12 holiday ideas for early 2024, from flowers in Japan and Athens, to snow polo, scenic trains, safari, skiing and whales.
These are our top picks for a different kind of holiday, from January to May 2024.
Snow Polo in St Moritz
The world’s only polo competition on the snow is 26th – 28th January on the frozen Lake St Moritz.
VIP packages are still available and it’s a very social festival, with various post-polo events in the resort’s best hotels. Of course you will have a huge ski resort to enjoy as well.
Badrutt’s Palace hosts the Saturday night black tie dinner, but for families we suggest a ski-in ski-out chalet at Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski.
Angama Safari in Kenya
January to March is a hugely underrated time for a safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Amboseli. There are far fewer people, but almost all the wildlife is the same year round.
Spring is when the landscape is driest, so it’s easiest to spot elusive animals.
This “low” season is also great value. We suggest starting with three days among the elephants at the new Angama Amboseli, then five days at Angama Mara.
These design-led safari properties are perfect if it’s your first-time safari because they offers many activities beyond game drives. They’re great safari properties for children too.
Spring in the Maldives
Spring in the Maldives is always a good idea. Actually it’s been the most popular spring holiday for our clients, in each of the last three years.
Patina Maldives is our favourite right now, a fun and fresh perspective on an Indian Ocean private island resort.
But…opening January 10th will be Soneva Secret. Will you be one of the first to experience this hyper-exclusive island of only 14 villas? It’s located some 320 kilometres north of Male island in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
Sustainable Scenic Rail Adventure in Switzerland
Savour a panoramic journey through the glory of the Swiss Alps. Wait, why not savour five panoramic journeys through the whitened Swiss mountains?
The Glacier Express is well known, but the grand train tour of Switzerland covers 1,280 kilometres on five panoramic trains.
Like the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express also has the exclusive Excellence Class carriages. It leaves from St Moritz, crosses to Italy, then will get you back in time for a snow polo party.
Skiing & Wellness in Italian Dolomites
Sublime skiing and world-leading wellness, in a destination that’s driveable from Prague.
The secret of the Italian Dolomites is now well known, not least because it has a headline destination in our recent Explorer IV magazine.
Forestis Dolomites is always a good choice for couples wanting to combine skiing and wellness. Naturhotel Forsthofgut in Leogang is a little known gem we love for families.
Nepal’s Trekking Season
Spring is the time to explore the Himalayas in Nepal, after the frozen winter and before the monsoon. It’s the country’s main trekking season, with ideal conditions for any of the mountain regions.
Are you in for a trekking expedition to Everest? Or perhaps a week exploring Nepal by helicopter and scenic flights?
We are in love with the new Shinta Mani Mustang hotel, by renowned hotel designer Bill Bensley. It’s bringing genuine five-star luxury to the Mustang region, which was previously off bounds to tourists.
The Aurora in Lapland
Lapland is a remote wilderness adventure a lot closer to home than Nepal. February and March are excellent times to witness the aurora, after the cloudy and snowy weather of mid winter.
Perhaps you want to go dog sledding across a frozen lake in search of the northern lights? Or travelling by reindeer sled or snowmobile?
If the aurora is your travel dream we recommend staying in a glass igloo. It’s not only a warmer place to watch the sky, you have so much more time beneath the sky, thereby increasing your chances.
Spring Bloom in Athens
Ask almost anyone from Athens and they’ll tell you the best time to visit is spring. Firstly, it’s before the summer heat and crowds.
Secondly it’s because of the flowers. First poppies and daisies around some of the ancient monuments from early March. Which means jasmine and bougainvillea will soon start covering the neighbourhoods.
And for us, it’s chance to be one of the first at two exciting new properties. One&Only Aesthesis just opened on the Athens Riviera and One&Only Kea Island opens in April.
Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Season in Japan
The world’s most famous bloom, a dazzling show of pinkish hues and social activity, all across Japan.
Timing a visit is challenging as the blooms only last for around two weeks in each place. The last week in March and first week in April are generally the safest bets.
Japanese people throng the parks and streets, enjoying picnics beneath the trees. You’ll be invited, so it’s a great time to meet the normally reserved and bashful local people.
Venice Biennial
The art world turns to Venice from April 17th to April 19th, when a series of exclusive pre-opening shows precede the Venice Biennial.
Renowned glass artist Rony Plesl and his curator Lucie Drdová created the installation Trees Grow From the Sky for the 2022 Venice Biennial, inside the Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione.
We’re developing a special itinerary for our clients to access the 2024 pre-opening parties on an art-based stay in Venice.
Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix (and Monaco GP) May
Monaco brings the glitz and glamour on the Grand Prix circuit, even if this mantle is being challenged by the new Las Vegas race. We have some final VIP packages available, 23rd – 26th May.
Our other tip for racing fans is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend, 17th – 19th May. (Yes, we know 2023 was a wash out but surely lightning won’t strike twice!)
The Imola Circuit is officially called Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, so you know which colours to wear for this weekend of passion and noise.
Whale Watching in the Azores
The Azores is probably the best place in the world for whale watching, certainly the best place with a direct flight from Prague.
There are 81 whale and dolphin species in the entire world and you can see 28 of them in the Azores.
April and May are the best months for whale watching. Sperm whales are year-round residents, along with bottlenose and common dolphins. Blue, fin and sei whales migrate through here in spring, 20 – 30 metre giants in the water besides you.
What Will You Discover in Spring?
What’s your holiday idea in spring? What’s the experience you’ve dreamed about for a lifetime?
We’re here to help you with that.
