It’s that time of year again—when we look back, reflect, and celebrate the best of 2024. So, you can forget Spotify Wrapped (for now), as we’ve got your 2024 Adventures, Wrapped. That’s right, we’ve taken a look and rounded up five of your favourite trips this year, based on our data and your feedback, and we’ve got to admit each one is a chart-topper. Whether it’s cycling past glistening rice terraces in Vietnam, spotting scarlet macaws and three-toed sloths in the Costa Rican rainforest or tucking into fresh cannoli on a food tour in Sicily, these adventures have clearly struck a chord with our travelling community – and we’re here to tell you why. So, kick back, relax and read on as we revisit this year’s best travel hits – voted by you.
1. Cycling Vietnam
Customers consistently rave about our Cycling Vietnam trip – and for good reason. This itinerary aims to strike the perfect balance of sightseeing, cycling and deeper cultural immersion into the wonders of Vietnam. Riders on our trips have particularly enjoyed the challenge of tackling the rewarding Hai Van Pass (1,903ft/580m) and going off the tourist trail past coffee plantations forests through the lush central highlands.
Some travellers were also keen to praise their expert local cycling leaders, like our Exodus customer, Wendy Tomes, “We have been to Vietnam before, but this time felt we saw so much more by doing it in a group with a guide”. Vasiliki Ntavlourou echoed Wendy’s review by adding, “Vietnam exceeded all my expectations! It was perfectly organised, so we saw both the modern and traditional sides of Vietnam. We also had the best support team on our cycling days. Words cannot express my gratitude to our amazing team of leaders, mechanics and supportive staff. Chi Nguyen, your kindness, calmness, confidence, knowledge, and talent were impressive!”
Exodus customer, Paul Manning, explained how encounters with the locals along our cycling route enhanced his experience. “It was a great way to see the real Vietnam and watch the ultra-friendly Vietnamese people go about their daily lives. We saw weddings, various foods being farmed, people carrying multiple double mattresses on mopeds and had children high fiving us as we cycled past or as they went past on scooters! It’s a fairly busy itinerary but we had a fabulous time on this trip”.
2. Discover Costa Rica
It comes as no surprise that our Discover Costa Rica made it to your top five in 2024, as it continues to be one of our most-loved adventures, year in and year out! Customers were undoubtedly keen to shout about their incredible wildlife experiences. Lisa Whitehouse said, “This proved to be a memorable trip, for all the right reasons! The wildlife is extraordinary. Point a camera in any direction and you will capture something wonderful”. Ivan Pinto agreed by saying, “You do not even need to leave the lodge premises to experience the wildlife. We saw sloths, iguanas, coatis, agoutis, monkeys, armadillos, frogs, lizards, bats, toucans, motmot, hummingbirds, quetzals and zillions of other colourful birds all in the gardens of lodges and hotels we stayed in. It was wonderful to go to sleep with the sound of nature as a backdrop”.
Others commended this action-packed itinerary for covering the country’s incredibly diverse landscapes in 15 days, where they got to explore lush cloud forests and mangroves to volcanic lava fields and secluded beaches dotting the Pacific Coast. Travellers also lauded our local guides for their encyclopaedic knowledge of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna. Customer, Cliff Dean, commented, “At home, I instantly and unconsciously recognise every bird call whereas in Costa Rica, I was back to being a complete beginner, unable even to guess what kind of bird was making each sound. However, with Glenda’s help, I was able by the end of the trip, to differentiate quite a few, enriching the experience. My favourite bird songs were the Montezuma Oropendula and the Black-faced Solitaire”.
Some were keen to highlight their stays at our eco-lodges, which they said further enhanced their adventure. Peter Sergejewich explained, “The two-night stay in each location worked out perfectly. The eco accommodations were top notch and not detached from nature like a 4-star hotel would be.” Christian Pulham said, “The various eco-lodges certainly fitted the focus of the trip, helping you to feel completely immersed in the forest.”
3. Walking in Andalucia
Our Walking in Andalucia itinerary continues to be another firm favourite with customers. The general consensus among travellers praised the breathtaking hiking routes, the incredible cuisine, our wonderful leaders and the welcoming accommodation at Cortijo Rosari, a charming, converted farmhouse set amidst olive groves. Many were keen to highlight the diverse daily walks through the Andalusian countryside, exploring whitewashed villages like Algámitas and Setenil de las Bodegas, and enjoying panoramic views from the hilltops. Others loved the cultural visits to Ronda, famous for its dramatic gorge and historic bridge, and Seville, with its iconic landmarks, including the Seville Cathedral and the Moorish Alcázar.
Exodus customer, Chris Warren, explained that some key highlights for him included, “the Sierra de Grazalema scenery, the white village of Sentenil with its cliff houses and kestrels, and the Caminito del Rey”. While Paul Robinson said one of his favourite parts of the trek was “the spectacular walk down the gorge at the Walk of the Kings at Caminito del Rey.” Both were also keen to comment on their guide’s expertise, with Paul saying, “his knowledge of all things fauna, ornithological, geological and historic was as impressive as it was compelling”. Another Exodus customer, Martin Samuels, went as far as to say that his guide, Michael, “was a real polymath, who provided the perfect amount of guidance, with superb local knowledge. Nothing seemed too much for Michael to ensure we felt safe, at home and well-provided for”.
Many travellers’ experiences were enhanced even further by the welcoming staff at Cortijo Rosario, who prepared fresh meals paired with regional wines. Sue Murdoch explained, “We had the friendliest service at Cortijo Rosario – and top-quality food at the end of each day”. Michael Britton agreed, commenting, “The hotel was in a beautiful location with stunning views. It was well-maintained and clean, and we had a lovely room with a balcony. The dinners were delicious, especially the paella on the last night. The lunchtime baguettes were also excellent.”
4. Treasures of Sicily
Customers who headed out on our Treasures of Sicily praised our expert local leaders and our well-thought-out itinerary for bringing Sicily’s wealth of historical sites to life. With visits to archaeological treasures at Syracuse, Agrigento, and Selinunte, our groups also have time to explore the breathtaking Baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa as well. Many appreciated their leader’s insights into historical monuments and local customs. Customers also unanimously loved the treks around Mount Etna and the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Another notable highlight for many involved trying traditional Sicilian delicacies at local eateries in Palermo’s food market and the wine and cheese tasting experience in a wine cellar near the base of Mount Etna, which we include on day two.
Maria Ramos summed up her experience by saying, “What a wonderful week offering a great overview of Sicily, its culture, history and people, not to mention the delicious food and pastries! We packed so much into the week, there is always something new and unexpected, with each day having its particular wow factor!” Another Exodus customer, Michael Ford was also impressed by the number of wonderful sites covered in this eight-day trip. “As always with Exodus, this trip offered a maximum of content with an economy of time. The stunning natural beauty of the Zingaro National Reserve contrasts with the man-made splendour of Noto which we saw in the golden light just before sunset. The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento and the Greek theatre at Segesta were pure magic.”
Influenced by Greek, Arab, and Norman traditions, Sicilian cuisine is in a league of its own, with signature dishes like caponata and pasta alla Norma delighting customers, who have plenty of opportunities to try these classic delicacies, alongside fresh cannolis in the famous Palermo food markets on this trip. Traveller, Valerie Berry said, “The food and wine were of course splendid wherever we went”. While Meiling Aw commented that the trip allowed her to sample, “the best seafood, wine and coffee in charismatic historical towns dotted all around the island”, making it “an adventure to write home about”.
5. Cape Town & the Garden Route
South Africa is a place that’s on many people’s bucket lists and we’re delighted to hear that our customers love our Cape Town & the Garden Route itinerary. Offering a perfect mix of wildlife, adventure and culture, travellers particularly enjoyed the safari game drive in Addo Elephant National Park; the walk through Tsitsikamma National Park; the visit to Boulder’s Beach to see its resident penguins and the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. The wine tasting in Stellenbosch is another key highlight for many, as this experience offers travellers a chance to sample world-class wines in stunning vineyard settings.
Solo traveller, Anne Parkins, shared a glowing review of her experience and said, “This was an amazing trip on so many levels. I’ve come back feeling energised, invigorated and really sad to leave – which is a testament to a great holiday! I was travelling on my own and felt a bit apprehensive, but I needn’t have been. My group were so welcoming and friendly. We got to know each other quite quickly and had such a laugh together. We’re even hoping to meet up again in the New Year.” One couple, Caroline and Chris C, who were also new to guided group travel summed up their trip by saying, “It was our first group experience, and I was relieved to find I loved it! We were dining like houseguests in beautiful homes, waterfall swimming, braai eating and laughing every day.”
When it came to wildlife viewing, Aarthi G explained “We saw so much wildlife at the Addo Elephant National Park– elephants, rhinos, lions, hippos, giraffes, water buffalo, all sorts of ruminants”. Catryn Scantlebury was also keen to share her once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience with us too, “Whale watching off the shoreline in Hermanus was truly one of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. There were so many whales congregated in the same place breaching and teaching their young to strengthen their fins before heading across to Antarctica to feed.”
So, there you have it. If you’ve yet to experience one of these top five trips for 2024 – why not book a spot on one of our highly-rated adventures next year? Or view our full range of adventures here.
