For the city lover
Culture, food, plus plenty of action-packed recs to save.
With new restaurants and events always popping up, it’s easy to see why city trips are booming. Below are a few big ones for 2024. They’re totally doable over a long weekend, but if you’ve got more time, we’ve included plenty of things to keep you (and kids!) busy. Save what you love now, and your itinerary’s good to go whenever you are.
Paris
Image: Getty Images
The food, the art, the history—any time’s a good time to visit Paris, but 2024 brings the summer Olympics which means the city’s going to be buzzing off the charts. Can’t make it in the summer? From now ‘til April you can catch a huge retrospective of artist Mark Rothko’s work at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Check out more ideas for your trip, below.
The perfect mother-daughter trip to Paris
Paris is the ultimate destination for a girls’ trip—especially if your travel companion is your daughter. I recently visited the City of Light with my 10 year old in tow, and together we enjoyed a magical, flowery, delicious adventure that she talked about for weeks. Read on for how we spent our time as a mother-daughter duo in Paris.
Bateaux Mouches8,584There are many options for boat rides down the Seine, but our favourite was the dinner cruise with Bateaux Mouches. Not only is it a great way to see the city (including the Eiffel Tower, which sparkles in the evening), but you also get to enjoy a four-course dinner and live music while taking in the sights. If you’re not one for floating restaurants, consider booking one of the day cruises instead—you’ll still get epic, unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower.
Palais Galliéra344My daughter is into fashion, so we made it a priority to visit the Palais Galliéra on our trip. The museum, which is housed in a Renaissance-inspired palace just a short walk from some of the top haute couture boutiques in Paris, holds more than 200,000 items related to the history of fashion, including photos of famous designers and my daughter’s favourite: 18th-century dresses.
Palace of Versailles27,711The former home of King Louis XVI, the Palace of Versailles captivated both me and my daughter for hours. We took the train right from Gare du Nord and then spent the entire day exploring the museum interior, picnicking in the park, and strolling through the perfectly manicured gardens. We also enjoyed renting a rowboat and paddling along the Grand Canal.
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann7,852The sprawling Galeries Lafayette department store is about way more than just shopping. There are restaurants, a new spa, and a range of experiences, from cooking classes to guided history tours. My daughter and I opted for the macaron making class, led by an esteemed French pastry chef. It was so much fun making the shells, adding the ganache, and, of course, tasting our handiwork. Held in a quiet corner of Galeries Lafayette, right in the heart of the Opera district, the class makes for a great pre-dinner-and-a-show activity.
Pink Mamma2,709Pink Mama is a popular Italian restaurant housed in a cute, rose-coloured building—a.k.a. the ideal spot for a mother-daughter meal. The garden-themed space, with its artwork, mismatched tableware, and pops of colour, is incredibly Insta-worthy, and the menu is full of indulgent dishes like lobster risotto and Neapolitan-style pizza topped with fresh truffles. Split the tiramisu for dessert.
Carette878In Paris, you could eat a croissant at a different spot everyday and never run out of new places to visit. Trust me, we tried. Our favourite of the bunch was Carette, where we paired flaky pastries with rich cups of chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). Everything was delicious, the decor is classic and elegant, and the views of Place des Vosges from your table make eating here extra special.
Le Bois de Boulogne409One day on our trip, we picked up a baguette, lots of cheese, and some fruit and had a picnic in the stunning Le Bois de Boulogne park on the city’s western side. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1852, it’s the second-largest park in Paris and home to landscaped gardens, several lakes, a waterfall, and even a zoo and amusement park. We chose a sunny spot in the park surrounding the Château de Bagatelle and enjoyed our lunch in view of the castle.
Palais Garnier20,044The opulent Palais Garnier opera house plays host to everything from chamber music concerts to famous operas, but my daughter and I came here to see the Paris Opera Ballet. We saw a show that my daughter herself had performed in back home and it was just spectacular. The baroque architecture and grandness of the opera house only added to the magic.
For the love of pastries
Mexico City
Image: Getty Images
Ridiculously good food, walkable neighborhoods, and comfortable weather makes Mexico City a place that checks all the boxes. (Bonus: you can score deals on luxury stays.) Stroll the tree-lined streets, see the architecture, pop into a museum—you can do it over a long weekend, and if you’ve got more time, take day trips.
Off-the-beaten-path food tours
Can't-miss sights and stays
Dubai
When you want to go big, go to Dubai. It’s got everything: Desert safaris, shark diving, indoor skiing. Plus, the world’s tallest building is set to open in 2024. It’s a city that moves fast but if you slow down, you’ll discover a subtle side—from gorgeous architecture to incredible street food, and more.
Traditional Trek Around Dubai
Dubai certainly dazzles with its uber-modern design showcased in sights like the Burj Al Arab, and with its over-the-top attractions like the Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah. But it wasn't the glitzy nightclubs and crowd-pleasing brunches that won me over, it was the traditional architecture, Emirati culture, and delicious pistachio dates. So if you're looking for a more traditional slice of life, here are some of my favorite places you should visit in Dubai.
Lara Grant, New York City, NY
Dubai Gold Souk3,700Located in the Deira district, the Dubai Gold Souk is a traditional market with over 350 stores, most of which sell jewelry. Gold, diamonds, and precious stones are all available here, but do your research on the best stores if you're looking to buy!
Deira Old Souk Abra Station317Abras are traditional wooden boats that act as water taxis on Dubai Creek, ferrying travelers between the Deira Old Souk and Bur Dubai Abra Stations. As a bonus, the creek is a busy hub, with lots to do and see nearby.
Cafe Bateel184Bateel is renowned for their gourmet dates packaged in hand-painted wooden boxes, and the cafe expands that upscale approach to all-day dining. Scrumptious bateel date pudding and traditional Arabic coffee are highlights.
Siraj438Dubai is well-known for its fine-dining cuisine and outposts of global restaurants, but for a truly authentic Emirati meal, head to Siraj. Go with friends and share the camel steak, chicken biryani, and green mango salad. Pro tip: snag a table outside for a gorgeous Burj Khalifa fountain show view.
Ripe Market - Academy Park96Skip the fancy restaurants and indoor malls and spend an afternoon strolling the Ripe Market, an outdoor farmers' market showcasing local businesses. I was a big fan of the organic veggies and fruits, cute handicrafts, and chic jewelry.
Jumeirah Mosque2,320Firstly, built in traditional Fatimid style, the Jumeirah Mosque is beautiful. And, it's one of the few mosques open to non-Muslims. It's a unique experience to observe the prayer and learn more about the customs.
XVA Art Hotel843XVA Art Hotel offers a more traditional, simple alternative to the towering, flashy hotels. It’s located in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the oldest community in Dubai, and it occupies the former home of the Seddiqi family – high-end watch retailers. There are just 14 rooms on-site, all individually decorated and with locally inspired furnishings. A cozy café and gallery showcasing Arab artwork add to its charm.
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding1,322Although roughly 80 percent of Dubai's population is foreigners, travelers can still get a peek inside Emirati culture by visiting this center. It's in the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood and I love that visitors can take part in activities such as walking tours, authentic dinners, and conversations with local Emiratis.
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