The new year is just around the corner and it’s time to start daydreaming about where we want to go next. There are plenty of lists floating around, touting things like the most tropical or most luxurious, but here’s the Travara roundup of the most underrated, best places to visit in 2024.
These are the spots that are heavy on nature, authenticity, culture and immersive experiences driven by the local makers, creatives and entrepreneurs creating change in their communities.
For Small Town Charm (and Wine): Visit Maribor, Slovenia
Maribor is a gem of a town in Europe’s greenest country, Slovenia. If we’re being honest though, the entire country of Slovenia is more than worth a visit in 2024 and beyond (although we’re hesitant to let the cat out of the bag on this one since we love it so much, just the way it is).
Located just over an hour northeast of Ljubljana, Maribor is in the heart of Slovenian wine country, surrounded by thermal springs. Minutes outside the city, Chateau Ramšak is the perfect base for exploring the area. Here, you can enjoy the low-impact luxuries of vineyard glamping and indulge in traditional fare from family recipes while seated around a communal fire pit.
If adventure calls your name, lose yourself in the treetops of the Pustolovski Park Betnava. Otherwise, explore the quaint town center where you can have a drink and listen to music at Gramofonoteka or peruse concept stores like In Situ that feature a blend of locally made and carefully curated goods (always our first choice when it comes to best places to shop when we visit a new spot).
For Food: Visit Durango, Mexico
We may be biased since it’s the birthplace of Travara’s founder, but Durango, Mexico (the capital city of the state of Durango) is a hidden diamond in the rough. Under two hours inland from Mázatlan, the non-touristic city with Spanish colonial roots offers an authentic visit if you really want to see how the locals live. You definitely won’t see any tour groups here, which actually makes it one of the best places to visit.
Eating is at the top of the list here. Whether you head straight to a local tortilleria to pick up a fresh batch of corn tortillas, try the breakfast machaca at Café de Olla or Maiz Pinto, tacos (al pastor, of course) from El Pastorcito or dinner in a former family home at Fonda de la Tía Chona (or Las Chonas as the locals call it), authentic Mexican food is all in a day’s order.
If you want to get out of the city, pick up traditional dishes from the family-owned and operated Cocina Sam and picnic at the foot of El Saltito waterfall before visiting Nombre de Dios (a Pueblo Mágico nearby) for an ice cream. Back in town, wind down after all the eating and sightseeing with a visit to Yoga Shala for an Iyengar yoga class taught by the globally trained owner.
For Culture & History: Visit Bratislava, Slovakia
Surprisingly, Bratislava has remained largely under the radar for American tourists. Nestled between Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Ukraine, Slovakian culture is a global mesh of culture and cuisine. Dedicate a few days to the city exploring the Old Town and the Castle, taking in a guided tour and show at the Slovak National Theatre.
Try authentic (and delicious) cuisine at Bratislava Flagship and Slovak Pub (the town’s largest pub). Owned by the same family, they make their own bread and cheese next door and have a farm just outside the city center. Owner Martina Hlinová is happy to provide behind the scenes tours if you reach out in advance!
For Volcanos and Indigenous Culture: Visit Quito, Ecuador
Quito can be an overwhelming city if you stick to the city center, so venture out and connect with nature. Get your bearings by taking the TelefériQo for a birds eye view of the urban sprawl. Ascend 3 microclimates in one of South America’s highest cable cars and hope for clear skies.
If you get them, behold a spectacular view of up to 8 volcanoes: Atacazo, Cayambe, Corazón, Ilinizas, Cotopaxi, Pasochoa, Rumiñahui and Antisana. Make sure you get a decadent Ecuadorian hot chocolate in the sky high cafe before making the return journey.
Enjoy a unique dining experience at URKO, an innovative restaurant whose cuisine is based on Raymi, the central word in Indigenous agricultural cycles. It means ‘celebration’ or ‘festivity,’ and the quarterly menu adapts to each stage of the year.
Get out of town by heading north towards Otavalo for the local market where you can chat with locals and pick up locally made souvenirs. A few minutes up the road, take the easy path to the Cascada de Peguche and enjoy the mist from the waterfall as you walk the lush riverbed.
For Wine and Art: Visit Garzón, Uruguay
While Garzón is a small village in southeast Uruguay mostly known for El Garzón, a boutique hotel and restaurant owned by Argentinean chef Francis Mallman, featuring wines by nearby winery Bodega Garzón. Nearly 130 years old, the town with roughly 200 inhabitants is also a thriving artist community.
Expat photographer Heidi Lender has called the area home for many years and founded Campo Garzón, a nonprofit creative institute supporting artists-as-changemakers by offering transformative experiences and art festivals. Art aficionados will also appreciate a visit to Garzón and exploring the Ruta de Arte, galleries and installations throughout the region.
We went for the wine, but fell in love with the community and its artisans, making Garzón what we think is one of the best places to visit as soon as possible.
For Culture: Visit Shikoku Island, Japan
One of the least-visited islands of Japan, Shikoku is home to one of the country’s most beautiful villages, Kamikatsu. Far from the bustling city life and neon lights of Tokyo, Kamikatsu has a fascinating heritage to share. With a tiny population (less than 1,500) of whom the majority is over 65 years old, Kamikatsu gained notoriety for going zero waste in 2003.
What’s more interesting, however, is the work being done by the team at INOW, who acts as a bridge between Kamikatsu and the world, connecting the new with the old. Given the ageing population, there’s a real possibility that the ways of life in this charming mountain village will soon disappear and lose cultural practices, landscapes and knowledge of things like rice farming and how to make local tea.
As soon as we learned about the work INOW was doing, we knew this would be one of the best places to visit in 2024 for an authentic visit to the Japanese countryside.
Future plans include repurposing abandoned farmhouses to create accommodations, making it easier to create authentic, immersive experiences where visitors can learn from Kamikatsu residents, while providing much needed revenue for the village.
For Waterfalls: Visit Rastoke, Croatia
It was named one of the UNWTO’s Best Villages for 2023, but we discovered it years ago and fell in love with the fairy tale village of Rastoke. It’s blink-or-you’ll-miss-it small, with water rushing through the village, creating mini waterfalls, rivers and rapids all throughout.
Located in Croatia’s Slunj region, Rastoke dates back to the 17th Century (likely earlier) and is heavy on the charm and waterfalls, minus the crowds from the neighboring Plitvice Lakes National Park (which is also stunning, but better left to the off-season).
Wander the town, pick up local handicrafts and souvenirs made from natural materials and local products at the Eko Ethno shop and xx. Enjoy lunch on the lovely flower rimmed terrace at the family-owned Bistro Kum.
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