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The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023
Where to go in 2023, according to T+L editors — for a breath of fresh air, a big-city adventure, or a glimpse at the future of travel.
Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.
With much of the world reopened, 2023 is shaping up to be the year travel officially bounces back. We made our list of the 50 best destinations for 2023 a little differently this year: We asked Travel + Leisure's editors where they want to go in the months ahead. Some are raring to get back to Japan, while others have the Trans-Bhutan Trail on their lists. Still more are planning a sail around Greenland, a wine-tasting trip on California’s central coast, and a visit to France’s next big wine region (which is, as it happens, tiny).
A few up-and-coming culinary destinations made our list, as did a remarkable piece of art, the size and scale of which boggles the imagination. While many of the team’s picks are remote, breathe-in-that-fresh-air kinds of places, our list doesn’t skimp on cities where the hustle and bustle is part of the fun.
But with so many choices now back on the map, there are as many styles of trips as there are places to explore. That’s why, for the first time in recent memory, we’ve broken our list of best places to go into categories.
The hope is that, whatever it is you’re after in the year ahead, you’ll find it in one of these 50 places. And who knows? We may just see you there.
— Edited by Paul Brady and Maya Kachroo-Levine
Destination by Category
For cultural riches, alexandria, virginia.
K. Summerer for Visit Alexandria
With postcard-perfect cobblestone streets and quick access to the wineries of northern Virginia , Alexandria is an easy city to love. But these days, the reason to go is to see how effectively the city is confronting its own history, as destinations across the American South grapple with the legacy of the Confederacy . Alexandria, which was founded as a tobacco port in 1749, was for decades of the 19th century the site of the country’s largest domestic slave trade . Today, the Freedom House Museum has three new exhibitions honoring the people who were forcibly brought here. Meanwhile, the African American Heritage Trail, which opened in 2020, follows the Potomac River and encompasses nearly 200 years of history at 11 stops, such as the Torpedo Factory , where many Black men and women worked during World War II. An extension of the route will debut in February 2023 with 20 new stops, including Waterfront Park, the port from which enslaved people were trafficked to places like New Orleans. At Jones Point Park, visitors can learn about Benjamin Banneker , an inventor, mathematician, and free African American from Maryland who was instrumental in the 1791 surveying team that determined the border of the new U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. (For an even deeper look at the city’s Black experience, book with Manumission Tours , which is run by a fourth-generation Alexandrian .) The city’s most elegant stay is Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection , which was recently voted one of the best city hotels in the continental U.S. in T+L’s 2022 World’s Best Awards. A new Hotel AKA is slated to open in Old Town in winter 2023. — Liz Cantrell
Cairo and the Nile
Emli Bendixen
It’s almost here: After more than a decade of construction — to say nothing of the hype — the Grand Egyptian Museum may finally open, just a stone’s throw from the Great Pyramids of Giza, this spring. What to expect? More than 1 million square feet of exhibition space, treasures including a 40-foot-high statue of Ramses II, outdoor gardens, and an expansive plaza from which visitors can take in the desert surroundings. Meanwhile, a number of new and luxurious ships have started sailing the Nile: Among the best choices are the Viking Osiris , an all-veranda vessel carrying 82 passengers, and the opulent Sphinx from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises , which has 42 cabins swathed in marble and hand-carved wood, with beds dressed in fine Egyptian cotton sheets. The hotel scene is also, thankfully, getting a refresh with a new Mandarin Oriental slated for downtown Cairo in 2024; the forthcoming 200-room Four Seasons Hotel Luxor is scheduled to debut in 2025 — not that you should wait that long to see the ancient Valley of the Kings. — John Wogan
“City,” Nevada
City, 1970 – 2022 © Michael Heizer. Courtesy Triple Aught Foundation. Photo: Eric Piasecki
Even in a state known for its vast, empty landscapes, Basin and Range National Monument , about a two-hour drive north of Las Vegas, takes “remote” to a new level. The 704,000-acre preserve, created in 2015, provides endless opportunities for hiking, climbing, camping, and cycling; its desert valleys and mountain ranges are also dotted with Indigenous rock art sites. But the reason to go now is “City,” the single largest contemporary artwork in the world, which opened to visitors in September 2022. Made from dirt, rock, and concrete, the monumental open-air sculpture was more than 50 years in the making, a collection of mounds, depressions, and stelae conceived by the artist Michael Heizer . The endeavor — which was made possible by joint contributions from art institutions around the country, including LACMA and MoMA — will open to the public for the 2023 season by reservation only . The mile-and-a-half-long sculpture feels at once ancient and futuristic, a destination just as awe-inspiring as the natural one surrounding it. — John Wogan
Havana, Cuba
Brad Ogbonna
The can-you, can’t-you continues, but the Biden administration has made it a touch easier to visit Cuba as a result of its May 2022 relaxation of some restrictions on travel to the island. These days, Americans can go as part of a group tour or visit individually on a "support for the Cuban people" license, travel advisor Molly Layman told T+L. “It’s one of 12 authorized categories of travel to the island,” she said, adding that “it requires citizens to have a full-time schedule of activities that support the Cuban people, which is easily fulfilled through buying services from Cuban entrepreneurs, staying in local homes, dining in private restaurants, and booking cultural activities.” Those ready to take to the vibrant streets of Havana will also need a visa, said Layman, who works as director of operations at tour company Cuba Candela . Travelers can handle that, she said, “on the day of travel at the airport check-in desk or from a tour provider.” (The cost varies depending on where a visa is purchased but rarely exceeds $100.) While the hoops are undeniable, they may well be worth jumping through in the year ahead. — Christine Burroni
Tangier, Morocco
Issam Elhafti/Getty Images
For decades, this northern Moroccan city has attracted a stream of bohemian expats including, most famously, beat-generation writers Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs. That’s how it cultivated a reputation as a place where foreigners went to live, rather than simply visit. But Tangier’s reputation could change this spring, thanks in part to the opening of Villa Mabrouka — British designer Jasper Conran’s second Moroccan property, which follows the 2018 opening of L'Hôtel Marrakech . The one-time private residence of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, the hillside property has gorgeous views over the Bay of Tangier within walking distance to the city’s frenetic medina. Villa Mabrouka joins other newcomers, like the Museum of Contemporary Art , a space displaying work by regional artists, also called the Kasbah Museum, as it's housed in the renovated, 17th-century Kasbah prison. Also new on the proverbial block is the just-opened Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier , set on a refurbished, century-old estate near the old city. Anticipation is already growing for a recently announced Waldorf Astoria, a 115-room and 21-villa resort set to open in 2025. — John Wogan
Lakes Region, Turkey
Istanbul and Bodrum are both rightly popular, but U.S. travelers will find much to love in other pockets of this diverse country — including this inland part of southwestern Anatolia, which travel advisor Engin Kadaster predicts “will be very popular in the years to come.” Kadaster has been including the Lakes Region on more and more itineraries for her clients, and helped coordinate a story in T+L’s August 2022 issue that included destinations such as Isparta, the region’s largest city and a center of rose and lavender production, and the ancient hilltop city of Sagalassos. The region’s most famous feature — naturally — is a series of tectonic lakes, created by ancient earthquakes, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, but it also holds many ancient Greek and Roman archaeological sites. A blessed lack of mass tourism means that this isn’t a hot spot for luxury hotels, but cozy places like Eskiciler Konaği , a renovated century-old mansion near Lake Eğirdir, or Aliya Konak , a seasonal farmstay on a working lavender operation in Isparta, are warm and welcoming. Intrepid travelers can ditch the hotels altogether by camping along the new Pisidia Heritage Trail , a waymarked route that unites the Lakes Region’s splendid nature and unique history as it passes through ancient sites like Kremna, Adada, and Yazılı Canyon. — Hannah Walhout
The United Kingdom
Courtesy of Peninsula London
T+L’s Destination of the Year may be undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime period of transition, but some things never change. For one, the country’s historic cities will always be home to hotels that mix stately grandeur and affable service. This past summer saw the opening of Gleneagles Townhouse , a chic, urban outpost of the iconic Gleneagles resort, in the heart of Edinburgh; next year London will welcome the cool glam of the Peter Marino–designed Peninsula London . Of the U.K.’s many world-class museums, two have recently gotten upgrades: Glasgow’s Burrell Collection , a stunning assortment of international art and artifacts, and the Manchester Museum , which is dedicated to the natural sciences. The Factory , Manchester’s new cultural center, pays tribute to the famous record label behind '80s rock bands the Happy Mondays and New Order. Gourmands (and the just plain hungry) will want to sample the broad range of culinary delights at London’s new Arcade Food Hall at Battersea Power Station, the latest stage in the rehabilitation of the historic building. No visit to the U.K. is complete without venturing out into its peerless countryside, and Scotland’s first rewilding center, Dundreggan , is one noteworthy place to take it all in: Managed by charitable organization Trees for Life , this 10,000-acre estate on the shores of Scotland’s Loch Ness plans to open a visitor’s center by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the new Two Toms Trail in Lancashire covers 25 miles and features some of England’s most stunning scenery. — Peter Terzian
Getty Images
The perennially popular city made headlines in 2022 for its day-trip entrance fee , which takes effect in January 2023. But why only go for the day? The Venice Architecture Biennale runs May 20, 2023 to Nov. 26, 2023, with global exhibits curated by Lesley Lokko, the first Black architect to organize the event. Architecture lovers will also want to visit the Procuratie Vecchie, the 16th-century building along St. Mark's Square. Though its façade is one of Italy’s most photographed, the public has only recently been allowed inside, after the completion of a five-year refurbishment led by David Chipperfield Architects . Those looking for nostalgic luxury should plan to arrive in the second half of the year, with their bags packed for a train trip: Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient Express will unveil two newly restored carriages from the 1920s and ‘30s in June, with opulent suites modeled to mirror the landscapes of Europe. — Nina Ruggiero
For the Food — and Wine
Courtesy of Four Seasons
It may have a reputation as a stopover city, but Athens deserves a closer look — and at least a few nights — in the year ahead. Not far from the Piraeus port , where travelers hop both domestic ferries and cruise ships that criss-cross the Mediterranean, the Athens Riviera has seen a surge of development. Four Seasons Astir Palace , which opened amid the pandemic, has a private beach on the sparkling Saronic Sea and two spaces designed by Swedish architect Martin Brudnizki, including a midcentury modern cocktail bar and Pelagos restaurant, which has already earned its first Michelin star. In the spring of 2023, One&Only Aesthesis will open just a few miles away, also along the waterfront. Next door is the brand-new Experience Park, with trails, fitness classes, fountains, a Zen garden, and bountiful native plants and flowers; it’s part of an $8-billion waterfront green space called The Ellinikon , on the former site of the city’s international airport, that’s still under development. In central Athens, the 2022 opening of the 43-room Xenodocheio Milos hotel in the Pláka neighborhood brings a bit of cosmopolitan verve, from the team behind international restaurant brand Estiatorio Milos . And while the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the Acropolis isn’t new — the ancient amphitheater first opened about 1,900 years ago — it will bring back a full schedule of shows in 2023 after a pandemic-era slowdown. — Maya Kachroo-Levine
Central Florida
Courtesy of Small World Vacations
This fall, Hurricane Ian took 81 lives and caused $60 billion in damage across Florida. While the hard-hit southwestern part of the state continues to recover, Visit Florida president and CEO Dana Young said in October that other regions are ready to welcome travelers back. Central Florida in particular is worth a closer look, thanks to its ever-growing hospitality scene. Orlando and Tampa recently won a combined 14 Michelin accolades in 2022, when the guidebook publisher released its first-ever guide to Florida restaurants. The area’s family-friendly draws are better than ever: Disney’s recently opened, highly immersive Star Wars : Galactic Starcruiser is a two-night adventure that takes themed entertainment to the next level by allowing guests to eat, sleep, and breathe Star Wars with lightsaber training, out-of-this-world dining (blue shrimp, anyone?), and a trip to Batuu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Meantime, Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue through March 2023, with limited-time eats, nighttime spectaculars, and festive décor. In Tampa, the latest Edition Hotel just opened with a sprawling rooftop pool club and restaurant from chef John Fraser. And getting both to and around Central Florida is easier than ever, with the recent opening of Orlando International Airport’s new 15-gate Terminal C and Brightline rail service connecting Orlando to South Florida destinations including Miami and West Palm Beach beginning in 2023. — Elizabeth Rhodes
The Jura, France
Guillaume Megevand
There’s a tiny French region just west of the border with Switzerland that’s producing some big, big wines. Thing is, only a tiny fraction of those bottles ever make it to the U.S., as T+L recently reported . That means you’ve got to go to the Jura — preferably before everyone gets wise to the area’s seven Appellations of Controlled Origin (AOCs) . Among serious oenophiles, word is already spreading about the vin jaune, “yellow wine,” made from native savagnin grapes and aged in the Jura’s distinct sous voile style, in which the wine matures “under a veil.” Not that wine is the only draw. The Jura also boasts a comté cheese trail — as if the région weren’t French enough — that connects no fewer than 150 fromageries and dairy farms. Hiking in the Jura Mountains, through Baume-les-Messieurs village and to the Hérisson waterfalls , is equally enticing, particularly as an antidote to all the wine- and cheese-focused sightseeing. Most surprising, perhaps, is just how accessible this under-the-radar area can be. Getting to the Jura takes two hours from the French capital by high-speed train , departing from Paris’s Gare de Lyon. — Maya Kachroo-Levine
San Luis Obispo County, California
Courtesy of Visit SLO CAL/Acacia Productions
It’s time to stop sleeping on “SLO.” Once considered a quick Pacific Coast Highway stopover for those visiting Hearst Castle — which reopened this past spring 2022 after a two-year closure — the central coast county is now a draw in its own right. SLO’s seven cities, including Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo, are all buzzing, and the area just earned official American Viticulture Area (AVA) recognition in 2022, thanks to more than 200 wineries, many of which are family owned . Two new Nomada Hotel Group properties opening in 2023 will welcome the inevitable influx of oenophiles: Farmhouse, a collection of 26 rustic-chic cottages with fire pits and hammocks, arrives in January; while River Lodge, a mile from the Paso Robles wine trail, is slated for May. Also being reimagined under Nomada is the Gold Rush–era Pozo Saloon , reopening in the town of Santa Margarita in August with outdoor soaking tubs, live music, trails for hiking and horseback riding, and a glamping site. Paso Robles just notched its first Michelin star ( Six Test Kitchen ), while San Luis Obispo’s SLO Public Market will welcome two new restaurants, All Good Grill and Todo Bueno , in 2023. Nature lovers should make a beeline for the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove : The insects were recently put on the endangered list, but this spot still draws over 10,000 annually. — Nina Ruggiero
Victoria, Australia
Matteo Colombo/Getty Images
Australia has reopened, and this southern state is a particularly appealing corner of the country these days, thanks to hot springs resorts that are poised to make it the next big wine-and-wellness destination: Alba Thermal Springs and Spa on the Mornington Peninsula was the first to open in September 2022, with pools powered by solar and a commitment to achieving climate-positive operations. Metung Hot Springs in East Gippsland is set to follow in late 2022, with updated facilities in an area long known for its thermal waters. Phillip Island Hot Springs , which distinguishes itself with several saltwater features, plans to open in early 2023. Out on the Mornington Peninsula — a destination long popular for its world-class wineries — the InterContinental Sorrento began accepting reservations this past August 2022. Melbourne, Victoria’s appealing capital city, is also expecting new openings, including the intimate, seven-suite Hotel Vera Ballarat by year’s end, followed by the highly anticipated Ritz-Carlton Melbourne , set to open in 2023 in Australia’s tallest tower. Qantas is making it easier to get there, too: By December 2022, the airline will have four nonstop flights a week connecting Dallas and Melbourne, a welcome bridge between Victoria and the middle of the U.S. — Sarah Bruning
For Big-city Thrills
Jonathan Filskov/Getty Images
The eternally cool city will highlight its prowess with all things design, as the official UNESCO World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Venues across Copenhagen — contemporary parks, starchitect-designed skyscrapers, even typically humdrum infrastructure like playgrounds — will host events and visitors for a look at the future of the urban environment. One highlight will be the Copenhill Power Plant, the cleanest waste-to-energy plant in the world — that’s also the site of an artificial ski slope. “We’re going to do a lot of open-house events where 50 different venues are going to be open to the public that are usually closed to visitors,” said Copenhagen’s city architect Camilla van Deurs, who mentioned as examples churches; bridges; and the Danmarks Nationalbank, the central bank building planned in part by Danish design legend Arne Jacobsen. “Superkilen,” van Deurs said, “is a playground for kids and adults — and a cultural hub in the middle of Nørrebro, the most ethnically mixed neighborhood in Copenhagen.” New places to stay in the city also deliver a signature blend of modernism and hygge: Find it at the single-suite Kaj Hotel , which floats on a canal near Copenhagen Opera House, or the colorful new 25 Hours Hotel Copenhagen . — Tim Latterner
Lance Childers/Houston First
The 2020 opening of the Kinder Building, the latest addition to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston , cemented the city’s spot among true international arts destinations. The recent reopening of the Rothko Chapel , after a $35-million renovation, has only reinforced that reputation. Today, a wealth of new ventures is poised to raise the profile of Texas’s largest city in other categories as well. Opening next year, the JMK5 Arena will transform a disused racetrack into a 12,500-seat concert stadium poised to rival the venues of Vegas. It arrives on the heels of the relatively more intimate 713 Music Hall , which has attracted artists ranging from Judas Priest to Lil Nas X. The Houston Zoo is undergoing a much-delayed expansion that will include a Galápagos Islands–themed exhibit, which will feature an underwater tunnel and a penguin habitat. And the Houston Botanic Gardens , which opened in 2020, features 132 acres of diverse ecosystems, from wetlands to prairie. — Peter Terzian
Courtesy of Rosewood Villa Magna
The Spanish capital may finally, thankfully, be shaking off its reputation as the country’s somewhat stuffy business hub. A flurry of tony hotel openings throughout the city has helped, by bringing plenty of personality to what had been a staid scene. It began in 2021 with the arrival of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz ; Rosewood Villa Magna ; and Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel . Then came the Edition in April 2022 . Breathing new life into the former Monte de Piedad de Madrid building, the hotel has 177 rooms, 21 suites, and two penthouses, plus two restaurants with food from chef Enrique Olvera and the culinary team behind Mexico City’s acclaimed Pujol . Elsewhere in Madrid, an already electric food scene has only gotten better — particularly in the glamorous Salamanca neighborhood and architecture-rich Chamberi district — with new offerings representing everything from Middle Eastern falafel and Argentinian asado to Spanish-Indian fusion and globally inflected vegan fare. — Sarah Bruning
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Welcome to the new Nashville. The city’s tourism renaissance is being fueled, in part, by a slew of just-opened hotels, including a Conrad , 1 Hotel , and a Soho House . (A Four Seasons just popped up in the bustling SoBro neighborhood, too.) The newly redesigned Hermitage Hotel , meanwhile, now has the first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant in the South. The Fifth + Broadway complex has new outposts of old favorites, like fried chicken staple Hattie B’s , and the expansive Assembly Food Hall has dozens of choices, including bars, plural. That inimitable Nashville energy can still be found on Broadway, at honky-tonk bars that go until all hours, but there’s also Justin Timberlake’s sexy Twelve Thirty Club or live events like CMA Fest , which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Getting there has never been easier, thanks to low-cost carriers such as Breeze Airways and Southwest, both of which have recently added more flights from both coasts, not to mention places like Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Ohio’s Akron-Canton Airport. — Elizabeth Rhodes
Forget the notion that Steel City is just a town for football and factories. The metropolis is working on new cultural destinations that can’t be missed: While the next lunar lander is currently being built in Pittsburgh, the Moonshot Museum , which opened in October 2022, is putting on display mankind’s history of getting to and exploring the lunar surface. The Carnegie Museum of Art is hosting its 58th Carnegie International Exhibition, a huge temporary show of both historical and contemporary art which runs through April 2, 2023. The childhood home of playwright August Wilson has been restored and turned into a museum, complete with studios for arts programming. The city also has a new spate of hotels and bars drawing crowds, like the modern-chic Joinery Hotel Pittsburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton and The Industrialist, Autograph Collection in the Arrott building, one of the city’s first skyscrapers. Across the river in Allentown, Bottlerocket Social Hall is the perfect place to post up with locals and, yes, watch the game. — Tim Latterner
San Francisco
Ryan White/Parks Conservancy
Despite the so-called national conversation, the apocalypse has not yet come to San Francisco. True, this city had the most extreme wealth divide of any in California in 2020, and the seams here can be especially visible. But all the reasons SF shines — the arts, the nature, the dim sum, the sourdough — haven’t gone anywhere. And a slate of recent infrastructure and cultural projects show that many in the city are working to make it a better place to live and a more compelling destination to visit. The new Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco walks the walk of its focus on equity: the museum is completely free and has opted against a permanent collection in order to direct more funds to artists and staff. The city’s urban national park unit, the Presidio of San Francisco , recently gained 14 acres with the opening of the Presidio Tunnel Tops , a green space designed by James Corner Field Operations, the lead firm for New York City’s High Line, which incorporated input from more than 10,000 residents. Another massive community-led park and mixed-use development is underway in India Basin , with sustainability and affordable housing as stated core values. The hospitality scene is also on the come up: 1 Hotel San Francisco , The Line SF , and Beacon Grand (formerly the Sir Francis Drake) have all opened in the past six months, and Auberge Resorts Collection is slated to debut a new hotel in the Hearst Building in 2023. — Hannah Walhout
Don Eim/Travel + Leisure
American travelers can finally get back to the South Korean capital after years of pandemic restrictions — and there’s plenty to catch up on. The city’s arts scene is buzzing, thanks to new venues such as Konig Gallery , not to mention the announcement from Seoul Museum of Art that three new wings will launch by 2024. (An added boost came from Seoul hosting its first edition of Frieze this past September, during which many commenters asked if K-art may well be the next K-pop.) Meanwhile the destination has seen a number of new hotels open, including the surprisingly trendy Fairmont Ambassador Seoul and Josun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam , with its sweeping views of the globally famous district and stunning public spaces, including 1914 Lounge & Bar. — Tim Latterner
For Moments on the Water
Cape verde, the gambia, ghana, and guinea-bissau.
Arnau Ferrer
Though Ghana has, in recent years, surged in popularity as a destination for American visitors , particularly Black Americans , West Africa remains unfamiliar to many. One solution may be the innovative West Africa Archipelago cruises that Hurtigruten Expeditions aims to launch in November 2023. These two-week trips, aboard the line’s 180-passenger Spitsbergen , will stop in ports in four countries, with a huge array of activities on the expedition schedule: visits to historically important sites including Gorée Island ; wildlife-watching forays to spot hippos and manatees; and adventures such as scaling volcanoes and scrambling across lava fields. Though some cruise lines occasionally stop in West African ports, Hurtigruten’s deep focus on the region represents a step change — one that’s driven by passenger demand, said Asta Lassesen, the CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions. “These islands are not as known as our other destinations, but they are teeming with unique wildlife, different cultures, and offer completely different experiences than you’d find in a traditional cruise destination,” Lassesen told T+L. — Paul Brady
Coastal Ecuador
Courtesy of Kontiki Expeditions
Many travelers know the historic capital city of Quito and the incredibly biodiverse Galápagos Islands , but now's the time to visit Ecuador’s stunning Pacific coastline. From surf towns like Montañita to the preserved beaches and cloud forest of Machalilla National Park, coastal Ecuador is packed with outdoor adventures and stunning scenery. Kontiki Expeditions unlocks the region with eight-day yacht cruises that visit five of the country’s 24 provinces, hitting destinations including Isla de la Plata and Salinas. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Kontiki Expeditions operates an intimate ship with just nine staterooms, refined outdoor and indoor spaces, and a nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. (Guests can book an individual room, or charter the entire 18-passenger yacht.) Getting there has gotten smoother, too: U.S. airlines including American, JetBlue, and Spirit now offer direct flights to Guayaquil, from which Kontiki Expeditions trips depart. — Elizabeth Rhodes
The Explora I
Courtesy of EXPLORA I
Just don’t call it a cruise: Upstart travel company Explora Journeys describes its itineraries as “ocean journeys,” nevermind the fact they’re aboard the newly built, 461-suite Explora I . The vessel is slated to hit the water in July 2023, with trips in the Mediterranean that visit popular cruise destinations such as Barcelona and Civitavecchia, near Rome, as well as lesser-visited ports including Patmos, Greece, and St.-Tropez, France. “It’s a new style of ocean travel that connects you with the things that are important,” Explora CEO Michael Ungerer told T+L. “There’s a craving to learn something new and make authentic connections without leaving your tried and tested luxury environment and services behind.” Indeed, life aboard won’t be monastic: Explora I will have 18 restaurants and bars and a massive spa, among other luxuries. Still, should all that ocean journeying become a bit too wearying, guests can always retreat to their suites, all of which have private verandas. In fact, when it debuts, Explora I will have the most space per passenger of any vessel anywhere. — Paul Brady
Antarctica is so last year. While Greenland may not have penguins, it does promise plenty of beautiful landscapes and seemingly endless horizons. The newly christened National Geographic Resolution will sail the Eastern shore of Greenland in June 2023, with opportunities to explore the Rømer Fjord depending on conditions. Ponant has a dozen distinct itineraries scheduled for 2023, including a number of round trips from Kangerlussuaq, in Western Greenland, that explore Baffin Bay. The brand-new Seabourn Venture, the line’s first expedition ship, will also be there in 2023; one particularly compelling August itinerary starts in Iceland, spends nearly three weeks along Greenland’s coast, then continues through the Northwest Passage before wrapping in Anchorage, Alaska. More conventional operators, such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, are making the polar destination a fixture, too. The Seven Seas Navigator will visit Prince Christian Sound and make calls in Nuuk and Paamiut on a June 2023 sailing between New York City and Reykjavik. — Paul Brady
Hvar, Croatia
Goran Stimac/Getty Images
Those seeking a brighter 2023 will find it on Hvar: This Dalmatian Coast island calls itself the sunniest in Croatia. That means plenty of time for cycling more than 100 miles of bikeable terrain or kayak trips to secluded beaches. At night, those clear skies make for incredible stargazing: Jesla, on the island’s north shore, was named the first International Dark Sky Community in Southern Europe in 2022; and Moeesy , the island’s newest luxury hotel, has one room with an over-the-bed skylight for bedtime viewing. The town of Velo Grablje’s 14th-century charm peaks in July, when the lavender festival blooms with food, drink, and family-friendly activities all centered around the fragrant Mediterranean plant. And in Hvar proper, the harborside Riva Marina hotel reopened in June 2022 with refreshed waterfront terrace suites and a new restaurant and bar concept focused on local ingredients. Just down the block is the island’s first sustainable hotel , Beach Bay , which opened this past summer 2022 with an off-grid solar power system and a commitment to honor UNESCO’s Sustainable Travel Pledge . — Nina Ruggiero
The Path of Totality
©StudioPonant/Laure Patricot
A total solar eclipse, in which the moon blocks the sun and plunges the Earth into momentary darkness, is a “relatively common” phenomenon, NASA heliophysicist Dr. Michael Kirk told T+L. The trick is that most eclipses happen over water or in extremely remote places — which is why spotting the next one, on April 20, 2023, will be all about the chase. The upcoming path of totality will cross the Indian Ocean, graze Western Australia, then sweep across Indonesia and East Timor into the Pacific; astro-enthusiasts can chart its full course with the Totality app . That means the best way to catch the show will be to board a ship , such as the 188-passenger Le Lapérouse, for a Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys cruise from Bali, Indonesia, to Broome, Australia. The new Indonesia-based charter yacht Celestia will also be sailing around the edges of totality, making visits to the islands of Komodo National Park, the Moluccas, and Raja Ampat. The very best odds for viewing, said NASA’s Kirk, will be in Western Australia, where “the Exmouth Peninsula, Barrow Island, and the sea in between should have clear skies.” Eclipse chasers could drive the 750 miles from Perth to Cape Range National Park on the Ningaloo Reef–fringed Exmouth, but Tropical Sails Corp’s Pacific Explorer , which can take you there from Perth on a five-day Indian Ocean sail, seems a far more pleasant journey. — Maya Kachroo-Levine
For Fresh Air and Nature
Courtesy of Pal-Arinsal Ski Resort
This tiny European country, which at 181 square miles is smaller than Chicago, could soon turn into one of the world’s biggest ski destinations. The mountainous country, situated between France and Spain, has long been known for its reliable December-to-April conditions thanks to its high-altitude perch in the Pyrenees. But now, for the first time, three Andorra ski areas have been added to the Ikon Pass , putting a collective 7,600 acres of downhill terrain across 215 runs and 123 lifts into play for holders of the global lift ticket. At the same time, the three destinations of Grandvalira , Ordino Arcalís , and Pal-Arinsal (or, collectively, the Grandvalira Resorts Andorra) will be available on a single local Andorra Pass , which starts at about $50 a day, a bargain by any big-mountain standards. Alternatively, visitors can opt for a newly launched Nord Pass, a multi-day ticket that works at both Ordino Arcalís and Pal-Arinsal for less than $40 per day. So, while these affordable mountains remain a bit of a challenge to reach — Grandvalira can be a four-hour drive from Barcelona — the days of smaller crowds may soon be a thing of the past. — Jamie Aranoff
Asheville, North Carolina
Tim Robison
This flannel-clad city in the Blue Ridge Mountains checks all the boxes, with year-round outdoor activities, sophisticated dining, and easy access, whether you’re driving or flying. (Asheville Regional Airport is on pace for a record-breaking 2022 , with service from 25 destinations.) But the year ahead offers more reasons to visit, starting with some cool new places to stay: Wrong Way River Lodge has a collection of A-frame cabins along the French Broad River that are perfect for white-water rafters. AutoCamp Asheville , another glamping-esque abode with Airstream campers, is slated to open by mid-2023. Downtown, the new Restoration Hotel promises a properly plush stay; its sister property in Charleston consistently ranks in our best hotels in Charleston list . (For those who’d rather be even closer to nature, The Glamping Collective is a newly opened, 160-acre site with domed pods and glass cabins situated a short drive from the city.) Asheville’s food scene has fresh energy from S&W Market , Asheville’s first food hall and the brainchild of award-winning chef Meherwan Irani. For all that’s new, visitors shouldn’t skip the old standbys: French Broad Chocolates is a local fave that’s since gone national, and Battery Park Book Exchange is the prime spot for a late-night glass of Champagne amid dusty bookshelves. — Samantha Falewée
Aysén, Chile
Stefan Ruiz
Chile’s Aysén region lies between two popular destinations — Torres del Paine National Park and the Lake District — with a captivating landscape of hanging glaciers, magnificent fjords, pristine lakes, and jagged peaks. Yet this 41,000-square-mile swath in northern Patagonia — the least populated in Chile — remains largely unexplored by visitors, in part because of its topography. But now, several outfitters and organizations, including Chile’s Route of Parks , are developing more itineraries and ecotourism routes for the non-mountain-scaling adventure traveler, with less-daunting activities like kayaking, hiking, and biking. Not long ago, travel company Explora opened a lodge in Aysén’s Patagonia National Park (working with nonprofit Rewilding Chile to support conservation and educational efforts) and launched eight- to 12-day trips that make travel across the region convenient, with flights, accommodations, and activities included. Factor in loosened COVID-19 restrictions and a newly elected president (the country’s youngest in history) as additional reasons to go now. Then there’s the continually growing partnership between Delta Air Lines and Latam, which allows for mutual lounge access and easy nonstop flights from Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City to Santiago, which is just a short connecting hop from Coyhaique, the gateway to Aysén. — Alisha Prakash
The Hudson Valley, New York
Andre Maier
Yes, the stretch north of New York City and south of Albany, along the banks of the lordly Hudson River, has been attracting enterprising former urbanites — as well as savvy travelers in search of charming towns and idyllic countryside — for the past century or so. But its transition from quasi-rustic to quietly glam marks a new and intriguing chapter. Next summer, The Ranch Hudson Valley , an offshoot of the West Coast’s rigorous retreat The Ranch Malibu, will open on a grand estate built by financier J.P. Morgan (as a gift for his daughter’s marriage to Alexander Hamilton’s great-grandson) and will offer multi-day programs to revive weary New Yorkers. Meanwhile, Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection , a property with 60 freestanding cabins and cottages, will highlight the pastoral side of the region, with a farm-to-table restaurant and 140 acres of orchards and wildflower gardens. The region’s reputation for top-notch cuisine continues with the upscale tavern fare at Merchants Social in Hudson and Stissing House in Pine Plains, the Southern-inflected Darlings in Tilson, and the sweet fantasia of the Catskills Chocolate Co. in Catskill. (Longtime cheesemongers Talbott and Arding have recently moved to a beautiful new space in Hudson, too.) But don’t forget to leave room for culture. In Catskill, Foreland is a self-billed kunsthalle that extends across three 19th-century mills with exhibition spaces and artist studios. And the beloved sculpture park Storm King Art Center is getting a $45-million overhaul that includes an extensive new visitors center. — Peter Terzian
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Thomas Retterath/Getty Images
“Zambia is a destination so many people miss,” said travel advisor Leora Rothschild . “The country’s Lower Zambezi National Park is one of my favorite destinations anywhere. Having a safari on a river adds a dynamic element,” she notes, since being on the water offers a different perspective than travelers get while on a game drive or in camp. Among the best places to take in this wildlife-rich destination is at one of its newest lodges , the luxurious eight-suite Lolebezi , which African Bush Camps opened inside the park and on the banks of the river this past June. It’s an ideal base from which to explore Lower Zambezi, which sits opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to what the agency calls its “ dramatic landscape ” and “huge herds of elephant and buffalo.” Though remote, this corner of Zambia has recently gotten a bit easier to access, as pandemic-era travel regulations have loosened. Air Botswana announced in May 2022 that, following a two-year hiatus, it would relaunch flights from Gaborone, Botswana to Lusaka, Zambia. — Samantha Falewée
Prince Edward Island, Canada
Tourism PEI/Sander Meurs
As Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island might get overlooked in favor of the country’s bigger, badder destinations for outdoor thrills. But this tiny island — known to many as the setting of L.M. Montgomery’s beloved “Anne of Green Gables” series — packs a punch. Here, you’ll find rugged cliffs, red-sand beaches , and a surprisingly robust golf scene, with 27 courses. Perhaps the biggest draw for adventurous travelers right now is the Island Walk , a 435-mile trail that opened in 2021 . Tracing the entire coastline, it passes through dozens of small towns and fishing villages. Walkers can start and end at any point, but the entire loop would take about 32 days, assuming a pace of 12-15 miles a day. Not that you’ve got to be hardcore to enjoy the trail: Towns and villages along the route have plenty to offer even non-hikers, such as the relatively new Slaymaker & Nichols , a cozy inn and gastropub in Charlottetown, the provincial capital. Classic PEI experiences endure, such as the seafood-focused, multi-course “ culinary experience ” from celebrity chef Michael Smith at the Inn at Bay Fortune . — Liz Cantrell
Stephanie Vermillion
When high-speed internet was installed at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, this past August, it was just the latest example of the new era dawning in Tanzania. The leader of the country’s changing face is President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the first woman of color and the first Muslim to lead this country, who took office in 2021. “I never expected that one day I would be president,” President Hassan told PBS . Not that she’s wasting any time. Since taking power, she’s devoted herself to strengthening infrastructure, women’s businesses, education, health care — she received her COVID-19 vaccine on live television to encourage others to get immunized — and sustainable travel. This summer, the Usangu Expedition Camp in Ruaha National Park opened in partnership with the Tanzania National Parks Authority , and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute ; Selous Safari Company recently refreshed its six-suite private reserve on Fanjove Island, a jumping off point for “marine safaris” by dive boat or kayak. — Samantha Falewée
Uttar Pradesh, India
Luis Dafos/Getty Images
Pummeled by the pandemic, India suffered through a grim 20-month closure, only reopening to travelers at the end of 2021. However, at long last — and with COVID-19 cases now under control thanks to large-scale vaccination programs that have delivered more than 2 billion doses — 2023 is primed to be the year visitors return to this soul-stirring country in full force. While many travelers will opt for Rajasthan’s royal palaces and desert jewels, there’s good reason to discover Uttar Pradesh on your next trip. India’s fourth-largest state is home to classic attractions including the Taj Mahal, in Agra, and the Ganges River ghats of Varanasi, the nation’s holiest city. But the new draws here include Vana, a wellness retreat in the Himalayan foothills of Dehradun. The resort, which is now managed by the World’s Best Award–winning hospitality company Six Senses, has rooms and suites that prioritize the lush landscape with balconies and terraces overlooking the surrounding forest and gardens, offering a true breath of fresh air. — Alisha Prakash
For Beach Vibes
Patrick Michael Chin
Already a favorite weekend getaway for East Coasters, Bermuda will become even easier to get to in 2023. American Airlines resumed flights to the island from New York City's John F. Kennedy International in November, which the carrier had paused in the early days of the pandemic. Upon arrival at L.F. Wade International, travelers are now greeted in a new $400-million terminal with automated immigration gates and preclearance for U.S.-bound passengers — plus unexpected extras like a putting green and an outdoor nature trail. Bermuda’s resort stock is also on the rise. Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa recently debuted a top-to-bottom renovation, adding villas and a Bermudian outpost of Sunken Harbor Club, the tropical cocktail bar above Brooklyn, New York’s wildly popular steakhouse Gage & Tollner. The St. Regis Bermuda is another high-end hotel option, which opened in 2021 with the nation’s first casino and incredible views of Fort St. Catherine. The island recently rolled back all COVID-19 entry requirements, but the Atlantic country’s remote work program — which launched in July 2020 and allows for stays up to one year — is still running for anyone looking to make its pink-sand beaches a new home base. — Liz Cantrell
Cayman Islands
Warren Fleming-Hollinger/Getty Images
It just keeps getting easier to visit the Caymans. As of fall 2022, Cayman Airways flies nonstop from Los Angeles International to Grand Cayman, the first direct route from the West Coast to the British territory. “Getting to Hawaii takes longer,” said Kenneth Bryan, Cayman Islands honorable minister for tourism and transport, in an interview with T+L. Wherever they’re flying in from, visitors will find plenty of new offerings along Seven Mile Beach, on Grand Cayman’s west shore. Chief among them is the freshly renovated Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman , which is now outfitted with a La Prairie Spa and Saint June restaurant, complete with a beachfront bar. (The property is thankfully still home to the long-running, annual Cayman Cookout .) For travelers who prefer heart-pumping adventure to pool- or beachside relaxation, the Caymans can deliver: Hiking reserves like the 100-year-old Mastic Trail on Grand Cayman or the Bluff on Cayman Brac may not be as well known as the islands’ beaches — but they should be. Meanwhile a growing art scene is beginning to draw international attention, thanks to shows at the well-established National Gallery of the Cayman Islands as well as the vibey, creative atmosphere at new hotels such as Palm Heights , as T+L recently reported. — Christine Burroni
Coastal Uruguay
© Tali Kimelman/Posada Ayana
The vast skies, empty beaches, and delicious food of Uruguay remain as alluring as they’ve ever been. Still, 2023 promises to be a breakout year for the country’s lowkey coastal destinations, thanks to an ever-growing art scene that adds a layer of culture to this already inviting stretch along the Southern Atlantic. Among the newest must-sees is the Atchugarry Museum of Contemporary Art in Punta del Este, a 90-acre campus that opened in early 2022. Also nearby is artist James Turrell’s “Ta Khut,” an experiential Skyspace that opened in late 2021 at Posada Ayana, a small hotel in José Ignacio. (The seaside village is also home to intriguing contemporary collections at three Vik Retreats properties, including Bahia Vik , with its oceanfront bungalows.) A short drive from José Ignacio, the village of Garzón has lately become a hub for multidisciplinary artists thanks to Campo , an incubator and non-profit that brings creatives to this still-rural corner of Uruguay. — Paul Brady
Lush mountains, bustling beach towns , and idyllic resorts make Guadeloupe the perfect place for adventurous travelers looking for something Caribbean but different. In recent years, though, it’s been difficult for U.S. travelers to reach this French overseas department — particularly after Norwegian ceased its nonstop flights to the destination in 2019. Now, things are looking up again, as JetBlue has relaunched its nonstop service from New York City to the gateway city of Pointe-à-Pitre in November 2022. SkyTeam faithfuls can also now get there on Air France, on nonstops from either Miami or New York; American Airlines also serves the archipelago from Miami. First-timers tend to focus on two of the islands, Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre, the latter of which is home to Guadeloupe National Park. (A local tour company such as Vert Intense can help with the logistics of seeing Carbet Falls and La Grande Soufrière volcano.) Accommodations tend away from big brand names, though — this being France — there is an all-inclusive, beachfront Club Med La Caravelle . Other well-regarded options include the remote, hillside Le Jardin Malanga Hotel , with its dramatic ocean views, or the cliffside villas of the boutique-y La Toubana Hotel & Spa , along the southern shore of Grande-Terre. — Christine Burroni
The Jersey Shore, New Jersey
William Laird
“The real thing is quite different from TV,” George Distefano told T+L. Now a hotelier, Distefano grew up on the Jersey Shore — and today is doing his part to change the narrative around the beloved summer destination. His latest project, The James Bradley , is a 17-room inn that opened in Bradley Beach in August 2022 and is aimed at a crowd that’s perhaps quieter, chicer, and altogether less interesting to MTV producers. In nearby Asbury Park , which has long been a barometer of development, openings of The Asbury Hotel and the Asbury Ocean Club and Residences signal the start of a bougier era. Even Atlantic City is now substantially more chic, after many casino resorts, including Bally’s , Caesars , and Ocean , used the pandemic-induced dip in visitors to undertake hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations. “The area as a whole has had a bit of a renaissance,” Distefano said. One telling indicator of where the Shore is headed next? A Nobu Hotel is slated to open on the boardwalk any day now. — Hannah Walhout
Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii has been in the midst of a multi-year rethink about how tourism impacts the state . “We seek to balance the economic vitality of our industry with the health of our natural environment and the well-being of our communities,” is how Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO John De Fries put it this past summer . On Maui, that balance has been struck recently in efforts to renovate and reimagine some of the island’s most popular resorts. The 54-acre Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua , to take one example, is finishing up a major overhaul that includes a reimagined aquatic complex (with three “zero-edge” swimming pools), an expanded Club Lounge , and programming that will include not just cocktail classes and cooking demonstrations but also lei making and musical performances by Hawaiian artists. On the southwest coast of the island, The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort is in the midst of its own refresh of all 776 guest rooms and suites; some are, happily, already good to go. There’s other progress beyond hotels: e-bikes are now plentiful on Maui, thanks to a recent rule change that allows them on island roads. Companies like RideSmart Maui lend out wheels that make exploring a breeze, whether your interest lies in the historic sites of Lahaina or the beautiful beaches around Wailea. — John Wogan
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Courtesy of Chablé Hotels
This picturesque stretch of the Yucatán peninsula is in the midst of welcoming four marquee hotels. The Waldorf Astoria Cancun just opened, a brand-new build with 173 rooms and five dining venues all overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Casa Chablé and The St. Regis Kanai Resort are slated to open in early 2023, followed by the Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai in spring 2023. Not new but refreshed is Maroma, a Belmond Hotel , which will reopen in May 2023 after a year-long closure with 10 new oceanfront suites and Latin America's first Guerlain spa. Farther south, closer to Tulum, the ultra-luxurious Hotel Esencia has added a posh new 10,000-square-foot, four-bedroom mansion tricked out with fitness and screening rooms, an underground speakeasy, and three pools — the perfect thing for a friends’ getaway. Not that hotels are the only draw: The last section of the new Maya Train project, which connects Cancun and Tulum, is expected to open by the end of 2023 after delays to address environmental and archeological concerns . The route will make several cultural and historic sites , including Chichén Itzá, more accessible and connect travelers to other destinations in the state of Quintana Roo, including Bacalar, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos. Also on the horizon is the opening of the long-awaited Tulum airport, which Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said will be completed by the end of 2023. — Sarah Bruning
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
Long a vacationer’s paradise, this section of Mexico’s Pacific coast between Puerto Vallarta and the beach town of San Blas is only getting better in the year ahead. The 59-room Susurros del Corazón , Auberge Resorts Collection, began welcoming guests in November 2022 with experiences that include an introduction to raicilla , a lesser-known agave spirit, and boating excursions in Islas Marietas, a national park known for its biodiversity. On its heels, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort , which is the second tented camp property from the brand , will open in December 2022. Accommodating just 30 people at a time, the lush 48-acre property is making wellness a key focus, so guests can expect to unwind with options like a temascal ceremony and nocturnal forest bathing sessions. An extra incentive to go? JetBlue launched new nonstop flights from JFK to Puerto Vallarta International, which serves as the gateway to the region. — Sarah Bruning
U.S. Virgin Islands
Courtesy of USVI Department of Tourism; Jamie Aranoff
With no pandemic restrictions, no passport needed, and plenty of inbound flights, the U.S. Virgin Islands are challenging Bermuda for the title of easiest warm-weather getaway for East Coasters. What’s more, the islands just established a Territorial Park System Trust Fund Board which will protect and preserve attractions like St. Croix’s Great Salt Pond and St. John’s Oppenheimer Beach. Caribbean flavors are, once again, another reason to go: The King of the Wing competition on St. Thomas, which celebrates creative chicken cookery, is back after a two-year hiatus; the 23rd annual Taste of St. Croix festival, one of the largest culinary events in the region, happens in April. Carnival , which returned in 2022, will be another event to watch in the year ahead. St. Thomas celebrates from late April through early May with food fairs, pageants, and parades; St. John fetes from late June through July 4, concluding with an Independence Day bash; and St. Croix sparkles from mid-December through Three Kings Day with more traditional, Christmas-centric fanfare. — Jamie Aranoff
For a Look at the Future
This past September, Bhutan, the impossibly scenic country between India and China, reopened to tourists after 30 months. But that’s nothing compared to the 60 years it’s taken to redevelop the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail , which also reopened that month. Once the only way to travel across the Himalayan kingdom, the ancient pilgrimage route is now one of Bhutan’s biggest draws, a must-see for hikers, bikers, and other outdoorsy types. The trail connects 400 historic sites, with museums, fortresses, and temples along the way — plus stunning natural scenery and seemingly endless views. As part of its reopening, Bhutan has ended its policy requiring visitors to be accompanied 24/7 by a guide; instead, the nation has implemented an increased tourism tax, or Sustainable Development Fee, which is intended to fund social and cultural programs, infrastructure improvements, and environmental conservation. (The $200-a-day charge, up from $65, is also deliberately expensive, in an effort to keep visitor numbers low.) On the hotel front, Six Senses opened its fifth and final Bhutan lodge, Six Senses Bumthang , in March 2020, but the eco hideaway tucked in a pine forest in the town of Jakar, of course, has only just become accessible to foreigners. — Alisha Prakash
Boten–Vientiane Railway, Laos
Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua via Getty Images
It’s not every day the world gets a new cross-country railroad. The ambitious Boten–Vientiane railway that stretches across Laos may have opened for business in late 2021, but now’s the time to jump aboard, as travel to Asia reopens to American visitors. The remarkable engineering project is one of many financed by China as part of the country’s Belt and Road Initiative that builds heavy infrastructure across Africa and Asia. In this case, the train has dramatically slashed travel times across the difficult-to-drive if strikingly beautiful landscapes of Laos: Trips that would’ve taken a full day by road can now be done in just a couple hours of train-carriage comfort, as T+L recently reported . The route runs from the northern border town of Boten to Luang Prabang, which is known for its many temples. It then continues on to Vang Vieng, a gateway to some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, before arriving in the capital, Vientiane, on the border with Thailand. Intermediate stations will help open up to visitors parts of the country that haven’t historically benefited from tourism, as Ruben Derksen, director of product and digital at Bangkok-based tour operator Exo Travel , told T+L. In the years ahead, the 257-mile railway may become even more critical, as just one segment of a Singapore to Shanghai route that will make continent-spanning journeys not just possible, but pleasant. — Paul Brady
Kyoto, Japan
Rudy Sulgan/Getty Images
Kyoto is often thought of as the serene, slowed-down complement to go-go Tokyo. And, certainly, the former Japanese capital has its historic temples, gardens, and teahouses. But since Japan’s October 2022 reopening to independent travelers , this destination and its new draws demand fresh eyes. The city’s famous Gion Matsuri , or festival, is set to return in full force in July 2023 following a pandemic pause, with enormous floats and a wealth of food and drink offerings; the event, which was first held in 869, is said to be Japan’s biggest festival. In August, Kyoto celebrates Gozan Okuribi , a bonfire celebration visible across the city that marks the close of Obon, a festival honoring ancestors. New hotels abound, including hospitality group Banyan Tree’s 138-room Dhawa Yura Kyoto, located in the heart of the city. Another new option is Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto , with 25 rooms set amid lush greenery in front of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also new — yet firmly rooted in the city’s history — is the recently opened Maana Kiyomizu , where visitors can spend the night in restored machiya, traditional wooden townhouses. Though Japan has only just reopened, it’s already getting even easier to get there, thanks to Delta Air Lines’ brand-new routes from Hawaii to Tokyo plus flights that resumed this fall from Los Angeles. — Alisha Prakash
New Zealand
Barry Tobin; Courtesy of Tourism New Zealand
After a stringent lockdown, New Zealand has at last dropped all travel restrictions. Happily, the country is becoming more accessible than ever, thanks to the nonstop flights between New York and Auckland that Air New Zealand launched in September. (That long haul has also gotten comfier, thanks to the airline’s Economy Skycouch seats.) Wondering if those 17 hours in the air will be worth it? Auckland continues to evolve with no shortage of dazzling new places to stay. The 99-room Hotel Britomart , lined in timber and exuding Zen calm, is at the heart of Auckland’s Britomart District, nine blocks of historic warehouses converted into shops and restaurants. Mawhiti Walheke is a luxurious modern guest pavilion on a vineyard-covered island a short ferry ride from the city. And New Zealand’s spectacular landscape finally has a showstopper of a property to match it: Flock Hill , a fully serviced four-bedroom villa on a sheep ranching station in the Southern Alps region of South Island. — Peter Terzian
Teahupo’o,Tahiti
© Gre goire Le Bacon
The village of Teahupo’o, on the southwestern coast of Tahiti, will take center stage during the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite being 9,800 miles from the French capital. But unless you’re planning to compete, the year ahead is the ideal time for a closer look at this part of French Polynesia, before the world’s attention turns to the South Pacific. Some of the incredible waves here rate among the most fearsome on the planet — hence the name Teahupo’o, which essentially means “wall of skulls” — while others are more rideable for those with some surfing experience. Accommodations such as Tahurai can organize coaching sessions, including some hosted by local surf icon Tereva David. Those more comfortable watching the waves than riding them can get on the water with tour companies such as Teahupo’o Tahiti Surfari , which takes visitors by boat to see the famous Teahupo’o swell, one of the highest and heaviest waves in the world, as well as waterfalls, lagoons, lava tubes, and cliff-diving spots around the island. Meanwhile, it’s gotten easier than ever to reach Tahiti, thanks to Delta Air Lines’ new nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Fa'a'ā International Airport. Air Tahiti Nui has also added connectivity, with the only nonstop flights between Seattle and Tahiti, which took off in October. — Jamie Aranoff
Victoria, British Columbia
Carlina Teteris/Getty Images
What does it look like for a city to meaningfully prioritize “sustainability,” a word that often ends up more “feel-good” than actually “do-good?” Victoria is maximizing its green impact, aiming to make all new buildings carbon neutral by 2025 and halve landfill waste by 2040. Admittedly, few travelers pick destinations based on zero-waste initiatives, but it’s easy to take an environmentally minded trip to Victoria — the city even has suggested “green travel” itineraries , capitalizing on the outdoor beauty of places like Goldstream Provincial Park, one of many green spaces on Vancouver Island. Visitors have their choice of carbon-neutral hotels, such as Inn at Laurel Point and Parkside Hotel & Spa , and can even do carbon-neutral fast food at Big Wheel Burger , Canada’s first such restaurant. Other eco-minded activities include e-biking along the Saanich Peninsula to seaside towns like Sidney — with stops at picturesque wineries or the Butchart Gardens along the way — or hopping aboard an orca-watching cruise with Eagle Wing Tours , which is, of course, part of 1% for the Planet . — Liz Cantrell
JJ Farquitectos/Getty Images
Austria’s capital city may be old — like, Holy Roman Empire old — but 2023 will see neue life in this historic destination. The year ahead is the 150th anniversary of Vienna’s World’s Fair, and the celebrations include 12 months of cultural events. It’s also the 300th anniversary of the opening of the Belvedere, the palatial museum that’s mounting an art nouveau exhibit featuring 90 Gustav Klimt works in February. Adaptive reuse is also on trend here, and the recently opened Rosewood Vienna is but one example, set in a neoclassical building that was once a bank headquarters and, before that, an apartment building where Mozart lived. The now-reopened Reznicek is a contemporary gasthaus inside a 100-year-old inn; Grace's Michelin-starred fare is served in a refurbished wood-paneled café reminiscent of the ‘70s. Not that Vienna is only looking to the past: New initiatives have added 1,000 miles of bike paths, carsharing via WienMobil , a robust network of electric buses, and new development in the fast-growing Aspern neighborhood where every public space and street is named after a woman . Other new additions include Hotel Josefine , with its sultry Roaring ‘20s energy and Hotel Gilbert , with a greenery-cloaked façade and Scandi-inspired design. Nonstop flights from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, New York City, and Washington, D.C. are always an option but the most au courant way in may be the new Paris to Vienna Nightjet train , which runs three days a week, with private cabins with lie-flat beds and breakfast in the morning. — Maya Kachroo-Levine
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The 18 best places to travel in 2023
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For many people, this year marked the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that travel was back within reach. It was a year defined by joyous reunions — reconnecting with friends and family in person, rediscovering favorite destinations and taking stock of this new, changed world.
It was also a year of novel travel challenges . As demand soared, so, too, did prices. We returned to the roads and skies to find a travel industry that could barely keep up with our ravenous appetite to explore the globe.
But somehow, our love of travel has endured, our wanderlust is just as insatiable as ever and destinations around the world are beckoning us to visit.
That's why we're thrilled to share the destinations on our list of the best places to go in 2023. And this year, we've not only tapped our editorial team to contribute their tips and insights but also our extraordinary network of writers from around the world.
Reaching your travel goals has never been easier when you download the free TPG App !
As always, we looked at exciting new hotel openings and boundary-pushing flights, plus the places that embody the travel trends and philosophies we see taking shape in 2023 and beyond: The destinations prioritizing sustainability, focusing on Indigenous and community-based tourism and encouraging travelers to venture beyond the obvious gateway or itinerary.
We also saw a proliferation of innovative new ways for travelers to use their points and miles to experience the world, including exciting ultra-long-haul flights where miles will come in handy and hotels in destinations that previously might have been absent from most reward travelers' maps.
As we head into 2023, get excited (we are!) about embarking on unforgettable journeys to new corners of the globe, prepare to take a second look at places you already thought you knew and connect more personally with the people who call them home along the way. We hope this list of places to visit rekindles your passion for travel and look forward to exploring this wonderful, awe-inspiring planet with you. — By Eric Rosen and Melanie Lieberman
Aotearoa-New Zealand: The future of inclusive travel
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Best for sustainability-focused outdoor adventurers and sports enthusiasts.
Laid-back beach towns, award-winning wine, genuine hospitality and outdoor adventure aren't the only reasons why you should put Aotearoa-New Zealand at the top of your 2023 travel list.
Although the country's commitment to sustainability has long, deep roots (more than 33% of its land is protected), New Zealand's tourism industry launched the Tiaki Promise, a sustainability pledge, just prior to the pandemic. The Maori word "Tiaki" means to care for people and places, so the aim of this pledge is to avoid overtourism and encourage visitors to explore lesser-known destinations.
One way to do so is to seek new Maori cultural encounters and experiences, such as a traditional hangi feast in Rotorua, which is prepared in underground pits, after a visit to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Or, take an interpretive storytelling trek up Maunga Hikurangi on the North Island's east coast. If you're there in June or July, you can celebrate the Maori New Year, Matariki, which is based on the lunar calendar and became an official public holiday in 2022.
Next year, New Zealand will also co-host the largest FIFA Women's World Cup ever along with Australia. Matches will be played on both the North and South islands. Along with other large sporting events like the Women's Rugby World Cup, it's a clear example of the nation's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion as international visitors return.
A handful of new hotels have opened recently, too, such as the art-filled Park Hyatt Auckland , the environmentally friendly Hotel Britomart in Auckland's central business district and, on the South Island, The Carlin Hotel in Queenstown, which overlooks the Eyre and Remarkables mountain ranges surrounding Lake Wakatipu.
Getting to the country from the U.S. is even easier now with Air New Zealand's new nonstop flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Auckland Airport (AKL) and Qantas' launch of the same route starting in March 2023.
TPG tip: If you're staying in Tamaki Makaurau, the Maori name for Auckland, explore one of the towns or nearby islands in the harbor. The ferry ride to Devonport takes 15 minutes, while Waiheke Island is only 40 minutes away by ferry. The latter has fabulous beaches and wineries to explore using a hop-on, hop-off bus. — By Becky Blaine
Orlando: Easy fun with classic experiences
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Best for roller coaster riders, of course, but also space geeks and culture freaks.
Whether you want to feel like you're in outer space, watch an actual rocket lift off or catch a concert in one of the world's best theaters, Orlando is the destination to visit in Florida — and 2023 is going to be a banner year for the city.
Many travelers come for the world-class theme parks, but Orlando is undergoing a travel renaissance that includes a just-opened terminal at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and 170 miles of railway that will connect the high-speed Brightline train from Orlando to Miami by mid-2023.
But don't hop the train too fast. Book tickets to a concert at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts' Steinmetz Hall, which opened in 2022 and is rated as one of the world's most acoustically perfect spaces. An urban pocket park downtown called Art2 is also elevating this area of Orlando with can't-miss experiences, including performances and food trucks.
Cape Canaveral, an hour east on the coast, is also now home to Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, a 50,000-square-foot, multilevel addition to the Kennedy Space Center that's full of interactive exhibits. And that's to say nothing of the full lineup of planned rocket launches travelers can check out over the course of 2023.
Of course, it's always a good idea to visit the theme parks, especially to catch the final months of Disney World's 50th-anniversary celebration , which includes a reimagining of Epcot with that park's first-ever roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , and the spring 2023 debut of Tron: Lightcycle Run in the Magic Kingdom.
Disney World is also home to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser , a "Star Wars"-themed journey unlike any other. The immersive, interactive two-night hotel experience (ahem, space mission) opened in early 2022.
Walt Disney World Resort isn't the only theme park behemoth elevating the park experience in 2023. Universal Studios Florida opened the thrilling VelociCoaster ride just last year, and it's keeping the excitement up with an all-new theme park, Epic Universe, already under construction. It will deliver new rides, themed lands, hotels and restaurants.
TPG tip: If you are one of the millions of travelers who rent a car in Orlando each year, there is a new 7-Eleven on the airport property where you can refill your tank at retail prices and make a pit stop to grab snacks for your journey. — B y Summer Hull
Oslo: Europe's coolest art capital
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Best for art and design lovers seeking new city-shaping museums and hotels.
Norway continues to claim the attention of travelers, but in 2023, all eyes are on the capital city, which is finally ready to flaunt its latest investments in the arts and hospitality.
Across from the white, angular slashes of the opera house's Carrara marble ramps and staircases is the curving 13-story tower housing the new Munch Museum, which opened in 2021. Even more imposing is the sprawling new National Museum, now one of Europe's largest art museums, which houses works from Edvard Munch's iconic "The Scream" to masterpieces from European artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Henri Matisse.
This fall also saw the debut of Sommerro, an art deco hotel packed with contemporary art collections curated by museum director and art critic Sune Nordgren, along with 1930s works by Norwegian master Per Krohg — including a mosaic feature in the restored public baths, which opened in November. There's more to come from the boutique hotel and cultural center next year, including the addition of Villa Inkognito, an 11-suite retreat in a former 19th-century residence.
You can even bookend your trip to Oslo by venturing farther south to Kristiansand, where Kunstsilo, a modernist Nordic art museum, will debut next year inside an award-winning functionalist silo from the 1930s.
TPG tip: It's never been easier to explore beyond Oslo thanks to a flurry of new flights and cruises. Low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic (which began operating in 2022) continues expanding its reach in the U.S. by offering a number of promising nonstop routes, including one between London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) that's coming next year. Norwegian airline Widerøe is connecting Bergen to four new European cities next summer as well. For those interested in heading north, Norway's oldest cruise company, Hurtigruten, is restarting the Svalbard Express next year, while Viking and Disney have announced new itineraries to the remote Arctic region . — By Melanie Lieberman
Jordan: Connections by air, land and sea
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Best for travelers who want a taste of the ancient world at the heart of the modern Middle East.
Home to some of the world's oldest pieces of history, Jordan is on many travelers' bucket lists, especially now that there are several new additions on the way. In 2023, this Middle Eastern country is channeling its renowned hospitality to welcome travelers via new flights and a host of new hotels and experiences.
In the capital city of Amman, The Ritz-Carlton is the latest luxury hotel to join the gaggle of points-friendly properties near the city's 5th Circle landmark. Lavish white interiors and crystal chandeliers bedazzle the new hotel, which has 194 rooms and 34 suites with floor-to-ceiling views of the capital's sand-hued buildings. Next summer, Radisson will pump up its Middle East portfolio with Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall. And across the red sand desert, the Crowne Plaza Resort Petra will reopen after a 10-year renovation and expansion.
Northwest of Amman, the former ancient trading town of Al-Salt became Jordan's sixth and latest UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its reputation as "the city of tolerance and urban hospitality." History and design fans can explore touches of European architecture alongside the city's distinct yellow limestone facades. This city is also a new stop on the Jordan Trail's Thru Hike. Launched in 2017, the trail offers the chance to spend 40 days hiking through eight regions that, together, traverse the entire country. Originally connecting 52 villages, it's recently been upped to 75 different communities.
Nearly 75% of Jordan is covered in pomegranate-hued sand, but head south and the watercolor greens and blues of the Red Sea emerge. Here, cruising is making waves in a country renowned for its mystical desert landscapes. Emerald Cruises recently debuted its first oceangoing yacht the Emerald Azzurra, which sails from the famed seaside city of Aqaba to Athens, Greece. Next year, Windstar Cruises is following suit by launching new itineraries from Amman to Athens and Athens to Dubai, with a stop at Aqaba.
TPG tip: Hopping on a flight to Jordan from select North American cities has just gotten easier. United has launched its first-ever direct flight from Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Amman's Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) , which departs three times per week. Last summer, Royal Jordanian Airlines, a Oneworld member, also launched a new route from Amman to Toronto via Montreal, and it will be increasing frequencies to Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and New York in the spring and summer of 2023. — By Katie Lockhart
American waterways: Rediscovering our backyard
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Best for travelers craving a nostalgic way to see America's small towns.
There's something charming about life along the water — and we're not talking about the swanky condos overlooking Miami Beach or Malibu, California's Billionaires Beach. Think instead of historical small towns like Natchez, Mississippi, and Muskegon, Michigan, as well as industrial cities like Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Chicago, which have long relied on the nation's waterways.
American lakes and rivers remain key commercial arteries, but the cruise industry has turned them into some of the world's top leisure destinations as well thanks to a slate of new, offbeat itineraries that are only going to draw more passengers in the coming years.
Although Great Lakes and U.S. river cruises have been around for more than a century, 2023 could be one of the best years yet to sail domestically thanks to lines like American Queen Voyages , American Cruise Lines , Ponant , Viking and Pearl Seas Cruises, which are adding more capacity and itineraries along the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia and Snake rivers; the Great Lakes; and the Chesapeake Bay.
Viking's new expedition arm rolled out its first two ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which both spent time sailing the Great Lakes in 2022. Next year, travelers can also look forward to two new vessels, American Eagle and American Glory, from American Cruise Lines. The ships will debut along the East Coast and sail exclusively domestic itineraries. Additionally, American Queen Voyages will roll out the longest river voyages to date: 23-day sailings on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers .
If you book a domestic cruise, you'll see unexpected sides to major cities like Cincinnati, where the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center provides a sobering experience, as well as Detroit, which is a staple on many Great Lakes voyages, and New Orleans along the Mississippi. You might also visit towns such as Madison, Indiana, home to stately houses and a historical saddletree museum, that you might not have heard of otherwise. With more itineraries rolling out over time, there will be plenty more destinations to discover along America's waterways.
TPG tip: If you're looking to engage your competitive spirit, book American Queen Voyages' Kentucky Derby Cruise on American Countess. During the sailing on May 3, 2023, the boat will go head-to-head against two other vessels in Louisville, Kentucky's Great Steamboat Race, part of the annual Kentucky Derby Festival. — By Ashley Kosciolek
Los Angeles: In-person events are the hottest ticket in town
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Best for travelers seeking a new side to the City of Angels.
Events for sports enthusiasts and tech acolytes will draw big crowds to Los Angeles next year.
In January, the College Football Playoff National Championship will kick off at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, and the 123rd U.S. Open Championship golf tournament will be held at the Los Angeles Country Club in June. A third major event, the 40th Annual Breeders' Cup horse racing world championship, will gallop out of the gate at Santa Anita Park in November. The venue sits across the street from the still-new Le Méridien Pasadena Arcadia.
You'll also want to get your virtual reality headset ready, because E3 is getting back in the game, live and in person this June at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The video game industry's biggest annual event was held virtually in 2021 and canceled outright in 2022.
It will at long last be easier to get around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , too. After three years of construction, the Automated People Mover at LAX will finally open, connecting all terminals, the Metro Rail and a new rental car center. This state-of-the-art train will reduce travel time both to and within the airport.
Even frequent visitors will find exciting new places to bed down in LA since eight major hotels opened in 2022, including the Hyatt -branded tommie Hollywood, The Shay in Culver City and the adjoining Hyatt Place and Hyatt House LAX/Century Blvd. Two Marriott hotels — a Moxy and an AC — will debut downtown in the 38-story Fig + Pico tower, which sits across from the convention center and Crypto.com Arena. A few blocks away, a $1 billion, Frank Gehry-designed mixed-use development called The Grand LA opened. Here, you'll find Hilton 's splashy Conrad Los Angeles and four new restaurants from chef José Andres.
Also new downtown is the Sixth Street Viaduct, a 3,500-foot-long bridge with an accompanying 12-acre park with walking and bike trails. Spanning the Los Angeles River, this bridge connects downtown's Arts District with the Mexican food hot spot, Boyle Heights.
TPG tip: The Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the early-odds baseball team to beat in the 2023 World Series, so we recommend keeping an eye out for autumn points deals at downtown LA hotels near Dodger Stadium. — By Melanie Wynne
South Africa: More flights to wildlife sites
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Best for nature lovers dreaming of visiting the Rainbow Nation.
South Africa has a wealth of natural and cultural riches that travelers never tire of exploring, from the Big 5 of safari lore (elephants, lions, leopards, hippos and buffaloes) to the historic steps of Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk to Freedom." One thing the country has been lacking, however, is direct flights to both Cape Town and Johannesburg via multiple U.S. carriers.
In mid-December, Delta will commence a triangle service, flying the Airbus A350 from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Johannesburg's O.R Tambo International Airport (JNB) and then on to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) with a nonstop return from there. And through a special arrangement with the Department of Transportation , United is now offering nonstop flights between Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This is in addition to its nonstop services from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to both Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
When they arrive, travelers will find new safari lodges opening next year in some of the best wildlife-viewing destinations. The Tswalu concession in the southern Kalahari Desert is South Africa's largest private reserve — and it's less than two hours away by plane from both Cape Town and Johannesburg. There are few lodges here, though, so the new Loapi Tented Camp opening in 2023 is truly notable. With just six modern, eco-friendly tented micro-camps that are perfect for privacy, it will feel like you have the remote savannah all to yourself as you head out on private ranger-led safari drives to spot African wild dogs and desert black rhinos.
Also set to open in 2023 is The Homestead, a sustainability-focused luxury lodge in the secluded Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Nestled into the mountains of malaria-free KwaZulu-Natal, the lodge is around a three-hour drive from either Johannesburg or Durban. In addition to a dozen sleek safari suites with expansive wilderness views and butler service, expect electric safari vehicles for game drives and innovative energy-saving touches as part of the lodge's larger conservation efforts, such as grass-planted roofs and a solar farm.
TPG tip: Plan a trip around South Africa's epic music festivals, including Johannesburg's Afropunk Festival on Constitution Hill, the seat of the country's lawmakers, in December. In March, the largest music festival in sub-Saharan Africa (the Cape Town International Jazz Festival) takes center stage. And AfrikaBurn, South Africa's answer to Burning Man, sets up on the Eastern Cape in April. — B y Melissa Klurman
Rome: The Eternal City shines anew
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Best for history buffs and hotel enthusiasts itching to discover ancient ruins amidst modern luxury.
In 2023, Rome's full historical heritage will be front and center for visitors to enjoy.
A project to open the Sacred Area of Largo di Torre Argentina (where Julius Caesar was assassinated) via a series of elevated walkways is slated for completion next summer. The archaeological site near the Pantheon was unearthed in the 1920s but has been inaccessible for decades. It joins The Mausoleum of Augustus, which reopened in 2021 following an 8 million euro ($8.2 million) restoration, as one of the ancient sites newly accessible to visitors.
Additionally, the Museo dell'Arte Salvata (the Museum for Rescued Art) opened in 2022. Here, precious antiquities that were returned to Italy after being plundered from archaeological sites and trafficked on the black market to auction houses, private collections and even institutions like New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art are on display. The exhibits will change, but you might see sculptures, ancient coins or even an amphora painted with erotic scenes that dates back to the sixth century B.C.
But there are new, modern developments luring luxury travelers back to Rome, too.
The arrival of international brands like W, Soho House, The Hoxton and Mama Shelter, plus boutique hotels like The First Musica and Umiltà 36 have heralded a contemporary hotel boom. Next year's openings will up the ante even more, with arrivals by Six Senses, Edition, Bulgari and Nobu, as well as a renovation of the 19th-century Palazzo Naiadi, a neoclassical landmark on Piazza Della Repubblica, by Anantara.
Rome will also see increased airlift from the U.S., with three daily seasonal flights (up from two) on Delta from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Rome's Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and a new daily seasonal route from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Fiumicino Airport (FCO) on United , both of which will launch on May 25.
TPG tip: The best way to explore the Eternal City is on two wheels. Just in time for the 2023 season, Scooteroma is revamping its popular Street Art Vespa Tour and debuting a brand-new experience focused on the city's oft-overlooked early 20th-century art and architecture, such as the iconic Vittoriano Emmanuel II National Monument in Piazza Venezia. — By Laura Itzkowitz
Bangkok: Setting the table for an epic comeback
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Best for passionate foodies and arts aficionados.
For the last few years, Bangkok has been quietly setting the stage for a monumental rebound once the travel floodgates reopened and international tourists returned en masse.
On the Chao Phraya riverfront, a luxury hotel revival led by Capella and Four Seasons outposts has been underway since 2020. Both properties house destination restaurants, including soulful Thai at Capella's Phra Nakhon and the swanky Buenos Aires-themed BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons. This summer, Hong Kong's Mott 32, plus five other dining outlets, arrived at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon around the corner. Early next year, Southeast Asia's first Soho House opens in Bangkok with multiple bars and restaurants (plus a 39-foot outdoor pool), and an Aman will follow in the coming years.
Hotels aren't the only places for tourists to experience the energy of Bangkok's evolving culinary scene. Innovators all across the city are transforming it into the world's next great food destination. Just this year, a former monk opened Small Dinner Club, which serves offbeat dishes like dessert tom yum, while mixologists at Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar craft boozy, zero-waste concoctions starring an individual element like coconut or squid.
The 2023 Michelin Bangkok guide features 35 starred restaurants (five more than last year). Additionally, both Samrub Samrub Thai and Raan Jay Fai ranked on the World's 100 Best Restaurants list in 2022. Buzz is gathering around watering holes like No Name Noodle, which opened in 2022 and serves just 35 bowls of Japanese soba per day, and chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier's just-opened, alpine-inspired restaurant Maison Dunand as well.
Bangkok's art scene is also reawakening. Just before the pandemic, 31-year-old Mook Attakanwong founded ATT 19, an exhibition space in a former Chinese school where works broach once-taboo topics like mental health. At Aurum The River Place, exhibits range from street art to a subway car installation.
Airlines are putting flights to Thailand back on their schedules, too. Air Canada's seasonal route from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Bangkok running through March 24 is the first nonstop from North America in more than a decade. Just don't forget to make those restaurant reservations first.
TPG tip: Spend a few days hiking through tropical, UNESCO-listed Khao Yai National Park and stay in a Bill Bensley-designed heritage train car suite at the brand-new InterContinental Khao Yai Resort , which is located just a 2.5-hour drive away from Bangkok. — By Kathryn Romeyn
Panama: Leading the way with homegrown tourism
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Best for adventure seekers looking to explore an untouched paradise.
Panama might be best known for its famous canal, but in 2023, all that changes for the Central American country, as previously untouched areas become more accessible to travelers. The country is a hotbed of biodiversity and an eclectic blend of cultures unlike any other in the region. Now, it's easier than ever to experience it all.
Launched in August 2022, Panama's community tourism network, SOSTUR, is a digital platform connecting travelers with rural communities and local tourism businesses. Travelers planning a visit for 2023 can select tours across 10 pilot communities in remote corners of the country. Experiences range from agritourism farm visits to sloth watching in the jungle.
Hikers will love exploring the pristine southern coast of Panama's Azuero Peninsula, which is brimming with tropical flora and fauna, natural caves and hidden beaches. Next year, the tour operator Azuero Adventures — based in the rural village of Cambutal — is introducing its Cerro Hoya Mountain Expedition, a six-day adventure that includes a three-day camping tour in Cerro Hoya National Park, home to some of the last areas of primary jungle on the peninsula.
Bookend your trip with a few days in the capital and a stay at the stylish new Hotel La Compañia, part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection. Also in the city's Casco Antiguo colonial district is the new Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, an Accor-affiliated property slated to open before the end of the year. It has a desirable location on the water's edge and unobstructed city skyline and Pacific views.
Since Delta launched three new routes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Panama City's Tocumen International Airport (PTY) late last year, it has gotten that much easier for many flyers to visit Panama.
TPG tip : If you're flying to Panama on Copa Airlines, the nation's flag carrier, consider upgrading to see the new Copa Club lounge in Tocumen International Airport (PTY)'s new Terminal 2. It's a sprawling 21,500-square-foot space with buffet-style dining, leather loungers, a dedicated family entertainment area and a bar. — By Jordi Lippe-McGraw
Bhutan: A legendary trail reopens
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Best for adrenaline junkies craving both nature and culture.
When Bhutan reopened for tourism in September 2022, it also unveiled the highly anticipated Trans-Bhutan Trail, an ancient footpath that stretches for 250 miles across the country. Over the previous two years, the trail was carefully restored by people from around the country, connecting the popular western area with the less-traveled eastern edge of Bhutan.
For decades, hiking has lured mountaineers to Bhutan. The tiny Asian kingdom has exceptional trails, especially through the Himalayas, such as the famous Snowman Trek, a demanding 216-mile hike considered one of the toughest in the world. The newly restored Trans-Bhutan Trail, by contrast, has sections that can be tackled in single or multiple days, so it's more beginner-friendly. Hikers wind through forested mountains, rice paddies and bustling villages with new campsites and homestays along the way. While there are still challenging tracts, the intention is to open parts of the country that are less touristed.
As a commitment to a more sustainable tourism strategy, the country also implemented a new, higher $200 daily tourism fee. The tariff (which replaces a daily $65 fee) funds various economic, social, environmental and cultural developments and is partially intended to limit tourist entries to manageable numbers. It also means travelers no longer need to purchase packaged trips, which allows more flexibility to book preferred hotels and tours.
The country has no shortage of luxury lodges (Aman, Como and Six Senses all have properties here), and more are on the way. Next year, andBeyond will unveil the new Punakha River Lodge on the banks of western Bhutan's Mo Chhu River in a bucolic, rice-growing region. It will have tented suites and two villas designed in a traditional Bhutanese architectural style.
TPG tip: Along with the new daily tourism fee, travelers have to adhere to a number of rules, which include hiring a local guide (in certain areas) and not self-driving. The upside is a guide can unlock the country's history and reveal its storied heritage. The roads are also extremely steep and winding, so having someone navigate them for you is a major plus. When planning your trip, keep in mind that there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Bhutan. Most travelers transit via Bangkok or Delhi, both of which have direct flights with Drukair to Paro International Airport (PBH). —By Mary Holland
Mexico's Pacific Coast: Stylish new destinations emerge
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Best for swimmers, surfers and sybarites who appreciate design-driven beach resorts.
The roughly 1,200-mile stretch of mainland Mexico's Pacific Coast from Nayarit to Oaxaca is famous for the resort destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. But swanky new hotels, major infrastructure improvements and breathtaking natural scenery have brought three very different areas along it into focus for 2023: Riviera Nayarit, Costalegre and Riviera Oaxaqueña.
Beginning just north of Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit is undergoing one of Latin America's biggest luxury hotel booms. This 65-mile string of resort communities includes Punta Mita, already home to Four Seasons and St. Regis properties, as well as the surf town of Sayulita and, farther north, the up-and-coming Mandarina and Costa Canuva developments. Recent openings include the Conrad Punta de Mita , Secrets Bahia Mita, One&Only Mandarina and Auberge Resorts' ultra-exclusive Susurros Del Corazón. Rosewood Mandarina and Costa Canuva's Ritz-Carlton Reserve Riviera Nayarit are coming soon, along with the VidantaWorld theme, water and nature park.
The dramatic headlands and secluded beaches of the 60-mile Costalegre, which is 2.5 hours south of Puerto Vallarta, have drawn celebrities to enclaves like Careyes for decades. The region is about to take off with the opening of a new airport in Chalacatepec and continued improvements along the winding coastal artery, Highway 200. The posh Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo opened in November 2022 with 157 open-air rooms and suites, and the famed Las Alamandas boutique resort recently completed a top-to-bottom renovation. There's also the continued expansion of the 36,000-acre Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, home to a posh 40-room eco-resort with a Byzantine design.
Served by two smaller airports, including the recently expanded Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM), Riviera Oaxaqueña is increasingly appealing to visitors seeking an easygoing, mindful vibe (think: yoga retreats and eco-conscious architecture). Grupo Habita's new Hotel Escondido and Hotel Terrestre offer understated luxury, while Puerto Escondido's adults-only Casona Sforza is an idyllic end-of-the-road beach retreat. And just down the coast, the artsy and diverse villages of Mazunte and Zipolite (with its LGBTQIA-popular, clothing-optional beach ) are blissful beach towns for chilling out.
TPG tip: The anticipated early 2023 completion of the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway, which traverses a 10,000-foot-high mountain pass, will cut the drive time from Puerto Escondido to the historic town of Oaxaca, with its art galleries and renowned restaurants, from seven hours to less than three. — By Andrew Collins
Kenya: Africa's top ecotourism destination
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Best for wild-at-heart travelers seeking adventure and eco-friendly luxury.
Kenya has long been the standard bearer for sustainable tourism in Africa. The emergence of wildlife conservancies in the 1970s not only prevented poaching and illegal trade but also ushered in a new era of community involvement.
In 2023, Kenya's ecotourism movement will forge ahead with bold new initiatives to protect what is arguably the greatest safari destination on Earth. Kenya's emblematic mountain bongo (a critically endangered, notoriously shy type of antelope) will be repatriated to Mount Kenya from a preserve in Florida in a project spearheaded by the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust. Sanctuaries within Mount Kenya National Park will also provide refuge to endangered black rhinos and draw on the knowledge and engagement of local Masai communities.
Points travelers will soon have even more reason to add the East African nation to their travel wish list. In 2023, Marriott will debut its first high-end safari lodge on the continent: the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge . Its location, at the heart of Masai Mara National Reserve, will ensure optimal wildlife viewing; the park is home to a staggering inventory of more than 450 animal species, including the Big 5. The lodge will feature 20 classic safari-style tents with canopy beds, stone tile floors and Masai-inspired prints and fabrics. Marriott has committed to hiring 50 individuals from the Masai community, too.
Beyond the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park is home to an extraordinary density of wildlife thanks in no small part to conservation efforts such as the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Today, the park is one of the best places on the planet to see long-tusked elephants, as well as giraffes, eland, zebras and wildebeest in large numbers. Debuting in November 2023, Angama Amboseli will comprise 10 luxury tented suites located within Kenya's first community-owned conservancy, the Kimana Sanctuary. All tents will frame views of Mount Kilimanjaro, but the main draw here, no doubt, will be the once-in-a-lifetime elephant encounters.
TPG tip: The Billionaire Resort & Retreat Malindi, an erstwhile A-list hangout that opened to the masses in 2022, offers the ultimate safari and Indian Ocean combination without any grueling border crossings. Located in Malindi (75 miles north of Mombasa, Kenya), the resort's opulent villas and gorgeous infinity pool overlook a private white sand beach you won't want to miss. — By Caroline Lascom
Turks and Caicos: Getting out in the archipelago
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Best for sun seekers and beach lovers.
Beyond the white sands and aquamarine waters you'll find around the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos offers exciting developments, including new hotels and cruise facilities, plus better airports that will make some of its previously remote islands much more accessible. So, it should come as no surprise, then, that Turks and Caicos has seen the fastest-growing travel demand by Americans year over year, according to TripAdvisor's Fall Travel Index .
To help with the influx of inter-island and private flights, the new South Caicos Airport (XSC) on South Caicos Island — the easternmost island in the Caicos group — will complete construction in June 2023. The government will also break ground on a new-and-improved international airport for Providenciales in early 2023, a project expected to cost $300 million.
Visitors will have plenty of new accommodation options, too. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay is targeting a spring 2023 opening and will be the first Andaz-branded resort and residential property in the Caribbean. Also coming in 2023, The Shore Club is adding eight six-bedroom pool villas to its iconic Long Bay Beach property. Travelers can also look forward to boutique-style suites and panoramic views of Grace Bay Beach at The Bight Hotel and Providenciales' newest resort and marina, South Bank Turks & Caicos, both of which are in the pipeline.
A recently completed dock extension at the Grand Turk Cruise Center can now accommodate larger cruise ships, so it's bound to be a port of call on more itineraries. Additionally, $1 million in grants has been distributed to water sports operators and beach vendors to accommodate the projected increase in cruisers.
TPG tip: For the first time since the pandemic, a full lineup of events is planned for Turks and Caicos in 2023. This includes the weekly Island Fish Fry at Bight Park and legendary events like the Conch Festival, the Valentine's Day Cup on Middle Caicos, the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival and the largest festival in Turks and Caicos, Maskanoo, a cultural celebration started by enslaved people in the 19th century mocking the wealthy islanders' costume balls. —By Devorah Lev-Tov
Charleston, South Carolina: A new museum casts light on a dark past
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Best for diving deeper into a much-loved city .
Yes, we know. Charleston on a "best of" travel list is a lot like saying "florals for spring" — universally popular but hardly groundbreaking. But in 2023, the International African American Museum will open in Charleston, heralding a new era for cultural tourism in the city. In the works for the past two decades, the museum officially opens its doors on Jan. 21.
The museum will be a powerful lens on the past and is fittingly located at Gadsden's Wharf, where slave ships docked in Charleston Harbor and thousands of enslaved Africans first set foot in North America. The museum is raised off this now-hallowed ground on 18 pillars, each 13 feet high — a monumental structure designed by renowned architect Henry Cobb.
Inside, exhibits explore both the history of enslavement and the stories of African Americans in South Carolina's Lowcountry from the past through the present. There's a genealogical center here as well. Outside, the African Ancestors Memorial Garden includes a reflecting pool facing the harbor and a soundscape that explores the diverse range of African languages.
Beyond the IAAM, Charleston is welcoming new nonstop flights to several cities. Breeze Airlines continues to roll out new flights, including two weekly nonstops each to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and six direct flights per week to Provo Airport (PVU) in Utah, which all commenced in November. Earlier in 2022, Breeze rolled out daily nonstops to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and New York's Westchester County Airport (HPN).
On the hotel front, travelers can stay at the historic Charleston Place hotel, which is under new ownership as part of the Beemok Hospitality Collection and in the midst of a $100 million renovation. Mills House Charleston in the city's French Quarter recently emerged from a complete refurbishment as the city's first Curio Collection by Hilton property. The Loutrel, a new luxury hotel in the heart of Charleston's historic district with a buzzy on-site restaurant, is also worth checking out.
TPG tip: Spoleto Festival USA presents more than 150 performances of opera, dance, theater, classical music and jazz spanning two full weeks from Memorial Day through the beginning of June. It's a fun time to plan a visit, and there are numerous hotel package deals available. — By Melissa Klurman
Ecuador: Coastal towns capture the limelight
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Best for travelers searching for new destinations to unlock with points.
Though Ecuador's capital city, Quito, and remote Galapagos Islands may be the first to come to mind, exciting developments along the country's Pacific Coast are drawing a new wave of adventurers to unexpected corners of the nation.
In March of 2022, Kontiki Expeditions launched expeditions aboard the exclusive M/S Wayra, a nine-stateroom yacht that bears the distinction of being the first "water-based" Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, which partners with World of Hyatt . That means travelers can earn Hyatt points while exploring such seldom-visited ports of call as the surf spot San Mateo and Isla de la Plata, often referred to as an inexpensive alternative to the Galapagos.
Travelers eager to connect with Ecuador's overlooked coast can also take advantage of the country's increased airlift: LATAM resumed its route between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) in October with daily flights, making it altogether easier for Americans to reach Ecuador. American Airlines has also increased the frequency of its flights between Miami and Guayaquil, the gateway to Ecuador's beachy coastline.
Even Ecuador's most famous destination, the Galapagos, continues to see significant travel industry investments. Earlier this year, Ecuador's president expanded the protected Galapagos Marine Reserve by more than 23,000 square miles. Months later, a former boutique eco-friendly hotel was reborn as Royal Palm Galapagos, a Curio Collection hotel, making it possible for travelers to redeem Hilton Honors points in the Galapagos. Standard award nights start around 80,000 points, putting the islands well within reach for many travelers with points and miles stashes.
Plus, a new Hotel Indigo is now accepting reservations for end-of-year trips to the archipelago, unlocking IHG One Rewards points redemption opportunities there, too.
TPG tip: If an eight-day sailing along the coast isn't enough immersion in the culture and wildlife of Ecuador, remote workers can take advantage of Ecuador's new Nomad Visa, which launched in 2022 and allows foreign workers to live and work in Ecuador for up to 24 months. — By Melanie Lieberman
Disney Wish: The most magical place at sea
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Best for travelers who want the best of Disney while exploring the Caribbean.
Disney Wish first set sail in mid-2022, but 2023 is going to be the best time to sail on the company's first new cruise ship in a decade.
The itineraries and cabin types (ranging from a first-ever funnel suite to the cleverly designed oceanview staterooms with split bathrooms that help a whole family get ready faster by creating two distinct spaces) are now more widely available than in the first few sold-out months, but the new ship smell and sparkle remain.
Of equal importance, the staff has now had the necessary time to hit their stride with service, including on stage with Broadway-caliber reimaginings of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin," and in the thrilling all-new restaurants with "Frozen"- and Marvel-inspired dinners (be sure and try the sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream while in the Worlds of Marvel and Anna's Koldtbord with goodies like smoked salmon, sweet shrimp and dill honey mustard while dining in Arendelle).
With its three- and four-night sailings from Florida's Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, most passengers book Disney Wish to experience the ship itself rather than the ports of call. In fact, many guests don't even disembark in Nassau, preferring instead to take a turn on the AquaMouse slide, book a treatment at the Senses Spa or just have fun with the many Disney characters and themed spaces on board. It's a stress-free alternative to the increasing complexity and cost of indulging in a visit to the Disney theme parks.
TPG tip: There's the magic that's easy to spot on Disney Wish, but then there is more waiting to be discovered. For example, if you enjoy whiskey, don't walk past Hook's Barbery without popping in, as the secret space is far more than just a nook for a shave and a haircut. And if you can stay up late, make your way to the Grand Hall at midnight and look up for a fun surprise. — By Summer Hull
Sydney: Global celebrations abound
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Best for travelers eager to say they attended some of the biggest events in 2023.
A fabulous flock of international visitors will descend upon Sydney in February and March to celebrate WorldPride (the first in the Southern Hemisphere) mashed up with the city's Mardi Gras festival. An opening concert headlined by — who else? — the inimitable Kylie Minogue is reason enough to hop on a flight Down Under.
In August, the city's Accor Stadium will host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final, bringing to an end a month of soccer (sorry, football ) and Australia's shared hosting of the tournament with New Zealand.
Fortunately, getting there will be easier than ever, as Qantas recently announced it would fly from Sydney Airport (SYD) to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via Auckland Airport (AKL) in June, cutting travel times for East Coasters and heralding a new age of super-long-haul flights.
Arrivals will have a bounty of new hotels to choose from for their visit, too, including the recently opened Kimpton Margot Sydney and Ace Hotel Sydney, as well as a luxurious new Capella opening by Circular Quay early in the year and the forthcoming W Sydney set to debut in October.
Aside from all the sundry Sydney outdoor activities visitors can continue to enjoy year-round, from beach walks to BridgeClimb Sydney, travelers will also be able to explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales' stunning (and eco-friendly) new Sydney Modern Project, which the museum has billed as "the most significant cultural development in the city since the opening of the Sydney Opera House nearly half a century ago."
Opening in December of 2022 and overlooking the lush Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the complex will comprise both new and historical buildings, performance spaces, creative studios and terraces and gardens. It was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architectural firm SANAA and will house specially commissioned works by both international and Australian artists along with rotating exhibitions … so, you never know what you might see on your next trip to Sydney.
TPG tip: Indigenous tourism experiences are flourishing across Australia, including in Sydney, where travelers can learn about Indigenous Australians' way of life on a walking Dreamtime Southern X tour of The Rocks neighborhood or even book BridgeClimb Sydney's popular Burrawa Indigenous Experience guided tour as you scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge. — By Eric Rosen
Feeling inspired? Our sister site, Elsewhere , can help you plan bespoke itineraries to several of these destinations.
52 Places to Go in 2023
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![places to travel summer 2023 An Indian woman wearing a traditional sari wrap is using a taper to light a whole wall filled with hundreds of little oil lamps. They are illuminated and casting a bright glow over the scene; each lamp is set in its own little box within the wooden wall structure, tied with supporting pieces of bamboo. There are bunches of tiny bananas also tied to the top of the wall case.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-kerala-1-3d00/00places-kerala-1-3d00-superJumbo.jpg)
London Copied to clipboard!
A buzzing city ready for a coronation, a brand-new airport link and a prehistoric colossus read more.
Tom Jamieson for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 The Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace has a royal marching band walking out of the palace gates, with waiting crowds gathered and police standing nearby. The band are blowing their instruments and wearing navy topcoats with gold buttons and gold helmets with long red tassels hanging from the top.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/22/multimedia/00Places-London-1-d91c/00Places-London-1-d91c-superJumbo.jpg)
Between an altered post-lockdown landscape, sensational changeovers at 10 Downing Street and the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there is no doubt that London is in transition. But the city continues to juxtapose old traditions and new possibilities, offering something for everyone who loves culture, history, art and nightlife.
For fans of the royal family, and maybe a few naysayers, the crowning of King Charles III , Britain’s first coronation in seven decades, will be the main event in May. There’s also the revamping of Battersea Power Station , an iconic former coal-fired power plant, into a shopping and leisure hub, and a new line on the Underground will directly connect Heathrow Airport to the central boroughs. A cast of a titanosaur, the largest creature ever to walk the planet, will make its European debut at the Natural History Museum , and late-night obsessives can head to newly opened dance clubs like the Beams . Big changes, yes, but a wealth of new choices, too.
— Isabella Kwai
Morioka Copied to clipboard!
A walkable gem without the crowds, just a short bullet train ride from tokyo read more.
Andrew Faulk for The New York Times
Morioka, Japan
Until this past October, Japan maintained some of the most stringent travel restrictions of any major country. Now, travelers are beginning to stream back to popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
The city of Morioka, in Iwate Prefecture, however, is often passed over or outright ignored. Circumscribed by mountains, it lies a few hours north of Tokyo by Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed rail lines. Morioka’s downtown is eminently walkable. The city is filled with Taisho-era buildings that mix Western and Eastern architectural aesthetics as well as modern hotels, a few old ryokan (traditional inns) and winding rivers. One draw is an ancient castle site turned into a park.
There’s also fantastic coffee, including one of Japan’s third-wave originators: Nagasawa Coffee, whose owner, Kazuhiro Nagasawa, is so committed to his beans that he uses a vintage German-made Probat roaster, which he personally imported and restored. Azumaya serves up all-you-can-eat wanko soba , which comes served in dozens of tiny bowls; Booknerd offers classic Japanese art books; and Johnny’s, a jazz cafe, has been open for over 40 years. An hour west by car: Lake Tazawa and dozens of world-class hot springs.
— Craig Mod
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Copied to clipboard!
The majesty and awe of towering buttes in a setting fit for hollywood read more.
Rachael Wright
![places to travel summer 2023 Three enormous sandstone towers, which appear to be several hundred feet tall, rise above a flat, red landscape, while a road curves through the foreground. The sky above is light blue and is partially occluded by wispy white clouds. Small green shrubby plants dot the ground.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-monumentvalley/00places-monumentvalley-superJumbo.jpg)
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park,
Americans have been flocking to national parks, many of which were overrun with visitors during the peak of pandemic-related international border closures. Amid the bustle, peacefully taking in the majesty of nature can be a challenge.
Monument Valley offers a less crowded alternative. The site, known as Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii in Navajo, has been a popular insignia for the American West ever since John Wayne rode in to film “Stagecoach” in 1939, and the grandeur of its cinematic sandstone buttes, towering above a copper-red desert vastness, elicits a feeling of reverence and awe.
The tribal park, which features a 17-mile driving loop, is open to visitors under the stewardship of the Navajo Nation. Its relatively basic infrastructure — in contrast to sites governed by the National Park Service — and its out-of-the-way location on the Arizona-Utah state line help create a more serene experience compared with other awe-inspiring U.S. destinations.
— Rachael Wright
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A misty scottish stonehenge, with all of the mystery and far fewer visitors read more.
Andy Haslam for The New York Times
Kilmartin Glen, Scotland
The sun rises over Kilmartin Glen as it has for thousands of years, illuminating an ancient landscape of more than 800 archaeological monuments sprouting in the mist. This verdant valley on Scotland’s wild west coast is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in Britain, yet it’s largely off the visitor circuit; imagine Stonehenge without the crowds.
Wander among majestic stone circles, standing slabs that jut from the earth, burial cairns and rock carvings of concentric rings, expanding like ripples from a drop of water. And now the past is getting a refresh: The Kilmartin Museum is reopening with expanded exhibits and new experiences that delve into the region’s relics and flourishing natural life, including Moine Mhor (Great Moss), one of the few remaining raised bogs in Europe, above which looms the Iron Age hill fort of Dunadd.
For full immersion into the Scotland of yore, stay at the moody 16th-century Kilmartin Castle , which was recently transformed into a boutique hotel, with vaulted ceilings, copper tubs and a wild swimming pond.
— AnneLise Sorensen
Auckland Copied to clipboard!
New Zealand
Pastries that rival France’s best, with a side of adventure tourism on the North Island Read more
Susan Wright for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Over 20 French pastry cases are set out in rows on a black metal baking tray, in the process of being filled with a cream and having segments of fresh strawberries arranged artfully on top in a circular design. A hand holding a pastry brush is glazing the strawberries.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-Auckland-1-fe54/00places-Auckland-1-fe54-superJumbo.jpg)
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland is usually considered the entry point for the rest of New Zealand’s natural attractions, but travelers just passing through can miss that it’s also the culinary capital (sorry, Wellington).
Restaurants that have been germinating while the country’s borders were closed are now ready to be sampled by all. Just 10 minutes on foot from the newly renovated downtown, for instance, takes you to Hugo’s Bistro , where a regular clientele, including many lawyers, dines on unfussy French-inspired food that takes advantage of New Zealand’s fertility: Saffron, wasabi and truffles, among other delicacies, are grown in the country. Cazador , a longtime staple of the residential neighborhood Mt. Eden, serves local game in its restaurant and house-cured meats in its delicatessen.
The city’s famous multiculturalism also plays a part: Omni , which opened in 2020 and whose head chef worked at Hong Kong’s Yardbird, makes high-end yakitori, and Little French Pastry ’s founders, originally from France, serve up mille-feuille rivaling Paris’s best.
Palm Springs Copied to clipboard!
Spotting stars in the streets and counting galaxies in the sky read more.
Beth Coller for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A large telescope is aimed upward through a slit in the roof of an observatory dome. The dark blue sky, visible through the slit, is dotted with stars, and the interior of the dome is illuminated with a red light.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/09/multimedia/00places-palmsprings-1-55c8/00places-palmsprings-1-55c8-superJumbo.jpg)
Palm Springs, California
Yes, this is the land of midcentury nostalgia, with its low-slung Modernist architecture and the recent return of the 26-foot-tall “ Forever Marilyn ” statue. But these days, there’s another headliner: the surrounding desert, and the dark skies above.
Astrotourism is on the rise, with a constellation of ways to explore the cosmos, including at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory , which offers tours and monthly “Swoon at the Moon” events. Unfurl a blanket on the desert floor and gaze up at the starry sky at Joshua Tree National Park . This designated International Dark Sky Park has one of the darkest skies in California, with stargazing treks and the annual Night Sky Festival .
The desert nature and history that flourish around Palm Springs are also shaping the city’s landscape, including the new Palm Springs Downtown Park , designed to reflect Indian Canyons , ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza and Museum , which, when it opens later this year, will be one of the largest Native American cultural centers on the West Coast; and new desert-inspired hotels like Azure Sky .
Kangaroo Island Copied to clipboard!
A haven for koalas and other wild creatures, healing after devastating wildfires read more, kangaroo island, australia.
A short trip from Adelaide, South Australia’s capital, the nearly 1,700-square-mile Kangaroo Island is known for incredible wildlife, breathtaking ocean views and its status as an ecological haven — like a zoo without fences.
Three years ago, devastating fires consumed the island, wiping out wildlife and destroying a famous luxury hotel, the Southern Ocean Lodge . Efforts to rebuild are continuing, and the island is more compelling than ever to visit. New organizations that sprang up to help with the wildlife recovery offer visitors a chance to play a part in funding that regeneration.
At the Kangaroo Island Koala and Wildlife Rescue Centre , you can book a private tour to see the animal hospital facilities, or bottle-feed a joey (a baby kangaroo). At the long-established Seal Bay Conservation Park , you can watch one of Australia’s largest colonies of sea lions frolic on the beach. And in 2023 the Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen, grander and better than before.
— Besha Rodell
Vjosa River Copied to clipboard!
Cycling through the canyons and valleys of one of europe’s last untamed waterways read more.
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![places to travel summer 2023 A verdant river valley with undulating mountains surrounding it is shown at sunset. There is a glow over the green as the sun is slowly going down behind the rocky mountains in the distance.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-Vjosa-River-albania/00places-Vjosa-River-albania-superJumbo.jpg)
Vjosa River, Albania
Protecting the Vjosa , one of Europe’s last undammed rivers, hasn’t been easy. After a decade of proposed projects that threatened to alter the waterway’s wild flow, its innumerable ecosystems and its valleys strewn with ancient communities, the Albanian government signed a commitment last June to create the Vjosa Wild River National Park .
Making good on that pledge, scheduled to become reality in 2023, will establish a global conservation model while preserving the country’s canyon-lined, 120-mile stretch of the 169-mile waterway, which runs from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Adriatic Sea, as well as including around 60 miles of tributaries.
For travelers — on trails like Albania’s new UNESCO Cycling Route (opening January 2023), which runs along the river and visits World Heritage sites like the city of Gjirokastra — safeguarding the Vjosa and its river system, with over 1,100 animal species, encourages responsible discovery of alpine settlements, where locals welcome adventurers for coffee, raki (local fruit brandy) and a chance to imbibe oft-overlooked Balkan culture.
— Alex Crevar
Accra Copied to clipboard!
Feast first, dance later, in a hub of innovative west african cuisine read more.
Jessica Sarkodie for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Three local Ghanaian restaurant staff are busy working behind a tiled bar with a wooden top; there are shelves behind them lined with alcohol bottles of different colors and varieties. There are stools strewn with colorful words in front of the bar, and wait staff, including a waiter carrying a tray with bowls of food, are walking by.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-Accra-1-d649/00places-Accra-1-d649-superJumbo.jpg)
Accra, Ghana
Accra’s food scene typically consists of two schools: “chop bars” that serve traditional, cheap meals like fufu (made from pounded cassava, green plantains or yams) with tomato-based spicy soup, and pricier restaurants serving foreign fare.
Travelers to Accra, Ghana’s capital, can now see a new wave of chefs and entrepreneurs bridging this gap by emphasizing and innovating with local produce. At the Mix, a new restaurant and design hub, the West African staple gari (granulated cassava root) is dyed pink with beetroot and accompanies squid in a passion fruit sauce.
The sustainable food space in Accra is also one to watch; Ghana Food Movement , an educational group, hosts events throughout the year, including a signature Dine & Dance series in which underutilized indigenous ingredients like millet, eaten by Ghanaians almost exclusively as porridge, are made into stars over three courses. The meal is followed by a dance party, of course, in true Ghanaian fashion.
— Jessica Sarkodie
Tromso Copied to clipboard!
A clear-skied hot spot where aurora seekers are likely to spy their dazzling prize read more.
Nerd Nomads Travel Blog
![places to travel summer 2023 A deep blue sky is striated with neon green lights, as if shooting upward from a point in the far distance. Closer in the foreground are dramatic hills and a cabin with lights on inside.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/15/multimedia/00Places-Tromso-1-5807/00Places-Tromso-1-5807-superJumbo.jpg)
Tromso, Norway
After years of low solar activity, projections are looking up for travelers hoping to experience the aurora borealis, or northern lights. As the sun’s volatility increases, with more coronal mass ejections and solar flares, so, too, will the frequency and intensity of the aurora. Experts predict solar activity to peak in 2025, explained Trond S. Trondsen, an aurora expert at Keo Scientific , a designer of specialized optical instruments for space research in Calgary, Alberta. Already, he said, “the number of sunspots are climbing faster than predicted .”
One of the best places to see the northern lights, Tromso, Norway, is more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, and is relatively accessible, as far as reliable viewing locations go. Travelers can get there either by plane or by a combination of train and bus. Cruise ships and ferries are also a possibility.
Most important, the town’s surrounding landscape, near the sea but with mountains nearby, offers enough distinct weather zones to make it likely that there will be clear skies most nights — a must for seeing the lights when they do appear.
— Ingrid Williams
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park Copied to clipboard!
Blinding white dunes and aquamarine pools in an otherworldly natural water park read more.
Scott Baker
![places to travel summer 2023 An expansive dune of windswept white sand stretches out to the horizon, with a blue-green lake in the midground. The sky above is partly cloudy and deeply blue.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/22/travel/00places-Maranhenses-02/00places-Maranhenses-02-superJumbo.jpg)
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Want to feel like you’ve traveled so far that you’re only vaguely tethered to Earth? Welcome to Lençóis Maranhenses , a horizon of rolling, blindingly white sand dunes rising into the sun and descending into otherworldly green and blue lagoons filled with rainwater.
Forget your cell signal or trappings of comfort: There are few if any structures, people or even trees around, and the park’s location near the Equator means it’s blazingly hot during the day. Yet almost all Brazilians will tell you they want to visit this remote area to experience the sensation of playing in a lunar water park.
Logroll down the dunes, splashing into the natural pools. Traverse the area on horseback, stopping at “oases” along the way. Or be mesmerized by its immensity via helicopter tour. It’s the antidote to that claustrophobic Covid-era feeling — a vast, borderless moonscape where you can roam wild and free.
— Shannon Sims
Bhutan Copied to clipboard!
Cliff-top fortresses and rhododendron forests on a revived trekking trail read more.
Marcus Westberg
![places to travel summer 2023 Buddhist monks in scarlet-red robes descend the stone staircase of a temple high in the mountains on the side of a cliff. The sides of the staircase are painted white and decorated ornately with gold, and the temple is surrounded by trees, with a series of mountain ranges rising in the background, the furthest one snowcapped.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-bhutan/00places-bhutan-superJumbo.jpg)
After two and a half years of pandemic isolation, Bhutan reopened in September with changes to its longstanding “high value, low volume” tourism policy. Visitors are no longer required to travel on package tours, but Bhutan’s mandatory “sustainable development fee” increased to $200 from $65 per day.
At the same time, the 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail, a path used for centuries as a pilgrimage and communications route, reopened after a three-year restoration that mended suspension bridges, stone stairs and long-overgrown temples. The trail stretches east to west across nearly the entire country, passing through cities, villages, farmlands and wilderness. Depending on the route and time of year, trekkers might spy the snowcapped Himalayas, visit cliff-top fortresses, scale sacred mountain passes or pass through blooming rhododendron forests.
Official guides are required, and itineraries range from half a day to more than a month. Accommodations include guesthouses, home stays, luxury hotels and well-appointed campsites on each of the trail’s 28 sections. Proceeds from trips booked with Trans Bhutan Trail , the nonprofit that led the restoration, go toward trail maintenance, educational programs, guide training and other community causes.
— Sara Clemence
Kerala Copied to clipboard!
Learn to climb a palm tree, visit a temple during an annual festival and get a sustainable taste of village life read more.
Poras Chaudhary for The New York Times
Kerala, India
We travel to immerse ourselves in other cultures, but some forms of community tourism put residents on display without offering benefits. Not so in Kerala — a southern Indian state celebrated for its beaches, backwater lagoons, cuisine and rich cultural traditions like the Vaikathashtami festival — where the government has adopted an award-winning approach that allows visitors to experience village life while supporting the communities that host them.
In Kumarakom, one of several “ responsible tourism destinations ” in the state, visitors can paddle through jungly canals, weave rope from coconut fiber and even learn to climb a palm tree. In Maravanthuruthu, visitors can follow a storytelling trail and enjoy village street art before taking in an evening performance of a traditional temple dance.
— Paige McClanahan
Greenville Copied to clipboard!
South Carolina
Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and on dinner plates downtown Read more
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 An overhead view shows a variety of dishes from a Georgian restaurant, including khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread with an egg at its center.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-Greenville-1-58b8/00places-Greenville-1-58b8-superJumbo.jpg)
Greenville, South Carolina
Set in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has established itself on the culinary scene. The quaint city of about 70,000 has more than 200 restaurants — 85 percent of which are local, without a tie to a national chain — in its strollable downtown area alone. Visitors may come for the access to outdoor adventures, but they’ll most likely leave having been introduced to flavors from around the world.
Even as the renowned Soby’s celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 and two food festivals — euphoria and Fall for Greenville — attract tens of thousands of people annually, restaurants continue to crop up around the city. The second location of Charleston’s acclaimed Lewis Barbecue opened to long lines in September. Mr. Crisp , with Greg McPhee as executive chef, highlights seafood, especially its crisp-yet-tender hand-battered fish and chips. Keipi celebrates Georgian khachapuri and the country’s ancient wines; Aryana delivers a taste of Afghanistan; and Califas has brought Mexican birria tacos to Greenville.
“The real heartbeat of Greenville is a creative and diverse food community that keeps reinventing itself,” said Sid Evans, the editor in chief of Southern Living. “The food here is adventurous, and the chefs have embraced the global influences shaping the modern South.”
— Ari Bendersky
Tucson Copied to clipboard!
A rebounding center of art and adobe with centuries-old ties to mexico read more.
John Burcham for The New York Times
Tucson, Arizona
Barrio Viejo, an area of more than 150 acres in Tucson, is the largest barrio in the United States and exemplifies Tucson’s connection to Mexico, with centuries-old Sonoran adobe architecture.
This year, the neighborhood, which has one of the most diverse racial, cultural, religious and ethnic populations in the country, will receive National Historic Landmark designation . Revival projects include the restoration of the 300-seat Teatro Carmen , built in 1915 and later converted into the Black Elks Club , and female-owned boutique hotels, like the Citizen in the former home of the Tucson Citizen newspaper and the Downtown Clifton in a once-faded motel.
Take the Tucson Origins Tour by Borderlandia , which specializes in tours of the U.S.-Mexico border area, for a deep dive into history. Then explore the famed Etherton Gallery and Andrew Smith Gallery , both in new spaces. Don’t forget Barrio restaurants like the local coffee drinkers’ favorite EXO Roast , housed in an 1885 adobe home, and the Coronet , which moved to the neighborhood in 2019.
— Daniel Scheffler
Martinique Copied to clipboard!
Creole culture, giant ferns and hummingbirds that don’t back down from a staring contest read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A small hummingbird with green iridescent feathers and plumage on the top of their body flies and feeds from a flowering plant. The pink blooms its flying in front of are long and chandelier-shaped, hanging off a light-green branch.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/22/travel/00places-martinique/00places-martinique-superJumbo.jpg)
Martinique,
While travel was frozen in 2020, Martinique celebrated the induction of its traditional yole sailboat — a lightweight craft kept upright by crew members, who use their body weight as ballast by sitting on poles that extend over the sides of the hulls — on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In the fall of 2021, the entire island was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , recognizing the destination’s commitment to sustainable economic and social development.
Islanders are awaiting yet another decision from UNESCO, which they hope will name the nearly 4,600-foot volcano Mount Pelée and the Pitons du Carbet range to the World Heritage List. The region represents “the diversity of Martinique,” said Alex Dobat, who owns Natiyabel , a scuba diving and hiking outfitter (whose name means “nature is beautiful” in Creole), who described ferns the size of trees, wild begonias and hummingbirds “staring at you quietly.”
Tourism officials are counting on the UNESCO certifications to attract ecotourists to its peaks, rainforests, reefs and Creole culture.
— Elaine Glusac
The Namib Desert Copied to clipboard!
Southern Africa
1,000-foot dunes and crashing waves along a nearly uninhabited coastline Read more
![places to travel summer 2023 A large desert expanse with deep red sands gives way to a gently rising sand hill then a rocky mountain range in the background. Tufts of dry grass poke through the sand in the foreground.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-namib-1-2ecf/00places-namib-1-2ecf-superJumbo.jpg)
The Namib Desert, Southern Africa
Along the desolate coast of Namibia, 1,000-foot-tall sand dunes descend into the sea. During low tide, intrepid adventurers can drive along the beach, past towering yellow dunes on one side and the South Atlantic’s churning waters on the other. This is the Namib, the world’s oldest desert, and the perfect place for a long road trip . After almost three years of Covid-19 restrictions, it’s hard to imagine a place where you can feel more free.
“Namib” means “vast place” in Khoekhoegowab, a language spoken in many parts of Namibia. It’s astonishingly easy to get lost in this almost entirely uninhabited expanse of sand, where you might travel for days without seeing another human being.
In the Namib-Naukluft National Park, travelers can go back in time at the Deadvlei, where 600-year-old trees stand eerily lifeless, preserved by the dry air; challenge themselves to climb the 100-story Big Daddy Dune; observe desert-adapted wildlife like oryx and springbok; and even see mysterious fairy circles .
— Jen Guyton
The Alaska Railroad Copied to clipboard!
470 miles of mountains, glaciers and grizzlies from the comfort of a glass dome read more.
Christopher Miller for The New York Times
The Alaska Railroad,
Since 1923, the Alaska Railroad — the last railroad in the United States to carry both people and freight — has connected millions of passengers and trade goods over 470 miles of track, from Seward to Fairbanks. This year is the centennial of its operation and a celebration is planned in Nenana, where President Warren G. Harding drove in the golden spike on July 15, 1923, completing the railroad.
Operational well before Alaska became a state, in 1959, the railroad is an environmentally friendly way for passengers to see wilderness, and even the aurora borealis, without sacrificing comfort: Glass-domed rail cars make viewing easy. It is also the only remaining flag-stop major railroad in the country. Passengers can wave a flag to embark or disembark, gaining access to more remote locations, including harder-to-reach areas of the Chugach National Forest, through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Sights along the way include Denali, North America’s tallest peak, and Kenai Fjords National Park. History buffs can view a special exhibit at the Anchorage Museum that runs from May to February 2024, chronicling the railroad’s history.
— Charu Suri
Fukuoka Copied to clipboard!
Savoring an endangered street-food tradition on the often overlooked island of kyushu read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Diners are sitting outside around the counter of an open-air food stall. Smoke is emanating from the open kitchen, and the diners are chatting and huddled over plates of food. Red lanterns attached to the stall are glowing brightly, along with the illuminated signs on top of each stall.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-Fukuoka-1-4adb/00places-Fukuoka-1-4adb-superJumbo.jpg)
Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka, a subtropical city perched on the northern shore of Kyushu, is one of the few remaining places in Japan where you will see rows of yatai — open-air street-food stalls resembling boxes of neon light. Many sell traditional foods like ramen, yakitori and oden, but if you stroll along the riverfront on Nakasu, a small island that is Fukuoka’s red-light district, you’ll find some diversity with wine, coffee, and even French sausages and garlic toast.
Yatai were a common sight across Japan in the 1950s, but during the 1964 Summer Olympics, the authorities had them removed to project an image of economic recovery. In the present, Fukuoka is the only city left that’s fighting this bureaucracy. The government has acknowledged the cultural significance of yatai by increasing the safety and quality of the food and by offering more licenses in 2022. Even so, the number of yatai has fallen drastically to around 100 stalls today from more than 400 in the ’60s. Pull up a seat while you can and enjoy rubbing shoulders with strangers over supper again.
— Harvard Wang
Flores Copied to clipboard!
An island paradise where crater lakes change color and nine-foot dragons roam read more.
Lauryn Ishak for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Five boats, two passenger motorboats and three wooden fishing boats with covers, are gathered around a pier. They are surrounded by turquoise blue water, with a few people in swimwear waiting on the pier. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds in the distance.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-Flores-Indonesia-1-13d7/00places-Flores-Indonesia-1-13d7-superJumbo.jpg)
Flores, Indonesia
The term “fairy-tale getaway” is overused, but what else do you call a far-off, unspoiled, Southeast Asian island with nine-foot Komodo dragons, active volcanoes, white-sand beaches, coral gardens, rushing waterfalls and color-shifting crater lakes reputed to house departed spirits?
Such are the allures of Flores, one of the roughly 17,500 islands of the Republic of Indonesia. An hour’s flight from Bali and far less visited, Flores may be seeing more visitors with the scheduled opening late this year of Kodi Bajo , a luxury resort in the fishing town of Labuan Bajo. Operated by the group behind the NIHI hotel on Sumba, a nearby Indonesian island, Kodi Bajo will offer sumptuous hillside accommodations and views of the nearby Komodo National Park archipelago — the only place in the world inhabited by the famous giant lizards.
— Seth Sherwood
Guadalajara Copied to clipboard!
Celebrating queer culture’s diversity and l.g.b.t.q. athletes from around the globe read more.
Adrian Wilson for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Two bartenders stand within an enclosed bar, surrounded by the glow of a yellow-orange light. Nearest to the camera, one of them measures out alcohol in a metallic jigger. Shelves of alcohol line the walls.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-guadelajara-1-5362/00places-guadelajara-1-5362-superJumbo.jpg)
Guadalajara, Mexico
Travel has always been a way to experience diversity, and in 2023 you’ll find a variety of sexual expression and shifts in traditional gender roles in Jalisco’s capital. This fall, the city will co-host (with Hong Kong) the 11th annual Gay Games . Athletes from around the world — of varying ages, sexual orientations and levels of athletic experience — will participate in 20 sports.
The city is also home to the annual Prohibido festival , during which an abandoned theater is transformed into a celebration of sexual diversity through art installations, interactive experiences, live music and talks about polyamorous and nonbinary culture. In Guadalajara, too, women take on nontraditional performance roles. On most nights, you can hear one of almost a dozen female mariachi bands from the area at Hotel Riu Plaza Guadalajara or El Patio, a restaurant. There are also local performances by female cowboys, known as escaramuzas, who present their choreography on horseback.
The city is considered by some to be Mexico’s drag capital, with numerous performers and shows. Guadalajara has also developed “antiturista” maps, including one for L.G.B.T.Q. travelers, that provide a local’s perspective on places to see and stay.
— Maggie Jones
Tassili n’Ajjer Copied to clipboard!
Rock art, sandstone pillars and a glimpse at a lost saharan history read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Bright red-orange sand dunes stretch across a vast landscape that is interspersed with slightly darker-brown rock formations. The rocks are jagged and irregularly shaped.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-algiers/00places-algiers-superJumbo.jpg)
Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria
Often overshadowed by its neighbor, the tourism giant Morocco, Algeria — a stone’s throw from Mediterranean Europe and a mere three-hour flight from London — has recently relaxed its visa policies, allowing for much easier exploration of the country. While most visitors tend to stick to the coastal north, which contains some of the region’s best preserved Roman ruins, Africa’s largest country also contains its largest national park.
Virtually unknown to the outside world, Tassili n’Ajjer is eight times the size of Yellowstone. At the heart of the vast landscape of Saharan sand and stone lie the deep red dunes and pillars of Tadrart Rouge. Accessible only by a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this astonishingly striking national park is home to thousands of ancient works of rock art, stretching back to when the desert was a thriving savanna, as well as to a very much living nomadic Tuareg culture.
— Marcus Westberg
Kakheti Copied to clipboard!
New flavors and ancient winemaking traditions in tiny hilltop towns and green valleys read more.
Irma Laghadze
![places to travel summer 2023 A big steel bowl filled with a large amount of hand-twisted dumplings (more than 50) is being held by two pairs of hands over an open fire, as steam rises around it.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-Georgia/00places-Georgia-superJumbo.jpg)
Kakheti, Georgia
The mountainous nation of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition is at the center of several new trends in the wine world, including skin-contact (a.k.a. orange ) wines, amphora fermentation and charismatic grape varieties like saperavi. As a result, Georgian wine exports to the United States recently topped one million bottles and are growing at almost 29 percent annually, as Wine Enthusiast recently reported .
For wine lovers, a tasting trip to estates like Vazisubani and Kardanakhi in Kakheti offers a chance to discover new wines in a landscape of tiny hilltop towns and verdant valleys framed by the Caucasus. Many wines are made in traditional pointed qvevri clay vessels that are buried in the earth.
To complement the experience, local chefs have started offering cooking classes where gastronomes can learn how to make the meaty dumplings known as khinkali and other dishes from what Saveur magazine called “Europe’s great unsung cuisine.”
— Evan Rail
Nîmes Copied to clipboard!
A sunny mediterranean morsel whose charming streets are studded with roman monuments read more.
Joann Pai for The New York Times
Nîmes, France
Nîmes is that rarest of Gallic delicacies — a sunny southern French city with great charm and fascinating architecture and museums that hasn’t yet become thronged with tourists like Arles or Avignon.
The city has a growing word-of-mouth reputation for the excellence of its dining options, which include everything from Michelin two-star restaurants like the chef Pierre Gagnaire’s Duende at the recently renovated Hotel Imperator to exceptionally good lunchtime dining in Les Halles de Nîmes, a covered food market, where the Halles Auberge and La Pie Qui Couette offer first-come first-serve counter service at noon. The latest local buzz is about the chef Georgiana Viou, originally from Benin, who serves up her personal and very delicate Afro-Provençal cooking at Rouge , the restaurant of the elegant new 10-room Margaret-Hôtel Chouleur in a landmarked mansion in the heart of the Écusson, or Old City. Le Coin and Menna, two excellent cosmopolitan modern French bistros — a type of restaurant that’s new to Nîmes — are not far away.
Shed some calories after a meal by taking in the sights of the Rome of France, a sobriquet explained by the most spectacular collection of Roman monuments in Europe outside of Italy.
— Alexander Lobrano
Ha Giang Copied to clipboard!
A two-wheeled thrill ride leads to mountainside settlements where hmong and tay culture lives read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 An elderly Vietnamese woman with glasses and a head-scarf sits outside at a small wooden table, hand-painting a fabric made of hemp that she is unrolling. She is wearing a purple and yellow print shirt, and there is a wooden wall behind her.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-Ha-Giang-Vietnam-1-d139/00places-Ha-Giang-Vietnam-1-d139-superJumbo.jpg)
Ha Giang, Vietnam
The several-day loop by motorbike through the Ha Giang highlands in northern Vietnam is not for the timid. Getting to the city of Ha Giang takes six hours by road from Hanoi, and the loop’s steep roads, serpentine passes and recurring switchbacks can make the journey both treacherous and exhilarating.
This remote tableau of soaring peaks and cavernous valleys inspires a deep connection to the landscape and its inhabitants. Veer off the main road onto the narrow ribbons of concrete streaking the mountainsides and into the Hmong and Tay settlements dotting the hillsides and hollows. To learn more about their cultures, you can hire a guide from QT Motorbikes and Tours .
Road improvement projects and new high-end accommodations have made the loop more accessible and inviting. Don’t miss a boat ride through the canyon on the emerald river at Ma Pi Leng Pass.
— Patrick Scott
Salalah Copied to clipboard!
A historic frankincense-trading center where the desert erupts in waterfalls read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Traversing a gently flowing river, a desert oasis, a line of five camels are following each other in procession, walking in the water up to their shoulders, single file. Trees in varying shades of green line the riverbank, and there is a mountain range in the background.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-Oman/00places-Oman-superJumbo-v3.jpg)
Salalah, Oman
With last year’s World Cup drawing attention to the built environment elsewhere in the Persian Gulf states, seaside Salalah, Oman, offers visitors a chance to see the region’s natural beauty. Depending on when you go, the area is either lush and green and blanketed in thick fog, or basking in sunlight and a warm breeze.
During the khareef (monsoon), the valleys and riverbeds are flooded with fresh water, and the mountains flow with waterfalls. The city is also home to Al Baleed Archaeological Park and the Museum of the Frankincense Land , which provides a visual history of the ancient incense trade and the associated export routes to the rest of the world. (A nearby collection of sites, known as the Land of Frankincense , is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.) Another draw is the collection of historical ports spread along the coast.
The population of Salalah, one of Oman’s largest cities, is around 330,000, so it’s easy to find oneself alone in the crystal clear waters of the area’s many tranquil beaches, including Mugsail, Fazayah and Haffa.
— Noa Avishag Schnall
Cuba Copied to clipboard!
An island of music and white-sand beaches ripe for rediscovery as the united states eases travel restrictions read more.
Robert Rausch for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A deserted beach is seen at sunrise, with the waves gently lapping the shoreline and the wet sand glistening and reflective. There are piles of rocks and palm trees further back on the shore, leading up to a grassy mound and the sun rising on the right in the distance.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-cuba-1-4b25/00places-cuba-1-4b25-superJumbo.jpg)
With its sea-sprayed, pastel facades, white-sand beaches and tobacco-rich valleys, Cuba sits tantalizingly close to the United States, though it often feels out of reach — especially in recent years, when the Trump administration reinstated strict rules for American citizens hoping to visit.
But a confluence of factors just made travel to the island nation a bit easier. Last spring, President Biden relaxed many of the restrictions imposed by his predecessor. And in November, American Airlines resumed flights beyond Havana, adding departures to the beach town Varadero and the interior city Santa Clara, a regional capital steeped in revolutionary history. More flights from other carriers are set to begin in the coming months.
Cuba’s people are as generous with their stories — of history, family, even politics and protest — as they are with their music, an omnipresent, joyful soundtrack thrumming through the island’s cities and towns. Less than two years after historic protests were met with harsh repression, and as the country rebuilds from Hurricane Ian, travel to Cuba and support of its people may never be more valuable.
— Lauren Prestileo
Odense Copied to clipboard!
A mystical new museum and garden with all you need to write your own fairy tale read more.
Andreas Meichsner for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A solitary woman wearing headphones is seen standing in front of a museum exhibit. She is looking at a light display and surrounded by other luminous installations. She is wearing headphones and plaid pants.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-odense-1-09c9/00places-odense-1-09c9-superJumbo.jpg)
Odense, Denmark
Designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma & Associates, the new Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, on the island of Funen, is more than a museum. It’s a mystical land, featuring labyrinthine gardens that double as a public park.
The museum explores Andersen’s literary interplay between real and imaginary: You can gaze up at the sky through a glass dome and feel like the Little Mermaid; roam sunken courtyards, illuminated by sunlight splintering through trees; and engage with exhibits by contemporary artists in cylindrical spaces wrapped in latticed timber that suggest the city’s traditional thatched-roof houses. The museum is as much about telling stories as it is about imagining your own: Creativity is encouraged at the magical Ville Vau children’s center, where children can paint, draw, write and play dress-up amid colorful scenes from Andersen’s fairy tales.
Time your visit with Odense’s summertime H.C. Andersen Festivals , and then find artistic inspiration, as Andersen did, by venturing across his home island of Funen, the “garden of Denmark,” with its storybook castles (the moated Egeskov is the stuff of dreams), heather-coated hillsides and misty coastline.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Copied to clipboard!
The shape-shifting sandstone heart of a continent and its indigenous heritage read more.
Matthew Abbott for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Uluru, the sandstone monolith, is seen off in the distance at sunset, glowing a terracotta red, with the mellow-toned blue and pink sky behind it. Tufts of grass and shrubs rise from the earth in the foreground.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00Places-Uluru-1-13ac/00Places-Uluru-1-13ac-superJumbo-v2.jpg)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
At Uluru, time stretches, dissolves. Over 500 million years old, the 1,142-foot sandstone monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a shape-shifter: aflame in pink, orange and violet through the day; its crevices gush with the rain, its surroundings erupt with wildflowers.
Now, Uluru is a symbol of urgency. In 2017, it was the site of the Uluru Statement From the Heart , which calls for an Indigenous “voice to Parliament” to be enshrined in Australia’s Constitution. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced there would be a national referendum on the issue in 2023.
Uluru is sacred to the Anangu people, who protect and manage the land, and for decades tourists climbed the rock against their wishes. Climbing was banned in 2019, and now visitors can take a 5.8-mile walk around Uluru’s base to experience its splendor. The ban was a rare victory for Indigenous rights and cultural respect, and evidence that even deep-rooted attitudes can change.
— Tacey Rychter
Boquete Copied to clipboard!
A slope-side nirvana for coffee geeks, waterfall hikers and white-water rafters read more.
Paul Castillero
![places to travel summer 2023 Shining through a peek-hole in the lush growth of a forest is the orange glow of the rising sun, with clouds and a mountain range around it.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-boquete-panama-1-ec1f/00places-boquete-panama-1-ec1f-superJumbo.jpg)
Boquete, Panama
Geisha, among the world’s most expensive coffee varietals, thrives on the slopes of the Barú Volcano, near Panama’s western border. In recent years, specialty coffee geeks the world over have gravitated here, encouraging coffee farms around the highland town of Boquete to act more like Bordeaux vineyards. New cupping rooms and bodega tours have been added at farms like Lamastus Family Estates , Chevas Coffee Estate and Finca Altieri , while coffee-themed hotels — including Finca Lérida and Panamonte — have updated their facilities.
In Boquete’s town center, which acts as a base for adventure activities like waterfall hikes and white-water rafting, the noted Panama City chef Mario Castrellón has opened a branch of the coffee roaster Café Unido , as well as a restaurant and bar with seasonal menus and Geisha-infused cocktails, in the new Selina hostel . The bold, 60-room property straddles a small river, with rooms ranging from beds in concrete cylinders to luxe suites.
— Nicholas Gill
Tarragona Copied to clipboard!
An unsung artsy seaport rich in well-preserved roman ruins, and delicious tapas read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A old, stone cathedral, seen in the distance through a maze of residential buildings with clay-tiled roofs, is illuminated with yellowed lights. The sky shows a rich palette of colors ranging from blue and purple to orange and gold.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/12/travel/12places-tarragona/12places-tarragona-superJumbo.jpg)
Tarragona, Spain
Long upstaged by the flash of Barcelona, this unsung waterfront city on the Costa Daurada is a culturally rich alternative, with thriving Catalan traditions, from the famous castells (human towers, formed by people standing on one another’s shoulders) to earthy Romesco sauce, often served with grilled fish and vegetables, and best enjoyed in El Serrallo, a maritime neighborhood.
But what elevates the Tarragona experience is the past: This is one of the oldest Roman settlements in the Iberian Peninsula. The impressively preserved Tarraco ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, transform the city into an open-air museum, from the mighty Roman walls to the amphitheater framed by the Mediterranean.
Against this ancient backdrop, the city is in the midst of change: a revitalized port, new low-cost fast trains to the region and a growing contemporary arts scene. Perhaps the best way to savor it is to partake in a paseo: Stroll the Rambla Nova, grazing on tapas along the way, to the aptly named Balcó del Mediterrani observation point, where touching the iron railing is said to bring good luck.
Charleston Copied to clipboard!
A powerful space will examine a city’s past and honor the african american legacy read more, charleston, south carolina.
Charleston’s brutal history of slavery can be overshadowed by a romanticized portrait of a city with charm, award-winning restaurants and plantation gardens. The planned opening of the $100 million International African American Museum this year will help comprehensively display the city’s complicated past.
The I.A.A.M. occupies the former Gadsden’s Wharf, where an estimated 30,000 African captives landed during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, more than at any other site. The sleek, single-story building floats atop 18 pillars clad in tabby, a kind of concrete made from oyster shells, and houses a genealogy center, a social justice action lab and 10 exhibit galleries that include stories of slavery and the Great Migration. A public outdoor space offers an African Ancestors Memorial Garden featuring indigenous plants like Lowcountry sweet grass and Canary Island palm trees.
This spring, the Charleston tourism board will debut a comprehensive guide to Black-owned businesses to elevate the overlooked successes of creative locals.
— Lauren Matison
Cayos Cochinos Copied to clipboard!
Planting coral and counting sea turtles where there are no cars or roads read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Looking through a gap in the dense forest with a tree bough framing overhead, there is a view of a wooden beach cabana on stilts, siting over the turquoise water of a lagoon.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/29/multimedia/00places-honduras-1-b4e0/00places-honduras-1-b4e0-superJumbo.jpg)
Cayos Cochinos, Honduras
Off the northern coast of Honduras, the Cayos Cochinos archipelago, part of a marine preserve where commercial fishing is banned, encompasses about 300,000 acres, two main islands and 13 small cays, with a collective population of about 200 Indigenous Garifuna residents.
Before the pandemic, the nonprofit Cayos Cochinos Foundation, which manages the reserve, derived much of its funding to study and protect its biodiversity from the fees paid by day-trippers to snorkel there. Now, the nongovernmental organization is gently opening itself to tourism, allowing visitors to stay in basic cabins (from $45 a night) that previously hosted exclusively scientists.
Between scuba dives and hikes to see pink boa constrictors and black-chested spiny-tailed iguanas, travelers can volunteer to propagate new coral or count sea turtles. Travel to the islands, which are roadless and free of cars, also supports the Garifuna community, which offers guide services, restaurants and tastings of the local root-infused spirit, guifiti.
Burgundy Beer Trail Copied to clipboard!
Paying homage to hops and yeast in a region where wine has long reigned read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A man with dark hair and a beard and wearing a zip-up puffer vest is standing surrounded by huge wooden beer barrels in the cellar of brewery. He is pouring beer from a long-neck bottle into a large stemmed goblet, and there is an ancient stone wall behind him.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-burgundy-1-e2a5/00places-burgundy-1-e2a5-superJumbo.jpg)
Burgundy Beer Trail, France
Wine lovers have long revered the great vintages of Burgundy. Now, beer lovers have their eyes on the Burgundy region, following the arrival of head-turning new breweries like Ammonite , Vif , Independent House and 90 BPM , all within 90 minutes of one another, and all rated among the best in France by fans on sites like Untappd and RateBeer .
Winemaking influences these new brewers, some of which employ solera barrel systems (like those used to age and blend sherry and Madeira wines), natural yeast, small oak barrels and other tools and techniques most often used by vintners.
For years, France has been a laggard in the global craft beer revolution, running far behind neighboring countries like Spain and Italy. The emerging beer trail in Burgundy’s wine region shows how France might soon develop an enviable beer culture of its own.
Istanbul Copied to clipboard!
Reviving a city’s historic architecture just in time for modern turkey’s centennial read more.
Maria Mavropoulou for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A modern-looking, three-level museum building of steel and glass is seen from the front, leading out to a forecourt of polished stone. There are people walking past the facade, and there is a sign in big capital lettering on the front that reads, “Istanbul Modern”](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/22/multimedia/00places-Istanbul-1-5561/00places-Istanbul-1-5561-superJumbo.jpg)
This October, the Turkish Republic celebrates its 100th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, Istanbul’s local government has invested millions in giving historic structures new life.
Among them: Feshane, a factory that manufactured the iconic Turkish hats and one of Istanbul’s first steel buildings, will become one of its largest art centers; west of the old city, a comprehensive restoration of the stone-and-brick Mevlanakapi city walls with their 22 towers dating back to the fifth century, will transform them into a four-and-a-half-mile walking path; and the Botter Apartment, one of Istanbul’s earliest Art Nouveau buildings, whose bottom floor was originally a studio for the sultan’s private tailor, will be turned into a fashion design center.
There’s more. Art museums are planned for the former Yedikule gasworks and the Halic Shipyard, one of the world’s oldest still in operation. And most notably, the newly built Istanbul Modern museum, designed by the architect Renzo Piano, will open its doors along the Bosporus in Karakoy, showcasing the works of notable Turkish artists such as Fahrelnissa Zeid and Erol Akyavas.
— Nora Walsh
Taipei Copied to clipboard!
Floating sky lanterns and soaring skyscrapers in a sprawling, thrumming capital read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A bustling night market in Taipei has shoppers roaming up and down a long strip, lined on either side with stall fronts. There is backlit lettering on signage over many of the stalls, and illuminated yellow lanterns hang overhead. The night sky is black.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/17/travel/00places-taipei-sub/00places-taipei-sub-superJumbo.jpg)
Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei is a glorious assault on the senses, a capital with stunning natural beauty, low crime, and clear air despite its immense urban sprawl. From its neon-lit night markets to its Qing Dynasty temples, visitors can feel the quiet drum of independent pride, however fragile its future.
Beijing, which sees self-ruled Taiwan as an unruly child, continues to assert its desire to reunify with Taiwan and put the island firmly back under its control. But for now, a visit to this city offers a riot of culinary and cultural pleasures. In 2023, the island’s third-tallest skyscraper will open, and the Taiwan Lantern Festival , a beloved tradition in which thousands of glowing lanterns float skyward in tandem, will return to Taipei after more than two decades.
Taipei’s future is uncertain. But in 2023, it remains an ideal place to gape at the sheer power of human innovation.
— Debra Kamin
El Poblado Copied to clipboard!
Medellín, Colombia
A chic shopping district, pulsing nightlife and rainbow-colored macaws Read more
Federico Rios for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A bartender, wearing an apron and standing in front of a large mirrored array of alcoholic beverages, slides an orange and green drink toward the viewer.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-medellin-1-fc81/00places-medellin-1-fc81-superJumbo-v4.jpg)
El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
In the 1600s, Spanish settlers established El Poblado, “the village,” along the Medellín River. Eventually, the larger city of Medellín grew to the north, and El Poblado became a rural getaway for wealthy Colombians.
Today, it is once again a center of activity. The grid of two- or three-story homes has blossomed with shops and restaurants, interspersed with boutique hotels rising above the treetops. Nearby, gushing waterfalls and rainbow-colored macaws add to the lush tropical vibe.
An afternoon roaming the neighborhood, popping into Mon y Velarde for menswear or Makeno for artisanal home goods, followed by coffee at Pergamino or modern Colombian cuisine at Oci.Mde , is a worthy entry on any South American traveler’s bucket list. Stay out late enough to see the area transform into the pulsing heart of the city’s nightlife, with D.J.s on the rooftops and dance parties in the streets.
Lausanne Copied to clipboard!
Switzerland
Spectacular views of Lake Geneva and an exploding architectural and artistic scene Read more
Clara Tuma for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 Looking down onto a cityscape from above, cars are driving down a bustling retail main street and apartment buildings are above the shops. A church steeple is seen in the distance.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-lausanne-switzerland-1-29bd/00places-lausanne-switzerland-1-29bd-superJumbo.jpg)
Lausanne, Switzerland
Already blessed with a sublime Lake Geneva location and dramatic mountain views, Lausanne, Switzerland’s fourth-largest city, has been adding architectural and artistic beauty to its repertoire as well.
Known as Plateform 10 , the city’s three-year-old arts district recently inaugurated a bold new building that resembles an artfully cracked block of white stone for a pair of museums. Photo Elysée is dedicated to exhibiting photography in all its forms, while MUDAC is a haven of five creative outlets: design, glasswork, ceramics, jewelry and graphic art. The two institutions join the new home of the city’s international art museum, the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts , which moved into its ridged, rectangular building in 2019.
Methana Copied to clipboard!
A hike, a stroll or a run into the bronze age followed by a soak in an ancient tub read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Two runners, a man and a woman, are seen from behind as they are running along a rocky mountain trail, at the very edge of the cliff. They are dressed in black and gray and the blue sea and a mountain are seen in the distance.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-Methana-Greece-1-b527/00places-Methana-Greece-1-b527-superJumbo.jpg)
Methana, Greece
Athens’s nearest active volcano, Methana, sits on a peninsula of the same name some 30 miles southwest of the Greek capital. Though largely unknown to tourists, the area is slowly evolving, in part because of its increasing popularity as a hiking destination.
In recent years, groups of locals have managed to reopen and map old walking paths, some of which date back to the Mycenaean Era, creating hiking trails that attract visitors from around the world. (So far, more than 18 miles have been cleared and marked.) The Methana Volcano Challenge , first organized in 2021, offers a trail run across the peninsula’s sloping landscape.
Visitors to this volcanic peninsula can also enjoy several hot springs, the most interesting of which is an ancient (and recently renovated) tub known as the Pausanias Baths near the village of Agios Nikolaos.
— Demetrios Ioannou
Louisville Copied to clipboard!
A rising l.g.b.t.q. scene with quilts, drag shows, the derby and, of course, bourbon read more, louisville, kentucky.
One of the oldest cities west of the Appalachian Mountains, and arguably among the most beautiful, Louisville somehow flies under the radar. This despite its graceful 19th-century park system , designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and its bourbon-fueled convivial spirit.
Today, its L.G.B.T.Q. scene is also thriving, with hot spots like Chill Bar and Play Dance Bar , which hosts regular drag nights featuring touring artists. (The city has also earned top marks from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for seven years running and is home to two new L.G.B.T.Q. community centers.) This spring brings Hotel Genevieve , from the Texas-based Bunkhouse Group, which offers Louisville-inspired touches like décor that pays homage to the city’s rich quilting heritage, an on-site market selling work from local artists and bourbon selections from neighboring Rabbit Hole Distillery .
Make plans for 2023, because the city might not stay below the radar much longer: 2024 will draw the masses for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
— Paul L. Underwood
Manaus Copied to clipboard!
River-to-table cuisine and ancestral recipes in the heart of the amazon read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A fish, cooked whole, sits on a small plate beside a sliced lime. Two additional bowls — filled with colorful food — sit beside the plate, as does a glass filled with a yellow-green drink.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/21/multimedia/00places-Manaus-Brazil-1-4211/00places-Manaus-Brazil-1-4211-superJumbo-v2.jpg)
Manaus, Brazil
Michelin-starred restaurants in São Paulo use Amazonian ingredients to appear exotic, but in Manaus, where you can sip steamy gourds of tacacá from a stand in front of the Teatro Amazonas or wander past plastic bottles of tucupi, the juice squeezed from grated cassava, in Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, Amazonian ingredients are a fact of life.
At the Indigenous-owned Biatüwi , a restaurant that pays homage to ancestral recipes and cooking techniques, drinks are made from fermented purple yams, and chiles are used to purify river fish in piquant stews like quinhampira.
Then there’s the chef Felipe Schaedler, who has helped threatened Yanomami communities commercialize their native mushrooms and runs two restaurants of his own: Banzeiro and Moquém do Banzeiro . Steering away from traditional preparations, Mr. Schaedler reimagines ingredients like lemon-grass-flavored ants and tambaqui ribs in a modern format, as do the bistros Caxiri , set in a colonial building overlooking Largo de São Sebastião, a grand plaza, and Fitz Carraldo, in the boutique hotel Villa Amazonia .
Vilnius Copied to clipboard!
A 700-year-old survivor ready to party like there’s no tomorrow read more.
Gordon Welters for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A man sits above a river, his feet dipping into the water, on a two-seated chair that is suspended about ten feet below a decorative bridge. Atop the bridge, three people look down at the man. Behind them is what appears to be a collection of residential buildings.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/28/multimedia/00places-vilnius-lithuania-1-2a88/00places-vilnius-lithuania-1-2a88-superJumbo.jpg)
Vilnius, Lithuania
Lithuania’s cobblestoned capital has a long history of bootstrap survival. Occupied once by the Nazis and twice by the Soviets, Vilnius has a story that is complex and fascinating to explore. Its architectural riches span from Gothic to Renaissance to Baroque; grand churches rub shoulders with quaint timber homes on leafy streets.
In 2023, the resilient city celebrates its 700th birthday with a full year of revelry. A light festival , free music performances and the first Vilnius International Biennial are all on the calendar. Artificial intelligence will resurrect one of the city’s first operas from the 17th century, and an exhibition space will allow visitors to virtually explore Vilnius’s streets as they looked more than 200 years ago.
Ringing in its eighth century, Vilnius reminds travelers that, when viewed through the long lens of history, our own uncertain times are fleeting.
Macon Copied to clipboard!
1,100-year-old native american mounds and deep rock ’n’ roll roots read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 A pathway leads into a large mound of earth, perhaps around 10 or 15 feet tall at its peak and covered with neatly manicured grass. The mound has a large opening framed with wooden logs.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-Macon-1-7858/00places-Macon-1-7858-superJumbo.jpg)
Macon, Georgia
The area around Macon has been home to multiple Native American tribes for 12,000 years. That history will be acknowledged this year, when Georgia is expected to get its first national park: The Ocmulgee Mounds, some of the most significant prehistoric Indigenous mounds in North America, date to the year 900, and are now a national historical park .
The national park will include the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge , for a total of 50,000 acres, and offer a network of exquisite hiking trails and artifacts from American Indian culture. Management will be shared by the Muscogee Nation and the National Park Service.
Additionally, the city, whose musical roots run deep — Little Richard, the Allman Brothers and Otis Redding all got their start here — is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a new 10,000-seat amphitheater . Visitors can check out the Hotel Forty Five , a boutique hotel that opened downtown last year and that was named both for the angle of the street on which it sits and as a nod to musical history.
— Ondine Cohane
Madrid Copied to clipboard!
Kicking off a worldwide tribute to picasso in a place that’s a masterpiece unto itself read more.
Emilio Parra Doiztua for The New York Times
If art is a universal language, as travel often reveals, Pablo Picasso’s antiwar “ Guernica ” may be one of its most potent symbols.
The Spanish and French governments recently announced the Picasso Celebration 1973-2023 in front of the famous painting at the Reina Sofia museum, kicking off a transnational commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death. The worldwide tribute, from Madrid to Paris to New York City, includes some 50 exhibitions, many of which explore the artist through the lens of the present day. Madrid leads the way, with tributes throughout the year, including “Picasso. The Sacred and the Profane” at the Thyssen-Bornemisza ; “Picasso 1906. The Turning Point” at the Reina Sofia ; and an exhibition exploring Picasso and El Greco at the Prado .
During Picasso’s anniversary year, it’s worth noting that the city’s artistry isn’t just within its museums, but outside as well: Madrid’s cultural core is an urban masterpiece of art, nature and light, and in 2021, the entire area of the Paseo del Prado and verdant Parque del Buen Retiro, called “Landscape of Light,” was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grand Junction Copied to clipboard!
A bonanza of canyons, arches and cliffs, without the hordes of tourists read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Sharp orange-red sandstone cliffs contrast with the deep blue of the sky in the background. The cliffs, dramatically steep at the top, give way to gentler slopes of eroded material below.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-grand-junction/00places-grand-junction-superJumbo.jpg)
Grand Junction, Colorado
On Colorado’s Western Slope, arid Grand Junction offers attractions similar to those of Moab, Utah, the gateway to Arches National Park, without the throngs.
The area around the Colorado alternative has the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the country in Rattlesnake Canyon, where some 35 sandstone spans are part of the roughly 123,700-acre McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area , reachable via off-road vehicle or a strenuous 14-mile round-trip trek. More convenient hiking trails in the Colorado National Monument — where geologic uplift and erosion formed monoliths of the same Entrada sandstone found at Arches — lie within about 10 minutes of town.
The 2021 opening of the Palisade Plunge adds a 32-mile descent — from the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, 10,000-foot Grand Mesa, down to the Colorado River — to the area’s biking challenges. All trails lead back to downtown Grand Junction, filled with shops, craft breweries, locavore restaurants and wine-tasting rooms from area vineyards.
La Guajira Copied to clipboard!
An unspoiled land of orange-sand beaches and flamingo-lined lagoons read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 Four figures, silhouetted against a dark orange-blue sky, are standing atop a hillside, with the ocean in view in the distance on the right.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-la-guajira-1-074d/00places-la-guajira-1-074d-superJumbo.jpg)
La Guajira, Colombia
The remote and arid La Guajira peninsula, straddling Colombia’s border with Venezuela, remains largely unknown to international tourists — in spite of its dramatic salt flats, flamingo-lined lagoons and orange-sand beaches.
Terrorist activity made this area mostly off limits until 2016, but eco-minded hotels, including La Casa del Pavo Real and Hotel Waya Guajira , have spread along the peninsula, relying on increased flights to Riohacha, the regional capital, and nearby Santa Marta.
This region is the home of the Indigenous Wayúu people, who have expressed concerns that giant development projects may irreparably alter their ancestral lands. Tour operators visit Wayúu weavers known for their chinchorros, the colorful hammocks that take months to make, and their rustic kitchens, where cooks like Zaida Cotes showcase traditional cuisine based on salted fish, goat meat and purple corn.
Bergamo and Brescia Copied to clipboard!
Open-air theater, art, music and a plateful of local delicacies in a cultural crossroads read more.
Andrea Wyner for The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 An ancient city with pretty red roofs and facades of white and yellow sits in the foreground. In the distance are rolling forested hills and mountains.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/22/travel/00places-bergamo/00places-bergamo-superJumbo.jpg)
Bergamo and Brescia, Italy
Milan may outshine Bergamo and Brescia , but in 2023 a spotlight will fall on these two Lombardy cities after they were jointly named the Italian Capital of Culture . More than 100 art projects, music and theater events (some open-air), nature walks and new bike routes are meant to map a way forward after the tragic headlines this northern region generated in 2020, when it was more ravaged by the coronavirus than anyplace else in Italy.
Bergamo is distinctive for its ancient, walled Città Alta (Upper Town) and modern Città Bassa (Lower Town), the two connected by narrow roads, a funicular and a footpath. Brescia, around 30 miles southeast , is a handsome crossroads of Roman, medieval and Renaissance sites .
Outstanding food is another draw — it’s Italy, after all — with menus in both areas featuring creamy, nutty polenta taragna and variously stuffed crescents of casoncelli swirled with butter and sage — little pasta miracles that prove how good life can still be.
— Julie Besonen
American Prairie Copied to clipboard!
A vast, and growing, swath of nature where you can still feel tiny read more.
Janie Osborne
![places to travel summer 2023 A dark-brown buffalo grazes through a field of light-yellow grasses, forming a striking contrast. In the distance, a row of trees showcases variously colored leaves: green, yellow, orange.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-American-prarie/00places-American-prarie-superJumbo.jpg)
American Prairie, Montana
With its wide-open skies and boundless horizons, American Prairie is ideal for visitors seeking a respite from the fast pace of modern life. A vast nature preserve founded by a Montana nonprofit, A.P. has been accumulating grasslands since 2004. It currently consists of 455,840 acres — and the preserve continues to expand by acquiring private properties that connect to surrounding public lands. The goal: to create a contiguous, three-million-acre reserve and restore a disappearing ecosystem.
A.P. offers a broad range of activities, including leisurely walks, cross-country skiing and expert-level hiking, biking and paddling. Paved roads lead to Antelope Creek Campground, which features an interpretive trail and distant views of the Little Rockies. Buffalo Camp, accessible by gravel roads and situated among the reserve’s largest bison herd, is a little farther off the beaten path and provides a chance to see a buffalo jump, a cliff traditionally used by Indigenous peoples to harvest bison.
— Janie Osborne
Eastern Townships Copied to clipboard!
A leisurely journey through the countryside with stops for wine, cheese and poutine read more.
![places to travel summer 2023 An abbey — several stories tall, built from light-colored stone and showcasing a deep-green roof — is dusted with snow and sits among snow-covered trees.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-canada/00places-canada-superJumbo.jpg)
Eastern Townships, Quebec
This is slow travel at its best: Pedal across the quiet Quebec countryside, refueling on local cheese, wine and, yes, poutine. Montreal and Quebec City are the stars of the region, but the bucolic, lake-laced terrain between them is often relegated to fleeting glimpses from the windows of a rental car.
The Eastern Townships — Canada’s New England, with French flair — deserves a visit all its own, and especially now, with the recent debut of the Véloroute Gourmande . The 150-mile cycle route traces the Route Verte and Trans Canada Trail across this charming region dotted with flower-festooned villages, and features more than 100 epicurean stops along the way, from farmers’ markets to maple groves to fromageries to vineyards.
Try the lush, sweet vin de glace (ice wine), made from ripe grapes that have frozen naturally on the vine, at Le Cep d’Argent , and the buttery Brise des Vignerons at the family-run Fromagerie des Cantons , one of the first in the area to develop cheese exclusively from Jersey cows, a nod to the region’s British influences.
New Haven Copied to clipboard!
Connecticut
A home to tinkerers and rebels, and a treasure trove of contemporary art and architecture Read more
New haven, connecticut.
Connecticut’s third-largest city is a historic, mostly walkable and bikeable seaside town with distinctive neighborhoods, an encyclopedic collection of great American architecture, a thriving cultural life and one of the best food scenes in the country for a city of its size (134,000).
Founded in 1638, it’s a place where people have always tinkered with, mused about and challenged the status quo, which is why the New Haven Preservation Trust is now looking at saving the modernist buildings of the 1970s, which many see as disastrous examples of urban renewal. Discover one of the best of these brutalist concrete buildings by checking into the new Hotel Marcel , named for its architect, Marcel Breuer. Recently renovated, it’s become the first completely solar-powered, energy-neutral hotel in the United States.
Check out NXTHVN , a cutting-edge, community-focused arts center founded in 2019 in two abandoned factory buildings in the Dixwell neighborhood that has become the heart of a vibrant African American artists’ community. And then treat yourself to a great meal — maybe crispy artichokes with Parmesan aioli and pork belly with Tuscan cabbage and apple mostarda — at the recently opened Villa Lulu .
The Black Hills Copied to clipboard!
South Dakota
Pine forests, powwows and a climb up to Crazy Horse’s giant granite face Read more
Benjamin Rasmussen
![places to travel summer 2023 On top of a high rocky overlook, with green fields visible far below in the distance, three trees are covered in many dozens of prayer cloths, which have been tied to the trees’ trunks and branches.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/travel/00places-blackhills/00places-blackhills-superJumbo.jpg)
The Black Hills, South Dakota
The Lakota people trace their creation to the He Sapa, or Black Hills, a mountain range of dramatic peaks and pine forests in an area that is South Dakota’s chief tourism attraction.
Now, representatives of all nine tribes in the state — working as the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance — are having a say in how to experience Native American sites with the publication of a new tribal nations’ visitors guide , including destination suggestions and tips on visitor etiquette. The assembly helped identify the Great 8 , eight sites and experiences — among them powwows, or dance celebrations — that are significant to Indigenous culture, with a concentration in the Black Hills. These include Bear Butte State Park where hiking trails may lead past prayer cloths tied to trees, 7,244-foot Black Elk Peak, the state’s highest, and the Crazy Horse Memorial .
The massive sculpture of the Lakota warrior turns 75 next summer, when the biannual Volksmarch will allow hikers to ascend the carving, still under construction, and stand beneath Crazy Horse’s more than 87-foot-tall granite face.
Sarajevo Copied to clipboard!
Bosnia and Herzegovina
A living museum of resilience where empires and cultures have long intersected Read more
Todd Heisler/The New York Times
![places to travel summer 2023 A town center is seen from above at night, with the main high street illuminated as it runs between the dark building and surrounding apartments. There are people walking in the street, churches glowing as they rise from the other buildings, and the surrounding mountains in the distance are dotted with lights from many homes.](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2023/01/15/multimedia/00places-sarajevo-1-2f48/00places-sarajevo-1-2f48-superJumbo.jpg)
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo’s history lives in the present. There is the Latin Bridge, where a certain archduke was assassinated, catalyzing World War I. There are buildings still pockmarked by shells from the siege three decades ago. And there is the intricate interplay of empires, from the Ottoman to the Austro-Hungarian, that allows visitors to tour a mosque, a cathedral, an Orthodox church and a synagogue all within a few blocks.
These layers of history, of course, can detonate as easily as they can coexist. Bosnia’s multiethnic capital remains on edge. Look up to the hills, and there are the artillery positions built on the grounds of the 1984 Winter Olympics. But Sarajevo’s splendor comes from this intrusion of the past. It remains a living museum that hints at how a Ukraine or a Syria cannot only survive but perhaps one day flourish anew.
— Hannah Beech
![places to travel summer 2023 places to travel summer 2023](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2022/12/20/multimedia/00places-kerala-1-3d00/00places-kerala-1-3d00-superJumbo.jpg)
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Corrections
A photograph with an earlier version of this article misidentified the city shown in the image. The photograph depicted the province of Tarragona, Spain, not the city itself. The image has been replaced.
The article also misstated the size of the Barrio Viejo neighborhood of Tucson, Ariz. It is more than 150 acres, not 150 blocks.
A photograph with an earlier version of this article misidentified the location in the image. It is Keelung, Taiwan, not Taipei.
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The Best Places to Travel in 2023
Start planning your 2023 travels to these 12 places—the most creative, delicious, and soul-reviving destinations of the year..
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It’s our favorite time of year: the Where to Go season, when AFAR reveals our list of the ultimate places to travel in the coming year. How to choose? Our editorial team reached out to writers, reporters, and correspondents around the world and curated 12 global destinations for 2023 that feel poised for a “moment": creative cities, seaside villages, national parks, and other places where wonder prevails. Read on and prepare to start wandering...
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Tasmania](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/84c7002/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F15%2Fdc%2F98b9c6cb40b8bfdb0df6888c78cc%2Fwtg2023-tasmania-seanfennessy-25.jpg)
Located 150 miles south of Melbourne, Tasmania is teeming with adventure and beauty.
Sean Fennessy
1. Tasmania, Australia
Across this secluded and beautiful island state near Melbourne, irreverence and experimentation reign.
It was my first trip to Australia—my first trip abroad —in 2001, and I arrived in Melbourne a green-as-they-come university student, all nerves and adrenaline, ready to pounce on whatever adventure lay before me. Show me the city! I screamed silently at our study-abroad orientation leaders. Let me loose! We visited the Coney Island–like neighborhood of St. Kilda on the south shore, learned the finer points of Australian rules football, and ferried to nearby Phillip Island, site of a nightly parade of pint-size penguins that dashed from sea to land at dusk, prompting a chorus of “awwws” from everyone with a heart.
Those points of interest were lovely but ... safe. Introductory. What if I had realized that a couple of hundred miles off the coast of Melbourne was an island known for its irreverent art? For its stark and dramatic natural beauty, its world’s-best single-malt whisky, and seafood so fresh, it asks you about the catch of the day. What if I had visited Tasmania?
For the full story from Laura Redman, read Eclectic Art, Fresh Seafood, and Wild Landscapes—Why Your Next Trip Should Be to Tasmania .
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Ruaha National Park](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/82a9af2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F95%2F13%2F7b3dc94c470b90dc4b84323b3ccc%2Fwtg2023-tanzania-gregfunnell-12.jpg)
Asilia camp administrator, Leena Lulandala, using telemetry to track collared animals in Ruaha National Park.
Photo by Greg Funnell.
2. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
In a remote corner of Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, travelers can find an abundance of wildlife without the crowds—and help with important conservation work.
Sprawled across 7,700 square miles in southern Tanzania, Ruaha is the country’s second-largest national park. Yet it draws only a tiny fraction of Tanzania’s safarigoers, who flock in much larger numbers to the more famous Serengeti in the north. But low visitation rates make biodiverse Ruaha a wildlife enthusiast’s dream: This vast landscape of habitats, ranging from savannas to wetlands, feels like a private game reserve, and travelers can go days without seeing another vehicle.
In one of the park’s less-visited corners, you’ll find the Usangu wetlands , site of a former hunting reserve and home to the Wasangu tribe for centuries. The wetlands feed the Great Ruaha River, a critical water source for people, animals, and hydroelectric dams that supply energy to much of the country. Wildlife audits have revealed populations of cheetahs, leopards, and lions. Topi antelope can exceed 1,000 animals in one herd.
In 2017, the Tanzania National Parks Authority , Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute , and safari lodge company Asilia Africa came together to introduce a tourism model where revenue from visitors helps fund research, management, and conservation. Asilia’s Usangu Expedition Camp , which opened in 2022, is the only place to stay for more than 30 miles in any direction. Its four high-ceilinged rooms feature enormous beds, rain showers, and wraparound mesh walls that provide views of acacia-dotted wilderness. The lodgings make a stylish base for exploration in two upcycled vehicles that run on ethanol created from the cane waste of a nearby sugar plantation. Guests pitch in on data collection from camera traps by day and thermal monocular cameras by night.
The area’s conservation story is brought to life by the mostly local staff, including Wasangu guide trainee Anderson Pakomyus Mesilla, whose family roots in Usangu run generations deep. “I’m helping to conserve my ancestral home, but this wetland also supplies electricity to a large part of the country, including my village,” he said. “We all benefit from conserving the source of the river.” —Jennifer Flowers
>> Watch the video: What it’s Like to Safari in Ruaha National Park
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Graz, Austria](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/07e91dd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F0f%2F93%2F9d9f467043a09c92cd1b8ba8d3f6%2Fwtg2023-graz-felixbruggemann.jpg)
Vienna, Salzburg, Linz—take a trip to Austria’s best kept secret, Graz.
Photo by Felix Bruggemann
3. Graz, Austria
A DIY spirit brings a historic city to life in a riot of yoga, silent discos, and avant-garde music.
Just over 100 miles south of Vienna, amid the surprisingly Mediterranean climate of the Styrian wine region, sits Austria’s second-largest city. Here, a fairy-tale jumble of baroque and Renaissance buildings clusters at the base of the Schlossberg, the hill that was once Graz ’s ultimate defense. Back in medieval days, a daunting fortress stood at its summit; Napoleon had it destroyed, but the colorful facades and terracotta roofs that sprang up beneath it still shine brightly in the southern Austrian sun. On the east side of the river Mur, Graz’s past is a vivid presence.
On the west bank, however, you will find its future. What the districts of Lend and Gries lack in architecture they make up for in creativity and an entrepreneurial soul. At Bo Suppe , Arnd Hoffmann sells different flavors of homemade soup from his kitchen window (try the vegan pumpernickel Bolognese). At Managerie, Maria Reiner sells drinks and crocheted lampshades from the “kiosk shop” at the front of her apartment. Daily life revolves around the Lendplatz morning market , and small businesses thrive thanks to a fierce community spirit that manifests in a busy calendar of events and projects, such as backyard flea markets, walking tours, outdoor yoga, and knitting circles. Travelers can find out more through the Annenviertel project , which was launched by local campaigners in 2014 to breathe new life into the quarter (or “viertel”) around the shopping street of Annenstrasse. Live music at the 1930s bar Café Wolf ranges from Israeli space-rock to an improvisational autoharp trio. The Lendwirbel festival in May fills empty shop fronts with art installations, silent discos, workshops, and discussions.
The Kunsthaus Graz modern art museum , meanwhile, has inspired artists and designers to make their homes and livings here. Stroll along the main strip Mariahilferstrasse and you’ll find jewelers, fashion boutiques, and homeware shops. A spirit of social enterprise infuses the city: One of the trendiest accessory stores in town, tag.werk, has helped hundreds of young people find employment over the past two decades by teaching them crafts and life skills. Come to Graz for the history, for sure—but stay for its hopeful vision of the future. —Emma John
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 the Great Lakes](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e5dd244/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff1%2Fdb%2F47405f274243b2af17dafb033afd%2Fwtg2023-michigan-christinaholmes-06.jpg)
The Great Lakes are home to the largest fresh water ecosystem on the planet.
Photo by Christina Holmes
4. Great Lakes, USA
From charming lake towns to expedition cruises, there are many good reasons to explore the Greats.
A native of Michigan, I have a birthright bond to the Great Lakes, the magnificent five that span two countries and eight states, from New York in the east to Minnesota in the west. Michigan, which claims shoreline on four of the five lakes, always seemed like both the center of it all and a remote peninsula, buffered by its treasures. During high school, when my family had moved to a suburban Detroit home near a smaller lake that connects the Greats, I would fall asleep to the faint bass notes of freighters’ foghorns, the songs of vast waters you can’t see across, inland seas at once familiar and strange.
All these years later, they remain a place to splash in the calm shallows each summer or brave the waves by kayak. Winter brings ephemeral ice caves and adaptations such as iceboats, or sailboats on blades. “Great” describes not just their size but their influence on culture, history, and our climate future.
For the full story from Elaine Glusac, read The Great Lakes Offer Culture, History, and One of the Most Unique Ecosystems on the Planet .
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Cambutal, Panama](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f8f9a71/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdd%2F35%2F53627fb64cd6a5cb603b6036a962%2Fwtg2023-cambutal-atta-hassensalum-19.jpg)
Black sand beaches, big waves, and rushing rivers. There’s lots to love about Cambutal.
Photo by Hassen Salum
5. Cambutal, Panama
Adventure and community-centric tourism beckon on the southern coast of Panama’s Azuero Peninsula.
Few travelers who visit Los Santos, one of Panama’s least-touristed provinces, venture to the end of the only main road heading south. That’s where Cambutal awaits, 228 miles from Panama City—a beach town garnering much-deserved attention from Panamanians and intrepid international travelers alike.
The town sits on the shores of a never-crowded, volcanic black-sand beach with perfectly surfable waves. The surrounding jungles hold rivers, canyons, natural pools, and multitiered waterfalls.
Having spent a lot of time on the southern coast of the Azuero Peninsula during his childhood, Panama-born Bryan Goldner founded Azuero Adventures in November 2020 to help visitors safely explore the region. As Cambutal’s only registered tour operator, the company started small, with horseback rides through grassy hills to bring travelers to see petroglyphs carved by Indigenous people.
In 2022, Azuero Adventures introduced multiday trips to Cerro Hoya National Park , just west of Cambutal. Encompassing more than 80,000 acres with no direct road entry, Cerro Hoya can only be accessed by boat, on horseback, or in a 4x4 vehicle, making it one of the hardest-to-reach national parks in Panama. The mostly untouched land is known for its diverse wildlife, including the great green macaw and the Azuero spider monkey, both endangered species. Guests can stay in secluded oceanfront cabins or opt for full immersion with an overnight camping expedition that includes a hike through the cloud forest more than 4,200 feet above sea level.
With sustainable and equitable tourism at the heart of his operations, Goldner works closely with the people of Cambutal—a vision directly in line with the Panama Ministry of Tourism ’s efforts to strengthen rural and community-based tourism enterprises.
“We use local captains and local guides,” Goldner says. “The idea is not to hire people and bring resources from outside when we have such a rich community that’s already here.” —Jessica Poitevien
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Transylvania, Romania](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c5ff5c0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2Fb3%2F2655146143e68115b750061ef6d2%2Fwtg2023-transylvania.jpg)
No vampires to worry about here.
Photo by Fundatia Adept
6. Transylvania, Romania
Nature and tradition thrive in one of Europe’s last wild regions.
It’s been 125 years since Bram Stoker wrote Dracula , branding Transylvania as a dark, forbidding land populated by bloodsucking counts with an aversion to holy water. And while perhaps no other book has clouded its readers’ impression of a place in quite the same way, Stoker was right when he wrote of the region’s wild side. North of Bucharest, in the heart of Romania, Transylvania is home to one of Europe’s last great wildernesses: a sprawl of alpine meadows, ragged limestone ridges, and old-growth forests that billow across the landscape in a thick quilt of juniper, spruce, beech, and fir.
These wild mountains harbor some of the highest numbers of large carnivores—brown bears, wolves, and lynx—on the continent. The nonprofit Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC) is in the process of creating a vast reserve to safeguard all this for future generations—a “European Yellowstone” as Christoph Promberger, FCC’s executive director, envisions it—that will stretch for nearly 618,000 untamed acres across Romania’s Southern Carpathian Mountains .
For the full story from Keith Drew, read This Misunderstood Romanian Region Is Known as “European Yellowstone.”
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Bangkok, Thailand](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/896191d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb1%2Fb9%2Ffd87b1004f2d9116c1973d8ef3a1%2Fwtg2023-bangkok-25.jpg)
Prepare to be surprised on your next trip to Thailand’s most visited city.
Photos courtesy of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakho and The Small Dinner Club
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Ambitious young Thais are driving a creative reawakening in one of the world’s most visited cities.
From the end of an L-shaped bar I watched three chefs in black caps delicately plate 11 dishes of what appeared to be snow. Loud music masked the sounds of the busy Bangkok street outside. “OK guys, this one is titled, ‘Daft Punk Is Playing in My Mouth,’” said chef Sareen Rojanametin, setting the intriguing dish before me. Marvelously on cue, the throbbing LCD Soundsystem song “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House” burst onto the stereo.
The first bite rocked me to my core. At Small Dinner Club , which “pulls apart, questions, and reimagines Thai food,” you’re not handed a menu. The 12-course evenings are a delightful mystery accompanied by inspiration notes from the 32-year-old chef, who opened the hidden boîte in February 2022. “For me this dish represents the essence of Thai cuisine,” he wrote. I expected coconut or lime; instead I got an explosion of Thai green chile. My eyebrows started sweating. I swirled it all up: hot ice, tiny iridescent fish, watermelon, and a sumptuous black sesame sauce. These were the flavors of Thailand composed into an entirely new song. Rojanametin, who spent two years in a forest monastery before opening the restaurant, tells me, “The city has changed a lot in the last four years. People are much more daring.”
For the full story from Kathryn Romeyn, read Just When You Thought You Knew Bangkok, Thailand’s Most Visited City Changes .
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Salvador, Brazil](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47a1348/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F99%2Fde%2F6acba6684e919160d93a36d8919e%2Fwtg2023-salvador-luisadorr-25.jpg)
Experience the intersection of history and culture in Salvador, Brazil.
Photo by Luisa Dorr
8. Salvador, Brazil
Engaging with Brazil’s Black history is essential—and easier than ever in the city of Salvador thanks to new cultural offerings.
In Salvador, a port city on the northeastern coast of Brazil, history isn’t relegated to textbooks. More than 4 million people were kidnapped from Africa and forced to harvest coffee beans and sugarcane in the country—a legacy that is most evident in the state of Bahia, where 80 percent of the population is Black or mixed race. Today the descendants of those enslaved people carry on traditions through Salvador’s food, culture, and music.
Tour company Guia Negro leads English-language histori- cal outings delving into Brazil’s Black heritage, including a walk through the streets where Michael Jackson and Spike Lee shot “They Don’t Care About Us,” the 1996 music video featuring the storied Afro-Brazilian drum team Olodum. The Casa do Carnaval da Bahia is a museum dedicated to the history of Brazil’s annual carnival celebration. The City of Music of Bahia museum, which opened in 2021, invites visitors to experience more than 800 hours of Bahian music, with the goal to educate them about specific styles such as pagode , a Brazilian subgenre of samba, and axe ́, an Afro-Caribbean mash-up that originated here.
The painful, racist history of Pelourinho, the city’s old town, is preserved in its name, which translates to “whipping post.” Once the site of slave auctions, it’s now home to brightly painted houses, cobblestoned streets, and numerous restaurants. At the rustic eatery Di Janela , chef Nara Amaral serves the food that brings her joy: roasted garlic with octopus, ruby-red lobster with heavily seasoned potatoes, and traditional fare such as moqueca, a seafood stew. At Ana Célia Santos’s Zanzibar restaurant, the moqueca takes numerous forms. A vegetarian version is prepared with rice and farofa (toasted cassava flour), while another is made with shrimp, stingray, and soft-shell crab.
For late-night entertainment, visitors should go to ABOCA Centro de Artes , a theater that hosts Afro-Brazilian musicians such as Mariene de Castro and Mateus Aleluia. After all, there’s no better way to end a day in Salvador than by listening to the residents who give the city its heartbeat. —Kayla Stewart
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Sharjah, UAE](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e5b30b2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ff6%2F14%2F5e0337a94f299db65fc40a2f70a8%2Fwtg2023-sharjahuae-ievasaudargaite-28.jpg)
Sharjah is often overlooked by its glitzier neighbors, but this emirate has plenty to offer in terms of art, architecture, and culture.
Photo by Ieva Saudargaite
9. Sharjah, UAE
Thought-provoking art and architecture shine a light on an emirate often overshadowed by its glitzier neighbors.
Ever since I moved to the United Arab Emirates seven years ago, I’ve loved Sharjah . It may not have the biggest/tallest/highest superlatives of Dubai or the epic palaces of Abu Dhabi, but understated Sharjah is home to some of the region’s most exciting cultural institutions. And 2023 is a big year for the emirate, with headline events showcasing two of its greatest draws: art and architecture.
The 15th Sharjah Biennial runs from February to June, presenting the creations of more than 150 artists from 70-plus countries. Thirty newly commissioned pieces, including works by Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj and British Palestinian multimedia artist Mona Hatoum , will be featured in a program that spans 16 venues and explores the theme “Thinking Historically in the Present.” The exhibition spaces are as intriguing as the art: from traditional coral-stone houses to the Sharjah Art Foundation ’s recently acquired 1970s-era Flying Saucer, a UFO-shaped building that once housed a French patisserie and a fast-food chicken shop.
For the full story from Nicola Chilton, read Sharjah Is One of the Most Exciting—and Overlooked—Cities in the UAE .
![places to travel summer 2023 WTG2023-Baltimore.jpg](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/805d4e5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2F36%2Ff80be1fe4f44a736081002e72fcd%2Fwtg2023-baltimore.jpg)
Baltimore is quickly becoming an entertainment and foodie destination.
Photo by Irina Sitnikova/Unsplash (left) Scott Suchman (right)
10. Baltimore, USA
Long-overdue upgrades to major downtown attractions are turning Charm City into a veritable food- and-entertainment hub.
From its early days as a thriving seaport to its current status as a seafood paradise, Baltimore is ever evolving. A $45 million overhaul of Lexington Market —billed as the oldest continuously operating public market in the country, with roots dating to 1782—recently welcomed visitors to an airy, light-filled space enlivened by 16-foot murals from local artist Ernest Shaw Jr. and photographs by Shan Wallace depicting Baltimore’s Black food culture. (This is, after all, a majority Black city.)
The developer’s gut renovation of the old market reimagined the space as a fresh version of the com- munity gathering spot it had been before it fell into disrepair. Benches flank the central staircase and serve as prime people-watching spots, while an adjacent plaza hosts events and concerts. Input from residents informed the mix of more than 40 stalls, half of them Black-owned, including the coffee shop Black Acres Roastery and the husband-and-wife-run Sunnyside Café . The market also maintains its devotion to the ocean with Faidley’s Seafood , the famous crab cake spot, and the Korean family-owned Cho’s Sea Garden .
A few blocks away, the CFG Bank Arena will reopen in time to host college basketball tournaments in February and a nearly sold-out Bruce Springsteen show in April. Its $200 million revamp, backed by singer Pharrell Williams and an investment firm cofounded by NBA star Kevin Durant, gives the 60-year-old facility the updated concessions, audio, and lighting it needs to compete with other venues in the region.
Also notable for 2023: an exhibition of Baltimore native John Waters’s personal art collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art (through April 16) and the return of Artscape , a multiday cultural extravaganza in September that, in the past, has featured wildly decorated cars. Festivalgoers can stay in the Mount Vernon neighborhood’s new literary-themed boutique hotel, Ulysses , a 116-room property whose name pays homage to both the James Joyce novel and a ship that brought Bavarian immigrants to Baltimore. —Julekha Dash
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Prince Edward Island, Canada](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f06a4e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x800+0+0/resize/1440x1152!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F08%2Fde%2F06ff777d4ac997adc79ec767ea91%2Fwtg2023-princeedward-sisland-brendangeorgeko-11.jpg)
Prince Edward Island’s new hike and bike trail offers travelers a new way to experience the coastal idyll.
Photo by Brendan George Ko
11. Prince Edward Island, Canada
A 435-mile hiking and biking route around Canada’s small but mighty province invites visitors to travel slowly and joyfully.
Prince Edward Island, or PEI, off Canada’s eastern seaboard, is home to some of the country’s most enchanting pastoral scenery. You’ll find fields of potatoes and strawberries, beaches that stretch for miles, storybook villages (the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables was set here), red-and-white wooden lighthouses, and docks anchoring fishing boats. The Island Walk , a new 435-mile walking and cycling route circumnavigating “the Island,” as locals call it, gives travelers a unique opportunity to experience it up close.
My husband and I cycled 180 miles of the route in June 2022, starting in the compact capital city, Charlottetown, and spending six days working our way across a section in the central region of the province. From Charlottetown, we pedaled 35 miles along crushed-gravel trails, wide red-dirt roads lined with trees, and country lanes—all relatively flat. After checking into the Orient Hotel , a historic B&B in the tiny village of Victoria-by-the-Sea, we browsed in shops, talked with local anglers bringing in the day’s catch, and walked barefoot along an expansive beach with rose-colored sand at the edge of the village. The tide came in while I ate possibly the best lobster roll I’ve ever tasted—a buttery toasted roll loaded with chunks of tender fresh-caught crustacean and house-made mayo—at the Lobster Barn restaurant.
For the full story from Debbie Olsen, read Idyllic Villages, Fresh Lobster Rolls, and a New Trail—Why Now Is the Time to Visit Prince Edward Island .
![places to travel summer 2023 AFAR Where to Go 2023 Bergamo and Brescia, Italy](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6893a5e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F88%2Ff4%2F1fa926ee47488ab1976e8a599348%2Fwtg2023-bergamo-andreafrazetta-08.jpg)
In the heart of Bergamo near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the famous Colleoni Chapel.
Photo by Andrea Frazzetta
12. Brescia & Bergamo, Italy
Find venerable history and hip cocktails in two Italian cities connected by a cycling trail.
The key ingredients of la dolce vita? Golden light beaming across ancient stones, a piazza that bustles at aperitivo hour, and streets ripe for a passeggiata (stroll) to work it all off. Enter Brescia and Bergamo, two cities in the northern Italian region of Lombardy that have been named joint Italian Capitals of Culture for 2023. If you only know them from news reports in early 2020—the two were hit hard during the pandemic—prepare to be bowled over.
Bergamo is the better known of the two; its historic Città Alta (Upper City) crowns a ridge nearly 300 feet above its more modern section. The Bergamaschi love the outdoors, and they kick back in deck chairs at the 17th-century gardens of Palazzo Moroni, which opened to the public for the first time in 2020. New tuk-tuk rides wind around the Città Alta’s UNESCO-protected 16th-century city walls. The lion- and sphinx-surrounded fountain in the main square, Piazza Vecchia, has been restored, and new walking routes through Bergamo’s layers of history connect the old and new town. Travelers and locals alike can amble through the nearby Val d’Astino, a valley filled with vineyards, wildflower- strewn meadows, and a monastery that was founded in 1107.
With a ceremonial opening in early 2023, a 47-mile bicycling route will roll from Bergamo past Lake Iseo, then through Franciacorta wine country to Brescia, the most colorful Roman city north of the Italian capital.
While Bergamo life is mainly outdoors, Brescia is inside; you’ll find gourmet pizza tasting menus at Inedito and Roman- themed cocktails at Massenzio . Try the Domitilla at the latter. Named after the wife of Emperor Vespasian, it’s a mix of berry gin with grapefruit, rosemary syrup, and egg white. Spend the night at Areadocks Boutique Hotel , where all the modern art- work and vintage furnishings are for sale. Here in northern Italy, the sweet life just got an upgrade. —Julia Buckley
![places to travel summer 2023 A ship ship passing through the Wachau Valley on the Danube river](https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/de64d9d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+454/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffd%2F6e%2F83d44cde4e9eb5ef9786197077a2%2Famamagna-extended-centered-lp-md-3.jpg)
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![places to travel summer 2023 An aerial view of Karpathos and the surrounding sea](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/aae9ac0a-495f-4aba-bfe5-b3414bfe7b14/MM9751_210807_04462.jpg)
- BEST OF THE WORLD
25 breathtaking places and experiences for 2023
Looking for your next adventure? You’ll find it on our annual list of the world’s best destinations for travelers.
Travel inspiration is everywhere you look. The question is where to go next. Here’s our annual list of superlative destinations for the year ahead—places filled with wonder, rewarding to travelers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems. Reported by our global editors and framed by five categories ( Community , Nature , Culture , Family , and Adventure ), these 25 destinations for 2023 are under the radar, ahead of the curve, and ready for you to start exploring.
Community: Where conservation benefits everyone
![places to travel summer 2023 A man visits and leans on the Profitis Ilias chapel overlooking the sea](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/cedf7ad0-9e82-449f-ad80-d55fb6cc7806/MM9751_210806_01381.jpg)
Discover Karpathos, Greece, a surprising and sublime spot in the Dodecanese Islands , where women-led ventures are leading the charge in sustainable tourism. Spend a long weekend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin , a vibrant Great Lakes city that celebrates its cultural community as much as its breweries. Experience how long-held traditions and contemporary perspectives intersect, with Indigenous tourism outfitters in Alberta, Canada . Board a new high-speed train that makes lesser known regions of Laos accessible to tourists and brings economic opportunities to locals. Head to Ghana to explore Black heritage and hang out with a fashion-forward crowd in the capital, Accra. ( Learn more about how these Best of the World destinations support their communities. )
Nature: Escapes to wild, beautiful places
![places to travel summer 2023 A zebra herd exits a deep spillway on the Selinda Reserve](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/5bdbd16e-9349-4bf6-a6a5-06101c8862d4/NationalGeographic_2721244.jpg)
Marvel at the biodiversity of Botswana —as well as the programs to rehabilitate endangered species, create wildlife corridors, and develop community-owned tourism projects. Linger in the Scottish Highlands , where a rewilding movement is aiming to restore the original landscape and native flora and fauna. In Slovenia , a longtime leader in sustainable tourism, set off on new gastrotourism biking routes that visit farms, vineyards, cheesemakers, and other food producers. Big Bend National Park brings to life the frontier legend of Texas—but the landscape will also surprise you. In the Azores , applaud award-winning sustainability programs that conserve the natural wonders of this volcanic archipelago known for whale watching and thermal springs. ( Delve into our best destinations for nature lovers. )
Culture: Places where history and heritage rule
![places to travel summer 2023 Portrait of Dr. Mohamed Abdel Moneim Megahed, Egyptian Archaeologist, inside the tomb of Khoi in Djedkare Cemetery at the Archaeological Area in Saqqara](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/7469426f-3c33-478a-bb8a-e2c6cbd4dd8b/MM9195_220320_013736.jpg)
Visit King Tut’s new home in Egypt at Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum and see Luxor’s Avenue of the Sphinxes. Tap into the creative energy of Asia’s top film festival and sip craft beer in Busan, South Korea , the nation’s second largest city. Make a pilgrimage through history along Italy’s Appian Way , Europe’s ancient “superhighway.” Explore culture and history—with a side of Low Country cuisine—at the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Caroli na . See one of the world’s largest assemblages of stone statues at Longmen Grottoes , a UNESCO World Heritage site in Henan Province, China. ( Here’s how to visit these Best of the World destinations .)
Family: Inspiring journeys for all ages
![places to travel summer 2023 A train in Switzerland runs on the track along the coast through the wine country](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/15eadf42-9d9c-4f48-bfac-9e854d071180/ST_3x2_Lavaux-Le-Train-des-Vignes_16463.jpg)
In Switzerland , ride the rails to quaint Alpine towns for chocolate, hiking, and skiing. Help save the turtles in Trinidad & Tobago , one of the most important leatherback turtle rookeries in the world. In San Francisco, California , gather around a campfire with Golden Gate views at Presidio Tunnel Tops and hike the urban Crosstown Trail. Go birdwatching in the avian paradise that is Colombia , the enchanted land of Disney’s Encanto. Visit the playing grounds of a storied soccer team in Manchester, England —and be inspired by the city’s art scene as well. ( Explore more of these family-friendly destinations .)
Adventure: Adrenaline-pumping outdoor excursions
![places to travel summer 2023 Aerial view of the Hanan zone (high) and the hurin zone (low) of the Choquequirao arqueological center](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/b5c8b088-41ae-4778-b97e-b7570ece4c18/MM9934_220528_001393.jpg)
Trek to Choquequirao, Peru , an isolated Inca site that’s under the radar—but soon to be more accessible. In New Zealand , the country that invented bungee jumping, rekindle your sense of adventure post-pandemic. Get your adrenaline rush in less visited areas of the popular adventure state of Utah . In Austria , hike the cross-country Bergsteigerdörfer network of mountaineering villages to sample local culture. Finally, add Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico , to your itinerary. Its protected waters, supported by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas initiative, hold one of the largest aggregations of sharks and manta rays in the world. ( Dive deeper into these adventure trips. )
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![WHERE TO TRAVEL IN 2023 where to travel in 2023](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/travel-index-1670515741.jpg?crop=0.497xw:0.992xh;0.166xw,0&resize=640:*)
The Best Places to Travel in 2023
From Madrid to Montenegro, Turkey to Transylvania, Vienna to Venice...our curated list of the best places to visit now.
Your next trip should be:
Madrid, la maxima….
Because four new five-star hotels can't be wrong.
![Madrid's Metropolis building, from Circulo de Bellas Artes view of metropolis building from círculo de bellas artes, madrid, spain](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/madrid-overview-1669859281.jpg?crop=0.670xw:1.00xh;0.148xw,0&resize=980:*)
Madrid may not have the sheer beauty of Paris or the antiquity of Athens or Rome. Its appeal has long been what writer Julia Reed once called its “elegant conservatism”—and unmatched nightlife. (“In Madrid,” Hemingway said, “nobody goes to bed until they have killed the night.”) It’s still true, but these days there’s a new temblor de emoción , a flutter of emotion (the closest Spanish comes to the word excitement ). “Remember, in the 1980s, after Franco died, how Madrid was the place to be?” says Virginia Irurita, of Made in Spain and Portugal, who lives in Madrid. “With La Movida, the painters, Almodóvar? That’s how Madrileños feel now.”
![Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown poster women on the verge of a nervous breakdown poster](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelmadridromania-006-1668193745.jpg?resize=640:*)
The city’s cultural cachet (not that it needed more) is building: A fifth UNESCO World Heritage Site has been anointed (the tree-lined Paseo del Prado and the adjoining El Retiro, a 17th-century palace garden). Next summer Madrid’s Royal Palace (the largest in Europe) will open a new annex for the Museum of the Royal Collections. And the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum has not one but two blockbuster shows planned for 2023: Picasso and Lucian Freud.
![Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid, Spain. mandarin oriental ritz in madrid, spain](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mandarin-oriental-ritz-madrid-madrid-palm-court-copy-1669860016.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar Spain's Balearic islands just get better. Everyone's abuzz about the April opening in Majorca of the new Son Net , a 17th-century estate in a bucolic setting 15 minutes by car from Palma that has been restored and transformed into a 31-room hotel by the masterminds behind Andalucia's Finca Cortesin . Enough said.
Royal Romania…
Because the king of England will open his home to you.
![places to travel summer 2023 places to travel summer 2023](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/britain-s-prince-charles-l-prince-of-wales-walks-with-hungarian-count-tibor-kalnoky-r-in-valea-zalanului-1670622910.jpg?resize=980:*)
The king of England’s real estate portfolio is worth billions. There is the verdant paradise at Highgrove and 192 acres of bucolic bliss at Llwynywermod in Wales. Now he has Sandringham and Balmoral, too. But where does a sovereign go to really unplug? Romania, apparently, where King Charles owns two homes in Transylvania—yes, of Dracula fame. One of them he turned into a center for traditional crafts; the other, his private country residence in Valea Zalanului , becomes a seven-room B&B when he isn’t around.
![King Charles B&B in Romania king charles bb in romania](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelmadridromania-001-1668194640.jpg?resize=980:*)
A grand pile this is not, and that is by design—all local antiques and textiles. No TV, no WiFi, just horseback rides, nature walks, and convivial dinners during which you might drop in this fun fact: Charles is a descendant of Vlad the Impaler (so named for his preferred method of execution), who inspired Bram Stoker’s tale about history’s most famous vampire. By Leena Kim. To book a trip to Romania : Raluca Spiac , raluca@ beyonddracula.com
![King Charles's house in Valea Zalanului, Romania. king charles's house in valea zalanului, romania](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/valea-zalanului-outside-house-2-1669861062.jpg?crop=0.886xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=980:*)
The Literary Maldives...
Because who says a tropical resort can't be the ultimate party school?
![soneva fushi resort in Maldives Jaipur Literary Festival soneva fushi resort in maldives jaipur literary festival](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/soneva-fushi-9-bedrooms-villa-villa-11-1669909561.jpg?crop=0.699xw:1.00xh;0.126xw,0&resize=980:*)
Sonu Shivdasani, the founder of Soneva resorts, was turning his properties into exemplars of environmental sustainability long before it was fashionable to do so. His latest stroke of genius: bringing the Jaipur Literary Festival to the lush, beach-ringed island of Kunfunadhoo, in Baa Atoll in the Maldives—home of Soneva Fushi .
![Maldives d1w3yt maldivian air taxi seaplane flying over an atoll, male, maldives](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelmaldivesedinburgh-003-1668195715.jpg?resize=640:*)
The JLF in Jaipur attracts thousands of attendees and is streamed to 10 million viewers worldwide; at Soneva Fushi’s inaugural festival last May, there were 120 attendees, spread out over 10 days (minimum stay is four days). Which meant attendees had direct access to the 34 renowned writers and artists (including filmmaker Mira Nair, novelist André Aciman, and Oxford historian Peter Frankopan). We all resided in solitary splendor (Soneva Fushi has 64 private, butlered villas), but we had meals and gala dinners together (barefoot) as well as keynote lectures, panel discussions, and musical performances.
![Musicians at the 2022 JLF Soneva Fushi musicians at the 2022 jlf soneva fushi](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelmaldivesedinburgh-002-1668196069.jpg?crop=0.915xw:1.00xh;0.0850xw,0&resize=980:*)
There were sunset champagne cruises to a sandbank, movie nights, and dancing. I left with new friends and a notebook full of ideas—about as vivifying as travel can get. JLF Soneva Fushi 2023 runs May 12–21.One speaker will be Priyamvada Natarajan, a professor in the departments of astronomy and physics at Yale whose specialty is the nature of dark matter and black holes. Just the thing to ponder in paradise. By Klara Glowczewska . To Book : Soneva.com
![Soneva Fushi resort Maldives Jaipur Literary Festival soneva fushi resort maldives jaipur literary festival](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/jlf-1-1669934102.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavara has launched a trainee marine biologist program for teenagers. Six full-day modules are offered (you can choose as many as you like), working with scientists studying such topics as manta rays, turtles, coral, and the secret lives of plankton.
A Scottish Surprise…
Because you'll like the fresh takes—even on haggis.
![Hotel room at Gleneagles Townhouse Edinburgh Scotland new hotel hotel room at gleneagles townhouse edinburgh scotland new hotel](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/glen-townhse-shot-28-mr-bedroom-bed-window-wide-portrait-0594-1-1669930700.jpg?resize=980:*)
The second haggis came as a surprise. On my first night in Scotland, ordering chef Mark Greenaway’s elegant version of the country’s most famous (and often derided) dish seemed like a leap into the gastronomic deep end, something to try to get the full experience of the place. On the next night it was just because I liked it. That kind of reconsideration of classics is what’s most exciting about Scotland right now. Sure, castles, lochs, and misty mountains abound. But Glasgow and Edinburgh are sophisticated cities with extraordinary dining and cutting-edge culture around every corner. Last summer Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe celebrated its 75th anniversary with 3,300 performances by artists from 63 countries;at the Edinburgh International Festival, Gabriel Byrne premiered his one-man show, Walking with Ghosts , which recently moved to Broadway. On leafy St. Andrew Square, Gleneagles has opened its first urban property, Gleneagles Townhouse , with a member’s club and rooftop bar.
Dean Banks, the MasterChef veteran who runs fine-dining destinations including the Pompadour at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh , is quick to call out other new favorites, such as the Finnieston in Glasgow, which specializes in sustainable seafood, and Monachyle Mhor , the boutique Highlands hotel known for its “whisky safari.” “In Scotland,”Banks says, “we are kings of touching back to our traditions.” Luckily, the rest of us are able to as well. By Adam Rathe . To book a trip to Scotland : Jonathan Epstein, Jonathan@ celebratedexperiences.com
![Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh gleneagles townhouse in edinburgh](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelmaldivesedinburgh-001-1668196324.jpg?crop=0.793xw:1.00xh;0.172xw,0&resize=980:*)
Italy Off-Season…
Because at the end of the day, no one comes to Italy for a suntan.
![Venice in winter venice, italy december 17 gondolas covered with snow in san marco on december 17, 2010 in venice, italy snow has fallen across much of europe today and is expected to continue over the weekend, causing traffic chaos and disrupting christmas deliveries photo by marco secchigetty images](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelitaly-001-2-1668296447.jpg?resize=980:*)
Last summer Italy was, let’s be frank, almost loved to death, with congested roads, swamped sights, and sluggish service from overworked staff. Our suggestion? A do-over, but not in summer. “We are huge believers in low-season travel here,” says Andrea Grisdale, the Como-based founder of IC Bellagio . “It’s a totally different experience, and we are actively encouraging it.” No, you will not be forced to pitch a tent. For the first time, a number of hotels that used to shutter as soon as summer ended are pushing back closures. In Lake Como, the classic Villa d’Este is staying open until early January and reopening in March, as is the beautiful new Passalacqua .
![Passalacqua hotel on Lake Como Italy passalacqua hotel on lake como italy](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/passalacqua-20-atenrico-costantini-1669935759.jpg?resize=980:*)
Following suit in Puglia is the wildly pretty Borgo Egnazia . On the Amalfi Coast, Monastero Santa Rosa stayed open into November in 2022 and is considering December in 2023. There will be more. “After a year like this one,” says Elisa Pozzoli, of Essence of Italy, “hotels are changing their mentality. And Venice in January or February is magical. You’re alone, in a ghost city.”
Something else might help ease the travails of overtourism: a handful of new five-star hotels available year-round. Six Senses Rome (GM Francesca Tozzi comes from Capri’s Tiberio Palace) opens in the spring in a 15th-century palazzo a block from the Galleria Doria Pamphilj. In Milan the 73-suite Portrait Milano , a first foray there from the Ferragamo family, has just opened on Corso Venezia, close to the fashion district but not in the thick of it. Casa Baglioni Milano , a 30-room hotel with an interior that nods to Italy’s Modernist dolce vita era, is in the heart of the city’s artsy, “local” Brera district. Both offer a way to sidestep the visitor surge, even during Fashion Week. As for the summer? Grisdale cannot be more emphatic: “We are about to enter a new era. The famous summer tradition is on its way out. No one comes to Italy for a suntan, anyway. And do you know how amazing this country is with few tourists around?” By Mark Ellwood . To book a trip to Italy : Andrea Grisdale, andrea@ icbellagio.com
![St. Marks Square in Venice during Carnival in February. Italy off season. st marks square venice during carnival in february](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/venice-in-winter-1669936687.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar Hotel La Palma , Capri’s first hotel, built in 1822 and steps from the famous Piazzetta, is opening in July after a major renovation as the Oetker Collection’s first Masterpiece Hotel in Italy. One of many highlights: a private beach club at the Marina Piccola. (No word yet, though, on an extended season.)
Your Next Trip Should Be:
Africa in a private villa….
Because, let's face it, having the bush all to yourself is better.
![Africa on horseback africa on horseback](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-003-1668371882.jpg?crop=0.833xw:1.00xh;0.133xw,0&resize=980:*)
OL JOGI , KENYA.
![Ol Jogi, Kenya ol jogi, kenya](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-004-1668372335.jpg?resize=980:*)
A 58,000-acre onetime cattle ranch on the Laikipia Plateau is now a private conservancy with serious game viewing. Owned by the art-dealing Wildenstein family, Ol Jogi can be booked for up to 22 people. Don’t let the thatched-hut-style exterior fool you: Inside it’s over-the-top French château luxury. Great perk: the underground hide, reached through a tunnel, which overlooks a rhino-luring salt lick.
SINGITA’S MALILANGWE HOUSE , ZIMBABWE.
![Singita Malilangwe Houses, Kenya singita malilangwe houses, kenya](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-008-1668372510.jpg?resize=980:*)
This 5-bedroom villa in the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve is close enough to Singita’s Pamushana Lodge that you can walk to the main camp, but it’s isolated on a hilltop, with gorgeous views of huge boulders, red soil, and golden msasa trees. On offer: classic game drives as well as ancient cave rock art sites and “water safaris” to see fish eagles, hippos, and crocodiles.
COTTARS BUSH VILLA , KENYA.
![Cottars Bush Villa, Kenya, Mara, safari cottars bush villa, kenya, mara, safari](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-005-1668373018.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.816xh;0,0.0545xh&resize=980:*)
Charles Cottar set up his safari business in the Mara back in 1919. Great-grandson Calvin and his wife Louise now run it, retro associations intact: canvas, Persian rugs, and dark wood furniture. The new 5-bedroom bush villa, built entirely by hand, sits on a hill like an old farmhouse, but it has all mod cons, including an 82-foot-long pool. Ask to be guided by the all-female ranger team, the only such in the Mara.
FARMHOUSE AT THE FARMSTEAD , SOUTH AFRICA.
![Farmhouse at the Farmstead, part of Royal Malawane, South Africa. farmhouse at the framstead, part of royal malawane lodge south africa](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-006-1668373124.jpg?resize=980:*)
Onetime fashion exec Liz Biden converted her country getaway in Greater Kruger into the Royal Malewane lodge 23 years ago and has since expanded her footprint. The nearby Farmstead now has a stand-alone 7,000-square-foot villa with a kids suite and a pool that sticks out right into the bush. Her background is evident in the exuberant decor; even the laundry comes packaged in scarlet netting, tied with a big red bow. Royal Malewane’s guides are standouts: Several have earned the title master tracker, a rarity in safari.
CHEETAH PLAINS, SOUTH AFRICA.
![Cheetah Plains interior with art, South Africa cheetah plains interior with art, south africa](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-007-1668373207.jpg?resize=980:*)
These three ultramodern 4-bedroom homes (booked individually or together) are remarkable for their especially game-rich location in private Sabi Sand reserve, adjacent to unfenced Kruger National Park. (The near-silent electric 4X4s help too.) As for the amenities: Each comes with a heated pool, wine gallery, chef, sommelier, and full-time spa therapist.
KATAZA HOUSE, SINGITA KWITONDA , RWANDA.
![Kataza House, Rwanda kataza house, rwanda](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelafrica-002-1668373300.jpg?resize=980:*)
This 4-bedroom villa is the only luxe safari house close to Volcanoes National Park, home of the mountain gorillas. Building materials and decor were procured locally; there are ebonized tables, eucalyptus wood screens, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking three huge volcanoes. Deborah Calmeyer of Roar Africa calls it a “spiritual experience like nowhere else in Africa.” By Mark Ellwood. To book any of the above African villas : Deborah Calmeyer, deb@ roarafrica.com
![Singita Pamushana lodge game drive vehicle safari Zimbabwe singita pamushana lodge game drive vehicle safari zimbabwe](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/web-singita-pamushana-vehicle-branded-shots-52-11-1670616989.jpg?resize=980:*)
La Belle Bourgogne…
Because of the wine, bien sur. And some fine new bolt holes.
![Village of Puligny-Montrachet in Burgundy France village of pulignymontrachet in burgundy france](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/puligny-montrachet-village-1670610536.jpg?resize=980:*)
They don’t call parts of Burgundy the Côte d’Or just for its fall foliage. “Anyone interested in wine will eventually end up here,” states Dennis Sherman, a 40-year resident who runs a wine brokerage business near Beaune. “It’s the simplicity of the single grape variety with the complexity of the soil—the wine has incredible depth and substance.” But ending up here hasn’t been all that easy: The higher-end accommodations have long been largely on barges on the region’s waterways. Now, however, two rival ultraluxe hoteliers are opening properties.
![Como Le Montrachet como le montrachet](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelpanamaburgundy-001-1668452271.jpg?resize=980:*)
American expats Denise Dupré and Mark Nunnelly who run the five-star Royal Champagne hotel in that region, are reinventing the Clos de la Commarainen estate as a 23-room hotel in a 12th-century château (connected to the dukes of Burgundy) and anchored by its 10 acres of Pommard Premier Cru. It will form the basis of a revival of winemaking here, something that last took place 20 years ago. Arriving at the end of 2023 is COMO Le Montrachet , an albergo diffuso–style hotel nestled around a charming village square a few miles south of Beaune (Christina Ong’s fourth European site).
![Puligny-Montrachet pulignymontrachet](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelpanamaburgundy-001-1-1668451994.jpg?resize=640:*)
The lodging shortage solved, another issue persists. (Great pleasures are often hard won.) And that is access to Burgundy’s prized small-batch production. According to Philip Haslett, of Kairos , who organizes trips throughout France, “The winemakers here aren’t as visitor-ready as those in Champagne or even Bordeaux. The farmers are not turning up in a BMW—they’re the real deal, so it doesn’t matter who you are, because they don’t have anything extra to sell.”
Which is why Haslett works with guides who have deep roots here, such as Youri Lebault of Bourgogne Gold Tour, who specializes in opening near-impossible cellar doors (guiding is essential due to Burgundy’s fragmented, jigsaw-like terroir, which is carved into patches known as climats ). “Yesterday,” he said, “I ended my two-day wine tour in a private cellar in the Côte de Beaune, alone with my clients, smelling the wine from the barrel and tasting it with a pipette.” By Mark Ellwood. To book a trip top France : Philip Haslett, Philip @ kairos-travel.com
![como le montrachet hotel in puligny montrachet burgundy france como le montrachet hotel in puligny montrachet burgundy france](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/como-le-montrachet-exterior-3-square-1670611070.jpg?resize=980:*)
Your next trip should be...
Yes, panama….
Because it's about to pop and it has three attractions no other country in Central America or the Caribbean can claim.
1. The Old Town
![La Compania hotel's Santuario restaurant Old Town Panama City la compania hotel's santuario restaurant old town panama city](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/hotel-la-compania-santuario-copy-1-1670023677.jpg?resize=980:*)
One of the best-restored and most delightful historic districts in the region, dating back to 1673, with a sophisticated new hotel, La Compañia (a hot spot for locals and international travelers), and a real foodie scene: Peruvian-Panamanian, French-Panamanian, patisseries, and coffee and cigar bars.
![](http://carpathians.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
2. The Canal
![The Panama Canal crossing the panama canal](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelpanamaburgundy-004-1668453073.jpg?resize=980:*)
Human ingenuity is on full display along this 40-mile engineering marvel, which connects the Atlantic with the Pacific and divides North and South America. A must day trip from the Old Town, it’s also a good jumping-off point for hikes in the Anton Valley and visits to the Emberá indigenous community.
![Nayara Bocas Bali Resort nayara bocas bali resort](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelpanamaburgundy-002-1668453151.jpg?resize=980:*)
Nayara’s Bocas del Toro , in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is a luxe perch from which to explore Panama’s astonishing biodiversity. Prep at the Frank Gehry–designed biodiversity museum in Panama City. By Michael Clinton . To book a trip to Panama : Pierre Gedeon, pierre@ costa-adventures.com
![Isla Escudo Bocas del Toro Panama Nyara Bocas Bali isla escudo bocas del toro panama nyara bocas bali](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/nayara-isla-escudo-1670024145.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar: An environmentally minded billionaire owner, Louis Bacon, has turned an archipelago of 14 islands off Panama’s Pacific coast into an a all-inclusive luxe retreat, Isla Secas . It guarantees total privacy (it sleeps just 24), real adventure, and untouched nature. Thirteen of the islands will remain undeveloped.
A Turkish Delight…
Because jetting to Bodrum is swell, but sailing to Kaunos in a gulet is better.
![Süreyya Teras Lounge süreyya teras lounge](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/four-seasons-sultanahmet-su-reyya-teras-lounge-1-1671130314.jpg?resize=980:*)
A couple of years ago Emily Morrison, a former New Orleans commodities trader, visited Turkey for the first time, suntanning in Bodrum and hot-air-ballooning over Cappadocia like a latter-day Jules Verne. At the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, that tortuous labyrinth from the 15th century, she had a career epiphany while sorting through textiles, so she left her job and started a lifestyle brand, Elysian by Emily Morrison , back home, collaborating with Turkish artisans on decorative wares, footwear, and clothing. “What I experienced was the people of Turkey,” she says. “The hospitality, the craftsmanship, the culture.”
![Suzani textiles suzani textiles](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelturkeymontenegro-001-1668455853.jpg?resize=980:*)
Now she returns several times a year. And Morrison’s not alone: American travel to Turkey in the first half of 2022 skyrocketed 77 percent over the same period in 2019, according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Post-pandemic, the number is poised to climb in 2023, as the country marks its 100th anniversary as a republic.
“It took many years, but things have definitely changed,” says Karen Fedorko Sefer, founder of Sea Song Tours , who arrived in Turkey in 1998 and organized Morrison’s original visit. “The key was developing infrastructure to accommodate demanding luxury travelers.” Turkish Airlines invested in U.S. hubs (three daily flights out of JFK, two from LAX), and elite lodgings boomed: A Four Seasons and a Mandarin Oriental opened on the Bosporus, followed by the newly restored Four Seasons in historic Sultanahmet. The Peninsula Istanbul and Japan’s Okura Spa & Resort Cappadocia are expected in 2023.
![a room at the soon to open peninsula istanbul a room at the soon to open peninsula istanbul](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/the-peninsula-istanbul-room-bedroom-1671463912.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.980xh;0,0.0204xh&resize=980:*)
And it’s not just cities that are thriving: Thanks to Turkish Airlines’ vast network of domestic flights, jetsetters are discovering the cradle of civilization in Asia Minor. Though why go by air to the ruins of Kaunos or the shipwrecks of Monastir Bay when a gulet is an option. A very posh option. Turkish sailing yachts are, Sefer says, “second to none.” By Erik Maza .
To book a trip to Turkey: Karen Fedorko Safer, fedorko@ seasong.com
![The New Mosque, Istannbul the new mosque, istannbul](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelturkeymontenegro-004-1668456066.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar: This past October, Michelin Guides published its first list of 53 Istanbul restaurants . Why it took this long, given the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman epicurean traditions, is a mystery. But never mind: It’s a whole new impetus to visit. The star of the list, with two stars, is Turk Fatih Tutak .
A Montenegro Odyssey…
Because it's the Med without the crowds.
![kotor bay in montenegro, the village of perast and the bell tower of the church of saint nicholas the two islands are saint george and our lady of the rocks with the roman catholic church of the same name kotor bay in montenegro, the village of perast and the bell tower of the church of saint nicholas the two islands are saint george and our lady of the rocks with the roman catholic church of the same name](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelturkeymontenegro-005-1670020162.jpg?crop=0.879xw:1.00xh;0.0221xw,0&resize=980:*)
Byron called the 182-mile stretch of Montenegro’s Adriatic coast “the most beautiful encounter between land and sea.” No wonder. Riven with fjords, dotted with tiny islands and ancient towns (such as Kotor, Budva, and Perast), and lined with 45 miles of beach, the little country has been quietly turning into a niche destination for yachting holidays, a Croatia without the crowds. “It’s Norway, but it’s warm!” proclaims Paola Scalabrino, a charter specialist with Monaco-based Yachtzoo . “And it’s for people who want beautiful anchorages but don’t need to be in port every night, out clubbing.” If you want a land perch, One&Only Portonovi , near a new marina, is the sole five-star resort option (ever since the Aman Sveti Stefan closed amid a local controversy over beach rights). And, opening this spring, in an 1850s Austro-Hungarian fortress, is the boutiquey 32-room Mamula Island , which comes with a fleet of boats you can use on demand. By Mark Ellwood . To book a trip to Montenegro: Ala Osmond, Ala@ exeterinternational.com
![Mamula Island hotel Montenegro Yachting mamula island hotel montenegro yachting](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mamula-hotel-1670021805.jpg?resize=980:*)
A Viennese Waltz...
Because the new museums are magnificent and you get to pack your dancing shoes.
![Lichtenstein City Palace ballroom Vienna Austria lichtenstein city palace ballroom vienna austria](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/liechtenstein-ball-hall-1670068238.jpg?crop=0.799xw:1.00xh;0.100xw,0&resize=980:*)
Mention Vienna and what comes to mind are pastries and paintings, sacher-torte and Schiele—a place worth a pit stop between Prague and Budapest. But the grand onetime imperial capital is starting to shed its gilded cobwebbiness. A permanent home has just opened for the Austrian billionaire Heidi Goëss-Horten ’s 700-strong collection —of Picassos, Chagalls, Basquiats, Warhols, Richters, and Baselitzes. The two-year-old Albertina Modern , Austria’s answer to the Tate , will showcase in spring 2023 American artist Alex Katz in a major retrospective.
![Rosewood Vienna rosewood vienna](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelviennacruise-003-1668457187.jpg?resize=980:*)
On the hotel front, the 150-year-old Sacher has some competition. Rosewood Vienna opened last summer in a former bank in the heart of the city’s pedestrian district. The onetime Ring Hotel, on the Ringstrasse, will reopen in early 2023 as the Amauris Vienna . The locally owned and operated Leo Grand is a pretty boutique spot a few steps from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. And a Mandarin Oriental is coming as well (to an Art Nouveau building on Riemergasse).
But there’s one tradition that Gwen Kozlowski, president of Exeter International , is keen to see preserved: the balls. “They are truly like nowhere else, and superformal.” Skip the ones around New Year’s and focus on the distinctly Viennese ones at Lent. The most prestigious are the Opera and Philharmonic balls. “They’re hard to wrangle tickets for, but if you’re serious, we can usually make it happen.” By Mark Ellwood. To book a trip to Austria: Gwen Kozlowski, Gwen@ exeterinternational.com
![Dancers at the Vienna Opera Ball around 1960 photo by Franz Hubmann dancers at the vienna opera ball circa 1960 austria](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ball1-1670068587.jpg?resize=980:*)
A Cool Cruise…
Because swanning around on a gorgeous ship is as good as it gets.
A JAMES BOND–IAN FANTASY (ON SCENIC ECLIPSE ).
![Scenic Eclipse scenic eclipse](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelviennacruise-001-1668457428.jpg?crop=0.556xw:1.00xh;0.213xw,0&resize=980:*)
The first ultraluxe expedition ship, Scenic Eclipse, from the Australian brand Scenic, turned heads for its megayacht style and 007-esque toys. Now comes Scenic Eclipse II . Both will go to the Arctic and Antarctic, but in 2023 Eclipse II will also visit Euro yachtie hangouts (Capri, Hvar, Ibiza, and more) and explore the Pacific—the gorges of Australia’s Kim- berley, Indonesia’s Spice Islands, and Raja Ampat.
![scenic eclipse cruise ship antarctica adelie penguins scenic eclipse cruise ship antarctica adelie penguins](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/scenic-eclipse-antarctica-ade-lie-penguins-brown-bluff-5-glx-1-1670607486.jpg?resize=980:*)
AN ARCTIC ADVENTURE (ON COMMANDANT CHARCOT ).
![ponants commandant charcot expedition cruise ship ponants commandant charcot expedition cruise ship](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/charcotcponant-gilles-trillard-1670607093.jpg?resize=980:*)
Until now, reaching the North Pole has never been a breeze. But next summer Ponant’s hybrid-powered icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot , will make four 15-night trips there. Outside is a silent world of polar bears and pack ice; onboard it’s all expedition-chic (an Alain Ducasse restaurant, a dernier-cri spa, floor-to-ceiling windows). The best part: knowing you’re farther north than anyone else on earth.
![two polar bears on a small ice floe surrounded by water and ice mother and two years old cub symbolic for climate situation in the arctic copy space two polar bears on a small ice floe surrounded by water and ice mother and two years old cub symbolic for climate situation in the arctic copy space](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelviennacruise-004-1668701724.jpg?resize=980:*)
AN ART TOUR OF THE BALTIC (ON VIKING OCEAN ).
![Young woman on beach painting by edvard munch displayed in atrium of viking ocean cruise ship young woman on the beach painting by edvard munch displayed as part of munch moments on the artrium screen aboard the viking ocean cruise ship](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/viking-atrium-munch-moments-1670606044.jpg?resize=980:*)
Without St. Petersburg, a cruise around the Baltic might feel like seeing Athens without the Acropolis. Not so. Scandi-chic Viking has a fix for art lovers next summer: a series of 14-night ocean sailings between Bergen and Stockholm, with guided tours of major museums and works of architecture. One highlight: a private viewing in Oslo of Edvard Munch’s haunti ng masterpiece The Scream . By Sue Bryant. To book a cruise : Ashton Palmer, Ashton@ expeditiontrips.com ; Tom Baker, Tom.Baker@ cruisecenter.com ; Mary Jean Tully, travel@ tullyluxurytravel.com
![The Scream by Edvard Munch the scream by edvard munch](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tcx120122travelviennacruise-002-1668457531.jpg?resize=980:*)
On Our Radar : Other lines are plying the Baltic too: Silversea’s 14-night roundtrip from Copenhagen stops in Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Gdansk. Regent Seven Seas’ 10-night cruise sails June 30 from Copenhagen to Stockholm, with stops in Berlin, Gdansk, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Art Nouveau–rich Riga.
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10 Secret Alternatives to Crowded Summer Destinations
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Caroline Morse Teel
Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .
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Are your social media feeds filling up with snapshots of the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, and Empire State Building? Crowds of tourists are already descending on summer popular destinations, pushing up prices and causing long lines at restaurants and attractions.
Picture this instead: a summer vacation somewhere equally beautiful—except you have it practically all to yourself. Google Flights released data showing the most-searched for destinations for June, July, and August, and we’re thinking of it as a list of places to avoid this summer.
That doesn’t mean you have to miss out if you want to travel during peak season. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of the best under-the-radar alternatives to crowded summer destinations, so you can have all the good food and scenery without fighting through busloads of tourists.
Instead of London: Bristol, England
![places to travel summer 2023 Colorful houses and boats on the coast in Bristol, England](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_171233031-edited-scaled.jpeg.webp)
King Charles’ coronation in May put London at the top of mind for many travelers. If you’d rather immerse yourself among locals instead of tourists, head to Bristol for the ultimate British city getaway. Small Bristol hosts an incredibly diverse food scene and is full of unique shops and restaurants. In fact, Gloucester Road, Bristol’s main street, is said to have the highest concentration of independent businesses in the United Kingdom.
Bristol will also give you a taste of English country life alongside your city break. This outdoorsy destination straddling the River Avon has plenty of opportunities for sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, walking, and biking.
Instead of Cancún: Holbox, Mexico
![places to travel summer 2023 Colorful canoes pulled up on the beach in Holbox, Mexico](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_552436623-edited-scaled.jpeg.webp)
Just off the north coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula lies Holbox, a small and peaceful island alternative to crowded Cancún. Holbox is full of amazing natural attractions—it’s one of the best places in the Caribbean to swim with whale sharks. Although the sharks look large and intimidating, their tiny teeth only allow them to eat small fish and plants (not humans).
Holbox is also one of the few places in the world where you witness the bioluminescent phenomenon—the waters around the island light up at night with a special glow.
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Instead of Paris: Ljubljana, Slovenia
![places to travel summer 2023 Bridge crossing the river in Ljubljana, Slovenia on a sunny day](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_262853364-1024x678.jpeg.webp)
Charming cobblestone streets, stone bridges, and sidewalk cafes—visiting Ljubljana feels like Paris except it’s cheaper, cleaner, and less touristy. The city is so appealing that it was voted the Best Destination in Europe for 2022 and was the Green Capital of Europe in 2016.
Pedestrianized streets in the heart of the city beg visitors to stroll down them, popping into shops and sipping spritzes at terraces along the brilliantly green Ljubljanica River.
Ljubljana is home to a big student population, which gives the city a lively energy (and helps keep things affordable).
Instead of Orlando: Tampa, Florida
![places to travel summer 2023 Low angle image of the Tampa, Florida skyline at sunset with palm trees in the foreground](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_318155653-1024x683.jpeg.webp)
Get the theme park thrills on a budget (and with way fewer lines) by heading to Tampa instead of Orlando. Tampa has two great amusement parks located right next to each other: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island water park.
Home to pristine Clearwater Beach, Tampa has plenty of free outdoor activities that don’t require a theme park ticket.
Instead of Rome: Peljesac Peninsula, Croatia
![places to travel summer 2023 Fishing boats docked in the Harbor of Trpanj on the Peljesac Peninsula in Croatia](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_306432325-1024x684.jpeg.webp)
Intrepid Travel’s Rome to Amalfi is one of the company’s most-booked tours for American travelers this summer. Since Rome was the fifth-most searched destination on Google Flights for the season, you can definitely expect crowds.
Ivan Svacov, Intrepid Deputy Operations Manager, Southeast Europe, recommends Croatia’s Pelijesac peninsula as a less-visited European alternative. “Being Croatian I would naturally start with praising the unmatched beauty of the Adriatic coast,” extols Svacov. “Peljesac peninsula was recently connected to the mainland for the first time with a bridge and has become even more accessible.”
Svacov cites the region’s wineries, famous seafood, and outdoor sports (including windsurfing in Vinjerac and hiking) as reasons to visit.
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Instead of New York City: Chicago, Illinois
![places to travel summer 2023 Aerial view of the skyline of Chicago, Illinois, United States at dusk](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_37338498-1-edited-scaled.jpeg.webp)
Even New Yorkers don’t want to be in the city in the summer—locals flock to seaside destinations like the Hamptons in an effort to escape the stifling heat. Chicago’s lakefront location makes it the better choice for an urban vacation.
Chicago comes alive in the summer as locals embrace the sunshine after a long cold winter. With fun events like the Hyde Park Summer Fest and the Old Town Art Fair happening nearly every week, you’ll never be bored in the summer.
Outdoor patios and rooftops open for the summer, expanding the city’s famous dining scene even further.
Instead of Las Vegas: Palm Springs, California
![places to travel summer 2023 places to travel summer 2023](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_519005382-1024x683.jpeg.webp)
You can still have casinos, hotel pool parties, and live shows—just without the crowds—if you choose Palm Springs over Las Vegas. This resort town has more of a relaxing, luxurious vibe compared to Vegas’ glitzy party city reputation, but you’ll still find plenty of action here.
Palm Springs boasts world-class golf courses, five-star restaurants, and natural hot springs that will appeal to every type of traveler.
Instead of Tokyo: Seoul, Korea
![places to travel summer 2023 Skyline of Seoul, South Korea at sunset](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_278329866-1024x684.jpeg.webp)
Your dollar will go far in both Tokyo and Seoul, but you’ll find the best value for your money in South Korea’s capital. The vibrant city of Seoul has plenty to explore, from a thriving food scene (with options for any budget) to ancient culture and modern art.
Seoul’s public transportation system is consistently named one of the best in the world—it’s clean, fast, and affordable, making it easy to explore the outer reaches of the city.
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Instead of Seattle: Portland, Oregon
![places to travel summer 2023 Skyline of downtown Portland, Oregon at sunset](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_139288035-1-1024x683.jpeg.webp)
Seattle may be bigger in size, but Portland is the better bet for visitors looking for an eclectic city experience. Portland’s small size and unique neighborhoods make it extremely walkable (or bikeable, thanks to an extensive network of cycling lanes) and you’ll be sure to discover a charming coffee shop or boutique bookstore on every corner as you wander.
Nicknamed the City of Roses, Portland is at its best in the summer, when the city’s lush green spaces and gardens are in bloom.
Sit outside at a microbrewery patio and sample the suds from one of the best beer scenes in the country, catch a live show from an indie band, or take a road trip to one of the many national parks nearby.
Instead of Miami: Fort Myers, Florida
![places to travel summer 2023 Sunny street lined with Palm Trees in Fort Myers, Florida, United States](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_389927514-1024x683.jpeg.webp)
If you want the laid-back Florida vibe without the Miami traffic and crowds, head north to Fort Myers.
Jackie Parker, Communications Manager for Lee County CVB , tells SmarterTravel, that Fort Myers is the perfect vacation spot if you’re looking for solitude. “There’s plenty of room to explore at a more laid-back pace,” says Parker. Think: “Sunset cruises on the Gulf of Mexico, fresh grouper sandwiches at your choice of restaurants, and unique places to shop.”
Tips for Escaping the Crowds This Summer
![places to travel summer 2023 Crowds on the Spanish Steps in Rome in summer](https://www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AdobeStock_242364711-edited-scaled.jpeg.webp)
Still scrambling to find an affordable summer vacation? Laura Burdett-Munns, Managing Director, Journeysmiths , offers these tips:
Be Flexible
Widen your search to include alternative destinations and consider traveling outside of peak season. According to Burdett-Munns, lodges and camps in Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, like Masai Mara and the Serengeti, are already sold out for the summer, so she recommends looking to lesser-known areas, suggesting instead Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, or Kenya’s diverse Laikipia region.
“Each offers an amazing safari experience, only without the crowds,” says Burdett-Munns. “There’s loads of availability still to be had in these regions, especially at the smaller, more intimate camps, which in our opinion, provide a more immersive and authentic experience.”
Staying Longer Can Save Money
You’ll get more value for your money if you’re able to extend your stay. Burdett-Munns says travelers can frequently find deals for longer trips, such as getting four nights at a hotel for the price of three.
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Consider Low Season Destinations
Summer isn’t high season everywhere, so look to places where it’s low season in order to find great deals. Costa Rica, for example, has its rainest weather from May to mid-December.
During this “green season,” you’ll find better deals and fewer crowds than if you were traveling in January. This doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck inside your hotel while it downpours your entire trip—like in most tropical destinations, summer weather usually only involves an occasional light shower each day.
Research Similar Destinations
Think about what it is that appeals to you about a popular summer destination. If Alaska cruises are sold out or too expensive, Burdett-Munns advises booking an Arctic cruise instead. You’ll get similarly epic scenery with glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife sightings at a fraction of the cost.
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The 12 Best Places to Travel in 2023
Wondering what the best places to travel in 2023 are? Us too—so we decided to ask a panel of hospitality experts to find out.
Their answers were quite literally all over the place (which, in this case, is a very good thing). After re-opening their borders after years of COVID-19 closures, trips to the Asian and Australian continents are set to make a roaring comeback, with countries like Japan and Singapore leading the way. Also trending? What Virtuoso managing director Misty Belles calls “isolation with intention” vacations, where travelers go to remote—and remotely populated—locations to get away from it all. Pack your bags for the Yukon, Chilean Patagonia, or Greenland.
Then there are the hotel openings. One classic city, in particular, is seeing the arrival of several new high-end properties, adding refreshed intrigue to this already popular European destination.
Below, find 12 places that are already trending for 2023.
While Guatemala has long sat in the shadow of more widely-visited Latin American counterparts, this is a misstep: it offers a veritable ‘best of’ without the masses, and is one of the most culturally-rich LATAM destinations, and time for its moment in the spotlight. Visit Guatemala expressly to absorb the magnificent natural beauty of the surroundings, but also to connect deeply with its people. Newly-opened, luxurious, and intimate Villa Bokeh is a game-changer for Antigua and marks one of the more elevated luxury hotel offerings to date. -Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato
Yukon Territory, Canada
Stemming from a desire of our travelers to experience more off-the-beaten-track discoveries, and also lifeways, we’re exploring Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Yukon, an unfettered and mostly undiscovered part of Canada. The Northwest Territories are teeming with wildlife, Indigenous-owned lodging, and exceptional positioning to—season-dependent—witness the majesty of the Northern Lights; the Yukon is marked by historic landmarks, rich culture, and dazzling landscapes. What makes it most special, however, are the local people you will meet along the way. -Tom Marchant
While Antarctica became the 2022 darling of adventure travel, look to the Arctic to be the next “must-see” spot. Iceland and now Greenland both offer “isolation with intention”—an opportunity to escape crowds and explore your own personal limits—and it’s where people will head next for unspoiled beauty and a glimpse at the Northern Lights. -Misty Belles, managing director at Virtuoso
Málaga, Spain
More Airbnb guests searched Málaga for 2023 travel than any other city in the world. Málaga has enjoyed a cultural renaissance in the last decade, making it a lively cultural hub on the beautiful Costa del Sol. Several new museums have opened there, including the Pompidou Center, a modern art treasure housed in a multi-colored glass cube. The street art scene is just as incredible, with colorful murals blanketing entire neighborhoods. -Catherine Powell, Global Head of Hosting for Airbnb
Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago comprises five islands, renowned for their white beaches and diverse marine life. The second largest of them all, Benguerra, has quietly emerged as a wild and stealthy upscale getaway. Stay at the newly opened Kisawa Sanctuary , or at andBeyond Benguerra Island—either way, you’ll enjoy a truly remote tropical getaway where the shoreline stretches for miles without a person, or building, in sight. Take a ride on a dhow , a traditional African fishing boat, or ask your lodge to take you dugong (a rare sea cow) spotting. -Elise Taylor
Basilicata, Italy
![places to travel summer 2023 Matera at sunrise.nbsp](https://assets.vogue.com/photos/63a3022739976f1eff58dcc6/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-525770849.jpg)
Already ticked Puglia and Sicily off the bucket list? As an obsessive explorer of southern Italy, my money’s on Basilicata as the up-and-coming region to keep an eye on (and ideally, visit) in 2023. Travelers may already be familiar with the ancient caves, winding hilltop streets, and crumbling Baroque churches of Matera—the town also served as the backdrop for a high-adrenaline car chase in the most recent Bond film, No Time to Die —but this still-unspoiled region also boasts pristine beaches, a fascinating history, and lip-smackingly fresh seafood. Looking for the perfect base? Head to Maratea, the so-called “pearl of the Tyrrhenian” where the founders of Puglia standout Borgo Egnazia have opened the charming five-star Santavenere Hotel. - Liam Hess, Vogue living editor
Japan is on everyone’s list and the pent-up demand is incredible. Pre-pandemic, this was the “it” destination, so you have residual demand from those who previously had to cancel their plans, combined with new interest for the cultural experience that Japan offers. -Misty Belles
Edinburgh, Scotland
The city of Edinburgh may have been founded in the 1200s, but over 800 years later, it shows that it still has some new surprises. The recently opened Gleneagles Townhouse effortlessly mixes traditional and modern touches: abstract art hangs under a 19th century decorative dome, and a restaurant serves both avant-garde cocktails and a Sunday roast. Later this year, the city will welcome the luxury boutique hotel 100 Princes Street, whose interior is inspired by Alexander McQueen, as well as Richard Branson's Virgin Hotel. - Elise Taylor
Douro Valley, Portugal
![places to travel summer 2023 Vineyards surrounding the River Douro.nbsp](https://assets.vogue.com/photos/63a30429bbe188624c5725a1/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-517197377.jpg)
If you’re looking for some of the most eye-popping scenery (and delicious wine) in all of Europe, head to the lush, dramatic slopes of northern Portugal’s Douro Valley this coming year. The heart of the region is just an hour or two drive east from Porto, with the car journey alone serving as a highlight: taking the narrow, snaking roads that descend from the mountains feels like entering another world entirely, as you pass through the idyllic vineyards and charming villages that dot its hillsides. There’s plenty of history here, too—the ancient pilgrimage town of Lamego with its grand tiled staircases and majestic churches is a highlight—as well as a growing list of luxury properties, with the Six Senses here being particularly spectacular. But more than anything, it’s a place to kick back, relax, and enjoy the good life, Portugal-style. -Liam Hess
With such little access in the past two years, it is on the top of my list to go and visit again. The food, the people, and combination of nature and city is a must for anyone that wants to have an amazing time. It is especially exciting if you are able to be in town for the Singapore Grand Prix—the city becomes electric. -Victor Sanz, Tumi Creative Director
Patagonia National Park, Chile
![places to travel summer 2023 Cuernos del Paine Patagonia Chile.](https://assets.vogue.com/photos/63a208ab25ae8973a3f2edc8/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/GettyImages-474936743.jpg)
In 2018, Chile set aside 11 million acres of land for national parks aided by the largest private land donation from a private entity to a country. The conservation effort of the Tompkins Conservation Foundation (named for philanthropist and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins of North Face and Esprit legacy) helped pave the way for Chile to greatly expand conservation of the pristine Patagonia wilderness. Today, covering over 750,000 acres in the austral region of Aysén, the Patagonia National Park is formed by land donated to Chile, and is part of the new Patagonia National Parks Network. What makes this area stand out is the inherent biodiversity and remoteness—it’s not easily accessible and squarely under the radar, miles away from the more visited parts of Argentina’s Patagonia. The newly opened Explora Lodge is where to kick off your Chilean adventure, while in Santiago, post up at the newly opened and discreetly elegant Hotel Magnolia and in the Atacama at Tierra Atacama. -Tom Marchant
Rome, Italy
Rome is seeing a boom of luxury hotel openings this year, from the Edition, to the Bulgari, to the Six Senses. The Eternal City is always a classic place to visit, but these highly anticipated properties—many of them with a modern edge—will only reinvigorate interest. -Elise Taylor, Vogue senior living writer
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The 37 Best Places to Travel in 2023
Set out for adventure at these international and domestic destinations.
![Video player poster image preview for The Best Beaches in the World](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tropical-beach-in-caribbean-grand-cayman-island-royalty-free-image-1674141820.jpg?crop=1xw:0.84355xh;center,top&resize=1200:*)
Check out sporting events and luxe spa retreats (underwater treatment room in the Maldives, anyone?). Feast your eyes on remote natural landscapes and celestial events. Visit cities for some cultural exploration, such as Cairo's new Grand Egyptian Museum or the new International African American Museum in Charleston. No matter your taste, you'll find your dream getaway on this list. Plus, expanded flight routes now make it even easier to jet to destinations such as Fiji, Tahiti, and the Caribbean.
Full disclosure: Some of the places on this list are opening mid- to late-2023, so make sure you plan your visit and set your Google flight alerts accordingly! Here are the best places to travel this year.
Experience luxury in Sicily.
![where to go in 2023 — four seasons taormina where to go in 2023 — four seasons taormina](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/sdh-032-1673554700.jpg?crop=0.6673618352450469xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Come March, fans of The White Lotus season 2 can stay where it was filmed: The Four Seasons' San Domenico Palace, Taormina . The transformed 14th-century convent perches high above the Ionian Sea, with a clifftop infinity pool and Michelin-starred dining. (Just be careful when befriending generous yachters.)
Witness coronation history in London.
![where to go in 2023 — Westminster Abbey, London where to go in 2023 — westminster abbey, london](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/westminster-abbey-london-2006-aerial-view-artist-historic-news-photo-1673652208.jpg?crop=0.66699xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
King Charles' coronation is scheduled for May 6 at Westminster Abbey—the first coronation in 70 years. The historic city will be awash in pageantry, so come for the fascinators and novelty trinkets (whether you're Team Windsor or Team Harry and Meghan).
Immerse yourself in Athens, Greece.
![where to go in 2023 — athens greece where to go in 2023 — athens greece](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/aerial-panoramic-photo-of-south-of-athens-greece-royalty-free-image-1673645110.jpg?crop=0.56247xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Summer in Greece is a dreamy haze of sunshine, gelato, and ouzo. Visit Athens this summer and be the first to stay at One&Only Aesthesis , set on a serene stretch of the Glyfada seafront. Explore the region's ancient ruins, or simply relax in the area's thermal springs and gorgeous beaches.
Cruise the Nile in style.
![where to go in 2023 — egypt where to go in 2023 — egypt](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/woman-standing-on-the-terrace-on-the-background-of-royalty-free-image-1673647560.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.213xw,0&resize=980:*)
Cairo's Grand Egyptian Museum , decades in the making, is finally set to open in 2023. And in late 2023, luxury Nile River cruise line Uniworld will debut a trip that combines seven nights aboard the all-suite River Tosca with a four-night land stay at The Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cairo.
Enjoy the views in Switzerland.
![where to go in 2023 — switzerland where to go in 2023 — switzerland](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/matterhorn-at-sunrise-with-stellisee-in-foreground-royalty-free-image-1673647059.jpg?crop=0.66667xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing is scheduled to be completed this spring, with a cable car offering outrageous views. Traveling to Switzerland is about to get easier, too: In April, Delta is set to reinstate service to Geneva (after pausing it in 1993).
See the new International African American Museum in Charleston.
![where to go in 2023 — Charleston, South Carolina where to go in 2023 — charleston, south carolina](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/charleston-south-carolina-in-the-evening-royalty-free-image-1673646083.jpg?crop=0.696xw:1.00xh;0.0918xw,0&resize=980:*)
Charleston, South Carolina, is a perennially charming U.S. destination. Come in 2023 for a chance to visit the long-awaited International African American Museum , located at the site of the former slave-trading port Gadsden's Wharf.
Come to Mammoth for a buzzy new restaurant.
![where to go in 2023 — mammoth where to go in 2023 — mammoth](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/beautiful-mountain-lake-royalty-free-image-1673645460.jpg?crop=0.6673xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
James Beard finalist Bryan Voltaggio and Michelin-starred Michael Voltaggio are eyeing a February opening for their modern Italian American restaurant Vulcania in The Village at Mammoth, California. Think: relaxed luxury for the skiing set.
Hit Las Vegas for Formula 1 and Michelin-star sushi.
![where to go in 2023 — wakuda where to go in 2023 — wakuda](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/wakuda-architecture-entrance-photo-credit-wakuda-las-vegas-1673910819.jpeg?crop=0.6519097222222222xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Las Vegas is always unveiling over-the-top reasons to visit, but 2023 brings two biggies: Formula 1 will return to the city for the first time in close to four decades, transforming the famed Strip into an actual racetrack. It also brings the opening of Wakuda , with two-Michelin-star chef Tetsuya Wakuda at the Venetian. Come for a meal you won't soon forget in a vibrant venue inspired by the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. Choose from the à la carte or omakase menu.
Redefine glamping at Naviva.
![where to go in 2023 — four seasons naviva where to go in 2023 — four seasons naviva](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/naviva-1673642558.jpg?crop=0.563xw:1.00xh;0.0510xw,0&resize=980:*)
There's glamping, and then there's the next level tented experience at the just-opened Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. A lush green jungle is the backdrop of this adults-only retreat with 15 luxury tents surrounded by 48 forested acres on the edge of a private peninsula.
Fly nonstop to the Cayman Islands.
![where to go in 2023 - Grand Cayman Island where to go in 2023 grand cayman island](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/tropical-beach-in-caribbean-grand-cayman-island-royalty-free-image-1673555497.jpg?crop=0.66682xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
It's always been tricky to get to the Caribbean from the West Coast, due to the dearth of nonstop flights. But now that Cayman Airways has launched the only direct service from Los Angeles to the Caribbean Islands, the Cayman Islands makes for a breezy getaway in 2023.
Visit Canouan while it's still a secret.
![where to go in 2023 — canouan where to go in 2023 — canouan](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/canouan-grenadines-west-indies-royalty-free-image-1673555754.jpg?crop=0.66651xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
The Caribbean island of Canouan, located in the country of St. Vincent in the Grenadines, is somehow still under most American travelers' radar—despite being home to a posh Mandarian Oriental property and an outpost of the elite Soho House . Now's a good time to go, for both solitude and bragging rights.
Discover the East Cape of Los Cabos.
![where to go in 2023 — four seasons los cabos where to go in 2023 — four seasons los cabos](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/los-cabos-1673556284.jpg?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.304xw,0&resize=980:*)
Away from the boisterous tourist corridor of Cabo is the serene and exclusive East Cape. Luxuriate with a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas , which is just launching its new Private Retreats collection, two- to six-bedroom contemporary residences with private pools and gourmet kitchens.
Holiday in Kuala Lumpur.
![where to go in 2023 — Kuala Lumpur where to go in 2023 — kuala lumpur](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/kuala-lumpur-skyline-at-night-illuminations-royalty-free-image-1673722166.jpg?crop=0.750xw:1.00xh;0.177xw,0&resize=980:*)
Malaysia's capital is one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia—and home to major luxury hotel brands like the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur , which sits between the flowering gardens of the KLCC Park and the dramatic heights of the Petronas Twin Towers. One Michelin star was just awarded to two Kuala Lumpur destinations: Dewakan , a restaurant presenting modern Malaysian dishes, and DC. By Darren Chin for French classics.
Get the Arc de Triomphe all to yourself.
![where to go in 2023 — paris Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees where to go in 2023 paris arc de triomphe and champs elysees](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/arc-de-triomphe-and-champs-elysees-at-dawn-paris-royalty-free-image-1673644398.jpg?crop=0.66635xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Paris is always a good idea, as Audrey Hepburn said in Sabrina . But this year sees a new bucket-list offering from Le Royal Monceau–Raffles Paris: As hotel guests participating in the "Love Is in the Arc" experience , you'll have the chance to go inside the Arc de Triomphe at sunrise or at sunset. No lines, no crowds, and breathtaking views all to yourself—all for just $17,000 USD a night (two-night minimum).
Take a breathtaking wellness trip to Maui.
![where to go in 2023 — four seasons maui at wailea where to go in 2023 — four seasons maui at wailea](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mau-1151-1673891112.jpg?crop=0.665xw:1.00xh;0.0765xw,0&resize=980:*)
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is now offering a first-of-its-kind wellness offering with Next|Health . The innovative menu includes an array of IV therapy treatments, vitamin shots, biomarker testing, and even stem cell therapy right on site. (Fun fact: The hotel was also the filming location for The White Lotus ' first season.)
Visit Portugal—and stay awhile.
![where to go in 2023 — portugal where to go in 2023 — portugal](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/lisbon-cityscape-with-st-george-castle-at-sunset-royalty-free-image-1673974947.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.148xw,0&resize=980:*)
Thanks to its new digital-nomad visa, Portugal is an ideal place to set up shop for an extended working holiday. When in Lisbon, try a taste of, well, everything , at Time Out Market .
Explore Belize.
![where to go in 2023 — belize where to go in 2023 — belize](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/belize-lighthouse-reef-boat-moored-at-blue-hole-royalty-free-image-1673901110.jpg?crop=0.672xw:1.00xh;0.213xw,0&resize=980:*)
Belize has it all: Ancient history, spectacular natural landscapes, the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and now easier access and more lodging options than ever. New flight paths help tourists reach properties like glamping resort Hills & Valley , and Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort & Residences , expected to open in late 2023.
Make like the Clooneys in Como.
![where to go in 2023 — Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni where to go in 2023 — grand hotel villa serbelloni](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/como-1673901852.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.0867xw,0&resize=980:*)
Lake Como's Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is celebrating its 150th year in 2023, with milestone activities and a special 150th menu at Mistral —the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Bellagio.
Experience newly-reopened Thailand.
![where to go in 2023 — Bangkok thailand where to go in 2023 — bangkok thailand](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/aerial-view-of-bangkok-city-panorama-at-twilight-royalty-free-image-1673908620.jpg?crop=0.79753xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
Thailand's got incredible food, historic temples, beautiful beaches, and a bustling capital city. Come to lively Bangkok for a stay at the new The Standard, Bangkok , the city's second-largest skyscraper with a knockout view from the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok at 1,030 feet up.
Catch the eclipse in Western Australia.
![where to go in 2023 — western australia where to go in 2023 — western australia](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/australia-ningaloo-lighthouse-twilight-royalty-free-image-1673975946.jpg?crop=0.66651xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)
A total solar eclipse will be visible just off the coast of Western Australia on April 20, in Exmouth. This event, in which the moon obscures the face of the sun, typically takes place out at sea. 2023 marks a rare chance for visitors to catch this natural phenomenon from land.
![dining room dining room](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/6-dining-room-2-66c39b4f79a87.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.755xh;0,0.0774xh&resize=360:*)
You Might Want To Toss Your Reusable Water Bottle
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Is It Wrong to Hate Your Partner's Decor Taste?
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13 Items in Grandma’s Kitchen That Are Worth a LOT
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11 Flowers That Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
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25 Fragrant Flowers to Add to Your Garden
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Cast Iron Plants Can Survive in Any Home
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Travel and Activities
50 fun things to do before summer ends.
Rachel Kor August 27, 2024
![places to travel summer 2023 image](https://www.kosher.com/wp-content/themes/kosher2.1/assets/img/social_ico_5.png)
Summer always seems to fly by, and before you know it, it’s time to pack up the swimsuits and sunscreen. But before you dive into back-to-school mode, there’s still time to make the most of the warm days and create lasting memories with your family. Here’s a list of 50 fun and unique things to do before summer ends, including some local hidden gems and creative at-home activities.
All of these ideas were recommended by either Kosher.com staff members, or our Instagram followers. Thank you to everyone who sent in awesome ideas! If you have any ideas that are not on this list, feel free to put them in the comment section below!
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/splash-pad.webp)
1. Visit a Local Park’s Splash Pad:
Head to a local park with a splash pad for a refreshing and playful day out. Don’t forget lots of towels!
2. Swan Boats:
Rent swan boats and paddle around the lake. It’s a unique and relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon.
3. Drive-In Movie Theater:
Experience the nostalgia and fun of a drive-in movie theater. Pack the car with cozy blankets and pillows, bring along some snacks and drinks, and enjoy a family-friendly film under the stars.
4. Pick-Your-Own Farms:
Visit a local farm and let the kids pick their own fruits or veggies. Continue the fun at home with a cooking or baking session.
5. Hiking Adventures:
Explore the great outdoors with a family hike. Whether it’s a simple trail or something more challenging, hiking is a wonderful way to connect with nature.
6. Frisbee in the Park:
Enjoy some free fun by playing frisbee in a beautiful field. Sometimes the simplest activities are the most memorable.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/sparklers.webp)
7. Sparklers with Neighbors:
Gather with neighbors in the backyard or a local park, and light up sparklers for a magical display of light and color. It’s a simple, yet joyful activity that brings people together and creates lasting memories.
8. Make S’mores Around a Fire Pit:
Gather around a fire pit for a classic summer treat—s’mores!
9. Explore a New Playground:
Find a playground you haven’t visited before and spend the day exploring the new equipment.
10. Order Pizza Delivery to the Pool for Dinner:
Enjoy a fun and relaxed evening by ordering pizza delivery straight to the pool.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/tubing-down-river.webp)
11. Tubing Down the River:
Embrace the thrill of tubing down a gentle river with your family or friends. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy nature, cool off, and have some fun on the water.
12. Grocery Store Date:
Take the kids to a grocery store and let them pick out snacks or ingredients for a meal. Once home, cook together and enjoy your creations.
13. DIY Summer Photoshoot:
Capture the last rays of summer with a fun DIY photoshoot. Use props, play with different outfits, and let the kids be the stars of their own photo session.
14. Create a Summer Photo Book:
Collect all your favorite summer memories in a photo book. It’s a great way to remember the season, and something the kids will love flipping through.
15. Learn a New Kitchen Skill:
Spend a day learning how to make something new, like homemade pasta or boba tea. It’s a fun way to bond and pick up a new skill.
16. Amazon Surprise Unboxing:
Have you heard of Amazon’s Mystery Boxes? You don’t know what you’ll unbox, but it sure is a thrill!
17. Backyard Camping:
Set up a tent in your backyard for a night under the stars. If it’s not safe to camp outside, create an indoor camping experience with blankets and pillows.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/Lemonade-Stand.webp)
18. Host a Lemonade Stand:
Teach your kids some basic entrepreneurial skills by setting up a lemonade stand. They’ll love making the drinks and selling them to neighbors.
19. Stargazing Night:
Grab a blanket, some snacks, and find a spot away from city lights to gaze at the stars. Download a stargazing app to identify constellations.
20. Ice Cream Sundae Bar:
Set up an at-home ice cream sundae bar with various toppings. Let everyone create their dream sundae.
21. Visit a Local Zoo or Aquarium:
Spend a day learning about animals. Many zoos and aquariums offer summer programs and special events.
22. Chalk Art on the Driveway:
Let the kids unleash their creativity with some sidewalk chalk. You can even have a family contest for the best artwork.
23. Bike Ride Around the Neighborhood:
Explore your local area on bikes. It’s a great way to get some exercise and discover new spots in your neighborhood.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/Tie-Dye-Shirts.webp)
24. DIY Tie-Dye Shirts:
Get colorful with a tie-dye project . Each family member can design their own shirt to remember the summer by.
25. Visit a Farmers’ Market:
Take the kids to a local farmers’ market and let them pick out fresh produce.
26. Visit a Butterfly Garden:
Find a local butterfly garden and watch these beautiful insects in their natural habitat.
27. Mini Golf:
Head to a local mini-golf course for some friendly family competition.
28. Visit a Beach:
Spend a day at the beach collecting seashells and splashing in the waves.
29. Have a Picnic in the Park:
Pack a lunch and head to a nearby park for a relaxing picnic. Bring along a ball or frisbee for some after-lunch fun.
30. Visit a Science Center or Children’s Museum:
These are great places for hands-on learning and can be both fun and educational.
31. Take a Scenic Drive:
Find a scenic route near you and go for a drive. Stop at interesting spots along the way and enjoy the views.
32. Host a Water Balloon Fight:
Cool off with a water balloon fight in the backyard. It’s a fun way to beat the heat and get everyone laughing.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/Sand-Castle.webp)
33. Build a Sandcastle:
If you’re at the beach or a sandbox, challenge your family to a sandcastle-building contest.
34. Outdoor Yoga:
Try a family yoga session in the backyard or a local park. It’s a calming way to start or end the day.
35. Visit an Animal Sanctuary:
Spend a day at an animal sanctuary learning about rescued animals and how to care for them.
36. Visit a Historic Site:
Explore a local historic site or landmark. It’s a great way to learn more about your area’s history.
37. Volunteer as a Family:
Give back to your community by volunteering together. It could be at a local shelter, food bank, or community garden.
38. Go on a Scavenger Hunt:
Create a scavenger hunt for the kids, either in your backyard or at a local park.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/Waterfall.webp)
39. Visit a Waterfall:
Find a nearby waterfall and spend the day hiking and enjoying the natural beauty.
40. DIY Slip ‘N Slide:
Create your own Slip ‘N Slide in the backyard using a tarp and hose. Hours of fun guaranteed!
41. Attend a Fireworks Show:
End your summer with a bang by attending a fireworks show.
42. Host a Summer BBQ:
Invite friends and family over for one last summer BBQ. Grill your favorite foods and enjoy the warm evening together.
43. Make Homemade Ice Cream:
Try making your own ice cream or popsicles at home with your favorite summer flavors.
44. DIY Kite Flying:
Build and decorate your own kite, then head to an open field to see how high it can fly.
45. Backyard Science Experiments:
Try some fun and easy science experiments with your kids, like making a baking soda volcano or homemade slime.
46. Plan a Themed Dinner Night:
Choose a theme (like Italian, Mexican, or tropical) and create a dinner menu and decorations to match.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://images.kosher.com/uploads/Petting-Zoo.webp)
47. Visit a Petting Zoo or Farm:
Spend a day at a petting zoo or farm where kids can interact with animals and learn about farming.
48. Go on a Train Ride:
Take a scenic train ride through beautiful landscapes, forests, or along the coast.
49. Outdoor Bagel and Lox Brunch:
Enjoy a brunch with bagels, lox, cream cheese, and all the fixings in a picturesque outdoor setting early in the day before it gets too hot out.
50. Painting Shells on the Beach:
Collect a variety of shells, bring some paints and brushes, and let everyone create their own unique designs. This fun and artistic activity will provide keepsakes to remember the summer by.
Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of time to make memories. Whether you’re looking for big adventures or simple pleasures, these ideas will help you squeeze every last drop of fun out of the season.
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How to Spend 10 Days in Italy with Kids
Posted on Last updated: August 27, 2024
Home » Destinations » Europe » Italy » How to Spend 10 Days in Italy with Kids
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Planning a trip to Italy with kids and want a totally doable 10 days in Italy itinerary? Keep scrolling to check out my kid-friendly classic Italy itinerary that hits all the highlights!
This kid-friendly 10 days in italy itinerary was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..
When we decided to plan a summer trip to Italy with our kids, we thought it would be great to do a “grand tour” of the country.
Our kids really wanted to ride a gondola in Venice and see the Colosseum in Rome. And we had a few ideas of what to do in between.
Keep scrolling to see our exact kid-friendly itinerary for 10 days in Italy with our family.
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Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
With 10 days in Italy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I mean, you could easily do a 10-day Northern Italy itinerary, a full Southern Italy itinerary, or spend the whole time in Tuscany.
For this trip, we stuck with the classic Italy itinerary: Rome , Florence , and Venice . A lot of families visit Italy this way because you can hit all the highlights in these major cities.
Rome with Kids
Rome is one of the most popular places to visit in Italy because it’s massive. Plus, that’s where you’ll find the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Vatican City .
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a family at the base of the Spanish Steps in Rome](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Spanish-Steps-in-Rome-768x1024.jpeg)
We knew that we wanted to do a walking tour to familiarize ourselves with the Eternal City. We also wanted to check out some of the historic sites and do some interactive activities. Check out the top things to do in Rome with kids .
Florence with Kids
Florence is another popular Italy destination. It’s a great jumping-off point for day trips in Tuscany that are easy to do via train.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Piazzale-Michelangelo-in-Florence-Italy-768x1024.jpeg)
But there are cool places to explore in Florence like seeing Michelangelo’s David at the Uffizi Gallery, walking across the Ponte Vecchio, and playing at the Interactive Da Vinci Museum. Check out the top things to do in Florence with kids .
Venice with Kids
Venice is another iconic Italian vacation spot. Here, you can walk across the Rialto Bridge, take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, and visit the Doge’s Palace.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gondola-Ride-Under-Bridge-in-Venice-768x1024.jpeg)
Some people choose not to visit Venice because they don’t think there’s enough to do there. My kids beg to differ! Check out the top things to do in Venice with kids .
Our Exact 10 Days in Italy Itinerary
I want to say that we planned this Italy itinerary for our family of four, which consists of myself, my husband, and our two boys (ages 6yo and 9yo).
I like a fairly tight schedule, so this 10 days in Italy itinerary might sound a bit aggressive for your family. I suggest picking and choosing the activities and building in more “siesta time” if you want a more leisurely schedule.
Okay, let’s dive in!
DAY 1: VENICE ITINERARY
We left Seattle around 2:30 p.m., had a quick layover in Frankfurt, Germany and arrived in Venice at 2 p.m. It was technically an overnight flight but I don’t think any of us got more than a couple of hours of sleep.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy with a backpack walking in the Venice Airport](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Venice-Airport-Arrival-1024x768.jpeg)
Since we went through customs in Germany, it was pretty easy to get off the plane in Venice and head straight for the baggage claim area. But then we had to figure out how to get to our hotel in Venice.
Arrival in Venice
My husband had done some research a few days prior and narrowed it down to taking a water bus or a water taxi.
We knew the water bus would be the cheapest option but the water taxi sounded like a bit more fun AND it might get us closer to our hotel.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a mom and son in a water taxi leaving the Venice Airport](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Water-Taxi-at-Venice-Airport-768x1024.jpeg)
After barely sleeping in the previous 24 hours, we thought it would be best to spend a little more for convenience.
Our water taxi dropped us off just steps away from Hotel Bisanzio . We wheeled our luggage over to the desk and thankfully our room was ready!
We dropped off our luggage, used the facilities, claimed our beds, changed our clothes, and then headed out to explore Venice!
Exploring Venice
Our main goal was to do a gondola ride this evening. Mission accomplished! It was 80 Euros for 30 minutes and that was the perfect length. Any longer and I think we all would have been lulled to sleep!
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of two boys wearing striped shirts on a gondola looking at the Bridge of Sighs in Venice](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bridge-of-Sighs-from-Gondola-768x1024.jpeg)
We really weren’t that hungry for dinner, so we grabbed a quick gelato before heading back to the hotel to sleep. We knew we had a packed full day in Venice , so we wanted to be as rested as possible.
DAY 2: VENICE ITINERARY
My husband woke up crazy early so he grabbed his “good” camera and headed out to do some sunrise photography around St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, and other places along the way.
Flytographer Photo Shoot
I’m pretty obsessed with doing a Flytographer photo shoot almost anywhere we travel. They are fun, easy, and fairly affordable. So, no one flinched when I told them we had a 7:00 a.m. Venice photo shoot .
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a family posing on a bridge during a Venice photography shoot](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Venice-Family-Photos-3-683x1024.jpeg)
Our photographer Marta was adorable and expertly navigated all of the winding alleys along the canals and we got the cutest photos. You can check out all our Venice photography tips and see the rest of our photos HERE .
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy and affordable AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
Private Kid-Friendly Venice Walking Tour
We met up with our private tour guide Romy for a kid-friendly walking tour of Venice . I like to book private tours when I can because I appreciate the flexibility.
My husband wasn’t feeling well (I think it was jetlag-related) so we actually spend some time sitting at a cafe in the middle of the tour. That’s something you can’t do in a group tour setting.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Tour-of-Venice-with-Romy-768x1024.jpeg)
Romy walked us all over the main areas of Venice. She was able to get our kids interested in the history of Venice as well as answer a million questions about why Venice is the way it is.
My husband and I thought we already knew a lot about Venice, but we learned SO many new things. And it was nice to be able to chat about what it’s like to grow up in Venice.
As with any good tour in Italy, this one ended with some gelato!
Afternoon Trip to Murano and Burano
When visiting Venice, a lot of people don’t realize that there are some cool islands you can explore as a half-day trip.
I visited Murano and Burano on my first trip to Italy as a teenager and I knew I wanted to fit it into this trip to Venice.
After our original tour fell through (don’t book through Under the Tuscan Sun tours) , my husband found a great afternoon boat tour to Murano and Burano .
Murano island is famous for glassblowing. We got to watch a Murano glassblowing demonstration and walk around their gallery.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy on a bridge in Burano near Venice](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Burano-Island-Boy-768x1024.jpeg)
Then we headed to Burano (my favorite island) to see traditional lacemaking as well as walk around the charming island full of colorful houses.
We had so much fun that we almost missed our boat ride back! Check the latest rates and availability .
Evening Stroll Around Venice
Once we got back to Venice, we figured we’d spend our last night walking around before having dinner.
One of the coolest Venice hidden gems is the Libreria Acqua Alta. It’s basically a used book store that is also home to four cats.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of two boys sitting in a chair at the Alta Acqua Libreria in Venice](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Alta-Acqua-Libreria-in-Venice-768x1024.jpeg)
Libreria Acqua Alta has some adorable photo spots throughout the store. It’s also a great place to pick up unique Venice souvenirs.
We grabbed some dinner and dessert before making our way back to the hotel. Read my complete 1 day in Venice itinerary .
DAY 3: VENICE/FLORENCE ITINERARY
The kids were really sad to leave Venice and they told us we needed to come back in 3 years. Crossing our fingers that happens!
Water Bus to Train Station
The most affordable way to get from our hotel to the Venice train station was by water bus. We had a water bus stop near the hotel that was the right route to take us to the train station.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of two boys scanning tickets for the water bus in Venice Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Water-Bus-Station-in-Venice-768x1024.jpeg)
It was pretty easy to buy tickets right from the station. The hard part was sitting in the holding area which bobbed up and down while we waited for the water bus.
Our kids loved the water bus in Venice and they even met other kids on the boat. They ended up playing the game Chopsticks until we got to the train station.
From the water bus stop, it was really easy to walk to the train station in Venice and find the right track to head to.
Train Ride from Venice to Florence
The train ride from Venice to Florence was about 2 hours long. We booked Premium tickets, which meant we could enjoy WiFi, seats with tables, and get free snacks/water.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy looking out the window on a train from Venice to Florence](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Train-from-Venice-to-Florence-1024x768.jpeg)
The ride itself was really smooth and I actually spent the time working on blog posts. My kids loved having internet so they could do iPad games and zone out for a bit.
Arrival in Florence
We arrived in Florence in the early afternoon. Since our hotel wasn’t super close to the Florence train station and we had a bunch of luggage, we hopped in the taxi line.
It seemed crazy long at first, but it moved really quickly. We still were in line for about 20 minutes, but everyone’s moods were pretty happy.
We arrived at Hotel la Scaletta too early for check-in. But they were super nice and held our bags for us so we could find lunch and walk around town.
Exploring Florence
If you visit Florence during the summer, be prepared for crowds. We tried to stop at a few restaurants that our hotel recommended, but they were all reservation-only and completely full.
Thankfully, we found a cute sandwich spot to refuel.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of whale art in Florence](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Florence-Shop-with-Whale-Art-768x1024.jpeg)
And then we did a bit of shopping along the side streets. We found a shop that creates artwork using old ship manifests. We got to chat with the owners for a bit and the whole experience was really cool.
We went back to the hotel to get into our room, soak up some air conditioning, and re-group a bit before dinner.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Trattoria-Dei-13-Gobbi-768x1024.jpeg)
I made reservations at Trattoria 13 Gobbi (a restaurant that we’ve eaten at on prior trips) so we walked around and shopped until it was time for our reservation. Then, we walked back to the hotel and got some much-needed rest.
DAY 4: FLORENCE ITINERARY
We wanted to spend this Florence day getting an overview of the city. Our kids had never been here before and we figured it was best to have an expert guided tour.
Private Family-Friendly Florence City Tour
We met up with Cristina at Piazza della Repubblica for a private family tour of Florence . It was an easy walk from our hotel. She gave our kids a scavenger hunt to work on during the tour.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a woman helping two boys do a scavenger hunt on a kid-friendly tour of Florence Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Florence-Kid-Friendly-Tour-768x1024.jpeg)
She took us around the city center where we saw Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery courtyard, Arno River, the Ponte Vecchio, and more.
Of course, this tour also ended with gelato!
I should mention that Florence during the summer can get HOT. So we grabbed lunch to go and brought it back to our hotel so we could eat it in the air conditioning.
It also gave everyone a chance to cool down, rest their legs, and zone out on screens for a bit.
Da Vinci’s Workshop
We did an afternoon tour of the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence. It’s a really cool interactive museum for families where you can see Da Vinci’s designs come to life.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy sketching a machine at the Da Vinci museum in Florence Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Sketching-at-the-Da-Vinci-Museum-in-Florence-1024x768.jpeg)
Our tour guide helped the kids learn how to sketch the details of the machines, draw the entire machine, give each machine a name, and then encouraged them to create their own machines.
While our kids had heard about Leonardo Da Vinci before our trip, this was such a cool way for them to get a peek inside his mind as they got to play around with the machines.
They loved it so much that they kept sketching their designs throughout dinner.
DAY 5: CINQUE TERRE/PISA ITINERARY
One of the coolest things about visiting Florence is that it’s a great hub for taking day trips . My husband and I visited Cinque Terre when I was pregnant with my oldest and we really wanted to do an overnight there.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a woman in front of Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Exploring-Riomaggiore-Cinque-Terre-1024x768.jpeg)
But, it was fully booked when I checked 9 months in advance. So, we did a Cinque Terre day trip from Florence instead.
Cinque Terre consists of five towns on the Italian Riviera. These seaside towns can be accessed via local train, hiking, or by ferry.
Visiting Cinque Terre
I booked our train tickets as soon as they were released (I signed up for an alert online). We got up early in the morning and took a train to Pisa, then to La Spezia, and finally to Monterosso. This is one of the hill towns furthest away.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a pot of mussels in Cinque Terre Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mussels-at-Cantina-di-Miki-in-Monterosso-768x1024.jpeg)
We started here because this is where we stayed last time and we were obsessed with their mussels. So, we basically spent all our time in Monterosso eating delicious mussels and ceviche.
Our kids aren’t big on hanging at the beach. If they were, we would have packed swim stuff and paid for a chair at the beach. But they aren’t so we didn’t.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy on a ferry in Cinque Terre Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cinque-Terre-Ferry-Boy-768x1024.jpeg)
Instead, we purchased ferry tickets and took a fun boat ride to Riomaggiore. Our plan had been to get off at each Cinque Terre village, but the boat only stopped at two.
The day we visited Cinque Terre was also a cruise ship day, so all the towns were PACKED with cruise ship passengers to the point where it was uncomfortable.
We got out at Riomaggiore and did a little shopping and had some gelato. But it was mid-afternoon by now and our kids were bored. So, we switched to Plan B. Read my complete guide to Cinque Terre .
Visiting Pisa
This was a total impromptu addition to our Italy itinerary. And we only stopped because my kids insisted that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was on their bucket list.
We quickly bought train tickets for Pisa. It was just about an hour from La Spezia (which was a short train ride from Riomaggiore).
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa-Photo-Opp-768x1024.jpeg)
The train station is just a 20-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Pisa . My husband and our 6-year-old took the bus while my 9-year-old and I walked. We arrived at about the same time.
I’m so glad we made this stop! It was seriously cool to see it in real life and we were giddy when we realized we could climb to the top!
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a mom and boy at the Pisa Bell Tower](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Selfie-at-Pisa-Bell-Tower-1024x767.jpeg)
I’m really glad that we ended up adding this excursion to our Florence day trip. It was nice to escape the crowds of Cinque Terre and get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa during Golden Hour. Read my guide to visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa with kids .
DAY 6: FLORENCE ITINERARY
This was our last full day in Florence so we wanted to hit a few more highlights.
Golf Cart Tour of Florence
We did a golf cart tour of Rome about 8 years prior (before they were really a “thing”) so we were excited to do one in Florence.
We met up with our eco-friendly Florence golf cart tour at Piazza Santa Croce. This was our first time visiting Santa Croce, so it was a great excuse to look around for a bit before our tour started.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Golf-Cart-Tour-of-Florence-1024x768.jpeg)
Then, our guide drove us all over Florence and told us what we were seeing. Well, he had a recording that played that gave us the highlights!
As far as city tours go, we had a blast with this one! The kids loved not having to walk and we loved getting some much-needed breeze in the hot city!
We also got to head up to the Piazza Michelangelo to get an epic view of Florence.
Did I mention that Florence was in the upper 90s temperature-wise? Our kids begged for another Siesta afternoon. We grabbed food and took a break in the hotel so we’d have enough energy for our afternoon tour.
Private Uffizi Gallery Kid-Friendly Treasure Hunt Tour
I’m a huge fan of art museums so I usually do at least one art museum when visiting Europe with kids. This time it was the Uffizi because I’m a Botticelli fan.
I prepped the kids by showing them Birth of Venus and Primavera so they could be on the lookout for those paintings at the Uffizi. They really wanted to impress the tour guide by recognizing the paintings!
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy and a teacher looking at a painting in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Uffizi-Gallery-Kid-Friendly-Treasure-Hunt-Tour-2-768x1024.jpeg)
We met up with Francesca who had a cool scavenger hunt planned at the Uffizi Gallery. Personally, I think this is the best way to tackle such a huge museum with kids.
Our 6-year-old was overly tired and pretty much spent the whole tour asleep in my husband’s arms. I mention this in case this might be too much for younger kids.
Our 9-year-old thought the tour was really interesting and we learned some really cool things about different painters, Florence’s history, and art in general.
DAY 7: FLORENCE/ROME ITINERARY
Our kids really, really wanted to see Michaelangelo’s David, but it was impossible to get skip-the-line tickets. The best thing I could do was book a group tour that included skip-the-line tickets.
Accademia Gallery
I guess any classic Italy itinerary includes a peek at Michelangelo’s David. I’m glad that our boys pushed us to book tickets because they did enjoy seeing this famous statue up close.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy in front of Michelangelo's David statue](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Michelangelos-David-at-Accadamia-Gallery-in-florence-1024x769.jpeg)
Since I had to book a group tour , we ended up spending an hour walking around the other parts of the Accademia before ending with Michelangelo’s David. So, this activity took longer than it needed to. Read my complete Florence itinerary .
Train Ride from Florence to Rome
Our train to Rome left Florence around 3:00 p.m. So we headed to the train station about 30 minutes early to give us time to grab snacks and drinks.
We booked Premium tickets again, so we enjoyed the WiFi. This time, they skipped over us for the snacks and drinks (lame) but we had enough of our own stuff.
It took about 90 minutes to get to Rome from Florence via train.
Arrival in Rome
We met up with my cousin and her family at Roma Termini (they flew in from Spain) and we headed to our rental home.
It was 101 degrees when we arrived. We hit up a grocery store and then grabbed takeout from a local restaurant and stayed in our air conditioning.
DAY 8: ROME ITINERARY
For our first full day in Rome, we wanted to see some of the city’s highlights.
Private Family-Friendly Rome City Tour
My husband and I were the only ones in our group who had been to Rome before. So, we figured doing a Rome walking tour might come in handy.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of three kids looking at the cat sanctuary in Rome Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cat-Sanctuary-in-Rome-1024x768.jpeg)
On this Rome tour, we went into the Pantheon, walked around Capitol Hill, and explored Piazza Navona.
Our tour guide Simone was really cool and great with kids! He had a scavenger hunt for them to work on during the walk and it was a great way to keep the kids interested.
We also stopped for snacks and gelato, which was a big hit!
While this tour was awesome, I probably would recommend that people do a Rome Golf Cart tour instead. It’s easier with little kids and you’ll get to see more stuff.
By the end of the tour, the kids were all hot, tired, and sweaty. So we headed back to our rental house and figured we’d do an early dinner and head back out in the evening.
Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain
After an early dinner, we ventured out again when the temperature wasn’t as hot. We hoped the crowds would also be fewer, but that was wishful thinking!
We headed straight for the Spanish Steps. I feel like most Italy itineraries have a brief stop here, even if it’s just to snap a quick pic.
Our kids ended up racing to the top of the stairs. Thank goodness we had Air Tags on them!
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Trevi-Fountain-with-Boys-768x1024.jpeg)
Next, we headed to the Trevi Fountain. It’s easy walking distance between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
It was massively crowded at the Trevi Fountain, but the kids managed to throw their 3 coins in the fountain and hopefully that means we’ll be planning another trip to Rome!
DAY 9: ROME ITINERARY
If you’re going to spend 10 days in Italy, you might as well pop into the Vatican City . It’s the only country located INSIDE another country. And no passport is needed!
Private Family Treasure Hunt in the Vatican Museums
Our group did a private tour of the Vatican that was specifically geared toward families. Like the other ones, this included a scavenger hunt component.
Our tour guide did a great job of explaining what we’d be seeing inside. She did a full dissection of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and we all learned a ton.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy looking at a statue in the Vatican Museum](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Statue-in-Vatican-Museum-768x1024.jpeg)
I’m super thankful that we had her as a tour guide because she was not only able to navigate the crowds, but she talked to a security guard to let us skip a few rooms. This saved us more than an hour of standing in a stuffy room.
I was honestly a little surprised, but my 9-year-old truly enjoyed seeing Vatican City. Check out my full guide to visiting the Vatican with kids .
Remember how I said Rome was hot? After enjoying lunch in an air-conditioned restaurant near St. Peter’s Square, we headed back to the rental house.
We had tentative plans to visit Villa Borghese, but the weather just was so unbearable for us. If the weather had been a bit cooler, I know the kids would have loved playing there.
DAY 10: ROME ITINERARY
We ended our 10 days in Italy with one of the most famous attractions in Italy: the Colosseum!
Private Roman Forum and Colosseum Tour
We did a kid-friendly Colosseum and Roman Forum tour that was really great! It started at the Roman Forum where we learned what life was like in Ancient Rome.
Then, we headed straight into the Colosseum for an in-depth look at gladiator life and the logistics of the arena.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a mom and two kids in the Colosseum](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Colosseum-Mom-and-Boys-768x1024.jpeg)
The Colosseum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s honestly impressive to walk through it.
Our guide had scavenger hunts for each location and our kids learned a TON about gladiators. They actually were able to talk about it later and I couldn’t believe how many facts they retained.
Rome Gladiator School
We also signed our family up for Rome Gladiator School . My husband heard about it from a TV show and apparently, a bunch of celebrities have done it.
Basically, we started inside a gladiator museum where we got to try out helmets, shields, swords, and other weapons while learning about the Roman army. It was fascinating!
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rome-Gladiator-School-Boys-768x1024.jpeg)
Then, it was time for gladiator training! This included putting on a costume, running an obstacle course, learning some key moves, and then sparring.
Finally, it was time for the grand battle! Everyone stepped into a little arena and got to put their skills to the test!
This was the highlight of our trip to Rome, according to our boys. Check out my full guide to Rome Gladiator School .
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
I know I said this was a 10 days in Italy itinerary, but we did one last thing in Rome that I wanted to talk about.
Yes, we started and ended our 10 days in Italy with photography sessions!
We booked this one at 6:30 a.m. so we had plenty of time for a leisurely photo shoot before our flight to Amsterdam . There are tons of Rome photographers to choose from.
![places to travel summer 2023 Check out these tips for finding affordable Rome photographers by top family travel blog Marcie in Mommyland. Image of a family in front of the Colosseum in Rome Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Affordable-Rome-Photographers-Featured-Image-1024x683.jpeg)
Since I really wanted “good” family photos in front of the Colosseum, I booked a route that took us around that area. It was definitely worth getting up before dawn to avoid all the pesky crowds!
You can check out all our Rome photography tips and see the rest of our photos HERE . Read my complete Rome itinerary .
Is This The Best Italy Itinerary for Families?
Even though I’m a family travel blogger and my whole job is to give advice about where families should go, I’m a firm believer that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all Italy itinerary.
This itinerary worked well for our family. Well, my husband did complain a little bit about how it was too packed. But, by the end of the trip, there wasn’t anything that we would have cut from this Italy itinerary.
We don’t normally have so much “down time” when we visit Italy, but the hot weather and crowds made this a necessity.
Other Italy Itinerary Ideas
If you’d like to extend your Italy itinerary or swap out any of the cities I mentioned above, here are some popular options.
You can do Tuscany as a day trip (or several) from Florence. A few of the most popular places to visit in Tuscany for families include Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, the Chianti Region, Maremma, and Val d’Orcia.
![places to travel summer 2023 Aerial view over city of Siena, Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Siena-in-Tuscany-Italy-1024x683.jpg)
Tuscany is great for families that want to do wine tasting, explore farms, do a cooking class, check out medieval castles, and get a break from the city.
Amalfi Coast
A lot of people have a hard time deciding between Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast . You can do the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome , or you can spend a few nights there.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of the Amalfi Coast in Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Amalfi-Coast-in-Italy-1024x683.jpeg)
We seriously considered adding a few days on the Amalfi Coast, but it just felt too similar to Cinque Terre so we didn’t do it. But if you aren’t doing Cinque Terre, this would be great for any Italy itinerary.
The Amalfi Coast towns include Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, Minori, Atrani, Furore, and Cetara.
I’m still kicking myself that we didn’t do an Amalfi Coast day trip. Next time, I guess.
Lake Como, nestled in the Italian Alps, is a must-visit for its mesmerizing beauty, charming lakeside villages, and serene atmosphere.
![places to travel summer 2023 Town of Menaggio on lake Como, Milan, Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Lake-Como-in-Italy-1024x682.jpeg)
It offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, Italian culture, and luxury, with activities like boat tours, hiking, and visiting historic villas.
Adding Lake Como to your Northern Italy itinerary provides a relaxing counterpoint to the bustling city sights and a taste of the Italian dolce vita.
Milan is one of the world’s fashion capitals, hosting prestigious labels like Armani, Versace, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. But that’s not all that is there.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Duomo-in-Milan-Italy-1024x693.jpg)
One of the top Milan attractions is the Duomo di Milano. This iconic Milan cathedral is the largest in Italy and the third-largest in the world.
Pompeii and/or Herculaneum
If you’re interested in Ancient Rome, you might want to do a tour of Pompeii.
![places to travel summer 2023 Street in Pompeii, Italy. Pompeii is an ancient Roman city died from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the 1st century.](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Street-in-Pompeii-Italy-1024x697.jpg)
Visiting Pompeii is a unique journey back in time, as you explore the well-preserved ruins of this ancient Roman city that was frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
A lesser-known alternative is Herculaneum. Herculaneum is an ancient Roman town that, like Pompeii, was preserved under volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
You can also do these as day trips from the Amalfi Coast.
Where Did We Stay in Italy with Kids?
Hotel bisanzio in venice.
We really loved staying at Hotel Bisanzio and I’d recommend it to any family looking for a spacious room.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of bunk beds in a 2-story hotel room in Venice Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Hotel-Bisanzio-in-Venice-Italy-768x1024.jpg)
The loft room was really nice because the kids had bunk beds and their own bathroom while we had a loft room upstairs with our own bathroom. Check the latest rates and availability .
There are lots of other great options all across Venice. See my list of the best kid-friendly Venice hotels .
Hotel La Scaletta Al Ponte Vecchio
I definitely recommend Hotel La Scaletta for families wanting spacious rooms with a great location. We still can’t believe how many places we were able to easily walk to.
![places to travel summer 2023 Image of a boy sitting on a twin bed in a hotel in Florence Italy](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Hotel-La-Scaletta-Twin-Beds-768x1024.jpeg)
The luxury suite exceeded our expectations. The kids had their own beds and they were separated from us by a partial wall. Check the latest rates and availability .
Plus, we had a stand-alone tub near our bed and a balcony with an epic garden view.
There are lots of great options all across Florence. See my list of the best kid-friendly Florence hotels .
Airbnb Near Roma Termini
We only booked an Airbnb because there were 8 of us staying together and we wanted areas to just hang out. I really don’t like Airbnb (they have canceled on us last minute) and don’t recommend that people use them.
We definitely would have booked a hotel if it was just our family. See my list of the best kid-friendly Rome hotels .
What to Pack for Italy with Kids for Summer
Packing for a trip to Italy with kids can vary depending on the season, but here are some general Italy packing essentials we used in the summer.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Italy is best explored on foot, so ensure everyone has sturdy, comfortable footwear. I wore my Cariuma shoes and leather sandals. My kids wore these sandals .
Lightweight Clothing
During summer, pack lightweight, breathable clothing. My boys wore a lot of shorts and either T-shirts or button-down shirts.
My favorite dresses for Italy include this striped dress , this flutter sleeve dress , and
I pretty much lived in either my Brixton hat or a straw hat from Nordstrom Rack. My kids got straw hats in Venice and then Pokemon hats in Florence.
My favorite sunscreen for our whole family is this Babyganics spray . It’s not an aerosol sprayer so it’s easy to spray your hands and then rub it into your body. This mineral sunscreen soaks in quickly without leaving a white residue.
We were not expecting Italy to have so many bugs (outside of Venice). So we were thankful to have mosquito bracelets as well as bug spray with us. And we were eternally grateful for After Bite .
Reusable Water Bottles
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. We’re big fans of Yeti water bottles because they have a smaller drink hole than other water bottles.
Travel Adapter
Italy uses Type F and Type L plugs. I like this adapter because it’s also a converter. It was great for my laptop, my husband’s C-PAP, as well as my curling iron.
My Tips for Visiting Italy with Kids
Public transportation vs taxi/uber.
While we’ve done public transportation in a lot of European cities, I personally don’t like using it in Rome.
Not only is it notorious for pickpockets, but they only have a few lines around the city. That means you’ll probably have to walk a decent amount even if you take the metro in Rome.
Personally, we just splurge and take taxis or Uber in Rome. I like not worrying about protecting myself from pickpockets. Plus, it gets us much closer to our destination.
For Florence, your best bet is to either walk (things are much closer than you think) or take a taxi or Uber. And for Venice, you’ll either need to walk or take a water bus.
Do You Need to Rent a Car in Italy?
For this 10 days in Italy itinerary, we didn’t rent a car and we definitely didn’t need to. We relied on trains and taxi/Uber.
The only time we rented a car in Italy was when we stayed in the Tuscan countryside several years ago. The place we stayed was too far from a train station and it made the most sense to have our own vehicle.
If you are just visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice, you do NOT need a rental car.
Be Prepared for Train Delays
When we arrived at the train station in Florence, we saw that most of the trains had a delay of at least an hour. It was a good reminder not to book any tours or activities on our travel days.
Make sure to grab snacks and drinks and find a place to hunker down at the train station.
If you don’t see your train listed on the board (sometimes it’s full of delayed trains), go inside the gate and check the platforms to see if your train is listed.
Book Skip-the-Line Tickets (especially during the summer)
You wouldn’t believe how many people we saw who were turned away at every museum we went to because all the tickets for the day were sold out.
My son and I wanted to do an impromptu climb up the Duomo, but we quickly realized that tickets were sold out all week.
I suggest booking skip-the-line tickets for any museum you want to do at least a month in advance. You can figure out which ones you might want to do a tour for or which ones you want to explore on your own.
Bring Headphones for Kids
If you’re doing any museum tours, there’s a good chance that your tour guide will hand your kid ear buds that don’t fit in their ears. It’s SUPER frustrating.
A good solution is to bring your own headphones that you can use instead. These will fit your child much better and alleviate a ton of drama/tears.
10 Days in Italy Itinerary FAQs
Can i see all of italy in 10 days.
While it’s theoretically possible to visit many of Italy’s highlights in 10 days, it’s unlikely that you would be able to fully experience all of Italy in such a short period of time.
Italy is rich in history, culture, and diverse landscapes, and each region, city, and even small town has its unique charm and attractions.
To truly immerse in the Italian experience, it’s advisable to focus on a few select areas rather than trying to cover everything.
How should I spend 10 days in Italy?
Your 10-day itinerary in Italy should ideally include a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, and immersive experiences.
How many days is good in Italy?
The length of your stay in Italy can depend greatly on the depth of experience you’re seeking. A week to 10 days is a good starting point for first-time visitors wanting to cover several major cities (such as Rome, Florence, and Venice) at a relaxed pace.
However, if you wish to explore more regions, delve into specific cultural aspects, or spend more time relaxing in the countryside or beaches, consider extending your trip to two weeks or more. Ultimately, any time spent in Italy will be rewarding!
How many cities can I realistically visit during a 10-day trip to Italy?
Depending on your pace, you can comfortably visit 2-4 cities. For example, you could spend a few days each in Rome, Florence, and Venice with day trips to the surrounding areas.
Should I rent a car for a 10-day trip in Italy?
It’s not necessary if you’re sticking to cities as Italy has an excellent train system. However, a car may be useful for exploring the countryside or smaller towns, such as those in Tuscany.
Can I visit both Northern and Southern Italy in 10 days?
While it’s possible, it may feel rushed. It’s better to focus on one region to fully appreciate its attractions without feeling overwhelmed by travel.
Is a 10-day trip enough to experience Italy?
While it’s impossible to see everything in Italy in just 10 days, a well-planned itinerary will allow you to experience a good slice of Italian culture, history, and cuisine.
What are some must-see sights for a 10-day trip in Italy?
Some must-see sights include the Colosseum and Vatican in Rome, Uffizi Gallery and Duomo in Florence, the canals of Venice, and the Leaning Tower in Pisa.
Should I book skip-the-line tickets for major attractions?
Absolutely, this can save you a lot of time, especially during the peak season.
What’s the best way to travel between cities in Italy?
The train system in Italy is efficient and often the fastest way to travel between major cities.
Can I include a day at the beach in my 10-day Italy itinerary?
Certainly, Italy has some beautiful beaches. Consider the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, or Sardinia.
What’s the best time of the year to travel to Italy for 10 days?
Spring (April to June) and Fall (September and October) are generally the best times to visit Italy, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Italy-Guide-Banner-Ad-1024x536.jpg)
Spending 10 Days in Italy with Kids Wrap-Up
Spending 10 days in Italy with your family can be an extraordinary journey.
With these Italy itinerary ideas, your Italy trip will be a blend of adventure, relaxation, and education. Be it day trips or extended stays, Italy vacations cater to every age, making it an ideal destination.
Remember, every itinerary is just a suggestion—feel free to adapt it to your family’s tastes and pace. Happy travels!
Looking for more Italy travel resources? Check out my top tips for visiting Italy with kids , Rome travel tips , Florence travel tips , Venice travel tips , 3 days in Rome with kids , day trips from Rome , 2 days in Florence with kids , best Rome tours for families , day trips from Florence , day trip to Cinque Terre , Europe travel tips , and 1 day in Venice with kids !
![places to travel summer 2023](https://www.marcieinmommyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/10-Days-in-Italy-with-Kids-Pin-683x1024.jpg)
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Buffalo Bills fans turn up in the craziest places, even on summer vacation in Maine
I walk off the ferry from Peaks Island, Maine, to Portland, Maine.
I’m wearing my vintage Buffalo Bills hat, the blue one with the red Buffalo, no letters, just the Buffalo.
A guy walking onto the ferry, a guy I don’t know, looks at me and says, “Go Bills.”
That’s it, just those two words.
We could be spies in a John le Carre novel.
We pass each other in West Berlin. We whisper a password. Go Bills.
Though sometimes in Maine there’s nothing furtive about the Bills exchanges.
At another time, we’re walking toward the ferry and a group of about eight people yell out, “Go Bills.”
I stop. We talk. They’re from Buffalo. Well, actually, they’re from Williamsville near Buffalo, and they’re on a walking tour of Portland.
But, for two minutes or so, we forget Portland, the restaurants, the cobblestones, the lobsters, the craft beers.
No, we’re back in Bills country, in Orchard Park, as we quickly decide that this will be the year the Bills go all the way.
The Bills will, you know. They have Josh Allen. He’s enough.
On Peaks Island, the hat also works its magic.
I’m walking, a runner gives me a “Go Bills” as he zips by. I respond, shoot a thumbs up.
My wife Cindy, a true-blue Bills fan, and I keep score. “Did you get a ‘Go Bills’? I ask when she returns from a walk wearing a Bills shirt.
“Just one,” she says, disappointed.
But one here, one there. It adds up. The Bills Mafia is everywhere.
It is, of course, a cult, which gives me pause.
I never thought I would be in a cult, but there I am, brainwashed and believing, impervious to logic and truth, a disciple.
For years, I couldn’t be in the cult. I was a journalist, and journalist don’t take sides. There’s no cheering in the press box.
I would interview Bills fans with all of the objectivity of an anthropologist.
I would document their patterns, their rituals, their chants, their clothing.
Yes, their clothing.
Layered up, they wore Bills socks, Bills shorts, Bills shirts, Bills hats, whatever it took to guarantee a Bills win.
If the Bills lost, they would burn all that garb, then try something else.
I found all of this both intriguing and amusing.
“What’s wrong with these people?” I asked myself.
What’s wrong with me?
How did I get sucked into the cult? Why do I find myself putting on a Bills hat in the hope that I’ll encounter someone else in a Bills hat and we’ll say, “Go Bills” and perhaps stop and talk about the season ahead and all the joy it will bring.
We’re in Maine, for Pete’s sake. Can’t we just talk about how nice people are here. Can’t we look out at the Atlantic and not think about the newly configured offensive line?
Maybe it’s time for an intervention. Maybe a trained therapist should take me aside and say, “We need to talk.”
The trained therapist could gently point out that the point of traveling is to see new places, to meet new people, to expose yourself to different cultures.
Perhaps the trained therapist could recommend some ways to escape the cult.
“When you’re on vacation, you could leave your Bills hat at home,” the trained therapist might say.
I could do that, but I think of all the other Bills fans, hopping on or off the ferry, running or walking around the island.
They need to talk about the Bills, too. They need support. I need support. Ignore this cry for help. Go Bills.
Remarkable Rochesterians: John Williams
Here’s a vacation tip: Make sure you go in an Olympic year, so when it’s raining, and it will rain, you have something to watch on your cabin TV. Gymnastics, diving, swimming, breaking. Snoop Dog. It’s all there for you when the storms arrive. Thank you, Paris. Thank you, Olympic organizers. Thank you, Olympians.
In appreciation of all things Olympic, let’s add this past Olympian from Rochester to the list of Remarkable Rochesterians that can be found at: https://data.democratandchronicle.com/remarkable-rochesterians/
John Williams (1965- ): The Mendon native and championship equestrian was a member of the bronze-medal winning eventing team in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the sport requiring a rider and horse to compete in dressage, cross-country jumping and stadium jumping. A gold medalist in team eventing in the 2002 World Equestrian Games, he graduated from Honeoye Falls-Lima High School and the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he studied furniture design and woodworking. Now living in Virginia, he designs eventing courses.
From his home in Geneseo, Livingston County, retired senior editor Jim Memmott, writes Remarkable Rochester, who we were, who we are. He can be reached at [email protected] or write Box 274, Geneseo, NY 14454 .
Can you go shelling at Pensacola Beach in the summer? Sure! Here's what to know
![places to travel summer 2023 Portrait of Brandon Girod](https://bearswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/08/20/PPEN/9dc71a64-7b05-482a-8bf2-fa3548ccebe0-DSC09401-2.png?crop=2703,2703,x1,y372&width=48&height=48&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Shelling doesn’t really have a season – whether winter or summer, seashells still wash ashore. But if you ask anyone who enjoys shelling as a hobby, they’ll typically recommend the fall and winter months.
The summer months on Pensacola Beach also tend to be crowded. That’s another reason shelling is typically reserved for cooler months when the tourist season is dying down and there are fewer people to deal with.
Those crowds are exactly what makes shelling during the summertime a good idea: You have less competition from serious shellers, and you can pick through what inexperienced shellers overlook.
Here’s what to know about shelling on Pensacola Beach.
Find secluded sections of the beach
Shelling isn't a race, but that doesn't mean there isn't a bit of competition to be had. When shelling, it's best to look for places that aren't as crowded. You'll have less competition and it will increase the chances of your finding areas that haven't already been picked through.
What is sea glass? Where to find it in Florida, how to know if it's real or fake
Early morning is the best time to go shelling
Getting up early in the morning means you can potentially beat the more casual beach crowds. But early-morning shelling isn't just a good idea for that reason alone.
The tide is usually the lowest in early morning, which means you'll have more beach to sift through compared to when the tide is higher. During summertime, it's especially important to respect the heat. Early morning shelling means cooler temps.
Don't just focus your search along the shoreline
It's easy to find fresh seashells right where the ocean meets the sand, but these low-effort areas are ripe for just about anyone to sort through before you get a chance to do the same.
If you're having a hard time finding seashells along the direct shoreline, don't fret. You can find seashells hidden all along the sandy areas of most beaches, especially after storms roll through the area.
Where are the best places to go shelling in Pensacola?
Shells can wash up anywhere on the beach, so finding the "best" spot isn't technically possible. That said, there are some lesser-explored beaches in Pensacola whose seclusion makes them prime spots to discover untouched beds of seashells.
Places in Pensacola Beach, like Casino Beach, will be inundated with crowds, making it hard to enjoy the art of shelling. That said, those crowds deter other shellers and can be an opportunity to spot rare shells not known to more casual shellers.
Still, secluded spots will be the best and places like Pensacola Beach Park East, Navarre Beach, beaches around Fort Pickens, Perdido Key and Perdido Key State Park (see more below).
Rare Florida seashells: Shell Week: Expert lists 10 rare seashells you can find on Florida beaches. Good luck!
What types of seashells can be found at Pensacola Beach?
Here's a quick list of commonly found seashells at Pensacola Beach:
- Florida fighting conchs
- Scotch bonnets
- Sand dollars
- Florida cones
Know what you can and can't collect ahead of time
Believe it or not, there are laws governing recreational sea shell collecting . Most of the laws involve whether or not the harvested sea shell contains a live organism, the type of organism, where you're collecting and what you plan to do with it afterward.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) states that live oysters and live hard clams (quahogs) can only be harvested in accordance with FWC rules.
All species of clam, oyster and mussel can only be harvested from designated approved or conditionally approved shellfish harvesting areas that are open.
A Florida recreational saltwater fishing license is required to harvest a sea shell containing a live organism, even if you pick it up along the shore.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have no closed areas or restrictions, but state parks and national wildlife refuges limit or outright prohibit the harvest of certain species. You should check with the park you plan to visit for specific rules ahead of time.
Some species are totally banned from harvesting
It is illegal to harvest Bahama starfish, and any possession of live queen conches is prohibited at all times. It's not unlawful to possess a queen conch shell, provided that it does not contain a live queen conch and that the living queen conch was not killed mutilated or otherwise removed from its shell at the time of collection.
Know your bag limits
The FWC regulates the number of species you're allowed to collect per day. The bag limit for marine life (tropical ornamental) species is 20 organisms per person per day.
You can only have five of any one marine life species within the 20-organism marine life bag limit. For unregulated species, more than 100 pounds or two fish per person per day (whichever is greater) is considered commercial quantities and requires a saltwater products license.
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Oslo: Europe's coolest art capital. THE POINTS GUY. Best for art and design lovers seeking new city-shaping museums and hotels. Norway continues to claim the attention of travelers, but in 2023, all eyes are on the capital city, which is finally ready to flaunt its latest investments in the arts and hospitality.
Poland: The country's show of solidarity with neighboring Ukraine is one reason to visit. Historic Krakow, pictured, Warsaw and the forests, lakes and mountains of the countryside are more good ...
Montecito, California. San Ysidro Ranch. Maybe leave the kids at home for this one. Arguably the most romantic hotel on the west coast, the 130-year-old San Ysidro Ranch has quite a storied ...
52 Places to Go in 2023 ... Yatai were a common sight across Japan in the 1950s, but during the 1964 Summer Olympics, the authorities had them removed to project an image of economic recovery. In ...
11. Prince Edward Island, Canada. A 435-mile hiking and biking route around Canada's small but mighty province invites visitors to travel slowly and joyfully. Prince Edward Island, or PEI, off Canada's eastern seaboard, is home to some of the country's most enchanting pastoral scenery.
In Switzerland, ride the rails to quaint Alpine towns for chocolate, hiking, and skiing. Help save the turtles in Trinidad & Tobago, one of the most important leatherback turtle rookeries in the ...
It will surpass any water park, any hotel or any other Atlantis property, for that matter. If there's only one hotel opening you focus on this year for a best place to travel in 2023, this is ...
Here are the 23 best places to travel in 2023, according to OvationNetwork's list of the top leisure destinations, compiled exclusively for FORBES. Queenstown, New Zealand. Marrakesh, Morocco. Big ...
Paris. #1 in World's Best Places to Visit for 2023-2024. France's magnetic City of Light is a perennial tourist destination, drawing visitors with its iconic attractions, like the Eiffel Tower and ...
Take a look at the most popular destinations on travelers' wish lists this summer. The Top 10 Destinations. Disney World is so 2022. In 2023, London is calling. That's right, London tops the list for 2023 summer flight searches, unseating Orlando in a sure sign of international travel's unprecedented comeback this year.
49. Block Island, Rhode Island. Embrace the island vibes of this East Coast paradise, where bicycle rides, beach days, and brilliant sunsets charm summer visitors. Announcing our picks for the 50 best places to travel in 2023. Explore emerging destinations, discover hidden gems & go off the lemming path ….
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Madrid to Montenegro, Turkey to Transylvania: Our list of places to travel in 2023 includes Burgundy, Maldives, Vienna, Scotland, Panama, a private Africa ...
Glacier National Park. #3 in Best Summer Vacation Spots in the World for 2024. Glacier National Park is open 365 days a year, but summertime brings out the best of this Montana gem. Temperatures ...
Instead of Rome: Peljesac Peninsula, Croatia. Intrepid Travel's Rome to Amalfi is one of the company's most-booked tours for American travelers this summer. Since Rome was the fifth-most ...
In summer 2023 one of the original developers behind Minneapolis' Hewing Hotel will open St. James Social. The 140-year-old building and former home of the historic St. James Hotel is getting a ...
From Guatemala to the Yukon, hospitality experts pick the trending vacation destinations for 2023.
The best places to travel in 2023, and the coolest things to do when you get there. Set those Google flights alerts, pack your bags, and get ready for adventure! ... Summer in Greece is a dreamy ...
The EDGE District is welcoming its first lifestyle property, the Moxy Hotel by Marriott, while Mint House is set to open in the district in June 2023, offering apartment-style accommodations ...
Summer always seems to fly by, and before you know it, it's time to pac
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids. With 10 days in Italy, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. I mean, you could easily do a 10-day Northern Italy itinerary, a full Southern Italy itinerary, or spend the whole time in Tuscany. ... If you visit Florence during the summer, be prepared for crowds. We tried to stop at a ...
The site finder is updated with new state submissions every Friday throughout the summer. In addition to eat-on-site Summer Meals, you can use the site finder to find pick-up locations for places where SUN Meals To-Go is offered. However, the site finder does not list sites offering meal delivery for SUN Meals To-Go.
Best Places To Travel In 2023. Caroline Lupini Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards. ... Cortina d'Ampezzo is the perfect location for all four seasons of the year. In the summer, head ...
Here's a vacation tip: Make sure you go in an Olympic year, so when it's raining, and it will rain, you have something to watch on your cabin TV. Gymnastics, diving, swimming, breaking. Snoop Dog.
Find secluded sections of the beach. Shelling isn't a race, but that doesn't mean there isn't a bit of competition to be had. When shelling, it's best to look for places that aren't as crowded.
Click to find out the best travel credit cards. Select Region United States. United Kingdom. Germany. India. Australia. Italy. ... Best Tax Relief Services Tax Brackets 2023-2024 Income Tax ...