Travel is not about personal growth or bragging rights. Travel is transformative not because it changes us, but because it makes connections that can change the world. People who see the complexity of the world—at home and abroad—see better. We reject the cynicism that can hang over tourism because we believe that deeper connections are possible, that meaningful experiences can happen anywhere at any time, and that the world is big enough that it still holds lots of surprises.
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This is what inspires us at Atlas Obscura, and this is why we have created something new: The Wanderlist. For 2024, we’ve selected 24 remarkable destinations that demonstrate why travel and exploration are important to us. Each of the places we’ve selected for this list are sure to evoke a sense of surprise and curiosity. They’re places where you’re less likely to encounter crowds. And they’re places where, we feel, your travel dollars benefit local communities and help preserve the places you’re visiting. We sourced the destinations on this list from our own travels and our network of guides, writers, and travel experts around the world. We’ll be releasing the first-ever Wanderlist next month, and are so excited that you will be joining us on this journey in 2024 and beyond.