Destinations 2024

Vacations in Turkey in vogue among early bookers

Families usually travel in the high season and like all-inclusive vacations.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Vacations in Turkey are particularly popular this year, and early booking is the trend. There are still many price advantages until the end of January. Where to go this year and what new offers are on the program.

"There's a real boom in Styrian travel agencies at the moment," says Max Schlögl, Managing Director of Gruber Reisen. Summer vacations have already been booked since mid-October, confirms Andrea Springer, head of Springer Reisen. And that is exceptionally early. The reason for this is the desire for a certain degree of predictability. The worries about coronavirus cancellations seem to be history, and many people are booking early again.

The big advantage compared to last-minute bookings: Neat price advantages and freedom of choice. "You have to take what's still available later," says Schlögl. The season has also been extended because the climate has - to put it kindly - changed. One of her charter flights in the fall vacations goes to Cyprus, for example, "the sea is no longer extremely warm there, but you can still hop in".

My personal favorite island is the Greek island of Naxos.

Andrea Springer, Geschäftsführerin von Springer Reisen

The top destinations in the Mediterranean: in addition to Greece, Turkey in particular this year. The former mass tourism destination seems to be celebrating its comeback this year - albeit no longer at the familiar low prices. Both travel experts agree that relaxing vacations by the sea are most in demand for the summer.

How to save money when planning your vacation
While families often have no choice apart from the high season, it is advisable for everyone else to travel in the early and late season. "My personal favorite island for these months is the Greek island of Naxos," says Springer. In the long-haul travel sector, the Maldives, Mauritius, Vietnam and Cambodia are in vogue. For car tourists, the classic destinations this year are Croatia and Italy.

The average traveler stays at their vacation destination for ten days. "Two weeks is often too long and one too short," says Springer. This extends the average length of vacation, says Schlögl. This is also due to affordability. In contrast to the rest of life, traveling has not become noticeably more expensive. If you want to save a lot of money, you should book in January with an early booking discount.

Neuerungen bei Flügen und Nachtzügen

Über Nacht im Doppelstock-Zug verreisen

In order to satisfy the curiosity of Styrian travelers, ÖBB and Graz Airport are increasing their offers. "You can get to any beautiful destination from Graz with just one change," says Thalerhof Managing Director Wolfgang Grimus. In fact, you can reach a total of 32 destinations in 15 countries.

Traveling by night train: sleep once and you're already at your destination.

(Bild: Harald Eisenberger)

Flights will be operated at least three times a day to the important transfer airports of Frankfurt, Zurich, Munich and Vienna - the frequency of the latter two will now be increased. The flight program for Turkey will also be expanded, specifically to Antalya. And for Greece, there will be direct flights to eight different cities this summer. "These include popular destinations such as Heraklion, Rhodes and Corfu," says Grimus.

The current overnight train connections from Styria to all of Europe.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

ÖBB is relying on Railjet innovations for flights from Vienna. Among other things, there is an additional evening connection between Graz and Vienna Airport this year. New targets have also been set for night services: passenger numbers are to be doubled by 2030 - double-decker night trains have already been ordered. It is currently possible to travel comfortably from Graz to Zurich or Berlin with just one night's sleep. Recently, the train to Berlin also made a stopover in Prague. However, the Nightjet to Warsaw had to be replaced.