Ellie's Ten Most Memorable Travel Experiences of 2024

As 2025 is set to look a little different to 2024 - which was a big year of travel - I’ve been thinking back over the travel experiences that left a mark on me this last year.

They range from exquisite properties and cultural experiences to unexpected and underrated destinations. They span Italy, France, Malta, India and Morocco.

1. Celebrating Durga Puja, Calcutta

While travelling in East Bengal with my client, Ampersand Travel, we finished with three days in Calcutta which overlapped with the annual Durga Puja. As well as ‘pandal hopping’ and watching the immersion of sacred clay idols, the most memorable experience was seeing in the festivities on a local party boat.

As we sailed under the Howrah Bridge - from sunset to a star-filled sky - to thumping Bollywood tunes and dance competitions, it was clear there was no better way to see these celebrations than through Indians’ eyes.

2. Visiting St Peter’s at dawn, Rome

As I become increasingly turned off by humongous crowds at tourist sites, I end up visiting at strange hours of the day just to experience them alone (I find the Louvre unbeatable at 3am). When in Rome for a week in February, my friend and I rose before daylight and were one of the first into the Basilica.

After admiring Michelangelo’s The Pietà (incredibly moving IRL in comparison to photos) we raced up the many (many) flights of steps to the dome. Seeing the day start from the roof - overlooking all of Rome - and then being back at my AirBnB before breakfast, all felt rather fabulous.

3. Discovering Malta

Before booking a flight there (due to direct flights from both Rome and Marseille) I can safely say I knew almost nothing about Malta. Perhaps this is one of the reasons this little island blew me away. Arriving from a cold and blustery Italy, I was immediately wowed by the azure blue sea, warm spring sun (basically English summer temperatures) and incredibly beautiful and striking architecture (a lot of Game of Thrones was filmed here).

A series of delightful restaurants and boutique hotels only compounded the experience. The absolute highlight? The two Caravaggio’s at the beautiful St John’s Co-Cathedral (yes, do include the tour of the Belfry).

4. Staying at the perfect Villa, Tuscany

Despite a brief trip to Sienna in 2023, I’m a little embarrassed to say I’d never made it to Tuscany before this summer. After a rewatch of Under The Tuscan Sun my expectations were high… and boy were they met. Yes it was hot in July, but the villa I was lucky to stay in has to rank with one of the most perfect holiday homes I’ve ever visited.

Crumbling and vast yet contemporary and cosy, interiors at Villa Arniano are perfection, as are the views (and the food). Needless to say, I was back in Tuscany a month later to soak up more of that special sun.

5. Exploring Provence

In my opinion staycations aren’t done enough. And by that I mean, staying at home and exploring your local vicinity as if you were a tourist. That’s what I did in June when two friends visited me from South Africa. Together we explored the region I’ve called home since I was 11, and I came away astounded.

From remote hikes in wild nature to touring hilltop villages and discovering gourmet hot spots and perfect boutique hotels, I loved seeing the region through my friends’ eyes. 2024 was also the year I purchased a small slice of Avignon real estate and am in the early stages of a hospitality project. If you’re ever in the city and looking for a place to stay let me know.

6. Dining in at Tuba Club, Marseille

Tuba Club is located right on the water in the Calanques of Cassis. A national park, this is one of the French south coast’s most picturesque stretches. This very in demand restaurant with rooms came into its own in 2024. The notoriety is deserved: food was incredible, service was fun and interiors the right kind of edgy cool.

The stairs into the sea and cliffside sunbathing make for the perfect Instagram story (beware of the influencers). I wouldn’t personally want to stay here, but it’s a great lunch stop between Marseille and Cassis, both of which should be on your hit list. My favourite fact is that Cassis was where the Ancient Greeks first landed in France, and is therefore the first place in the country where wine was grown.

7. Villa Kerylos on the Côte d’Azur

To beat the January blues I spent a few days on the Côte d’Azur in Beaulieu with family. This was a bit of an architectural pilgrimage, due to a reading journey that’s been taking place over 10 years. First ‘The Hare with Amber Eyes’ and then ‘Letters to Camondo’ by Edmund de Waal (read both immediately if you have an interest in art history / Paris / Vienna) led me to Villa Kerylos, one of the most faithful architectural ‘reconstructions’ I’ve ever visited.

Designed and built in the early 20th century using Ancient Greek designs and practices, this former holiday home is almost hard to believe. For lovers of Ancient Greece this is simply a must visit, wherever you live in the world. We combined it with Villa Rothschild (not currently in great shape but worth a quick visit), the Matisse chapel in Vence and a heavenly lunch at La Colombe d’Or, which, all combined, made for one of the most perfect starts to the year I’ve ever experienced.

8. An evening in Lucca

When back in Tuscany for a wedding, I dropped into Lucca for an evening with friends. A town I’ve heard of by name but didn’t know much about, Lucca is now a firm favourite that I’m already planning to return to for a much longer stay. Something about the light, the balmy air, the ancient walls and the winding backstreets thronging with restaurants (and unexpected opera performances) really did it for me.

Yes it was busy and there were tourists, but it didn’t feel touristy, it still felt real. And golly was the food delicious and spritzes refreshing. Top tip, don’t rely on taxis… we nearly ended up spending the night on a park bench due to lack of drivers after 10pm.

9. Three days in Marrakech with Women Travel Leaders

When I lived in London I would spend three days in Marrakech every January to beat the blues… turns out this city does the trick in mid September too. I visited during PURE week to attend a fantastic client event, the Women Travel Leaders in-person get together on a riad rooftop.

The night was pure perfection: a perfect sunset, warm hospitality, delicious Moroccan food and a selection of some of the most wonderful women in global travel. Staying in the medina reminded me just how sensory this city is...all those pink walls, donkey carts, spice sellers, palm trees and hot golden sun - all just three hours from Europe - really make this a fantastic otherworldly weekend getaway.

10. Paris, Paris, Paris

2024 was the year I took the plunge and decided to settle in Paris; after 4 years of totally remote living (between Provence, Delhi, London and Cape Town). After 12 months testing out different areas, I finally decided to rent an Emily in Paris style apartment in the 6ieme - a hop skip and a jump from the Louvre - meaning I can finally call this city home.

And what a home it has been so far…I simply couldn’t ask for more. I feel that I’m at the very start of a potentially life-long love affair with the city of lights…and am enjoying discovering it day by day...art, architecture, literature, history, fashion, food, people and more. If you didn’t receive my Paris tips earlier in the year, just reply to this email and I’ll send them over.

Stay tuned for more in 2025!

For photos and videos of all my travel highlights mentioned above head to my Instagram page.

Although I’m staying a little closer to home next year, I already have plans for short jaunts to Tunisia, Spain and Greece. If you have any unforgettable travel moments from 2024 to share, I’d love to hear them.

Ellie x