2024 is just around the corner, resulting in many people thinking about what they want to achieve in the new year. And, with travel a popular resolution amongst many, it makes sense that we’re thinking about all the destinations we want to visit over the next 12 months.
With that in mind, we decided to survey the British public to see the key destinations and travel experiences that are on the top of their bucket list, and to see how COVID has changed their thoughts on travel.
So, sit back, have a read, and be prepared to get some major travel inspiration for the year ahead!
Seven in 10 Brits have booked (or are considering booking) a bucket list trip in 2024
36% of the 2,000 people we surveyed have already booked a bucket list trip for 2024, with a further 35% considering it. Women seem to be keener to tick these trips off their list, with 40% of females already having booked a trip, compared to 31% of men.
25-34-year-olds are the most on it, with 65% having already booked a trip; whereas 18-24-year-olds are considering it the most, at 47%.
When breaking it down on a city basis, every city in the UK bar Belfast cited seeing the Northern Lights as their dream – for Belfast, it was a husky sled ride.
Whilst Iceland is perhaps the most well-known place for seeing the Northern Lights, it’s not the only place. Northern Norway (and specifically Tromsø) is the perfect place, as it’s in the heart of the Norwegian Arctic; in addition to Swedish and Finnish Lapland – just try and book your trip between October and April when the nights are longer, and the sky is darker.
And, with Scandinavia being a key place to see the Northern Lights, it’s also a great destination if you want to go on a husky sled ride, with many of these places offering that experience too!
Seeing the Northern Lights is the biggest bucket list wish
Of the 2,000 people we surveyed, 29% said they’d love to see the Northern Lights in 2024. Joint second on that list are visiting the Pyramids of Giza, and Niagara Falls (top tip for Niagara, visit the Canadian side – there’s a lot more to do there!).
Husky sled rides were in fourth position, with 15% citing it as something they’d love to do, followed by going on a safari, seeing an emperor penguin colony, and walking along the Great Wall of China.
South Africa is still a top choice for going on safari, with Kruger National Park one of the best in the world – and you can extend your trip to visit the sandy shores of Durban, and admire the views from Cape Town’s Table Mountain. However, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, and Botswana are all great alternatives to South Africa, and you can easily travel across countries, if you fancy ticking off a few safaris on your list.
Alternatively, if visiting a penguin emperor colony is at the top of your bucket list, then be prepared to wrap up warm, as you’ll need to travel to Antarctica! Snow Hill Island is home to around 10,000 emperor penguins, and if you visit in October or November, you’ll be able to see the baby chicks.
Whilst COVID is (thankfully!) way behind us; those years of restricted travel have had an effect on us, with 49% of those surveyed saying they felt more passionate about ticking off those bucket list trips than ever before – with women particularly excited to do so, at 53%. And, 61% of those surveyed said they would prefer to tick off a dream bucket list destination in 2024, as opposed to doing a typical city or beach break.
Where Can You See The Northern Lights In The UK?
Recent survey findings from SkyParkSecure revealed that 29% of Brits have seeing the northern lights at the top of their bucket list – but it turns out they might not have to travel too far.
Nature’s own light show, the Aurora Borealis, is a natural phenomenon that many of us dream to see with recent findings from SkyParkSecure revealing that almost a third of Brits have seeing the northern lights on the top of their 2024 travel bucket list.
When we think about seeing the northern lights, we think about potentially having to travel to the likes of Norway, Sweden and Finland – however, it turns out that we might not have to travel too far, with the phenomenon recently being seen around Stonehenge, and this winter likely being a ‘blockbuster year for seeing the Northern Lights’.
With this in mind, travel experts at SkyParkSecure have revealed some of the best spots on where we can see the Northern Lights in the UK over the coming months.
Where to Witness this Natural Phenomenon
Scotland
Shetland Islands: This is the most northern point in the UK, therefore the closest to the North Pole. Whilst it is considered remote, it’s once of the UK spots you’re most likely to see the lights amongst the countryside and coast.
Galloway Forest Park: This park is known as a Dark Sky Park, with it’s very limited light pollution making it a great spot to catch the phenomenon amongst dreamy scenery.
Wales
Snowdonia: Snowdonia is well known for being a place to spot major constellations and the Milky Way, being a Dark Sky reserve means it’s also a great spot to experience the lights alongside Wales’s largest lake.
Brecon Beacons: Another of Wales’s Dark Sky Reserves, the Welsh mountain range has seen numerous sightings of the northern lights.
England
Derwentwater – Located in Cumbria and commonly called ‘Queen of the Lakes’ – you can sometimes spot the phenomenon over the water.
Hadrian’s Wall – Home to Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, this location has the darkest skied in England – making it one of the best UK spots to spot the lights in Europe’s largest area of protected night sky.
Haweswater Reservoir, Penrith, UK
Northern Ireland
Giants Causeway: Not only one of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks – it’s also northern enough to be a great spot to look out and potentially see the lights when they make an appearance.
Best Times for Viewing
While the Northern Lights are notoriously elusive, the optimal viewing times in the UK are during the winter months, particularly between October and March. Clear, dark skies enhance the visibility of this natural wonder, making cold winter nights the perfect time for aurora hunting.
Tips for Spectators
- Check the Aurora Forecast: Keep an eye on aurora forecast websites and apps to increase your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights during a peak activity period.
- Stay in Dark Sky Areas: Choose accommodations in areas with minimal light pollution for the best viewing experience.
- Patience is Key: Nature’s light show is unpredictable, so be patient and give yourself ample time to enjoy the spectacle.
- Capture the Moment: Bring a camera with manual settings to capture the vibrant hues of the Northern Lights. Remember to turn off the flash to avoid compromising night vision.
Brits want to travel worldwide in 2024
In addition to the classic bucket list trips, as a nation, there are so many places we’d love to travel to. For some, those destinations are further afield – the Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, was mentioned a few times, and is home to a lot of different types of wildlife, including the giant tortoise, and land iguana.
Trips to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Barbados, and the UAE also feature on people’s bucket lists, as well as European trips too. One person stated their dream was to visit Neuschwanstein – a fairytale castle located on the German/Austrian border, that is said to be the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
Seeing the Norwegian fjords, visiting the lavender fields of Provence, and cycling to Paris were also mentioned.
For some, enjoying the beauty the UK has to offer is a bucket list dream – one person said they wanted to visit the Orkneys, as their dad was stationed there in the war, another person said they wanted two weeks of sunshine in either north Norfolk or Cornwall; and one person said their dream for 2024 was to take their grandchildren to Blackpool.
So, whether your bucket list destination is far flung or closer to home, why not make 2024 the year to achieve that goal? Wherever you choose to fly from, you’ll want to book your airport parking with us. We offer the best deals at airports across the country – from airport Edinburgh to London Gatwick, and everywhere in between.
And, if you want to start your bucket list trip in style, then book yourself into a luxury airport lounge, so you can relax and unwind ahead of your flight.
Methodology
We conducted a survey across 2,000 Brits in November 2023
Photo by:
Jonny Gios – Unsplash
