception techniques to its structure.
5: Mexico
Vibrant and colourful, Mexico is proving extra common than earlier than the pandemic, helped by the introduction of some new journey locations. These embrace two top-of-the-line Geluxe Assortment lively routes that reinforce the normal seaside vacation spot. With development of 24% over 2019 and 28% over final 12 months, Mexico continues to maintain issues spicy.
Finest suggestion: Mexico: Central Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula
On our 14-day journey from Oaxaca to Tulum, you will wander Oaxaca’s cobbled streets and markets and devour mole in Puebla, earlier than biking by agave fields and taking a break from the warmth with a swim in a jungle sinkhole close to Merida.
6: Vietnam
One other nation that has been gradual to reopen however has doubled the variety of vacationers since 2022, Vietnam gives nice worth to adventurous households. With scrumptious meals, stunning sights and pleasant folks, it permits youngsters to find out about a special tradition in a enjoyable and fascinating means. With rather more air journey from main Australian cities with Vietjet and Vietnam Airways, Vietnam is poised for continued vital development. Vietnam Airways has additionally confirmed a return to every day flight frequencies from London Heathrow to Vietnam this winter, with every day direct flights resuming in October 2023.
Finest suggestion: Vietnamese household journey
On our 12-day journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, you’ll go to Oodles of Noodles, a G for Good challenge supporting former road youth the place you assist put together and cook dinner various kinds of noodles.
7: Greece
As vacationers started to return to Europe, Greece noticed an enormous development of 90% in comparison with 2019 and 24% year-on-year. Probably the greatest methods to keep away from the crowds and mingle with the locals is by boat. Taking you to distant islands to take pleasure in native delicacies and tradition, our crusing journeys epitomize group tourism. You may be sure that the wealth is distributed to lesser-known locales whereas nonetheless having fun with the distinctive highlights of every Greek island.
Finest suggestion: Crusing Greece – Santorini to Santorini
On our 10-day journey from Santorini, your shore experiences embrace strolling the markets of Syros, discovering the fantastic thing about the Venetian ruins of Paros, and climbing the paths and trails of Sifnos.
8: Thailand
Persevering with its epic comeback, Thailand is predicted to increase much more as vacationers head there earlier than the ‘White Lotus Impact’ takes maintain, with season three set to start filming in 2024. Passenger numbers up 76% year-on-year, stay good the selection for younger vacationers and vacationers on the lookout for an inexpensive getaway.
Finest suggestion: Bangkok – Hanoi: Chiang Mai, evening markets and road bars
On our 9-day Roamies journey in partnership with Hostelworld, your Bangkok to Hanoi journey features a go to to Yimsoo Cafe in Bangkok, which gives coaching and financial alternatives for folks dwelling with disabilities.
9: South Korea
With Asia trending since reopening, South Korea’s reputation has come as a welcome shock with figures doubling in 2023 in comparison with 2019. With the assistance of Okay-Pop and Okay-Drama, the nation additionally gives a wealth of conventional tradition, unbelievable meals and unforgettable experiences.
Finest suggestion: The perfect of South Korea
On our 8-day journey from Seoul, you will take within the metropolis’s sights and go to people villages, distinctive Korean temples and the bustling markets of Busan. Additionally, you will study in regards to the darkish historical past of North and South Korea and go to the demilitarized zone that separates them.
10: Italy
One other common post-Covid vacation spot, Italy is up 30% over 2019 and up 24% year-on-year. With dream locations high of thoughts, it is smart that this perennial favourite stays excessive on everybody’s bucket record. We go all out with the expertise of native life, as you’re taken off the crushed monitor to essentially immerse your self within the stunning on a regular basis Italian life.
Finest suggestion: Native Life Italy—Amalfi Coast
On our 8-day journey from Naples, you will reside like an area within the area, discovering the small cities, mountain trails and native customs of this uniquely charming place. Plus, you will tuck right into a mattress in a transformed Seventeenth-century monastery as your property base.