10 fun things you can do in 2024 (such as: visiting a food festival in Iceland)
As a true foodie, you naturally choose your holiday based on the delicious food available there. But we have even more fun (semi-)culinary suggestions for you. How about a food festival in Sri Lanka? Or dancing in a glass of beer in Copenhagen? Go ahead and tick off that bucket list of yours. The world is at your feet. Here are 10 really fun things you can do this year.
Even though that inflation sometimes still gets in our way… We will never cut back on doing fun things.
1. Visit Europe’s highest nightclub
Dancing on the clouds? You can do that in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. In 2024, Europe’s highest nightclub will be located here. The building rises above the clouds and spins around its axis. While the DJ pumps the tastiest tunes from the speakers, you can enjoy a phenomenal view. All while swaying across the dance floor with your favorite drink in hand. Could it get any better? Yes. You have to get there by cable car. This event is one giant attraction.
2. Dine at London icon Simpson’s in the Strand
Simpson’s in the Strand is an icon on English soil. The restaurant has a long history dating back to 1828. It wasn’t a restaurant back then, by the way, but a chess club for wealthy Londoners. Simpson’s in the Strand was closed for years, until restaurateur Jeremy King put a stop to that and decided to reopen the restaurant in 2024. This year, you can once again bathe in luxury there. Put on your best suit, don your classic English wig (or don’t) and enjoy fine dishes in a classic setting. Fun fact: this restaurant was one of the first British restaurants to receive a Michelin star.
3. Visit a food festival on a remote island in Iceland
Yes, yes, I know. At a festival, you want the sun beating down on your head and 25+ degrees showing on your weather app. But trust me: you’ll happily make an exception for MATEY food festival in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. Vestmannaeyjar are also known as the Westman Islands. From September 5 to 7, 2024, a fantastic food festival will take place on this island. Michelin-starred chefs from around the world will immerse themselves in Icelandic food culture. Cúán Greene from Noma in Copenhagen was on the lineup last year—just to casually drop a name. Prepare yourself for a weekend full of local Icelandic delicacies (fish!) and spectacular views, including views of the famous Elephant Rock.
4. Take a ride on a vintage Italian train
Less flying? We’re all for it if it means we can travel exclusively on the vintage Italian trains operated by Ferrovie dello Stato Italliane from now on. Velvet curtains, antique lamps, floral seats: the carriages look like the setting of a historical novel. And you can be the lead character in it. The first journey runs from Rome to the Dolomites; several other journeys are planned throughout the year. Sink into your seat and let the Italian landscape carry you along, gazing dreamily out of the window, knowing that a steaming plate of pasta is waiting for you…
5. Party at a former German airport
By now, you know your local pub inside and out. Give your party life a new lease of life and dance into the early hours at… a former airport. The old German Tegel Airport, now home to Turbulence TXL, has transformed its canteen into a dance hall. No more flight announcements over the speakers, but pounding techno instead. Fly through the night, soar to great heights and don’t land until your feet start to hurt.
6. Dance inside a giant glass of beer in Copenhagen
At Home of Carlsberg in Copenhagen, you become one with your beer. Step inside a gigantic beer glass and dance around. The beer dance is just one of the attractions at the interactive brewery, because there’s so much more you can do there. Design beer labels, admire Carlsberg’s bizarrely large bottle collection and, of course, taste the beer. The tour ends in Carlsberg’s bar. And we’re not going home just yet…
7. Visit a culinary extravaganza in Sri Lanka
The Galle Literary Festival is one of Asia’s biggest arts festivals. Our favorite part: Galle Gourmet. For 12 weekends, from January to March, you can completely immerse yourself in South Asian food culture in Galle, Sri Lanka. Take cooking classes, join atmospheric dinners or participate in cooking club activities. Another reason to go: the fantastic locations. Have you ever been to a festival on a coconut plantation? Exactly.
8. Go to Canada’s coldest (and coolest) festival
I once lived in Canada for a few months, and I can tell you: it’s cold there. But incredibly cool. Let those be the two ingredients that make Montréal en Lumière a must-go festival. Still sounds a little vague? There’s a large ice rink, a big illuminated ice route and music from great bands. But there’s also plenty of delicious food. More than 25 international chefs, winemakers and guest of honor from around 50 restaurants in Montreal showcase their skills there. Now that’s what we call seriously cool. Montréal en Lumière takes place from February 29 to March 10 in the Canadian city of Montréal.
9. Visit the new Time Out markets in Porto and Barcelona
Where better to experience a local culture than at a market? This year, you can wander through Time Out markets in Porto and Barcelona: places where the city’s food, drink and culture come together. The locations of these markets make them even more fun. Barcelona’s Time Out Market, for example, is on the top floor of the Maremagnum shopping complex, offering a phenomenal view over the city. Porto’s Time Out Market is located in the historic São Bento railway station. Tip for when you’re in Barcelona: also visit Sips. This bar won the World’s 50 Best Bars award in 2023.
10. Sleep among the lions in Kent
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight… And you’ll sleep among them! That is, if you book a night in the Lookout Bubble at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent. Kent isn’t in Africa or South America, no. It’s in England. Closer to home, and yet you can experience real jungle vibes here. You’ll sleep in a gigantic transparent bubble, just a stone’s throw from a lion rock. Stars twinkle above you, and around you, you can hear lions roaring. Romantic? I should say so.
Read also:
- The best European destinations for cheese lovers
- Traveling solo as a woman? These are the best destinations according to AirBnB
- In the mood for a city trip in 2024? These are the top destinations you should visit according to Booking.com
Source: TimeOut
