Dubai and Cancun are among world's top 10 best holidays according to Tripadvisor

09 January 2024 , 11:06

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Dubai has topped the Tripadvisor list (Image: Getty Images)

Dubai, Bali and Paris are just some of the destinations that Brits may want to bookmark for holidays this year, according to Tripadvisor.

That's because they're among the world's top 10 best destinations for 2024, in the travel website's annual Travellers’ Choice Awards. The rankings look at destinations where hotels, restaurants and things to do received a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews.

At the top of the charts this year is Dubai in the United Arab Emirates a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment which has entrenched itself as a much loved, staple holiday resort for the jet-setting class.

Close to 16million people visited Dubai in 2023, with more than a million of those coming from the UK. It has become the go-to place for those looking to emulate some Kardashian-like luxury beneath the magnificent skyscrapers which now litter the desert skyline.

Dubai and Cancun are among world's top 10 best holidays according to Tripadvisor qhiddkikuidzxinv

Cancun also made the cut (The Image Bank)

"Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah," Tripadvisor writes of the destination.

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In second place is Bali, another dream destination for many. The Indonesian island is perhaps the closest thing on Earth to a real paradise. Tripadvisor calls the beach-rich location a "living postcard" "that feels like a fantasy."

"Soak up the sun on a stretch of fine white sand, or commune with the tropical creatures as you dive along coral ridges or the colourful wreck of a WWII war ship. On shore, the lush jungle shelters stone temples and mischievous monkeys," the rankings tempt.

There is plenty to do in Bali beyond hanging out on the beach and sizzling in the sun. Artistic hub Ubud is the perfect place to see a cultural dance performance, take a batik or silver-smithing workshop, or invigorate your mind and body in a yoga class.

London comes in at third place on the list having bounced back strongly after the coronavirus pandemic ground everything to a halt. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows there were 5.3 million foreign visitors to the capital in the three months to June, just 60,000 fewer than the same period in 2019.

The English capital clearly remains one of the go-to places in Europe thanks to the richness of its museum and gallery scene, and increasingly excellent restaurant options.

"From Shoreditch’s swaggering style to Camden’s punky vibe and chic Portobello Road, London is many worlds in one. The city’s energy means that no two days are the same," Tripadvisor tempts.

"Explore royal or historic sites, tick off landmarks from your bucket list, eat and drink in exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, or get lost down winding cobbled streets and see what you stumble across – when it comes to London, the possibilities are endless."