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As promised, here’s the second half of my list of the 12 places to see in 2024, along with the best time to visit. Check out the first half of the list right here.
You’d think “What’s your favorite destination?” would be the question people ask me the most, but it’s not. I’ll share it with you at the end of the column.
July: Santiago, Chile
Chile has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, and there’s no better time to visit than during the middle of their winter. Some of the top resorts, such as Portillo, are only a short drive from Santiago. Even if you visit Chile during the summer, you can still look at the snow-capped Andes mountains and think about the world-class skiing in the Southern Hemisphere.
August: Seoul, South Korea
I know this is going to sound strange, but the best part of visiting Seoul was taking long walks in Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a 3-mile-long urban park that used to be an old railroad line. It takes you through some of Seoul’s famous neighborhoods, and you’ll find an almost endless variety of coffee shops and restaurants where you can stop and enjoy the view. Sure, there are irresistible cultural sites, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple. But I will always remember Seoul for its vibrant coffee-shop culture and friendly people.
September: Los Angeles
I returned to the States for a few weeks this fall. I stayed in Marina Del Rey, Calif., but spent some time along the beach in Venice and Santa Monica. And there’s one takeaway from talking to shopkeepers and tour operators. Early fall is really the best time to visit L.A. Hotel rates, particularly in touristy areas, tend to slip during the “shoulder” season. I love L.A. during the early fall, and if you find yourself near the beach, you should check out Santa Monica’s A Walk Through Pier History tour, which tells the backstory of this iconic attraction. And who doesn’t love an old merry-go-round?
October: Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, used to be known for its opium trade. Today, it’s all about tourism. Although the rainy season is over, it still isn’t too busy here, so you’ll practically have all the temples to yourself and can take long walks through the rainforest or along the rice fields without having to dodge busloads of visitors. There are elephants here, and there may be no better place to see them than at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which also offers dramatic views of the Ruak River and beyond it, Myanmar and Laos.
November: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Words fail me when trying to describe the experience of watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world. It’s a historic landmark of breathtaking scale that is being devoured by the jungle. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I probably never will again. Go to the main temple complex just before dawn and watch the sun come up. Getting to Siem Reap is much now easier thanks to a new international airport, and there is plenty to do in the city. But this destination is all about the temples. You’ll need at least three days to even get a sense of the scale of Angkor Wat, but it will be something you’ll never forget.
December: Hobart, Tasmania
There may be no better place to spend the end of the year than in Hobart, Australia. It is the peak of the Southern Hemisphere summer, and Hobart is one of the coolest Australian cities in which to enjoy it. You can watch the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from the suburb of Battery Point or catch the ferry out to the Museum of Old and New Art to see one of the most bizarre art museums in the world. If you can get out of town, check out Cradle Mountain and visit with the Tasmanian devils at Devils@Cradle Sanctuary.
So is there an answer to the question, “What’s your favorite destination?” With so many places to see, I can’t pick just one favorite. I love all these places.
And yet, this isn’t the most frequently asked question. My friends have stopped asking me how I am; now they ask me where I am. Given the fact that I don’t have a permanent home, it’s a fair question.
So where am I now? Santiago, Chile, for the next few days, and then headed to Uruguay. By the way, you can follow all of my adventures and catch my podcast on my free newsletter, Elliott Confidential. I can’t wait to see where else 2024 takes me. If you have any South American destinations you’d like to recommend, please send me an email. (I’m at chris@elliott.org.) I’d love to hear from you.