New Year, New Me? These top traveller trips will help you stick to your 2024 goals

As a new year kicks in, we all tend to dive into fresh goals and enforce better habits. But let’s face it, the buzz and excitement often fizzle out faster than we expect.  Failing to uphold New Year’s resolutions is a widespread experience and even has an unofficial date – “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” on January 17.

To help combat January blues and motivate the nation to keep up their New Year resolutions, we reveal our top list of getaways that will not only provide a welcomed escape from the January hustle and bustle, but can also support your goals.

Resolution 1: Be more active

Cycling in Mallorca (credit: It Mallorca Unique Spaces)

Being more active and improving physical health is perhaps one of the most popular resolutions. Many of us commit to fitness challenges or sign up to the gym. But travelling can be a great way to stay active without getting bored of the same routines.

Mallorca has some of the most beautiful and exciting hiking trails in Europe. Hotel Valldemossa, opening in February 2024, will be the ideal hotel base from which to experience Mallorca’s hiking routes. The manor house is nestled in the Sierra de Tramuntana – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and has partnered with local hiking guide, Martin Bestard,  to offer guests the opportunity to explore the area from a different – and more picturesque – perspective.

With more than 10,000 kilometres of marked trails, Slovenia is another great hiking destination. The best way to experience the diverse landscape of the country, from mountain peaks to the coast, from plains to steep slopes are the picturesque long-distance trails. There’s something for everyone: adrenalin-inducing peak climbs, family-friendly valley walks, and stunning hikes to lakes, waterfalls and mountains. For keen hikers, why not try the Alpe Adria Trail – a 750km walk from the Alps to the Adriatic sea, crossing three countries – Slovenia, Austria and Italy.

Speaking of mountains, Switzerland’s Lausanne has been the Olympic Capital and home to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for over 100 years, making it a great location for an active holiday. You can swim in Lake Geneva, test your speed against Usain Bolt at The Olympic Museum,  hike the surrounding mountains or discover the city by bike – the options for activities are endless.

Hotel Valldemossa: From €330 (approx. £290) per room per night. For further information please visit www.valldemossahotel.com/en/ 

Mallorca: For further information on Mallorca please visit https://fundaciomallorcaturisme.net/en/

Slovenia: For further information on Slovenia please visit www.slovenia.info/en.

Lausanne: For further information on Lausanne please visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/

Resolution 2: Take time for self-care

Cape of Senses outdoor pool (credit: Cape of Senses)

The new year is the perfect time to take care of yourself and focus on some well-deserved ‘me’ time.  To commit to a full detox, travellers should opt for Lanserhof Sylt’s Cure Classic programme which combines cutting-edge diagnostics with natural healing methods, resulting in guests regaining lost energy, drawing new strength, filling any voids and helping guests to achieve healthier, happier lives.

Just in time for the new year, adults-only spa hideaway in Lake Garda, Cape of Senses, has launched their ‘Discover True Wellbeing’ package, including five restorative and purifying treatments from a deep tissue massage, traditional Senses Pinda ritual to back massage and reflexology. Guests are invited to unwind in the 2,000sqm Senses Spa with an extensive range of facilities including an indoor, outdoor infinity pool, a sauna, fitness area and relaxation rooms.

Lanserhof Sylt: from €6,400 per person based on the Lanserhof Cure Classic, including 7-nights accommodation. For more information visit  https://lanserhof.com/en/lanserhof-sylt/.

Cape of Senses: Total cost for five nights for two people 3990,00 € (£3,448.86) including breakfast. Available on all bookable days. For more information on Cape of Senses, please visit: www.capeofsenses.com/en.

Resolution 3: Learn a new skill or hobby

Fly fishing at Schloss Roxburghe (credit: Schloss Roxburghe)

Learning a new hobby, especially as an adult, can be daunting, but many hotels make trying a new skill easier. Sensoria, located at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, offers its guests a chance to try out horse riding. Available to book as a group, or as a romantic couple’s session, the experience allows guests to create lasting memories and give a new hobby a go at the same time.

Another hotel with activities at its core is the SCHLOSS Roxburghe. Making guests feel comfortable trying these new skills is important to the hotel and the instructors, which includes former World Team Spey Casting Champion, Eoin Fairgrieve. Guests can enjoy a round of golf on the Championship Course, fly fishing on the river or Trout Loch, archery and country sports including Clay Pigeon Shooting, with 10 new traps available at the newly refurbished Shooting Centre.

Sensoria: 7  nights from €2308.00 per person incl. all-day inclusive package. Bookable all year round. For more information about Sensoria Dolomites, please visit: www.sensoriadolomites.com.

Schloss Roxburghe: Doubles from £181 per night. For more information about Schloss Roxburghe, please visit https://schlosshotel-roxburghe.com/en/home.

Resolution 4: Travel more by train/more responsibly

Vienna (credit: Maximilian Jähnichen via Pexels)

For a greener 2024, travelling by train is a must. Vienna is one of Europe’s cities that is easily accessible by train from London – jump on a Eurostar to Paris and take a sleeper train to the Austrian capital. With Bridgerton Season 3 hitting Netflix in May 2024, travellers heading to the city of music between January and March will be able to get into the Bridgerton lifestyle by attending one of Vienna’s balls during its ballroom season.

Another way to travel in a more eco-friendly way is to focus on the local communities when exploring new destinations. TravelLocal is a tailor-made holiday platform based in the UK and Germany. Unlike other holiday providers, it connects travellers directly with handpicked local travel operators in their chosen destination, to provide a truly unforgettable holiday experience. TravelLocal offers 100 destinations worldwide, including Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Vietnam, South Africa and Greece. Over 50,000 travellers have booked through the site to date. It directly employs over 1,200 locals worldwide.

Vienna: For further information on Vienna, please visit https://www.wien.info/en.

TravelLocal: For further information on TravelLocal, please visit https://www.travellocal.com/en-gb.

Resolution 5: Spend more time with loved ones

Perfect Stays property (credit: Perfect Stays)

When everyone is so busy, it can be hard to carve out time with your nearest and dearest. For 2024, booking a multi-gen holiday with your family is the perfect way to make memories together. Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, design their properties with families in mind, and each hotel comes with a baby concierge service, kids’ clubs, and a variety of family-friendly accommodation options. The newest Martinhal hotel, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, has a range of accommodation options from luxury studios to 3-bedroom apartments, making it ideal for a multi-gen family stay inLisbon’s cool Park of Nations. The New Year Lisbon Oriente’s 1001 Nights package, includes dining at Terrace restaurant where children under 12 eat for half price, and children under 5 eat for free.

Want to enjoy a staycation with family or friends? Perfect Stays is a luxury holiday rental company specialising in spectacular holiday homes in beautiful locations across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. From stunning contemporary houses to waterside retreats and countryside cottages, all feature five-star facilities like private swimming pools and games rooms. Perfect Stays ensures that guests are matched to their perfect hand-picked home that best suits their needs and holiday. Through a tailored approach and inclusive concierge service, their team of local experts can craft a personalised itinerary for the duration of your stay.

Martinhal: For further information on Martinhal Family Hotel & Resorts, please visit https://www.martinhal.com/.

Perfect Stays: For further information on Perfect Stays, please visit https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/.

Resolution 6: Expand your palate

Forest Cuisine from FORESTIS (credit: FORESTIS)

Another popular resolution is to expand your palate and a great way to do this is to travel to new destinations. In September 2024, food and music festival, Chefs on Fire, will return to the stunning town of Cascais, Portugal for its fifth edition. Each day of the festival  will see 10 culinary maestros showcasing their artistry over open flames by cooking exclusively with fire, smoke and firewood, around the fire pit, turning the simplest of ingredients into masterpieces of flavour. From South-East Asian inspired food to traditional Portuguese cuisine, there will be no shortage of choice when it comes to trying something new.

For a one-of-a-kind culinary experience, book a stay at FORESTIS. A new 7-course menu is curated every day so there are always new flavours to explore. Chef Roland’s ‘Forest Cuisine’ dining experience uses foraged ingredients in the most creative and delicious way to combine Mediterranean cuisine with Alpine ingredients –  from the spruce sprouts with their subtle citrus notes to the wide variety of local mushrooms and aromatic wild herbs.

Cascais: For further information on Cascais, please visit https://www.visitcascais.com/en.

FORESTIS: prices start from 720 euros per night. For more information, please visit https://www.forestis.it/en.

Resolution 7: Visit a new destination

Leipzig (credit: Leipzig Travel)

Skyscanner’s 2024 trending destinations based on search and booking data, included Leipzig amongst its top destinations for 2024, with an incredible 545% increase in searches. Previously UK visitors had to fly into Berlin and get the train to Leipzig, but a new flight route from Stansted Airport with Ryanair earlier this year has made this city more accessible than ever. Leipzig, the vibrant gem often hailed as “The New Berlin”, blends history, a thriving creative scene, and off-the-beaten-path allure. It stands as a compelling testament to Germany’s unyielding spirit of innovation and artistic expression.

However, if you are looking to travel to faraway places, Selective Asia offers meaningful holidays to destinations across Asia. The B Corp-certified company focuses on understanding little cultural nuances, feeling the destination’s rhythm and learning how (and when) to see the highlights from fresh perspectives. They ensure that travellers minimise their contribution to over-tourism and, in turn, enhance their experience. Mix with the locals at a tsechu in Bhutan, experience close encounters with orangutans in the rainforest in Indonesia or visit 10th-century city ruins in Sri Lanka – Selective Asia has an exciting trip waiting for every traveller.

Leipzig: For further information on Leipzig, please visit https://www.leipzig.travel/en/.

Selective Asia: For further information on Selective Asia, please visit https://www.selectiveasia.com/.