Singapore has made the Top Ten on the New York Times list of 52 places to visit in 2024.
The 2024 list highlights travel destinations that experts at The
Times believe offer inspiration around sustainable travel, international
and cultural events, nature and art.
From The Path of Totality in the U.S. (No 1) to Paris (No 2),
Yamaguchi in Japan (No 3) and Singapore (No 7), The Times says these are
among destinations to suit every kind of traveller.
Destinations in Asia that make The Times list of places to visit in
2024 are Ladakh, India; Negombo, Sri Lanka; Lake Toba, Indonesia; Koh
Ker, Cambodia and Mustang, Nepal.
The Times says that Singapore, already known for its cuisine,
architecture and world-class airport, is transforming itself with a
luxury hotel boom. “Edition recently opened a 204-room property in
downtown Orchard Road district while the Standard will open later this
year. Famed hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental and Grand Hyatt, which
closed in recent years for major renovations, will also return.”
In No 1 spot, The Path of Totality in North America stretches from
the beaches of Mazatlán, Mexico, to the rugged coves of Maberly,
Newfoundland, where the sky will be the stage on April 8 as a total
solar eclipse sweeps across North America. This year, the moon will be
near its closest point to Earth, resulting in an unusually wide swath
and long-lasting totality.
The Times says, in a first, the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris
will not be held in a stadium but outdoors, along the river Seine and
near the Eiffel Tower.
Yamaguchi, The Times says, “is often called the Kyoto of the West,
though it’s much more interesting than that — and it suffers from
considerably less ‘tourism pollution’. A compact city of about 190,000,
it lies in a narrow valley between the Inland and Japan seas.
“With its impeccable gardens and its stunning five-story pagoda,
Rurikoji Temple is a national treasure. The city’s small winding lanes
offer an assortment of experiences: pottery kilns like Mizunoue,
situated on the grounds of Toshunji Temple; chic coffee shops like Log
and Coffeeboy, and older-style options like Haraguchi; and wonderful
counter-only shops that serve oden, or one-pot dishes. Just a 15-minute
walk south is the hot-springs village of Yuda Onsen.”