Everything You Need to Have an Epic Travel Year

“I’ve never thought much about Estonia. And I’ve certainly never thought about its bogs. But after recording this episode—an exploration of AFAR’s ‘Where to Go in 2024’ list—I had such a hankering to not only visit but also hike across a bog, of all things. Estonia is just one of 25 inspiring places on the list—and in this episode I geek out about them all with the three AFAR editors who put it together. Listen and you, too, might find your Estonia.” -Aislyn Greene

AG: “It’s a noisy, noisy world, and sometimes all you want is a moment of quiet. In this episode of The Wild podcast, I love that host Chris Morgan explored the power of silence and places to experience it—places like Olympic National park in Washington, which is one of my favorite spots on the planet.”

AG: “Overtourism—or overcrowding in popular travel destinations—has been a hot topic these past few years, especially as we emerged from the pandemic and everyone was traveling everywhere. So I’ve appreciated seeing more and more attention on places that aren’t the biggies. Places like Albania, North Carolina, and Fukui, Japan, (hello, gorgeous).”

AG: “I’ll take any excuse to revisit New Orleans, especially to eat, so this Saveur ode to Italian food in the city caught my eye. I want to eat BBQ shrimp at Pascal’s Manale and fried oysters and Casamento’s. And at Adolfo’s, over garlicky linguine I want to ‘fall in love with New Orleans and its strange magic all over again.’”

AG: “Aw, Samantha Brown. She’s just so chipper and friendly and passionate—her PBS show, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, is like a dip in the ocean on a hot day. So refreshing! Plus, I always learn something. Like where to find Melbourne’s hidden murals and the best diner food along Route 66.”

AG: “While I respect those who drool over Icon of the Seas, AKA the world’s largest cruise ship, you couldn’t pay me to set foot on that monstrosity. I do, however, like smaller cruises, especially ones that really know how to get you beyond the port towns. Which was why I was so delighted to interview Fran Golden, a cruise expert who’s been on more than 170 cruises, and has literally written books on the topic, and get her take on where, why, and how to cruise in 2024.”

AG: “OK, so Icon of the Seas isn’t my vibe. But this 80-day, 13-country, $114,000 journey is absolutely a yes in my mind. I mean luxury hotels, luxury trains, no-waiting-in lines in places like Turkey and South Africa? Sign me up—once I win the lottery.”