- Share:
Far-Flung 2024 Adventures & Travel Destinations
GeoEx’ers explored and embraced the wide wonders of the world this year—and returned more exhilarated than ever.
We ventured to countries that others have shied away from—and found ourselves the lone visitors at some of the planet’s most iconic sites. We returned to countries that seem to be on everyone’s bucket list—and were treated to special access and attention from decades-long friends. Some 30 staffers explored 34 countries and returned filled with renewed awe—and renewed inspiration to share that awe with others on life-changing trips.
Here is a spotlight on our 2024 adventures. We hope they inspire your own travel dreams. And when you’re ready, we’re here to help you turn those dreams into reality!
Egypt
Sabrina Middleton, Air Services & Starr Barron, Group Departures
Biggest Takeaway:
Egypt’s history is staggering, from prehistoric, 40-million-year-old whale fossils in the Great Sahara Desert to the Pharaonic dynasties. Traveling with an Egyptologist brought the history to life before our eyes and whet our appetites to learn more once home. And speaking of appetites, as soon as I was home, I went straight to the Mediterranean market. Now I’m reliving my trip every day with baba ghanoush, dolmas, and halloumi cheese.
What travelers might not know about Egypt now:
The atmosphere on the streets is peaceful and welcoming. We felt that locals really appreciated our being there, as tourism is a main industry for Egypt. We can’t wait to go back, but being there in 2024 was a special experience with fewer travelers at these incredible sites.
Algeria
Elissa Title, Sales
Biggest Takeaway:
For anyone who loves Roman mosaics, Algeria is a must. The grand scale of Algeria’s ancient sites, combined with the fact that there are virtually no visitors there, makes experiencing them an unparalleled thrill. The markets are just as awe-inspiring. They’re chaotic and colorful, with incense and spices, honking motorcycles and local chatter, and the bright green of herbs contrasted against piles of dried peppers and walnuts. It’s a feast for the senses.
What travelers might not know about Algeria now:
The locals are incredibly welcoming! We were so delightfully surprised to hear people honking their car horns and yelling, “Welcome to Algeria!”
India
Elizabeth McNeil, Guest Services
Biggest Takeaway:
India made me feel alive! It made me realize that my day-to-day, while joyful, is very predictable. In India the buildings are as colorful as the saris. The food is fragrant and spiced. I went on tiger safaris and belly danced (very poorly) in public! It was energizing in a very special way.
What travelers might not know about India now:
I think some travelers expect to be uncomfortable in India, but I have never felt more cared for on a trip. The level of service and attention to detail at all of our lovely hotels and by our guides was truly exceptional.
Mongolia
Heather Cunningham, Guest Services
Biggest Takeaway:
It is hard to put into words just how vast Mongolia feels. You drive and drive and drive and see endless landscapes dotted with animal herds and almost no people or villages. Being there, you feel a mix of awe, humbleness for how small we are in the scope of the world, and privilege for our access to simple luxuries. Inspired by the nomad families I had encountered, I came home and did a big purge of my house: If I had to pack it up and travel with it, I asked myself, what would I carry? The entire experience reminded me that often, less is more.
What travelers might not know about Mongolia now:
Mongolia is a hot destination. As one guest said on our group trip, “Everyone wants to go to Mongolia right now.” GeoEx’s connections and friendships on the ground made Mongolia really come to life. Our group shadowed a private eagle hunt and spent quality time with nomadic families of the Altai. The day of the Eagle Festival, we had the incredibly special experience of recognizing locals and hunters at the festival. And they in turn recognized and greeted us!
Jordan
Brady Binstadt, Chief Executive Officer
Biggest Takeaway:
Jordan is not exactly a tourist hot spot right now, but wow, there are advantages for those who visit! My exceptional guide said Petra today has about 10 percent of its normal tourist traffic. It was supremely special to be in such an iconic site with so few people.
What travelers might not know about Jordan now:
Petra gets all the attention, but the otherworldly Wadi Rum desert is an incredibly peaceful spot for a little respite while adventuring in the Middle East.
Peru
Carey Johnston, Chief Operating Officer
Biggest Takeaway:
An unexpected highlight for me in Peru was a full day hike from the Sacred Valley to a high Andean village, accompanied by a couple of local women and their llamas. We began the morning herding and helping to pack the animals and then hiked alongside them for hours, passing rivers with small waterfalls and feasting on views of glaciers. When we arrived in the women’s village, we were treated to an incredible huatia lunch (cooked underground) with a variety of potatoes, Incan corn, lima beans, and a delicious chimichurri sauce. As if all that wasn’t enough to be totally enchanted, we didn’t see a single other traveler the entire day.
What travelers might not know about Peru now:
The variety of landscapes in the Andes can be a surprise, from the high desert-like conditions of the Colca Valley where prickly cacti cling to the canyon walls, to a temperate mix in the Sacred Valley, to the lush cloud forest of Machu Picchu, where bromeliads grow from trees and orchids and begonias line the trail.
Arctic
Linda De La Torre, Sales
Biggest Takeaway:
The Arctic is extraordinary for its raw, untamed beauty—a stark yet breathtaking expanse of glaciers, fjords, and untouched wilderness. The interplay of light and shadow, especially under the midnight sun, made every moment feel magical. The resilience of wildlife, from polar bears and musk oxen to seabirds, underscored the power and fragility of this region.
What travelers might not know about the Arctic now:
Many don’t realize how much the Arctic is a living, breathing ecosystem, teeming with life and culture. It’s not just an icy wasteland but a region rich in history, biodiversity, and stories waiting to be told. Visiting responsibly can make a positive impact, supporting local communities and raising awareness about global environmental challenges.
Kenya
Katie Krajenke, Marketing
Biggest Takeaway:
I was blown away by the variety of ecosystems in Kenya. Each new reserve or park felt like a new dimension, from the dramatic ridges of the Mathews Mountain Range to the solitude of the Lewa Conservancy—where there was hardly another vehicle in sight—to the vast, open grasslands of the Maasai Mara, where giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle moved gracefully across the plains.
What travelers might not know about Kenya now:
I don’t think you can go to Kenya and not come home feeling inspired to make a difference in the world, or in your own community. I met so many inspiring people in Kenya, from multigenerational families to members of community-owned sanctuaries, all of whom were taking what they had and turning it into something meaningful and sustaining.
Japan
Ashley Pacelli, Sales
Biggest Takeaway:
Everything in Japan is done with love and passion. And everything is an art form. There’s chado (tea ceremony), ikebana (flower arranging), kintsugi (repairing pottery with gold), origami, shodo (calligraphy), awa odori (dance), and more. Even the puppetry is beautiful and upholds 1,000-year-old traditions. As busy as parts of Japan can be, I always felt extremely at peace because of the artistry and care infused into society.
What travelers might not know about Japan now:
While in Japan this November, I discovered depachika—exquisite grocery stores stashed in department store basements. In addition to flawless Japanese fruit and pre-made bento boxes, depachika sometimes feature tasting counters. Here you can taste udon, onigiri rice balls, and rainbow-colored wagashi, and then wash them all down with sake. How can I possibly return to my regular store back home?
Zambia
Glenn Ringer, Product Development
Biggest Takeaway:
Zambia offers a truly unrivaled, off-the-radar safari experience. With its quiet corridors and incredible variety of both wildlife and landscapes, there’s no place quite like it. I was there in July—traveling with longtime GeoEx friend and Africa safari guide Brad Hansen—and we watched a pack of wild dogs take down a buffalo. In 20 years of professional guiding, across the entire continent of Africa, Brad had never seen anything like it.
What travelers might not know about Zambia now:
Not long ago, Zambia was considered a sensational safari destination, but with rustic accommodations. This is no longer the case. Luxury options abound, and they’re half the price of similar camps in neighboring Botswana.
Türkiye
Tina Liadis, Sales
Biggest Takeaway:
I felt really connected to the past while walking through Old Istanbul in Türkiye. The city has been around for about 2500 years and so many cultures have passed through—Greeks, Persians, Romans, Ottomans, and many more. As I traveled from Istanbul to the countryside, it was inspiring to imagine who might have walked these same cobbled paths.
What travelers might not know about Türkiye now:
Exploring Istanbul isn’t just about visiting its bounty of historic sites, the ancient ruins, palaces, churches, and mosques that leave visitors awe-struck. You can also spend days simply exploring its colorful neighborhoods, where lively meyhanes (taverns), verdant parks, antique shops, and perfect pastries are just as abundant and awe-inspiring.
Botswana
Danielle Garland, Communications
Biggest Takeaway:
I was floored by the variety of ways one can experience Botswana: soaring above the landscape by helicopter, bouncing over the land by safari vehicle, and serenely gliding the meandering tributaries of the Okavango by traditional mokoro. Experiencing the varied riches of the country in these different ways guaranteed my instant connection to this spectacular place.
What travelers might not know about Botswana now:
Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a very unique place. Not only will you see the classic, charismatic megafauna of southern Africa—buffalo, lion, giraffe, and leopard—but the Delta is a haven for myriad birds and wetland wildlife. This means that against a backdrop of flood-swollen waterways and reed-lined channels, you might see elephants and white pelicans watering at the same holes. Or catch sight of a lion stalking its prey by swimming up behind it. It’s incredible—and incredibly scenic!
Galápagos
Keegen Brookes, Marketing
Biggest Takeaway:
Since becoming a mom, I’ve had little time to think about wildlife—other than to identify closely with animal moms in nature docs when they lose their cool with the cubs. So when I was planning my family trip to the Galápagos, I thought the destination would appeal most to my 9-year-old and 8-year-old traveling companions. When we got to the Islands, I was wonderfully surprised to find that the friendliness, playfulness, confidence, and beauty of the wildlife were a pure delight for me too!
What travelers might not know about Galapagos now:
Each island of the Galápagos archipelago is unique. North Seymour has blue-footed boobies, Isabela has Galápagos penguins, Santa Cruz’s Las Bachas Beach has rose-colored flamingos and powder-white sand, and Rábida has nesting brown pelicans and red-sand beaches. If you have the time, visit as many islands as possible for the fullest picture of this Pacific wonderland.
Patagonia
Charlie Lockwood, Sales
Biggest Takeaway:
I’ve been to Patagonia before, but this was my first international adventure as a new mom, traveling as a family of three with our 9-month-old daughter. The locals were so kind and helpful with her. All of the guides held her for us if we needed to change or while taking photos. I have so many pictures of our wonderful guides holding her, dancing with her, and giving her cuddles. More than any visit before, it felt like a home away from home.
What travelers might not know about Patagonia now:
Anyone, of any age, can have a rewarding experience in Patagonia. It isn’t only a destination for active, young hikers. I was a new parent with a tiny baby and still had the trip of a lifetime. Yes, there were certain treks I couldn’t do and points when I felt I was ready to turn back, but because the guides were so accommodating, my family had an incredible—and incredibly fulfilling—time.
Ready for your next adventure? Connect with a GeoEx Expert or give us a call at 888-570-7108 to have your own wanderlust tales to tell.
