Catching the travel bug is easy, but what follows next is usually far from it. Booking a plethora of flights, bookmarking the best hotels, and crafting complex itineraries so you don’t miss any must-visit destinations can feel like a lot of work for what is supposed to be a relaxing holiday. The solution? Have luxury tour operator Carrier on hand to take the stress out of planning your bespoke getaway.

Carrier’s 40-year legacy is grounded in an ethos that travel should be about unforgettable experiences rather than just ticking destinations off a list. Each Carrier journey is created with the essential human touch; it begins with a conversation with a knowledgeable expert who will craft a personalised trip tailored to your dream destinations, tastes and appetite for adventure. Decades spent fostering local relationships gives Carrier access to some of the world’s most exceptional hospitality experts, hotels and cultural happenings which combine to make your holiday truly unforgettable. And, with every itinerary designed for each individual traveller, you can be sure expectations will be exceeded.

Not sure where to book your holidays for 2024? Carrier has drawn on its wealth of knowledge to set out five ideas to plant the seed in favour of living life to the fullest and getting more out of our travels in the year ahead. Shifting the focus on more meaningful holidays, Carrier’s The Agenda for 2024 invites you to harness the power of travel and focus on the things that mean the most to you. From making more time for your hobbies and passions, inspiring you to dream big, making time with your family really count, and seeking out true authenticity in the world, read on for a taste of the trips you should be bookmarking for 2024.

Make time for passions and pursuits

Holidays are at their most magical when they combine your greatest interests. Perhaps it’s making memories on a sunny afternoon spent strolling through a Californian vineyard. Or embarking on an eco-endeavour below the waters of the Indian Ocean. Infusing your passions into your travel plans can lead to unique experiences you’re sure to cherish for a lifetime. With Carrier’s personalised holidays, you can be sure your passions and pursuits are placed at the top of your travel agenda.

Tastes of South Africa

One for the gourmands, this journey through South Africa will find you sampling the country’s freshest flavours. A new wave of restaurateurs in Cape Town will delight the senses with their take on native recipes while the region’s famed vineyards make for great hubs from which to base your epicurean adventure. From secret supper clubs and fine dining to wine tastings in rustic Bomas, your tastebuds will be spoilt for choice.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

If you’re looking to escape the hustle of everyday life and indulge in some deep R&R, take flight to the Maldives. Nestled amid the lush greenery and pristine blue waters of the privately-owned Olhuveli Island in the Laamu Atoll, Six Senses Laamu offers a serene approach to luxury. While the beachfront and over-water villas are as inviting as the laidback restaurants offering sushi and organic wines, the crowning jewel is the holistic Six Senses spa. From couple’s treatment nests on the beach to yoga, Pilates, gymnastics, and ayurvedic healing, you’ll leave completely rejuvenated.

Make it count

True luxury is having time to spend with the ones you love. Redefine quality time with Carrier’s curation of extraordinary family trips. Whether it’s a special occasion or just an excuse to focus on being together, plan holidays that will nourish those core bonds. From an activity-filled cruise to packing more into your laidback beach getaway, there’s an option for every family to create moments you’ll talk about for years to come.

W Costa Navarino, Greece

A beachfront escape, W Costa Navarino is the W hotel group’s first opening in Greece. Welcoming guests aged 12 and over, the hotel celebrates the region’s local culture with a sophisticated spin. Guests can enjoy direct access to the beach to relax together or sample deli food at the Parelia beach club. Plan a day of watersports or an evening spent watching a film in the nearby open-air cinema, accompanied by a plethora of street food options. 

Celebrity Cruises, The Americas

Experience out-and-out luxury as you explore a new destination every day on board an opulent Celebrity Cruise ship. Set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before making the best of sunny climes in Mexico and the Bahamas. With plenty of time spent at sea, explore your ship’s open-air spaces, fine dining options, attentive service and high-class amenities, including a theatre, rooftop garden, swimming pool and luxury boutiques, as well as brilliant onshore excursions to keep the whole family occupied. 

Dare to go big

The anticipation for a holiday is never higher than when you’re ticking a most-awaited destination or experience off your bucket list. Go big with Carrier’s curation of iconic cities, private islands, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Call of the Wild, Rwanda

Imagine an up-close-and-personal audience with a majestic endangered species in one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. That’s exactly what’s on offer with Carrier’s Call of the Wild itinerary, centered around Rwanda’s One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and One&Only Nyungwe House hotels. Venture into the lush mountains that populate Rwanda to discover a basecamp that blends seamlessly into its surroundings to offer breathtaking encounters with mountain gorillas. With only a handful of permits to view these primates granted each day, this will be an experience you’ll be recounting for decades.

The Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

Plan the big family getaway of your dreams at The Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi. Considered one of the finest water villa resorts in the world, the Private Reserve is undoubtedly the shining centrepiece of this impressive destination. Standing alone in the middle of a private lagoon and only reached by boat, as the name suggests, privacy is guaranteed thanks to its location 500 metres away from the main resort, while an infinity pool, couple’s spa,  private cinema, and water slide into the private lagoon mean you might never need leave. 

Seek out authenticity

Carrier has always believed that the real value of travel doesn’t lie in the places you visit but rather in the people you meet and the cultures you immerse yourself in. Connect with native communities with travel plans that work in harmony with local people and the heritage of a destination. Whether you’re being regaled with stories from Indian history over a cup of chai or exploring the varied landscapes of New Zealand with an indigenous guide, these personalised journeys will help you live your dream destination like a local. 

Eat, Play & Explore in Thailand

From bustling city life to relaxing beach escapes, Thailand has it all. Start your journey in the heart of the country by eating your way around Bangkok, while exploring the shopping hubs and temples, before making your way to Chiang Mai. Bursting with history and culture, Chiang Mai is also brilliant for adrenaline junkies; Carrier can arrange tuk-tuk and helicopter rides, as well as cycling adventures and river rafting. Spend the rest of your holiday soaking in the sun on one of Phuket or Koh Samui’s dazzling beaches.

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

This is a holiday that’s memorable from the minute you arrive, whether that’s by driving down from the mountains, taking a speedboat trip, or paragliding in (don’t worry, Carrier will make sure someone takes care of your luggage). Even if you choose a more traditional method of transport, the remote enclave housing Six Senses Zighy Bay, designed as an authentic Omani village, will blow you away. Check out from busy modern-day life with activities such as mountain biking, swimming in the gorges, trekking through canyons or walking through the village learning about the local community. 

Embrace being pampered in privacy

For travellers who prefer checking into a luxury hotel so they can get on with the serious business of relaxation for the entire duration of their stay, Carrier has handpicked hotels that promise endless pampering. From arrival to departure, stay in the lap of luxury and experience the best in dining and amenities at opulent resorts.

Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

Dubai is world-renowned for its predilection for the finer things in life – and Atlantis The Royal offers opulence like no other. The 43-storey high resort boasts access to the largest stretch of privately-owned beachfront in Dubai alongside more than 90 swimming pools and private cabanas at the rooftop Cloud 22. That said, you may never want to leave the vast bed in your magnificent suite, and with complimentary breakfast in bed and personal butlers, you’ll never have to. 

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands 

Live the island life like nobility at The Ritz-Carlton’s first Maldivian resort. The eco-friendly private island infuses modern luxury with carefree vibes in its beachfront and over-water villas, each equipped with private pools. Be spoiled by the resort’s miracle-working butlers, known as ‘Aris Meeha’, a Dhivehi reference to the first confidence of the royal family. With everything taken care of, all you need work on is your tan.

For more information and further inspiration on how to fill your 2024 travel agenda visit carrier.co.uk/agenda