Here's to Travel 2023! Some top destination for the New Year
Where will you go in 2023?
As 2022 winds down, we will all be gathered with family and friends for all the holidays. Often this is when travel dreams start taking shape. Or, maybe for you, it is when you are staring down that long lens into the new year, making all the plans!
Whichever or whenever it is for you, I thought I would put together a list of some hot spots, up-and-coming destinations, and little corners of the world for you to think about for your 2023 travels. There are so many more than ten but these are some gems I love! They are in no particular order.
South Africa
It is hard to describe all of the beauty in South Africa - amazing landscapes, incredible game viewing, world class wines, creative food scene, even more creative art scene, warmth of the people - this country has it all. The best part about South Africa is that there is so much more to do than just safari. There is Cape Town, the ocean, the winelands, the Garden Route, Durban, luxury trains, as well as many options for some of the best safari experiences on the planet. And those are just the highlights!
With the exchange rate where it is and new non-stop connections from the US to both Cape Town and Johannesburg, 2023 might just be the year to do this bucket list trip. Be forewarned - this is not a last minute destination if you want to do it right. Lodges and tented camps are small and fill up fast. Six months is tha absolute bare minimum with 9-12 months being better.
Photo credit: JJ Ying from Unsplash
Japan
Many people immediately think of Tokyo and Kyoto when they think of Japan. But Japan is so much more. With the recent opening of the country after Covid-19 shutdowns, Japan is hot, hot, hot!
So what is in Tokyo and Kyoto and beyond that put Japan on the list? Think stunning scenery, history, ancient temples, geisha, islands dedicated to art, sumo wrestling and kabuki performances, vending machine food, all the cool candy, the food, tea ceremonies, zen gardens, cherry blossoms and manga. And don’t even get me started on the bullet trains!
Japan is one of those places that will surprise you and make you want to keep going back.
Jordan
Jordan is certainly on the rise as a place to visit. Often time, Jordan - or specifically Petra - was an add on for a few days to other itineraries. Not anymore! Jordan is a destination to really explore.
Recently, there has been a rise in deeper travel to this small kingdom. Though Petra is an incredible place to visit and should not be missed, there is so much more to Jordan. From its amazing capital city of Amman with its slate of luxury hotels and Roman ruins, to Jerash and Ah-Salt and Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, Jordan is an incredible country full of delicious food, history, adventure, and warm, welcoming people. Whether you are a history buff, want an amazing religious pilgrimage experience, or are an adventurous spirit, you will not be disappointed in your experience in Jordan.
Photo credit: Aneta Foubikova from Unsplash
New Zealand
When New Zealand opened its doors again after a very long Covid shutdown, we all rejoiced. NZ is an adventure lovers paradise!
But, just like so many other of our destinations listed here, New Zealand has so much more. The wine trail is simply superb. The Maori are the indigenous tribe of NZ and their culture is woven throughout. The skies are so clear that it is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The nature and landscapes are unparalleled. And, as an island, there are plenty of water sports to partake in, including diving and whale watching.
And if you are a fan, New Zealand is home to Middle Earth and you can hop the country to find the hobbit homes and film locations!
Portugal
Long one of my personal favorites, tourism numbers in Portugal continue to rise. And there is good reason for that!
Portugal has it all! Fabulous food and wine, history, beautiful landscapes, gorgeous beaches, interesting cities, welcoming people, and a truly authentic feel. From Lisbon to Sintra, Porto to the Douro Valley, Alentejo to the Algarve, there is so much to see and experience! The food is fabulous, world class wines, Fado music, a stunning National park in the north, surfer locations, history (they were some of the most notable early explorers), and such an authentic feel.
From foodies to adventure seekers and history buffs, Portugal should be on your list!
Morocco
Morocco is such a heady place of sensory joy! And it is very firmly on the radar of many travelers.
You can shop the souks, check out the amazing architecture, ride camels in the desert - even “glam” in the desert - hike the Atlas Mountains, drink the famous mint tea, eat incredible local food, and delve into the history of this very old land. Morocco has layers of influence from other parts of the world that all blend to create a multifaceted travel experience.
Morocco is so much more than you can even imagine!
Scotland and wales
Scotland has often been overshadowed by its neighbor and Wales is often overlooked altogether. But these lush landscapes and iconic castles are getting more notice for a reason.
The Scottish Highlands are one of the most beautiful places on earth. Add to that the scotch for those that partake, golf for those that play, and history and food and incredible landscapes for the rest of us, Scotland is simply magnificent in its untouched beauty. For the city lovers, Edinburgh is amazing with its winding streets and so many levels. For those with time, Isle of Skye is not to be missed. And let me know if you find the Loch Ness monster!
On my bucket list is a ride on the iconic Royal Scotsman, an absolutely luxurious ride through a beautiful land? Who wants to join me???
Wales is truly for the nature lover but history buffs will love it too. With an abundance of castles and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you will be amazed for days. With Snowdonia National Park where you can hike to the top of Mount Snowdon for the views (or take the train) to the magnificent coastline to explore, nature loves could spend weeks here. And they have some pretty amazing festivals as well. And … the food is great and the people truly lovely.
Photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel from Unsplash
Colombia
Colombia long suffered a terrible reputation but it is coming back with a roar!
Colombia is such a beautiful mix of history, food, culture, landscapes and incredible music. With shores on the Caribbean and the Pacific, there is enough water for everyone from sun lovers to surfers to divers. The coffee region is simply stunning, with the tallest palm trees in the world set in verdant hills of green and coffee fields. The cities are simply amazing. It is beautiful to witness how the population is rising from their past in such an incredible way. And the music is a mixture of Caribbean and African influences, creating a sound uniquely their own.
Colombia is one of those places where we have to set the news stories from decades ago aside and simply let it wash over you.
Ireland
We are continuing to see the interest in the Emerald Isle rise year after year. And no wonder! Ireland is truly one of the most amazingly beautiful places on earth!
Full of castles and history and a green so deep you won’t believe it is real! The people are some of the most friendly on earth. The cities are full of music and food (yes, they have a food scene!). My personal favorite is Galway. It is a very easy island to transverse being only about 3 hours cost to coast but you will surely want to wander.
The Ring of Kerry is a must see, as well as Belfast, the Book of Kells, the Dingle Peninsula, Kinsale, Guiness and on and on. And if whiskey is your thing, this is a major spot to try some out. But the best part of Ireland is just wandering. There are so many beautiful sights to see everywhere you look! And, if you want to trace your heritage, there are lots of ways to do that too!
San Miguel de Allende
Colonial Towns of Mexico
The first time I set foot in one of the colonial towns in Mexico, I was hooked and just keep going back. And that has led me to explore so many other areas of Mexico (outside of the touristed coasts) and have never been disappointed.
There is something about the slower pace of life, the amazing food, the friendly people, the history and colonial architecture, the amazing art and handicrafts that calls my name all the time. The traditions and culture - and the population’s enthusiasm for both - are unlike anything I have seen. They are very devoted to family and welcome families from abroad with open arms. The food scene, both street food and Michelin starred, is worth the trip itself.
I am taking a group to Mexico in 2023 to celebrate Day of the Dead. This time we will spend it in Oaxaca, in the southern part of Mexico. Each region celebrates differently and I am excited to share this life altering experience with all of you! Reach out if you have any interest. It will be loads of fun.
Paris, France
There are so many other amazing places in the world but I wanted to keep this list to the top ten for 2023. It is a mix of known and unknown but I hope it sparks your interest to get out there and explore!
Iconic places like Italy and France and Greece and Spain will never fall off the “much loved” list but sometimes it is fun to go explore a new place and create some new stories!
And next up, we will explore some gems closer to home!
As always, if you are ready to start planning your next trip, near or far, just click the button below to schedule a 30-minute free consultation to get you started!