Pack more: My 7 new rules of travel for 2024

Make 2024 your best year of travel and adventure with these top tips.

Another year, another dollop of resolution guilt. You know, where you chart back what you intended to do during 2023 and realise you are nothing but a disappointment to yourself. Did I shift those stubborn three kilos? I did not. Did I become fluent in French? Mais non. Did I take up yoga? I… did, actually, and it’s really good. Shanti!

However, this time last year I also penned a list of travel resolutions. And I’m happy to report I stuck to most of them. I vowed to travel smarter and more often, which I did. I discovered new destinations – a corner of northern Portugal that was cheaper, cooler and less crowded than the rest of Europe. And, as pledged, I returned to my happy place, France.

So, although I’m tempted to make my 2024 travel-resolutions list read “ditto 2023”, that’s not very adventurous. If I have learned anything, it’s to make resolutions simple and achievable, so here’s my new list of must-dos even a fool could keep. By which I mean me.

1 . Plan that dream trip

No more “one day I’ll go to…” – “one day” is today. If lockdown taught us anything,              it’s not to delay travel lest circumstances delay it for us. It doesn’t mean you have to actually take the big trip this year; just plan when you are going to do so and give yourself something to aim for.

I want to take my family from Britain, where we’re based, back to Australia and the US, to see family and friends. So this year I’m going to work out a timeline and budget for what has become an increasingly expensive journey. I may not do it in 2024, but I’ll commit to a date.

Is there somewhere you have always wanted to go? Then work out how to take the first steps towards making it happen. I’m not alone in having the past few years full of trials and tragedies, but they have shown, once again, life is way too short to long for something.

Now's the time to plan your bucket-list holiday.

2. Avoid the crowds

With overtourism again becoming a problem as people return to holidaying at pre-pandemic levels, it’s another reason to travel mindfully. In 2023, I managed to minimise the stress by choosing European locations away from the hordes, going for less-visited regions and travelling off-peak. By doing so, I avoided both a heatwave, overtourism and price hikes.

Going “far from the madding crowd” is a hardy resolution I’m sticking with. My advice is to visit popular locations in the shoulder period, or off-season, and choose destination dupes or up-and-coming areas in peak times.

Timing is everything if you want to avoid crowds at the beach.

3. Embrace the mini break

It has been proven that having a trip or treat – no matter how small – to  look forward to is good for your mental health. So that’s what I’m doing this year. When I get back from one excursion, I’ll book another, even if it’s just a night in a hotel.

Lift your spirits and take that mini-break, family time, beach trip or weekend away. Fill your diary and your soul.

I’m not alone – according to Escape’s recent survey, the trend for more-frequent, shorter trips is only going to increase in 2024 as Aussies juggle their budgets and look for last-minute getaways.

Short getaways close to home are high on the agenda.

4 .  Get insurance

Nobody wants to be the subject of a GoFundMe campaign, because they were flung off a moped in Bali and didn’t have insurance. Buy annual cover or a single-trip insurance as soon as you book your ticket to ensure that if you have to cancel before you fly – which I did in 2022 – you won’t lose out.

Upgrade yourself to a more comfortable pair of pants.

5. Equip yourself with travelling pants

This year I’m resolving to buy some truly comfortable clothes to travel in. I will own a cruise collection, wafty beach caftans, perfect walking shoes and something – anything – waterproof.

Travelling light and having kids don't mix.

6. Pack enough for children

It’s great to take a capsule wardrobe for yourself and triumphantly cram it in a cabin bag, but forget it if you happen to have children. Learn from my mistake – I will never again try to travel light with my kids. My misguided decision to pack four outfits per child on our holiday to Portugal, gaily saying, “I always take too much anyway,” went wrong on day two when they all ran out of undies.

Solo getaways are on the rise as more travellers opt to go their own way.

7.  Go solo

As a travel writer, I often have to make short trips on my own. And I love it. Staying solo in a hotel means you can do as you please – take a long bath, have a spa treatment, watch movies in bed.

It’s a great way to reset and come back to a busy home and work life refreshed. It’s also a trend that is predicted to increase in 2024 – Escape’s research shows more people are taking trips on their own, or as part of small groups of solo travellers. Do it!

Originally published as Pack more: My 7 new rules of travel for 2024