Booking.com Reveals the Best Destinations to Spend 24 Hours In
The first 24 hours create some of the most memorable moments. Research from Booking.com also reveals that nearly half of travellers (46%) believe these first hours can set the tone for the rest of the trip. Whether it’s a city break, a beach vacation or a snow-filled adventure, it’s important to find the best way to make the most out of these important hours. But what if you only had 24 hours in total? Where would you go?
Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, conducted research across over 18,000 travellers from 25 countries worldwide*, to reveal the 10 best destinations to spend one magical day in, with Paris coming out on top, followed by Sydney and New York. There’s obviously a huge draw to the Land Down Under as Australia featured three times: Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
These top 10 destinations are packed full of exciting things to do so if you’re going for 24 hours or more, then let Booking.com inspire you with this handy guide.
1.Paris, France
Known as the city of love, it is no surprise that the top endorsement for Paris by Booking.com travellers is romance**, making this the perfect romantic getaway for you and your loved one. As nearly one in three travellers (28%) say that a romantic getaway presents the most exciting type of holiday in the first 24 hours (in part down to the great accommodation available), Paris does not disappoint.
Other endorsements by Booking.com travellers include food, while almost one in three of those researched (31%) say they’d love to visit Paris because they adore the local food and drink, and almost one in five (17%) said they’d want to go to Paris after being inspired by posts they’ve seen on social media. So if you visit, be sure to take a picture in front of some of the most iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay. The top nationalities that visited in 2016 include British, German and Italian.
Where to stay: Located in a beautiful 19th Century building, in the heart of Paris, are the stylish My Home for You Luxury B&B apartments. Wake up to daily fresh pastries and enjoy wine tasting sessions, homemade cakes and cheeses, or take a short stroll to the Opera Garnier or the Louvre Museum with your loved one.
2.Sydney, Australia
The sun-kissed city of Sydney was voted as the second best destination to spend 24 hours in, and from the array of activities on offer this comes as no surprise. Almost one in three travellers (29%) believe that a city break presents the most exciting first 24 hours, because of the great opportunities to explore and Sydney definitely delivers on this. Four out of ten travellers (40%) would want to visit because of the landscape, so why not take an exploration through the Royal National Park, or a dip in the famous Bondi Icebergs pool, or perhaps a picnic in the beautiful Botanic Gardens. The top endorsements for Sydney by thousands of Booking.com travellers include food, restaurants and sightseeing, plus the top nationalities that visited in 2016 include Chinese, British and Kiwi.
Where to stay: Bondi Backpackers is the ultimate hostel for backpackers looking to explore the beautiful city of Sydney, boasting an unrivalled location, and just two minutes’ walk to the beach, travellers are seconds away from the famous sands and surf of Bondi. Offering spacious living areas, panoramic views of the Bondi coastline, this multi-story hostel presents a range of private rooms and shared dormitories.
3.New York City, USA
Known as the Big Apple or the ‘city that never sleeps’, New York is a great place to entertain family and friends. Voted as the third best destination to spend 24 hours in, travellers will be spoilt for choice. Over one in five (22%) travellers said they wanted to visit NYC as it’s is easy to get around, which is no bad thing when there are so many things on your must-see list. Take a trip to famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, have a picnic in sunny Central Park or watch your favourite Broadway show. The top endorsements for New York by Booking.com travellers include restaurants, shopping and sightseeing and the top nationalities that visited in 2016 were British, French and Italian. One in five travellers would want to visit NYC as they think you can get a good sense of the place in just 24 hours and one in five (20%) say they love the local food and drink, so be sure to stop by the famous one dollar pizza hotspots and hot dog carts!
Where to stay: The chic and modern 2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Times Square apartments are just a short walk away from Restaurant Row, NY Cruise Port and Times Square and are a great space for family and friends. Relax in your spacious apartment with your own living room and a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for that home away from home.
4.Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is famed for its fusion of experiences, from the ultramodern and neon-lit skyscrapers to its historic temples and holy sites. Travellers around the globe voted Tokyo as the fourth best destination to spend 24 hours in and the top endorsements on Booking.com include food, convenient public transport and friendly people.
Nearly four in 10 travellers (39%) would want to visit Japan because they love the local food and drink, and with an abundance of Michelin star restaurants Tokyo is a must for any foodie fanatic. The top nationalities that visited in 2016 include Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean and over half of travellers (55%) love Tokyo because there is so much to see and do. From the seasonal Adachi Fireworks, the Tokyo Tower and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens, there is something for everyone. Almost one in five travellers (17%) who want to visit say they are inspired to take a trip after seeing posts on social media and over one in ten (14%) love the friendly locals and variety of accommodation.
Where to stay: With an impressive seven on site restaurants, guests looking for food on their doorstep will be spoilt for choice with the Palace Hotel Tokyo. Offering an elegant and chic ambience, guests can enjoy authentic Japanese culinary experiences at the Wadakura restaurant, tasty tempura at Tatsumi or deliciously fresh sushi at Kanesaka. Or for something a little different sample exquisite French cuisine at the Crown boasting stunning panoramic city views.
5.Gold Coast, Australia
At number five is the beautiful Gold Coast, voted as the fifth best destination by travellers to spend 24 hours in and with beach breaks listed highly as one of the types of holiday that present the most exciting first 24 hours (40%), the Gold Coast is a must. Nearly six in 10 travellers (58%) want to visit because they love the landscapes and over one in ten (13%) are inspired to go after seeing posts on social media. Over one in 10 travellers (16%) rate the friendly locals and a similar number (14%) love the local food and drink. Top endorsements for the Gold Coast by Booking.com travellers include food, warm weather and beaches and the top nationalities that visited in 2016 include Kiwi, Chinese and British.
Where to stay: Set in Beechmont is the luxurious Clouds Safari tent, featuring a patio, garden and BBQ, perfect for those famous Aussie barbeques watching the timeless sunsets. This unique stay is ideally located with the famous Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise both just a short car ride away.
London is the perfect city break to spend 24 hours in - over and over again! Over six in 10 (64%) travellers said they’d love to go to London as there is so much to see and do, while almost a third (29%) liked the fact its easy to get around and nearly one in five (17%) liked that there are a variety of great accommodation options. When it comes to the type of holiday that can present the most exciting first 24 hours, nearly one in three travellers (29%) selected a city break because of the opportunities to explore. London is perfect for that and visitors can spend 24 hours exploring a number of different neighbourhoods, which all have their own unique character and charm, from the trendy coffee cafes and vintage markets in Shoreditch to the luxury shops and fine dining restaurants of Kensington and Chelsea. Booking.com travellers love the capital’s shopping, sightseeing and museums and the top nationalities that booked last year include French, Italian and German.
Where to stay: Soho Stables apartments are set right in the heart of London in the bustling Soho area, just 100 metres from Piccadilly Theatre. This 200 year old converted stable is split over two floors and comes with a fully fitted kitchen – not that you’ll need it, being surrounded by an abundance of tasty cafes and restaurants!
What’s not to love about Rome? Everywhere you look, you are immersed in charismatic districts, culture, history, and not to mention the fantastic food. Nearly four in 10 travellers (39%) who said they wanted to go to Rome said it was because they love the local food and drink, over one in three (35%) love the sound of the landscape and over six in 10 (65%) love that there is so much to see and do. Just make sure your first 24 hours in Rome include grabbing a gelato at the Spanish steps, taking a photo at the Trevi fountain, witnessing the wonder of the Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica and spending some time exploring the neighbourhoods to soak up the scenery and sampling the local delicacies. Booking.com travellers endorsed Rome for the food, history and monuments and the top nationalities that booked last year include British, French, Spanish and German.
Where to stay: For a trip to Rome you will want to stay in the perfect spot for sightseeing – Vatican Chic B&B is just 200 metres from the Vatican museum and walking distance from St Peters Basilica as well as the famous Via Cola di Rienzo shopping street.
Zurich is famous for being situated on beautiful Lake Zurich so it’s no surprise one of the top endorsements for this great city by Booking.com travellers is its lakes. Also endorsed for convenient public transport, over one in 10 (13%) travellers said Zurich is easy to get around. Over six in 10 (65%) travellers who wanted to go to Zurich said this was because of the landscape and nearly one in five (17%) wanted to go for the variety of great accommodation options. Zurich’s swift public transport means you can tick off attractions quickly and easily so make sure your first 24 hours include a trip to one of the cities many museums, explore the city’s most famous historical landmarks - the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches and wander round the Old Town’s shops and cafes. The top nationalities that booked last year include Germans, British and Italians.
Where to stay: Sit back and relax at the The Dolder Grand which hosts an incredible spa, pool, two award-winning restaurants and stunning views over Zurich, Lake Zurich or the Alps. There is a free shuttle service into the city centre so you can experience the best of both worlds – city and nature.
Another beautiful city to enjoy and make the most out of in 24 hours. Venice allures travellers from all over the globe with its romantic vibes, rich art and history. Nearly six in 10 (59%) travellers who said they wanted to go to Venice say they’d always wanted to go, with 16% saying they’d been inspired by seeing it on social media. Nearly a third (28%) love the local food and drink and with its iconic setting and famous canals, nearly half (46%) love the landscape. Your first 24 hour tick list should include a gondola ride along the Grand Canal and underneath the Rialto Bridge, visiting Saint Marks Basilica cathedral and peruse the market area of Rialto Mercato (buy a water bus day pass to make life easier)! Booking.com travellers endorse this dreamy destination for romance, food and architecture and the top nationalities that booked last year were British, French, American and French.
Where to stay: La Porta D'Oriente B&B is set on the first floor of a 16th century building close to Santa Maria Formosa church and 10 minutes’ walk from St. Mark’s Square. Each room and suite offers a unique style with Japanese, Indian or Venetian themes with wood beamed ceilings and antique wooden floors.
At number 10 it’s the stylish and trendy coastal capital of Melbourne. Booking.com travellers endorse this cosmopolitan city for the food and restaurants, shopping and convenient public transport, making it a great place for a short or long trip away. It’s no surprise that a third of travellers said they’d visit Melbourne for the great weather and almosts one in 10 (9%) liked the fact it would be affordable and easy to get around. In your first 24 hours make sure you head over to federation square, boasting galleries, restaurants and colourful street art, make sure you find out why Melbourne is named Australia’s coffee capital by sampling a local brew, ride one of the historic trams and hit the town in evening for some fine dining and explore the choice of hipster bars. This destination attracts travellers far and wide as the top nationalities that booked last year were Chinese, British and Kiwi.
Where to stay: Mason apartments are a great base in Melbourne if you have a car. Your just 5km from Princess Theatre, Regent Theatre and St. Paul’s Cathedral and a 10 minute drive from Melbourne Zoo. These modern one and two bedroom apartments are walking distance to restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and shops and offer a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area.
* Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a nationally representative sample, provided by Research Now. In total 18,496 respondents were surveyed (1,000+ from the UK, US, Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, India and Russia and 500+ each from Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand and Taiwan). Respondents completed an online survey between 27th April and 15th May 2017.
**According to endorsements by Booking.com customers