As 2024 kicks off, it's time to plan some of the most mind-blowing adventures the world has to offer – using the opportunity to uncover new parts of yourself along the way.
19.12.2023 - 12:49 / forbes.com
Looking for the perfect holiday escape? Consider Croatia. The country offers an impressive range of winter festivities that are perfect for kids and adults alike. Here are five great cities that put on an amazing show for the holidays.
Zagreb
Looking for the perfect Christmas market? Well, the Advent Zagreb market has been named the best Christmas Market in Europe for three years in a row. It receives accolades for its food, concerts and warm hospitality. Nativity scenes pepper the city’s churches, and the decorations in cobblestoned areas like Upper Town, create a magical wonderland.
Stroll through the many squares and parks which offer ideal locations for romantic winter walks. Enjoy concerts of favourite Christmas songs. Try some of the tastiest examples of local gastronomy. From carefully designed holiday menus with traditional food and local wines, to lovingly decorated facades and interiors, the Christmas story lives on in every corner in Zagreb
Opatija
With its breathtaking seaside landscape, the lovely city of Opatija boasts the “most beautiful Advent by the Sea” program that runs from December 1 through to January 7. It’s truly a must-visit destination this winter if you are traveling to Croatia.
This well-known seaside health resort located at the foot of Mount Učka (a popular hiking destination), boasts giant Nutcracker figures with their signature red guard uniforms, as well as age-old cypress trees framing the landscape for perfect photographs and romantic walks. Experience the epitome of a winter wonderland in Opatija during the holiday season! From the charming town market, to the idyllic fishing village of Volosko and the renowned Lungomare coastal promenade, this city is a must-visit on any Croatian winter itinerary. Often likened to Nice in France, Opatija captivates visitors with its picturesque scenes and festive ambiance.
Dubrovnik
The city’s winter festival, now in its 10th year, makes this coastal town a stunning spectacle. Explore the city’s famous cobblestoned pedestrian-only avenue, Stradun, created in the 11th century, at your own leisurely pace (it runs through the Old Town, surrounded by the Walls of Drubrovnik). It becomes the backdrop for some of the finest musical performances of the season, culminating in a grand finale on January 6th.
Children can partake in winter wonderland-themed activities, such as the North Pole station in Lazareti and the vibrant Winter in the Bay of Lapad which features a train and ice-skating rink, and a variety of activities in Mokošica, the city's largest settlement. The highlight is the special visit from the genuine Santa Claus, hailing all the way from Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland—Dubrovnik proudly marks his inaugural stop on his
As 2024 kicks off, it's time to plan some of the most mind-blowing adventures the world has to offer – using the opportunity to uncover new parts of yourself along the way.
Why not get the new year off to a great start by visiting Finland, often said to be the happiest country in the world. The country has an endless supply of amazing adventures tailored for every kind of traveler. The enchanting landscapes, teeming with thousands of lakes, millions of saunas, and a bounty of fresh, forest-inspired cuisine, provide a perfect backdrop for well-deserved rest and holistic wellbeing. Here’s a curated list of the best nine experiences in Finland to add to your travel bucket list for the upcoming year.
While the allure of popular tourist cities like London, Barcelona or Paris is undeniable, if you're seeking a destination less frequented by the masses, a more off-the-beaten-path adventure could be just what you're looking for. Here are six suggestions of lesser-known holiday spots.
From Venice to Athens, Europe’s most popular destinations are buckling under the weight of unsustainable tourist numbers.
In Strasbourg, France, throughout the holiday season, Santa-capped teddy bears festoon a restaurant’s facade. Stuffed polar bears adorn another. In a Yuletide arms race, buildings are affixed with giant, gift-wrapped packages, glittering white deer and oversize gingerbread men. Turning the central medieval quarter into a Christmas maze, curtains of lights glow above cobblestone lanes lined with food and gift stalls. And in the central Place Kléber, lights on a nearly 100-foot-tall Christmas tree flash and glow, synchronized to carols.
The city of Boston is equipped with a wealth of historic neighborhoods, with districts ranging from the dazzling Back Bay to the ultra-Italian North End—but the Bay State charm doesn’t end once you hit the edge of the waterfront. East of the city’s coastline, the waters of Boston Harbor are peppered with idyllic islands, many of which sport fascinating forts and scenic landscapes. During the warmer months, visitors are welcome to hop on a ferry and explore the region, but in the dead of winter, there’s one fascinating event that’s particularly suited for both local and visiting birders.
A new attraction: The Tower of Numérobis, a brand-new musical: C’EST DU DÉLIRE!, new characters, a new float for the Gaulish Parade… for 2024, Parc Astérix has a whole host of new attractions to surprise its visitors as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. C’EST DU DÉLIRE ! THE FIRST EVER GAULISH MUSICAL
Eurostar is back to running a full timetable of trains out of London, Paris and Brussels after a "last-minute strike" by French rail workers caused chaos Thursday.
Well, we got close, folks. However, it looks like a trouble-free year with only minor cancellations and delays for Christmas travel in Europe won't be happening after all.
Although it has been years since I’ve traveled in mesmerizing Tokyo, my memories are as vivid as though they had been sparked yesterday—pleasures aswirl in unique flavors and noises, creativity and ingenuity. So when luxury publisher Assouline released the new book Tokyo Chic, I dove into its 312 lush-paper-stock pages, with more than 200 photographs and illustrations, which are bound in an outsize (10-by-13-inches, 6.4-pound) format—a hefty hardcover wrapped in silk. The brainchild of Andrea Fazzari, whose deft imagery and words are love letters to the inimitable capital, Tokyo Chic showcases a massively enthralling—yet strikingly intimate—city. Currently based in Tokyo, Fazzari is a James Beard Award-winning photographer, author and restaurant maven with notable backgrounds in fashion and film. Born in New York City, she has lived in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain and Thailand—and speaks four languages. What a sophisticated guide to have at your armchair traveler’s fingertips! Indeed, this coffee table tome would make a treasured holiday gift for those who have already vacationed in Japan or simply dream of doing so.
When I was eight, Christmas was ballistically exciting and worth dragging my parents out of bed at 4am for. Over my 32 years since, a combination of atheism, credit card bills and John Lewis-branded Venus flytrap monsters has made me more cynical than excitable about the holiday.
When I first started covering the hotel industry years ago, you'd hear the insult that big brands like Marriott International and IHG Hotels & Resorts couldn't successfully own a luxury or lifestyle brand.