I travel nonstop. Here are 12 places you absolutely have to see in 2024

The MS Fridtjof Nansen near Gonzalez Videla Antarctic Base in Antarctica. (January)

- Christopher Elliott

There's no shortage of fascinating places to visit in 2024. I know because I'm on the road 365 days a year, and in 2023, I traveled to a few destinations I can personally recommend.

I don't just parachute into these places for a few days with my reporter's notepad. I spent several weeks in almost all the cities on my list. I shopped in the markets, explored the city, and befriended the locals. Sometimes, I also brought my college-age sons along for the adventure.

You'd think "What's your favorite destination?" would be the question people ask me the most, but it's not. (I'll share the number-one question in just a minute.)

First, here's my list of the 12 best places to see in 2024--along with the best time to visit.

January: Antarctica

You'll want to sail down to Antarctica during the Southern Hemisphere summer. Temperatures are relatively mild, and the normally tempestuous Drake Passage is calmer. I flew to Ushuaia, Argentina, and boarded the Hurtigruten Expeditions MS Fridtjof Nansen for a 10-day cruise down to Antarctica in late December--and arrived in the White Continent just before the New Year. It was spectacular. Even though it looks a little risky, you should not miss a hike on the ice to see the penguins. If you're really brave, try the polar plunge into subfreezing water. Unfortunately, we missed our chance to dive into the Antarctic because the glacier was calving, sending large sheets of ice crashing into the water. Go see it before it's gone.

February: Doha, Qatar