Our Favourite Travel Moments of 2024
Here's our travel year in review and suggestions for your next getaway!
To bring this article to life, I've created a companion podcast episode. You can listen to it below or find it on your favourite podcast app by searching for "Travel Plans with Fernando Pinho".
Hey there 👋🏻
2024 was a hell of a year! It started with a call from my doctor saying I would need an operation. The reason? There was a slight chance I could have cancer. I waited four months for the operation and two more to find out the result.
Negative! It was never cancer. And then, more good news. I got a call from the BBC saying that I was a finalist in their BBC Make A Difference Awards for my work as a volunteer and fundraiser (over £300,000) to help children with cancer.
A few weeks later, once my aviation doctor cleared me, I was back in the air, making the most of every single travel opportunity, resulting in six trips being featured in our first year of Travel Plans: Cambridge, Watergate Bay in Cornwall, Barbican Centre in London, Le Touquet Paris-Plage in France, a little cabin in a Norfolk forest, and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
As we approach the end of the year, I want to revisit those trips and share with you some of the highlights of 2024.
So, without further ado, based on my trips this year, here’s my Travel Recap and Suggestions: 2024 Edition.
My Most Unforgettable Travel Experience in 2024
From all the travels I reported in 2024, a trip to an undisclosed forest in the middle of Norfolk is the one I’ll never forget. In fact, it had quite a big impact on me.
When I decided to ditch the city and venture into the heart of a peaceful forest in the East of England in search of clarity and a stress-free environment, I had many doubts about how effective this experience could be. After all, living without a phone signal or any people around isn't for everyone.
But there, in the middle of nowhere, nature helped me slow down. Since I left, not a single week went by without me saying to myself, I want to return!
I also need to mention the thrill of landing in a decommissioned World War II airbase. It was quite the experience! You can read the full story in the link below.
My Favourite Restaurants
I was born and raised in Portugal, where food and meal times are more than just sustenance; they are social events. Even lunchtime during the workday is an opportunity for coworkers to pause for a whole hour and chat around a table. Perhaps for that reason, I value a restaurant's setting and the company as much as the quality of the food.
My two favourite restaurants in 2024 offer vast sea views and are perfect for family gatherings.
La Base Nord in Le Touquet, France, holds a special place in my family's heart (and mouth)! Nestled within the Canche Bay Natural Park, Base Nord boasts the most stunning views in town, paired with a fantastic atmosphere and a yummy menu. If you’re lucky, you can even spot the seals resting on the sandbank.
In the UK, my top choice is Beach Hut, which we featured in episode four. Nestled on the sandy shores of Watergate Bay, this relaxed restaurant welcomes every member of the family (including four-legged ones).
The menu strikes a perfect balance, offering fresh local produce alongside playful treats—the extensive hot chocolate selection alone could rival my airplane's long checklist! The warmth and welcome we experienced at the Beach Hut is, in my opinion, one of the key reasons why Watergate Bay feels so special.
Can’t Afford a Yatch? Try Sand Yachting!
In 2024, we surfed in Cornwall and enjoyed horse riding in France, but the most exhilarating sports activity by far was sand yachting – according to those who actually had the chance to try it out! Listen to the full episode on Le Touquet Paris Plage to hear more about that!
These wind-powered vehicles, resembling sailboats on wheels, can reach incredible speeds of over 90 kilometres per hour! Everyone who has tried sand yachting raves about the adrenaline rush, claiming it's an unforgettable experience.
Le Touquet is the perfect place for your first sand yachting adventure. You can book a discovery session to get a taste of the action.
My Favourite Hotels - From Budget to Luxury
I've mentioned a few times that for most of my travels, I book budget hotels. While cost is a major factor, the primary reason is their generous cancellation policies. For a pilot dependent on favourable weather conditions, flexible cancellation is essential, allowing me to change bookings if I decide not to fly.
One Building, Three Hotels
This year, my favourite budget hotel was Ibis in Le Touquet, France. But why a budget hotel in Le Touquet, you might ask? See your answer at the end of this newsletter.
This Ibis is a budget-friendly option that surprises you with its quality. The rooms are a decent size, and they have a charming outdoor bar serving up cocktails, pizzas, and salads. The only minor drawback is its location, which is a couple of miles from the town centre. I actually prefer this, as the tranquillity of being nestled in the forest is very appealing to me.
If you like the location, here’s an interesting fact: there are three different hotels in the same complex—Ibis, Novotel, and Tribe. All offer different levels of service and amenities.
Hotel, Le Westminster Hotel
For this one, we’re staying in Le Touquet. If you're looking for a luxurious experience, Le Westminster Hotel is an excellent choice. Imagine spacious rooms, impeccable service, and a truly indulgent stay. They even have a complimentary kids' club, offering parents a welcome break.
This hotel is more than just one of the most beautiful buildings in Le Touquet; it's a historical landmark, standing tall since 1924. Rumour has it that its timeless elegance inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. Years later, the legendary Sean Connery signed his iconic 007 contract within these very walls—perhaps with a martini, shaken, not stirred!
My Favourite Beach Hotel
Watergate Bay in Cornwall isn't about giant hotel chains or traditional UK seaside resorts – think more of a cosy, tucked-away secret.
The Watergate Bay Hotel is the perfect place to unwind, whether you're craving ocean views, family adventures, a bit of pampering in the spa (they’ve got a kids’ club to allow this space and time), or simply want to feel the sand between your toes. Even dogs are welcome! It truly is one of my favourite spots in England.
My Favourite Family Activities
Let’s stay in Cornwall for a moment. If you ask my family what the highlight of our Cornish weekend was, they'll shout in unison, “The sea safari!”.
It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s a Sea Safari!
From Padstow, you can hop aboard a speed boat and set off on an adventure to explore Cornwall's incredible coast and marine wildlife. Depending on the season and a touch of luck, you might spot dolphins, seals, puffins, and countless other creatures who call this coastline home.
Now, these boats are fast! And by fast, I mean a rollercoaster-style thrill ride. For those who prefer a gentler pace, be aware that these safaris might feel a bit too adventurous.
Eden Project - A Paradise in Cornwall
Located 30 minutes from Watergate Bay, the Eden Project is otherworldly. Its giant domes, resembling spaceships that have landed in the countryside, recreate the biodiversity of forests around the world. One moment you're in the lush Amazon with towering trees and waterfalls, the next, you're having lunch surrounded by the citrus scents of Greece. It's a place of incredible contrasts and an experience for all the senses.
Children will love pretending to be rainforest explorers, climbing through the canopy, and finding exotic plant life. Adults will appreciate the remarkable transformation of this former quarry, now blooming with life and inspiration.
Dinky Doors - A Miniature Walking Tour of Cambridge
In Cambridge, two anonymous artists have installed 14 miniature metal sculptures called Dinky Doors.
Exploring the Dinky Doors feels like uncovering hidden treasures scattered across Cambridge. It's unlike any other tour, and I understand why families and children adore it. Despite their small stature, each tiny sculpture has a delightful backstory guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and paint Cambridge in the brightest colours.
To discover the 14 charming doors scattered across Cambridge, grab a tour guide from the city's bookshops or purchase one online at Dinky Door’s website.
The Best Family Show in 2024 (That You Can Watch in 2025!)
In episode three, we spent a whole day at the Barbican Centre in London. This was no ordinary day out. The Barbican is one of the largest performing arts centres in the world, offering music, theatre, art, cinema, exhibitions, architectural tours, a massive library, parks, lakes, medieval walls, and a tropical garden.
While visiting the Barbican, I experienced the magic of the multi-award-winning jaw-dropping stage adaptation of 'My Neighbour Totoro,' produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Sadly, its run closed that night after two incredible seasons.
However, there is good news! The show will reopen in March 2025! As a former theatre producer, I can confidently say that 'My Neighbour Totoro' is the best family show I've ever seen. You can get tickets here.
And Finally, My Family’s Favourite Destination in 2024
Once a playground for the British elite, Le Touquet Paris-Plage in northern France now brims with new energy.
Le Touquet offers everything you and your family could want from a seaside resort: 11 kilometres of sandy beaches, fantastic restaurants and French bakeries, golf courses, two watersports centres, a tennis club with 26 courts and a swimming pool, an equestrian park considered one of the finest in France, a theme park, casinos, live music and theatre, a nature reserve inhabited by seals, 28 kilometres of bike lanes, an airport (named after Queen Elisabeth II), and a train station.
All this is only an hour from Calais. If you prefer the scenic route, take the Eurostar and make a quick change at Lille to Étaples-Le Touquet.
You might even bump into French President Emmanuel Macron, who has a summer residence there. Ok, you might not see him, but almost certainly, you’ll bump into me!
All the suggestions I listed above are featured in more detail in each of the newsletters or podcasts we published in 2024.
What’s to come in 2025
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. Starting this podcast has been quite a journey—exciting and daunting!
Each episode of 'Travel Plans' takes up to 10 days to produce, from research and recording to editing. Your support makes it possible.
In 2025, I'll publish a deep dive into a new destination each month. We have destinations lined up in the UK, France, Ireland, and Belgium!
I wish you a joyous Christmas season and a New Year filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable travel adventures.
More Travel Plans!
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In the podcast, I promised a photo of the car Cambridge students put on the roof of the Senate House—almost forgot! Here it is.