The cities our INVITED Members would most like to visit this year

Your 2024 city break wish-list revealed…

We recently asked our INVITED community for their most coveted destinations for 2024 – and the results are in. Stylish urbanites mostly seem to have their sights set on Europe this year, with a few far-flung surprises thrown in. Read on for all the city break inspiration you’ll need for the new year…

1. Amsterdam

It-girls always seem to be flocking to Amsterdam’s café-lined canals and art-packed galleries whatever the season, with chic townhouses to check-into, pretty parks to picnic in, and endless cycle lanes to pedal around. From ogling Van Gogh to Vermeer, visits to vast flower markets followed by a few craft beers, the Dutch capital never disappoints when it comes to a quick culture-fix.

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2. Cape Town

This is an urban jungle like no other. From the soul-stirring views at the top of Table Mountain to the rich, diverse history spread out below, Cape Town isn’t short of natural and cultural wonders. Take a stroll along the V&A waterfront where centuries-old and cutting-edge modern buildings sit side by side, or hop into one of the slowly rotating cable cars and arrive at Table Mountain’s peak in minutes. And as curious sights go, African penguins waddling between giant granite boulders in the heart of a residential area takes some beating.

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3. Bangkok

A tangle of skyscrapers, dazzling temples, and floating markets, Bangkok is a feast for all the senses. Sweet and spicy street food stalls fuel visitors for ancient palace tours, sunset river cruises, and hair-raising tuk-tuk rides, with sky-skimming rooftop bars to retire to for a coconut-chili cocktail or two. The emerald-green jungle of the Khao Yai National Park is an easy day-trip away, with roaming elephants to spot amidst the palms.

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4. Athens

The ancient Greeks knew how to make a statement when it comes to architecture, and we’re not just talking about the Acropolis (the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is proof that Athens hasn’t lost its artistic touch, a few millennia on). There are towering columns, cobblestone streets, traditional tavernas, antique flea markets, and pottery studios to discover, and plenty of grilled octopus and fresh salads to devour – all in the knowledge that you’re following in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle.

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5. Copenhagen

The street style in Copenhagen is so chic that most locals look as though they’ve stepped out of the pages of Vogue Scandinavia. Pretty much everything about the Danish capital is undeniably, effortlessly cool – plus the pastries are delicious (and ever-so aesthetically pleasing), the Nordic cuisine is cutting-edge, and the city aims to call itself the world’s first carbon neutral capital by 2025. Sustainable and stylish, yes please.

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6. Kyoto

With over 1,000 temples and countless tea houses, Kyoto is the heart and soul of ancient Japan. Fushimi-Inari Taisha is an awe-inspiring shrine made up of hundreds of vermillion gates that form a tunnel up the mountainside. And, in the evening, the softly-lit Geisha district of Gion has an enchanting, secretive atmosphere. Make time for hanami, the ancient practice of flower-viewing, before sipping on sweet umami-plum tea fresh from the city’s groves, which come into full bloom every spring for the annual plum and cherry blossom festivals.

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7. Edinburgh

Row upon row of grey-washed Georgian townhouses sit prettily along picturesque cobblestone crescents and well-kept gardens, and every charming district is brimming with artisan bakeries, independent boutiques, second-hand bookshops, and cosy wine and whisky bars. Tucked between rolling countryside and a windswept, sandy seaside, Edinburgh is overlooked by a rather spectacular 11^th century castle. Whether you’re here for the annual Fringe Festival, or an easy long weekend from London, the Scottish capital encourages everyone to embrace the art of coorie (Scotland’s answer to hygge).

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8. Florence

Oh, Florence. The Renaissance city is so heart-achingly beautiful that we cannot help but sigh when daydreaming about its perfectly curved bridges, citrus-scented gardens, and statue-filled palazzi. Yes, it’s touristy, but strolling along the Ponte Vecchio with a slowly-melting gelato in hand (after being dazzled by David and a few Botticelli masterpieces) just never gets old. And the Tuscan countryside’s undulating landscape soon beckons too.

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9. Lisbon

Once the centre of the seafaring world, Lisbon is steeped in ceramic-sprinkled charm and terracotta-topped character. Sunshine yellow trams trundle up and down the cobbled streets, Douro Valley wine flows freely from mosaic-tiled bohemian bars, and buzzy barrios are filled with the sweet scent of freshly baked pastel de nata – the moreish custard tart you won’t be able to get enough of. The River Tagus winds its way beneath the iconic San Francisco-style bridge, past pastel-coloured buildings and seafood-centric restaurants – stretching towards the Atlantic Ocean which puts this coastal city within easy reach of golden beaches and surfing hot spots.

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10. Madrid

Known as a city that never sleeps, there’s also plenty to discover in the Spanish capital during the day. We’d recommend bringing an extra suitcase with you, as Madrilenos love their department stores. Spend time browsing El Corte Ingles, while the bustling flea market known as the Rastro takes place every Sunday. Or, if you’re looking for exclusive international brands, wander the Salamanca quarter to the north of the city. If shop-till-you-drop isn’t really your style, the museums and galleries in Madrid won’t disappoint – with a surprisingly happening seafood scene to indulge in too.

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