At Deep Travel Magazine, we are asking our writers to tell our readers their top destinations they have visited in 2024. Our writers have travelled from as far as New York to Brazil to give you their top picks of the past year.

Deep Travel Writers Top 2024 Destinations

New York – Tyla Fergusson-Platt

This year I was lucky enough to visit, what feels like the centre of the world, New York City. Although famous and well traversed, it always feels to me like a city that is completely unique, containing within it a never-ending depth of exploration. My focus of the trip was to visit famous film related locations, more specifically Martin Scorsese movies of whom I am an uber-fan. The deeper you go, the clearer you realise how much cultural history there is held there. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The Godfather, the Big Apple has been home to film classics from the very early days of cinema.

If you are visiting on a budget, January is the best time to go, with return flights as low as £300 from the UK. For accommodation look no further than HI New York City Hostel. I found a bed in a shared dorm for £20 a night and it was possibly the best hostel I have ever stayed at. It is clean and spacious with a friendly, diverse range of travellers. The central location is also a plus, situated on Amsterdam Avenue, a stones throw away from Central Park.

Egypt – Valentina Pucciano

Bustling cities, ancient temples, and a mystical atmosphere. That’s what Egypt offered me during my trip, which I am very grateful for. I finally managed to visit the ‘Gift of the Nile’ back in March. The Valley of the Kings has been one of the highlights of my trip, allowing me to unleash the Indiana Jones, or Lara Croft, inside me. The tomb of Tutankhamun and Ramses IV was an astonishing discovery that made me realize, partially, how Howard Carter must have felt when in front of the sealed doorway. The walls are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology revealing afterlife beliefs and rituals. Definitely a place to visit.

Venice – Louie Amos

This was my first time spending a few days exploring a floating island, and I was in admiration of Venice and what it had to offer. Venice was filled with wondrous food and drink places and an enriching history that extensively educated me. This was especially true when strolling through its former Jewish Ghetto, dubbed the oldest in history.

Not only was this my first time visiting Venice, but it was also my first time in Italy. I will never forget the first time I sampled the most delicious pizza I’ve ever had in my life (and I am a big pizza fan). My first brush with the genuine authenticity of Italian cuisine. I certainly hope to return for another venture in Italy, wherever this may be… And maybe visit Venice to take in its true beauty once again.

Brazil – Rhyia Clark

From the small beachtown paradises of Ubatuba and Itacare to the vibrant metropolises of Rio and Belo Horizonte; Brazil has everything you’d want from a tropical holiday. Waterfalls, beaches, mountains, jungles, wetlands and greenlands make up the biggest country in South America. 

Learn Samba on the street while sipping Caiprinhas, play footvolley on the famous sands of Copacabana, immerse yourself in Salvador’s rich history, surf at Itacare’s secret beach, trek through the Amazon Rainforest or fly around Christ the Redeemer on a tricycle… 

As much as the local towns left me in awe, I’m a sucker for Rio de Janeiro. The surrounding mountains and 90+ beaches are a blissful contrast to the urban sprawl that I just couldn’t get enough of. 

Rio is Heaven in both senses of the word. I tried as many near-death activities as I could squeeze in. I took on Rio’s hardest hike, Pedra de Gavea, so I could hang my legs over one of the highest peaks in the city. I helicoptered over the Vidigal favelas and saw the magnificent ‘Christo’ projecting through the clouds. But if that wasn’t enough, I did indeed circle this Wonder of the World on a tricycle with a tiny engine and a parachute clipped onto the back. It’s the closest you can get to the statue, but might get you arrested. 

Sitges, Spain – Andrea Tode

This year I had the chance to go to Sitges, a coastal town in Catalonia, Spain. Only 35 kilometres from Barcelona, it is a train ride or two away from almost any city. The town is famous for its idyllic beaches, world-famous festivals and LGBT+-friendly community. The town has maintained its beautiful, historic buildings so that one would expect my family and I to run into some trouble while travelling with my disabled cousin, who uses a wheelchair.

The town’s size and overwhelmingly kind and helpful locals, however, made it relatively easy to move around as a unit. Some events to look out for include the Sitges Film Festival, which takes place every October, and its month-long Pride celebrations, which include parties, marches, concerts, and drag shows. I must, of course, mention Sitges’ world-famous festival, which takes place in early to mid-February, and includes over 40 parade floats and 250,000 participants.

Known as one of the 10 best carnivals in the world, the festivities are a week of colour, culture and delight, with extravagant costumes, and decorations. For those attending any other time of the year, there is still plenty to see, from awe-inspiring churches and hikes to perfect, warm beaches, which come in the nudist variety for those interested. There truly is something for everyone in this blissful seashore town.

Happy New Year from everyone at Deep Travel Magazine!

Deep Travel Magazine Social, December 2024