Where to go in 2024: The best places to visit

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So many places to see in the world. So many people eager to see them.

International tourism reached about 90% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, and the United States issued a record number of passports. And if you visited any popular destination over the summer, you’d probably argue it was more crowded than ever.

So maybe it’s time to look at places that are still largely undiscovered, or alluring in the offseason, or frequently overlooked for their larger first cities or neighbors. Maybe it’s time to head to places that are making it easier for tourists to visit and those that pay close attention to encouraging tourism that’s sustainable.

With those things in mind, CNN Travel chose 24 places to consider as you make your 2024 plans:

Sumba, Indonesia

<strong>Greenland:</strong> Ilulissat icefjord is one of Greenland's jaw-dropping landscapes. The autonomous territory of Denmark is set to welcome new airports in 2024.

<strong>Uzbekistan: </strong>Offering visa-free access to citizens of 86 countries, Uzbekistan's untouched landscapes and well-preserved architecture are ready to awe visitors. The center of the old town of Bukhara is pictured.

<strong>Sumba Island, Indonesia: </strong>With its remote villages, ancient rituals and world-class surf breaks, Sumba is the perfect antidote to the crowds of Bali. See 23 more destination ideas for 2024.

Sumba Island, Indonesia: With its remote villages, ancient rituals and world-class surf breaks, Sumba is the perfect antidote to the crowds of Bali. See 23 more destination ideas for 2024.

Tengguo Wu/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Tartu, Estonia: </strong>One of the most-loved landmarks in Tartu — a 2024 European Capital of Culture — is this statue of kissing students in Town Hall Square.

<strong>Turkey's Black Sea coast:</strong> The colorful resort town Amasra is one of the jewels of Turkey's Karadeniz, or Black Sea region.

<strong>Tainan, Taiwan:</strong> Tainan is considered Taiwan's street food capital. People gather here along pedestrian Fuzhong street.

<strong>Northwest Michigan:</strong> The area around Traverse City on Lake Michigan is a tourism magnet in summer, but the fall colors are spectacular, too.

<strong>Trans Dinarica Cycle Trail: </strong>This new cycling trail will be the first and only bike route to link all eight countries of the Western Balkans.

<strong>Culebra, Puerto Rico:</strong> Marine life and beaches — including Flamenco Beach where a rusted tank sits in the sand — are the big draws on unspoiled Culebra.

<strong>Angola: </strong>Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats.

<strong>Saint John, New Brunswick:</strong> This Canadian city is an excellent base from which to enjoy the nearby Bay of Fundy, known for the world's highest tides.

<strong>South Korea: </strong>The seven cemeteries of the ancient Gaya Tumuli were just inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

<strong>Albania: </strong>Beautiful beaches, a rich culture and jaw-dropping mountain landscapes await in Albania. Theth National Park is pictured.

<strong>Chile: </strong>The otherworldly Atacama Desert is just one of the diverse landscapes visitors will find in long and slim Chile.

<strong>Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia: </strong>Off the coast of Western Australia, the Abrolhos Islands are home to some 140 species of flora and fauna.

<strong>Macedonia, Greece: </strong>The region of Macedonia in north-central Greece is relatively free from overtourism. There are Byzantine remains in hilltop city Veria.

<strong>Panama: </strong>This Central American country holds over a dozen national parks, including Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, the highest point in Panama.

<strong>Galicia, Spain:</strong> Beaches, mouth-watering seafood and a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago are among this autonomous region's many draws.

<strong>Singapore's outer islands: </strong>St. John's Island has sunny beaches and a 1.7-mile trail highlighting native plants and flowers while shining a light on the island's colorful history.

<strong>Mérida, Mexico: </strong>Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Rectoría El Jesús Tercera Orden and Parque Hidalgo are pictured.

<strong>Morocco:</strong> This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. The country has bounced back determinedly after a devastating earthquake this past September.

<strong>Florida's freshwater springs:</strong> The state's beaches get a lot of attention, but Florida has alluring fresh water, too. Wakulla Springs offers guided boat tours.

<strong>Texas Hill Country: </strong>Krause Springs in Spicewood offers a cool dip on a hot day. Hill Country also boasts rolling hills, winding rivers, wineries, barbecue and live music.

<strong>Fujairah: </strong>One of the smaller and lesser-known emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Fujairah is filled with spectacular mountain ranges and pristine beaches.

24 places to go in 2024

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For those looking for a beach destination that prioritizes community consciousness and sustainability, the Indonesian island of Sumba delivers.

With its remote villages, untouched forests, ancient rituals and world-class surf breaks, Sumba is the perfect antidote to the crowds of Bali, which is just an hour’s flight away. It might not be internationally famous yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s small. Sumba is more than 4,000 square miles in size (more than 10,000 square kilometers) – twice the size of Bali.

It was the Nihi Sumba resort that brought this island into luxury seekers’ sights when it first opened in 2012. More than a decade on, Sumba has welcomed several new luxury eco-resorts. These include The Sanubari, a series of beachfront villas that opened in 2022, and Cap Karoso, located on the island’s southwest. —Karla Cripps

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