2023 is on the horizon, which means travel plans are too! I have compiled a list of 20 places you should check out that are WORTH the trip! Every year certain destinations like Greece, Amalfi Coast in Italy, and even Paris stay at the top. But there are a lot of fantastic destinations to also consider.
Below is a list of 20 places that should be on your list for 2023!
Alaska, USA
This massive state is the northernmost state of the United States and one of the most breathtaking and diverse regions. From the Arctic Circle to the Inner Passage, you’ll experience everything from temperate rainforests, gargantuan glaciers, lush meadows, and ice plains. Bears, eagles, whales, and other unique wildlife are found in abundance, as well as a rich cultural history dating back to the earliest indigenous settlers responsible for the famed totem poles found all over the region. Cruising is a popular way to visit Alaska, but don’t discount the other incredible ways to explore this area!
From hiking to kayaking, cruising, seeing the Northern Lights, and even dog sledding, the options in Alaska are varied and unique, making this one of the top 20 destinations to visit in 2023!
Barbados, Caribbean
Located in the Caribbean islands of North America, this vibrant tropical destination is conveniently close and yet feels worlds away to those who visit! Pulling from a rich and diverse background of influences, this island country is a patchwork of unique experiences colored by cultures from England to the West Indies and Africa.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Located in the French Polynesian island chain in the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora is a highly-sought after luxury vacation destination that offers some of the most stunning views and experiences to be found anywhere in the world! Rugged volcanic peaks covered in lush jungle forests turn into pristine sandy beaches surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. A visit to Bora Bora will be a truly memorable experience for any who visit, whether you dive into the Polynesia culture through food and dance or surround yourself with the pristine beauty with a jungle hike or the opportunity to swim with manta rays along the vibrant coral reefs.
Budapest, Hungary
Filled with lavish architecture, delicious cuisine, and multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Budapest is a gorgeous European city with a lengthy and colorful history that has created a truly unique city filled with dozens of things to do. Whether you come for the rich Hungarian cuisine or a chance to marvel at the multiple historical sites, you’ll find Budapest a surprising and rewarding addition to the list of 20 destinations to visit in 2023! Be sure not to miss the lively nightlife and exciting bohemian revival occurring throughout many of the neighborhoods.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Located on the tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, this vacation destination is renowned for its beautiful beaches and unique desert climate. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other, beaches are plentiful and as a popular spring break destination, you’ll also find plenty of beach parties and nightclubs to accompany the stretches of soft, sandy beach. An added benefit to the desert climate of this beach-filled vacation spot is the fact that there is almost year-round sunshine! With the exception of hurricane season, Cabo San Lucas gets virtually no rain, so you’ll be able to get the most out of your time spent in this fun-filled destination!
Cappadocia, Turkey
In central Turkey, you’ll find an otherworldly terrain known as Cappadocia, the unique and stunning destination that makes bucket lists for travelers worldwide. Fairy chimneys and underground crypts stand alongside man-made cave dwellings and ancient rock monasteries to create one of the most unique and breathtaking experiences you’ll find, unlike anywhere else in the world.
Cartagena, Colombia
Settled by the Spanish during the Colonial period, this tropical destination is a mix of old European charm and robust Colombian culture with a hefty dose of stunning beaches and exotic cuisine. Explore the historic architecture that feels like you are wandering through an old European city and then hit the beaches for relaxing hours spent lounging in the sun while sampling some of the many unique tropical fruits found in the region.
Colmar, France
Filled with picturesque canals and Medieval and Renaissance-era half-timbered houses painted in a myriad of pastel hues, this storybook village in the northeast region of France is a vacation destination for many from around the world! In addition to the quaint cobbled streets and the magical architecture, you’ll find a plethora of historic sites and easy access to beautiful Christmas markets, skiing, and golfing as well as some of the best vineyards and wine tours in the region! The Alsace region where Colmar is located is known for its delicious mix of German and French cuisine, making this a diverse and colorful addition to the list of the top 20 destinations to visit in 2023.
Giza, Egypt
Located on the west bank of the Nile River in Egypt, Giza is one of the top destinations to visit in 2023, perhaps of all time. Filled with ancient tombs, temples, monuments and of course the Pyramids, Giza is a location filled with so many unique and stunning sites that it lands a spot on nearly every traveler’s bucket list. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it’s one of those places that you need to see to believe.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Appropriately named, this island is the largest of the three islands that make up the British Territory known as the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. Filled with lush jungles and surrounded by pristine beaches, this island is a tropical oasis for travelers and wildlife alike. You’ll find massive groups of stingrays and sea turtle rescue centers amid the white sand beaches and prolific restaurants that take advantage of the bounty of the sea that surrounds the island.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
This breathtaking waterfall is located in the region of the Grand Canyon on tribal lands and has attracted visitors from around the world for years. In fact, tourism was so heavy that it proved to be a detriment to the environment, so you will have to plan well in advance to visit this stunning natural wonder.
Jaipur, India
Also known as the Pink City for its unusual and aesthetic pink-hued buildings, this area of India is colloquially referred to as the Paris of India due to the stunning architecture of old palaces and older buildings as well as the surprisingly clean streets and the wealth of shopping available.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Home to the iconic terraced mineral hot springs, this location is one of the most magical and otherworldly landscapes found anywhere in the world. The pristine blue waters cascade over multiple pristine white mineral terraces, each one steaming and rich in minerals that are reported to have health benefits. Nearby, you will also find stunning ancient Roman ruins, including baths used by the Romans centuries ago! Pammukale is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey
Petra, Jordan
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Petra in the country of Jordan is one of the top destinations to visit in 2023. This breathtaking site sprawls through a cavern and features monumental ancient structures carved into the rock walls. Located in the region between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, this area was once a major hub of travel and trade. Today it attracts hundreds of thousands of people, not for trade but to simply marvel at the stunning architecture of this one-of-a-kind historic wonder.
Rainbow Mountain, Peru
Also known locally in Peru as Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain is a stunning array of sloping hills that are streaked with a myriad of almost otherworldly colors, especially during the right time of day!
When the sun hits just right, this 3-hour round trip hike is well worth the effort to see the slopes come to life in a brilliant play of colors ranging from white to yellow and pink to blue! Be sure to make the day trip from Cusco to see this sight for yourself!
Scottsdale Arizona, USA
With a warm climate year-round and surrounded by sweeping desert vistas, Scottsdale Arizona is one of the top destinations to visit in 2023 for not only its luxury accommodations and breathtaking scenery, but also for its close and convenient location to a number of other sights.
Whitsundays Islands, Australia
Comprised of over 74 tropical islands in the middle of the renowned Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Whitsundays Islands are a chain of islands and islets of all different shapes and sizes, each one offering a new experience and a different vantage point.
Washington DC, USA
The capital of the United States of America is always a top destination, so when crafting your own list of destinations to visit in 2023, be sure to include this lively and exciting city. From the White House to the Smithsonian and dozens of famous memorials and monuments in between, you will always find something new and remarkable to experience.
Vienna, Austria
Filled to the brim with historic palaces and boasting a list of musical influences that includes a who’s-who list of famous composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, this European city is an eclectic mix of old-world charm and modern amenities.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn Estonia, while known for its remarkable Christmas markets, is a gem along the Baltic Sea worth visiting regardless of the time of year!
This Estonian city is home to one of the most well-preserved Medieval-era cities in Europe and this UNESCO World Heritage site draws visitors from all over the world for this reason! The cafes and nightlife are also another reason to visit, making it a well-rounded and surprisingly robust destination!