Happy New Year from the Zest team! As the festive season comes to close many of us start to look towards a holiday while the days are still short and the weather still cold.
We’ve broken down some of the best trending holiday destinations for 2024 along with industry insights on when to book.
Click here to jump to best holiday destinations for 2024.
When should I book my 2024 holiday?
Flight costs are dynamically priced meaning the costs will be forever changing based on which day you run a quote. If you’re on a budget, it can be a good idea to set up price alerts on airline pages which will notify you when your chosen flight has been reduced. If you have more flexibility, websites like Kayak will display a price calendar to help you plan your trip around the cheapest flying days.
Based on previous years, December and January tends to be cheapest months to book a holiday. But when is the best date to travel for?
If you can, we recommend travelling outside of any peak season or national/school holidays. These can often be very popular dates meaning availability will decrease and rates will increase. However, for anyone with children, this may not be an option so further research and planning will be required!
Is it cheaper to book a holiday closer to the date?
According to a Which? Travel study, booking your flight earlier rather than at the last-minute may actually be the cheaper option. Which? Stated that “holidaymakers could save hundreds of pounds by booking next year’s summer getaway early rather than leaving it to the last minute”. Holidays in Portugal was shown to be £185 cheaper when booking 7 months in advance rather than 1 week before. However, booking 9 months in advance was £189 more expensive making 7 months the sweet spot!
Keep in mind that this may not be the case for every destination. For instance, Which? found that Spain was £14 cheaper when booking last-minute rather than 7 months in advance. However, booking last-minute comes at a risk of no availability for flights, accommodation, and car rental so we don’t recommend this risky method of planning.
In short, book in advance (around 7 months if you can) to secure your reservations, potentially save money, and have more peace of mind with your holiday!
Where are people travelling to in 2024?
Spain – Vigo
Topping Skyscanner’s trending destinations of 2024, Vigo in Spain is said to be a fantastic emerging destination to visit this year. The often-overlooked Spanish city near the border of Portugal is a host to historic streets, restaurants, art exhibitions, and sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Being in the Northern region of Spain, summer weather sits at a cooler temperature (around 25 degrees) compared to its scorching southern counterparts. Although it may not be as popular as Barcelona or Majorca, it certainly stands as a cheap alternative for those travelling on a budget!
The cheapest time to travel to Vigo will likely be between the months of January and March. If you plan to rent a car throughout your visit to Spain, we recommend picking up from Vigo Airport.
Italy – Emilia-Romagna
According to National Geographic’s most exciting destinations to visit in 2024, the region of Emilia-Romagna is a trending trip for many travellers. On the 29th of June the Tour de France kicks off in Italy with the Grand Départ starting in Florence and mainly covering the villages and winding roads of Emilia-Romagna. The finish line will then be in the beach province of Rimini. Travellers can take leisurely bike tours in Emilia-Romagna for some of the most stunning views and greatest cycling trails in Europe. If you’re not interested in Cycling, this underrated region of Italy can be enjoyed for its glorious countryside, historic architecture, and mouth-watering local cuisines.
The cheapest time to travel to Emilia-Romagna will likely be between the months of December and March. If you’re renting a car on your Italy holiday, we recommend collecting from Bologna Airport.
Germany – Berlin
Germany, and especially Berlin, will be an exciting place to visit for 2024 summer due to the UEFA Euros. The Euros is being hosted all over the country with matches been played in Germany’s most esteemed stadiums such as the Olympiastadion in Berlin, BVB Stadion in Dortmund, and the Munich Football Arena. England’s group stage for instance, will take place in Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, and Frankfurt! If football isn’t your forte then Berlin can still be a fantastic city break for 2024 with plenty of historical landmarks, museums, bars, and restaurants to visit.
The cheapest dates to travel to Berlin will likely be between the months of January to March and November. If you’re renting a car on your Germany trip, we recommend collecting from Berlin Schoenefeld Airport.
France – Paris
From the 26th of July to the 11th of August, France will be hosting the 2024 Olympic games with the games taking place in the capital city of Paris. This summer, people from all over the world will be heading to Paris to watch one of the most renown sporting events. France is likely to invest into their tourism with exciting activities and events taking place over the city. Paris itself is said to be a beautiful city with incredible landmarks to visit such as the Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Lourve museum.
The cheapest dates to travel to Paris will likely be between the months of December and January. If you plan to rent a car on your France holiday, we recommend collecting from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Slovenia – Ljubljana
Being claimed as the new hidden gem of Europe, Slovenia is definitely a destination to tick off your travel list. Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia and the 2016 Green Capital of Europe, is the ideal place to stay when visiting. The fairy-tale city of Ljubljana showcases colourful architecture, picturesque bridges, and plenty of green spaces. The medieval Ljubljana castle is also a must-see visit for any history buffs!
If you fancy a quieter day out with beautiful landscapes and nature, then we recommend Lake Bled. Lake Bled is around 40 minutes from the city centre and features some of Slovenia’s most breathtaking views.
The cheapest dates to travel to Ljubljana will likely be around March or April, shortly after the ski season and before the summer peak. If you’re planning to hire a car in Slovenia, we recommend picking up from Ljubljana Airport.
Poland – Warsaw
Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is said to be an emerging destination based on Airbnb’s travel predictions for 2024. Most tend to visit the more popular Kraków when visiting Poland, however, within recent years Warsaw has increased in popularity. Warsaw can be a fantastic short city break with lots of heritage, history, art, and culture to see. If you’re a fan of the nightlife, Warsaw has a range of quirky secret pubs, clubs, and bars for you to discover around the Pawilony area.
The cheapest dates to travel to Warsaw will likely be between the months of Dec and February, however, this will be very cold! If you plan to get a rental car on your Poland trip, we recommend collecting from Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Portugal – Algarve
How could we not mention one of our favourite holiday destinations? The Algarve is a staple destination for anyone looking for sunshine, hot weather, and plenty of activities to keep you entertained. The Algarve has some of Portugal’s best beaches in the municipalities of Lagoa, Porches, Albufeira, Lagos, and more. For any avid golfers out there, The Algarve is also known be an excellent and affordable spot for Golf Breaks!
The cheapest dates to travel the Algarve will likely be between the months of November and March. If you plan to rent a car on your Portugal holiday, we recommend collecting from Faro Airport.
Any destinations we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below.
Rent a car with Zest when travelling to the best holiday destinations for 2024!
Take the stress out of car rental with Zest. We keep you protected during your rental with excess protection included with every booking. We also have an industry-leading Top-up insurance available as an added extra. When booking in advance, you can book now and pay later if you don’t quite have all the funds up front! Moreover, rentals with Zest come with Free Cancellation meaning you can cancel and receive a full refund up to 48-hours before the rental begins if your plans fall through.
So, what are you waiting for? Put something in the calendar to look forward to and book one of these holiday destinations for 2024…
