National Geographic revealed the top travel destinations of 2024—here’s what to pack for your trip

If you’re looking to do more traveling for 2024, then National Geographic has you covered. For years, the acclaimed magazine has revealed its top travel destinations for a given year. The list is compiled by sending out official calls to experts in the magazine’s global network, asking what destinations those experts love.

For 2024, National Geographic has done its "Best of the World" selection a bit differently. Not only are they highlighting top travel destinations, but also activities to do at these locations. Plus, for the first time, they’ve ranked the list to make it easier for travelers to prioritize where they’d like to go.

Here is National Geographic’s “Best of the World” list and what travel items to bring to some of the locations.

National Geographic’s top 2024 travel experiences

1. Horseback safari in Kenya.
2. Olympic Marathon in Paris.
3. Ski tour through UNESCO sites in Georgia.
4. Bear-watching at Katmai National Park, Alaska.
5. Live music in Kyoto, Japan.
6. Magdalena River Cruise in Colombia.
7. Road trip on Route 66 in New Mexico.
8. Explore ancient rock art in Algeria.
9. Dive with sharks on Australia's Coral Coast.
10. Volcano hiking in Panama.
11. Observe the total solar eclipse in Niagara Falls, New York.
12. Trek a glacier in Chile.
13. Step back in time at Menorca's archaeological sites.
14. Ride classic rails through the Scottish Highlands.
15. Indulge your taste buds in Isan, Thailand.
16. Wander the tea trail in Sri Lanka.
17. Gallery hop in Sao Paulo.
18. Raft the rapids in West Virginia.
19. Go antiquing in Hudson Valley, New York.
20. Sleep at a floating lodge on Tofino Island, British Columbia.

Travel products to enjoy these top locations

Luggage

Luggage is the most vital item to secure when planning a trip. If you’re looking to save big on travel, check out this deal on this 3-piece Costway 3-Piece Hardshell. We’re big fans of Costway at Reviewed, with fire pits and air conditioners being some of our favorites from the brand.

A travel pillow

No matter where you’re going, you’ll enjoy your destination a lot more without a crick in your neck. A travel pillow will make traveling more enjoyable, whether you’re going by train, plane, or automobile. Our favorite travel pillow is the Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Pillow because it’s durable, adjustable, and supportive.

A travel camera

While you’ll likely have a powerful camera in your pocket via your phone for the duration of your trip, we find that using a separate camera can be more fun. The pictures you take with a dedicated camera, oddly enough, often feel more memorable than the ones you take on your phone. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line travel camera, we recommend the Fujifilm X100V because of its retro style and sharp lenses.

A travel wallet

Keep your cards, cash, and tickets secure with a travel wallet like the Zoppen Multi-Purpose Travel Wallet, which is portable and affordable. Plus, it comes with many color options so you can find the perfect one to fit your vibe.

A portable charger

It’s no fun having your phone die on you when you’re out on an excursion. To avoid this, we recommend packing a portable charger in your bag. The best one we’ve tested is the Mophie Powerstation PD thanks to its fast-charging time and compact design that makes it pocked-sized.

A travel backpack

No matter where you decide to travel, you’ll appreciate using a compact travel backpack during your day-to-day excursions instead of having to lug around your luggage. One of the best we’ve found is the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack because it’s lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable.

Running shoes

If you’re planning on partaking in a Parisian marathon, we don’t recommend wearing your Crocs or Uggs. Instead, wear a quality pair of running shoes like the Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 Running Shoes which are flexible, breathable, and well-cushioned.

Ski boots

Looking to ski through the UNESCO heritage sites of the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia? You’ll want to pack ski boots. The best ski boots to buy are the Tecnica Mach Sport HV 80 thanks to their comfortable liner, ease of putting on, and generous warranty.

A water bottle

There are several hikes and runs on the list, including volcano hiking in Panama. If you plan on doing a lot of walking during your vacation, we recommend bringing along a water bottle such as our favorite, the Owala Freesip. We love it because it’s well-insulated and has multiple drinking options.

Headphones

While many prefer taking in the sounds of nature while on a trail, others find enrichment when walking listening to tunes. To keep your music to yourself while listening to high quality audio, we recommend using our favorite pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4. This pair boasts excellent audio quality, top-of-the-line noise cancellation, and all-day comfort.

Binoculars

The fourth-best travel experience on National Geographic’s 2024 list is bear watching at Kamtai National Park, Alaska. Bears are one of the most stunning land animals, but it’s undeniable that they can be beary scary. What’s more, the brown bears at Katmai have been known to draw closer to humans than other members of Ursus arctos. To safely enjoy the majesty of bears, view them at a distance using a quality pair of binoculars.

The best pair of binoculars you can buy is the Nikon Aculon A211 10-22x50 thanks its large field of view and powerful magnification.

Eclipse glasses

2024 is a special year for America as we’ll be treated to a total solar eclipse. There is a large band across America where this phenomenon will be visible, but National Geographic recommends viewing it at Niagara Falls in particular, as it makes a beautiful locale even more mesmerizing.

To safely view an eclipse, your shades won’t cut it. You’ll need specialized glasses to look directly at the eclipse. These glasses sold by American Paper Optics are an inexpensive way to view the eclipse.

A jacket

National Geographic recommends taking a trek through Patagonia’s Northern and Southern Ice Fields glaciers. To do so comfortably, we recommend packing along a coat, or at the very least, a jacket. One jacket we’ve tried and loved is the Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket because it’s super warm and soft.